Medeia has a few theories about the origin of the masses of refugees appearing with little memory, especially those claiming to be from places that don't seem to exist. One theory hits close to home: They were all taken by the Eater of Stories, and they have somehow been returned. If this is true, it would mean that the breaking of all shackles in the wake of the death of Orichalcum resulted in the release of those shackled away from memory. How to prove it?

Medeia's older brother, Estaban, had claimed to have a twin - Emilio - that no one else can remember. According to Estaban, Emilio had been pursuing the Eater (maybe as part of his work as a member of the Inquisition) and got too close. If Emilio can be found among the refugees, it would prove this particular theory. And, if he can be found, it would restore a member of the Saik family to his rightful place.

It won't be easy, but Medeia ensures that everyone who is helping this search is equipped with a detailed sketch of Estaban (And the rest of the siblings - maybe they weren't identical! Medeia and Neilda aren't, after all.) to compare to. While she helps the Physicians tend refugees, she pays extra close attention to men with Lycene accents who would be about 30 years of age. And she engages every part of her whisper network to have eyes in places she cannot be. If Emilio is out there, someone will know something, and she intends to keeps asking questions until he's found.

Emelio was a topic that Estaban spoke of to Lucita on many occasions, what he looked like, how he missed his twin, how none of the other siblings and parents, friends, servants, other Inquisition members remembered him. Journals, family records, old school notes, all were missing references to Emilio yet Estaban remembered him so clearly. Perhaps some information has reappeared so those records are being reviewed again.

People change over the years but some things remain the same. Mannerisms, habits, expressions, a physical build, coloration are often the same with twins, and that is what Lucita will be looking for. She can eliminate a lot of the refugees due to sex, complexion hue, height and such details not matching what Estaban said. She does not know if his age 'froze' at the time he disappeared or if his experiences 'aged' him so will be observing expressions, movements, mannerisms in an effort to narrow down and identify Emilio if she can as she looks through the many crowds of refugees.

Quenia lends her own resources and asks her own information network to start combing through the refugees to see if they can find the missing Lord Emilio Saik. She makes sure they are given miniature paintings of Estaban, in case they were identical and just so they are aware of the familial traits if they are not. She also personally goes along with any member of their more immediate party to ensure no one is asking around alone, making use of the buddy system in case trouble arises. People without memories might be a bit more upset than they imagine.

Duarte lends support through his own information channels, sending some friends of his to scour around. His friends don't seem like the proper sort. They certainly aren't nobles or noble house staff. They're the sort that can get into different nooks and crannies entirely, especially ones someone who doesn't want to be found might be hiding in.

Denica will take what information she hears about Emilio and try to improve the pictures they have of him. Listening to anyone who might describe him, using what she thinks, but also just trying to immerse herself in the knowledge of the man to paint him. Denica will continue to paint portraits of Emilio, not only to share with others, but she hopes that through painting his image, she might connect with him and get a sense of where he might be.

Faye has been around the House of Questions since she was a child, and she still has a few odds-and-ends records of her father's, from when he was Master of Questions. While she has no memory of a man named Emilio, perhaps his name can be found somewhere in the old records, along with an account of what happened to him.

As Medeia informs him that her brother Emilio was a member of the Inquisition, and many of their number were devoured by the Eater of Stories, Alistair gives Medeia access to Inquisition records and old rosters. Perhaps an old report or paper mentions her brother and helps her identify the man in the throngs of thousands that now flood the city.

House Velenosa has a vast array of various resources at their disposal and is not afraid to use them! Jaenelle reaches out to every city and assigns a team to make sure informatio flows freely between the Lyceum to make certain that if something is needed at one end by a city on the other it is easily accessed through well trained planners and logistics department. This includes missing people, as one of the first things the team is responsible for is matching refugees with whatever cities they remember in hopes that their family is there and remembers. Emilio's description, his history, and any other information that is found in the process are sent through the proper channels in hopes that if he is somewhere, he is found.

Emilio is not to be found among the refugees. Emilio will never be found at all. And unfortunately, Medeia is able to discover why.

As they work with the refugees, and now have magic to take a closer look at Azazel's magic, they come to a horrifying realization as they look at some of the most traumatic suppressed memories of the refugees. Azazel's first writ, the one placed on him long ago, empowered him to enforce the Despite as the only time he could take mortal lives- ostensibly as a last ditch effort to prevent another Reckoning and awakening Baalphrigor. Overtime, the Despite of Fable twisted, and became the suppression of quite nearly anything magical at all- and when someone strayed over that, Azazel killed them. He consumed them, and devoured the knowledge that they had ever been. He ate them, and he ate all traces of them.

The missing, the forgotten, they're all dead. Azazel killed them personally.

And they are left with that, as they deal with refugees talking about whole cities no one remembers. Thousands. Tens of thousands. Hundreds of thousands.

Azazel intends genocide, and he is coming with an army to do so.

A promise was made to the Shadowspeaker Clan to free them from their life of servitude and sever their connection to the hive that controlled them. A promise made by Eleyna and reaffirmed by Jaenelle. Some were freed (Action 3696), while others clung to their writ as if a life saver and refused to accept the aid, Those that were freed settled in Lenosia while a few went to Iasu. With writs broken and no longer able to be created, those that were too far gone to accept the assistance will most likelt require it now. With the assistance of the Shadowspeakers that have made lives for themselves within the Lyceum, it is Jaenelle's hope that those lost without memories that arrive to the cities within the Lyceum could be identified as members of the Shadowspeaker Clan and reunited with those who were lost to them when their path's split.

Jaenelle is an experienced Soul Healer, and now with her new found availability to magic she is able to control her abilities a bit more. She hopes that she is able to assist those without memory by looking in their souls. She has the ability whie soul healing to view the memories of others, and she hopes that while looking she is able to draw memories out and reestablish their connection to the person who lived them. Memories of family, of hope and love, of a time when they were free to think on their own. She also hopes that while looking at memories she can piece together the things that are unknown like the maps and where they had been.

Jan will use her knowledge of managing large groups of people in often less than ideal circumstances. She will create bundles of items the refugees will need. A few changes of clothes, a pair of boots, a belt, a military-rucksack meant to carry everything a soldier may need but in this case instead of armor and weapons it's a waterskin, a few days dry rations, a wool blanket and bedroll, parchment and pencil, and a tinderbox with flint. All of this is neatly packaged and arranged so as refugees are sorted and sent on their way they have the bare necessities for their journey where ever it takes them.

Medeia includes Jaenelle's intentions in her considerations as she works with the people of Saikland to handle any refugees coming into the villages of the barony. As they are screened ase settled or transported to other holdings that may be better able to support them (or be where they belong), she makes sure that anyone who is either a now-writ-free Shadowspeaker or who might be affiliated in some way is connected with those who are coordinating Jaenelle's efforts.

Quenia will use her considerable charm and skill with persuasion to speak to the refugees and get them sorted into proper homes. Any that could be identified as Shadowspeakers, either through word of mouth or marks will be directed to Jaenelle for additional services and/or healing as needed before they are reunited with the settled Shadowspeaker Clan/Tribe living on Lenosia lands.

Thea will help aide those refugees with as much guidance as she can. She will listen and take notes, checking to see which famil and or home they come from. Try to reconnect them. If there is no home to go to, she will see how that can be fixed as well.

An undertaking of this magnitude requires someone experienced with logistics and record keeping. Arman hopes to use his skills to ensure the Archduchess is able to work her abilities in a timely manner, managing the influx of refugees, and reconnecting those to their proper kin. In addition, those who cannot be directly linked he hopes to channel to an area of the Lyceum where an influx of residences would both be welcome and benefical.

When the archduchess calls you answer. At least Theo does. Theo will meet and greet the refugees and see what kind of needs to be met. Making a tally of sorts to make sure it happens. Encouraging them that the archduchess only wants to help and seeks after their well being.

During time spent talking with Jaenelle, she explained what a toll emotionally that looking into the souls and memories of others takes. To support her in the effort, Lucita is looking through her music collection and writing songs that are the equivalent of 'comfort food'. They are to lighten the spirit, comfort, remind of familiar pleasant times and amuse so that the burden Jaenelle has becomes more bearable and strengthens her. She attempts to use spellsong when possible and if that does not seem to be working, she uses plain-song.

Berenice is not really built for the /field/, but needs must. She'll mostly try to aim her focus at the Shadowspeakers /leadership/, speaking /persuasively/ and /diplomatically/ (hopefully) about the value of being among the vassals of the great House Velenosa.

Pasquale brings a number of Malespero volunteers and medics along to help find and tend to the newly freed Shadowspeakers (and those refugees who get mixed up with them.) He ensures that Jan's aid packs are well funded and that she has all the help she might needs creating and distributing them. Finally, should any of the refugees wish it he will see to their passage to Nilanza.

Duchess Calista Fidante is well known for her abilities to assuage the masses. In times of troubles such as these, she has been able to offer assistance in bringing comfort to those who desperately need it. When the refugees show up in Tor, Calista forms a special team of highly skilled and trained healers, apothecaries, trained guards, servants and general good doers to tend to the refugees, and offer them comforts while they are brought up to date on all current events. In addition to this team, Calista works closely with other leaders to help fill these gaps and try to get to the bottom of what is happening.

Vitalis has been party to the finding and fighting and restoring of the Shadowspeakers, from a gut full of rusty steel in the burrows under the Lodge of Petrichor where cultists fought and fled leaving traces that lead to the Lyceum, to forays to defang recalcitrant clans, or reaffirm support to those who broke away and pledged themselves free of abyssal influence. He joins Jaenelle (because, like Theo, when the Archduchess calls...) to find and shepherd the group's efforts.

He joins Arman in being the pointy end of the Prince's logistical planning -- the man on the ground implementing those plans. Expedition leader while the group is in transit from place to place. The group's physical well-being as they travel is his primary concern.

(and he gives a load of really comfy wool socks with cheese wheels embroidered on them to Jan for her bundles)

Diplomacy mission? Who better than the Archduke Noah Velenosa himself? He is sure to create some sort of stir. If Jaenelle's going (and he hears about it), so then is Noah. While the others are there talking about the values of Velenosa and joining together (maybe holding hands and singing). Noah has one goal. That goal is that Jae goes in. Jae comes out. So he is armed with all his pointy little blades of 'diplomacy'. If needed, he is more than willing to use each and every one of them. Mostly, he's just there to be stoic and observe, offer a few 'hmms', and keep his blades at ready.

They love Jaenelle. They really do. Everyone helps a great deal, and their efforts to help the refugees will see many settle to become productive members of Lenosia and dependable subjects of House Velenosa. But it's the Archduchess that the Shadowspeakers really look to, putting aside much of their long lingering traumas and ties to darkness at the comfort she offers. They are soothed, and many will be proud to call Lenosia home.

But as many regain their memories, all too many are concerned for Lenosia's future, and whether it and the Lyceum can withstand what is coming.

At the war council held by High Lady Liara Grayson, the problem of the thorn barrier was brought up. As a surprise to no one, Archduke Patrizio Pravus suggested fire. With both Arvani Fire and the thornweave poisons being alchemical works, an idea popped into Medeia's head in the moment, and she suggested that she and other trusted alchemists should work together to create a poison-fire hybrid that would be formulated specifically to burn away the thorns. The Voices of the realm who were present supported this plan.

In the time since that meeting, Medeia has been hard at work getting everything organized for undertaking the experimentation that will be needed. An expedition of brave souls was sent to the barony of Gilthern in the Crownlands to collect samples of the thorn vines. No one died! Approximately 35 feet of vine was recovered - in seven five-foot lengths. Additional conversations have been had regarding gaining access to supplies of both Thraxian Fire and Arvani Fire - in case one is more suited to the hybridization than the other, and determining the best way to deliver the resulting concoction. Further, she has reached out to some of the best and brightest alchemical minds in the city to assist with the work.

When the time comes and supplies are at hand, Medeia offers Seawatch Sanctuary as a workspace and staging ground. She has cleared the estate of anything and anyone valuable - if anything goes wrong with the Arvani Fire, she has prepared to lose the building. Of course, she hopes it does not come to that. Before she begins, she lifts prayers to several of the gods: Petrichor to help them destroy the tainted thornweave, Lagoma to support the cleansing power of fire, Skald for the freedom of choice that defeating the Traitor will secure... She encourages others to join her and lift their own prayers to the gods, as well.

Then? It is time to work. Within the limited time and resources available, every possible combination of thornweave poison and Thraxian or Arvani Fire is tested. It is hard enough to make the thornweave poison. She pours the whole of her concentration into achieving this, single-mindedly concentrating on success and pouring all of her energy into the final outcome.

Chemicals and items to produce the earlier version, Goop, that was helpful in killing smaller thorny vines was expensive. Saik has offered 3000 economic resources, 1000 military and 200,000 silver should it be needed to help this effort be successful. (ooc it is in Lucita's inventory)

On a personal level, as a singer, she plans to wait till samples of thorny vines are available, seedlings, clippings or seeds, then assist the Alchemist effort by spell-singing to help stimulate vine growth to both harvest the sap and later to have samples to test effects.

Patrizio Pravus, indeed, was the one who suggested the use of fire against the thorns - it is effective as a deterrent against the abyssal trees that besiege the southern city of Pieros in the Saffron, along with the earthworks erected to the south of the city. Given his suggestion to build a palisade about the thorn field and ignite the plants beyond, he's present to consider how best to apply the result and to ensure that it does not backfire to harm the forces of the Compact.

In order to help the alchemists, many of whom are part of her very own Auxiliary branch of the Physicians, Giada makes sure that all non-thorn supplies are ample and immediately at hand. She also shares a couple of momentos with Medeia, handing over a piece of withered vine and a hardened nub of sap that she had collected from the Whisper House vines. This is to allow the alchemists to find similarities (if they exist) that might help inform the process.

Mirari is well versed in alchemy, specifically poisons, so she will bring these skills to the table. Here to assist in the creation of a substance combine poisons and fire, she will help with the development and testing of the concoction working together with the other alchemists. Mirari will contribute her staff at Of Works Obscura to help as well, as she does have a few alchemists under her employ as well.

Fatima has put herself in charge of obtaining the Thraxian Fire, since she is after all a Thrax. She has obtained permission from Alarissa to take as much Thrax Fire as needed, and House Thrax will provide however many resources are necessary for this. Siege weapons are also available for the delivery method, should the experiments prove successful. If the experiment is successful, she'll ensure that enough Thrax Fire is provided for a large operation against the Wall of Thorns. She will use the Isles Canines ships to ferry the stuff wherever it needs to go.

Thea took part in the expedition, so naturally she would want to help contribute to the alchemy part as well. With the knowledge she's gained regarding alchemy, magic, herbalism, and a few other things, she begins getting to work.

Mabelle has had her share of experimenting with alchemy lately and once again she lends her talents to the aide of the city. She leaves her valuables at home, including her pets, wears her armor and set out. A vial of her previously concucted elixir against the minions of the Traitor at hand, she helps out with all the dreadfully dangerous mixing.

Isolde isn't exactly an expert or even a novice when it comes to alchemy or even magical plantlife. She does have some experience in gathering and organising supplies, however. She will offer whatever logistical support is needed and ensure there's always money available.

Galatea's alchemical creations have in fact been used before to destroy magical trees--more or less melting one of them down through the roots, some years previously. This was originally a mixture created for the Iron Guard to separate base metals from noble metals. It had the side benefit of also being entirely lethal to organic matter. Thus, it's the 'poison' side of the equation that she focuses on, more than the fire. In the spirit of cooperation, Galatea shares everything about this past creation, in order to better create a foundation for subtances that would quickly dissolve bark and vine. The presence of sample vines likewise provides an excellent opportunity for any pre-modern scientist's favorite activity: experimentation. There was perhaps a touch of manic excitement about Galatea as she poured one highly poisonous mixture after another on these samples to figure out just what would be most lethal. Perhaps she even managed to avoid inhaling toxic fumes herself. (Safety protocols sometimes fall slightly by the wayside when she gets like this.) She is prepared to spend a truly considerable amount of economic resources to get the job done, if need be.

Jaenelle is assisting in a more leadership role than actually assisting in the creating of the poisons. She makes sure people have what they need when they need it, and brings people together to make sure support is at hand. She has connections, she has the resources, and people tend to do what she says when she wants something done.

Eirene is one of the originators of the Thornweave poison, so it's only sensible she's on board for this. She uses her arcane and alchemical knowledge to try to weave together herbalism, alchemy, and magic because this seems like the occasion for all three.

Lianne's new to this project, but not to these concepts. Mostly, she'll follow others' leads, acknowledging their expertise on this subject matter. When appropriate, she shares her own expertise, familiar with the occult, with Blight, with the way magic works and how unpredictable it can be, how unlike science. Thematic narrative might not usually have a role in alchemy, but it may help here.

It takes a tremendous amount of work and experimentation to create the hybrid substance, as Arvani fire really is not keen to be mixed with quite nearly anything. But eventually, after much effort, they are able to merge it with the solvent, and no plant growth sands much of a chance against it. They launch it at the hedge, and vast swaths are immediately destroyed, to much cheering by the troops gathered there. Only it immediately grows back with extremely disconcerting speed.

But then the scouts inform Medeia of a discovery- that the Hedge is powered by the Horned God's magic tied with the moon, of the dead god he seeks to raise. And the tall towers of Harrow Hall block one particular segment from being touched by moonlight. Medeia goes there.

The Society of Explorers leadership makes it known they are seeking Explorers to assuage the worries of a reasonbly fearful populace regarding Developments of Late. Blood Moons and Mysterious Castles, etc. Explorers, you know, the stuff we see on the regular. If it is not in you to assuage, or give examples wondrous rather than terrifying, describe your triumphs and travails as a living example that it can be endured.

After a conversation with Raymesin about how the Lowers could probably use another guardian, Ian has decided to step up. He's a well known, if reclusive figure, often seen in Raymesin and Raja's company, living on a small ship at the docks. In fact, he's seen as enough of a native to the Lowers at this point that the peerage has started to turn their noses up about the whole thing (Ian has the 'shady' prop mod, just because of the company he keeps.)

Now he starts to come out of his shell, to engage with people. With conversations inevitably turning towards the blood rain, he slowly opens up to these people about some of the absolutely crazy stuff he's seen and done over the years. He tells stories the way he used to in happier times, stories couched as engaging tales to share with drinks, rather than scary stories to tell in the dark. These stories strip all of the mystique out of the mystical, and highlight moments that were funny, or embarrassing, or deserving of a giant facepalm. ("So we're holed up in this wooden house with the walking dead outside, and I shout up to this girl who's gotten out a bow 'Whatever you do, don't light them on fire!' and do you know what happened right while I'm saying this? Yup, out come the flaming fucking arrows. And here's the thing about lighting zombies on fire. You've still got to fight the zombies. But now they're on fire. And did I mention our hideout was made of wood?") He even brings out The Scarf, dubbed Horror Borealis by Vitalis. Nothing brings the supernatural crashing down to earth like an absurdly ugly scarf that smells just awful but somehow takes pride of place in so many adventures.

Ian also, from time to time, lets himself be convinced to go a few rounds with someone in a friendly fight at the ring in the Hollow. While he's not as talented a brawler as he is a fencer, he can still hold his own (brawl 3), and most importantly can display his almost supernatural ability to avoid getting grabbed or struck (Ian has a 20 point dex+dodge knack titled 'Practically Precognition'.) to back up that yes, this is definitely a guy who could pick a fight with a demon if he had to.

But mostly, Ian just establishes himself as a presence here, as someone who has had a long enough experience with monsters and "that fucking occult nonsense" to be able to turn them into something almost mundane. He establishes that he is here, just on the docks where he can easily be sent for. And he establishes that he cares. If the time comes when there is something terrible that needs to be faced here, he'll face it right alongside the people of the Lowers. And it will make for an EPIC story, one that everyone can tell.

Vitalis hosts an event at the Society Charter Hall open to one and all (with the lure of food and drink), opening the Museum and Map Rooms to visitors and inviting Explorers to speak of their adventures.

For his own part, he begins with something out of a fairytale - the Gray Forest Protectors, talking animals who fought alongside Arx's defenders when the Lodge of Petrichor was attacked. He moves on to the mystical herb Sundraw, also called Petrichor's Jewels or Blight's Bane, a rare and powerful cure for terrible poison. And then the story of a voyage beyond the Mourning Sea and of a storm spirit that guided his ship to safety. He tells stories of the Suthryn Wastes and the land beyond, with poison frogs (which he shows) and bright parrots (Peckworthy is an example, but not from that voyage). And in Arx itself, he tells of the sparklemites that light the City's lamps. Of the Clocktower and that strange green snow, they remember it now, don't they, and isn't *that* strange? How a mage called Copper, who created the Clocktower, spent her life and bought grace for the people of Arvum on the day the Clocktower fell. That just recently, the glow over the City during the recent battle was a force of great good will meeting a dark one.

That the world is incredibly large and mysterious and wondrous. That they are all just waking to the mysteries and can likewise chart the course into an uncertain future together! He'll end with a Q&A, doing his best to field the questions asked.

Rosalind definitely knows what lurks in the night. She's fought them. And with that winning smile of hers on that freckled face, she will go around recanting all the tales. The dozens she's witnessed and have been part of. The witnessing of spirits, shapeshifting, the moon. The Ravenseye has the stories. Gather around the first and listen?.

Caspian is nothing if not a story teller! he is known for weaving tales and painting pictures with words of adventures that always seemed impossible. Impossible.. until now. now, with the world awakening to the truth about magic and the wonders that abound, he once more spins his stories. Stories of lost cities, of adventures fighting demons, stories of spirits and dragons. All of his adventures, all of the many things he has seen, laid out for all to hear. He answers questions and shares what information he can with all who ask. Where there is knowledge, there is less room for fear to grow.

Adalyn is a warrior, a champion. Someone who cares deeply for people, understanding how jarring things can be and having experienced some of these things herself she understands. So she will go around with a small group, she will tell people stories of Heroes of Arx and Avrum and how magic helped guide some of them. She will do these small stories in ways only she knows how in small live action story times, she will play the part of both heroes and Villain's to tell the stories, to show people that things will be ok that it is not a bad thing that is happening.

Jan doesn't know much about the occult but she knows plenty about war. She has been studying historical battles and talking with seasoned military leaders of this generation, highlighting the victories the Compact has scored and underscoring humanity has survived such troubles in the past.

Of all the things to be asked to do, Mattheu was not prepared for it to be of stories of how magic is helpful. However, he's heard others tell tales of where it has been, and was upon the Bay of Arx in return to the city when the attack took place where he witnessed the wall of fire rise up to shield the city from advancement. Years working for scraps and set for distraction as a Ravashari Entertainer, he knows how to spin a tale even if his heart is not completely within it. Taking to his violin and playing music along side of telling stories of what others have done, what he's witnessed, seeking to help change the view of not only how magic is playing within the Compact, but also how Prodigals can be helpful, as he leans into his work with the city, with those around him.

The seemingly ever cheerful Ryhalt helps calm fears by telling of stories focusing on humanity's enduring nature, reminding how its their ability adapt, change, and survive that is their gift. He pulls these stories from his own experiences and research.

Lucita already is using songs to assist with calming populace, reassuring and reminding of joy, familiar things. To that effort already in progress, she adds stories about our brave soldiers in current memory, from the Bringer war and Setarco, the Lodge war that these things are known to many, and even if they have forgotten or blocked them out, they succeeded, they survived! She has stories to tell of the things she has seen and done told in a reassuring, positive way. She encourages people subtly and gently to 'put on their big boy pants'.

Eirene has seen a lot of shit. And done a lot. She shares the story of the first demon slain in recorded memory - the Beast of Sanctum. Back in 1005 Orazio, long before he became Dominus, entrusted Eirene and a handful of others with fighting a demon hoardling summoned near Sanctum. She describes the fight in detail but with the overall message of "You can fight them. We know how to make them bleed. We know how to make them die." )She speaks of the rebirth of magic, and how even now there are people tapping their potential, their heritage, their birthright denied. Stories of their ancestors brave deeds forgotten, but there are stories they will tell their children that they are the heroes of. We are those heroes, and we will fight for a future where our children can freely tell those stories without the torn pages of memories or the chains of Destiny. And the Explorers will help shape those stories, and ensure people are around to tell them.

It does help. The Society of Explorers has many, many stories to tell, much of which just has never been safe to reveal until now, and hearing about it does calm the nerves. There almost certainly would have been some panic, and some riots, but the knowledge that some of what has happened has approached a degree of normalcy just helps a great deal. The Society does quite a bit for helping prevent panic in Arx.

There have always been rumors of the founding of the Lyceum, there have always been stories of things that might not make sense or sound completely logical that have been shared through generations or used as warnings to keep Lycenes from leaning too heavily into the stereotypes other Fealties believe. The signs of the unknown and mystical have always been there.

Though the Lyceum is often skeptical of others, they are also very pragmatic when it comes to issues and problems that need to be solved. The people of the Lyceum are reminded that House Velenosa has always protected them throughout the years even if they did not know what they were being protected for. The people are invited to the Princess Jaenelle Velenosa Library within Lenosia to learn and explore the stories further and to educate themselves even better on the currect state of the world. The people are reminded of the Watchtowers, and how they are used as a warning system to prevent surprises. The people are reminded of the caravels that House Velenosa assisted each house in gaining to better prepare for any occasion. The people are reminded that the cities have been reinforced to aide each territory in defending the people who call the cities home. The people are reminded that despite the chaos that appears to have always been there without their knowledge, the Lyceum has flourished and will continue to do so.

Duchess of Roses, Calista Fidante, returns to her beloved city of Tor to ensure the people there that they are safe. She follows the Archduchess' lead in reminding the people of Tor of all the good fortune that has come to the Lyceum as a whole. She is a well educated woman and well informed in this rich history of the Lyceum and the stories of how it came to be. While in Tor, Calista hosts open audience hours at the castle and is a constant presence at the Torean Shrine of the Thirteenth and at the local market. Her purpose is not only to be transparent with her people, but more importantly to show them that she understands their concerns and reinforce their safety.

Medeia takes the stories that Jaenelle especially wants to highlight and begins to share them with Lycenes and guests at the Black Fox and Hundred Cities Inn. Calling upon her storytelling skills, she makes sure to speak just a little too loudly so that each tale draws a crowd, and each detail is conveyed with earnest positivity. Of course the Lyceum shall prevail, of course there have always been protections in place, of course those protections will continue to be improved upon. Now is not the time for fear, she tells them, but rather it is the time for opportunity! She speaks with warmth and certainty, steadfast in her backing of Velenosa.

Lucita's strength is in songs, and she uses them skillfully. From her song, 'Garden of War', citing the Lycene and Velenosa skillful preparations in the war of 1008, to mentions in her songs 'The Black Fox', Keeping Watch, and others, her music recognizes and celebrates the strengths and history of her fealty. She sings these in various taverns and in small groups of friends. Copies of some of these songs are in the Vellichor archives and in personal collections such as that of Seraph Ailith, Princess Alarissa. This serves to help unify, reassure and raise a sense of hope.

Theo will linger in Jaenelle's library for any that may have questions in what they read and answers that he can give freely of course. Anything to appease the public that all is well and they have nothing to fear. If he is not able to satisfy their curiosity he will point them to others that may give them better answers than he does.

Berenice is DELIGHTED to remind the public just how much House Velenosa has accomplished in the past many years in terms of bolstering the Lyceum, increasing its prosperity, and helping their vassals to secure their lands. These may be scary days, but set aside the fear and look at the pragmatic practicalities: the Lyceum's leadership has made it a stronger place. No true gods would object to the generosity and care shown to the Lyceum by House Velenosa.

As a leader within the Mirrorguard and also the leader of House Igniseri, Marquessa Quenia Igniseri reminds the people that the Lyceum has always worked to help keep the people of their Fealty safe, both through research and actual measures and plans put together to tackle any issues, supernatural or otherwise, that might need to be addressed. Within the Mirrorguard, this was accomplished first by the leadership of Prince Talen Velenosa, then Count Giulio Corvini, and finally Archducess Jaenelle Velenosa, making certain all threats were neutralized. She also reminds the people of the various upgrades made to the Lyceum and how the Archduchess has taken great strides and lengths to ensure that their fealty was as protected as ever through her various improvement advancements; making the Lyceum stronger together, the watchtowers, the caravels, and the new and improved walls most domains saw recently. She reminds them that together they can stay strong as a people and overcome any obstacle put to them.

Lianne very much agrees with the approach of educating the population. How better to address the incomprehensible than by making it easier to understand. She's glad to field questions, both about her area of Abyssal expertise and broader occult topics, and put the answers into clear, easy to digest, bite-sized pieces.

The Inquisition is not suppose to operate in the various House lands, although what about trained agents wearing the appropriate colors and with the appropriate permission? Alistair and a team of Confessors and Inquisitors (wear Velenosa colors) go on a mission to assist the Lyceum guards, investigators, and Mirrorguard on developing their skills (and not just the leg breaking kind) so that they can better serve the populace. And keep an eye out for esoteric threats. Of course he is sure the people he helps train will go at things with the appropriate Lyceum flair, but that is to be expected. As long as the people are safe and other threats to House Velenosa are kept at bay.

Giada is the Archlector of the Thirteenth, the head Mirrormask, and a Lenosian to boot. There's no way she's not helping Velenosa out. While she herself remains in Arx to administer the entirety of the Discipleship, she -does- write personal letters. Or dictates them. She dictates a lot of letters. She dictates letters to each city state, sending them with trusted Mirrormasks handpicked for their oratorical skills to be read from village to village, great city to great city, in shrines and town squares and pubs.

In these letters, she speaks to the Lyceum, reminding them of their Faith and how their own home was founded upon purposeful Balance and blessed by the Gods of the Pantheon as a result. She appeals to The Hundred Cities, urging them to cleave hard to what they know to be true: they are supported by both Gods and Liege. She promises to continue to serve the Faithful as Tehom's Voice, she promises to protect them to her last breath. She promises that magic is not the provenance of the Abyss, but that Elysian magic exists, too. The Gods are not powerless. Giada's hope is to soothe the Lycene people's fears through both theological reassurance and the tailored nature of each letter by reminding them that they are not alone and helpless.

It's rather scary out there, isn't it? Despite the heavy weight of anxiety spreading throughout the city of Arx and beyond, Ophelia is that little ray of sunshine in the expanding darkness. She holds fast to the truth and spreads the good word about her beloved Archduchess, her House, and its long history of being steadfast. House Velenosa has always been a bright beacon of hope and safety in the Lyceum, and Ophelia speaks passionately of its strength during trying times in an attempt to reassure the public that it will protect them forever and always.

Jasper is a newly-minted Prince by marriage so doesn't have much in the way of 'getting to talk with the folk'. But he does have an idea, and this idea is to mobilize himself and a small number of volunteer servants to hear the mayors of each smaller settlement paying homage to Velenosa, getting written accounts of anything that they want to request from the Archduchess, such as better roads, or a new town hall, or anything of the sort, and in exchange, he will request that they assist in keeping things calm and manageable. He knows it can be a tall ask in these trying times, but it is only by working together that they can achieve the best result, and Velenosa has never failed them, after all.

Lord Macario Malespero joins his fiancee, Duchess Calista, on a tour of Tor. He's most often seen by her side, as Calista takes the lead on this trip. He nods and smiles and greets and makes a sorrowful face when someone is having a bad time and gives a proper high-five to cheer on people's success. Sure, if anyone asks him about the law, he'll contribute wonderfully to the conversation. The Lyceum has hand incredible fortune, a place where we're respected and have a pride for our history. When it comes to the faith, he's active at the Torean Shrine of the Thirteenth, showing his support and devotion. Here, he'll attend on his own and with Calista, and show his devotion.

