GemStone IV Wiki - User contributions [en]

Albatross

2026-04-03T21:03:49Z

STACYWALTER: added links to the words DragonBones and Jellybeard in the opening paragraphs

<div class="alert alert-info"><center>'''The Albatross found a permanent home at the Wehnimer's Landing North Docks in 2024.'''</center></div>
The Albatross was a semi-regularly scheduled event focusing on gambling that made its way around Elanthia.

The riverboat was originally owned by Captain Lahveew and ownership was transferred to Captain Gostahl in early 2012, with a tie in to the Mayor Walkar storyline as the reason behind the transfer. Captain [[Parlay]] won The Albatross from Gostahl and is the current owner. It is now docked at the Wehnimer's Landing North Docks and periodically hosts games and gambling events, such as [[Dragon Bones|DragonBones]] with Captain [[Jellybeard]].
{{TOCright}}
==Gambling==
===GM-Hosted===
*[[Dragonbones]][http://www.gemstone.net/etimes/et9/trickso.htm]
*[[Gostahl's dicing]]

===Automated===
*[[Roulette]]
*Let it Ride

==Shopping==

As with most events, shop owners are sometimes around to provide specialized services.

==="Rogue's Delight"===
Uncommon lock pick types, including neck worn and hidden under the tongue.

===Boutique===
Darts for the dartboard located elsewhere on the riverboat, dice, coins, cigars and souvenirs.

===Joola's Jewels===
[[Joola items]].

==="Pirate Cart"===
Previously owned by Vahmyr and located on the riverboat, this shop is now run by Cidolfhus and situated directly next to the gangplank to the Albatross. Sells LFM gear, pirate-themed items - some of which will alter your appearance, and weather scripted coats (released 4/1/12).

Weather scripted coats will check the environment for their verb traps - inside, snowing, raining, ashy (Teras), and climate.

*Off the rack is open/close, wear/remove.
*First tier is pull/push get/put, and having a hood added will change pull/push.
*Second tier (fully unlocked) is rub, toss, turn, clean.

===Tattoos===
You can purchase a [[stock tattoo]] for 25,000 silver. Race / Trading skill does not affect this price.

==Pay Event==

In 2014, The Albatross was first used for a new [[pay event]] that focused on [[alteration]]s and [[grandiose deepening]]. Tickets cost $29.99 for a standard account. Per GM Vanah:

<div {{prettydiv}}>Captain Parlay is offering four-hour river excursions on the casino riverboat the Albatross! Enjoy the wide array of gambling games, including Roulette, Let It Ride, Pirate Lottery, Chain Tumblers, and more! Move on to Silvers' Taproom and the Bewildered Buffet to enjoy an assortment of food and drink and catch up with friends around a dining table table! Adjourn to one of the private suites for a brief respite before disembarking at the end of the voyage.

Shopping is available in the Smoke Stack, the Gift Shop, and the Ladies' Luck Lounge. A merchant will be available in the Merchant's Nook, ready to provide general alteration, lightening, or deepening services to passengers.

OOC: Up to 25 players can sign up for each riverboat excursion. There is a three-service limit for each account. Offered services are:
* description alterations,
* making an item weigh 10% less down to the container's limit, or
* making a container hold 10% more up to the following limits: backworn and cloakworn items up to incredible; shoulder-slung items up to particularly large; belt, beltworn, headworn, leg-worn, chest-worn, or over-the-front items up to fairly large; and any other container up to slightly small; however, items this last category will not be able to hold individual items that are larger than 2 pounds each. Pinworn containers are not eligible for the deepening service.

Please review the [[ALTER]] verb and [[ANALYZE]] your items to make sure you are prepared with your items and ideas when it is your turn. Ideas that do not comply with the rules in the ALTER verb will be denied. The merchant always has the final say on whether your item is eligible for a service.</div>

The grandiose deepening limits for this event are as follows:
*160lbs - Back, cloak, and some shoulder containers.
*70lbs - Hanging off the belt and some shoulder containers
*50lbs - Over-the-front, and various other smaller containers
*16lbs - Tiny containers like thigh sheaths, ankle sheaths and waist worn stuff.

Containers are not automatically deepened to the max, so it is highly recommend already max deepened containers are brought to this event, and they will be deepened in 10% increments until maxed.

===Resources===
*[http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Paid%20Events:%20Adventures,%20Quests,%20and%20SimuCoins/The%20Albatross/view Officials folder]

==Prior Runs==
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=735 Albatross Docks in Wehnimer's Landing! (Platinum) - on 06/27/2010]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=669 The Albatross Docks in Solhaven - on 09/21/2010]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=782 Land Ho! Albatross Docks in River's Rest (Platinum) - on 12/06/2010]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=923 Albatross Docks in Wehnimer's Landing - on 06/28/2011]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=981 Albatross Docks in Wehnimer's Landing (Platinum) - on 10/03/2011]
*[http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Town%20Events%20and%20Happenings/Current%20and%20Upcoming%20Events/view/623 Albatross Docks - on 01/17/2012]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=1065 Albatross Docks in Solhaven - on 03/30/2012]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=1106 The Albatross Docks in Wehnimer's Landing - on 07/05/2012]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=1202 Albatross Docks in Wehnimer's Landing - on 07/02/2013]

==Items of Interest from the Albatross==
*[[Sanguine Ruby Pendant]] from 2011

==Map==
[[File:Albatross_2012.png]]

[[category:Festivals]]
[[category:Ships of Elanthia]]
[[category:Pay events]]

Albatross

2026-04-03T21:01:51Z

STACYWALTER: Updated that the Albatross is now permanently docked at the Wehnimer's Landing North Docks as of 2024

<div class="alert alert-info"><center>'''The Albatross found a permanent home at the Wehnimer's Landing North Docks in 2024.'''</center></div>
The Albatross was a semi-regularly scheduled event focusing on gambling that made its way around Elanthia.

The riverboat was originally owned by Captain Lahveew and ownership was transferred to Captain Gostahl in early 2012, with a tie in to the Mayor Walkar storyline as the reason behind the transfer. Captain [[Parlay]] won The Albatross from Gostahl and is the current owner. It is now docked at the Wehnimer's Landing North Docks and periodically hosts games and gambling events, such as DragonBones with Captain Jellybeard.
{{TOCright}}
==Gambling==
===GM-Hosted===
*[[Dragonbones]][http://www.gemstone.net/etimes/et9/trickso.htm]
*[[Gostahl's dicing]]

===Automated===
*[[Roulette]]
*Let it Ride

==Shopping==

As with most events, shop owners are sometimes around to provide specialized services.

==="Rogue's Delight"===
Uncommon lock pick types, including neck worn and hidden under the tongue.

===Boutique===
Darts for the dartboard located elsewhere on the riverboat, dice, coins, cigars and souvenirs.

===Joola's Jewels===
[[Joola items]].

==="Pirate Cart"===
Previously owned by Vahmyr and located on the riverboat, this shop is now run by Cidolfhus and situated directly next to the gangplank to the Albatross. Sells LFM gear, pirate-themed items - some of which will alter your appearance, and weather scripted coats (released 4/1/12).

Weather scripted coats will check the environment for their verb traps - inside, snowing, raining, ashy (Teras), and climate.

*Off the rack is open/close, wear/remove.
*First tier is pull/push get/put, and having a hood added will change pull/push.
*Second tier (fully unlocked) is rub, toss, turn, clean.

===Tattoos===
You can purchase a [[stock tattoo]] for 25,000 silver. Race / Trading skill does not affect this price.

==Pay Event==

In 2014, The Albatross was first used for a new [[pay event]] that focused on [[alteration]]s and [[grandiose deepening]]. Tickets cost $29.99 for a standard account. Per GM Vanah:

<div {{prettydiv}}>Captain Parlay is offering four-hour river excursions on the casino riverboat the Albatross! Enjoy the wide array of gambling games, including Roulette, Let It Ride, Pirate Lottery, Chain Tumblers, and more! Move on to Silvers' Taproom and the Bewildered Buffet to enjoy an assortment of food and drink and catch up with friends around a dining table table! Adjourn to one of the private suites for a brief respite before disembarking at the end of the voyage.

Shopping is available in the Smoke Stack, the Gift Shop, and the Ladies' Luck Lounge. A merchant will be available in the Merchant's Nook, ready to provide general alteration, lightening, or deepening services to passengers.

OOC: Up to 25 players can sign up for each riverboat excursion. There is a three-service limit for each account. Offered services are:
* description alterations,
* making an item weigh 10% less down to the container's limit, or
* making a container hold 10% more up to the following limits: backworn and cloakworn items up to incredible; shoulder-slung items up to particularly large; belt, beltworn, headworn, leg-worn, chest-worn, or over-the-front items up to fairly large; and any other container up to slightly small; however, items this last category will not be able to hold individual items that are larger than 2 pounds each. Pinworn containers are not eligible for the deepening service.

Please review the [[ALTER]] verb and [[ANALYZE]] your items to make sure you are prepared with your items and ideas when it is your turn. Ideas that do not comply with the rules in the ALTER verb will be denied. The merchant always has the final say on whether your item is eligible for a service.</div>

The grandiose deepening limits for this event are as follows:
*160lbs - Back, cloak, and some shoulder containers.
*70lbs - Hanging off the belt and some shoulder containers
*50lbs - Over-the-front, and various other smaller containers
*16lbs - Tiny containers like thigh sheaths, ankle sheaths and waist worn stuff.

Containers are not automatically deepened to the max, so it is highly recommend already max deepened containers are brought to this event, and they will be deepened in 10% increments until maxed.

===Resources===
*[http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Paid%20Events:%20Adventures,%20Quests,%20and%20SimuCoins/The%20Albatross/view Officials folder]

==Prior Runs==
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=735 Albatross Docks in Wehnimer's Landing! (Platinum) - on 06/27/2010]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=669 The Albatross Docks in Solhaven - on 09/21/2010]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=782 Land Ho! Albatross Docks in River's Rest (Platinum) - on 12/06/2010]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=923 Albatross Docks in Wehnimer's Landing - on 06/28/2011]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=981 Albatross Docks in Wehnimer's Landing (Platinum) - on 10/03/2011]
*[http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Town%20Events%20and%20Happenings/Current%20and%20Upcoming%20Events/view/623 Albatross Docks - on 01/17/2012]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=1065 Albatross Docks in Solhaven - on 03/30/2012]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=1106 The Albatross Docks in Wehnimer's Landing - on 07/05/2012]
*[http://www.play.net/gs4/news.asp?id=1202 Albatross Docks in Wehnimer's Landing - on 07/02/2013]

==Items of Interest from the Albatross==
*[[Sanguine Ruby Pendant]] from 2011

==Map==
[[File:Albatross_2012.png]]

[[category:Festivals]]
[[category:Ships of Elanthia]]
[[category:Pay events]]

Webs and woe (player-run storyline)

2026-03-07T04:51:22Z

STACYWALTER: Added things happening in the storyline; I am the player of Delindra and Tsyren and Arteth

This is a player-run storyline happening around [[Solhaven]], facilitated by the player of [[Delindra (prime)|Delindra]].

Several months ago, Lady Aliacia Ranshai appeared in Solhaven. She declared herself the sister of Commodore [[Jaysehn]] Ranshai, and bore tidings that he had died rescuing her. Per their family history, she was presumed dead after a childhood illness, but had ended up alive yet kidnapped. Upon hearing she might still live, Jaysehn had purportedly set out to rescue her, but a backlashing curse condemned him to age rapidly. Aliacia reported that the last she saw of him, he had sent her ahead of him on his ship as he set out to either find relief from the curse or to rest in peace.

A few months after her arrival, some strange things began happening around town.

=== Webs ===
Webs started appearing in places like North Market, in the farmland holdings, and around the zoo. Some folk also found them when they were in the woods north of Solhaven. They were much bigger and more numerous than one would expect from normal spiders. Some people touched them and investigated them, and sensed a faint feeling of malevolence, but were not quite able to pinpoint where the webs originated. Further efforts at detecting more from them resulted in their shattering.

=== The Cipher ===
People started receiving or finding strange items - scrolls and wands with spells in them and on them. Eventually, a common theme emerged, with the items bearing spells such as "Bless," different versions of "Dispel," and "Untrammel."

Some of the items bore strange markings on them. Some of the markings were as follows:

.0 4 00 .5 ./ -\ .5

or

.0 4 7 .! 4 .! 2 /- .5 (

or

) ./ /) /) .\ .9 4

While passing through North Market, Lady Aliacia spotted one of the messages on the town board, the one reading: .0 4 7 .! 4 .! 2 /- .5 (

This seemed to startle her, and when folk inquired, she revealed she recognized it as the Ranshai family code or cipher. They were a family of merchants, and as each member of the family came of age, they were taught the cipher, which was used to relay important and confidential information among the family businesses. She had been kidnapped before coming of age, but was able to piece together some letters she recognized when she used to sneak to her father's study and teach herself the cipher at night. She believed the message said "Unfinished." She also indicated she thought she was the victim of an unkind prank and that someone was using the family's cipher maliciously in order to anger her.

=== Dreams ===
As the days wore on and the webs and items continued to appear, some folk reported and shared unusual dreams they experienced. Some of the dreams included sensations such as: being bound by strands or being held immobile; indecipherable clicking and chittering; shadows and a feeling of foreboding; a stifling feeling.

=== The Day of Warning ===
The [[Day of Zelia's Warning]] came, during which [[Zelia]]'s folk appeared and offered their strange insights. As the day wore on, the Sisters of Lunacy offered a strangely relevant and disturbing message:

Stepping in front of her sisters, Posie announces, "Today, I will be sharing an Ode to the Cracked Web."

"A thread was pulled, just one, just one,

And oh! How wide the web has spun.

It stretches now through bone and bark,

Beneath the sea, beneath the dark."

"The dead man dreams, but will not sleep,

His secrets buried far too deep.

The hunter stalks, the spinner weaves,

And fate gets tangled in the leaves."

"No lantern burns where he now dwells,

Just tangled paths and distant bells.

The threads pull tight, the stillness grows,

As something ancient softly sews."

"A spider crowns her tangled brow,

Each oath she broke still binding now.

The sea won't speak, the winds wont warn-

She weaves her wrath in webs and thorn."

Following this, a number of arachnids appeared and terrorized several citizens in the streets until they were promptly dispatched by a small group of adventurers.

=== An Initiate of Gosaena ===
Following this, an Initiate of [[Gosaena]] appeared in town, named [[Tsyren]]. She explained she was there on behalf of her Order to investigate strange activity their soothesayers experienced. Such activity sometimes just indicated a larger population of undead than usual, but could also suggest something else amiss, and it was her job to rule out any activity that could cause troubling imbalances between Life and Death in the area.

Upon learning of the webs and ciphers, Tsyren suggested it might be a good idea to hold a ritual. The ritual would be geared toward making an inquiry to Gosaena about the status of any souls anyone wished to inquire after. She did not promise results, but explained that sometimes Gosaena was willing to offer answers to those asking after loved ones they suspected might be deceased. Aliacia was very reluctant to participate but indicated she would consider it.

=== A Ritual of Inquiry ===
The ritual came to pass at the bonfire in [[Rumor Woods]], and a number of souls were inquired after. For some, Gosaena had reassuring answers. For others, there was ominous silence. Finally, at the end, an inquiry was made after Jaysehn's soul. In response, the image of a web appeared above the scrying bowl Tsyren was using.

The web crystallized and fell from her hands. As it rolled, a hand reached out from the shadows, clad in red and black, seizing it. The figure quickly vanished, leaving the ritual to end on a uneasy note.

=== The Webs Reappear ===
About a year later, the webs have reappeared in Solhaven, accompanied by the strange appearance of notes and chrism gems left around town. The notes are in the same cipher, reading: 4 .9 /) .5 ! .0 /) 4

Tsyren has also returned to Solhaven to assist with the local congregation. While visiting with people in North Market, one of her congregants, Arteth, was dragged in, evidently slain by a local rolton. Tsyren prepared to resurrect him, only to find her efforts thwarted, apparently by the presence of a web in North Market. Arteth quickly decayed, and did not reappear in the Chamber of Manifest Grace. Rather, another web hung there, then disappeared. Arteth has since been nowhere to be found.

Talk:Tsyren (prime)

2026-03-07T03:31:57Z

STACYWALTER: Created page with "This is my player character, I am adding this as a character page"

This is my player character, I am adding this as a character page

Tsyren (prime)

2026-03-07T03:30:52Z

STACYWALTER: Tsyren is a player character.

{{characterprofile
|name=Tsyren Amona
|race=Half-Elf
|town= Solhaven
|class=[[Cleric]]
|religion=[[Gosaena]]
}}

'''Tsyren''' [SIGH-ren] is an Initiate of the Temple of [[Gosaena]].

==Appearance==

You see Tsyren Amona the Initiate.
She appears to be a Half-Elf from Vornavis.
She is short. She appears to be in the prime of life. She has piercing pale blue eyes and ivory skin. She has waist length, flowing silver hair worn in a single braid. She has a delicate face, a sloping nose and small pointy ears.
She has a tattooed symbol of Gosaena on her wrist.
Miniature white feathers spiral outward from her before fading away.
She is in good shape.
She is wearing a hunter green slashed doeskin hood, a chain-strung sterling silver Gosaena medallion, a sage green suede cloak, a pair of grey suede gloves, a stark white linen shirt, a braided leather belt with a carved jadewood buckle, some cobalt wool pants, and some ash grey leather boots.

==Affiliations==

* Temple Initiate of [[Gosaena]]

==Background==

Tsyren grew up in and around Solhaven, excelling in the local school and quickly gaining the attention of the local clergy of the Temple of Gosaena. Perhaps due to her solemn nature, she seemed to gravitate to them naturally, becoming an apprentice as soon as her age and studies allowed. She has since travelled extensively.

She has limited abilities as a Seer. Her present role within the Clergy is to seek out areas of unusual activity, particularly monitoring the populations of undead as she and her Order strive to maintain the delicate balance between the living and the dead.

==Current Events==

Tsyren is a character that is part of the player-run storyline [[Webs and woe]].

Naidem Lexicon

2025-10-16T21:09:01Z

STACYWALTER: Sylvan genders were swapped (caoineag is supposed to be female, gille dubh is supposed to be male, they were swapped before this correction)

A list of [[Naidem]] terms for easy translation. The races are those that appear when traveling to [[Evermore Hollow]].
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! scope="col" | '''Naidem Term'''
! scope="col" | '''Translation'''
! scope="col" | '''Roots'''
! scope="col" | '''Originating Documentation'''
! scope="col" | '''Date Introduced'''
! scope="col" | '''Other Info'''
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Arrachd || Half-elf, male || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuath Fuath on Wikipedia], which identifies Arrachd as an alternate name.
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Bodach || Human, male || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodach Bodach on Wikipedia]
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Cailleach || Human, female || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cailleach Cailleach on Wikipedia]
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Caoineag || Sylvan, female || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caoineag Caoineag on Wikipedia]
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Coblynau || Burghal gnome || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coblyn Coblyn on Wikipedia], which identifies Coblynau as the plural form.
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Di penates || Halfling || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Di_Penates Di Penates on Wikipedia]
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Domania || Forest gnome, female || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domovoy Domovoy on Wikipedia], which identifies Domania as the female counterpart.
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Domovoy || Forest gnome, male || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domovoy Domovoy on Wikipedia]
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Draugr || Dark elf || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draugr Dragur on Wikipedia]
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Fomorian || Giantkin || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fomorians Fomorians on Wikipedia]
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Fauth || Half-krolvin || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuath Fuath on Wikipedia]
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Gille dubh || Sylvan, male || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghillie_Dhu Ghillie Dhu] on Wikipedia, which identifies Gille Dubh as an alternate spelling.
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Gjenganger || Elf || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gjenganger Gjenganger on Wikipedia]
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Glaistig || Half-elf, female || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaistig Glaistig on Wikipedia]
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Korrigan || Dwarf || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korrigan Korrigan on Wikipedia]
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Ni'asyuta || Aelotoi || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 ||
|-
| scope="row" role="rowheader"| Sluagh || Erithian || ? || [[Denizens of Naidem]] || September 2022 || [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sluagh Sluagh on Wikipedia]
|}
[[Category:Evermore Hollow]]

The Shadowy Abyss (storyline)/Found items

2025-06-15T01:25:38Z

STACYWALTER: /* a half-melted stick of silver sealing wax */

__ToC__
== Shadowy Abyss Found Items ==
=== 06.06.2025 ===
==== an antique Vornavian silk cloth ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key's Sleeve
!an antique Vornavian silk cloth
|-
|Smooth with a soft finish, the Vornavian silk cloth has hints of its original deep blue hue at its edges though largely it has faded to a watered azure hue. Faint seashell patterns decorate the edge, the silver and white embroidery creating scallop shells that overlap. Rolled silk cords aid the bundle in staying closed as needed, their ends capped in silver dolphin periapts.
|}

===== a blue-tinted white vellum parchment =====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Letter to Tagetes from Aralinne
!a blue-tinted white vellum parchment
|-
|Slightly warped in shape and displaying clear signs of damage from humidity, the fine parchment is tinted with a subtle blue hue that is almost white and yet distinctly not. Crisp folds create precise lines in the top and bottom third of the piece, while the corners display fray signs where moisture has separated the layers.
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:
the seventeenth day of Olaesta in the year 4839

Tagetes,

Hopefully, we will return at the same time and all of this preparation will be for naught.

The temple will have no attendants as I have figured out the missing piece to get us to Pearl. It lies in an old Kannalan Temple to Charl. I believe I've tracked down its former location. I've hidden the plans in the old office at the end of the catacombs and sealed the entry.

So few people know of its existence that it should be safe to travel there. I do not think I will be gone more than a handful of days.

However, as I do not trust the Mercantile Guild, with their recent decisions to create gardens and shrines to the dark pantheon, I have sealed the doorway up and hidden it. Since you know where it is, you should have no issue finding it.

There are seven keys for entry. I've left the Empress key here, but you can easily obtain the other six by seeking the blessings of the Lover, the Mistress, the Sister, the Mother, the Daughter, and the High Priestess. I'm sure you'll remember who these are from our past talks. I dare not say more for fear this is found by others.

Please know that some wish to see the curse spread. Others are working hard to stop it. Young Bristena had the idea to buy back all the jewelry from the women whose husband, lovers, and brothers searched the North Beach to obtain them. I gave her enough coin to buy them all back.

Once she has every last piece, she'll have a sailor take her out to the spot we believe the "Pearl" to be waiting in and drop them back into the water. That should give us time to get the pieces together to free her. I used the last of the coffers to pay a crew to start the lighthouse.

If I don't return... Please let my husband and son know the depths of which I love them.

By my hand,

Aralinne Wynedowne
|}
===== a carved golden amber acorn =====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key
!a carved golden amber acorn
|-
|Roughly oval in shape, a carved golden amber acorn is broad and flat, providing an excellent view of its transparent interior portion. Trapped within the golden yellow fossilized pine tree sap are several small flying insects and a dried flower.
|}
==== an aged grey stone tile ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+The Tile
!an aged grey stone tile
|-
|Your song touches the tile, and the memory begins with stillness, then the faint scrape of wood across stone. Gentle hands press close, fitting the tile snugly into place. A murmur of approval hums nearby, muffled by fabric and breath. Cool grout slides into the seams, and the air shifts. Salt lingers in the room, carried on a current scented with blossoms. Lilac and sea daisy rise together, soft and clean. A hush settles across the surface, and the tile recognizes it as belonging. Beneath the faintest sigh of sandals against stone, a woman's voice murmurs, "There. That's better." The sounds and sensations fade along with the last syllables of your song.

As your song continues to caress the tile, it stirs with echoes of passing time. Soft footsteps come and go, punctuated by the rhythmic sweep of bristles and the clatter of buckets. Voices rise and fall nearby, sometimes low with grief, sometimes bright with ritual. One speaks of a sister's safe return, another offers blessings over a sailor's name. A different voice complains about a cracked basin and the need for fresh oil. Each moment blends into the next, seasons marked only by the changing cadence of heels, the weight of silence, and the gentle creak of wood in damp air. Slowly, the sensation and sounds fade, one by one, until they fall as silent as your song.

Your melody draws forth a hush, and the tile remembers the scent first. Bitter and resinous, the thick smoke of funerary incense curls low to the ground. Voices follow in soft procession, cloaked in sorrow. Some weep openly, others murmur prayers with trembling breath. The weight of grief presses against the stone, heavy as tide against jetty. A name is spoken again and again, reverent and broken, until it becomes a lullaby of mourning. Between each word, silence holds vigil. The tile feels a deep stillness in the air, as if even the sea has paused to listen. A final name tumbles across your ears as your song slips into silence, "Elenne."

Your song stirs the memory of disturbance. The tile feels the grit of its seams loosened, the edge of a tool scraping carefully through old grout. Pressure lifts it from the floor, just briefly, and something small is slid beneath. When the tile returns to its place, the surface meets the subfloor with an unfamiliar firmness. A hand lingers upon it, smooth and warm, resting for a long moment before giving a gentle pat. Whispered words ride the still air, close enough to touch, "Keep this safe until Tagetes finds you." An absence of warmth is the last sensation the tile imparts before your song stills.

Your voice brushes the tile, and the past answers with hushed urgency. There is the soft shuffle of feet, the creak of worn boots on stone, and a sharp intake of breath. Mournful whispers crowd the silence. A voice, cracked with worry and soft with distance, murmurs, "I don't know where you are, Aralinne. I can't get into the catacombs to check on you as the Brisker's Cove bowl was broken in the latest Krolvin raids... Please come home to us. Please. Your plan for Bristena worked; she told me of it when I returned. The girls are free, but where are you? I'm going to hide my piece until it can unite with yours. Please be safe, be careful." A soft sigh blends with the ending resonance of your song.

Your voice draws forth only silence at first. Time passes, measured in distant echoes. Footsteps sound too far to name, and faint shifts in the air come and go with no purpose. Old wood creaks softly where it meets damp stone. Dust settles in the seams, and salt from the sea clings to the surface. Years drift by without notice. Then, without warning, fingers press along your edges. There is a pause, a breath held just beyond hearing, and the tile feels the careful pry of something firm beneath it. A clamor of voices overlaps with each other until they blend into the fading sound of your song.
|}

=== 06.13.2025 ===
==== a salt-stained blue leather ledger ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Ledger from Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a salt-stained blue leather ledger
|-
|Bound in navy blue leather, the ledger bears clear signs of repair. Patches of mismatched hide reinforce the spine and corners, and thin linen cords hold the bindings tight. Though worn smooth with age, the cover still holds the faint imprint of Niima's shell crest, long faded by handling. The pages inside are slightly bowed from moisture, but the ink has held well. Each year occupies a single page, the writing steady and small.
|-
|4816

Tidy dates and notations for each month in 4816 are aligned neatly along the inner margin. Notes reference standard morning and mid-tide services, with modest attendance throughout the year. Several deaths at sea are marked during Phoenatos and Imaerasta. There are mentions of a small fishing vessel lost in late Charlatos, and a new lantern donated by a widow named Hessa. The last quarter shows increased visits near Solstice.

4817

Entries for 4817 remain even and uneventful. Most notes concern basin cleaning, donation handling, and ribbon replenishment. Storms in Lumnea and Koaratos disrupted service for several days. A merchant's wife is mentioned repeatedly for leaving folded prayers in the offering box. One record notes an unusual number of gulls gathered at the altar during a fogbound service, marked simply with, "observed by three."

4818

Standard service records dominate the page, with annotations in blue ink appearing during spring. One comment in the margin reads, "New basin stone fitted. Shell inlay cracked but held." Three names repeat throughout the year: a retired sailor, a midwife from Marshtown, and a girl recorded only as "A.M." Several deaths at sea appear again in Eorgaen. Coastal offerings increase during the fall months.

4819

The 4819 entries continue in a narrow hand, with an unusual number of weddings noted between Charlatos and Ivastaen. Ribbons tied at the altar outnumber funerary entries this year. A brief note in Phoenatos mentions a fisherman's body returned after fifteen tides. Repairs to the vestibule door are recorded in Koaratos. A delivery of hymnals is documented without name, signed only with "N.L."

4820

Attendance patterns remain steady throughout 4820. Notations of storm disruptions in Fashanos and Koaratos are followed by increased evening services during those months. One brief note in Charlatos mentions a girl from the lower quarter beginning "training for vow," though no name is listed. Seasonal surges continue, with quiet months between. A salt-caked page corner suggests the ledger was left open during a sea spray.

4821

Small, precise entries for 4821 follow the pattern of prior years. Services remained regular, with additional rites held after a coastal storm in Charlatos. A recurring visitor is listed only as "shell-bearer" during spring months. Repairs to the west garden wall are noted in Lumnea. One entry in Eorgaen records, "child left driftwood figure at basin, no adult nearby." The handwriting becomes slightly sharper near the year's end.

4822

The year opened with colder winds and reduced attendance through Lormesta. One note in Fashanos records an elderly priestess slipping on the altar steps, resulting in no injury. Minor construction is logged in Ivastaen: "stone bench repositioned, foundation settled uneven." Gulls are again noted during a fog-heavy morning service. No deaths at sea are marked for Koaratos, which is noted as rare by the author. Extra hymn practice is recorded for Imaerasta.

4823

Faint ink along the top edge shows early signs of moisture, but the page remains legible. Most entries follow the standard pattern. A sailor's wedding in Phoenatos brought increased attendance for several days. Someone left a carved shell token in the basin and returned each week through Jastatos. No name was ever recorded. One funeral in Eoantos references burial in the lower catacomb row, name lost to smudging. Elenne's name begins to appear more frequently.

4824

Ledger entries remain orderly. Elenne is noted as presiding over full services during three major seasonal observances. A short entry in Imaerasta reads, "saltwater damaged two hymnals, copies made by hand." Several deaths at sea were recorded across Phoenatos and Jastatos. A recurring note of "candles late" appears without clarification. Winter quarter shows an increased number of widows seeking individual prayer times, as marked by initials only.

4825

The writing becomes slightly more compact along this page, possibly due to a change in hand. Services are held regularly with minor disruptions caused by harbor traffic. One early Charlatos entry reads, "path blocked by hauling rig, services delayed." Garden growth noted as "vigorous" in Lumnea. An unnamed girl from Marshtown began regular cleaning duties in midyear. Entries suggest her presence became routine, though her name is not yet recorded. Several pages show signs of ash smudging near the bottom corner.

4826

Ledger entries remain narrow and consistent. Regular service records dominate the page, with a note in Ivastaen reading, "two hymnals lost to mildew, one copied by hand." The girl from Marshtown is noted more frequently, assisting with basin preparation and entry sweeping. Elenne is recorded as leading nearly all rites this year. In Koaratos, a sailor's wife donated wax and twine following her husband's return from the reefs.

4827

A colder year, with notations of light frost in Charlatos and a decline in visitors during the first quarter. The Marshtown girl is listed by initials for the first time: "A.L.". She appears often in notes tied to daily upkeep and chant transcription. Elenne requested additional salt deliveries from the quay, suggesting higher ritual use. A short record in Imaerasta reads, "boy returned with offering candle for sister." His name is not recorded, but the action repeats in later months.

