A wave of Divine force washed over the world of Aetolia on the 17th of
Variach in the 129th year of the Midnight Age. Every sentient being
without exception paused in wonder as the essence of wisdom floated
through their Mortal minds, and the eyes of many were opened to much
that had been previously overlooked. When the sensation passed, the
cause of this boon was sought by many, and it was not long before the
answer was found.

Earlier that morning, followers and supporters of Niuri, the Goddess of
Mystery, had made a breakthrough at the end of a days-long debate in the
Dakhota wilderness. They had partially deciphered a prophecy relating to
their Matron and realized enough about Her ongoing transformation to
summon Her to Sapience free, for a time, of the elemental attacks She
had been suffering. It was Niuri who had diffused a significant portion
of Her essence across the lands and seas, in an effort to stimulate the
minds of any who were destined to assist Her. And at least in one
perceptible way, the experiment was a success, as the Lady of Mystery
revealed the next morning in a message posted for all to read.

Niuri revealed that She had felt her essence touch ten minds in
particular, minds of individuals who before had no special intelligence
or secret knowledge, but who now had minds open to certain realms that
had a mutual influence with the Goddess. Six of these minds, She
related, corresponded to six realms of Mortal knowledge - architecture,
art, astronomy, geography, history, and medicine - in which Mystery was
a major factor. Four others were attuned to the four physical elements
themselves - earth, fire, air, and water - that had been so prominent in
Her uncomfortable and ongoing transformation. Niuri bade all Mortals to
search for these ten minds, assisting them in any way they could and
leading them to safety.

Guided and led by the servants of Mystery, Aetolians of all allegiances
combed the corners of Aetolia searching for these alert minds (as some
were calling them) or inspired ones (according to others). And fortune
was with them, as two early successes were experienced. Nuincuiel
ventured to her birthplace of Saluria and trod the streets until she
noticed a villager who seemed different, somehow more thoughtful. An
intense conversation revealed that this Rajamalan woman had been plagued
by thoughts of history and visions of a totem. With clues from her
vision, Nuincuiel found the totem and returned it to her, gaining her
gratitude and trust. About the same time, Azumi set down his mace of
white steel and ventured among the dangerous ophidians in the Dungeon of
the Beastlords. He, too, found one who had the appearance of a recent
encounter with wisdom; when he questioned her, she too spoke of visions,
only of a sickle associated with medicine. Locating the sickle, Azumi
soothed her visions and started to lead her out of her subterranean
home.

Bolstered by the information relayed by these two explorers, the other
searchers began to locate their targets as well. Lisette of the Conclave
of Magic discovered a troll woman in the squalid ruins of Hashan and
also (following a trail laid by the Consanguine Duke Irawn) a merman
from Riparium, both of whom had been altered by Niuri's essence. The
Mhun lorewarden Avialle and her husband Winger Imperil found a Drakt
priest in Scidve and a dryad handmaiden in Titania's mystical Garden,
listened to their visons, and gained their trust. From the islands of
Polyargos and Ulangi to the depths of the Moghedu mines, the tenacious
searchers Maakhanst the Druid, Garador the Sentaari, and Mystery's
Pointer Zoriah herself found more inspired minds and brought them into
view. Finally, late on the 21st of Variach, when only the earth-attuned
alert one remained missing, Esper the Wisdomseeker braved the
underground horrors of Azdun and, following Lisette's advice, relieved a
guardian vampire of the burden of his visions.

To Temple, City, Guildhall and House were led these ten who were touched
by the wisdom of a Goddess. There, in safety under the watchful eyes of
their finders and friends, they await the call of Mystery which the
followers of Niuri believe is their destiny. None can say at this time
whether, when the new temple of Mystery is discovered or built, the ten
will volunteer themselves into Her service. But many now see the
potential that lies lurking in the often dismissed communities that
produced the inspired ones. And even more again await the Imminent
Answer promised by Lady Niuri....

Penned by my hand on the 3rd of Niuran, in the year 137 MA.