The leaders of the Lyceum, and the Grand Duchess in particular, have a great deal of sway with the population of the Hundred Cities. They are scared (well, terrified really), but willing to take the leadership at its word that they have matters in hand, with just a touch of Lycene skepticism and cynacism. But panic is kept to a minimum, there's no widespread riots, and many of the more wild eyed performing human sacrifices are quietly tracked down and killed while tactfully excluding such things that would cause potential panics. In short, while there's no guarantee that they can keep a handle on it in the face of major crises, the population is willing to be patient for now.

After House Malvici crushed the Shav'Arvani House Nonperdo they were left with two weaker Shav'Arvani enemies as well as the issue of the city of Asti to resolve. (Action 4386)

Pledging to finish the war off, after taking the time to prepare the Malvici armed forces, the family and allies, the Malvici move forward once more. Martino will be sending in the Malvici Army and Navy with the intention of crushing both of the remaining Shav Houses and to capture their holdings. Further incorprating their holdings into the Malvici domain. With the family taking command of their respective armies, each will be responsible for delivering a successful result at any cost. Once more giving the Shav'Arvani no mercy in their attack on Malvici, the Compact and Duchess Calypso.

---

In Southport itself, Martino will be recruiting and endorsing the war publicly. Providing rallying speeches and using his charm (and public speaking skills) to ensure Southport delivers. That the soldiers fight with glory, for the Compact and for Calypso once more.

He will also be visiting the city of Asti to pledge that those who bend the knee, swearing fealty to House Malvici will be allowed to remain. Remaining as Citizens of the Compact and adhering to all values and laws that the Compact holds dears. Those who opt to not will be granted twenty-four hours to leave of which after they will be seen as Enemies of the Compact once more.

Desma is intended to command the Magnotta contingent in her capacity as Minister of War. She'll do her best to prove to everyone that not only are Magnotta a worthy military house but that she can contribute well to leading them in battle.
% With this in mind, Desma is going to be using everything that she has learned over the years, from her years in the Malvici army and navy, to her later training under her cousins Domonico and Thea in the art of war. She knows that the Magnotta fleet and army does not have the numbers of Malvici but she can hopefully have them operate alongside in a trusted supporting role. After all, most of Magnotta comes from Malvici anyway.

By Sea and Sky, Duchess Calypso will be avenged!

As is only proper, House Saik, vassal of Malvici, is supportive of Malvici in this effort. Lucita focuses on appling non-military skills in this effort. Charm is the primary factor that can, with social interactions, assist with detecting/investigating if enemies attempt manipulation and discern if they are truly ready to rejoin the compact, bend the knee. She uses honesty to lay out facts and tries to persuade people to accept Martinos words.

Enyo has been asked to help out with things facing the family, and as always, she's more than willing to assist. This time around she's going to be using her more subtle skills, by heading to the city to make sure that there's not anyone that is hiding in the shadows that can damage what the family is working towards.

Anyone that seems reluctant to bend the knee, she attempts to convince. But that isn't her ultimate goal, those who are actively working against the interest of the Malvici family are sought out, through hook or crook, and "convinced" to come to the senses, if they are not willing to see the error of their ways, then Enyo is going to deal with them in a less friendly manner.

Eirene will not let anyone soon forget she is a Malvici, and that the city of Southport is a military power not to fuck with on the open seas. Leading the naval forces, marines, and her combat medics, Eirene takes personal command of the galleon "Queen of Swords".

She reminds her soldiers she is Malvici by both water of womb and blood of battle, and their oath to defend their home, fealty, and Compact is one of the strongest bonds a soldier can give. And there is NO greater tradition than House Malvici bringing war for the defense of the Compact and destruction of enemy forces.

Eireneand the Malvici fleet will track down the ships of any who do not bend the knee to the Compact and House Malvici and send them to the bottom of the sea. As she's said before, "kill them all and let the Marin'alfar sort them out." This is a mission of conquest, but any sailors who beg mercy will be granted it. Their captains and commanders however will meet with a swift end for taking the life of Duchess Calypso. They will feel her wrath and grief for her niece's death.

This will be Akamos's first campaign as both First Knight and Trident of Caer Morien and he knows he has a lot to prove. He's no great leader of men nor strategist but he can fight and do that extremely well.

He'll be putting himself with the troops that are aiming to see combat, either in boarding actions or on land and fighting at the front, doing what he does best and inspiring the soldiers through his skill at arms and battle prowess.

Titania being a ally of house Magnotta as agreed to help house Malvici. Aiding them with her diplomatic skills, she is going to go in hopes she can bring more people into the fold of the compact and that fighting can be avoided.

Remarkably, it goes smooth. Certainly one could expect some riots and violence, having to put down forces that wished to resist, but it just doesn't happen. Asti and all its inhabitants bend the knee, and there's no bloodshed at all.

With Despite's fall and forgetfulness being lifted from the Compact, Martino is taking the opportunity to research into how the Malvici armies protected Arx during the Reckoning. How they held their own, what tools, formations, potential magics or artifacts they had in their possession to do such a thing. Was it shields made of certain material? Magics to aid their combat prowess or unyielding nature?

Whatever it was, now is the time to find out and to begin drilling the Malvici army in this knowledge.

Alexio may not be much on troops and war. But knowledge and teaching he can do. Alexio will do his best to provide surprisingly useful briefings on different types of magics, risks, and known ways of addressing.

Knowledge is always useful. Lucita delves into Saik History as it relates to the time Platinum left Arx and his Platinum Guard relocated to Saiklang Greens and the years afterward. Using her charm and her stewardship knowledge of who to contact and how to organize efforts, she sets up searches for anything that might help fill in gaps in history and information, locations of any possible weapons, tools, artifacts using family, Scholars and verbal history from some of the older commoner families. As far as magic, she is a spellsinger and can, when Eirene tells her it is time, the troops are ready, reminds them of the usefulness of magic in the more recent wars.

Eirene used her own occult knowledge to instruct the Malvici troops (once a Malvici always a Malvici) in the demon and Legion fighting techniques she's learned over the past 15 years. Anything Martino discovers she passes on.

While Eirene has the troops in order, Thea will use this to do some more research. With her notes and the growing of Sundraw, she already has a starting point of her own, but it never hurts to expand one’s knowledge.Not to mention, the always Malvici in blood and spirit has seen, experienced, and experimented a few things on her own over the years. Whatever information she DOES acquire, Thea will make sure it’s swiftly brought to Martino.

If the order of the day is training troops, Drake will also assist in this. He's also built up a lot of specialized knowledge over the years in fighting different types of foes - not always human, necessarily. He can start by focusing on weapon techniques and where best to strike at the heart and weak points of things that need to be fought. He'll also be sure the troops have courage - it will take teamwork and bravery to join this fight.

Sometimes getting the answers is not really helpful when it's only a surface answer. The soldiers of House Malvici had a number of powerful adepts, and their weapons and armor were oft enchanted. That's what they glean from research, but how to reproduce that? That's largely blank, and almost certainly a problem of where the world is now. Magical ascension seems to be distinctly personal, so reproducing it on a large scale is something that remains elusive.

Quenia Igniseri is not entirely sure that House Igniseri is experiencing financial troubles. Since the death of Malrico, their finances have gone up and not down, like others within the Lyceum. However, she's not about to let her confidence in her domain's ability to stay afloat get the best of her. Granato is the main shipping area for both Igniseri and for Rubino-Zaffria, so she's well aware the ports could house folk, unbeknownst to her, who might have been digging into shadier elements that might bring either domain to ruin.

So Quenia is going to do her due diligence. She's going to travel to Granato to speak with her mother, Emisilia, who has been managing the affairs of the city while Quenia has been governing from Arx. She will go over the books with her mother to help figure out any discrepancies. She's also going to travel to the various banks within the city and to the docks to see if they've noticed anything off with their accounts or with the shipping records of goods coming to and from the city.

If they find anything from the records, or by talking to the bankers or the dockmasters, she's going to follow that trail to see if it leads to any actionable circumstances. IE: she'll confront those people they discover who might be responsible for shady dealings.

To achieve this, she'll be using her various investigative and social skills and she will bring along those people who can support her in digging out information; those good with street skills, those good with additional investigative skills, and those who can provide muscle should muscle be needed. She's employed the help of her family and her friends, and has hired outside help with this task, in hopes of being able to retrieve some of the missing hoard of Malrico or at least find a lead on where else they must look.

In an effort to aid both the Lyceum and House Igniseri, Luis will add his knowledge and skills to working at securing what was lost, or misplaced, or hidden away. Through his contacts and with some of the knowledge that he has gleaned over the years with respect to this exact issue, he will work towards helping Quenia recover the missing goods. He has made contact with the one who controls the gold through Arx and those whom have attempted to oppose them, which he believes will likely be involved with the missing goods.

The fact that Malrico's name has been replaced with a bloody coin is something that Luis believes is tied to the coinmaster. Many things have gone missing in the last year and they are all likely tied together in some elaborate plot, so Luis will pool his knowledge and resources with his family and those whom are helping them in uncovering this.

Luis will also utilize his understanding of the Grey Mages and the True Lyceum to attempt to put some context to the situation and help address the possible fallout from the change in heralds, as well as the long standing issues that they have had and how those conflicts could affect current affairs.

Lucita was a former Igniseri before marrying out. Saik and Igniseri are close allies. When Quenia asks help of Lucita, she willingly assists her in the effort to dig through records. A little charm and bit of subtle manipulation goes a long ways to persuade bankers and dockmasters to talk in order to try to discern if any are involved in diverting funds from their proper destination and following up as such information shows to be necessary. Thieves, bah! Thieves for a Herald, tripply bah!

It might not be so surprising to hear that Mailys and a host of Corsetina accountants are well aware of the discrepancies with ledgers throughout the Lyceum. Though her family's two previous leaders sided with the Pravosi, Mailys has remained a constant presence and service to the Princess Jaenelle, and the Archduchess' counties, like House Igniseri. So the missing shadow ledgers weren't required to see silver flowing back into the Igniseri coffers. What seems to be the trouble, across the Lyceum, is locating where silver was wandering off to, and what (if anything) was the silver used to buy?

Recovering stolen goods, laundering sums of money into investments, purchasing things through other representatives all have a shady element that is hard to pin down unless you know where to find those people. Mailys knows how to find those people, and in what languages those people discuss business. The Dockyard and the Merchant District of any good port city holds key details to which businesses and owners grew fabulously wealthy, and which found themselves lost when a sudden disappearance folded an entrepreneur's success. There would always be stories, rumours, and jealousy to keep details flowing over the decades, or so the Corsetina hoped. A desire can fall into many categories, and the Corsetina toolbox is very full with options to trade for leads.

Intrigue really was at the heart of her games to turn people into assets of knowledge. When Mailys had but only a single thread, she can weave all the charm and control necessary to get what she wants and deliver.

Duarte is going to use what remains of his lycene connections to see what he can do to assist Quenia's search.

Economics and ledgers are not a strong suit for Raja. However, she does understand shady dealings rather well. Instead of focusing on the finances of things at the top, she goes straight to the bottom. Using some of her shadier contacts, she will work to follow the silver trail and root out the criminal enterprises of the area. What she is ultimately looking for is discovering who the criminal groups work for. Sure, Malrico is gone, but Raja assumes a lot of his criminal infrastructure remains in some degree or fashion. Someone out there is still getting the money.

Caspian is not a criminal mastermind. But he is clever. He is not a blade in the dark. but he is a blade. Quenia has called for the more shady folks to help her root out corruption. Caspian cant be of huge help in THAT part, but when it comes to the actual rooting.. he is very good at that. He is damned good with a blade, knows the streets, and can blend in easy enough.

Also, as they search through these caches, Caspian will be looking out for that Amber maulet.. the one Malrico was given by Weohstan. It could be useful in future endeavors and so he will take careful note of any reference that that.

Raven will prowl around the nearby city and settlements looking for places which may stand out to her. She won't use mage sight but she will see if she can find anything suspicious or anyplace that reminds her of those shadowy places of Setarco-those forboding nooks and corners where people shy going near because of the feelings of ominous, or maybe it's being watched-she will mingle and look for the spooky hidey holes of the area Marquessa Quenia and her house are searching.

Things /are/ tied up in some elaborate plot. That much is clear. The spy networks do seem to point to various Suspicious Caves around the Lyceum but any attempt to venture into them has lead to death or severe maiming with the survivors telling tale of an elaborate underground system. Though with the location of some of these being known, including in Granato vassal territories, perhaps a larger group can make the effort in the future.

Looking into potential criminal enterprises is more promising. There are at leas five different merchant families that seem to have far greater an influence on trade than they ought to, with supply and demand fluctuating as a result of their whims, though they've quietened down since Malrico's death, leading to some stabilisation of the market. But they are still around...

After attending several defense meetings, being involved in helping evacuate refugees during the razing of Artshall, and meeting with the Society of Explorers as a whole, Lou is taking the Explorers to help House Grayson scout the northwestern part of the Crownlands as indicated in the depicted map: https://imgur.com/a/CNeLZHg (the parts that are circled yellow and red -- also see @clue 4635).

The Explorers will start at northern most portion of the map outlined, which is closest to Frosthaven and Whitepeak and moving south toward the territory just at the base of the mountains above Cedar Vale. They will avoid going into Whitepeak at all; traveling up the mountain is an arduous task and also dangers may still lie there. They will check out the ruins at the base of the mountain where Forsthaven is located, then sweep through the remaining countryside. They are particularly interested in the area where the Arbres used to be homed (all in the red area circled on the map), since the whole tribe of shav'arvani vanished.

While they are almost certain that the Traitor was involved in clearing out the area, they are searching for any signs of survivors among the villagers and baronies that were known in those locations, additional information on how the potential abductions were carried out (all in the yellow circled area on the map), and any new dangers that might be presented in the area. It will be as meticulous a sweep as needs to be in order to bring further information back to Houses Redrain, Grayson, and Valardin.

In particular, they are also looking to see if any areas are being used as a staging grounds for a standing army or group that might do harm to the Crownlands holdings in general in hopes of getting that information back to Liara in order to mobilize the Grayson army if there should be need.

Mirk will be accompanying the Explorers in search of signs of the Traitor's involvement. Though he travels into the Crownlands, it's near to his usual stomping grounds: Cascade Springs, a Halfshav township he helped to found, isn't much further north, and he's had encounters with Shavs in the Grey Forest more than once. He's even traveled though those regions to visit Whitepeak before (Action 4273), though he doesn't speak of that incident.

He accompanies the others and where villages are found or tribes encountered, he gets to know people, never driving for information if he can help it, but always listening and learning their stories. He attempts to get to know the lands they travel in the same way, communing with the spirits where he can and listening to the signs around him, while he pays special attention to anything that distinguishes those places from others. It might present hints of what had happened, leads of where the expedition might go.

Because while these might not be his lands, the Metallic Traitor threatens all, and uncovering his schemes is the first step to stopping them.

Caspian is heading out with the Explorers! While not a fantastic scout in his own right, he knows his way around the hills and woodlands. He is handy in a pinch, can tell horrible jokes and fanciful stories by the fire side, and doesnt mind carrying an extra pack. honestly a great boon on any prolonged scouting trip! That he has done this before is an added bonus. The war on the isles is demanding of his time, but if the Traitor is not stopped, there isles won't matter. And if the Traitor wants something, its a good bet we DONT want him to get it.

Lisebet has been on a few exploration missions with the explorers, and is entirely willing to go along on this one. More, it's important to her to be helpful and useful in the fight against the traitor and his minions. She sees this overall as helping to protect the people of Ashford, and is determined to do all she can to help out.

She's a diplomat, obviously, and so will be there to try to smooth over waters where needed. She'll go along with the group, looking to try to gently get information where she can, if there's any to be found. She's investing resources in order to bring items that are small but valuable, that might be useful in any trading/treaty discussions or to ransom anyone who gets kidnapped. (I was thinking 2000 Economic resources - though am open to any suggestions.)

This diplomacy is the nominal reason she's with the group, and may turn out to be the most important, but she is also an occultist, with a fairly extensive knowledge with regards to things occult, not that she talks about that very often. She'll be looking for anything obvious or obscurely occult, if she can identify it, and if there's a chance it might help, she'll be willing to try mage sense to see if she can learn more - this has helped her at least once (PRP: Tale of the Mercier Massacre) providing some additional information that helped to solidify the picture and understand what was happening. Given that they are searching for information that may relate to a powerful mage, this is possibly a risky but important part of trying to figure out what is going on and how to stop it.

Icelyn is joining the Explorers as a scout. As former Knight of Solace likely she has travelled the roads of the Crownlands before, even if she is not necessarily familiar with some of the settlements they intend to visit. So she'll scout forward where needed and report back to the main group to help keep their people safe.

Lucita has been a member of the SoE for years and is an experienced explorer. She was present at the initial attack on Bastion and at Artshall and is very aware of the threat against the compact. While not the best of scouts, she has traveled through the territory several times on the way to Whitepeak, a matter of which she can not speak (action 4021), to Aviarion's Peak and Bonespire with Quenia (action 4451). She also traveled to Everwinter near Clearlake Hold and Lastlight Hold while attending the wedding of Rowenova and Tarik (event 6542). Bards are generally welcome anywhere. She seeks to ease suspicion of any who are encountered and hopes some of the villages through which she has passed peaceably may remember her kindly enough to share gossip and information.

As the Explorers make their way through the Crownlands, looking for any clues as to what Helena Thornweave might be after or where she might attack next, they pass empty village after empty village. Their mission was grim to begin with, but each abandoned village makes the mood of the party more tense, particularly for Lou who seems to retreat within herself the further they get into the forest without discovering another single living soul.

There isn't even much to hunt for food, forcing them to rely on their rations and whatever they can scavenge in these abandoned villages. Caspian brings back a brace of rabbits for stew one afternoon only to find them all full of maggots when cut open. The forest is quiet for the most part lacking even animal sounds. As Icelyn and Caspian scout ahead, they finally find a village with signs of life? almost.

The carnage is recent with fresh blood making mud of the village green. In the center of it, a twisted amalgamation of red thorny vines rises nearly twenty feet into the air. At the center is a dark haired woman. She has been pierced through with smaller vines and thorns, barely clinging to life. When Lou sees her, the princess immediately backs away to vomit into the nearby grass. The woman looks at Mirk and manages a smile, her teeth limned in blood.

"Take my brooch back to Arx. To? Aindre Grayheart. He will know why. The witch is heading east from here. You.. don't want to catch her." The woman coughs, more blood staining her lips. "She made a monster here, in the green. Made me watch. I set it on fire so she chose to kill me slow."

The woman heaves a few breaths and manages to gasp out, "She doesn't like fire. Tell Aindre that, too. Tell him I'm sorry. Tell him to take care of my brother?" She slumps forward with a sigh of relief and goes still. Before the others can hack apart the vines to put the woman to rest, Caspian spots a copper brooch in the dirt and picks it up, turning it over in his hand with a frown on his face, before handing it off to Mirk as Lou is shaking too hard to take it in her hand.

Lisebet stares at the vines as the others try to remove the woman's body from the cluster. Suddenly, she cries out and drops to her knees, head in her hands as she whispers, "Oh gods, no." Over and over again until she faints.

The Explorers put the woman to rest solemnly, during which Lucita sings a sweet and sad song of mourning for her, and move to head back to Arx as it becomes quite clear that Lou isn't capable of continuing the journey in her current state, Lisebet probably needs to see a Mercy, and they have a message to pass along, it seems.

The Lyceum is under attack from multiple sides, some hidden within shadows and spoken through whispers while others are front and center and unafraid to have their intentions known. Each domain has their watchtowers, a Lyceum wide system to alert of dangers, but that is only the first step in protecting from outside elements and warnings may be seen but then what? Jaenelle's next large project is to make sure each domain is reinforced against any enemy which comes to the front door.

Malvici: 40,000 Military resources. (4 to 5)
Magnotta: 4,500 Military resources. (1 to 3)
Saik: 13,000 Military resources. (2 to 4)
Fidante: 40,000 Military resources. (4 to 5)
Mazetti: 150,000 Military resources. (3 to 6)
Rubino-Zaffria: 40,000 Military resources. (4 to 5)
Igniseri: 50,000 Military resources. (3 to 5)
Malespero: 10,000 Military resources. (3 to 4)
Hawkmour: 10,000 Military resources. (3 to 4)

Total: 357,500 Military Resources.

Since Lucita became Baroness-regent she has learned that Saik was founded at the time that Platinum left Arx. Alessandra Saik was given the task of moving the Platinum Guard to the area now known as Saikland Greens and to watch for and defend from enemies. She was enobled by Duke Lorenzo Fidante who then abdicated his title and married Alessandra. Exploration has found what was once a strong castle. This was negotiated with the Inquisition, to lease it as a training ground for Templars and Inquisition, helping give a little additional strength to the Barony should it come under attack from enemies that fall within their interest yet not meddle in internal Barony or Lyseum or mundane affairs. A cave and tunnel system used as a sort of fall back, storage, and bank system was also found.

For the past 10 years Lucita has been steadily working on restoring Saikland Greens stability and strength closer to what it once was. Her current goal is to have a strong castle with its walls, protection, storage, and provisions built as a seat of the Barony government.

Protecting home and family has always been a number one priority for Enyo, and while she has been MIA for a little while, that urge to keep those in her fealty safe has not wavered. So when it comes to assisting with the Archduchess' next large project, she pitches in with what she can by offering her sword arm. It's an old and familiar position for her, and one that was easy to fall back into. As goods go too and fro, she offers to protect those that are transporting the materials where they need to go.

Since resuming her mantle as Duchess Zaffria of Gemecitta, Sylvie and Grazia have begun to form a strong alliance to work together and within the Lyceum. Sylvie helps with the efforts to strengthen not just Gemecitta, but all of the Lyceum by ensuring that stones that come from their region are sent across the Lyceum efficiently and fairly. Notably, she does this by diplomatically ensuring the quarries that are being run in her region do not take this opportunity to raise their prices, and encouraging them to keep them low.

Ostria has long been famed as the City of Walls, the Walled City by the Sea, and other similar monikers. What can often seem like an ever-changing labryinth of walls, means that the city of Ostria demands the very best of walls for the safety and security of its people. Under the direction of Duchess Cambria and Duke Hadrian Mazetti, Ostria will have them. Rotating workers and work sites, coupled with the architectural blueprints are closely guarded - and even reputed to not even exist - and even a few inaccurate copies which could result in a deadly error if used, are permitted to leak out into the hands of known spies. House Mazetti is known for guarding its secrets closely and the details of their robust series of walls are no exception.

Outwardly emissaries from Ostria will be dispatched to neighbors, near and far, both Compact and Abandoned in order to keep diplomatic lines fresh while also offering explanation for the walls: defensive purposes, citing the First Bank of Ostria as one of many examples of Ostria's defensive nature.

Giada assists House Velenosa by acting as a logistical consultant in exchange for a generous donation to the Mirrormasks. She will be using her particular specialization of plotting secure routes that shave time off the usual pace and smooth the inherent dangers and difficulties of such a large project. A great deal of time is spent poring over maps, especially considering the number of Houses receiving military aid from the Archduchess and how great their geographical distances are.

House Igniseri has long had its eye on defense, especially since they've uncovered some of their role within the Sylv'alfar War, with Lady Maria Igniseri holding off 50,000 Hounds of the Swarm off with a small contingent of soldiers (clue 3720) and Lady Payton Igniseri rescuing a phoenix from the Sylv'alfar and later finding a place for it to safely hatch, only to have it become her familiar (clues 880, 893, 908).

Quenia has done everything she can to bolster the army and add additional defenses to the grounds surrounding Granato, which includes building up the walls to the strongest possible materials she can find. She uses her considerable social skills to win over the workers, while also using her exceptional understanding of economics to make sure they get a fair price for the materials being used, bargaining for stone all around the Lyceum to ensure that several different domains profit.

She feels this is especially important after three Thornweave were found on her lands during their early attacks, only to be stopped by Sir Corban Telmar, Lady Eirene Riven, Lady Mia Riven, and several other companions. She feels it is the least she can do to ensure her people are safe.

All of their domains see significant improvements in their fortifications, and for Ostria in particular it's become one of the most defensible city-states in Arvum. One notable side effect is this has led to the Lyceum as a whole diverting far more of its resources into defensive fortifications, as other city-states not involved have become far more nervous about the development of year-long defensive build ups and did not want their own domains to look vulnerable.

Castles updated, resources removed from Jaenelle.

When House Nonpurdo struck against House Malvici and sunk the Duchess Calypso's ship, as well as the last sighting of her being on board that sinking ship, Duke Martino Malvici pledged war against the Abandoned House.

Reminding the Compact and the upset traditionalists in the world that House Malvici will protect Arvum's Peerage and the traditions of the Compact, war has been pledged. That diplomacy with pirates and the Abandoned is not always with words but, instead, with steel and that House Malvici still honours their militaristic diplomacy.

Plans have been made with the family to locate, hunt down and eliminate House Nonpurdo from the face of the Compact. Leaving no mercy for them.

---

Martino himself will be in Southport to rally citizens of the city to the war, attempting to inspire them to fight with their whole lives in devotion to House Malvici and Duchess Calypso. Speaking forth on the virtues of not allowing this slight against our way of living as an Arvani going unanswered. That, where other Houses would break bread with people like this, Malvici will not for what they have done to harm Southport and Duchess Calypso.

Directed by Martino to head in the direction where Calypso and the flag ship was last seen, Thea works with Baroness Lucita. As Lucita funds everything, Thea will aid too in giving direction. Diving before, the Countess will help those on board, telling them what to do, where to go. Where to dive. The hope is to bring up something such as chests, figure head, remains, anything helpful.

For a mission of this level of importance, Eirene assists the Malvici fighting forces by resuming her place as a high ranked general. She reminds her soldiers she is Malvici by both water of womb and blood of battle, and their oath to defend their home, fealty, and Compact is one of the strongest bonds a soldier can give. And there is NO greater tradition than House Malvici bringing war for the defense of the Compact and destruction of enemy forces.

Her primary tactic is to ensure each naval vessels has boarding marines and her battle medics alongside to protect and assault enemy ships, and be able to deploy once land is reached. Nonpurdo will feel the full wrath of Eirene's grief and fury at losing her niece Calypso.

Malvici's militaristic diplomacy is something Irisa is all too familiar with, and is as comfortable in its execution as she is with her understanding of it. After her return from Riven, and the thoughts that have plagued her since, the straight-forward and righteous conflict at hand is exactly what she needs, and so she has flung herself into the fray.

Certainly, she leads troops -- she is a stalwart figure on the field of battle, and a keenly decisive voice amidst the chaos it inspires, but she does so from the front lines, ready and willing to fight for House Malvici, to whom she owes so much.

Her attempts focus primarily on support actions and well-placed ambushes, supply line harassment and defense, depending upon the scenario she finds herself in, choking and starving the enemy forces and battering their morale in an attempt to give others the greatest chance at victory.

Neither by chance nor by fate, but entirely by choice, Kaia will be alongside her Malvici family, leading her group of archers - the Band of the Hawks (#532) with great might and glory - as she learned from the Bislands.

The force of archers will be ready to strike through and true those enemies with merciless precision just like she taught them. They will be covering the battlefield from both a distance and from great heights - to which some of them will sneak over once they reach land. None from House Nonpurdo will be able to escape the eye of the Malvici hawks; hard as they may try.

Kaia on the other hand, will be specially focused on covering Thea, Irisa, Eirene and any notable ally's back. Ensuring that if they were ever in harm's way by a foe coming too close said enemies get shot down from afar in order for them Malvici to continue their glorious fight.

Count Artorius will be taking out Magnotta's fleet and armies to assist in Duke Martino's plans to war against House Nonpurdo. The Duchess Calypso was the reason behind Artorius becoming Count in the first place and so she will be avenged, for the abyss has no fury compared to the fury in Artorius' heart over this.

With Artorius leading Magnotta's army and navy in support of House Malvici, it is time for Desma to step up and show her worth. Commanding the Magnotta archers, the Talons, she is going to ensure that they fight as efficiently and smoothly as they can, whether that means it is on land or on ship. She will be also lending her bow to the battle, leading by example, as she tries to prove herself worthy of Magnotta and honour those who had given her this opportunity; Artorius, Calypso and Domonico. By Sea and Sky!

As one of the Malvici vassals, Lucita is committed assisting in this effort to actively display the proper tradition of a house supporting its liege and fealty, not undermining it or rebelling. Seeing active support and loyalty, being able to cooperate is intended to reassure those who are in turmoil and make them feel more secure.

At the request of Martino, she works with Lady Thea to make diplomatic contacts, sail to the location in which Calypso and the flag ship was reported to have been sunk by an abandoned house. There a meticulous search is being made, depth of the water ascertained with dropping weighted ropes. If possible, remains, chests, figurehead, flag, helm-wheel are to be recovered by free-divers if shallow enough or with grappling hooks and nets. She assists with funding this attempt and using her skills in stewardship to both connect with people and to draw them together to help this succeed and in rounding up the necessary supplies. Even if their efforts fail to recover anything, it displays positive qualities of how houses can and should work together

Aiding in his adopted family here Drake is helping out to raise the charge. He does love some adventure and if this will also secure the traditions of the compact he's doing his duty to his family as well in the process. Drake will help scout whenever the effort is not on water, since he's good at tracking once land is reached. And of course when things do come to blows, which, seems to be the plan, he'll be in the fray.

Alexio will aid not in the direct military but working in terms of logistics, supplies and ensuring the mobilizing forces have the best equipment, transport and ample supplies. He puts his not insubstantial mercantile efforts and those of Southport to rallying behind the force being put together. Alexio does his best to ensure that the forces selected are able to transport what they need to be autonomous and that each location they arrive in is able to efficiently (and securely) resupply them for the duration of their mission.

To kill a duchess is no laughing matter. There are some parties across the Compact and greater span of Arvum that forget just how dangerous a duchy can be, how stronger their martial arm can slam back in retaliation. There may be no house that this is truer for than House Malvici, those who hold the infamous City of Swords.

With Calypso's death at sea, Martino wastes no time organizing Southport into a campaign of war. The people of the city are eager to agree, traditionalists especially, that the slight of their duchess being killed is not one that can be ignored. This isn't a time for diplomacy or soft words, it's a time for justice at the sharp point of a sword. There's overwhelming support for the Duke-Regent, and the act of going fully in on this endeavor makes him wildly popular among his people. This is exactly what they'd expect in response and what they've been waiting for. He's a man that's long been known for having a softer hand, but this solidifies him for them in a way that's tangible and resonates among the militant minded people of the southern city. It's not money or silks or clever words, it's action and momentum. He's not simply some playboy with an affinity for making silver turn up out of thin air.

He's Martino Malvici, the Steel Hawk of Southport. The man that will see a bloody end to the insult his family suffered in the wake of Calypso's death.

Southport's forces sail, their coffers adequately supplied by the good work of Alexio, who sees that the duchy has absolutely everything they need to manage such a long campaign. It's Artorius who takes the lead at sea, commanding a fleet that is both Magnotta's and Malvici's. His doing so showcases another important point, the devastating power that allied houses can cause when they band together. Two forces, dangerous on their own, are now brought together and slammed into the remains of the fleet that had sent Calypso's ship to the bottom of the sea between Southport and Caer Morien.

