It was in Tzarin of Year 596 that strange, delirious visions appeared before the Basin of Life. Ones that warped Creation in sunblasted hues and slowly progressed into a loud blast, releasing mirific golden ripples throughout the Skarch Desert and Mount Zoaka. As adventurers rushed to investigate, they found a wavering tear hovering upon the slope along Mount Zoaka's ascent. Wavering sights appeared to those who dared gaze beyond: golden volcanic gardens, a magnificent jungle beached amongst surreal colours, pallid orchards. These images were distorted, their colours spilling and flowing in insubstantial psychedelic forms.
While the gathered adventurers analysed the swirls of shimmering gold akin to an exquisite mirage, it was noted that the fractured landscape seemed to heal when the golden ripples were guided back towards the impact point. Fillirriqili Skydrifter was the first to manage to catch a ripple and add it to the tear. Many adventurers thus set to catch the elusive ripples freed all over, healing Mount Zoaka's summits. Eritheyl Ryseni and Caliph Sulwh brought a veritable armload thanks to their expertise with the region, and it was eventually Evette Stormcrow who placed the final ripple, leading to more strange sights in the volcanic mountain heights.
As the tear passed from existence in a kaleidoscope of surreal colours, an island emerged with a reverberating humming sound to place itself upon Mount Zoaka. There, adventurers found Aleatriz Xiim, a dracnari involved in mysterious experiments dating back to the fall of the Empire. She explained that she became trapped in the qetakash'Sayi Island, created as part of an old project, and that she finally managed to return. She did ask about the state of the world and how the centuries passed, promising to explore on her own as well.
Aleatriz beseeched the assistance of the crowd gathered as the Glasswing Promenade still required care. Eritheyl Ryseni, Astrasia Strongleaf, Nialla Myeras, Regent Tyrus and Tridemon Regalis coordinated their efforts to efficiently restore the Glasswing Promenade to its former glory, being lead to the farthest reaches of the desert to gather specific charms and ingredients. It was finally Cheliyi who gathered the last blessings required to preserve the Glasswing Promenade, receiving Aleatriz's praise for the group's kindness.
One may wonder what secrets and intrigues are hidden in the ancient gardens kept by mysterious dracnari guardians, and why the Promenade's landscape always seems one eye-blink away from fading into oblivion, or what purposes the old project served.
Each year in Lusternia, the Vernal Seals come under threat and must be defended, with a challenge to every Seal collecting those Nine who are worthy to stand in the Final Trial and hold aloft the Staff of Ascension.
Though the Vernal Seals still stand strong, we want to give you advance warning of what this year's dates will be like. We do not have the times booked yet and will inform you soon as they are determined.
You should be aware that these events are not in the order that you are used to and that changes to some events are coming. We will be informing you of those in advance and you should know that they are rule/balance changes, not fundamental ones (ie. Challenge of Life is not suddenly becoming about reciting life-affirming poems).
Please also remember that these dates are for your OOC use only. Discussing them IC is not permitted until an Ascension has been called for in-character.
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21st August 2021
Challenge of Death
Challenge of Beauty Submissions Open
22nd August 2021
Challenge of Knowledge
28th August 2021
Challenge of Nature
29th August 2021
Challenge of Chaos
4th September 2021
Ascension Gala
11th September 2021
Challenge of Justice
12th September 2021
Challenge of War
Challenge of Beauty Submissions Close
18th September 2021
Challenge of Life
19th September 2021
Challenge of Harmony
Challenge of Beauty Results
25th September 2021
Final Trial of Ascension