Denica wants her soul back, but she isn't quite sure how.

Denica went to a soul seer to look at her soul brand, who saw the demonic black cloud over her soul. She wants to cut ties with the demon that has it. Denica believes this is Not-Donrai.

Denica has talked to a lot of people. She's researched. She's found out information about Mirrorborns and souls, anything and everything she could find. She found out about people's experiences with Mirrorborns. She's spoken to a child of one, people who've known them and even fought them. She's heard the story about Sana and the White Singer. She's spoken with someone who believes they have a weapon to cut the ties between her and the demon, but not the rites that go with it. Denica has done all the things and is unsure how to pull the pieces together.

Everyone says the same thing, it's difficult, but not impossible.

Denica has built of team of people who will help, once she knows what to do.

When Denica doesn't have answers, she paints. Painting is a bit more dangerous now, so she brings her trusted muse-friend.

Denica is going to focus on what she wants, a free soul. Denica will ask the question how to save her soul and remove the threat of the Mirrorborn.

Denica is going to paint all the information she's collected. Dozens of paintings. Some are detailed and others obscure. At end of this artistic pursuit, Denica hopes to have the spark of an idea.

The last time Denica painted something, Ian turned up mostly for moral support, but in the end, he wound up being necessary for a lot more than that. Now that they both know how dangerous and unpredictable Denica's paintings can be, he's coming along this time as a full-on guardian. Ian is ready and willing to put himself between Denica and anything that comes for her, to destroy it if he can, or try to drive it off if he can't.

In the end, it's a bargain. The mirrorborn that believes himself Donrai has that little bond with her through the fights, but he makes a deal- if they both survive the coming days, he'll release all claims upon her, if and only if she agrees to help restore Maelstrom to glory, should they win. It's a matter of some importance to him, and Thrax abandoning Maelstrom wounded him greatly.

He wishes someone to paint a better future.

Denica's vision for her magic is to paint the world the way she wants it. A better world. Since crossing the threshold, she doesn't know what she is capable of and is going to test it. Denica believes her magic is tied to her art.

Denica wants to know if painting something can affect the real world and other magic. She also wants to know, how it does effect it. Is it direct and a painted flower appears or is it unpredictable? She's starting small, but picking the vines at Harrow Hall because she knows they are strong magic and there's a lot happening there all at once.

So. Denica brings a trusted friend and goes to the Art Barge (in Arx) to paint in her studio.

Denica paints Harrow Hall, from what she can learn about the place. Denica also paints the thorns. She relies on her sight to paint what she thinks this place looks like right now.

But then Denica paints something different. Something that wasn't there before and it changes the painting.

A flower.

Denica paints a single flower on the vine.

Denica focuses in on this. Every detail. The use of colour. Denica focuses on that flower. She focuses on light and beauty and freedom.

The flower is purple and red. It is strong and resilient, yet delicate and harmless.

Paint drips from the flower down the thorny vine, pooling onto the ground in the painting. A colourful swirl that freely splatters in all directions.

In the pool of colour, there's a faint reflection of Harrow Hall, as it should be.

Ian doesn't feel particularly qualified to be anything like a teacher or a guide, so let's call him a muse, even if that's hard to do with a straight face. He turns up to watch over Denica while she paints. For the most part, he's going to keep out of the way, but is able to provide details about what the vines look like, having done extreme gardening on a couple of their iterations. Not that he's any kind of authority, but he watches with mage sight from time to time, looking for signs of trouble, and especially looking for signs of the 'mentor' who has troubled Denica so much.

Denica feels it working. It would be a difficult sensation to describe to anyone else, but she knows as well as she knows her own name that the flower she is painting is now upon the hedge. Her magic can undoubtedly influence it, and the experiment is a success.

But then her and Ian have the unmistakable sensation of being watched.

On the painting shows in the distance the Horned God. Denica didn't paint him. Every time they blink or look away, the figure on the painting gets closer. And closer. Looking like he is running towards them. As Denica moves to paint over it, suddenly a hand is tearing through the painting and grabbing her wrist. Ian hacks as it, and he is thrown back against a wall with bone cracking force at a flick of the wrist. Denica uses the distraction to tear the painting and the hand is still trying to reach through, the Horned God trying to enter into the room, and it's only after she flings it into the fire that he retreats and the hand vanishes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Questions they might be asking along the way are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Society of Explorers gears up their caravel, the Boundless Venture, for a long voyage towards Brightshore. Food, water, and supplies are stacked within the holds, along with adventuring gear and equipment. Lou has put together a team of people to aid with the journey, with several skilled in seamanship and one of the Faith to help guide their path to this new-to-them location.