4828

Ink across this page is slightly lighter but consistent. Notes describe steady attendance and quiet observances throughout the year. "A.L." continues to serve regularly and is mentioned copying seasonal verses. A new basin cloth was donated by a widow in Phoenatos. Calen Wynedowne is noted briefly in Koaratos as assisting with deliveries. In Eorgaen, a child is recorded as tying sea glass to the offering pole, noted without comment.

4829

The handwriting tightens slightly, with some changes in wording structure. "A.L." is listed as leading chants during two minor observances. A service disruption is recorded in Charlatos: "work crew halted access to west path." Garden repairs resumed in Ivastaen, with the stone bench noted as "settled, but now cracking." Calen Wynedowne is marked present on three service dates. Elenne's name appears as usual, though one note mentions "shortness of breath in colder months."

4830

Entries shift slightly in tone this year, with more detailed notations. "A.L." is no longer referenced only by initials. Her name appears as Aralinne, recorded assisting with vespers and receiving permission to copy the coastal prayers. Elenne continues to lead services throughout. In Fashanos, a marked entry reads: "Calen Wynedowne departed aboard the Drowned Boar." A note in Imaerasta logs the visit of the High Priestess from Selanthia. Garden notes cease after Koaratos, likely due to early construction of the new temple.

4831

Entries are steady, with services held regularly in the newly expanded chapel. The original altar remains in partial use during evening observances. Aralinne is recorded as leading chants and maintaining basin duties throughout the year. A note in Charlatos reads, "Calen returned, left shell at east bench." Additional visitors marked in Phoenatos. Several Kannalan hymn fragments reviewed in Jastatos, with Aralinne listed as transcriber. No disruptions recorded.

4832

Observances continue without interruption. Aralinne is noted frequently in preparation tasks, seasonal cleanings, and the transcription of coastal rites. One record in Koaratos reads, "private service held for three widows." Increased taper use recorded in Imaerasta. No name given, but a new assistant is mentioned briefly in Lumnea. Aralinne's duties expand across multiple entries. The final note of the year: "attendance steady; records filed."

4833

Standard notations occupy most of the year. Aralinne continues in her role, listed alongside Elenne for all major observances. Her name appears independently in entries for dusk services and catacomb visits. One summer note mentions, "garden basin cleared and refilled under Aralinne's guidance." No major incidents. Early signs of leadership transition appear in Eoantos, though no formal statement is recorded. The garden bench is listed as worn, but stable.

4834

Charlatos begins with a formal entry: "Calen Wynedowne and Aralinne joined in marriage, witnessed before first bell at east altar." Both continue in regular attendance. Aralinne is recorded as leading evening services and overseeing hymn preservation efforts. Her handwriting begins to appear in later entries. Koaratos notes her inclusion in guild correspondence. The final entry in Eorgaen lists: "preparations for early solstice rites under Aralinne."

4835

Year begins quietly. Aralinne is now noted as officiating several services in early Fashanos. In Jastatos, a central entry reads: "Elenne passed peacefully in the night, fifth day of Jastatos." Her name does not appear again. Subsequent entries mark Aralinne presiding over full rites. One note reads, "transition marked with coastal hymn, basin blessing unchanged." Calen continues to appear sporadically. The final entry of the year reads: "chapel remains steady under Aralinne's care."
|}
==== a small salt-stained journal ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Aralinne's Journal from Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a small salt-stained journal
|-
|Bound in salt-stained suede, the small journal shows signs of frequent handling. The edges of the cover have curled slightly, and faint salt residue clings to the seams. Interior pages are swollen from moisture, and many are warped or stuck together. Ink bleeds across several leaves, though a few entries remain legible. The faint scent of mildew and brine lingers between the covers.
|-
|1st day of Lormesta, 4830

The new year began in silence. No sun showed at dawn, only a pale mist rolling over the port that settled in the alleys and gutters. We opened the chapel doors late this morning. A thin crust of salt had gathered again on the threshold.

Mother Elenne asked me to polish the lamp basin and check our remaining wax. She said that if the year is to bring anything, let it be steadiness. I scrubbed the copper too hard and bent the rim along one edge. She noticed but said nothing.

After the evening bell, I stayed to copy the coastal prayer. My ink bled in the cold, and my fingers would not hold the quill straight. The letters blurred near the bottom of the page. I will try again tomorrow.

The gulls have returned early this year. Their cries sound sharper than I remember.

Faint ink marks show a date in the top right corner, though the precise date is difficult to decipher. There is an impression of repeated script beneath the date, but the parchment is too warped to decipher much of its contents. Only a few words remain distinguishable near the bottom:

"...salt left from the..."

"...sleeves wet from the basin..."

"...ribbon placed before bell..."

16th day of Fashanos, 4830

A merchant visited the chapel yesterday. He introduced himself as Vartrien and said he represented the Mercantile Guild. His boots were polished, but they slipped on the chapel stones. He smelled faintly of tallow and wine.

He spoke with Elenne behind the altar rail. I only heard part of what was said... something about extending the outer walls, adding a foyer and foyer, and pulling stone from the cliff quarry. He did not ask about the altar or the basin.

Before leaving, he placed a coin in the offering basin. It was heavier than most and bore the Guild's seal. Elenne closed the doors earlier than usual and asked me to boil the cloth and clean the entry stone. She did not speak again until morning prayers.

After the bell, I copied half of the sea-born hymn. I still mix the second and third lines. The gulls circled loudly over the garden. They did not land.

Humidity has irrevocably damaged this page of the journal. The faint impression of a coastal flower leaves a colored stain in the center of the page. Ink bleeds across the fibers, blending so completely that all writing is beyond recognition.

3rd day of Charlatos, 4830

Rain began early and found its way in through the northern window joint again. A track of droplets marked the covers of three hymnals before I noticed. I dried them the best I could and set them near the basin to air.

Mother Elenne told me I might be ready to take the vesper reading next month. I said I would do my best, though my voice still shakes when the wind comes hard off the bay.

A boy from the shipyard arrived just before first bell. He brought a candle for his sister and did not speak. He nodded once and placed it on the old bench near the shell altar. It burned quickly and left a streak of wax on the wood.

After evening prayers, I copied the saltwater blessing again. I continue to forget the fourth line. I will practice it aloud tomorrow when the chapel is empty.

12th day of Olaesta, 4830

The salted fog held all morning. The bells could barely be heard from the quay, and the floor stayed damp long after I wiped it. The gulls were quiet today, though I saw them gather on the breakwall at dusk.

Mother Elenne allowed me to lead the midday verses. I stumbled on the refrain but kept pace. She gave no correction afterward, which I think was kindness. I will ask her to let me try again next week.

The Guildman has not returned, but I saw carts from the upper quarry moving past the garden path. One of the workers spat too close to the basin. I scrubbed the stone clean before closing the gate.

27th day of Ivastaen, 4830

The High Priestess arrived again, as expected. She comes every five months, though she avoids Charlatos and Lormesta because she does not like to travel in cold weather. This time, she brought only one attendant and a thick letter sealed in white wax.

She asked after the basin and walked the outer path twice before speaking. I do not know why she finds our grounds so peculiar. She always looks longer at the walls than at the altar.

She complimented the order of the garden, though I had not yet swept. Her words are even and pleasant, but her eyes are always searching. I do not think she comes only for worship.

Moisture has warped the page outward from the center, and a small flower is pressed into the parchment. Once white, its petals have turned a pale yellow. The edges have melted into the fibers over time, leaving a faint outline and a darker stain beneath. Ink has bled into the margins, but a few lines remain legible:

"He brought it with both hands."

"Said it grew from the rocks near the basin."

"It smelled faintly of salt and rosemary."

Written near the bottom corner, in a careful hand: Calen

9th day of Lumnea, 4830

Calen came again just after midday. He did not knock, only waited near the side path until I saw him. He brought a bloom, he said he found growing from a crack in the harbor wall. I told him it would not last, but he said that was fine.

He stayed long enough to watch me refill the basin, then left without saying more. I placed the flower in the back of the book, where I thought it would keep. It did not.

Mother Elenne has begun sorting the storeroom shelves again. I do not know where she plans to move everything, but she said we may have to share with the masons soon. I do not think she approves.

2nd day of Koaratos, 4830

Rumors continue about the Guild's plans, but nothing official has been posted. One of the stone counters in the garden cracked under the weight of a builder's crate. They said it would be replaced, but no one has returned to measure.

The High Priestess's letter is still sealed. Elenne has not opened it, though she moved it twice. I think she is waiting for another message, or perhaps the Guildman himself.

A blue gull feather was left on the altar after the second bell. No one saw who brought it.

I placed it in the ribbon box, away from the salt.

13th day of Koaratos, 4830

The stone bench in the garden has been replaced. I was not told it would happen, but when I stepped out to light the sea taper this morning, it was there. Rosewood, newly finished and still carrying the scent of cut shavings. The legs are slightly uneven, but the surface is smooth.

Elenne said one of the sailors had it made for his wife. She is the one who always sits near the roses and watches the harbor light. She wept when the bench cracked beneath the masons' crate. I am glad it was rebuilt.

Ink has lifted across most of the page, leaving behind only faint strokes and a few recognizable shapes. The top third is nearly blank, and the lower margin is warped from long exposure to damp air. Visible along the center fold, in pale ink, are snatches of the original message.

"...asked if it would still be the same chapel..."

"...carried the basin water out into the garden..."

"...song lines lost in the stone dust..."

5th day of Phoenatos, 4830

Construction has begun. Dust rises even before the first bell. The builders come early and eat beside the garden wall. I do not know how they leave the crumbs behind, but the gulls are clearly happy about it.

Mother Elenne and I have moved our sleeping mats into the chapel itself. There is no space left in the quarters, not since the back wall was taken down. She said it is temporary, but we must keep everything folded and out of sight during services.

She reminded me that we are not bound by silence or separation, only by devotion and clarity of intent. Then she looked at me and said, "Even your Calen would agree." I nearly dropped the basin ladle.

16th day of Phoenatos, 4830

Calen returned with an oilskin pouch and handed it to me without speaking. Inside was a cloth wrapped around several dry biscuits and a folded slip of sea-blue ribbon. He said he heard the workers had overrun our stores and that I was likely too polite to complain.

I thanked him, but could not find the right words. Elenne watched from the entryway. Later, she only asked if I had shared them.

The builders left stone dust across the floor again. I swept until my arms ached, but it returned before the evening bell. It finds every crack.

28th day of Phoenatos, 4830

The High Priestess will return in Jastatos. Elenne received a note today. No seal this time, only a clean fold and pressed script. She read it twice, then tucked it into the ledger without comment.

I asked if she thought the Guildman would be here as well. She said most likely, and that the two had likely been speaking for longer than we realized. She did not sound surprised or pleased.

The rosewood bench has already dulled to a greyish tone. I tried wiping it with a damp cloth, but the color does not return. Still, the sailor's wife came today and stayed for the whole of the afternoon light. She did not speak. Only watched the water and smiled.

7th day of Imaerasta, 4830

The scaffolding now reaches above the garden wall. Boards cast a grid of shadow over the roses during morning light. One of the masons said that the new walls will block the ocean view. I had not thought of that until now.

If the wall rises the way they say it will, the garden will face stone, not sea. Elenne was not surprised when I told her. She only said, "It's easier to worship what you can see than what you must remember."

I wonder if the sound of the tide will carry once the last wall is raised.

18th day of Imaerasta, 4830

Mist held long into the afternoon. We lit the lamps early and brought the linens in before the sea air reached them. The dust hangs longer in the stillness.

Word came that Yenterreth of the Marshtown passed in her sleep. She was one of the spirit women, always with a ribbon in her sleeve and saltwater on her boots. I remember her from before I came to live with Elenne. She called me bird girl and once gave me a braid of kelp twine.

She will be interred below with the others. I carried the notice down to the stone chamber myself.

Much of the page has faded due to moisture, but several phrases remain readable:

"...could see the harbor lantern from the bench..."

"...ribbons tied to the low branches removed..."

"...the sound of chisel work does not pause for prayer..."

Smudged ink across the lower edge shows where the page was touched before drying.

3rd day of Jastatos, 4830

The High Priestess arrived just after midday. She wore a dove-colored cloak and had her hair in three loops at her crown. Guildman Vartrien stood beside her beneath the scaffolding. They did not speak during the service, but both stayed until the end.

Afterward, they walked the garden with Elenne. I followed at a distance, gathering petals. I overheard them speak of creating a fresco in Niima's likeness upon the foyer wall. The High Priestess said the space would command presence.

No one mentioned the old altar. I swept around it that night, as a kind of apology.

15th day of Jastatos, 4830

A whisper has spread through the workers. One of the cart drivers said the Krolvin have been seen in Brisker's Cove. No one knows if it's true, but another said the harbor patrol was doubled this week.

Elenne said we cannot shape our prayers to rumors. Still, she lit the tall tapers during evening service and left them burning until the last shadow faded from the stones.

Calen has not returned since the rains began. I keep the ribbon he gave me in my prayer book. It smells faintly of rosemary, even now.

4th day of Eoantos, 4830

Elenne asked me to begin clearing the small office beside the catacombs. She said it was time someone sorted through what remains. I believe she means for me to be occupied, as Calen has not returned. She does not ask after him directly, but she notices when I forget the dusting cloth or leave the lamp wick too low.

The office is colder than I remembered. The walls sweat even when the wind is dry. I found a bundle of records tied with frayed cord, and a shelf of ledgers warped from years of damp. None have dates newer than 4816.

I lit a taper and marveled that its flame didn't waver. The air is rather stale.

12th day of Eoantos, 4830

Stacks of papers have begun to soften and fall apart as I move them. Some pages peel away like onion skin. Others are stuck together with mildew at the corners. There is no order left in the ledgers.

Elenne gave me vinegar water to scrub the stone and showed me how to dry the parchments without tearing the ink. Her hands are steadier than mine, but she let me try alone today.

No one has asked about the office in years. I wonder if anyone will again once the new temple is complete.

Several blotches stretch across the center of the page, caused by ink pressed while wet. Words are smudged and fingerprints mar the lower half.

Only a few lines are clear:

"...wrote his name on the margin and folded it..."

"...did not want to ask him not to go..."

"...the sea calls more surely than words ever could..."

21st day of Eoantos, 4830

Word came that Calen has signed on with a deep-sea vessel. No one knows the name, only that it sails past the Shoals and will be gone past spring.

Elenne said nothing when I told her. She simply handed me another cloth and said, "Salt dries slower than tears." I think she meant it kindly.

The basin water felt colder today, though the air was still. When I poured it over the shell altar, I thought of the wives who stand at our threshold with wet sleeves and silent mouths.

I begin to understand why they come. Not for answers, but for nearness.

1st day of Eorgaen, 4830

The sound of hammers has quieted. Most of the scaffolding has come down. The stones above the chapel are now smooth and white, with carved lines I cannot name.

I finished dusting the office and folded what remained of the ledgers. Several were too damaged to save. Elenne said I may stack them in the catacombs for burning later, though I kept two that still held their shape.

Calen's ribbon rests between the pages of one. I did not mean to place it there. It simply felt right.

19th day of Eorgaen, 4830

We moved into the new quarters today. The walls are smooth, and the ceiling curves slightly like the hull of a ship turned over. My mat fits beneath the small window, though it does not face the sea.

Elenne set our candles on the narrow sill and arranged her ledgers in the cabinet with care. She has not said whether she likes the new space, but she wiped the sill twice before speaking.

I kept the basin cloth. It still smells faintly of rosemary and ink.

31st day of Eorgaen, 4830

Year-end bells rang before the harbor mist had cleared. The garden is smaller now, and the altar no longer sees the ocean, but the salt wind still finds its way between the stones.

I watched from the upper stairs as the tide turned. For a moment, I imagined Calen leaning over the rail of whatever vessel he's found. I do not know where he sailed, or what wind carried him out, only that the thought of him still returns like breath.

I folded a ribbon into the base of the old ledger. Some things are easier to keep when hidden.

1st day of Lormesta, 4831

The High Priestess arrived at midday. She wore fur-lined gloves and spoke briefly before entering the new sanctum. Her words were softer this time. She said the white stone caught light well and that the new foyer had "clean weight."

She did not linger. Elenne bowed but did not speak.

I spent the rest of the day sorting a box of old hymn fragments. Some were written in Kannalan, though I can only read the titles. I have set two aside in hopes that someone might help me translate them.

3rd day of Lormesta, 4831

Calen returned today.

He stood by the garden gate and waited until I saw him. He did not wave. Only smiled, the kind of smile that asks without needing an answer.

I brought him a cup of water, and we sat in the shadow of the old chapel. He said nothing of the voyage, and I did not ask. I watched his hands as he spoke of the harbor and the wind near the reefs. He has a sun mark on his left wrist now, just above the bone.

When he left, he pressed a shell into my palm. It was smooth and unbroken.

5th day of Lormesta, 4831

I do not know if he missed me. I do not know if he meant to see me or only came to the chapel as he once did.

Still, I thought of him each time the tide turned. I imagined the shape of his boat against the horizon, wondering if he looked for birds or counted the ways salt settles into cloth.

The shell he gave me rests beneath the old candle box. I did not tell Elenne.

I have finished copying the Kannalan refrain. The words feel older than stone, but they sing cleanly when read aloud.
|}

==== a faded off-white vellum ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Letter to Aralinna from Tagetes
!a faded off-white vellum
|-
|22 Fashanos 4839

Hi Aralinne,
You are going to sputter when you read this, but I found something I think might actually help. I've been haunting the lower rooms of the Rest's old archive, the one that smells like mushrooms and lamp oil, and you would not believe the number of ledgers that don't even belong there. Some trader scribbled a note in the margin of a shipping contract, and I have no idea why, about a Hermit of Charl. Not a priest. Not a sailor. A hermit.

The strange part is, he wasn't written about like some bedraggled man on a rock. He had followers. Or at least people who carried his words. The note said he held something powerful, something that could "turn back the tide and lay bare the seabed, if placed with care and faith at the high edge." That's what it actually said. The relic doesn't have a name, which is frustrating, but it is always connected to cliffs or high ridges.

I spent the last two days chasing the reference backward, and I think it's Kannalan. Most of the names line up with the way they spell things when they want to make them sound more official. The good stuff always hides behind fancy lettering.

Anyway, I asked around, and there's a guide here who knows the Karazja ruins. He's agreed to take me inland starting next week. I'll be careful. I promise. But if I'm right, that relic might still be out there.

Imagine what it would mean if we could part the sea.

More soon,
Tagetes

P.S. Tell Marris not to let the acolytes into the tide closet again. I know it was them. The shells were rearranged. Again.
|}
==== Seaborne Hymnal ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a thread-edged faded parchment
|-
|Parchment the color of drifted sand bears faded blue script in a careful, even hand. The edges have frayed into soft waves, and the lower corner is discolored where dampness clings to the page. A watermark in the upper left shows a simple wave crest superimposed over a scallop shell. Salt has left faint flecks across the surface, and one line of ink has bled slightly with age. Despite wear, the script remains fully legible, framed by a border of pressed gull feathers and hand-tied seasilk thread.

In the Common language, it reads:

Instructions for the Seaborne Hymnal

To be spoken daily, often at morning tide or before the first sail departs.

The Seaborne Hymnal is a spoken blessing offered to all who live by the rhythm of the sea. It honors those who make their living from its bounty, those who voyage upon it, and those who wait at its edge. The ritual is led by a priestess and joined by those gathered, using a call and response pattern. It is not sung, but spoken clearly, with steadiness and intent.

There are no physical offerings required. However, each response is accompanied by a hand gesture to mark the tide's reach and the release of prayer.

The priestess stands facing the gathered. Congregants may form a semicircle or remain as they are, whether in chapel or along the shore. The ritual may be performed indoors or outdoors, provided the sea is visible or near.

At each response, the right hand is placed palm-down over the heart, then extended outward, fingers spread as if forming the crest of a wave. This gesture is slow and deliberate. At the final line, the gesture is held outward a moment longer before lowering the hand.

The hymnal is: 
'''Priestess:''' Who wakes with the wind and walks with the tide? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who casts the net and bears the storm? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who waits at the window and sings to the dark? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who names the stars and trusts the wave? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Bless those who leave and those who remain. 
Bless those who labor and those who pray. 
Bless those who remember. 
'''Congregation (final gesture):''' And those who return no more.

The rite is complete after the final line. There is no need for benediction. Let silence follow for a breath or two before the next act begins.
|}
==== Ribbon Vigil ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
! a watermarked pearly white parchment
|-
|Faint mildew spots darken the four corners of the parchment, which has a pearly white finish created by the waxy finished worked into its fibers. An azure watermark of a scallop shell superimposed over cresting waves can be seen beneath the indigo ink that spread across its surface.

In the Common language, it reads:

The Ribbon Vigil is a quiet, sacred tradition observed by sailors and their loved ones before voyages that lead them beyond the protection of the bay. It is deeply personal, often unspoken, and performed in silence atop the temple's Widow's Walk. The rite is not scheduled by the temple, nor does it require direct guidance, but all priestesses, acolytes, and attending staff should understand its nature and how to offer quiet support when needed.

The vigil begins when a sailor and a significant companion, whether spouse, sibling, friend, or beloved, ascending to the rooftop of the temple. Together, they bring a ribbon, which may be carried openly or hidden in the hand, sleeve, or pocket until the moment it is needed. Upon reaching the rail that faces the open sea, they tie the ribbon to the ironwork together. There is no formal color or material required. While many choose white, blue, or sea green, others may bring a scrap of sailcloth or a woven charm. The meaning lies in the bond, not the fiber. No spoken words are required, though some murmur names or prayers as the knot is tied. The act itself is the offering. It binds the hope of return between two people and entrusts that bond to the sea.

At times, when a ship is long overdue or the sea has turned cruel, the one who remained ashore may return to the Widow's Walk alone. There, they loosen the knot they once tied. The ribbon is not taken down but left slack in the wind. This act is a plea to Niima, asking her to seek the one who has not come home. It is believed that if the ribbon is taken by the wind and reaches the sea, Niima will find the sailor and guide them to safety. That safety may not bring them home to Solhaven, but it will bring them to a shore. If the ribbon tangles, falls, or clings to the stone, some believe it is a sign that the soul it represents has already passed from Niima's reach.

Temple staff must not disturb those who come to perform this rite. Acolytes may observe from a distance and quietly light a sea taper at the stairwell when a ribbon loosening is witnessed. The gesture is enough to mark the moment. Comfort should be offered gently, without promise or correction. Never assure a safe return. Instead, remind them that Niima knows every name whispered to the tide and that no soul is ever truly lost to her.

Ribbons left on the Widow's Walk should be observed weekly. Those that have clearly loosened and not flown may be carefully removed and burned in a salt-fire by the priestess or her assistant. This should be done with solemnity and without comment, allowing the sea to receive what it could not carry.

Priestesses may speak of the vigil during public blessings, particularly on days when many ships prepare to depart. However, no individual should be named or pointed to. Let the ribbon be a silent prayer, seen by the sea and felt by those who wait.
|}
==== Song of Return ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
! a worn and faded scrap of vellum
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:

Song of Return 
A blessing for safe voyage and reunion

Go forth with the tide and return with the swell, 
Let the waves bear you gently, where ever you dwell. 
May your sails know the whisper, not the wail of the sea, 
And the stars hold your course where your heart longs to be.

Let the wind be your witness, the foam be your guide, 
Let the deep pass beneath you and never divide. 
By the light of Niima, by the calm of her grace, 
May your path find the harbor, your soul find its place.

Those who love you will wait with the shore in their eyes, 
Watching dawn rise in silence and dusk fill the skies. 
So go forth with the tide and return with the swell, 
You are known to the sea, and she knows you well.
|}
==== Saltwater Blessing ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a an azure-tinted and waxed ivory vellum
|-
|The Saltwater Blessing
To be performed at the start of each day and before any service that opens the temple doors to those in need. 
Begin the Saltwater Blessing before the tide bells. The basin must be clean, dry, and still. Saltwater is to be drawn at dawn, and it must come from a living source. Water taken from a canal or well is not suitable. If the sea cannot be reached due to weather or flood, postpone the ritual. Light a sea taper in its place and record the reason with care. 
The acolyte assisting you should stand to the left of the basin. Instruct her to place both hands on the rim and begin to turn it slowly in a clockwise motion. This movement must remain steady and deliberate. The spiral that forms at the center of the water represents the cycle we serve: cleansing, healing, prayer, and return.
You will pour the saltwater into the basin as it turns. Keep the vessel low and the stream even. Pour as the tide pours, without haste and without pause. Do not speak until the water touches the basin. As the water flows, recite the blessing aloud: 
Salt drawn from tide, gift of the sea, 
Wash clean these hands, this heart, this hour. 
Heal what is broken, quiet what clings, 
Let all who pass find peace in thee. 
In Niima's name, let the water remember mercy, 
and the sea cradle what we cannot carry. 
When the blessing is complete, step back and allow the basin to settle. Do not stir the water again unless it has been fouled. 
Each person who enters the chapel should approach the basin. Some will speak, others will not. It is not your task to correct their silence. If they ask what to say, teach them this: 
Salt and sea, carry this from me. 
At day's end, empty the basin unless the tide is near enough to reclaim it directly. Never let water stand overnight. Do not allow the salt to cloud or crust. If the sea cannot receive it, return it to the earth with reverence. 
The blessing is working when even the restless linger at the threshold.
|}

==== Elenne's (?) Papers ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a pale slip of vellum bearing a rust-tinged watermark
|-
|Rust-toned watermarks bloom across the lower half of the parchment, forming uneven, organic shapes. The ink has faded but remains legible throughout. The surface is rough to the touch, with several shallow indentations along the right margin, as if pressed against the corner of a writing board. Mild mildew spotting is visible near the top, and the parchment carries a faint metallic scent.

In the Common language, it reads: 
15th day of Fashanos, 4830 
Master Vartrien of the Mercantile Guild visited the chapel before midday service. He spoke of expanding the grounds and building a larger temple to better serve Solhaven's growing population. I reminded him that the chapel predates the coastal road and holds its own rhythm. He seemed unconcerned but polite. Left a coin marked with the Guild's seal in the basin. I placed it with the others and marked his visit in the side register.
|-
!a raw-edged and water-spotted page
|-
|Uneven edges suggest this piece was torn hastily from a larger sheet. Faint ruling marks hint at its origin in a ledger or bound volume. A diagonal streak of indigo ink mars the surface, likely transferred from damp contact with another page. Most letters remain legible, though a few near the top right have blurred. Mildew traces the lower edge, and the parchment carries the scent of damp stone and old wax.

In the Common language, it reads: 
17th day of Lumnea, 4830 
Widow Carlan returned today, still unable to bear the final words. Her husband was taken last autumn in the reef churn near a southern cay. It has been added to our charts. I gave her the ledger entry of his loss to hold and read aloud as part of the Benediction for Final Rest. She left a net of white knotted cord, said it was the last he made, but did not stay. I've placed it on the altar before the midday rites. As a note, fog rolled in not long after service, and only three stayed for evening psalms.
|-
!a salt-ringed scrap of curled parchment
|-
|In the Common language, it reads: 
2nd day of Ivastaen, 4831 
Three fisher wives from the southern quay came before the early bells. Their husbands sail north this season, past Glaoveln's reach. Each requested prayer and sat quietly through the morning hymn. I gave silver ribbons to bind with their kerchiefs and lit the sea taper for calm waters. The chapel was nearly full by midmorning, though many arrived late, likely due to the spring fog that clung to the harbor paths.
|-
!a ink-streaked torn vellum sheet
|-
|Uneven edges suggest this piece was torn hastily from a larger sheet. Faint ruling marks hint at its origin in a ledger or bound volume. A diagonal streak of indigo ink mars the surface, likely transferred from damp contact with another page. Most letters remain legible, though a few near the top right have blurred. Mildew traces the lower edge, and the parchment carries the scent of damp stone and old wax.

In the Common language, it reads: 
29th day of Koaratos, 4832 
Two merchant wives came bearing cloth bundles for the shrine. Each held swaddled sea stones tied with bits of silk, blue and pale. They asked no questions, gave no names. I placed the stones in the vessel below the sanctum basin and poured saltwater as they requested. Both stayed for the midday chant, though neither sang. After, they left through the garden gate without speaking further. I noted no marking on the silk. I hope they found comfort.
|-
!a mold-speckled soft parchment note
|-
|Softened by age and wear, the edges of the parchment curl inward, and pale mold speckling appears across the lower third of the sheet. A faint line suggests it was once folded and tucked into a ledger or personal book. The ink remains legible but has lightened near the corners. Moisture warping has created a slight upward curl in the body, and the parchment carries the scent of aged paper and damp wool.

In the Common language, it reads: 
3rd day of Eorgaen, 4832 
Widow Ellin came before the first bell and asked to sit in the quiet. She brought a folded scrap of ribbon from her husband's net bag and said she'd found it behind a dresser while cleaning for winter. I lit the sea taper and left her undisturbed while preparing the outer basin. She stayed through first prayers, then rose and placed the ribbon beneath the shell altar. She asked for no words today, but returned a missing bench cushion before leaving.
|-
!a smudged and warped journal page
|-
|Uneven ripples in the parchment surface indicate long exposure to moisture. Several pale smudges appear along the right margin, likely left by ink-stained fingers. Fading is most visible at the top, though the handwriting remains legible throughout. A faint scent of old wool and oil clings to the fibers. Abrasions across the back suggest the page rested for some time against a coarse surface.

In the Common language, it reads: 
7th day of Charlatos, 4833 
Three girls from Marshtown arrived just after first bell. None had formal instruction, but all carried the tunes well enough to follow the second line. We worked them through the basin hymn and the low chorus of the coastal prayer. They were assigned tunics from the eldest priestess, who sent them to scrub before vespers. We will continue twice weekly with them. If they remain steady, they may be ready for the Midyear Blessing. We've noted their names in the side book.
|-
!a creased parchment page
|-
|Creases stretch diagonally across the page, likely from folding while still damp. Several ink lines have run downward from the upper half, creating faint trails along the grain. Edges have darkened with age, and water damage has left a soft waviness across the surface. Handwriting remains legible, though uneven in places. The scent of mildew is stronger here, with a faint trace of fish oil soaked into one corner.

In the Common language, it reads: 
23rd day of Imaerasta, 4834 
Fleets pushed off beneath a red sky this evening. Wind held warm along the rise, and I watched from the upper path as the sails moved out past the bay mouth. I counted twenty-seven before I lost the line. I wrote their names as I remembered them, though some are just family names passed around. We did not ring the bell, but kept the flame lit through dusk. Sunset lingered long enough to finish the basin cleaning by natural light.
|-
!an ink-blotched paper fragment
|-
|Near the lower edge, signs of delamination are evident where prolonged exposure to moisture has lifted the parchment fibers. Ink blotches cover the upper left corner, though the writing beneath remains legible. Faint blue guidelines run horizontally across the surface, now nearly faded from view. All corners are softened from repeated handling, while the light scent of damp plaster and crushed chalk clings to the page.

In the Common language, it reads: 
18th day of Ivastaen, 4835 
Workers paused their efforts near the east colonnade due to a broken pulley. Several wandered into the chapel while the foreman spoke with a guild agent outside. One left a handful of copper on the basin rim. I noted no offering ribbon, but took it with the rest before lighting the salt lamp. Held afternoon prayers with two elders and one child. No hymn today. Breezes through the north wall joints have grown stronger since the scaffolding went up.
|-
!raw-edged and water spotted page
|-
|Uneven edges suggest this piece was torn hastily from a larger sheet. Faint ruling marks hint at its origin in a ledger or bound volume. A diagonal streak of indigo ink mars the surface, likely transferred from damp contact with another page. Most letters remain legible, though a few near the top right have blurred. Mildew traces the lower edge, and the parchment carries the scent of damp stone and old wax.

