Aelis

Yes, that exactly. Now it takes a few clicks:
Open fight popup, select classic ritual, fight this way, scroll to pick a ritual and click, click again to choose influence, click close.
That adds up when you attack a lot of people like in GoE for example.

It's really hard to see AP/Heat and it would be good to improve the interface for this:
Example:


Important text shown with and without highlighting

An example of the excellent drawings we have so far

I love this

Log posted for people to more easily read:
[27/09/26 17:35] Chewett:Is it here?
[27/09/26 17:43] Sephirah Caelum:Hello Chewett!
[27/09/26 17:45] Sephirah Caelum: (I’m with a phone, and the game ‘s screen is unstable. I’m probably going to be on and off)
[27/09/26 17:46] Seigheart:Hello Sephirah :)
[27/09/26 17:46] Seigheart:Nice to see you again :)
[27/09/26 17:47] Sephirah Caelum:Hello Seigheart! *smiles* Happy to see you too!
[27/09/26 17:48] Seigheart:I think the Caretakers themselves are half of MD's active population atm :P
[27/09/26 17:48] Seigheart:Time to expand that influence of the East into the rest of the lands :P
[27/09/26 17:49] :Sephirah Caelum Laughts
[27/09/26 17:49] Sephirah Caelum:Our motto is swift AND silent
[27/09/26 17:50] Sephirah Caelum:We don’t need expation, the East is wide enought!
[27/09/26 17:50] Seigheart:But is it long enough :P
[27/09/26 17:50] Seigheart:No Mans Land can be East's Land lol
[27/09/26 17:50] Seigheart:MB is already ruled by the same person... so you can include that
[27/09/26 17:51] Sephirah Caelum:Actually, if we were going to expand our influence, MD would grow mute
[27/09/26 17:51] Seigheart:Is that a bad thing? :P
[27/09/26 17:51] Sephirah Caelum:That’s new! Who is Marind’s ruler?
[27/09/26 17:54] :[Spell] Create a public meeting called Caretakers Ceremony
[27/09/26 17:55] Aelis:Sephirah!!
[27/09/26 17:55] Aelis:I'm glad you could make it
[27/09/26 17:56] Aelis:The realm welcomes you back
[27/09/26 17:57] samon:Hello fellow Caretakers and friends
[27/09/26 17:57] Seigheart:Chewett is King of Marind Bell and Grand Duke here lol
[27/09/26 17:57] Seigheart:Howdy all
[27/09/26 17:57] Vahr:Hey everyone :)
[27/09/26 17:58] samon:Sephi, it is good to see you again :D
[27/09/26 17:59] Syrian:hello!
[27/09/26 17:59] Chewett:Hey Vahr
[27/09/26 17:59] Aelis:Hi, Vahr. You made it :)
[27/09/26 17:59] Vahr:Yes :)
[27/09/26 18:00] Vahr:And hello Chew and Aelis
[27/09/26 18:01] Aelis:Been a while since I saw 4 people with the same badge
[27/09/26 18:01] Aelis: (5 if chriselnenepr makes it)
[27/09/26 18:02] Sephirah Caelum:Hello Aelis!
[27/09/26 18:02] :Else beat Ledah
[27/09/26 18:02] Sephirah Caelum:Hello samon! *smiles*
[27/09/26 18:02] Aelis:Hey, missed seeing you around
[27/09/26 18:03] Sephirah Caelum:I am happy to be awake agian!
[27/09/26 18:03] Seigheart:I was saying they are half the active population :P
[27/09/26 18:03] Seigheart:Ledah, nice to see you for once lol
[27/09/26 18:03] Aelis:We are indeed *laughs*
[27/09/26 18:04] Sephirah Caelum:So…Chewett is our grandduke! That’s sounds cool!
[27/09/26 18:04] Ledah:Well, sometimes you have to see a legend in the flesh
[27/09/26 18:04] : Syrian draws a card and gets: ♥ King of black hearts
[27/09/26 18:04] Sephirah Caelum:You are the legend here Ledah! *grins*
[27/09/26 18:05] Aelis:Yes! Our very own land leader now.
[27/09/26 18:05] Aelis:Ledah could always rejoin the Caretakers and help increase our realm domination *winks*
[27/09/26 18:05] Sephirah Caelum:Redneck!!!! How are tou?
[27/09/26 18:05] Ledah:Hehehe, maybe someday
