Marquessa Rhea Acheron has tasked Umbroise with the weighty matters pertaining to the conflict between House Bellerive and House Threerivers, and all of the things that have spilled over since. She will be personally traveling to Threerivers, with a proper escort of course, to see if she can talk some sense into Count Trevor, and convince him to withdraw his troops from the lands of House Bellerive and to cease harassing the vessels of Harthall.

On her way there, she will pay visits to the other vassals of House Acheron to talk trade, spread propaganda about how war is bad for trade, and spread a message of unity within the March. Her hope is that by doing so, she will help reassure the other vassals that House Acheron won't tolerate aggressive actions, but offers its support to its vassals in time of need.

When she arrives at Threerivers, she will seek an audience with Count Trevor of Threerivers to see if she can convince him to bring his troops home, that a siege of Bellerive risks a war with House Blackram and its vassals. She will attempt to convince him that none of this is good for trade, and she will offer him some heavy incentives to withdraw those troops such as support in laying claim to some of that disputed territory. One of those incentives will be an exclusive right to a corner of the new great marketplace that the Marquessa has planned to build in Aviaron's Peak.

She will sympathize with him, be fully supportive and understanding for the losses suffered among his soldiers, listen to his grievances and do her best to see them addressed, but she will be firm. While he may be free to do what he wishes within his own lands, besieging the lands of another fealty is not an acceptable solution. She will, however, do everything in her power to assure him that she has his best interests at heart for the sake of the March as a whole, and wishes only to help him out of this difficult situation. She'll try to convince him of the benefits of the Great Road, and how it will help to bring trade to his County, being so close to it, once these disputes can be settled.

Should he agree to return home, Umbroise will do her best to negotiate a deal to divide those disputed lands between Threerivers and Bellerive so that the lines may finally be firmly drawn to everyone's satisfaction. It is her hope that in doing so, future conflicts will not ensue. If he doesn't agree to return his troops home and end the siege of Last Bridge, well... that would be up to the Marquessa, surely, as to what will happen next. But Umbroise hopes it doesn't come to that.

It's no mistake that Riagnon is accompanying Umbroise on her mission. Symbolic of House Acheron's honor and legitimacy, the House Sword's presence is meant to speak to the gravity with which Marquessa Rhea takes these conflicts as well as her investment in discovering a happy denouement. Not a diplomat himself, Riagnon will defer to Umbroise on most matters while flexing every muscle of knightly etiquette in his possession. Hopefully Umbroise doesn't make him fight anyone to the death.

New to the conflict, Kenna is quite happy to be a force behind the scenes. She charms her way into various confidences, working mostly among the army to sway minds and hearts towards a more peaceful action. It's her intent to sway the public opinion against the conflict. She reminds them of the trade ties that are fraying and close to severing. Leaning on her merchant background she reminds them of how scarce food gets during conflicts, and the approaching harvest season that will go unharvested if the armies are not in residence.

Radhilde is not very knowledgeable about everything politics but one thing she knows for sure is that something large is at stake. She fully supports Umbroise, not just as her sister but in House Acheron's ultimate goal of peace, so she also joins the journey to Threerivers. Radhilde intends to use her wits at her sister's side as she lends agreement to her offers of peace and efforts to reason with Count Trevor and will use her perception to take note of anything amiss.

Jeffeth has been asked to accompany the retinue heading up to Threerivers. With him he carries the authority of the Knights of Solace. But mostly, he's bringing big smiles. The large knight is here to offer his support for any negotiations that could be made with the opposing parties. He of course will be making sure to protect the group should anything happen. But mostly he is here to provide support. If they reach any negotiations, if there is any assurances the Solace can make, he can act as an obective representative of the Faith. Peace is best here guys, come onnnn.

Lady Umbroise Acheron's actions are absolutely vital, and in the end make all the difference for ending the war between House Bellerive and House Threerivers. Countess Tresa Threerivers at first is furious and wants to avenge her father, but all of them have their ways of helping talk Threerivers down from the ledge they are at first determined to try to leap off of. Umbroise and Radhilde have an advantage in that their coming to Acheron was relatively tragic- they might be of the liege's house for Threerivers, but like Countess Tresa, they know loss. It's deeply meaningful for her to see Umbroise help oversee the return of the bodies, and then have all the members of House Acheron speak and plead with her. Kenna is meaningful, as a new member and an outsider who has a fresh set of eyes, and speaks compelling about the losses from continued war, while Riagnon as House Sword is a symbol of how seriously Acheron takes the mission. (And he doesn't have to fight anyone to the death.) Jeffeth as a presence helps as well, due to the respect commanded by the Knights of Solace. Ultimately, it's their efforts that has Threerivers willing to seek peace, and agree to the meditation of disputed territory by the Faith as being pushed by the Whisper House.