In the Common language, it reads:

17th day of Lumnea, 4830
Widow Carlan returned today, still unable to bear the final words. Her husband was taken last autumn in the reef churn near a southern cay. It has been added to our charts. I gave her the ledger entry of his loss to hold and read aloud as part of the Benediction for Final Rest. She left a net of white knotted cord, said it was the last he made, but did not stay. I've placed it on the altar before the midday rites. As a note, fog rolled in not long after service, and only three stayed for evening psalms.
|}

==== a jute-strung seashell necklace suspending a sapphire dolphin ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Necklace Found in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a jute-strung seashell necklace suspending a sapphire dolphin
|-
|It is a small item, under a pound.
It is estimated to be worth about 100 silvers.
It is predominantly crafted of organic material.
|}
==== a half-melted stick of silver sealing wax ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Wax Found in Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a half-melted stick of silver sealing wax
|-
|You see a thin cylinder of wax partially cut to subdivide it into 5 equal pieces. It will produce a blob of silver wax. You think you could PUT the wax on a parcel or letter meant for mailing while wearing an appropriate signet to imprint your seal into it.
|}

==== a discolored albatross feather quill ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Quill Found in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a discolored albatross feather quill
|-
|It is a small item, under a pound.
It is estimated to be worth about 30,000 silvers.
It is predominantly crafted of organic material.
|}
==== a faded off-white letter ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Letter from Tagetes to Aralinne
!a faded off-white letter
|-
|18 Charlatos 4839

Hi Aralinne,
I found it. Or at least, half of it. 
 
It wasn't hidden exactly, more like forgotten. The locals knew about the ruins but never thought to poke around in them because they're mostly buried under vines and heavy stone. It took three days and a few close calls with hornets, but tucked behind a collapsed pillar I found a stone cradle. And in it, wrapped in sea-worn cloth, was a broken staff. 
 
I knew it as soon as I touched it. It smells like the shore and there's a hollow ring when you hold it upright. It's not made of anything I recognize, but it hasn't rotted or split, except where it broke in two. One half was resting in the cradle. The other, according to a tablet near the ruins, was sent to a temple of Charl along the cliffs. 
 
Which temple is the problem. There used to be dozens, all dotting the coastline, and many of them have fallen into the sea. The writing didn't say which. Just "to a brother's altar." 
 
I've wrapped and sealed the piece I found and sent it with this letter. I figured if anyone can figure out where the other part ended up, it's you. 
 
If we're right, and this thing really can part the water, maybe we can put the ship to rest. Maybe the girls will stop slipping away like the others have. 
 
I won't be back right away. I broke my leg two days ago trying to cross a ravine after a rainstorm. The guide helped set it but the nearest empath is still a few days out and I can't move far. I'll return as soon as I'm able, once I can walk without screaming. Hold the staff. Let me know what it feels like. 
All my strength, 
 
Tagetes 
 
P.S. Tell the boy not to put shells in the font again. It's not funny. Well, it is, but don't tell him that.
|}
==== worn and faded scrap of vellum ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Song of Return
!worn and faded scrap of vellum
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:

Song of Return
A blessing for safe voyage and reunion

Go forth with the tide and return with the swell,
Let the waves bear you gently, where ever you dwell.
May your sails know the whisper, not the wail of the sea,
And the stars hold your course where your heart longs to be.

Let the wind be your witness, the foam be your guide,
Let the deep pass beneath you and never divide.
By the light of Niima, by the calm of her grace,
May your path find the harbor, your soul find its place.

Those who love you will wait with the shore in their eyes,
Watching dawn rise in silence and dusk fill the skies.
So go forth with the tide and return with the swell,
You are known to the sea, and she knows you well.
|]
[[Category:The Shadowy Abyss]]

The Shadowy Abyss (storyline)/Found items

2025-06-15T01:04:08Z

STACYWALTER: /* Elenne's (?) Papers */

__ToC__
== Shadowy Abyss Found Items ==
=== 06.06.2025 ===
==== an antique Vornavian silk cloth ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key's Sleeve
!an antique Vornavian silk cloth
|-
|Smooth with a soft finish, the Vornavian silk cloth has hints of its original deep blue hue at its edges though largely it has faded to a watered azure hue. Faint seashell patterns decorate the edge, the silver and white embroidery creating scallop shells that overlap. Rolled silk cords aid the bundle in staying closed as needed, their ends capped in silver dolphin periapts.
|}

===== a blue-tinted white vellum parchment =====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Letter to Tagetes from Aralinne
!a blue-tinted white vellum parchment
|-
|Slightly warped in shape and displaying clear signs of damage from humidity, the fine parchment is tinted with a subtle blue hue that is almost white and yet distinctly not. Crisp folds create precise lines in the top and bottom third of the piece, while the corners display fray signs where moisture has separated the layers.
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:
the seventeenth day of Olaesta in the year 4839

Tagetes,

Hopefully, we will return at the same time and all of this preparation will be for naught.

The temple will have no attendants as I have figured out the missing piece to get us to Pearl. It lies in an old Kannalan Temple to Charl. I believe I've tracked down its former location. I've hidden the plans in the old office at the end of the catacombs and sealed the entry.

So few people know of its existence that it should be safe to travel there. I do not think I will be gone more than a handful of days.

However, as I do not trust the Mercantile Guild, with their recent decisions to create gardens and shrines to the dark pantheon, I have sealed the doorway up and hidden it. Since you know where it is, you should have no issue finding it.

There are seven keys for entry. I've left the Empress key here, but you can easily obtain the other six by seeking the blessings of the Lover, the Mistress, the Sister, the Mother, the Daughter, and the High Priestess. I'm sure you'll remember who these are from our past talks. I dare not say more for fear this is found by others.

Please know that some wish to see the curse spread. Others are working hard to stop it. Young Bristena had the idea to buy back all the jewelry from the women whose husband, lovers, and brothers searched the North Beach to obtain them. I gave her enough coin to buy them all back.

Once she has every last piece, she'll have a sailor take her out to the spot we believe the "Pearl" to be waiting in and drop them back into the water. That should give us time to get the pieces together to free her. I used the last of the coffers to pay a crew to start the lighthouse.

If I don't return... Please let my husband and son know the depths of which I love them.

By my hand,

Aralinne Wynedowne
|}
===== a carved golden amber acorn =====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key
!a carved golden amber acorn
|-
|Roughly oval in shape, a carved golden amber acorn is broad and flat, providing an excellent view of its transparent interior portion. Trapped within the golden yellow fossilized pine tree sap are several small flying insects and a dried flower.
|}
==== an aged grey stone tile ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+The Tile
!an aged grey stone tile
|-
|Your song touches the tile, and the memory begins with stillness, then the faint scrape of wood across stone. Gentle hands press close, fitting the tile snugly into place. A murmur of approval hums nearby, muffled by fabric and breath. Cool grout slides into the seams, and the air shifts. Salt lingers in the room, carried on a current scented with blossoms. Lilac and sea daisy rise together, soft and clean. A hush settles across the surface, and the tile recognizes it as belonging. Beneath the faintest sigh of sandals against stone, a woman's voice murmurs, "There. That's better." The sounds and sensations fade along with the last syllables of your song.

As your song continues to caress the tile, it stirs with echoes of passing time. Soft footsteps come and go, punctuated by the rhythmic sweep of bristles and the clatter of buckets. Voices rise and fall nearby, sometimes low with grief, sometimes bright with ritual. One speaks of a sister's safe return, another offers blessings over a sailor's name. A different voice complains about a cracked basin and the need for fresh oil. Each moment blends into the next, seasons marked only by the changing cadence of heels, the weight of silence, and the gentle creak of wood in damp air. Slowly, the sensation and sounds fade, one by one, until they fall as silent as your song.

Your melody draws forth a hush, and the tile remembers the scent first. Bitter and resinous, the thick smoke of funerary incense curls low to the ground. Voices follow in soft procession, cloaked in sorrow. Some weep openly, others murmur prayers with trembling breath. The weight of grief presses against the stone, heavy as tide against jetty. A name is spoken again and again, reverent and broken, until it becomes a lullaby of mourning. Between each word, silence holds vigil. The tile feels a deep stillness in the air, as if even the sea has paused to listen. A final name tumbles across your ears as your song slips into silence, "Elenne."

Your song stirs the memory of disturbance. The tile feels the grit of its seams loosened, the edge of a tool scraping carefully through old grout. Pressure lifts it from the floor, just briefly, and something small is slid beneath. When the tile returns to its place, the surface meets the subfloor with an unfamiliar firmness. A hand lingers upon it, smooth and warm, resting for a long moment before giving a gentle pat. Whispered words ride the still air, close enough to touch, "Keep this safe until Tagetes finds you." An absence of warmth is the last sensation the tile imparts before your song stills.

Your voice brushes the tile, and the past answers with hushed urgency. There is the soft shuffle of feet, the creak of worn boots on stone, and a sharp intake of breath. Mournful whispers crowd the silence. A voice, cracked with worry and soft with distance, murmurs, "I don't know where you are, Aralinne. I can't get into the catacombs to check on you as the Brisker's Cove bowl was broken in the latest Krolvin raids... Please come home to us. Please. Your plan for Bristena worked; she told me of it when I returned. The girls are free, but where are you? I'm going to hide my piece until it can unite with yours. Please be safe, be careful." A soft sigh blends with the ending resonance of your song.

Your voice draws forth only silence at first. Time passes, measured in distant echoes. Footsteps sound too far to name, and faint shifts in the air come and go with no purpose. Old wood creaks softly where it meets damp stone. Dust settles in the seams, and salt from the sea clings to the surface. Years drift by without notice. Then, without warning, fingers press along your edges. There is a pause, a breath held just beyond hearing, and the tile feels the careful pry of something firm beneath it. A clamor of voices overlaps with each other until they blend into the fading sound of your song.
|}

=== 06.13.2025 ===
==== a salt-stained blue leather ledger ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Ledger from Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a salt-stained blue leather ledger
|-
|Bound in navy blue leather, the ledger bears clear signs of repair. Patches of mismatched hide reinforce the spine and corners, and thin linen cords hold the bindings tight. Though worn smooth with age, the cover still holds the faint imprint of Niima's shell crest, long faded by handling. The pages inside are slightly bowed from moisture, but the ink has held well. Each year occupies a single page, the writing steady and small.
|-
|4816

Tidy dates and notations for each month in 4816 are aligned neatly along the inner margin. Notes reference standard morning and mid-tide services, with modest attendance throughout the year. Several deaths at sea are marked during Phoenatos and Imaerasta. There are mentions of a small fishing vessel lost in late Charlatos, and a new lantern donated by a widow named Hessa. The last quarter shows increased visits near Solstice.

4817

Entries for 4817 remain even and uneventful. Most notes concern basin cleaning, donation handling, and ribbon replenishment. Storms in Lumnea and Koaratos disrupted service for several days. A merchant's wife is mentioned repeatedly for leaving folded prayers in the offering box. One record notes an unusual number of gulls gathered at the altar during a fogbound service, marked simply with, "observed by three."

4818

Standard service records dominate the page, with annotations in blue ink appearing during spring. One comment in the margin reads, "New basin stone fitted. Shell inlay cracked but held." Three names repeat throughout the year: a retired sailor, a midwife from Marshtown, and a girl recorded only as "A.M." Several deaths at sea appear again in Eorgaen. Coastal offerings increase during the fall months.

4819

The 4819 entries continue in a narrow hand, with an unusual number of weddings noted between Charlatos and Ivastaen. Ribbons tied at the altar outnumber funerary entries this year. A brief note in Phoenatos mentions a fisherman's body returned after fifteen tides. Repairs to the vestibule door are recorded in Koaratos. A delivery of hymnals is documented without name, signed only with "N.L."

4820

Attendance patterns remain steady throughout 4820. Notations of storm disruptions in Fashanos and Koaratos are followed by increased evening services during those months. One brief note in Charlatos mentions a girl from the lower quarter beginning "training for vow," though no name is listed. Seasonal surges continue, with quiet months between. A salt-caked page corner suggests the ledger was left open during a sea spray.

4821

Small, precise entries for 4821 follow the pattern of prior years. Services remained regular, with additional rites held after a coastal storm in Charlatos. A recurring visitor is listed only as "shell-bearer" during spring months. Repairs to the west garden wall are noted in Lumnea. One entry in Eorgaen records, "child left driftwood figure at basin, no adult nearby." The handwriting becomes slightly sharper near the year's end.

4822

The year opened with colder winds and reduced attendance through Lormesta. One note in Fashanos records an elderly priestess slipping on the altar steps, resulting in no injury. Minor construction is logged in Ivastaen: "stone bench repositioned, foundation settled uneven." Gulls are again noted during a fog-heavy morning service. No deaths at sea are marked for Koaratos, which is noted as rare by the author. Extra hymn practice is recorded for Imaerasta.

4823

Faint ink along the top edge shows early signs of moisture, but the page remains legible. Most entries follow the standard pattern. A sailor's wedding in Phoenatos brought increased attendance for several days. Someone left a carved shell token in the basin and returned each week through Jastatos. No name was ever recorded. One funeral in Eoantos references burial in the lower catacomb row, name lost to smudging. Elenne's name begins to appear more frequently.

4824

Ledger entries remain orderly. Elenne is noted as presiding over full services during three major seasonal observances. A short entry in Imaerasta reads, "saltwater damaged two hymnals, copies made by hand." Several deaths at sea were recorded across Phoenatos and Jastatos. A recurring note of "candles late" appears without clarification. Winter quarter shows an increased number of widows seeking individual prayer times, as marked by initials only.

4825

The writing becomes slightly more compact along this page, possibly due to a change in hand. Services are held regularly with minor disruptions caused by harbor traffic. One early Charlatos entry reads, "path blocked by hauling rig, services delayed." Garden growth noted as "vigorous" in Lumnea. An unnamed girl from Marshtown began regular cleaning duties in midyear. Entries suggest her presence became routine, though her name is not yet recorded. Several pages show signs of ash smudging near the bottom corner.

4826

Ledger entries remain narrow and consistent. Regular service records dominate the page, with a note in Ivastaen reading, "two hymnals lost to mildew, one copied by hand." The girl from Marshtown is noted more frequently, assisting with basin preparation and entry sweeping. Elenne is recorded as leading nearly all rites this year. In Koaratos, a sailor's wife donated wax and twine following her husband's return from the reefs.

4827

A colder year, with notations of light frost in Charlatos and a decline in visitors during the first quarter. The Marshtown girl is listed by initials for the first time: "A.L.". She appears often in notes tied to daily upkeep and chant transcription. Elenne requested additional salt deliveries from the quay, suggesting higher ritual use. A short record in Imaerasta reads, "boy returned with offering candle for sister." His name is not recorded, but the action repeats in later months.

4828

Ink across this page is slightly lighter but consistent. Notes describe steady attendance and quiet observances throughout the year. "A.L." continues to serve regularly and is mentioned copying seasonal verses. A new basin cloth was donated by a widow in Phoenatos. Calen Wynedowne is noted briefly in Koaratos as assisting with deliveries. In Eorgaen, a child is recorded as tying sea glass to the offering pole, noted without comment.

4829

The handwriting tightens slightly, with some changes in wording structure. "A.L." is listed as leading chants during two minor observances. A service disruption is recorded in Charlatos: "work crew halted access to west path." Garden repairs resumed in Ivastaen, with the stone bench noted as "settled, but now cracking." Calen Wynedowne is marked present on three service dates. Elenne's name appears as usual, though one note mentions "shortness of breath in colder months."

4830

Entries shift slightly in tone this year, with more detailed notations. "A.L." is no longer referenced only by initials. Her name appears as Aralinne, recorded assisting with vespers and receiving permission to copy the coastal prayers. Elenne continues to lead services throughout. In Fashanos, a marked entry reads: "Calen Wynedowne departed aboard the Drowned Boar." A note in Imaerasta logs the visit of the High Priestess from Selanthia. Garden notes cease after Koaratos, likely due to early construction of the new temple.

4831

Entries are steady, with services held regularly in the newly expanded chapel. The original altar remains in partial use during evening observances. Aralinne is recorded as leading chants and maintaining basin duties throughout the year. A note in Charlatos reads, "Calen returned, left shell at east bench." Additional visitors marked in Phoenatos. Several Kannalan hymn fragments reviewed in Jastatos, with Aralinne listed as transcriber. No disruptions recorded.

4832

Observances continue without interruption. Aralinne is noted frequently in preparation tasks, seasonal cleanings, and the transcription of coastal rites. One record in Koaratos reads, "private service held for three widows." Increased taper use recorded in Imaerasta. No name given, but a new assistant is mentioned briefly in Lumnea. Aralinne's duties expand across multiple entries. The final note of the year: "attendance steady; records filed."

4833

Standard notations occupy most of the year. Aralinne continues in her role, listed alongside Elenne for all major observances. Her name appears independently in entries for dusk services and catacomb visits. One summer note mentions, "garden basin cleared and refilled under Aralinne's guidance." No major incidents. Early signs of leadership transition appear in Eoantos, though no formal statement is recorded. The garden bench is listed as worn, but stable.

4834

Charlatos begins with a formal entry: "Calen Wynedowne and Aralinne joined in marriage, witnessed before first bell at east altar." Both continue in regular attendance. Aralinne is recorded as leading evening services and overseeing hymn preservation efforts. Her handwriting begins to appear in later entries. Koaratos notes her inclusion in guild correspondence. The final entry in Eorgaen lists: "preparations for early solstice rites under Aralinne."

4835

Year begins quietly. Aralinne is now noted as officiating several services in early Fashanos. In Jastatos, a central entry reads: "Elenne passed peacefully in the night, fifth day of Jastatos." Her name does not appear again. Subsequent entries mark Aralinne presiding over full rites. One note reads, "transition marked with coastal hymn, basin blessing unchanged." Calen continues to appear sporadically. The final entry of the year reads: "chapel remains steady under Aralinne's care."
|}
==== a small salt-stained journal ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Aralinne's Journal from Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a small salt-stained journal
|-
|Bound in salt-stained suede, the small journal shows signs of frequent handling. The edges of the cover have curled slightly, and faint salt residue clings to the seams. Interior pages are swollen from moisture, and many are warped or stuck together. Ink bleeds across several leaves, though a few entries remain legible. The faint scent of mildew and brine lingers between the covers.
|-
|1st day of Lormesta, 4830

The new year began in silence. No sun showed at dawn, only a pale mist rolling over the port that settled in the alleys and gutters. We opened the chapel doors late this morning. A thin crust of salt had gathered again on the threshold.

Mother Elenne asked me to polish the lamp basin and check our remaining wax. She said that if the year is to bring anything, let it be steadiness. I scrubbed the copper too hard and bent the rim along one edge. She noticed but said nothing.

After the evening bell, I stayed to copy the coastal prayer. My ink bled in the cold, and my fingers would not hold the quill straight. The letters blurred near the bottom of the page. I will try again tomorrow.

The gulls have returned early this year. Their cries sound sharper than I remember.

Faint ink marks show a date in the top right corner, though the precise date is difficult to decipher. There is an impression of repeated script beneath the date, but the parchment is too warped to decipher much of its contents. Only a few words remain distinguishable near the bottom:

"...salt left from the..."

"...sleeves wet from the basin..."

"...ribbon placed before bell..."

16th day of Fashanos, 4830

A merchant visited the chapel yesterday. He introduced himself as Vartrien and said he represented the Mercantile Guild. His boots were polished, but they slipped on the chapel stones. He smelled faintly of tallow and wine.

He spoke with Elenne behind the altar rail. I only heard part of what was said... something about extending the outer walls, adding a foyer and foyer, and pulling stone from the cliff quarry. He did not ask about the altar or the basin.

Before leaving, he placed a coin in the offering basin. It was heavier than most and bore the Guild's seal. Elenne closed the doors earlier than usual and asked me to boil the cloth and clean the entry stone. She did not speak again until morning prayers.

After the bell, I copied half of the sea-born hymn. I still mix the second and third lines. The gulls circled loudly over the garden. They did not land.

Humidity has irrevocably damaged this page of the journal. The faint impression of a coastal flower leaves a colored stain in the center of the page. Ink bleeds across the fibers, blending so completely that all writing is beyond recognition.

3rd day of Charlatos, 4830

Rain began early and found its way in through the northern window joint again. A track of droplets marked the covers of three hymnals before I noticed. I dried them the best I could and set them near the basin to air.

Mother Elenne told me I might be ready to take the vesper reading next month. I said I would do my best, though my voice still shakes when the wind comes hard off the bay.

A boy from the shipyard arrived just before first bell. He brought a candle for his sister and did not speak. He nodded once and placed it on the old bench near the shell altar. It burned quickly and left a streak of wax on the wood.

After evening prayers, I copied the saltwater blessing again. I continue to forget the fourth line. I will practice it aloud tomorrow when the chapel is empty.

12th day of Olaesta, 4830

The salted fog held all morning. The bells could barely be heard from the quay, and the floor stayed damp long after I wiped it. The gulls were quiet today, though I saw them gather on the breakwall at dusk.

Mother Elenne allowed me to lead the midday verses. I stumbled on the refrain but kept pace. She gave no correction afterward, which I think was kindness. I will ask her to let me try again next week.

The Guildman has not returned, but I saw carts from the upper quarry moving past the garden path. One of the workers spat too close to the basin. I scrubbed the stone clean before closing the gate.

27th day of Ivastaen, 4830

The High Priestess arrived again, as expected. She comes every five months, though she avoids Charlatos and Lormesta because she does not like to travel in cold weather. This time, she brought only one attendant and a thick letter sealed in white wax.

She asked after the basin and walked the outer path twice before speaking. I do not know why she finds our grounds so peculiar. She always looks longer at the walls than at the altar.

She complimented the order of the garden, though I had not yet swept. Her words are even and pleasant, but her eyes are always searching. I do not think she comes only for worship.

Moisture has warped the page outward from the center, and a small flower is pressed into the parchment. Once white, its petals have turned a pale yellow. The edges have melted into the fibers over time, leaving a faint outline and a darker stain beneath. Ink has bled into the margins, but a few lines remain legible:

"He brought it with both hands."

"Said it grew from the rocks near the basin."

"It smelled faintly of salt and rosemary."

Written near the bottom corner, in a careful hand: Calen

9th day of Lumnea, 4830

Calen came again just after midday. He did not knock, only waited near the side path until I saw him. He brought a bloom, he said he found growing from a crack in the harbor wall. I told him it would not last, but he said that was fine.

He stayed long enough to watch me refill the basin, then left without saying more. I placed the flower in the back of the book, where I thought it would keep. It did not.

Mother Elenne has begun sorting the storeroom shelves again. I do not know where she plans to move everything, but she said we may have to share with the masons soon. I do not think she approves.

2nd day of Koaratos, 4830

Rumors continue about the Guild's plans, but nothing official has been posted. One of the stone counters in the garden cracked under the weight of a builder's crate. They said it would be replaced, but no one has returned to measure.

The High Priestess's letter is still sealed. Elenne has not opened it, though she moved it twice. I think she is waiting for another message, or perhaps the Guildman himself.

A blue gull feather was left on the altar after the second bell. No one saw who brought it.

I placed it in the ribbon box, away from the salt.

13th day of Koaratos, 4830

The stone bench in the garden has been replaced. I was not told it would happen, but when I stepped out to light the sea taper this morning, it was there. Rosewood, newly finished and still carrying the scent of cut shavings. The legs are slightly uneven, but the surface is smooth.

Elenne said one of the sailors had it made for his wife. She is the one who always sits near the roses and watches the harbor light. She wept when the bench cracked beneath the masons' crate. I am glad it was rebuilt.

Ink has lifted across most of the page, leaving behind only faint strokes and a few recognizable shapes. The top third is nearly blank, and the lower margin is warped from long exposure to damp air. Visible along the center fold, in pale ink, are snatches of the original message.

"...asked if it would still be the same chapel..."

"...carried the basin water out into the garden..."

"...song lines lost in the stone dust..."

5th day of Phoenatos, 4830

Construction has begun. Dust rises even before the first bell. The builders come early and eat beside the garden wall. I do not know how they leave the crumbs behind, but the gulls are clearly happy about it.

Mother Elenne and I have moved our sleeping mats into the chapel itself. There is no space left in the quarters, not since the back wall was taken down. She said it is temporary, but we must keep everything folded and out of sight during services.

She reminded me that we are not bound by silence or separation, only by devotion and clarity of intent. Then she looked at me and said, "Even your Calen would agree." I nearly dropped the basin ladle.

16th day of Phoenatos, 4830

Calen returned with an oilskin pouch and handed it to me without speaking. Inside was a cloth wrapped around several dry biscuits and a folded slip of sea-blue ribbon. He said he heard the workers had overrun our stores and that I was likely too polite to complain.

I thanked him, but could not find the right words. Elenne watched from the entryway. Later, she only asked if I had shared them.

The builders left stone dust across the floor again. I swept until my arms ached, but it returned before the evening bell. It finds every crack.

28th day of Phoenatos, 4830

The High Priestess will return in Jastatos. Elenne received a note today. No seal this time, only a clean fold and pressed script. She read it twice, then tucked it into the ledger without comment.

I asked if she thought the Guildman would be here as well. She said most likely, and that the two had likely been speaking for longer than we realized. She did not sound surprised or pleased.

The rosewood bench has already dulled to a greyish tone. I tried wiping it with a damp cloth, but the color does not return. Still, the sailor's wife came today and stayed for the whole of the afternoon light. She did not speak. Only watched the water and smiled.

7th day of Imaerasta, 4830

The scaffolding now reaches above the garden wall. Boards cast a grid of shadow over the roses during morning light. One of the masons said that the new walls will block the ocean view. I had not thought of that until now.

If the wall rises the way they say it will, the garden will face stone, not sea. Elenne was not surprised when I told her. She only said, "It's easier to worship what you can see than what you must remember."

I wonder if the sound of the tide will carry once the last wall is raised.

18th day of Imaerasta, 4830

Mist held long into the afternoon. We lit the lamps early and brought the linens in before the sea air reached them. The dust hangs longer in the stillness.

Word came that Yenterreth of the Marshtown passed in her sleep. She was one of the spirit women, always with a ribbon in her sleeve and saltwater on her boots. I remember her from before I came to live with Elenne. She called me bird girl and once gave me a braid of kelp twine.

She will be interred below with the others. I carried the notice down to the stone chamber myself.

Much of the page has faded due to moisture, but several phrases remain readable:

"...could see the harbor lantern from the bench..."

"...ribbons tied to the low branches removed..."

"...the sound of chisel work does not pause for prayer..."

Smudged ink across the lower edge shows where the page was touched before drying.

3rd day of Jastatos, 4830

The High Priestess arrived just after midday. She wore a dove-colored cloak and had her hair in three loops at her crown. Guildman Vartrien stood beside her beneath the scaffolding. They did not speak during the service, but both stayed until the end.

Afterward, they walked the garden with Elenne. I followed at a distance, gathering petals. I overheard them speak of creating a fresco in Niima's likeness upon the foyer wall. The High Priestess said the space would command presence.

No one mentioned the old altar. I swept around it that night, as a kind of apology.

15th day of Jastatos, 4830

A whisper has spread through the workers. One of the cart drivers said the Krolvin have been seen in Brisker's Cove. No one knows if it's true, but another said the harbor patrol was doubled this week.

Elenne said we cannot shape our prayers to rumors. Still, she lit the tall tapers during evening service and left them burning until the last shadow faded from the stones.

Calen has not returned since the rains began. I keep the ribbon he gave me in my prayer book. It smells faintly of rosemary, even now.

4th day of Eoantos, 4830

Elenne asked me to begin clearing the small office beside the catacombs. She said it was time someone sorted through what remains. I believe she means for me to be occupied, as Calen has not returned. She does not ask after him directly, but she notices when I forget the dusting cloth or leave the lamp wick too low.

The office is colder than I remembered. The walls sweat even when the wind is dry. I found a bundle of records tied with frayed cord, and a shelf of ledgers warped from years of damp. None have dates newer than 4816.

I lit a taper and marveled that its flame didn't waver. The air is rather stale.

12th day of Eoantos, 4830

Stacks of papers have begun to soften and fall apart as I move them. Some pages peel away like onion skin. Others are stuck together with mildew at the corners. There is no order left in the ledgers.

Elenne gave me vinegar water to scrub the stone and showed me how to dry the parchments without tearing the ink. Her hands are steadier than mine, but she let me try alone today.

No one has asked about the office in years. I wonder if anyone will again once the new temple is complete.

Several blotches stretch across the center of the page, caused by ink pressed while wet. Words are smudged and fingerprints mar the lower half.

Only a few lines are clear:

"...wrote his name on the margin and folded it..."

"...did not want to ask him not to go..."

"...the sea calls more surely than words ever could..."

21st day of Eoantos, 4830

Word came that Calen has signed on with a deep-sea vessel. No one knows the name, only that it sails past the Shoals and will be gone past spring.

Elenne said nothing when I told her. She simply handed me another cloth and said, "Salt dries slower than tears." I think she meant it kindly.

The basin water felt colder today, though the air was still. When I poured it over the shell altar, I thought of the wives who stand at our threshold with wet sleeves and silent mouths.

I begin to understand why they come. Not for answers, but for nearness.

1st day of Eorgaen, 4830

The sound of hammers has quieted. Most of the scaffolding has come down. The stones above the chapel are now smooth and white, with carved lines I cannot name.

I finished dusting the office and folded what remained of the ledgers. Several were too damaged to save. Elenne said I may stack them in the catacombs for burning later, though I kept two that still held their shape.

Calen's ribbon rests between the pages of one. I did not mean to place it there. It simply felt right.

19th day of Eorgaen, 4830

We moved into the new quarters today. The walls are smooth, and the ceiling curves slightly like the hull of a ship turned over. My mat fits beneath the small window, though it does not face the sea.

Elenne set our candles on the narrow sill and arranged her ledgers in the cabinet with care. She has not said whether she likes the new space, but she wiped the sill twice before speaking.

I kept the basin cloth. It still smells faintly of rosemary and ink.

31st day of Eorgaen, 4830

Year-end bells rang before the harbor mist had cleared. The garden is smaller now, and the altar no longer sees the ocean, but the salt wind still finds its way between the stones.

I watched from the upper stairs as the tide turned. For a moment, I imagined Calen leaning over the rail of whatever vessel he's found. I do not know where he sailed, or what wind carried him out, only that the thought of him still returns like breath.

I folded a ribbon into the base of the old ledger. Some things are easier to keep when hidden.

1st day of Lormesta, 4831

The High Priestess arrived at midday. She wore fur-lined gloves and spoke briefly before entering the new sanctum. Her words were softer this time. She said the white stone caught light well and that the new foyer had "clean weight."

She did not linger. Elenne bowed but did not speak.

I spent the rest of the day sorting a box of old hymn fragments. Some were written in Kannalan, though I can only read the titles. I have set two aside in hopes that someone might help me translate them.

3rd day of Lormesta, 4831

Calen returned today.

