[!]Sightings of unusually large invasive crayfish around the spire have increased, while the population in the undercity have been put under control for now. Investigation into these craven crawlers shows a bizarre mutation allowing them to grow much larger then normal from having gorged upon Muisi in the undercity.    

[!]Denizens of the undercity of late whisper of strange things... Sounds out of reach originating from the catacombs, animals avoiding the entrances, and a deep rumble from within that no one can understand. One thing is clear, things are stirring within the catacombs...

Solstice Keepers "Gold to honor the Sun, White to honor the Moons. The lands blood basked in Sunlight while waters waves pulled by Moonlight"   ~Overview~      The {Solstice Keepers} that take up the northern reaches of the Faded Steppe are a reclusive group who are generally made of up of Fey-Touched and Greatling of various types whose caravan are divided into smaller clans. Within margin of error these clans only amount to thirty persons or less, while leading to a loose grasp on how many Solstice Keepers there are from the outside looking in. They mostly stick to mountain bases and tundra within Falstone borders during the solar period of Vernus to Summer, before transitioning into the plains and brush during the lunar period of Fall to Winter. All the while trading their goods with other caravans, townships, Greatling Clans and peoples throughout for materials they otherwise cannot acquire. Before the Summer solstice clans will visit Hope’s Watch in order to not only stock up, but gather news about Falstoner territory and the realm at large, along with delivering clan delegates. During their travels they make use of Gers which are easily set up allowing them to never stay in one place too long, utilizing horses and smaller carriages to get around making them particularly nomadic.       As hunter/gatherer peoples like other Falstoners they should not be taken lightly, being well trained in Archery and Martial blades, which allows them to traverse into wilds freely while sustaining off of it in a harmonious way. Keepers go so far as to display perishable goods on shrines for Fey in their travels for safe passage whether they believe them real or not. However, they are kindly folk and are welcoming to strangers despite reclusive ways, being rather hospitable in sharing food and drink to those in need, even one's they would consider enemies. Turning down an offered drink can be seen as disgrace towards one's hospitality, and may lead to thinking that a guest is a Fey. This little 'rule' is part of a longstanding greeting, rooted in belief a drunk Fey will unveil its disguise.   ~Cultural Cornerstones~       Solstice Keepers have had a rich history upon the Faded Steppe spanning many eras that have seen various trials, yet their culture remains firm in the wake of change. There is no greater sign of this than Solstice Keeper markers which adorn various trails, paths and spiritual locations they create. Often carried across great lengths of rope sanctified with liquor, the most prominent of these flags is the Keepers' Standard made of white and blue with a white stripe covered by the sun. These can vary with different flairs, each flag and banner holding significant meaning which adorn these vibrant lines near and around the mountains of their travel. Statuesque locations deem a somber presence with darkened flags where Keepers return the dead to the land, believing that all life borrows time before it is returned.      The travels Solstice Keepers make during the myriad of seasons are not as arduous as one might think. They have made them some thousand times throughout their storied history, the Ger allowing them great adaptability for the steppe. The Ger is something of a mobile home made of wool and cloth for weather-proofing, supported via an intricate yet collapsible wood woven frame. Inside they are furnished with furs and rugs around a central hearth for warmth and cooking. Soft racks and baskets line the space for storage, and most of these Gers use a type of hammock or futon for light travel.      It is at these Gers the Solstice Keepers also make various goods, of particular note is a fermented drink called Kumis made of milk which can vary in alcoholic content. Though these drinks are more a by-product of Aluur, dried cheese curds being made in large batches. These are cured into sticks or cakes that one can find fancily decorated or broken into chunks which makes up a core part of Solstice Keeper diets. Dairy used for this process is acquired from the various horses and goats. The former are treated as lifelong companions who their riders form strong bonds with, the latter (along with sheep) are kept in small numbers for both meat and dairy within a clan resulting in no one area ever being overgrazed. Shepherds call this breed Kerkhuul due to their unique wool not found elsewhere, used in not just clothing but the Gers themselves. Mutton from the sheep makes up another sizable portion of their diet and is most fondly used to make steamed dumplings.     ~Practices & Celebrations~      Being attuned with the ways of the land has lead the Solstice Keepers to have a number of unique practices along with traditional Falstoner celebrations. The most important are the Solstice holidays in which the various clans all come together for a grand celebration where folk catch up, trade, drink, eat and have general merriment. While each Solstice sees celebrations, each carries their own unique traits. In Summer they stick to the tundras near mountains, while in Winter they make claim to rocky outcrops throughout the plains. Here they set up Gers so the doors face either the moon or sun. Special breads are made as well, slightly sweeter than usual along with a fried dough cookie called Boortsog which is accompanied with powder sugar, honey and clotted cream. Both of these confections are only stamped with a marking when made during the Solstice celebrations.     During their travels the act of leaving goods as offerings has led them to treat their surroundings well, having a great fondness for nature. Respect rooted in the belief that all of life borrows time and must return it one day. These beliefs even show with their marked trails, as while they are worn paths they are cared for and the nature that grows is tended well for gathering during journeys between the plains, tundra, and mountain bases. These paths often have many Fey Shrines in the hopes not only will they leave travelers alone but also that supposed Fey may protect the nature around the paths. Whether this actually has an intended effect is unseen.      All Solstice Keepers know that dreams come to an end one day, and one's borrowed time must be returned to the ground. When the Solstice Keepers are not near any known Cairns these bodies are wrapped in cloth sanctified with alcohol to be carried to one, along with any personal possessions. Parcels are often left behind not only for the dead that rest, but for any troublesome Fey that the Keepers believe may happen upon them, resulting in near the same treatment as the odd shrines left around. Some Cairns are over a dozen feet tall, adorned with not only flags but various ribbons and offerings making them shrines in their own right that Clans upkeep over Centuries.      One of the lesser observed practices from the outside are Keeper Bondings, though much smaller affairs than most they have a core set of events. The Ceremony of Bonding is planned well in advance, always a month before or after the respective Solstice determined by the birth months of each partner involved, with various feasts between families held before the big day. On the day of the Ceremony a specially crafted Brazier (representing the Sun) is lit, the partners have their hands bound together with undyed wool or silk (representing the moons). After speaking vows they hold their tied hands over the brazier a moment and walk forward in unison. If the cloth holds it is seen as a boon, while if it breaks it is a bane. After all involved help move the Brazier into the newly bonded's Ger.   ~Travel & Trade~      Like many of those living in Falstone, trade is a part of everyday life for the clans. However unlike many other caravans they trade little in coin or riches for goods where it can be helped. Barter is a core principle amongst the Solstice Keepers, shelf stable goods in particular will always fetch a higher place on the bidding floors of Ger’s specifically set up for trade. The Solstices Keepers do however value a good tool, though they will not trade perishables foods outside Aluur, coveting such for their travels. In much the same way even their hospitality is affected by such trade routines, when offered anything while staying with a clan they will often return such gestures. Their offering of Kumis should always be taken, it is seen as ‘the first trade’ when visiting. One who asks to share in another's abode take part in the other's way of life resulting in an exchange that is more cultural than mercantile.      It is far more common to come across the Keeper’s during the Fall and Winter, during which they travel towards more population centers and plains to both avoid the cold as well as trade with the various other caravans and villages for things they cannot otherwise readily make or grow themselves with their wool goods being well sought for trade. Falstone is not the only place the Keepers trade, the Greatlings in the northern reaches of the steppe during the Summers are repeat customers, allowing them access to metalworking they otherwise wouldn’t be able to get. Via this trading the Keepers are a warm welcome and in some instances clans are even a life line of supplies to Stonerunner clans that’d rather stay in their mountain homes. By this act they keep themselves in an odd political stance of neutrality where they can, despite not claiming land, frown upon others attempting to take ownership of routes and pathways they traverse. Feeling such land and nature belongs to all so long as it is tended well by those who pass through its bounty.      