A flurry of swift-winged doves sped across Sapience late in the year of
425 A.F., bearing invitations of this description:

The edges of a sheet of fine black parchment are dipped in molten
silver, then folded in half to form a square, creating an elegant
invitation. Three circles are embossed horizontally upon the front of
the design and highlighted with a thin layer of silver foil. The
interior is hand-lettered with meticulous calligraphy in raised silver
ink, detailing the particulars of an extravagant opening gala for the
Planetarium of the Crown.

Written on the elegant black invitations were the words:

~ You are cordially invited ~
~ to the opening gala of ~
~ the Planetarium of the Crown ~
~ the night of the 4th of Sarapin ~
~ 426 A.F. ~
~ Gaear Street, Hashan ~

Admittance shall be granted to the bearer of this invitation only.
Formal dress is required.


These invitations were received only by certain dignitaries across the
realm, such as city council members, House Lords and Ladies, and heads of
towns and villages, as well as various aristocrats. However, it wasn't
long before counterfeit versions of these exclusive invitations appeared
on the market, looking nearly as fine as the originals.

Excitement and curiosity mounted as the opening day drew near, tinged by
no small amount of lingering suspicion at Tavarius's supposedly
philanthropic intentions. When finally the doors opened at dusk, those
with invitations were ushered into the spacious new planetarium, Tavarius
greeting them in the reception hall with smiles and welcomes. The guests
eagerly explored the planetarium, finding it to be arranged in a five-
pointed star shape, with a library, an observatory, an exhibition hall
featuring an orrery, and a model of a galaxy of stars at four of its
points. At its northern point rose a breathtakingly high tower, encircled
by a spiralling stairway.

Aside from city and House officials, there were representatives from the
Church and Oakstone, rubbing shoulders with such Achaean luminaries such as
Angela, the mayor of New Thera; Utata, the chief of the Tomacula tribe
along with his bedmate Shunaan; Tu'eras, the tsol'aa king and his mother
Celaabi; Captain Korlosh of Delos; Daqsool, the Qoul of Tir Murann; Captain
Kelley of Mysia; the chic and wealthy Maim de Vermiis; Epicurus, Averroes,
and Damaris, the respected and respective city tutors of Ashtan, Shallam,
and Hashan; and many more, all in their finest regalia. Stylishly themed
refreshments were served, including crescent-moon cookies, star-shaped
meringues, and moonshine.

Near dawn, Tavarius called all within the planetarium to the reception
hall for a brief speech. "My great hope," he said, "is that the vast
collection of educational and research material here will help to
further our understanding of planetary movements."

"In fact, if you would all join me at the top of the north tower, I
shall give a small demonstration." With that, Tavarius turned and led
the party up the spiralling stairway. At the lofty, open-air apex of the
tower was the Disc of the Nocturne. Over the Disc hovered a thin glass
dome, supported by slender silver rods spaced around the Disc.

The truly observant amongst the partygoers may have noted a new addition
to the surface of the Disc, which had previously contained three
crystals symbolising the three planets of Hashan's Triad, the circular
mithril rete upon which they sat, and a golden needle to indicate which
of the planets was in ascendancy. Now, the golden needle was gone, and
instead in the centre of the rete was a golden disc, hammered hair-thin.

"Long ago," Tavarius said, "the Disc of the Nocturne was used by the
fine people of Hashan to determine the divinity who would hold the
patronage of the city for a given period of time. This is, in our
enlightened and modern age, an archaic usage. I am delighted to
demonstrate for you a further function for this wonderful instrument."

Staring up at the night sky with an odd expression upon his face,
Tavarius reached out idly with one hand and grasped a silver cord
hanging from the glass dome above the Disc, then tugged on it sharply.
The Disc of the Nocturne began to turn counterclockwise upon its
pedestal, and the gears on the underside of the Disc whirred and clicked
softly.

The crystals symbolising the planets Lunastra, Somnustra, and Noxtra
began to move, slowly but surely sketching their grand orbits across the
the surface of the Disc, as precisely as the actual planets themselves
glide through the vastness of space. Intricate lines of etched silver
flared into visibility upon the glass dome above, blinding the observers
for a moment with their brightness. As their vision returned, all
recognised that the silver etchings approximated an abstracted map of
the continent of Sapience.

With a final click, the three crystals came together upon the golden
disc in the centre, each crystal barely touching the other in a
triangular formation. Tavarius pulled yet another cord, a golden one
attached discreetly to the underside of the Disc of Nocturne. From
beneath the golden disc shone a bright light, focused through disc then
the crystals into a narrow beam that shot up at the underside of the
glass dome above at a particular angle, striking a distinct point in the
Southern Vashnars portion of the map before growing dim. The silver map
upon the glass dome shimmered softly, then faded away as well.

Without explanation, entreating his guests to continue to enjoy the
party, Tavarius disappeared down the stairway.

It was dawn.

Penned by my hand on the 13th of Aeguary, in the year 428 AF.