Nonperdo had to have been expecting this attack, but no one would be able to tell by the way the Malvici takes them by surprise at sea. With Magnotta's fleet sailing in from one direction, and Malvici's from the other, they pin the Abandoned ships between them. Kaia's archers rain down volley after volley of arrows onto their ships, devastating the crews before they even have a chance to react. The battle is a short skirmish, all told, with Drake and Irisa distinguishing themselves by boldly boarding Nonperdo's flagship and executing the captain and first mate when they refuse to surrender.

Eirene is credited with not only seeing to the longevity of the soldiers under her care by ensuring there are enough medics, but by fighting alongside the soldiers. While she may have married into the Crownlands, no one will ever be able to forget where she came from and who she is under whatever name she carries now.

Nonperdo's holdings are not far off, a small city known by the name Asti. Most of their military was tied up in ships that Malvici violently destroyed down to the last piece of saltwater soaked wood. When their ships sail into dock, lighting buildings on fire and engaging with what city guard that remains, the Abandoned living there capitulate quickly. If it is a choice between every last man, woman, and child being cut down or turning over the remaining members of Nonperdo to be executed by the Malvici's, the choice is simple.

What happens with the people of Asti from here on out is the choice of Duke-Regent Martino.

As the embers of battle begin to burn out, Thea and Lucita sail to the site where Calypso's ship was last seen. There have been other searches, but it's another thing to see it for yourself. They find an expanse of peaceful ocean, sun glittering off of gently lapping waves. The two women have collected a good number of the most noteworthy and skilled divers, and can even swim down to take a look for themselves.

It's impossible to tell in the dark depths of the sea which of the wreckage is which. But then Thea has the kind of luck that's akin to finding a needle in a haystack. On one of her dives to the bottom, she spots the familiar glint of gold. She's running out of breath and has to make a desperate snatch before swimming to the surface and getting a good gasp of air again.

In her hand, she holds Calypso's signet ring.

Under the direction of Lou Grayson, the Society of Explorers is going to - well - Explore. Their prime goal is to explore as much of the Saffron Chain as they are able in the time that they might have, in order to find any additional information that might help provide the Spirit Walkers with an advantage in putting the Great Blood Spirit back to sleep.

They'll do this by setting out to sail the Saffron Islands, introducing themselves to the people they find, and asking questions. There are a number of Explorers with various languages available to them to help facilitiate the role of translator, as well as other who excel in diplomatic relations and protection. They will always try to find a peaceful means to get the information they are seeking, only using violence to defend themselves if necessary. Gifts will be provided where feasible, and if they happen upon any tribes among the Saffron that Alarice might have had relations within the past, Lou might try to leverage that ancient connection, provided it was a good one, to see if they'd be willing to form alliances once more.

Questions they might be asking along the way are:

1) what are the legends associated with the Great Blood Spirit?

2) is there anyone who might know of any rituals to put the Spirit back to sleep?

3) what historical records and/or maps might they have that might give further information on locations where relics might be found to help with putting the creature back to sleep or on what dangers they might want to consider when performing the ritual.

4) would there be anyone willing to help the members of Arvum wishing to perform the ritual to put the Great Blood Spirit back to sleep?

Lou would be relying heavily on those members of the Explorers who have first hand knowledge of the Saffron to try and steer away from any of the more dangerous territories; cannibals, hostiles, etc. She has the safety of her people and her crew at the forefront of her mind, while also seeing this task through.

Guides and Translators: Having grown up in the Saffron Chain and spent much of her adolescences traveling around it. Cassiopeia will use her knowledge and connections to help find guides for the Explorers to assist them in navigating and collecting information.

Where appropriate Ryhalt helps smooth and encourage exchange of information by setting up trade for needed goods. Otherwise he joins trips to investigate findings and offers his mind to help puzzle out elusive clues.

Rosa LOVES people! LOVES them. And she's such a chatter box. A stealthy chatter box at that. She's a scout you know, but quiet when needed. Make sense? While scouting about the Saffron, Rosalind with use her people skills and ability to understand the strange, she will talk to those she finds along the way. She will likely talk their ears off, asking a million questions about the blood spirit, that that should not be named.

Ruins of unknown providence? Jungles with curious critters? Tovell is a fresh-faced Explorer who brings one particular set of skills to bear at this juncture: He's a professional person-protector. Throughout the wandered explorations of the Saffron Chain, Tovell will avail himself to any seekers and scouts who believe they may need to tread dangerous ground and could use a protective fellow who won't blend in all that well.

Oh no Oswyn is so busy. So, so busy. But sometimes there are little hidden snippets about far-away things in the Archives. Maybe even things bigger than snippets, because it's probably easy to shove a book about something as crazy as a blood spirit that quaked a continent apart in the silly stories section. Anyway, Oswyn has people who poke books so he has them poke books. And tells them good places to poke at.

As a newer addition to the SoE, Adalyn is eager to join in this endeavor and assist where she is able. She'll put her sociable nature to work, turning on the charm and trading stories with those she encounters (because if there's one thing she might enjoy as much as telling wild stories of her various adventures, it's hearing others recount theirs). She's hoping her conversational and diplomatic skills will uncover helpful information.

Kiera has always been interested in storries untold and the solving of puzzles, which leads to a fascination with connect disperate subjects. This led to an interest in myth and legend of both the oathlands region and tales outside of her conventional faith upbringing, which in turn lead to discoveries about Dawnhome. Convinced that it will be an area of continued interst to the enemies of the compact, she is resolved to learn all she can. her present focos is examining connections between dawnhome and cardia with the hope of providing insights others may not have explored

Action: Eirene knows sailors. And sailors know stories. So she hits up as many in sailor's taverns as she can to get info about the saffron they may have learned along the way. She uses her knowledge of sailing to make friends.She brings great quantities of Southport rum to help smooth her conversations. Lots and lots of rum.

Ian is an experienced sailor and an experienced captain, and more than that, since he, Haakon, and Jasher won the Regatta, he also has access to a sloop. He loads the Explorers onto this fast, agile ship, hoping to keep the non-combatants among them safe(er) by virtue of being able to outrun any ship that tries to overtake them, while at the same time, the fast ship will cover more distance, allowing further exploration in one trip.

He's able to offer one of the outer islands of the Stormward duchy as a staging area, as well, providing easy (or easier, anyway) access to parts of the Saffron Chain that Pravus has yet to map and explore, as these are the places where undiscovered answers are most likely to be available.

Jhond too is an experience explorer and focused especially on the exploration part. Taking the path less travelled, blazing a trail. He will help explore places and will use his talents to get to hard reach places. cliffs, caves, climbing, swimming. he will help pave the way for others to follow.

Lisebet is an Explorer, Scholar, and diplomat, as well as a Duchess. She is signing up for this trip expecting that diplomatic skills will be needed in order to get to places where relics or clues might be found, or to get stories/history from inhabitants of the isles. She's got some knowledge of things occult and riddles, but by far her largest input seems to be on the diplomatic front. She'll be there to soothe nerves, orate about benefits, ask questions, try to suss out hidden agendas or not so hidden ones. She does speak several languages which may also be of use, and she's willing to put herself out there, in order to help learn what to do to resolve this.

And if she gets a chance, she might even try to negotiate a cute little animal companion.

Vitalis is a seasoned explorer and for an effort like trying to learn about an ominous ancient spirit, he brings his sleuthing skills to bear. Talking with islanders, studying ruins and texts, sigils and symbols, mundane and occult alike. He's looking for information about Dawnhome, the fabled volcano, blood spirits, the easternmost point that Shamans sought out, Dream trees, legends, lore anything that will help shed needed light on the slumbering spirit's status.

Shae is a knowledgeable scout, and tracker, but she also possess a great deal of knowledge of flora and fauna. As well as having had the chance to explore mythical places, such as Brightshore. And she plans to put that knowledge to work to help seek out clues, and information that might go unnoticed by others. Leaning into her connection to the land.

It might seem like 'nothing', and perhaps it is. But! A combination of watching the Spirit Walkers, conversations with the Faith, Bella, Sebastian, heck just by virtue of being alive Raven's learned things that want to meddle or have something to say, or sometimes even just be nosy and silent find her with a frequency that's prompted outright exasperation from the Blackheart. Be it Her Shady Friends from Setarco, Abyssals, Spirits, and /possibly/ even the divine, she must just have an approachable face if one is a non-human sentient.
     So that's what she does. She will join the scouts and keep her eyes and ears open. There are no rituals, no appeals for aid. She may poke around to see what she can see incidentally to point out to scouts. She will accompany some scouting groups, other times she may set up somewhere nearby away from people and sit quietly as Mirk and the spirit walkers have taught her to do. If she can entice something to pass comment, or get to talking, or talk up her fellow Explorers to the non-human natives she will make the attempt to encourage anything that doesn't seem outright suspicious to chat up others so they may be questioned. In short Raven tags along and tries to be her usual magnetic self, and periodically makes time to meditate away from the group. See if anything could be spotted, or something opts to approach her and could be persuaded to chat up the group. Could be the group is left to wonder why Raven's even here.

Xanthe is going to tag along and provide help where need be. Mainly in the way of protection since she is best at fighting things with her weapons.

Felicia is an explorer, and Deathspeaker, though at least in relation to the latter her 'talent' has been somewhat spotty of late, and her relationship to stealth might at best be considered 'laughable'. What she can do is help with the exploration of ancient places and perhaps the puzzling of obscure languages. And if the ghosts are willing, mayhaps they might deign to speak to the Harrow and offer insight of the dead and forgotten as to how to deal with their very modern problem.

Lucita is an experienced explorer, often teaming up with other members of the SoE in those explorations. Music often makes a bridge between people, soothing, relaxing, creating a bond through its enjoyment and helping disarm suspicion. She collects old songs, old music references and hopes exchanging these with others might bring some useful information about the Great Blood Spirit to the effort. She asks if playing soothing, calming music helps relax that spirit and help prolong its quiescent state till rituals to put it back to sleep can be preformed.... and will play that if others answer yes to that question.

Recently rejoined, Caspian will do what he does best, namely be loud and stop trouble. Everyone loves a story, and more so people love to tell them! while most tavern tales are fanciful, there is often a grain of truth. Caspian will frequent the taverns and social gatherings, singing songs of the spirits and encouraging others to share their tales. Find enough similar threads and you can start to find the truth. Also, should any trouble arrive from any of the Explorers endeavors, he will likely be the first into the fray to make sure others are safe.

With the work of House Proscipi having cleared the way for the Explorers, the group is permitted to do more of their actual job in exploring rather than trying to fight off the Abandoned. That said, those Abandoned the live within the jungles, give those who arrive a wide berth. There is an awareness that they are there, lurking within the trees or observing from afar, but the Explorers are permitted to explore unbothered. Of course, that also means that they lack the expertise of a local guide in some places, but they are well-trained and still able to pick their way through the jungles with a minimum of injury and delay.

Of course, the fact that it is a jungle means that Lou's dream of trying to map the entirety of the Chain isn't quite able to keep up with reality. She does have the maps provided to her of those areas that -are- settled and well-documented and the work that the Explorers do helps to fill in a few of the blanks on those maps receives wide-spread acclaim from those within the settlements and cities of the Chain since mapping the jungle requires hard work and a degree of ability. Not many possess a wealth of both and either have the skill, but not the time or the time, but lack the skill required. Thankfully, the Explorers possess a good deal of both and are properly appreciated for their efforts, meaning that future trips to the Saffron Chain will likely be welcomed by those members of the Compact that live here.

The jungles are dotted with ruins. Some are so worn down and crumbling that there is only the impression of a structure that once existed where vines now hold the shape. After one strenuous day of travel, they make camp in the midst of some better kept ruins. After rations are distributed and the watch assignments made, some of the group takes some time to explore. The ruins consist of a large building that might have been something like a temple, but one of the walls is missing and, if there was a roof, it is long gone now. Inside, there are marble slabs that line the walls of the 'temple', overgrown with flowering vines and teeming with the local wildlife. There is something that appears to be a fountain in the middle of the large room, but, though it is filled with flowers, it is also crumbling into marble dust.

The carvings on some of the pillars depict closed eyes. Everywhere around them, there are engravings of closed eyes. It's a little creepy.

Still, after a long day of hiking and mapping, they have little trouble falling asleep, despite the weirdness of those carved eyes. Their dreams are deep. They see snakes and hear the sound of music and see the soar of dragon wings overhead. There are voices that whisper in their dreams, but the language is unfamiliar. The dream of a city of the dawn, stretching out over the Chain before it dissolves into lava and ash. When they wake and discuss their dreams, the Explorers realize that they have all had the same dream in this strange, eerie place. They waste little time in packing up and departing after making sure proper notes of the ruins and the dream have been taken for later analysis. Later, when the Explorers speak of the place they found to some within the settlements, they say that they have heard the place called 'The Gate of Dreams'.

Overall, while their mission doesn't map the entirety of the Saffron Chain, they do manage to create some tentative maps where none existed before and earn the respect and favor of the Chain's natives in the process.

The Lyceum was home to the former Dominus, Orazio, and Velenosa's words of No one may harm us unpunished strikes true for any and all who have called the Lyceum their home. House Velenosa will not attack those who have harmed one of ours with steal of swords but of wit and charm and the brand of diplomacy often embraced within the south than most other fealties, manipulation. A propaganda mission to remind people who Dominus Orazio, and what he accomplished. House Velenosa will remind people that assassinations are poor sportsmanship, especially to get what you want and then not even get that. A celebration of the Faith and the traditions upheld by the Dominus as only the Lyceum can do.

Arman is persuasive at an individual level and at convincing the masses as a whole. Given how literate the Compact is, Arman will oragnize a leaflet campaign where his agents go about key towns and villages in the isles posting messages denouncing the claims of Waldo and how supporting him is dangerously close to apostasy.

Well Isolde's certainly keen to nullify the influence of Waldo in the Isles and prevent the anti-dominus from acquiring new supporters. Isolde uses her vast knowledge of theology to combat many of his talking points, suggesting that the changes being made are good things actually. In addition, she'll list the many things that Orazio had done in his time as Legate and then Dominus. She'll put emphasis on justice and the law - hinting strongly that Waldo's rebellion goes against the tenets of the Sentinel. She'll also remind the people that Aureth is the choice successor and so if any of them respected Orazio, they should stay behind the /real/ Dominus of the Faith.

There aren't many places where Theo doesn't have a connection and it's by these veins that his word spreads. He will verbally combat Waldo's influence by planting seeds of information that he predicts will spread like wildfire, with a goal to redirect focus to the true Dominus and how Waldo's rebellion is oath breaking at its very core. He will speak on all the accomplishments of Dominus Orazio and on the true traditions of the Faith to the right people he knows will take the information and run with it. While Theo is not one for public grandstanding, he knows exactly where to be at the right time for his word to have the most impact among prominent groups of Islanders and non-Islanders alike.

Alistair is a man of Faith and not Faith. He certainly feels bound to Sentinel, but has never been one for the rigidity of civilized faith that came with bending the knee and joining the Compact. Despite that he worked alongside Orazio many times and respected the man greatly. Even if he is a Beast of the Sword, he can try and offer a stern and dour word or two. Show that even a once prodigal like him deeply respected the man and the Inquisition as a whole did as well. Primarily he will keep his efforts down played, as he knows the Faith is not a fan of him, so he will likely seek to protect others who engage in this mission of words, to make sure they are not waylaid, interrupted, or assailed.

At one point in Quenia's life when she was working for her brothers, she had a network of people whom she considered friends, allies, and information brokers. She reaches out to that network to start a propaganda campaign to remind everyone what a good and decent Dominus that Orazio was and how he always had a helping hand for the people and reminded them often of the will of the Gods. He was a guidling light among the Compact that many looked up to and favored, until Waldo killed him in cold blood in the Queen's Rest that fateful day, and then proclaimed himself the Dominus of the Compact. This is not the way of the faithful, to kill their successors and then name themselves the keeper of the faith. These are the actions of a baseless, cowardly murderer who could not have made a bid as Dominus of the Faith in good faith, so contrived his own reasons for doing so. She throws her support behind House Velenosa and reminds everyone that Dominus Aureth is the rightfully elected leader of the Faith.

Agostino will begin spreading a couple of different messages among his friends and contacts, targeted a bit differently for two different groups. The first message will be targeted toward Isladners, and will speak to how Waldo's split from the Faith goes against Limerance, as he has broken his holy vows of service to the Dominus. That his "election" did not take place according to the traditions of the Faith, and so his subsequent claims of defending tradition are pure hypocrisy with a foundation of oath-breaking.

For those outside of the Isles, the discussions he attempts to start are a bit more pointed. He reminds any non-Islanders who seem to lean toward supporting Waldo that he set down this rebel path solely to defend the "tradition" of thinly-masked slavery in the Mourning Isles.

Macario connects with the Mourning Isles traditionalists on their shared appreciation of law. This is a two-fold attempt, that on the first he simply wishes to charm them. Law sets precedence, and precedence strengthens bonds. Without rules and law, there be chaos. But further to that point, legal contracts define how the people work together and the nasty business of assassinations and wars could wipe out centuries of legal work (contracts would become unenforceable). Mostly, though, Macario is charming and his instincts would help navigate this path set by Jaenelle.

To aid House Velenosa's goal to reminding the Lyceum of the good works from Dominus Orazio. The Duke Martino will be making a public address in Southport about the good work from the former-Saik Dominus to remind citizens that one of our own gave their life for the Compact. Additionally a feast in the Dominus' honour organised.

Waldo, Waldo, Waldo... that troublemaker! Lucita has come in contact with him before during her efforts to help Ailith in Sungreet. Songs were effective before, songs of hope, of unity, of loyalty, of faith. They swayed people's thoughts, their moods, helped counter Waldo's efforts. Thus she selects from songs of the past and some she wrote herself, sings, and teaches them to others to distribute them joyfully as a propaganda tool. It is especially satisfying to her to participate in this since Orazio was a Saik!

Prince Galen Thrax is not just a Warlord and does not just aid his blood-given house. With his sister ruling the Lyceum Galen has taken on some tasks to assist them, primarily with military training, naval guidance, and other such matters. However, Galen is also gifted in the arts of charm and propaganda and it is this that he employes on behalf of Velenosa. Over the years he has traveled far and wide and built quite a network of connections. It is this network, his charm, and his talents that he uses to help push the messaging his sister desires. If there is a grand opportunity to do some drinking along the way or to influence people...This he would not pass up nor would he a chance to be generous and honor Gild!

Ysabel goes for a more simplistic and modest route. Tending to the needs of the local villages and people by offering a friendly hand out of fruits from her House's orchards while also making idle chit chat and slipping some propaganda into the ears of her listeners. She tells them of the great deeds and works Dominus Orazio did and how Dominus Aureth is the rightful leader. She asks them what there worries and concerns are, and tries to lift their spirits up. Making friendly with the people is one way to win there hearts and votes, and obviously turn the tide in Aureth's favor.

The Lyceum has had their eyes turned to Arx since the moment that Orazio was named Dominus, and they haven't been able to peel their attention away since. As much as Lycenes enjoy the intrigue (or perhaps because they do), having one of their own being closest to the Gods bore a certain mark of pride. When he was struck down, there was outrage against Waldo and his supporters. That was /their/ Dominus. His popularity was highest amongst the Saiklands, and so they have the strongest degree of anti-Waldo sentiment.

There are a good number of people in the Compact that don't necessarily approve of Aureth's rise to Dominus, some because of his support of a 'new' God and others because of the association with his family prior to joining the Faith. He's a hard sell in those areas of the Compact. Not necessarily in the Lyceum for obvious reasons, but there are holdouts still.

Velenosa's attempts to truly win those holdouts over for Aureth don't go as well as might be hoped for. But they also don't go horribly wrong either. There's a bit of 'pro-Aureth' sentiment brewing on its own already, partially because the Dominus that was assassinated was one of their own. If Waldo is going to go around killing a perfectly good Dominus then they're /almost/ glad he was replaced with someone even less traditionalist! It's not something that they'd announce at the Assembly of Peers, but it's there in the undercurrent.

Traditionalists are still upset across the major domains, a fact that makes it especially difficult to nudge those stances from quips at parties to more public facing announcements. Those that might normally be more emboldened, are working to keep things peaceful in their own holdings and so are sticking to their own personal interests for now.

As for those that are following Waldo in the Lyceum? Their hearts remain unchanged for the moment, but they are quiet. They're smart enough to know that House Velenosa is watching them and that 'no one may harm us unpunished' is not just a fancy catchphrase.

Prince Arman Velenosa the Heavy Hand of Lenosia arrived to the discussion alongside the march of the Velenosa Diplomatic Escort cavalry and each bannerman bore not only the colors of the House (or mercenary group) they represented, but also a swathe of white silk to indicate their intent of peace. Arman's demeanor did not imply his title. He was staunch as always, but there was a level of emphatic understanding that carried in the man's steps. There /must/ be peace. The other option is death. And so, this would be something along the lines of what Arman might say to those he meets with from Clan Stormstorm & Clan Wavewave, treating them with the same level of respect he would in any sort of diplomatic dispute be it between nobles, commoners and now... Abandoned:

"Despite the arrival of such a grand military force at my hind, I must emphasize that it is our great hope that this discussion does not result in violence, but it will take both sides to come to an amicable accord in order to avoid war. In that, I speak on behalf of House Velenosa, the ruling House of the Hundred Cities, as well as House Rubino & House Zaffria, the liege houses of Gemecitta.

Enough innocents have died in these disputes on /all/ sides. House Grover wishes to decimate your clans. We do not. We wish to offer refuge and a place your people may flourish and call home within the protection of the Greater Lyceum. Should you choose to bend the knee and join the Compact, House Rubino & House Zaffria is willing to offer sanctuary and that your cities may be maintained as part of their domain. It will be yours to control as you see fit barring your dictates abide by the common law of the Compact, the Faith and your liege lord who would be House Rubino & House Zaffria. We would also offer support and assist in establishing further protections to ensure the safety of your people and Gemecittan stone to help bolster your physical infrastructure in turn opening your people up to safe trade routes and trade arrangements with other denizens of the Compact. There have been many tribes in recent years to have bent the knee, in that we have a wealth of prior experience of both Prodigals and pillars of the Compact to assist your people with the transition in a less physical capacity should you choose to accept House Rubino & House Zaffria's offer & terms.

I know it can be difficult to make a change as great as this when the breadth of your people will be subjected to the decisions you make. I know because a similar weight rests upon my shoulders as a Prince of my House. I assure you, as a fellow 'decision maker' I truly believe this is the best option. I believe Clan Stormstorm & Clan Wavewave can have a better quality of life with us rather than against us and I implore you and yours to take this offer under heavy consideration.

That all said, I am sure you have both counter points and questions. I will do my best to answer them, whatever they may be..."

And he did just that! No matter the question, no matter if it was accusatory or otherwise, Arman did his best to answer any and all questions Clan Stormstorm & Clan Wavewave's diplomatic envoys may have had.

The diplomatic team leaned heavily on the aid of the translators present, looking to them for information on how best to gracefully combat any negative propaganda passing through the ranks of the Abandoned in their native dialect as well as pinpointing dissenters in case they needed to be dealt with in the future.

((Assistant Categories: Protection, Diplomatic Team, Translator. Please make sure you tag your assist at the beginning with the category it falls under so staff can see at a glance exactly what role everyone is playing is!))

Duchess Grazia will be providing economic and social incentives for the Abandoned to join under her rule. Although she won't directly be part of the diplomatic team, she will be providing them with support and resources to use to lure in the Abandoned peacefully. She's made it clear to the diplomats that she's not above some bribery when it comes to adding people to Gemecitta.

Tthe Red Wolf Battalion of the Crimson Blades have come to provide protection, first and foremost. This is, after all, Arman's operation. He isn't there to threaten Clan Stormstorm as much as deter them from taking any sudden military action, which would no doubt result in a bloody end. Mostly what the Battalion will be doing is providing support and defense to the diplomatic team, stationing themselves near enough to respond immediately to any violent consequence.

Harlex himself, after he gives out the orders to the Battalion, will be accompanying the diplomatic team. The Sword of Lenosia acting as bodyguard for both the royalty present and the other peerage. It should probably make every feel safer, which will make them better at their jobs, which will hopefully lead to peace! Then again, if not, Mirror Blade and its wielder will do what they do best.

Fingers crossed!

Mailys might not speak Lyceum Shav, but she's definitely a charmer, and hopefully that's enough! Most Arvani speak Arvani, after all, so not knowing Shav isn't realllllly a problem. Mailys is following much the same tactics as Maja, too. She's a commoner, and she knows what it's like to have a life torn from you and having to pick up the pieces. She -has- picked up the pieces, though, and she did it with the Velenosa and the Lyceum. She'll do her absolute best to bring the leaders of Stormstorm around, and she won't shy away from the rest of the tribe, either. Let those in power hobnob and plot things. Mailys will make sure the rest are taken care of.

(Diplomatic) What a fine parade of hoity-toity nobles that has rolled in to tell the clans how great it will be to serve as vassals beneath peers positioned above them on the social food chain! PFFT! Well, that /might/ be how the clans see things -- so Maja is here to offer a commoner's take on living within the Compact and why they should consider it. Sure, there are rules. Yes, they'd be giving up some of their freedoms. But! BUT! Swearing fealty and living under Compact rule offers safety and protection. Plus? There are many -- MANY -- opportunities to be had for those savvy enough to capitalize on them. Take Maja, for example. She started off as nothing -- a forgotten casualty of a bum lot in life, living in a Lowers orphanage -- but now look at her: one of the most notable names in Arx, rolling in riches, apprentice to the Whisper House. Maja will try to get some alone time with the clan leaders, a tete-a-tete without the looming influence of the nobles so they can feel free to ask her whatever they want without having to tip-toe through a social minefield and she can answer them with real talk and offer them her honest perspective. It's all still charming AF, of course -- because Maja cannot help but be oh-so-likable and oh-so-personable no matter who she is speaking with or what she is speaking about. Trustworthy and authentic, that's her! There will be booze. There will be jokes. There will be -- wink-wink -- casual flirting. But most of all, there will be true facts laid out in a way that (hopefully) they can relate to best. Basically, her time with them comes down to this:

Living within the Compact: come for the protection, stay for the limitless opportunities.

Step 1: join the Compact
Step 2: gain protection for your people
Step 3: ??
Step 4: PROFIT

(Translator/Diplomatic) Thorn is a strange translator choice in that she doesn't speak Lycene Shav, but because she speaks Eurusi. Always be prepared though! For the most part though the easily over looked commoner is an observer, watching the abandoned to get a sense of their social structures, and if there's an opportunity to engage with the people at the edges of the abandon's social heirarchy she does, to see if with a few drinks she can find out what their gripes are with their Clans are.

Saoirse appears at her father's side during his initial entreaty; she rides silent on her steed, carefully taking in the numbers of Wavewaves and Stormstorms.

She listens, as much as one can listen, to the foreign languages of the shavs from that distance.

And then she rides away.

Instead of treating with the clans of Stormstorm and Wavewave, Saoirse pulls to the noble men and women of the Lyceum in the region - to the vassals who have been dealing with these raids. She uses her wit, her silky personality, and, of course, her position as a Velenosa to treat with those noble houses. Whatever she may have gleaned -- if nothing else, the number of clansmen (or, in the event she gleaned nothing, carefully weighing her words) to coax the peers to the idea that the two clans, should they be accepted, would be members of their liege lord's fealty. After all, why should our current nobility go un-wooed? Shouldn't they too be given diplomatic envoys; they weren't shavs to begin with!

(Diplomatic) When Prince Arman speaks of the military at his heels, he clearly does not mean Lady Tyche Inverno. She is not a warrior, not a fighter, simply a noblewoman of the Lyceum, come along as evidence of the promise of diplomacy. She is here to work with the leaders of Clan Stormstorm by Prince Arman’s side toward a solution that does not end in bloodshed. Along with the rest of the diplomatic forces, her goal is to help Clan Stormstorm see that bending the knee is the best option for their people, and that a peaceful resolution to the crisis under the Compact is a wiser political and sociological move than being pulled to war. Should negotiations turn south, Tyche has no misconceptions about her own lack of physical prowess, and will leave the matters of defense to the Crimson Blades.

Miranda knows Lycene-Shav and will be translator for Prince Arman and his entourage. That is her primary role. If need be, she can protect the delegation if negotiations go sideways, but that is not her primary goal.

There are many tools at a diplomat's disposal when it comes to convincing the other side of how the offer on the table is beneficial for them as much as it is for the other. Some use charming smiles and flattery. Others speak in the way of gold and silver. And then there's Emrys. He does not seek to charm, seduce, corrupt or buy. No, he is polite, as a Whisper should, and speaks calmly to the Shav'arvani who have joined the Prince's party to speak of diplomacy. He speaks of the Compact, of its strength, of its recent efforts to take in Shav'arvani much like themselves as Prodigals, and as such see it and its people prosper. He speaks of the Compact's might, and how it has withstood previous conflicts and struck lethal blows against its enemies and those that might seek to harm it. And it is in these talks and discussions that are weaved glimpses of what awaits refusal to join the Compact in friendship. The sword, and annihilation. Clan Stormstorm is strongly advised to not risk the latter.

Diplomatic Team, Translator. As an ally of House Rubino-Zafira and loyal Velenosian, Lucita willingly makes time to try to ease discord and strengthen her allies. While she may not know a lot of languages, she has become fluent with the Lycene dialect and has used the skill successfully in communicating with Shav's near Saikland in persuading them to bent knee to her in the past. Those who have bent knee seem content with the way they have been included in Saikland and the Baroness who kept her word to try to protect and assist them. A few of these prodigals, as civilians, accompany her to help verify her comments to the Stormstorm group. She combines the abilities to translate with diplomacy to contribute to this effort. While she wears her armor as convenience for traveling and usually has a dagger and hairpins with her, she is relying on the military provided by others should difficulties arise and presents herself as part of the diplomatic effort, not aggressive or militaristic.

((Diplomatic Team, Translator)) There's a reason that Hadrian set himself long ago to the task of picking up the ability to hold a conversation with others in Lycene dialects of the shav'arvani language: because it's always wise to have the ability to communicate with your neighbors. Language is a means of establishing initial common ground and Hadrian puts that to full use, acting as both a translator for the diplomatic team as well as utilizing that learned ability to converse with his potential new-found friends in their own language, for their own comfort and as his show of respect for their people.

Relying on his safety at the hands of others, Hadrian sets himself to the task of extending diplomatic offers to House Stormstorm. It's not just those who are open to the potential that Hadrian extends his efforts toward though. Every culture will have hardliners and it is those that Hadrian invests as much of his attention as he is able. It is they that he seeks to charm not only through force of personality, but an acknowledgment of their own customs and the importance of their identity being intact should they choose to join under the collective that is the Compact.

He points to the distant north and those who have bent the knee their. He speaks on the topic of shamanism and how even today within the Compact, such beliefs are considered acceptable so long as the Pantheon is likewise embrace. In short he offers assurances that while their future may change, their culture itself is not under attack - so long as it does not act counter to the Faith of the Pantheon. He doens't lie, he doesn't manipulate. Hadrian makes it a point to be utterly honest with the people of Clan Stormstorm. Change will come because that is simply how life works, but it is within the power of Clan Stormstorm to guide that change rather than have it levied upon them.

He seeks to win over those who are most adamantly against that change, warming them over with integrity and honesty. He's none too shy about imparting gifts which may be construed as examples of prosperity that can be found among the Compact. House Rubino-Zaffria holds a place of strength and influence within the Lyceum and the Compact he explains, so there would be few finer potential liege lords.

(Diplomatic Team) At Hadrian's side, Cambria supplements her husband's strategy with cunning examples of what makes being part of the Compact worth anyone's while. While not able to communicate directly, she relies on the translators of the team to make her pitches known.

