A new year creeps upon Snakewater, leaving behind the tribulations of the last. While parafauna and paraflora have adapted well to these new circumstances, humanity must endure and innovate accordingly. This past week has seen a lull in the seasonal Magna-storms, allowing for some rest and recovery.

Said storms are one of the terrible new phenomena of the current era and a destroyer of the old. It is said that the World that Was relied heavily on engineered electronics and digital knowledges. Eldritch lightning and sorcerous magnetism would unchain humanity from this leash at the start of the Long Fall. These disasters were among the many that humanity had to endure before they could thrive and prosper.

Amidst the town’s preparations for a somber new year celebration, word has spread that the eccentric engineer known as “The Professor” has finally completed his latest creation. Through his knowledge of Necro-tech, Magna-tech, and the New Sciences, he claims that his Encabulator will have the ability to “bring the dead back to life.”

It is a strange boast in an era where individuals resuscitate from death as an uncommon occurrence. He has refused to elaborate further, but recent efforts against the Night Kings have yielded engineering miracles. For all his proficiency, however, the locals are dubious of his sanity. The Snakewater Town Council has enacted protective countermeasures, in case things go awry.

The Tommy Caravan is en route to Snakewater, bringing trade and craft to town. Some folk remain wary of these Scavvers because of their penchant for pranks and trickery. Their reasoning varies: it’s “all in good fun,” “to bring merriment to everyone,” or “for the laughing spider.”

Having had some interesting times with Snakewater in the past, the Tommies have promised the Snakewater Council that they mean to behave during this visit.

[SENJI FARMSTEAD, SOUTH OF SNAKEWATER; FEBRUARY 4, 100 BTF]

When the whirring stopped and the lights died out, the darkness mantled the glade once more. Even the night sounds feared to breach the silence.

The Professor had no such fears. Crawling and covered in grease, he squeezed out from beneath the Encabulator’s platform - much like a child freed from a claustrophobic womb. After the old Risen regained his feet, the tinker peered at the machine, slicking his chin with a gloved hand.

The Encabulator was meant to apprehend “disembodied psychoform” and re-integrate them into a stable, corporeal state. Why then did it transpose him and his many, many willing assistant-subjects Voidside? And why was it powering down now?

Aguilar’s grassy footfalls heralded the Illustrados’ arrival and his sagely observation. The mechanic had changed much since his first association and “apprenticeship” with the Professor, escaping fire, captivity, and foul torment. Aguilar was not a Dryad last year either but things have been less than bueno for the machinist as of late.

“I see it didn’t explode, old man”

Aguilar had made the long walk from the reinforced “research shelter” and the other hirelings a hundred feet away. Naturally, the old tinker believed such “trivialities” as worthless but the Town Council - especially Engineer Wilco - made demands of him after the latest incident. It was all pomp and circumstance - if the dimensional displacement was going to recur, then the shelter would have disappeared as well.

“Of course it didn’t explode! My machines never….” he paused only slightly at the Illustrados mechanic’s frown. “...explode… often”

“So my burns were just a fluke, eh?” Aguilar’s growl was smothered by the sound of clanking armor and crushed grass. A cold winter breeze carried the smell of grease and industry across the gathering.

The Professor gave the approaching Templar neither glance nor attention, irritated as he was by the amount of conversation that wasn’t wrought by his own mouth.

For his part, Mercurial Silent Stone did not notice or care. His attendance alongside the other hirelings was requested on the off-chance of any further extradimensional tomfoolery. The old tinker had heard something about a “Priory of Correspondence” that focused on otherworldly studies but his apathy was greater than his curiosity at the moment.

“It didn’t explode” Mercurial stated matter of factly.

“Yes, yes, yes” The Professor waved his hands as though to manually shoo away the doubt and the suspicion.

“And we remain in the Holy Reality”

“Don’t sound too disappointed!” It was the old man’s turn to grumble, but he yelled out as the Templar approached the Encabulator “Hey! hey! Watch it, clanky!”

Mercurial dragged a fingertip across the platform’s surface. “The plasm has not coalesced”

Aguilar furrowed his brow. “Was it supposed to? What was it?”

“You’re here for that slimy schmutz?” The Professor scoffed. “Don’t bother! That was a one-time thing! Besides, the Peace Makers took as much as they could away - a few bottles of the stuff. A terletful, practically!”

“We are not certain of its origin or its nature” The Templar turned to them briskly, the skulls on his pauldrons dimly glinting in starlight. “According to our own findings, it is neither liquified death energy nor is it any xenoplasm that we currently aware of”

Aguilar’s own studies in Nueva Ciencia had introduced him to the strange material: an airy gelatinous liquid associated with extradimensional activities or entities. “If it's not xenoplasm, then what can it be? It can’t be dangerous if we haven’t heard any side-effects of it…yet”

“It is a mystery!” Mercurial’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he rubbed his hands together. “Another frontier in xeno chemical research! Perhaps even worth a report for the Skull-Archon’s desk!”

“Enough blabberin’, we got work to do and if you’re gonna stand around, you might as well be useful. Templar, give me a light! Aguilar, hand me a spanner - I’m going back into the Encabulator then we’ll give it another go!”

Aguilar rolled his eyes but handed the tool over anyway. “You know, you can stay out here and rotate the sequencers and flip the fibrillation modules. Why are you so eager to go into that thing’s guts and die, old man?”

The Professor chortled at the concept. “Thanks to that Risen whippersnapper, dying didn’t kill me! So I’m gonna keep going and going and going until I’ve stomped all over Death’s own salamander bisque! For science!”

-- The hirelings, assistants, audience members, and test subjects of the Professor viewed the activation of his new invention: the Encabulator. Meant to bring the dead back to life (with or without a body), it instead shifted all involved into a shadowy extradimensional domain. After interacting with the strange inhabitants at the Gasp of the Last Star, the Professor and his allies repaired the malfunctioning apparatus and made it back to their home dimension. In this they were successful, eluding the Shadowlings and Punishers of God that grasped at their very footfalls. (+10 to Campus, Mercado, Farms)

-- The Encabulator’s main function was unsuccessful but it has allowed for a new invention: the Professor’s Soulcatcher apparatus. Now, willing individuals can be brought back to life, even if they are bodiless -- so long as their spirits are strong enough to endure the process. (Tombs Expansion unlocked at Tier 0, Soulcatcher is now usable)

-- Antonino and his allies assisted in the resolution of a land dispute between two angry farmfolk (+3 Farms)

-- Delvers aided a farmer in cleaning up a field of garbage and successfully moved littering vagabonds from the vicinity. (+3 Farms)

-- Delvers assisted the Professor in a peer review of his findings, allowing him to make adjustments to the Encabulator before activation (+3 Campus)

-- A mysterious woman asked Delvers and Mercenaries to assist in decoding a strange cipher. While the ciphers were unraveled, they were given to the wrong individual. (+3 Campus)

-- The Professor’s work with the Encabulator requires the retrieval of several parts and reagents. Delvers made short work of the job, despite the presence of several Mantis Wolves. (+3 Mercado, +3 Campus)

-- A Vundarkin calling himself Barrow arrived in Snakewater seeking allies for two goals: the destruction of the Bloodmoon Cult and their Eldritch allies that profane the wild. One such “Lunar Portent” was pursued and brought down with great savagery. (+5 Farm, +5 Mercado)

-- Malice the Unshackled, faithful of Metalurge, was lent the assistance of several Delvers and fellow faithful in her quest to design a new Altaric Engine. To that end, she called forth Geists from the haunted air and made glorious battle unto them -- all in the God of Metal’s name. (+5 Mercado)

-- Mareen Goodbread hired Illustrados Delvers and mercenaries to discover the fate of her hirelings. Unfortunately, only the corpses of her Charioteer employees were found and they were irradiated with hazardous energies. (+5 Mercado)

-- Overseer Carrow and his Illustrados allies located his stolen papers and ran into the thieves themselves: Nunez the renegade Iglesiar and her chemist apprentice Yosefina. While the outlaws managed to escape and inflict diseases upon their pursuers, the research papers were taken from them. (+5 Campus, +5 Farms)

-- Working with the Grailguard, the Templars managed to use the Grimoire they captured to summon a spiritual construct of its author: an Infernal Apostate named Jyoti, While the ritual went awry and the construct appeared to gain self-awareness, the Templars were able to secure information from their encounter. (+10 Campus)

-- Odette Marie-Andree Auclair de la Mirior requested the assistance of the Avataral Hand and its Templar allies. In her name, they retrieved the effects and the papers of a Carmine outlaw from an abandoned cabin. (+3 Mercado)

