Ebon Gate Festival/saved posts 2023

General Information

Discord Message Link: [1]
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 12/9/2022

2023 Ebon Gate Dates
9/29 - 10/6 - Platinum Live Games, Storyline & Quest Introduction
10/6 - 10/13 - Prime Live Games, Platinum Merchant Week
10/13 - 10/20 - Prime Merchant Week
10/22 - 10/27 - Storyline & Quest Closing
10/27 - 10/29 - TBA
10/30 - 10/31 - Unmanned

Announcement 1 - Custom Contest

Discord Message Link: Costume Contest & Storyline Launch
Author: GM Elysani
Date: 9/15/2023

Hello everyone! This year's Ebon Gate costume contest will be held earlier than usual - Saturday, September 30th at 9:30pm EST. Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun, or come to admire the creativity of your fellow players!

In addition, this year's costume contest takes place at a ball that will kick off our Ebon Gate storyline, so you may want to come on by!

We will be judging the following categories: Most Creative, Most Original, Funniest, Spookiest, and Best Couple.

The Rules are simple, but please be aware that failure to follow them will affect your overall score.

1. Your costume presentation can be no longer than 5 minutes. We will be timing you, so please be aware of your pacing!
2. You can use any number of props, bystanders (with their permission), fancy scripts, etc., but remember Rule #1.
3. HAVE FUN!
4. Don't forget to light your votive.

Announcement 2 Shop List

Discord Message Link: Shop List
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/15/2023

Reopening Shops	Updated or Altered Shops	New Shops
A. B. Witching	Flightless Dragonfly	Beneath the Philtrum
Adorned Endearment	Illusory Dreams	Borrowed Plumes
All Dogs Go To Naidem	Within Harm's Reach	Dancing Death Dirge, The
All Fingers and No Crumbs		Diabolically Chained
Any Way You Wand It		Discerning Stitch
Armaments of the Destroyer		Drowned Dreams Curiousities *
Art of the Drapery, The		Elemental Establishments
Beyond the Graver		Entranced
Blood Red Hand, The		Fancy Wishbones
Both Sides Now		Glass House, The
Buckle Up		Haunted Waters Artifacts *
Burning Desire, A		Imprinter's Studio, The
Cloaked Eclipse, The		Lacquered Ungues
Collectors Calamity		Market Makers
Conjured Couture		Nightfire Brews
Cooktop Conundrums		Peace of Mind
Covert Creatures		Sizzle and Spice
Cozy Little Friends		Sleightest Hand
Derelict Abbey		Spider Johnn's Tin Smoke Box
Don't Bug Me!		Tooth and Claw
Ember Ridge Candy Apple Shop		Twisted Ways
Ember Ridge Cider House		Vague Inkling, A *
Familar Phantom, The		Winning Shriek
Farain's Shack
Fiendish Phantomes
Filigree and Whorls
Final Iteration, The
Flasked with a Purpose
Four Humours, The
Ghastly Groceries
Ghostly Lotus, The
Glisten and Gleam
Gnome Depot, The
Goblin King Dolls
Gouged Heart, The
House of Twilight
Icewild Hall
In the Bag
Innoscents Lost
Ironmonger's Smithy
Its to Pie For
Kreapy's Krawliez
Luck of the Draw
Masqued Intentions
Materials Maketh Man
Minaret, The
Moorlyn Cottage
Name of Thrones
Nana's Notes
Nether and Void
Other Daughter
Pierced Veil
Preserving Breads
Rack 'Em Up
Rodnir's Bait and Tackle
Roof Over, The
Rub-a-Dub-Dub
Shadowplay
Sheets Gone Wild
Smoldereye Lodge
Stay Tuned
Templeton Shor'toes' Sugars
Tippy Toes
Two-Headed Dog, The
Uncouth Wallflower, The
Vamped Vault, The
Wild Flalings
Witch's Garden, The
Witching Flower, The
Witching House, The

Announcement 3 - Eternal Weddings - Delayed

Discord Message Link: Eternal Weddings Delayed
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 09/15/2023

[Ebon Gate] Eternal Weddings

This year has been exceedingly busy and packed. Unfortunately, that means that we need to postpone an item every now and again. It is with regret that I announce that Eternal Weddings is going to be delayed.

However, we will release the Naidem Wedding Glade and will also place all previous wedding packages on sale. This includes all tiers of the Chapel, Cathedral, and Wavedancer wedding package, all verbs add slips, and annulments.

While we realize that this is a disappointment for many, we hope that you will understand that we want everything to be as clean as possible, and it would simply be impossible to guarantee that at this time.

