>Now I come to think about this, I have to wonder about The Closing
>Does this affect spirit-borne communications across the sea as
>well as ship-borne?
It doesn't affect swimmers (cf Belintar) so I think spirits (and other sorts of magical communications) are safe.
>How easy is spirit-borne communication at intercontinental ranges?
>And hence how widespread?
It's rare. There's no magical communication that I know of between Sog City and Kralorela for example. The closest thing that I know of is the Watchers of the Plasma (in Dara Happa) who spied on Kralorela from afar in 1620.
IMO magical communications should only be used within polities (such as the Lunar Empire, Loskalm etc). Beyond this, the differences in philosophies prevent effective communication.
>Are the dwarfs of Iron Mountain in touch with those at Greatway?
They are in communion with Nida who is in contact with both.
>Ditto those on that island off Pamaltela whose name I forget?
The Decamony of Slon and the Decamony of Nida keep in contact via secret undersea tunnels.
>Can messenger spirits be taught the Open Seas ritual?
I don't think they can but then I don't see the need.
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