SPECTRE and SHADOW Conference (storyline)/2025 Conference (summary)

The SPECTRE (Sorcerers, Practitioners, Enchanters, Conjurers, Thaumaturges, Researchers, and Evokers) and SHADOW (Seers, Hypnotists, Astrologers, Diviners, Occultists, Witches) Conference returns in 2025 on October 10-12. However, some invitations received identify the event as PAWS, the Pets and Animal Wellbeing Symposium. Recipients of invitations appear to randomly receive one for either event. SPECTRE and SHADOW invitations are signed by Hotel Manager Blodeuyn Mourningveil, while PAWS invitations are signed by Hotel Maid Elaarah Thistledown, the unfortunate victim of events occurring in the Hotel the year prior. Prior to the weekend, no clarification has been forthcoming regarding these discrepancies. The schedules for the conflicting events are similar with some key differences.

2025 Conference Schedule

Date	Time	Event	Organization	Description
Fri 10/10	9:00pm ET	Hotel Check In	Both	Ebon Gate officially begins and the festival grounds open, including the Hotel.
Fri 10/10	10:30pm ET (or 11:00pm ET)	Welcome Reception	Both	A light affair and social hour where you can mingle with fellow attendees before retiring to your rooms.
Sat 10/11	9:00am ET	Breakfast	SPECTRE & SHADOW	Start your day with a delightful breakfast while meeting other guests.
			PAWS	Start your day with a delightful breakfast while meeting other guests in the Garden.
Sat 10/11	11:00am - 1:00pm ET	Morning Workshops	SPECTRE & SHADOW	Engage in workshops led by our esteemed speakers.
			PAWS	Engage in a workshop on pet care.
Sat 10/11	2:00pm - 3:00pm ET	Lunch	SPECTRE & SHADOW	Enjoy a leisurely lunch with fellow practitioners.
			PAWS	Enjoy a leisurely lunch with fellow pet enthusiasts.
Sat 10/11	4:00pm ET	Event	Schedule note: An event is scheduled to happen. The advance event description varies depending on which invitation is received. An update on Discord simply calls this timeslot an "event".
		Afternoon Inquiries	SPECTRE & SHADOW	Join our guests in the Hotel Library for a bit of investigative work.
			PAWS	Attend presentations on various animal lore.
Sat 10/11	7:00pm ET	Workshops	Schedule note: A workshop is scheduled to happen. This information was relayed in an update on Discord and is not outlined in either organization's invitations.
Sat 10/11	10:00pm ET	Garden Party	Both	The highlight of the event, featuring a sumptuous dinner served small-plates style and an evening of dance and engagement.
Sun 10/12	10:00am ET	Event	Schedule note: An event is scheduled to happen. An update on Discord simply calls this timeslot an "event". It is possible that it may coincide with, conflict with, or be the PAWS invitation's "Pet Parade" or both invitations' "Farewell Brunch".
Sun 10/12	TBD	Pet Parade	PAWS	Display your companions at their best in this unique parade through the Hotel's Gardens.
Sun 10/12	TBD	Farewell Brunch	Both	Conclude the convention with a delightful brunch and final opportunities to connect with new friends.
Sun 10/12	12:00pm ET	Conclusion	Schedule note: The Hotel storyline ends. An update on Discord notes this as the official conclusion. Hotel Suite guests retain access to their Hotel room for the entirety of Ebon Gate.

Presentation Logs

• Lecture #1 - Tea Mages by Ceibhfhionn Malficum
• Lecture #2 - Dead Places and Memory by Ermias Dunholme, with special guest Little Ermias
• Lecture #3 - Pet Skin Care by Orralith on behalf of PAWS, double booked with lunch
• Lecture #4 - Corvids by Jehckle and Hehckle of the Borderlight Covenant, on behalf of PAWS
• Lecture #5 - Eggs by Orralith, on behalf of PAWS
• Lecture #6 - Souls by Giedrius Ravencroft, with hopes of it being on behalf of SPECTRE and SHADOW, instead of his previously announced lecture on hamsters for PAWS
• Lecture #7 - Pet Grooming and Reincarnation, competing double-booked presentations by Orralith on behalf of PAWS and Zethes Wraith on behalf of SPECTRE and SHADOW
• Lecture #8 - Abominations by Thalita Trevil