We hope to release the Eternal Wedding package in the near future and will allow its purchase outside of Ebon Gate, though we don't have an exact date at this time.

Thank you for your understanding.

Announcement 4 - Return of the Trove

Discord Message Link: Return of the Trove
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 09/18/2023

Return of the Trove
This year, the Treasure Trove will be returning but with a somewhat new look.

Here are the changes:

• You need a service pass to get into Gravelsdown Hall.
• The Attendant will now sell trove tokens for 100,000 silvers.
• Each token is worth a single entry into one of the troves.
• You may only use one token per drawing per trove.
• Each trove in Gravelsdown Hall will draw once a day.
• Gravelsdown Hall will have FOUR troves running.

Here is what is staying the same:

• You will still have 24-hours to claim your win.
• The trove will still display 4 preview items, while one is being raffled.
• All items put in the trove will go out.

What will be in the Trove this year?

• Delayed Service items that would normally be seen in raffles will go through the Trove.
• One room will be dedicated to Treasure items.

We are still finalizing our lists and treasures, but we will provide a list for everyone so that they are aware.

Lastly, A Roof Over is getting a second room with a trove in it. We will be offering Private Property items that are rare there in this particular trove. If you do not have a Private Property that qualifies, you can not get in. These offerings include the following:

• Mail Boxes
• Room Add
• Workshop
• Shrine
• And a few other items.

Due to the nature of these items, MCP properties do not qualify.

Delayed Services in the Trove:

• All delayed services will be tied to a token that is placed in the Trove.
• While the token will be listed in DELAYED, it does not list who is getting the service until they REDEEM the token.
• This means that the winner does not have to be the redeemer.

Announcement 5 - General Pricing Adjustments

Discord Message Link: General Pricing Adjustments
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 09/20/2023

For example, dyes used to cost a different price at Rings of Lumnis, Rumor Woods, Duskruin, and Ebon Gate. With Rumor Woods, we matched up the pricing so that things were more in-line and there was less guess work.

We will be going through and doing the same thing with Ebon Gate.

Those items that are consumable and have charges will be increased to the fee set at Rumor Woods and Duskruin.

One other thing that I wanted to talk about is all of the “-inators.” These items hold typically between 24-30 unique items that can stack unlimitedly and are weightless. I’ve been underselling their value and under-evaluating their price for what they do. As a result, all “-inators” at all events will be increased to a flat 1,000 (event currency). Those that have unlocks will not see an increase in their unlock certificates.

I realize that many of you may have some reactions that are strong to this information. However, I ask that you please be patient. Nothing will be raised to gouging levels and will still be reasonably priced. Some things just need an uptick.

Teaser 1 - Eyes of the Arkati

Discord Message Link: Eyes of the Arkati
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 09/16/2023

You analyze your flimsy violet disks and sense that the creator has provided the following information:

Eyes of the Arkati

These disks are designed to be worn over the eyes, where they will safely hide from view. However, while worn they will, every 8 - 12 hours, provide a random vision. They can also help you slip into a trance, and you can even trigger a vision on your own.

GAZE: Trigger a Minor Vision
STARE: Triggers a Major Vision once every hour.
WHISPER disks START: Causes you to slip into a trance.
WHISPER disks STOP: Causes you to come out of a trance.

Additional verbs can be used to do special messaging while in a trance.
Verbs: Blanch, Breathe, Cry, Gaze, Grin, Laugh, Point, Stare, Whisper

The disks are Tier 2 out of 2.

Since the disks do not appear, even when manipulating them with the above verbs, there aren't any customizations available for them. However, you can change the deity or energy they are aligned to.
Attunement: Zelia

> wear disk
Opening your eyes terribly wide, you carefully fit the flimsy violet disks over your irises and then blink several times while they settle into place. A milky film spreads across your vision for a brief moment but slowly seeps away, and your vision returns to normal.

>whisper my disk start
You silently slip into a deep trance, your body stilling and your breath slowing.

> look PERSON

You see Person.
She appears to be an Aelotoi.
She is very short and has a petite frame. She appears to be very young. She has starburst-striated winter grey eyes and freckle-dusted skin. She has long, wavy coppery red hair drawn back by multiple knitted hairties, exposing a clean-shaven scalp on either side. She has a pert nose. Her lengthy nails are brushed with gradated gold polish patterned in green jade chevron. She has a pair of russet-painted wings.
Her features appear slack, her eyes covered in a milky white film as she stares transfixed at something in the distance.

(The above is NOT a temporary feature.)

While under the effect of a trance, you provide ambient messaging about being in the trance. It fires every 20 seconds. It reminds you how to get out of the trance, though others do not see that information.

