In a desperate, end-of-the-world attempt to come up with something that will help save the people of Arx when Azazel and his Abyssal share army come for the Thinnest Point, Medeia gathers the best magical and alchemical minds she can think of to do something Medeia /doesn't/ do: make poison.

Having had luck in the past - before crossing the threshold! - with creating targeted tools against specific threats (like Thornweave Fire and the talismans that protected against the Horned God's magic), she sets out to create something that will specifically harm Abyssal beings. She's not even sure what this is going to take. But she's going to TRY. The blood of Godsworn? Nethicite? She'll clear-cut her gardens if it helps.

After some discussion about collateral harm and intentionality, the hope is that, if successful, the poison should be something that can be coated on the weapons of defenders, perhaps coated upon their armor, and set in strategic traps (near the Thinnest Point?) that can be deployed to great effect without potentially harming allies.

Mabelle is not foreign to experimenting with all those elements. Metals with primum, odd plants, gemstones, her own blood and the time she spent in the Lyceum. Time to mix and try not to die of the explosion.

Galatea's skill at alchemy has few equals. Be it poison, unnatural herbs created during the Platinum Shift, nethicite, or even the blood of the faithful, there are plenty of avenues to take in research. The ritual (revelation 52) of Striking Through the Mirror contains certain techniques for targeted strikes against individual demons, but perhaps it might also provide clues as to more general patterns for substances that threatened demonic lives.

Thea knows about alchemy. A lot about alchemy. Poison. A lot about that too. She will use her knowledge as well as a touch of something else to help aide in the the cause. Thea has her own special additives afterall.

Eirene is an expect occultist. Even without her magic she knows what she's doing with rituals, as well as having knowledge of alchemy. So trying to craft something which harms the enemy isn't too farfetched.

Poison is not Mirk's specialty, but he's worked on the Thornweave poison before, and he helped bind Azazel as well, once upon a time (Action 2936 & Clue 2925), and he knows the rite to hide knowledge from the Despite (Revelation 34). So he draws on that pool of knowledge to attempt to devise something, anything that can harm Azazel. He's in a supporting role, providing advise and knowledge, and perhaps some primum towards a shared ritual, if he needs to.

If it weakens their enemy, even slightly? It's worth it.

So while Mia is no alchemist, she does have an extensive knowledge of the occult. Even more than that, she has a small orichalcum figurine that has long acted a shield against the Abyssal entities controlled by her father, protecting her from their sight and their assault. While she won't offer it up as an ingredient, surely it can provide some helpful insight through.... uhhh... inversion! Yes, inversion. If her figurine protects the wearer from the Abyss, then surely the inversion of some of its properties might help a person attack the Abyss. That makes sense. That totally makes sense. She'll just be standing waaaaaaaay over there while the alchemists test this theory out.

Aco will help, she's only soso with Alchemy but she's got a lot to controbute to a poison. Especially when armed with a bit of magic.

Lianne has spent the majority of her adult life studying the Abyss and its denizens, including a stretch of years specifically focused on how shards are formed. She is uniquely qualified to assist with this project and will focus her efforts specifically on concocting a poison especially effective against shards that this project might drastically reduce the hordes' horrifying numbers. She may be able to provide a shard, if the team would benefit from having a test subject.

That 'blood of a Godsworn' she was talking about? Is me!

Caspian may not know poison or magic very well, but he does know weapons and abyssal. He is quite proficient with the stabbing of and being stabbed by abyssals. There is a trick to making a blade coating, to viscous and it simply drips off, to gooey and it doesn't infect the sight. he offers his insights into weapon coatings as well as how best to fight abyssals and get the poison into their system.

Did someone say poison? Not that a Velenosa Prince who has somehow survived into his sixties would know anything about poison. Okay maybe he knows a little. And maybe he knows a little about the occult. Just maybe. And what little he theoretically does know he uses to help the Lady Medeia with her task.

Mirari is skilled at making poisons, it's something she knows a great deal about and has expert knowledge on. It's more than just alchemy, Mirari herself creates poison through magic. Mirari is also a master weaponsmith and will craft weapons specifically for this cause, seeing if there are ways to alter the weapons design to better hold the poison itself. She will focus all her skills into developing something powerful and effective.

Noah knows all about poisons. He even knows about customizing them. Using them as needed. Dosing people at parties to experiment how they work out. He even knows a few secrets here and there to make them more potent. He is more than willing to lock himself away and study it day and night. He's more than willing to assist. He's more than willing to help come up with a way to help out.

Agric may not be an alchemist, but he does know the occult and is an excellent scholar. He's going to spend time researching anything and everything that may be of use in developing this concoction, focusing on texts relating to the Abyss and similar matters of the occult.

Olivia is going to use her gift with plants to try and rush some hybridized plants that may have a greater impact on Abyssals, with the hope of creating a plant that can have extracts harmful to the intended targets.

Tamsin is not an alchemist, but she is a physician and an invoker. She will lend her necromancy powers to the experimentation, adding death energy to anyone's experiment that wants it. But her real contribution to the effort is going to be in providing leadership! She's going to help arrange lab schedules and coordinate assistants. She'll provide cheerleading to keep people interested and motivated. When things are caustic to touch, Tamsin lends her skeleton pal to carry them around. In short, she'll lead how she's been groomed to lead: by pitching in everywhere there's a gap.

Titania is not good with postions or plants. But what she is good at is talking to people and diplomacy, so she will help get materials. She will talk to those she has to, sit and explain how important this project is.

