Molluscan Deep-Sea Alchemy Ingredient Gathering
Summons
Official Invitation from House Mollusca
Issued from the Office of Anassa JaySeaBoom in Zafforza City
By Authority of House Mollusca, you are hereby invited to participate in the Deep-Sea Alchemy Ingredient Gathering.
Across Zafforza City, rare and powerful alchemical reagents lie waiting to be gathered. These materials are essential to the preservation of our traditions, our defenses, and the balance of forces that stir in the deep.
Recent observations have noted… irregularities in certain trench-grown compounds. Additional harvesters and recorders are required. Participants will be tasked with locating, documenting, and safely harvesting designated ingredients under House Mollusca protocol and ethical harvest doctrine.
Carelessness, over-harvesting, or unauthorized experimentation is strongly discouraged and may result in removal from House protection.
Know this:
The deep does not give freely.
What is gathered must be earned.
What is earned must be respected.
Not all ingredients remain stable.
Not all harvests return unchanged.
Those who complete this Gathering will earn recognition from House Mollusca and may be granted access to restricted alchemical knowledge, rare materials, or sealed historical records.
The currents are shifting.
The Gathering begins soon.
Prepare your tools, your mind, and your will.
House Mollusca Watches and the Deep Remembers.
Issued from the Office of Anassa JaySeaBoom in Zafforza City
By Authority of House Mollusca, you are hereby invited to participate in the Deep-Sea Alchemy Ingredient Gathering.
Across Zafforza City, rare and powerful alchemical reagents lie waiting to be gathered. These materials are essential to the preservation of our traditions, our defenses, and the balance of forces that stir in the deep.
Recent observations have noted… irregularities in certain trench-grown compounds. Additional harvesters and recorders are required. Participants will be tasked with locating, documenting, and safely harvesting designated ingredients under House Mollusca protocol and ethical harvest doctrine.
Carelessness, over-harvesting, or unauthorized experimentation is strongly discouraged and may result in removal from House protection.
Know this:
The deep does not give freely.
What is gathered must be earned.
What is earned must be respected.
Not all ingredients remain stable.
Not all harvests return unchanged.
Those who complete this Gathering will earn recognition from House Mollusca and may be granted access to restricted alchemical knowledge, rare materials, or sealed historical records.
The currents are shifting.
The Gathering begins soon.
Prepare your tools, your mind, and your will.
House Mollusca Watches and the Deep Remembers.
Letter
(Click for non-cursive version)
Official Invitation from House Mollusca
Issued from the Office of Anassa JaySeaBoom in Zafforza City
By Authority of House Mollusca, you are hereby invited to participate in the Deep-Sea Alchemy Ingredient Gathering.
Across Zafforza City, rare and powerful alchemical reagents lie waiting to be gathered. These materials are essential to the preservation of our traditions, our defenses, and the balance of forces that stir in the deep.
Recent observations have noted… irregularities in certain trench-grown compounds. Additional harvesters and recorders are required. Participants will be tasked with locating, documenting, and safely harvesting designated ingredients under House Mollusca protocol and ethical harvest doctrine.
Carelessness, over-harvesting, or unauthorized experimentation is strongly discouraged and may result in removal from House protection.
Know this:
The deep does not give freely.
What is gathered must be earned.
What is earned must be respected.
Not all ingredients remain stable.
Not all harvests return unchanged.
Those who complete this Gathering will earn recognition from House Mollusca and may be granted access to restricted alchemical knowledge, rare materials, or sealed historical records.
The currents are shifting.
The Gathering begins soon.
Prepare your tools, your mind, and your will.
House Mollusca Watches and the Deep Remembers.
Issued from the Office of Anassa JaySeaBoom in Zafforza City
By Authority of House Mollusca, you are hereby invited to participate in the Deep-Sea Alchemy Ingredient Gathering.
Across Zafforza City, rare and powerful alchemical reagents lie waiting to be gathered. These materials are essential to the preservation of our traditions, our defenses, and the balance of forces that stir in the deep.
Recent observations have noted… irregularities in certain trench-grown compounds. Additional harvesters and recorders are required. Participants will be tasked with locating, documenting, and safely harvesting designated ingredients under House Mollusca protocol and ethical harvest doctrine.
Carelessness, over-harvesting, or unauthorized experimentation is strongly discouraged and may result in removal from House protection.
Know this:
The deep does not give freely.
What is gathered must be earned.
What is earned must be respected.
Not all ingredients remain stable.
Not all harvests return unchanged.
Those who complete this Gathering will earn recognition from House Mollusca and may be granted access to restricted alchemical knowledge, rare materials, or sealed historical records.
The currents are shifting.
The Gathering begins soon.
Prepare your tools, your mind, and your will.
House Mollusca Watches and the Deep Remembers.
Arrival
You have arrived on Mumei Island. Behind you is the Heart Rock, where various animals like to sunbathe during the day. On occasion, you get to see a green sea turtle. Though, that’s not why you’ve come today. As you look around, you hear the snick of an elevator and the sound of hooves on the beach.
Welcome. I’m so glad you could make it. While I see some familiar faces, I’m looking forward to getting to know you all as we explore Zafforza City gathering alchemy ingredients to create the rare Elixir of the Sovereign Deep also known as the Ink of Final Memory. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Lady Wynter. Due to my particular interest in alchemical research, I'll be your guide today.
I’ve brought these seaweed wrapped notebooks and waterproof pens for your use. I’m sure you’re ready to get started, but let's have a warm-up first.
Sprint for 10 minutes.
Introductions, Passes, and Supplies
This is for your reference as we take this journey. Now, if you will follow me, we’ll be using a magical submarine elevator to the North Access Tunnel and from there we go to the Nexus to get your visitor pass and supplies.