You are still under the effect of your most recent trance. To exit the trance, WHISPER disks STOP.
You distantly feel the flutter of your lashes against your cheek, though you know your eyes remain wide and unseeing. Your limbs remain heavy from the deep trance you find yourself in.

You also have access to a series of verbs while in the trance. For example:

>blanch disk
A fleeting ripple of fear grips you, momentarily causing the blood to drain from your face before the lassitude of your trance reclaims your emotionless state.

>grin disk
A smile slowly builds upon your face as your eyes grow distant and you fall into a deep trance.

>whisper disk stop
Slowly, you feel yourself returning to your body, and you feel a prickling of pins and needles upon your limp limbs. You blink several times and feel as if you are struggling through thick layers of cobwebs before your vision finally returns to normal.

While under the effects of a trance, you can not cast or attack or eat or a number of other minor things.

Minor Visions

There are ten sets of minor visions that have over 900 possible combinations. I utilized the TATTOO table to build the combinations. An example of a minor vision, which is available at Tier 1, is:

If NOT in a trance, this is what you may see:

>gaze my disk
Focusing upon Zelia, you gaze through the disks in your eyes, and the image of <something> appears before you.

If IN a trance, this is what you may see:

You gaze about without any true recognition of where you are as the heavy malaise of your trance causes your features to remain slack and your limbs to feel heavy. After a time, your vision changes...

Music fills the air, the sound of a party drifting to you as you gaze out upon the balcony onto a sprawling city that is in the throes of a celebration. Just as you turn to head inside, the sound of fireworks explodes behind you, and you glance up to see <item> burst across the sky in a colorful pageantry of light.

Some visions have more than one random component.

You may trigger a minor trance anytime that you desire.

Major Visions

Major visions come in sets of 15 and are much larger visions. They provide a location and can have as many as 7 random components. They are limited to one per hour.

An example of what you might see is:

Concentrating on your connection to Zelia, you stare through the flimsy violet disks that cover your eyes, causing a vision to blossom to life before you...

As your vision clears, you find yourself on your hands and knees, crawling through the hot desert. Parched and exhausted, you contemplate giving up, your swollen tongue filled with sand and the taste of blood from your cracked lips. Each movement causes your sunburned muscles to scream in protest as you continue to crawl through the sand.

Time has no meaning, the endless hours stretching before you as heat causes the air around you to waver. You find yourself staring at something green beneath your fingers and glance up numbly to see you've stumbled upon an oasis. Hope fills your body with adrenaline, and you surge to the edge of a pool, nearly choking as you suck water into your body.

Sated, you roll to your back to find <random animal> beside you and stumble back, accidentally putting your hand through an old skull where <random creature> has made its home.

Lastly, upon wearing the disks a random timer goes on you. Once the timer is up, a RANDOM vision takes place. There is a 33% chance it will be a major vision, otherwise, it will be a minor vision.

QA

• Major Visions

1. 15 Location Settings that you will see
2. 2 - 7 random options within each setting
3. Random Options have anywhere from 15 - 100 individual options
4. The Largest Major Vision Variety is in the Tropical and Snow Visions
5. Some visions offer advice or hold conversations

• Minor Visions

1. These are usually no larger than a sentence or two.
2. These have 1 - 2 random options.
3. Each option choice cycles through the Tattoo table and provides over 900 choices.

• Wearing the disks

1. They are hidden in your inventory.
2. Only you can see the disks on you.

• Arkati Choices?

1. Gosaena
2. Zelia
3. Jastev
4. Lorminstra
5. Psychic Energy

• Can the choices of Arkati/Energy be customized?

1. Yes, you can change it to any Arkati.
2. Yes, as long as it makes sense, you can change it to a different type of energy.

All disks & unlocks will be available Off the Shelf in the shop Entranced.

Teaser 2 - Lacquered Ungues

Discord Message Link: Lacquered Ungues
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 09/20/2023

Located in a hut in Fate’s Holding, Lacquered Ungues is a shop that sells... Yep! You guessed it! Nail polish.
Some of the designs you will see are:
She has a burnt umber sheen brushed onto her short but shapely fingernails.
She has a matte dark teal finish brushed onto her squared fingernails.
She has an oil-sheened coppery violet lacquer brushed onto her rounded fingernails.
She has a gradient plum-to-ebon sheen brushed onto her square-shaped fingernails.

This shop also houses a nail polish case.
>l my case
Lined with suede pockets, the case has glass sides that allow the contents to be clearly seen. Nestled within, you see...