-- Snakewater continues recovery efforts after the winter Magna-storms and the Night Kings’ assault in November. Their hard work, along with recovery funds from all three Archfactions, makes the town’s future a brighter one. (+54 Campus, +29 Farms, +53 Mercado)

-- Cid, Maverick, Jackknife, Buzz, and Zen assisted Secretary Cresence and Archivist Thatcher in bringing order to the stacks and records of the Library Lane. Though a bureaucratic slog, they were richly rewarded and Snakewater can only benefit from greater organization. (Campus +23)

-- Talia, Soldado, Elena, and Tamarlan cleared the roads into Snakewater of obstacles and drove away curious critters. Through their help, trade continued its flow into the town and all prospered from the traffic. (Mercado +17)

NEW VALUES:

LIBRARY LANE (CAMPUS) Tier 3: 82/300 (up from Tier 2: 274/300)

FRINGE FARMLANDS (FARMS) Tier 0: 207/300 (up from Tier 0: 149/300)

MARKET EXCHANGE (MERCADO) Tier 3: 59/300 (up from Tier 2: 53/300)

GRAVEYARD (TOMBS): Tier 0: 0/300 (UNLOCKED)

A Vundarkin calling himself “Barrow “arrived in Snakewater seeking allies for two goals: the destruction of the Bloodmoon Cult and their obliteration of their Eldritch allies that profane the wild. One such “Lunar Portent” was pursued and brought down with great savagery.

Working with the Grailguard Magus, Volturna of the Azure Tome**, the Templars managed to use the Grimoire they captured to summon a spiritual construct of its author: an Infernal Apostate named Jyoti, While the ritual went awry and the construct appeared to gain self-awareness, the Templars were able to secure information from their encounter.

Malice the Unshackled, faithful of Metalurge, was lent the assistance of several Delvers and fellow faithful in her quest to design a new Altaric Engine. To that end, she called forth Geists from the haunted air and made glorious battle unto them -- all in the God of Metal’s name.

There has been a minor breakthrough in the study of the strange ingredients left behind by Pale Oak, a Miraji outlaw and follower of Yama. The reagents are of a strange organic matter that appears to be artificially processed and xenotheurgically summoned. Several inquiries have been sent forth to the industrial entities that could be the source of this material, including Tecnocracia, the Iglesia Solar, Altar of Air, and the Order of the Astral Tome. Whilst waiting for a response, access to the magically radioactive ingredients has been restricted, in case Pale Oak attempts to reclaim them.

The effects of King Aetheldred’s defeat continue to resound in the underworld of outlaws, conspirators, and secret-keepers. Gossip is about of a schism in the ranks of the King as her weakened state makes it difficult for her to strike down any potential usurpers. It is exactly this chaotic outburst that allowed the Free Tribes to discover one or two more holdings and secret labs, shutting them down permanently.

**who has many other secret names of power.

Mareen Goodbread hired Illustrados Delvers and mercenaries to discover the fate of her hirelings. Unfortunately, only the corpses of her Charioteer employees were found and they were irradiated with hazardous energies.

Overseer Carrow and his Illustrados allies located his stolen papers and ran into the thieves themselves: Nunez the renegade Iglesiar and her chemist apprentice Yosefina. While the outlaws managed to escape and inflict diseases upon their pursuers, the research papers were taken from them.

Rumor has it that Nunez, who has been killed multiple times before, has the patronage of an Eldritch Patron which assists her in eluding death itself. This discovery simultaneously makes clear and obfuscates the path necessary for her defeat, although the Technocratic League is colluding with the Iglesiar, the Magistrados, and the Templar in search of one.

La Liga Tecnocratica (or the Technocratic League) is an organization dedicated to assisting Illustrados within Mid-Atla - this includes direct assistance as well as providing temporary employment. La Liga features members from the different Gremio of the Union, but is directed by a committee of Technocrats. With tales of its success and its enterprises filtering into the distant Illustrados Union, there are rumors that the Senate is inquiring about the workings of La Liga and their own safeguards against “overreach”. Some folk are afraid of military action while others suspect the Senate of their own “overreach”:.

Working with the Grailguard Magus, Volturna of the Azure Tome**, the Templars managed to use the Grimoire they captured to summon a spiritual construct of its author: an Infernal Apostate named Jyoti, While the ritual went awry and the construct appeared to gain self-awareness, the Templars were able to secure information from their encounter.

Odette Marie-Andree Auclair de la Mirior (Cabal Valentinova) requested the assistance of the Avataral Hand and its Templar allies. In her name, they retrieved the effects and the papers of a Carmine outlaw from an abandoned cabin. Rumors claim that the outlaw is a spurned lover of hers while others say that they are a filial member of Valentinova.

Recent battles, otherworldly expeditions, Magnastorms, and harsh winters test the resolve of Snakewater's folk. However, hope remains that prosperity awaits humanity after the worst is weathered. To kindle this flickering dream, Snakewater commemorates the thaw and the warmth with festivities and markets: the Talent Exhibition and oncoming trade will draw new eyes and fresh hands to the town.

With the cold ebbing away, this week will see the return of a treasured tradition in Snakewater: the selection of the Winter Monarch. The position itself is ephemeral as the fading snows, more a reason for gossiping and glory-seeking townsfolk to compete than a true seat of power.

But along with the Winter Selection comes the true reason for the tradition: an excuse to celebrate the coming of warmth with friends and family, with a little Talent Exhibition to rally the spirit!

By Sim Aquino

[LAZARUS FARMSTEAD; MARCH 26, 100 BTF]

The sun peeked out of the clouds after a week of overcast. Danaus poked at another shallow tunnel in the ground where it crossed with a deeper one, shaking his head. “Feels like it’s gonna take weeks to fill these all back up.” He placed another marking stake down.

“It’s all kind of me’aphorical, now, if you think about it.” Lazarus shoved a mound of dirt into the crosspoint with a shovel. “Empty spaces burrowed frough our memories, too.”

Danaus stared blankly at him for a few moments at first, and shook his head. “I don’t want to think about how many people are never gonna be remembered again. At least the dead ones.” Their stare just dragged on. “And how many people are never gonna get treasured times back.”

“Treasured times ‘ollowed out like tunnels, our ‘opes and dreams-” Lazarus’s introspection was cut off when Danaus jabbed his side with a marking stake. “Hey, that ‘urt. We’re all already ‘urtin’ enough.”

Danaus hid a roll of his eyes by facing the ground, walking foot-to-toe to follow another tunnel. His stick jabbed into soft soil every few feet, and prayed that every bump he hit was just a loose root or a rock.”We’re gonna have to dig out some proper graves, too. Once the ground is back to normal enough. And the lost crops-”

“I just about lost all my pota’oes. I’m lucky spring’s just startin’, but I’m gonna have to re-till everyfin’ and scrounge the survivors togever and plant ‘em.” Lazarus’s shoulders sagged. A shudder crawled down his spine; whether it was from the lingering breeze or the terrors they were still recovering from, he didn’t care to figure out. “Wonder if that smelly squa’er’s alright out there.”

Danaus was mostly tuned out, but the other candidates were also stuck to his thoughts. They were gone in mere minutes between the sweet serenades and the magic show. The poster he carried around in his pocket was the only way he could even remember their names. “You’ll be able to grow your produce again.” Another stake was placed down.

Lazarus frowned as he shifted some of the soil around. “Them worm things better not ‘ave put anyfin’ in the dirt. No slime or poison or nuffin’.”

“I’ve heard secondhand from the Council that the Professor’s been running tests on it- hold on.” Danaus raised a patient hand when Lazarus groaned. “I know he’s not always reliable, but his tests have proven that the nutrients in the soil haven’t changed enough to make fields barren. It should be fine.”

“Professor’s the type to be ea’in the bloody slime.” Lazarus winced. “And I’m not gonna be ea’in’ no goo if I can’t grow any of me food. None’a the farmers will.”

Danaus shook his head. “Nobody’s gonna make you eat any slime, I’m sure. The fields are alright. The farms will recover as the season goes on, and by the end of summer, your stock might be as good as it was before all this mess happened. All the worms are gone now, the wind is silent. You’re allowed to mourn, of course, but try not to turn it into more fear.”

Lazarus fell quiet, resting his arm over the shovel’s handle with a long, soft exhale. He had to shade his eyes as the sunlight beat down harder. “Roight, roight.” He chewed on his lip, anxious to speak up again at first. After a few more moments, he stood up straight again. Or, as straight as he could with his permanent hunch. “Wha’ about that relief money that Story’s collectin’? Is that just for the grievin’ families or is he gonna donate any’a that to us?”