Raven helps Medeia by letting Media test the potion on one of Raven's spare weapons making sure it adheres to the blade, isn't a hazard to the wielder and so on. Additionally if there is time, Raven will try live testing the weapon with Caspian by finding a low level (non friendly!) demon like a wraith suitable to test the blade on to try to verify the effects.

It did kill a tremendous amount of shards, and certainly was successful against abyssal creatures. Whether the traps in the the catacombs did some good against Azazel is harder to say, but it likely slowled him down, considering he didn't immediately cross into the Thinnest Point.

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.

A moderately sized group of adventurers sails together (with @action 2557) to the Isle of Storms, seeking some of the knowledge that is contained thereon. Sorrel leads this part of the adventuring party, who will be there to survey the island, looking for interesting buildings, ruins, or other structures. They'll be mapping things out and looking for things of interest, particularly in relation to the Marin sisters (Cobalt, Pena, Serenity). Instead of going down into the tunnel, they're going up onto the island itself.

Coraline will be here to protect the researchers as well as exploring. She will help prevent harm to come to the team.

Every trip across the sea needs one thing at least, a ship! And so Galen has his crew prepare the Serpents Tide for departure, of course, the Warlord cannot travel completely solo, so a quad of ships to deploy with them for security and additional resources should the need arise. Once on the island, he is fine with falling back and letting Sorrel do her thing, though he is ever the watchful guardian of his wife and those who have set out with them.

Turo's going to make sure everyone gets there safely, and to provide the naval support for this sort of activity. And then he'll do his level best to be helpful on land, whether that's in doing translation (in case they meet anyone whose language he speaks) or just generally providing leadership.

Titania will be joining Princess Sorrel and the others to sail to the Island of storms. She will be helping look into the Marin sisters as well (Cobalt, Pena and Serenity). She will be also trying to look into finding a way to become more connected with Mangata white there since she is a disciple and she feels a strong connect with her already.

Gailin is tagging along for the first time on an explorative mission with Sorrel Titania and the others. Hell be there as martial back up as needed and to help their expedition in any way he can.

The wind swirls around them all, but they do not hear another song in response to Sorrel's. And so they make their way back, with more questions than answers truly. Where is the key, and where the guide? What are the four guardians and how can they be found and vanquished? Is specific blood needed to access the knowledge here? For all its beauty this is a puzzling island indeed.

Reese would like to make a huge push to protect the Shavs of the Gray Forest from the influence of the slaver. She would like to go in a systematic pattern visiting all the villages in the area and keeping documented records of where she was been and what she has found. She would like to encourage Shavs who are not yet under the influence to move for the own good and to help protect them while moving. She would like to try and take down half-finished huts, knowing it is a risk to herself and any who join her. She would like to leave the villages with a finished hut alone until she figures out to help them in a safe way, but she will talk to them and let them know she is trying to help. She will protect any from danger who she runs into along the way.

Reese is interested in trying to establish a barony in the Gray Forest to help protect the land and people there from the slaver. She will ask about interest in such as she goes along on this task. She will not use any force for pressure, but rather will try to lean upon her charm and reputation as a defender of the forest. She will feel out for interest, but will not make such a requirement for protection. She wants to get the mood and see if the Shavs in that area will be overall interested in such. She would like to travel the forest, protect the shavs and lay out the ground work for one day setting up a barony.

Alexis is, primarily, muscle and a meatshield with an impressive sword to put in the way of any harm that seeks to befall the people they protect - but her skill in the forest with regards to tracking and foraging isn't to be disregarded either.

To combat the strange mind enslaving huts

Sabella will happily help Reese out with the diplomatic portion of this mission! She will accompany her sister to all the villages she would like to visit, speak with them about their concerns and also Reese's concerns for their safety, and more importantly listen to what they have to say. She will talk up the Compact and the safety that it offers as well as how a Barony could do a lot to stabilize things for their people if they were interested in going that route. Should they be very resistant she will not push the issue, but inquire to how they are doing in that part of the forest, what their ways of life are like, and just generally anything they feel like they want to talk about.

Titania has been helping Reese and others with trying to keep the the Grey Forest safe, she has gone wiith weapons out this time she goes with Reese with her weapons at her side and her mind on Diplomacy. She will do he best to help Reese on this diplomatic mission.

The Gray Forest has shifted and changed quite a bit in the two years since Princess Reese has first started defending it. It's a place of opportunity, of shifting alliances, of uncertain population and security. Perhaps no one in the Compact is more familiar with the Gray Forest than Reese, and the shav of the forest are more familiar with Princess Ribbons than any other representative of the Compact as well.

And now there is ample reason to believe that these shav are ready to bend the knee at last. It is their last-ditch effort to try to find some kind of security, and the Horned God's cultists have convinced them to try to make the security of the Compact theirs at last. In uncertain times, this is the lifeline they're grabbing at, and now they come together to respond to Princess Reese and her diplomatic effort with Princess Sabella and Countess Titania, and the obvious protection represented by Dame Alexis.

Shav from the Compact are ready to bend the knee, they just need to know who to bend the knee -to-.

Ainsley is leading up a mass organized attempt at charity and relief efforts for Stormwall and Darkwater. He's gathered multiple people to help with his efforts and many donations. They are as follows:

1) Aiden, Samantha, and Ainsley will head together to Stormwall to personally drop off supplies, services, and other things for the recovery efforts (of course keeping away from those tar pits). Samantha will be providing lumberjacks, lumber, and the like. Aiden will be helping to provide morale boosts and help the families and the survivors. While Ainsley will be busy helping to direct and work with the locals for the people they are providing to help.

