Jeffeth and the Knights of Solace will be escorting the newly arrived refugees to safe harbor and shelter. The knights will be protecting the refugees at their landing and riding through with them to various locations throughout the compact to provide them a new home. The Knights of Solace will be gathering in force to support these large groups of refugees, because of this, they will be in position to support the Templars should martial conflict arise.

At their arrival, the Knights of Solace will be providing full security for the refugees to allow them to be cared by the Mercies before escorting them across the land to various safe harbors owned by the Compact.

Jeffeth himself will be amongst the throng of his knights, leading by example. Riding with his knights back and forth to ensure their safe paths. He will most of the time try to endear himself to the refugees, dismounting and hiking among the refugees as one of them. Carrying their burdens, their children, maybe some of them at times. He will pledge his strength to be their strength, so that they are assured they are truly welcome and safe here.

Natalia will be providing comfort and assistance to the refugees while they are on the move. There is a great deal of very scary change going on for a lot of people, and so Natalia is moving amongst them and doing everything she can to keep people calm, hopeful, and tended to. Socializing, telling stories, explaining things sensibly, finding things for people to look forward to, and so on. She'll help at meal times and the like as well. Lots of lending a quiet, comforting presence.

Podraig will be assessing the refugees for combat ability and pointing out those who could potentially pose a danger to Natalia or Jeffeth as the case may be. He'll also be assisting Natalia with providing further assistance in the process.

Rohran will be joining the effort, assisting in whatever way he can. When large groups of people move like this, there's always work that needs doing, and he's not a man who's averse to getting his hands roughed up and dirty. Carrying things; setting up, and tearing down camps; sitting around campfires and drinking ale. He's a man of the people, even these people.

Adalyn will be joining in the effort to assist the flood of refugees. She will be there predominantly as support in whatever capacity is needed - helping to carry items, listening to their concerns and experiences, sharing in burdens both physical and emotional, providing a safe space and an empathetic ear.

Bree became a Knight of Solace so that she might do some good in this world - and here is the chance. These refuges wanted nothing of their plight, and now in their freedom she will make certain that they are cared for, protected, and made to feel safe. Along with her fellow knights, she will ride along with the group, walk apace with them, carry their loads, lend an ear when they wish to speak, a smile when she deems it might help. Throughout, she will also offer her sword to defend them. A true Knight of Solace, she hopes.

Vesper will join her fellow knights in guiding refugees toward some semblance of respite from the drums of war. As boots on the ground, her time will be spent walking among the weary travelers and attempting to keep their minds focused on the road ahead and their spirits up. She'll learn names, share stories and offer companionship to those shouldering the burden of loss. She will also frequently break from the group to scout for any surrounding dangers and report any problems that can't be handled by a lone knight back to the group. The nights are long, and Vesper is distrustful of the road's many threats, so she'll coordinate with the others to sleep in shifts.

Bhandn will be heavily focused on keeping an eye out for trouble (e.g. ambushes). He's also bringing along extra supplies and calling in a few favors to try and accomodate for some of the refugees, as well. While his primary focus will be upon martial services and preventing loss of life, he'll be applying some of his past charity work in the Lowers (action #3647) in how he distributes the extra bit that he's brought along.

Brannen will try to ensure that neither refugees nor the helpers come to harm. Hence he will beforehand check the routes the trek is going to use. If he has enough time, he will also try to foresee difficult terrains and obstacles which may necessitate a change in routes so that they know of alternatives if necessary. During the travelling, he will command the forces of the Knights of Solace so that they are evenly distributed across the refugees so there is always a helping hand where necessary.

It's no surprise that Lord Richard Wyrmguard puts forth most of his efforts in seeing to the health and well-being of the refugees, aiding with the Mercies' efforts to see to their health before the escort begins. He also sees to contributing to making sure everyone's nutritional needs can be met along the way (150 eco resources).