(( Protection )) Antea will be accompanying the Diplomatic Team along with Hydra Legion II to help ensure that should things turn towards violence, that there will response in kind. She will be be staying with the forces to ensure leadership of the forces that isn't up on the front lines. She will also be ensuring that the soldiers are kept occupied and calm so there's less chance of any 'mistakes' that provoke fighting from their end. Antea will work in collaboration with Harlex to ensure battleplans are in place for any number of possibilities, including retreat should peaceful resolution be achieved.

(Protection Team) The Sword of Ostria goes where he is needed and useful. Especially if both the Marquessa and Marquis want to go out to play. Protecting their honor and health means protecting the party's health as well. This includes the health of the Clans in case of exterior threat. Theron is not there to talk, he is there to protect others and look pretty.

(Diplomatic Team) Riding behind Uncle Arman with Saoirse nearby, Gaspar was the one those who looked for..slightly less formality turned to and found. He was finely dressed and well kept, but his crooked grin and casual posture in the saddle set the counter of stoicism from his uncle.

Gaspar would follow his cousin, more practiced in true affairs of state, to speak with each of the local nobles in turn. He would talk of anything and everything, making plenty of time for chit-chat for the more nervous to break the ice, get right to the business for those who had little time for games. Each noble's voice was different and each want to hear things just as differently. That was the game; finding each bolt to tighten just enough to make it secure without stripping it. Some would be woo'ed, others would be wow'ed, but acceptance of the idea was what mattered. Not mere tricks and fanciful words. Gaspar intended to show that, just as he was different among his family members, so too would the clans be different, yet still able to be accepted, within the Rubino and Zaffria lands and laws.

There's good news and bad news.

The good news is it is a diplomatic triumph. Most in the Lyceum fully expected it to be a bloodbath, and worse than that, for Clan Stormstorm and Wavewave to remain problems for years to come, as any slaughter of their envoys would just result in years and years of campaigns to hunt down every last one of their hidden bastions from which they launch raids. But despite surprisingly large escort forces that the Abandoned clans bring to the field as they negotiation, Warchief Wilbur the Excessive of Clan Stormstorm is ready to talk. The lack of violence would in and of itself be a clear success, but Warchief Wilbur the Excessive and Clanlord Rufus Wavewave listen attentively to the many pleas and arguments about joining the Compact, the compelling benefits, and Stormstorm is willing to bend the knee to Gallo and Wavewave to Groverfield.

The bad news is the terms.

"Well. As long as we can keep our thralls, obviously." They knew thralldom was still practiced in the Isles, so they didn't think it would be a major problem or roadblock, as both Clans have routinely punished crimes (and taken prisoners) with thralldom. They just assumed it would still be fine. They imagine the Lyceum and Crownlands would make an exception for them, wouldn't they? If keeping thralls is not possible, Wilbur and Rufus calculate the costs, and they are certain they could pay all the thrall fees, relocate all their strongholds, pay for the indemnities owed from their raids for 9,999,999 silver and 99 copper bits. It's under ten million, you see.

Clan Stormstorm and Clan Wavewave will halt raids during the negotiation process of bending the knee, but it's an exceedingly awkward request.

The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. It's time to get the ball rolling on the infrastructure needed to support a domain without thralldom, and to start ingratiating those efforts with landed Islanders. Prince Victus Thrax is gathering his diplomats and administrators to start laying down groundwork and doing it well.

With Victus' proclamation enforced in the capital city, he will begin to lead the people in slow reform. The first steps being to start slowly releasing thralls to meet their 15% quota by the end of the year, starting for now with strictly family units. Thralls who have children or elderly relatives specifically who are all indentured, as they could (in theory) support one another better in freedom. All of them being freed at once will hopefully build good will, while also ensuring they have people to fall back on and not immediately slip into crime or starvation. And those in chains via debt inheritance can finally be freed.

Debts sworn directly to Thrax itself will be lawfully forgiven, rather than requiring a payment in full. He'll also be ensuring that the standing military of House Thrax will be front and center to keep the peace during all of that.

Alongside this, there will be a new need for freed workers to replace those bodies. Victus will start by preaching the end of the last institution of slavery. How it is a holy quest with Skald's choice. How it has held Thrax back and that the new future without it will be great and strong. Specifically selling it to skilled workers who would like to partake in that future, where new jobs are suddenly becoming available with actual money being paid!

When it comes to actually putting action to words, money and resources will be leveraged to do just that. Lending to incentives for landholders at Maelstrom and newly freed thralls alike. Tax grants will be offered to minor lords and employers who partake in the hiring of freed workers and those who will be supportive of Thrax's endeavors in the abolition. Freed thralls will be offered proper housing if they wish to stay and take on a craft on Maelstrom. Both of which will (hopefully) lead to more effiency and less hemorrhaging in the long run.

It is Prince Victus' hope that this small beginning in lessening Thralldom's hold on Maelstrom will serve as an example to the other Houses of the Mourning Isles. That it can be done, it can be done well, and here's what they can expect to happen if they choose to follow. So of course, he's really, /really/ hoping it goes well.

Alarissa promised that no matter what, she would stand beside Victus and see this through. She also is the firm believer of living by example and that if Thrax expects the rest of those who make up the Mourning Isles to follow, then they need to take the first step. No matter how painful. So where Victus goes, she goes when it is appropriate. A united front and to use her diplomatic and propaganda skills to converse with the freedmen and with the thralls still in service who will be either released in the future through the 15% or just from completing their debt. This is a ambitious and profound step for Thrax and the Mourning Isles. A painful one. Long has the isles profited upon the backs of those who refused to bend the knee, or fell upon hard times. But now, they would like to ask for the freedmen's assistance, those who were under Thrax direct, for assistance. It's strange, it's hard. They're asking them to trust them. But Alarissa asks anyways. Stay. Help to build the Mourning Isles to the glory of the seas. If they choose to depart, they understand. Between ARRG and the Liberators and willing houses, they will have a plethora of choices of where to start this new phase of their life. But for this to succeed, they need the strength of them, the freedmen who endured, to remain behind and help. Side by side, they will set the tone, set the stage, set the future. But without them, they will fail.

The same is said to those who held the debts. She promotes the incentives, the fact that while now labour will be paid, they can start to slowly charge a little more, then a little more, recoup these costs and they'll find a broader market because people will now be willing to pay for goods not made by slaves but by other citizens of the compact. Flourish alongside those they ruled over before with an iron fist and work side by side with some elbow grease and set the ground for an even more stronger Thrax, Mourning Isles, even more stronger economy if they're willing to put in the work. She and Victus will stand with them, have placed their fates right beside theirs. Fall together, or rise together. She's putting her own money where her mouth is alongside that of Thrax's. Liquidating investments, calling in favors, all of it. She cannot ask them to sacrifice if she is unwilling to do the same. She hopes, she tells them, that they will sacrifice with them with the goal of a better life for all, for the landholders, business owners, farmers, artisans, captains of the sea. All of them. Hard work, this is what those of the Mourning Isles have known. They have built their lands and jobs on hard work and the Gods willing, they will with all that hard work, find further propsperity, peace and prove that those of the Isles when they put their mind to it, will see a hard job done right and through to the end.

Being a hands-on Minister of Finance, the Countess is now also becoming well versed in just who to speak with in order to get things accomplished in projects such as this; that are efficient and long lasting. Thanks to her work with Darkwater, in the North with the Halfshavs project, and with Grimhall's newest naval academy, and the great success with Kennex's recent endevours, she has a few goals for this project to aid in pushing it forward.

Firstly, keeping track of those freed with debts washed away.

When Victus preaches about the future being stronger without thralls, Carita is there to help those that step forward to partake in the tax grants for minor Lords and employers that would like to hire these freed people. Should they need more space for living quarters, she knows just the right people to ask for such a thing, and even has a few plans on hand to help ease minds.

She makes a list of willing workers for future endevours and makes sure to direct those interested in the High Lord's generosity should they wish to stay in Maelstrom, in connecting what is needed (employers) with what is offered (laborers) to help deflect with what could possibly be hemorrhaging in the long run. She'll have a small list of suggestions for the willing to help with the flow of money.

Baroness Skye Blackshore, Minister of Infrastructure to House Thrax, uses her city planning skills to figure out ways to expand needed housing as well as make improvements to the current living conditions. Her economic know-how allows her to phase in the costs of the project so that it does not become overwhelming for Maelstrom. She works closely with her other ministers to make sure the tax grants, lending incentives and other economic ventures are fair to both those partaking and Thrax family.

Duchess Tyde, Voice of Thrax is an ever calm presence on the trip, letting her own attendance be a reminder of what great set backs can be over come with determination. While Victus makes public statements, Margot steps back and observes, identifying key influencers and then finding reasons to interact with them in more private venues. She listens, intently to their concerns, because she knows that the first step to soothing a anxiety is acknowledging it and then engages in conversation that feels like it is open minded but lays the seeds to change thoughts, to encourage actions and always ends with an open invitation to continue said discourse in correspondence after they leave.

As the Warlord to Highlord Victus, Prince Galen of course agreed to take lead of this project. Using his extensive knowledge in war tactics and his natural leadership skill, along with his skills in combat and the like he hope to help make be the edge needed to get a sucessful outcome.

When this was originally in the works, Aureth promised Victus his personal support as well as the support of the Faith, so it's time to pay the piper -- but it is gladly done. The Faith and the Liberators will come together to provide funding, transportation for those who need it to go elsewhere than the Mourning Isles, social connection and support for those who need it, and fine grandiloquence in Aureth's own inimitable style to the effort to begin to ease Thrax in their transition towards freedom. This will include the attached 2000000 silver, 1000 social resources, 1000 economic resources, and 500 military resources from the Faith.

Princess Caith is tagging along on this endeavor, serving as one of the aforementioned diplomats. Her focus is going to be on the traditionalists -- she is going to throw all her charm and empathy towards them to hear out and (hopefully) alleviate their concerns. First and foremost, she is going to listen to them; she's not here to just tell them how it is going to be and tout how great it all is. From there, she will discuss the future in context of their fears and worries. It is her aim that they can work /together/ to make peace with the changes that are coming. Caith plans to tackle this by addressing three points that she suspects weighs heavily on the minds of the traditionalists.

1) The loss of cultural identity
Change is scary and people worry that with this radical shift, Thrax will no longer look like Thrax anymore. She will point out that there is so much more to Thrax than thralls; if anything, taking thralls is just a minor aspect of what makes Thrax so great and unique. She will point to the things in their culture that will be unaffected by this change: how they will continue to rule the seas, how their men will continue to be fierce and feared warriors, how their women will continue to be strong in heart and mind, and so one. She will recount tales of Thrax pride and sing songs of legendary moments, making certain to pick things that do not feature or mention thralls. She will also point out that their taking of thralls is the point that other fealties whine about they disparage Thrax -- with that taken away, they will -have- to recognize Thrax's glory. Isn't it about time to take Grayson down a peg or two and boot them off their high horse?

2) The economic impact
Caith will let the people she visits speak at length about their concerns regarding the financial strain of having to pay for labor which has been 'free' for centuries. She will recognize that it will be tough! She's not about to deny that. However, she will make certain that people are aware of the incentives and tax grants that are being made available as a result of this change. There might be an initial hit as everyone adjusts to the new reality of things but once everything settles, they are likely to see a surge in efficiency and productivity in the freed workers -- she will point out that people tend to be more invested in what they are doing when they have hope for their future. Improved efficiency and productivity equal: PROFITS.

3) The fear of increased crime
Many might worry that without the ability to make the conquered into thralls, they are opening themselves up to increased danger. After listening to families express all their concerns regarding their safety, Caith will point out that just because Thrax will not be taking thralls doesn't mean the fealty will suddenly grow soft. The conquered will have two choices: bend the knee or die. Those who bend the knee will be much less likely to be hostile towards Thrax than thralls because they will have been given a choice to join and did so by their own volition. And those who are hostile to Thrax, even after being conquered? Well, they will be dead.

In the end, Caith will do everything in her power to hear out the people's concerns, discuss those worries and work with them so that they find a way to accept the coming changes /together/. THRAX STRONG.

Prince Victus has offered Lucita passage to Maelstrom to assist with this effort. Alarissa is a friend of hers and Lucita owes Thrax a few favors, for providing the elite troops and Lord Ian's assistance during wars and risky ventures, such assistance keeping her alive. What better way to to show her appreciation? While using propaganda primarily, she has a variety of skills which she hopes to use as circumstances dictate. There is performance to reinforce propaganda with songs of Lagoma reminding how change is good and leads away from deadly stagnancy. And there is diplomacy and propaganda that work hand in hand to help sooth the way and prevent flareups. Lastly there is stewardship she can incorporate into her propaganda as it lets her see a clearer path to help cut through delays and get to the people who actually have the ability to do something useful, not just pass the task to someone else. She leaves the fine details and precice nuances of things to Victus and his people and lends her skills to bolstering up and strengthening their efforts aimed at stability and peaceful changeover while freeing Thralls.

Victus' changes are not popular. They just aren't. No matter how much they try to get ahead of it - and they /are/ trying hard - the traditionalists in Thrax are not appeased. All the things Caith mentions - economic impact, the fear of increased crime, and especially the loss of cultural identity - these are the things that Traditionalists also worry about, and as fifteen percent of thralls are freed across the Mourning Isles, many lean back and point to the general unrest and say - "See? Told you so." They'd be rather more smug except the general unrest is across the Mourning Isles in total, save only with the exception of Kennex holdings.

Still, the Compact as a whole supports Victus and these changes. So where they lose some internal trade because the traditionalists are choosing different markets in which to spend their money, they're gaining some in trade with other Great Houses. It doesn't hurt that Legate Aureth is backing this change, and the power of the Faith is behind Victus and his changes. Alarissa is working hard to make sure the economic impact is as small as possible. Skye shows them how it has worked for Darkwater in the rebuilding efforts. Carita as Minister of Income is doing all she can to minimize potential financial ruin. Galen is trying to keep the Navy ship-shape (though he has troubles of his own), and Margot is using every ounce of diplomatic know-how she can engage to sooth ruffled feathers. Lucita doesn't hurt either - as a symbol of alliances outside the Mourning Isles, her faith in these changes and in Victus' leadership provide a counterpoint to the internal doubters who think this will never work.

It's hard going, and it's definitely not easy. The economy is taking a hit, it's true - but it's not as terrible as it might be if they were just blindly freeing thralls. They don't need to call on the Compact to help, not yet. But the Traditionalists are not appeased, crime /is/ up - owing to some pointed raiding on the outer islands, particularly of those domains sympathetic to Victus' reforms - and everything has the feeling of a House balanced on a knife's edge.

Only time will tell if Thrax will rise on the tide or sink to the bottom of the Mourning Sea.

For some time now, Valdemar has been planning to build a naval school in Grimhall territory, and he is finally ready to get started in earnest on this very important project. The Harald Grimhall Naval Academy will serve a number of purposes, though primarily it will be meant to be the best available training facility for sailors, naval officers, and shipwrights, open freely to qualified students from all over the Mourning Isles, as well as other parts of the Compact through sponsorship by the Academy of War. It is also, clearly, a tribute to Valdemar's father, will provide jobs that will be needed as thralls are freed in the coming months and years, and remind the traditionalists of Grihem's Point about traditions other than thralldom, in this case their tradition of naval excellence. The school is to have facilities for classroom as well as practical instruction, built on the western shore of the island of Grihem's Point so that there is space in the bay for naval maneuvers. His part in this will be to oversee the actual construction of the place, managing the expenses, hiring and coordinating the masons, carpenters, and other craftspeople who will be needed to get the place built.

Natalia will be reaching out through the Academy of War to assist in finding instructors for the naval school, as well as providing consultation for the logistics particular to setting up an academy. She will work with Valdemar and others he designates to meet with potential instructors to ensure they know what is expected of them, and to ensure that they are reasonably qualified in what they are supposed to be teaching. And also to ensure that they're not terrible people who will be awful teachers because (insert one of a million reasons here). All connections will be used.

Having helped not only Halfshav with their dock location and placement, not to mention the rebuilding of Darkwater, Carita is well versed now in just how to get the right people that know people for the end result being utter perfection and the highest efficiency.

Her goals aren't small, as she calls on people for:

* The site of building mapped out for the best placement.

* Buildings for new members having a place to stay, a place to eat, the barracks laid out for optimal happiness - especially if this will the the home for the soon to be freed thralls.

* A place of worship.

* An area for training and exercise, with the help and advice of Count Turo and his planned curriculum.

* Naval archives for studies and teaching.

* A central courtyard for the future site for Duke Harald Grimhall's monument, or statue.


Carita also offers some of Darkwater's economic writs, toward this adventure of House Grimhall's, to accompany the help being offered up in support of the reinforcment of naval excellence, and to encourage stronger growth that has nothing to do with thralldom.

Lucita has been told this naval school will have an impact upon the acceptance of Thrall release and ease the resistance to it, helping promote a peaceable transition. Skills and gainful employment available sooner than the distant end to debt paid off. She is in favor of stability and of assisting the effort to free the thralls so lends her abilities to Grimhall for the purpose assisting this establishment. The barring of females she is a little leery about having sailed with and having skilled sailors in her own family, but one step at a time. First education and freedom and acceptance and stability. She is skilled with propaanda, and goes about attempting to convince people with charm and reasonable logical facts, helping sooth ruffled feathers and pointing out strengths and benefits in this concept.

Vanora will assist her husband and build up anticipation and interest in the military school. Her charms will be used to convince several of the Grim Fleet’s most promising young commanders to consider a stint of teaching at the Academy. She will also help spread word throughout the fealty in order to recruit teachers and also students. Her focused attention will be on ensuring that the school is a grand success and that everyone hopes to send sons there to study warcraft, sailing, and shipbuilding.

Katya is good with words, and she's willing to talk to get things done. When it reaches her attention that the family is working on getting a naval academy set up she pitches in her help. You want to have the best, that means that you need the best, and she starts sending out word to people, trying to get them to sign on to come teach at the academy. She talks, she woes, she tries every trick in the book to get people to sign on the dotted line to come teach.

Being familiar with construction projects and having helped on a great many, Edward will be there to help the logistics of the project. He will ensure that all of the money is accounted for economically and that materials used by those hired to construct the project are of good quality. In addition to helping set up the school, Edward will gladly volunteer to be an outreach instructor - taking on a select few chosen by the school to learn directly with him. Edward himself was taught naval warfare and tactics by the great Duke Harald Grimhall himself and so will be more than happy to pass on those teachings to other eager learners.

Turo lends his considerable skill and experience toward this end. He not only sets himself to creating curricula that will inform, challenge, and prepare the students of the academy, but also enlists the aid of his own captains to make the academy a success for generations to come.

Erik has a deep passion for the pursuit of knowledge and the opportunity presented by The Harald Grimhall Naval Academy fits him like a glove. To help incentivate others to join the Academy, he will host some of the initial classes and invite some of his crew at the Grimhall fleet to join him there. He should also be able to host some wargaming sessions to test the commanding skills of the new students.

The Harald Grimhall Naval Academy is established to uphold the naval traditions at Grihem's Point. It's a strong reminder of the man once called the Grim Duke, and it couldn't come at a better time for Grimhall. Duke Valdemar, son of Harald, spearheads the planning, and focuses on emphasizing how there are many traditions in the Isles. Oh sure, thralldom is at the forefront, but Duke Valdemar is very particularly emphasizing the proud tradition of naval excellence. Grimhall traditions are why Duke Harald was once a Voice of Thrax. Grimhall naval traditions are why Duke Harald once served as the Admiral of the Thrax Navy. These traditions are strong and proud, and now Duke Valdemar son of Harald means to remind the Isles of this tradition in the best way - and to ensure that it's carried on to next generations.

The execution of it is flawless. He hires Natalia Whisper to work with the Academy of War, hiring instructors that understand Grimhall Traditions and are excellent teachers. Countess Carita and Baron Edward work to make sure they get the most for their money, and that the placement of the school is ideal. Baroness Lucita gives aid too, helping establish programs where freed thralls can be used as workers, but also where they can learn the proud traditions of Grimhall.

Admiral Turo helps create curricula, and Lord Erik Grimhall hosts some of the very first classes. Throughout, Duchess Vanora continues to emphasize how great the Academy will be, and how it will continue to uphold those proud traditions of Grihem's Point. It's an obvious move to support Grimhall traditions.

Traditionalists across all of Thrax are uncomfortable and unhappy these days, and it should be noted that each of the Duchies of Thrax are traditionalists in truth. With murmurs of the end of thralldom, it's hard for these people, who set such store by tradition, to look at the future with anything but the grim certainty of war. And yet this naval academy reminds them, Duke Valdemar emphasizes again, that there are many proud traditions of Thrax - and the focused support of one of their greatest traditions wins praise for everyone involved.

Domonico has ordered and will be directing efforts in the construction of a new facility at Southport, which will be named Southport Steel, that will both be smelting high quality steel from iron ore and manufacturing it into weapons and armour. The primary function of this will be to make sure that House Malvici and the armies and navies of Southport are well equipped. The House of War makes sure that every citizen of Southport serves and trains in the military and will ensure that they are given the best quality armour and armaments for the tasks. As a secondary purpose, what Southport Steel forges that is not marked for the military will also be used as trade items with other Houses, particularly those who are also members of the Empyrean Trade Route.

The facility will be designed by Malvici engineers and craftsmen but will consult with Houses Brass Hawk and Crimson Malvicus (who both assisted on creation of the Goldhawk Naval Base) and hopefully this will enable House Malvici to build the best possible facilities and that Southport Steel really helps entrench Southport's reputation as the 'City of Swords'

Aahana is now a fully fledged Malvici and will be assisting with the Southport Steel project. She'll be bringing all her economic knowhow to the fore, helping to secure good prices on building materials, raw materials for forging as well as negotiating the best prices for the finished products. Her keen head for maximising profits will be focusse on bringing her husbands vision to life and thus she pours a lot of her own resources into Southport Steel

Lord Domonico Malvici has expressed the desire to build an armor/armaments industry in the Southport area. As a master armorsmith (and minor league weaponsmith) from Southport he has asked Waldemai to play a large role in setting up the industry and training apprentices. Waldemai has already been working with the youth of the area who were part of coming to declare fealty to Malvici at Southport, and he is a loyal retainer of the Malvici, so he agreed immediately.

Valenzo and his crew aboard the Tasty Terrapin have been tasked with transporting the materials necessary for constructing the Southport Steel facility and production to the site in Southport, and they will set to with gusto; the crew is also willing to aid in construction efforts, and once everything is complete and the Terrapin will transport the final product out to the various vassals for testing and use.

Upon hearing her cousin's idea, Caelis immediately thought of this opportunity as a great resource for the Arvum Refugee Relief Group. Turning to the organization, Caelis has set about sourcing out individuals and families with skill around the crafting of weaponry to voluntarily relocate for this undertaking.

Calypso will be signing off on the plans she's presented with, helping with providing military knowledge and offering a presence while the project is being completed.

Miranda's been asked to be part of Domonico's plan for Southport Steel via quality testing. She will take the initial products that Southport Steel makes and test them for durability, design, weight, strength, and so forth. In some cases, she may suggest design changes. She'll test the weapons against dummies and opponents and make sure the armor is fitted well with thought to how a soldier might need to quickly put the armor on or get it off in a pinch. How fast can a sword be wielded? Is the hilt merely beautiful or practical? And so on.

Lucita's Barony is one of the Malvici vassals and to have a facility from which to attain high quality steel armor and weapons so close by is only beneficial to Saikland. Army members consisting of footsoldiers, pike, archers and cavalry are all easier to recruit and maintain when they are confident of having the best of such steel protection and weapons. Therefore Lucita lends her charm and stewardship skills to the project. She knows just who to contact and how to make arrangements to facilitate the effort.

Santi has offered his assistance in testing the practicality of these weapons in the field. Having spent much of his military career among the common footsoldiers, he is in a position to understand the unique problems that harry infantrymen and their equipment - being exposed to the elements, having to go for longer periods of time between cleaning and maintaining, et cetera. As such, he will establish a series of stress tests to see how well the rank and file equipment will hold up and how easy it is to repair in the field; for example, how the wrapping and fittings on swords will hold up to being wet for extended periods, how durable the wooden shafts on spears and arrows are, et cetera. Basically, worst-case scenario sorts of things.

Jaenelle approves of the Lyceum strengthening their militaries, especially with the unknown threats the Compact faces. She will assist with recruiting able bodied craftspeople to work the steel, she'll help broker deals between Lenosia and Southport for well priced ingots to smelt and create into the arms the new facility will forge, and she'll assist with any diplomatic areas that rise.

Roxana is supporting her dear Malvici Nephew in his efforts to build up industry in Southport. Her job is mostly to talk up the project in Southport and among her other contacts (Grayson surely) so that once Southport steel is being manufactured there is heavy demand by other houses. She will charm whoever needs charming among trade delegations and ensure that the business venture is successful however she can.

Grazia will provide the stone for construction from her Gemecittan quarries. The bulk of the building will be laid out in heavy but beautifully sturdy granite, and the showrooms will be floored with exquisite marbles, all of the finest design. She'll work with the architects to really coordinate with the style of the building and it will have a most beautiful edifice.

On behalf of Rubino-Zaffria, Seymour offers his services to the construction project at Southport. He will do this by reviewing the plans for logistics and the material that the new facility will be using, taking time to review the sources for incoming supplies, vet the expertise of architects, and similar paperwork heavy tasks that undoubtably he is not alone in doing and nobody really wants to read about in detail. His efforts may be slightly curtailed by a clear worry of running into Mrs. Oak, his ex-wife still based in Southport.

Recently arriving in Arx, Thea has been recruited to lead the organisation of the medical tents and health of those testing the new Southport Steel and working on the construction of the facility. She will be leading teams of medical staff to care for wounds such as burns and cuts.

Having only recently left Southport - Thea will be applying her knowledge of the local area to hire the best medical staff to ensure that anything hurt during the work is well looked after

Stepping forward with his ability to influence a deal favourable to the Malvici, Martino will be schmoozing those that Domonico and others bring in to work on the project. He will be there to keep spirits high for those staying in Southport, and treated to House Malvici's hospitality, so that they leave with a positive impression on the House.

He will be working with Lady Aahana Malvici to secure good economic terms, but primarily to ensure that a diverse group of people produce an exemplary facility and product.

Ysabel is concerned with the rising threats to the Compact and resolves to help Southport with their project. After all having strong allies is a good thing and she is sure she can get a good price on the finished goods. Using her Economic knowledge she will work to help Lord Domonico make Southport Steel a success

Lady Kaia Bisland enjoys reading (even if it’s the boring stuff, yes, that’s why she’s her House’s historian after all), and has an exceedingly sharp eye for organization. She is a master at keeping the mind-numbing but crucially essential papers and documents well sorted and available. She is, also, quite good at being bossy, and both her family and friends know it –or perhaps will learn of it just now. Beware lackeys! You shall not hear the end of the petite lady’s voice until all tasks are well done and completed! So get to it!

Her innate charm makes it all too easy for people to do as she asks whenever she leads or commands tasks. More often, than not, they can’t seem to bring themselves to tell her no. I mean, who can blame them?! She’s just too good and crafty with her arguments on why this would be better done this way or that way, or persuading them on why it would even turn out to be beneficial for them –even if in reality it would not; and so, she takes advantage of these skills to provide her Malvici friends aid in gathering the right people to keep the humongous piles of compiled paperwork for the project outstandingly well-organized.

The end goal is to facilitate and speed up the whole process of accessing the right documentations, for permits and other legal matters, which may be required for the development of this clever and advantageous Southport effort.

Southport Steel is a big success - with Lord Domonico and Lady Aahana working to get it established, they lead the way and make the plans. Waldemai helps set up armaments, Valenzo makes sure the materials are transported safely and on time. Princess Caelis helps by finding large groups of craftsmen to take on the tasks, and Duchess Calypso signs off on everything.

And their allies just keep on helping - Baroness Lucita gives aid, and Lady Miranda tests the weapons created. Santi helps test weapons too, and Princess Jaenelle not only approves the entire thing but brokers deals between Lenosia and Southport to provide access to ingots for extremely reasonable prices. Duchess Grazia provides the stone for the project, good Gemecittan stone at that. Lady Kaia and Baroness Ysabel, Seymour and Thea make sure everything is set up and all the workers are accounted for and taken care of, right down to the very last detail.

And Lady Roxana and Lord Martino make sure everyone knows exactly who's responsible for what is a triumph of Southport, and everyone is soon talking about all the wonderful advances made in Southport. The economy is booming, people are joining the army knowing that they'll be well-equipped to fight, and overall, things are looking up for now.

Upon request of the Marquessa, and in preparation for stormy days to come, Lady Videl Igniseri is working hard to expand the Granatan navy. Using resources provided by her house along with a donation from the Archduchess regent to purchass a longship, Videl is trying to coordinate a group of talented individuals in a concerted effort to acquire or produce vessels and the crew to train them.

Personally, she is working hard to inspire people to join the navy. Besides painting some recruitment posters placed in key points in Granato, she holds speeches for the people, reminding them that the city must be able to protect its shipping trade even in dark hours, and that if one desires peace, one must prepare for war.

While Luis has typically been the sort to avoid the use of ships, preferring solid ground beneath him, he does however have experience when it comes to military matters, especially as the Minister of War for Granato. He will aid Videl by sharing his military contacts and presenting her with various tactics and the like where he can in an effort to help her during the acquisitions. He will aid with selecting men and women based upon natural tendencies, while relying upon others to guage their specific talents when it comes to actual sailing capacity.

Lucita has been asked to help with this effort in her fealty of birth, Granato. She feels strong family and political ties to them and thus devotes her ability to use propaganda and charm to help recruit ship crews and attain discounts in some of the ship building supplies. After all the larger navy will certainly help protect their interests, their families and homes as well as encourage further business.

Lord Sebastian Pravus, Voice of Setarco, has been asked by Videl to lend aid to Pravus' ally in gathering manpower and shipwrights to help build their navy. While he is no military leader, what Sebastian has is an excellent ability to be persuasive and moreover -- to build support and manpower among the populace. He travels with the others, talking up the importance of a strong navy and how they can serve. He will be using his skills to generate the sort of excitement and buzz intended to resonate with the local populations, encouraging an uptick of those wanting to join the navy -- both as sailors and shipwrights.

Admiral Alrec Magaldi of House Pravus extends his expertise in fleet-making. He spends time with the captains of Lady Videl Igniseri's ships, applying some of what he used with Pravus but adjusting it to meet the needs of Igniseri's holdings. After learning the ins and outs of the Igniseri fleet, the Admiral puts them through an excruciating inspection. Only returning to Videl when the results are to her satisfaction.

Aethan will be assisting his brother with the training, leading the new recruits in military exercises and war games to hone their skills. He will enlist the help of some of the captains in the Stormward Fleet, pairing them with those who are to be tapped for command of Grenato's ships so that they will be able to work closely together to cement their skills.

Wash will help Igniseri expand their command crew by interviewing their sworn men and playing a game with them. The game teaches the basics of navigation and sailing. Those who pick it up quickly he will recommend be promoted or sponsored into officer positions.

Ian has trained a number of armies and navies in Arx, and he brings that expertise now to the new recruits, training them in the tactics and skills one uses in close quarters combat, in how to board a ship and how to repel boarders. He brings with him to assist Lieutenant Tash, his second in command for the Thrax Special Forces.

("Lieutenant Tash, Yonden is tangled in the rigging. Again. I'm making this your problem.")

