Ebon Gate Festival/saved posts 2025

General Information

General Information - Schedule

Discord Message Link: [1]
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 12/29/2024

Join us once again as the Ebon Gates bring us to the distant Realm of Naidem where the Unliving reside in the town of Evermore Hollow.

Enjoy a variety of games, merchants, and more during this month-long festival that begins on Friday, October 10th at 9 PM Eastern, and closes on November 2nd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

Finer details will be added to the calendar as time goes by, but the overall schedule is below:

10/10 - 10/12 - (Suite Key Required) - SPECTRE and SHADOW Conference
10/12 - 10/16 - Storyline & Quest Introduction
10/17 - 10/24 - Merchant Week
10/25 - 10/26 - Live Games
10/24 - 10/31 - Storyline & Quest Closing
10/30 - 11/2 - Luminary Festival

Announcements

Announcement 1 - [Official] October 2025 - Ebon Gate Announcements (Read-only Forum) is Live

Discord Message Link: Ebon Gate Announcements (Read-only Forum) is Live
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/25/2025

Join us once again as the Ebon Gates bring us to the distant Realm of Naidem where the Unliving reside in the town of Evermore Hollow.

Enjoy a variety of games, merchants, and more during this month-long festival that begins on Friday, October 10th at 9 PM Eastern, and closes on November 2nd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

Finer details will be added to the calendar as time goes by, but the overall schedule is below:

• 10/10 - 10/12 - (Suite Key Required) - SPECTRE and SHADOW Conference
• 10/12 - 10/16 - Storyline & Quest Introduction
• 10/17 - 10/24 - Merchant Week
• 10/22 - 11/1 - Trove Runs
• 10/25 - 10/26 - Live Games
• 10/24 - 10/31 - Storyline & Quest Closing
• 10/30 - 11/2 - Luminary Festival

Ticket Sales end on October 31st at approximately 11:55 PM EDT.

Discord Ebon Gate Channel opens approximately 9:00 PM EDT on September 26th.

Teasers will start on October 1st based on QC clearance.

You can follow our [[Ebon_Gate_Festival/saved_posts_2025|Saved Posts Page] on this Player Wiki.

Trove Information will be shared on the Saved Posts Page under TROVE, while Items and Current Raffles are usually found on the Ebon Gate Treasure Trove wiki page. Be kind to the players that keep this updated. The Trove will start on October 22nd and run through November 1st.

You can find the Live Games schedule on the player wiki as well as on the Gemstone Calendar. GHOUL and the Costume Contest should be posted soon.

We will make a major announcement when we are ready to provide details on this year's VAULT.

We will make every effort to quickly have the Shops Page up and live for you. Please give us time to get this going. Due to the number of shops, there will have to be two pages.

We should have the Shop List ready for you by Wednesday, October 1st.

Announcement 2 - Evermore Hollow Hotel Suite Keys and Opening Weekend Event

Discord Message Link: Evermore Hollow Hotel Suite Keys and Opening Weekend Event
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/26/2025

Greetings and welcome to the first of many posts regarding this year’s Ebon Gate Festival.  We are very excited to have you all join us again this year.  We have exciting new lore to drop, a variety of new materials, some exciting new items to offer, and storyline that has multiple quests attached to it.  We are even incredibly excited to test out the new QUEST system with our quests this year.

This first post is going to be about the Opening Weekend Hotel Event.

Last year, we trialed having entries to the Opening Weekend Hotel Event go out via hunting.  For some people it was incredibly exciting, for others it was the depths of anxiety inducing.

This year, we are trying something different.  Here are the details:

Opening Weekend Event

Total of 30 Suites will be available

It includes:

• 2-room Suite w. 1 key that can be split one-time after opening weekend for a guest
• Access to Guest Only Rooms
• Access to 3 private Alteration sessions (Guaranteeing 3 alterations)
• Access to Guest Only Roleplaying Event for the Weekend
• a Goodie Bag

Before the event, all guests will receive their weekend welcome package that will include their key and an invitation to the Conference taking place in the Hotel.  You will also be given a special item that provides you with access to the conference rooms and a schedule of events taking place as part of the conference.

