With a band of skilled outdoorsmen, explorers, cartographers, soldiers, and other miscellaneous tag-alongs, Baron Silas Whitehawk sets out on a quest to further acquaint himself with his lands. Beyond mere curiosity, this is also to ensure there are no nasty surprises when he expands his demesne. Goals are as follows:

- Map the region in its entirety, accurately. Note mountains, landmarks, villages, mines, etc.
- Explore ruins, if any, unless inhabited by hostile entities
- Determine which land is suitable for additional farming, mining, and housing
- Try to do all the above without trespassing on abandoned land or running afoul of hostile abandoned tribes in the area

Additionally, he is also interested in uncovering what may have happened to the noble houses who once oversaw his lands - before they were apparently exterminated during the Elven War and Crownbreaker Wars. Could there still be artifacts left behind from these battles? Or were they completely wiped away, leaving absolutely nothing to denote their existence? He hopes his own doesn't meet the same fate as House Grayfellow, House Tallow, and nameless Bisland vassal house.

A small military retinue will be deployed in case they unintentionally run into trouble, but not one large enough to draw alarm if they approach borders.

A soldier and a survivalist, Jyri puts his skills to use for the Whitehawk barony. He's no cartographer, but he knows the forest and can lead any team safely through dangerous areas. He'll use his scouting abilities and expertise at surviving in the wilds, tracking abilities and hunting skill to good use. The dogs will go with him for extra help with that. If encountering Shav'arvani, he'll avoid violence and try to talk with them instead, but he'll try to avoid meeting them entirely for this particular mission.

Elora will be on the outskirts of helping. She doesn't want to put herself in danger in her current state, however, she will help chart the safer areas, and speak with the local wildlife for clues and information that only the animals of the area might now.

Evonleigh is not a skilled explorer, cartographer, soldier, or outdoorsmen, but she is a miscellaneous tagalong -- one with a charming demeanor and skills in diplomacy. These she will put to work by chatting up the locals and making sure that her party doesn't offend the wrong people. She'll ask for directions, advice and stories from the people she encounters, and make sure the group is seen in a good light to the best of her ability.

Oswyn's good at a few things - he maps, he's good with riddles, puzzles, and lore, and he's a decent healer. Cuts? Scrapes? Broken legs? He is along to fix them. Making friends with isolated villagers that might need basic medicine is also a thing. He'll keep his eyes open, too.

Vitalis is along as eyes and ears on the foray into the lands surrounding Hawkhold. He's an experienced scout and works well to fill out the mission's objective of cataloging the lands in detail. He is not familiar with this part of the Gray Forest and is quick to ask those who are about things he notices, trusting both trained and innate senses to alert him to anomalies or dangers.

There is a special importance to Whitehawk's lands for Sparte, and he is more than happy to help in this. Pulling from his experience as an explorer and a cartographer, he'll do his best to ensure the goals set forth by Baron Silas are met.

he will be particularly interested in any of the history of the land that comes to light, given his connection to the lost House Grayfellow.

The survey takes quite some time to complete, and even then it's not truly complete. For the most part, Sparte is able to make a lovely map of the area as a whole. But there are several areas that he cannot thoroughly map.

One is an Abandoned area where Vitalis and his scouts encounter opposition and hostility - they've set perimeters and while they don't leave those boundaries, they are obvious enough about their rather thorough guarding of their determined border that Vitalis and his scouts know it will take a fight to oust these people from this small section of territory.

Another is a section where Oswyn seeks - and he falls to the ground at one point, blinded. "It's so -bright-," is all he says before he passes out. And when he awakens, hours later, he has a terrible headache that lasts for two days.

Evonleigh visits a few places, with Jyri making sure she's well protected as she goes. There are a few taverns and places for travelers to stay that aren't really part of Silas' lands, but after talking to them it seems they might not be averse to joining those lands. Provided the terms were acceptable to both parties - those tavernkeepers have an eye for business, and will need to be convinced that joining Whitehawk would be good for business and not bad - and they have no intention of stopping caring for those travelers not part of the Compact - silver spends, regardless of source, after all.

And Elora points to a place on the map where she says the animals will not go. Absolutely will not, cannot, not ever go. They call it "theplacewhereevilgoeswhywouldyouevengetcloseyoulunatic" and speak dark words of death and horrors.

But overall, the map is complete - the area surveyed.

The Faith Militant has learned of two enemies of the Faith within Valardin lands - the first are a group of Abandoned who mockingly refer to themselves as Malardin and who were not only behind the Tragedy, but also stole Valardin arms and armour and are thus suspected of the attack on the convoy of mercies and Templars in the south of Valardin before returning to their northern hideaways. This made them an enemy of the Faith. There is also an abandoned war chief known as The Reaper of the Oathlands, it is not known if she works with the Malardin or they simply co-exist within the Red Mountains, but she has proven herself also an enemy, but she must be dealt with second.

Preston has put out the call for parishes in the Oathlands to send a portion of their Templar levy to muster close to Sanctum, where he will join them as he journeys into the Oathlands on a pilgrimage with Alarissa (Action 3155). He has also asked for other Oathland houses, and other houses nearby, to send nobles and portions of house troops to help. He will be dispatching some troops from Arx to help form a core, and one he can trust.

A small portion of the van will go off with others in Action 3172 where they will seek to convince the abandoned tribes in the way who aren't involved to either leave or to bend the knee. Preston will then lead the army in its three sections up the roads to the Red Mountains, marching under the banner of the Faith.

The plan is to push into the forests at the foothills where Blackram scouts have reported the cultists performing foul rituals. By splitting the force into two flanking forces and the main line, they can hopefully funnel the overall withdrawal of the cultists back towards the mountain line, and away from the coast. It's hoped an army might come from Redrain as a blocking force to avoid them fleeing across and into redrain lands.

If the forces of the Malardin and the Reaper band together, the plan is to encricle them both and siege them, force them into a desperate sally or wait until they can be attacked in a storming of the Reaper's redoubt. If they fight, then they will let that happen and move on the survivor. If they avoid one another, Preston will detach a sieging force to siege the redoubt of the Reaper that Blackram identified, hoping she is there, while the forces sweep the Malardin up, hopefully, using the Redrain force as an anvil if necessary.

In case of any issues with Cardian aerial reinforcement, Preston is bringing along engineers and hopefully talented smiths to sort this out, with lighter bolt throwers coming along as well as heavier siege gear to deal with the Reaper's dedoubt (silver and econ in the action for smiths etc to use for this).

I realise this is a big action, so do feel free to stop it if along the way something goes wrong and it can't progress and we need to submit another action as a decision point!

When the Faith militant calls for the Warchief of the North to block the escape of these Malardins, Princess Marian Redrain is there with her armies to act as a wall against these zealots. She brings the full fury of the Northlands on any enemy that steps across the border, brutally killing these murdered who may have had a hand in the Tragedy of Sanctum. During the down time, she will have her troops perform training exercises, using their time in the mountains to become a tighter unit.

Two things that Amund hates a lot: Shavs and crazed cultists. Not that he's particularly religious, but their tendency to press others into obedience and raid Compact villages without a second thought just elicits the most violent reactions from him. He'll be joining Sir Preston in the fighting on behalf of House Blackram, his assortment of weapons ready at his side and clad in the best armor he can afford.

The Order of East Light volunteered assistance to the efforts by the Faith Militant, and Sparte has stepped forward to lead those volunteers. He is trusting those with him to be driven by duty and by their own sense of morality, so is focusing more on maintaining morale and courage in his fellows than acting the part of a battle commander. He will bring his steed Hyb, and a banner for the Order of East Light to be held high.

Sparte is also traveling as a pilgrim (Action 3155), and will be putting too much time in humble service to focus on command. For that reason - and the fact Preston is better at it - when combat comes Sparte will defer to the Faith Militant's leadership on matters of tactics and strategy. He will encourage the volunteers with him to do the same, augmenting the Faith's troops rather than acting as an independent force.

While he will lend his voice to mercy when dealing with shavs who are not guilty of terrible crimes and commend those encouraging non-violent shavs to get out of the way or bend the knee (Action 3172), there will be no such forgiveness spoken of by him for the Malardin nor the Reaper. There he will speak of justice to be done as if it were a burden to be carried with head held high.

Tasked with working out a way to securely mount the lighter ballistae on the back of wagons once the party has arrived at their destination, Ida will do just that. She will bring several journeymen with her and the group will frame the wagons in steel and even some rubicund from her personal stores; sheets on top and bottom to prevent splintering and rods in and around the wheels for the same purpose. Using her knowledge from the days of repairing farming equipment, the ballistae will be bolted securely in place. Lastly, Ida will also lend her strength in battle to move them, should that be necessary.

Violet has brought a portion of the elite Crimson Blades to the task. Though this may have been given to her as penance it matters not. This is a travesty that needs mending and her Blades are up for the task. Many times they have fought against Abandoned and Shav tribes. Knowing they will use dirty tactics she offers up her services as Scouts and Gorilla warfare.

In addition to this, Violet keeps her other sense open. Hopefully it will give them all some warning, so that things don't go bad.

The response from Sir Preston, Grandmaster of the Knights Templar, is more than might be expected. He very specifically said it was not a crusade, but he still called upon the Oathland houses for support, and they respond- the number of knights and household troops of the Oathland houses number in the tens of thousands, and it's a large enough response that the logistics of it are acutely strained, with much of the funds and resources raised being used to sustain a very short, powerful campaign against the Malardin in the hills near Blackram lands.

The Crimson Blades manage to uncover three targets with their scouting, assisted by the Order of East Light under Sparte's command. They find a redoubt manned by very hostile bandits that most believe is controlled by the Reaper, and is her holdfast. The Trompeuris tribe is the second finding, which is another major Abandoned group that has certainly declared themselves Malardin, and are within a day's distance of Reaper's holdfast, and start being steadily pushed in that direction as soon as they start to come into contact with Preston's outer forces. And then there's Clan Blood Oak, another mighty Malardin force, which seem to have been completely exterminated- their main camps only have ashes which are thought to be human remains.

It's not one sided, but the Trompeuris probably only number at most a thousand, and the Reaper's forces aren't leaving the holdfast. With Princess Marian's Redrain forces blocking off the retreat north, the tribe is steadily pushed towards the Reaper's redoubt with only light losses. A single large scale ambush attempt by the Malardin is scouted out by Violet, and the large scale cavalry charge by knights in reply put the Trompeuris to rout, with hundreds cut down during their flight, and some scant signs of Valardin arms and armor among them. The brutally outnumbered Abandoned are cut off by a flanking maneuver and completely annihilated short of Reaper's redoubt.

While a volley of arrows coming from the Reaper's redoubt leaves no doubt of the number of defenders, Ida's ballistas are brought up to reply as Preston's massive forces prepare to storm. One ballista in particular that Ida works on seems to glow white right before it fires, and the crew launching it yells as it seems to ignite, with the bolt looking like a white ray of light as it streaks towards Reaper's redoubt. The fortress seems to explode into fire as it's struck, and the ballista burns down to ash. Many of the templars are speaking of a miracle on Gloria's part, as the redoubt has been reduced to rubble with strewn bodies everywhere. Unfortunately, the Reaper doesn't seem to be among them.

There are some conclusions that can be drawn- the number of Valardin arms and armor is extremely limited, and looks more recent- forgeries, and thefts from Valardin's armories. Nor do any seem to match what was seen in the further south, so it's unlikely the 'Malardin' in the northern hills were responsible for the attacks on Fournier lands and similar. It's possible, but there's nothing directly connecting them. Not that the Oathlander host with Preston care that much- they crushed a major Abandoned force, and that's something they are always down for. With apparently a miracle of Gloria to boot.

Valdemar is going to compare the notes and maps recovered from his own mission in defense of the Lodge of Petrichor (action 2747) with those he received copies of from Sparte (clue 1212), looking for similarities, as well as mention of any places in or around Grihem's Point or spots marked on the maps in that same area. He is then going to grab some people to help him organize a search using that information, to have the Grim Legion scour the island in search of what the minions of the Horned God, those of Reveka Tyde, or both, might be in search of. Or else signs of either group. The Grim Legion would have orders to capture the enemy where possible for questioning later.

Exploration seems to be the key of the day and Edward will answer a call from House Grimhall. Suited up Edward will join the Duke in his explorations with a ready arm for combat and an eye towards logistics. His primary task will be to ensure that the forces going out have proper logistical support and supplies to complete their task. He will also make sure that any needed supply lines are set up and provide little chance for graft.

There is a call to arms to secure Sparte's maternal ancestral home against cultists. So of course Sparte answers, adding his own knowledge of maps and resources to Valdemar's study of the cultist's targets and potential activity. Then his arm and staff to efforts meant to ensure the island is secure.

As the Admiral for the Grim Fleet, Turo sets his skill and talents toward the surveys being done, as well as any mop-up duties might be required. He'd pass on the orders to capture not kill anyone they happen to encounter. Where needed, he'd be available for land-based duty, applying his significant skill in warfare and tactics to lend support to whatever else is going on.

The first surprise are the cultists in robes decorated with a symbol of a giant mass of centipedes apparently praying at an abandoned grove. Truthfully, no one really expected to find anything- the villagers saying that some people had been acting weird and talking in strange ways, as if pairs of people would speak for each other and get confused about who was speaking, and acting very odd, and how these odd fellows would visit town and leave. And then some people disappearing without a trace for no reason. That warranted investigation, after all, for this isolated part of Grihem's Point in a grove a few hundred yards across that has no specific name.

The second surprise is the robed individuals all shrieking when discovered, with a loud skittering sound that sounds like the beating of a million insect wings, as they all shout together, "THEY ARE INTERRUPTING THE RITUAL, WE HAVE NOT FREED OUR SLAVES, SLAY THEM ALL!" Fortunately, really, there's thirteen cultists, and dozens of soldiers, so it wouldn't be much of a fight.

Except for the second surprise, when they all turn into masses of thousands of centipedes.

Three different Grimhall soldiers are devoured alive, but in the end with copious amount of torches and many, many hacking swords and spears, the bugs are dead. It's a hard one to discuss and tell their families how they died, but there is something going on, and something about that grove with no name.

