Ecological Studies into 'Nocturne' ritual

[DirectorBright]

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Half a decade has passed since the controversial ritual of Nocturne- or at least, the first one- in which Captain-General Grey Aundeoth had reportedly blocked out the sun over the remote island of Arilator's Landing. Multiple reports circulated in the immediate weeks following the event, news of it lingering accross the continent. Still, as the seasons shift towards winter once again, the Captain-General's office releases the report of the studied impact on the environment- with word of further studies to come. A formal statement on the event, having not been issued since it's immediate high-tension following.

Location: Arilator's Landing
Duration: 1 month
Season: Winter
Area: Confined to landmass
Type: Fog cloud

Notable Fauna: Fae, evidenced by regular powder appearance
Notable Flora: Sparse trees, blancheblooms, soothing reed, cylion, grasses
Climate: Southern, harsh winter storms
Weather: Below freezing temperature, harsh winds, clear sky, icy terrain

Objective: Condense crystal from mana imbalance, research effects of ritual, test limitations of shadow magic

Basic description of events:
Runework set around island post relocation of ritual - rushed
Water Magi filled earth and plantlife with pure water
Light Magi captured sunlight and infused plantlife and soil until saturation
Shadow Magi amplified mana imbalance
Dark fog manifests on the island
Umbral Crystal began formation
Oversaturation of sunlight resulted in formation of condensed droplets of light
Wards breached, local light spirit agitated by disruption
Spirit defeated by attendees, massive release of light mana
Crystal shattered by spirit, fragments distributed to attendants as compensation
Excess light mana from participant contribution and spirit increased droplet size - large ones harvested
Fog remained in position for one month before dissipating as spell expires
Remained in position throughout ritual and regular visits paid afterwards to observe environment

Effects noted during the blackout:
Ambient temperature increased
Wind velocity decreased
Drops of light too weak to be harvested remain in the air and provided minor illumination, compared to 'tiny stars'
Sound noted to be 'softer' or 'muffled' at long distances and high volumes
Color appeared diminished, consistent with low light conditions
Noted desire in present personnel towards reduced activity
Edges of objects reported to be 'softer' and less defined - perception only
Shadow aligned spirits showed increased activity
Light aligned spirits showed decreased activity

Effects noted post-blackout winter:
Nothing unusual

Effects noted post-blackout, post-winter:
Plant growth began sooner in the spring and with increased abundance
Near overgrowth conditions
Growth normalized approximately two weeks later
By fall, excess plantlife had retreated or died off, returning to ordinary conditions

Conclusions and comments:
The energy suffused into the plantlife mid-winter bolstered reserves in preparation for spring, explaining sudden explosive growth
Energy depleted shortly after explains return to normalcy, excess plant growth was above carrying capacity and withered or downsized
Lack of non-dormant wildlife on Arilator's landing provides no conclusion as to effects on fauna - caution remains in effect as to use in more wildlife-dense areas, use over the ocean in general not advised due to algae.
Reinforced wards may be necessary in future to prevent wild spirit attacks
Droplets of light were unexpected, amplified by the spirit's attack
Shattered crystal fragments still held noticeable power, if minor.
Droplets of light and shadow crystal fragments in roughly equivalent quantity - interesting
Ritual lasted for one month but crystals formed immediately - excess energy most present at the start of the ritual explains this, as the quantity needed to last for a month causes the imbalance. Investigation to be conducted to if the remaining month can be distorted or dispelled in a way that still produces crystals.
Increased temperature explained through dark fog absorbing more light than white snow and ice - increase was small, but noticeable. Still below freezing. Ritual could likely be made to cool in the summer instead if properly altered - spacing the fog off the ground into a sort of 'shade' would work.
Reduced wind explained through 'inertia' of shadow fog - 'shell' concept could provide increased effect? Consider shaping more thoroughly.
I need better advertising/branding.
Further study required - contact willing parties.

This report remains publicly available upon request from the Vigil's logistics division, with those willing to host further studies advised to contact the Captain-General. Further, a statement was issued regarding prospective uses for the findings in question.