You follow Lady Wynter, ‘ahhing’ over the cool submarine. It hums during the smooth descent to the tunnel where Lady Wynter leads you north to the type of elevator you’re used to seeing. Once on the first floor of the Nexus, Lady Wynter takes you to the visitor desk for your pass. The whole time she chats with you so that everyone has a chance to introduce themselves.
After receiving your pass, she takes you to a supply closet.
Write for 15 minutes.
If you write 200 words or less, you get 1 Harvest Kit and 1 Alchemical Storage Kit
If you write 201 through 300 words, you get 1 Harvest Kit and 1 Alchemical Storage Kit plus 1 extra Sealed Sample Vial and 1 extra Micro Pressure Nursery Pod.
If you write 301 or more words, you get 1 Harvest Kit and 1 Alchemical Storage Kit plus 2 extra Sealed Sample Vials and 2 extra Micro Pressure Nursery Pods.
If you write 200 words or less, you get 1 Harvest Kit and 1 Alchemical Storage Kit
If you write 201 through 300 words, you get 1 Harvest Kit and 1 Alchemical Storage Kit plus 1 extra Sealed Sample Vial and 1 extra Micro Pressure Nursery Pod.
If you write 301 or more words, you get 1 Harvest Kit and 1 Alchemical Storage Kit plus 2 extra Sealed Sample Vials and 2 extra Micro Pressure Nursery Pods.
Contents of Kits
Harvest Kit
(Click to learn more)
This kit comes in a Tideweave Field Satchel that can be worn crossbody. Contents include:
The Tideweave Field Satchel is made of treated deep-kelp strands and abyssal silk thread with a pressure-set brine resin sealant. It is flexible, salt-proof, self-tightening in strong currents, and slightly bioluminescent. When closed, the weave contracts to form a semi-rigid seal against current and pressure changes.
There is a tool sleeve for the blade, collector, spool core tube and cord.
- Pearlsteel Field Blade: For slicing kelp, bloom sacs, and filament strands.
- Sealed Sample Vials (x4): They are pressure stabilized and have self-sealing cork membranes.
- Glowthread Binding Cord: Used for securing living or moving samples. It is slightly bioluminescent tracking.
- Shell-Scoop Collector: For powders, dust, larvae, and sediment. It doesn’t contaminate magical samples.
- Stability Salt Pack: To be used on unstable ingredients. It prevents magical decay or mutation.
- Runic Stabilization Ampoule: For literomantically charged water.
- Breath-Weave Sample Wrap: To prevent bruising of organic material and prevents magical signal bleed.
- Spool Core Tube: Prevents tangling and self-growth knotting
- Resonance Dampener Tube: Prevents harmonic activation and stops accidental sound-trigger magic.
- Micro Pressure Nursery Pod: To keep larva dormant and to prevent early shell formation.
- Currentwarden Gloves: Elbow-length gloves made of layered tide-leather and woven glowkelp fiber with thin nacre scales stitched across the palms and knuckles. Prevents frostburn and nerve-lock.
The Tideweave Field Satchel is made of treated deep-kelp strands and abyssal silk thread with a pressure-set brine resin sealant. It is flexible, salt-proof, self-tightening in strong currents, and slightly bioluminescent. When closed, the weave contracts to form a semi-rigid seal against current and pressure changes.
There is a tool sleeve for the blade, collector, spool core tube and cord.
Alchemical Storage Kit
(Click to learn more)
This kit is a box made of pressure-forged basaltic trench stone powder, abyssal metal microfilaments, and pressure-cured brine resin binder. It is nacre-lined to prevent magical leakage and to stabilize literomantic resonance. Contents include:
- A Cold Current Crystal Slot: This slot keeps contents in a suspended low-energy state and prevents spoilage/mutation.
- Compartment Grid: There are separate slots for liquids, organics, volatile arcane matter, and living samples.
- A Light-Dampening Layer: This is required for Nightglass and Living Ink.
- Memory Seal Compartment: To contain reagents that retain emotional or ancestral imprinting.
- Biohazard Pressure Chamber: Designed for biologically active or magically volatile fluids.
- Asteri Compliance Tags: For restricted ingredient transport. Blue Tag: Structural Arcane; Violet Tag: Literomantic Hazard; Black Tag: Entity / Primordial Risk; Pearl Tag: Ancestral / Ritual Material
Lady Wynter claps her hands
Now that everyone has their passes and kits, we’re ready to get started. We’ll be heading to the Zafforza Information Center next.
Before we go, please drink these: the Chiroptera Coffee Creamers. This one allows you to breathe underwater for three hours. I don’t foresee this lasting longer than that but I will be bringing extra, just in case.
You drink the creamer Lady Wynter gives you.
We'll be entering water when we leave the Center. If you'll come with me, we'll be using a submarine taxi to get there.
Now that everyone has their passes and kits, we’re ready to get started. We’ll be heading to the Zafforza Information Center next.
Before we go, please drink these: the Chiroptera Coffee Creamers. This one allows you to breathe underwater for three hours. I don’t foresee this lasting longer than that but I will be bringing extra, just in case.
You drink the creamer Lady Wynter gives you.
We'll be entering water when we leave the Center. If you'll come with me, we'll be using a submarine taxi to get there.
It Starts
You stare out the window of the taxi, taking in the sea life swimming around you. The taxi stops at the edge of a park that appears to be in a giant air bubble. Stepping out of the taxi, Lady Wynter escorts you to a large campus like building and reminds you:Please remember what your invitation said about harvesting ingredients. You must be careful when you do so and overharvesting is not allowed… EVER.