It's no secret that Lady Monique Greenmarch has been at odds with the Faith lately. It's something the Minx of the Marches is trying to rectify. She has plans to search out an artifact or lost piece of lore for each of the gods she feels closest to: Gild, Petrichor, Skald, Vellichor. She will recruit her friends to help her, and with each success, will donate said artifact or information to the Pantheon.

The first attempt, and the Goddess the Greenmarch is closest to, Gild. Perhaps ambitious, but the Lady has heard stories about the dwarven kingdom to the north, Aviaron. She seeks some lost relic of Gild beneath the Peak of the Dwarves, or perhaps renewed contact and Faith with those who live under the mountain.

Etienne will, out of a great sense of at least curiosity, travel to find the Gild loving Dwarves beneath the mountain. Eager and developing a burgeoning sense of adventure goes forth with some protests of need for comfort and trappings of civilization in hopes to share stories, knowledge, and appreciation for the goddess with the sub-terranean dwellers and aid in the recovery of some relic. Etienne would bring textiles of all moderate sorts as gifts. (such as seasilk, umbra, and aeterna).

Sparte has long been on good terms with Lady Monique, and he knows what it is to be at odds with a group and have to make amends. That Lady Monique seeks amends is something he finds admirable. Her choice of method is a dangerous one, so he is seeing this expedition as a risky venture to be planned for accordingly. He will be collecting supplies and equipment through the Society of Explorers to help ensure the mission's success. He will of course also be going, and taking the same risks.

Marian will go on the trek, assisting with the security and protecting the group from harm. She's the warrior so she'll be first in line to attack anything that proves to be a threat to the group. She will also use her knowledge of the Northlands and survival to navigate any difficult areas. Keeping a sharp eye out of any ambushes or attacks.

Jhond will go on the trek as a member of the expedition. His specialty is as a guide and in reaching hard to reach places if its needed. Cliff to climb to drop a drop, river for swim to help the others ford, etc as well as facing whatever danger may prevent itself with steel if needed.

Initially brought in as a tent-buddy, Alrec, gains some weight and makes sure to bring a lot of games, alcohol, and furs. Still, wanting to be respectful to the cause, he amasses a few writs to trade along the route (and one can only hope, with the dwarves also).

Cadern is happy to join the search for the Dwarves to further his research in . Cadern in particular will go along to research the fascinating culture and take note of what they learn. His primary goal to smooth relations within the group and with others they encounter, dwarves or otherwise. He'll also bring along trinkets to trade particularly things he thinks they may not have such as glass and masks in particular, and no doubt extra booze.

Dwarves. It's... well. As she stated to Monique. Oh no dear Lady, not you too. But Monique is a good client, and for good clients Josephine will go out of the way and if a potential (likely false and laughable claim made by others) lineage makes things easier for one of her favourite clients? Well, Josephine will go. Armed in heavy furs, a sturdy cane, bearing gifts of brass namely in the shape of a series of tomes of brass sheets engraved with the history of the people since the reckoning as a communal gift, and a dragonweep stone in a lovely iridescite box made by Josephine, she's venturing forth. The worst? They find nothing and Josephine has at least experienced the far north and can quietly laugh to herself. The best? They find these dwarves and Monqiue's purpose is achieved. Either way, she's along for the journey and it's at least NOT via a boat.

Dwarves? Princess Helena's eyes lit up with wonder and awe when she heard of the quest to Aviaron, so much so that poor Monique probably felt she had to ask the Redrain to go along. Still, Helena's of the north and knows much of the journey well, and she's going along to add her own knowledge of the north and its lore to the wealth of knowledge of her party mates and to chronicle the event should they actually meet the storied dwarves of Aviaron, for that would be a story worth retelling.

Estelle is coming along to assist in any way that the Mercy is able! She is most likely to assist in the capacity of a healer however, keeping everyone healthy and in one piece for the trek as well as helping out with negotiations if need be.

The Knights of Solace are more then interested in making contact with these worshipers of Gild and Andry is one of the knights assigned as escort. He will also do what he can to bring along whatever supplies may be needed.

Lora, possessed of a keen interest in Brass and his associates, will first assist Josephine with the design and creation of brass objects, partially to show affinity to the Knight and partially to create some kind of pictorial communication device. She will join the expedition as a diplomatic asset, bringing coin to hopefully make the journey easier, and then her skills as a communicator in case they actually find who they're looking for.

It is, in a word, daunting.

Rumors of dwarves have swirled in whispers for a long, long time, but any more precise details that would take them from legend to an actual meeting are impossibly elusive. Ultimately, the most promising lead came from a seraph of a small village near Aviaron's Peak, who had some local Northlands legends about them. From there, it was a long trek of chasing the local legends that were disappointments, and then came a story of the Red Mine of Underhill Fortress, which was an abandoned set of mines from veins of gold and silver long since run dry, but legend had connected to a fortress miles deeper in the mountain that once had dwarves. Several days of searching there does find what once was obviously a massive fortress built deep in the earth, but almost completely shattered ages ago, possibly before the Reckoning, with some skeletons of what likely were dwarves there. With luck though, they find writing on stone tablets near the entrance with a single skeleton by itself next to the tablets. Etched in Arvani, speaking of 'the Last Stand of Clan Underhill against Ruin'. The etchings say, 'Ruin was understood too late. Cannot be stopped by swords or spells. Cannot be stopped by strength or will. Bound by words, but not by magic. Needed a treaty. A pact. Perhaps the copy of the treaty forming this new alliance in the South? Blessed by Gild. That might have saved us all."

Sorrel has written seven songs that she wishes to spread far and wide to educate the public about the Metallics and remind them of their heroes from long ago. To this end, she's employing an army of bards to get the music out about Iron, Steel, Gold, Brass, Copper, Cobalt, and Silver. She's also trying to provide some historical context for her songs to those that are interested. Some songs are catchy, some are a little sad, some are a bit romantic, but they're all slightly different and designed to be memorable.

Please note that the text of the songs are contained in @theories 369-275, with a bonus track in 376 that will not be spread far and wide (even if Tyrval found it hilarious). There will be a relative slow roll-out of songs, to give people time to start singing them and learning about them, and the events for them are going to increase in magnitude as they go. The coordinating calendar listings are 2455 (Iron and Steel), 2579 (Brass and Gold), 2523 (Cobalt), 2524 (Copper), and 2525 (Silver). Songs will be hosted either in the Hall of Heroes or the Bard's College or another appropriate place for a musical party. Silver's song shall be hosted in the palace, per the king, as the grand finale.

Galen's going to be bankrolling the main tracks of this little would-be Metallic Opera with a substantial amount of resources.

Lisebet is going to help organize parties and she will use her social acumen and singing skill (which may not be bard quality, but it's not bad!) to help spread the songs. Hearing them over and over will definitely work in favour of this initiative.

Tikva will absolutely help Sorrel with this, and she'll do so by adding her songs to her performance repertoire and using them to entertain and educate at every available opportunity! Why not? Sorrel's lyrics are all better than hers anyway!

What's that about an army of bards? Gianna has one of those! Or at least the closest thing to. The College bards will be taught the songs, and Gianna will sing them herself as well, using her reputation, prestige, and social resources to help. If any College types are on their way through Arx going elsewhere, they'll be encouraged to spread those songs. Even other non-member bardic types will be encouraged. This is one of the reasons the College was founded, after all.

Y'know what would be a real boost to a show like this? Having one of the most prestigious people in the ding dang city jumping on board to tell people how very excited he is about it! Oh, wait a second! Niklas is one of the most prestigious people in the city! And he's willing to use that. I mean, when you're It then everyone wants to do the stuff you want to do, right? Might as well put that to good use.

Clover is not a singer, no. What she is, however? Is a very smart propagandist. And so that is what she is going to do. She is going to spread these songs far and wide. She is going to get everyone talking about them. She is going to mention to them to everyone she knows. She is going to get her people talking about them. And she's going to start creating little pamphlets with the verses of the songs, and spread those about the city as well!

Sparte is no singer, but he can tell a half decent story. Converting songs to taletelling, he'll try to inspire emotion not with the power of music but that of the listener's own imagination.

Sir Corban is not a bard. But he does sing. How is that? Well, on their morning "jog" around the Ward of the Crown, the King's Own must carry a cadence. And as First Captain, Corban often gets to call the tune. He will in particular promote the song of Silver, the founder of the King's Own. And as the King's Own's drills are often a matter of public spectacle, the songs will spread in that way.

Have you heard about Princess Sorrel and the Metallics opera she wrote? You haven't? Well, Sabella will tell everyone she meets ALL about it, enthusing at what amazing prose Princess Sorrel has come up with and also the music! She composed it all herself! And it tells such an important story. Oh, you have heard about it? Well, let's enthuse about it to everyone around us! She will be talking this up to EVERYONE, pointing out how important it is that these things be taught in many forms, especially ones with catchy tunes attached!

Sanya will use her charm and musical ability to help educate the public on music about metallics. She's hoping she can show her musical range through this job.

Eddard is a bard and is quite capable of putting voice to song. Comfortable clothes and no silks adorn him when he ventures down into the lower buroughs. People /probably/ know him, but nobody should raise their nose at him singing on street corners to anyone who will listen.

Giulio will help with those seeking to learn more of the songs, working to teach of their meanings and provide insights and details regarding those spoken of as necessary. Moreover, he will work to make certain that something akin to 'hymnals' on the subject are available for such.

Orelia is a much better singer than she is teacher or propaganda artist, so she'll take the songs out and go sing them for the public. Most of that will probably be in taverns, bars and pubs as well as other possibly less than savory places, but it may help the songs reach a new audience. She'll sing other places as well of course, more public places.

Sapphira is a bard, and loves to sing songs everywhere she goes. She will sing them to her family, to random strangers, or to the birds. The tunes will be shared and with her angelic voice as she explores the city.

Throughout the history of humanity, many have sacrificed everything for the Compact. Those heroes who stood alone against unbeatable odds. Those who stood in that moment when darkness would consume the world. Those who refused to give in, whose actions were more than could be expected of a mere mortal - who stood and fell as a guardian not just of a city or a fealty, but of ideals great enough to encompass all - those are enshrined in the Hall of Heroes. Many who travel to Arx only once in their lives spend at least a day touring the Hall, reading the stories. Looking at history.

And over time, these stories became allegories. Became morals. Became legends used to guide the next generation, and the generation after, and the generation after that. That is what enshrinement in the Hall of Heroes meant. But memories fade over time, and these legends were faded too - the statues worn in places with touches over the stone, the words carved into the pedestals not always legible. The thoughts more of the morals therein, the examples - and less on the people who sacrificed their lives in these ways.

But Princess Sorrel Thrax has changed that. With a series of concerts, researched well in Vellichor's Archives. With the blessing of the King, with support from Whispers and Bards, from people across the Compact, she has written songs about the Metallic Order. Of Iron and Steel, Gold and Brass, of Cobalt and Copper and Silver she sings. They're catchy songs all - some sad, some joyous, some heartrending. She sings them - and they spread so swiftly through the Compact.

Princess Tikva, Gianna Whisper - the Nightingale of the Bard's College herself - Lord Eddard, Lady Sanya, Lady Orelia, Lady Sapphira - all of them aid, either as fellow singers in her concert, or by singing the songs themselves, or both. Officer Sparte is no singer, but he tells the stories too, reciting them to inspire as he can. Sir Corban is no singer either, but he teaches the songs to the Hundred as a cadence - and now on the morning "jogs" of the Silver Swords, they're drilling while using the cadence of the Metallic Cycle - especially the song of Silver. They teach the songs, the stories to others. They encourage the songs to spread. And spread they do.

'Have you heard the Metallic Cycle yet?' It's a common question among the socialites too. Count Giulio, Princess Sabella, Prince Niklas, Lady Lisebet, Duchess Clover, and many other famed and famous people are encouraging everyone to learn, to hear, to sing. It's on everyone's lips - and Princess Sorrel is becoming the Singer of Heroes, even as everyone reminds themselves of the promise: "As Arx endures, we will remember."

Roughly one third (3000 men) of the Iron Guard will be deployed to defend the Lodge proper and the Watchtower. Scouts will be assigned to the Watchtower under the command of Lieutenant Calaudrin while the rest will defend the Lodge under Silas's command. Two ballistae will be placed at the Lodge, the Watchtower, the Burrows, and Unicorn Pasture and they will be operated by the Iron Guard and House Seliki's engineers (see Kaldur's action), deployed with the intent to use them on the gargantuans once the Inquisition's rituals have helped weaken them. The Iron Guard deploy four ballistae, the Crimson Blades deploy three, and House Deepwood has donated one to the effort.

Additionally, the Shield of Morien will presumably be deployed at the Lodge, though the details will likely be in the Inquisition's action. Whether they fuel it with souls or plants, Silas doesn't care!

Prior to battle, the soldiers will dig ditches and trenches that supplement natural features of the terrain. They gather tree trunks and branches (preferably from trees already fallen), sharpen the ends, and lodge them in said trenches as simple 'traps'.

Archers will be placed on the platforms Skye and her forces will build, shooting incoming threats. Cavalry will be in the front in order to make full use of their mobility, while Infantry will be further back in shieldwall formation. They will be more focused on defense than offense, letting the enemy forces come to them, since protecting the Lodge itself is absolutely paramount.

When the gargantuans reveal themselves, and if they come within 100 yards of the Lodge, they will be assaulted by the ballista regardless of the effectiveness of the rituals. They will use handmade ballista bolts with rope (300 ft long) stringed to the end, aimed at appendages and limbs with the intention of ensnaring them more than outright harming them. If successful, the bolts will be replaced with stone shot for maximum damage output.

Other present commanders include:
- Sparte (Cavalry)
- Austen (Pike)

Other present factions include:
- The Lodge forces
- Knights of Solace
- Physicians
- Various Grayson forces

((OOC: I may have sent an invitation for you to join knowing you will be elsewhere, simply to let you know what we're doing. If you're meant to be at the Watchtower or with another faction, don't worry! No need to assist here.))

As the commander on location at the Lodge, Sparte will be working to maintain the morale of those men and women assigned with him. He will hold regular interforce drills for those not on patrol, to help ensure the guard is ready to work together with those assigned with him.

Painfully aware his tactical prowess is not a strength as a commander, Sparte will be folding the military tactics that the Iron Cavalry employ into those of the Lodge's Stag Riders.

Nebulosa waits as part of the defense, ready to deploy her sword and her courage in service of the Lodge's preservation.