Lou, at least, spends many nights praying at the various shrines of the Gods, to ensure a speedy journey, and safe and protected passage. Gifts are put together for the hosts of Brightshore, to help ease entry onto the island. Lou has worked tediously to map the location of the island based on the directions given in the information they've found (@clue 3661 - The Southern Route to Eurus and @clue 3717 - Landing in the Southern World), as well as with Wash and Ian's knowledge of the constellations from their vast years of sailing experience.

They go to Brightshore to determine of the island is a viable resupply stop on the way to Eurus and to work out any details or considerations that may be needed for any ship to use the island as a place to stop. Their information is 200 years out of date, and it has been assumed people have long since stopped using the southern route to Eurus for quite some time. They also go to see what dangers might lurk for those traveling along the way.

Their ultimate goal is to be able to bring back as much information as possible about Brightshore and the prospects of using the island to start using the southern route once more, should it be deemed a viable option of travel to Eurus. Adventure Awaits!

OOC: Using the Explorer's ship, of course, is dependent on if the Whirlpool in Arx is resolved by the time they are ready to set sail. If the Whirlpool is still in place by the time of final submission (which we believe will take 2 months to complete, give or take), we'll make arrangements to use a different ship and the write up will change to reflect this new information.

Also, due to code restrictions, several players had to toggle no-attend so we could submit the action, but we're all approved to attend per @request 21785. And Ezra will join the action once the AP requirement is added. He ran out of AP this week.

Wash will be taking the Candlelight's Promise with Lou. This gives their armada a little extra staying power with a second Caravel. he has a crownsworn crew (because this is not a Kennex vessel) but he'll be happy to take passengers as well.

Ian will be accompanying Lou to Brightshore, helping with the sailing of the caravels as needed, even to the point of serving as captain to one of them if he's the most suited to do so. He's especially interested in coming out of the trip with a strong sense of exactly where Brightshore is and how to get there, and he will be keeping a close eye on the surroundings during the trip.

Shae has been asked by her patron, Princess Lou, to join her on this extremely extraordinary, and once in a lifetime sort of adventure, and exploration. One that Shae is excited to be a part of, not only for the chance to possibly find an island that has been been visited in likely hundreds of years.

But also the chance to see a new and wondrous place. To meet new people, and possibly find new flora and fauna that has not been seen or heard of in Arvum. And to be honest, that is really what has Shae's excitement. The chance to find and meet new animals, to learn about them and study them, as well as the flora of the island, too.

Of course along the ocean journey to find the island, Shae will put her keen perception, and survival skills to use to help. From helping to find stars, to navigate by them. As well as keeping any eye out for any signs of possible danger to them.

All it takes is a bit of faith and trust . . . and preparations. Legate Ailith is no stranger to voyages or adventures into the unknown. As one of the few who embarked on finding the 'People of the Waves', known now also as the Marin'alfar, voyages into the sea carry all kinds of superstitions. As she had then to lend aid to their travels, Ailith shall guide the two disciples--Baroness Shae of Petrichor, Lady Mercy Azova in a prayer for the grace of the Pantheon, focusing upon each of the four triads. The three shall offer pour holy water held by the sacred, Ewer of Gods Love [crisis action 3947] over the side of the vessel. Four pours, one per triad, and a devotion of love for each triad --For where there is Faith and Trust, the light of their beliefs can guide them toward where adventures awaits.

She will provide a steady and calming influence, counseling any during the voyage, and leading nightly prayers or services as needed (excluding what she holds for herself being orthodox born). Included in her trove are tiny medicines -- lemon drops and soothing teas for stomach ailments and minor afflictions, but more or less, leaving the majority of healing in the capable hands of Mother Mercy Sophie (having asked her to assist with supplies) and Lady Mercy Azova. Also included is her lantern, lit by the Eternal Flame of Lagoma, and used to guide Orazio through the Wastes and herself through the Gyre War.