After combing through her catalogue of past ventures, Katarina came across the documents that outlined the results of expeditions based upon the completed records of Song of Lost Names & Weapons she'd kept in her possession. There was one expedition that is said to have been a failure to retrieve a "cache of weapons for rulers most cruel" led by Duke Harald Grimhall and Duke Asger Crovane, which aligns with the curious findings that alluded to recent visitors having been in the strange temple upon the Island of Storms they discovered from the last trip.

Given that signs of the Horned God's activity have begun to rear up, Katarina is resolved to retrieve this final weapon or tool, no matter what it takes. She knows the waters to the Island of Storms like the back of her hand and will gather up a group once more to return and retrieve the cache.

Sorrel has been wanting to go to the Isle of Storms for awhile now. She's an enthusiastic adventurer, and even though this specific mission isn't her end goal, she intends to learn as much as she possibly can from the experience. She'll bring her armor and her sword, for who knows what dangers the Isle will bring, and she'll work to help Katarina come home with the sword.

Ian will be coming along, as he does, bringing some of the Thrax Special Forces as backup. (Probably not all of them as I doubt they'd fit on the Unsullied. But as many as is reasonable.) As usual, his primary goal is to make sure that everyone is as safe as they can be and that everyone (especially Sorrel) comes back alive.

That having been said, Ian is also quite interested in any weapons that can be found in a place like this, and because he sees Harald as a father figure, finishing what he started would have deep meaning for him.

Something is lost? Kenna's totally on board with that, her innate curiosity too much to keep her back upon hearing about the lost weapons. She signs up to come along with Katarina to search bringing her keen eye and knack for finding lost things. Knowing it is particularly dangerous she keeps her wandering spirit more or less in control unless there's a clear compulsion to look someplace in particular. Then she'll speak to Katarina before following after said compulsion, not wishing to have HER actions bring anyone else into danger also.

Intrigued by this particular cache of weapons to help battle the evil to the North, and never having had the opportunity to go to the Isle of Storms in the past, Cullen is quite thrilled to be joining this expedition and ensuring Katarina is successful in this venture. Having years of experience in the tactics and strategy of warfare, both on scales large and on the small group level, he will ensure that the expedition and any military units are deployed in the most advantageous manner possible, should they face adversaries on the Island of Storms.

An open door. A dark pool of water. An empty altar. And sharks. So many sharks. But not normal ones. Why can there never just be NORMAL FREAKING SHARKS?!

With the news that many shav'arvani tribes are fearful for their lives in the face of the Horned God, Samantha has decided to attempt what she has previously done successfully: open her borders to shav'arvani refugees, without obligation of joining the Compact, but with the requirement that they adhere to the rule of law while within her borders. That being said, as there is great concern regarding any spies or Horned God loyalists coming in amongst the refugees, Samantha is going to utilize the procedures that she helped develop when she acted as a Liberator and needed to screen for true criminals amongst the freed thralls when helping them re-establish their lives. She will also turn to her Prodigal population from the time before, asking them to take an active hand in this process, as they themselves can speak from experience as to the veracity of Samantha's word, and she believes they would be extremely scrutinizing in making sure any spies or enemies slip through the process. As before, Samantha will show by example the benefit of joining the Compact, and hope that her actions result in further prosperity.

Grady is used to the quiet spaces. To growing up in the woods, and being away from Arx. Having recently made the journey himself, he'll talk of his own experiences. It's not quite the same journey, mind - he's always been part of the Compact. But it's not so different out in the middle of nowhere. He appreciates the quiet spaces too, and so he'll talk about how expansive the world can be. How there's still room to be free. How the Compact isn't a trap it's a gift of security. He'll mention children too, and building for a bright future together. How the Compact takes care of its own, and in these difficult times that's important. How we fight for each other, and celebrate the joys together, and come together in times of sorrow. We can build together. It's not a bad thing at all, is it?

Marquis-Consort Rymarr Deepwood has sent along notice to Old Oak of the plans of the ruling Marquessa, Samantha. In that notice he calls for volunteers that may be prepared to accept new Prodigals and teach them the way of life in the Compact - ideally pulling from the great many Prodigals already become citizens of Deepwood Hold. Along with that efforts are to be taken to ensure the safety and security of Old Oak, whether from these welcomed Abandoned in the form of a subtly close eye being kept on them or ensuring that they do not bring something altogether unpleasant in with them. Up to and including disease or other less than savory affairs.