Ever since Austen was put in charge of the Iron Guard's pike regiment he has been training, drilling his troops, preparing for war. The Pike will hold back with the rest of the infantry, allowing enemies to come to them. The 500 pikemen will be put into 5 pike squares of a hundred men each, joined up to form a full battle line. Austen, unless otherwise commanded, will be in the centre square, leading by example.

As (just bearly!) a full-fledged member of the Iron Guard, Riagnon will be uh... doing... that. Iron Guarding, that is! He'll also make sure snacks are well stocked. No big deal but that's sort of his unofficial official duty -that he decided without permission.

Tessa's seen unicorns before and feels it's a mission given to her by Petrichor to protect these and other creatures like them! As such she (and the Moore cavalry) are here with the iron guard cavalry to defend the unicorns and any other of Petrichor's creatures from anything that will dare harm them.

Baroness Skye Blackshore, Thrax Minister of Infrastructure, is going to assist the Iron Guard with preparing for the battle by setting fortifications like archery platforms for the trees that will be minimally invasive to remove. Shudders on the windows (OOC Note: like storm shutters for hurricanes that can be easily removed after the event and slits that can be manipulated so the archers can shoot out.)

Gargantuans at the Lodge? No problem, right? Well. Actually problem, because it was a painful battle indeed. Over six hundred dead, all told - and only thanks to the Faith's trebuchets and some excellent use of information gleaned from accounts of battles in Queen Alarice's time. Many brave souls perished - but the Lodge still stands.

Sorrel gathers friends and family to her, around a warm brazier. "The time has come," she says, "To cleanse the primum and to sing the world as it truly is. This is my song. This is my ritual. Yours may be different, in turn, for it must truly come from you. I pray that each of you supports me wholeheartedly in this and that you take this as a sample to perform your own ritual."

"Let me sing you a song of love in thirteen verses, each one carefully written with time and creativity. Let me sing Love into the Dream with joy and sacrifice:"

Each bit of the song is pinned to a scrap of fabric that is meant to represent the person or thing the verse of the song is about. The first one is a scrap of violet baby blanket. The second one is a square of gray fabric with a Thrax sea serpent embroidered on it. The third is simply plain gray fabric. The fourth is a bit of aeterna, very plain. The fifth is another square of plain gray fabric, this one with the sigil of the King's Own. The sixth is a square of green seasilk with a sword worked upon it. The seventh is white silk with a spiraling red vine embroidered on it. The eighth is white aeterna edged in gold threads. The ninth is a dirty piece of wool. The tenth is brilliant green seasilk, embroidered with tiny clovers all over it. The eleventh is umbra with the sigil of House Wyrmguard embroidered thereon. The twelvth is also umbra, this time with the sigil of House Thrax. The thirteenth is umbra edged in gold. As the song is sung, the appropriate bit of fabric is placed into the brazier to be consumed.

1 Kyrios is a hope for the sanctity of life, a beautiful new thing being born, something that can grow into something new and greater than that which proceeded it:

Precious love of mine
For nine long months time
Small one within me
No greater love than thee

2 Galen is love. Passion, ambition, attraction, and all the things that attract people to one another. Let the world be full of love and lovers:

My great love for you is a burning flame
Now one and whole, we are never the same
Half of me is you; what am I to do?
To your dear love I will always be true.

3 Leona is faithfulness and fidelity, the choice of a dearest friend. Beautiful and true, a close bond of spirits in trust and friendship:

Sister not of body but of spirit.
To you do I tell secrets; you hear it.
A special bond of choice and freedom dear:
Our friendship in the purest sense is clear.

4 The Choir is a group of us with similar talents who all sing the Dream as it really is. Freedom and love and beauty:

Beautiful dreamers, listen now to me
Hear my song truly; it lets you be free
Power and strength coming with every note
Let the world be as my song is so wrote.

5 Corban is strength and honor, the true knight. Given the opportunity to do something the right way, he will take the path of righteousness:

Brother you are, though no brother you be
Like my own kin is how you are to me.
To you I entrust the most precious weight
Knowing that you are a knight very great

6 Luca was a Champion, and he stood for the honor of others. He also fights for the Light as a member of the Inquisition. Although he may not be a knight, he is a great man, admirable and true:

A fighter you are, champion to all
Dueling for true, never taking the fall.
Working for Light yet behind the closed door
We're lucky to have you give 'em what for!

7 Tikva represents sisterhood and platonic love. The sort of love that comforts you through tears and is joyful for you when you're joyful, love that melds in harmony:

Beautiful singer, sing your songs with me
Together meld in perfect harmony
Best friend and girl friend and companion true
I'll always be found singing next to you.

8 Ailith is Faith, a friend who has recently found her way to greater heights. Faith and love of the gods is important, a real true religious sort of love:

Peaceful, faithful, knowing of mystery,
Joyful, respectful, caring of history.
Guide me in the ways of the gods and love:
Advice that is tempered by those above.

9 Ian is loyalty. Love born of loyalty between soldiers, comrades in arms, in the field true. Love that is camaraderie:

Always at my back, you do yourself ride
Your right sword hand always at my side
Forever my protection with your men
Come! An adventure! I'll need you again!

10 Clover represents family love, the love that comes from sharing the same life growing up and the natural love and loyalty that inspires:

Beloved sister, bound by blood ties --
We would be best of friends yet anywise.
Bubbly temperament, always a joy:
When you were born, I was glad not a boy!

11 House Wyrmguard is where I grew up and how I developed my fascination with dragons. The love of House Wyrmguard, an ancient house, is one of fealty and devotion forever:

Though on the ground, the wyrms may yet lumber
The House recalls: Not all dragons slumber.
Danger is near? They will not surrender
As Valardin lives, they will remember.

12 House Thrax is where I married and to whom I currently owe fealty. Although I am not a sailor, I am learning to love the sea, and though I have reservations about some of their traditions, I am learning to love their culture:

A mariner's dream, so the current flows
Whenever the tide is out, there Thrax goes
Rough Islanders living off of the sea
One of their number is where you'll find me.

13 Music is what I want to fill the world with. Beautiful music is the song to which we should all live our lives, singing the Dream true and full of love:

A song is a song, but in the right key,
It can be a balm for you or for me.
All the world's dreams can be sung in music:
Finding the right words is the only trick.

Cora will learn the ritual through being present when Sorrel performs it so that she might perform it herself to teach others.

Sabella will quietly watch Sorrel's ritual with rapt attention!

Charlaine will learn the ritual through being present when Sorrel performs it. Charlaine will definitely try to perform it herself later in order to spread the knowledge and asisst in cleaning the primum.

Sparte will be present to observe, learn, and lend support.

Amari will sit in to watch Sorrel enact the ritual so she might learn and perform it herself (not nearly as awesomely, but she'll try her best when it's time)!

Having been invited to witness Sorrel's ritual, and hoping to learn it, Alexis attends to bear witness - and if necessary, offer protection, presuming any danger is even physical.

Carita will observe with awe, take notes as she listens, and quietly lends her support to the cleansing of the primum. There are moments when Sorrel's song brings tears to her eyes, or a smile to her face and while she might want to close her eyes to let that song wash over her, she doesn't so that she can witness every last moment.

Invited to bear witness to the ritual, Denica will stay with them and study with her so that she might perform the ritual herself someday.

Caspian watches the ritual with interest, and when it is over, he can already be seen scribbling down verse ideas!

Katarina is but one of many invited along to bear witness to the ritual that may very well begin cleansing the primum of its poison in the land. She listens, watches with rapt attention and intrigue, ready to help however she may.

Sina has been invited to witness the ritual to learn it. She has agreed to bear witness and learn, that the primum may be cleansed.

Ohboyohboyohboy! THIS IS IT! IT IS HAPPENING! /MAGIC/!!! Well, the first step towards it anyway. When Sorrel invites her to come observe the ritual, Caith is the first one there. Bright and early. Probably even before she and Galen and the baby are even awake that day. 'Don't mind me,' she'll shout through the door at the Thrax Estate. 'I'll just wait out here in the hall until you guys are ready!' A few minutes will go by. 'Are you ready now?' A few minutes more. 'How about now?' Five minutes later: 'Do you need help in there? Have you fallen down and hurts yourselves? Come on! Let's get a move on! IT'S RITUAL DAY! WHEEEE!' Caith is there with paper and pen and ink, all bright-eyed and bushy tailed and ready to take /NOTES/. And when Sorrel is done, she will ask /QUESTIONS/ to double-check, triple-check and cross-check her notes. Because, and maybe this isn't clear but: Caith is VERY INVESTED in this.

Bianca will also be observing so that in the future she too may perform and teach others for the betterment of all humanity.

Sasha will sit and carefully watch the ritual as Princess Sorrel performs it. She is eager to learn to so she can help the Primum be cleansed.

Olivia is likewise joining in to watch and learn!

Edain willl participate and observe the ritual. He will be somber and respectful, but he will be paying close attention. His intention is to attempt to perform this rite at Cairn Valardin in the very near future.

Desiree will be there to witness and study the ritual. She is hoping to learn to perform it.

Zoey will be there as well, watching and, knowing her, probably taking notes. Because ritual. Learning rituals. Et cetera.

Fredrik will, of course, join in these proceedings, knowing how valuable this ritual is, both for himself and for the Compact as a whole. For all our futures, it must be spread.

Reese will join this and will try to assist Sorrel however needed. She will attempt to pay close attention and to learn how to do the ritual herself so that such can be done when the time comes for her own. She will be respectful, helpful and largely quiet during the ritual.

Richard will be present in Sorrel's ritual. So that he may learn it and use it in the future.

Victus is here to learn. He doesn't know much about what he's looking at, so he's taking down notes with a quill and parchment and saving all the details in his head.

Kace will be joining in on the ceremony in order to learn the ritual that she might complete it herself someday soon.

Sorrel gathers friends and family to her, around a warm brazier. "The time has come," she says, "To cleanse the primum and to sing the world as it truly is. This is my song. This is my ritual. Yours may be different, in turn, for it must truly come from you. I pray that each of you supports me wholeheartedly in this and that you take this as a sample to perform your own ritual."

"Let me sing you a song of love in thirteen verses, each one carefully written with time and creativity. Let me sing Love into the Dream with joy and sacrifice."

And then she sings, feeding each slip of verse and a small piece of fabric into the fire, and with each one she weaves love through them all. The love of a child, the love for her husband. For her sister of the heart, for the choir. Freedom and strength, chivalry and righteousness. Honor and comfort, joy and harmony. Faith now, and loyalty. The love for family and home, the love for duty carried long through the generations, for fidelity and for music and happiness.

With each verse her love, deep and abiding and joyous, wraps around all of them. It pushes away the darkness, it pushes at the poison. She is seeking to reshape the future and her contribution is love, and there is one timeless moment where everyone assembled feels that love course through them. And while it fades, each of them knows they will remember always the strength of Sorrel's heart as she fights for the people she loves the most, for her family, for her friends, for the Compact, for humanity.

Sparte Fatchforth is off on a quest to prove himself worthy of the title of knight. Both to himself, and to others, for the sake of those who have invested their faith in him. To achieve this he is taken on the mantle of the questing pilgrim, going to pray at holy sites in the Mourning Isles and the Crownlands. Along the way he is helping those who he can, as a knight should. He will do this while attempting to honor the nine ideals of a Knight which he has sworn to uphold. He brings with him his stoat companion Tiny Tom, his horse Hyberbole, and no weapons save his staff. It should be known that he has further sought out squireship duties to further emphasize his commitment to the path of becoming a knight. While within Arx proper he will be serving as a squire to knights selected by Prince Ectorion. Rather than a prolonged squireship beholden to one knight, Prince Ectorion has opted to have Sparte do shorter squireships to a range of knights, learning what each considers the most important. Those efforts arn't captured under this action and will take place ICly through interaction with other players.

Sparte travels the Mourning Isles, looking for direction. Here a stop at the Maelstrom. There a stop at Blackshore. Always he ventures through, looking for experience. Looking for guidance. Looking for himself. In the end, he is left with as many questions as he found answers - and it seems the questioning is showing no signs of letting up. It's a process, really. But perhaps he ends a little more comfortable in himself than he was.

Duke Cassius Pravus has been murdered in the Lowers. Known to be furyborn, he sent some messengers before heading to his death with a cohort of Knights of Solace. Whatever killed him suffered the loss of a giant paw in the process, and the duke himself was found in a pool of ichor. Abyssal forces are suspected. Grazia has a special talent of noticing Abyssal taint on people (though she's not quite certain the extent of this talent) and so there will be an Inquisition-led expedition into the Lowers to investigate the crime scene thoroughly. Known Clues: Braxxus the Bloodsniffer, The Bloodsniffer Hunts in Arx

As Mirrormask and scholar of the occult, and leading the other investigation on his cousin's death, Mydas joins Grazia's efforts in the hopes of finding information on the identity of those responsible, directly and indirectly, for the slain Pravus born Nightgold. He brings with him his Mirrormask, and plenty of other mirrors besides, as well as his knowledge to the investigation of the crime scene.

Ainsley is not particularly an investigator. What he is, however, is a man who can stab things. _really well_. So he'll be coming along not to act as an investigator but as a bodyguard. He'll bring Threnody along just in case. Alaricite against demons is always the best idea.

Thena will join the expedition in hopes of discovering more information about what killed her troops and why they were there to begin with. She brings her diamondplate dagger, the insider knowledge of someone raised in the Lower Boroughs, and hopefully the protection of the gods.

Silas is much more proficient at stabbing abyssal-tainted things than he is at detecting them or studying them, but this isn't his first foray into the Lowers to hunt such things and it isn't likely to be his last. He'll let others in the party do what they're good at, while protecting them with his alaricite blade.

This is likely not the first very bloody situation that Calaudrin has had to look at in his life. He accompanies the Inquisition as well as his fellow Iron Guards. He inspects all of the nooks and crannies and keeps an eye on who might be hanging around the scene that might not belong there. He'll talk to locals, he'll search high and low for clues.

Kenna is actually okay with the fact that it seems like most of the stabbing is done. At the suggestion (voluntelling) of Ainsley Kenna has joined the expedition into the lowers. Since she doesn't have much in the way of fighting type skills she'll focus more on their surroundings to see what clues her eyes can pick up and be ready to shout an alarm if the stabbing things isn't quite as over as it seems to be.

