SPECTRE and SHADOW Conference (storyline)/saved posts

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General Information

Teaser Announcement

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1286874245766447124
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 09/20/2024

Evermore Hollow’s Hotel

This year, Evermore Hollow’s premiere hotel is hosting a conference of the SPECTRE and SHADOW organization. Guests are coming from far and wide to gather within the hotel’s newest rooms.

Select guests will get to stay in the hotel in one of their recently renovated hotel suites and take part in the conference, allowing them the opportunity to visit the attic, library, ballroom, kitchen, dining room, sitting room, and ride in the lifts.

Starting this weekend, ten invitations will go out via the feeder system. These invitations will grant you access to the conference and much more.

Starting on October 1st, 20 invitations will go on sale. We will release a few each day and at a variety of days and times.

Please join us at our Discord Post or on our Ebon Gate Saved Posts page on the Player Wiki to review our Q & A about this exciting announcement.

Questions & Answers

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1286874245766447124
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 09/20/2024

Question – What is SPECTRE and SHADOW?
Answer - SPECTRE and SHADOW are a series of acronyms. They stand for:

Sorcerers, Practitioners, Enchanters, Conjurers, Thaumaturges, Researchers, and Evokers
Seers, Hypnotists, Astrologers, Diviners, Occultists, Witches

Question – What does the conference entail?
Answer – The conference begins on opening night of the Ebon Gate Festival in Naidem. Guests are encouraged to arrive at the hotel starting at 10:30 pm EDT, and throughout the evening into the night. The conference has a full schedule, which I’m happy to share here:

Event Schedule:
Day of the Huntress
Welcome Reception: A light affair and social hour where you can mingle with fellow attendees before retiring to your rooms. Feastday
Breakfast: Start your day with a delightful breakfast while meeting other guests.
Morning Workshops: Engage in workshops led by our esteemed speakers.
Lunch: Enjoy a leisurely lunch with fellow practitioners.
Afternoon Sessions: Attend presentations and discussions on the latest in magical research and practices.
Grand Masquerade Ball: The highlight of the event, featuring a sumptuous dinner served small-plates style and an evening of dance and mystery.
Restday:
Farewell Brunch: Conclude the convention with a delightful brunch and final opportunities to connect with new friends.

Question – What do I get for participating?
Answer – 30 adventurers will get to take part in a unique weekend long RP event, obtain a key to a 2-room suite within the hotel, as well as some goodies! Here’s just a few things for you to consider:

Opening Gift – Invitation to the SPECTRE and SHADOW conference, a key to the 2-room hotel suite, 3 opportunities for a private merchant session, access to restricted rooms in the hotel (your key allows you entry), and a fully unlocked Naidem Mask.

Weekend Event Items – Access to the individual conference panels and workshops, access to 3 merchant sessions, a Grand Masquerade Ball, and multiple meals.

Closing Gift – The ability to SPLIT your key into two so that a friend can stay with you in the hotel, allowing them access to it after the opening weekend, a 5-count alteration book, a 25-count event booklet (key), and a few other goodies that we’d like to keep a surprise.

Question – Can you explain the splitting of the key?
Answer – Of course! Sunday, October 6, 2024, you can SPLIT your key. This second key can be given to one friend. For the remainder of the Ebon Gate 2024 run, your friend can join you in your hotel room. At the end of this year's run, the key becomes a souvenir but no longer provides access to the hotel.

Question – What should we be looking for?
Answer – Much like the Taffy Quest, the Map Quest, the Caligos Advertisement Scrolls, and the Crows Quest from Ebon Gate of yore, the item will be in the feeders and you’ll be able to open it. There’s a chance that an embossed leather luggage tag will stay behind. This is your prize into the event.

Question – How do we get our key? Is it in the feeders?
Answer – Your key will be delivered to you through the player mail. As will each goodie bag leading up to and after the event.

Question – Should I plan to be available for the whole weekend?
Answer – Yes! We’ve packed it full of roleplaying and individual merchant time. But we also have a schedule that can be viewed as soon as you either win or purchase your hotel room.

Question - If I wanted to purchase this, what would it cost?
Answer - 15,000 SimuCoins

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1286874245766447124/1287053676669833236
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 09/20/2024

Question – What are the actual days of this special event, should you get a ticket?
Answer – Opening Weekend, 10:30 pm on October 4th, 2024, to approximately 3ish on October 6th.

Question - When do the invitations become available in the feeder?
Answer – I’m aiming for tomorrow morning. An announcement will go out.

Question – How will the sales be done?
Answer – Starting on October 1st, each day until EG opens the store will have a small batch of available tickets for sale. They will go on sale at various times to ensure that we spread out the availability and opportunities.