“I haven’t spoken with him recently,” Danaus admitted. “But I would only assume that he wouldn’t leave the farmers to fend for themselves. Wouldn’t benefit the town at all.”

Lazarus hummed. “Well, y’know what they say about assumin’ and all.” There was a hint of amusement in his tone before he sobered up again. “You should be on top’a knowin’ this stuff, Mister Win’er King.”

“Well, I’m the Winter King. Not the Spring King.” A jab back at Lazarus, which got a half-assed laugh out of the both of them. “But Story’s got the funds covered. At least he told me that he’s making a great start so far, despite the dropped number of people.”

Lazarus resumed filling up the tunnels with a nod. “So. Even if it’s Spring now and yer past yer season, are you still plannin’ on doin’ Taco Chewsdays at the cantiner?”

“Well!” the other drew himself up to let the sunlight shine on his features. “I am a Winter King of my word. By my royal command, Tuesdays will be for tacos!”

-- Across Friday and Saturday, a great amount of investigation and “science” was performed regarding a mysterious entity. Said being was discovered to be leaving slime all over town, picking off Snakewater’s residents, and worst of all, destroying people’s memories. (+5 to all Expansions)

While this “Lady of Lies” could not be faced directly, the Professor wrought dimensional anchors to drive it from this reality back through the Encabulator. Delvers and Operative proved themselves more than a match for the Lady’s appendages and eyestalks: not a single anchor fell and the entity’s banishment was successfully completed. (+10 to all Expansions)

-- With the help of the Illustrados, Leo was able to make further progress against Nunez’ strange mind-control alchemy. (+3 to Campus, Mercado, Forge)

-- The Peace Makers and the Illustrados apprehended Sammy Scrammy, a Charioteer smuggler that was discovered to be supplying the outlaw alchemist, Nunez. He has been remanded into Peace Maker custody for now with plans to extradite him to the Union. (+5 Farms, Mercado)

-- The Freefolk cornered and brought down an escaped “reagent” before it could complete its reproduction cycle. This Blood Geist-like monstrosity is believed to have emerged from one of the radioactive parcels captured from Lan Jernon/Pale Oak. The Grailguard sent someone with information about Pale Oak’s master but they never arrived? (+5 Farms, Mercado)

-- Utilizing magic borrowed from the Grailguard, the Templars and their allies dove into the depths of a magical tome. Though they were weakened in that realm, they were able to retrieve Infernal secrets while suffering from several cognito-hazards. (+5 Campus)

-- Paige and her allies subdued the peculiar Alphabet Geists before they could wreak further havoc. Furthermore, the Illustrados taught someone to read. Unfortunately, these efforts were ameliorated when the book that incited them was not returned to the library. (+0 Campus, Farms)

-- Paige’s studies into the Outer Spheres and the Abyssal tongues continue, but only with aid from the townsfolk. (+2 Campus, +2 Spire)

-- Professor’s assistant, Pie, was able to receive assistance for himself regarding certain calculations and measurements (+2 Campus, +2 Forge)

-- An odd individual calling themselves “the Accountant” was driven away from Snakewater for being annoying. (+2 Farms, Mercado)

-- Story engaged in martial training to prove themselves worthy of joining the Peace Makers. He was there with his brother. Did he even have a brother? (+3 Farms, Spire, Mercado)

-- The Winter Monarch festival and Talent Exhibition was a success, allowing folk to showcase their talents and the fleeting, ceremonial position to be filled. Unfortunately, it appeared that the winning candidate ran unopposed, even from Seth Janubis and Lillian (+3 to all)

-- Aguilar, an Illustrados machinist, was able to retrieve his workshop from its current resident, Sovereign. From there, he continues his work and aids Snakewater with his engineering. (+2 Farms, Forge, Spire)

-- Puck the merchant was successfully convinced by Illustrados Delvers to persist in their mercantile ambitions. They originally had an entrepreneur partner, but they were absent from illness or perhaps moved away. (+2 Forge, Mercado)

-- Taking a cue from the Delvers and Operatives that protect them from harm, the people of Snakewater rallied against the devastating losses wrought by the Lady of Lies. The Snakewater Council ensured that not a single villager went hungry or without shelter. Memorials were made to ensure that those who were lost were not forgotten (for those who left traces of their existence). Just as the optimism of the townsfolk echoed their saviors, so too did their coordinated efforts represent the survivors of humanity after the ruinous Long Fall (Campus +28, Farms +25, Mercado +30, Spire +26, Forge +30, Tomb +19)

NEW VALUES:

FRINGE FARMLANDS (FARMS) Tier 0: 257/300 (up from Tier 0: 207/300)

GRAVEYARD (TOMBS): Tier 0: 38/300 (Up from Tier 0: 0/300)

LA GRAN FRAGUA (FORGE) Tier 0: 60/300 (Up from Tier 0: 0/300)

LIBRARY LANE (CAMPUS) Tier 3: 133/300 (up from Tier 3: 82/300)

MARKET EXCHANGE (MERCADO) Tier 3: 125/300 (up from Tier 3: 59/300)

STORMBRINGER SPIRE (SPIRE) Tier 0: 56/300 (Up from Tier 0: 0/300)

The Freefolk cornered and brought down an escaped “reagent” before it could complete its reproduction cycle. This Blood Geist-like monstrosity is believed to have emerged from one of the radioactive parcels captured from Lan Jernon/Pale Oak. The Grailguard sent someone with information about Pale Oak’s master but they never arrived.

It is believed that one other “reagent” remains free.

In the hunt for the strange Lunar entities that haunt the wilderness, an eyewitness gave their report to the Freebooters of a related occurrence on their farm. A monstrosity matching the entities’ description assailed their farm but were set upon by Packhunter-seeming warriors (who were also hostile to the witness). In the morning, there was scant evidence of corpses though the destruction of the battle remained.

With the help of the Illustrados, Leo was able to make further progress against Nunez’ mind-control alchemy. The Technocratic League has made strides to toward developing an inoculation against such chemical coercion.

The Peace Makers and the Illustrados apprehended Sammy Scrammy, a Charioteer smuggler that was discovered to be supplying the outlaw alchemist, Nunez. He has been remanded into Peace Maker custody for now with plans to extradite him to the Union. With this arrest, Nunez’s fate is drawing near.

La Liga Tecnocratica (or the Technocratic League) is an organization dedicated to assisting Illustrados within Mid-Atla - this includes direct assistance as well as providing temporary employment. La Liga features members from the different Gremio of the Union, but is directed by a committee of Technocrats. With tales of its success and its enterprises filtering into the distant Illustrados Union, there are rumors that the Senate is inquiring about the workings of La Liga and their own safeguards against “overreach”. Some folk are afraid of military action while others suspect the Senate of their own “overreach”:.

Utilizing magic borrowed from the Grailguard, the Templars are their allies dove into the depths of an illicit tome. Though they were weak in that realm, they were able to retrieve useful secrets while suffering from several cognito-hazards

Cabal Alvarado of the Carmine Conclave welcomed its newest member after their Rite of Anthesis. This celebration/initiation featured dignitaries from different Archfactions, not merely Carmine personalities. However, it did feature an unseemly amount of slime that no one seemed to notice until the end.

In March, Snakewater banished a memory altering horror to its home beyond the stars. Months later, townsfolk still mourn the loss of their loved ones, a grief made sharp by those who would never remember exactly who they lost. And in the wake of these latest tragedies, mercenaries and researchers make their way to the town in search of coin and answers. One such mercenary company has encamped near town, bringing supplies and services along with them.

The town of Snakewater shrugged off the attack of an extra dimensional entity known to some as the Lady of Lies. It had the capacity to affect the minds of entire populations, hiding not only its presence but obfuscating the existence of its victims. Believed to have slithered into our dimension during a wayward experiment, it has since been exiled to the Outer Spheres. But even after its banishment, the wounds of its rampage still remain as do the gaps in memory for some folk - how does one mourn a sibling or a spouse they scarcely remember?

The Exalted Guard is one of the many mercenary and para-military groups that have emerged from the War over Embers. Believed to have some ties to the Grailguard, they are known for their stringent adherence to their contracts and their successful security assignments

(OOG: this is a transcription of Story’s farewell after the defense of Snakewater, for those who may have missed it)

[Outside the Lost Sheep Cantina; May 28, 100 BTF]

As the last portal is closed and Snakewater’s defenders breathe in relief, a voice echoes across the still air.

“Hey! Um... hello? Snakewater? It's Story.