Upon entering the Zafforza Information Center, you see electronic crystalline data banks with interface access lining the walls and a few scattered throughout the room. In one corner is a walled off section lined with bookshelves crammed full and in the middle is a large encyclopedia-looking book wrapped in the same seaweed as the notebooks Lady Wynter gave you. An Information Specialist approaches.
The Information Specialist gives a formal bow
I can help you access our data banks or help you search our books, Chronicler of the Tides. So, how may I be of service?
I can help you access our data banks or help you search our books, Chronicler of the Tides. So, how may I be of service?
Per Anassa JaySeaBoom’s request, these good people are here to harvest and research some of our alchemical reagents. I sent ahead the list requesting an Information Specialist put together a list of the specific locations along with any necessary and vital information needed.
Yes, Chronicler, we received it. A wise move with many of the reagents on the list.
He turns to the group.
Welcome to our wonderful city. We’re so very glad you could join us. Now that you’ve seen a bit of our fair city, please write in your notebooks what you believe you will be looking for.
He turns to the group.
Welcome to our wonderful city. We’re so very glad you could join us. Now that you’ve seen a bit of our fair city, please write in your notebooks what you believe you will be looking for.
Write for 20 minutes.
If you write 300 words or less, you get the full list of ingredients with some of the locations, and one of the warnings.
If you write 301 to 400 words, you get the full list of ingredients with all the locations, and two of the warnings.
If you write 401 or more words, you get the full list of ingredients with all the locations and all of the warnings.
If you write 300 words or less, you get the full list of ingredients with some of the locations, and one of the warnings.
If you write 301 to 400 words, you get the full list of ingredients with all the locations, and two of the warnings.
If you write 401 or more words, you get the full list of ingredients with all the locations and all of the warnings.
300 words or less
Ingredients:
- Inkblossom Petals
- Glowkelp Threads
- Pearl Sediment Dust
- Jellyfish Bloom Resin
- Abyssal Anemone Milk
- Siren Scale Filament
- Ink Pearl Larva
- Frozen Current Crystal
- Nightglass Shard
- Living Ink
- Kraken-blood Brine
- Grief-Salt from a drowned Reliquary
- Eight Towers
- Bridge of Sighs
- Southern Access Tunnel
Frozen Current Crystal
WARNING
Temporal and Pressure Instability
- Do not expose to rapid temperature shifts
- Do not fracture crystal lattice
- Do not store near active literomantic inscriptions
- Fracture may cause localized current reversal or time drift
301 to 500 words
Ingredients:
- Inkblossom Petals
- Glowkelp Threads
- Pearl Sediment Dust
- Jellyfish Bloom Resin
- Abyssal Anemone Milk
- Siren Scale Filament
- Ink Pearl Larva
- Frozen Current Crystal
- Nightglass Shard
- Living Ink
- Kraken-blood Brine
- Grief-Salt from a drowned Reliquary
- Eight Towers (Tal’s penthouse, specifically)
- Bridge of Sighs (x2)
- Eastern Access Tunnel
- Southern Access Tunnel
- Generator Warehouse
- The Hall of Unbroken Record (Blackwater Vault) Warnings:
- Do not expose to rapid temperature shifts
- Do not fracture crystal lattice
- Do not store near active literomantic inscriptions
- Fracture may cause localized current reversal or time drift
- Do not expose to sustained bright magical light
- Do not allow skin contact without nacre insulation
- Do not store adjacent to Living Ink or literomantic fluids
- Prolonged exposure may cause sensory distortion or memory loss
Frozen Current Crystal
WARNING
Temporal and Pressure Instability
Nightglass Shards
WARNING
Light and Reality Absorption Hazard
501 words or more
Ingredients:
Grief-Salt
- Inkblossom Petals
- Glowkelp Threads
- Pearl Sediment Dust
- Jellyfish Bloom Resin
- Abyssal Anemone Milk
- Siren Scale Filament
- Ink Pearl Larva
- Frozen Current Crystal
- Nightglass Shard
- Living Ink
- Kraken-blood Brine
- Grief-Salt from a drowned Reliquary
- Eight Towers (Tal’s penthouse, specifically)
- Bridge of Sighs (x2)
- Eastern Access Tunnel
- Southern Access Tunnel
- Generator Warehouse
- The Hall of Unbroken Record (Blackwater Vault)
Frozen Current Crystal
WARNING
Temporal and Pressure Instability
- Do not expose to rapid temperature shifts
- Do not fracture crystal lattice
- Do not store near active literomantic inscriptions
- Fracture may cause localized current reversal or time drift
Nightglass Shards
WARNING
Light and Reality Absorption Hazard
- Do not expose to sustained bright magical light
- Do not allow skin contact without nacre insulation
- Do not store adjacent to Living Ink or literomantic fluids
- Prolonged exposure may cause sensory distortion or memory loss
Grief-SaltWARNING
Ancestral and Emotional Catalyst Material
- Do not expose to open emotional resonance fields
- Do not mix with unbound memory reagents
- Handling without authorization is a cultural violation
- Prolonged exposure may induce memory echo, grief hallucinations, or ritual bleed
Living Ink
WARNING
Semi-Sentient Literomantic Substance
- Do not expose to written language or spoken incantation
- Do not store in uninscribed container
- Do not allow uncontrolled surface contact
- Ink can self-propagate, rewrite runic structures, or attempt bonding
Kraken-Blood Brine
WARNING
Primordial Biological Arcane Hazard
- Do not open outside a pressure-stabilized chamber
- Do not expose to unshielded magical fields
- Do not ingest, inhale, or allow open wound exposure
- Can cause biological override, arcane corruption, or deep-entity attraction
WARNING
Ancestral and Emotional Catalyst Material
- Do not expose to open emotional resonance fields
- Do not mix with unbound memory reagents
- Handling without authorization is a cultural violation
- Prolonged exposure may induce memory echo, grief hallucinations, or ritual bleed
WARNING
Semi-Sentient Literomantic Substance
- Do not expose to written language or spoken incantation
- Do not store in uninscribed container
- Do not allow uncontrolled surface contact
- Ink can self-propagate, rewrite runic structures, or attempt bonding
WARNING
Primordial Biological Arcane Hazard
- Do not open outside a pressure-stabilized chamber
- Do not expose to unshielded magical fields
- Do not ingest, inhale, or allow open wound exposure
- Can cause biological override, arcane corruption, or deep-entity attraction
Chronicler, you should take them to the Western Access Tunnel before going after the ingredients.
