Story Spiral

The story spiral is a ritual designed to raise Literomantic Power through the power of storytelling and the bonds of friendship. This rite is largely performed during Panda Cuddle Piles, while snuggling or otherwise participating in ways most comfortable to the participants, literomancers weave the threads of a story between them. As each literomancer leaves off their thread of the story, another picks it up. Each thread of power adds to the greater whole until the last word is spoken. In its earliest form, the story spiral began as a means to bond the participants closer in their friendship, and is still frequently performed this way. The power-raising this generates is seen largely as a bonus that allows those involved to carry the spirit of the Panda Cuddle Pile with them for a brief period even after they part.

History

One night, when the quiet pressed in too tightly, Nova started telling a story to break the silence. The tale was lighthearted and a little silly, reflecting the spirit of the story circles that her family once held. Soon, her giggles grew too strong to continue the story, so another Panda patted her on the head and took up the thread where she left off. Rather than the power continuing to build, when their literomancy entered the spiral, it didn't blend with the power Nova had put into it. Instead, as the story took a different direction, another strand was added to the growing spiral. Once they took a break for water, it passed to the next Panda in the cuddle pile. With each Panda who participated, another strand was added until the final word was spoken. The tapestry of power held over their heads a moment after the last voice faded before bursting in a show of light and glitter. Much of the power fed into the Cuddle Pile itself for when it would be needed in the future, but a portion returned to each participant in an echo of the weave they created together. The sense of unity and that anything was possible as long as they did it together lingered long after the participants departed at the end of the night.

Manifestation

Changes have been made since the first story spiral, but the heart of the ritual remains consistent. Current story spirals are likely to include friends from outside the Pandas who have been included in the cuddle pile. The most significant change is related to the organization of the cuddle pile. Now, there is a lit candle at its center. Once the story spiral completes, the collected power feeds into the candle instead. On certain nights, an additional presence is almost tangible, even if for only a moment. When the spell fades, it fades slowly, and the candle burns brighter.

WIP

This article is a work in progress, and may be subject to changes.

Streamer

This article is part of a series related to streaming the Game of Tomes. For more information, see Streaming Game of Tomes.

Missing

Status: Location Unknown

Deceased

Status: Deceased Character

Retired

Status: Retired Character or Article

House Meles

Meles Minor House Crest by Shyredfox

House Ailurus

by Moonflower

House Avis

House Avis by Misades

House Chiroptera

House Chiroptera by Dani Adventures

House Lapin

A salmon pink banner with a white rabbit head in the center. Text:

House Lapin by Dani Adventures

House Mollusca

House Mollusca by Dani Adventures

House Sauropoda

House Sauropoda by DaniAdventures/ShyRedFox

Undead Horde

Undead Horde by Dani Adventures

Awards and Honors

A badge or medal of a book - the Iron Tome - on a navy background. Text:

Defender of the Realm by Misades

A shining gold medal with a silver ribbon, showing a design of a laurel wreath with stars overhead. Text: Warden of the Risen Shore, and in a circle beneath, July 2025

Warden of the Risen Shore medal by ShyRedFox

Effect Duration

The duration of a story spiral's effects is dependent upon the number of participants involved.

Range

The power raised by a story spiral touches everyone within the physical space it is being performed in

Level

A literomancer of any level can participate in the story spiral

Rewards/Risks Aside from the bonding effects a successful story spiral leaves in its wake, the casters are left recharged afterward. Story spirals sometimes are performed in after the war is over to help those having difficulties adjusting. The largest threat to a story spiral is distraction. The story being woven requires focus until a satisfactory ending is achieved, or it is passed off to another. The trust that another will catch the caster before they falter is one of the aspects that makes the story spiral function. The fewer threads involved in a story spiral, the more easily distraction can unravel it. If it unravels, it leaves those involved prone to fatigue and a loss of focus. The more participants involved, the more evenly these effects are spread, which is why it is not recommended a story spiral be attempted solo. Even without distraction, there is the danger that if one of the threads in a story spiral is being negated by another storyteller, it can unweave the original threadbearer. If this occurs, this will isolate them from the rest of the spiral. As there hasn't been an incident like this in the history of the story spiral, the effects if this occurs are as of yet unknown.

Don't try a story spiral alone. That way leads to headaches and heartaches (and no focus). It's a trust fall in story form. Let your friends catch you. Ask me how I know. -Nova