Seasons

Emporium is a five session game, with four ‘regular’ turnsheets and one ‘eternity’ turnsheet to submit downtimes in. Each session represents the start of a new ‘Season’ in the Store; the moment where shelves are restocked full to bursting with new goods and deals, and corporate takes its quarterly review and rebranding. It is a time to hatch plans, to share information, and to strike out on bold new quests.

Emporium’s Seasons currently borrow - somewhat arbitrarily, according to the whims of the store AI - from the traditional Northern Hemisphere-centric super-tropical seasonal divisions encountered on many worlds. The shopping cycle begins with Spring, proceeds into Summer, then Autumn and Winter, before ending with the Year's End season to mark the end of the cycle. Seasonal goods and promotions are often available only during certain seasons.

In mechanical and narrative terms, certain sorts of shopping trip or expedition often are held to be particularly successful during certain seasons. Actions in session, or during the Turnsheet following that Session, are likely to be more successful.

Spring is the Season of new beginnings, of green and growing things, and of the soft and welcoming. The shelves are decked with flowers and plushies of baby animals, and everything encourages you to do and buy something new - start a new project, take up a new hobby, refresh your wardrobe. During Spring, projects of exploration and new discovery often find favour.

Summer is the Season of glory, of burgeoning plans and ambitions, and of the bold and daring. Aisles are given over to beachwear (ingeniously tailored for bodies made of wings and fire), to outdoor gear, and to anything that revels in brightness and intensity; somehow, even the fluorescent store lighting seems more radiant in Summer. During Summer, bold and dangerous projects often find favour.

Autumn is the Season of power, wisdom, and plenty. It’s a time for luxury goods, for anything that carries with it a sheen of taste and prestige; from the richly flavoured fruits of the harvest to the opulent shine of precious metals, all can be hoarded and safeguarded. During Autumn, projects that consolidate power, and projects that build things, often find favour.

Winter is the Season of scarcity, and the value inherent in what you’ve stored, and threat. Though the Store puts on a cheery face, complete with protective gear and anything that might bring comfort, the store is darker this time of year, and shadows form even where there should be light. During Winter, desperate projects and risky gambits often find favour.

Year's End is the Season of reflection, of festivals, and of goodbyes. The store keeps selling, of course, but it’s a little more muted, contemplative, as a thousand ceremonies launch at once - lighting candles, writing little poems of thanks or condemnation to the old year, or exchanging gifts to affirm bonds with your fellow Entities. Emporium stocks everything you need for these at a discounted price, of course. During Year's End, projects that draw upon ritual, or that bring things to a close, often find favour.