He stood by the garden gate and waited until I saw him. He did not wave. Only smiled, the kind of smile that asks without needing an answer.

I brought him a cup of water, and we sat in the shadow of the old chapel. He said nothing of the voyage, and I did not ask. I watched his hands as he spoke of the harbor and the wind near the reefs. He has a sun mark on his left wrist now, just above the bone.

When he left, he pressed a shell into my palm. It was smooth and unbroken.

5th day of Lormesta, 4831

I do not know if he missed me. I do not know if he meant to see me or only came to the chapel as he once did.

Still, I thought of him each time the tide turned. I imagined the shape of his boat against the horizon, wondering if he looked for birds or counted the ways salt settles into cloth.

The shell he gave me rests beneath the old candle box. I did not tell Elenne.

I have finished copying the Kannalan refrain. The words feel older than stone, but they sing cleanly when read aloud.
|}

==== a faded off-white vellum ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Letter to Aralinna from Tagetes
!a faded off-white vellum
|-
|22 Fashanos 4839

Hi Aralinne,
You are going to sputter when you read this, but I found something I think might actually help. I've been haunting the lower rooms of the Rest's old archive, the one that smells like mushrooms and lamp oil, and you would not believe the number of ledgers that don't even belong there. Some trader scribbled a note in the margin of a shipping contract, and I have no idea why, about a Hermit of Charl. Not a priest. Not a sailor. A hermit.

The strange part is, he wasn't written about like some bedraggled man on a rock. He had followers. Or at least people who carried his words. The note said he held something powerful, something that could "turn back the tide and lay bare the seabed, if placed with care and faith at the high edge." That's what it actually said. The relic doesn't have a name, which is frustrating, but it is always connected to cliffs or high ridges.

I spent the last two days chasing the reference backward, and I think it's Kannalan. Most of the names line up with the way they spell things when they want to make them sound more official. The good stuff always hides behind fancy lettering.

Anyway, I asked around, and there's a guide here who knows the Karazja ruins. He's agreed to take me inland starting next week. I'll be careful. I promise. But if I'm right, that relic might still be out there.

Imagine what it would mean if we could part the sea.

More soon,
Tagetes

P.S. Tell Marris not to let the acolytes into the tide closet again. I know it was them. The shells were rearranged. Again.
|}
==== Seaborne Hymnal ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a thread-edged faded parchment
|-
|Parchment the color of drifted sand bears faded blue script in a careful, even hand. The edges have frayed into soft waves, and the lower corner is discolored where dampness clings to the page. A watermark in the upper left shows a simple wave crest superimposed over a scallop shell. Salt has left faint flecks across the surface, and one line of ink has bled slightly with age. Despite wear, the script remains fully legible, framed by a border of pressed gull feathers and hand-tied seasilk thread.

In the Common language, it reads:

Instructions for the Seaborne Hymnal

To be spoken daily, often at morning tide or before the first sail departs.

The Seaborne Hymnal is a spoken blessing offered to all who live by the rhythm of the sea. It honors those who make their living from its bounty, those who voyage upon it, and those who wait at its edge. The ritual is led by a priestess and joined by those gathered, using a call and response pattern. It is not sung, but spoken clearly, with steadiness and intent.

There are no physical offerings required. However, each response is accompanied by a hand gesture to mark the tide's reach and the release of prayer.

The priestess stands facing the gathered. Congregants may form a semicircle or remain as they are, whether in chapel or along the shore. The ritual may be performed indoors or outdoors, provided the sea is visible or near.

At each response, the right hand is placed palm-down over the heart, then extended outward, fingers spread as if forming the crest of a wave. This gesture is slow and deliberate. At the final line, the gesture is held outward a moment longer before lowering the hand.

The hymnal is: 
'''Priestess:''' Who wakes with the wind and walks with the tide? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who casts the net and bears the storm? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who waits at the window and sings to the dark? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who names the stars and trusts the wave? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Bless those who leave and those who remain. 
Bless those who labor and those who pray. 
Bless those who remember. 
'''Congregation (final gesture):''' And those who return no more.

The rite is complete after the final line. There is no need for benediction. Let silence follow for a breath or two before the next act begins.
|}
==== Ribbon Vigil ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
! a watermarked pearly white parchment
|-
|Faint mildew spots darken the four corners of the parchment, which has a pearly white finish created by the waxy finished worked into its fibers. An azure watermark of a scallop shell superimposed over cresting waves can be seen beneath the indigo ink that spread across its surface.

In the Common language, it reads:

The Ribbon Vigil is a quiet, sacred tradition observed by sailors and their loved ones before voyages that lead them beyond the protection of the bay. It is deeply personal, often unspoken, and performed in silence atop the temple's Widow's Walk. The rite is not scheduled by the temple, nor does it require direct guidance, but all priestesses, acolytes, and attending staff should understand its nature and how to offer quiet support when needed.

The vigil begins when a sailor and a significant companion, whether spouse, sibling, friend, or beloved, ascending to the rooftop of the temple. Together, they bring a ribbon, which may be carried openly or hidden in the hand, sleeve, or pocket until the moment it is needed. Upon reaching the rail that faces the open sea, they tie the ribbon to the ironwork together. There is no formal color or material required. While many choose white, blue, or sea green, others may bring a scrap of sailcloth or a woven charm. The meaning lies in the bond, not the fiber. No spoken words are required, though some murmur names or prayers as the knot is tied. The act itself is the offering. It binds the hope of return between two people and entrusts that bond to the sea.

At times, when a ship is long overdue or the sea has turned cruel, the one who remained ashore may return to the Widow's Walk alone. There, they loosen the knot they once tied. The ribbon is not taken down but left slack in the wind. This act is a plea to Niima, asking her to seek the one who has not come home. It is believed that if the ribbon is taken by the wind and reaches the sea, Niima will find the sailor and guide them to safety. That safety may not bring them home to Solhaven, but it will bring them to a shore. If the ribbon tangles, falls, or clings to the stone, some believe it is a sign that the soul it represents has already passed from Niima's reach.

Temple staff must not disturb those who come to perform this rite. Acolytes may observe from a distance and quietly light a sea taper at the stairwell when a ribbon loosening is witnessed. The gesture is enough to mark the moment. Comfort should be offered gently, without promise or correction. Never assure a safe return. Instead, remind them that Niima knows every name whispered to the tide and that no soul is ever truly lost to her.

Ribbons left on the Widow's Walk should be observed weekly. Those that have clearly loosened and not flown may be carefully removed and burned in a salt-fire by the priestess or her assistant. This should be done with solemnity and without comment, allowing the sea to receive what it could not carry.

Priestesses may speak of the vigil during public blessings, particularly on days when many ships prepare to depart. However, no individual should be named or pointed to. Let the ribbon be a silent prayer, seen by the sea and felt by those who wait.
|}
==== Song of Return ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
! a worn and faded scrap of vellum
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:

Song of Return 
A blessing for safe voyage and reunion

Go forth with the tide and return with the swell, 
Let the waves bear you gently, where ever you dwell. 
May your sails know the whisper, not the wail of the sea, 
And the stars hold your course where your heart longs to be.

Let the wind be your witness, the foam be your guide, 
Let the deep pass beneath you and never divide. 
By the light of Niima, by the calm of her grace, 
May your path find the harbor, your soul find its place.

Those who love you will wait with the shore in their eyes, 
Watching dawn rise in silence and dusk fill the skies. 
So go forth with the tide and return with the swell, 
You are known to the sea, and she knows you well.
|}
==== Saltwater Blessing ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a an azure-tinted and waxed ivory vellum
|-
|The Saltwater Blessing
To be performed at the start of each day and before any service that opens the temple doors to those in need. 
Begin the Saltwater Blessing before the tide bells. The basin must be clean, dry, and still. Saltwater is to be drawn at dawn, and it must come from a living source. Water taken from a canal or well is not suitable. If the sea cannot be reached due to weather or flood, postpone the ritual. Light a sea taper in its place and record the reason with care. 
The acolyte assisting you should stand to the left of the basin. Instruct her to place both hands on the rim and begin to turn it slowly in a clockwise motion. This movement must remain steady and deliberate. The spiral that forms at the center of the water represents the cycle we serve: cleansing, healing, prayer, and return.
You will pour the saltwater into the basin as it turns. Keep the vessel low and the stream even. Pour as the tide pours, without haste and without pause. Do not speak until the water touches the basin. As the water flows, recite the blessing aloud: 
Salt drawn from tide, gift of the sea, 
Wash clean these hands, this heart, this hour. 
Heal what is broken, quiet what clings, 
Let all who pass find peace in thee. 
In Niima's name, let the water remember mercy, 
and the sea cradle what we cannot carry. 
When the blessing is complete, step back and allow the basin to settle. Do not stir the water again unless it has been fouled. 
Each person who enters the chapel should approach the basin. Some will speak, others will not. It is not your task to correct their silence. If they ask what to say, teach them this: 
Salt and sea, carry this from me. 
At day's end, empty the basin unless the tide is near enough to reclaim it directly. Never let water stand overnight. Do not allow the salt to cloud or crust. If the sea cannot receive it, return it to the earth with reverence. 
The blessing is working when even the restless linger at the threshold.
|}

==== Elenne's (?) Papers ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a pale slip of vellum bearing a rust-tinged watermark
|-
|Rust-toned watermarks bloom across the lower half of the parchment, forming uneven, organic shapes. The ink has faded but remains legible throughout. The surface is rough to the touch, with several shallow indentations along the right margin, as if pressed against the corner of a writing board. Mild mildew spotting is visible near the top, and the parchment carries a faint metallic scent.

In the Common language, it reads: 
15th day of Fashanos, 4830 
Master Vartrien of the Mercantile Guild visited the chapel before midday service. He spoke of expanding the grounds and building a larger temple to better serve Solhaven's growing population. I reminded him that the chapel predates the coastal road and holds its own rhythm. He seemed unconcerned but polite. Left a coin marked with the Guild's seal in the basin. I placed it with the others and marked his visit in the side register.
|-
!a raw-edged and water-spotted page
|-
|Uneven edges suggest this piece was torn hastily from a larger sheet. Faint ruling marks hint at its origin in a ledger or bound volume. A diagonal streak of indigo ink mars the surface, likely transferred from damp contact with another page. Most letters remain legible, though a few near the top right have blurred. Mildew traces the lower edge, and the parchment carries the scent of damp stone and old wax.

In the Common language, it reads: 
17th day of Lumnea, 4830 
Widow Carlan returned today, still unable to bear the final words. Her husband was taken last autumn in the reef churn near a southern cay. It has been added to our charts. I gave her the ledger entry of his loss to hold and read aloud as part of the Benediction for Final Rest. She left a net of white knotted cord, said it was the last he made, but did not stay. I've placed it on the altar before the midday rites. As a note, fog rolled in not long after service, and only three stayed for evening psalms.
|-
!a salt-ringed scrap of curled parchment
|-
|In the Common language, it reads: 
2nd day of Ivastaen, 4831 
Three fisher wives from the southern quay came before the early bells. Their husbands sail north this season, past Glaoveln's reach. Each requested prayer and sat quietly through the morning hymn. I gave silver ribbons to bind with their kerchiefs and lit the sea taper for calm waters. The chapel was nearly full by midmorning, though many arrived late, likely due to the spring fog that clung to the harbor paths.
|-
!a ink-streaked torn vellum sheet
|-
|Uneven edges suggest this piece was torn hastily from a larger sheet. Faint ruling marks hint at its origin in a ledger or bound volume. A diagonal streak of indigo ink mars the surface, likely transferred from damp contact with another page. Most letters remain legible, though a few near the top right have blurred. Mildew traces the lower edge, and the parchment carries the scent of damp stone and old wax.

In the Common language, it reads: 
29th day of Koaratos, 4832 
Two merchant wives came bearing cloth bundles for the shrine. Each held swaddled sea stones tied with bits of silk, blue and pale. They asked no questions, gave no names. I placed the stones in the vessel below the sanctum basin and poured saltwater as they requested. Both stayed for the midday chant, though neither sang. After, they left through the garden gate without speaking further. I noted no marking on the silk. I hope they found comfort.
|-
!a mold-speckled soft parchment note
|-
|Softened by age and wear, the edges of the parchment curl inward, and pale mold speckling appears across the lower third of the sheet. A faint line suggests it was once folded and tucked into a ledger or personal book. The ink remains legible but has lightened near the corners. Moisture warping has created a slight upward curl in the body, and the parchment carries the scent of aged paper and damp wool.

In the Common language, it reads: 
3rd day of Eorgaen, 4832 
Widow Ellin came before the first bell and asked to sit in the quiet. She brought a folded scrap of ribbon from her husband's net bag and said she'd found it behind a dresser while cleaning for winter. I lit the sea taper and left her undisturbed while preparing the outer basin. She stayed through first prayers, then rose and placed the ribbon beneath the shell altar. She asked for no words today, but returned a missing bench cushion before leaving.
|-
!a smudged and warped journal page
|-
|Uneven ripples in the parchment surface indicate long exposure to moisture. Several pale smudges appear along the right margin, likely left by ink-stained fingers. Fading is most visible at the top, though the handwriting remains legible throughout. A faint scent of old wool and oil clings to the fibers. Abrasions across the back suggest the page rested for some time against a coarse surface.

In the Common language, it reads: 
7th day of Charlatos, 4833 
Three girls from Marshtown arrived just after first bell. None had formal instruction, but all carried the tunes well enough to follow the second line. We worked them through the basin hymn and the low chorus of the coastal prayer. They were assigned tunics from the eldest priestess, who sent them to scrub before vespers. We will continue twice weekly with them. If they remain steady, they may be ready for the Midyear Blessing. We've noted their names in the side book.
|-
!a creased parchment page
|-
|Creases stretch diagonally across the page, likely from folding while still damp. Several ink lines have run downward from the upper half, creating faint trails along the grain. Edges have darkened with age, and water damage has left a soft waviness across the surface. Handwriting remains legible, though uneven in places. The scent of mildew is stronger here, with a faint trace of fish oil soaked into one corner.

In the Common language, it reads: 
23rd day of Imaerasta, 4834 
Fleets pushed off beneath a red sky this evening. Wind held warm along the rise, and I watched from the upper path as the sails moved out past the bay mouth. I counted twenty-seven before I lost the line. I wrote their names as I remembered them, though some are just family names passed around. We did not ring the bell, but kept the flame lit through dusk. Sunset lingered long enough to finish the basin cleaning by natural light.
|-
!an ink-blotched paper fragment
|-
|Near the lower edge, signs of delamination are evident where prolonged exposure to moisture has lifted the parchment fibers. Ink blotches cover the upper left corner, though the writing beneath remains legible. Faint blue guidelines run horizontally across the surface, now nearly faded from view. All corners are softened from repeated handling, while the light scent of damp plaster and crushed chalk clings to the page.

In the Common language, it reads: 
18th day of Ivastaen, 4835 
Workers paused their efforts near the east colonnade due to a broken pulley. Several wandered into the chapel while the foreman spoke with a guild agent outside. One left a handful of copper on the basin rim. I noted no offering ribbon, but took it with the rest before lighting the salt lamp. Held afternoon prayers with two elders and one child. No hymn today. Breezes through the north wall joints have grown stronger since the scaffolding went up.
|-
!raw-edged and water spotted page
|-
|Uneven edges suggest this piece was torn hastily from a larger sheet. Faint ruling marks hint at its origin in a ledger or bound volume. A diagonal streak of indigo ink mars the surface, likely transferred from damp contact with another page. Most letters remain legible, though a few near the top right have blurred. Mildew traces the lower edge, and the parchment carries the scent of damp stone and old wax.

In the Common language, it reads:

17th day of Lumnea, 4830
Widow Carlan returned today, still unable to bear the final words. Her husband was taken last autumn in the reef churn near a southern cay. It has been added to our charts. I gave her the ledger entry of his loss to hold and read aloud as part of the Benediction for Final Rest. She left a net of white knotted cord, said it was the last he made, but did not stay. I've placed it on the altar before the midday rites. As a note, fog rolled in not long after service, and only three stayed for evening psalms.
|}

==== a jute-strung seashell necklace suspending a sapphire dolphin ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Necklace Found in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a jute-strung seashell necklace suspending a sapphire dolphin
|-
|It is a small item, under a pound.
It is estimated to be worth about 100 silvers.
It is predominantly crafted of organic material.
|}
==== a half-melted stick of silver sealing wax ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Wax Found in Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a half-melted stick of silver sealing wax
|-
You see a thin cylinder of wax partially cut to subdivide it into 5 equal pieces. It will produce a blob of silver wax. You think you could PUT the wax on a parcel or letter meant for mailing while wearing an appropriate signet to imprint your seal into it.
|}
==== a discolored albatross feather quill ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Quill Found in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a discolored albatross feather quill
|-
|It is a small item, under a pound.
It is estimated to be worth about 30,000 silvers.
It is predominantly crafted of organic material.
|}
==== a faded off-white letter ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Letter from Tagetes to Aralinne
!a faded off-white letter
|-
|18 Charlatos 4839

Hi Aralinne,
I found it. Or at least, half of it. 
 
It wasn't hidden exactly, more like forgotten. The locals knew about the ruins but never thought to poke around in them because they're mostly buried under vines and heavy stone. It took three days and a few close calls with hornets, but tucked behind a collapsed pillar I found a stone cradle. And in it, wrapped in sea-worn cloth, was a broken staff. 
 
I knew it as soon as I touched it. It smells like the shore and there's a hollow ring when you hold it upright. It's not made of anything I recognize, but it hasn't rotted or split, except where it broke in two. One half was resting in the cradle. The other, according to a tablet near the ruins, was sent to a temple of Charl along the cliffs. 
 
Which temple is the problem. There used to be dozens, all dotting the coastline, and many of them have fallen into the sea. The writing didn't say which. Just "to a brother's altar." 
 
I've wrapped and sealed the piece I found and sent it with this letter. I figured if anyone can figure out where the other part ended up, it's you. 
 
If we're right, and this thing really can part the water, maybe we can put the ship to rest. Maybe the girls will stop slipping away like the others have. 
 
I won't be back right away. I broke my leg two days ago trying to cross a ravine after a rainstorm. The guide helped set it but the nearest empath is still a few days out and I can't move far. I'll return as soon as I'm able, once I can walk without screaming. Hold the staff. Let me know what it feels like. 
All my strength, 
 
Tagetes 
 
P.S. Tell the boy not to put shells in the font again. It's not funny. Well, it is, but don't tell him that.
|}
==== worn and faded scrap of vellum ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Song of Return
!worn and faded scrap of vellum
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:

Song of Return
A blessing for safe voyage and reunion

Go forth with the tide and return with the swell,
Let the waves bear you gently, where ever you dwell.
May your sails know the whisper, not the wail of the sea,
And the stars hold your course where your heart longs to be.

Let the wind be your witness, the foam be your guide,
Let the deep pass beneath you and never divide.
By the light of Niima, by the calm of her grace,
May your path find the harbor, your soul find its place.

Those who love you will wait with the shore in their eyes,
Watching dawn rise in silence and dusk fill the skies.
So go forth with the tide and return with the swell,
You are known to the sea, and she knows you well.
|]
[[Category:The Shadowy Abyss]]

The Shadowy Abyss (storyline)/Found items

2025-06-15T01:03:09Z

STACYWALTER: Added more items from the catacombs

__ToC__
== Shadowy Abyss Found Items ==
=== 06.06.2025 ===
==== an antique Vornavian silk cloth ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key's Sleeve
!an antique Vornavian silk cloth
|-
|Smooth with a soft finish, the Vornavian silk cloth has hints of its original deep blue hue at its edges though largely it has faded to a watered azure hue. Faint seashell patterns decorate the edge, the silver and white embroidery creating scallop shells that overlap. Rolled silk cords aid the bundle in staying closed as needed, their ends capped in silver dolphin periapts.
|}

===== a blue-tinted white vellum parchment =====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Letter to Tagetes from Aralinne
!a blue-tinted white vellum parchment
|-
|Slightly warped in shape and displaying clear signs of damage from humidity, the fine parchment is tinted with a subtle blue hue that is almost white and yet distinctly not. Crisp folds create precise lines in the top and bottom third of the piece, while the corners display fray signs where moisture has separated the layers.
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:
the seventeenth day of Olaesta in the year 4839

Tagetes,

Hopefully, we will return at the same time and all of this preparation will be for naught.

The temple will have no attendants as I have figured out the missing piece to get us to Pearl. It lies in an old Kannalan Temple to Charl. I believe I've tracked down its former location. I've hidden the plans in the old office at the end of the catacombs and sealed the entry.

So few people know of its existence that it should be safe to travel there. I do not think I will be gone more than a handful of days.

However, as I do not trust the Mercantile Guild, with their recent decisions to create gardens and shrines to the dark pantheon, I have sealed the doorway up and hidden it. Since you know where it is, you should have no issue finding it.

There are seven keys for entry. I've left the Empress key here, but you can easily obtain the other six by seeking the blessings of the Lover, the Mistress, the Sister, the Mother, the Daughter, and the High Priestess. I'm sure you'll remember who these are from our past talks. I dare not say more for fear this is found by others.

Please know that some wish to see the curse spread. Others are working hard to stop it. Young Bristena had the idea to buy back all the jewelry from the women whose husband, lovers, and brothers searched the North Beach to obtain them. I gave her enough coin to buy them all back.

Once she has every last piece, she'll have a sailor take her out to the spot we believe the "Pearl" to be waiting in and drop them back into the water. That should give us time to get the pieces together to free her. I used the last of the coffers to pay a crew to start the lighthouse.

If I don't return... Please let my husband and son know the depths of which I love them.

By my hand,

Aralinne Wynedowne
|}
===== a carved golden amber acorn =====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key
!a carved golden amber acorn
|-
|Roughly oval in shape, a carved golden amber acorn is broad and flat, providing an excellent view of its transparent interior portion. Trapped within the golden yellow fossilized pine tree sap are several small flying insects and a dried flower.
|}
==== an aged grey stone tile ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+The Tile
!an aged grey stone tile
|-
|Your song touches the tile, and the memory begins with stillness, then the faint scrape of wood across stone. Gentle hands press close, fitting the tile snugly into place. A murmur of approval hums nearby, muffled by fabric and breath. Cool grout slides into the seams, and the air shifts. Salt lingers in the room, carried on a current scented with blossoms. Lilac and sea daisy rise together, soft and clean. A hush settles across the surface, and the tile recognizes it as belonging. Beneath the faintest sigh of sandals against stone, a woman's voice murmurs, "There. That's better." The sounds and sensations fade along with the last syllables of your song.

As your song continues to caress the tile, it stirs with echoes of passing time. Soft footsteps come and go, punctuated by the rhythmic sweep of bristles and the clatter of buckets. Voices rise and fall nearby, sometimes low with grief, sometimes bright with ritual. One speaks of a sister's safe return, another offers blessings over a sailor's name. A different voice complains about a cracked basin and the need for fresh oil. Each moment blends into the next, seasons marked only by the changing cadence of heels, the weight of silence, and the gentle creak of wood in damp air. Slowly, the sensation and sounds fade, one by one, until they fall as silent as your song.

Your melody draws forth a hush, and the tile remembers the scent first. Bitter and resinous, the thick smoke of funerary incense curls low to the ground. Voices follow in soft procession, cloaked in sorrow. Some weep openly, others murmur prayers with trembling breath. The weight of grief presses against the stone, heavy as tide against jetty. A name is spoken again and again, reverent and broken, until it becomes a lullaby of mourning. Between each word, silence holds vigil. The tile feels a deep stillness in the air, as if even the sea has paused to listen. A final name tumbles across your ears as your song slips into silence, "Elenne."

Your song stirs the memory of disturbance. The tile feels the grit of its seams loosened, the edge of a tool scraping carefully through old grout. Pressure lifts it from the floor, just briefly, and something small is slid beneath. When the tile returns to its place, the surface meets the subfloor with an unfamiliar firmness. A hand lingers upon it, smooth and warm, resting for a long moment before giving a gentle pat. Whispered words ride the still air, close enough to touch, "Keep this safe until Tagetes finds you." An absence of warmth is the last sensation the tile imparts before your song stills.

Your voice brushes the tile, and the past answers with hushed urgency. There is the soft shuffle of feet, the creak of worn boots on stone, and a sharp intake of breath. Mournful whispers crowd the silence. A voice, cracked with worry and soft with distance, murmurs, "I don't know where you are, Aralinne. I can't get into the catacombs to check on you as the Brisker's Cove bowl was broken in the latest Krolvin raids... Please come home to us. Please. Your plan for Bristena worked; she told me of it when I returned. The girls are free, but where are you? I'm going to hide my piece until it can unite with yours. Please be safe, be careful." A soft sigh blends with the ending resonance of your song.

Your voice draws forth only silence at first. Time passes, measured in distant echoes. Footsteps sound too far to name, and faint shifts in the air come and go with no purpose. Old wood creaks softly where it meets damp stone. Dust settles in the seams, and salt from the sea clings to the surface. Years drift by without notice. Then, without warning, fingers press along your edges. There is a pause, a breath held just beyond hearing, and the tile feels the careful pry of something firm beneath it. A clamor of voices overlaps with each other until they blend into the fading sound of your song.
|}

=== 06.13.2025 ===
==== a salt-stained blue leather ledger ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Ledger from Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a salt-stained blue leather ledger
|-
|Bound in navy blue leather, the ledger bears clear signs of repair. Patches of mismatched hide reinforce the spine and corners, and thin linen cords hold the bindings tight. Though worn smooth with age, the cover still holds the faint imprint of Niima's shell crest, long faded by handling. The pages inside are slightly bowed from moisture, but the ink has held well. Each year occupies a single page, the writing steady and small.
|-
|4816

Tidy dates and notations for each month in 4816 are aligned neatly along the inner margin. Notes reference standard morning and mid-tide services, with modest attendance throughout the year. Several deaths at sea are marked during Phoenatos and Imaerasta. There are mentions of a small fishing vessel lost in late Charlatos, and a new lantern donated by a widow named Hessa. The last quarter shows increased visits near Solstice.

4817

Entries for 4817 remain even and uneventful. Most notes concern basin cleaning, donation handling, and ribbon replenishment. Storms in Lumnea and Koaratos disrupted service for several days. A merchant's wife is mentioned repeatedly for leaving folded prayers in the offering box. One record notes an unusual number of gulls gathered at the altar during a fogbound service, marked simply with, "observed by three."

4818

Standard service records dominate the page, with annotations in blue ink appearing during spring. One comment in the margin reads, "New basin stone fitted. Shell inlay cracked but held." Three names repeat throughout the year: a retired sailor, a midwife from Marshtown, and a girl recorded only as "A.M." Several deaths at sea appear again in Eorgaen. Coastal offerings increase during the fall months.

4819

The 4819 entries continue in a narrow hand, with an unusual number of weddings noted between Charlatos and Ivastaen. Ribbons tied at the altar outnumber funerary entries this year. A brief note in Phoenatos mentions a fisherman's body returned after fifteen tides. Repairs to the vestibule door are recorded in Koaratos. A delivery of hymnals is documented without name, signed only with "N.L."

4820

Attendance patterns remain steady throughout 4820. Notations of storm disruptions in Fashanos and Koaratos are followed by increased evening services during those months. One brief note in Charlatos mentions a girl from the lower quarter beginning "training for vow," though no name is listed. Seasonal surges continue, with quiet months between. A salt-caked page corner suggests the ledger was left open during a sea spray.

4821

Small, precise entries for 4821 follow the pattern of prior years. Services remained regular, with additional rites held after a coastal storm in Charlatos. A recurring visitor is listed only as "shell-bearer" during spring months. Repairs to the west garden wall are noted in Lumnea. One entry in Eorgaen records, "child left driftwood figure at basin, no adult nearby." The handwriting becomes slightly sharper near the year's end.

4822

The year opened with colder winds and reduced attendance through Lormesta. One note in Fashanos records an elderly priestess slipping on the altar steps, resulting in no injury. Minor construction is logged in Ivastaen: "stone bench repositioned, foundation settled uneven." Gulls are again noted during a fog-heavy morning service. No deaths at sea are marked for Koaratos, which is noted as rare by the author. Extra hymn practice is recorded for Imaerasta.

4823

Faint ink along the top edge shows early signs of moisture, but the page remains legible. Most entries follow the standard pattern. A sailor's wedding in Phoenatos brought increased attendance for several days. Someone left a carved shell token in the basin and returned each week through Jastatos. No name was ever recorded. One funeral in Eoantos references burial in the lower catacomb row, name lost to smudging. Elenne's name begins to appear more frequently.

4824

Ledger entries remain orderly. Elenne is noted as presiding over full services during three major seasonal observances. A short entry in Imaerasta reads, "saltwater damaged two hymnals, copies made by hand." Several deaths at sea were recorded across Phoenatos and Jastatos. A recurring note of "candles late" appears without clarification. Winter quarter shows an increased number of widows seeking individual prayer times, as marked by initials only.

4825

The writing becomes slightly more compact along this page, possibly due to a change in hand. Services are held regularly with minor disruptions caused by harbor traffic. One early Charlatos entry reads, "path blocked by hauling rig, services delayed." Garden growth noted as "vigorous" in Lumnea. An unnamed girl from Marshtown began regular cleaning duties in midyear. Entries suggest her presence became routine, though her name is not yet recorded. Several pages show signs of ash smudging near the bottom corner.

4826

Ledger entries remain narrow and consistent. Regular service records dominate the page, with a note in Ivastaen reading, "two hymnals lost to mildew, one copied by hand." The girl from Marshtown is noted more frequently, assisting with basin preparation and entry sweeping. Elenne is recorded as leading nearly all rites this year. In Koaratos, a sailor's wife donated wax and twine following her husband's return from the reefs.

4827

A colder year, with notations of light frost in Charlatos and a decline in visitors during the first quarter. The Marshtown girl is listed by initials for the first time: "A.L.". She appears often in notes tied to daily upkeep and chant transcription. Elenne requested additional salt deliveries from the quay, suggesting higher ritual use. A short record in Imaerasta reads, "boy returned with offering candle for sister." His name is not recorded, but the action repeats in later months.

4828

Ink across this page is slightly lighter but consistent. Notes describe steady attendance and quiet observances throughout the year. "A.L." continues to serve regularly and is mentioned copying seasonal verses. A new basin cloth was donated by a widow in Phoenatos. Calen Wynedowne is noted briefly in Koaratos as assisting with deliveries. In Eorgaen, a child is recorded as tying sea glass to the offering pole, noted without comment.

4829

The handwriting tightens slightly, with some changes in wording structure. "A.L." is listed as leading chants during two minor observances. A service disruption is recorded in Charlatos: "work crew halted access to west path." Garden repairs resumed in Ivastaen, with the stone bench noted as "settled, but now cracking." Calen Wynedowne is marked present on three service dates. Elenne's name appears as usual, though one note mentions "shortness of breath in colder months."

4830

Entries shift slightly in tone this year, with more detailed notations. "A.L." is no longer referenced only by initials. Her name appears as Aralinne, recorded assisting with vespers and receiving permission to copy the coastal prayers. Elenne continues to lead services throughout. In Fashanos, a marked entry reads: "Calen Wynedowne departed aboard the Drowned Boar." A note in Imaerasta logs the visit of the High Priestess from Selanthia. Garden notes cease after Koaratos, likely due to early construction of the new temple.