2) Titania will be heading up the efforts to help recover Darkwater. She will be in charge of taking the donates resources, supplies, and money to Darkwater to liaise with the Darkwater people. Likely Ariel and Malesh will be helping her. Ariel will be contacting people to help find aid and suitable locations to help relocate the Darkwater Redoubt. While Malesh will be putting his economic Know How to good use to try and generate funds to help with the rebuilding efforts.

3) Roxanna will be handling dealing with public relations and help gather donations, public support and otherwise getting word spread that these things are happening! She is our PR person.

4) Olivia, Jordan, and Harlan will be helping as well. Sir Jordan will go along as a pledged sword to help protect the caravans and help make certain that they are not attacked on the way to Stormwall. While Harlan will be assisting Aiden by sending ahead money and resources to be sent to the distribution center. And Olivia will be working as healer to help the people of Stormwall as they go, focusing on recouping the human cost of battle.

5) Lastly all donations should be split equally amongst the two houses: 2k Econ for each house, 250,000silver split for each house, etc.

Samantha is riding alongside Ainsley and Aiden to personally deliver All of The Things. As for her contributions, she's aware that Crovane's duchy has significant access to lumber, so she is going to round up as many volunteers as are willing to come from Deepwood and its fealties. Lumberjacks, carpenters, carvers, etc. Samantha will also arrange for volunteers who are willing to provide adminstration and organization for temporary housing, sanitations resources, and communal kitchens. The people of Old Oak pride themselves on their philanthropy, and this is an opportunity for all of Arvum to see and consider their example.

Aiden can contribute in the means of morale boosts. He was acting as the Commander of the Grayson Army during the conflict at Stormwall. He will help by personally visiting the survivors of Stormwall and speaking with them on an individual basis. It will be a long grueling process but one he started in the aftermath of the fighting, when he went around speaking to the injured. The easiest way to accomplish this is to visit the survivor's camps first and there he will collect the names of the family memebers which are yet surviving, those who are lost, and start compiling a sense of what each family needs in respect to long term compensation and immediate need. It's a great undertaking but he's pulling in help from his social network (social writs: 200) to make the task easier to manage. The next step is to set up a distribution center in which can allocate the resources more efficiently in a tirage sort of decision making tree - shelter, food, and water being of the utmost concern. He'll have contributed what he can to the economic plight (economic writ: 300) as he feels responsible for all those that lost.

Titania along with her husband Count Gailin will be taking the resources, services, materials, and etc to the Darkwater Redoubt or to whoever is in charge of their rebuilding efforts on that side.

Roxana assists dear cousin Ainsley's efforts with what she does best, skillful public relations. She builds up the plan that Ainsley, Aiden, and Samantha set out for Stormwall and Darkwater to all of her contacts who will listen, including those loyal to her Grayson and Malvici kin. Other groups and individuals she has ties with hear the same message, that she would be so very grateful if this worthy cause was given the attention it deserves among the populace of Arx and the nobles of Arvum. Any difficulties that arise from the organization of these efforts that she might assist in smoothing over she will, and she will continue to make sure that the Grayson penchant for doing the best by the people of the Compact is always recognized and appreciated.

Princess Cassima Thrax has funds to offer as part of rebuilding efforts for Darkwater and Stormwall. These funds are the proceeds of the Islander Relief Auction, which took place just before the final naval maneuvers against the Gyre began. As promised, Cassima is prepared to make these funds available for use by any who seek to provide relief for the Isles and, by extension, Stormwall. To this, Cassima has pledged the support of 100,000 silver for the rebuilding efforts, as well as her own skills in budgeting and economics to help make favorable purchase agreements for materials.

Jordan can't contribute with much; his finances aren't all that good and he's paying off a thing or two, still. Nevertheless, he pledges his sword in efforts to ensuring the caravans sending support, material and cares are secure. He'll accompany them to the roads leading to Stormwall, as well as assist with his manual labor in the rebuilding process. He's not going to shy away from giving his all in helping the Northlands.

Harlan can also contribute in the means of morale boosts. Under Aiden, he lead the Grayson archers during the conflict at Stormwall. He will also be visiting the survivor camps, gathering family names, as well as reaching out to as many survivors and families of the fallen in Ashford that he can. Likewise, he will be using his social ties to help him with this (150 social writs) to help gather the information. He will assit Aiden with the distribution center, but also be working within Ashford to do the same there as well (Economic writ: 200). He will also be supplying Grayson with 50,000 silver towards helping with the rebuilding of Stormwall, as he was unable to travel there himself -- he also gives Jordan his blessing to accompany the others on their journey with him.

As she was at the battle in Stormwall as a healer, Olivia will make a point of returning with the support effort to provide medical assistance. She'll check in with any old patients who survived the battle, render what care she can, and so on. In terms of material support, she'll focus on preparing medicines and other such necessities to focus on the human cost of the battle rather than the physical and economic destruction.

Ariel will be sending out messengers to Stonewood holdings to get together what can be spared. Contacting others seeking their aid in the matter and help in finding suitable locations to house the displaced.

Malesh has had his chance at leading in combat and that went well enough, given the circumstances. He's much more at home in this sort of thing now, taking advantage of the foibles of trade deals and the locations of this good or that. Putting quill to paper and chewing through a good deal of it, he will assist in the crunching of numbers to ensure that the funds and resources gathered are stretched to the absolute breaking point to provide the greatest results. Coin is pooled to buy in bulk, and chains of goods purchased to ensure the free flow of the supplies needed from one town to the next.

Prince Ainsley takes the lead in Grayson restoration efforts. Raising money for aid to Stormwall and Darkwater both, he enlists diplomats and society notables to help raise relief funds to be put to use in rebuilding both destroyed domains.