While other Knights have their eyes outward, Richard has his eyes inward, trying to ensure no further injuries are sustained by the people as they travel, tracking proper hydration (both a dearth and a surfeit of water can imbalance the humors), even going to so far as to establish proper stretching habits for anyone willing to listen to him.

He isn't a particularly charismatic sort, but its times like this that his straightforward earnestness has the opportunity to come to the forefront. Plus, travelling in full armor is an excellent workout all its own.

Prior to departing to the Grey River Liam will offer some tidbits how he can. While he isn't the most experienced Knight he has the less common knowledge of having been a refugee and understanding it. He provides recommendations and guidance and helps with planning for handling the no doubt uneasy refugees.

It's a daunting task. There's thousands upon thousands of refugees and former slaves of Eurus, and they are all going to different domains in the Compact. It's not like when they are dealing with Abandoned, who are often culturally identical to the Compact and speak the same language. A majority of the Eurusi can't speak a word of Arvani and the different Dune Kingdoms don't share a religion with each other, let alone the Compact. They are frightened and confused by Arvum, and it takes a master diplomat to ease people in that situation.

Fortunately they have Natalia, who is a master diplomat.

The dangers of riots and violence is allayed with her present, letting Jeffeth finally organize escorts by Knights of Solace to dozens of different destinations of the Compact. The biggest concern is really that locals will try to attack the Eurusi refugees, as the drums of war are beating loudly due to Skal'daja, and foreigners who cannot speak the language associated with that are just easy targets. As the columns of refugees finally get underway, more than once the Knights of Solace have to dissuade local guardsmen or townfolk from picking fights, and on least three separate occassions Natalia saves the day by convincing petty lords to let the columns pass through their lands when they had withdrawn their initial permission to let Eurusi through. Liam knows the Crownlands well, and helps plan routes that minimize trouble. Brannen scouts the routes, doing his best to verify their safety. Richard helps train and comfort refugees, and Natalia and the others spend a great deal of time with them, reviewing the refugees and aiding them. Jeffeth leads, the knights of Solace rallying around their grandmaster. It's tense, and as the refugees travel through the Crownlands and to the Oathlands, Lyceum and Northlands, it's a testament to the knights and Natalia that violence is avoided.

At least at the start.

Rohran and Podraig know military men when they see them. Some of the Eurusi are clearly soldiers, and their questioning reveals they are deserters from the armies of the Dune Emperor of Eurus. One older soldier named Ferys seems to get a great deal of deference from the others, but the man is brisk and secretive, only revealing to Natalia that he came from the Dune Kingdom of Glor'Ruus- where the Dune Emperor now holds court. Several of the other Eurusi seem very wary of Ferys and the former soldiers, and one elderly well liked man named Duuj'ra warns Natalia and others, saying that Ferys is not to be trusted. Adalyn hears similar comments as well.

Trouble comes when they get closer to Sanctum, during the last evening before they'd reach the city. Bree, Vesper and Bhandn detect trouble first- movement in the tree line, and the signs of individuals trying to sneak up to the refugee camp and elude pickets. As soon as Bree raises the alarm, armed raiders rush to attack; an Abandoned tribe, the Ulryn Bloodcallers who had been looking for easy prey.

Jeffeth immediately leads the counterattack, and it's likely the Abandoned drastically underestimated the size of the Solace escort and thought it would be largely unarmed Eurusi. As Vesper and Bree cut down initial raiders, and Bhandn smashed through several Abandoned to get at an archer in the rear, Jeffeth gets into a heated duel with who is likely the raiders' leader but his size and violent vehemence. Rohran, Adalyn, Liam, Richard, Brannen- all of them are fighting, and it's chaos in the dimly lit camp at night, and extremely confused.

And that's when the little old man Duuj'ra tries to murder Ferys in his sleep, trying to cut the throats of Ferys and the deserters as they slumbered.