4831

Entries are steady, with services held regularly in the newly expanded chapel. The original altar remains in partial use during evening observances. Aralinne is recorded as leading chants and maintaining basin duties throughout the year. A note in Charlatos reads, "Calen returned, left shell at east bench." Additional visitors marked in Phoenatos. Several Kannalan hymn fragments reviewed in Jastatos, with Aralinne listed as transcriber. No disruptions recorded.

4832

Observances continue without interruption. Aralinne is noted frequently in preparation tasks, seasonal cleanings, and the transcription of coastal rites. One record in Koaratos reads, "private service held for three widows." Increased taper use recorded in Imaerasta. No name given, but a new assistant is mentioned briefly in Lumnea. Aralinne's duties expand across multiple entries. The final note of the year: "attendance steady; records filed."

4833

Standard notations occupy most of the year. Aralinne continues in her role, listed alongside Elenne for all major observances. Her name appears independently in entries for dusk services and catacomb visits. One summer note mentions, "garden basin cleared and refilled under Aralinne's guidance." No major incidents. Early signs of leadership transition appear in Eoantos, though no formal statement is recorded. The garden bench is listed as worn, but stable.

4834

Charlatos begins with a formal entry: "Calen Wynedowne and Aralinne joined in marriage, witnessed before first bell at east altar." Both continue in regular attendance. Aralinne is recorded as leading evening services and overseeing hymn preservation efforts. Her handwriting begins to appear in later entries. Koaratos notes her inclusion in guild correspondence. The final entry in Eorgaen lists: "preparations for early solstice rites under Aralinne."

4835

Year begins quietly. Aralinne is now noted as officiating several services in early Fashanos. In Jastatos, a central entry reads: "Elenne passed peacefully in the night, fifth day of Jastatos." Her name does not appear again. Subsequent entries mark Aralinne presiding over full rites. One note reads, "transition marked with coastal hymn, basin blessing unchanged." Calen continues to appear sporadically. The final entry of the year reads: "chapel remains steady under Aralinne's care."
|}
==== a small salt-stained journal ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Aralinne's Journal from Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a small salt-stained journal
|-
|Bound in salt-stained suede, the small journal shows signs of frequent handling. The edges of the cover have curled slightly, and faint salt residue clings to the seams. Interior pages are swollen from moisture, and many are warped or stuck together. Ink bleeds across several leaves, though a few entries remain legible. The faint scent of mildew and brine lingers between the covers.
|-
|1st day of Lormesta, 4830

The new year began in silence. No sun showed at dawn, only a pale mist rolling over the port that settled in the alleys and gutters. We opened the chapel doors late this morning. A thin crust of salt had gathered again on the threshold.

Mother Elenne asked me to polish the lamp basin and check our remaining wax. She said that if the year is to bring anything, let it be steadiness. I scrubbed the copper too hard and bent the rim along one edge. She noticed but said nothing.

After the evening bell, I stayed to copy the coastal prayer. My ink bled in the cold, and my fingers would not hold the quill straight. The letters blurred near the bottom of the page. I will try again tomorrow.

The gulls have returned early this year. Their cries sound sharper than I remember.

Faint ink marks show a date in the top right corner, though the precise date is difficult to decipher. There is an impression of repeated script beneath the date, but the parchment is too warped to decipher much of its contents. Only a few words remain distinguishable near the bottom:

"...salt left from the..."

"...sleeves wet from the basin..."

"...ribbon placed before bell..."

16th day of Fashanos, 4830

A merchant visited the chapel yesterday. He introduced himself as Vartrien and said he represented the Mercantile Guild. His boots were polished, but they slipped on the chapel stones. He smelled faintly of tallow and wine.

He spoke with Elenne behind the altar rail. I only heard part of what was said... something about extending the outer walls, adding a foyer and foyer, and pulling stone from the cliff quarry. He did not ask about the altar or the basin.

Before leaving, he placed a coin in the offering basin. It was heavier than most and bore the Guild's seal. Elenne closed the doors earlier than usual and asked me to boil the cloth and clean the entry stone. She did not speak again until morning prayers.

After the bell, I copied half of the sea-born hymn. I still mix the second and third lines. The gulls circled loudly over the garden. They did not land.

Humidity has irrevocably damaged this page of the journal. The faint impression of a coastal flower leaves a colored stain in the center of the page. Ink bleeds across the fibers, blending so completely that all writing is beyond recognition.

3rd day of Charlatos, 4830

Rain began early and found its way in through the northern window joint again. A track of droplets marked the covers of three hymnals before I noticed. I dried them the best I could and set them near the basin to air.

Mother Elenne told me I might be ready to take the vesper reading next month. I said I would do my best, though my voice still shakes when the wind comes hard off the bay.

A boy from the shipyard arrived just before first bell. He brought a candle for his sister and did not speak. He nodded once and placed it on the old bench near the shell altar. It burned quickly and left a streak of wax on the wood.

After evening prayers, I copied the saltwater blessing again. I continue to forget the fourth line. I will practice it aloud tomorrow when the chapel is empty.

12th day of Olaesta, 4830

The salted fog held all morning. The bells could barely be heard from the quay, and the floor stayed damp long after I wiped it. The gulls were quiet today, though I saw them gather on the breakwall at dusk.

Mother Elenne allowed me to lead the midday verses. I stumbled on the refrain but kept pace. She gave no correction afterward, which I think was kindness. I will ask her to let me try again next week.

The Guildman has not returned, but I saw carts from the upper quarry moving past the garden path. One of the workers spat too close to the basin. I scrubbed the stone clean before closing the gate.

27th day of Ivastaen, 4830

The High Priestess arrived again, as expected. She comes every five months, though she avoids Charlatos and Lormesta because she does not like to travel in cold weather. This time, she brought only one attendant and a thick letter sealed in white wax.

She asked after the basin and walked the outer path twice before speaking. I do not know why she finds our grounds so peculiar. She always looks longer at the walls than at the altar.

She complimented the order of the garden, though I had not yet swept. Her words are even and pleasant, but her eyes are always searching. I do not think she comes only for worship.

Moisture has warped the page outward from the center, and a small flower is pressed into the parchment. Once white, its petals have turned a pale yellow. The edges have melted into the fibers over time, leaving a faint outline and a darker stain beneath. Ink has bled into the margins, but a few lines remain legible:

"He brought it with both hands."

"Said it grew from the rocks near the basin."

"It smelled faintly of salt and rosemary."

Written near the bottom corner, in a careful hand: Calen

9th day of Lumnea, 4830

Calen came again just after midday. He did not knock, only waited near the side path until I saw him. He brought a bloom, he said he found growing from a crack in the harbor wall. I told him it would not last, but he said that was fine.

He stayed long enough to watch me refill the basin, then left without saying more. I placed the flower in the back of the book, where I thought it would keep. It did not.

Mother Elenne has begun sorting the storeroom shelves again. I do not know where she plans to move everything, but she said we may have to share with the masons soon. I do not think she approves.

2nd day of Koaratos, 4830

Rumors continue about the Guild's plans, but nothing official has been posted. One of the stone counters in the garden cracked under the weight of a builder's crate. They said it would be replaced, but no one has returned to measure.

The High Priestess's letter is still sealed. Elenne has not opened it, though she moved it twice. I think she is waiting for another message, or perhaps the Guildman himself.

A blue gull feather was left on the altar after the second bell. No one saw who brought it.

I placed it in the ribbon box, away from the salt.

13th day of Koaratos, 4830

The stone bench in the garden has been replaced. I was not told it would happen, but when I stepped out to light the sea taper this morning, it was there. Rosewood, newly finished and still carrying the scent of cut shavings. The legs are slightly uneven, but the surface is smooth.

Elenne said one of the sailors had it made for his wife. She is the one who always sits near the roses and watches the harbor light. She wept when the bench cracked beneath the masons' crate. I am glad it was rebuilt.

Ink has lifted across most of the page, leaving behind only faint strokes and a few recognizable shapes. The top third is nearly blank, and the lower margin is warped from long exposure to damp air. Visible along the center fold, in pale ink, are snatches of the original message.

"...asked if it would still be the same chapel..."

"...carried the basin water out into the garden..."

"...song lines lost in the stone dust..."

5th day of Phoenatos, 4830

Construction has begun. Dust rises even before the first bell. The builders come early and eat beside the garden wall. I do not know how they leave the crumbs behind, but the gulls are clearly happy about it.

Mother Elenne and I have moved our sleeping mats into the chapel itself. There is no space left in the quarters, not since the back wall was taken down. She said it is temporary, but we must keep everything folded and out of sight during services.

She reminded me that we are not bound by silence or separation, only by devotion and clarity of intent. Then she looked at me and said, "Even your Calen would agree." I nearly dropped the basin ladle.

16th day of Phoenatos, 4830

Calen returned with an oilskin pouch and handed it to me without speaking. Inside was a cloth wrapped around several dry biscuits and a folded slip of sea-blue ribbon. He said he heard the workers had overrun our stores and that I was likely too polite to complain.

I thanked him, but could not find the right words. Elenne watched from the entryway. Later, she only asked if I had shared them.

The builders left stone dust across the floor again. I swept until my arms ached, but it returned before the evening bell. It finds every crack.

28th day of Phoenatos, 4830

The High Priestess will return in Jastatos. Elenne received a note today. No seal this time, only a clean fold and pressed script. She read it twice, then tucked it into the ledger without comment.

I asked if she thought the Guildman would be here as well. She said most likely, and that the two had likely been speaking for longer than we realized. She did not sound surprised or pleased.

The rosewood bench has already dulled to a greyish tone. I tried wiping it with a damp cloth, but the color does not return. Still, the sailor's wife came today and stayed for the whole of the afternoon light. She did not speak. Only watched the water and smiled.

7th day of Imaerasta, 4830

The scaffolding now reaches above the garden wall. Boards cast a grid of shadow over the roses during morning light. One of the masons said that the new walls will block the ocean view. I had not thought of that until now.

If the wall rises the way they say it will, the garden will face stone, not sea. Elenne was not surprised when I told her. She only said, "It's easier to worship what you can see than what you must remember."

I wonder if the sound of the tide will carry once the last wall is raised.

18th day of Imaerasta, 4830

Mist held long into the afternoon. We lit the lamps early and brought the linens in before the sea air reached them. The dust hangs longer in the stillness.

Word came that Yenterreth of the Marshtown passed in her sleep. She was one of the spirit women, always with a ribbon in her sleeve and saltwater on her boots. I remember her from before I came to live with Elenne. She called me bird girl and once gave me a braid of kelp twine.

She will be interred below with the others. I carried the notice down to the stone chamber myself.

Much of the page has faded due to moisture, but several phrases remain readable:

"...could see the harbor lantern from the bench..."

"...ribbons tied to the low branches removed..."

"...the sound of chisel work does not pause for prayer..."

Smudged ink across the lower edge shows where the page was touched before drying.

3rd day of Jastatos, 4830

The High Priestess arrived just after midday. She wore a dove-colored cloak and had her hair in three loops at her crown. Guildman Vartrien stood beside her beneath the scaffolding. They did not speak during the service, but both stayed until the end.

Afterward, they walked the garden with Elenne. I followed at a distance, gathering petals. I overheard them speak of creating a fresco in Niima's likeness upon the foyer wall. The High Priestess said the space would command presence.

No one mentioned the old altar. I swept around it that night, as a kind of apology.

15th day of Jastatos, 4830

A whisper has spread through the workers. One of the cart drivers said the Krolvin have been seen in Brisker's Cove. No one knows if it's true, but another said the harbor patrol was doubled this week.

Elenne said we cannot shape our prayers to rumors. Still, she lit the tall tapers during evening service and left them burning until the last shadow faded from the stones.

Calen has not returned since the rains began. I keep the ribbon he gave me in my prayer book. It smells faintly of rosemary, even now.

4th day of Eoantos, 4830

Elenne asked me to begin clearing the small office beside the catacombs. She said it was time someone sorted through what remains. I believe she means for me to be occupied, as Calen has not returned. She does not ask after him directly, but she notices when I forget the dusting cloth or leave the lamp wick too low.

The office is colder than I remembered. The walls sweat even when the wind is dry. I found a bundle of records tied with frayed cord, and a shelf of ledgers warped from years of damp. None have dates newer than 4816.

I lit a taper and marveled that its flame didn't waver. The air is rather stale.

12th day of Eoantos, 4830

Stacks of papers have begun to soften and fall apart as I move them. Some pages peel away like onion skin. Others are stuck together with mildew at the corners. There is no order left in the ledgers.

Elenne gave me vinegar water to scrub the stone and showed me how to dry the parchments without tearing the ink. Her hands are steadier than mine, but she let me try alone today.

No one has asked about the office in years. I wonder if anyone will again once the new temple is complete.

Several blotches stretch across the center of the page, caused by ink pressed while wet. Words are smudged and fingerprints mar the lower half.

Only a few lines are clear:

"...wrote his name on the margin and folded it..."

"...did not want to ask him not to go..."

"...the sea calls more surely than words ever could..."

21st day of Eoantos, 4830

Word came that Calen has signed on with a deep-sea vessel. No one knows the name, only that it sails past the Shoals and will be gone past spring.

Elenne said nothing when I told her. She simply handed me another cloth and said, "Salt dries slower than tears." I think she meant it kindly.

The basin water felt colder today, though the air was still. When I poured it over the shell altar, I thought of the wives who stand at our threshold with wet sleeves and silent mouths.

I begin to understand why they come. Not for answers, but for nearness.

1st day of Eorgaen, 4830

The sound of hammers has quieted. Most of the scaffolding has come down. The stones above the chapel are now smooth and white, with carved lines I cannot name.

I finished dusting the office and folded what remained of the ledgers. Several were too damaged to save. Elenne said I may stack them in the catacombs for burning later, though I kept two that still held their shape.

Calen's ribbon rests between the pages of one. I did not mean to place it there. It simply felt right.

19th day of Eorgaen, 4830

We moved into the new quarters today. The walls are smooth, and the ceiling curves slightly like the hull of a ship turned over. My mat fits beneath the small window, though it does not face the sea.

Elenne set our candles on the narrow sill and arranged her ledgers in the cabinet with care. She has not said whether she likes the new space, but she wiped the sill twice before speaking.

I kept the basin cloth. It still smells faintly of rosemary and ink.

31st day of Eorgaen, 4830

Year-end bells rang before the harbor mist had cleared. The garden is smaller now, and the altar no longer sees the ocean, but the salt wind still finds its way between the stones.

I watched from the upper stairs as the tide turned. For a moment, I imagined Calen leaning over the rail of whatever vessel he's found. I do not know where he sailed, or what wind carried him out, only that the thought of him still returns like breath.

I folded a ribbon into the base of the old ledger. Some things are easier to keep when hidden.

1st day of Lormesta, 4831

The High Priestess arrived at midday. She wore fur-lined gloves and spoke briefly before entering the new sanctum. Her words were softer this time. She said the white stone caught light well and that the new foyer had "clean weight."

She did not linger. Elenne bowed but did not speak.

I spent the rest of the day sorting a box of old hymn fragments. Some were written in Kannalan, though I can only read the titles. I have set two aside in hopes that someone might help me translate them.

3rd day of Lormesta, 4831

Calen returned today.

He stood by the garden gate and waited until I saw him. He did not wave. Only smiled, the kind of smile that asks without needing an answer.

I brought him a cup of water, and we sat in the shadow of the old chapel. He said nothing of the voyage, and I did not ask. I watched his hands as he spoke of the harbor and the wind near the reefs. He has a sun mark on his left wrist now, just above the bone.

When he left, he pressed a shell into my palm. It was smooth and unbroken.

5th day of Lormesta, 4831

I do not know if he missed me. I do not know if he meant to see me or only came to the chapel as he once did.

Still, I thought of him each time the tide turned. I imagined the shape of his boat against the horizon, wondering if he looked for birds or counted the ways salt settles into cloth.

The shell he gave me rests beneath the old candle box. I did not tell Elenne.

I have finished copying the Kannalan refrain. The words feel older than stone, but they sing cleanly when read aloud.
|}

==== a faded off-white vellum ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Letter to Aralinna from Tagetes
!a faded off-white vellum
|-
|22 Fashanos 4839

Hi Aralinne,
You are going to sputter when you read this, but I found something I think might actually help. I've been haunting the lower rooms of the Rest's old archive, the one that smells like mushrooms and lamp oil, and you would not believe the number of ledgers that don't even belong there. Some trader scribbled a note in the margin of a shipping contract, and I have no idea why, about a Hermit of Charl. Not a priest. Not a sailor. A hermit.

The strange part is, he wasn't written about like some bedraggled man on a rock. He had followers. Or at least people who carried his words. The note said he held something powerful, something that could "turn back the tide and lay bare the seabed, if placed with care and faith at the high edge." That's what it actually said. The relic doesn't have a name, which is frustrating, but it is always connected to cliffs or high ridges.

I spent the last two days chasing the reference backward, and I think it's Kannalan. Most of the names line up with the way they spell things when they want to make them sound more official. The good stuff always hides behind fancy lettering.

Anyway, I asked around, and there's a guide here who knows the Karazja ruins. He's agreed to take me inland starting next week. I'll be careful. I promise. But if I'm right, that relic might still be out there.

Imagine what it would mean if we could part the sea.

More soon,
Tagetes

P.S. Tell Marris not to let the acolytes into the tide closet again. I know it was them. The shells were rearranged. Again.
|}
==== Seaborne Hymnal ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a thread-edged faded parchment
|-
|Parchment the color of drifted sand bears faded blue script in a careful, even hand. The edges have frayed into soft waves, and the lower corner is discolored where dampness clings to the page. A watermark in the upper left shows a simple wave crest superimposed over a scallop shell. Salt has left faint flecks across the surface, and one line of ink has bled slightly with age. Despite wear, the script remains fully legible, framed by a border of pressed gull feathers and hand-tied seasilk thread.

In the Common language, it reads:

Instructions for the Seaborne Hymnal

To be spoken daily, often at morning tide or before the first sail departs.

The Seaborne Hymnal is a spoken blessing offered to all who live by the rhythm of the sea. It honors those who make their living from its bounty, those who voyage upon it, and those who wait at its edge. The ritual is led by a priestess and joined by those gathered, using a call and response pattern. It is not sung, but spoken clearly, with steadiness and intent.

There are no physical offerings required. However, each response is accompanied by a hand gesture to mark the tide's reach and the release of prayer.

The priestess stands facing the gathered. Congregants may form a semicircle or remain as they are, whether in chapel or along the shore. The ritual may be performed indoors or outdoors, provided the sea is visible or near.

At each response, the right hand is placed palm-down over the heart, then extended outward, fingers spread as if forming the crest of a wave. This gesture is slow and deliberate. At the final line, the gesture is held outward a moment longer before lowering the hand.

The hymnal is: 
'''Priestess:''' Who wakes with the wind and walks with the tide? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who casts the net and bears the storm? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who waits at the window and sings to the dark? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who names the stars and trusts the wave? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Bless those who leave and those who remain. 
Bless those who labor and those who pray. 
Bless those who remember. 
'''Congregation (final gesture):''' And those who return no more.

The rite is complete after the final line. There is no need for benediction. Let silence follow for a breath or two before the next act begins.
|}
==== Ribbon Vigil ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
! a watermarked pearly white parchment
|-
|Faint mildew spots darken the four corners of the parchment, which has a pearly white finish created by the waxy finished worked into its fibers. An azure watermark of a scallop shell superimposed over cresting waves can be seen beneath the indigo ink that spread across its surface.

In the Common language, it reads:

The Ribbon Vigil is a quiet, sacred tradition observed by sailors and their loved ones before voyages that lead them beyond the protection of the bay. It is deeply personal, often unspoken, and performed in silence atop the temple's Widow's Walk. The rite is not scheduled by the temple, nor does it require direct guidance, but all priestesses, acolytes, and attending staff should understand its nature and how to offer quiet support when needed.

The vigil begins when a sailor and a significant companion, whether spouse, sibling, friend, or beloved, ascending to the rooftop of the temple. Together, they bring a ribbon, which may be carried openly or hidden in the hand, sleeve, or pocket until the moment it is needed. Upon reaching the rail that faces the open sea, they tie the ribbon to the ironwork together. There is no formal color or material required. While many choose white, blue, or sea green, others may bring a scrap of sailcloth or a woven charm. The meaning lies in the bond, not the fiber. No spoken words are required, though some murmur names or prayers as the knot is tied. The act itself is the offering. It binds the hope of return between two people and entrusts that bond to the sea.

At times, when a ship is long overdue or the sea has turned cruel, the one who remained ashore may return to the Widow's Walk alone. There, they loosen the knot they once tied. The ribbon is not taken down but left slack in the wind. This act is a plea to Niima, asking her to seek the one who has not come home. It is believed that if the ribbon is taken by the wind and reaches the sea, Niima will find the sailor and guide them to safety. That safety may not bring them home to Solhaven, but it will bring them to a shore. If the ribbon tangles, falls, or clings to the stone, some believe it is a sign that the soul it represents has already passed from Niima's reach.

Temple staff must not disturb those who come to perform this rite. Acolytes may observe from a distance and quietly light a sea taper at the stairwell when a ribbon loosening is witnessed. The gesture is enough to mark the moment. Comfort should be offered gently, without promise or correction. Never assure a safe return. Instead, remind them that Niima knows every name whispered to the tide and that no soul is ever truly lost to her.

Ribbons left on the Widow's Walk should be observed weekly. Those that have clearly loosened and not flown may be carefully removed and burned in a salt-fire by the priestess or her assistant. This should be done with solemnity and without comment, allowing the sea to receive what it could not carry.

Priestesses may speak of the vigil during public blessings, particularly on days when many ships prepare to depart. However, no individual should be named or pointed to. Let the ribbon be a silent prayer, seen by the sea and felt by those who wait.
|}
==== Song of Return ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
! a worn and faded scrap of vellum
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:

Song of Return 
A blessing for safe voyage and reunion

Go forth with the tide and return with the swell, 
Let the waves bear you gently, where ever you dwell. 
May your sails know the whisper, not the wail of the sea, 
And the stars hold your course where your heart longs to be.

Let the wind be your witness, the foam be your guide, 
Let the deep pass beneath you and never divide. 
By the light of Niima, by the calm of her grace, 
May your path find the harbor, your soul find its place.

Those who love you will wait with the shore in their eyes, 
Watching dawn rise in silence and dusk fill the skies. 
So go forth with the tide and return with the swell, 
You are known to the sea, and she knows you well.
|}
==== Saltwater Blessing ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a an azure-tinted and waxed ivory vellum
|-
|The Saltwater Blessing
To be performed at the start of each day and before any service that opens the temple doors to those in need. 
Begin the Saltwater Blessing before the tide bells. The basin must be clean, dry, and still. Saltwater is to be drawn at dawn, and it must come from a living source. Water taken from a canal or well is not suitable. If the sea cannot be reached due to weather or flood, postpone the ritual. Light a sea taper in its place and record the reason with care. 
The acolyte assisting you should stand to the left of the basin. Instruct her to place both hands on the rim and begin to turn it slowly in a clockwise motion. This movement must remain steady and deliberate. The spiral that forms at the center of the water represents the cycle we serve: cleansing, healing, prayer, and return.
You will pour the saltwater into the basin as it turns. Keep the vessel low and the stream even. Pour as the tide pours, without haste and without pause. Do not speak until the water touches the basin. As the water flows, recite the blessing aloud: 
Salt drawn from tide, gift of the sea, 
Wash clean these hands, this heart, this hour. 
Heal what is broken, quiet what clings, 
Let all who pass find peace in thee. 
In Niima's name, let the water remember mercy, 
and the sea cradle what we cannot carry. 
When the blessing is complete, step back and allow the basin to settle. Do not stir the water again unless it has been fouled. 
Each person who enters the chapel should approach the basin. Some will speak, others will not. It is not your task to correct their silence. If they ask what to say, teach them this: 
Salt and sea, carry this from me. 
At day's end, empty the basin unless the tide is near enough to reclaim it directly. Never let water stand overnight. Do not allow the salt to cloud or crust. If the sea cannot receive it, return it to the earth with reverence. 
The blessing is working when even the restless linger at the threshold.
|}

==== Elenne's (?) Papers ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a pale slip of vellum bearing a rust-tinged watermark
|-
|Rust-toned watermarks bloom across the lower half of the parchment, forming uneven, organic shapes. The ink has faded but remains legible throughout. The surface is rough to the touch, with several shallow indentations along the right margin, as if pressed against the corner of a writing board. Mild mildew spotting is visible near the top, and the parchment carries a faint metallic scent.

In the Common language, it reads: 
15th day of Fashanos, 4830 
Master Vartrien of the Mercantile Guild visited the chapel before midday service. He spoke of expanding the grounds and building a larger temple to better serve Solhaven's growing population. I reminded him that the chapel predates the coastal road and holds its own rhythm. He seemed unconcerned but polite. Left a coin marked with the Guild's seal in the basin. I placed it with the others and marked his visit in the side register.
|-
!a raw-edged and water-spotted page
|-
|Uneven edges suggest this piece was torn hastily from a larger sheet. Faint ruling marks hint at its origin in a ledger or bound volume. A diagonal streak of indigo ink mars the surface, likely transferred from damp contact with another page. Most letters remain legible, though a few near the top right have blurred. Mildew traces the lower edge, and the parchment carries the scent of damp stone and old wax.

In the Common language, it reads: 
17th day of Lumnea, 4830 
Widow Carlan returned today, still unable to bear the final words. Her husband was taken last autumn in the reef churn near a southern cay. It has been added to our charts. I gave her the ledger entry of his loss to hold and read aloud as part of the Benediction for Final Rest. She left a net of white knotted cord, said it was the last he made, but did not stay. I've placed it on the altar before the midday rites. As a note, fog rolled in not long after service, and only three stayed for evening psalms.
|-
!a salt-ringed scrap of curled parchment
|-
|In the Common language, it reads: 
2nd day of Ivastaen, 4831 
Three fisher wives from the southern quay came before the early bells. Their husbands sail north this season, past Glaoveln's reach. Each requested prayer and sat quietly through the morning hymn. I gave silver ribbons to bind with their kerchiefs and lit the sea taper for calm waters. The chapel was nearly full by midmorning, though many arrived late, likely due to the spring fog that clung to the harbor paths.
|-
!a ink-streaked torn vellum sheet
|-
|Uneven edges suggest this piece was torn hastily from a larger sheet. Faint ruling marks hint at its origin in a ledger or bound volume. A diagonal streak of indigo ink mars the surface, likely transferred from damp contact with another page. Most letters remain legible, though a few near the top right have blurred. Mildew traces the lower edge, and the parchment carries the scent of damp stone and old wax.

In the Common language, it reads: 
29th day of Koaratos, 4832 
Two merchant wives came bearing cloth bundles for the shrine. Each held swaddled sea stones tied with bits of silk, blue and pale. They asked no questions, gave no names. I placed the stones in the vessel below the sanctum basin and poured saltwater as they requested. Both stayed for the midday chant, though neither sang. After, they left through the garden gate without speaking further. I noted no marking on the silk. I hope they found comfort.
|-
!a mold-speckled soft parchment note
|-
|Softened by age and wear, the edges of the parchment curl inward, and pale mold speckling appears across the lower third of the sheet. A faint line suggests it was once folded and tucked into a ledger or personal book. The ink remains legible but has lightened near the corners. Moisture warping has created a slight upward curl in the body, and the parchment carries the scent of aged paper and damp wool.

In the Common language, it reads: 
3rd day of Eorgaen, 4832 
Widow Ellin came before the first bell and asked to sit in the quiet. She brought a folded scrap of ribbon from her husband's net bag and said she'd found it behind a dresser while cleaning for winter. I lit the sea taper and left her undisturbed while preparing the outer basin. She stayed through first prayers, then rose and placed the ribbon beneath the shell altar. She asked for no words today, but returned a missing bench cushion before leaving.
|-
!a smudged and warped journal page
|-
|Uneven ripples in the parchment surface indicate long exposure to moisture. Several pale smudges appear along the right margin, likely left by ink-stained fingers. Fading is most visible at the top, though the handwriting remains legible throughout. A faint scent of old wool and oil clings to the fibers. Abrasions across the back suggest the page rested for some time against a coarse surface.

In the Common language, it reads: 
7th day of Charlatos, 4833 
Three girls from Marshtown arrived just after first bell. None had formal instruction, but all carried the tunes well enough to follow the second line. We worked them through the basin hymn and the low chorus of the coastal prayer. They were assigned tunics from the eldest priestess, who sent them to scrub before vespers. We will continue twice weekly with them. If they remain steady, they may be ready for the Midyear Blessing. We've noted their names in the side book.
|-
!a creased parchment page
|-
|Creases stretch diagonally across the page, likely from folding while still damp. Several ink lines have run downward from the upper half, creating faint trails along the grain. Edges have darkened with age, and water damage has left a soft waviness across the surface. Handwriting remains legible, though uneven in places. The scent of mildew is stronger here, with a faint trace of fish oil soaked into one corner.

In the Common language, it reads: 
23rd day of Imaerasta, 4834 
Fleets pushed off beneath a red sky this evening. Wind held warm along the rise, and I watched from the upper path as the sails moved out past the bay mouth. I counted twenty-seven before I lost the line. I wrote their names as I remembered them, though some are just family names passed around. We did not ring the bell, but kept the flame lit through dusk. Sunset lingered long enough to finish the basin cleaning by natural light.
|-
!an ink-blotched paper fragment
|-
|Near the lower edge, signs of delamination are evident where prolonged exposure to moisture has lifted the parchment fibers. Ink blotches cover the upper left corner, though the writing beneath remains legible. Faint blue guidelines run horizontally across the surface, now nearly faded from view. All corners are softened from repeated handling, while the light scent of damp plaster and crushed chalk clings to the page.

In the Common language, it reads: 
18th day of Ivastaen, 4835 
Workers paused their efforts near the east colonnade due to a broken pulley. Several wandered into the chapel while the foreman spoke with a guild agent outside. One left a handful of copper on the basin rim. I noted no offering ribbon, but took it with the rest before lighting the salt lamp. Held afternoon prayers with two elders and one child. No hymn today. Breezes through the north wall joints have grown stronger since the scaffolding went up.
|-
!raw-edged and water spotted page
|-
|Uneven edges suggest this piece was torn hastily from a larger sheet. Faint ruling marks hint at its origin in a ledger or bound volume. A diagonal streak of indigo ink mars the surface, likely transferred from damp contact with another page. Most letters remain legible, though a few near the top right have blurred. Mildew traces the lower edge, and the parchment carries the scent of damp stone and old wax.
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:

17th day of Lumnea, 4830
Widow Carlan returned today, still unable to bear the final words. Her husband was taken last autumn in the reef churn near a southern cay. It has been added to our charts. I gave her the ledger entry of his loss to hold and read aloud as part of the Benediction for Final Rest. She left a net of white knotted cord, said it was the last he made, but did not stay. I've placed it on the altar before the midday rites. As a note, fog rolled in not long after service, and only three stayed for evening psalms.
|}

==== a jute-strung seashell necklace suspending a sapphire dolphin ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Necklace Found in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a jute-strung seashell necklace suspending a sapphire dolphin
|-
|It is a small item, under a pound.
It is estimated to be worth about 100 silvers.
It is predominantly crafted of organic material.
|}
==== a half-melted stick of silver sealing wax ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Wax Found in Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a half-melted stick of silver sealing wax
|-
You see a thin cylinder of wax partially cut to subdivide it into 5 equal pieces. It will produce a blob of silver wax. You think you could PUT the wax on a parcel or letter meant for mailing while wearing an appropriate signet to imprint your seal into it.
|}
==== a discolored albatross feather quill ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Quill Found in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a discolored albatross feather quill
|-
|It is a small item, under a pound.
It is estimated to be worth about 30,000 silvers.
It is predominantly crafted of organic material.
|}
==== a faded off-white letter ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Letter from Tagetes to Aralinne
!a faded off-white letter
|-
|18 Charlatos 4839

Hi Aralinne,
I found it. Or at least, half of it. 
 