Ajax being a hired hand, lends his assistance towards the development of the troops, when he's not assisting the others efforts. He is going about staging drills for the men to put the knowledge they gained from the others efforts to the test. Those whose performance stand out will also carry a nomination from him for his employers to make use with or ignore as they please. He has also set a small pile of coin aside for those who do well as a reward. After all money motivates him.

The Igniseri navy is increasing, and thanks to work from friends and allies, it's increasing at a quick pace. Lord Luis, Baroness Lucita, and Lord Sebastian, focus on recruitment, looking for volunteers for their new ships. Of course, new ships are always easier to crew than replacement crew on old ships - they're new! Newer is better! Right? This trio works hard for Videl and they are quite successful indeed. Then Lord Aethan, Admiral of Stormward, and Lord Ian, and Lord Wash as well work on teaching these new recruits how to sail. Why ask one Kennex when three will help? And who better to ask than those who live and breathe the life of a sailor in the Mourning Isles? Ajax helps prep the fleet - he stages drills and pays attention to what the new recruits are being taught. He helps create new drills, he focuses, and he makes sure that the quality overall is good for these new vessels and new crews.

All in all, this is a very successful mission, and now Igniseri sees a dromond, a galley, and a longship - with fully trained crews - added to their Navy.

The Saikland Blackened Glass area consists of a central thick sheet of solid glass where Baron Eos and his men were incinerated in 1005 while fighting off a group of abandoned who were agents or loyal to Cardia, a dragon causing the damage. The glass extends for a mile in each direction from that central point, growing thinner and becoming shards and splinters toward the perimeter. Plant growth for hundreds of yards from it is stunted, withering, warped and the shore is lined with dead fish, larger sea creatures such as sharks closer to the area of the densest glass. Huge bear tracks, much larger than normal for Saikland were seen and warped oddly behaving bobcats. Dead animals and skeletons were around the outer perimeter. Excursions have collected samples and had analysis done of the glass, animals, etc and shown poisoning and taint. There are concerns for the spreading poison, the poisoned fish in the area, the warped-tainted animals posing potential dangers to the villagers and farmers in the area, risk to Marin'alfar who may venture into the bay and to any ships who fish and eat their catch. This could also have an impact on the economy if ships and trade begins to avoid Saikland. Therefore in the interests of protecting the citizens and economy of Saikland, Lucita has been seeking a means of trying to cleanse, contain, or mitigate the blackened glass effects. She seeks the aid of the faith and of skilled persons to help deal with the animals and the poison and the taint both land and sea side.

Aside from organizing and funding the effort, Lucita plans to attempt to join her voice with the attempts of the faith and others in trying to boost and assist the cleansing efforts.

Sorrel as a spellsinger is going to go with her friend Lucita to join her voice with hers and the attempts of the Faith to assist the cleaning efforts. This is a strong opportunity for her to use her voice against the Abyss and that sort of thing excites her, so she will sing with enthusiasm.

Vayne sets his considerable skills and resources to work for this effort. Not just in researching the possible cures for the tainted stretch of land, but in attempting to provide support and protection in his own special way. So, in addition to putting some time in the Archives, Vayne also begins to bless water to turn it into holy water, and bless mirrors to help keep everyone safe(er) from the Abyssal forces that might step in.

Roran, as Archlector of Lagoma, is going to lend his aid in the cleansing of the tainted land. Since the nature of the glass was supposedly caused by a dragon's fire, likely an atonement rite would not work. So he will attempt a cleansing rite to heal the lands of the taint. If all else fails he will attempt to cleanse the land with fire from a lantern light from Lagoma's Flame.

Nova primarily works with Draven, doing so not only as 'helpful wife who doubles up as lab assistant with a second set of helpful hands' but also doing so as the Safety/Survival expert who ultimately ensures we all have whatever it is that we possibly need to stay alive, who constantly detects potential hazards/threats, and who tracks down tainted creatures upon whom Alchemical dosing can be tested out to hopefully cleanse those poor critters. Should Nova ever spot anything dangerous, she immediately informs Miranda.
Sir Flop also joins with his special booties on all four paws, making sure to help out with threat detection and protectively guards his Bruvir family, too.

For his part, Draven is going to do his upmost to test every known alchemical cleansing combinations he can think of to see if any of them have an affect on reducing the tainting effect in the meat of the dead animals, and in the glass. He does what he can to isolate the tainting effect as well, trying to reduce it down to a singular alchemical component to test with.

Juliana is going for medical support. For everyone concerned be them singers, protectors or support. She will be setting up a triage and working tiredlessly to make sure that those that need medical attention receive it in a timely manner.

Skye is going to use her knowledge in agriculture and infrastructure to figure out natural barriers that could be constructed to keep animals from stumbling upon the area until the cleansing can happen. Introduce flora that naturally cleanses the ground (outside of any abyssal taint) to lessen the damage once the spellsingers are able to remove the abyssal influence. During the different cleansing efforts, she's going to make notes on what works so she can apply it to her own lands that were damaged by dragons.

Olivia will use the power of prayer to help. She will be looking for the most sacred spots in the effected area of the forest and praying to Petrichor, asking him to bring peace to these woods. Hopefully doing this will help push the blight back, or better yet destroy it.

Sanya will travel to the Saikland, to offer her knowledge/abilities as a disciple of Mangata in the cleansing of the tainted shore.

Ian will be going along, as he usually does, with the sole intention of keeping Sorrel (and hopefully everyone else) (and hopefully also himself) alive. He'll work on establishing a perimeter, keep an eye out for trouble, and try to keep anyone from wandering off alone. If there are villagers around who know the area and its dangers better than he does, he'll look for someone he might be able to hire as a paid guide.

Miranda is going to assist in protecting those who will need it. This varies, but a group will be assigned to the spellsingers and others to the various non-combatants, such as Draven and Rowenova, and yet others still. The larger group will go with Miranda and be dispersed as needed. Primarily, her job and those of her infantry will be protection, keeping wild and tainted things, animals, and people from attacking those who are collecting samples or doing other works.

Waldemai intends to support Lady Lucita's action by ensuring she is well-equipped and her party has the best gear available as possible. To that end he is going along to serve as armorsmith, sharpen weapons, and so forth. He can also fight a bit if it comes to that, but he's also got financial resources to throw into the mix if needed.

Leola is good at two things; animals and farming. Here, she helps with both. She knows about land reclamation, and she is more than willing to help examine the taint - and put her methods into practice. She also helps with the animals there - directing them away, trying to help them heal, offering better food and trying to track down the way the taints have ran.

But more, her focus is the damaged land. She pours herself into helping recover it - she is a keen pair of hands in the needed work

Santi's here for operational security. If there are enough guards, he will organize outrider patrols outside of the established perimeter to ensure nothing sneaks up on the group.

Known for her skills in inspiring and bringing people together, organizing large groups and keeping spirits high especially during difficult times, Valencia comes to the aid of her friend without hesitation. With so many people from across the city involved, it helps to have someone who can help bring unity to the group and keep moral high to better facilitate and coordinate efforts in the lead up and during to the excursion. That way everyone can focus on the tasks at hand and be inspired to offer their best.

Salvatore responsible for the Cavalry of the Gemecittan army will take control of his troops and position them to protect the groups afoot. His first priority will be on civilians, and then the participants in the exercise, and lastly animals. His troops spread to provide support to the less mobile contingents and slow any approaching threats to buy them time.

The glass cannot be moved, there is nowhere truly safe to dump it to, so it must be cleansed. This will take time, money, supplies and staff which will require a lot of logistics to carry out. Fortunately these is where Martino can help. He'll help review the plans already undertaken, but also while there help hire the staff required and ensure they are kept well. He'll help organise the supplies being brought in and their safe storage.

A lot of paperwork but, as a trained Minister, something he enjoys as well as having some experience of planning to this degree from his time at Southport.

Rhiannon is there for protection. She is specifically the bodyguard to her cousin, Olivia. She'll take a small handful of Tree Scouts with her, making sure that those involved can do what they need without interruption from man, plant, or animal that might interfere with their work and in their protection. If there is work she and her scouts can do in order to assist Olivia without compromising her protection, they chip in and help where they can.

Petal is going to join this action largely with the intention of helping the land and the plants. She wants to help the plantlife grow. To help cleanse any taint that might be negatively effecting them and to learn more about any negative negative effects.

Domonico will be coming to the aid of Saikland in cleansing the area. He'll be working alongside the Saik military giving them military advice and leadership in their role of protecting those working. The longships in the Malvici Expeditionary Force will be used for transportation of supplies and personale where they need to go around the area.

As Sasha is the Ambassador of the Marin'alfar, she is arranging the negotiations for the cleansing of the waters and checking for mutated and/or tainted water life works. She wants to ensure to all goes as smoothly as humanly and elvenly possible.

Mirk is there as a shaman. He will spend several days in meditation, in hopes of communing with the spirits, and then he begins a rite to call upon the spirits and ask for their guidance and support in cleansing the Blackened Glass.

It's, to put it mildly, a major effort. Valencia's propaganda campaign manages to rouse a lot of public support behind the initiative, with donations and volunteers flooding in. In preparation for their arrival, Vayne blesses holy water to be used in the cleansing rites, Draven works on concoction that should (maybe?) revitalize soil, Skye helps cordon off the area to prevent intrusions by wildlife using natural barriers, Waldemai helps with supplies, Martino with logistics, and Salvatore leads a calvary detachment that makes certain that there's no threat from shavs or wild animals as they work.

The number of guards as well as Salvatore's cavalry act as a big enough deterrant that there's no violence, as Rowenova, Santi, Rhiannon, Miranda and Ian keep their prospective charges safe. As workers get close to the work site of the blackened glass, some complain of headaches or illness, and Juliana is able to treat them effectively, and there's no serious illnesses as a result. As the workers start clearing, Roran begins a cleansing rite, with Sanya assisting with Vayne's blessed holy water sprinkling it over wide patches of the glass, and Mirk leads a shaman cleansing rite to the annoyance by some of the more fervently faithful among the workers.

Work goes slow at first, until Lucita and Sorrel sing. After their song finishes, the next worker that takes a swing with a pick the entire line of glass suddenly shatters, and there's a great cracking sound running down the entire beach as the entire line of glass breaks. After that point, Petal is able to help lead clean up efforts while Sasha sees to no contamination on the shore, and poor Leola is visited by what seems to be a large group of animals with an elk, two deer, a wolverine with a vole on its head, and a particularly indignant badger, and she's seen listening attentively for a long time with a look of exasperation and some overhear her promising to 'take their complaints to management'. Olivia, as she walks by inspecting the area, sees a surprising amount of new growth under the glass (which many expected to be dead), with a new kind of vividly bright green moss that no one can identify. The clean up continues and the beach is cleared of all glass, and Domonico makes certain none is carried off by workers.

The beach has been cleansed.

Some time ago the idea of improving County Pearlspire's infrastructure was seeded. The idea began as a military effort, improving roads to improve troop movements. Which would improve trade. And like the bit of grit that eventually becomes a pearl, the idea has grown and taken shape. And grown some more. Inspired by Lord Michael Bisland, the success of the Empyrean trade route, and encouraged by Marquessa Deepwood, Lord Kaldur has begun shepherding a massive infrastructure project - an overland analog to the Empyrean Route that will set a series of trade roads through Grayson's principalities and farther. /From Stormwall to Ostria and beyond!/ says young Kaldur, with emphasis on 'and beyond.'

When the planning is done and construction begins in earnest, Lord Kaldur is a man who prefers to lead from the front when he can. In County Pearlspire he will work tirelessly alongside the men and women (and horses!) of the Seliki Engineering Corps as they plan and execute the work laid before them. He is a steadying presence with encouragement and focus at setbacks and ready with praise for work well done.

(OOC: Recommended support is 100-200 resources for Baronies and Counties, 200-500 resources for Marches and Duchies; but any and all support is welcome)

As work proceeds all over the Compact, who knows what will be discovered!!

Lady Peri Seliki has a strong relationship with the prominent traders that already flock to Pearlspire's shores and has reached out to those that she tipped off previously to some lucrative opportunities on lumber. She gathers information from them on where the best routes would benefit from roads to add to her brother's efforts and arranges for them to get the word out to others, both to fulfill the gap in transporting materials to the workers and in preparation for the new network.

Considering that some adult supervision will be required, Kalani would be happy to go along and serve as a stand-in for said-adults. Chiefly, if anyone is going to build anything, someone is bound to get hurt in the process. It's a natural outcome of people + tools = broken body parts.

Samantha is wholeheartedly invested in this notion, especially with Old Oak (presumably) being one of the stop points on the road. She'll invest resources into its creation, and encourage the hiring of the March's population for all levels of its creation. She will also look into facilitating the formation of security for the road, and aid in the diplomactic and economic efforts surrounded projecting its cost to create and projection of its maintenance.

As a purveyor of stone, particularly granite and marble, Grazia is going to have stone shipped to the Selikis for Pearlspine. Some of the stone will be used for the very roads it is to be transferred along, but the bulk of it will be sailed along the coast to the actual port city to be used to build the harbor. This is an important trading endeavor, and Grazia expects that due to the long-term nature of the project that it will offer a nice economic boost for her quarries.

Aviaron's Peak rests atop a MOUNTAIN, which means its architects and workers have experience working in... the MOUNTAINS. So Rhea will consult with her stewards to put together a crew of advisors and workers to help with Kaldur's project, lending them valuable experience. Aviaron's Peak will also provide any necessary metal for the project at a discount.

As stewards and protectors on the roads of Arvum, and as followers of Gild who favors trade, civilization and hospitality, the Knights of Solace lend their aid to the project with the promise that it will feature a few Solace waystations and shrines for pilgrimage. Thena offers the Solace soldiers stationed near the proposed route for protection and manpower. She also sends resources and silver for the project. Once complete, the route will be added to the Knights of Solace regular coverage.

Ann believes in Kaldur's efforts for a trade route and signs Stormwall up, understanding that he needs support in many ways to see success in the long run.
*She puts her economic mind to use, saving Kaldur where she can and maximizing profits.
*Pours over paperwork with him to make sure no one is pulling a fast one on him.
*Assigns Crovane's reserves to patrol the route inside Crovane lands.
*Uses her Inquisitorial contacts to make sure no one is sharing the details of the road to those outside of the Compact for their own benefit.

Michael Bisland rounds up maps and engineers who know how to READ said maps to help a vassal in need. Or in want. Since Kaldur doesn't /need/ these roads but he sure does love to talk about it. So much. Just constantly. Leave me alone, I helped!

Grady is following Samantha's lead here, helping smooth the way for increased security and infrastructure between Pearlspire and Old Oak, ideally helping both domains grow stronger and more secure. He talks to people, he negotiates, he encourages the soldiers, and he keeps a careful eye out for any rising arguments, moving to help quell those as swiftly as possible.

Gabriel Bisland is encouraged by the younger generation's drive to see the Compact reach new heights. He adds the weight of the mighty House Bisland to the project. Not only to fund the improvement (or new construction of) roads in Pridehall, but so that the project over all might avoid the danger of dipping into the red.

Giulio will assist in helping those that wish it in building a uniform code / set of agreements to make the best money they can on this.

Stonewood is no stranger to road building, having recently refurbished the road to Pridehall that helped put them on the map. What's not on the map, however, is a great way to cross the river at Stonehearth. So in coordination with this network of roads, Malesh will oversee the creation of a bridge or ferry (whichever is more practical/profitable) crossing the Gray River not far from the docks at Stonehearth.

Recognizing the opportunities for trade and also for his house, Fecundo is lending his diplomatic skills to getting the project moving, working through any of the lands where the road is planned to go. It also doesn't hurt that he'll be able to point to the quality of output from the Gemecitta stone.

Etienne has a vested interest in the pursuit of the expansion of civilization, trade, commerce, and the cause of safe journeys. All of which are accomplished by a well funded and functional transportation system. Etienne will be contributing silver generously provided by the Faith as well as speaking well of the endeavor whenever possible to those that need help convincing. Etienne would indicates the funds are for the builders, and those that support them, soldiers, cooks, and the like. Etienne would also be on hand for cutting any ribbons with hilariously large scissors.

Eddard uses all of his wiles and charm to help speed along permits and coax constructions crews to take on the needed jobs. If Duskshire ends up on the new set of roads, thats not so bad, eh?

Lord Bedivere Whitehawk will be acting on behalf of his dear newphew (Baron Silas Whitehawk) to lead forth Whitehawk soldiers to help out on the road project for Lord Kaldur Seliki. Bedivere himself will be out there as a managerial force to help out every day.
He seeks the help of huntsmen and cartographers in the area to help map the road around mountainous and hilly terrain to connect agricultural communities.
Since gravel and paving is time-consuming and expensive, wood is used in these instances to limit excessive sliding on the steeper side of a hill.
Whitehawk soldiers are deployed to help with security and digging where soil is already worn away, close to the bedrock, so muck will be less of a concern.

While the Volkov Woods is one of the newer areas of the map, and that they may not come anywhere near the proposed current trade route - Ruslan is hopeful that someday, when the trade route starts to create the terciary routes, that the Volkov Woods would be part of this future. As such, he has created a small patrol of 150 troops to be sent to provide security and protection for the crews along the route.

Lady Rey Laveer, as Voice of Laveer and a Mercy has decided that roads are more than needed to connect trade routes, but as a side not would be good for movement of healers to farther reaches of Arx. And has offered her House's support as well as her personal support to the Roads Project.

Given the Twainfort's traditional seat as a trading hub due to its control of the fork of the Mother in the Daughter and Son Rivers, it's simply good sense to see that more and more overland routes from far-flung, land-locked Houses can reach Riven's ports and speed the passage of their goods along its way. Mia will work with a number of her advisors, particularly those most familiar with the landscape and locations throughout her County, and those recently joined Prodigals from surrounding areas of the Gray Forest to find the appropriate blend of transversible but also defensible routes through the woodlands.

In her role as minister of upkeep to Inverno, Mirella will be working on behalf of the house to aid Lord Kaldur's project. Alongside advisors from house Inverno she'll be investigating the safest and most convenient routes for roads to the island city of Caina and any surrounding settlements, as well as figuring out required costs prior to these roads being built. She'll share this research with the Seliki Engineering Corps and assist them in any way that's helpful and beneficial to Inverno and Seliki. She'll also be donating 100 economic resources to the project, representing Inverno's ministry of income rising to the task to provide funds.

Though their home is an out-of-the-way island, the Truesworn are often keen to participate in the broader life of the Compact. A grand project to improve the infrastructure of the coastal trade routes evidently meets with the Truespeaker's approval. Sudara duly brings to bear all the Setarcan know-how and book-learning she can muster, in guiding her people through work to develop Esterhold's internal structure and develop its external trade.

Tenebrae, a warrior above all things, will help in this endeavor by both allocating and commanding soldiers to protect the works, as well as using soldiers as workers on the Isle of Esterhold. They will be learning from the engineers as much as possible, while also ensuring no resources go missing, and protecting lives. This protection also applies to guarding the sea lanes to ensure the transport of resources, skilled craftsmen, and the money to pay them.

The Marquessa of Nilanza is happy to supply as much as we can of the materials and labor required for the stretch of road to be built across the march, if the engineers to see it through can be provided by other means. Then we, House Malespero, can contribute both economic and social resources to the effort, and to all upkeep.

Belladonna has received an invitation to take part on Kaldur's new efforts to build a more cohesive network of roads for commerce. She will be seizing that opportunity and trying to convince other lords, traders, merchants, crafters, etc, to join in with some of their own resources, thus investing much of her Social pull into this. She wants to make Setarco, the whole island, a place of culture and wealth. She will know places to avoid and where the roads should go through.

Lord Sebastian Pravus will be visiting Setarco during January of 1010 as part of some other work. While there, he will talk with local contacts to get an understanding of the breadth and scope of work needed to build roads on the island, as well as the best ideas for placement to assist the engineering corp. Additionally, he will assist the project by spruiking the benefits of a well-built trade road far and wide with his many contacts in Arx and especially within the Pravus lands to drum up additional support and interest in the project and its potential benefits to the local economy.

Following her sister's lead, Celeste is offering her expertise in terms of patrol schedules, strategic importance to areas, most likely to be ambushed here... that kind of thing. She'll further take effort to extol the virtues of this project to important and influential figures in Arx and Setarco.

Mikani helps Kaldur understand the unique location that is Redreef. She gathers funds and encourages the infrastructure project through out her Barony. Mikani addes in economic resources to help with the building of the roads and other paths knowing that anything can be useful.

Baroness Skye Blackshore is a founder of the Empyrean Trade Route. She provides all the mappings where the ships will stop along the way, providing recommendations for fortifications so that goods can be transfered from the ships to the land. Then she will using her mapping skills and knowledge of war to figure out potential ambush points and provide that to people who are going to managing security of this route. She will also use her economic skills to assist Duchess Ann with negotiating better building rates, using her woodworking and infrastructure talents to make sure they get the necessary supplies for building without spending to much.

Dycard is going to help out with the persuading of people that this is a good idea and one that should be supported. After all, roads help farmers get their produce to market as well as letting military forces travel much faster, and that has to be to everyone's benefit come tax-time, right?

Tyde lands are connected both by more traditional roads on Tyde Isle, but more often by more watery roads. Increased trade is good by land, but with goods arriving all the time and boats being a bit more infrequent but with larger cargo capacity than a cart, it is important that there are places to store the goods and efficient places to load and offload. As part of Kaldur's efforts, and to connect this large Grayson road network to the Empyrean and the Isles, Tyde makes land and resource available for the construction of proper warehousing and expanded stone piers to allow for efficient offloading, and offer this same expertise to help build them on the Grayson shores.

Mirk had planned something similar himself, so there's no hesitation when he's offered the chance to connect Whitehold and Cascade Springs to this planned network of roads. As the Minister of Coin for the Halfshavs, he brings some of his House's resources to the table: chiefly stone for the main roads, but also access to scouts with experience finding routes through the mountains. He acts mostly as a diplomat and negotiator, working with others to see to it that those resources are used where they'd be most effective.

Magnus will participate by guiding and assisting in the direction and protection of the roads approach to the Bonespire and surrounding winter wasteland. Utilizing his tactical and martial aptitude he will make himself available to personally advise on any potential known threats or Shav'arvani bands in the area's which they pass through as well as coordinate the protection of all participants with other collaborative members of the team, to include the usage of a detachment of assigned Bone Warden's.

With the building and improving of roads into the far reaches of the Compact, some things might be discovered-- or rediscovered that are best left alone or need a Shaman's expertise to navigate. Volcica will be lending all of her skills to this effort, making sure the spirits remain content in Stahlben's lands and as far out as she can help.

House Ravenseye will happily do their part to be included in a road project to try and make their remote area a little more accessible. Cadern will be sending out missives to Ravenseye and some of their neighbors to avoid any ruffled feathers and ensure things get handled amenably for the usually isolated northerners.

As Voice of Steelhart, Col will invite the trade road to Highhill and provide some military support and strategy as needed to ensure everything is kept safe.

Believing this to be a good endeavor for his house (roads are great for horses), Count Philippe signs up for the project. Alongside his officials, they lay the foundation for dirt paths, making sure to disturb as little as possible of their natural resources by routing the road system through ground that has already been used. Philippe is adamant about raising ranger stations for the Knights of Solace on these roads.

The Rivenshari know other roads, those of the water ways that move through the lands. Which is not a bad thing, they can use that knowledge to help intergrate the two road ways together as well as the roads that will run through Riva. Eshra puts her best minds to this, with the Knights of Solace already having a barracks in Riva and the trade routes that have already been established.

Sasha is gather up 500 economic writs, 500 social writs, and 500 military writs for the roads coming through Giant's Reach. She is also offering to aid with the spreading of the good word of the trade route.

As Marquis of one of the more remote holdings, Gaston is thrilled at the prospect of expanding the Roads and making Cloudspine more accessible. Aside from lending Blackram's political support for the effort, Gaston will also dedicate silver, and military resources to help protect the engineers as they work through expanding into the wilder parts of Arvum.

Cullen will work with his brother-in-law, Lord Alessandro, to make sure that the section of the road that will link Greenhaven to the network (by running along the south bank of the river and establishing a ferry system just west of the fork, ideally with the aid of Rivenshari river captain expertise) will be well-defended during its construction. He will take personal command of a troop of light cavalry and archers. He will also inform any other soldiers, including the engineers, where the safest - and most dangerous - places in the area lie, and how best to fight in the region.

As Minister of Upkeep for Greenmarch, Alessandro is eager to collaborate on a project such as Lord Kaldur has put forth. He will work with the Seliki engineering corps, as well as all other engineers who are assisting, to devise the best route through Greenmarch lands for the roads, perhaps partly running near the river as suggested by his brother-in-law, Lord Cullen, for easier trade with those houses such as Rivenshari and others who are at the forefront of maritime trade. He will also assist with bookkeeping, allocations of funds if necessary, and various economic portions of the endeavor, should it be needed.

The Voice of House Lyonesse takes a personal hand in the great roadworks project, enthusiastic for the potential of growth it can bring to Lyonesse lands and its people. Lady Jenessa temporarily returns to Lyon's Redoubt to assist, providing insight into the geography of the area as well as the best routes for travel. Not only does she oversee the exchange of lumber for proper stones for the road surface, she also plots out the route itself with the Seliki engineers and Lord Kaldur. Furthermore, the Lyonesse offers use of what sailworthy ships they possess to expedite the transport of building materials up and down the river to the surrounding holdings of those involved. Not only is time spent and investments made, but Jenessa further encourages the locals of Lyon's Redoubt to make the experience a memorable one for the visiting engineers and Lord Kaldur himself, throwing a modest but personal banquet for the guests of House Lyonesse and all the workers who put in time and labor.

Reigna had been planning on building roads throughout Oakhaven to stimulate trade and facilitate troop movements throughout the March. Kaldur's plans dovetail perfectly into this plan, and she shifts her focus from just Oakhaven to the surrounding areas as well. She will be contributing resources from wood and stone, to engineers and laborers to help with the construction.

Olivia will draft a plan for House Ashford's particiaption, along with providing some necessary material support. Given her area of expertise, she will prioritize roads in Ashford territory to provide good access to typical regions of agricultural surplus so that these products can be moved to market more quickly without risk of spoilage.

Lilia Telmar offers maps and recommendations for routes through the Temarch, with particular diligence paid to their placement in respect to pre-existing towns and trading routes. She's trying to find that sweet spot between maximum efficiency in road construction and minimum disruption to the people of the land, who might like to use the roads but who don't want to give up their lands. She's tagged a particular river crossing for the establishment of a new bridge, and indicated that it is likely to become the site of a thriving inn catering to travelers.

In an effort to bring more interesting people to Acorn Hill, and support the travel development plan, Tessa is personally funding the construction of an inn in the town of Acorn Hill, with stables enough for larger groups of merchants, mercenaries and travellers that may be passing through. The Golden Dame, as the inn is called, also keeps a very comfortable room always open and free of charge to any musicians or entertainers that are willing to perform for their supper so to speak. The HOPE is that this will make the stays for every one more pleasent.

Kritr will put people working towards a road in the land he controls to link it with the rest of the road system and accept whatever help of engineers is offered.

House Grayson will be taking advantage of the economy of scale of the overall effort to acquire the supplies to improve the existing roads surrounding Bastion and Arx at favorable rates, with an eye to planning linkages for future expansion to the ducal territories of the Crownlands.

Saikland Greens is a small area but a link and a junction along the path between areas to the north and Iasu to the west and Ostria to the south should the route extend that far. The route, if it succeeds, is an opportunity for networking with other houses and fealities, for enhanced trade opportunities. The mappers, guards and engineers provided by Lord Kaldur to begin the initial planning and feasibility of the route are welcomed and she accompanies them during one of her trips to Saikland to make sure they find places that do not disturb the farming and vineyard, existing businesses, have resting points with water, camping areas, spots near villages and military posts for protection and provisions. They plan out areas to avoid such as difficult stream fords, the small bog to the south that moving inland a bit can circle. Lucita adds some of her military forces to the group as they look over the areas to the south and north and around the perimeter of Saikland, careful not to intrude into Fidante Holdings but to see the locations and condition of any existing routes and trails, help secure the areas within and adjacent to Saikland and the number and location of any abandoned groups along the way. Her charm and propaganda skills can sooth the way and help persuade some to join the compact rather than resist and prey upon the merchants using such a trade route. Once areas are secured, she will assess to see if improvements to her docks becomes necessary.

Sabella is well aware of the issues that might come up with this road and so she is ready to be on hand to talk it up to anyone and everyone that wants to listen. And even those that don't want to listen, painting a picture for people of the Compact of safe, faster travel and trade, and trying to pitch it to the Shavs that instead of having Compact people traipsing their way everywhere through their lands this will keep them all in one place and hey, they can set up stalls to sell them products along the way and everybody wins! Yay roads!

Tikva thinks this is a terrible idea. She has been repeatedly insistent that it is a terrible idea whenever it has come up. However, a number of her vassals are insisting on involving themselves in it anyway, and despite her best efforts to persuade him and others otherwise, the help of House Grayson has been sought. It is not in her to refuse what aid she can offer in order to defray some of the hazards that she perceives in creating a massive overland trade route through lands that are not held by the Compact. She does what she can to ensure that any workers are actively protected by soldiery, that there are relay stations set up along the route that she believes to be an ultimately doomed project so that messages and emergency cries for help when the raiding parties come can help protect them. Tikva does not anticipate that her efforts will be able to prevent anything from ending in disaster, loss of life and potential deep economic distress for those houses embarking on an ill-advised venture, but at least if she does something to try to stave off some of the worst, maybe she can mitigate the damage to people who insist on failing to follow her good advice.

Niklas will mostly make jokes about how they should extend the road to Stormward. Like, hey guys, why can't we do a road to Stormward? This is a massive undertaking, but you know what would really make you guys legends? Uh. A road to Stormward. Really, he'll keep doing it until people are annoyed with him. But only the people who are actually working on the project. For everyone else the celebrity prince will turn on the megawatt smile and gladhand like the white hot grease fire of charm and charisma he happens to be. He's no good with a sword, he doesn't run his own domain and he doesn't have an army to offer, but what he does have are contacts who can help to make sure the money gets to where it needs to be and parts more easily from those who may be reluctant to turn it over. Call it monetary logistics. You don't need to know what you're moving, you just need to move it.

As Minsiter of Infrastructure for the Crown, Jaenelle understands the captial city is certainly a hub of activity. Arx will continue to assist where needed, making sure the roads leading to and from Arx are kept safe to the traders as well as making sure the steets themselves are kept free from holes, cracks, or anything that might make travel harder. Jaenelle's focus will be the roads directly around Arx.

Jennyva has been given permission from Duke Malcolm to sign Graypeak up for this project and contribute writs, time, whatever Kaldur may need. Her expertise is in negotiations and marketing and she ensures that the merchants know to use these new roads to their advantages.

As a capable steward and Voice for Blackram, Teagan has stepped up to oversee her family's participation in this expansive project. As remote as the Cloudspine is, such a road will be greatly beneficial. She will gladly see to aiding in what ways she can beyond providing what Blackram will for the connection of their holdings to the road: primarily with her economic skills.

Sir Andry Bayweather seems more then interested in the idea of helping connect the compact into a more unified whole and is helping arrange patrols with the Knights of Solace as well putting in work to arrange funding for any sections which otherwise seem to be neglected

Seymour believes an effort like this can only further enhance the trade network between fealties, to the benefits of trade at all levels. Seymour is ensuring that there are ample resources to ensure the holdings in Stormwall and Ashford he is responsible for can be a part of this, and to establish new trade posts for Oak Mercantile where the need for additional trade along the new route may exist.