I want y'all to know that I appreciate all your help. I could never have done this alone. I knew I could count on you, just like last time - just like always. Snakewater is filled with some of the kindest, bavest people I've ever met. I'm blessed to count y'all among my friends.

I have the haziest memory... like a memory of a memory. Or maybe a memory of a dream? Except - except I know it's not a dream, it's the truth. It's like - have you ever done one of those picture puzzles where you have to fit the pieces together? And you're almost finished, but then you find out there's a piece missing, and maybe it's not the most important piece, but the picture will never be complete without it.

This is like... the complete opposite of that, actually. It's like I have the missing piece, but I don't know what the picture is. I can't remember anything about Song - I don't know how we met, I can't picture their face. But I know Song exists - I have this one piece. Now all I have to do is find the rest of the puzzle.

I know Song is out there somewhere. There are others out there, too. A lot of people have their own missing puzzles. We're gonna solve as many as we can. As for me... I'm not coming back without Song at my side.

We'll meet again, Snakewater. Don't let anyone dull your sparkle.”

-- Aperture Science: Tricked by Story and several grief-stricken townsfolk, the Exalted Guard used a flawed ritual to open portals in order to search for the spirits and memories of the deceased. Monstrosities from strange Spheres and Planes crawled from these dimensional rifts to invade Snakewater with a fiendish malice.

It fell to Delvers and Operatives alike to stopper this monstrous deluge and protect Captain Uther of the Exalted Guard as he closed each unstable doorway. At the end, Snakewater and its protectors remained standing and the extradimensional invaders were slain or driven back. (+10 to all Expansions)

— Guard Training: The Exalted Guard hired some Delvers to assist them in capturing parafauna for use in training their recruits. They also hired folk to assist them in personally training the recruits and lending their expertise. (Farms +6, Forge +6)

— The True Human: “The True Human” lent their knowledge and assistance to Snakewater and the Exalted Guard’s efforts regarding the portal rituals. In particular, the employer of the Exalted Guard was pushing particularly hard to ensure that the rituals would come to pass. (Campus +3)

— They who Traverse: Paige, junior researcher of Snakewater’s Archivist, hired Delvers to assist her in more deciphering of Abyssal texts. In addition, she and her hirelings also encountered J.P. Squirrels, an elderly human possessed by a being dubbed “the Traveler” or “They who Traverse”. Said entity was spoken to, though any true agreement was yet to be promised to its requests (Campus +6)

— Food Delivery: The Goodbread family hired helpers in ensuring that their donated foodstuffs arrive safely to their destination and are free of vermin. Some rodents had to be relocated in order for the donations to reach the needy (Farms +3)

— Monster Hunt: On behalf of Stygian Systems, Captain Talin of the Devilhooks led Illustrados Operatives on a hunt against parafauna believed to be modified by Nunez’ alchemy. Not only was it unnaturally strong, it also featured mutations and changes that were unnatural to its species. Despite its strength, it was captured and carted away for study, never to trouble Snakewater again. (Forge +3, Spire +3)

— Lunar Portent: The Steelwing Sentinels and the Freebooters led the pursuit against an alien entity known as the Lunar Portent, specifically its third aspect. They not only encountered the creature but also a Carrion Cult that was also hellbent on devouring its essence. The Carrion Cult and their leader, White Eye, were thwarted and driven away. Furthermore, the Lunar Portent was destroyed before it could threaten the living and the dead (Spire +3, Tombs +3)

— The Automaton: Malice the Unshackled was protected by Hellhounds and their allies from a wayward automaton of her own creation, fueled by Flame Geists and Thunderous prayers. Before it could escape after beating her down, it was waylaid and put down. Malice remains elated regarding her craftwork’s success. (Farms +3, Forge +3)

— Rune of Branding: With the help of a Grailguard wizard, the spirits of the Templars (and Buzz) were projected to the location of Infernal Apostates to continue surveillance efforts upon them. While they were not able to get more information about the “Baptism of Detonation”, Templar Operatives were able to place Detection Runes upon the Apostates. Unfortunately, they were too late to stop the Apostasy from their latest atrocity: an unprovoked attack and theft on a Grailguard caravan (Mercado +5)

— Ex-Memoriam: An amnesiac Necrotic stumbled into town but local Delvers lent her some shelter and aid. They discovered more about her from clues that washed up on the beach. (Tomb +3)

— Citizen Arrest: A citizen investigator working for the Snakewater Council was directed toward a criminal element believed to be delving into eldritch knowledge. Said criminal was pulled aside in the Cantina and hasn’t been seen since. (Campus+3)

-- Magnastorm Attack: The summer Magnastorms have begun, striking in early June and leaving a swath of devastation in their wake. Come December, they will return with a vengeance (All expansions -30)

— Delver Efforts: Dauntless, Maverick, and Uncle Junker assisted in the long process of setting up the Stormbringer Spire. Meanwhile, Jackknife and Antonino worked with local craftsfolk in the industrial district. Meanwhile, Cid was hired to help with the summer harvest (Farms +4, Spire +12, Forge +15).

-- Town efforts: Recovery efforts from the Lady of Lies have finished up and Snakewater has begun its preparations for the upcoming Festival. Local traders and nearby towns were given notice of this yearly occasion. Archfaction representatives were also told, though their own participation was not expected. (Campus +20, Farms +22, Mercado +24, Spire +26, Forge +22, Tomb +16)

NEW VALUES: (updated 6/27)

FRINGE FARMLANDS (FARMS) Tier 0: 279/300 (up from Tier 0: 257/300)

GRAVEYARD (TOMBS): Tier 0: 70/300 (Up from Tier 0: 38/300)

LA GRAN FRAGUA (FORGE) Tier 90/300 (Up from Tier 0: 60/300)

LIBRARY LANE (CAMPUS) Tier 3: 153/300 (up from Tier 3: 133/300)

MARKET EXCHANGE (MERCADO) Tier 3: 143/300 (up from Tier 3: 125/300)

STORMBRINGER SPIRE (SPIRE) Tier 0: 88/300 (Up from Tier 0: 56/300)

The Lunar Portent: The Steelwing Sentinels and the Freebooters led the pursuit against an alien entity known as the Lunar Portent, specifically its third aspect. They not only encountered the creature but also a Carrion Cult that was also hellbent on devouring its essence. The Carrion Cult and their leader, White Eye, were thwarted and driven away. Furthermore, the Lunar Portent was destroyed before it could threaten the living and the dead.

The Automaton: Malice the Unshackled was protected by Hellhounds and their allies from a wayward automaton of her own creation, fueled by Flame Geists and Thunderous prayers. Before it could escape after beating her down, it was waylaid and put down. Malice remains elated regarding her craftwork’s success.

Lan Jernon Sighting: The outlaw Duster called Lan Jernon was said to have briefly appeared in Snakewater. Rumors claim that he spoke to a few Delvers and Operatives before making a calm getaway.

Attack on the Tome: A caravan of the Astral Tome Order was attacked by Templar outlaws. These Infernal Apostates slew many of the defenders and made off with several relics and artifacts before reinforcements could arrive. The defenders’ valor cost them greatly but ensured that most of the non-combatants escaped with their lives.

Food Delivery: The Goodbread family hires helpers in ensuring that their donated foodstuffs arrive safely to their destination and are free of vermin. Some rodents had to be relocated in order for the donations to reach the needy.

Monster Hunt: On behalf of Stygian Systems, Captain Talin of the Devilhooks led Illustrados Operatives on a hunt against parafauna believed to be modified by Nunez’ alchemy. Not only was it unnaturally strong, it also featured mutations and changes that were unnatural to its species. Despite its strength, it was captured and carted away for study, never to trouble Snakewater again.

Jaguar on premises: A Jaguar Sentinel from the Magistrados has arrived in Snakewater, speaking to a few Illustrados before continuing on his mission. It is believed that his presence is involved with the audit of the Technocratic League. The Sentinels are feared and loathed by many citizens for their authority even above the normal chain in command — they are often tasked with Senate-mandated tasks and investigations.

Rune of Branding: With the help of a Grailguard wizard, the spirits of the Templars (and their ally) were projected to the location of Infernal Apostates to continue surveillance efforts upon them. While they were not able to get more information about the “Baptism of Detonation”, Templar Operatives were able to place Detection Runes upon the Apostates.

Unfortunately, they were too late to stop the Apostasy from their latest atrocity: an unprovoked attack and theft on a Grailguard caravan. The Runes have provided some valuable intelligence thus far and the Templars may have a grasp on the movements of the Apostasy in Mid-Atla.