A wounded foe of such size and nobody knows where it went, that is a worrying situation. Sparte will be there on behalf of the Iron Guard, bringing city maps and his knowledge of tracking. His hope is to determine if there is a hidden den that the creature may have retreated to, should the abyss sniffing talents of others not already lead them to find the beast.

As one of the last people to hear from Cassius and his admitted lover, Eirene has personal interest in tracking down the persons behind this killing. Knowing the signs and symbols of occult activity, she lends her expertise to the crime scene and related searches.

Cassius was her brother and last surviving direct relative. Lydia will stop whatever else she is doing to directly participate in the ongoing investigation in any way she is able to assist, and will get out of the way in areas where she cannot assist. She will listen to those leading the investigation in various areas to determine which is which. If necessary, and under the direction of those leading the investigation, Lydia will commit active military in service of Nightgold and military resources not to exceed 100 writs worth. She will not commit these resources frivolously, only upon advisement or request of more principal investigators. She defers to Grazia's lead to decide between any conflicting advice.

There's a number of things that are telling about the crime scene. The type of force that hit Cassius could not have been a man, not with the wounds inflicted or the damage done to the buildings. A full grown bear wouldn't have had that kind of strength. Further, the ways the assailant could have fled were limited, and -someone- would have seen a giant beast of some kind running around. But questioning witnesses, no one saw anything like that, only a few mentioning that afterwards they saw an attractive, redhaired man that apparently had his hand cut off- a few kindly mercies tried to offer him aid, but he rudely brushed by them. They thought he was a victim and survivor of the attack, but he wanted nothing to do with anyone, and had seen to go down to the Gray River.

Some oddities at the crime scenes- a lot of bugs. It's getting cool this late in the year, but not -that- cold, there should have been flies and other bugs taking advantage of the gore left behind, but there just weren't. No bugs at all, which was just exceedingly weird. Minus the lack of bugs, the area shows worrying signs of corruption. Animals refuse to get near that alleyway. Horses approaching it will throw their riders in a panic. Dogs bark and growl at it or whine to get away from it, and so on. People have reported seeing strange shadows moving to and from the crime scene, or what has sounded like screams coming when it is empty. It's a foul place, and the blood stains seem to return after they are cleaned.

The Lord Commander is organizing a party to protect the Gray Forest (or at least the immediate forested area around the city) from the mysterious canine beast which has escaped the city, and to investigate just what it may be and potentially hunt it down if it poses any immediate danger to travellers en route to the city. A retinue of approximately 80 guardsmen will be deployed to scour the Gray Forest, commanded by himself and Lieutenant Calaudrin Estardes.

If they find the creature they will attempt to avoid killing it outright and instead see if they can lead it further away from the city - where travellers are unlikely to go. If it proves to be hostile, however, they will not hesitate to defend themselves and slay the creature.

Calaudrin doesn't like the sound of this! He's going to assist Silas in combing the Gray Forest. He'll be assisting Silas in leading the 80 men and will be looking for signs of anything unusual out in the woods.

Kenna finds things best when she isn't particularly looking for them so while the others are intent on combing the forest she seems a bit disconnected from the rest of the group. She pokes about in the bushes and sets herself just a little apart from the group to do her own brand of searching and finding. If they're lucky, hopefully they find... whatever it is, if not, well, maybe Kenna will pick up someone else completely that can help solve this mystery.

Reese will attempt to help track down the large feline in a few ways. One is she lives in a watch tower right on Sea watch gate with an upper room where she lives overlooking the gate, the boroughs and part of the lands beyond the gate. She plans to keep regular watch which is the point of the tower. This includes watching frequently, but also doing patrols in the area around the gate, the upper boroughs and in the out skirts of the gray forest near the gate and the beaches. She will use her survival skills to try and find tracks, signs of the canine and so forth. She isn't above asking about too, see if anyone has word or information on such. She will try to use her reputation to good effect in terms of getting anyone to talk.

Leola is here to try to track down this large, impressive beast of a canine. So she tracks. And she thinks. To find a too-large dog that's hurt none.

Sparte is happy to offer his assistance against a threat that may very well be abyssal in nature. He is carrying his diamondplate polearm on horseback for the trek, the one bearing the symbols of Gloria, Skald, and Petrichor. Blades, wolves, and forests. There is no hurry to combat for him, it is clear he is open to the notion this isn't a threat. Doesn't hurt to be prepared though.

Thesarin was born in the Grey Forest, and is no slouch as a hunter and a tracker. He'll be going out into the woods with the scouting parties, looking to find evidence of the creature, as well as keeping any of the city folk from drowning in a brook stream or eating the wrong sorts of berries while they're out there.

There's good news and bad news.

The good news is hunting through the woods, one can be reasonably sure that the wolf that escaped Arx had absolutely nothing to do with Duke Cassius' death. The way the tracks went, there definitely couldn't have been one returning to Arx. Not... as a wolf. And that might be the bad news.

The tracks just plain don't make sense. They just... stop at some point, as if the wolf climbed some trees. There were people in the area, so some guardsmen thought one of the Crownsworn forest travelers might have killed the wolf and taken it, but there wasn't any blood for that, and no sign of a struggle for a wolf being captured, so they are largely baffled. Wolf tracks just stop, nothing going -back- to Arx, and just plenty of tracks that could be people. It's very confusing. But definitely no wolf returning to Arx, even if it's elusive. That's the good news.

The bad news is that the entirely separate wolf that killed Duke Cassius is almost certainly still at large. While they were away, there's been another murder inside Arx of a person torn to shreds. There's not much of a body, but a beast tore its way into the Grayhope mansion and Moira's bedroom is drenched in gore, the head of the Grayhope family presumably being brutally murdered. A beast definitely still being at large. That's the bad news.

'No Question Left Unasked'

The Scholars have successfully undertaken two waves of spreading knowledge at unprecedented levels to the far reaches of our society. They are giving people answers, and that is important. Yet more important still is the will to ask questions. The right questions for a person to grow, to give new answers to seek, new heights to reach.

Believing that is the single greatest opportunity to realize the mission of the Salon, a new initiative has been proposed named No Question Left Unasked. It is a joint mission of The Salon working with the Scholars to embolden people to ask questions. To give them the spark of wonder and curiousity and nurture it into a flame.

This seeks to achieve that by spreading philosophy, the principles of debate, as well as instruction on skills such as diplomacy, empathy, and critical thinking techniques. This is a continuation of the spread of knowledge that the Scholars undertook, but focused on knowledge that helps people ask questions and hear questions.

Let us be the guiding stars to a new wave of curious minds.

Leola knows that knowledge is needed, but that people care most about their day to day lives. To that end, the knowledge she makes available is simple things - agricultural techniques for visitors to the city. The discussions are conducted in the same style as the other lesosns and teachings of the Salon; only the content is directed to things more relevent to everyday life in Arvum

Growing the ranks of inquisitive minds is of utmost importance to Samael. He will be leading the Scholars in their share of the efforts to help educate the realm. He will be focusing on the advertisement of the groups' efforts, spreading the word and enhancing the turn out to their instructional lectures.

The Salon, a philosophical group that gathers to discuss the burning questions of the day, has joined with the Scholars in a new initiative titled No Question Left Unasked. Together their goal is training, teaching, and uncovering the strange maunderings of the intelligent mind - to intellectually explore out the strange eddies of thought and twists and turns of ethics and philosophy.

With Officer Sparte, Dame Leola, and Lord Samael Bisland, the first round of these questions is focused more on agriculture and learning than anything else. And it is successful too - farmers come away with improved tips and knowledge of crop rotation and animal husbandry that have long been lost to time. For those who make their living by the till, this is important, vital knowledge they recover now.

Perhaps more importantly to those leading the efforts though, this foray into agricultural techniques shows the importance of asking questions of all sorts. No question is too small, no searcher for knowledge too unimportant. Salon membership grows, and people get a little more used to asking questions.

Reese is leading a group of people on a patrol into the Gray Forest upon orders from Laric. Her goals are to clear out any supernatural threats that might there including any demons, demon bunnies, slaver's agents, Shavs loyal to the slaver and etc. If she can find out any useful info while doing this all the better. She will looking for any signs of damage to the forest, demons, movements of Slaver's agents, info on the slaver and etc. This is a small part of Pcs, if they run into overwhelming foes, her goal will be to retreat and stay unnoticed. Ultimately, she wants to keep the gray forest save, the lodge of petrichor safe, the first children safe and any Shavs no tainted by the abyss safe.

Sparte is dutifully joining the patrols, assisting Reese's team as he has been assigned. He is bringing some map supplies in case they end up off the beaten trail for any reason, so basically his usual exploration kit.

Barric will join the patrol(s) as requested, always offering to accompany the Princess. He will bring supplies, a tent, a hammock, as well as food and water (and whiskey). He will kill all the bunnies as necessary, as well as everything else that Reese says they should take out. Given the nature of their foes he will be using Elvesbane just to be safe and since it is in defense of Grayson and Arx together.

Michael Bisland will joining the patrol alongside Princess Reese Grayson. Considering its official nature, Brightroar will be brought along. Lord Bisland sends out runners first, to contact villages along the outskirts of the Gray Forest and collect as up to date information as he can muster up.

A half-built hut that burns. A warning and an offer. An evacuating village. Ominious, no?

Iron Guard, Faith and Kings Own got you covered, baby. Plans in case a fleet feints and heads for Arx, possible attempts at a hostage situation:

Have plans in place to evacuate the Boroughs, but only if absolutely necessary, and more geared towards getting the city's most vulnerable to safety (we will NOT be moving people OUT of the city, only to more defensible areas!). Shelters will be prepared to accommodate the masses who seek refuge, and we may require the other wards to accept commoners seeking shelters should the Boroughs no longer be safe to occupy. We will begin to plant the suggestion that we may need to evacuate the Boroughs in the forseeable future as an attempt to alleviate panic.

* The Iron Guard and the Faith factions will be coordinating their efforts under the direction of Lord Commander Silas and Dame Thena, much like they did in the last siege. The former will be more focused on maintaining the peace, whereas the latter will likely be fighting with both sword and soup ladle. This should put the populace at greater ease in the following weeks.

* Checkpoints will be placed at the gates from the plains into the city, the harbor into the Lowers, and the Compact Ward into the Crown Ward to better acquire and organize information. These checkpoints will be overseen by Lieutenant Michael and Faith appointees, and some of the Iron Guard's newer recruits who come from the isles will be placed at these points to better vet the people providing their documents. They will be taking take names, affiliations, destinations, etc.

* Dame Thena and Princess Marian will be reaching out the the Commoners Council to rope them into more specific plans for the defense of the Boroughs. May include traps and/or harbor fortification.

* The King's Own will be protecting the royal family.

Calaudrin will be doing his job, training and leading groups of Iron Guard. This will including scouting with small groups beyond the walls to check for potential threats and keeping an eye on the walls.

Rymarr will be focusing much of his attentions within the greater Iron Guard effort on his assigned area: the Seawatch Gate and Seawatch South. Increased patrols, heightened readiness, and group training regimens are called for. Rymarr intends to lead by example and thus perform his own duties with a touch more gusto. On top of that the hope is that those fellow Iron Guard that he has sway over may join him in setting that example of a more proactive defensive force in the face of potential invasion. Along with following the orders dispensed from above, Rymarr intends to begin preparing the Seawatch Gate and Seawatch South for more potential pitched battles. In answer to those same orders from above, Rymarr hopes to orchestrate a streamlined system of patrols around the area and heightened inspections of those entering or departing the city, while attempting to not make it so inconvenient that traffic in and out of Arx is disrupted. To accomplish some of this, Rymarr fully intends to invest some of his own funds and contacts into the endeavor to hopefully ensure that the Iron Guard is prepared to face a threat.

Estaban will be helping the long ships get ready and make sure they are set up for their patrolls on the water, he will also be doing Dock patrols and making sure everything is set before he himself has to ship out with the fleet.

Kenna will be putting her organizational and logistical mind to making sure that all the little details of the guard get settled. Schedules, organizing reports, and making sure everything goes where it needs to go will be her part in this. Where others look at the Macro she'll keep her eyes on the micro and hopefully put together any pieces that might otherwise not get connected without a dedicated set of eyes. She also puts her time into making sure that the individuals in the guard have someone looking out for them on a personal level. She'll be looking for signs of stress and individuals taking too much on at one time. (Especially Silas.)

Princess Marian Redrain, military liason to the Ministry of Defense, has reached out to the Commoners Council to arrange for a town hall for all commoners to hear what the Iron Guard, King's Own, the Faith and Ministry of Defense are doing to keep Arx safe. This town hall will occur once military plans have been finalized by these organizations. She will also assist Iron Guard in coming up with an evacuation plan for non-combatants in the Upper and Lower Boroughs to ensure no lives are lost from panic if the enemy comes at our doorstep.

Sparte has fallen into the role of organizer between the Iron Guard and the other guards and troops in Arx that may be called to the defense of the city if it is under siege. He has received approval from each of the great houses to organize cross-training between their men and Iron Guard forces, so that if a crisis does come to Arx again they will be ready to work together to protect the city.

Derovai has been approached to keep an eye on the Lowers. He'll do so and check back with Calaudrin, whom he knows, to see if there's any other potential usefulness he might have.

Even as the diplomats focus on esprit du corps, the Iron Guard, some of the Knights of the Faith, and the King's Own are settling in to protect Arx.

Under Lord Commander Silas Whitehawk and Calaudrin Estes, the Iron Guard are instituting checkpoints at all the major gates. Marquis Rymarr and his people secure the Seawatch Gate, setting the example for a proactive defensive force in case of potential invasion. 'Constant Vigilance' is his watchword, and his influence spreads. The guards at the South Gate are looking particularly sharp these days.

Baron Estaban Saik mans the docks and leads the Iron Guard to make sure that all ships are properly inspected, and all cargo correct and complete. It's a difficult job, what with the propensity of ship captains to smuggle the odd thing here and there (as is their inalienable right as captain, most will argue) but he does a commendable job. The docks are quiet and safe, for now.

Derovai Voss heads to the Lowers, keeping an ear to the ground on behalf of the Iron Guard - he's casual enough to make it seem like happenstance, but he's clearly probing to try to keep ahead of any rumors of malcontent or, worse yet, cultists. So far so good, and Arx is as secure as the Iron Guard can make it.