Question - Are loot capped characters able to find the invitations, or is this predicated on not being loot capped?
Answer – This is a special thing and shouldn’t be affected by loot cap.

Question – Is the key attuned? Could I find it on one character but let another character use it?
Answer – “a gold-inked ebon vellum envelope” is going in the feeders. When you open it, there will be either “an embossed leather luggage tag” OR "a raven feather" inside. When you GET the tag, it sticks around and transforms into another item. If you get the raven feather, then it does some messaging and leaves behind a small memento. This memento is a non-scripted thing.

Question – Is this replacing the EG Storyline RP?
Answer – Absolutely not! We are excited for this year’s storyline, titled: The Ivsenra's Fate. The storyline will start once the weekend is over.

Additional Notes:

  • Free2Play Accounts can not win this ticket or generate the item.
  • Loot Cap does not affect this.
  • There is approximately a 12% chance to find an envelope.
  • The moment you open the envelope is the moment its contents are decided. If you do not want to win the hotel visit, do not open the envelope.

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1151877347318956053/1287519985689694218
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 09/22/2024

[Ebon Gate] Hotel at Evermore Hollow
We wanted to post an update to this event. Given that we have concerns about the prize going out and folks being hampered by Loot Cap, we've decided to not start the ones going out into the feeder until October 1st. The moment that they go live, we will announce so that folks can head out to try their hand at winning one.

Thank you for your understanding.

Updates

Hotel Finding Adjustments

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1151877347318956053/1288562714339311729
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/25/2024

[Ebon Gate] - Hotel Finding Adjustments

We've decided to make the following changes to the Hotel Key lottery:
  • CLAIM will have 1 envelope in it starting on October 1st. It will be available until October 3rd. You may CLAIM once per account.
  • On October 1st, only creatures that generate boxes will have an opportunity to discover an envelope.
  • On October 1st, 5 keys to the hotel will be sold at roughly 3pm and then another 5 at 9pm.
  • On October 2nd, 5 keys will be sold at roughly 3pm and then another 5 at 9pm.
  • Hotel Stays attune, this includes those sold in the SimuCoin store. Those found in envelopes attune upon opening the envelope.
  • Do not purchase a Hotel Stay if you intend on reselling it, that isn't an option.
  • Do not open an envelope if you intend on reselling it, that isn't an option.

Hotel Stay Contest Begins!

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1151877347318956053/1290532582429036565
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 9/30/2024

Hotel Stay Contest Begins!
Starting at 1am on October 1, 2024, treasure chests across Elanthia will have a chance to produce a gold-inked ebon vellum envelope.

Upon opening the envelope, you will have a chance to find one of ten luggage tags.

Here are some important things to remember:

  • Do not open the envelope if you do not want to win the hotel stay. Instead, wait until we announce that all ten have been found and then open your envelope for a small token.
  • Hotel Tags attune upon being found. If you win it, then you are expected to attend a weekend at the Evermore Hollow Hotel.
  • Any box that is created has a chance to have an envelope in it. Yes, this includes OSA.
  • The envelope will ONLY generate within a box.
  • You can "vaporize" your boxes without any fear of vaporizing an envelope, but please be aware that your envelope will end up on the ground and open for anyone to pick up. Do this with caution.

Also starting at 1am, you may use CLAIM once per account to obtain a gold-inked ebon vellum envelope. This is your free chance to find a tag.

Free-to-Play accounts do not qualify for CLAIM or the Contest.

SimuCoin Hotel Stays

  • On October 1st, 5 keys to the hotel will be sold at roughly 3pm and then another 5 at 9pm.
  • On October 2nd, 5 keys will be sold at roughly 3pm and then another 5 at 9pm.
  • There will be an in-game and Discord Announcement when they go on sale.

All Other SimuCoin Sales

  • Keys, Cubes, and the Reunion Vault will go on sale on October 4th.
  • Trick-or-Treating, Herb Hunt, and Arena of the Abyss will open on the 4th along with the grounds.
  • Necropolis will open on the 18th and run for the remainder of the Event.

The Great Hotel Key Contest has ended!

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/832466682291027998/1291783394790735914
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 10/04/2024

[Ebon Gate] The Great Hotel Key Contest has ended!
Congratulations to our winners!

Everyone attending the Hotel Event will start seeing in their player mail packages from the Evermore Hollow Hotel in Naidem.

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1151877347318956053/1291825559894102069
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 10/04/2024

[Ebon Gate 2024] The Great Envelope Chase
FYI -- Saving your Envelopes for next year does nothing. These envelopes have expiration dates on them. They will crumble.

Evermore Hollow Hotel Expansion!

Discord Message Link: Evermore Hollow Hotel Expansion!
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 10/04/2024

[Ebon Gate] Evermore Hollow Hotel Expansion!