The midsummer Magnastorms fading are away and last May's dimensional rifts have been mended Thus, the town of Snakewater is set for its annual Festival, celebrating surviving the recent and ancient dangers of this era beyond the Long Fall.

The origins of the Festival itself is as vague as Snakewater’s own founding -- however, most folk care little about the genesis of the town and the Festival.

Indeed, games, food, and exuberance are the order of this raucous weekend, especially after so many harrowing months within recent memory. Prizes and prestige await the Festival's participants, drawing every thrill seeking spirit from neighboring regions and beyond.

During the Snakewater Festival last year (July 99 BTF), the cultists of the “Divine Basilisk” somehow turned Snakewater’s parade float into a monstrous winged serpent in their patron’s image. Fortunately, these occultists’ own myths were twisted against them. After a pitched battle, the cult was scattered into the wind and the Basilisk entity was pacified, although it did not linger before flying away.

[Snakewater outskirts; July 12, 100 BTF]

Oh spirit of the Mythic Tale!

With fluttering feathers and slithering scales

Beneath a dawning sun, the farmer looked upon his fields and his heart was gladdened by the sight. Verdant crops awakened from their earthen cradles, blightless and pure. The weeks would pass and Rustle of the Wind on a Cold Winter’s day would make good on its pact. His harvest and those of his neighbors would yield much - Snakewater would feast and no one went hungry.

To the Basilisk Divine, we open our minds

Uncover our senses, our spectrums unblind.

Amid a noonday’s warmth, riverboats returned to shore in safety, laden with the day’s catch. All hands were accounted for, even those who fell overboard in the deepest parts of the Serpent River and its children. It would not be long before the Water Wildling and their ilk would tire of keeping away from the people and forget their weakness to drowning but for now, the waters would push folk back unto boats and riverbanks instead of pulling them into the depths

Oh spirit of the Mythic Tale!

With fluttering feathers and slithering scales

The sinking sun brought darkness and lights sprung up in response. For those places that did not sleep, industry still burned. Yet the fires of hearth and forge shone with creation, illumination, and warmth. Hate within heat had been quenched for the moment and did not grow to hungry wildness.

To the Basilisk Divine, we shutter our thoughts.

Shelter our spirits, our visions we blot.

In the stillness of the night, something slithered and fluttered. Unseen and unheard, it partook of Wildling spirits that trespassed without its will. With singular snaps, prey was consumed whole. No longer weakened and cocooned, it brandished its strength by protecting its territory. From time to time, it would peer upon the lights of Snakewater - the homes of its saviors and helpers - but it returned into the dark instead of slithering into the light.

The time was not yet right.

— Spiritual Awakening: Amid the gathering of the Snakewater Festival, spirits and entities of Wildling power stirred and wrought trouble across the town. With the help of Siobhan Teragon, the source of this clamor was discovered: the Divine Basilisk was coalescing into a new form. In its weakened state, spiritual entities far and wide had come to feast upon it. Delvers and Operatives succeeded in a desperate defense against hungering hordes of Wildling spirits. After its tumultuous metamorphosis, the town mascot turned spirit Entity only lingered briefly before disappearing into the night. (+15 to all Expansions)

— Games and Tournaments: Besides a few minor disturbances, yet another 30th Snakewater Festival has passed with great success. (Farm +10, Mercado +10)

— Basilisk Communion: Before their defense of the Divine Basilisk, Siobhan used the rites of her mysterious family to communicate with the spirit. Though mysteries still surround the Basilisk, its presence around Snakewater seems to be beneficial, or at least, lacking in malice against the townsfolk (Farm +3, Tombs +3, Spire +3)

— Riddles in the Dark: Many Delvers were drawn to a strange underground chamber to solve the puzzles of an Earthen spirit and escape its grasp. Solving these riddles lessened its grip on the farmlands above, resulting in a bountiful harvest (Farm +25)

— Farmland Pact: Delvers assisted a Farmer with an odd problem: an antlered Wildling spirit had awakened and was blighting his crops. Negotiating with the spirit yielded a new pact between it and the farmer, bringing prosperity to him and the land around him. (Farm +3)

— Whale Song: Fisherfolk at the Serpent River were being assailed by watery entities that were drowning them. Delvers subdued these spirits and spoke to them: it turns out that they were just trying to play but did not realize that most humans (except one) could not breathe water (Farm +5, Mercado +5)

— The Earth Child: A spirit of earth and stone cavorted about Snakewater’s outskirts, slowing only to talk to local Delvers. The two groups came to an understanding before the Wildling could hurt anyone. (Farm +2, Forge +2)

— The Fall of Nunez: Illustrados Delvers finally cornered and defeated Nunez, the renegade alchemist and former Iglesiar. They also discovered a recent patron of hers, Ravan-Ajasha, the King of Fiends. (Farms +3, Mercado +3, Tombs +3)

— The Barrel: Illustrados Delvers assisted Captain Talin of the Devilhooks in the subduing of his quarry. Of great utility were the explosive barrels he brought to bear (Mercado +5, Farms +5)

— Shut Eye: The Freefolk hunted down and slew the leader of the cannibalistic Bloodmoons: White Eye. Due to the Freefolk’s skill, they were able to strike him down before he could enter into the fullness of his power. In his final moments, he made mention of a wizardly ally that had betrayed him. (Farms +3, Mercado +3, Tomb +3)

— The Ring of Fire: During a reconnaissance mission, the Templars were ambushed by an Infernal Apostate. They managed to quell the fires of Legate Pyrexia’s trap, escaping with their lives and their wizardly compatriot, Volt. (Campus +3, Tombs +3)

— Glory to the God-Empress: The Templars participated in a solemn rite with Mercurial Silent Stone of the Skull Conclave. In this rite, the God-Empress was given Her due reverence and her protection was requested. (Tombs +2)

— Exalted Favors: Several individuals petitioned the Exalted Guard to assist in the cultivation and protection of Snakewater’s farmlands, calling upon the favors owed to them. The Exalted Guard did as they were asked (Farm +20)

— Paige and Puzzles: Inquisitive Delvers assisted Paige of the Library with yet another enigma that she had discovered. Like many others, they proved the wiser than the contraption that dared to befuddle them. (Campus +3)

— Delver Help: Several Delvers assisted the festivals’ proceedings. Buzz, Jackknife, Rusty, Hotty, Hobo, Cid, and Uncle Junker assisted in construction efforts for the new town districts. Nightbreaker patrolled the graveyards for strange activity. Dauntless helped in recovery efforts from the recent Magnastorms. (Forge +38, Spire 3, Tomb +7)

Snakewater’s celebration brought commerce to the region and more importantly, highlighted the triumph of humanity against disaster and discord. Townsfolk from Snakewater and surrounding regions participated not just in the festivities but also in the clean up thereafter. (Campus +24, Farms +69, Mercado +60, Spire +18, Forge 60, Tomb +36)

NEW VALUES: (updated 8/25)

FRINGE FARMLANDS (FARMS) Tier 1: 117/300 (up from Tier 0: 279/300)

GRAVEYARD (TOMBS): Tier 0: 142/300 (Up from Tier 0: 70/300)

LA GRAN FRAGUA (FORGE) Tier 0: 202/300 (Up from Tier 0: 74/300)

LIBRARY LANE (CAMPUS) Tier 3: 201/300 (up from Tier 3: 153/300)

MARKET EXCHANGE (MERCADO) Tier 3: 235/300 (up from Tier 3: 143/300)

STORMBRINGER SPIRE (SPIRE) Tier 0: 124/300 (Up from Tier 0: 88/300)

Shut Eye: The Steelwing Sentinels spearheaded a Freebooter and Wicked Fate attack against the leader of the cannibalistic Bloodmoons: White Eye. Due to the Freefolk’s skill, they were able to strike him down before he could enter into the fullness of his power. This lust for might had wrought its toll upon White Eye, he had consumed the eldritch entities from beyond but it had subsumed his humanity into a spiraling madness.

However, his new shadowy powers would not avail him. One by one, Steelwing and Wicked Fate took down White Eye’s minions until only he stood against them. Beneath blade and bullet, he fell and in his final moments, he cursed the wizardly ally that had betrayed him.

The Fall of Nunez: Illustrados Delvers finally cornered and defeated Nunez, the renegade alchemist and former Iglesiar. They braved poisoned thorn and sharpened bramble to strike at their quarry. However, upon their arrival, they also discovered a recent patron of hers, Ravan-Ajasha, the King of Fiends. Thus did they fight against not only the alchemist but a Projection of the Night King. The fight was a brutal one but the Illustrados triumphed, even against the fleshwarping powers of Ravan-Ajasha and the toxicity of Nunez.