How to Obtain one of these coveted Hotel Suite Rooms:

Via Raffle

5 will be raffled.  The raffles will be broken down like so:

• 2 Platinum Only Entries will be placed for raffle on Mist Harbor on October 2^nd, 2025
• 2 Premium Only Entries will be placed for raffle on Mist Harbor on October 3^rd, 2025
• 1 Prime will be placed in Zul Logoth, on October 4^th, 2025

Raffle Ticket Cost: 250,000 silvers a ticket.  These raffles will be set up shortly.  You do not need to be logged into the game to win.  You can only purchase one ticket per account.

Via SimuCoin Store

We will be releasing 5 Suites at a time through the SimuCoin Store and our release schedule is as follows:

•  9pm EDT on October 1, 2025
• Noon EDT on October 2, 2025
• 9am EDT on October 3, 2025
• Midnight EDT on October 4, 2025
• Noon EDT on October 5, 2025

We humbly ask that you keep this purchase to 1 per PLAYER.

You can join the discussion on our Forums.

You can see information on last year’s event on our Player Wiki.

Announcement 3 - Evermore Hollow Hotel Update

Discord Message Link: Evermore Hollow Hotel Update
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/26/2025

Oh, I’m sorry, did you think we were done with the Hotel? Not this year!

Starting this year, there will be non-suite stays available at the Evermore Hollow Hotel in Naidem!

Evermore Hollow Hotel Room

It includes:

• 1-room w. 1 key that can be split one time for a guest
• Access to Guest Only Rooms
• Access to 3 private Alteration Sessions (Maximum of 3 alterations per primary key holder)
• Access to 7-count Alteration Book

There will be 50 rooms available for purchase at a price point of for 5,000 simucoins.

We will be releasing 10 rooms at a time through the SimuCoin Store and our release schedule is as follows:

• 9pm EDT on October 1, 2025
• Noon EDT on October 2, 2025
• 9am EDT on October 3, 2025
• Midnight EDT on October 4, 2025
• Noon EDT on October 5, 2025

Discord Discussion Folder
Discord Announcement

Announcement 3 - Service Pass and Merchant Week

Discord Message Link: Service Pass and Merchant Week
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/26/2025

This will be our last announcement for tonight and it will be a bit lengthy. So hold onto your cauldron, broom, or whatever spooky thing you can find and get ready for a lot of information!

This year, Ebon Gate’s Merchant Week is being broken down into the following parts to help make it easier for folks to understand and obtain the services that they want:

Merchant Weekend – Returning to the Frenzy of Yore

Starting at noon EDT on Friday, October 17th and continuing through noon EDT on Monday, October 20th, this 72-hour period will see the heaviest offerings of merchant work. It will be restricted to the following offerings:

• General Alterations
• Item Customization (see Item Customization Below)
• Feature Alterations (see Feature Alterations Below)
• Tattoos
• Shop Specific Merchant Work

Continuing from noon EDT on Monday, October 20th until 9pm EDT on Friday, October 24th, merchant week will slow down and have the following offerings:

• General Alterations
• Item Customization (see Item Customization Below)
• Feature Alterations (see Feature Alterations Below)
• Tattoos
• Lightening and Deepening will now be offered

After noon on Monday the 20th of October, you’ll no longer see Shop Specific Alteration sessions, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t still get those items. The exclusive sessions just won’t be around anymore, this will open up more opportunities to more attendees.

During this time, fishhooks will start appearing. What is a fishhook? A fishhook is a mundane item that floats around on the ground of Evermore Hollow. When you GET the fishhook, it will transport you to a one-on-one session with a merchant in a special merchant room. Fishhooks can take on many forms.