Knowing that Brightshore is named for its flowers and foliage, Ailith relies upon the Crown, Lodge of Petrichor, Archlector Brigida, Dame Leola, and Petrichor's and Mangata's disciples to acquire a flowers and foliage from Arvum to be presented as a gift to Brightshore's inhabitants -- an Avrum collection meant to highlight the gifts bestowed upon the gods and by the hard work of its farmers and faithful. One such flower added is a white bud said to hail from the mountains of the Northlands. It is a flower Ailith requested since the Gyre War: these flowers bloomed in the cold region, seen when the gods warned her of the Gyre, and ever since have praised these flowers as a heart of the faith, strong and sturdy when facing adversity and ever white and gold. Another flower hails from Darkwater, the unusual orange flowers which blossomed from a prayer [action 1947, see Darkwater webpage for landmark]. Ailith knows the unique properties of the flower do not venture from Darkwater, but sees the gesture as one to express the love of the pantheon and one to share with Brightshore -- not to convert, but to see the innocence and joy of such a faithful devotion and the gifts therein granted.

Azova has volunteered her services as a Healer and Mercy for the long voyage to Brightshore. She is fully prepared to tend to the medical and spiritual needs of those aboard the ship(s) they will be sailing on, and has promised to bring as many medical supplies as she is able, and will train any crew member who requests it in the basics of first aid as part of her effort to be useful rather than simply an idle passenger. She will be on the lookout for new medicines or medical techniques from Brightshore to bring back to Arx.

Quintin loves him some exploring, especially forgotten places. He's tagged along on sea adventures with the Kennex before, so he'll hopefully be useful on the ship. Otherwise, he's in it for the adventure and to bring his tactical mind to play, attempting to spot difficulties, come up with plans, and assess situations from a military standpoint. Quintin's good company on a long voyage, eager to learn new skills, and he's happy to bring along a board for some games of stones, too.

When Lou asked Marzio if he would be willing to venture off into the unknown to visit a place that hadn't been visited in a few hundred years, the Mazetti Lord had been only too willing to tag along. While he did not have a ton of experience in sailing, he does have a great deal of experience with commanding men. While he will not seek to take control of any forces that Lou does not grant him, he will be there and willing to offer any assistance that he might along the way.

He will seek to primarily serve in a combat roll for the group as they make their journey. Should they meet any hostile forces along the way and it come to combat, he will be there and ready to go to arms alongside his compatriots. He will also be there and willing to lend his considerable knowledge of surviving in inhospitable environments to the group and doing what he can to make sure that the entire group makes it back alive.

Kedehern might not be a sailor, but he still has skills and assets that he can bring on his voyage, after having been invited by Princess Lou. During the course of the voyage, he'll assist with the navigation if need be, though otherwise he'll let the sailors sail, as it were. Once they make landfall at Brightshore however, he'll help get the scouting parties organized, and underway. Happy to use his knowledge of the wilds to help as they explore the island, and see what there is to be found, as well as providing some protection for the group in what manner that he can, to make sure as many as possible return back home safely from the long voyage.

Seliki born and raised, by very definition and a lifetime of training, Kalani loves the sea and everything about it. The chance to take part in this voyage is to great a temptation to pass up. As a healer, she'll bring along medical supplies as well and stand ready to assist the other healers who are accompanying this group. As a decent hand at sketching, she'll also offer to make map copies, as they become available, and so on. Above and beyond any other skill, she's a combat medic and knows how to handle herself in dangerous situations that happen on a slippery deck, while the sea is pitching the ship side to side, and does not fall victim to sea sickness.

Well, they don't drown getting there. This is now scheduled for 11/28, @cal 4895.

It seems that what amounts to a few hundred refugees from the Saffron Chain may land on the shores of Stormward and need to be acclimated to life in the duchy. Porter Kennex is leading the efforts to get them settled in, in as sane a way as one can manage. He'll be focusing on a few things to get this done.

1) Ensuring that there are places for these people to live and sleep. Either in some sort of communal setting or finding people that are willing to house them. Or a mix of the two!
2) Feeding all of these extra people. It's going to take a toll on the Kennex resources, so he's going to secure enough rations to help cushion that.
3) Finding them sustainable work.
4) General security. These are a whole bunch of unknowns, which means they should be eyeballed to some degree to try and ascertain whether or not anyone has ulterior motives when it comes to settling in Stormward.