The Barrel: Illustrados Delvers assisted Captain Talin of the Devilhooks in the subduing of his quarry. Of great utility were the explosive barrels he brought to bear. The Devilhooks are known for their monster hunting skills, but this strange new method proved incredibly affected against their beastly prey.

The Ring of Fire: During a reconnaissance mission, the Blades of the Empress and their Freefolk allies were ambushed by an Infernal Apostate. They managed to quell the fires of Legate Pyrexia’s trap, escaping with their lives and their wizardly compatriot, Volt

Glory to the God-Empress: The Templars participated in a solemn rite with Mercurial Silent Stone of the Skull Conclave. In this rite, the God-Empress was given Her due reverence and her protection was requested.

Powerful and mysterious entities known as the Wildling Whispers or the Whispers of the Wild are known to dwell within the World Beyond the Fall. Though their gifts and the mythoi are known to their followers, their true nature eludes most lorekeepers.

However, this designation does not make them a monolithic group. Some drive their followers to compassion or natural communion. Others impel their faithful to honor and stricture. There are also tales of Dire Whispers: those dark entities that inspire ruination and bloodlust among their devoted.

Just as the natural world has fauna both great and small, so too does the spiritual world. Wildlings or Wildkin are “smaller” entities that some describe as nature spirits. Their sapience and intelligence vary from bestial, to human-like, to beyond mortal cognition, though they are largely ignorant of human morals. Flame Wildkin appear as walking pyres. Some Wildkin, however, also take aspects that are considered animalistic, fungal, or botanic.

Geists and Wildkin are sometimes confused for one another. For many there is no difference between the two, especially when they are on a rampage or directed to attack humans. On occasion, some Wildkin can be spoken to and even negotiated with. However, the dissimilarities in values and morals between humans and spirit can make such matters prickly. Some scholars wonder as to their relationship with Geists. But as is many things in the World Beyond the Fall, the truth of the matter has yet to be discovered.

With the days cooling down and the Festival left behind, Snakewater looks toward a temperate autumn and their own winter preparations. Similar machinations have been made for "They Who Traverses" or "The Traveler". This extra-dimensional entity has been aided by human Delvers in recent memory. At their request, the Skull Templars and the Snakewater Library have lent craft and rite toward certain "Paracausal" contraptions, with local Delvers taking the lion's share of the effort.

Recent discoveries and meditations have only begun to study the cosmos beyond the Earth and its terrestrial reality. Certainly, the space outside the planet is still a lifeless void traversed by celestial bodies - but during the Long Fall onward, other dimensions and realities have revealed their existence and influence on a scale of immense magnitude.

Around the known American continent, different philosophies and research have come to conclusions that both coincide and conflict with one another. While these five are not the only ones, they are the main traditions that have published and/or recorded works.

— The Doctrine of the Holy Reality/Calvarian Doctrine: The Skull Templars’ Priory of Correspondence is the prime researcher for the Conclaves and one of the oldest of these traditions. -- for many Templars, malefic consortion with extraplanar entities is a crime.

— The Planar Voidscape Theory/Starseeker Theories: The Grailguard have their own theories on the “Voidside”. But much of their knowledge has been influenced (or some say tainted) by the Hagathai incident at the Fioran Library. The Order of the Astral Tome has yet to fully recover from this incursion and subsequent rampage.

— The Unhallowed Frequencies/Altaric Transmissions: The Altar of Air and its religious denizens have made their own excursions into Xenospace, albeit through the lens of their hallowed Altar. It is believed that not only can they listen in on other worlds and realities, but travel to such places is possible via certain machineries.

— Extraterrestrial Exploration Research/The Xenographic Research: Certain Technocratic Corporations have begun their own investigations into the Extraterrestrial Realities beyond humanity’s home Without. In particular, CIE and Sorc-Sci Corporations have made great progress in this matter, though the exact measure of it remains only in the domain of their R&D departments.

— The Cosmos Without/The Astral Meditations: Separate from the research of the secular Technocracy, the Iglesia Solaar has conducted their own expeditions into the Cosmos Vidh. Instead of using machinery, spiritual rituals and meditations are used to project one’s spirit into different planes of existence. The Order of the Burning Gate has performed the most research into this working with the Order of the Lucent Crown regarding their findings.

By Catherine Rachfalski

[Library Lane, Snakewater, September 18th, 100 BTF]

Paige the Librarian sighed with relief as she emptied her last box of literature into her new bookshelf. Taking a step back, she surveyed her newly organized spacious office and sat on her large desk, taking a second to gaze out the large window behind it. The sun was drawing close to the horizon, illuminating the inside with warm yellow light. As satisfying as tapping a sheaf of papers into place, her hectic week had finally come to its conclusion. The days after Snakewater's triumphant banishment of a Pursuer of the Damned—the abominable bloodhound that had hunted down and attacked the enigmatic Traveler and the town—had blurred together in a flurry of activity.

The Skull Templars had requested a full debriefing of the Pursuer's activities, and inquired as to why their extra bindings, which had been sprung around the Traveler the moment they finished their installation of the final Paracausal Anchor, had been tested immediately. Paige, in her detailed report, curtly responded that the Traveler's pragmatic and curious nature would naturally push them to explore the full confines of their new cage.

Her business with the Skulls concluded, she held a long meeting with the head of the Otherworldly Entities and Phenomena wing of the Scholar's department, showcasing the new and groundbreaking leads she had made into Abyssal knowledge during this year. The Traveler had been a known guest at the Library for the past two months, but had mostly kept to themselves and refused to talk at length with anyone other than Paige or the few Skull Templars working on the Anchor. Her translated dialects of the Abyssal sub-language Astralese raised her boss' eyebrows, and her initial report even passed the desk of Archivist Thatcher. Within a few days, she got the news she'd been dreaming to hear: she was getting a promotion.

Senior Scholar Paige found that her gaze had been stuck to the sunset, the sky turning shades of fire as the sun sank. As was becoming routine for her, she took a second to focus on the beauty of the view and her own happy contentment, and sent these emotions to the Traveler through the new psychic link that they now shared. She had only “heard” from the Traveler once since they offered her and the people of Snakewater their brand. A day or so after things had calmed down, she—and she imagined all others branded to the Traveler as well—felt a shivering sigh of relief come from the entity, somewhere out in the region surrounding Snakewater. They had found a new vessel, a new organic body to house their incorporeal spirit, and the palpable sense of respite from leaving the old dying human vessel behind rippled through their connection. After years of skipping from animal to human, and trying to learn both how to keep the body alive and how to manage their energies from incinerating the host, the Traveler, thanks to the precision afforded them by the Paracausal Anchors, would now be able to easily inhabit the nearby fauna (or uninhabited corpses) for as long as they needed. Peace at last. But despite her daily attempts at communication to see how they were acclimating, she had not heard from them since.

The Traveler needed time. Time and space. And, Paige admitted to herself as she sat down at her desk, so did she. After all, the contingency of her promotion would be her greatest challenge and accomplishment yet: writing up a collection of information on Abyssals that would put Library Lane on the map of the new world. She needed to put pen to paper now, while the events of the year were fresh in her mind. And so, after months of field research, the new Senior Scholar began to write:

“On Abyssals and Their Natures: A Treatise on the Extraplanar Entities and Their Convergence With Mortals

By: Senior Scholar Paige

With special thanks for the delvers in Snakewater , without whom the completion of this writing would not be possible“

— The Pursuer and the Traveler: An Abyssal entity called “the Pursuer of the Damned” entered the reality around Snakewater to hunt down its quarry: the Traveler, an allied entity to the town.