Prince Aiden, Marquessa Samantha, and Prince Ainsley head together to Stormwall to personally drop off supplies, services, and other things for the recovery efforts. From Deepwood, lumberjacks and lumber. From Grayson, financial aid and morale support. They help with the organizational efforts and the actual building alike.

Countess Titania Fireviper leads the efforts to help recover Darkwater. She will be in charge of taking the donates resources, supplies, and money to Darkwater to liaise with the Darkwater people. Marquess Malesh and Marquessa Ariel also help, contacting people to help find aid and willing backs to clear the debris and carnage from the Redoubt so that it can be rebuilt. Princess Cassima Thrax, Economic Genius, also pours Thrax money into these efforts to aid her family's vassal.

Lady Olivia, Sir Jordan, and Duke Harlan will help too. Sir Jordan helps protect the caravans and help make certain that they are not attacked on the way to Stormwall. Duke Harlan assists Aiden by helping supply funds and supplies for relief. And Lady Olivia will be working as healer to help the people of Stormwall as they go, focusing on recouping the human cost of battle.

And Princess Roxana Grayson drops word in just the right places. There's a fundraising party here. There are people collecting supplies there. She makes sure that the flow of information is smooth and seamless, that people who want to help know where to send donations, and that the people in charge of helping are well known for their efforts.

All in all a resounding success on both fronts, and the Graysons are certainly taking part in the rebuilding efforts in both places. Things are looking brighter in Darkwater and Stormwall.

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.

Having seen the murals of the Marin'alfar depicting ancient rituals used to seal the Gyre via the Hierophants, Victus is assembling an expedition. The High Lord along with his companions will be venturing out from the city of Arx to pursue the methods used to imprison the Marin King. He intends to bring along those skilled with Spirits, Godly business, and martial skill to get them through this. Whether they need to take by sea or by land, they'll go wherever the journey takes them to bring them one step closer to tightening the Herald's chains.

Titania will going with Victus to help with finding a way to tighten the Herald's chains , to keep him from being free and allowing the beat to devour the world. She will use all her knowledge she has and will share what she knows to help them on their journy.

Having helped the Marin'alfar cleanse the Shrine of Mangata, and seeing the murals there and in the home of the Marin'alfar, speaking with them on what the murals depicted, it is no secret that Khanne has a deep interest in the murals, their story, and what took place so long ago. In speaking with the Simurgh, one of the things said was that the people of the Compact had to work to strengthen the seals... this effort brings together her vow to do all she can to help, and her eagerness to learn more. She will go with Victus and the others, wherever the search takes them, seeking to find the answers to how she, and/or others, can help keep the Herald in his chains (or, rechain him, should he find himself freed).

No stranger to seeking out these histories and rituals, Ailith joins the team bringing all her research and notes into these topics (occult and theology). She has a vested interest given ties to the Marin'alfar, Prince Venteri's encouragement specifically, and working with many people on this expedition to combat the Abyss. In the hopes to aid them or the Gods on this journey should danger arise, Ailith has communicated with the Seraphs of the Mourning Isles to encourage devotions and prayers (separate @action).

Eleanor is joining the party to assist the effort on behalf of the King's Own. She is prepared to use her fighting skills should there be a physical altercation, as well as her knowledge of sailing should it be necessary.

Being friends with various Houses and Clans of the sea and sky, Leola attends with Aletta, to locate the previous runes from the magics cast by the Hierophants, and for any help she can offer in recasting this - whether advice of the purposeful porpoises, the piratical otters, or her own diminishing store of common sense. It is truly time to speak with the dolphins now.

Without specific direction, there's a lot of asking questions at first. Leola talks to her friends, who bring tidings of something terrible moving from 'The Place Where We Definitely Should Not Swim And Even Sharks (who are jerks!) Don't Swim'. Khanne hears whispers as well that 'the Storm Rises', in frustratingly vague ways, pointing towards Darkwater Watch. Ailith prays and sees the horrifying image of Julea, Ianthe and Zhayla falling, and sees an image of a shackle breaking. With little to go on, Victus leads them to Darkwater Watch, and they see the first warning of the coming storm.

It's past Darkwater Reach that Khanne sees a strange manifestation in the water. A great swirling wave, forming higher and higher, until one of the Old Gods stands before them. "Maelstrom's End is coming. The Herald is still bound, but the curse has weakened its tethers around all he controls. He needn't use pawns any longer. His true fleet comes. You must flee and prepare." And then the spirit vanishes, but they see a vision of a massive fleet, possibly thousands of ships, sailing from the center of the Darkwater with a beautiful being floating far above them in the heart of a storm.

Watchwords are circulated to allies, to be given when any Isles warship approaches. Allies are also encouraged to group their merchants into convoys for ease of protection and inspection. One week later, to allow this new policy to spread, Mourning Isles patrols will begin challenging all ships in Kennex waters. If the watchword is wrong, the ship in question will be boarded and inspected, to be confiscated if evidence of smuggling or piracy is found (inaccurate ship's ledger suggesting smuggling, illegal cargo, goods suggesting trade with Abandoned, etc.)

The warships of the Grim Fleet will spread into smaller squadrons of 2-3, in order to patrol more widely among the thousands of merchant ships coming and going from Stormward.

Yet again, The Grim Duke calls, and yet again, House Navegant answers. As voice, the lady navegant will mobilize her forces in suport of the dukes actions. The Navegant fleet, instead of protecting it's own traders, will instead be forming a picket and defense line of patrolling vessles. This new "Mourning Watch" will dedicate itself to full spectrum maritime patrol operations. This includes, escort, anti-piracy actions, rescue operations if needed, and Watchword questioning with Visting, board, search, and seizure operations as needed. To see the boarding operations in case of a failure to utter the correct watchword, Regla has detached Navegant Marines with each warship.