The Great Road is easily one of the most ambitious projects launched in recent years in the Compact, though the scope is so vast and the current state of travel in the Compact is so dangerous that it verges on quixotic. Still, the bold ambition is embraced by scores of notables in the Compact, and ambitious or no, they get to work with the massive project.

There are numerous challenges. First and foremost, the traditional respect for the autonomy of every domain holder. The Compact has always had paths, or even rough mud roads between major thoroughfares, and the Knights of Solace have long patrolled many of the most popular, but the proposed brand new road attracts notice of every domain holder that they would pass through, and this is hundreds of them. The majority welcome the increase in trade... provided a) it doesn't stir up an Abandoned response and b) that they aren't responsible for patrolling it with their own funds. That is relatively little help, and they are happy to profit from it, if it is at no cost to them. A smaller number enthusiastically welcome it, and are EAGER for an Abandoned response, and are actively looking forward to doing battle with their hated enemies. Particularly in the Oathlands, there's talk about 'cleansing their lands for good and all', which goes well outside the bounds of a friendly trade agreement, and is more than a little worrisome. Some of the talk goes well past a little worrisome, in fact. And a very few outright refuse to have any new road built on their land, despite all reasoning, pleading, threats, forcing the road to be built entirely around some random baronies and counties that simply do not wish to risk any sort of conflict with Abandoned or increase the flow of riff-raff through their borders.

But with initial agreements signed up, then comes construction. This is thousands upon thousands upon thousands of miles of road to build a road that unites the different domains on somethnig more than dirt, often overgrown, hunting paths. The sheer engineering this takes in laying down the stones and creating the waystations will stand as one of the most remarkable marvels done in the Compact in centuries. Much of the land goes through Abandoned controlled territory, even if it is ostensibly owned by the Compact, but the amount of forces brought make most of the Abandoned steer clear aside from the odd skirmish here and there as the road is being built with overwhelming force. But the key words are 'as the road is being built'.

The good news is that trade spikes up immediately, and many of the traders in the Compact are absolutely thrilled to have better overland paths in order to move their goods when rivers are inaccessible or impractical. It's a boon many of the domains, and the economic consequences should be strong, in the long term. The bad news is that there simply are not anywhere near enough Knights of Solace in the Compact to patrol thousands of miles of road. Certainly they do what they can, but the raids start immediately, and in great force, and the losses from the Knights of Solace start to mount, even as caravans start to hire sellswords and travel in greater numbers for protection. Which in turn, has prompted stronger raids. Much stronger.

The Great Road is an economic success, overall, despite the raids. And fame comes with such a large, daring project. But the social and political consequences are another matter all together, and those will be forthcoming.

Grazia calls together her friends and family to perform a ritual to cleanse the primum at the thirteenth hour of the thirteenth day. She has set up a brazier to receive her offerings, which are set beside her: some valuable and some just personal mementos. Some jewelry, some paper, some scraps, but all thirteen objects have some sort of meaning to her. She has been meditating deeply prior to their arrival, and once they are all arranged, she says, "This is my ritual to cleanse the primum. May you all watch and learn. These are my sacrifices. May they help to create a stronger dream. A beautiful dream where magic is used for good and all may enjoy its fruits." And then she goes through her objects, explains each one, and commits it to the flames.

1 "A pair of copper armbands with attached umbra that were given to me by my new husband Aiden. A representation of the life that we find ourselves sharing, not by love but by politics, with affection nonetheless swelling in the background."

2 "A curiously cute but fake fur seal handwarmer, given to me by some young friends who found my generally cold demeanor in need of some warmth and amusement. The object is in the shape of a baby seal, as if they expected I could be cold and cruel enough to kill a baby seal for the warmth of its fur. But I can take a joke and I like it."

3 "A pair of sterling silver earrings set with multi-hued Gemecittan quartz, valued more since they were a gift from Guildmaster Joscelin, who enjoys working with the beautiful stones of my homeland."

4 "A ring set with Gemecittan quartz, not important in and of itself but precious to me because it comes to me from my homeland, Gemecitta. This ring was part of the set of favors that we gave out at both Lysander and Silvio's wedding, and at my own wedding to Duke Aiden, and thus it carries memories and strength of politics, doing right by Gemecitta."

5 "A small hairball of cat fur, valueless, but scraped from one of my umbra gowns after interacting with my beloved co-duchess Dafne. Although many assume we are in competition, we coordinate well, and we live like sisters."

6 "A message written to me by my brother Lysander, complaining about the lighting in the palazzo, because if you can't live in a beautiful world, Lysander will make it more beautiful for you."

7 "A mask, representing the Masquerades that Aiden throws, at which I may hide my face and enjoy the party without being the hostess. An excuse to be myself wholly, hidden behind the shield."

8 "A fabulous piece of fabric for Silvio, because he has fantastic taste in clothes and makes my dear brother very happy."

9 "A scribbled letter written by Valkeiri, a remembrance that no plans are truly set and for the man himself, in fondness."

10 "A dawnstone, like the dawnstone I gave the Archduchess, a reminder that a new dawn is breaking for the Lyceum and we are all part of it."

11 "An Inquisition badge, for being an Inquisitor and learning many things and investigating many problems is extremely rewarding."

12 "A simple law folio, as skill as a lawyer made me a valuable member of my family as well as a member of the Court."

13 "A piece of paper on which is copied a white journal from Theron Mazetti, publicly announcing he was coming home from war specifically to see me. I have loved no other the way I loved him."

Dafne is there, to affectionately support her co-ruler, and ready for anything unexpected. She will be paying close and careful note to the ritual as well, in preparation for doing it herself in future.

Miranda has been requested to witness this ritual. She will be observing with attention to detail so that she may learn and repeat it herself, eventually passing it on to others.

Quenia, being every curious about things, heartily agrees to participate in Grazia's ritual. She's intrigued about what it takes the cleanse the primum. She's very attentive to what Grazia has to teach her, and where possible she takes copious notes so that she can proceed with this act herself, and further teach others. She is there in support of Grazia, listening very carefully to what it is she is sacrificing, and sharing with her the memories that each of the sacrifice created. She smiles in support of her Duchess, and takes care not to interrupt her during this long process.

Luis has been invited as well and the curiosity in the man's demeanor cannot be denied. He will attend with paper and other implements ready to make notes on anything he does not believe that he can remember, though in turn he will reach out with questions after the ritual has been completed, attempting to understand the underlying cause and effect of the ritual.

Lucita observes each aspect of the ritual attentively, committing it to memory so she may replicate it using her own items to assist with the cleansing.

Mae is not entirely unfamiliar with odd rituals, so she'll not only be observing, but also helping, best she can. Pass ingredients over, help drawing lines with chalk, whatever it is Grazia might need, Mae will be the dutiful ritual assistant!

Mayir is, well -- Mayir is there. He seems more curious than anything, hanging out on the edges of the ceremony and observing what he sees, trying to make mental notes for his own ritual some day. When an Inquisition badge goes in, however, he smiles. Nothing like seeing the Inquisition get burned up. Metaphorically.

Notes will be taken. Copious amounts of notes. Details will be cross referenced. So. Many. Cross-references. Even more cross references then that. He does, however, keep the pen skritching to a minimum. Giulio is all about that 'not dying from primum poisoning'.

Antonio will attend the ritual, and quietly observe what happens, taking notes as he can.

Silvio listens to the ritual and participates

Jordan will be present for this ritual, keeping himself solemn as he takes mental note of all that is said, all that is sacrificed. He prays as the ritual continues, solemn and disciplined as a knight.

Fecundo has been invited to witness the ritual. He is attending to observe and learn how the ritual is performed, as requested by the head of his house and for his own benefit.

Grazia calls together her friends and family to perform a ritual to cleanse the primum at the thirteenth hour of the thirteenth day. She has set up a brazier to receive her offerings, which are set beside her: some valuable and some just personal mementos. Some jewelry, some paper, some scraps, but all thirteen objects have some sort of meaning to her. She has been meditating deeply prior to their arrival, and once they are all arranged, she says, "This is my ritual to cleanse the primum. May you all watch and learn. These are my sacrifices. May they help to create a stronger dream. A beautiful dream where magic is used for good and all may enjoy its fruits."

She starts with copper armbands gifted to her by her husband. The copper flares and the flame burns green for a moment, flickering in the room as all watch carefully. Then a handwarmer, given as a gift - and as she explains its purpose and its meaning, Dafne laughs aloud. In fact, for a moment they are all sharing in the joke of it, touched by the humor of her gift and her vision of the Dream.

A set of silver earrings is next, and it's obvious this is the work of Joscelin. It's followed by a ring of Gemecitta, and as the two pieces of jewelry slowly melt in the flames, there's a sense of home, and beauty, and the touching feeling of welcome after a long journey away.

Then a hairball, and if it's an unusual sacrifice, Grazia's explanation has everyone turning to Dafne. For a moment there's a connection between the two women, shining and true in the light, and then it fades as the ritual continues.

Piece by piece she consigns to the flames, and with each one the feeling of warmth and welcome and home - complex and tangled, binding and freeing all at once surrounds each of them. When the ritual is completed at last, they all breathe a little freer - and with them always will linger a sense of family and home and connection, clean and true.

Marquis-Consort Hadrian Mazetti has began a campaign of expansion on behalf of Ostria and House Mazetti. Prior to the direct conflict with the Gyre and his forces, House Mazetti had reached out to a number of allies and potential allies. Among those potential allies the eye of House Mazetti and Ostria now turns, through the Voice of Marquessa Cambria Mazetti.

Leading up to the war with the Gyre, House Mazetti had extended an offer of fealty to many Abandoned tribes at the borders of Ostria and beyond. Some tribes accepted and now thrive within a growing Ostria, some had consented to an honor duel to decide the matter with varying results, and others had simply politely declined the offer. House Mazetti acted with honor and, some may say dignity, in respecting the choice of those who did not wish to partake in the coming conflict. That particular conflict has passed and the Compact has emerged victorious, so the time is now for House Mazetti to extend the olive branch to those who had shown (polite) reluctance in the past.

To begin with Hadrian will be seeking the aid of capable diplomats and others. Along with that enlistment of skilled individuals, Hadrian will seek out among the Prodigal population in Ostria those who have prospered throughout the economic boom that the city-state has experienced through sound investments, commerce, and more. He will request the aid of these Prodigals in reaching out to those tribes in which the diplomatic campaign will come in contact with, speaking of their own experiences as Prodigals within Ostria and the Compact, along with their successes thus far.

Even soldiers from the banners of House Mazetti will march with the diplomatic party, under strict orders that they will only be acting within a defensive capacity under the command of Lord Valerio Mazetti, the Marshal of Ostria. The ranks of the II Hydra Legion are brought along as a show of support not for the diplomatic party but for those tribes which the diplomatic conducts their efforts with. Hadrian will makes it a point to remind those Abandoned tribes which they deal with throughout the campaign that the Hydra stands ready to defend those who come beneath their banner and join with the Compact through House Mazetti. The evidence is before their very eyes: The Hydra has an army that is battle experienced, known for being territorial, and stands ready to offer aid to those who accept the offer of protection, fealty, and more.

The ultimate message is simple. House Mazetti and Ostria stands ready to provide protection and more to the Abandoned who are willing to swear fealty upon Limerance to Marquessa Cambria Mazetti and her House, thereby joining the Compact. Those offers which meet with success? Hadrian will then attempt to use those successes as something of a domino effect. Utilizing the new Prodigals to act as diplomats with Abandoned tribes who they have peaceful relations with, all in the interest of creating a cascade of oaths sworn in fealty to House Mazetti for the betterment of all involved.

For those which stand ready to refuse the peaceful offer, the Sword of House Mazetti in the form of Lord Theron Mazetti will be asked to represent the House in order to decide the matter once and for all. These duels will be held honorably, without the threat of death or open warfare as any manner of stipulation. They are meant to prevent such things from taking place and thus House Mazetti will conduct itself honorably and present these duels as nothing more than to first blood. As with any duel where deadly weapons are involved, accidents do happen. In the event of any such accidents occur, House Mazetti will provide compensation as a show of good faith in the form of silver and goods. This, of course, is just another clever veil in the diplomatic dance designed to entice the Abandoned into recognizing that House Mazetti will treat them reasonably and fairly. They are Lycene after all.

Hail Hydra.

As a steadfast ally of House Mazetti and a skilled diplomat, Princess Isabeau Valardin will use her bountiful charm, masterful manipulation, and expert skill in propaganda to encourage those Abandoned deemed worthy to bend the knee under the banners of House Mazetti.

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As the Countess of Escuma, Arcelia pulls her resources to assist her Hadrian. An army suddenly marching towards you is not an ideal situation because they would be strictly bending the knee out of fear. As such, Arcelia takes a smaller group (Mercies, Soldiers, Disciples that speak Lycene Shav, etc from Escuma) with her to do some mission work ahead of time. She will bring care packages of food, seeds, medicine, and other important essentials to them and ask for nothing in return except that they let them stay for a few weeks. They will simply act as servants to that tribe in that they will help do chores around their settlement, tell them about what its like living in The Compact, let the Disciples tell them about the Gods, and then at night carelessly party with them. The intention here is that when the rest of the diplomats get here and the army arrives they will have a more positive foundation to work with.

Cambria brings to the table her experience in a leadership capacity, so that Hadrian's expertise in diplomacy is most aptly utilized by bringing together all the right people are brought together under one umbrella of authority. It sounds more luxurious than it in truth is, as much of it involves paperwork, matters of logistics, knowing who will work with whom and the like, all the way down to signing off on how much feed for pack animals must be brought. Her work, therefore, is largely behind the scenes, though she herself does not remain an elusive figure. On the forefront of the project, she makes sure to be both seen and heard by those she works alongside of...and especially those she hopes to sway to the cause.

Alessia brings her martial skills to the table in the event that things go awry despite attempts at diplomacy. Her role will also be to display her abilities as a glaivedancer to the Abandoned via defensive and offensive drills ran by her uncle in the hopes of bolstering the reputation of the Guardians while also honing her own skills during the diplomatic endevour. In addition, she'll offer whatever aid she can to her cousins as they aim to gain the fealty of the Abandoned.

Valerio is always very much of the mind that if one wishes peace, they must prepare for war. However, he is content to let the diplomats be diplomats and keeps Guardians at the ready in the event of failure. Given the unique task at hand, Valerio continually rotates his current Guardian detail into drills. His purpose behind this is to keep the Guardians battleready just in case, but to show the Abandoned just what Guardians can do. Valerio will run both defensive and offensive drills to show the Abandoned just how well Ostrians are protected, and just how well Ostria will go after their enemies.

Marquis Hadrian Mazetti has asked my assistance in dealing with his land and population expansion around Ostria and having abandoned tribes bend the knee. Lucita applies her Lycene Slav linguistics ability, her charm and her propaganda skills in methods that were successfully used in the Saikland land expansion to assist in his effort. She invites some of the Abandoned who seem content and to be adjusting very well to joining the Compact and Saikland to accompany her so the Ostria area tribes can see that protection and fair treatment is given from some who were just like them. .

Diplomacy, word of mouth advertisement, duels, military might - there seems to be someone covering each of these. But who is out there showing what Arvani culture can really produce? Why not the Champion Whisper? As loud and brash as she can be, Bliss knows how to put on a good show and play to her audience. And so she travels among the Abandoned tribes of Ostria with the Mazettis et al, carousing, singing, and performing far flashier duels than the likes House Swords might do - and for far lower stakes. She's here to put on a show and get these people to see how much /fun/ life in the Compact can be, and win hearts and minds over that way. Everyone else has the finer details of integration covered, after all.

Leading up to the war with the Gyre, House Mazetti had extended an offer of fealty to many Abandoned tribes at the borders of Ostria and beyond. Some tribes accepted and now thrive within a growing Ostria, some had consented to an honor duel to decide the matter with varying results, and others had simply politely declined the offer. House Mazetti acted with honor and, some may say dignity, in respecting the choice of those who did not wish to partake in the coming conflict. (That and they were really too busy to go on a shav-killing campaign with the Pirate King threatening) But now that war is over, and the Mazetti forces are back, and they've got that same look on their face. That "let's talk about fealty to the Compact" look.

And so Marquessa Cambria and Marquis Hadrian, along with their family - Lord Theron, Sword of Mazetti and Lady Alessia in particular - travel with their military forces, with Lord Theron and Valerio in command. They reach Ostria and bring the diplomats to the forefront. They've asked some of their allies, Princess Isabeau, Countess Arcelia, Baroness Lucita, and Bliss Whisper to join them as well, reaching out to those who were previously reluctant. With a savvy mixture of inherent threat from the military and diplomatic overtures by the rest, it presents a particularly Lycene offer - and people respond, expanding Ostria as these shavs bend the knee.

(Reference: Request Ticket ID 9883 -- an effort to comply with requirements to expand land area) Nearby land area UNCLAIMED by any Lycene houses is surveyed, explored, and mapped to the west, south, and north to avoid being too close to Brasshall March, the closest Lycene holding to Saikland Greens. East is the bay. Shav villages and camps, areas in use by them are mapped and noted. Areas suitable for establishing a Cavalry Training Facility with necessary pastures, farms (feed, food, stockpiling for lean years), homes (workers/staff), lumber (fences, buildings, cook-fires), training trails in various terrains (woods, hills, shore, marsh, creeks, open, rough) with lengthy routes for coordinated exercises and endurance building rides for horses and men. (Not competitive with horse breeders but to give military an area for groups to use, return to their units and other sessions to start.) Students and instructors in this benefit Saikland by serving as an additional military presence and patrols along the perimeter trails to supplement Saikland military.

Saikland land area is too small, just 5 at present, and growing population and economy may well cause overcrowding and hardship for the people, something Lucita is stern in avoiding. (reference: Action 1963, Action 2116) Land area is also needed in order to establish the Cavalry Facility to help serve the Lycene and Compact military. 1500 economic resources are attached to this action to represent investment in infrastructure, roads, improvements and any necessary buildings. We hired (fee-4000 silver and 15 writs each) three Society of Explorers people to have mappers, surveyors, explorers, etc. to make sure this was done safely and properly. Several ships are available to use for transport of people and supplies.

Saik military and any who wish to support the effort move in to help map, explore, and establish a perimeter and patrol area to claim such area as is not in use by Shavs then follow the steps below when Shavs are encountered. We have already begun to increase our military, not to threaten but to prepare men to defend new holdings, maintain peace, oust hostile Shav's and help teach. Saik military added, a few at a time, during the fall and winter months of 1008-1009 were 15 infantry-150 mil, 3 pike-45 mil, 5 cavalry-150 mil, 5 archers-100 mil--an investment of 445 military resources to reach 200 army. An additional 1000 military resources are added to the action for Calvary Training Facility Trainers, staff and additional military-increases growth.

When Shavs are encountered, translators, diplomats and propagandaists are sent meet with them (military to ensure safety) to initiate peaceable negotiations aimed toward bending the knee and ensure no dangerous cults or factors endanger newly acquired areas. If hostile groups or cults exist or Shav's decline to bend the knee, they will have to be moved away from Saikland borders to avoid having enemies close at hand. Faith is consulted to confirm any bending the knee are meeting current faith efforts. Templars attached to the action and groups provided by Duchess Calypso protect diplomats and negotiators if attacked and handle any abyssals encountered. This is an attempt to build good relationships and avoid bloodshed if possible of those who may become useful, productive and content new citizens using techniques such as succeeded in the Southport action, but enemies can not be permitted to remain in or in dangerous proximity to Saikland. (Reference: Action by Calypso for Turmoil in Southport (Private Action, OOC Date: April 20, 2018.) Lucita has taken the time to learn Lycene Shav language so she can communicate directly with them. 1000 social resources are attached to this action to represent investment and support of these diplomatic, peaceable efforts.

Calypso will fully support this measure for the Barony of Saikland. She will commit 30 of her cavalry to the action as advisors in order to help identify the most ideal land.

Additionally, Calypso will rally House Grey Raptor to help explore these lands. These explorers should be able to ride forward and speak to Abandoned and help convince them to either work with Saik, move off the land, but PRIMARILY to join in with Saik. Grey Raptor has been one of the huge recipients of aid and faith after the Southport conflict and they would be the ideal force to ride with the cavalry and seek peaceful resolution. Prior to Grey Raptor leaving, Calypso would voice this as a test effort for Grey Raptor to move forward without causing violence. If they prove their ability, they will be some of the first to take the training and be able to ride more freely into exploration under proper training. She intends to turn them into a force of Rangers.

At the request of Baroness Lucita, the Faith are taking an active interest in this expansion, especially as it is liable to come across Shav tribes that might be integrated and to ensure it is done by the proper methods. Preston is taking a decent force of 200 cavalry 300 archers and 500 infantry (attached to the action) to monitor events. If the Faithful are threatened, or the Shavs turn out to worship the Abyss, or somehow the Shavs attack the Faith forces directly, they will intervene and put the Shavs to the sword, obeyind Gloria's tenants as they do of course. If the Shavs are willing to talk, the Godsworn of the group including Preston will explain proper worship of the Pantheon, and the benefits that come from the Faith - including training in proper ways of war by the Templars. The large force hopefully will convince the Shavs that fighting is a bad solution for this. The Faith will also bless the land for the cavalry facility in the name of Gloria for Lucita, and will let local Templars know to support the effort and make use of it.

Reese is coming to help Baroness Lucita. She would like to use her leadership skills, propaganda skills and experience in relating with Shavs to help try and speak with the Shavs and encourage them gently to join Saik. She will fight, but only in self-defense unless she runs into agents of the abyss. Then she will fight eh agents of the abyss. Reese will remain uninterested in using physical force or threats to encourage anyone to join, but she is very willing to turn on her charm, use her long history of relating well with Shavs and being fair to them and propaganda talk to them about the greatness of Baroness Lucita and Saik.

Look, Lord Karadoc Saik's here. Yes, he's trying to prove himself useful to this VERY IMPORTANT project to expand Saikland Greens lands into territory that's unclaimed by Lycene Houses but occupied by Lycaean Shav'arvani. Look, he's kinda wary about Prodigals, okay? He'll leave all the diplomacy and straight-talk to the diplomats, courtiers, and Whispers. He's working behind the curtain, again, to take care of this project's logistics (intellect) while keeping a very careful eye on supplies (economics.)

Friends help friends. And that's why Sasha is traveling with House Saik to help convince the peaceful tribe of Shavs to bend a knee. In this task the Oathlander turned Northerner throws her all, projecting to the tribe the poise and grace of a former princess, telling the Shavs all that they can gain from bending a knee; security, prosperity, and purpose in a strong and growing alliance of many people. She shows them goods that could be theirs if they join The Compact, food, clothing, tools - all things that they likely have limited access to due to the ban on trading with Shavs. All this to hopefully convince them that it is in their interest to swear fealty to The Compact.

Softest Whisper Saedrus is more than happy to assist Baroness Lucita and House Saik in their endeavour. He will accompany whatever groups lead out into the territories of abandoned tribes to help negotiations of land and joining the compact. It's all with a little charm and gentle diplomacy, with the aid of translators, he hopes to speak with the shav'arvani and see matters sorted out in benefit to the Saik and Abandoned peacefully. He brings with him social, economic and military favours (100 resources each) to help bolster the Saik's efforts.

Zebulon will provide his ship to Lucita to assist in ferrying supplies back and forth as needed to assist with the expansion of Saikland and cavalry camp setup.

Not only will Ariella be making the Red Bargain available for ferrying supplies to Saikland, but she will also be making regular patrols along the coasts in search of potential threats before they become a problem, while also acting as an escort with other cargo ships, her doughty group of sailors offering protection for those ships whose sailors may not have been battle hardened in places such as Setarco.

Leola acts as an outrider for the Saik forces. She knows the lands (Survival), knows what land will likely be valuable (Agriculture), and takes the opportunities to guide the Saik forces to the places that will be most of use to her liege.

Juliana will be using one of her ships from Isles Canines to join and help the Baroness in her quest. Having spent time amoung the Lycene Shavs before the war, to convince them to join Pravus in it's efforts, she will use that experience in working with these to show them how it will benefit them to side with the Baroness Lucita. Not only will she be using her charm and propaganda to help but as they move through the people, Juliana will also do what she can to treat those that need medical attention.

Duchess Calista Fidante offers her assistance in the form of hype and diplomacy. She is known for speaking elegantly and truly getting to the heart of various situations, easing the confusion of those who might be on the fence of bending the knee. She also gives good hype. Hype Hype Hype - Saik is great!

No vassal, even a non-direct one, is too small to not deserve the attention of the Archduchess of Lenosia. In fact, as a show of her respect and affection for House Saik, the Archduchess arrives in person to speak with whatever Abandoned tribes are found. She stresses the strength of not only House Saik, but of the unified Lyceum that stands behind them. Though sheer force of personality, Eleyna attempts to move and persuade them into bending the knee, painting it as an opportunity not just for protection for their tribe, but a chance to join the Compact, a force united against all those that would threaten it, from the Great Houses to the Prodigal tribes that bend the knee.

Scouting! Mapping! Exploring! Yes, that is what Caspian is doing. Working with the other Explorers, Caspian is doing his best to help map out the potential lands without having the party get killed or lost.

Eirene comes along in her official capacity as VOICE OF SOUTHPORT as well as a Healer of the Explorers to make this all official like if anyone has doubts about the validity of the expansion. She's there to ensure the new shav tribes are not diseased and to spread goodwill with her medical knowledge. She's also familiar with the general region if not the specific due to years of Malvici patrols and military exercises in the Saiklands.

Despite an army accompanying them, there's an awful lot of notables in this group of people, and Valarian is there to make sure anyone who would try to slip through and take a stab at any get stabbed first. Accordingly, the giant sellsword and Explorer will hang near the most vulnerable members of the party to provide defense.

Baroness-Regent Lucita Saik continues to strengthen her lands - this time with an expansion of her lands outward. Her Barony is becoming very used to having Very Important People in town to help them with infrastructure and building projects, and when they speak of Lucita now, they speak of her not as the wife of their former Baron-Regent, not as an Igniseri, but as the Baroness who is making sure their home thrives.

First, the Grey Raptor clan, recently-Prodigal shav from Southport arrive, at the direction of Duchess Calypso. Lady Eirene shows up in her role as Voice to help oversee the process, and they start scouting likely territories of receptive shav.

Then Sir Preston arrives with a sizeable force (for a non-Crusade, which is to say, sans trebuchet and sans completely overwhelming force) of Templars too, providing some muscle on behalf of the Faith. And by "muscle" here that is of course to say "measured conversations about the joys and benefits of the Faith.

Princess Reese also shows up to help lend her military expertise, along with Dame Leola, Grandmaster Caspian, and Valarian Harrow of the Crimson Blades. Their experiences and skillsets range from military to scouting, and they work with the Grey Raptors and Lady Eirene and her healers to find shav willing to bend the knee, and convince them through wily strategy not to fight.

Logistics are masterminded - errrr, organized! by Lord Karadoc, and he puts together the charts and plans and schedules for supplies and their transport. Supplies are ferried in to support both the military campaign and the expected expansion, with Lady Ariella's Red Bargain and Sir Zebulon's ship leading the way.

And then the diplomatic corps sweeps in. Alongside Baroness Lucita? Archduchess Eleyna herself comes to entreat people to join the Compact. Lady Calista is so cheerful and excited for this expansion of Saikland Greens. Lady Juliana uses her experience convincing shavs near Pravus to join the Compact and applies that to good effect. Whisper Saedrus helps ease negotiations with the Abandoned-hopefully-soon-to-be-Prodigal. Marquessa Sasha speaks eloquently of all they stand to gain.

In the end, this is a very successful campaign, and Baroness Lucita finds herself in the middle of a Barony that is suddenly quite a bit larger, with infrastructure projects ongoing, and new Prodigals bending the knee and starting to integrate to call Saikland Greens their home.

Iseulet begins spearheading a campaign to put into motion a new -MASSIVE- permanent trading route by water that stretches from the Telmarch, round the coast of the Oathlands, heading south round the Lyceum, to the Thraxian Isles, and cutting across to Arx up to Stonehearth.

Each House that participates is asked to donate 50-100 military writs for the funding of security escorts and the fightin' off of Pirates - river and otherwise). Optionally, each House can /also/ donate some social writs to help spread the word along.

The goal is to stimulate trade between Houses - Houses both import and export goods and benefit from the taxes and stimulated economy! Thereby giving a monthly income boost (and maybe some initial economic writs) to all houses represented here. Every House gets an equal share of all the profits, with the exception of the Houses contracted to secure the route from bandits/pirates (those that have attached ships to the action). Not only are these houses entitled to a bigger share of the profits (due to their increased risk) any and all contraband seized by pirates along the route will of course, be theirs.

The Count of Riva himself has taken a very strong interest in this wonderful mission, probably most likely because the idea was born out of a conversation with he and Iseulet. He knew he would be especially helpful among the peoples on the rivers and so the Count would head out to use his charm and diplomatic skill, as well as his life experiences and relationships to assist in the negotiating among not just the peoples of the rivers, but anyone who seemed inclined to hear him.

Belladonna endorses the deal, meeting with merchants and sailors around her port city and spreading word, building hype and excitement for this new trade route that will open up new revenue streams for the bold and daring who sieze the opportunity at hand!

Baroness Skye Blackshore lends Lady Iseulet the resources she needs to start the trading route, giving her military escort and blessing to move forward with these trading agreements.

Lady Tesha Telmar has spoken with Lord Ansel Telmar and they have decided that this is a good idea for the Telmarch to join in. So they are going to be providing Military and Social support for Lady Blackshore in hopes that this venture goes smoothly and without any bumps.

Always on the lookout to place Caina in traderoutes, Oriana, as a Voice of Inverno, interviews her ship captains to carve a new force from Caian's navy specifically to provide safe passage for trade from New Hope and spreads the word through her contacts and mertchant captains at home and in Arx.

As the Queen of Silver for the isles of Ischia, it's important to pursue business policy and trade like it's nobody's business. No pun intended. So when Lady Iseulet begins such a massive campaign she knew she had to be a part of it and was grateful for the opportunity. Providing ships and the Black Curs' finest corsairs, this southern House hopes to protect the vested interests (and further them when possible) of everyone involved. With the blessings of Gild and the spirits of air, luck and sea, Prisila will work closely with the Voice of Inverno and contribute her forces to helping provide safe passage as well as investing economically into this beautiful project.

Aethan will be supporting Lady Blackshore in her trade endeavors by escorting trade ships as needed, as well as clearing pirates from optimal trade routes able to be accessed by the Kennex navy.

Octavia notes the need for Stormward to be part of the building trade route, and commits significant resources to the establishment and securing of the trade route. The Stormward Fleet, an anti-pirate patrol by its origins, will certainly be excited to join the fray and tear the pirates apart.

Having received contact from Iseulet, Marquis Fairen meets with his staff and vassals to discuss the trade route, examining it's feasability to improve on the economy of Leaholdt. The resulting meeting ensures that not only does Fairen support the goals and objectives of the project, but he also uses this as a way to improve the sales on the unique product, Leaholdt Dreamwine: A rare and expensive alcoholic drink with a milky, herbal texture, and forest green in color said to produce lucid dreams if the consumer drink a full glass. Not to mention, the Marquis encourages his vassals and the merchants in Leaholdt to take advantage of this trade arrangement.