Yes, of course. Thank you for your time.
Lady Wynter turns to you.
I’m sorry we may have to do some retracing of our steps. I’ll try to keep that to a minimum. Please remember that we will be entering water, but the creamer you drank allows you to breath underwater. Just stay calm and everything will be fine. So, follow me.
Lady Wynter turns to you.
I’m sorry we may have to do some retracing of our steps. I’ll try to keep that to a minimum. Please remember that we will be entering water, but the creamer you drank allows you to breath underwater. Just stay calm and everything will be fine. So, follow me.
Lady Wynter leads you through the water toward a circle of light that increases in size the closer you get. When it’s several spans across Lady Wynter lowers herself to the ocean floor, and gestures for you to do the same. Then she steps into the light. As you follow, you almost trip from the shock of leaving heavy water and entering light air.
Lady Wynter leads you to the Western Access Tunnel.
We took quite a bit of damage here during The Fourth Word War. As you can see we have restored our barriers and done a lot of repair work but that hasn’t completely stopped the leak. This water is literomantically charged. Please fill your ampoule. Given some of what we’re going to be gathering we may need the boost.
Write 350 words.
Once done, you look at Lady Wynter.
Good, good. We’re ready to get started. Right this way to our first stop at Tal’s penthouse in one of our Eight Towers.
Where the City Breathes
Lady Wynter takes you to one of the towers that loom around the city. A plush elevator takes you up to the lobby of the penthouse floor. Lady Wynter reads the note left on the door.Unfortunately, I won’t be able to introduce you to Tal, but she says that she left some Inkblossoms on the terrace that wraps around the building.
This way, and you can begin harvesting your first ingredient.
Don’t forget to put the Inkblossom Petals in the Breath-Weave Sample Wrap before putting it in the compartment grid of your Alchemical Storage Kit.
This way, and you can begin harvesting your first ingredient.
Don’t forget to put the Inkblossom Petals in the Breath-Weave Sample Wrap before putting it in the compartment grid of your Alchemical Storage Kit.
Write for 5 minutes.
If you write 50 words or less, you harvest 20 petals from the Inkblossom.
If you write 51 to 100 words, you harvest 40 petals from the Inkblossom.
If you write 101 or more, you harvest an entire bloom from the Inkblossom (60 petals).
If you write 50 words or less, you harvest 20 petals from the Inkblossom.
If you write 51 to 100 words, you harvest 40 petals from the Inkblossom.
If you write 101 or more, you harvest an entire bloom from the Inkblossom (60 petals).
Tal keeps a good garden. I’ll have to thank her for giving us access the next time I see her. Now that you have your petals, we do have one more garden to hit up.
You follow Lady Wynter to a small garden tucked behind the tower.
Using your Pearlsteel Field Blade, gather the Glowkelp Threads. Use your Spool Core Tube to keep the threads from tangling. Again this goes into the compartment grid of your Alchemical Storage Kit.
Write for 10 minutes.
If you write 100 words or less, you harvest 6 Glowkelp Threads.
If you write 101 to 200 words, you harvest 12 Glowkelp Threads.
If you write 201 or more, you harvest 18 Glowkelp Threads.
If you write 100 words or less, you harvest 6 Glowkelp Threads.
If you write 101 to 200 words, you harvest 12 Glowkelp Threads.
If you write 201 or more, you harvest 18 Glowkelp Threads.
You’re doing great. It's time for us to go to the Bridge of Sighs.
Lady Wynter takes you to the right-hand side of a white marble bridge. You swear you hear several people sighing.
Don’t worry, you’ll get used to the sound. In fact, this is a good place to meditate. Though doing that now won’t get us any further on our task. Using your shell-scoop collector to get some Pearl Sediment Dust. Fill one of your vials and store it in the compartment grid of your Alchemical Storage Kit.
Write for 15 minutes.
If you write 200 words or less, you harvest a quarter vial of Pearl Sediment Dust.
If you write 201 to 300 words, you harvest half a vial of Pearl Sediment Dust.
If you write 301 or more, you harvest a full vial of Pearl Sediment Dust.
If you write 200 words or less, you harvest a quarter vial of Pearl Sediment Dust.
If you write 201 to 300 words, you harvest half a vial of Pearl Sediment Dust.
If you write 301 or more, you harvest a full vial of Pearl Sediment Dust.
Where the Currents are Channeled
Well, we’re a quarter of the way through. I hope everyone is doing good. Please do let me know if you need a rest or a bite to eat. We don’t need to be neglecting our self-care. I’m not sure how well some of our sea life would take to getting glitter on them if the Self Care Mafia comes after us.
She smiles slightly.
Or me, specifically, for not doing my duty. And I don’t want to be cleaning up the mess afterwards, to be honest.
On the other side of the bridge is Jellyfish Bloom Resin. Despite having bloom in its name, it is a hardy ingredient, so keep your Pearlsteel Field Blade handy. Grab a vial and make sure you store it properly.
She smiles slightly.
Or me, specifically, for not doing my duty. And I don’t want to be cleaning up the mess afterwards, to be honest.