[27/09/26 18:06] Sephirah Caelum:I saw that many things have changed in the realm!
[27/09/26 18:07] Chewett:Some call me that certainly
[27/09/26 18:07] Aelis:Yeah, so many new changes!
[27/09/26 18:07] Sephirah Caelum:I will have to take some time to relearn everything…
[27/09/26 18:07] samon:Many things have changed indeed. You can now explore the foundation :D
[27/09/26 18:07] Sephirah Caelum:Under the Gazebo?
[27/09/26 18:07] samon:Under the Tribunal
[27/09/26 18:08] Seigheart:Under the East :D
[27/09/26 18:08] Aelis:We're here to help.
[27/09/26 18:08] :Sephirah Caelum facepalms
[27/09/26 18:08] Seigheart:It requires a few consecutive active days to traverse
[27/09/26 18:08] Sephirah Caelum:And the other gate before getting at the Tribunal’s gate?
[27/09/26 18:09] Sephirah Caelum:I felt tempted to tey to cross, but gat weary of getting locked in.
[27/09/26 18:09] Aelis:The dominion gate? It's temporarily closed
[27/09/26 18:10] Aelis:About time the Demon opens it again
[27/09/26 18:10] Sephirah Caelum: *chuckles* temporary…
[27/09/26 18:10] Confused Santa:What a confusing place
[27/09/26 18:10] Aelis:Hey Santa, you found it!
[27/09/26 18:10] :Aelis gives very precise instructions
[27/09/26 18:11] Syrian:hello again santa
[27/09/26 18:11] Sunfire:Sephi!
[27/09/26 18:11] Aelis:I'm almost finished with my letter
[27/09/26 18:12] Sephirah Caelum:Hello Sunfire!
[27/09/26 18:12] Sephirah Caelum:Welcome Santa! Thanks for coming!
[27/09/26 18:13] Chewett:Do we have everyone Aelis?
[27/09/26 18:13] Sephirah Caelum:Hello Syriam!
[27/09/26 18:14] Syrian:hello sephi!
[27/09/26 18:14] Aelis:I'm trying to reach chriselnenepr
[27/09/26 18:14] Aelis:But we can start
[27/09/26 18:15] :Blackshade Rider sits down
[27/09/26 18:15] :Confused Santa sits up down
[27/09/26 18:15] Aelis:I would like to thank you all for coming.
[27/09/26 18:15] :Seigheart sits down in the back, listening intently
[27/09/26 18:16] Aelis:This is a very symbolic place for the Caretakers
[27/09/26 18:16] Aelis:Back then, the CT held a ceremony to bury Molquert, the revival specialist, here.
[27/09/26 18:17] :Blackshade Rider receives a message from redneck
[27/09/26 18:17] Blackshade Rider:Redneck said he cant make it but sends his congrats
[27/09/26 18:18] Aelis:Oh, ok. Thank you, Blackshade. I'll message him later. *smiles*
[27/09/26 18:18] Aelis:Though somewhat in parallel, both our paths were aligned with death in this realm.
[27/09/26 18:18] Aelis:Now we aim to expand upon that, trying to look at it from another perspective.
[27/09/26 18:19] Aelis:I would like to thank Ledah for being an amazing leader. And phantasm before him.
[27/09/26 18:19] Aelis:Also, the Grand Duke Chewett for accepting my proposal.
[27/09/26 18:20] Aelis:And finally my fellow Caretakers. You're the core of it all.
[27/09/26 18:20] Aelis: *bows* Thank you.
[27/09/26 18:20] Aelis:Would anyone like to say a few words?
[27/09/26 18:20] Chewett:Congratulations Aelis on your new position
[27/09/26 18:20] :Sephirah Caelum claps
[27/09/26 18:21] Syrian:yay CT!
[27/09/26 18:21] :samon claps
[27/09/26 18:21] Chewett:I am quite sure that it will bring the Caretakers to new depths previously un-shovelled
[27/09/26 18:21] Chewett:I am pleased to see it continue
[27/09/26 18:21] Blackshade Rider:Congrats Aelis. Your a good fit
[27/09/26 18:21] :Vahr smiles
[27/09/26 18:21] Chewett:And maybe other groups shall reform in the future *winks at Syrian*
[27/09/26 18:21] Vahr:Congratulations :)
[27/09/26 18:22] Aelis:Thank you, friends.
