Tag: Cycle

The fire dies down as Selethen Varzakk’s caravan settles in for the long night, their stories concluded. There will be another journey tomorrow, more tales to tell. But those will be other stories around a different fire. This night, and these stories are now as silent as the stars that shine down on the ruins of a tower that watches over the level sands.

That concludes the game. Letters sent after this will be considered part of the epilogue. There will be a few more posts to sum up some behind-the-scenes thoughts, after a short break, and I’m working on the book. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Winter at an oasis is a busy time for the caravans. The local farmers may have left their fields fallow, but the road still calls to merchant and pilgrim alike.

In the villages, they look forward to the celebrations to come. As always, the year is coming to an end, reminding us that change is eternal and nothing can last forever…

This ends cycle 11 and begins cycle 12, the last ordinary story cycle. Following this cycle, there will be a concluding epilogue cycle to wrap things up.

At night, everyone in the caravan gathers around the fire, and tells stories appropriate to the season: stories of endings, the last time you saw someone, the thing you lost when you were a child.

This ends cycle 10 and begins cycle 11…

As the heat of the sun wanes with the lengthening days, the laborers return to the harvest fields. They speak of floods, famine, monsters, bandits. One pauses, lifts eyes to the caravan on the horizon. What stories does it carry?

This ends cycle 9 and begins cycle 10…

As the hot summer sun returns to the desert, the thirsty caravans continue their trek from oasis to oasis. Pilgrims pin their news on the Kusinne Pilgrim Posts, and whispers of a great discovery near Chayi entertains many campfires…

 

This ends cycle 8 and begins cycle 9…

The oases are filled with life once more. As caravans cross the empty spaces between the green places, they bring with them new things and ideas. Will this be a season of peace and harmony, or one of strife and dissent?

This ends Cycle 7 and begins Cycle 8…

The seasons complete their cycle, and the Oasis Basin begins to awaken from the long hibernation.

The Kusinne new year rites are celebrated in the cities, and many goldfish as purchased from the merchants and kept in bowls of Anxi glass.

This ends Cycle 6 and Begins Cycle 7…

Few travellers are found on the Summer Road. The mountain passes are dangerous, and the rivers difficult to ford.

The caravans travel on, following the winter routes. Despite the dangers, the oases of Niya and Lop Nur are in their prime, and the journey continues…

This ends Cycle 5 and begins Cycle 6…