On the other side of the bridge is Jellyfish Bloom Resin. Despite having bloom in its name, it is a hardy ingredient, so keep your Pearlsteel Field Blade handy. Grab a vial and make sure you store it properly.
Write for 10 minutes.
If you write 100 words or less, you harvest a quarter vial of Jellyfish Bloom Resin.
If you write 101 to 200 words, you harvest a half a vial of Jellyfish Bloom Resin.
If you write 201 or more, you harvest a full vial of Jellyfish Bloom Resin.
If you write 100 words or less, you harvest a quarter vial of Jellyfish Bloom Resin.
If you write 101 to 200 words, you harvest a half a vial of Jellyfish Bloom Resin.
If you write 201 or more, you harvest a full vial of Jellyfish Bloom Resin.
Lady Wynter stares off in the distance before saying,
The next place is very special to me. Until recently, I haven’t shared this place with anyone. I have our next ingredient in my retreat.
The next place is very special to me. Until recently, I haven’t shared this place with anyone. I have our next ingredient in my retreat.
Lady Wynter leads the way to a hallway naturally carved out of stone. A simple wooden door is at the end.
It’s not a very large room. Please wait here and I’ll bring out the Abyssal Anemone Milk.
Have your vial ready.
Lady Wynter gives a low chuckle.
I’m sure you’ve figured out that it will go into the compartment grid of your Alchemical Storage Kit.
Have your vial ready.
Lady Wynter gives a low chuckle.
I’m sure you’ve figured out that it will go into the compartment grid of your Alchemical Storage Kit.
When she opens the door, you see a large hollowed out cavern room with a cave opening to the ocean. Fish swim by as Lady Wynter goes to a cellarette that appears to be built out of the cavern wall. She grabs a clear shell-shaped vessel filled with a thick white liquid.
Write for 15 minutes.
If you write 200 words or less, you get a quarter vial of Abyssal Anemone Milk.
If you write 201 to 300 words, you get half a vial of Abyssal Anemone Milk.
If you write 301 or more, you get a full vial of Abyssal Anemone Milk.
If you write 200 words or less, you get a quarter vial of Abyssal Anemone Milk.
If you write 201 to 300 words, you get half a vial of Abyssal Anemone Milk.
If you write 301 or more, you get a full vial of Abyssal Anemone Milk.
Thank you for respecting my wishes and my space.
Lady Wynter smiles.
Let’s head over to the Eastern Access Tunnel.
Lady Wynter smiles.
Let’s head over to the Eastern Access Tunnel.
Once again, Lady Wynter leads you toward an expanding circle of light, and you make the awkward transition between water and air.
Halfway down the Eastern Access Tunnel, Lady Wynter stops next to a cluster of black and green threads shooting up through the floor of the tunnel, near the wall. One would think this was grass except for the location and because they have a pearly, almost metallic look to them.
Siren Scale Filament… We’ve yet to determine how and why it grows here.
You’ll use your Pearlsteel Field Blade to cut the filament. Be sure to have your Resonance Dampener Tube ready. The filament’s song is only heard once it’s cut and has put several in the infirmary.
Once you have it in the tube, please put it in the compartment grid of your Alchemical Storage Kit.
You’ll use your Pearlsteel Field Blade to cut the filament. Be sure to have your Resonance Dampener Tube ready. The filament’s song is only heard once it’s cut and has put several in the infirmary.
Once you have it in the tube, please put it in the compartment grid of your Alchemical Storage Kit.
Write for 20 minutes.
If you write 300 words or less, you harvest 6 strands of Siren Scale Filament.
If you write 301 to 400 words, you harvest 12 strands of Siren Scale Filament.
If you write 401 or more, you harvest 18 strands of Siren Scale Filament.
If you write 300 words or less, you harvest 6 strands of Siren Scale Filament.
If you write 301 to 400 words, you harvest 12 strands of Siren Scale Filament.
If you write 401 or more, you harvest 18 strands of Siren Scale Filament.
Where the Power is Made
We’re at the halfway point. You all are doing well. Anyone need a break?
Looks over the faces in front of her.
Just remember to let me know when and if you do. I’ll get you taken care of, I promise. But for now, let’s move onto the Southern Access Tunnel.
Looks over the faces in front of her.
Just remember to let me know when and if you do. I’ll get you taken care of, I promise. But for now, let’s move onto the Southern Access Tunnel.
Lady Wynter leads you to the Southern Access Tunnel and stops halfway down the tunnel.
This is Frozen Current Crystal. It grows here because of the cold temperatures outside. Nothing we’ve done to date has prevented the growth of these crystals. Using your ever handy and faithful Pearlsteel Field Blade, you’ll be able to cut the crystal.
Please make sure to wear your Currentwarden Gloves to protect yourself from frostburn and nerve-lock. Once you have the crystal cut, get it into the Cold Current Slot in your Alchemical Storage Box quickly.
Your gloves will protect you for only so long and the current from the crystal has caused damage to eardrums and the glass around us on more than one occasion.
Please make sure to wear your Currentwarden Gloves to protect yourself from frostburn and nerve-lock. Once you have the crystal cut, get it into the Cold Current Slot in your Alchemical Storage Box quickly.
Your gloves will protect you for only so long and the current from the crystal has caused damage to eardrums and the glass around us on more than one occasion.
You stare at what Lady Wynter says is crystal but looks like a cottonball.
A quick tip before you get started: Do not attempt to grip the Frozen Current Crystal. Use a cradle hold. Pressure invites fracture.
Write for 15 minutes.
If you write 200 words or less, you harvest a quarter of a node of Frozen Current Crystal.
If you write 201 to 300 words, you harvest half a node of Frozen Current Crystal.