Meanwhile, the King's Own is keeping a close eye on the King, the Queen, and the babies, more diligent even than usual and certainly more formal about who is admitted into the presence, and who is allowed to keep anything sharper than a table knife when approaching.

Lady Kenna Whitehawk keeps an eye on everyone as they work, determined to make sure they are still taking care of themselves even as new trainees fresh from classes with Officer Sparte Fatchforth start their own patrols, following plans coordinated between Lord Commander Silas, Princess Marian Redrain, Dame Thena Grayhope, and Lord Commander Leona Thrax.

As "Let No Question Go Unanswered" continues going strong, the next phase in the project pushes forward. While prior the focus had been on historical knowledge in a general sense, attentions now add in addition the involvement of the Faith throughout history. Bianca has outlined a curriculum passed to the extended parishes and libraries throughout Arvum and the isles of the Scholars of Vellichor, encouraging the discipleship to further educate the general population of the Faith's struggles and successes. As in prior projects, what once was considered matters of legend are now gently reintroduced to the public in subtle subtext of the studies as truth. The miracles of the gods are real though easy to miss in our daily lives. Small successes of a fresh rain after a dry spell, the enhanced beauty of a particularly well crafted armchair... all of these things are their blessings and in them we are given vision of the divine.

There are various ways those who seek to lend themselves to the cause may assist. Hosting their own classes, writing songs or stories about the heroes of the past, copying tomes to be distributed freely... How will you rise to the call of education?

Christine will continue with her work copying those tomes, songs and documents so they can be distributed around and shared with others. She will also copy some illustrations if they aren't too hard!

Although he is Legate of Concepts rather than Arts, with the position of Legate of Arts currently open, Orazio makes a special effort to take on the work of facilitating the distribution of the curriculum beyond the Scholars. He writes to godsworn, particularly in the Lyceum where he has friends and associates, encouraging them to take it up, and giving guidance on how to handle doctrinal issues from the gentle reintroduction of some unusual concepts. He also takes it upon himself to encourage people with concerns to speak to him, and uses his diplomatic skills to address those concerns and soothe ruffled feathers and worries. Basically, making the effort to be a solid, tradition-respecting face of the Faith to lend credence and respectability to the ideas involved.

Ilvin easily warms to the concept of the miracles of the gods sprinkled throughout the lives of the populace. He does not so much teach as encourage those he encounters to teach each other, sharing an abbreviated version of the story of their own lives while Ilvin and the others so assembled listen and share their own thoughts about the effects that the gods have had on the sharer's life. In some cases he acts only as facilitator, while in others he takes a more active role, depending on the makeup of the group, in order that the participants end the process with a more powerful feeling of the gods' influence in their own lives.

Cybele is a teacher. Cybele teaches disciples of Lagoma, in the House of Solace. Cybele teaches students in the Apotechary College of Tor (Arx Branch). Cybele teaches as part of the Scholars of Vellichor's teaching programme, as a curator and assistant there. Cybele teaches. And Cybele is happy to share in what they know, with whomever asks, and all the more happy to visit any and all parts of Arx to share in their knowledge ever more.

Wylla is eager to help! She wants to teach the history of the Faith through artworks -- including even armchairs. She's already had the painting festival, and now she has the concert. She'd like to help Jayus' miracles be known throughout the Compact. Even if she can't express herself that well in spoken word, she is a ready assistant to let others speak of the Faith through their works.

Reigna is a teacher and a historian and she is working to devise a history curriculum for the people of Oakhaven, focusing on more than just local history, but seeking to broaden the average understanding of the history of Arvum in general. She is also going to write out her own treatise on medicinal remedies and techniques focusing on the local flora found in Oakhaven. Once she has finished these books, she will be having them copied and sent to the scholars at Keaton Keep and work with them on lesson plans to teach the serfs and villagers. Here in Arx she works as a teacher at the Academy, offering classes and expanding minds here.

As the intermediary between the Scholars of Vellichor and the Arvum Philosophical Society of the Empowerment and Enlightenment of Curious Minds (The Salon), Sparte is doing his part by focusing on helping people ask questions.

Where Bianca is leading the charge in making information available, he is attempting to give people that spark of curiousity and wonder.

"I believe this is the single greatest opportunity to realize the mission of the Salon since its formation. It is our role to embolden people to ask questions. To give them the spark of wonder and curiousity and nurture it into a flame. The wisdom the Scholars are sharing is the kindling that will bring those flames to life, and the Salon stands with them."

In addition to putting his personal time and effort into it, he has requested a special disbursement of resources from the Salon to help realize this vision.

Samael is a skill orator and teacher. He'll do his time teaching classes on various topics.

Estaban will help by aid in copying tomes, songs and documents so they can be distributed around and shared with others. He will also open up the Saik garden once a week for a few hours to the children of Arx for a story day, each day he will tell about a different Heros in the Faith!

Fortunato lends his illumination skills to the project, focusing on detailed, realistic work, taking historical accounts and interpreting them with the greatest fidelity pen and brush can lend. Myth and heroic legend he depicts, but roots them in such a way that they don't /seem/ like myth and heroic legend. Unicorns as physical as horses, the heroes of the Reckoning as human as neighbors, clergy, soldiers. The past was as real as the present, the future is as real as the present. Fortunato's goal in his art is to make the forgotten things, the miracles, seem within the realm of today's possibility. You, too, could be great.

Prince Aiden has taken his duties as a scholar-liaison with utmost duty and care. He coordinates with students from other organizations (SoE) as well as paying close attention to the scholar teaching programme for individuals seeking skills he possesses, and freely offering himself with no obligation to the student other than their time. The Prince shows his dedication through taking this personal time to host teaching lessons, such as survival and archery in large sessions (previous @events), using the Silver Wings to assist when it comes to Archery to set up targets and help keep an eye out on the students.

There also might be a volume or two of personal writings that he has quietly stocked in bookshelves around Arvum, speaking of the topic he had been most impassioned about. Though it is a quiet addition, allowing the curiosity of readers to find it on their own time rather than declaring it's existance. With exposing legends of the old through this manner, he hopes more people will come to speak of their curiosities on the matter or perhaps, they can add more to his collected data.

He repeats throughout his mentoring and writing: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. We will seek it."

Around the time the project finally comes to a close and the last books are being put into their appropriate places in the catalog, something /changes/. Those in the Archives find there are new rooms -- rooms they don't remember being there, full of books that no one seems to have cataloged. While few date back before the Great Fire, there are still new memoirs written by those who fought alongside Queen Alarice the Great; indeed, even some of Alarice's own journals are found among the items, delighting historians.

Even more confusingly, one of the Scholars trusted to venture into the Deep Labyrinth notes that things down there seem /different/. The uneasy sense of being /watched/ that most report in the Labyrinth is gone, though there's still a feeling of a /presence/ there. It's as though something lurking down there is asleep, or distracted.

A handful of Scholars seem awfully unsettled by all of this, even downright upset, perhaps due to the seemingly inexplicable nature of things. But most merely question why these rooms had been sealed off, while expressing great gratitude that they've been rediscovered. (And, of course, it's nice that people are no longer being spooked by some imaginary bogeyman down in the Deep Labyrinth.)

But whatever it all means, /something/ has changed around the Archives, and for the moment they're charged with a new sense of purpose.

There are, after all, a great many new -- well, old -- journals and books to catalog now.

"People of the Mourning Isles. I come being the bearer of bad news. We are beset upon by by an enemy who shrouds himself in his ignorance. He has bent the knee to those who would destroy the world, taken every evil in his path for power. The Deep 'King' and his followers hold onto a dying past which they seek to rebuild on top of our ashes. For one thousand years Thrax has held these Isles together with the force of our might and we shall do so by a fucking thousand more.

The Isles will stand united as one. One fleet, one legion, one order to destroy the tide of darkness that seeks to swallow us all. Bear arms and army, ready yourselves across the deck. The time of Thrax is now and forever. We do not fall.

Tears in our wake, never at our wake.."

After fighting and dying against the forces of the Gyre for centuries and then some, High Lord Victus Thrax has launched an ultimatum: No inch of ground will be given without wading through an ocean of blood. The Maelstrom has stood the test of time and the Gyre's fleet shall not be appropriately named so long as he stands.

Victus calls the banners from every corner Thrax's influence reaches. Forces that owe allegiance to the Sea Serpent's banner and Allies of the Mourning Isles are called to join. The High Lord himself will be donning the mantle of General and Ruler, calling all armies and fleets to the Maelstrom to organize into one solidified presence. The 1st Thrax Fleet and the 1st Thrax Marines alike. Those with the skill of diplomacy and propaganda are asked to send his message through every street and upper echelon, to motivate and drive every Thraxian in defense of their home. In survival as a race.

Grimhall, Tyde and all vassals below them will receive similar calls to action and be invited to participate. The might of the Grim Legion, Tyde's Fleet and all those like them that would pledge support in this pact. Whether it's soldiers, agents, smugglers, diplomats, or priests offering prayer - all are welcome. All are going to be needed in this coming battle, and Victus calls them all.

He dubs this unified front "The Mourning Onslaught". He will spend his preparation ensuring that the name will be heard as a beacon of hope for all as its strength is soon to be put to the test.

Duke Grimhall sends his heralds throughout the domains loyal to his house. The letter they read is not subtle: all warships are summoned to battle. The foe which approaches is the enemy our race was born to fight, all true hearted warriors of Mourning blood will join the coming battles. Of the rest, any who refuse will be held in scorn and named faithless before Gods and men, treated as traitors once the war is won.

When Victus makes his declaration to Thrax and calls for the banners, Alarissa is standing there beside him literally and figuratively as a proper High Lord's wife - in the traditional sense - a solemn, respectful and calm figure, even going so far as to make sure she's holding the heir to thrax who has been carefully wrapped and swaddled in that thraxian shade of red.

In the subsequent days, she's visiting noble houses of those in the Thrax fealty, both high and low that Fatima hasn't. Where it is the liberal leaning houses, she brings Astrid with her, conversing with the house so that she can have with her a visual reminder of the change that they have been fighting for, has happened and the future that each house if they throw their full might or as many as they can spare, into helping overcome the pirate king. She's not above using her daughter for a little propaganda pimping. Yes, the wives if the nobles even get to hold her if they want and start the threads of their investment her future and that of Thrax - and in turn theirs and their children. The losses will be hard, but they are Thrax. They know hard and how to overcome and Alarissa is proud to have married into such strong and able people. That she looks up to them in these tumultous days for the strength to help Victus lead and protect all that they and she hold dear.

For the more traditional houses, she goes with Victus, having fed him the lines that he likely needs to speak if he needs them. She borrows a line so recently heard from Harald and encourages them to do the best thing for Thrax and that's to set sail with all that they have and can spare and "Make their ancestors jealous" of the stories that will be told in the days to come. She plays that part of proper wife, not a hair out of place and with complete confidence that Thrax will get through this with their full support.

Then there's the ladies. The wives of the sailors, the soldiers, the supporters of the men who lead, the ones who manage the finances and at times, know how to tip a spouse one way or the other to what they want and to make it seem like it was the spouse's choice. To tea she invites them, small intimate affairs of 'frank' conversations. It's going to be hard and in truth, some spouses will not be coming home. This is the fight for thier lives and the odds will be so much better if the full might of the fealty combines into the Onslaught. They are in for a battle, a war that has been a long time coming and it's time to face it with all weapons, at the ready. Even if it's just ones two hands tearing up cotton to make bandages to be used to help with the wounded.

Fatima, as a Voice and Princess of Thrax, is taking her place in gathering the banners. She starts by visiting all the Thrax nobles in Arx, having quiet, one-on-one conversations with every lord that has soldiers, sailors, or influence. She spreads out to the more distant lords next via letter, and then personal visits when necessary. She reminds them of the might of House Thrax, the alternatives of failure, and the rewards to be gained for a successful campaign. And above all else, she's going to go personally visit every noble that previously showed fear for her and ensure their banners are called.

Margot calls the banners of all of the Tyde Vassals to support the efforts to fight the Gyre. Insisting that the Northlands turn out (and quietly insinuating that she will be very disappointed if they can't put out a better showing than the Grimhall vassals).

As General of the Thrax Marines and by very nature of their status, Galen knew his men would be ready to fight. His cousins and diplomats had no doubt reached out to every noble across Arx, but Galen was different than the others, he certainly had many of the same connections, maybe even more than some, but, he also had the benefit of having literally sailed to every known port in the compact, a few very strange ones, and even Port Defiance, though this he didn't speak of openly.

Regardless the Prince knew how desperate these times were, so he summoned together his crew, his most trusted loyal men, and gave them some simple instructions, "Send word, by whatever means as far and wide as you can...To everyone, and I mean everyone who has ever had our aid in any way shape or form, let them know I am not asking for such in return, but now I need help, and I would appreciate such." his crew knew what that meant. You see, the Prince was known on the seas for both being a force of swift justice when needed, and the saving hand of grace, to people of good, or questionable character who found themselves in trouble and in his path, though if we are being honest, often Galen's path was directed toward them. His men would carry out his command with haste, to those around the isles and beyond, merchants, mercenaries, various ports, no doubt even to some of the Abandon themselves.

Galen know what was at stake, he wondered if the reason he was given what he had been given and done the things which he had done, had all been for the culmination of this moment, of this action, a need so great that he himself had to risk all favor he had earned, all alliances he had made, after all, this wasn't just for him, or his family, this was for everyone!

Magpie receives the notice from Victus and stares at it intently for a long time. Then the man stands before his people -- the Free Nation of Magpie (A Grayhope Enterprises Division) -- he raises his voice loudly, and calls out, "Magpie! Will you help Thrax in this battle?! Will you stand strong and fight with them?! Will you follow Victus Thrax to the tentacles of death?!?" ... The man lets silence settle, then finally answers himself. "Probably. If I have nothing else going on that day."

When it is time to raise banners, what can a commoner do? Answer the call, of course. But is there anything more?

Sparte has decided to speak with others of his choice to join Thrax in their darkest hour. To sign on with the banners in the face of the deadliest foe they've known since the reckoning. His audience may be Crownsworn and Prodigals, mainly, but he speaks to those in Arx who still seek a purpose for themselves or have had one stolen.