[27/09/26 18:22] :Chewett turns to Ledah
[27/09/26 18:22] Sunfire:to death, and rebirth!
[27/09/26 18:22] Seigheart:Congrats Aelis! I welcome the new reign.
[27/09/26 18:22] Sephirah Caelum:Ahhh….Wait! Now Aelis is the chief!
[27/09/26 18:22] Syrian:you mean 7ft under instead of 6?
[27/09/26 18:23] Chewett:We shall see where we reach Syrian
[27/09/26 18:23] Syrian:7.2??
[27/09/26 18:23] Syrian:that's daring
[27/09/26 18:23] Seigheart:I like 8
[27/09/26 18:23] Seigheart:Hounds cant find them that deep
[27/09/26 18:23] Syrian:gonna need a big shovel for that...
[27/09/26 18:23] Ledah:Well, surely now the moment everyone has been waiting for is here?
[27/09/26 18:23] Blackshade Rider:Hounds are no longer around seig
[27/09/26 18:24] Ledah:Yes, yes, I did write a speech somewhere... but who needs words... actions are much more important.
[27/09/26 18:24] Syrian:definitely expecting shenanigans
[27/09/26 18:24] :Aelis does a little drum roll
[27/09/26 18:24] :Chewett expects actions
[27/09/26 18:24] :samon looks with anticipation
[27/09/26 18:24] Ledah:So, Aelis. I entrust on to you the Caretakers, you have more than earned it... as well as 2 particular items that comes with the role
[27/09/26 18:25] Ledah:The first... the legendary Caretaker's Spade... many a victim has it claimed in my hands... I hope to see you do more good work with it.
[27/09/26 18:25] Ledah:...and you will get it after the party to stop any... accidents.
[27/09/26 18:26] Chewett:That shovel looks mighty stuck to your hands
[27/09/26 18:26] Sephirah Caelum:I am as out as the shell of an egg! *laughts*
[27/09/26 18:26] :Ledah coughs nervously
[27/09/26 18:26] Chewett:Let me use some magic *winks* (One moment while I make it transferrable lol)
[27/09/26 18:26] :Aelis fails to hide a chuckle
[27/09/26 18:26] :Sephirah Caelum is resdy
[27/09/26 18:27] :Ledah falls over
[27/09/26 18:27] Chewett:Ledah, why don't you try giving away.... I won't ask why it's so sticky
[27/09/26 18:27] :Ledah passed Caretaker's Spade to Aelis
[27/09/26 18:27] Ledah:Yes, accidents like that! You can... clean it yourself.
[27/09/26 18:27] Syrian:dig deep!
[27/09/26 18:27] Aelis: *nods* Thank you, Ledah. Rest assured that we'll make it good use of it.
[27/09/26 18:28] Ledah:That was left to me by phantasm... but now I have something for you from myself... The Caretaker's Seal...
[27/09/26 18:28] Ledah:I hope the darkness it holds always keeps you company
[27/09/26 18:28] Seigheart:hehe
[27/09/26 18:28] :Ledah passed The Caretaker's Seal to Aelis
[27/09/26 18:29] Ledah:Well, that is that! Congratulations! All I ask is that you never let them go to waste, and you pass them on when your own time comes... as it always does.
[27/09/26 18:29] :Aelis walks next to the grave and drives the shovel into the ground
[27/09/26 18:29] :Blackshade Rider passed Black rose to Aelis
[27/09/26 18:29] :Seigheart claps
[27/09/26 18:29] :samon claps
[27/09/26 18:30] :Seigheart passed Black rose to Aelis
[27/09/26 18:30] Aelis: *raises the spade* The first spadeful of earth for this new era.
[27/09/26 18:30] :Blackshade Rider nods
[27/09/26 18:30] Seigheart:I give this Black rose in honour of the moment. May it never wilt.
[27/09/26 18:30] Aelis:Thank you. *nods*
[27/09/26 18:31] Aelis:Before we move on to the festivities...
[27/09/26 18:31] Aelis:A quick sneak peek of our next steps.
[27/09/26 18:31] Chewett:It feels fit you need a new title Aelis
[27/09/26 18:31] Chewett:Maybe we shall see one once we hear of your exciting next step