If you write 301 or more, you harvest an entire node of Frozen Current Crystal.
If you write 200 words or less, you harvest a quarter of a node of Frozen Current Crystal.
If you write 201 to 300 words, you harvest half a node of Frozen Current Crystal.
If you write 301 or more, you harvest an entire node of Frozen Current Crystal.
Once you’ve collected the crystal, Lady Wynter waves for you to follow and leads you back the way you came. You can hear the hum of a generator. Lady Wynter stops at a section of the wall that appears to be thicker than what’s around it.
Lady Wynter smiles sheepishly.
I did warn you about the possibility of retracing our steps. After we've finished, I’m sure we can get you all a proper tour, if you so wish it. But for now, we have the Nightglass Shard to harvest. We need to be careful since Nightglass is what the walls around us are made of.
This section here started growing thicker after The Fourth Word War against the Night Monarch. We're unsure if there's an actual connection. It’s something that will have to be researched at some point. For now, we come here periodically to shave some off so that we can continue to use this tunnel. And of course, we don’t want to risk it messing with our generator.
Nightglass works well down here because of how dark the water is around us and our lights are specially calibrated. But once you’ve cut the Nightglass away be sure to get into the Light Dampening Layer of your Alchemical Storage Kit. Nightglass has a nasty habit of blinding people once it’s cut. Your Pearlsteel Field Blade will handle the cutting just fine.
I did warn you about the possibility of retracing our steps. After we've finished, I’m sure we can get you all a proper tour, if you so wish it. But for now, we have the Nightglass Shard to harvest. We need to be careful since Nightglass is what the walls around us are made of.
This section here started growing thicker after The Fourth Word War against the Night Monarch. We're unsure if there's an actual connection. It’s something that will have to be researched at some point. For now, we come here periodically to shave some off so that we can continue to use this tunnel. And of course, we don’t want to risk it messing with our generator.
Nightglass works well down here because of how dark the water is around us and our lights are specially calibrated. But once you’ve cut the Nightglass away be sure to get into the Light Dampening Layer of your Alchemical Storage Kit. Nightglass has a nasty habit of blinding people once it’s cut. Your Pearlsteel Field Blade will handle the cutting just fine.
Write for 20 minutes.
If you write 300 words or less, you harvest three 1 inch thick shards of Nightglass.
If you write 301 to 400 words, you harvest six 1 inch thick shards of Nightglass.
If you write 401 or more, you harvest nine 1 inch thick shards of Nightglass.
If you write 300 words or less, you harvest three 1 inch thick shards of Nightglass.
If you write 301 to 400 words, you harvest six 1 inch thick shards of Nightglass.
If you write 401 or more, you harvest nine 1 inch thick shards of Nightglass.
Now, here in the Generator Warehouse is where we’ll find Ink Pearl Larva. They enjoy the warmth of the Generator and they feed off its energy. Not enough to affect our output… At least most of the time. But it’s enough for them to grow and hatch.
Be gentle when you pick them up. The Micro Pressure Nursery Pod will give the larva the warmth and energy they need. And I assure you that the Pod fits into the compartment grid of your Alchemical Storage Kit.
Oh, the larva are faster than they look, so be ready and be mindful of your feet.
Be gentle when you pick them up. The Micro Pressure Nursery Pod will give the larva the warmth and energy they need. And I assure you that the Pod fits into the compartment grid of your Alchemical Storage Kit.
Oh, the larva are faster than they look, so be ready and be mindful of your feet.
Write for 25 minutes.
If you write 400 words or less, you grab 1 Ink Pearl Larva.
If you write 401 to 500 words, you grab 2 Ink Pearl Larva.
If you write 501 or more, you grab 3 Ink Pearl Larva.
If you write 400 words or less, you grab 1 Ink Pearl Larva.
If you write 401 to 500 words, you grab 2 Ink Pearl Larva.
If you write 501 or more, you grab 3 Ink Pearl Larva.
Where History is Controlled
Lady Wynter sidesteps nervously before saying,
Our last three ingredients are all in the same place. It’s not going to be remotely easy to get them as the Asteri are tight fisted with these items.
Lady Wynter snorts and stomps a hoof
Well, let's get this over with. Off to the Hall of Unbroken Record.
Our last three ingredients are all in the same place. It’s not going to be remotely easy to get them as the Asteri are tight fisted with these items.
Lady Wynter snorts and stomps a hoof
Well, let's get this over with. Off to the Hall of Unbroken Record.
Lady Wynter escorts you to a colossal, vertical monolith. You’re not sure what it’s anchored to as pressure-fog conceals the base and the upper tiers vanish into the dim blue haze above Zafforza’s lights. Its faceted form is made of obsidian-toned basalt and dense glassy stone veined with pale nacre. There’s wide, spiraling buttresses curling upward around the central body in slow deliberate turns that give the monolith a spiral shell silhouette.
Lady Wynter leads you to a set of double doors that matches the building and as such weren’t readily seen from a distance. She picks up the Giant Triton’s Trumpet Shell that is attached by a hinge to the door and lets it drop. A low BOOM resonates through stone and water.
The two massive doors swing inward as the sound fades. A woman in blue robes stands in the entrance, scowling.
What do you want?
We’re here to collect the last three ingredients on our list.
Not allowed.
The woman pushes on the doors.Lady Wynter manages to wedge her front quarters and upper body in between the two doors before they close.
The Anassa invited them, arranged for this to happen.
Doesn’t matter. Leave. Now.
From somewhere within an authoritative feminine voice says:
Elysea Tahrin! We do NOT deny the Anassa. Take Chronicler Wynter and her guests to the Blackwater Vault for what they need.
She gives a deep bow.
As you command, Aster Prime.
She turns back to you.
Follow me.