At Ebon Gate, we are updating and modifying what we consider a full alteration and what we are charging for these things. Some examples are:

• General Alterations will always be for Silvers. The cost may range, depending on what is being done, from 25,000 – 100,000 silvers.
• General Alterations can include anything quantified at GALD as well as item customization.
• Feature Alterations will be for soul shards. The cost will be 200 soul shards, but each feature alterer will handle ONE FULL LINE of a feature. See more below.
• Tattoo services will also range from 50,000 – 100,000 silvers depending on the type of service.

Feature Alterations at Ebon Gate

All feature alterations must adhere to ALTER RULE 200.
One Line of a Feature includes:

• Eyes and Complexion OR
• Hair Style, Hair Texture, Hair Color, Hair Quirk OR
• Face, Nose, and Distinguishing Mark OR
• Unique Feature Line

Feature Alterers at Ebon Gate will not be allowed to modify the following features: Height, Body, Wings, Wing Quirks

Wherever possible, we’ve updated offerings so that Unlocks can be obtained Off-the-shelf. This means that there will be fewer and fewer merchants offering unlocking services. We will also not have services that are restricted to your membership status or items that only certain members can obtain (for example: premium transport items).

Raffles – Whenever possible, raffles will not require you to be logged into the game. There are exceptions, for example: Raffles for a service that are done live, Raffles for Contest Participation (Group Basket Alterations are a good example of this), Raffles for Changes to a One-time offering (Puppy Raffles are a good example of this), etc.

We will make every effort to keep raffle tickets concise in their wording. Please remember, we are on the third year of the new RAFFLE system and use of the new RAFFLE verb. This verb will allow you to see all raffles you are currently logged into, but it will also list all nearby raffles and you can read a raffle ticket from afar.

Don’t forget to get your Guidebook to the Unliving, too, as this will also list all raffles.

We are also taking a different approach with the service pass this year, the primary one being some guarantees. Here’s what that means:

Every person with a service pass is guaranteed a set number of services that do not include raffle wins or trove items.

We are doing this by changing the pass to work as follows:

It is getting a name change and will instead be called a festival flier. Here’s what your festival flier provides you with:

• Max 15 Live Services
• Access to all raffles
• Access to all trove offerings
• Access to GHOUL
• Access to Live Games
• Access to the Soul Shards Auction (No, we do not have details to share yet)

TEAR turns the flier into an Alteration book OR roleplaying orb. If you obtain the alter book, then it provides you with ten uses. However, if for some reason you were not able to obtain 15 services during the festival, the difference will be added as uses to your alteration book.

What does this mean? If you work really hard during the festival to obtain services but only manage to get 5 live services, then your alteration book will be changed from 10 uses to 20 uses. If you obtain zero live services, then your book is updated to 25 uses.

Not only that, but we are updating the alteration books (more info to follow) so that you can TEAR a page from it, sacrificing a use, to create either a lightening or deepening note.

We are also changing the cost of the Service Pass from 3,000 simucoins to 2,000 simucoins. And the service pass will be offered either solo or as part of the Vault Item (still being offered at 6,000 silmucoins. The service pass will replace the other simucoin items that usually appear in a vault.

Speaking of the Vault, this year’s item (not ready to be discussed) will be a multi-year improvement item. What this means is that we will have a set of available options for it this year and more options for it next year. Not only that, but you aren’t limited to obtaining a second one in year 2.

So, this year vaults will include:

• Two 25-entry keys,
• Two 25-entry cubes,
• Service Pass,
• Special item,
• A death certificate (+50% exp for 30 days),
• Locus oil,

Expires at the end of the event.

I know some of you are wondering, why is the service pass changing to have a maximum limit on the service pass? The answer is simple. Fairness. We’ve been tracking how many service pass holders get alterations during merchant week, and for the few the numbers look amazing, but for the many, they don’t. Here’s some numbers that I can share with you:

18.5% of all service pass purchasers last year did not get a single service. While this is likely because some folks purchased the pass either for the RPA or raffle entries, its still looks bad. However, we are going to exclude that group of zero percenters to work on those that actually obtained services.