Through all of this trade there is no greater companion to the Keepers than their horses, beloved and treated well these animals are the backbone of how they travel, be it scouting or pulling carriages. This leads to the steppe horses being coveted, sport a stockier short look with dense hair for the climate, along with having adapted to the rough terrain of their natural habitat. Carts and carriages differ from most other caravans being primarily a way to transport their goods and Gers, some who pack light enough even carry the materials across horseback. The use of magic while packing is frowned upon, the Keepers value its work more from established mages with crops and the sick. Packing one's own weight often beguiles another to aid if possible so the use of magic is a social slap in the face against another's aid. Let alone if one was packing their supplies upon a horse, it is seen as sacrilege and abuse to use non-crop related magic remotely near the horses due to cultural concerns regarding the art being seen as Fey trickery if not by use of an established Shaman.   ~Leadership & Politics~      Of the sparse mages who do inhabit the Steppe the Solstice Keepers uphold an unusual view compared to the rest of Falstone, that is many Shamans who reside as spiritual leaders abide by the Fables. Their lives are both for their people and the lands which they live upon, often being remissed that most Shamans obtain such skills much later on in life to garner the title of Udgan. Further these Shamans are far and few between often only having one or two that may be a Udgan for up to four clans that they drift between, in this way many see them as the most trustworthy to utilize magic's to heal the sick or commune with nature along a path their people take.      There are leaders whom adversely hold no magical skills, electing to be witted leaders of their clans who understand the importance one must have in doing things without magic. They abide by practical means to heal and resolve problems, disputes, and any conflicts that may arise. Many of them are forged into their role from long lived lives, obtaining the title of Khagan, many see their lived experiences as fables in their own right further attuned with the spirits of past lives. In this way the clans have a balance in practical and magical viewpoints, allowing a more diversified view of problems that may beget the people.      During celebrations is often times the handful of these leaders convene to discuss and talk of worldly affairs outside their peoples scope. This allows when needed for a delegation to be selected amounting of two person made up of a Khagan and a Udgan, election of which happens during the Solstice celebrations. In the months before Vernus, delegates travel together across the clans to hear of their peoples needs and settle disputes so that they may relay them to Falstone leadership in Hopes Watch. Often there are disputes over Falstone farmers encroaching on what is considered 'protected land' with other talks over the mountain clans or word from the further northern realm are relayed. This Gives the Solstices Keepers firm footing for barter in soft power that allows them peace they wish.   ~Mythos~      There once was a Solstice-Keeper who traversed the realm, chasing sun and moon carrying seeds of the forests and fields which they traversed. Each one grew from their back as the years grew long before finally making rest upon the basin of a mountain, In their last breaths the child of Falstone bid that what carried upon their back take root and flourish when bereft of hope. Thus the first Solstice-Keeper made a way for their people, that their spirits never sputter even if flowers will not grow when one lays for their final rest.      Solstice Keeper archers have a test of might in which they must fire an arrow blindly at the sun and moons, following folklore of a ruler whose daughter was stolen by a Fey that escaped into the Ether. He bestowed three archers a silver arrow each and bade them to pierce the Ether to return her. The first arrow felled the sun, pulling the worldly body around it. The second felled the twin moons so they ever chased the sun. The third however, felled the ground in twain for the Fey had hid underground. Upon their return each was granted boon for now the celestial bodies orbited and his daughter returned safe. Though in modern times the three ( World, Moons, Sun ) are referred to as ‘The Three Lovers’.

Mage IV Achieved Primary Branch Updated

[!][Notices have gone up across the various notice boards across the Southern Reach. A small entry field is below for name and position]Are you a medical practitioner seeking backing and support under your employer?Are you an Independent Healer looking for the same support as a large practice?Are you a specialist looking to get networked for patients seeking specified care?The Southern Reach Healers Union is looking out for you! We are seeking medical professionals to unionize with the goal of creating a large health network! This network will oversee and set forth propositions on behalf of all care workers in southern reach, If you are interested sign your name, profession and/or position below!(OOC: A thread will be created where you can submit relevant information.)