This air, it’s so persistently damp and cold, it actually reminds me of the deep winter back in Whitestone. That familiar chill immediately makes me think about the last true Winter's Crest we shared, which feels like a lifetime ago.

​ I have no idea what day it is, and I deeply miss the clarity that comes from stable environments. Instead of the calculated, predictable focus that I crave, we are all stuck navigating this persistent absurdity.

​ And yet, even amidst this chaos, it is a profound relief to have those closest to me nearby. Our purpose here is critical, and we will see it through. I simply yearn for the day when I can return to my own structures, when I can enjoy the spiced cakes and pastries from home that fill the air during the holiday, rather than enduring this.

​ The celebrations back home are how my family anchors ourselves in history and peace. They remind us that all the madness eventually leads to quiet, ordinary life.

​ So, fellow travelers, what are the tiny, wonderful things you're missing? What is the equivalent festival or time of quiet for you? Tell me about anything that reminds you of a place that follows basic, sensible rules.

-Keylethus Pikegratia Taryon d’Shorthalt-Grogson, Heir to the Shattered Glory.
​
​(P.S. If anyone has a recipe for a truly strong black tea, your help would be a tremendous relief.)

Hello, friends! It's about to be December again, and you know what that means: the fact I am posting this actually before December 1 means karzilla reminded me about the existence of linear time again. Wait, no -- well, yes, but also -- okay, look, let me back up and start again: it's almost December, and that means it's time for our annual December holiday points bonus.

The standard explanation: For the entire month of December, all orders made in the Shop of points and paid time, either for you or as a gift for a friend, will have 10% of your completed cart total sent to you in points when you finish the transaction. For instance, if you buy an order of 12 months of paid time for $35 (350 points), you'll get 35 points when the order is complete, to use on a future purchase.

( The fine print and much more behind this cut! )

Thank you, in short, for being the best possible users any social media site could possibly ever hope for. I'm probably in danger of crossing the Sappiness Line if I haven't already, but you all make everything worth it.

On behalf of Mark, Jen, Robby, and our team of awesome volunteers, and to each and every one of you, whether you've been with us on this wild ride since the beginning or just signed up last week, I'm wishing you all a very happy set of end-of-year holidays, whichever ones you celebrate, and hoping for all of you that your 2026 is full of kindness, determination, empathy, and a hell of a lot more luck than we've all had lately. Let's go.