[27/09/26 18:31] Aelis: *bows* Very well, Grand Duke.
[27/09/26 18:33] :Sephirah Caelum looks happy
[27/09/26 18:33] Aelis:As seekers of the balance between what is lost and what remains, we will set up an outpost in Necrovion in the next days.
[27/09/26 18:33] Aelis:It's been 10 years since the main human structures of Necrovion have been deserted. It's about time we revisit the place as Caretakers and see to it.
[27/09/26 18:34] Aelis:The rightful Queen will accompany us in our quest. As well as one of the dutiful death patrol members.
[27/09/26 18:34] Sephirah Caelum:Pea vê?!
[27/09/26 18:34] Aelis:Should lashtal wake up, he is also welcome to join us.
[27/09/26 18:34] Aelis:All are welcome to visit us once the outpost is set.
[27/09/26 18:34] Sephirah Caelum:Is Peace around?
[27/09/26 18:35] Aelis:Not currently, no, Sephirah.
[27/09/26 18:35] samon: (Syrian became Queen of NC)
[27/09/26 18:35] Aelis: *turns to Chewett* That is it, Duke. Thank you.
[27/09/26 18:35] Sephirah Caelum: *looks at Syrian* What?!
[27/09/26 18:35] Sephirah Caelum:Confusing land…
[27/09/26 18:36] samon:Might I say a few more words in commemoration of this event?
[27/09/26 18:36] Chewett:One moment
[27/09/26 18:36] Chewett:As is customary, the title of the head of the Caretakers reflects their mission
[27/09/26 18:36] Chewett:The Caretakers have always had a varied life, but this new one brings further change
[27/09/26 18:37] Chewett:As part of that change, it is appropriate the title reflects that.
[27/09/26 18:37] Chewett:Therefore I bestow upon you, the new title, Stirrer of Memories
[27/09/26 18:38] Chewett:Thank you, and best of luck in your new mission Aelis.
[27/09/26 18:38] Syrian:fancy!
[27/09/26 18:38] :Chewett bows to Aelis
[27/09/26 18:38] Vahr:Congratulations!
[27/09/26 18:38] :Sunfire claps
[27/09/26 18:38] :Aelis bows
[27/09/26 18:38] :Sephirah Caelum claps
[27/09/26 18:38] :Seigheart whistles and cheers in celebration
[27/09/26 18:38] samon:Congratulations, Stirrer of Memories
[27/09/26 18:38] Aelis:Long live the Caretakers!
[27/09/26 18:39] samon:Long live the caretakers!
[27/09/26 18:39] Sephirah Caelum:Long live the Caretakers!
[27/09/26 18:39] :Aelis turns to samon
[27/09/26 18:40] Syrian:may the memories be stirred!
[27/09/26 18:40] Aelis:Did you want to say a few words, old friend?
[27/09/26 18:40] samon:Thank you
[27/09/26 18:40] Seigheart:And the martinis too :P
[27/09/26 18:40] samon:It makes me happy to see so many people around for this ceremony
[27/09/26 18:40] samon:First I wish to thank Ledah for his many years of service to our humble family.
[27/09/26 18:41] samon:Know that in life and death, the Caretakers will be there for you.
[27/09/26 18:41] samon:Even the Caretakers are not immune to the cycle of death and rebirth.
[27/09/26 18:41] samon:And Aelis' vision has filled me with great hope for the future.
[27/09/26 18:41] samon:Enough to drag my weary old bones from the grave.
[27/09/26 18:42] samon:A return to death as a symbol feels like a natural progression for the alliance.
[27/09/26 18:42] samon:One that I'm sure will be relevant now and for many years in the future.
[27/09/26 18:42] samon:And under Aelis' leadership I'm sure we will be able to fulfil that role well.
[27/09/26 18:43] samon:Long live the Caretakers.
[27/09/26 18:43] :Sephirah Caelum claps
[27/09/26 18:43] Sephirah Caelum:Long live the Caretakers!
[27/09/26 18:43] :Aelis claps
[27/09/26 18:43] :Syrian joins in with the clapping as well
[27/09/26 18:44] :Sunfire claps
[27/09/26 18:44] Vahr:Wonderful!