Victus will be committing the full might of the Thrax Fleet to hunting down these smugglers and false flag pirates. Ensuring to learn of the proper watchwords and pass them through the crew. Much like in dealing with the Thralls and Mutineers, Victus will be personally there for this. However he will not be bringing the Red Serpent, as to not immediately reveal that the High Lord of the Mourning Isles has re-entered Kennex waters. Rather he'll be taking more of a backseat role, standing in as a Lord to ensure no international incidents are going to happen if one or two vessels ends up forgetting their watchwords. Or even if the smugglers may learn of one themselves.

Edward will accompany boarding crews that are to inspect ships for smuggling to check manifests and other ships documentation for signs of deception or malfeasance. In addition, given this was part of his job for House Redreef he will apply his know how to searching ships for hidden compartments and where cargo may commonly be stashed - as well as the types of tricks that smugglers may use. Such as towing, barreling, keel riding and so on.

Sameera is doing as she normally does on missions Harald undertakes: She is managing inventory, keeping track of the people and organzing things on the ship to run as smoothly as possible. She has the added duty of checking ship ledgers and trying to find any suspicious activity. Anything that might give cause for concern is reported to Harald. As per normal for her all other duties are disregarded if a Thrax or Grimhalll family member is at risk (AKA has a potential of dying or running off to do something dangerous alone) and she will put her life on the line to protect them.

Faelan is going to be leading one of the longship squadrons in the hunt for more pirates and smugglers.

So, not much into the sneaky stuff. But as soon as one of these pirates gets caught?  I’m gonna axe him a question.

Ian, hopefully along with Wash, Porter and Aethan, will be setting up a small task force that adds actual hunting and deterrence to Harald's strategy of pirate isolation. They'll be setting up a 'bait' ship, ie a ship that seems like a lone merchant ship or trader, a plum target for pirates. The 'merchant sailors' of course will be Kennex pirate hunters, and any pirate who takes the bait and tries to board the 'merchant ship' will live (or not live, as the case may be) to regret it.

Porter will be accompanying Ian on a task force to attempt to bait the pirates into attacking them, and then fight back! Porter will be laying in weight with the ambush crowd.

Aethan will be taking part in the pirate hunting expdition with his brothers and Wash.

Duchess General Calypso works closely with Harald Grimhall and his fleet to support this new policy. Her captains have been given the Watchwords and been instructed to cast out any pirates, smugglers or otherwise undocumented and unwanted travelers on her ships. This only pertains to the fleet she had originally sent out in to Kennex waters.

Titania will be supporting Harald in this and leanding aid in whatever way she can with both Kennex Soldiers and Ships. She will be making sure that all work with Harald so that the situation in Kennex is not taken advantage of and Smuggling and Piracy will be stopped and dealt with.

Lark has forwarded the watchwords to her vassals to use as needed. So as not to confuse the issue, however, she has reduced Grayson naval footprint in Stormward waters to nilch, and suggested that her vassals similarly reduce their traffic there while Grimhall deals with pirates and criminals.

Wash will disguise himself and his personal vessel as a merchant ship, load it down with armed sailors from other Kennex vessels and attempt to lure the pirates into a raid. He will spread word through the lower boroughs (through proxies) of the wealth the ship is bringing to Stormward. Wash will be in command of the vessel, despite his usual disinclination toward hand to hand combat.

Darrow joins the efforts in the Stormward March with his marines and ship, the Reaper, to sail in the efforts of Harald Grimhall. He himself and a squadron of the Lament marines place themselves on the bait ship, knowing that it is likely to draw the most interest of pirates, smugglers, or any other submarine forces that might be lurking. This bait will not be easy prey with Darrow on its deck.

Valery is researching how to improve her smoke bombs, adding pigments so the smoke will come in different colors. (Action 1435) She's been told that could be used for signals!
She's handing Harald a few of these experiments, 3 of three different colors (red, yellow and blue) and another 3 white, making a total of 12.
(Added ap and resources for their cost)

Once watchwords are distributed, the Valardin navy will offer aid in light of increased piracy to escort and defend merchant vessels that are confirmed to be pirate free in the spirit of protecting and bolstering trade while giving the small and growing navy some opportunity to hone it's teeth on pirate vessels.

Watchwords are better than nothing, but actionable intelligence is what Halsim deals with. While everyone else is handling naval issues, Halsim goes pro-active and consults with informants across the Isles about pirates and probable false flaggers, sending any serious leads to Harald for him to actively hunt down. Narrowing the wide net to actual problems.

is going to take a different approach to the smuggling issue. Most lords think the problem is at the sea, that boarding will solve the problems, and often they're right. However, the Crimson giant and his men will be at the ports, stopping anything that they can that falls through the cracks. If contraband is spotted, he will threaten and beat his way to the source, and in turn he will turn over those hiding spots to the boarding parties, as not to let them be tricked twice.

201 ships participate in the massive pickets surrounding Kennex waters. The watchwords catch a number of smugglers off guard, and at least in the initial weeks, 4 longships and 2 galleys are captured running false flags, with their crews turned over to House Grimhall and the ships confiscated. Piracy dies down overnight, and if there were more than that they are definitely avoiding Kennex waters at present.

Dear Staff,

I don't think much will come of this, but I wanted to record it just in case it does matter. Petal is going to the shrine of Mangata on a daily basis, praying and offering to the sea gifts of the mead she made. I am trying to swing by sometimes to show that. She likes to come at night when the moon is out, but varies the time. Now after felt Mangata she believes in her intensely. Thanks Petal's Player

I believe we did in fact have a scene!