"I am not someone who was destined for greatness. I am no prince or lord. I herded sheep." Sparte gives a self effacing chuckle. "But when times were dark, and the Iron Guard gave the call, I answered. With so many others, I helped hold these walls. Just as I now stand to protect Thrax. Not because of faith in myself or the gods, but because of faith in people. Because I believed that there are those unable to protect themselves who are deserving. I don't know who they are. They may be mothers and fathers, they made be children, the sick or infirm. Injured soldiers who fought for us once, and can no longer raise a blade themselves. They may be righteous souls or cads and blagarts, I don't care. When true evil rises against the compact we know in our hearts if he has the strength to stand and fight."

"I am not asking you to follow me, I am not even asking you to join me in pledging to Thrax. I am asking you to find that fire within your own hearts. To recognize that no matter how dark the day may seem, the light of tomorrow must be fought for to see it through. All I want from you is to be able to say, when times were dark, others stood with me. Please stand with me, if you can. For those who cannot."

At the call by Victus, Catalana is compelled to have the people listen. Wanting to make her family proud, this Lady Kennex speaks to all of the nobles with the reach of her voice and beyond to plea that in order to survive this, we must unite. "Please....this is no time for petty squabbles. This is a time to set aside differences and to unite as people! We will face this head on and show our enemies that this is not a group that is divided...but united!"

Caspian Wild is going into every tavern and inn of Arx, singing renditions of popular Thraxian war songs that have a twist of being about fighting for The Mourning Ises and Thrax against The Gyre, with the goal is to inspire Thraxians to join the fight. To help things along he'll be buying rounds of drinks.

Many people find it easy to be around Caith -- she has a friendly and unassuming air about her. She is also a passionate and evocative storyteller. Leaning on these qualities, she goes around visiting various vassals. She spends many an evening with them by the fire, sharing a drink or two, listening to tales of their past glories and trading stories of heroic deeds.

The princess tells them tales of legendary heroes, of battles won, of days saved when all hope was thought to be lost. And as they sit together by the warm, rosy glow of the fire with drinks in hand, she tells them that it is in moments such a these -- this precipice that they all find themselves on -- when heroes rise up and legends are made. She points out that she can only tell these stories now because people, when faced with the toughest options in the darkest hour, made the brave choice. They stood up. They answered the call. If they had not, their names would have faded into obscurity until they were entirely forgotten; however, their heroic actions granted them immortality, their names and deeds living on beyond them.

Caith urges the vassals to become heroes themselves. Their deeds today will become the legends that will be spoken of for all time. Glory and honor!

High Lord Victus steps up next, calling on all Thraxians to prepare to set sail. No inch of ground, he declares, will be given without wading through an ocean of blood. Forces that owe allegiance to the Sea Serpent's banner and Allies of the Mourning Isles are called to join.

Duke Harald hears the call and stands now not just as Duke but as Warlord of Thrax. All warships are summoned to battle. All true hearted warriors of Mourning blood will join the coming battles. Any who refuse will be scorned and named faithless before Gods and men.

Princess-Consort Alarissa stands ready, solemn and respectful and calm, exhorting by diplomatic turn those who the others fail to reach. To progressive houses she brings Princess Astrid, encouraging them to respond to the call to banners while holding the visible reminder of the change they've been fighting for. She praises the strength of Thrax, knowing full well the might of the Isles and reminding them that this is the time to show that will and strength. To the more traditional houses she goes with Victus, encouraging them to make their ancestors jealous of the stories that will be told in the days to come. And of course, knowing how much power there is in the quiet talk of women she makes sure to speak with the women - whether they lead the houses or not - encouraging them to form a united front among progressives and traditionalists alike in supporting the call to banners.

Princess Fatima personally visits each noble Thraxian in Arx, using one-on-one conversations to encourage them as she might. She reminds them of the strength of Thrax, of the results failure may bring them, and the rewards for a successful campaign. She targets those who she knows already hold some awe (some might even say fear) of her, using intimidation where she can to its best effect.

Duchess Margot calls all Tyde sailors and vassals, insisting the Northlands turn out. In her own way she encourages them slyly - It sure would be a shame if Grimhall turned out more numbers than Tyde, wouldn't it? Let's not let that happen, shall we?

Prince Galen reaches out to people he's met in his travels across the land, asking everyone who has ever had Thraxian aid to come forth and join them. The Prince himself is well-known as a hospitable spirit, a man who will buy the drinks in a bar for complete strangers, and sometimes has a habit of turning up at just the right time when someone is in desperate need. And now it's time for old debts to be repaid.

Officer Sparte, newly in fealty to Thrax, shows his loyalty. Now he goes to the Crownsworn and speaks to them. I am not someone who was destined for greatness, he says. But with so many others I helped hold these walls. Just as I now stand to protect Thrax. Not because of faith in myself or the gods, but because of faith in people. Because I believed that there are those unable to protect themselves who are deserving. When true evil rises against the compact we know in our hearts if he has the strength to stand and fight. His speech wins the hearts of the commoners, and even more answer the call.

Lady Catalana emphasizes the need to stand together. Wanting to make her family proud, inspired to answer the call by Victus, she urges people to set aside petty squabbles and unite as people. To show their enemies that this is not a group divided, but united in one common goal! Meanwhile, Caspian visits the taverns and inns of Arx, singing renditions of popular Thraxian war songs. Everyone loves a good sea shanty, and every really loves to sing good sea shanties when someone else is buying the drinks.

Not to be left out, Princess Caith visits various vassals, spending evenings by the fire sharing a drink or two, listening to tales of their past glories, encouraging them to tell stories of heroic deeds. In turn she tells them of legendary heroes, battles won, of days saved when all hope was thought to be lost. And as they sit together by the warm, rosy glow of the fire with drinks in hand, she tells them that it is in moments such a these -- this precipice that they all find themselves on -- when heroes rise up and legends are made. She points out that she can only tell these stories now because people, when faced with the toughest options in the darkest hour, made the brave choice. They stood up. They answered the call.

With tales of glory, drinks in hand, with the urge to stand united, with diplomacy and orders and threats and cajoling, by any means possible the word goes out. Thrax is called to war!

Valery was able to make in her laboratory (by mistake) a mix that produced a light similar to that of the lamps of Arx, like a rudimentary version of Sparklegas.
She hasn't been able to make it last longer than those few minutes, or have it ready to use more than having the ingredients meassured, but she's trying to improve it.
She's decided to reproduce the gas, or at least turn her version into something that can be useful for the city and/or those that leave in patrols, storable and lasting.
She'll try checking the studies about the lamps in the town, trying new ingredients and ways to store it.
She's also talking with those she knows have been studying the lamps of Arx and the Sparklegas, and she'll reach for other alchemists she knows to ask for their help.

Maeve has been working on researching sparklegas herself! Really, her trail of research has left her with more questions than answers. So.. the apothecary has decided to try and take samples of sparklegas from various places within the city! Have you ever seen a -very- pregnant woman climb street posts to collect samples from various light posts? It's quite a site! Anyways, she is bottling up samples from the very lamps themselves, but she is not trying to take the lamp off it's post or anything.

Sparte is using his contacts in the Iron Guard and Thrax to try to find any examples of lamps that were damaged or ruined in the siege by Brand, and attempt to secure permission for Valery to use them in her research. While he can't offer her a currently working Arx lamp, even a broken one might shed some insights into how the things work.

Merek will be assisting with finding any lamps that Valery might be able to work with. In addition to that he will be assisting her research a little bit perhaps with his alchemical knowledge to assist her in trying to reproduce it should she allow.

Valery has reached out to those within the Apothecary College in the city, and Nicia has decided that this is just weird and intriguing enough to drag her away from her usual studies. As such, she will be digging around in things the best that she can, aiding with the study of the gas and help out as Valery's assistant in any way needed.

Cybele is more interested in looking at the Sparklegas and experimenting with it, taking a gander from a different point of view, seeing if she can make sense of it all from the other side, so to speak. And aiding Valery and Maeve, of course.

It's a huge undertaking. Merek and Sparte start looking for old, broken lamps. For the most part this is well nigh impossible to find - whoever built these, whenever they did so, they were very good at what they did. The best they can find is one old broken-off head of a lantern that, when Cybele takes a look, seems to have some kind of rune, but because it's broken it can only partially be seen.

While they're working on that, Maeve is looking to get samples of sparklegas - but that's not going so well for her. Oh, she can get them, and they do glow - but she can't keep them glowing for very long after she takes a sample - not even to get them all the way back to the workshoip where they're studying the lanterns. What she does notice is that it seems like there are small circles inside the lanterns lit across the city, and some mechanism at the base. It's tiny, and it's hard to see unless you're on a ladder looking down at the inside bottom of the lantern itself.

Which of course leads to the entire group bringing ladders to a single lantern, talking excitedly as they realize that there are two pipes at the bottom of each lantern, and the little mechanism makes them open and close. Nicia, with her curious, studious mind, points out that the light flickers higher when they open, then they close and the light glows for a while. And then it starts to dim and the mechanism turns and the pipes open again and the light flickers higher.

And that's what gives them the idea. They're back to experimenting now - and it looks like they can create a lantern. Valery prepares the components carefully. She has tried this before, and she can consistently recreate sparklegas now, so she knows what to do. The mechanism is replaced with a simple twist switch. Two little sections hold the components that will react, one with the other. Tiny pipes, as small as she can make them, are how they will enter the lantern proper. Valery fills each side and closes it, and the group looks at each other and takes a deep breath and twists the little switch.

And it lights! They have made a lantern filled with sparklegas! It works! Success! For about an hour until the components run out, and then the lantern is dark again.

With House Kennex having abolished thralldom within its borders and ships and ships going there to bring back anyone who wants to leave, it's probably safe to assume a nice chunk of those newly freed thralls are going to end up in Arx. And those people will be looking for work! And for those people, there's the Iron Guard. They'll be hanging around, happy to direct anyone (without a significant history of ugly criminal behavior of course!) to their barracks. Where there will be (kind of lumpy) cots, food (cooked by Sparte?!) and plenty of training by reasonably seasoned guardsmen. Calaudrin will be one of people taking those thralls in and teaching them the ropes of being a guard. Hopefully it won't go too poorly.

Sparte is aiding Calaudrin by taking time to get to know the people joining the guard and, perhaps just as importantly, talk to them about their life ahead now that they're out of Thralldom. While he'll see to food for the thralls he expects he'll learn as many recipes as he shares with them, and perhaps will take a different view from most others - Kennex lands were their homes, and still can be. They are free, and should be treated fairly, but that doesn't mean they need to leave the lands they once loved. If anything, they now have a voice to make those lands better. He'll also lend his skill to helping train them.

Sparte will advocate for allowing them to leave the guard and return home should they wish it, even if that is a loss of resources to the guard for having trained a guardsman who doesn't end up serving.

Silas has helped recruit displaced peoples into the Guard before, and will happily provide any law-abiding Thralls room and board in addition to training if they desire to join the ranks of the Iron Guard. They will be held to the same standard as every other guardsmen, but Silas will make sure they're welcome within the barracks in hope they will appreciate belonging to 'family' of sorts.

Once their basic training is complete, their strengths and weaknesses will be assessed and they will be placed under the tutelage of a senior guardsman who specializes in the skill sets they may be interested in.

Among the surge in refugees in Arx, a fair number decide that the Iron Guard is the life for them. For many, it's greatly empowering, since some see it as joining the military that everyone in the Isles would have to answer to. So the good news is that they have a surge in recruits. The bad news is some iron guardsmen might have strong biases against anyone from the Isles, and they might need to keep an eye out on new guardsmen trying to abuse Isles commoners in Arx.

Sparte has been patrolling the Hall of Heroes for most of his tenure on the guard, having opportunity to inspect and get familiar with the statues within.

Some time ago it was implied to Sparte that those who are reborn can see visions of their past lives by studying statues in the halls, and that they believe Sparte is reborn from one of the metallic order. He can't recall that ever happening while he was on patrol, but things get dull and he is taking the time to intentionally study the statuary in the halls on his off hours. Starting with the metallic order, then working through the great houses. Maybe something special will happen, maybe not, but he'd like to know one way or another if the whole thing is hooey.

There's the strangest feeling that he's been there before, when Sparte walks through the Hall of Heroes. There's a growing sensation that he's being watched, even though no one is in the halls at all, and it grows all the more powerful as he enters the Hall of House Valardin. One of the statues is pulling him, but he can't quite tell which one or why.

Reese would like to organize scouting parties to hopefully subtly track the actions of the slaver and/or his minions in the Gray Forest. Her intention is not to be noticed by the slaver (although she is not sure if such is possible). She would like to look for the following. 1. The location of any hostile Shav forces, including how close they are to Compact or Grayson lands. 2. Into any stories, reports or evidence of attacks by the slaver or his minions against those living in the forest and/or on the outlaying Graysin lands. 3. The presence of any abyss tainted animals or plants. She is especially interested in looking into the presence of wasps, wolf packs, tainted bears and etc. 4. The state and condition of the land. 5. Any signs of the slaver.

She would like to encourage the parties she sends out to remain as subtle and discrete as possible. They will have orders to retreat from any overwhelming odds and to quietly clean up threats only if they think can win. This is primarily and info gathering venture. Reese is overseeing the missions, taking reports from scouts, but not heading out herself. She feels that sometimes a good leader doesn't do all the things herself. Sh also feels like she is not stealthy and subtle enough for this. She will include pcs who seem suited to the task and some Grayson npc tasks. I hope to run prps for those joining the scouting missions.

Aiden would help with the scouting and the archers

Samael has offered up the Bisland army on a volunteer basis as per General Reese's insistence on this mission being strictly volunteer only. The Bisland army will support the Grayson army and/or act as reserve units. Samael makes a passionate speech to the army attempting to encourage volunteers without coercion.

Approved to run - sent @mail to Reese with some additional suggestions.

%It was brought to Reese's attention that any Shavs in the Gray forest who have not bent the knee are likely to be recruited to the Horned God's army and to serve as his slaves while fighting against the people of Compact. Reese would like help prevent the Shavs from becoming enslaved as she highly values freedom, but she would also like to help prevent increasing the size and power of the Horned God's army. She also wants to secure the Gray forest as much as she can to make the it more difficult for the Horned God to take action there.