Mia will be following Samantha's lead, opening up Riven's borders to allow for the transport of various shav'arvani tribes along the rivers that run north-to-south through the county, ferrying people from dangerous locations to more secure ones. Those who have been thoroughly vetted by all of the procedures laid out may also be permitted to remain at the Twainfort, on condition that all laws of the Compact be adhered to while present.

Moving a large number of people is an undertaking. Moving whole villages into Deepwood territory, in winter, will take food, blankets, foragers, guides, fires, and waystations. Thesarin, and his Riven subjects (Prodigals especially), will be working with Deepwood and Grayson to arrange everything needed to bring the shavs into the refugee camps, and see them protected on their way.

Lord Kaldur will shadow Samantha in her efforts to welcome the shav'arvani who take shelter in Deepwood as the Traitors forces stir. He's reasonably observant, so he'll be on the look out for mannerisms or customs, greetings, physicalities, sayings. He will be of particular use if any cultists are discovered.

Reese would like to help protect the shavs who are wanting to move to safer lands. She would like to try and be a positive force and to gently encourage those in danger to move. She will be highly focused on protecting any shavs as they move.

Dame Esoka's efforts are two-fold. First, she assists with security under the Marquessa's direction, keeping a particular eye (and feel) out for any shavs who might be Abyssal spies. Second, she speaks to those who come about her own experiences as a prodigal among the Deepwoods and Rivens and encourages them to bend the knee, trying to show them they can maintain their pride and tradition within the Compact.

As Voice of Whitehawk, Kenna organizes routes for the shav'arvani who meet the Deepwood requirements through Whitehawk land, as well as places for them to stay within the barony as space and protections exist that deep within the forest. Her greatest effort is directed towards helping arrange passage down the two branches of river that cup surround the Barony to where there are better defenses.

Alaric will be comitting some military resources and support from House Grayson to temporarily bolster garrison postings that have had forces diverted to help in other areas of the effort. Otherwise, he will be putting his diplomatic skills to managing any complaints, disagreements, and other general issues in regards to residents with problems with refugees traversing the Crownlands.

Bethany will bring the Mercier trade network to bear, handling logistics, tracking down suppliers for the needed sundries and negotiating the best possible prices. She won't go herself, but she'll do everything that can be done from the safety of her tea shop to make sure that on the ground, everything runs as smooth as a well oiled... anachronism.

The Baron of Whitehawk will provide his cousin Kenna with the military personnel, food, and resources she may need in assisting the prodigal population to or through Hawkhold. Rangers, healers, boats, caravans - the works. He will delegate the actual orders and organization to her, though, to preserve the plans she has already set in place.

Scouts in the Gray Forest are reporting a significant number of shav who are afraid of the actions being taken in the Forest by a cult figure known only as the Horned God. While most reasonable people in Arx know that this is clearly a figure trying to draw from various scary pieces of folklore, some of the leaders of Grayson are seeing a chance to extend their lands and expand their populations.

Under Marquessa Samantha Deepwood's diplomatic leadership, diplomats from the Compact gather - Countess Mia Riven, Lady Kenna Whitehawk, and Princess Reese Grayson among them. They assemble support - Marquis Rymarr Deepwood, Baron Silas Whitehawk, Lord Grady Deepwood, Dame Esoka Greenblood, Bethany Mercier, Count Thesarin Riven, and Lord Kaldur Seliki - to render aid, tactical leadership, diplomatic outreach, and economic strength to their proposition. King Alaric Grayson even signs off on this attempt, putting his not inconsiderable charm to work.

They offer safe haven for those who want to flee potential "recruitment" by this cult leader. No overt mention is made of the need to bend the knee and yet those responding bend the knee anyway. Without prompting. One tribal leader even comments, 'It's a protection isn't it, to have someone we're oathed to already?' And so it seems. Riven, Whitehawk, and Deepwood lands expand, their populations swell, and for now it seems as though this is a very good thing for everyone.

One wonders what the response in the forest will be to that.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There's good news and bad news.

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

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

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

Michael Bisland is going to hire on foreman and construction crews to build up Pridehall's holdings, as well as the vassal houses of Bisland. He will use his leadership and command skills to track down the best architects and planners for the jobs. A great number of Serfs stand unencumbered by steady employment and a public works rebuilding is a good way to get the moving as well as improve the economy of Bisland and its vassals.

Michael is doing most of the leg work on this one. Riding horseback, interviewing folks and all the assorted menial meetings and such to get projects like this moving. Assistance will be rendered by other players via advice most likely.