Once the refugees have been eyeballed and security checked, Thea will do her part. That part? Their general health. She will be making sure they wont be spreading diseases in their new home. No one wants the plague or all sorts of other crazy disease and or bugs running rampant! *insert itchy scalp here, falling off patches of skin there* How? By setting up medical tents, clinics if you will.

These make shift clinics will be run by Thea as well as other mercies running around. Theyll be checked head to toe, inside and out-well, as much inside as you can while not dead. Since Thea is pretty no nonsense--at least when she is working, things should run pretty smoothly.

Ian approaches the Orazians and, assuming they're willing to accept his leadership, he organizes them and brings them in as a force for good, people who have been where the refugees currently are, people who'll go out of their way to help however they can.

However, he's not just approaching the Orazians because he thinks they'll be willing to help. Ian knows that it's likely that 1) cultists will try to slip in with the refugees, and 2) who better than a fanatic to sniff out a cultist? So (and he's pretty much hoping to get lucky on this), he keeps tabs on what the Orazians are saying about the refugees, keeping an ear out for any indication that something's not right with someone. If he gets to a point where he trusts any of the Orazians not to go blabbing it everywhere, he might even go as far as to specifically ask one or two of them to be on the lookout.

Yelana's a good talker and can be very convincing when she puts her mind to it. She talks to nobles, and merchants, and sailors, and soldiers, and anyone she can make bend an ear to tell them about the advantages to helping settle the influx of refugees. Think of the new trade contacts! New recruits! How magnanimous you'll look to your rich friends!

Zoey does what she is known for: managing the resources. Helping people takes money, and she is making sure to get everything out of it that she can by knowing where and how to spend it for maximum efficiency. No refugee will go without food, shelter, or medicine due to lack of coin on her watch.

Hired as a private investigator by Porter in order to scope out unsavory characters among the refugees, Ras first established a promise from the Kennex lord that the bulk of the refugees would not be treated with prejudice in Stormward. He already has some knowledge of what sort of enemies might be hidden among incoming groups, as well as some experience with cults, and so plans to use all his detective wiles in order to notice any dangers. If he singles out and confirms a hidden enemy, he will warn Porter, but is very careful not to report any innocents.

Evander will focus on getting to know the refugees, understanding their culture and etiquette, the things that are important to them and that they consider part of their identity. He will work to ensure those things are respected, whether by additions or tweaks to the Stormward social calendar, to make them feel more at home. At the same time he will work to introduce them to the ways of Stormward - not the ships of course, he'll leave that to someone else - but the various little intricacies that someone picks up over the years living in a place, to help them adjust quicker to their new home.

Aethan will be welcoming refugees to Stormward on behalf of Darion as his Regent. He will also be coordinating with Kennex leadership to find employment for the refugees, whether in the Navy, the Corsairs, with fishermen, farmers, or whatever they have an aptitude for.

He will also be working to assist with any security concerns as they arise.

Lord Porter Kennex arranges efforts to get settle Saffron Chain refugees settled in and around Stormward. He moves to ensure they have housing, food, and work. Lady Thea works with local Mercies to ensure the health of each refugee, and to quarantine any who may be ill and infectious. Lady Yelana works with already settled Kennex folk to help these new folk settle. Lady Zoey manages the funding of the venture and ensures that everything is dispersed efficiently. Duke-Regent Aethan lends his words, his presence, his authority to every aspect of the resettlement, and what a charismatic figure he cuts. Lord Evander helps acclimate the refugees to Stormward culture, while learning theirs as well.

But not every refugee enters into Stormward life. The tensions with Skal'daja lead Kennex leadership to the be cautious, and this caution does prove warranted. Lord Ian works with the eccentric Orazians and Ras to suss out who among the refugees might be of dire heart. They uncover a few who, while unarmed save with words, are actively working to sow dissent against a freer society. A chain is not a burden, but a path. It is good and righteous to be bound. So forth. These are handled without trouble. The vast majority of the refugees are successfully settled.

"Unfortunate what happened to the Marquis of Stormward, but this is what happens when one carelessly frees violent criminals on their land. I, along with most of the Isles, urge the Prince of Maelstrom to reconsider before we have similar acts. That would be tragic."