log_pub.txt
...and a fun aftermath ;)

log_ceremony.txt
Here is the log for the ceremony. I would like to thank all who attended. It was awesome

After speaking to everyone (active) during the event, the feedback was universally positive.
Therefore it's clear the comments was from a singular determined hater who has taken it unto themselves to leave disparaging and abusive comments. I feel sorry for them that their hatred and pity them, hopefully one day when they themselves spend hours creating things they get a kinder audience. Hopefully they will stop leaving such messages for people trying to create things in MagicDuel.
To quote one friend "I would love to see more. Fuck the haters"
More to come

The Caretakers would like to send an invitation to the whole realm.

As per an already established custom in our alliance, we will host a ceremony to mark the leadership transition.
The event will place Sunday (2026-09-27), 3 pm GMT at The Gravesite (7_terracecrossroads_1).
Afterwards, we can head to the pub for a few drinks ;)

Yes, that exactly. Now it takes a few clicks:
Open fight popup, select classic ritual, fight this way, scroll to pick a ritual and click, click again to choose influence, click close.
That adds up when you attack a lot of people like in GoE for example.

Yes, that exactly. Now it takes a few clicks:
Open fight popup, select classic ritual, fight this way, scroll to pick a ritual and click, click again to choose influence, click close.
That adds up when you attack a lot of people like in GoE for example.

As mentioned in the announcement I have been monitoring the various mood panel, profile, and PL mentions people have left during our little story. This forum post is so that people can learn what the Realm likes and dislikes, so possibly we can do even better stuff in the future.
 
My general comments are that it seems there was a significant proportion of people that didn’t really like it. Given the considerable amount of time it took to document/write up I’m probably not going to run another similar event. Sorry I couldn’t do better and best of luck to the next author.
I would note that, since the comments are anonymous, it’s hard to see if it’s a very determined hater, or the wider community feels the same. If anyone has any feedback they want to share I’m keen to hear how I could do better.
 Negative Comments
cunt
sad fat littleman
authoriteh
big whoop
somuchai
georgerrmartinwowlol
aislop
whocares
whatadumbpost
you mad bro
big sad chew
hypocrite terribleai
cringe x2
snooze button zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
fart bucket
spam x2 
My comments:
Some people don’t seem to like the AI imagery
Some personal remarks
Seemingly people didn’t like the fact I had to rewrite some of the story and took a pause
Some people felt it was boring/cringe
Positive comments:
nice x8
finally
topkek
releax anenjoy
sweet
like this
exciting
amazing art
sherlock holmes
agatha christie
love it
I love these
based
My Comments
Some people seemed to like the artwork
I was writing it while attempting to have a similar writing/speaking style as the original “Sherlock Holmes Radio mystery” in the UK, people seemed to enjoy this
Story related comments:
gwi is safe
he scared
yo manz duckin
dray is adepleter
dr is a depleter
is too
is not
kill depleters
delete depleters x2
beatdepleters x2
strikerharder
My comments:
It was great to see people engaging with the story through the replies

Chewett wandered the land, his work accomplished, CARD no longer needed him.
What would become of the mysterious figure depleting the Gateway Island?
Would Ledah be dissuaded?
Could Fang and Nep rally CARD to stop the depleters?
Would the depleters keep crying for bark to make armour?
That… is another story.