It wasn't hidden exactly, more like forgotten. The locals knew about the ruins but never thought to poke around in them because they're mostly buried under vines and heavy stone. It took three days and a few close calls with hornets, but tucked behind a collapsed pillar I found a stone cradle. And in it, wrapped in sea-worn cloth, was a broken staff. 
 
I knew it as soon as I touched it. It smells like the shore and there's a hollow ring when you hold it upright. It's not made of anything I recognize, but it hasn't rotted or split, except where it broke in two. One half was resting in the cradle. The other, according to a tablet near the ruins, was sent to a temple of Charl along the cliffs. 
 
Which temple is the problem. There used to be dozens, all dotting the coastline, and many of them have fallen into the sea. The writing didn't say which. Just "to a brother's altar." 
 
I've wrapped and sealed the piece I found and sent it with this letter. I figured if anyone can figure out where the other part ended up, it's you. 
 
If we're right, and this thing really can part the water, maybe we can put the ship to rest. Maybe the girls will stop slipping away like the others have. 
 
I won't be back right away. I broke my leg two days ago trying to cross a ravine after a rainstorm. The guide helped set it but the nearest empath is still a few days out and I can't move far. I'll return as soon as I'm able, once I can walk without screaming. Hold the staff. Let me know what it feels like. 
All my strength, 
 
Tagetes 
 
P.S. Tell the boy not to put shells in the font again. It's not funny. Well, it is, but don't tell him that.
|}
==== worn and faded scrap of vellum ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Song of Return
!worn and faded scrap of vellum
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:

Song of Return
A blessing for safe voyage and reunion

Go forth with the tide and return with the swell,
Let the waves bear you gently, where ever you dwell.
May your sails know the whisper, not the wail of the sea,
And the stars hold your course where your heart longs to be.

Let the wind be your witness, the foam be your guide,
Let the deep pass beneath you and never divide.
By the light of Niima, by the calm of her grace,
May your path find the harbor, your soul find its place.

Those who love you will wait with the shore in their eyes,
Watching dawn rise in silence and dusk fill the skies.
So go forth with the tide and return with the swell,
You are known to the sea, and she knows you well.
|]
[[Category:The Shadowy Abyss]]

The Shadowy Abyss (storyline)/Found items

2025-06-15T00:46:50Z

STACYWALTER: Added a letter to the items

__ToC__
== Shadowy Abyss Found Items ==
=== 06.06.2025 ===
==== an antique Vornavian silk cloth ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key's Sleeve
!an antique Vornavian silk cloth
|-
|Smooth with a soft finish, the Vornavian silk cloth has hints of its original deep blue hue at its edges though largely it has faded to a watered azure hue. Faint seashell patterns decorate the edge, the silver and white embroidery creating scallop shells that overlap. Rolled silk cords aid the bundle in staying closed as needed, their ends capped in silver dolphin periapts.
|}

===== a blue-tinted white vellum parchment =====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Letter to Tagetes from Aralinne
!a blue-tinted white vellum parchment
|-
|Slightly warped in shape and displaying clear signs of damage from humidity, the fine parchment is tinted with a subtle blue hue that is almost white and yet distinctly not. Crisp folds create precise lines in the top and bottom third of the piece, while the corners display fray signs where moisture has separated the layers.
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:
the seventeenth day of Olaesta in the year 4839

Tagetes,

Hopefully, we will return at the same time and all of this preparation will be for naught.

The temple will have no attendants as I have figured out the missing piece to get us to Pearl. It lies in an old Kannalan Temple to Charl. I believe I've tracked down its former location. I've hidden the plans in the old office at the end of the catacombs and sealed the entry.

So few people know of its existence that it should be safe to travel there. I do not think I will be gone more than a handful of days.

However, as I do not trust the Mercantile Guild, with their recent decisions to create gardens and shrines to the dark pantheon, I have sealed the doorway up and hidden it. Since you know where it is, you should have no issue finding it.

There are seven keys for entry. I've left the Empress key here, but you can easily obtain the other six by seeking the blessings of the Lover, the Mistress, the Sister, the Mother, the Daughter, and the High Priestess. I'm sure you'll remember who these are from our past talks. I dare not say more for fear this is found by others.

Please know that some wish to see the curse spread. Others are working hard to stop it. Young Bristena had the idea to buy back all the jewelry from the women whose husband, lovers, and brothers searched the North Beach to obtain them. I gave her enough coin to buy them all back.

Once she has every last piece, she'll have a sailor take her out to the spot we believe the "Pearl" to be waiting in and drop them back into the water. That should give us time to get the pieces together to free her. I used the last of the coffers to pay a crew to start the lighthouse.

If I don't return... Please let my husband and son know the depths of which I love them.

By my hand,

Aralinne Wynedowne
|}
===== a carved golden amber acorn =====
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key
!a carved golden amber acorn
|-
|Roughly oval in shape, a carved golden amber acorn is broad and flat, providing an excellent view of its transparent interior portion. Trapped within the golden yellow fossilized pine tree sap are several small flying insects and a dried flower.
|}
==== an aged grey stone tile ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+The Tile
!an aged grey stone tile
|-
|Your song touches the tile, and the memory begins with stillness, then the faint scrape of wood across stone. Gentle hands press close, fitting the tile snugly into place. A murmur of approval hums nearby, muffled by fabric and breath. Cool grout slides into the seams, and the air shifts. Salt lingers in the room, carried on a current scented with blossoms. Lilac and sea daisy rise together, soft and clean. A hush settles across the surface, and the tile recognizes it as belonging. Beneath the faintest sigh of sandals against stone, a woman's voice murmurs, "There. That's better." The sounds and sensations fade along with the last syllables of your song.

As your song continues to caress the tile, it stirs with echoes of passing time. Soft footsteps come and go, punctuated by the rhythmic sweep of bristles and the clatter of buckets. Voices rise and fall nearby, sometimes low with grief, sometimes bright with ritual. One speaks of a sister's safe return, another offers blessings over a sailor's name. A different voice complains about a cracked basin and the need for fresh oil. Each moment blends into the next, seasons marked only by the changing cadence of heels, the weight of silence, and the gentle creak of wood in damp air. Slowly, the sensation and sounds fade, one by one, until they fall as silent as your song.

Your melody draws forth a hush, and the tile remembers the scent first. Bitter and resinous, the thick smoke of funerary incense curls low to the ground. Voices follow in soft procession, cloaked in sorrow. Some weep openly, others murmur prayers with trembling breath. The weight of grief presses against the stone, heavy as tide against jetty. A name is spoken again and again, reverent and broken, until it becomes a lullaby of mourning. Between each word, silence holds vigil. The tile feels a deep stillness in the air, as if even the sea has paused to listen. A final name tumbles across your ears as your song slips into silence, "Elenne."

Your song stirs the memory of disturbance. The tile feels the grit of its seams loosened, the edge of a tool scraping carefully through old grout. Pressure lifts it from the floor, just briefly, and something small is slid beneath. When the tile returns to its place, the surface meets the subfloor with an unfamiliar firmness. A hand lingers upon it, smooth and warm, resting for a long moment before giving a gentle pat. Whispered words ride the still air, close enough to touch, "Keep this safe until Tagetes finds you." An absence of warmth is the last sensation the tile imparts before your song stills.

Your voice brushes the tile, and the past answers with hushed urgency. There is the soft shuffle of feet, the creak of worn boots on stone, and a sharp intake of breath. Mournful whispers crowd the silence. A voice, cracked with worry and soft with distance, murmurs, "I don't know where you are, Aralinne. I can't get into the catacombs to check on you as the Brisker's Cove bowl was broken in the latest Krolvin raids... Please come home to us. Please. Your plan for Bristena worked; she told me of it when I returned. The girls are free, but where are you? I'm going to hide my piece until it can unite with yours. Please be safe, be careful." A soft sigh blends with the ending resonance of your song.

Your voice draws forth only silence at first. Time passes, measured in distant echoes. Footsteps sound too far to name, and faint shifts in the air come and go with no purpose. Old wood creaks softly where it meets damp stone. Dust settles in the seams, and salt from the sea clings to the surface. Years drift by without notice. Then, without warning, fingers press along your edges. There is a pause, a breath held just beyond hearing, and the tile feels the careful pry of something firm beneath it. A clamor of voices overlaps with each other until they blend into the fading sound of your song.
|}

=== 06.13.2025 ===
==== a salt-stained blue leather ledger ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Ledger from Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a salt-stained blue leather ledger
|-
|Bound in navy blue leather, the ledger bears clear signs of repair. Patches of mismatched hide reinforce the spine and corners, and thin linen cords hold the bindings tight. Though worn smooth with age, the cover still holds the faint imprint of Niima's shell crest, long faded by handling. The pages inside are slightly bowed from moisture, but the ink has held well. Each year occupies a single page, the writing steady and small.
|-
|4816

Tidy dates and notations for each month in 4816 are aligned neatly along the inner margin. Notes reference standard morning and mid-tide services, with modest attendance throughout the year. Several deaths at sea are marked during Phoenatos and Imaerasta. There are mentions of a small fishing vessel lost in late Charlatos, and a new lantern donated by a widow named Hessa. The last quarter shows increased visits near Solstice.

4817

Entries for 4817 remain even and uneventful. Most notes concern basin cleaning, donation handling, and ribbon replenishment. Storms in Lumnea and Koaratos disrupted service for several days. A merchant's wife is mentioned repeatedly for leaving folded prayers in the offering box. One record notes an unusual number of gulls gathered at the altar during a fogbound service, marked simply with, "observed by three."

4818

Standard service records dominate the page, with annotations in blue ink appearing during spring. One comment in the margin reads, "New basin stone fitted. Shell inlay cracked but held." Three names repeat throughout the year: a retired sailor, a midwife from Marshtown, and a girl recorded only as "A.M." Several deaths at sea appear again in Eorgaen. Coastal offerings increase during the fall months.

4819

The 4819 entries continue in a narrow hand, with an unusual number of weddings noted between Charlatos and Ivastaen. Ribbons tied at the altar outnumber funerary entries this year. A brief note in Phoenatos mentions a fisherman's body returned after fifteen tides. Repairs to the vestibule door are recorded in Koaratos. A delivery of hymnals is documented without name, signed only with "N.L."

4820

Attendance patterns remain steady throughout 4820. Notations of storm disruptions in Fashanos and Koaratos are followed by increased evening services during those months. One brief note in Charlatos mentions a girl from the lower quarter beginning "training for vow," though no name is listed. Seasonal surges continue, with quiet months between. A salt-caked page corner suggests the ledger was left open during a sea spray.

4821

Small, precise entries for 4821 follow the pattern of prior years. Services remained regular, with additional rites held after a coastal storm in Charlatos. A recurring visitor is listed only as "shell-bearer" during spring months. Repairs to the west garden wall are noted in Lumnea. One entry in Eorgaen records, "child left driftwood figure at basin, no adult nearby." The handwriting becomes slightly sharper near the year's end.

4822

The year opened with colder winds and reduced attendance through Lormesta. One note in Fashanos records an elderly priestess slipping on the altar steps, resulting in no injury. Minor construction is logged in Ivastaen: "stone bench repositioned, foundation settled uneven." Gulls are again noted during a fog-heavy morning service. No deaths at sea are marked for Koaratos, which is noted as rare by the author. Extra hymn practice is recorded for Imaerasta.

4823

Faint ink along the top edge shows early signs of moisture, but the page remains legible. Most entries follow the standard pattern. A sailor's wedding in Phoenatos brought increased attendance for several days. Someone left a carved shell token in the basin and returned each week through Jastatos. No name was ever recorded. One funeral in Eoantos references burial in the lower catacomb row, name lost to smudging. Elenne's name begins to appear more frequently.

4824

Ledger entries remain orderly. Elenne is noted as presiding over full services during three major seasonal observances. A short entry in Imaerasta reads, "saltwater damaged two hymnals, copies made by hand." Several deaths at sea were recorded across Phoenatos and Jastatos. A recurring note of "candles late" appears without clarification. Winter quarter shows an increased number of widows seeking individual prayer times, as marked by initials only.

4825

The writing becomes slightly more compact along this page, possibly due to a change in hand. Services are held regularly with minor disruptions caused by harbor traffic. One early Charlatos entry reads, "path blocked by hauling rig, services delayed." Garden growth noted as "vigorous" in Lumnea. An unnamed girl from Marshtown began regular cleaning duties in midyear. Entries suggest her presence became routine, though her name is not yet recorded. Several pages show signs of ash smudging near the bottom corner.

4826

Ledger entries remain narrow and consistent. Regular service records dominate the page, with a note in Ivastaen reading, "two hymnals lost to mildew, one copied by hand." The girl from Marshtown is noted more frequently, assisting with basin preparation and entry sweeping. Elenne is recorded as leading nearly all rites this year. In Koaratos, a sailor's wife donated wax and twine following her husband's return from the reefs.

4827

A colder year, with notations of light frost in Charlatos and a decline in visitors during the first quarter. The Marshtown girl is listed by initials for the first time: "A.L.". She appears often in notes tied to daily upkeep and chant transcription. Elenne requested additional salt deliveries from the quay, suggesting higher ritual use. A short record in Imaerasta reads, "boy returned with offering candle for sister." His name is not recorded, but the action repeats in later months.

4828

Ink across this page is slightly lighter but consistent. Notes describe steady attendance and quiet observances throughout the year. "A.L." continues to serve regularly and is mentioned copying seasonal verses. A new basin cloth was donated by a widow in Phoenatos. Calen Wynedowne is noted briefly in Koaratos as assisting with deliveries. In Eorgaen, a child is recorded as tying sea glass to the offering pole, noted without comment.

4829

The handwriting tightens slightly, with some changes in wording structure. "A.L." is listed as leading chants during two minor observances. A service disruption is recorded in Charlatos: "work crew halted access to west path." Garden repairs resumed in Ivastaen, with the stone bench noted as "settled, but now cracking." Calen Wynedowne is marked present on three service dates. Elenne's name appears as usual, though one note mentions "shortness of breath in colder months."

4830

Entries shift slightly in tone this year, with more detailed notations. "A.L." is no longer referenced only by initials. Her name appears as Aralinne, recorded assisting with vespers and receiving permission to copy the coastal prayers. Elenne continues to lead services throughout. In Fashanos, a marked entry reads: "Calen Wynedowne departed aboard the Drowned Boar." A note in Imaerasta logs the visit of the High Priestess from Selanthia. Garden notes cease after Koaratos, likely due to early construction of the new temple.

4831

Entries are steady, with services held regularly in the newly expanded chapel. The original altar remains in partial use during evening observances. Aralinne is recorded as leading chants and maintaining basin duties throughout the year. A note in Charlatos reads, "Calen returned, left shell at east bench." Additional visitors marked in Phoenatos. Several Kannalan hymn fragments reviewed in Jastatos, with Aralinne listed as transcriber. No disruptions recorded.

4832

Observances continue without interruption. Aralinne is noted frequently in preparation tasks, seasonal cleanings, and the transcription of coastal rites. One record in Koaratos reads, "private service held for three widows." Increased taper use recorded in Imaerasta. No name given, but a new assistant is mentioned briefly in Lumnea. Aralinne's duties expand across multiple entries. The final note of the year: "attendance steady; records filed."

4833

Standard notations occupy most of the year. Aralinne continues in her role, listed alongside Elenne for all major observances. Her name appears independently in entries for dusk services and catacomb visits. One summer note mentions, "garden basin cleared and refilled under Aralinne's guidance." No major incidents. Early signs of leadership transition appear in Eoantos, though no formal statement is recorded. The garden bench is listed as worn, but stable.

4834

Charlatos begins with a formal entry: "Calen Wynedowne and Aralinne joined in marriage, witnessed before first bell at east altar." Both continue in regular attendance. Aralinne is recorded as leading evening services and overseeing hymn preservation efforts. Her handwriting begins to appear in later entries. Koaratos notes her inclusion in guild correspondence. The final entry in Eorgaen lists: "preparations for early solstice rites under Aralinne."

4835

Year begins quietly. Aralinne is now noted as officiating several services in early Fashanos. In Jastatos, a central entry reads: "Elenne passed peacefully in the night, fifth day of Jastatos." Her name does not appear again. Subsequent entries mark Aralinne presiding over full rites. One note reads, "transition marked with coastal hymn, basin blessing unchanged." Calen continues to appear sporadically. The final entry of the year reads: "chapel remains steady under Aralinne's care."
|}
==== a small salt-stained journal ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Aralinne's Journal from Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a small salt-stained journal
|-
|Bound in salt-stained suede, the small journal shows signs of frequent handling. The edges of the cover have curled slightly, and faint salt residue clings to the seams. Interior pages are swollen from moisture, and many are warped or stuck together. Ink bleeds across several leaves, though a few entries remain legible. The faint scent of mildew and brine lingers between the covers.
|-
|1st day of Lormesta, 4830

The new year began in silence. No sun showed at dawn, only a pale mist rolling over the port that settled in the alleys and gutters. We opened the chapel doors late this morning. A thin crust of salt had gathered again on the threshold.

Mother Elenne asked me to polish the lamp basin and check our remaining wax. She said that if the year is to bring anything, let it be steadiness. I scrubbed the copper too hard and bent the rim along one edge. She noticed but said nothing.

After the evening bell, I stayed to copy the coastal prayer. My ink bled in the cold, and my fingers would not hold the quill straight. The letters blurred near the bottom of the page. I will try again tomorrow.

The gulls have returned early this year. Their cries sound sharper than I remember.

Faint ink marks show a date in the top right corner, though the precise date is difficult to decipher. There is an impression of repeated script beneath the date, but the parchment is too warped to decipher much of its contents. Only a few words remain distinguishable near the bottom:

"...salt left from the..."

"...sleeves wet from the basin..."

"...ribbon placed before bell..."

16th day of Fashanos, 4830

A merchant visited the chapel yesterday. He introduced himself as Vartrien and said he represented the Mercantile Guild. His boots were polished, but they slipped on the chapel stones. He smelled faintly of tallow and wine.

He spoke with Elenne behind the altar rail. I only heard part of what was said... something about extending the outer walls, adding a foyer and foyer, and pulling stone from the cliff quarry. He did not ask about the altar or the basin.

Before leaving, he placed a coin in the offering basin. It was heavier than most and bore the Guild's seal. Elenne closed the doors earlier than usual and asked me to boil the cloth and clean the entry stone. She did not speak again until morning prayers.

After the bell, I copied half of the sea-born hymn. I still mix the second and third lines. The gulls circled loudly over the garden. They did not land.

Humidity has irrevocably damaged this page of the journal. The faint impression of a coastal flower leaves a colored stain in the center of the page. Ink bleeds across the fibers, blending so completely that all writing is beyond recognition.

3rd day of Charlatos, 4830

Rain began early and found its way in through the northern window joint again. A track of droplets marked the covers of three hymnals before I noticed. I dried them the best I could and set them near the basin to air.

Mother Elenne told me I might be ready to take the vesper reading next month. I said I would do my best, though my voice still shakes when the wind comes hard off the bay.

A boy from the shipyard arrived just before first bell. He brought a candle for his sister and did not speak. He nodded once and placed it on the old bench near the shell altar. It burned quickly and left a streak of wax on the wood.

After evening prayers, I copied the saltwater blessing again. I continue to forget the fourth line. I will practice it aloud tomorrow when the chapel is empty.

12th day of Olaesta, 4830

The salted fog held all morning. The bells could barely be heard from the quay, and the floor stayed damp long after I wiped it. The gulls were quiet today, though I saw them gather on the breakwall at dusk.

Mother Elenne allowed me to lead the midday verses. I stumbled on the refrain but kept pace. She gave no correction afterward, which I think was kindness. I will ask her to let me try again next week.

The Guildman has not returned, but I saw carts from the upper quarry moving past the garden path. One of the workers spat too close to the basin. I scrubbed the stone clean before closing the gate.

27th day of Ivastaen, 4830

The High Priestess arrived again, as expected. She comes every five months, though she avoids Charlatos and Lormesta because she does not like to travel in cold weather. This time, she brought only one attendant and a thick letter sealed in white wax.

She asked after the basin and walked the outer path twice before speaking. I do not know why she finds our grounds so peculiar. She always looks longer at the walls than at the altar.

She complimented the order of the garden, though I had not yet swept. Her words are even and pleasant, but her eyes are always searching. I do not think she comes only for worship.

Moisture has warped the page outward from the center, and a small flower is pressed into the parchment. Once white, its petals have turned a pale yellow. The edges have melted into the fibers over time, leaving a faint outline and a darker stain beneath. Ink has bled into the margins, but a few lines remain legible:

"He brought it with both hands."

"Said it grew from the rocks near the basin."

"It smelled faintly of salt and rosemary."

Written near the bottom corner, in a careful hand: Calen

9th day of Lumnea, 4830

Calen came again just after midday. He did not knock, only waited near the side path until I saw him. He brought a bloom, he said he found growing from a crack in the harbor wall. I told him it would not last, but he said that was fine.

He stayed long enough to watch me refill the basin, then left without saying more. I placed the flower in the back of the book, where I thought it would keep. It did not.

Mother Elenne has begun sorting the storeroom shelves again. I do not know where she plans to move everything, but she said we may have to share with the masons soon. I do not think she approves.

2nd day of Koaratos, 4830

Rumors continue about the Guild's plans, but nothing official has been posted. One of the stone counters in the garden cracked under the weight of a builder's crate. They said it would be replaced, but no one has returned to measure.

The High Priestess's letter is still sealed. Elenne has not opened it, though she moved it twice. I think she is waiting for another message, or perhaps the Guildman himself.

A blue gull feather was left on the altar after the second bell. No one saw who brought it.

I placed it in the ribbon box, away from the salt.

13th day of Koaratos, 4830

The stone bench in the garden has been replaced. I was not told it would happen, but when I stepped out to light the sea taper this morning, it was there. Rosewood, newly finished and still carrying the scent of cut shavings. The legs are slightly uneven, but the surface is smooth.

Elenne said one of the sailors had it made for his wife. She is the one who always sits near the roses and watches the harbor light. She wept when the bench cracked beneath the masons' crate. I am glad it was rebuilt.

Ink has lifted across most of the page, leaving behind only faint strokes and a few recognizable shapes. The top third is nearly blank, and the lower margin is warped from long exposure to damp air. Visible along the center fold, in pale ink, are snatches of the original message.

"...asked if it would still be the same chapel..."

"...carried the basin water out into the garden..."

"...song lines lost in the stone dust..."

5th day of Phoenatos, 4830

Construction has begun. Dust rises even before the first bell. The builders come early and eat beside the garden wall. I do not know how they leave the crumbs behind, but the gulls are clearly happy about it.

Mother Elenne and I have moved our sleeping mats into the chapel itself. There is no space left in the quarters, not since the back wall was taken down. She said it is temporary, but we must keep everything folded and out of sight during services.

She reminded me that we are not bound by silence or separation, only by devotion and clarity of intent. Then she looked at me and said, "Even your Calen would agree." I nearly dropped the basin ladle.

16th day of Phoenatos, 4830

Calen returned with an oilskin pouch and handed it to me without speaking. Inside was a cloth wrapped around several dry biscuits and a folded slip of sea-blue ribbon. He said he heard the workers had overrun our stores and that I was likely too polite to complain.

I thanked him, but could not find the right words. Elenne watched from the entryway. Later, she only asked if I had shared them.

The builders left stone dust across the floor again. I swept until my arms ached, but it returned before the evening bell. It finds every crack.

28th day of Phoenatos, 4830

The High Priestess will return in Jastatos. Elenne received a note today. No seal this time, only a clean fold and pressed script. She read it twice, then tucked it into the ledger without comment.

I asked if she thought the Guildman would be here as well. She said most likely, and that the two had likely been speaking for longer than we realized. She did not sound surprised or pleased.

The rosewood bench has already dulled to a greyish tone. I tried wiping it with a damp cloth, but the color does not return. Still, the sailor's wife came today and stayed for the whole of the afternoon light. She did not speak. Only watched the water and smiled.

7th day of Imaerasta, 4830

The scaffolding now reaches above the garden wall. Boards cast a grid of shadow over the roses during morning light. One of the masons said that the new walls will block the ocean view. I had not thought of that until now.

If the wall rises the way they say it will, the garden will face stone, not sea. Elenne was not surprised when I told her. She only said, "It's easier to worship what you can see than what you must remember."

I wonder if the sound of the tide will carry once the last wall is raised.

18th day of Imaerasta, 4830

Mist held long into the afternoon. We lit the lamps early and brought the linens in before the sea air reached them. The dust hangs longer in the stillness.

Word came that Yenterreth of the Marshtown passed in her sleep. She was one of the spirit women, always with a ribbon in her sleeve and saltwater on her boots. I remember her from before I came to live with Elenne. She called me bird girl and once gave me a braid of kelp twine.

She will be interred below with the others. I carried the notice down to the stone chamber myself.

Much of the page has faded due to moisture, but several phrases remain readable:

"...could see the harbor lantern from the bench..."

"...ribbons tied to the low branches removed..."

"...the sound of chisel work does not pause for prayer..."

Smudged ink across the lower edge shows where the page was touched before drying.

3rd day of Jastatos, 4830

The High Priestess arrived just after midday. She wore a dove-colored cloak and had her hair in three loops at her crown. Guildman Vartrien stood beside her beneath the scaffolding. They did not speak during the service, but both stayed until the end.

Afterward, they walked the garden with Elenne. I followed at a distance, gathering petals. I overheard them speak of creating a fresco in Niima's likeness upon the foyer wall. The High Priestess said the space would command presence.

No one mentioned the old altar. I swept around it that night, as a kind of apology.

15th day of Jastatos, 4830

A whisper has spread through the workers. One of the cart drivers said the Krolvin have been seen in Brisker's Cove. No one knows if it's true, but another said the harbor patrol was doubled this week.

Elenne said we cannot shape our prayers to rumors. Still, she lit the tall tapers during evening service and left them burning until the last shadow faded from the stones.

Calen has not returned since the rains began. I keep the ribbon he gave me in my prayer book. It smells faintly of rosemary, even now.

4th day of Eoantos, 4830

Elenne asked me to begin clearing the small office beside the catacombs. She said it was time someone sorted through what remains. I believe she means for me to be occupied, as Calen has not returned. She does not ask after him directly, but she notices when I forget the dusting cloth or leave the lamp wick too low.

The office is colder than I remembered. The walls sweat even when the wind is dry. I found a bundle of records tied with frayed cord, and a shelf of ledgers warped from years of damp. None have dates newer than 4816.

I lit a taper and marveled that its flame didn't waver. The air is rather stale.

12th day of Eoantos, 4830

Stacks of papers have begun to soften and fall apart as I move them. Some pages peel away like onion skin. Others are stuck together with mildew at the corners. There is no order left in the ledgers.

Elenne gave me vinegar water to scrub the stone and showed me how to dry the parchments without tearing the ink. Her hands are steadier than mine, but she let me try alone today.

No one has asked about the office in years. I wonder if anyone will again once the new temple is complete.

Several blotches stretch across the center of the page, caused by ink pressed while wet. Words are smudged and fingerprints mar the lower half.

Only a few lines are clear:

"...wrote his name on the margin and folded it..."

"...did not want to ask him not to go..."

"...the sea calls more surely than words ever could..."

21st day of Eoantos, 4830

Word came that Calen has signed on with a deep-sea vessel. No one knows the name, only that it sails past the Shoals and will be gone past spring.

Elenne said nothing when I told her. She simply handed me another cloth and said, "Salt dries slower than tears." I think she meant it kindly.

The basin water felt colder today, though the air was still. When I poured it over the shell altar, I thought of the wives who stand at our threshold with wet sleeves and silent mouths.

I begin to understand why they come. Not for answers, but for nearness.

1st day of Eorgaen, 4830

The sound of hammers has quieted. Most of the scaffolding has come down. The stones above the chapel are now smooth and white, with carved lines I cannot name.

I finished dusting the office and folded what remained of the ledgers. Several were too damaged to save. Elenne said I may stack them in the catacombs for burning later, though I kept two that still held their shape.

Calen's ribbon rests between the pages of one. I did not mean to place it there. It simply felt right.

19th day of Eorgaen, 4830

We moved into the new quarters today. The walls are smooth, and the ceiling curves slightly like the hull of a ship turned over. My mat fits beneath the small window, though it does not face the sea.

Elenne set our candles on the narrow sill and arranged her ledgers in the cabinet with care. She has not said whether she likes the new space, but she wiped the sill twice before speaking.

I kept the basin cloth. It still smells faintly of rosemary and ink.

31st day of Eorgaen, 4830

Year-end bells rang before the harbor mist had cleared. The garden is smaller now, and the altar no longer sees the ocean, but the salt wind still finds its way between the stones.

I watched from the upper stairs as the tide turned. For a moment, I imagined Calen leaning over the rail of whatever vessel he's found. I do not know where he sailed, or what wind carried him out, only that the thought of him still returns like breath.

I folded a ribbon into the base of the old ledger. Some things are easier to keep when hidden.

1st day of Lormesta, 4831

The High Priestess arrived at midday. She wore fur-lined gloves and spoke briefly before entering the new sanctum. Her words were softer this time. She said the white stone caught light well and that the new foyer had "clean weight."

She did not linger. Elenne bowed but did not speak.

I spent the rest of the day sorting a box of old hymn fragments. Some were written in Kannalan, though I can only read the titles. I have set two aside in hopes that someone might help me translate them.

3rd day of Lormesta, 4831

Calen returned today.

He stood by the garden gate and waited until I saw him. He did not wave. Only smiled, the kind of smile that asks without needing an answer.

I brought him a cup of water, and we sat in the shadow of the old chapel. He said nothing of the voyage, and I did not ask. I watched his hands as he spoke of the harbor and the wind near the reefs. He has a sun mark on his left wrist now, just above the bone.

When he left, he pressed a shell into my palm. It was smooth and unbroken.

5th day of Lormesta, 4831

I do not know if he missed me. I do not know if he meant to see me or only came to the chapel as he once did.

Still, I thought of him each time the tide turned. I imagined the shape of his boat against the horizon, wondering if he looked for birds or counted the ways salt settles into cloth.

The shell he gave me rests beneath the old candle box. I did not tell Elenne.

I have finished copying the Kannalan refrain. The words feel older than stone, but they sing cleanly when read aloud.
|}

==== a faded off-white vellum ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Letter to Aralinna from Tagetes
!a faded off-white vellum
|-
|22 Fashanos 4839

Hi Aralinne,
You are going to sputter when you read this, but I found something I think might actually help. I've been haunting the lower rooms of the Rest's old archive, the one that smells like mushrooms and lamp oil, and you would not believe the number of ledgers that don't even belong there. Some trader scribbled a note in the margin of a shipping contract, and I have no idea why, about a Hermit of Charl. Not a priest. Not a sailor. A hermit.