With this in mind she went to her cousin Calarian for help. Calarian and Reese decided to embark upon a mission to help secure he forest and encourage the Shavs to bend the knee. Calarian would be focusing on the diplomatic side of this mission and Reese on the military side (providing the diplomats with protection from any possible threats). Reese fears that treats might come in the form of Shavs who don't like this missions, abyss tainted animals and etc. The goal of the mission is to use words and charm rather than violence as much as possible.

Reese and Calarian would like to bring others with them, especially of the Grayson faction, including vassals and commoners who are interested in such an effort. They would like to bring scouts (who know the forest), social characters (who can help charm the Shavs over) and warriors (who can help defend the party). While on this mission they will be trying to stay alert for anything amiss including, but not to limited to (signs of the Horned God, cultists, blight, abyss tainted animals, any unexpected animals and any signs of monsters).

Reese will not hesitate to kill in defense of their party or herself, however she will offer any mortal and non abyss tainted combatants a chance to surrender. She also has moral problems with killing when not in defense. Which means she probably not kill Shavs who will not bend the knee if they are not attacking the party, not behaving as a threat or not engaging in acts she would consider evil. Reese will most likely follow the commands of Calarian who is voice and above her in rank. She wishes to be inclusive as possible and to invite the Grayson faction to aid in this effort.

Thanks, Reese's player

Since this is getting a little long and unwieldy, I'm going to save this one for reference as we go over the PRPs and applicable crises. Since it's getting hard to track what's resolved in PRPs and what's not, let's break it up into separate ones to make sure things aren't missed and go ahead and throw up a prprequest to make sure staff responses to anything outstanding aren't missed.

Soup Stones are a tradition to some families, wives tales to others. Some talk about them being used to fool villagers, and others would have one hang in the kitchen.

I'd like to introduce a Soup Stone into the world of Arx as one of Sparte's belongings.

The concept of the soup stone: When times are plentiful, the stone was always put into the pot to cook with stews, and soups, and broths and soak up a bit of them into itself. When times are hard, when food is lacking, you put the soup stone into the pot with what you have. Maybe it is just some water and potatoes. Yet as you eat the soup, it seems like maybe you taste some chicken or beef or seasonings, and you feel more nourished for it. Whether that is just flavor leeching out of the stone or something more meaningful is one of those things up for debate, but Sparte will be confident in his soup stone and swear by it as he tries to hearten his fellow guards despite the rationing underway.

Most of those living in Arx aren't very superstitious, but that doesn't mean they won't honor a fairly benign and harmless tradition. While some privately might think it's a bit silly, others like the idea, particularly when there's a siege on and food could become scarce without warning. At least within the guard, soup stones become a thing. How far does it spread beyond that? Who can say.

I'm told I get two story requests a month. This isn't a big one, but I thought it might be interesting to be on guard duty for Fawkuhl and get ot talk to them.

While on guard duty, it's notable that fawkuhl repeatedly and fervently maintains his innocence in pushing Esera off the bridge, despite a good portion of the city having seen him do it. He keeps maintaining that it was a trick of some kind, and he never had anything to do with it.

Sparte is assisting as one of the newest Iron Guard members to the best of his ability, even if that is just patrolling the non-crisis areas to free up veterans.


The Light of Arx

The effort to gather people together under the fear of the unknown darkness that hit the city is stirring awareness that we have bigger threats to fear than one another, and if there is one thing mankind is great at it is setting aside smaller squabbles against greater threats. The lantern lighting ceremony at the shrine of Lagoma is a symbol of this willingness to band together, a reminder of why we throw out lots in together as a society in the first place, and a reaffirmation that the darkness will not best us.

The Light of Arx is wildly popular. It's a sweet sentiment, it stands for hope during tense times, and is wildly praised all throughout the boroughs. There is some minor vandalism and fires after it's done, but even with the anger directed at the handful of malcontents responsible for that, the mood in the city is greatly aided by Sparte's Light.

    Silas will be equipping his men with the best arms and armor available to him.

    Using his mercantile connections, he will begin urging traders to supply foodstuffs to local shelters within the Boroughs and in the Compact ward - this includes the Mercier Shelter.

    His men are ordered to start preparing for a city siege. Town criers are paid to begin urging people to exit the Lower Boroughs for their own safety and to find housing further into the city (away from the walls).

    Silas will begin training the new recruits he has received via successful recruitment drive in earnest. Ainsley, Merek, Ywaine, Agnarr, and himself will split the load with Ainsley being the one primarily in charge of the program. With Calliope's/Grimhall's assistance in donating armor, as well as supplementing it with funding from the Iron Guard's own coffers, he intends to get them well-equipped and ready for battle. (there will be a +donation to Iron Guard Training Program to accompany this)
    Presenting vague siege plans!

Silas - Walls, Infantry (wielding spears, blades, shields), Command
Ainsley - ...
Michael - Walls, Infantry (wielding spears, blades, shields), Command
Calaudrin - Walls, Archers (wielding longbows, flaming arrows, blades), Command
Calathane - Walls, Archers (wielding longbows, flaming arrows, blades)
Serafine - Lower Borough/Docks parameter, Infantry (wielding blades, shields)
Reese - Will be with the Dominus's group
Merek - Graveyard/Lower Borough guard parameter, Infantry (wielding blades, shields)
Sparte - Hall of Heroes guard parameter, Infantry (wielding blades, shields)
Harper - Ward of the Crown guard paramater, Infantry (wielding blades, shields)

    Silas will attempt to recruit 5000 additional men (instead of the initial plan to recruit 10000, though it will still presumably cost 100 silver per man) and have them equipped and trained by himself, Ywaine, Agnarr, and Calaudrin. Since Ainsley has more or less locked himself in his room now, he will no longer be doing the training program as intended.

    He will be using ballistae and flaming arrows against the Bringers as they approach the walls. He's betting on fire being particularly lethal against undead flesh (of course he may be surprised!). Silas, Michael, and Calaudrin are given command powers over the troops.

    Then when is all is said and done he'll go drink heavily upon realizing Ainsley's not coming back and he's forever alone!

    (OOC: Additional note - the recruits will be used for the siege only, primarily, though some will presumably be kept on the payroll to replenish the numbers initially lost in Everard's betrayal. Iron Guard will have bolstered numbers for the siege, then hopefully will be back to full initial strength afterwards.)

(OOC: Also use the 1000 econ/mil resources pls if you can, not the silver. I like having money to equip people. ;_;)

    Merek is reassigned and placed in an active duty role assisting with the protection of people within the city direct. When the battle starts, he will be in charge of finding citizens safe places away from the fighting.

    Prince Tristram is taking over Merek's previous assignment. He will be guarding the Catacomb entrances with the men assigned to the Graveyard parameter (approximately 75 men).

    Actually, just default to Tristram's attached action and nix the above. He's doing that thing.

    Tristram's -appended assist-: Tristram is giving anything dangerous in the catacombs that is already *there* (undead, mysterious areas, anything else dangerous) a *wide* berth. There is zero desire to engage with or investigate or poke around down there or disturb the temple(s)?, the Labyrinth (?), the undead or anything else down there. The goal here is solely to be a response team *in the event* that portions of the Bringer army, or Tolamar Brand, attempt to use the catacombs, the sewers or any underground route to move undetected through the city or dig in underneath the walls.

Calliope has been tasked by her Uncle to aid in the war effort by supplying arms and armour to Lord Commander Silas Mercier. Price isn't an object, she's to ensure that he get them.

Merek Black will be taking Meeka with him and teaching members of the Guard the ways of combat, and in addition to that, he will also be assisting in making them basic weapons in supplement to what is already being supplied. He is hopeful that with these actions, he will assist the others in preparing the Guard for what is to come, if the siege manages to reach the city. He understands that just because they have new recruits, doesn't mean they are well-trained for what needs be done.

Will be helping the archers in group volley tactics along with sharpening their skills, more strength to pull as aiming won't be so much a problem and a whole army at the walls makes it hard to miss anyway. With Silas's direction to take command of half the archer's the iron guard has for this operation and showing them the effectiveness of fire. All in the preparation of the siege that is expected to come.

Calaudrin will be reaching out to the new recruits and taking anyone with a penchent for archery and helping them fine hone their skills before the siege. While raining down a sea of flaming arrows is all well and good, there might be a time during this confrontation where the ability to take a more measured shot could be prove invaluable.

Sparte is patrolling the Hall of Heroes, and has taken an interest in having flasks of oil and lanterns ready on patrol. Both blessed as able. Holy water is also desired for completeness of precautions, but Sparte is inclined to think holy oil will have a more satisfying result. When it comes to training the new recruits, he has a familiarity with the countryside that helps him to work with those not from the city itself. He does his best to help get them situated and motivated, though he isn't that experienced yet himself.

Tristram, along with a contingent of Iron Guard and a small band of Valardin troops as well as his panther Sasha, will be patrolling *underneath* the city and at the walls. Giving the undead of the catacombs a wide berth as best he can, he will be watching for intrusions and tunnels coming in from the outside. He will maintain contact with those on the surface via messenger relays to make certain they can reposition forces as necessary in the event of an underground breach. If there is a major incursion inside the city--if the enemy gets past the walls--he will move to address that concern. Prior to this, however, he will be keeping vigil and praying in the Shrine of Gloria until such time as the patrols must commence.

All noted! The attack will most likely be live GM'd, so this will all be accounted for when the siege starts (and the resources deducated for the bolstering of the guard).

Sparte has taken some songs put to music in pubs and taken creative liberties with the lyrics, penning a series of war songs for Arx. He hasn't signed or attempted to take any credit for this songs, though he is encouraging people to sing and show life in the face of the Bringers. Not because this war isn't dire - it is - but because that life and energy is what makes us better than them.

The intent is to raise morale and infuriate the enemies, who will have to hear the sound of Arxians singing and laughing over the walls despite the siege going on.

The Iron Guardsman just known as Sparte has been attempting to popularize various drinking songs in the different taverns and inns of Arx and turn them into war songs, to show that life goes on. While the guardsmen himself doesn't have much talent in performance, his efforts do catch the notice of some Whispers who run with the idea, though the guardsman still gets credit. While the original intent might have been to mock the Silent Army and show them life goes on, it's unknown how the enemy views it. It does, however, help with morale in the city.

Reese would like to help clean up the Grayson forest. She wants to clean up the whole forest, but she is interested in starting in the areas closest to Grayson farmlands, Grayson lands, compact, etc and branching out from there. She would like to work closely with Mistress Leola and Lady Khanne who are aware of her intentions. She does this crisis action with Leola's blessing. She wants to mobilize Grayson faction npcs and pcs both to help restore the land. She has a few ways of trying to do this. 1. Bringing in fresh new healthy soil and carting it in. 2. Bringing in new healthy plants of a sort that go naturally to the area and replanting. 3. Putting intense effort - blood, sweat and tears to the land. The more energy sunk into this especially while actually at site in the forest the better. 4. She wants to try and help inspire those who go with her to be passionate and work hard. 5. She is not a singer - but she would like to sing while they work and hopes to get some songresses on the action. 6. She is not a priest, but she plays to prayer while she works and will encourages (or try to encourage others to do the same). She suspects those more effective at this might take point here, but she feels like every little bit helps. 7. She wants to take any life that seems corrupted beyond hope - such as twisted animals and plants, killing them and burning them if possible. She plants to follow Leola's and Khanne direction and will listen to them if they advise her in some way. She plans to give them credit amoung the Graysons working with her for the work they have done toward this.
Reese is is using a 100 econ to help provide the funds for this. 100 social to help provide the social influencing to encourage people to get involved. 100 military to help protect those joining the effort. She also is spending 10,000 to help fund the project. She wants to bring much generous number of the Grayson military with them to help guard those working. She will focus on moreso on commanding the forces and guarding the efforts - now that more information has come to light.


Important Append: Reese is taking the group only to the area of the forest closest to compact and is not venturing too far into the Gray forest. She plants to what she can help to help the forest close to compact. She still plans to bring Grayson soldiers and to focus on the protection of those going out. Keeping people safe is her personal #1 objective. She will be fully armed and armored and on the watch for trouble.

Esoka has been enlisted by Reese to aid in the task of restoring the Grayson lands in the Gray Forest to order and beauty.
She'll pitch in on the manual labor, and patrolling/clearing areas of hostiles. She'll also offer her assistance, and the aid of those other Riven prodigals willing, as translators and general envoys to meet with the more cooperative Abandoned tribes in the area. She wants to facilitate information-sharing about the dangers in the forest, what it endured during the march of the Silent Army, and ways to rectify it. Perhaps even gain some assistance from these Abandoned in the effort to restore it.

For once, Aislin's not going to be able to help that much with lore or esoterica. But she /can/ help by providing sweat and labor to help work the land in the Gray Forest, and she will absolutely do so.

Killian isn't sure how much help he can be with the matter of restoring the land, but the one thing he's certain he can be of help in, is finding the places where darkness and evil still linger and taint the land. So he's going to go lend his unique ability to find trouble to the group, and his sword to deal with whatever trouble they find of course. Under no circumstances is he attempting to plant anything or nurture anything, because he's certain to have a black thumb and be more harm than good.

Reese asked Olivia to help in her efforts in the forest, and naturally the nature-loving Ashford is quite happy to assist. Her best skills are in matters of herbal lore and alchemy, so I imagine she could be of some help identifying and analyzing the blighted areas, both to try and target the dead areas as precisely as possible while retaining anything that can be saved, and also to learn more about the blight itself close-hand. So maybe a bit of soil analysis, etc. Of course if she knows any natural products or processes that might spurn new growth, she'd also use these once things are cleared and re-soiled (ie maybe using improved fertilizer blends or... something? Player has a total black thumb!)

Reese also asked about her assisting in coordinating some of the farmers in their planting works. She's not an expert at this but will do her best if there's not anyone better or pitch in assisting if there is.
Added: Following certain new information, Olivia contacted Reese (as well as Leola and Cara who I know have other actions on the same crisis) with a warning about their efforts potentially coming under attack. Wary of the fact that she's not readily able to defend herself, she'll make sure she stays close to certain protection (likely Killian ) and doesn't wander off or stray from the group as she might normally be inclined. Caution is the word!

Luca's going to be joining his wife in helping to fix the land if he can, primarily by putting his own blood, sweat, and tears into the effort and trying to help inspire others to do similarly. The things a lazy man will do for love!