In spite of the pubic image of the event, which I admit could've been handled better, the ritual revealed a number of startling insights and potentials for future workings - especially useful was the practice itself in demonstrating a capacity for wide area alteration and control.

The yield from such a ritual proved spectacular in abundance and potential, especially with sorcery on the rise and the demand for high-grade, magically rich material increasing. Further, the alteration to temperature and growth suggests a possible future for this research: Climate regulation.

Though further study is necessary, I believe it may be possible to set up a series of monoliths to channel a reduced level of the ritual over a large region - not a full night, but to diminish the intensity of the sun during the sweltering heat of summer, then store that energy for the bitter and cold months of winter. Further, as black hues absorb more of it's light than the white ice and snow do, these 'Noctiliths' could be more active during the winter months in capturing as much energy as possible - using it to warm homes or power greenhouses with sunlight that would normally be wasted. This could see particular use in the desert or the frozen northern reaches of the continent, where the former shows an overabundance of sunlight, and the latter shows a desperate need for warmth.

Additionally, research is planned for the effects of targeting Moonlight instead of Sunlight, to observe the altered effects.

Properly channeled and utilized, with sufficient shaping, technology could be developed to absorb otherwise 'wasted' sunlight that falls upon the roofs of buildings or into areas we simply do not want it to, and then redirected or stored for later use. It could power infrastructure and- possibly- moderate climates to prevent cold snaps or heat waves, and possibly extend growing seasons. Sites would need to be scouted and set up in advance - but where once we farmed crops, perhaps in the future, we could also 'farm' mana.

Any future results and reports will be likewise issued, and contact is appreciated regarding questions or proposals.

[The Iron Jaw]

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A Research Facility commissioned by Grey Aundeoth, stationed upon the island nation of Antefinem has taken note of their findings since the most recent ritual of Nocturne:

Location: Antefinem
Duration: One Day
Season: Summer
Type: Fog Cloud, altered
Area: Confined to landmass

Notable Fauna: None
Notable Flora: Sparse trees, grasses
Climate: Tropical

Objective: ???

Basic Description of Events:
Reinforced wards used against spirits
Water Magi filled hydrated earth and plantlife with underwater springwater.
Light Magi captured sunlight and infused plantlife and soil until saturation.
Shadow Magi amplified mana imbalance
Remaining duration of ritual seemingly absorbed by Grey Aundeoth - noted odd effects on physical status
Local Shadow Spirit(?) attracted by disruption; spotted observing source, no further details
No crystals formed
Drops of light of insufficient size to harvest

Effects noted during the blackout:
Ambient temperature decreased
Wind velocity decreased
Dark, foggy overcast persisted hours after ritual was consumed
Sound across extensive distances from the isle was rendered mute
No presence of light aligned spirit activity

Effects noted post-blackout:
Very minor, short lived increase in plant growth - insignificant
Deep sea megafauna have been reported near the shoreline

This report was issued over to the Vigil's logistic division and remains publicly available upon request from the local facilities upon the isle of Antefinem. Those willing to host further studies are advised to contact Captain-General Grey Aundeoth of Goldlight. Further, a statement was issued regarding prospective uses for the findings in question.

Owing to data gathered from the first ritual and some heavy preparations beforehand, I was able to absorb the remaining magic- snuffing the ritual out ahead of time. The lack of any crystals or drops of light of sufficient size forming is curious: In the first ritual they formed immediately.

It could be that the intense metaphysics involved simply do not allow such to be created if the ritual is destined to be cut short. The tiny drops of light could've been the result of less 'waste' during the autumn months owing to a lack of snow, and still active plantlife. Alternatively, the lack of a spirit could've done it... or perhaps the intense wards had a negative effect. The lack of crystals is likewise curious, but I suspect the measures I had taken to cut it short likewise interfered with it's formation. Perhaps the presence of a crystal from the first ritual disrupted it, serving as a focal point.

More study required, however, this did demonstrate I can replicate the feat relatively easily, and without disruption to the local flora - at least in the short term - outside of winter.

Still! We were able to reduce the heat of the tropic sun. This proves we can alter the climate in either direction as we see fit. Good.