The strange part is, he wasn't written about like some bedraggled man on a rock. He had followers. Or at least people who carried his words. The note said he held something powerful, something that could "turn back the tide and lay bare the seabed, if placed with care and faith at the high edge." That's what it actually said. The relic doesn't have a name, which is frustrating, but it is always connected to cliffs or high ridges.

I spent the last two days chasing the reference backward, and I think it's Kannalan. Most of the names line up with the way they spell things when they want to make them sound more official. The good stuff always hides behind fancy lettering.

Anyway, I asked around, and there's a guide here who knows the Karazja ruins. He's agreed to take me inland starting next week. I'll be careful. I promise. But if I'm right, that relic might still be out there.

Imagine what it would mean if we could part the sea.

More soon,
Tagetes

P.S. Tell Marris not to let the acolytes into the tide closet again. I know it was them. The shells were rearranged. Again.
|}
==== Seaborne Hymnal ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a thread-edged faded parchment
|-
|Parchment the color of drifted sand bears faded blue script in a careful, even hand. The edges have frayed into soft waves, and the lower corner is discolored where dampness clings to the page. A watermark in the upper left shows a simple wave crest superimposed over a scallop shell. Salt has left faint flecks across the surface, and one line of ink has bled slightly with age. Despite wear, the script remains fully legible, framed by a border of pressed gull feathers and hand-tied seasilk thread.

In the Common language, it reads:

Instructions for the Seaborne Hymnal

To be spoken daily, often at morning tide or before the first sail departs.

The Seaborne Hymnal is a spoken blessing offered to all who live by the rhythm of the sea. It honors those who make their living from its bounty, those who voyage upon it, and those who wait at its edge. The ritual is led by a priestess and joined by those gathered, using a call and response pattern. It is not sung, but spoken clearly, with steadiness and intent.

There are no physical offerings required. However, each response is accompanied by a hand gesture to mark the tide's reach and the release of prayer.

The priestess stands facing the gathered. Congregants may form a semicircle or remain as they are, whether in chapel or along the shore. The ritual may be performed indoors or outdoors, provided the sea is visible or near.

At each response, the right hand is placed palm-down over the heart, then extended outward, fingers spread as if forming the crest of a wave. This gesture is slow and deliberate. At the final line, the gesture is held outward a moment longer before lowering the hand.

The hymnal is: 
'''Priestess:''' Who wakes with the wind and walks with the tide? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who casts the net and bears the storm? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who waits at the window and sings to the dark? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Who names the stars and trusts the wave? 
'''Congregation (with gesture):''' Those with the sea in their soul. 
'''Priestess:''' Bless those who leave and those who remain. 
Bless those who labor and those who pray. 
Bless those who remember. 
'''Congregation (final gesture):''' And those who return no more.

The rite is complete after the final line. There is no need for benediction. Let silence follow for a breath or two before the next act begins.
|}
==== Ribbon Vigil ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
! a watermarked pearly white parchment
|-
|Faint mildew spots darken the four corners of the parchment, which has a pearly white finish created by the waxy finished worked into its fibers. An azure watermark of a scallop shell superimposed over cresting waves can be seen beneath the indigo ink that spread across its surface.

In the Common language, it reads:

The Ribbon Vigil is a quiet, sacred tradition observed by sailors and their loved ones before voyages that lead them beyond the protection of the bay. It is deeply personal, often unspoken, and performed in silence atop the temple's Widow's Walk. The rite is not scheduled by the temple, nor does it require direct guidance, but all priestesses, acolytes, and attending staff should understand its nature and how to offer quiet support when needed.

The vigil begins when a sailor and a significant companion, whether spouse, sibling, friend, or beloved, ascending to the rooftop of the temple. Together, they bring a ribbon, which may be carried openly or hidden in the hand, sleeve, or pocket until the moment it is needed. Upon reaching the rail that faces the open sea, they tie the ribbon to the ironwork together. There is no formal color or material required. While many choose white, blue, or sea green, others may bring a scrap of sailcloth or a woven charm. The meaning lies in the bond, not the fiber. No spoken words are required, though some murmur names or prayers as the knot is tied. The act itself is the offering. It binds the hope of return between two people and entrusts that bond to the sea.

At times, when a ship is long overdue or the sea has turned cruel, the one who remained ashore may return to the Widow's Walk alone. There, they loosen the knot they once tied. The ribbon is not taken down but left slack in the wind. This act is a plea to Niima, asking her to seek the one who has not come home. It is believed that if the ribbon is taken by the wind and reaches the sea, Niima will find the sailor and guide them to safety. That safety may not bring them home to Solhaven, but it will bring them to a shore. If the ribbon tangles, falls, or clings to the stone, some believe it is a sign that the soul it represents has already passed from Niima's reach.

Temple staff must not disturb those who come to perform this rite. Acolytes may observe from a distance and quietly light a sea taper at the stairwell when a ribbon loosening is witnessed. The gesture is enough to mark the moment. Comfort should be offered gently, without promise or correction. Never assure a safe return. Instead, remind them that Niima knows every name whispered to the tide and that no soul is ever truly lost to her.

Ribbons left on the Widow's Walk should be observed weekly. Those that have clearly loosened and not flown may be carefully removed and burned in a salt-fire by the priestess or her assistant. This should be done with solemnity and without comment, allowing the sea to receive what it could not carry.

Priestesses may speak of the vigil during public blessings, particularly on days when many ships prepare to depart. However, no individual should be named or pointed to. Let the ribbon be a silent prayer, seen by the sea and felt by those who wait.
|}
==== Song of Return ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
! a worn and faded scrap of vellum
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:

Song of Return 
A blessing for safe voyage and reunion

Go forth with the tide and return with the swell, 
Let the waves bear you gently, where ever you dwell. 
May your sails know the whisper, not the wail of the sea, 
And the stars hold your course where your heart longs to be.

Let the wind be your witness, the foam be your guide, 
Let the deep pass beneath you and never divide. 
By the light of Niima, by the calm of her grace, 
May your path find the harbor, your soul find its place.

Those who love you will wait with the shore in their eyes, 
Watching dawn rise in silence and dusk fill the skies. 
So go forth with the tide and return with the swell, 
You are known to the sea, and she knows you well.
|}
==== Saltwater Blessing ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a an azure-tinted and waxed ivory vellum
|-
|The Saltwater Blessing
To be performed at the start of each day and before any service that opens the temple doors to those in need. 
Begin the Saltwater Blessing before the tide bells. The basin must be clean, dry, and still. Saltwater is to be drawn at dawn, and it must come from a living source. Water taken from a canal or well is not suitable. If the sea cannot be reached due to weather or flood, postpone the ritual. Light a sea taper in its place and record the reason with care. 
The acolyte assisting you should stand to the left of the basin. Instruct her to place both hands on the rim and begin to turn it slowly in a clockwise motion. This movement must remain steady and deliberate. The spiral that forms at the center of the water represents the cycle we serve: cleansing, healing, prayer, and return.
You will pour the saltwater into the basin as it turns. Keep the vessel low and the stream even. Pour as the tide pours, without haste and without pause. Do not speak until the water touches the basin. As the water flows, recite the blessing aloud: 
Salt drawn from tide, gift of the sea, 
Wash clean these hands, this heart, this hour. 
Heal what is broken, quiet what clings, 
Let all who pass find peace in thee. 
In Niima's name, let the water remember mercy, 
and the sea cradle what we cannot carry. 
When the blessing is complete, step back and allow the basin to settle. Do not stir the water again unless it has been fouled. 
Each person who enters the chapel should approach the basin. Some will speak, others will not. It is not your task to correct their silence. If they ask what to say, teach them this: 
Salt and sea, carry this from me. 
At day's end, empty the basin unless the tide is near enough to reclaim it directly. Never let water stand overnight. Do not allow the salt to cloud or crust. If the sea cannot receive it, return it to the earth with reverence. 
The blessing is working when even the restless linger at the threshold.
|}

==== Elenne's (?) Papers ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Loose Papers from the Office in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a pale slip of vellum bearing a rust-tinged watermark
|-
|Rust-toned watermarks bloom across the lower half of the parchment, forming uneven, organic shapes. The ink has faded but remains legible throughout. The surface is rough to the touch, with several shallow indentations along the right margin, as if pressed against the corner of a writing board. Mild mildew spotting is visible near the top, and the parchment carries a faint metallic scent.

In the Common language, it reads: 
15th day of Fashanos, 4830 
Master Vartrien of the Mercantile Guild visited the chapel before midday service. He spoke of expanding the grounds and building a larger temple to better serve Solhaven's growing population. I reminded him that the chapel predates the coastal road and holds its own rhythm. He seemed unconcerned but polite. Left a coin marked with the Guild's seal in the basin. I placed it with the others and marked his visit in the side register.
|-
!a raw-edged and water-spotted page
|-
|Uneven edges suggest this piece was torn hastily from a larger sheet. Faint ruling marks hint at its origin in a ledger or bound volume. A diagonal streak of indigo ink mars the surface, likely transferred from damp contact with another page. Most letters remain legible, though a few near the top right have blurred. Mildew traces the lower edge, and the parchment carries the scent of damp stone and old wax.

In the Common language, it reads: 
17th day of Lumnea, 4830 
Widow Carlan returned today, still unable to bear the final words. Her husband was taken last autumn in the reef churn near a southern cay. It has been added to our charts. I gave her the ledger entry of his loss to hold and read aloud as part of the Benediction for Final Rest. She left a net of white knotted cord, said it was the last he made, but did not stay. I've placed it on the altar before the midday rites. As a note, fog rolled in not long after service, and only three stayed for evening psalms.
|-
!a salt-ringed scrap of curled parchment
|-
|In the Common language, it reads: 
2nd day of Ivastaen, 4831 
Three fisher wives from the southern quay came before the early bells. Their husbands sail north this season, past Glaoveln's reach. Each requested prayer and sat quietly through the morning hymn. I gave silver ribbons to bind with their kerchiefs and lit the sea taper for calm waters. The chapel was nearly full by midmorning, though many arrived late, likely due to the spring fog that clung to the harbor paths.
|-
!a ink-streaked torn vellum sheet
|-
|Uneven edges suggest this piece was torn hastily from a larger sheet. Faint ruling marks hint at its origin in a ledger or bound volume. A diagonal streak of indigo ink mars the surface, likely transferred from damp contact with another page. Most letters remain legible, though a few near the top right have blurred. Mildew traces the lower edge, and the parchment carries the scent of damp stone and old wax.

In the Common language, it reads: 
29th day of Koaratos, 4832 
Two merchant wives came bearing cloth bundles for the shrine. Each held swaddled sea stones tied with bits of silk, blue and pale. They asked no questions, gave no names. I placed the stones in the vessel below the sanctum basin and poured saltwater as they requested. Both stayed for the midday chant, though neither sang. After, they left through the garden gate without speaking further. I noted no marking on the silk. I hope they found comfort.
|-
!a mold-speckled soft parchment note
|-
|Softened by age and wear, the edges of the parchment curl inward, and pale mold speckling appears across the lower third of the sheet. A faint line suggests it was once folded and tucked into a ledger or personal book. The ink remains legible but has lightened near the corners. Moisture warping has created a slight upward curl in the body, and the parchment carries the scent of aged paper and damp wool.

In the Common language, it reads: 
3rd day of Eorgaen, 4832 
Widow Ellin came before the first bell and asked to sit in the quiet. She brought a folded scrap of ribbon from her husband's net bag and said she'd found it behind a dresser while cleaning for winter. I lit the sea taper and left her undisturbed while preparing the outer basin. She stayed through first prayers, then rose and placed the ribbon beneath the shell altar. She asked for no words today, but returned a missing bench cushion before leaving.
|-
!a smudged and warped journal page
|-
|Uneven ripples in the parchment surface indicate long exposure to moisture. Several pale smudges appear along the right margin, likely left by ink-stained fingers. Fading is most visible at the top, though the handwriting remains legible throughout. A faint scent of old wool and oil clings to the fibers. Abrasions across the back suggest the page rested for some time against a coarse surface.

In the Common language, it reads: 
7th day of Charlatos, 4833 
Three girls from Marshtown arrived just after first bell. None had formal instruction, but all carried the tunes well enough to follow the second line. We worked them through the basin hymn and the low chorus of the coastal prayer. They were assigned tunics from the eldest priestess, who sent them to scrub before vespers. We will continue twice weekly with them. If they remain steady, they may be ready for the Midyear Blessing. We've noted their names in the side book.
|-
!a creased parchment page
|-
|Creases stretch diagonally across the page, likely from folding while still damp. Several ink lines have run downward from the upper half, creating faint trails along the grain. Edges have darkened with age, and water damage has left a soft waviness across the surface. Handwriting remains legible, though uneven in places. The scent of mildew is stronger here, with a faint trace of fish oil soaked into one corner.

In the Common language, it reads: 
23rd day of Imaerasta, 4834 
Fleets pushed off beneath a red sky this evening. Wind held warm along the rise, and I watched from the upper path as the sails moved out past the bay mouth. I counted twenty-seven before I lost the line. I wrote their names as I remembered them, though some are just family names passed around. We did not ring the bell, but kept the flame lit through dusk. Sunset lingered long enough to finish the basin cleaning by natural light.
|-
!an ink-blotched paper fragment
|-
|Near the lower edge, signs of delamination are evident where prolonged exposure to moisture has lifted the parchment fibers. Ink blotches cover the upper left corner, though the writing beneath remains legible. Faint blue guidelines run horizontally across the surface, now nearly faded from view. All corners are softened from repeated handling, while the light scent of damp plaster and crushed chalk clings to the page.

In the Common language, it reads: 
18th day of Ivastaen, 4835 
Workers paused their efforts near the east colonnade due to a broken pulley. Several wandered into the chapel while the foreman spoke with a guild agent outside. One left a handful of copper on the basin rim. I noted no offering ribbon, but took it with the rest before lighting the salt lamp. Held afternoon prayers with two elders and one child. No hymn today. Breezes through the north wall joints have grown stronger since the scaffolding went up.
|}

==== a jute-strung seashell necklace suspending a sapphire dolphin ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Necklace Found in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a jute-strung seashell necklace suspending a sapphire dolphin
|-
|It is a small item, under a pound.
It is estimated to be worth about 100 silvers.
It is predominantly crafted of organic material.
|}
==== a discolored albatross feather quill ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Quill Found in Nima's Temple Catacombs
!a discolored albatross feather quill
|-
|It is a small item, under a pound.
It is estimated to be worth about 30,000 silvers.
It is predominantly crafted of organic material.
|}
==== a faded off-white letter ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Letter from Tagetes to Aralinne
!a faded off-white letter
|-
|18 Charlatos 4839

Hi Aralinne,
I found it. Or at least, half of it. 
 
It wasn't hidden exactly, more like forgotten. The locals knew about the ruins but never thought to poke around in them because they're mostly buried under vines and heavy stone. It took three days and a few close calls with hornets, but tucked behind a collapsed pillar I found a stone cradle. And in it, wrapped in sea-worn cloth, was a broken staff. 
 
I knew it as soon as I touched it. It smells like the shore and there's a hollow ring when you hold it upright. It's not made of anything I recognize, but it hasn't rotted or split, except where it broke in two. One half was resting in the cradle. The other, according to a tablet near the ruins, was sent to a temple of Charl along the cliffs. 
 
Which temple is the problem. There used to be dozens, all dotting the coastline, and many of them have fallen into the sea. The writing didn't say which. Just "to a brother's altar." 
 
I've wrapped and sealed the piece I found and sent it with this letter. I figured if anyone can figure out where the other part ended up, it's you. 
 
If we're right, and this thing really can part the water, maybe we can put the ship to rest. Maybe the girls will stop slipping away like the others have. 
 
I won't be back right away. I broke my leg two days ago trying to cross a ravine after a rainstorm. The guide helped set it but the nearest empath is still a few days out and I can't move far. I'll return as soon as I'm able, once I can walk without screaming. Hold the staff. Let me know what it feels like. 
All my strength, 
 
Tagetes 
 
P.S. Tell the boy not to put shells in the font again. It's not funny. Well, it is, but don't tell him that.
|}
[[Category:The Shadowy Abyss]]

The Shadowy Abyss (storyline)/Found items

2025-06-14T04:44:21Z

STACYWALTER:

== Shadowy Abyss Found Items ==
=== 06.06.2025 ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key's Sleeve
!an antique Vornavian silk cloth
|-
|Smooth with a soft finish, the Vornavian silk cloth has hints of its original deep blue hue at its edges though largely it has faded to a watered azure hue. Faint seashell patterns decorate the edge, the silver and white embroidery creating scallop shells that overlap. Rolled silk cords aid the bundle in staying closed as needed, their ends capped in silver dolphin periapts.
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Letter to Tagetes from Aralinne
!a blue-tinted white vellum parchment
|-
|Slightly warped in shape and displaying clear signs of damage from humidity, the fine parchment is tinted with a subtle blue hue that is almost white and yet distinctly not. Crisp folds create precise lines in the top and bottom third of the piece, while the corners display fray signs where moisture has separated the layers.
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:
the seventeenth day of Olaesta in the year 4839

Tagetes,

Hopefully, we will return at the same time and all of this preparation will be for naught.

The temple will have no attendants as I have figured out the missing piece to get us to Pearl. It lies in an old Kannalan Temple to Charl. I believe I've tracked down its former location. I've hidden the plans in the old office at the end of the catacombs and sealed the entry.

So few people know of its existence that it should be safe to travel there. I do not think I will be gone more than a handful of days.

However, as I do not trust the Mercantile Guild, with their recent decisions to create gardens and shrines to the dark pantheon, I have sealed the doorway up and hidden it. Since you know where it is, you should have no issue finding it.

There are seven keys for entry. I've left the Empress key here, but you can easily obtain the other six by seeking the blessings of the Lover, the Mistress, the Sister, the Mother, the Daughter, and the High Priestess. I'm sure you'll remember who these are from our past talks. I dare not say more for fear this is found by others.

Please know that some wish to see the curse spread. Others are working hard to stop it. Young Bristena had the idea to buy back all the jewelry from the women whose husband, lovers, and brothers searched the North Beach to obtain them. I gave her enough coin to buy them all back.

Once she has every last piece, she'll have a sailor take her out to the spot we believe the "Pearl" to be waiting in and drop them back into the water. That should give us time to get the pieces together to free her. I used the last of the coffers to pay a crew to start the lighthouse.

If I don't return... Please let my husband and son know the depths of which I love them.

By my hand,

Aralinne Wynedowne
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key
!a carved golden amber acorn
|-
|Roughly oval in shape, a carved golden amber acorn is broad and flat, providing an excellent view of its transparent interior portion. Trapped within the golden yellow fossilized pine tree sap are several small flying insects and a dried flower.
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+The Tile
!an aged grey stone tile
|-
|
|-
|Your song touches the tile, and the memory begins with stillness, then the faint scrape of wood across stone. Gentle hands press close, fitting the tile snugly into place. A murmur of approval hums nearby, muffled by fabric and breath. Cool grout slides into the seams, and the air shifts. Salt lingers in the room, carried on a current scented with blossoms. Lilac and sea daisy rise together, soft and clean. A hush settles across the surface, and the tile recognizes it as belonging. Beneath the faintest sigh of sandals against stone, a woman's voice murmurs, "There. That's better." The sounds and sensations fade along with the last syllables of your song.

As your song continues to caress the tile, it stirs with echoes of passing time. Soft footsteps come and go, punctuated by the rhythmic sweep of bristles and the clatter of buckets. Voices rise and fall nearby, sometimes low with grief, sometimes bright with ritual. One speaks of a sister's safe return, another offers blessings over a sailor's name. A different voice complains about a cracked basin and the need for fresh oil. Each moment blends into the next, seasons marked only by the changing cadence of heels, the weight of silence, and the gentle creak of wood in damp air. Slowly, the sensation and sounds fade, one by one, until they fall as silent as your song.

Your melody draws forth a hush, and the tile remembers the scent first. Bitter and resinous, the thick smoke of funerary incense curls low to the ground. Voices follow in soft procession, cloaked in sorrow. Some weep openly, others murmur prayers with trembling breath. The weight of grief presses against the stone, heavy as tide against jetty. A name is spoken again and again, reverent and broken, until it becomes a lullaby of mourning. Between each word, silence holds vigil. The tile feels a deep stillness in the air, as if even the sea has paused to listen. A final name tumbles across your ears as your song slips into silence, "Elenne."

Your song stirs the memory of disturbance. The tile feels the grit of its seams loosened, the edge of a tool scraping carefully through old grout. Pressure lifts it from the floor, just briefly, and something small is slid beneath. When the tile returns to its place, the surface meets the subfloor with an unfamiliar firmness. A hand lingers upon it, smooth and warm, resting for a long moment before giving a gentle pat. Whispered words ride the still air, close enough to touch, "Keep this safe until Tagetes finds you." An absence of warmth is the last sensation the tile imparts before your song stills.

Your voice brushes the tile, and the past answers with hushed urgency. There is the soft shuffle of feet, the creak of worn boots on stone, and a sharp intake of breath. Mournful whispers crowd the silence. A voice, cracked with worry and soft with distance, murmurs, "I don't know where you are, Aralinne. I can't get into the catacombs to check on you as the Brisker's Cove bowl was broken in the latest Krolvin raids... Please come home to us. Please. Your plan for Bristena worked; she told me of it when I returned. The girls are free, but where are you? I'm going to hide my piece until it can unite with yours. Please be safe, be careful." A soft sigh blends with the ending resonance of your song.

Your voice draws forth only silence at first. Time passes, measured in distant echoes. Footsteps sound too far to name, and faint shifts in the air come and go with no purpose. Old wood creaks softly where it meets damp stone. Dust settles in the seams, and salt from the sea clings to the surface. Years drift by without notice. Then, without warning, fingers press along your edges. There is a pause, a breath held just beyond hearing, and the tile feels the careful pry of something firm beneath it. A clamor of voices overlaps with each other until they blend into the fading sound of your song.
|}
=== 06.13.2025 ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Ledger from Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a salt-stained blue leather ledger
|-
|Bound in navy blue leather, the ledger bears clear signs of repair. Patches of mismatched hide reinforce the spine and corners, and thin linen cords hold the bindings tight. Though worn smooth with age, the cover still holds the faint imprint of Niima's shell crest, long faded by handling. The pages inside are slightly bowed from moisture, but the ink has held well. Each year occupies a single page, the writing steady and small.
|-
|4816

Tidy dates and notations for each month in 4816 are aligned neatly along the inner margin. Notes reference standard morning and mid-tide services, with modest attendance throughout the year. Several deaths at sea are marked during Phoenatos and Imaerasta. There are mentions of a small fishing vessel lost in late Charlatos, and a new lantern donated by a widow named Hessa. The last quarter shows increased visits near Solstice.

4817

Entries for 4817 remain even and uneventful. Most notes concern basin cleaning, donation handling, and ribbon replenishment. Storms in Lumnea and Koaratos disrupted service for several days. A merchant's wife is mentioned repeatedly for leaving folded prayers in the offering box. One record notes an unusual number of gulls gathered at the altar during a fogbound service, marked simply with, "observed by three."

4818

Standard service records dominate the page, with annotations in blue ink appearing during spring. One comment in the margin reads, "New basin stone fitted. Shell inlay cracked but held." Three names repeat throughout the year: a retired sailor, a midwife from Marshtown, and a girl recorded only as "A.M." Several deaths at sea appear again in Eorgaen. Coastal offerings increase during the fall months.

4819

The 4819 entries continue in a narrow hand, with an unusual number of weddings noted between Charlatos and Ivastaen. Ribbons tied at the altar outnumber funerary entries this year. A brief note in Phoenatos mentions a fisherman's body returned after fifteen tides. Repairs to the vestibule door are recorded in Koaratos. A delivery of hymnals is documented without name, signed only with "N.L."

4820

Attendance patterns remain steady throughout 4820. Notations of storm disruptions in Fashanos and Koaratos are followed by increased evening services during those months. One brief note in Charlatos mentions a girl from the lower quarter beginning "training for vow," though no name is listed. Seasonal surges continue, with quiet months between. A salt-caked page corner suggests the ledger was left open during a sea spray.

4821

Small, precise entries for 4821 follow the pattern of prior years. Services remained regular, with additional rites held after a coastal storm in Charlatos. A recurring visitor is listed only as "shell-bearer" during spring months. Repairs to the west garden wall are noted in Lumnea. One entry in Eorgaen records, "child left driftwood figure at basin, no adult nearby." The handwriting becomes slightly sharper near the year's end.

4822

The year opened with colder winds and reduced attendance through Lormesta. One note in Fashanos records an elderly priestess slipping on the altar steps, resulting in no injury. Minor construction is logged in Ivastaen: "stone bench repositioned, foundation settled uneven." Gulls are again noted during a fog-heavy morning service. No deaths at sea are marked for Koaratos, which is noted as rare by the author. Extra hymn practice is recorded for Imaerasta.

4823

Faint ink along the top edge shows early signs of moisture, but the page remains legible. Most entries follow the standard pattern. A sailor's wedding in Phoenatos brought increased attendance for several days. Someone left a carved shell token in the basin and returned each week through Jastatos. No name was ever recorded. One funeral in Eoantos references burial in the lower catacomb row, name lost to smudging. Elenne's name begins to appear more frequently.

4824

Ledger entries remain orderly. Elenne is noted as presiding over full services during three major seasonal observances. A short entry in Imaerasta reads, "saltwater damaged two hymnals, copies made by hand." Several deaths at sea were recorded across Phoenatos and Jastatos. A recurring note of "candles late" appears without clarification. Winter quarter shows an increased number of widows seeking individual prayer times, as marked by initials only.

4825

The writing becomes slightly more compact along this page, possibly due to a change in hand. Services are held regularly with minor disruptions caused by harbor traffic. One early Charlatos entry reads, "path blocked by hauling rig, services delayed." Garden growth noted as "vigorous" in Lumnea. An unnamed girl from Marshtown began regular cleaning duties in midyear. Entries suggest her presence became routine, though her name is not yet recorded. Several pages show signs of ash smudging near the bottom corner.

4826

Ledger entries remain narrow and consistent. Regular service records dominate the page, with a note in Ivastaen reading, "two hymnals lost to mildew, one copied by hand." The girl from Marshtown is noted more frequently, assisting with basin preparation and entry sweeping. Elenne is recorded as leading nearly all rites this year. In Koaratos, a sailor's wife donated wax and twine following her husband's return from the reefs.

4827

A colder year, with notations of light frost in Charlatos and a decline in visitors during the first quarter. The Marshtown girl is listed by initials for the first time: "A.L.". She appears often in notes tied to daily upkeep and chant transcription. Elenne requested additional salt deliveries from the quay, suggesting higher ritual use. A short record in Imaerasta reads, "boy returned with offering candle for sister." His name is not recorded, but the action repeats in later months.

4828

Ink across this page is slightly lighter but consistent. Notes describe steady attendance and quiet observances throughout the year. "A.L." continues to serve regularly and is mentioned copying seasonal verses. A new basin cloth was donated by a widow in Phoenatos. Calen Wynedowne is noted briefly in Koaratos as assisting with deliveries. In Eorgaen, a child is recorded as tying sea glass to the offering pole, noted without comment.

4829

The handwriting tightens slightly, with some changes in wording structure. "A.L." is listed as leading chants during two minor observances. A service disruption is recorded in Charlatos: "work crew halted access to west path." Garden repairs resumed in Ivastaen, with the stone bench noted as "settled, but now cracking." Calen Wynedowne is marked present on three service dates. Elenne's name appears as usual, though one note mentions "shortness of breath in colder months."

4830

Entries shift slightly in tone this year, with more detailed notations. "A.L." is no longer referenced only by initials. Her name appears as Aralinne, recorded assisting with vespers and receiving permission to copy the coastal prayers. Elenne continues to lead services throughout. In Fashanos, a marked entry reads: "Calen Wynedowne departed aboard the Drowned Boar." A note in Imaerasta logs the visit of the High Priestess from Selanthia. Garden notes cease after Koaratos, likely due to early construction of the new temple.

4831

Entries are steady, with services held regularly in the newly expanded chapel. The original altar remains in partial use during evening observances. Aralinne is recorded as leading chants and maintaining basin duties throughout the year. A note in Charlatos reads, "Calen returned, left shell at east bench." Additional visitors marked in Phoenatos. Several Kannalan hymn fragments reviewed in Jastatos, with Aralinne listed as transcriber. No disruptions recorded.

4832

Observances continue without interruption. Aralinne is noted frequently in preparation tasks, seasonal cleanings, and the transcription of coastal rites. One record in Koaratos reads, "private service held for three widows." Increased taper use recorded in Imaerasta. No name given, but a new assistant is mentioned briefly in Lumnea. Aralinne's duties expand across multiple entries. The final note of the year: "attendance steady; records filed."

4833

Standard notations occupy most of the year. Aralinne continues in her role, listed alongside Elenne for all major observances. Her name appears independently in entries for dusk services and catacomb visits. One summer note mentions, "garden basin cleared and refilled under Aralinne's guidance." No major incidents. Early signs of leadership transition appear in Eoantos, though no formal statement is recorded. The garden bench is listed as worn, but stable.

4834

Charlatos begins with a formal entry: "Calen Wynedowne and Aralinne joined in marriage, witnessed before first bell at east altar." Both continue in regular attendance. Aralinne is recorded as leading evening services and overseeing hymn preservation efforts. Her handwriting begins to appear in later entries. Koaratos notes her inclusion in guild correspondence. The final entry in Eorgaen lists: "preparations for early solstice rites under Aralinne."

4835

Year begins quietly. Aralinne is now noted as officiating several services in early Fashanos. In Jastatos, a central entry reads: "Elenne passed peacefully in the night, fifth day of Jastatos." Her name does not appear again. Subsequent entries mark Aralinne presiding over full rites. One note reads, "transition marked with coastal hymn, basin blessing unchanged." Calen continues to appear sporadically. The final entry of the year reads: "chapel remains steady under Aralinne's care."
|}

[[Category:The Shadowy Abyss]]

The Shadowy Abyss (storyline)/Found items

2025-06-14T04:42:51Z

STACYWALTER: Added a ledger that was found in the catacombs in Niima's temple in Solhaven

== Shadowy Abyss Found Items ==
=== 06.06.2025 ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key's Sleeve
!an antique Vornavian silk cloth
|-
|Smooth with a soft finish, the Vornavian silk cloth has hints of its original deep blue hue at its edges though largely it has faded to a watered azure hue. Faint seashell patterns decorate the edge, the silver and white embroidery creating scallop shells that overlap. Rolled silk cords aid the bundle in staying closed as needed, their ends capped in silver dolphin periapts.
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Letter to Tagetes from Aralinne
!a blue-tinted white vellum parchment
|-
|Slightly warped in shape and displaying clear signs of damage from humidity, the fine parchment is tinted with a subtle blue hue that is almost white and yet distinctly not. Crisp folds create precise lines in the top and bottom third of the piece, while the corners display fray signs where moisture has separated the layers.
|-
|In the Common language, it reads:
the seventeenth day of Olaesta in the year 4839

Tagetes,

Hopefully, we will return at the same time and all of this preparation will be for naught.