Snakewater’s Delvers managed to drive it away in its first appearance (Farms +5, Spire +5) but The Pursuer and its minions left no stone unturned in trying to find its quarry, and succeeded in laying waste to some parts of the town in their destructive search (Forge -5. Campus -5)

— Rituals of Protection: To protect them from the caustic effects of the Pursuer's demiplane, the Hellhounds and Templars provided rituals of protection to the delvers of Snakewater—helpful measures that ensured their future victory. (Tombs +5)

— Riddles in the Dark: The delvers of Snakewater were requested to decipher runes, riddles, and runic cubes and solve every puzzle put before them. Library Lane benefited greatly from the knowledge gained (Campus +10)

— The Pursuer, Banished: Before the Traveler could install the Paracausal Anchor that would shield them from their gaoler's eyes, a ruthless Pursuer of the Damned arrived at Snakewater to capture the Traveler and punish the town for harboring the fugitive. With the help of shrewd, puzzle-solving delvers, the Traveler transported the town's defenders into the Pursuer's heart and, after piercing its defenses, managed to banish it elsewhere. Shortly after, the Traveler finished the installation of the Anchors, ensuring that new Pursuers could not follow the Traveler in the future.ht (All Expansions +10)

— The Traveler’s Anchors: The Traveler was not forgotten and Para-causal Anchors have been erected to keep them within the area and prevent them from hurting humanity. The Traveler was not glad to know that they had been imprisoned once again but their objection did not give way to destruction (Spire +3)

— Fashion Show: In other matters, Snakewater continued the flow of its life even in the face of this cosmic threat. The Illustrados Technocracy held a fashion show, commemorating the struggles and triumphs of humanity against the Long Fall. (All Expansions +5)

— Berry Shocking: The Ratking Caravan was lent assistance in collecting strange, electrified berries from the ground. The study and exploitation of this odd fruit would progress the industries of Snakewater. (Forge +5)

— Into the Fire: Wildfires raged in the summer heat though far from Snakewater. Hellhound and Templar braved its dangers to rescue the remnants of a caravan from its hellish embrace (Farms +5, Mercado +5)

— Prince of Whimsy: A local Templar was exorcized of a terrifying infestation: a manifested creature wrought by none other than the King of Fools. Because the Templar’s peers and the Oracle-Avatar’s grace, the newly emerged creature only left mental and physical scars upon its host… as opposed to grave scars. Praise was given to the God-Empress. (Tomb +5)

— NPC Shifts: Several Delvers assisted Snakewater in its harvest. In particular, Zen, Cid, Antonino, and Bishop ensured that crafters and farms alike had assistance in their errands. Peep and Nightbreaker patrolled the graveyard, ensuring that the spirits of the dead remained at rest. (Tombs +7, Farms +4, Forge +7)

— Snakewater’s Townsfolk: Snakewater’s harvest was a fruitful one for the year, allaying many folks’ fears. The locals lent their own efforts to the cause, knowing that the next Magna Storms and the threat of winter was just around the corner. (Campus +25, Farms +29, Mercado +27, Spire +22, Forge +27, Tomb +32)

NEW VALUES: (updated 9/27)

FRINGE FARMLANDS (FARMS) Tier 1: 175/300 (up from Tier 1: 117/300)

GRAVEYARD (TOMBS): Tier 0: 206/300 (Up from Tier 0: 142/300)

LA GRAN FRAGUA (FORGE) Tier 0: 261/300 (Up from Tier 0: 202/300)

LIBRARY LANE (CAMPUS) Tier 3: 256/300 (up from Tier 3: 201/300)

MARKET EXCHANGE (MERCADO) Tier 3: 279/300 (up from Tier 3: 235/300)

STORMBRINGER SPIRE (SPIRE) Tier 0: 180/300 (Up from Tier 0: 124/300)

— Berry Shocking: The Ratking Caravan was lent assistance in collecting strange, electrified berries from the ground. The study and exploitation of this odd fruit would progress the industries of Snakewater.

— Into the Fire: Wildfires raged in the summer heat though far from Snakewater. Hellhound and Templar braved its dangers to rescue the remnants of a caravan from its hellish embrace. Several rune vaults were liberated from the blaze, containing something of great value to both parties’ goals.

— Fashion Show: The Illustrados Technocracy held a fashion show, commemorating the struggles and triumphs of humanity against the Long Fall. The main driver of this was Ramona of the Technocratic League. One of peers in the Executive Board, Adrianna of the Flame was also spotted in town.

— Into the Fire: Wildfires raged in the summer heat though far from Snakewater. Hellhound and Templar braved its dangers to rescue the remnants of a caravan from its hellish embrace. Several rune vaults were liberated from the blaze, containing something of great value to both parties’ goals.

— Prince of Whimsy: A local Templar was exorcized of a terrifying infestation: a manifested creature wrought by none other than the King of Fools. Because the Templar’s peers and the Oracle-Avatar’s grace, the newly emerged creature only left mental and physical scars upon its host… as opposed to grave scars. Praise was given to the God-Empress.

The mild autumnal weather belies a coming cataclysm. Scryers and scientists have detected a tyrant-class Magnastorm en route to the Mid-atlantic region, hitting hardest upon Snakewater itself. Preparations and evacuations are underway across Mid-atla. This spreads their forces thin even with the Archfactions offering their assistance. Clouds darken the horizon above even driving winds and manifested geists begin landfall. At Snakewater itself, the Professor offers not one but three different ways to deflect this storm.

Magnetic Mana Storms, also known as Magna Storms are a semi-regular occurrence in the World beyond the Fall. Hitting the continent at least twice a year, these paranatural weather patterns are said to have a heavy hand in humanity’s descent, silencing a digitally connected and electronically advanced pre-fall Earth. Even those systems hardened against electrical pulses could not withstand these energies and eldritch entities emerged from radios and similar devices.

Current technology has adapted to Magna Storm occurrence. Humanity is still a far cry from the technological status of its heyday, but new energy sources (some inspired by said storms) light and power the towns and cities of Mid-Atla, the Templars, and the Illustrados.

Flora and fauna have made their own adaptations. Post-fall flora are tremendously resistant to electricity, regrowing at incredible rates after a Magna Storm. Similarly, parafauna have a sixth sense about said storms, evacuating an area or hunkering down well before one arrives. Some scholars point to the eldritch-aspects of this weather as the reason for sudden changes in both animal and plants compared to their pre-Fall counterparts.

By Catherine Rachfalski

[SNAKEWATER NORTHERN OUTSKIRTS; NOVEMBER 13, 100 BTF]

The afternoon was quiet and the sun shined cheerfully from a cloudless blue sky, a far cry from the howling chaos that had engulfed the region only two days prior.

Associate Gaki stood by as Calhoun Senji surveyed what remained of his house and farmstead. The smell of ozone and char pervaded the area. Calhoun's expression was unreadable as he gazed over upturned fields and a home that had part of the roof caved in and half of the porch blown off the front. The two had worked together to clear the path up to the house of shattered tree trunks and chunks of roof tile, but there were many hours of back-breaking work left before the farm resembled its former self again.

“It could have been much worse.” was the most helpful thing the Peace Maker could think to add to the silence.

“Of that I have no doubt.” replied the farmer.

It seemed like a meaningless platitude, but Gaki still couldn't believe how true those words were. Each of the Professor's plans to shield the town from the worst of the storm's effects were more outrageous than the last. In the end, Snakewater's delvers had voted on perhaps the most sensible of the choices, and although the town suffered some damage, much of the storm's chaotic energies had been funneled into the Stormbinger Spire. Only that mad scientist and those insane delvers could turn losses like these into gains.

“Where are the husband and kids?” Gaki asked, as Calhoun picked his way over wooden splinters and puddle-filled pockmarks to further inspect the house's damages.

“Probably packing the cart and preparing to make their way back here as we speak.” he called back, kicking the house's wooden supports to test their steadiness. “There was never a question we'd return, but depending on what I find here, we would just be buying, borrowing, or bringing a few extra supplies with us from the road.”

He finally smiled as he finished his circle around the building. “We built her as tough and stubborn as we are. She looks worse for wear, but the foundation is still solid and the water damage on the inside is minimal. We'll all have to pile into the living room for a while, but we'll be warm and secure at night. All thanks to those of you who weathered the storm with your backs.”

Gaki reflected Calhoun's smile with one of his own. It was so like Snakewater to turn adversity into resolve so easily. “I appreciate the thanks, but, if you can believe it, it was the Professor's schemes that pulled the storm out of the sky and died the winds down. With his planning, we managed to dodge the worst of it—though, things got pretty rough towards the end, there.”

“Well,” Calhoun said as he walked with the Associate back towards the main road, “pass the Senjis' thanks on to him, then, as well as the Woodsaws' and Carters'. From what I'm hearing, their properties are lookin' fairly similar. What's the Professor's next plans now that the storm has passed?”

Gaki's dryadic branches rustled as he shrugged. “Who knows with him. The storm generated some power for the Spire, and I thought I heard him muttering about creating a more comprehensive metric for measuring magna-storms, now that one of this size came about. Something about... waffles?”

Calhoun chuckled as they reached a fork in the road. “Well, give him and the Council our regards, and good luck helpin' the others dig their way outta this mess.”

Gaki's back ached at the thought. “Thanks, I'll need it.”

— Storm of the Century: Snakewater faced a Tyrant-class Magna Storm set to wipe the town out. Instead of quailing from it, the townsfolk and their protectors successfully absorbed and contained this electrical cataclysm, thanks to the Professor’s Magna Funnels. Despite the widespread damage, the captured Magnetic Mana is a source of research for the New Sciences and a testament to Humanity’s resolve against overwhelming disaster.