As Duuj'ra brings his blade downward, the old man is pulled backwards by Podraig who is standing with a Natalia Whisper who looks entirely too pleased with herself. Natalia had made Duuj'ra for an Obsidian Huntsman almost immediately from the start, by the answers he gave and the pieces of information had put together. The woman grew up among the highest ranks of nobility and frankly, she knows liars that are vastly better and more practiced than any huntsman could ever hope to be, and she could tell when something just fit a little too neatly together and was ever too convenient. Duuj'ra the 'elderly' man springing catlike at Podraig and ruthlessly pressing him despite Podraig's edge in reach is more confirmation, as the 85 year old man practically batters Podraig off his feet with the force of his blows as Podraig parries and tries to counter attack. With a war cry, Jeffeth rejoins the fray after finishing defeating the raider warchief, and he presses Duuj'ra together with Podraig, as Ferys and the deserters are waking up and trying to help as well. Duuj'ra jumps suicidally at Ferys, and Jeffeth cleaves Duuj'ra in his side while Podraig takes the man's head off.

Afterwards, Ferys admits that he is Ferys'nam'ruus, an exiled prince from the Dune Kingdom of Glor'ruus, and has come to Arvum to seek aid against the Dune Emperor. He wasn't sure about the Arvani at first. Now, it seems, he can trust them. Particularly Natalia. She doesn't stop looking pleased.

Orrin wishes to engage in a little extra screening action up at Pearlspire with the refugees resulting from the widespread news of increased infrastructure and a welcome to former thralls. Because he's getting refugees 1) fleeing violence (the sacking/starving of Wyndhall) that was at least partially at the hands of a Grayson vassal (Longwood), and 2) generalized violence due to Victus's proclamation, he wants to be on the lookout for folks come bearing grudges. He is also aware that he has made Pearlspire a target of ire, and wants to be better equipped to spot more directed malfeasance. He's going to be largely bankrolling and providing security support for Jyri, Natalia, and Maru to do their stuff and taking a distant leadership role - mostly because he knows his people, recommending the right people for the others to be working with (or talking to in order to find the right people).

Natalia's focus will be both on screening and in teaching Orrin's folks to screen; they're looking both for general potential troublemakers and then traitor-sorts, as well. Questions to ask, body language to look at, watching how people are interacting and integrating with others. Right now she's asssiting in checking the people that they have already received, but hopefully also preparing Pearlspire to continue to do this on their own. As a secondary objective, she will be helping with getting people settled in. Assisting in integration, making connections between people and their community, prevent not-troublemakers from turning INTO troublemakers.

Wearing his official ARRG hat in this, Jyri uses what he has; a commanding presence and an instinct for survival, both in determining who is in most need of help and to train them for their new lives, martially and pure survival. He doesn't suffer nonsense or foolish behaviour and won't sugar coat it for them but he will also not be mean. Just telling it how it is and being fair. He'll work closely with Natalia and Maru, bringing them information he hears or learns from the refugees in order for them to assess. Furthermore, Arvum Refugee Relief Group will put some of its own funds into the effort, especially in equipment and training, or building of homes.

Maru will do what he's good at and teach the scholars up in Pearlspire how to do what he's great at: investigate. In many cases this will be supplemental training, as Pearlspire's scholars already have a fair amount of experience reviewing personal histories of incoming thralls. But the refugees and other folks coming in will have different kinds of things to look for in their histories and documentation, and that's what he'll focus on. He'll also coordinate with Natalia and Jyri to offer whatever additional training he can offer there as well.

Orrin, Maru, Natalia and Jyri work on screening the refugees entering the Pearlspire. It's a good thing they did.

Natalia has a loyal following among some Abandoned groups, a few help alert her to the presence of men they recognize as former Clan Heartsworn, a particularly vile sect of cultist raiders in the far southeastern part of the Saffron Chain, knowing for cutting out the hearts of any that fall into their clutches and eating them raw. The half dozen or so Clan Heartsworn members were former thralls released and sent to Pearlspire, and according to the former Islanders at Pearlspire, this is exceedingly strange because very few Thraxian houses would ever attempt to place Heartsworn in shackles and attempt to make them thralls- they are seen as insanely violent, almost without exception, and execution is standard.

