Story Spiral
The story spiral is a ritual designed to raise Literomantic Power through the power of storytelling and the bonds of friendship. During Panda Cuddle Piles, while snuggling or otherwise participating in ways most comfortable to the participants, they weave the threads of a story between them.
In its earliest form, the story spiral was started 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.
The story spiral is primarily performed during the Panda Cuddle Pile, going back to the early days of the event.
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, 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.Side/Secondary Effects
While a successful story spiral recharges the casters who put their energy into the ritual, the aftermath of one that doesn't take is quite different. The effects range from mild fatigue to a sensation much like that of brain fog or even grief. It is for this reason story spirals are not done around emotional anniversaries.
At times, a story spiral will be done during times of war, as the power generated will be necessary. More frequently, it will wait until afterward, as every Panda needs to be at full strength to face the Horde.
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
Streamer
Missing
Status: Location Unknown
Deceased
Status: Deceased Character
Retired
Status: Retired Character or Article
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
Applied Restriction
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. It is largely for this reason that story spirals aren't performed by a single literomancer alone. If attempted, this can lead to Magic Drain, and the power dispersing.
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.
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