A joint Grimhall-Navegant campaign is being launched to subjugate one of the abandoned northern Isles near Escuma.  The island must be large enough to eventually support a stable barony. The combined fleets of both houses under Turo will secure the coasts, deliver warriors and supplies to support the armies ashore. The Grim Legion (Army #91) under Harald will land on the western shore, establishing a base of operations on the coast, where a palisade and ditch will be raised for defense, while Navegant warriors under Lady Regla (Quirin’s Army #105) will land and begin their sweep from the south coast.  Merida and Valdemar will also be with the army.

This fortified camp is intended to grow into a town after the campaign, once settlers are brought in. Initially, the camp will support a lengthy and thorough sweep of the island by the armies.  Organization of the camp will be entrusted to Sameera Coldrain, who will also direct initial construction while the military operation is underway, with an eye toward the settlement to follow.

Diplomats (Melinda, Titania, Edward) will travel with the armies to handle negotiation with any tribes of Abandoned who are encountered. Their aim is to avoid the massacre and enthralling of any Abandoned  tribes by persuading them to turn Prodigal. Titania speaks Island Shav, and will be primary translator. Shavs who resist before surrendering will become thralls, Tribes who kneel peacefully will become free subjects. (Rolf will not be allowed anywhere near negotiations. Fucking Rolf.) The diplomats will have the secondary task of inquiring after any rumors of magic, or sorcery among the Abandoned.  Gifts of steel, mead, and furs will be offered, to sweeten the offer.

Should the island be pacified, the final phase of the campaign is long term settlement. Refugees from the Silence have been promised land through Lady Caelis Malvici, who has agreed to re-settle any fisherfolk, farmers, woodworkers, or any folk willing to learn those trades, starting at the fortified coastal camp.  Combined with any Prodigals, this should provide the island with a self sufficient population base after a few successful growing seasons.  With Navegant's approval, governance of the island will be entrusted to Edward Stormbreak, in vassalage to Navegant.

Made all the roles, made ALL the posts, and the adjustments, opened up the new dominion too. Congratulations! You have colonized an island!

While not taking on the grand task of ending thralldom for those sworn to the Thrax Family Dame Sameera Coldrain IS taking on the task of making it so those released from Thralldom can assimilate into the world of freedom far easier, especially for those who have spent many years as a thrall. To this end she is using the land Count Maximilian gave her to manage to create a small village, that is not intended to grow large, for former thralls to use as a 'half way house' of sorts. She is looking to have it run by former thralls and allow for former thralls to create their own safe haven. The thralls will be able to find their niche in the world among those that have been where they were and not be thrown in a world of decisions and freedom unprepared. The final, solid goal for this little village is for the former Thralls to give back what they take and become profitable. What this means, in essence, is she wats to make the former thralls self sufficient and contributing members of society. These people can either stay in Coldreach or find their place out of it, armed with skills to help them survive. Obviously for this to work Sameera needs people skilled in economics, stewardship, and agriculture as well as any resources needed.
Any and all resources will also be very useful for making this happen.
(OOC: For resources: For the moment Apostate said it would be 5 economic resources per person in the village.)
Sameera has gotten money from Niccolo to use towards the village project. He donated 100,000 silver, 42,000 of it has been used to obtain military and social resources to add to the resources being used.
OOC Since Aldwin already has an action in King's Rest but is definitely supporting: Player Aldwin pages you: Farm implements for the farmers and some tools, and guaranteed to buy 10% of the exports for teh first few years, and... Sending a priest to the village with a disciple of mangata to help organize the thralls.
Sameera would be sending a sketch along with those going to Coldreach to give them an idea what is being shot for when it comes to layouts and for potential more than expected. She is shooting for 500 people in the cost department, while trying to assure there is enough cushion for if more than projected amount arrives. Coldreach Sketch: A vague mime of the island is done on this sketch with the buildings focused around the center of it. The buildings are a mix of communal homes and personal, using the buildings already there by repairing them if possible, as well as necessary buildings like the keep. The homes are intended to be set up with herbal, vegetable, and ground fruit gardens for them to feed their families and export any extras. The lands surrounding the village is made up of open animal farms, consisting of smaller animals like sheet, pigs, and goats. Types of animals that don't take a lot of space and can graze openly on the island's grass. Rather than farm lands orchids of limes, lemons, mangos, and bananas are the dominant intentions. Around the island edges, outside the normal ship docks, are docks designed to house homes and businesses should more than the projected amount of people arrive. There is also a designated area for fishing and oyster diving. At the bottom of the sketch is a note listing the desired major exports: tree fruits (limes, lemons, bananas, mangos, etc), fish, and pearls. A list of potential minor exports is also included, which is what would be excess of supplies produced for consumption over anything else.

OOC: Just so it is known the angle Sameera is going for and all that.
Damnit. Any 'sheets'=sheep and 'orchids'=orchards. And in the central area churches/schools as well, since the Faith is sending priests and disciples. Basically, Sameera would do her best to assure that all the expected buildings of a village is there. Taverns, businesses, chruch, school, etc. Maybe not of grand sizes but there. And she would not be expecting it all to happen 'right away'. The orchards, I am loosely playing at the angle of them having been there due to the island originally hosing a plantation.
Since Samantha can't add due to having an action already in: Player Samantha pages you: Samantha will be contributing by donating lumber from Deepwood for structure and furniture building, as well as seeds from grove crops to see if any of them will grow viably on the island. She will offer any former thralls currently residing in Old Oak who want to return to Thrax an opportunity to do so as instructors in lumber and wood artisanship to be presented to Sameera as possible instructors to teach newly free thralls trade.
Donella (since she might still be having net issues?) has decided to throw her whole support behind Sameera's project and is determined to see it succeed. She is using her connections with people and adding any financial help she needs too.