This holds up as well, since once the Heartsworn are discovered, they immediately turn homicidal and attempt to murder the guards trying to seize them with their bare hands, and have to be cut down. From Jyri and Maru's investigating this further, it appears that some unknown Thraxian traditionalist houses are attempting to capture and release the most violent and homicidal individuals they can find and release them, to undermine the anti-thralldom reforms.

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

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

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

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

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

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

* A place of worship.

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

* Naval archives for studies and teaching.

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You have drafted a new action (#2882): Following @action 2878, a precursor to @action 2881, and a part of plot "House Durant #54", Norwood leads a scouting group. They start in Artshall then sweep their way up through Duskshire and then into Keaton's Shadowood. They're on the lookout for anything that Jael's storytellings have managed to stir up. They'll stick away from the main roads and sweep through the forests mainly.

Their primary objective will be to uncover anything they can find about House Redire on the hope that the stories being spread will have encourage them to come out. They'll have numbers enough to move quickly, but also enough to prove to be a deterrent against being attacked by any annoying House Durand or simple Bandit types.

This group has no plan to engage if at all possible, but seeks to learn what they can and then report back to Cristoph.

Faye comes along on this mission to see if she can provide any assistance with her perceptive skills. While scouting isn't precisely her forte, she has a few wilderness and survival skills as well as some experience hunting, which may be useful. If nothing else, she can help keep the party fed along the way. She has an eye for detail and good investigative instincts, and along the way she keeps watch for any trace of House Redire. While she isn't looking for trouble, she has her crossbow and isn't afraid to use it if any aggressive forces attack their party, shav or otherwise.

Amari is going to stick like glue to Norwood, to the point he'll maybe wonder why he ever thought it a good idea to bring her along. The way she'll watch him and seem to take notes on his behavior, actions and decisions may be mildly unsettling, as if she's trying to learn his manners and mindset in order to vanish him in the wood, stick on a fake beard and take his place with no one the wiser.

Less frighteningly, she'll also smile a fair amount, be cheerful and sing on occasion as she rides along atop her faithful old horse, Clopsy. It might all help morale if the scouts start feeling down, or scared. The Shadowood is pretty spooky and full of dangers after all, but she has lived there and knows her way around, roughly, and is familiar with some of the shavs and how to speak their lingo, and not infuriate them in the process.
Above all, she's perceptive. She'll keep her eyes and ears open, alert to danger and any hint of House Redire the party might stumble across.

Scouting in the woods? Now this is something Cullen excels at. During most of the mission, he'll remain on elk back with the rest of the group, looking for signs of House Redire. However, any time they face any dense woods or terrain generally impassable on horseback, he'll use his masterful talent for tracking and moving about the forest, living off the land and counting on his physical hardiness to get him through while slithering through the most difficult of terrain, then report back to the party.

Natalia will be accompanying the scouts, with dogs and Podraig (Sis is being left at home). She will step up diplomatically wherever possible if people are encountered, encouraging non-violent resolution to any encounters the group might have. She will assist in translating, and lean on Podraig for general basic information about the people they run into where it pertains to the Shadowood.

Travel the countryside trying to hear whispers of a lost house? Cristoph is there. He has a strong sword arm to wield if the group gets in trouble, but largely he attempts to remain discreet. If something comes up during the Artshall portion of their tour, he'll chat with the locals and smooth things over. But with Natalia there? He's not expecting to need to step in all that much there either.

It's slow, methodical work, going through the Shadowood, a huge stretch of land that it's easy for even the most seasoned of scouts to become lost in, and one could spend years in it and only grow familiar with a tiny portion of it. Full of valleys and near impenetrable stretches, it's no wonder that Abandoned tribes go for decades before contact with the houses of the Compact, and it's been all but impossible to flush raiders out. Against that, Amari is able to help keep up morale, as otherwise scouts would start to become despirited as they go over area after area, looking for anything.