As you command, Aster Prime.
She turns back to you.
Follow me.
You follow Elysea and Lady Wynter down a long, dark corridor. A soft glow permeates the area, highlighting a circular door of black glass.
Please drink your vial of literomantically charged water. The boost will help you withstand the pressures of what’s within.
Once inside, I will handle the ingredients, get them properly labeled with our compliance tags, and in the correct spot in your Alchemical Storage Kit.
Once inside, I will handle the ingredients, get them properly labeled with our compliance tags, and in the correct spot in your Alchemical Storage Kit.
You down the vial as requested. Elysea leads you through the circular door. While Lady Wynter stays with you, she has been quiet since the earlier confrontation. Elysea navigates the twists and turns and takes you to a room filled with a purple glow. A small pool of dark liquid bubbles in the middle.
Living Ink. Get your empty vial ready. Once I have it filled and tagged, I will be putting in the light dampening layer of your kit. When you go to use this, make sure you’re under a purple glow as we are now.
Write for 20 minutes.
If you write 300 words or less, you receive a quarter vial of Living Ink.
If you write 301 to 400 words, you receive a half a vial of Living Ink.
If you write 401 or more, you receive a full vial of Living Ink.
If you write 300 words or less, you receive a quarter vial of Living Ink.
If you write 301 to 400 words, you receive a half a vial of Living Ink.
If you write 401 or more, you receive a full vial of Living Ink.
Elysea leads you to the next chamber.
Kraken-blood Brine can have nasty effects on your memory. We have designed special vials to hold it, and these are not given out. NO MATTER WHAT, use this ingredient last. I will be putting the Brine in the Memory Seal Compartment.
Write for 25 minutes.
If you write 400 words or less, you receive a quarter vial of Kraken-blood Brine.
If you write 401 to 500 words, you receive a half a vial of Kraken-blood Brine.
If you write 501 or more, you receive a full vial of Kraken-blood Brine.
If you write 400 words or less, you receive a quarter vial of Kraken-blood Brine.
If you write 401 to 500 words, you receive a half a vial of Kraken-blood Brine.
If you write 501 or more, you receive a full vial of Kraken-blood Brine.
We found this drowned Reliquary some time ago. Who it honors...
Her gaze slides to Lady Wynter.
It was found—
Her gaze slides to Lady Wynter.
It was found—
Lady Wynter stomps a hoof and Elysea glares at her. Lady Wynter tosses her head but says nothing.
Grief-Salt has strong ties to memory. It, at least sometimes, counters the effects of the Brine. The Grief-Salt has hardened into sizable chunks.
Elysea slips on a pair of black gloves.
Specially designed, again. But your Currentwarden Gloves will be sufficient in handling this for your purposes. The Salt will be going into your Biohazard Pressure Chamber.
Elysea slips on a pair of black gloves.
Specially designed, again. But your Currentwarden Gloves will be sufficient in handling this for your purposes. The Salt will be going into your Biohazard Pressure Chamber.
Write for 30 minutes.
If you write 500 words or less, you receive 3 ounces of Grief-Salt.
If you write 501 to 600 words, you receive 6 ounces of Grief-Salt.
If you write 601 or more, you receive 9 ounces of Grief-Salt.
If you write 500 words or less, you receive 3 ounces of Grief-Salt.
If you write 501 to 600 words, you receive 6 ounces of Grief-Salt.
If you write 601 or more, you receive 9 ounces of Grief-Salt.
Elysea leads you back to the main entrance of the Hall of Unbroken Record.
Remember what I’ve told you about the ingredients received here. And thank you for answering the Anassa’s call.
Lady Wynter waves for you to follow. Eventually, she stops just outside the Zafforza Information Center.
Putting it Together
Great!
Lady Wynter pastes on an overly bright smile.
We have all the ingredients we need to make the Elixir of the Sovereign Deep. As much as I would love to show off and use Loch Beinn’s Forge, it’s a long swim from here. So, instead we will be using the thermal vents that heat the Zafforza Day Spa and Thermal Waters.
But we won’t be going into the spa just yet. There’s a very rarely used cave slightly north of the spa with access to a thermal vent. I have it stocked with the remaining supplies we need, thanks to Loch’s generosity.
Lady Wynter pastes on an overly bright smile.
We have all the ingredients we need to make the Elixir of the Sovereign Deep. As much as I would love to show off and use Loch Beinn’s Forge, it’s a long swim from here. So, instead we will be using the thermal vents that heat the Zafforza Day Spa and Thermal Waters.
But we won’t be going into the spa just yet. There’s a very rarely used cave slightly north of the spa with access to a thermal vent. I have it stocked with the remaining supplies we need, thanks to Loch’s generosity.
Lady Wynter leads you back to the city and leads you south to a cave with a view of a large building that you assume is the spa Lady Wynter mentioned.
Here we are. It’s time to get to work. We must do this in phases to make the Elixir properly.
Lady Wynter pulls a paper out of her satchel
She mutters I was given this by an anonymous source. I wonder if…
Lady Wynter shakes her head
In her normal voice, she says, Nevermind. Let’s get started. I’ll walk you through the process.
In the first step, we have to ignore what Elysea said about the Brine, but please do be careful.
Lady Wynter pulls a paper out of her satchel
She mutters I was given this by an anonymous source. I wonder if…
Lady Wynter shakes her head
In her normal voice, she says, Nevermind. Let’s get started. I’ll walk you through the process.
In the first step, we have to ignore what Elysea said about the Brine, but please do be careful.
Phase One—The Brine Foundation
Write 200 words
Pour the Kraken-blood Brine in a clay pot and lid it. Place next to a thermal vent and let warm. Do not let it boil.