Merek Black and Meeka, along with his two Guards, will be doing what they can to help sway some Merchants/People that might be sympathetic to the ideals of Sameera's task, to support it with funding. In addition to this, he will also be putting his own funding into it to an extent. He does not have the abilities to manage any logistics, so he will be specifically staying away from anything too involved besides the funding aspect, for the time being.

Ariel is doing a fund raiser and using her charm, her dancing, singing or her violin playing to gather funds as well as more help in Sameera's deed. Former thralls need homes too!
Ariel has also donated her own personal resources into the action. 305 economic, 105 military, 50 social.
Ariel has also donated her own personal resources into the action. 305 economic, 105 military, 50 social. She is also hosting an Auction on thursday, auctioning off donated items and vouchers that she has bought personally.

Princess Seva will be having a luncheon at her shop to raise awareness for ex-thralls. She'll be having Count Maximilian speak on Sameera's behalf. She's also try to help sway any merchants or noble's that she knows to get behind the worthy cause.

With her Guild's support, Guildmaster Joscelin Arterius would contract and trade to provide materials and labor to build the village Sameera needs for her endeavors. Joscelin's connections allow her to provide the resources needed as well as the manpower. While that is going on, on the mainland and in the city, Joscelin would speak of Sameera's work to anyone that might be interested, encouraging others to invest and aid the young Dame who looks to use her new title to improve the lives of others who share a common history with Sameera herself.

Harald is training a retainer  in stewardship to assist Sameera in organizing her new domain.  The coded retainer is Henrik, who will remain in Sameera’s service.  Harald will spend further influence to smooth over the view of Sameera’s project among the more reactionary Isles nobility, painting the experiment as a step to preserve Thralldom in the long term (100 social)

Gathering up a handful of Stormward's best Agricultural experts and teachers, Marquis Kennex is sending them to Dame Sameera's new island to work with the ex-Thralls, teaching them what they need to know to improve their living conditions on the field, as well as help them teach themselves.

As the child of a former Thrall, Carita has connections among the Lower Burroughs through her extensive commoner family to raise awareness of the project. A village will need villagers. Through her social connections she will be seeking former Thralls that might be able to aid recently freed Thralls in the transition from one life into the other in a way that is more feasible to the people. Like ought to meet like as it will aid in the learning process. In addition, she will be seeking donations of silver and resources.

Max put Sameera to this task, and he is not leaving her high and dry in any measure. Putting his own economic mind to the task, he will be assisting her with the economic side of things, as well as putting 1000 economic resources into the venture to help getting it going with no possible failure for lack of funding or supply.

Additionally, with generous pensions and bonuses to the military, on top of a highly successful military campaign, Max is ensuring the Darkwater military and local bannermen have no cause to feel like they are losing power or prestige to this effort. In that end, Max is disbursing an additional 250 economic resources for parades, banquets and honors in Darkwater Watch itself.

Having heard of Sameera's plans and the support she's gained Lucius has decided to use his knowledge about stewardship to help the former thrall. He is giving instruction on how to manage the lands properly and assuring people are doing what they are suppose too to keep the village going smoothly.

As a former thrall who has been able to pay his own debt and freedom as well as steward for the Darkwater family, Driskell knows many thralls and understands the issues they face. As a teacher and steward, Driskell will offer to go to the village and provide assistance in educating released thralls on how to manage finances, business and lands to squeeze as much profitability from whatever they have as well as being an example to emulate. He'll also be preaching that the Reflection offers thralls hope in their darkest moments, they can find strength in what others might feel are weaknesses.

Lark has pledged her support, using her influence in both House Grayson and the Crown to draw attention to Sameera's efforts, spreading the word. She uses her knowledge of economics, her contacts with merchants, and her <3<3charm all in conjunction to try to make deals on Sameera's behalf while assuring investors that Sameera has her long term support in this matter.

As Sameera is her lady's maid, and a dear friend, there is nothing Katarina would not do for the half-Eursui. She pledges a sizeable portion of resources, in both economic writs, social and military contacts gained in the time of the siege, to ensure a prosperous start for the island.

Through his persona and alternate identity of sorts Remi as The Tempest has called together friends and those who have sailed under his command now holding to their own vessels. Pirates, Bucaneers, Smugglers and outlaws of the water called under his flag to assist in the aftermath of the siege that nearly ended it all. But rather than having war or riches on their minds they come to help.
     The ships set to arrive in the early morning hours with their flags lowered to half mast and banners of truce flying to show they are there not for raiding or taking but in peace. The men of the crews there to assist in building efforts and if need be lay the ground work for docks for future trips and to aid others coming to help. Before the crews and ships leave any former thralls wishing to take their path beyond the edges of the law are allowed to leave with them learning the trade of sailing and questionable legality.

Khanne Halfshav, Minister of Agriculture for The Crown and Voice of Halfshav House, has agreed to assist Sameera with her efforts. She has spoken to other nobles about the efforts, and how it is a large undertaking that most of the Great Houses should be in support of. Aside from spreading the word, Khanne has offered to assist the thralls learn about agriculture and other means of survival. She offers to teach the thralls how to plant and best care for the crops, how to forage, and even hunt. Though others might be better skilled than she, she has vowed to do what she can, even offered to go on a dreaded boat and help begin on the island itself if need be. She has also offered to speak on shamanism to any thralls interested in the paths, and to work with the thralls in support of their own spirituality.