Faye is the first one to find anyone living in the woods, the small Woodscutter family that's been living isolated for years in an exceedingly hard to find cabin. Though they haven't had much to do with most of civilization, they aren't truly Abandoned but they are still technically sworn to House Keaton. They are obviously terrified and loathe to speak of what they've seen recently in the Shadowood, but Natalia is able to relax them, and the oldest daughter Henrietta speaks of how a few days past they heard terrifying howling in the woods, like a great hound but it was so loud it shook their cabin, and then snarls. Very distantly, they could hear screams and the sound of battle, and some strange buzzing sound, roughly from the direction of Old Hound Creek.

Even with directions, it takes the better part of a day to find Old Hound Creek, with Cullen being the first one to find the trail through wood so thick near every step has to be climbed or cleared. When the scouts follow Cullen's directions and lead Norwood and Cristoph to the creek, it's hard to piece together with what they are seeing.

The creek is still running red with blood, and what might have been humans have been completely torn apart. Armor that might have been platemail has been totally destroyed, chewed into pieces no larger than a hand, and the best preserved corpse is hanging from a tree's branches about fifty feet in the air, half impaled upon the branches that knocked off part of the tree from what might have been an impact of impossible force. That corpse clearly shows a surcoat bearing the sigil of House Durand much like the others whom they've fought before. Piles of thousands and thousands of stomped and torn apart centipedes litter the ground, and most oddly there are giant tuffs of fur scattered around, some about as large as a man's chest.

There's no tracks leading from the carnage, though Norwood is the first to notice that there's no normal wood ambience there at all. No birds, no bugs, nothing.

Venturo is drumming up business with a variety of the fine houses of Arvum. Specifically, he's working with them to craft trade deals that will result in the lease of lands in the houses domains to create breweries and cultivate local crops. Additionally, he will be starting the establishment of The Kismet Carnival, a festival in each of these geographical locations, one that does honor to the Raconteur name: games of chance, and small entertaining stories played out by showmen, acrobats and more. These small snippets and games are all too appeal to the everyday man.

Venturo's role in this endeavor, beyond pulling together the group that is helping, will be pulling all of his old strings to call in favors. Builders, performers, merchant, tradesmen and the like that he can use to help align the endeavor for success.

It is no secret Khanne has enjoyed the brews and stories of Master Brewer Venturo Thayne. So when he came to her with an opportunity that would bring his talents to her lands while helping to show the rest of the Compact some of the best aspects of Halfshav lands, she jumped at the chance. She helps him find a good spot in the city of Whitehold to open a brewery and not too far away from that, a parcel of farmland to grow the unique ingredients that can thrive in the tundra climate. Of course, she would work into the agreement the caveat that he must always offer some variety of Whiskey as well.

She is, personally, most excited to help promote the aspect of the Kismet Carnival. While the North knows how to enjoy life, such treats as the carnival would help boost the morale of the people of Whitehold and nearby. That it is a traveling fair would benefit not only the Halfshav Duchy, but all of the Redrain region, of course something she would be proud to be part of.

In addition, Venturo has asked her to travel to all the regions he will be starting this project in, to help analyze the lands available for farming and help create a land management plan that would help grow the most beautiful, healthy and hearty plants he can. She agrees to do so (with the permission of those leasing the lands to him of course) and looks forward to seeing the homelands of others, perhaps in areas she has not ventured to before.

An undertaking of this scale with so many moving parts requires contracts, and someone to write and review them all. That's where Amari the lawyer will come in, focusing on making sure the agreements are all a) legal and b) fair for all parties. With input from Venturo and the partners he's already brought on board or will yet, she'll formalize the deals and write up stipulations that will cover contingencies so that whether the venture succeeds or fails, everyone knows what to expect from beginning to end. This, hopefully, will put investors and potential backers at ease, knowing there's a solid framework behind the business.

She'll be happy to explain all the particulars of the trade agreements, and address and amend any sticking points throughout the process until everyone is satisfied.