1. a burnt umber bottle (a burnt umber sheen) (1 piece)
2. a matte dark teal bottle (a matte dark teal finish) (1 piece)
3. a coppery green bottle (an oil-slicked coppery green lacquer) (1 piece)
4. an aubergine cat's eye bottle (a cat's eye-banded aubergine sheen) (1 piece, which is ready for plucking)

Teaser 3 - Lip Gloss by Naidem

Discord Message Link: Lip Gloss by Naidem
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 09/21/2023

So, I realize now that this is probably V3 or V4, but I didn't realize it when I made it. The good news is that it is completely unique and the permifier will be allowed to make it permanent. Let me provide you with the analyze and then I'll sure a few things:

> a round jar of dark espresso gloss

You analyze your dark espresso gloss and sense that the creator has provided the following information:

Lip Gloss by Naidem
Utilizing this gloss, you can apply four hours of lip gloss to your lips. Once you do, it will provide you with a few verbs for manipulating your lips.

You may alter the colors and the shape that this gloss will provide to your lips:
Color 1: dark espresso
Color 2: amber
Lip Shape: heart-shaped

You may use TURN to change the designs that can be applied to your lips. Those designs are:

1. She has a finish of dark espresso darkening her heart-shaped lips with a glossy amber band gracing both lips beneath her philtrum.
2. She has a finish of amber darkening her heart-shaped lips with a glossy dark espresso band gracing both lips beneath her philtrum.
3. She has a stain of dark espresso pigment upon her heart-shaped lips that is accented by a glossy overlay.
4. She has a stain of amber pigment upon her heart-shaped lips that is accented by a glossy overlay.
5. Her heart-shaped lips bear the glossy sheen of dark espresso.
6. Her heart-shaped lips bear the glossy sheen of amber.
7. She has an outline of dark espresso on her heart-shaped lips which are stained in amber.
8. She has an outline of amber on her heart-shaped lips which are stained in dark espresso.
9. She has the subtle hint of dark espresso pigment upon her heart-shaped lips.
10. She has the subtle hint of amber pigment upon her heart-shaped lips.

A round jar of dark espresso gloss is currently set to produce design 7 when applied.

The lip gloss actually works the same as the illusion props do.

> wear my gloss
Drawing a small brush from a compartment along the side of a round jar of dark espresso gloss, you open one side of the gloss and add pigment to the brush before carefully applying it to your lips.

You see GameMaster Thandiwe
She appears to be an Aelotoi.
She is very short and has a petite frame. She appears to be very young. She has starburst-striated winter grey eyes and freckle-dusted skin. She has long, wavy coppery red hair drawn back by multiple knitted hairties, exposing a clean-shaven scalp on either side. She has a pert nose. Her lengthy nails are brushed with gradated gold polish patterned in green jade chevron. She has a pair of russet-painted wings.
She has an outline of dark espresso-hued on her heart-shaped lips which are stained in amber.

> analyze my lips
You analyze your heart-shaped lips and sense that the creator has provided the following information:

You currently have lip gloss on your lips and as such are able to manipulate your lips in the following way: LICK, PONDER, RUB, and SMIRK.

ponder my lips
You lightly toy with your lower lip, your fingers gliding over the pigment there as you contemplate your next move.

> smirk my lips
You subtly lift the top left corner of your painted upper lip, offering the barest hint of a smirk.

> lick my lips
You coyly draw the point of your upper lip into your mouth, allowing just the tip of your tongue to trace the flesh.

Teaser 4 - The Imprinter's Studio (Shop)

Discord Message Link: Shop Teaser - The Imprinter's Studio
Author: GM Meraki
Date: 09/22/2023

The time has come for a new shop teaser. Those who seek out the house that contains the Imprinter's Studio will find an agara-fae artist, ready to perform a service for a small fee.

>read sign
In the Common language, it reads:

Welcome to The Imprinter's Studio!

You may ASK the available artist for HELP if you have questions about:
 SERVICE - to receive a summary of the process.
 FEE - to inquire about the cost of the service.
 PANEL - to have your item validated.

You may TELL the available artist to:
 BEGIN - when you are ready to start posing.
 MORE/LESS - to capture more or less of your features.

Please note that service will not conclude until you GIVE the artist your valid item to complete the imprint.

What service is provided, you might ASK?

>ask artist about service
The agara-fae artist says, "I can take your basic or locked portrait dreamfire panel and imprint a portrait with your likeness in it.  This will convert a basic dreamfire panel into a locked portrait panel containing an imprint of your chosen pose.  To begin the process, tell me to begin.  Once you have chosen a pose, you will give your item to me and I will imprint your pose and likeness onto your item for a fee.  This service costs 60 soul shards to convert and imprint a basic panel or 12 soul shards to re-imprint a previously converted panel."

See additional posts in this thread for more details.