 1. HOME IS WHERE THE BASE IS
 A. A NOTE FROM LUCRETIAIt's been a week or two since you've returned from Thay, and since the Wellspring, the very source of magic itself on Faerun, was destroyed. And a few of you have even climbed back aboard the roster of Reclaimers, returning from wherever it is that you've been. And at some point, however, you'll receive a message from The Director. It comes in the form of a text, a voice message, or in person — if you happen to be out in the Quad while she's sharing it: I don't believe that there's anything I can say to change how you feel right now.
I am not sure it's even my place to.
What I can say though, is that you — all of us, as a collective — are far more powerful than you seem, or how you might view yourselves. And when the mechanisms of the world crumble, then I've always found that the best practice is to begin looking at mechanisms outside the world.
That's how I found all of you, after all. And — I know this is a bit of a wild idea, but hear me out.
Some of you who might have found your way in the Restricted Section one way or another may have encountered it. It's a means of transport. The ride we'll use to, eventually, face the Hunger head-on. And its engine doesn't run on traditional fuel, or even magic as Faerun and its people understand it. It uses a sort of energy that can't be torn apart like a wellspring.
It's the energy of your bonds with each other. The memories of the people you love, and the ones who mean everything to you. There are all sorts of writings speaking about the power behind a person's connections — this ship's engine takes that idea quite literally.
I firmly believe that if we are capable of traveling on board a ship that runs on the energy of our bonds alone, that same energy can be used to restore magic, a very way of life, to Faerun.
That's all. Take these few weeks to focus on the people you love — and the people you haven't figured out you love just yet. My door is always open.
And Merry Candlenights. B. CANDLENIGHTS With that in mind, you can expect this Candlenights to pass quietly — as quietly as a holiday spent in a base that used to orbit the planet can pass, at least. There are celebrations both on board the Moon Base — Ground Base? — and in New New Aspen, though, if we're going to have an opinion on it, the town that makes ornaments as its most sacred tradition puts on the best version. The citizens of New New Aspen rely a little less on magic than other towns, so while there's an air of unknown and a sense of fear lingering in the breeze, the focus has — for now — shifted to Candlenights. Here are a few holiday things you can do: New New Aspen
○ You may carve an ornament of your own, and place it on the Candlenights Tree in the center of town. This is the most sacred tradition of a town that values this time of year most.
○ You may snuggle one of the many guards of the town. They're cats about the size of small horses.
 ○ The absolutely giant fir from the Bureau's very first mission, curiously, remains absolutely giant. Feel free to give it a climb — the view's great! Just watch out for any swooping shadow vultures.
○ Chat up a spider! They are large, not hostile and live peacefully alongside the humanoid residents of New New Aspen. Their Matriarch enjoys discussing tea, books and weaving warm blankets.
○ There is Candlenights celebration itself — you would expect the town to go all out on this day, after all. You can immerse yourselves in the festivities with party games, chatting up whoever happens by, and of course, the feast itself: New New Aspenites particularly like frying up shadow vultures and serving hot chocolate, hot apple cider and apple pies during the holiday season. Henrik Hollyweather will also give a lively, slightly cider'd retelling of the story of Santa Claus.
○ THE GIFT EXCHANGE: This is a small, cozy corner of the town square where you can exchange Candlenights gifts with the people who mean most to you.
The Base
○ As mentioned earlier, the simulations run on tech, not magic. They are available for any training you'd like to do.
○ Bender's menu hasn't changed, but any magical effects will not work on this log.
○ Without magic to heal anybody who was injured in Thay, Dr. Tank could use some help. He'll pay 50 gold to anyone who can barter webbing off of the New New Aspen spiders, and will teach them how to it into durable bandages
○ If you're the sort who loves giving gifts and has a long list, the town is offering heavy discounts on gifts. That also includes Fantasy Costco.
There is, of course, nothing wrong with keeping to the Base this month as well. The month is yours to spend as you see fit. |
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balance_logs2019-12-15 07:52 pm
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With enough testing and experimentation, you eventually discover that the chunk Wash was given is currently "filled" with an arcane residue. It's said that certain gems often connect planes of existence between each other, but this resonates with a specific aura that doesn't ping to any of the frequencies of the higher planes. Instead, it's internal resonance is exceedingly stable and, interestingly enough, feels made of the Prime Material plane itself.
At the time Sans undergoes this research, however, magic is rather dulled and useless.
When it's restored, however, he can ascertain something insanely powerful within. A better name for this aluminadium chunk would be a "spell gem," and one of this size is indeed rare. It contains the power of a one time use 9th level spell.
This comes with an extreme caveat! Yes, it contains the all-powerful wish, but should that be the spell you wish to cast know that it can easily backfire on the person who casts it.