The Evermore Hollow Hotel in Naidem has had an expansion! It now includes six floors of private suites reached only by a clockwork platform for hotel guests, a private library for the suite key holders, a dining room, kitchen, ballroom, and gardens filled with poisonous vegetation (along with new items to be foraged). After the Conference concludes, all but the suites and library will be open to the public for exploration.

10/06/2024 Update: Library was opened to the public.

Evermore Hollow Hotel Conference Weekend

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1286874245766447124/1292000934905385011
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 10/05/2024

I know that some of you have expressed concerns that you can't make every event. I started a wiki page for the conference. I'd like it if everyone could help add things to it so that those not present during various times can be kept up to speed.
SPECTRE and SHADOW Conference

S. P. E. C. T. R. E. and S. H. A. D. O. W. Conference – Credits

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1286874245766447124/1292537555652186232
Author: GM Thandiwe
Date: 10/06/2024

Three years ago, we had an idea to open the Evermore Hollow Hotel for the sale of hotel rooms that could be accessed during the month of October. With Naidem being the new and permanent home of Ebon Gate, we knew we wanted to give folks a reason to RP and not leave while visiting. Our hotel was an important aspect of that.

For two years, we were so busy continuing to build and flesh out the realm and lore of Naidem that we simply didn't have the time or ability to finish it out.

GM Elidi poured a lot of love into this area, and she built all of the hotels remaining needs. The new poison garden, the garden's new flora, the dining room, ballroom, kitchen, each suite, all the hallways, the library, attic, and sitting room. She's also responsible for the farewell packages that you will all receive.

GM Xynwen helped her flesh out the poison lore and loaned us the bookcase & tile mechanics so that we could have fun ways to get back and forth.

GM Elysani thoughtfully created all of the meals, from top to bottom, and all of the silverware that she requests be returned to the hotel.

GM Thandiwe handled the platform operator and mechanics of the platform, the luggage tag, luggage, invitations, and the welcome package (though, Elysani designed the mask).

I threw a concept, character bios, potential threads, and ideas for our murder mystery weekend up on our staff wiki and cast a wide net in the GM pool asking for volunteers. I could not be more thrilled with the response I was given and am excited to share who played what characters for the weekend:
Elysani – Elaahra Thistledown/Tylagrace Willows
Valyrka – Blodeuyn Mourningveil
Elidi – Fenthywick Grimsbane
Kaonashi – Ermias Dunholme
Marstreforn – Caedenmon Howler
Thandiwe – Zethes Wraith
Warlockes – Thalita Trevil
Xynwen – Ceibhfhionn Malficum
Casil – Giedrius Ravenscroft
Optheria - Lych

The Lectures were such an amazing addition to what we were trying to accomplish, helping to inform how the experiment with Elaahra's soul would be handled. Warlockes wrote half of them, graciously letting each GameMaster modify his workings, while Thandiwe, Xynwen, Kaonashi, and Valyrka wrote theirs.

Our merchants for the weekend were GM Optheria, GM Vanah, GM Valyrka, GM Elysani, GM Casil, GM Kaonashi, GM Xynwen, GM Marstreforn, and GM Thandiwe.

We also need to thank all of our QC'ers for their efforts. GMs Flannihan, Isten, Haliste, Casil, Xynwen, Gyres, and Thandiwe.

You Can Check In Any Time You Like...

Discord Message Link: https://discord.com/channels/226045346399256576/1286874245766447124/1294331098678951989
Author: GM Xynwen
Date: 10/11/2024

[Ebon Gate] You Can Check In Any Time You Like...(An Evermore Hotel Event Update)
The thirty guests of the Evermore Hotel this last weekend will be receiving two mailings -- one from the hotel and one from the Order of SPECTRE and SHADOW. The items included will be attuned to the character that attended.

For right now, I'm not going to say what these are, as I want the attendees to be able to discover them for themselves. Just check your mail...everyone should get theirs by the end of the day. I've got to juggle a bunch to get these attuned and sent from 2 different NPCs, so while I'm starting on it now, it might take a few hours!

Many thanks to APM Thandiwe who got bombarded late Sunday/early Monday with my "hey, I have this cool idea to do based off how the RP went this weekend, can I?" and to GMs Elysani and Elidi who also go pestered for ideas, reviews, and input and were integral to this. And last but DEFINITELY not least, APM Isten and GMs Flannihan and Tamuz who did some stellar last-minute QC so we could get these in your hands.

Note: The mailing from the hotel will include a new pillow that shouldn't disintegrate also to replace the buggy one

EXTRA NOTE/DISCLAIMER/REMINDER: This is above and beyond what was included in the ticket price. This was something I thought would be cool to do. It does not set a precedent for future offerings to always include a hidden extra or anything like this. It's just a nice fluff extra thing!

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