When she was a young woman, Petra listened to the wind and used her gift of clarity to guide her tribe to safe paths. Now that she is helping her family rebuild after the tragedy that Brand inflicted upon them, she has been relying on this ability again and she does so in this instance to help establish a trade route. She asked the voices threaded within the breezes which route they should follow: 'What course best balances safety and prosperity?' When she is given an answer, she relays it to the others and advises them which currents to follow.

Following the lead of Tesha, Ansel will be assisting in commiting the resources of the Telmarch to bear on establishing and maintaining the trade route project. As the northernmost bastion of the Oathlands, the Telmarch itself holds a key position in economic routes through the area, and Telmarine forces will be dedicated specifically to establishing and safeguarding the route. They will clear the way of any bandits, help establish any trading posts along the way, and provide security for the first few rounds of caravans that make the trip, in order to establish it as a safe trading route.

While the Trade Route is largely over sea, but for it to be successful once it finally reaches the end of the route in the Oathlands, where there are relatively few ports, there has to be ways goods can reach overland, as well as goods reach Sanctum and other Oathland Ports so they can travel back along the route. Edain will focus his efforts on setting up solidly defended trade line to Pride Hall to the East and Farhaven to the North. Attempting to extend the reach of the Blackshore's trade route, and to give the Oathlands, Crownlands and Northlands more ways to access the route if they are far inland from it. Where Isabeau is brokering most of the deals, Edain will do his best to make certain they are well protected and those roads are safe.

On behalf of House Valardin and the overarching route(s) through the Oathlands, Princess Isabeau will coordinate and negotiate with local merchants and militia knights to ensure that trade is fair and the caravans are secure. What's more, she will offer a small tax incentive for merchants who wish to travel on the new trade route and/or share their goods with customers outside of the Oathlands. She will also do what she can to help coordinate with the other Oathlands houses and provide assistance to them where required. (Assisting with an additional 200 writs of economic, military, and social resources.)

With the desire to trade by sea and Harthall being an Island based house, the two mesh rather well. Orvyn will work closely with Iseulet and others to best organize the ships and their routes. His own contacts among the various sailing groups will come into play as the pocketbooks of others will likely aid in ensuring that proper bribes and deals take place throughout the seas of the compact. He will commit several of the house trade ships and encourage their sailors and captains to find ways to follow the prescribed routes in an attempt to streamline the fee structures. Further organization with the other Voices and heads will take place so that two ships loaded with similar goods will not pass each other on the seas, organizing bills of trade so that expedience and profit can both be maximized.

It is Hadrian's attention to set about making arrangements for the planned commerce within the city-state of Ostria through acute applications of... delegation! Putting the proper minds to work within Ostria itself to work in establishing the necessary measures to safeguard Ostria and House Mazetti. Making absolutely certain that visitors, whether merchants or otherwise, to the city-state adhere to the laws and traditions of Ostria and remain in the Outer Round. The fleet of House Mazetti shall patrol their own waters and, if necessary, defend traveling merchants with utmost tenacity from the First Ostrian Fleet. Ostria will welcome escorts attached to commercial traffic in order to maintain the safety of the convoys of merchant vessels. The escorts will however be expected to maintain a respectable distance from the Walled City by the Sea. House Mazetti too will be promoting the endeavor, urging those citizens in need of employment to make inquiries at the docks with the potential boom of new trade. Finally, Hadrian will be dispatching his invaluable lawyer to review any documentation before providing his final nod to Hadrian before anything is agreed upon by the Hydra.

Lady Catalana Kennex will be supporting these endeavors. She will personally speak to every noble of Stormward to negotiate such things. She will happily trade with Blackshore of course to boost both of their economies.

The Crown Minister of Coin permits the use of the harbours and ports in the vicinity of the City of Arx as part of the trade route and provides a measure of support in economic waivers, military permits and social connections for the suitable parties. All in all, the effort is more administrative, indicating that on behalf of the Crown and King that the initiative will not be hindered. All they take, of course, is their cut through taxes from any eventual profits.

Malesh is going to commission a brand new trade center at Stonehearth. Port facilities will be expanded, as well as new warehouses and vaults. City defenses in general shall be beefed up as well, in an effort to make Stonehearth THE place to trust your goods with quick an easy access to several trade routes including this new one. As his people handle that at his expense, he will be busy touring the existing routes speaking to the benefit of this new route as well as the virtues of Gild and, of course, the value of trading through Stonewood. Stonewood forces will take charge of protecting the final leg of the trade route, from Arx to Stonehearth, both on the river and along side it. (1000 Economic Resources, 500 each Social and Military)

Ariel will be hosting a trade fair and festival to Gild to coincide with the trade route announcement. She is aiming for a week-long event showcasing the goods, services, and performers of the region. A tithe of 10% will be given to Gild of all money's made/raised. She will be putting forth the money to host the event so the craftsmen spend nothing out of pocket to set up. The trade fair will run during the day why the night will be devoted to performers. Singers, dancing, and theatre productions.

Amari, acting as House Keaton's Minister of Finance, will oversee the Oakhaven leg of the trade route, while the Riverdogs under the command of her cousin are committed to escort merchant ships and inspect them for contraband. A strong supporter of Lady Iseulet's endeavor, she'll tout the benefits to local merchants and others in Arx she's dealt with during her tenure and offer incentives to bring them on board. Otherwise she mainly concerns herself with the numbers and logistics of the undertaking with a lawyer's eye for detail and compliance, trying to make sure it's all as profitable and legal as can be.

Operating as a merchant for years, Lord Fredrik knows the best and most profitable routes among the Isles. How to avoid pirates, how to get the best profit for your returns, and how to make certain that you are not ripped off by the hundreds of hidden fees that are scattered in every port authority. He will bend this knowledge to help the trade efforts, as well as examining the rest of the route thoroughly for wastage or investment opportunities, trying to make this route one large, flowing river of product that benefits everyone involved.

Duarte represents not only Bravura, but also the greater goal and group, in negotiating trade routes and costs with transporters and contractors, mercenaries and merchants. Tying together such an intricately detailed route and nailing down precise agreements for the benefit of all is not always as straight forward as 'Let's do the thing!' and Duarte is there to help smooth the waters and finalize the commitments as a new, but adept, diplomat.

Lys, Voice of Afflua, will of course help! Granted, Fen de Lire is not particularly nearby the water. So she'll be doing what she can to put the word out for the project and see if she can get people to help with it! And of course they'll provide some extra muscle via the Valorous Few.

Lucita evaluates the maps and plans shown her and decides to assist. She uses her charm and skills with propaganda to heighten interest in this project, both locally in Saikland Greens and amid the trade partners she has already established, Secure trade and steady protection and trade partners can only help build the economy and strengthen the military protection against pirates of all who are involved. 100 military resources are put into helping fund the protection from pirates, 300 economic resources are invested.

Lady Cadenza Fidante is happy to assist with this endeavor. As both the Voice of Hawkmour as well as the Admiral of the Tempest Rose, she will be ensuring that Tor and their vassal's lands are properly patrolled and protected as they have always done. She will see to it that the waters around Tor and Brassfall March are properly guarded for the trade route to be safe and successful. In addition, of course Brassfall will be taking part of this trading endeavor to boost their economy.

Duchess Calista Fidante is well know for her charming ways and when it comes to public relations, there are few who can match her talent. She speaks with the Merchants of Tor about new trade commissions and how this opportunity will stimulate the economy. Tor is a city-state that is rich with resources. More trade means more money and everyone likes money.

While gratuitously thanking House Malvici for its offer to protect areas which include areas under control of Tor, their offer will have to be declined. House Fidante has protected Tor and her surrounding lands for a very long time. Knight-Captain Ignacio Fidante shall instead however increase patrols within the Torean region to ensure any efforts by bandits or pirates will be thwarted.

Quenia hears out Iseulet's plan, and agrees to talk to her merchants and her nobles. She works to convince them that this would be a good idea, bringing in new goods, and much needed new avenues for export. She also reminds them that all the new goods would also be traveling to Gemcitta, since Granato is the hub for trade with Rubino-Zaffria lands as well, which should help convince them. She talks to her fleets, and sees that they handle additional protection around the ports of Granato. It's not that she doesn't trust Malvici, getting on with the Duchess well, just she wants her own people to be out in the waters as well in a combined effort to protect the trade routes. Working as one Lyceum. As such, she invests military favors (100) and economic favors (200) into seeing this prosper.

House Malvici will most certainly not come anywhere near Lenosia with its ships. House Velenosa shall protect its own waters, with their own ships, and ensure the proper passing of any trade vessels along its part of the sea route. Prince Mydas Velenosa makes that abundantly clear, before setting to work on using his own knowledge of economics to ensure the venture is a successful one. He also brings in the Silver Consortium as its Voice, to supply their expertise and existing networks to the effort. All for commerce! And to each their own waters!

The proposed trade-route precisely fits with Sudara's hopes for the kingdom as a whole and the Truesworn in particular. Given Esterhold's location, this plan could bring many advantages to her beloved Prodigals: she is committing herself and her little House to its support. Personally, this entails uncovering as much relevant information as possible, and accurately passing it on to her people to help them serve as guides and guardians in their home waters: the latest maps, schedules, accounts of seasonal changes in weather and currents and tides, recognition signals and flags for all the nations and Houses, and more besides. Her hope is that she can make the waters near Esterhold as safe as possible for merchant shipping, and turn her little fief into a favoured port of call.

Tenebrae, like her Lady Sudara, is devoted to helping her people gain power and riches that they deserve. She will do all she can to assist in this endeavor, though with her skills, it will probably be restricted to ensuring the safety of ships around Esterhold and assisting with the navigation of the nearby seas.

Pasquale represents Malespero in seeing the trade route established, putting what military weight his young House has into helping secure the waters and encouraging Nilanza's sailors and merchants to utilize the route for buying and selling. He also puts some of his own personal time to use in studying the raiding patterns of pirates along the route and tries to come up with strategies to avoid and combat them.

Duke Harlan Ashford will also supply social and military support towards this endeavor, but also bring up the fact that he's expanding Fortune's Harvest in Oak's Rest -- and suggests expanding the trading route towards there, especially as he's already building a road from Arx that will lead there -- and the Knights of Solace are patrolling (see action 2250)! The duke will also be allocating 100 military and social writs to the cause.

Lady Olivia authorizes House Ashford's participation in the route, as well as encouraging its (NPC!) vassals to participate and supplying resources in support of the endeavor. In terms of personal contribution, while not a merchant, she is an expert in agricultural affairs and will effectively use that skillset to try and leverage Ashford's participation in the network as a food exporter, studying crop patterns and directing a focus toward those likely to create surpluses in excess of local use. She can also to a degree export that agricultural knowledge as a good itself, ie by selling good seed stocks and other such bounties to their trade partners, hopefully increasing production among all the participating holdings.

Dycard will be working his way through the social scene, reinforcing that this is a great idea and the profit should be rich - and that other trade routes will likely come of it. Not in on this one? Well, when it's a success, there'll be others. Worried about changes? Life is change, and not all changes are for the bad.

Turo commits to protecting the trade routes to and from his waters, ensuring clean hand-offs of responsibility to other fleets as they occur. He also commits his formidable skills and experience in planning naval efforts to maximising these routes. Turo collaborates with the merchants in Escuma, as well as the Arts Academy, and brings Estil - the minister of Income - into those discussions as well.

Arcelia will work to support the additional trading routes at port sites around Escuma. She will also attempt to combine her own efforts in establishing trade routes(@action 2257) for Escuma with Iseulet's much larger expansion of trade routes around Arvum. She will attempt to utilize her relations with the Marin'alfar to expand trade routes to them as well, an attempt to see to it that our potential underwater allies are well supported.

Given the proximity of House Darkwater, Redreef, and Blackshore - Edward already knows these routes fairly well. These are the routes that his family, when he was still Redreef, had him personally following and tracking to ensure efficiency and little loss of cargo for the two Houses. Now he will apply this same knowledge for House Blackshore, showing Iseulet how to incorporate House Blackshore into these trade routes which includes at least two routes down to the Lycem, one specifically going to Setarco. This information is meant to be used to not establish the route since there is one but to ensure the depth of its efficiency - knowing when it is safe to push hugging the coast line against when it is okay to move out. How much cargo can be moved before spillage takes place in terms of perishables, and what the most commonly desired imports for those places are so there is no guesswork to be had.

As Voice of House Tyde, Archeron is keen to promote trade which takes Tyde's hardwoods and other exotic goods wider than just the Mourning Isles and the East coast, especially as they are trying to expand their forestry. Tyde provides a good number of resources to acquire military guards, even recommending a few of the old reavers who have retired from House service but who know the waves and how to defend goods. They also put the feelers out to their vassal houses, spreading the word through their social skills and resources. Archeron will be as charming as he can, of course, to those who wish to trade - showing them the fine qualities of Tyde hardwoods, with the confidence a woodsman has. And of course, direct the leaders to the best and most skilled former soldiers, as mentioned, to defend them.

While her brother, Valdemar, sets up the trade routes, Ingrid's focus is to ensure an economical boost to exports while expertly managing the taxes and other red tape associated with establishing a trade route coming in/out of Grihem's Point. Understanding that often you must spend resources to net in a bigger profit, House Grimhall does just that, using some of their economical clout to influence potential new partners.

Ember prepares Redreef Shores for an influx in trade by organizing patrols to protect the trading ships entering the waters near Redreef shore as well as meeting with local merchants so Redreef Shore may benefit from the new trade.

Donato will take command of Caina's fleet and help to secure the burgeoning trade route. He will drill the sailors and inspect the fleet to ensure they are fighting fit and disciplined and help to plan out the most effective and efficient naval patrol routes to ensure everything goes according to plan.

Demura has given Anabelle the responsibility to oversee the new investments of the Trade Route with Blackshore, and as such the girl has taken an interest in learning more about the world of Investments and the Finnacial Stability of Lyon's Redoubt and her family. The girl seem very interested in the potential of this great partnership to be used for something more among the Dominions, and will make sure that the profit is guaranteed to all parts.

Marquessa Demura Lyonesse will command personally the Lyonesse navy to make sure the first few days of the trade route will go smoothly. She will organise routine patrols and establish proper scouting alongside her strecht of the route to make sure no merchant will be harmed while trying to pass through the Lyon's Redoubt, while promoting the incoming trade goods among her folk. (100 military resources will be donated, 100 social resources will be donated and the Lyonesse navy will be added to the action)

Clover would give aid in spreading the news about this campaign, talking to people and getting others interested in not only investing but using this new trade route once it's settled. She has friends in all sorts of places, and connections plenty. She would see if she could also get independent captains willing to provide help with protection.

House Farshaw adds to this trade route some of its merchant fleet to assist in the shipment of goods as well as two ships to help with escort. What is good for the betterment of the west also is for the betterment of Westcrown. All in Farshaw are in agreement increased trade is to the benefit of all. There is a profit to be made here.

Calypso is going to be using her newest assets to their fullest extent. While using the new naval base (still pending @action, Apost still needed to review early) as a logistical strongpoint for her fleet, she will be directing it to help ensure that the ships she is applying to the trade route not only are deployed properly, but that she is exercising the best coverage. Being relied-on to guarantee the southern route for now, she will be ordering her ships to keep a watchful eye for pirates. Ships Captains are expected to prosecute pirates with extreme prejudice. Her vessels will not be entering waters recognized as belonging to other Houses, however. In the meantime she has been coordinating with Valardin about the logistical angles while building out her combat fleet (Apost is aware of plans, pending base @action approval) and plans to spend a few days in Southport directly rallying her troops and sailors, getting them motivated and putting her best people forward. (The Army attachment should include pending additional Longship purchases, as discussed.)

There's a lot more pirates than expected. A -lot- more. And they seem to have caught word of exactly this new trade route, with a suspicious amount of forewarning about exactly when and where different galleys would be making port calls, as well as a decent amount of resistance by coastal lords who are resistant to seeing any warships in their waters even to guard commerce, which makes things tense and difficult.

It's still a spectacular success.

The amount of diplomatic work in easing tensions, and the amount of military forces dispatched to help oversee this, even with the limitation on where they can and can't go, means that the overwhelming majority of galleys are making their port calls, and after a few crushing defeats of piratical forces, it doesn't look like much will threaten that... provided that the forces stay committed to patrolling the waters of their domains.

The Empyrean Trade Route, as it is being known, covers over thirty primary domains as ports of call or in-land trading partners, and the gains in commerce is significant, even if it is just starting.

House Igniseri has several improvements planned for the city-state of Granato, in order to mitigate some of their population increases as they have taken in a number of refugees from various sources over the last few years, especially now that people have had time to settle, find jobs, and get acclimated.

The first of the planned improvements include the following:

1. Current Farms. Improvements to the lands that are currently used for farming needs, and for the orchards and vineyards. Making certain that the soil is still fertile, and if not making certain that the appropriate nutrients are purchased in order to make the land fertile again. General crops are rotated out with those that will use different nutrients from the ground, while also putting nutrients in the ground decayed material after the crops are harvested. Overused fields will be allowed to lay fallow and recover. Orchards and vineyards will be reviewed to see which trees and plants are flourishing and any measures necessary will be taken to cull or replace those trees or plants that are unable to produce and thrive any longer. Skilled laborors and consultants with agriculutural skills will be hired to help with the improvements of current lands.

2. Adding Farms, Vineyards, Orchards. In order to ensure that the people of Granato can be adequately fed and cared for, the land surrounding the city-state of Granato will be surveyed to see where additional farms, vineyards, and orchards can be safely added to those already being cared for - and those areas will be cleared away and planted with new plants and trees for new food sources and materials for the items that Granto produces. Additionally, orchards of lemon and fig trees will be introduced. Those skilled in agricultural and farming skills will be hired to help identify which areas have the best land to suit the needs of the city.

3. New Housing and Infrastructure. Surveys are being conducted of the current city development to see where new housing avenues can be provided in order to prevent overcrowding of the city. Once those surveys are completed, workers will be hired to start building new housing areas in the city of Granato, making certain to do so in such a way that avenues of commerce and trade are still open and available to the people of the city without creating new traffic jams or crowding out already packed areas of the city. Those skilled in building, engineering, and masonry will be hired to help identify the areas that would work best for this project, and to building the housing unit and the necessary infrastructure needed to ensure proper sanitary conditions within the city.

4. Hiring Guards. With an increased number of people in Granato, it is identified that an increased number of guards might be needed in the city of Granato to keep the peace and make the city safe, and so House Igniseri seeks to hire a significant number of individuals, with varying skill levels, making certain to pave the way for those who might have once been refugees to learn a new trade. They will be tasked with learning the skills necessary to keep the peace for the city of Granato.

Additional plans will be made, as time progresses, to further improve the city, but these were the first improvements considered necessary in order to see the city prosper for now.

Ariella's not one for farms. Or infrastructure. Or any of that other stuff! But she knows what to look for in good and reliable people, so she will put her efforts into helping to find people for the Granato guard. She will put her charm and leadership skills toward the effort of getting the best people into the right positions so as to reduce lawlessness and help refugees and others come to the city seeking safety find the security they're after.

Luis will interview the guards and with his leadership and teaching begin training them for their specific purposes throughout the expansion and construction phases. Encouraging loyalty and camaraderie while also ensuring that each new member is competent for their duties, Luis will invest heavily in the future of Granato.

Lucita uses her charm and propaganda to help encourage skilled farmers and builders to work for a short time in Granato to get the project started and to help current Granato residents to accept the coming changes without resisting them, to be supportive of the efforts Quenia is proposing with donations of their time, efforts, skills and suggestions of things with which they have experience (IE certain plants thrive, others do not, avoid building in that flood-prone spot).This also benefits her own farmers and builders as they have a chance to learn from other consultants during their time there. She has been advising Quenia and teaching her what is needed for successful, sustainable, balanced growth. Additionally, she gives a discounted price on glass for windows for new houses, a project to help both finiancially and strengthen trade.

Leola rides the land. She speaks with farmers about crops, about sales, what has been produced. She offers her own expertise in these matters - if necessary, drawing on the Lodge's resources to offer skilled tutors in this. She tries to reintroduce the higher agricultural concepts - showing how they can bring a greater yield. What crops grow best, and when, and how to revitalise the land

Duchess Grazia is always one to support her vassals, and she speaks of the economic improvements that are being made. She assists her new Duke-Consort by helping to speak well of the military and why people should join up. She particularly focuses, though, on matters of infrastructure, even putting her money where her mouth is and providing quarried stone, including granite and marble, to help with building and supporting any currently needed repairs.

Conveniently taking the opportunity to escape the cold, Ennettia is taking a short vaca-- err, work trip -- back to the south with her boy. This is twofold: to help with the bookkeeping and all the financial and trade paperwork that will likely need to be handled along with the upcoming infrastructure, pension programs, trade setups, and even the buying of the new farmstead equipment, and to escape the Arxian cold. One of these reasons is just an excuse - different people will assume the real reason is one or the other depending how well they know Enny!

Princess Astraea believes in the efforts of Marquessa Quenia, her beloved cousin. She is proud to see such initiative being taken and will support her endeavors in the unexpected way of leading by example no doubt. The princess would love to bolster the efforts by lending her own two hands and beseeching (little b, not big b) nature spirits and Petrichor to bless the agricultural fields, and the domain in general, with bountiful harvests. She doesn't do so easily and will make sure to pay in blood and sweat, carrying soil and seeds, tilling fields, and otherwise helping in the tasks. Most importantly though while she is among the people of Granato she makes it a priority to pay the proper praises to the Marquessa for having such a mind for a just and wise reign.

As new Duke-Consort of Rubino, Aiden has spent at least a good 4-5 weeks in the region after his wedding to Duchess Grazia. In that time, he was learning the needs of the landbase around him, which includes House Igniseri. He uses his established reputation with the Crovane wars to help Marquessa Quenia with a guardsmen program, taking a little inspiration from the Iron Guard and the Silver Wings - the Grayson Archery unit he was in command of - to ensure that the established guard program can cope with the need to expand rapidly, as well as ensuring a way to filter out anyone who would be there to abuse such powers. The personal touch and presence of the Duke-Consort of Rubino may have the desired effect to at least encourage more support for the program, through a few good speeches to sitting down with the present commanders and advising them on tactics and strategies with such efforts that will be required to train a large new group of recruits. -- Adding 200 military writs

Echo desperately wants to help but she's not so good with any of the big picture stuff. So she'll be heading to Granato and doing whatever handiwork she can. It's probably going to be a lot of work and she'll probably be grumpy for the next few days, but it's what she's best at and she wants to make a difference.

As the Minister of Infrastructure for Thrax, Baroness Skye Blackshore has experience with surveying and planning city expansions. She will lend her services to the Marquessa Igniseri on behalf of Thrax, reviewing what new housing avenues make sense to prevent overcrowding. She will provide Igniseri architects with building techniques that Thrax is using. Provide alternative routes to ease traffic on busy streets. She will also review the aqueducts to ensure waste is properly disposed of.

Under Marquessa Quenia Igniseri, Granato is quietly flourishing. She is focused on infrastructure improvements and started calling in favors. Lady Ariella, Lord Luis, and Duke Aiden Rubino target recruitment to bolster army numbers depleted in the action in Setarco.

With Lady Ennettia and Baroness Skye working together to make sure their finances are in order and outlay is exceeded by income, Dame Leola Allenatore, Princess Astraea, Princess Echo, and Baroness Lucita work with the farmers and infrastructure folks and increase Granato's farmlands and the support for their people.

Duchess Grazia works with the people and encourages acceptance and approval of the efforts by the Marquessa is. And she is successful - the Igniseri people are very impressed and happy to work hand in hand with Quenia to improve their homes and Granato in general, and they're rather impressed that their little March is friends with so many important people.

This is part two of the ongoing economic development plan for Saikland Greens started in action 1963 and incorporates its organization, planning, and can be referenced for details. The focus of this action shifts from direct input of resources and silver to acquiring them through improved trade of wines, whiskey and Saikland Greens Glassworks products. Intended usage is silver and military resources added to Saik bank accounts to save and use for military and barony needs, economic resources and some silver to be directly funneled back into Saikland for improvements and adding farms, populace, jobs, addition of a specific archive or archive room (explained below). Silver and resources are not added to the effort because this is supposed to generate them.

Initiation:
Lucita uses charm to spread word of mouth to increase popularity, sales and trade of Saikland Greens whiskey, wine and glassworks products throughout the Compact and to recruit others to help her do this. She uses skills in investigation to review reports of other successful efforts, talk to people to ask what worked and what did not. This is not just 'dry numbers' strict economics but also current trends and popularity as well as reviewing 'old standbys' that are always needed and wanted.
Marcos, Karadoc and Lucita hosted a dinner at which guests were served Saik house wines, given ornate bottles of premium whiskey or gift boxes of higher quality wines. Guests that assisted with prior econimic actions for Saikland were given a one-of-a-kind keepsake boxes, customized just for them, other guests given whiskey or wine. (dinner guests were: Jaenelle, Calypso, Quenia, Luis, Karadoc, Lucita, Katarina, Ignacio, Vitalis, Delilah, Marcos, Cadenza, Emily). Additional keepsake boxes were given to Hadrian, Ian and Zoey, Alarissa, Leola, Eleyna, Eleanor, Silvio and Lysander, Aiden. Wines and whiskeys have been used in rp and used as gifts.
Barony Expense mitigation to free resources and silver for other purposes: Self-funding military family support--'Saikland Remembers' Whiskey, suggestive of remembering old stories, songs, or toasting, not just Saiklanders but all across the Compact. It is good enough whiskey that people would buy and drink it no matter what name is stuck on the label. Profit (after expenses) from that brand to help support families of Saikland military who fell in battles 1006 and onward. This would be ongoing not a limited edition whiskey. Sales/trade frees up resources to expend on more direct improvements. The realizition 'We take care of our own.' improves morale and word of mouth of it helps the Barony seem a desirable area in which to live.

Usage of whatever gains are achieved:

Military resources: bank-save (ships, train general, more army later).
Silver: Bank and improvement assists.
Economic
1. Add one room to existing Saikland archives
or if we have no archives, this is a beginning of it.
Purpose--area for 1006 and later historical records AND a unique war memorial, a double purpose, very cost efficient resource use and space to last for years. Shelf end uprights have years (start-1006 and ongoing) carved at the top and below, in small letters, names of the Saikland military fallen in battle that year. The cases on which the names are carved are left for scholars to acquire tomes and references, and for Saiklanders to leave momentos to help to create their own war memorial. Backs of shelves in the room center usable for Saikland 'allies' whose family actually visit Saikland Greens to add a name and item, giving reasons to visit and something to view/do while there. Suggested name: Saikland Remembers Memorial Archive.
2. Additional population and the variety of buildings needed for infrastructure improvements and moving closer toward eligibility to become a larger holding. Such growth to use resources generated from trade on ongoing logical/wise/balanced growth as detailed in action 1963. with housing, crops for making wines/whiskey and food plus extra to store, jobs, security, health and sanitation, education, faith all carefully balanced as the barony grows. Care is taken to avoid growing too rapidly to sustain or be self sufficient and to avoid a negative impact on existing businesses and economy.

Lady Cadenza Fidante has become rather close with the Baroness of Saik and has had the pleasure of tasting these wonderful wines and whiskeys of Saikland. Being a sailor...she has always loved her libations and now that she is the Admiral of the Rose Tempest....she will be sharing the love of this land's whiskeys with her men! What better way to raise morale as the new admiral than to gift them all battles of whiskey from Saik. Being neighbors and all, why not share the love of drinks amongst each other.

Marquessa Quenia Igniseri encourages her merchants to pick up trade with Saikland Greens products, particularly any glass products that might be needed. Fancy new glass blown bottles for perfumes, new colored bottles for wines, or other glass products for general use - such as tableware or window panes. She also encourages her merchants to pick up bottles of Saikland Remembers Whiskey - reminding them that House Igniseri and House Saik have close ties to one another now that the former Lady Lucita Igniseri is now Baroness Lucita Saik, and that House Igniseri honors the sacrifices House Saik made in the battle against the Gyre in Setarco.

Being the good neighbor that she is, and given the Baroness's long relationship with Gemecitta as a vassal, Duchess Grazia Rubino is donating the marble for many of the statues involved in the war memorial, as well as offering a small but useful discount on the other stone required for the project. She will encourage trade with Saikland to help build its economy and further diversify her own economy.

Lord Karadoc Saik will work his charms on merchants that are bound north and east - waxing lyrical on all the positive products that Saikland Greens has for export. With an extra emphasis on the 'Saikland Remembers' branded whiskey. Northerners like whiskey, right? And those sailors sorts in the Mourning Isles like their drink, don't they?

Saedrus can't help directly with the trade out of Saikland Greens anymore, but he can help from a distance. It's through the Grotto and the Whisper House that wines are tasted-- delicious, yes? Alas, there is no rights to selling them here, it is an old favour he even receives them; they are all sold by Saik traders. He speaks with his merchant clientele, all smiles and gentle flattery, to have goods exported to get the Saik name travelling a little further. It's not much, but it is a start.

Calypso, fresh off the Southport item, is using her popularity to spread certain words in order to help not just her own home, but that of Saik. The Duchess will be bringing bottles of Saik whiskey and wines with her to various dinners and events through the city. A few will even be donated to local bars and taverns, delivered as thanks for the greater efforts and faith in Malvici and her lower Houses. Of course, Calypso will pay market value for these so as not to off-set the intent of gain. Further, she is going to begin whispering that she's considering sending some people to Saik for cavalry training because the land is ideal and she has been wanting to set up a cavalry training facility for some time. It might do good to invest in House Saik militarily, wink wink nudge nudge, and in turn Malvici might be willing to smile on them in the future if their own Houses need training.

Baroness Lucita Saik is not taking any time after the birth of her children to slow down and rest. Already she is full of plans to improve Saikland Greens. Reaching out to her allies - to Lady Cadenza Fidante, Marquessa Quenia Igniseri, Duchess Grazia Rubino, Lord Karadoc Saik, and Duchess Calypso Malvici, along with Saedrus Whisper who smooths communication and just makes everything seem that much easier, she puts both money and effort into developing Saik's economy.

"Saikland Remembers" whiskey sees a strong upsurgence in popularity particularly, thanks to Duchess Calypso and Lady Cadenza, among the military. A war memorial is carved from exceptionally fine marble from Gemecitta, thanks to Duchess Grazia. House Igniseri makes it a point to buy wines and some of that fine Saikland glass. Trade is on the upswing and the Barony of Saik is developing as an economic strength.

Duchess-General Calypso Malvici is taking the lead on the matter at Southport. With the sixty thousand Shav in attendance she will descend with her own guards and invited diplomatic personnel in order to see what they can get done. In addition to the other actions of the Faith and medical teams, this is the prime effort to get these people rallied in proper support of loyalty. Its a full court press. Calypso will be seeing to the following:

* Speeches involving extolling the virtues of the Compact and the Malvici House and that they will be respected as warriors. This will include an outline of the House's victorious past and how they can all make a difference. She will also make it clear that these people will need to prove their loyalty and point out those among them who do not feel as they do, that they must remove the threats from their body in order to save the health of the whole. She's of course referring to those who are under the direct orders of the First Speaker, but she doesn't need to say as much.

* Providing everything needed to them for a month. The House will be donating in excess of $600,000 to ensuring that the Shav can get a full start, but it will be explained that they will need to supplement this on their own and get to work immediately to begin cultivating their own food and hunting. Meanwhile others will need to get to work building their homes with the stone that is being delivered at a gracious discount, and the wood of the land.

* Negotiations will be handled not only by Calypso but also with the aid and assistance of others.