Sparte is making an effort to collect plants to present to the king, mostly taken from the Gray Forest. As a side effect of this he is learning about the areas that were damaged and what grew there. He is doing his part to lend a hand clearing the damage and ensuring there is qualify spaces for the plants to regrow while collecting his samples.

Silas will get his hands dirty and do some manual labor, as well as take some new Iron Guard recruits with him for 'physical conditioning'. Additionally he will look into getting some of the farmers of Whitehawk to lend a hand with their skills in forest agriculture. They will use agricultural lime to help lessen the toxicity of the afflicted soil.

Laric isn't very interested in the gardening aspect of Reese's patrols, but will happily assist in controlled burning where deemed appropriate. He's apparently pretty good at starting and containing fires, go figure. Inquisitors are weird.
I.E, overly corrupt areas or places the actual gardeners feel need it.

Samantha is going to tap her network of new Prodigals, requesting that their shamans and healers research and consult the spirits for information on how to reverse the blight. She will also call upon the archivists at Old Oak for any information they might find as well.

Arianna is the Voice of House Stonewood and all of their forces mobilize to support the Princess Reese's efforts to reclaim the outskirts of the Gray Forest. A small unit of infantry, cavalry and pikemen are dispatched to assist in patrols. Keeping travelers and surveyors safe. The craftsmen and other vassals of House Stonewood lend their skills to help build fortifications and the many pyres needed for the controlled burns. The timber her House provides comes from Stonehearth and should be of great use. Arianna herself will be accompanying the small army of Stonewood soldiers, craftsmen, and laborers to the Gray Forest. She stays for a time and oversees the initial efforts of their getting involved before she will leave a capable commander in charge until she returns.

At Reese's request, Zhayla is joining those helping to bring new life to the Grayson forests. She's more than willing to defend the less martial among them in case of trouble, and will be armed for it, but she's mostly hoping that she can just plant a few trees. A lot of trees.

Princess Reese Grayson leads the other major effort to work the Gray Forest and revitalize the land left dead by the Bringers of Silence. Of particular use are the prodigals in her group, such as Esoka or ones with very close ties like Marquessa Samantha, who are able to speak personally with some of the remaining Abandoned mostly left shattered in the Gray Forest and near Old Oak to at worst leave the work parties alone, and a handful see it as time to bend the knee and help out- they've been through enough. Lady Olivia spends time studying the land and seeing what specific plants can be brought in to foster growth and reporting such to Reese, who sees it done. Aislin, Luca, Sparte, Killian and Zhayla help out with with sweat and labor, and making certain the area stays safe as they till the land and haul up fertilizer in one of the least glamorous jobs done in their respective careers. Silas as Lord Commander of the Iron Guard 'requests' iron guardsmen help out, which has its share of grousing but is undeniably effective at helping provide manpower. Laric and the Inquisition help organize control burns to clear the land for recovery, because inquisitors are weird. Lady Arianna has Stonewood house troops on hand to make certain the work parties are kept safe, and to lend raw effort. Between the efforts of Reese's part and Leola's, the effected land in the Gray Forest is expected to make a full recovery.

Sparte has been organizing people to contribute flowers, herbs, tree cuttings, and other natural items to be turned into bouquets, wreathes, and other presentations for the enjoyment of the king. Samples known to grow in the Gray Forest and the surrounding region have been focused upon for sentimental reasons in the wake of the suffering taking place there.

Sparte's primary role is requesting help and finding a place to store the plants and keep them alive until they can be brought to the king. Others are being sought to do the presentation that have a better eye for such things.

Godsworn and faithful, Gisele intends to ensure that Sparte's garden has a safe place and tender nurturing within the Shrine of Petrichor (with the Shrine of Lagoma holding any spillover as it's also set up for cultivation). She donates her own time to assist Petrichor's more knowledgable priests in tending the plants (she can pray over them for their health! She's got that much of a green thumb!) and offering her artist's eye to help craft pleasing arrangements (the far superior option for the bookbound Scholar).

Fortunato gathers wild plants in the course of other investigations he's assisting Sparte with, great fun, plucking for aesthetic reasons, cataloging what you plucked, and helping as you can with curation and arrangement.

His majesty greatly appreciates the flowers. One of the first things he asked when he returned to his Gold Suite was asking, "So... who sent these?"

Duchess General Calypso Malvici is leading half of the Malvici Military and hald of the Velenosa Military Northwards to help Duke Vercyn stave off any Abyssal tainted Shavs in the Northlands. They will also hold the area secure in hope of keeping the Horned God's influence from spreading. She intends to travel north with the rest of the committed Lycene troops to help coordinate with the Redrain forces there.

She will also be working to coordinate with Princess Freja's efforts to search for weapons and locate the weapon which is thought to be hidden inside the Palace of Arx.


Calypso will be taking the following team with her in to the Palace to search for the weapon rumored to be there. She has expressed permission from His Majesty King Alaric, with the stipulation that any weapons uncovered become the property of the King's Own. Agreeing to that, the team is formed - Sir Miles of the King's Own, Princess-General Alis Valardin, Princess Reese Grayson and Master Costas.

As is her role as a Brigadier General, Eirene will be taking command of the Malvici battle-medic Phoenix Brigade but will also be coordinating with the other medical forces of the Lycene houses to ensure there is ample medical attention and protection for the healers working in triage outside of the lines.

She will also use her knowledge of occult lore and superstition to be on the lookout for any magical maladies or unusual attacks which may be used against their forces.

Working on the 'wolf of Skald' being a counter to the Horned King's magic, she will keep a small supply (from Eleyna- not poisoned) to test on any out of the ordinary wounds or afflications she may encounter.
She also prepares for frostbite and trenchfoot and other cold-weather maladies.

A man known for being adept with Logistics, Edward will bring his expert skill at quartermastering and logistics to the entirety of Calypso's forces. Working with the Captains and Sergeants he will make sure that each command has the necessary equipment and supplies needed to do their job but also have a proper amount of extra resources allocated to cover unfortunate happenstances. He will work with the supply teams to ensure proper packing of foods and materials that an army on the move will need and ensure that it is packed efficiently and in as few trains as possible to keep a short and tight supply line to limit its vulnerability.

In addition, he brings with him a portion of his own Whitefrost forces who are adept at defensive combat due to the military conditions in the Isles that breed that kind of warrior. He will use his forces as the Duchess General directs with the recommendation she deploy them in a defensive capacity.

To be appended.
Merek will travel with the forces that are heading to the North with Fidante (should any of them be assisting in this, if not then generically he will be under Calypso's Command). He will take a token force of the Iron Guard if permitted to assist them, with permission from Velenosa and Redrain should it be allowed. He also has his three personal guards and champion assigned to his protection, and his secretary for logistic matters. His action is a bit different from the others. While he will be willing to fight and will travel north, and has skill and his special blade in case any Abyssal threats are met that require such weapons, his main focus will be on the monetary and logistics only in a different manner, instead as a Merchant he will be working on forging the best of weapons and armor he can, which admittedly isn't too much, and he will be helping with field repairs as well. In addition to that he will be assisting in funding the expedition so that the army lacks for less as they travel. This likely means he will be assisting 'Edward' in addition to any Fidante forces, to help boost the man's work in logistics. (In other words, non-combatant unless he's required to fight in full. Mostly Command/Logistics/Smithing to some extent)

Special note: His personal Guard is loyal and willing to lay down their lives to ensure his safety, and I accept that if this happens to them it will be a loss of the Agents/Retainers that do such an act.


[He will be bringing 80 Iron Guardsmen to assist the soldiers. A token force at most, but more folk it is nonetheless.]

Since Inigo is marching out, he will be with the Fidante folk, who are under Calypso, and then the Guards he brought will be under him, with oversight of the chain of command upwards but answering to him.

Estaban will be gathering his troops in the next few days running them through drills and since most are from the south teaching them about the cold counditions of the North as he has been there first had and almost froze. Once they are ready he will let Calypso know and they will being prepping to march out at her side.
Estaban will be marching with the House Saik army, I can not add them to the Crisis at the moment because I am Admiral of the Malvici fleet at and can not also command the saik Army at the the same time code wise. I spoke with Apostate and he told me to note it in the crisis.

Alis is going to help Calypso with searching the Palace for a shiny.

Count Artorius Magnotta sends warriors to aid and serve in Duchess Calypso's army in the effort to help the fight against Legion, as well as personally joining the fray himself to fight in the impending conflict.

As the commander of the Army of Tor, Duke Inigo Fidante will be leading half of the strength of the Fidante army north to assist in the military exercise. Inigo has been under the tutelage of the Duchess General in leadership and warfare but is still very green when it comes to engagements. This being the case, the Duke will be issuing commands to his army but under the instruction and guidance of Duchess Malvici. If needed, i.e. if things get messy and he needs to take a more hands on approach, the Duke is outfitted with his armor and diamond plate sword 'Recompense'.

Sparte will be marching out with the Iron Guard contingent, to assist in what ways he can. As a line and file guardsman that may not be much, but he'll still be there. His main contribution will likely be chiding the other guardsmen on packing appropriately for cold weather, and making poor quality maps of things they see along the way.

Anze begins the preparations to support Vercyn with the Malvici troops by making sure that the Malvici forces are well prepared for the journey north. Having grown up in Farhaven and serving under Vercyn, he makes sure to meet with the Malvici forces commanders and Lieutenants to go over the basics of the terrain, their path up, and what the weather might be like. Knowing that the Malvici forces are from the furthest southernmost tip of Arvum, he makes sure that they will bring cloaks and other supplies to keep them warm in the for northern spring.

Any Lycene forces showing an interest in learning what Anze knows also get his support, going over the basics of maps, terrain, and weather so that they know what to expect.

Anze will spend his time helping Calypso command the Malvici forces, and being ready to step in in case she has to move to another location or work with other groups. Having worked with Vercyn and knowing the northern forces well, he would work to make sure that the Malvici and northern forces mesh well and can work together in the most efficient way.

In addition to half of the Velenosa forces being lent to the cause of fighting Legion, Talen has committed half of the Mirrorguard forces as well. He'll personally lead these as a strike force available to the plans and whims of Duchess CAlypso Malvici who has been given the temporary control of southern forces pledged to Darren under her command by Eleyna Velenosa. Talen's agents are primarily focusing on geurilla-style warfare, laying traps and ambushes to known points where the Northlands shavs attack. This will be in addition to any forces provided by Baron Audric De Lire who is sending his Valorous Few, if any, as they are known to have similar styles of assault and a 'get the job done under any means necessary' attitudes.
Talen is using Eleyna's wolf-blood poison (detailed in her action) against the corrupted Shav'Arvani in battle and other creatures under the Horned God's control to demonstrate whether the theory is correct.

Miles will babysit these Malvici (all except Eirene who needs no babysitter) as they bumble about the Palace. To keep them in line he will tactically and strategically grump at them. Miles is working with them to explore the palace, keeping an eye out for potential security breaches and if a weapon is found, securing it for the Crown per His Majesty's orders.

Costas will be present in his role as Calypso's bodyguard as she hunts in the Palace.

Duchess Calista Fidante is assisting House Fidante's actions to better prepare the military for battle in the North.
Duchess Calista Fidante is assisting House Fidante's actions to better prepare the military for battle in the North. House Fidante is sending in half their military forces under the command of Duke Inigo Fidante with Sword of Tor Dante Fidante on the helm. For her part, the Duchesses of Roses will be aiding in diplomatic efforts.

Mirari will be using her knowledge of alchemy and apothecarism. She'll be selecting skilled warriors that she knows won't object-- and she'll be poisoning their blades. Things that will debilitate and make it easier for the warriors to win, but not be particularly torturous or awful.

Being neither a commander nor a scholar of the occult, Eleyna's actions are those of support from Arx rather than traipsing into the field with the others. As a show of her faith in the alliance between Redrain and Velenosa, bonds forged in shared grief and, now, in deep friendship between Eleyna and Darren, she pledges half of the Velenosa army to go North and assist. As a show of trust, she offers Duchess General Calypso Malvici command of those forces in the North as Talen will be focusing on the Mirrorguard, who are better suited toward guerilla-style combat than military maneuvers.

As a small side action, after a discussion with Lady Eirene Malvici, Eleyna retreats into her lab and, using what she learned in the last war regarding spiders and their use against Bringers, mixes up a concoction of wolf's blood (ethically sourced, of course!) sinces wolves were thought to be a 'Skald' thing and nettle poison, known for causing painful blistery rashes. She instructs Talen to put it on his sword at some opportune time. Just as a test.
((Could not add the army due to org permissions, but they will be there!))

As part of the Malvici Military, Fiora accompanies in helping Duke Vercyn by providing archery support and heeding the orders of her cousin, Duchess General Calypso. And for kicks, maybe she'll see about protecting her family members from getting hurt or instead goad her twin brother into fight alongside her like old times. The things people do for family, liege, and fealty.

Lord Dante Fidante, Voice of Fidante and Sword of Tor will be headed North to help in assisting Duke Inigo with the Fidante forces, along with this, as half of the Mirrorguard have been committed to the attack, Dante will be assisting Prince Talen and the Mirrorguard as well. He will mostly be there on a combative basis, and not so much as being in command. Despite this, if Inigo were to need assistance leading the Fidante forces, he is there in his position as both voice and Sword.

Dafne entrusts half of the Rubino-Zaffria troops to Calypso's command for this action. She takes time to give them a stirring speech beforehand. And warm clothing.

Back in the Gray Forest, even more fortifications are being built and strengthened. Baron Edward Stormbreak brings his particular expertise in logistics and quartermastering to aid and advise the forces led by Duchess General Calypso Malvici. Merek Black also comes, helping with the setup of their home away from home and helping make sure that the logistics and supply chain is as secure as possible. Brigadier General Eirene Malvici coordinates a triage center as well, using supplies graciously donated by Princess Eleyna Velenosa. Duchess Dafne Zaffria assists by sending troops, and Mirari Corsetina seems to have developed an unholy interest in polishing blades (that is not a euphemism, folks). Those soldiers willing to let her look at their swords tend to be very careful with handling them afterwards. All in all though, these defenses are a success, and the soldiers operating in the Gray Forest are safer as a result. Estaban, Artorius, Inigo, Sparte, Anze, Talen, Fiora, Dante, Calista, and Calypso are handling some guerilla action as well, drawing the shavs loyal to the Horned God deeper and deeper into a trap.