52.9% of all service pass purchasers (excluding our zero percenters group) obtained 1 to 10 services.

29.2% of all service pass purchasers (excluding our zero percenters group) obtained at 11 - 20 services.

Leaving 17.8% of service pass holders with anywhere from 21 – 50+ services.

We are hoping that these changes will allow everyone that purchases a pass to feel like their pass was worth the purchase.

Forum Discussion

Announcement 4 - FAQ

We are going to use this space to keep a running list of answers to important questions.

Answers to a few pending questions:

• Purchasing the Vault works as it always has, the person opening it is the one it attunes to.
• Your Service Pass is not attuned until you REDEEM it. Once you do, TEAR attunes the item to you.
• Yes, the Alteration Books are attuned. NO, they do not attune the items that they work on.
• Yes, you can purchase more than one Service Pass on an account. * You can only REDEEM it on one character.
• Sonreeva, yes, the thumb ring should be good to go right off the bat. We are double checking that.
• Sonreeva, no, there are not any changes to it this year.
• When will the Soul Shard Auction be? Sunday, November 2nd, 2025 at 1pm EDT

Announcent 5 - Shop List

Discord Message Link: 2025 Ebon Gate Shop List
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/29/2024

New Shops!

Naidem is happy to announce its newest shops opening in the various neighborhoods around Evermore Hollow and Bittermere Woods.  They are:

• Chapel of Fading Moments
• Cloak and Mirrors
• Cutting a Figure
• Domicile of the Shapers
• Don't Bug Me
• Eaux de Joy
• Jolly Jinglers
• Neither Here Nor There
• Scales and Shadows
• Sockpuppetry
• Something Borrowed
• Sparked Interest
• Stillwater Timber
• Symbolization
• The Unholy Chapel
• Threads of the Widow
• Twisted Hovel
• Twisted Infusions

Shop Updates!

Several shops have had new additions or unlock certificates added to them.  They are:

• Four Humours, The
• Old Ossuary, The
• Shadowplay
• Sounds Beyond
• Twisted Glory
• Twisted Lodge, The
• Twisted Ways
• Uncouth Wallflower, The
• Whispering Pages
• Witching Flower, The

All of last year's shops will also be returning.  You can see them here at Shop List 1 and Shop List 2 on the Player Wiki.

Join the discussion on Discord!

Live Games

Live Games 1 - Schedule

Discord Message Link: Live Games Schedule
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/28/2025

Join us for a host of live games during the Ebon Gate Festival. The primary schedule is as follows:

• Monday, October 13, 2025 - 2pm EDT - GHOUL!
• Thursday, October 16, 2025 - 7pm EDT - GHOUL!
• Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - all day - Pre-Registration for the Costume Contest
• Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 1pm EDT - Wheel of Misfortune
• Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 9pm EDT - Cryptic Chronicles
• Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 10:30 pm EDT - GHOUL!
• Sunday, October 26, 2025 - 11am EDT - Haunted Spirits
• Sunday, October 26, 2025 - 3pm EDT - Spooky Ciphers
• Sunday, October 26, 2025 - 5pm EDT - Costume Contest
• Sunday, October 26, 2025 - 8pm EDT - GHOUL!
• Friday, October 31, 2025 - 10pm EDT - GHOUL!

Please follow the Gemstone Calendar to keep up to date on any changes.
Please visit the LIVE GAMES page for 2025 on the player wiki.

Live Games 2 - COSTUME CONTEST: BUG OUT WITH US!

Discord Message Link: Costume Contest
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/28/2025

COSTUME CONTEST: BUG OUT WITH US!

Get ready to crawl, buzz, scuttle, or flutter into the spotlight! Everyone is welcome to join the fun or simply come admire the wild creativity of your fellow players.

Our judges will be on the lookout for:

• Most Creative
• Most Original
• Funniest
• Spookiest
• Best Couple

The rules are simple, but do not let their simplicity fool you. Failure to follow them will affect your overall score.