Samael will use his oratory skills to spread news of their plans to build up the duchy. Some may be concerned with the constant threats plaguing the Isles and the Compact has torn the Bisland's attention from the problems at home. Samael will use journalism and activism to spread and inspire the people. He will give speeches and distribute literature and make contacts with his friends in Pridehall. He is well liked in Pridehall and, even better, he is well respected.

The tugging of fealty's duty has trickled down to the county. Seliki pledges armsmen to Lord Michael's efforts to build and re-build the duchy. Guards for the goods flowing to and fro set out from Pearlspire.

Silas uses his contacts within the Crafters Guild to reach out to experts in the fields of construction and architecture (particularly masons, carpenters, artisans, etc.) to aid Lord Bisland in his goal to Make Pridehall Even Greater. A good amount of stone and timber is sent down south from Hawkhold to assist, as well.

As minister of population Kenna Whitehawk keeps a close eye on the growing number of people in Whitehawk lands. With Michael's offer to build up vassal lands Kenna grabs onto the opportunity to put some of those newcomers to work building up old housing and setting up newer housing for growing families. She passes on the needs of Whitehawk and points out how beneficial it is to make sure that the area is flourishing rather than rat eaten considering their prominent placement at the head of promising trade routes.

Titania is going to ensure the merchants fulfil noble orders first to provide support for the initative.

How can Pridehall and its vassals help a wounded Compact but from a position of bolstered strength? While others look over trade agreements and ledgers, subjects Lumen is well-versed in, she appeals to the sense of patriotism in select merchants and Commoner business owners with personal visits. "At the end of the day, what's good for the Duchy's economic health is what's good for us all." Using the social clout available to her as Softest Whisper, an experienced Diplomat, and the child of a Commoner from the Bisland lands which are now the subject of discussion, Lumen has quite a few different cards in her hand... and she plays them well on her cousin Michael's behalf.

Lumen is careful to leave her role as a daughter of House Bisland implicit. She's a bastard, after all. Anything more would be in poor taste. Of course, if somebody were to infer by themselves that she's acting with the full support of the young future Duke... well, that's a personal choice.

Jev has been asked to pour over the ledgers and offer advisement to Michael in proper distribution and utilization of the serf workforce. He is looking at cutting wasted labor and shifting under and unutilized serfs to areas where they will be more production to help drive production to expected levels closer to the capacity. Lumber, for example, can be bolstered to become a primary trade commodity. Yes it's all very dry. It's all very boring. But Jev's off-the-cuff assessment of things as he fiddles with trying to put puzzle pieces together should - if the dice are kind - make a ton of sense and provide a ton of help.

Barric is going to appeal to the nobles and merchants he knows within Grayson, and without, appealing to them to help get Bisland back up on it's feet. He is going to promote the House as being one of the backbones within Grayson, and the Compact, that the Compact needs Bisland strong and rebuilt. The war is not over and every House needs to be brought back up to strength if we are to have a chance. He will speak of how a strong Bisland is a strong House Grayson as they will be able to call upon the support of the House more fully when required.

It was only a few short days ago that Mia Riven announced she would be opening Riven's warehouses to her sister Houses under the Bisland banners -- and at a discount, no less. Lumber was made available to rebuild lost ships, siege weapons, bows. Leathers and furs were offered for armor. Now she was adding the powdered clay that could be made into bricks to the list and, furthermore, was lending the weight of her words to convince the artisans, architects, and crafters of the Crownlands to add their own skills to the projects begun across the Duchy.

Under Lord Michael Bisland, Pridehall is making some advances and infrastructure changes. Baron Silas reaches out to his contacts in the Crafter's Guild to secure experts in construction. He sends stone and timber south from Hawkwood as well. Lord Kaldur Seliki gets involved, pledging armsmen to patrol the rebuilding efforts and strengthening trade between Pearlspire and Pridehall.

Lady Kenna Whitehawk, follows Lord Michael's example and puts some public works projects in or her own, improving Hawkhold even as they trade and work with Pridehall. Prince Barric Grayson makes the appeal to merchants and nobles within Grayson, to help Bisland rebuild. Countess Mia Riven meanwhile is offering deep discounts from the Riven warehouses to Bisland forces for rebuilding and building.

Meanwhile an accountant named Jev pours over ledgers and makes sure they're paying as little as possible, and that every silver is accounted for. And Lumen Whisper and Lord Samael Bisland work hard too, reminding the people that Lord Michael is focused on Bisland territories, seeking to ensure that their homes are secure and their tax monies are used to make their homes strong and protected. All in all it goes over well, and the Bisland and Whitehawk peoples are working hard.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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