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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Eric Zephlaer" data-source="post: 9380421" data-attributes="member: 7034451">The current Cycle is 500 since the Sundering; but in Archipelago, this date is not known. The locals have a written history that only dates back 200 Cycles. The origin of their existence is not even considered. It is now the second day of the season of Rebirth, yesterday having been spent in celebration with feasting and drinking. Unexpectedly, near the end of that evening, Linstahl with Laurel, his twin sister, by his side lit up the night sky with a display of lightning to gather the attention of festival attendees and announced that a group of sailors had discovered a new island to the north, giving him rights of first exploration and that Short Straws would be drawn in the morning. The festival attendees were not all permanent residents of The Lighted Sentinel, as teamsters are constantly changing islands with the collection and delivery of goods and resources. Tenet housing is provided on all major islands to provide beds for a labor force.The Lighted Sentinel:This island is the north-most of the ring and the smallest to be inhabited. The island is mostly rocky and covered with deciduous trees, which bear nuts. The island was given its name because a spire is built atop the central peak of the island where a glass globe sits. The globe is illuminated each night and can be seen to the horizon. It is a guide point for exploring sailors and, perhaps, other things as well.A former ruler of the Lighted Sentinel was the first known to make an attempt to conquer the other islands. Though 200 cycles past, Linstahl is only the second leader since the demise of the instigator, and he took power by killing the previous leader. Chroniclers began to record history after that act of war, the results of which were catastrophic, deterring any other attempt for another 100 cycles.The next night, after the announcement and the drawing of the straws, Linstahl paced back and forth in his bedroom, ranting, most of his words were unintelligible and forth began to build in the corners of his mouth, causing him to spit. Laurel stood on the marble floor, watching him walk, her hands clasped in front of her, the epitome of calm. Finally she walked behind him and stroked the back of his head, causing him to stop walking, cease his ranting, and breathe slower. “Tell me your concerns. I will calm you.”“I do not like the results of this drawing. I can sense the power in these individuals. This island is reported to be large. They will extort me.”“Bargain with them up front. The smart once always negotiate for a bonus, but people are basically lazy. They will take the easy pay and retire to fish and make babies.”“What if they take too long? We only have a Tenday before one of the other islands draws their own straws. What if two groups collaborate?”She cut him off. He was getting worked up again. “You worry too much about mere possibilities. You are trying to grasp too many threads of thought at once. You know this gives you those headaches. Besides, straws never agree. They always fight. Get some rest, dear brother. I will send a handmaiden to you.”“Will you not stay?”“I will not. I must consults the ancients to see if I can garner any insight.”</blockquote>

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