Addressed, My Owlet
This article is a concept created during SummerCamp 2023! It is subject to changes, retcons, or may be sent to the secret vault after the event.
It's something I've held on to all my life. No, I don't know where I got it and — hey! No, you can't open it! I can't explain it, but it's simply not time to read it yet.A letter found in the pockets of a traveler, far from home.
Letter Left Unread
Addressed, "My Owlet," the letter remained unopened, the opening sealed not only with an adhesive, but with a worn wax seal, red and swirled with gold. The paper, though fine, was smudged with dirtied fingerprints, and warped by stray drops and splashes of water and drink, among other insignificant blemishes. Yellowing with time, the envelope's corners threatened to wear away and crumble at any moment, as time passed it by in a lifetime spent tucked in pockets and bags of all kinds.Not Its Time
It wasn't clear, even to the bearer of the letter, why the letter remained unread, and even unopened. To be kept for so long, never to be viewed, seemed a poor fate for a letter assumedly penned with love. The bearer of the letter knew themselves to be its intended recipient, but remembered not its writer, nor its origins. Whatever secrets this letter held, what knowledge rested in its carefully inked pages, petrified its holder with every thought to read it. Thus it remained a crumbling keepsake, never to speak its truth. Despite knowing nothing of its origins, the bearer of the letter felt a great comfort in keeping the letter near. As small cracks began to appear in the letter's well-worn envelope and flakes of paper fell away, slight flashes of the pages within began to catch the eye of the letter's keeper. Something in the bearer's heart stirred, but yet held to the belief that it was not yet time. The letter would be once again tucked safely away, to be read another time.The Power of Ignorance
The Antecedents lived in a Golden Age of Magic before the Nameless Age fell upon the world, where magic was boundless and commonplace — a far cry from what the world is today. In a realm of boundless magic, travel and the spread of information was simple and instantaneous, with some messages not even needing to be sent, in order to be received. These ancient people knew the value of secrecy and the art of withholding information until just the right moment when it is needed. With time, methods were devised to send messages to one another which can inform the recipient subliminally where and when to open the message, deterring the recipient from reading it ahead of time. These were never failsafe, but were quite effective.Some messages simply cannot wait. Others are meant to. Hold tight and don't lose it, now.
by Strixxline via Midjourney
A Curious Seal
Given the existence of the adhesive binding, the wax seal seemed an aesthetic choice, perhaps an identifier or simply a decoration. This seal, depicting the Savelan barn owl crest once associated with the Arsaces Monarchy, was half-melted and smushed on one side, as though left briefly on a hot surface.Want Secrets?
Certain articles may have additional secrets for GMs — pick the role that suits you!Seeker — Player Knowledge
Dawnbringer — GM Secrets
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