RULES

• Your costume presentation can be no longer than 5 minutes. We will be timing you, so watch your pacing!
• Props, bystanders (with their permission), fancy scripts, and buggy antics are all fair game, but do not forget Rule #1.
• HAVE FUN!
• Do not forget to light your votive (just kidding)

So shake out your wings, sharpen those pincers, and get ready to shine. This contest is going to be un-bee-lievable!

Don't forget to pre-register for this event throughout the day on Wednesday, October 22nd. Announcements will be made throughout the day.

Wiki Page: Costume Contest

Live Games 3 - GHOUL

Discord Message Link: GHOUL!
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/28/2025

Join us for GHOUL! GHOUL is a game similar to BINGO created by GM Zythica and introduced at the 2015 Ebon Gate Festival in Feywrot Mire. It was originally hosted by Master Boring, and Goblyn took over the hosting duties in 2017. It has become a regular live game event during Ebon Gate in both Caligos Isle and Evermore Hollow.

Live Games 4 - LIVE GAMES

Discord Message Link: GHOUL!
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/28/2025

Wheel of Misfortune

The Wheel of Misfortune is a dagger-tossing game of chance! It will be held below Gallivant Manor in [Under the Manor] (8085066). A volunteer will be strapped to a board, and while they are spinning, a contestant will TOSS BOARD. Each contestant will get 5 tosses. Each toss scores points dependent on the location. After 5 tosses, the huckster will yell out your total score. Top 2 scorers will win prizes. In the case of a tie, the top scorers will go again until there is a clear 1st and 2nd place.

Cryptic Chronicles

Welcome to Cryptic Chronicles, a game of graverubbings and storytelling! At the start of the event, a sign-up list will be available. Those wishing to participate should JOIN (LIST) when it is opened; only the first ten (10) to sign up will be able to participate. Ten minutes before their turn, the contestant will be given a blank slip of graverubbing paper. They will RUB (PAPER NOUN) ON (GRAVE NOUN). This will generate a graverubbing, and they can LOOK at the paper and/or READ it to get information. Contestant should then craft a spooky story, poem, or other unique work based on the graverubbing. They will have then five (5) minutes to tell their story, which must be spooky and related to the graverubbing. They will be judged on Content, Style and Flair, Theme, and Time Management. When it is their turn, the contestant shall give the game runner their paper, so the judges can see for themselves what the prompt was (if the contestant wishes it for a souvenir, they can request it back after the judges read it).

Location: This year's Cryptic Chronicles will be held in the [Abandoned Cemetery] (8085034) on the Gallivant Manor grounds. Once there, you can LOOK MARKERS and LOOK SITES to see the different gravestones that will be available for the contestants to choose.

Haunted Spirits

Haunted Spirits is a creepy, mixed drink game! An hour before the start of the event, the containers in [Gallivant Manor, Kitchen] (8085062) will be opened, so players can see the this year's ingredients. Only ten contestants can participate, so a sign-up list will be posted at the start of the event. You must create a drink using at least 4 of the supplied ingredients. You can also use water for free and one ingredient of your own choosing. Plus, you will also draw a special item that you must incorporate in. You will draw this 10 minutes before your turn starts.

When it is your turn, you will have five minutes to make your drink. You do this using ACTs and other RP verbs, speaking, etc. Judging will be done by NPCs on the four categories of Time Mgmt, Theme, Style and Flair, Content.

Spooky Ciphers

Spooky Ciphers will take place in [Gallivant Manor, Library] (8085065). Your hosts will read out a word that may be a little mixed up, different, or spooky! It is your job to decipher it first. First person to decipher it wins a point. The game continues through ten anagrams or one hour. The contestants with the two highest scores win the game and get prizes.

Shop Teasers

Teaser 1 -

Discord Message Link: [ ]
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Trove

Trove Announcement 1

Discord Message Link: [ ]
Author:
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