(Spire +42// Campus -32, Forge -32, Mercado -32, Farms -32 [instead of -300])

— Old Labs: At the Professor’s behest, several Delver groups and guilds braved the caustic fumes of an old laboratory to retrieve equipment needed to help with the Magna Storm. (Spire +6, Forge +6)

— The Supplier: Snakewater hired Delvers to halt the distribution of a hazardous substance: Quantanium. Fortunately, the individuals found drinking the liquid were attended to. Meanwhile, the remaining Quantanium was used to prevent side-fumbling in the Magna Funnels to be used against the Magna Storm. (Mercado +2, Spire +2)

— Calculations: The Professor’s assistant, Pi, received the assistance of some Delvers in the solving of certain mathematical calculations and theories. He would later incorporate these (hopefully correct) equations into the Magna Funnels’ calibration. (Campus +2, Spire +2)

— Infested Lab: Aguilar hired Delvers to retrieve supplies from his lab that had been infested by Hive Bears. While the place had become useless for work, his hirelings were able to get the job done and contribute to the town’s protection against the storm. (Forge +5, Spire +5)

— Ichor Crystals: Several enterprising individuals were hired to contribute to the advancement of the New Sciences -- they incubated strange green crystals within themselves, persisting through their pain and silence. (Campus +2, Spire +2)

— The Forge Beasts: Subcaptain Enero of the Magistrados’ Inspectors was slain in an uncanny assassination attempt. Several of his allies and hirelings were hurt alongside him. The perpetrators were enigmatic Metabionic-like animals called Forge Beasts, creatures more at home in an illegal lab than in MId-Atla. (Mercado -5, Forge -5)

— Thunderbugs: The ECL;PS guild and Captain Talin tracked down vermin that were moving between areas with a powerful Magnetic Mana presence. Fortunately, these insects were dealt with before they could inflict damage on Snakewater’s infrastructure. (Mercado +2, Forge +2)

— In Wine, Truth: First Mate Drigo and his manservant, Manuel Cervantes, meet with another Illustrados dignitary in the Lost Sheep Cantina: Overseer Terra of CIE. They were joined by individuals of various backgrounds, some of whom piqued Drigo’s interest for employment. (Forge +2, Mercado +2)

— Nature and Nurture: A Cryptozoologist was called into Snakewater upon hearing the rumors about Clown Eggs. She gave the Delvers in town, especially the Steelwing Sentinels, her own theories about the nature of these enigmatic eggs. She even arranged for a pseudo birthday party for science’s sake. (Campus +4)

— Hanlon Resources: In the next step of their investigations, the Bearers of Wicked Fate tracked down a secret accomplice to the Night Kings. Their target, Hanlon, already had bounties on his head from his known associations with the Dawnflower Cartel, so it was a simple task to detain him. (Farms +3, Mercado +3, Forge +3)

— Flame of Faith: Several worshippers of the World Dragon were discovered burned into ashes by the Blades of the Empress. The culprit, Legate “Jyoti” was there in full sight, bleating about the Infernal Truth and boasting about their secret weapon. Fortunately, Jyoti and his fiery minions were driven away before they could hurt more folk (Tombs +5)

— Ori Avi: A blasphemous text was retrieved and brought to the Templars’ attention. There was nothing special about it. (Campus +2)

NPC Shifts:

• Nightbreaker and Liff banished a minor haunt from the graveyards, ushering the spirit into its afterlife.

• Dauntless donated some of his Infusion magics into the Spire to power its functions. (Spire +6)

• Ezra, Antonino, Maverick, Jackknife, Curly, and Screwdriver prepared the Forge district against the Magna Storm. They reinforced walls, helped with evacuation, cleared gutters, and set up auxiliary lightning rods. (Forge +30)

• Griselda fended off some would-be looters from a local storefront (Mercado +3)

— Snakewater’s Townsfolk: With the weather turning for the better (albeit colder), the people of Snakewater did their best to repair the damaged infrastructure. The Archfactions lent their aid to the beleaguered town, but it was the Delvers’ example of bravery and stubbornness that was the template for inspiration and motivation. Winter would find the town ready. (Bonus matches PC contributions - Campus -10//Farms +3//Mercado +12// Spire +63//Forge +47//, Tomb +10)

NEW VALUES: (updated 12/03)

FRINGE FARMLANDS (FARMS) Tier 1: 149/300 (down from Tier 1: 175/300)

GRAVEYARD (TOMBS): Tier 0: 226/300 (Up from Tier 0: 206/300)

LA GRAN FRAGUA (FORGE) Tier 1: 19/300 (Up from Tier 0: 261/300)

LIBRARY LANE (CAMPUS) Tier 3: 244/300 (down from Tier 3: 256/300)

MARKET EXCHANGE (MERCADO) Tier 3: 266/300 (down from Tier 3: 279/300)

STORMBRINGER SPIRE (SPIRE) Tier 1: 6/300 (Up from Tier 0: 180/300)

-- Nature and Nurture: A Cryptozoologist was called into Snakewater upon hearing the rumors about Clown Eggs. She gave the Delvers in town, especially the Steelwing Sentinels, her own theories about the nature of these enigmatic eggs. She even arranged for a pseudo birthday party for science’s sake.

Nueva Ciencia does not speak much of clowns, though the world is full of strange monstrosities and eldritch entities. There are jesters, clowns, jongleurs, and other performers in different parts of Mid-Atla. That a Night King would style himself accordingly, is especially strange.

-- Hanlon Resources: In the next step of their investigations, the Bearers of Wicked Fate tracked down a secret accomplice to the Night Kings. Their target, Hanlon, already had bounties on his head from his known associations with the Dawnflower Cartel, so it was a simple task to detain him. (Farms +3, Mercado +3, Forge +3)

Hanlon remains under Peace Maker custody as of the moment. His connections with the King of Lightning as well as the King of Flowers are being thoroughly examined, in exchange for leniency. Oddly, he repeated a rumor that has been floating around Mid-Atla: Aetheldred, the King of Flowers, has yet to truly recover from her bout with Snakewater. Witness saw massive cranial trauma from her disrupted magics as she left the field, but no one has confirmed this information.

-- The Forge Beasts: Subcaptain Enero of the Magistrados’ Inspectors was slain in an uncanny assassination attempt. Several of his allies and hirelings were hurt alongside him. The perpetrators were enigmatic Metabionic-like animals called Forge Beasts, creatures more at home in an illegal lab than in MId-Atla.

Indeed it is said that the Technocratic development of these creatures was made illicit by Senatorial regulation and all research on them was confiscated or surrendered. It would not be too far of a leap to understand that they may have been copied. Even the Magistrados cannot be aware of every offshore facility owned by the Technocracy.

-- Thunderbugs: The ECL;PS guild and Captain Talin tracked down vermin that were moving between areas with a powerful Magnetic Mana presence. Fortunately, these insects were dealt with before they could inflict damage on Snakewater’s infrastructure.

Captain Talin and the Devilhook Fleet he sails with are known for their destruction of monstrosities big and small. Among the Charioteers, the Devilhooks (or Devilfish) are thought of as bloodthirsty thrillseekers rather than the typical mercantile-oriented mariner.

-- In Wine, Truth: First Mate Drigo and his manservant, Manuel Cervantes, meet with another Illustrados dignitary in the Lost Sheep Cantina: Overseer Terra of CIE. They were joined by individuals of various backgrounds, some of whom piqued Drigo’s interest for employment.

CIE (Celso Innovational Enterprises) is one of the prime Corporations within the Illustrados Union, suffering from many an up and down. They are spawned from the greatest of Illustrados’ engineer heroes but they have also been a party to scandals of massive import, such as the attack on the Senate in 60 BTF.

-- Flame of Faith: Several worshippers of the World Dragon were discovered burned into ashes by the Blades of the Empress. The culprit, Legate “Jyoti” was there in full sight, bleating about the Infernal Truth and boasting about their secret weapon. Fortunately, Jyoti and his fiery minions were driven away before they could hurt more folk

The Infernal Apostasy refers to themselves in different ways: the Infernal Truth, the Incandescent Enlightenment, and similar epithets. Similarly, they name their Templar enemies as liars and proponents of untruth. The Oracle-Avatar, they claim, is the ultimate traitor to humanity for trafficking with Abyssal Gods. It is difficult to take this claim seriously when the Infernals themselves utilize Abyssalites in their activities.

-- Ori Avi: A blasphemous text was retrieved and brought to the Templars’ attention. There was nothing special about it. Period.