Stay-of-Rift, Build-of-Mind

A fascinating theory, but there's little evidence aether vents are limited.

Technological and magical advancement over the past 600 years is in large part due to the advent of aether vent manipulation, both inside and outside the Aemark Kingdom. The Al'Orphic Alliance benefited greatly from their aether vents (referred to as 'rifts' in Al'Orphic), especially near Edge of the Rifts and First Among the Last. However, the group "Stay-of-Rift, Build-of-Mind" posits a limit to the aether within the phenomena and proposes stringent regulation over their usage.

History and Founding

Stay-of-Rift by Wombo ("Aether Stream Preserve
Save Blue Green")

The Stay-of-Rift movement is a relatively recent conservationist effort headed by the long-standing and prominent political family "Whisper-Below," which is the Rundic approximation of their Al'Orphic name. The centuries-old line of politicians eventually birthed a scholarly wizard Vulk Winds-of-Song in 912 PoA. According to Aemark records, he attended the Center of the Mind in First Among the Last, graduating with high honors and commendations and subsequently worked in Edge of the Rifts research institutions for several decades.
As a gifted aeromancer with an inquisitive streak, he devoted much of his efforts to improving the aether vent network in the area surrounding Snake Under Glass Lake, which is recognized as the most dense and extensive in eastern Turan. During his work, Vulk claimed to discover patterns across the currents in the two major cities indicating a slow decline in the total supply.
The prevailing explanation for the observations is an overall decrease in individual line power due to the increase in the size of the network without a requisite addition of extraction equipment, but Vulk's research led him to believe the vents themselves were the limiting factor. His theory was soundly rejected by the Alliance's leading authorities and usage continued, and grew, unabated. Frustrated, Vulk founded the Stay-of-Rift, Build-of-Mind organization, against the wishes of his family elders.

Tenets and Operations

Stay-of-Rift is ultimately a political party focused on curtailing the expansion of aether networks in the Alliance and returning to traditional methods of magical enchantment. This core tenet is antithetical to the leading parties' mantras of economic growth, advancement of science, and military support, which presents considerable barriers for the organization. Few members of the party have become elected representatives and those in these positions were in rural communities without a viable opponent.
However, growing the ranks of the group via far-flung towns and provinces is an intended tactic. The current leader of the movement, Drak Voice-Above Whisper-Below, adheres to her father's principles, but inherited the shrewd political mind of her forebears. Since assuming her role in 997 PoA, Stay-of-Rift's member counts have grown considerably and the vast majority of their seats in the northwestern Center of the Hand's Senate were acquired in the last 20 years.
Their core platform is the tight regulation of aether vents and restricting their application to critical use cases of national importance. Namely, these include supporting military operations to defend against Aemark and government-funded magical research within a select number of institutions.
Critically, citizen-held companies and economic ventures would be barred from aether currents with few exceptions. Obviously, raising funds is vastly more difficult without the aid of corporate donations, but the groundswell of support from traditionalist families and individuals contributes to respectable coffers.

Recent Events

There are rumors indicating the Aemark Kingdom surreptitiously encourages Stay-of-Rift, Build-of-Mind through smuggling and less-than-savory operations. While not confirmed, the destabilization of aether networks in an enemy nation would dampen the ability of the Alliance to rebuff Aemark's advance. Though Stay-of-Rift has not officially run afoul of accepted practices of political machinations, a recent incident may indicate a change in tactics (or a covert attack by Aemark). Last year, the northern rift near First Among the Last was sabotaged, causing a 'Lightless-Moment' (so named by Al'Orphics for the abrupt dissipation of many enchantments). Supposedly, the region required several weeks to fully recover from the event.

Type
Conservationist Movement

Founding
970 PoA

Current Leader
Drak Voice-Above Whisper-Below

Founder
Vulk Winds-of-Song Whisper-Below

Headquarters
Edge of the Rifts

Geographic Location
Al'Orphic Alliance - Location

Parent Organization
Al'Orphic Alliance

Al'O Translation

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One wonders how accurate they actually are given the complexity of Al'Orphic language.



Soundtrack by SK Kage (via AIVA.ai)