Lucita assists Calypso with her efforts to negotiate. Although she is accompanied by guards and translators, her obvious pregnancy and charm contribute to an air of benign helpfulness. Lucita moves amid the people singing to children, talking with the women and men in a way intended to make them more receptive to negotiation efforts. She subtly investigates through observation and conversation to learn what skills they possess, any particular needs such as tools, discovering newcomers to groups, any who seem more resistant or any potential negotiation stumbling blocks (and reporting this to Calypso). She uses respect and charm in gently reiterating key points of Calypso's speeches. This is intended to assist in the quick implementation and organization of necessary builders, farmers, healers, and such and help smooth and quicken the negotiations.

Calista offers to help Calypso and House Malvici any way that she can. The Duchess of Roses is known for her charm and grace as well as her ability to assuage her target audience during times of high anxiety. Her marriage to Inigo Malvici has slowly but surely made the former enemies into allies. She speaks to those gathered outside Southport, those who will listen, perhaps even moving from group to group, giving them individual attention to let them know she is not just a mouthpiece but someone who will listen to them in return.

Grazia is providing a substantial discount on stone as well as sending Gemecittan stone masons to take the trip to Southport with Calypso. They will help with the building of simple homes in a simple village. They are particularly there to build municipal infrastructure like roads, temples, and homes and not military infrastructure like walls and barracks.

Duchess Calypso leads a diplomatic team to address shav issues as well. They want to bend the knee, or so they claim? Well, Duchess Calypso aims to show them how the Malvici treat their people. With coffers of silver and she leaves Southport behind and moves to the area where they've camped. She has clearly invested a lot of time and effort into preparing for this, and that preparation pays off in tolerance and acceptance from those assembled, and she has time to roll out her plan.

She speaks of the Compact and House Malvici, extolling their virtues and speaking of how they work to protect their people. She points to the way the Compact came together recently at Setarco and Stormwall and Darkwater, not just pushing back their enemies but also in efforts to rebuild.

Then Duchess Grazia steps up, explaining the loads of stone that have been sent from Gemecitta, and stoneworkers with it. Their intent is to help those who truly want to bend the knee establish safe, comfortable homes in a home outside Southport. To give them a place to live this new life as part of the Compact.

Calista, Duchess of Roses, works with Baroness Lucita Saik. They meet people, mend wounds, talk to mothers and children and fathers and do general outreach. In their talks they gain a great deal of insight too on these people. There are a wide array of tribes represented here. The Crimson Malvicus are sailors (some might say pirates but never on a diplomatic mission) who just want the freedom of the open seas. Cacciatores? They like to fight, and let's not pretend they're not bitterly disappointed in the lack of battles held already. House Gray Raptor just wants to explore in peace, and one horizon seems very much as welcome as the next. Clan Brass Hawk? They like making things, and all of this upset makes it hard to focus on their crafts.

But there are other clans too - and though they make up the minority, they are powerful and powerfully feared. Lestatores. Shadow Falcons. And of course the Shadowspeakers. Their tribes are spoken of in hushed tones and with deference and respect. But never without fear.

All in all, it seems most of these people are willing to bend the knee and mean it - but there are still some holdouts among them that make this a dangerous course.

Then again, this is the Lyceum. And politics without danger is boring.

Lucita has a network of contacts made while Voice of Igniseri. She will ask them to be advisors, consultants and trade partners, encourage use of Saikland docks and Mirrored Ballroom and start to accept refugees. She will invest 1000 economic and 250 social writs into helping the economic development plan detailed below to succeed. Most of this is just evaluation and investing resources to both improve existing things and add necessary ones for refugees to be added wisely to the population and trying new trade venues to help keep new citizens gainfully employed, all of which relate to each other. She uses her ability to get along with people (charm) combined with her ability to find out information (investigation) and facts she needs to know to initiate the plans she and Marcos have made.

To be initiated immediately after Estaban's celebration of life.
1. Assess the situation--visit Saikland directly with Marcos
-Present united leadership of new Baroness-Regent and Voice,
foster cooperation and acceptance of Saiklanders.
-Listen not only to what is said, but to what is not said for
cues to problems, needs amid the people amd the barony.
-Evaluate Saikland Greens as Princess Jaenelle and Marquis
Hadrian Mazetti taught. Goal-aid growing population to be
self sufficient. Housing, sanitation, clean water, jobs,
education, health, faith, security-military all considered.
New farms, businesses, to avoid infringing on livelyhood
already existing ones, avoid high risk flood/fire areas.
-Find out if there are known but un-utilized natural resources
present to be used without altering the bucolic aspect
of the barony. (see ooc intent questions)

2. As Lucita did successfully with Granato while working with ARRG to place Siege refugees, she will carefully accept refugees seeking a new place to live. (Those evacuated or impacted by Gyre crisis who ask to relocate accepted as a compassionate offer, not done to steal vassals of another house, and not Southport prodigals) Care is taken to avoid lack of food, housing, security, services and means of self-support. Effort is made to see this does not cause disease or damage existing economy, buisinesses, and farms.

3. Improve existing infrastructure, use what exists more efficiently
and make necessary additions.
-Food: Farms to grow food the populace needs, extra stored or
preserved for emergencies. Nearby water for fish, meadows
for cattle, game to hunt are also sources to be used.
-Education-Faith: Encourage highly trained healers, midwives,
craftsmen, scholars. Make sure each God has an altar some-
where. (In a village, a modest temple with altars to each
works. Make sure there is a usable library for Scholars.
-Health: Adequate sanitation, clean water, healers, midwives,
herb gardens to serve the population. Keep as healthy and
disease-free as possible.
-Economy: Improve and build docks, security, and warehouses
to make a desirable provision stop for ships and boats.
Ships able to carry fewer provisions means more cargo
room, fresher food and water, and visitors encouraged
to view and use the Grand Mirrored Ballroom, bars, inns,
and shops. Increased usage should occur as a thriving
safe impression is presented from the docks onward.
Tor (Calista), Granato (Luis) contacted re this.
-Economy 2: Improve brewery, winery. Seek expanded venues
of trade so goods to trade with Oathlanders or houses
that produce alcoholic beverages. (ooc_intent explains)

Hadrian will be utilizing the Arvum Refugee Relief Group to assist Baroness-Regent Lucita and House Saik with the integration of the new population bound for Saikland Greens. Whether it is material or refugees from the recent conflict itself, Hadrian's hope is to foster a greater sense of ease in the transition. He'll be investing resources, materials, and people into the endeavor. While also utilizing the social power of Hadrian himself to assist Baroness-Regent Lucita within her role of acceptance by the people of Saikland Greens; the former Duke of Southport isn't above using friendly charm to name-drop Baron Eos or Baroness Kima Saik and the long-time friendship that he had with either of the pair in order to remind citizens of Saikland Greens that while Lucita may not be a born Saik, she is the Baroness-Regent left to tend the seat of power until the Saik heir comes of age.

Luis will help with many things that he's offered to Lucita in her time of need. Be it through helping with the Saik troops. Aiding the Economy and distributing the population as needed, or simply to encourage those who remain to stay loyal to the Saik line. Through his various skills and charming personality, he will support Lucita, helping to draw the population to follow her as well as to encourage her armies to draw strength from their allies and focus on the rebuilding and protection of the Saik lands in this time of need.

Marcos intends to travel with Lucita and present the unified front to those of the Saik lands and else where. Durring the trip he will be assessing the security needs of their lands as well as listening to his people. He plans on making himself available to talk to the people and truely listening to their concerns. Gettign a feel for their needs and passing this information along to Lucita whom may not be seen yet as a 'true' Saik despite her marriage to Estaban.
He will be looking for easy fixes as well as the hard ones and also trying to get a feel for how much is 'too much' change for the often easy going and content folk of his homeland so he can make recomendations to Lucita and ease her way into the role of Baroness.

Between her experience of assisting House Velenosa run smoothly as well as her position within the Crown as a Minister, Jaenelle has shared her knowledge with Lucita on trade routes, the importance of infrastructure, and the need for strengthening allies for assistance. Lucita has come to many public meetings Jaenelle has hosted as well as sought her out for private discussions on how to better aid her people.

Quenia is actively teaching Lucita the various skills she needs to help run the Barony of Saik. Quenia has started with leadership, teaching Lucita the finer points of how to assess various situations that will come up within her position, and handle them in greater detail than she did as Voice of House Igniseri. Quenia is also serving as a general consultant for Lucita should she run into any snags, offering advice only when asked for it -- and always in the presence of another member of the Saik family so there is no perceived bias with regards to how Lucita is leading her people. She will continue by teaching Lucita the art of diplomacy and propaganda as well, so Lucita might be able to broker better, more favorable deals for her family, and shed the family in a favorable light for any actions they take.

Karadoc will operate as the minimally motivated (to most eyes) jack-of-all trades. Whether it's to charm others alongside the Baroness-Regent Lucita, or casually name-dropping his Saik cousins who bravely sacrificed their lives for various wartime causes, or speaking up in ways that will lift spirits and raise morale wherever necessary. Although, behind the scenes, Karadoc is using his specialized knowledge of economics in order to truly help the cause.

Under Baroness-Regent Lucita's guidance, Saikland Greens are starting to recover. With the strong support of Lord Marcos and Lord Karadoc Saik, the three of them travel Saik lands and get a real feel for what is needed. After consultation with allies - and it does not go unnoticed that Baroness Lucita is making allies of consequence in the forms of Princess Jaenelle Velenosa, Lord Luis Igniseri, Marquessa Quenia Igniseri, and Duke Hadrian Mazetti - she orders the establishment of several large furnaces for making glass. From stemware to windows to pieces of art, new and beautiful glassworks are starting to come out of Saik forges and finding their way into eager hands.

After the tragic loss of Baron Estaban, Saikland Greens is starting to slowly recover - capitalizing on some of the sand found on its stunning beaches the new glasswork from the seat of the Saik family is particularly beautiful. The people making it are taking pride in what they make too, and as a result morale in the Barony is slowly turning around.

An impressive feat for a new Baroness indeed.

In the tallest tower of Setarco, the Choir will be using their voices as a counterbalance to as much abyssal interference as possible.

Ian, at the head of his new special forces unit, will be keeping anything from getting to the Singers so that they can keep doing their thing for as long as possible. He'll have archers on the stairs that lead to the tower with compound bows and heavy broadhead arrows, with instructions to shoot steadily and fall back if anyone tries to get up the stairs, aiming for the head as much as possible. Once they get to the top of the stairs, there will be a heavy door that can be barred and barricaded. Pikemen will keep anything trying to climb the walls from getting in through the windows. If enemy forces do get into the room, the men will form a circle of interlocking tower shields around the Singers, with a row of men with halberds behind them, and we'll use that formation to hold out for as long as we have to. If what we face are "zealots" (zombies), the men have instructions to focus on bashing in or cutting off heads.

Ian will be enlisting the help of the Faith intercede with the Gods and try to protect the Choir from more direct magical interference. While not present, their contributions will be key to defending against assaults that can't be held back with a shield or beaten back with a blade.

Sorrel is very focused on fighting the abyss in particular using song. She will wear her rubicund armor and bring her rubicund sword with her, but being the Bladesong, she intends to use her voice as her blade. One of her primary focuses in singing will be to attack any cloud cover, particularly that which seems unnatural. Another primary focus of hers will be to improve morale among the troops, since that's, to her knowledge, her great talent. Furthermore, since it's supposedly abyssal magic that will be dampening and/or destroying morale, it's completely her aim to conteract that with a little help from her friends.

Sorrel will be bringing a variety of songbooks with her, and in particular, religious songs both that she's written and that others have written. Furthermore, she'll also focus on getting the battle hymn sung. Her musical selections will be as anti-abyss as they come!

Lucita, from past actions singing with Tikva and Sorrel, thinks she apparently linked the singers together somehow, and knows she strengthened their songs and extended the distance they reach. She has been studying at the Academy and praying in various shrines daily in the hopes she will be able to do this well and contribute to the songs they sing to prevent madness, sustain morale, and enable the compact ground forces and fleet to have an improved chance against what they face. Thus she will sing wholeheartedly with the choir when fleet and ground forces battle the foe.

Blessings, Sygils, prayers, and holy water- whatever she can do to provide both spiritual and psychological protection for Ian's mission is given. She bathed the tokens in the sacred pools and prays over them, anointing them in incense . She provides blessed bottles of rose water. Whatever might help because Beseeching is mysterious and vague.

Vayne blesses all the mirrors involved in this effort. Big and small, the whole lot of them. No one needs a mirrorborn sneaking through and replacing/murdering anyone.

Wylla has received songs to be blessed from Lucita and, presumably others. She offers the blessings of Jayus upon them, in hopes that the creativity from Jayus will help find the right wording to help hold the singers' focus and emotions on their goals. May their voices be strong and true for what must be sung and last through the length of the battle.

Victoria is carrying a flame from the Eternal Flame to the lighthouse of Setarco, as she is already making her way via the Setarco naval forces. (action 1858, 1841).

From Setarco the lull is interrupted by the approach by a huge monster, tentacled with blue-black, leathery skin. And so many eyes and so very many sharp teeth. They seemed to be seeking out the Choir of Sorrel, Tikva, and Luctia who sing from the Tower but, guarded by Lord Ian Kennex and watched over by Archlector Madeleine, the monsters could not find their prey. And as they struggled to defend the Choir the group tasked with monster hunting by Prince-Consort Talen arrived - Shard, Theron, Corban, Serafine, Adalyn, Leta, Elyse, and Regla - along with a man in a skull mask saved the day, sending the algae-covered monster, and then the tentacle monster it birthed, and then the monster vomited forth along with a stone tablet. The monsters seemed thoroughly interested in killing the Choir, but they were prevented and so the small team carried the day. For now, Setarco lapses into quiet once more - but an uneasy sort of peace, and the sneaking suspicion that there are more than just ships heading their way.

Quenia will take the time to travel to all of her vassal's holdings, so she can speak to her people face to face. While she's at each of the holdings, she'll take the time to purchase local goods and products, and hold a small community event. At these community events she'll talk about the bonds of family and community and how there is strength in both. She'll talk about how if that family or community is threatened, they need to come together in a show of support to stop that threat; to preserve not only their family and their community, but also their homes, their culture, and their way of life. She talks of the threat they are facing now, with the ships out sea, and how they are threatening family, community, and homes. Their freedom, their livelihood, their ability to take care of the people they love. She does her best to stress the importance of joining the fight, and how if they overwhelm the fleet, they'll have a better opportunity to win the war and protect that which they love. She pledges House Igniseri to that fight, to fight for their homes, their loved ones, their livelihoods, their continued freedom. She also pledges that House Igniseri will help rebuild, once the war is over. At the end of the gatherings, she formally issues a call to the banners, asking her people to rally and fight.

Lucita assists Quenia in her efforts using her skills. She writes an inspirational and morale lifting song 'To Arms, Came the Rallying Call'. It is crafted to avoid causing guilt or fear but to turn thoughts toward heroism, working together, protecting home, family, friends and how people from any walk of life can help. To assist bringing the message to commoners she hires with economic and social resources a bard to speak encouragingly to people on their level and sing the song for them, to create an amicable and receptive atmosphere with providing a round of drinks. She uses her charm and performance abilities to display to her representatives how she wants Quenia's efforts supported and enhanced. A copy of 'To Arms, Came the Rallying Call' is located in the bookcase in Saik Tower - Music Chamber.

While Quenia is going from place to place speaking to the general populace and the nobles, Luis will attend the soldiers and guardsmen as well as anyone whom shows interest in joining the army,. He will encourage them with his Charm and his skills, while also encouraging those younger lads ato listen to the older veterans when it comes to being ready. He will stage some mock spars with the sergeants and the like, letting himself be beat at times on purpose so as to build the respect for the trainers in the troops, and trounce the hotshots to help them realize they still need to listen to those above them. In the end, he will appoint new soldiers, raise up others that need to be, and encourage unit cohesiveness throughout the lands.

Marquessa Quenia Igniseri takes the time to travel to all of her vassal's holdings, holding events in the communities, purchasing local goods and products. She takes the time to talk about bonds of family and community, the strength of Igniseri and the bonds of loyalty, fealty, and friends. She speaks of freedom and the life they love and encourages them to fight for it, pledging Igniseri to stand with them and help them fight, and to rebuild if necessary afterwards.

Lord Luis speaks with soldiers and guardsmen, training and inspiring them. Reminding them of the need for experienced soldiers and eager soldiers alike. And Lady Lucita helps by writing an inspirational song that makes its way through the various corners of Igniseri lands. People sing it around the fire at night, and while they're mending their armor and readying for battle, and as they call the banners, people come.

'To arms, to arms!' Came the rallying call.
'Guard your freedom, your family, your all.'
Faith sustains us through troubling days
To find heroic bravery not fearful ways.
Unity binds us giving strength and hope
Like fragile fibers wound into strong rope.

The truth shall set us free.

The call has been made and a great archival is being set into motion by the Scholars of Vellichor, reaching out to the entirety of the discipleship far and wide in an effort to duplicate and spread information contained in each outpost of Vellichor’s faithful from the grandest library to the smallest monastery.

The plan itself is no small task and in reality Bianca is aware it will take years to come to fruition, but they had to start somewhere.

Phase 1: Organization - A rather large focus team is gathered utilizing local Scholars and overseen by three Senior Scholars (NPCs) to take point on the clerical end of the Archival process. The role of this team is ongoing, their job being to disseminate information to the known enclaves of the discipleship throughout the many territories of Arvum regarding the archival process and how it will function. Once the process begins, they will be the ones dealing with the incoming reports and developing an encoded master inventory list of all outlying literary collections within the jurisdiction of the Scholars. A secondary list will also be created in regards to the location of lost relics that may be hidden away though in the possession of the Scholars. This secondary list shall also be encoded, its construction remains solely in the hands of the three senior scholars on point for this team and is only to be viewed by them and Archscholar Bianca. Once both lists are completed a secondary action will be taken to protect the contents of the pages (either via in-game actions or a storyrequest). From there a procedure will be set in place for all future acquisitions to be reported to the Archives to be properly categorized and added to the proper encoded list.

Phase 2: Reproduction - The next step of this accounting is the duplication of documented works. Any pieces of literary record (fiction AND historical) not found in duplicate shall be reproduced by the Scholars located in the parish these works are found to be and aid from Arx will be sent to the smaller libraries in the form of manpower to help. The goal is that a copy of everything not deemed ‘imprimatur’ will be replicated and disseminated to the Archives as well as the discipleship’s library in each of the five regional capitals: Sanctum, Lenosia, Maelstrom, Farhaven, Bastion. Anything deemed ‘imprimatur’ will also be duplicated though these duplications will only be sent to the Great Archive. This process will also be applied to all new information coming into the Archives or discovered by the discipleship moving forward.

Phase 3: Dissemination to the Public - While the Archives have always been open to the public and all noble houses, an immediate public relations campaign is set in place to better inform those of Arx and Arvum on the whole that the pursuit of knowledge and information will not be turned away or looked upon with wary eyes. This campaign is to be fostered by /all/ of the discipleship setting the stage for an open door policy and as more information is collected in Phase 1 and Phase 2, the Archive will be able to ideally provide direction if not a copies of what is being sought. The title of the campaign is “Let no question go unanswered.” For those seeking knowledge that extends beyond the bounds of what is considered safe for public consumption, they will be directed to petition the Scholars for access. A small council of senior scholars headed by Archscholar Bianca will be set to task in reviewing such requests and disseminating information on a case by case basis (unless of course PCs come to her directly).

Now, with the discipleship’s funds recently diminished due to the recent expenditure in Stormward, Bianca is also reaching out to all those outside the Scholars willing to aid with this tremendous undertaking. Donations are to be accepted in specific to aid in the Archival as well as individual manpower for replication of books not marked ‘imprimatur,’ though the most poignant request in the forefront is martial cooperation and aid. There is a great danger present and those tasked with the duplication or simply traveling to disperse information and transport copies will undoubtedly need protection and assistance while traversing the many territories of Arvum. And sometimes boats. Boats are cool and there are a lot of islands to be reached.

Lady Monique Greenmarch has a wide net of contacts she employs, along with their silver and her own gratuitous charm, on behalf of the ArchScholar's endeavor. How does she find out the things she does? It's impossible to know, but she will attempt to secure safe roads to travel, and trusted safe houses for those scholars and their handlers to stay in, alongside vaults for the information to be saved.

Fortunato, although no official scholar, is happy to lend his hands and eyes to the work of replication (if with a tiny bit of illumination in the margins as strikes him, not enough to seriously detract from the speed of the task). He is able and willing to travel to the regional archives to aid copying work there as well, if, of course, with escort.

Sophie will be aiding in Phase 2, leading any and all Mercy volunteers to go through the extensive medical records and white journals of known Mercies, collating what is deemed important information. She will also write to the Mercy chapters throughout the Compact, seeking their cooperation, and offering organizational instruction to those wanting. Finally, she'll do what she can to procure what House Valardin has.

Phase I-III: Ailith will coordinate through her increasing network of Seraph contacts across the Compact, and reaching out also to the Seraphs that the Dominus and Legate of Creation informed Ailith about. She'll explain the first Phase of Archlector Bianca's process and encourage the Seraphs in how the parishes may assist such as the Seraphs providing copies of any texts to the Archlector or the three Senior Scholars. Ailith will assist in fielding any questions if the Seraphs respond directly to her. In additional letter will be included.

Calaudrin will be joining with other members of the Iron Guard in helping protect the Faith's documents as they move through the city. He'll be especially on the lookout for anything at all suspicious as they go.

Lord Commander Silas will be helping direct his men in protecting the precious cargo -- copies of invaluable lore from several great libraries and archives. He himself will likely lead the retinue guarding the largest cache. They will avoid all thoroughfares known to be havens for thieves and criminals, and all guardsmen on this mission will be thoroughly armed and alert. They will also not be guardsmen with past criminal history, themselves, no matter how small the theft or how long ago the incident occurred. No chances!

Ainsley will be helping with the Iron Guard portion of things. He'll be assigning more senior soldiers to help with the transportation and dissemination portion-- helping to protect the scholars. He, himself, will be with one squad of people helping to transport and protect. Carrying with him his Alaricite sword and his rubicund plate, as he leads the forces. He'll also supply some of his own military favors, writs, and currency to help with the project.

Harald has given leave for the the scholars of Vellichor to travel to Grihem's Point aboard his ships and under his protection, as well as granting them access to the Grimhall libraries. While the private Grimhall libraries are largely collections of literature (especially traditional poetic sagas which are widely believed simple verse fiction) any pieces desired for copying will be made available. After all, the Scholars certainly aren't likely to find any decent sagas on the mainland; it's a mission of mercy, really.

Phase 1: Knights of Solace agents, in the course of their usual duties, will help disseminate the new archival procedures across Arvum, and bring back reports if needed. They will also be instructed to share with Blessed Bianca or her chosen representatives any information they may have picked up in the course of their journeys regarding the possible locations of valuable documents that should be included in the archival effort. Phase 2: Knights of Solace will help protect sensitive archival works as they are transported to or from the various repositories in Arvum.

Mae has began to distribute the Commoners Bulletin, as well as a primer on a subject (Marin'alfar) that has otherwise been erased from history. She'll be writing more, including a book on reincarnation, and all will be spread far and wide. Take that, Fable!

Christine will help with phase 2, copying books that need to be reproduced, and translating those in Isles shav so they could be spread more easily.

Eirene, with the help of her own soldiers, goes through any of the Malvici libraries in Arx and sends word for the libraries of Southport to be duplicated and the copies added to the efforts, transported as quickly as the lot can be completed. As Malvici has a longstanding history of fighting demonic forces, she hopes to find useful information to be added to the master archives.

Lord Corban Telmar will invest both time, treasure, and resources into the Archscholar's appeal to duplicate and preserve knowledge. He will donate 200,000 in House Telmar silver to copying, transporting, and preserving Archives information in the Oathlands. He will also call in House Telmar's extensive network of military favors to ensure that the convoys transporting the materials are protected, and will personally lead some himself, lending his sword and considerable leadership abilities to the effort.

Armand, as a Templar disciple, will aid in the Scholar's efforts by ensuring their protection, notably during the more dangerous Phase 3 of the project, the dissemination and duplication. Able and willing to travel wherever the Scholars need to go, he will ensure that those he is tasked to protect are able to do their work unhindered. No criminal nor servant of the Abyss shall be allowed to stand in the way of Vellichor's holy work.

The main effort the Templars will offer, as well as general help should they be asked, is during phase 2. With the threat that bandits or indeed things more foul could try to stop the material reaching Arx, the Templars will make up to 1000 men at arms available to escort material from the various holds back to the capital. Alongside this, each Parish will be expected to have their templars provide additional support as material moves through their lands, more a procession of honour though that for military support. As the various archival holdings come together from the regions to head to Arx, the Templars will blob the escorting forces together and ensure that the material makes its way safely to Arx.

Cybele is good at organising and teaching and digging up info, so more than happy to dive into the deep stacks, and set to work looking at what comes in. Besides, the shaman has a knack for finding the right texts. Right? Right.

Delilah will be focusing her efforts on Phase 2, working closely with other scholars to replicate as many texts as she possibly can in her spare time. She will also be speaking with the Master of Questions in an attempt to more closely incorporate the Inquisition with the ongoings of this entire process.

Alaric will be having lots of nice things to say about the project, dropping little mentions to nobles and Crown functionaries and important merchants alike about how nice it would be to hear of people and groups lending some aid to the Vellichorian discipleship with their work, and generally generating some positive PR and motivation for people to get involved with helping.

Fatima will allow the Scholars access to the Thrax libraries available in Maelstrom to aid the Archscholar. More than that, though, she's using her social circle to help circulate the news of Phase 3: Dissemination to the Public. When Bianca signals it's time, Fatima will utilize her propaganda machine to get out the word the Archscholar desires.

Percephon will be participating heavily with the Phase 2 portion of this very important project. Working within his position as Senior Scholar, he will go to the library in Sanctum to assist in creating faithful duplicates of all materials that are that are uncovered and found. With a focus on organizing which overly important and sensitive materials will be sent to the Great Archives.

Estaban will be opening the Saik Library to the scholars of Vellichor, he will also be giving military esscort the schollars where they may need to go.

Victus will be allowing the Scholars of Vellichor within the libraries of the Maelstrom, as well as to comb the Isle the capital fortress is located on for nay other information they deem noteworthy. In addition, he'll be sending a detachment of some Thraxian scholars and stewards who are better versed in history than he is. Surely, the Isles will have LOADs of interesting stories to tell!

Aiden can help considerably in Phase 1 and Phase 2. Since he's had a lot of practice with the Court in reproducing works, that's where he will initially provide the most support, however, he's got a good eye for organization, so he'll certainly swap between the two roles, depending on what's more important at the time. Though since he's an excellent teacher, he puts a lot of his time into Phase 3 as well, answering as honestly as he can and has he has done to anyone in the past who has come to him for answers.

Not being much of a smarty himself, Edain will do his best to give the scholarly types the access and the trust they need to do something good, making sure they have access to the archives in Sanctum. He will also task 100 of his knights with the task of helping to escort the travelling scholars, with as much travel as this entails it is sure to tax even the Knights of Solace and so Edain will do his best to help them escort travelling scholars.

Alis has offered to help Bianca by assigning military escorts to and from Sanctum for the scholars that she sends, ensuring their safety and the safety of any materials they bring with.

Princess Isabeau Valardin will primarily be lending her assistance to this endeavor (in Phase 3) by using her considerable charm and skill in persuasion and propaganda to get the word out to the people that the great Archive's enriched texts are available and that the Scholars of Vellichor can guide everyone, high or low, rich or poor, to greater understanding of their world and the vast knowledge contained within.

Lark is opening the Grayson library to the Scholars, and spending her own time overseeing and directing efforts of scribes to copy their works.

While waiting to offer what aid he can for the protection of contents, Aleksei will also reach out to his the vague network he's beginning to form of those freed or aided in their freedom by the Liberators of Skald. Plenty of ex-thralls served in administrative capacities, and he'll kindly ask if they'd be willing to help the Scholars in their various local parishes. Hopefully it will provide some additional manpower for the copying of books and journals to be conducted under the local Godsworn at these various parishes.

Cicero is promising the scholars the use of the Silver Consortiums contacts and networking of infrastructure for moving about the Compact and keeping their scribes supplied as needed.

Deacon will focus his efforts on Phase 3. As a composer of some small renown, he will write a short series of ballads to promote the knowledge contained within the walls of the Archives. The goal will be to help popularize the pursuit of knowledge on the cultural level. Once he's written the music, he will make it available to every bard and performer whom he can convince to take it.

Samael will open up Pridehall libraries and provide military escorts for the Scholars coming to and leaving Pridehall. In addition to that in Phase 3 Samael will help to disseminate information using his oratory skills.

Sasha will in Phase 1 and Phase 2, she is able to reproduce and also translate many texts should the need be there. She is also a very good teacher as well so she will also assist with Phase 3 when the time comes.

Lucita, with her love of music, has been collecting old songs and legends through trading them with other musicians and travelers, bards and music lovers in the taverns, inns, bars and during social events in Arx. Many of these serve as oral history and some have not been documented. This she does and helps contribute to the overall effort toward Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Sebastian will be assisting in accompanying scholars to provide protection and whatever other assistance is needed as they travel throughout the Lyceum to various smaller locations. He will assist in acquiring passage through the lands and courts with which he is familiar, particularly around Setarco and the surrounding isles. He will also assist in locating the smaller repositories of knowledge, acquiring the information and documents required, and seeing their return to Arx during Phase 1. He will also work to help with transcription and the reproduction of drawings and other artistic work contained within the documents acquired during Phase 2. During Phase 3, he will help with the public relations campaign to help promote the use of the Archives and the future expansion of the knowledge contained therein through art and social engagements.

Juliana will be helping Sebastian and the accompanying scholars to provide protection and healing as well as any other assistance is needed as they travel throughout the Lyceum to various smaller locations. She will assisting him in acquiring passage through the lands and courts with which they are familiar, particularly around Setarco and the surrounding isles. She will also assist him in finding the smaller repositories of knowledge and in acquiring the information and documentation, to see that they are returned to Arx during Phase 1. She will also try to help with the work of transcription of the documents acquired during Phase 2. During Phase 3, She will help with the public relations campaign to help promote the use of the Archives and the future expansion of the knowledge contained therein through art and social engagements.

Orathy will be helping Sebastian and Juliana Pravus during the course of the events. He's particularly good at flanking the enemies if there are any, his fighting style coming from the shadows rather than direct assault, therefore, scouting might be his thing. He'll shield Sebastian and Juliana while on mission, body guarding for them.

Nierzen sets to work writing propaganda in support of Phase 3 to move the hearts of people to favour and support the work and effort. He aims propaganda at nobles, motivating them to generously give silver to the Scholarly work, and he aims propaganda at the residents of the Boroughs, moving them to cooperate and even go out of their way to help collect stories and information. In all things, his propaganda tugs at the ideals of duty, faith, and self interest.

The Great Archival Project of 1007 AR causes a complete uproar. In every corner of the Compact, people turn up to add books to the archives, to add knowledge to the archives. To make copies of precious books and send them on. To spread the word - if you need information, your best hope is to find it in the Archives. High Lords and Nobles have opened their libraries. The Templars and the Knights of Solace, as well as many guards hired by various families across Arvum are moving to preserve knowledge and see it safely from the far corners of the Compact into Arx itself. It's a huge project, and under Archscholar Bianca's watchful eye, an incredibly successful one.

Tomes once thought lost are found, copied, and brought to Arx under guard. People are encouraged to come to Arx to seek knowledge. Learn from the Archives of Vellichor, learn from our tutors, our Scholars. Knowledge is available, free for the asking.