As her own mother hobbies at brewing in Farhaven, Gwenna was quite excited by the opportunity presented by Venturo along those lines. With the limited growing season of the northlands, the cultivation of more crops in Farhaven could help with both trade and what may be stored over the winters. Lands available for lease for that purpose, with the permission of their owners, would surely been a boon. The north loves their whiskey, so a brewery that would not impose upon, but rather work in harmony with the others in that region, is also an ideal opportunity. She will speak with those locally in charge of such things and hopefully sway them to the ideas.

What truly draws Gwenna in is the festival though. Considering the recent Pirate War and the losses experienced by those in and around Farhaven, The Kismet Carnival would be a welcome activity and surely bolster spirits. Gwenna brings 10,000 of her own personal funds for use by families who many not have the disposable income for such things after the war. She will spend the first day of the festival handing out the silver herself and warming people to the ideas of both the festival as well as potential commerce.

The scope of such a large endeavor requires many elements to be drawn together from the permission to lease lands through out different cities in Arvum, the contractual agreements that must be drawn up, to the building of structures for a brewery or stages and stands for the kismet festival. There is also the hiring of skilled workers for all stages from building, to service and performance that requires careful oversight and strategic set up. Terese has offered her assistance on the global scale of the project in order to aid Venturo in the latter tasks once the agreements and contracts for land have been finalized. She is willing to travel to each of the sites as needed in order to best assist in coordination efforts.

Jonathan is a man of the soil, and always has been, and has recently been made the Keaton advisor to all things agricultural! As such, he is in an excellent position to provide assistance to Venturo's efforts in his own land, helping to clear out space to grow all the hops, corn, and (in the case of the Keaton Lands) pumpkins that will be used to brew the fine concoctions of Master Thayne. In addition, Count Kael has already cleared a brewery to be set up in Oakhaven, adding to the economic flow of this already-burgeoning county. He will, of course, welcome the input of Lady Khanne, as well as any others, and also in turn assist them in planning out the plots growing in other lands, expanding his own experience and hopefully providing his own insights into the deceivingly complicated art of squeezing productivity out of lands that otherwise might run barren or go unused.

Pasquale agrees happily to lend House Malespero's support to Venturo's efforts. He puts some economic power behind it to promote the project and get the breweries established, and will assist in negotiating with representatives in the Lyceum wine country as to securing a location. Most of his passion though, likewise, is for the Kismet Carnival and its possibilities as a boon for the land following the devastation of the wars in Setarco. He directs the sailors and merchants under Nilanza's direct authority to spread the word of it and support it as they can, asking them to play it up as an initiative that could restore cheer and the coin throughout the region.

Natalia is assisting on behalf of House Keaton in the establishment of Venturo's venture in Keaton Lands -- Elmhurst, to be specific. She is coordinating with the others on the project where it relates to the branch there, smoothing the way for the industry moving in and selling it to the locals, helping people work together, and all of that fun stuff. She is putting a significant focus on putting locals to work for the project, working to ensure that those employed in Keaton lands are from the Keaton lands -- or are heavily vetted for their 'fit' with the local community. Her focus is the long-term success of this project where it relates to Elmhurst.

Jaenelle uses her influence as not only a master economist, the Voice of Velenosa, and knowledge of infrastructure to see that the Lyceum welcome Venturo's Carnival with as much smoothness as possible. She personally assists with finding an appropriate location within Lenosia for the Carnival to stop, as well as offering backing by providing monetary and resource assistance. Beyond the location, she assists with finding local tradesmen to help, providing jobs and boosting moral, especially with the influx of Prodigals who've arrived lately who might not have had the opportunities to find stable work yet.

Oh! Caith has found just the PERFECT spot for Venturo's brewery on Maelstrom. It will be a great way to not only bring a bit of commerce into that particular area and be an opportunity to teach thralls and former thralls life skills but also: who doesn't love a brewery?! It's fun and joyful! A place for the community to come together and share laughter and stories over drinks! And to get people excited about this, Princess Caith throws a party with all the food and drink (Raconteur, of course) people could want. There is dancing! There are stories! There are songs! But she is also on hand to listen to any concerns people might have and address them -- she is extremely empathetic and wants to make sure that everyone is onboard. Cheers!