Once warmed, add the Abyssal Anemone Milk in a spiral motion, clockwise until mixed well.
Slowly shave in Frozen Current Crystal until the mixture is cold to the touch.
Your mixture should be pale and faintly glowing and feel heavy when picked up.
Pour the Kraken-blood Brine in a clay pot and lid it. Place next to a thermal vent and let warm. Do not let it boil.
Once warmed, add the Abyssal Anemone Milk in a spiral motion, clockwise until mixed well.
Slowly shave in Frozen Current Crystal until the mixture is cold to the touch.
Your mixture should be pale and faintly glowing and feel heavy when picked up.
Phase Two—The Pressure & Environment Binding
Write 400 words
Dip the Nightglass Shards in until they are suspended in the middle of your mixture.
Braid your Glowkelp Threads and lay them in. They will create a living lattice.
Now, add in your Siren Scale Filament. Don’t worry. It’s supposed to disappear.
You should notice that your mixture has developed a slow swirl. This is exactly what we want.
Dip the Nightglass Shards in until they are suspended in the middle of your mixture.
Braid your Glowkelp Threads and lay them in. They will create a living lattice.
Now, add in your Siren Scale Filament. Don’t worry. It’s supposed to disappear.
You should notice that your mixture has developed a slow swirl. This is exactly what we want.
Phase Three—The Literomantic Spine
Write 600 words
Usually, this part is overseen by a member of the Asteri, but we don’t have one here, and I’m not going back for one. So, let’s get going
Crush your Inkblossom petals until they release a dark-blue oil.
Add in your Living Ink drop by drop.
Shift your Pearl Sediment Dust as you sprinkle it in. This “clarifies” it to keep the Literomancy from fraying.
Lastly, warm your Jellyfish Bloom Resin between your hands and then pull it into thin strands. Then melt it into the liquid.
Your mixture should now be a deep indigo with a pearlescent sheen.
Usually, this part is overseen by a member of the Asteri, but we don’t have one here, and I’m not going back for one. So, let’s get going
Crush your Inkblossom petals until they release a dark-blue oil.
Add in your Living Ink drop by drop.
Shift your Pearl Sediment Dust as you sprinkle it in. This “clarifies” it to keep the Literomancy from fraying.
Lastly, warm your Jellyfish Bloom Resin between your hands and then pull it into thin strands. Then melt it into the liquid.
Your mixture should now be a deep indigo with a pearlescent sheen.
Phase Four—The Memory Seal
Write 800 words
This next part is hard for many to do and is the biggest reason why we don’t make a lot of this elixir. Though the Asteri might have other ideas on the subject.
For the hard part: You must place a single Ink Pearl Larva into your vessel while it’s still alive. It will die as it dissolves into the elixir, leaving behind a faint shimmer. This is what makes the elixir hold its power inside of exploding.
Now, the absolute final step. Add a pinch of Grief-salt.
Your elixir should settle and not be swirling anymore. It should be unnaturally still.
This next part is hard for many to do and is the biggest reason why we don’t make a lot of this elixir. Though the Asteri might have other ideas on the subject.
For the hard part: You must place a single Ink Pearl Larva into your vessel while it’s still alive. It will die as it dissolves into the elixir, leaving behind a faint shimmer. This is what makes the elixir hold its power inside of exploding.
Now, the absolute final step. Add a pinch of Grief-salt.
Your elixir should settle and not be swirling anymore. It should be unnaturally still.
Lady Wynter helps you clean out your empty vials and holds them while you pour your Elixir in.
A Thank You
You’ve all worked very hard today. I would like to personally thank you. Anassa JaySeaBoom has also asked me to take you to Mr. Boom’s Kitchens.
Lady Wynter leads you back to the Nexus and through some hallways and an elevator, to Mr. Boom’s Kitchens. Mr. Boom, hard at work, turns to look at the newcomers.
Oh, Lady Wynter, JaySea said you would be coming by with guests at some point. How did everything go?
We were successful. These fine adventurers have gotten to see our lovely city and a chance to do some research. They have definitely earned their reward.
I’m sure they have! And your timing couldn’t be better. I just pulled some Literomantic fudge out of the oven! I acquired this recipe from the Dinos last November. For me, a non-literomancer, it’s just fudge. But it is deliciously unique! And I love having taste-testers.
After everyone enjoys their piece, Lady Wynter speaks up.
Thank you, Mr. Boom. Excellent fudge as always.
She turns to the group.
Another reward. A way to relax after all the hard work you’ve done. Follow me and we’ll go to the spa. We have refreshments there to include wine for those who can drink.
She turns to the group.
Another reward. A way to relax after all the hard work you’ve done. Follow me and we’ll go to the spa. We have refreshments there to include wine for those who can drink.
Farewell
Relaxed from the spa, Lady Wynter escorts you back to Mumei Island. She stops short in surprise beside the Heart Rock.Anassa, forgive me. I didn’t expect to see you here. Where are your Inkies?
Ahh, it’s okay, we’re in no danger at the moment. Besides, I used to be an Inky! And if it comes down to it, well, you handle yourself well in a fight.
Turns to our visitors
I wanted to join you, but I was tied up with other matters. I’m confident that Lady Wynter took great care of you. Thank you all for coming. Here is a special badge for participating. I hope you enjoyed getting to see our beautiful city, and that we can do this again soon.
Turns to our visitors
I wanted to join you, but I was tied up with other matters. I’m confident that Lady Wynter took great care of you. Thank you all for coming. Here is a special badge for participating. I hope you enjoyed getting to see our beautiful city, and that we can do this again soon.
Portrait of Anassa JaySea Boom by JC + HF
Anassa JaySea Boom passes out the badges.
by Lady Wynter via Canva
[image:7553072]
This is amazing <3