The Caretakers would like to send an invitation to the whole realm.

As per an already established custom in our alliance, we will host a ceremony to mark the leadership transition.
The event will place Sunday (2026-09-27), 3 pm GMT at The Gravesite (7_terracecrossroads_1).
Afterwards, we can head to the pub for a few drinks ;)

I'm proud to announce that some of my creatures are now old enough to vote.

The Caretakers would like to send an invitation to the whole realm.

As per an already established custom in our alliance, we will host a ceremony to mark the leadership transition.
The event will place Sunday (2026-09-27), 3 pm GMT at The Gravesite (7_terracecrossroads_1).
Afterwards, we can head to the pub for a few drinks ;)

I will set up a public meeting to last for the entire event

The first traps smuggled back by Chewett were distributed to the most loyal of CARD members to test. However, initially, they couldn’t work out how to use them. In typical Eggdar fashion, there was no instruction manual, no warning, and not even a helpful label.
Nep eventually came to the rescue. Until then he had watched CARD’s efforts from the outside, but the sight of something that might actually stop a depleter was enough to draw him in.
It took several hours, a few failed attempts, one trap placed upside down, and a fair amount of increasingly frustrated muttering before Nep discovered the trick. By placing down the trap and speaking the incantation “Let the roots remember” the device began to change. Its edges softened first, then its colour began to match the soil beneath it. Within moments, the trap seemed to sink into the land itself until nothing remained visible. If Nep kept his eyes fixed upon it from the moment it was placed, he could just about follow its outlines. Blink, however, and the illusion was complete.
Word spread quickly, for the first time in a while, CARD has something tangible to offer beyond warnings, lists, and angry speeches. Members began carrying the traps into threatened lands, hiding them along paths, near gathering points, and anywhere a depleter might be expected to pass.
Then came an unexpected discovery. One trap could hold someone briefly. Two worked longer. Three longer still. Whatever magic Eggdar had built into them seemed to reinforce itself when several were placed together.
Inevitably, the first true test came with Ledah. Of all the depleters to stumble into CARD’s newest defence, it seemed fitting that their chief tormentor should be first.
For a brief moment, CARD had him. Then Ledah smiled. He had come prepared. A dispel was already waiting, and with a few hurried words the trap’s hold broke.
The first victory had lasted only moments, but it had proven something important. The traps worked.
More importantly, Ledah knew the traps worked.
From that point on, every step through the Realm would carry a new question. Was the ground beneath him really empty?

The Caretakers would like to send an invitation to the whole realm.

As per an already established custom in our alliance, we will host a ceremony to mark the leadership transition.
The event will place Sunday (2026-09-27), 3 pm GMT at The Gravesite (7_terracecrossroads_1).
Afterwards, we can head to the pub for a few drinks ;)

The Caretakers would like to send an invitation to the whole realm.

As per an already established custom in our alliance, we will host a ceremony to mark the leadership transition.
The event will place Sunday (2026-09-27), 3 pm GMT at The Gravesite (7_terracecrossroads_1).
Afterwards, we can head to the pub for a few drinks ;)

The Caretakers would like to send an invitation to the whole realm.

As per an already established custom in our alliance, we will host a ceremony to mark the leadership transition.
The event will place Sunday (2026-09-27), 3 pm GMT at The Gravesite (7_terracecrossroads_1).
Afterwards, we can head to the pub for a few drinks ;)

The Caretakers would like to send an invitation to the whole realm.