Juliet is helping - the Salon's long-promised debate on how to replace thralldom now has a practical example to point to, and as both a Spoke of the Silver Consortium, a Senior Associate of Black Mountain, a Diplomat in the Voice of the Compact and a Voice of Fidante, she has a lot of sway to help her pet projects. In this case, that includes encouraging the ethical practice of the village and gathering promises from merchants and nobles to remove their sanctions on Thrax-produced goods guaranteed to be made by the hands of free men and women. She's also making a personal investment into the village of Coldreach to the tune of 125 Economic Resources.

To assist with Sameera's attemps build her community by sending some masons and farmers from the Oathlands to help them build sturdy homes, and to grow crops upon the island.

Edward will assist the efforts of Sameera by using his own House resources to set up intitial trade routes with the expansive merchant fleet that Redreef possesses, to ensure that the village has suitable food imports and reasonable and discounted prices for the first two years. As well as provide, at no cost to the village, construction materials and supplies to ensure that the village has the material needs to get its initial neccessary construction projects under way, such as housing, food storage, defensive structures, and centralized village buildings, without being forced into construction stops due to a lack of those materials. These things to be represented by an influx of economic resources by House Redreef.

For his part, Darren will be garnering support of the noble class in Redrain and the Crown for support of Sameera's island. He takes the position that this is a thing of hope for the City - a true sign that times are changing and evolving for the betterment of all people. And if the Thrax can support an entire island of freed thralls, perhaps that will give them all the incentive they need to continue freeing more Thralls. There is a firm reminder that no one wants to see Thrax's economy stumble as a result, which is why it is all the more important that this island be supported by /all/ fealties and the Crown as well.

Marquis Malesh Stonewood, having heard of the Coldreach Villiage project through the Graysons and the Darkwaters, will be lending his aide as well. Assisting Lady Khanne and Dame Sameera Coldrain in the agricultural department, he lends expertise particularly in the propper care of orchards. Every helpfull, he will also lend his economic expertise to the project, helping to manage things at scale to prevent waste, loss, and graft. All to give the former Thralls of the village the best possible start.

Titania is helping educate the former thralls, when she can, and is trying to send those she thinks would go to help educate along. She is putting focus on sending those she knows are former thralls.

The village of Coldreach is established- still a part of the darkwater domain, but in effect an extension of Darkwater's territory and a strong exemplar project towards the abolition of Thralldom. See Vox update.

Victus Thrax is planning an expedition across the Mourning Sea and beyond. His intent is to find the shrines beneath the waves, seen in visions by those blessed by Mangata. He gathers his flagship dromond the Red Serpent, 5 galleys and 10 long ships to accompany him. Along with this he has invited Lady Titania Kennex, Countess Arcelia Navegant, Seraph Ailith and Sameera Coldrain to accompany him on board the Red Serpent. He believes they will be of aid in translating Mangata's will and their combined knowledge of the occult and the divine will assist him in finding what he seeks.

They'll set sail as soon as the ships are prepared and intend to come home in one piece.

Sameera, using her investigative and occult skills to assist her High Lord on his mission to find shrines. She is going to take any books that /might/ have indications on how to find the way to find the shrine or rituals relating to them. While she is not a strong fighter she is definitely going to do everything she can to protect Victus.

Titania will be at High Lord Victus side through the mission, she will be giving him gidance on the goddess and also when the time comes aidding Arcelia in a diplomatic talks with the sea elves once they are found.

Aside from Victus' outline (faith/theology/occult/gods msg), Ailith will provide healer support. Between Aleksei and the Crown Ministry meeting, she's aware of the race of elves who lived in the water, 'The People of the Waves', and will pay attention to these possible signs during the journey.

afk
Khanne is not a fan of ships, but she's having to become accustomed to them. The Spirit of the Sea recently gave her a task, a mission that she was told was imperative for her to focus on - Find and clean the lost shrines of Mangata, find the Lost Children of the Sea... and help Mangata in any way that she could. Surprised by this at first, but, as a shaman, Khanne has long been a person who spoke of the importance of Shamans and Faith working together, so why wouldn't the Spirits want her to work with the Gods?

Khanne goes with Victus and his crew in search of the shrines and "Sea elves" as others call them. She uses her perception and her Spirit Sight (mana and occult), hoping to find clues to these things, maybe even to get a glimpse of the other things being searched for. She comes armed with small items to offer in ritual along the way, much like she used to call to the Spirit of the Sea in the first place, and a shell amulet to help protect her. She would try to reach out to Mangata as well, to offer her help to the Goddess, explaining the Spirits sent her. (Please use 40 extra AP from Khanne towards hopeful success, 10,000 silver from her hand for supplies needed for the trip, 50 social resources for hopefully talking to the Lost Children of the Sea and/or Mangata.)

Meanwhile... back in Whitehold...Khanne has directed the people of Halfshav to erect shrines to Mangata along the rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds; focusing on spreading them out across the Halfshav lands so that there can be one easily accessible to any who wish to go pay their respects to the Goddess of air and water. She does however, ask for the most grand one to be placed, in particular, at the beginning of the Gray River, where runoff from the mountain snows become the waters that eventually feed into the bay of Arx. (Please use 300,000 silver from Halfshav Bank account to pay for materials to be used for the shrines, 100 econ, 50 social for the convincing people to do the thing and 100 military for the soldiers to protect the craftspeaople building them)

Thanks in part to Sameera's books and research, maps are made now - every mention of sea elves, of lost shrines she indexes. She's very dedicated and does an excellent job, even going so far as to color code which locations correspond to which rumors or visions, and so when they begin Sameera has already done an excellent job helping them figure out where to start. And then, well - then the sea elves came into the picture.