Hello, I’m Branwyn Two-Moon of Clan Lightridge and these are the Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor for the week of Wisp Waning, 2019.

As one might guess, the massive Wisp-magic surge caused by the return of the Shrine of Magic is part of the reason for the delay of this broadcast.  It took a bit for me to recalibrate the systems for effective transmission.

Of course, the real challenge came with the appearance of a Wisp spirit in my studio as I was starting. But, let’s get to the more important news first.

The Shrine of Magic is indeed back, or at least its entrance is.  Unexpectedly, it’s in a cliff wall maybe two miles outside the southeastern gate of Eastfjord Harbor and denying access to everyone.  There’s a magical barrier rebuffing all approach – it causes no harm, but I’m told you might as well be walking into a wall made of invisible cloth. No efforts to bring down or bypass the barrier have been successful, though hundreds have tried and no doubt thousands are on their way to attempt.

I suspect that the arrival of the Wisp spirit in my studio on the seventh day means I won’t have such a challenge, so let’s talk about that.

Luna, yes – the Luna, the spirit that once help Wisp’s place in Mana hierarchy a millennium ago, who revealed herself as an aspect of Wisp and still holds the title “Guardian of the Changing Moon” –  appeared in my studio, and I’m grateful Kurst Ice-Forged was here as a witness.to her arrival.

I did not know it was Luna at first, I thought it was simply a Wisp spirit – until she spoke. Outside of the eight prime spirits, the only spirits known to speak in a language people understand are their aides. I was humbled enough at the thought of a Wisp spirit in my studio, so I lack a word to convey how I felt with Luna’s arrival.

After apologizing for preventing my aethercast, for she wished our conversation to be shared, Luna bade me to come to the Shrine of Magic on the third day this week and partake in the Trial of Magic.

I would be a fool to say no, though I have done my research and know to some degree the challenge that lies ahead of me.

Each spirit’s trials allow for a single week to complete them.  Some champions use that entire time, most come close.

The Trial of Magic is no different, save that the first of Wisp’s trials is known: the hopeful-champion must first demonstrate mastery of another type of magic and earn the title of Champion of another spirit before they can continue the Trial of Magic.

Yes, that means a would-be Champion of Wisp must past two mana trials in a week. Arriving bearing the title of Champion is not sufficient.

As if that were not daunting enough, nothing I can find explains how one gets to another shrine and back in time and still has the energy needed to attempt Wisp’s challenges.

Luna confirmed my knowledge as “reasonably accurate” and advised me not to worry about how I would be traveling between shrines, then reminded me again of when to arrive.

The last thing she did before she left was provide me a device she believed would enable me to broadcast Ersatz Echoes from within the trials themselves.

Kurst will be on standby in case that doesn’t work.

I’m almost done with any reasonable preparation. If all goes well, my next aethercast will be from within a Mana Shrine.

The Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor are brought to you by Red Wombat Tea Company, purveyors of fine and otherworldly tea. Red Wombat: We Dig Tea.

Also brought to you by…

You know, I’m just going to read this. I suspect Wisp energy is going to have things out of whack for a while.

Also brought to you by Jesse Stringer, who invites you to support his Extra Life campaign raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network. Details online at http://bit.ly/2019TangoExtraLife. The T, the E, and the L are capitalized.

These have been the Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor for the week of Wisp Waning, 2019. Take care, and stay cool.