As per an already established custom in our alliance, we will host a ceremony to mark the leadership transition.
The event will place Sunday (2026-09-27), 3 pm GMT at The Gravesite (7_terracecrossroads_1).
Afterwards, we can head to the pub for a few drinks ;)

In a shady corner of The Drunken Corpse, two figures sat.
Neither face could be clearly seen beneath their cloaks, yet it was immediately obvious that you would struggle to find a more mismatched pair.
The first chair was well loved. Some might have called it creaky, old, and long overdue for replacement, but its occupant remembered the times sat in that chair with fondness. Memories of time spent with long-lost friends returned, being served by Xcerceses, drinking a little too much of the famous “Phantasm Dark Rum”.
Where the chair slouched tiredly within its wooden frame, the person sitting within it was perfectly straight. While there were fond memories there was also an unmistakable air of irritation that such an undignified piece of furniture was somehow interfering with an otherwise precise appearance.
The second chair, however, was much worse. Old, worn, and apparently designed without any consideration for the shape of a human spine, it inspired no fond memories in its occupant. The second cloaked figure had somehow contorted themselves to fit it, their back forming undulations rarely observed in nature. Anyone watching might reasonably have assumed some terrible deformity. The figure, however, seemed entirely unbothered.
The pair had corresponded in secret, messages passed back and forth through third parties who knew nothing of what they carried. They had met before, certainly, but never like this.
The reason for the meeting was precisely why secrecy mattered.
The first man represented a small group of artisans who had been attempting to create a magical means of trapping someone. Their requirements had seemed simple enough.
Something small. Something discreet. Something capable of holding a particularly troublesome depleter in place long enough for CARD to do something useful about them.
The problem was that every attempt so far had failed. Sticky candy had been magically bonded to spellstones, boxes, pieces of metal, and several objects which everyone had quietly agreed never to discuss again. The results had been disappointing. At best, the intended victim had been left none the wiser. At worst they had become slightly sticky. It was hardly the devastating magical deterrent CARD had hoped for.
Eventually it had been decided that outside expertise was required.
And so Chewett found himself sitting opposite Eggdar.
Chewett explained the problem as carefully as he could. Given the basic idea of what CARD wanted, could Eggdar produce something capable of trapping even a determined depleter?
Eggdar stared back at him. Silence stretched across the table. However just as Chewett went to speak again, fearing Eggdar had not understood, the strange figure finally answered, “Maybe”.
What followed was less a negotiation and more an interrogation from Eggdar.
How strong must the trap be? How long should it hold someone? Could it be escaped? Could it be reused? Could the person trapped inside destroy it? Could it distinguish between the intended target and some unfortunate passer-by?
Chewett had answers to some of these questions. Ideally, this new weapon would target only depleters but he wasn’t sure if Eggdar would be able to accomplish this.
After a similarly long pause, Eggdar leaned forward and spoke quietly “Can make”.
This relaxed Chewett slightly, though the price would prove steep.
Gold and silver held little value to Eggdar. With depletion continuing across the Realm, aromatic herbs had become increasingly difficult to obtain and Eggdar demanded some of these. Why Eggdar wanted them was never explained, but Chewett passed him the last of the herbs CARD had collected before the depletion had become severe.
Some time later, the finished traps were delivered. They were compact, unusual, and radiated just enough magical energy to suggest touching one without knowing what it did would be an extremely poor decision.
CARD finally had what it needed. Or so Chewett believed.
He would later learn an important lesson about clandestine meetings. A quiet pub was not necessarily a private pub. In fact, the quieter the room, the easier it was to hear every word spoken within it.
Rumours spread.
Others began approaching Eggdar, asking for traps of their own. Some wanted to protect their lands. Others wanted leverage over their enemies. A few, Chewett suspected, simply liked the idea of owning something dangerous.
Eggdar obliged. For a price.
Before long, the strange craftsman who had armed CARD was happily supplying those who might one day find themselves standing against it.
Chewett was considerably less pleased when he discovered this.
Eggdar, predictably, did not appear concerned. A war was good for business. A war where you supplied every side was considerably better.
That day Eggdar had once again earned his reputation as a loyal servant of the Demon of the Tribunal.
Creating chaos. Encouraging conflict.
And ensuring that, whatever happened next, someone, somewhere would owe him.

QOL - Inventory "list" mode, as the images are not good on mobile when you have so many items

Moving down from the Undermined Foundation requires 1 consecutive day, but going there does not, allowing people to get stuck. In general requiring people to get consecutive days to get out of somewhere seems like a bad idea, but this one especially as you don't need them to get here.