Aureth's role in this is as representative of the Faith (and occasional consumer of fine beverages). He's not entirely unfamiliar with the economics involved as a former purchaser and purveyor of liquor and beer, but primarily what he is here to do is to offer his prayers and blessings over the croplands in honor of Petrichor and the Pantheon, and also to noise about quite a bit about having done so with the showmanship of a fair to decent propagandist.

Grady assists by involving the Deepwoods. After speaking with Marquessa Samantha, the Deepwoods allocate land for Venturo to use for farming, and on which to build a brewery. They commit resources to helping this be established in as expedited a manner as possible. They send guards as well, and work on trade roads throughout Deepwood lands, to improve and ease passage and to keep the area safe. In return, they expect the bump in trade to be good, and besides, everyone's happier when there's good beer to be had right? It's a good deal for them, as increasing economic activity, finding jobs for more people who live in the area, and generally improving the quality of life is what Grady feels the ruling family should do for those in their care.

Cambria has given her permission for Venturo's project to expand its reach into Ostria as well. She invites both himself and Lady Khanne to tour available lands for lease, herself traveling with the pair as well. Funds are allocated to the endeavor to assist in establishing the brewery and acreage for farming and cultivating local crops. Guards are called in for safety's sake, and Cambria also calls in her advisors within Ostria itself to begin drafting plans to see that local roads are kept in good repair, and reminds her cabinet as well that with the recent boom to their population, there are plenty of locals ready and willing to work - be it at the brewery itself, or in conjunction with the Kismet Carnival. Rumor has it the Marquessa of House Mazetti is considering the notion of expanding another series of walls around Ostria, should business continue pouring into the city-state to offer additional safety and security to those who both work and call their home the Walled City by the Sea.

Venturo Thayne, proprietor of Raconteur Brewing, rolls out a new plan for what he's calling the Kismet Carnival! Designed to highlight the best of the breweries, to expand his brewing ventures into new lands and reach new civiliations, he has been making huge inroads in many areas. In Whitehold he opens a brewery, and Lady Khanne is on hand to help with the opening and promote it. She also travels with him to various points of interest around the Compact, helping select appropriate places to harvest, so that he can create local vintages unique by domain. It's an aggressive, interesting plan and the people seem to love the idea.

In Farhaven, Princess Gwenna Redrain finds a good place to lease to him, working with him - and donating some of her own personal funds to the venture - to help bring a bit of lighthearted cheer to her people who have undergone such travails of late. Jonathan Fieldstone and Natalia Whisper coordinate efforts on the part of the Keatons, careful in their selection of an appropriate place to locate a brewery with the blessing of Count Kael. Lord Pasquale arranges room in Nilanza, Princess Jaenelle in Lenosia, and Marquessa Cambria in Ostria - ensuring that the Lyceum does not go without the joy of the festival.

In Old Oak, a new brewery is established under the direction of Lord Grady Deepwood, whose complementary wines go nicely alongside the famed Deepwood Cider. In Maelstrom, Princess Caith Thrax has found the absolutely perfect place - or so she tells literally anyone who will listen - and she is excited, nay, THRILLED to guide construction there.

Lady Amari Keaton draws up the complicated paperwork, and manages to keep all the names and places straight - the mark of a good lawyer. Princess Terese Valardin helps as well, working as strategic direction overseeing so many buildings and workers all going up at once. And Archlector Aureth also assists, talking up the project and encouraging people to work together and to enjoy some truly excellent vintages.

It is a massive undertaking funded by a great many people, but as people flock to the market and enjoy the wares of the Kismet Trading Company, they remark that this is the best of the Compact - and it's hard to argue when drinking the fine vintages.

Also hard to argue when drunk on the fine vintages. Which is probably all part of Venturo's master plan.

Rejoice!