The temple will have no attendants as I have figured out the missing piece to get us to Pearl. It lies in an old Kannalan Temple to Charl. I believe I've tracked down its former location. I've hidden the plans in the old office at the end of the catacombs and sealed the entry.

So few people know of its existence that it should be safe to travel there. I do not think I will be gone more than a handful of days.

However, as I do not trust the Mercantile Guild, with their recent decisions to create gardens and shrines to the dark pantheon, I have sealed the doorway up and hidden it. Since you know where it is, you should have no issue finding it.

There are seven keys for entry. I've left the Empress key here, but you can easily obtain the other six by seeking the blessings of the Lover, the Mistress, the Sister, the Mother, the Daughter, and the High Priestess. I'm sure you'll remember who these are from our past talks. I dare not say more for fear this is found by others.

Please know that some wish to see the curse spread. Others are working hard to stop it. Young Bristena had the idea to buy back all the jewelry from the women whose husband, lovers, and brothers searched the North Beach to obtain them. I gave her enough coin to buy them all back.

Once she has every last piece, she'll have a sailor take her out to the spot we believe the "Pearl" to be waiting in and drop them back into the water. That should give us time to get the pieces together to free her. I used the last of the coffers to pay a crew to start the lighthouse.

If I don't return... Please let my husband and son know the depths of which I love them.

By my hand,

Aralinne Wynedowne
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Empress Key
!a carved golden amber acorn
|-
|Roughly oval in shape, a carved golden amber acorn is broad and flat, providing an excellent view of its transparent interior portion. Trapped within the golden yellow fossilized pine tree sap are several small flying insects and a dried flower.
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+The Tile
!an aged grey stone tile
|-
|
|-
|Your song touches the tile, and the memory begins with stillness, then the faint scrape of wood across stone. Gentle hands press close, fitting the tile snugly into place. A murmur of approval hums nearby, muffled by fabric and breath. Cool grout slides into the seams, and the air shifts. Salt lingers in the room, carried on a current scented with blossoms. Lilac and sea daisy rise together, soft and clean. A hush settles across the surface, and the tile recognizes it as belonging. Beneath the faintest sigh of sandals against stone, a woman's voice murmurs, "There. That's better." The sounds and sensations fade along with the last syllables of your song.

As your song continues to caress the tile, it stirs with echoes of passing time. Soft footsteps come and go, punctuated by the rhythmic sweep of bristles and the clatter of buckets. Voices rise and fall nearby, sometimes low with grief, sometimes bright with ritual. One speaks of a sister's safe return, another offers blessings over a sailor's name. A different voice complains about a cracked basin and the need for fresh oil. Each moment blends into the next, seasons marked only by the changing cadence of heels, the weight of silence, and the gentle creak of wood in damp air. Slowly, the sensation and sounds fade, one by one, until they fall as silent as your song.

Your melody draws forth a hush, and the tile remembers the scent first. Bitter and resinous, the thick smoke of funerary incense curls low to the ground. Voices follow in soft procession, cloaked in sorrow. Some weep openly, others murmur prayers with trembling breath. The weight of grief presses against the stone, heavy as tide against jetty. A name is spoken again and again, reverent and broken, until it becomes a lullaby of mourning. Between each word, silence holds vigil. The tile feels a deep stillness in the air, as if even the sea has paused to listen. A final name tumbles across your ears as your song slips into silence, "Elenne."

Your song stirs the memory of disturbance. The tile feels the grit of its seams loosened, the edge of a tool scraping carefully through old grout. Pressure lifts it from the floor, just briefly, and something small is slid beneath. When the tile returns to its place, the surface meets the subfloor with an unfamiliar firmness. A hand lingers upon it, smooth and warm, resting for a long moment before giving a gentle pat. Whispered words ride the still air, close enough to touch, "Keep this safe until Tagetes finds you." An absence of warmth is the last sensation the tile imparts before your song stills.

Your voice brushes the tile, and the past answers with hushed urgency. There is the soft shuffle of feet, the creak of worn boots on stone, and a sharp intake of breath. Mournful whispers crowd the silence. A voice, cracked with worry and soft with distance, murmurs, "I don't know where you are, Aralinne. I can't get into the catacombs to check on you as the Brisker's Cove bowl was broken in the latest Krolvin raids... Please come home to us. Please. Your plan for Bristena worked; she told me of it when I returned. The girls are free, but where are you? I'm going to hide my piece until it can unite with yours. Please be safe, be careful." A soft sigh blends with the ending resonance of your song.

Your voice draws forth only silence at first. Time passes, measured in distant echoes. Footsteps sound too far to name, and faint shifts in the air come and go with no purpose. Old wood creaks softly where it meets damp stone. Dust settles in the seams, and salt from the sea clings to the surface. Years drift by without notice. Then, without warning, fingers press along your edges. There is a pause, a breath held just beyond hearing, and the tile feels the careful pry of something firm beneath it. A clamor of voices overlaps with each other until they blend into the fading sound of your song.
|}
=== 06.13.2025 ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Ledger from Niima's Temple Catacombs
!a salt-stained blue leather ledger
|-
Bound in navy blue leather, the ledger bears clear signs of repair. Patches of mismatched hide reinforce the spine and corners, and thin linen cords hold the bindings tight. Though worn smooth with age, the cover still holds the faint imprint of Niima's shell crest, long faded by handling. The pages inside are slightly bowed from moisture, but the ink has held well. Each year occupies a single page, the writing steady and small.
|-
|4816

Tidy dates and notations for each month in 4816 are aligned neatly along the inner margin. Notes reference standard morning and mid-tide services, with modest attendance throughout the year. Several deaths at sea are marked during Phoenatos and Imaerasta. There are mentions of a small fishing vessel lost in late Charlatos, and a new lantern donated by a widow named Hessa. The last quarter shows increased visits near Solstice.

4817

Entries for 4817 remain even and uneventful. Most notes concern basin cleaning, donation handling, and ribbon replenishment. Storms in Lumnea and Koaratos disrupted service for several days. A merchant's wife is mentioned repeatedly for leaving folded prayers in the offering box. One record notes an unusual number of gulls gathered at the altar during a fogbound service, marked simply with, "observed by three."

4818

Standard service records dominate the page, with annotations in blue ink appearing during spring. One comment in the margin reads, "New basin stone fitted. Shell inlay cracked but held." Three names repeat throughout the year: a retired sailor, a midwife from Marshtown, and a girl recorded only as "A.M." Several deaths at sea appear again in Eorgaen. Coastal offerings increase during the fall months.

4819

The 4819 entries continue in a narrow hand, with an unusual number of weddings noted between Charlatos and Ivastaen. Ribbons tied at the altar outnumber funerary entries this year. A brief note in Phoenatos mentions a fisherman's body returned after fifteen tides. Repairs to the vestibule door are recorded in Koaratos. A delivery of hymnals is documented without name, signed only with "N.L."

4820

Attendance patterns remain steady throughout 4820. Notations of storm disruptions in Fashanos and Koaratos are followed by increased evening services during those months. One brief note in Charlatos mentions a girl from the lower quarter beginning "training for vow," though no name is listed. Seasonal surges continue, with quiet months between. A salt-caked page corner suggests the ledger was left open during a sea spray.

4821

Small, precise entries for 4821 follow the pattern of prior years. Services remained regular, with additional rites held after a coastal storm in Charlatos. A recurring visitor is listed only as "shell-bearer" during spring months. Repairs to the west garden wall are noted in Lumnea. One entry in Eorgaen records, "child left driftwood figure at basin, no adult nearby." The handwriting becomes slightly sharper near the year's end.

4822

The year opened with colder winds and reduced attendance through Lormesta. One note in Fashanos records an elderly priestess slipping on the altar steps, resulting in no injury. Minor construction is logged in Ivastaen: "stone bench repositioned, foundation settled uneven." Gulls are again noted during a fog-heavy morning service. No deaths at sea are marked for Koaratos, which is noted as rare by the author. Extra hymn practice is recorded for Imaerasta.

4823

Faint ink along the top edge shows early signs of moisture, but the page remains legible. Most entries follow the standard pattern. A sailor's wedding in Phoenatos brought increased attendance for several days. Someone left a carved shell token in the basin and returned each week through Jastatos. No name was ever recorded. One funeral in Eoantos references burial in the lower catacomb row, name lost to smudging. Elenne's name begins to appear more frequently.

4824

Ledger entries remain orderly. Elenne is noted as presiding over full services during three major seasonal observances. A short entry in Imaerasta reads, "saltwater damaged two hymnals, copies made by hand." Several deaths at sea were recorded across Phoenatos and Jastatos. A recurring note of "candles late" appears without clarification. Winter quarter shows an increased number of widows seeking individual prayer times, as marked by initials only.

4825

The writing becomes slightly more compact along this page, possibly due to a change in hand. Services are held regularly with minor disruptions caused by harbor traffic. One early Charlatos entry reads, "path blocked by hauling rig, services delayed." Garden growth noted as "vigorous" in Lumnea. An unnamed girl from Marshtown began regular cleaning duties in midyear. Entries suggest her presence became routine, though her name is not yet recorded. Several pages show signs of ash smudging near the bottom corner.

4826

Ledger entries remain narrow and consistent. Regular service records dominate the page, with a note in Ivastaen reading, "two hymnals lost to mildew, one copied by hand." The girl from Marshtown is noted more frequently, assisting with basin preparation and entry sweeping. Elenne is recorded as leading nearly all rites this year. In Koaratos, a sailor's wife donated wax and twine following her husband's return from the reefs.

4827

A colder year, with notations of light frost in Charlatos and a decline in visitors during the first quarter. The Marshtown girl is listed by initials for the first time: "A.L.". She appears often in notes tied to daily upkeep and chant transcription. Elenne requested additional salt deliveries from the quay, suggesting higher ritual use. A short record in Imaerasta reads, "boy returned with offering candle for sister." His name is not recorded, but the action repeats in later months.

4828

Ink across this page is slightly lighter but consistent. Notes describe steady attendance and quiet observances throughout the year. "A.L." continues to serve regularly and is mentioned copying seasonal verses. A new basin cloth was donated by a widow in Phoenatos. Calen Wynedowne is noted briefly in Koaratos as assisting with deliveries. In Eorgaen, a child is recorded as tying sea glass to the offering pole, noted without comment.

4829

The handwriting tightens slightly, with some changes in wording structure. "A.L." is listed as leading chants during two minor observances. A service disruption is recorded in Charlatos: "work crew halted access to west path." Garden repairs resumed in Ivastaen, with the stone bench noted as "settled, but now cracking." Calen Wynedowne is marked present on three service dates. Elenne's name appears as usual, though one note mentions "shortness of breath in colder months."

4830

Entries shift slightly in tone this year, with more detailed notations. "A.L." is no longer referenced only by initials. Her name appears as Aralinne, recorded assisting with vespers and receiving permission to copy the coastal prayers. Elenne continues to lead services throughout. In Fashanos, a marked entry reads: "Calen Wynedowne departed aboard the Drowned Boar." A note in Imaerasta logs the visit of the High Priestess from Selanthia. Garden notes cease after Koaratos, likely due to early construction of the new temple.

4831

Entries are steady, with services held regularly in the newly expanded chapel. The original altar remains in partial use during evening observances. Aralinne is recorded as leading chants and maintaining basin duties throughout the year. A note in Charlatos reads, "Calen returned, left shell at east bench." Additional visitors marked in Phoenatos. Several Kannalan hymn fragments reviewed in Jastatos, with Aralinne listed as transcriber. No disruptions recorded.

4832

Observances continue without interruption. Aralinne is noted frequently in preparation tasks, seasonal cleanings, and the transcription of coastal rites. One record in Koaratos reads, "private service held for three widows." Increased taper use recorded in Imaerasta. No name given, but a new assistant is mentioned briefly in Lumnea. Aralinne's duties expand across multiple entries. The final note of the year: "attendance steady; records filed."

4833

Standard notations occupy most of the year. Aralinne continues in her role, listed alongside Elenne for all major observances. Her name appears independently in entries for dusk services and catacomb visits. One summer note mentions, "garden basin cleared and refilled under Aralinne's guidance." No major incidents. Early signs of leadership transition appear in Eoantos, though no formal statement is recorded. The garden bench is listed as worn, but stable.

4834

Charlatos begins with a formal entry: "Calen Wynedowne and Aralinne joined in marriage, witnessed before first bell at east altar." Both continue in regular attendance. Aralinne is recorded as leading evening services and overseeing hymn preservation efforts. Her handwriting begins to appear in later entries. Koaratos notes her inclusion in guild correspondence. The final entry in Eorgaen lists: "preparations for early solstice rites under Aralinne."

4835

Year begins quietly. Aralinne is now noted as officiating several services in early Fashanos. In Jastatos, a central entry reads: "Elenne passed peacefully in the night, fifth day of Jastatos." Her name does not appear again. Subsequent entries mark Aralinne presiding over full rites. One note reads, "transition marked with coastal hymn, basin blessing unchanged." Calen continues to appear sporadically. The final entry of the year reads: "chapel remains steady under Aralinne's care."
|}

[[Category:The Shadowy Abyss]]

Delindra (prime)

2025-06-12T21:28:40Z

STACYWALTER: /* Logs, Stories, Songs, and Vignettes */ added a link to my storyline page

[[File:DelindraWiki.jpg|alt=Delindra runs through a sunny area, laughing joyfully as musical notes swirl about her and a black and white goat frolics along beside her.|thumb|Delindra and her faithful paeladri goat companion, Sir Bah's-a-Lot. Official SimuCon portrait by Josh Stover]]
{{characterprofile
|name=Delindra Talissen
|race=Sylvankind
|town= Solhaven
|class=[[Cleric]]
|religion=[[Cholen]]
}}

'''Delindra''' [del-IN-druh] is a [[Sylvankind]] and an Initiate of the Temple of [[Cholen]], a Sister-at-Arms in the [[Order of the Silver Gryphon]], and a Herald in the Court of [[Vornavis]]. She is often found around [[Solhaven]] and the [[Landing]], and makes her home in Cuddfan Hollow in the [[Northern Caravansary]], but has been known to wander wherever the road takes her. She is very rarely seen without her sister, Jisandra, by her side.

==Appearance==

You see Squire Delindra Talissen the Herald of the Vornavian Court.
She appears to be a Sylvankind of the Lassaran D'ahranal.
She is tall and has a muscled, but soft physique. She appears to be young and untried. She has silver-flecked periwinkle blue eyes and rose-blushed, milky white skin. She has waist length, ringleted platinum hair twisted into a high, neat bun and held in place with some verdant green moonstone jewels arranged in a spiral design. She has an angular face, a crooked nose and long, slender legs.
Miniature music notes spiral outward from her before fading away.
She is in good shape.

She is wearing a striated vultite torc ending in ruby-eyed gryphon heads, an emerald green Vornavian silk lady's surcoat emblazoned with a white swan, a knee-length cream linen dress covered in a rose-printed sheath, an antique blue imflass band, a thin silver-link waistchain, some whisper-thin stockings of ivory crescent gossamer, and a pair of ivory leather boots. [[Image:The_Sisters_SSD_by_Storymyrain.jpg|thumb|Delindra(left) and Jisandra(right) Talissen, by Stormyrain, used with Stormyrain's permission.]]
==Affiliations==

* Sister-at-Arms of the [[Order of the Silver Gryphon]]
* Herald of the Court of [[Vornavis]]
* Temple Initiate of [[Cholen]]
* Full citizen of [[Solhaven]]
* Member of The [[Free Captains' Company]]
* Member of The Haven Emergency Resource Team [[H.E.R.T.]]
* Master in the [[Order of Voln]]
* Member of the [[Cleric Guild]]
* Member of The [[Landing Defense Irregulars]]
* Member of [[House of Paupers]]
==History==

Delindra grew up traveling with her family's troupe of storytellers and songsmiths, members of the [[Lassaran D'ahranal]] among her people. Throughout her early years, she often tried to mimic her older sister, hoping to earn a place performing with her alongside their parents and cousins. As she matured, though, her mother noticed Delindra's special affiliation with the spiritual side of their craft. She made arrangements for Delindra to remain for several seasons with the matriarch of their family, cultivating a magic of her own that drew her into a deeper connection with their patron deity, [[Cholen]]. Delindra initially viewed this with resentment, fearing it meant she was untalented and abandoned. As time passed, however, she learned more of the path of Joy that being a member of Cholen's temple offered, and came to realize it was where she could reach her true potential.

As part of her ongoing journey to Priesthood, Delindra eventually travelled to the [[Landing]], where she witnessed the widespread destruction and fear wrought by the mechanical monstrosity in the [[Flight of the Manticore]]. It was at that time that she joined the Landing Defense Irregulars, seeking to help protect the people of the community in which she had found herself. As the crisis progressed, she eventually connected with the Order of the Silver Gryphon, further dedicating herself to aiding those in need of refuge in the ongoing barrage of catastrophes that seem to endlessly plague the region. Her travels have also occasionally brought her to [[Mist Harbor]], where in 5122 she aided the fight against [[Pashtal]], the follower of [[Sheru]] that tormented the Isle in an effort to earn his patron's recognition.

==Current Events==

Delindra continues her studies as an Initiate of her Temple, endeavoring to become a full Priestess. She also served as a Squire under Sir [[Cryheart]] in the Order of the Silver Gryphons until her promotion to Sister-atArms. In addition, she fills the role of Herald within the Court of Vornavis. Always true to her patron, [[Cholen]], she continues her quest to bring the path of Joy to everyone she meets.

==Logs, Stories, Songs, and Vignettes==

* [[/A New Apprentice | A New Apprentice]] Delindra is assigned a charge of her own
* [[/After Court One Evening | After Court One Evening]] A sisterly talk after Delindra's appointment as Herald
* [[Nations on the Brink (storyline)/Fate of the Marshfolk loresong (summary)]] The sisters help unveil the fate of the Aldorans and Marshtown folk in the Vipershroud
* [[/In Memory | In Memory]] The sisters' song commemorating the deaths of Lady [[Kasendra Malwind]] and Lady [[Sayilla Javilerre]]
* [[/In Honor of Cholen | In Honor of Cholen]] Delindra honors Lord Cholen in her steps through the Order of Voln
* [[/Seeking Light | Seeking Light]] Delindra sends a letter to the creators of her Daybringer weapon, pleading for help in the ongoing fight against Pashtal
* [[/The Hovering Shadow | The Hovering Shadow]] Delindra's ballad about the Flight of the Manticore
* [[/Cherishing | Cherishing]] Delindra finds strength to handle her grief at the passing of her grandmother in the Path of Joy
* [[Webs and woe]] A player-run storyline

Webs and woe (player-run storyline)

2025-06-12T21:27:50Z

STACYWALTER: Created a page for my player-run storyline

This is a player-run storyline happening around [[Solhaven]], facilitated by the player of [[Delindra (prime)|Delindra]].

Several months ago, Lady Aliacia Ranshai appeared in Solhaven. She declared herself the sister of Commodore [[Jaysehn]] Ranshai, and bore tidings that he had died rescuing her. Per their family history, she was presumed dead after a childhood illness, but had ended up alive yet kidnapped. Upon hearing she might still live, Jaysehn had purportedly set out to rescue her, but a backlashing curse condemned him to age rapidly. Aliacia reported that the last she saw of him, he had sent her ahead of him on his ship as he set out to either find relief from the curse or to rest in peace.

A few months after her arrival, some strange things began happening around town.

=== Webs ===
Webs started appearing in places like North Market, in the farmland holdings, and around the zoo. Some folk also found them when they were in the woods north of Solhaven. They were much bigger and more numerous than one would expect from normal spiders. Some people touched them and investigated them, and sensed a faint feeling of malevolence, but were not quite able to pinpoint where the webs originated. Further efforts at detecting more from them resulted in their shattering.

=== The Cipher ===
People started receiving or finding strange items - scrolls and wands with spells in them and on them. Eventually, a common theme emerged, with the items bearing spells such as "Bless," different versions of "Dispel," and "Untrammel."

Some of the items bore strange markings on them. Some of the markings were as follows:

.0 4 00 .5 ./ -\ .5

or

.0 4 7 .! 4 .! 2 /- .5 (

or

) ./ /) /) .\ .9 4

While passing through North Market, Lady Aliacia spotted one of the messages on the town board, the one reading: .0 4 7 .! 4 .! 2 /- .5 (

This seemed to startle her, and when folk inquired, she revealed she recognized it as the Ranshai family code or cipher. They were a family of merchants, and as each member of the family came of age, they were taught the cipher, which was used to relay important and confidential information among the family businesses. She had been kidnapped before coming of age, but was able to piece together some letters she recognized when she used to sneak to her father's study and teach herself the cipher at night. She believed the message said "Unfinished." She also indicated she thought she was the victim of an unkind prank and that someone was using the family's cipher maliciously in order to anger her.

=== Dreams ===
As the days wore on and the webs and items continued to appear, some folk reported and shared unusual dreams they experienced. Some of the dreams included sensations such as: being bound by strands or being held immobile; indecipherable clicking and chittering; shadows and a feeling of foreboding; a stifling feeling.

=== The Day of Warning ===
The [[Day of Zelia's Warning]] came, during which [[Zelia]]'s folk appeared and offered their strange insights. As the day wore on, the Sisters of Lunacy offered a strangely relevant and disturbing message:

Stepping in front of her sisters, Posie announces, "Today, I will be sharing an Ode to the Cracked Web."

"A thread was pulled, just one, just one,

And oh! How wide the web has spun.

It stretches now through bone and bark,

Beneath the sea, beneath the dark."

"The dead man dreams, but will not sleep,

His secrets buried far too deep.

The hunter stalks, the spinner weaves,

And fate gets tangled in the leaves."

"No lantern burns where he now dwells,

Just tangled paths and distant bells.

The threads pull tight, the stillness grows,

As something ancient softly sews."

"A spider crowns her tangled brow,

Each oath she broke still binding now.

The sea won't speak, the winds wont warn-

She weaves her wrath in webs and thorn."

Following this, a number of arachnids appeared and terrorized several citizens in the streets until they were promptly dispatched by a small group of adventurers.

=== An Initiate of Gosaena ===
Following this, an Initiate of [[Gosaena]] appeared in town, named Tsyren. She explained she was there on behalf of her Order to investigate strange activity their soothesayers experienced. Such activity sometimes just indicated a larger population of undead than usual, but could also suggest something else amiss, and it was her job to rule out any activity that could cause troubling imbalances between Life and Death in the area.

Upon learning of the webs and ciphers, Tsyren suggested it might be a good idea to hold a ritual. The ritual would be geared toward making an inquiry to Gosaena about the status of any souls anyone wished to inquire after. She did not promise results, but explained that sometimes Gosaena was willing to offer answers to those asking after loved ones they suspected might be deceased. Aliacia was very reluctant to participate but indicated she would consider it.

=== A Ritual of Inquiry ===
The ritual came to pass at the bonfire in [[Rumor Woods]], and a number of souls were inquired after. For some, Gosaena had reassuring answers. For others, there was ominous silence. Finally, at the end, an inquiry was made after Jaysehn's soul. In response, the image of a web appeared above the scrying bowl Tsyren was using.

The web crystallized and fell from her hands. As it rolled, a hand reached out from the shadows, clad in red and black, seizing it. The figure quickly vanished, leaving the ritual to end on a uneasy note.

Webs and woe (player-run storyline)

2025-06-12T21:15:12Z

STACYWALTER: Creating a wiki page for my player-run storyline

[[Delindra (prime)]]

Delindra (prime)

2025-06-12T21:14:48Z

STACYWALTER: gryphons status

2023-09-25T21:56:33Z

STACYWALTER: Created page with "<pre{{log2}}>You quietly say, "If... it would be appropriate, for one more... my sister and I also have a musical offering we would share in honor of Lady Kasendra." Jisandra..."

<pre{{log2}}>You quietly say, "If... it would be appropriate, for one more... my sister and I also have a musical offering we would share in honor of Lady Kasendra."

Jisandra nods slowly.

Athalia says, "We would be deeply touched."

You deftly remove an ebon-ringed mulberry biwa washed in florid coppery tones from your golden suede harness.

You glance at Jisandra.

Jisandra nods once.

(Delindra steps forward, cradling her biwa close. Jisandra moves to stand next to her sister, giving her hand a comforting squeeze before Delindra speaks.)

You softly say, "This song is dedicated to the Lady Kasendra and the Lady Sayilla. The Hope they have inspired shines through, even though they are parted from us."

(Delindra bows her head over her biwa, fingers poised above the strings. She takes a slow breath, then begins a quiet tune, the music wending its way through air as soft as silk.)

(Jisandra stands utterly still as the music begins, her gaze downcast. The notes build slow and steady, until she lifts her eyes, her voice rising to join in perfect counterpoint.)

Jisandra sings softly:
"When the work is past, my love,
And the toil is all done,
Our hearts will hold you fast, my love,
Though your story, just begun."

(Delindra keeps her eyes fixed on the strings of her instrument, the falls of her hair shielding her expression from view. Her hands move gently, coaxing forth a tune laced with strains of sorrow and hope intermingled.)

Jisandra sings:
"Worry not about your tasks, my love
Know that we will see them through.
The only thing we'd ask, my love,
That our hearts you would renew."

(Delindra finally lifts her gaze from her instrument, unshed tears gleaming in her lashes. She raises her voice to sing with her sister, their voices blending in poignant harmony.)

Jisandra sings:
"And we dwell here in our memories,
Every kind and cherished smile
And we'll honor all your legacies.
You'll be with us all the while."

Jisandra sings:
"And though it isn't fair, my love,
That you were taken far too soon.
So much more that we would share, my love,
And now your dreams may seem all strewn."

Jisandra sings:
"Now your work is past, my love,
You lay down your heavy load.
May your soul find peace at the last, my love,
And know our hearts, you hold."

(Delindra drops her gaze again, eyes closing, though her fingers continue to play, gliding effortlessly and tenderly across the biwa. Jisandra steps next to her, placing a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder as her voice lifts once more.)

Jisandra sings:
"And we dwell here in our memories,
Every kind and cherished smile
And we'll honor all your legacies.
You'll be with us all the while."

(Jisandra tapers off until the final words are almost a whisper. Delindra's hands slow on the biwa, then finally still, the final notes fading into profound silence.)

(Jisandra lets her gaze linger on Salnim for a long moment, expression full of compassion, before she drops her gaze in a slow nod.)</pre>

Delindra (prime)

2023-09-25T21:31:29Z

STACYWALTER:

[[Image:The_Sisters_SSD_by_Storymyrain.jpg|thumb|Delindra(left) and Jisandra(right) Talissen, by Stormyrain]]
{{characterprofile
|name=Delindra Talissen
|race=Sylvankind
|hometown=[[Solhaven]]
|class=[[Cleric]]
|religion=[[Cholen]]
}}

'''Delindra''' [del-IN-druh] is a [[Sylvankind]] and an Initiate of the Temple of [[Cholen]], a Squire in the [[Order of the Silver Gryphon]], and a Herald in the Court of [[Vornavis]]. She is often found around [[Solhaven]] and the [[Landing]], and makes her home in Cuddfan Hollow in the [[Northern Caravansary]], but has been known to wander wherever the road takes her. She is very rarely seen without her sister, Jisandra, by her side.

==Appearance==

<pre{{log2}}>You see Squire Delindra Talissen the Herald of the Vornavian Court.
She appears to be a Sylvankind of the Lassaran D'ahranal.
She is tall and has a muscled, but soft physique. She appears to be young and untried. She has silver-flecked periwinkle blue eyes and rose-blushed, milky white skin. She has waist length, ringleted platinum hair twisted into a high, neat bun and held in place with some verdant green moonstone jewels arranged in a spiral design. She has an angular face, a crooked nose and long, slender legs.
Miniature music notes spiral outward from her before fading away.
She is in good shape.
She is wearing a striated vultite torc ending in ruby-eyed gryphon heads, an emerald green Vornavian silk lady's surcoat emblazoned with a white swan, a knee-length cream linen dress covered in a rose-printed sheath, an antique blue imflass band, a thin silver-link waistchain, some whisper-thin stockings of ivory crescent gossamer, and a pair of ivory leather boots. </pre>

==Affiliations==

* Squire of the [[Order of the Silver Gryphon]]
* Herald of the Court of [[Vornavis]]
* Temple Initiate of [[Cholen]]
* Full citizen of [[Solhaven]]
* Member of The [[Free Captains' Company]]
* Member of The Haven Emergency Resource Team [[H.E.R.T.]]
* Master in the [[Order of Voln]]
* Member of the [[Cleric Guild]]
* Member of The [[Landing Defense Irregulars]]
* Member of [[House of Paupers]]

==History==

Delindra grew up traveling with her family's troupe of storytellers and songsmiths, members of the [[Lassaran D'ahranal]] among her people. Throughout her early years, she often tried to mimic her older sister, hoping to earn a place performing with her alongside their parents and cousins. As she matured, though, her mother noticed Delindra's special affiliation with the spiritual side of their craft. She made arrangements for Delindra to remain for several seasons with the matriarch of their family, cultivating a magic of her own that drew her into a deeper connection with their patron deity, [[Cholen]]. Delindra initially viewed this with resentment, fearing it meant she was untalented and abandoned. As time passed, however, she learned more of the path of Joy that being a member of Cholen's temple offered, and came to realize it was where she could reach her true potential.

As part of her ongoing journey to Priesthood, Delindra eventually travelled to the [[Landing]], where she witnessed the widespread destruction and fear wrought by the mechanical monstrosity in the [[Flight of the Manticore]]. It was at that time that she joined the Landing Defense Irregulars, seeking to help protect the people of the community in which she had found herself. As the crisis progressed, she eventually connected with the Order of the Silver Gryphon, further dedicating herself to aiding those in need of refuge in the ongoing barrage of catastrophes that seem to endlessly plague the region. Her travels have also occasionally brought her to [[Mist Harbor]], where in 5122 she aided the fight against [[Pashtal]], the follower of [[Sheru]] that tormented the Isle in an effort to earn his patron's recognition.

==Current Events==

Delindra continues her studies as an Initiate of her Temple, endeavoring to become a full Priestess. She also serves as a Squire under Sir [[Cryheart]] in the Order of the Silver Gryphon, which led to her recent nomination and acceptance of the role of Herald within the Court of Vornavis. Always true to her patron, [[Cholen]], she continues her quest to bring the path of Joy to everyone she meets.

==Logs, Stories, Songs, and Vignettes==

* [[/After Court One Evening | After Court One Evening]] A sisterly talk after Delindra's appointment as Herald
* [[Nations on the Brink (storyline)/Fate of the Marshfolk loresong (summary)]] The sisters help unveil the fate of the Aldorans and Marshtown folk in the Vipershroud
* [[/In Memory | In Memory]] The sisters' song commemorating the deaths of Lady [[Kasendra Malwind]] and Lady [[Sayilla Javilerre]]]
* [[/In Honor of Cholen | In Honor of Cholen]] Delindra honors Lord Cholen in her steps through the Order of Voln
* [[/Seeking Light | Seeking Light]] Delindra sends a letter to the creators of her Daybringer weapon, pleading for help in the ongoing fight against Pashtal
* [[/The Hovering Shadow | The Hovering Shadow]] Delindra's ballad about the Flight of the Manticore
* [[/Cherishing | Cherishing]] Delindra finds strength to handle her grief at the passing of her grandmother in the Path of Joy