Those were the words of Duke Ivan Helianthus after Ford's death. Prince Victus has taken his time to measure a response to that, and he's settled on sending Duke Ivan a missive that he'll soon be visiting his domain for a 'diplomatic visit' so they might 'discuss these differences in opinion'.

And he'll be bringing a standing fleet of over 80 ships with him, comprising a large chunk of House Thrax's portion of the Leviathan. Along with several warriors, mercenaries and more.

It's not going to be any secret that the 'diplomacy' part of the visit is just lip service for the sake of civilty. Prince Victus is undoubtedly going to Helianthus to intimidate by making a show of force. Intimidation being the keyword, as their intent isn't expressly to cause violence. But the numbers should indicate that Thrax is more than ready to battle if that's what it must come down to.

Victus hopes his statement will be clear. "We are not backing down from the abolition of Thralldom. We strongly suggest you follow us, because we are more than willing to bring action behind our words." With a large military presence behind him, perhaps it'll get across clearer to a traditional Mourning Isles ruler.

Princess Sorrel will be accompanying High Lord Victus at his side as a diplomat, a traditional female role. She'll be clad in a conservative dress of red exotic leather embroidered with Thrax's sea serpent, but she'll also be carrying her sword, even if she has no intention to use it. Unless negotiations get particularly aggressive. She intends to try to soothe the duke as much as possible, reminding him of his duty under the Faith and Limerance to be a good vassal. She'll point out other traditions that the Isles have that are not going away. One example is the recent difficult diplomacy mission that Duchess Margot led which was staffed entirely by women in traditional gender roles. She'll remind him of his faithful service to the High Lord up to this point. She'll smile and be charming and delightfully feminine with the confidence of a woman who has her High Lord at her side and her Warlord husband leading a navy at her back.

What would a trip to 'negotiate' by potential show of force be without the Warlord of Thrax himself! Galen will be leading the military with style and tactic. He will equip each ship that is sailing with a small number of archers to supplement their normal crew, on some of the largest vessels he will see the siege weapon attacheds. He will lead the charge from the Serpents Tide with his faithful crew beside him.

The Prince will coordinate a show of military tactic amongst the ships and military of Thrax while negotiations are ongoing in an effort to demonstrate just how well prepared their forces are. Should he have the opportunity to meet face to face with the Duke, he will make a point to show off the way he leads his men, out of devotion and respect. He won't hide his charm either, after all, who can deny that beautiful Warstache?

As a son of Thrax, Jasher will accompany Victus with blade and spear in attendance, serving both functions of sentry and symbolic solidarity, the iron fist to Sorrel's silken glove. Jasher will let Victus and Sorrel do most of the talking, though if he was prompted, he will keep his answers short, terse, and disinclined towards productive or prolonged conversation.
For the trip, Jasher will also bring whatever forces he can muster at the time being to add a little more for that show of strength. He'll also be busy ensuring that the day-to-day matters while en route are going smoothly, so that everyone will be ready for presentation--and a degree of violence, if necessary.

Ian will be accompanying the expedition as the Sword of Stormward, complete with Ashfont at his hip. He knows he's not a diplomat, and thus will try to follow the rule of being seen (with Ashfont and a very severe expression) and not heard. He knows that while this is ostensibly about House Kennex's honor being besmirched, it's actually about reminding Duke Helanthius how not to make an ass of himself, and he respects that. His ideal outcome is some kind of peaceful resolution wherein everyone saves enough face to make it palatable to all parties, and he's not out for revenge here.

But Ian also knows that a peaceful outcome is far from a sure thing. If it looks like the Duke is going to push this to violence, Ian will offer a Sword duel between himself and Helanthius' Sword to the death instead of open conflict -- one man's life to save thousands.

Shard is coming along as part of that intimidation, along with as many Valorous Few sellswords as seems ideal to Victus (and reasonable for whatever other contracts they might have going, though she's put a priority on this one). She also intends to be an entirely /silent/ participant unless it's necessary to be otherwise, or unless things go poorly, and plans to hammer home to the Few that are coming with her that they're there to be seen, and, ideally, nothing else. Of course, if there ends up being something else, they're all coming armed to the teeth. She's being a little selective here, choosing veterans who have demonstrated at least some ability for self control.

Prince Victus has asked Raimon to attend him on his 'diplomatic' mission and so Raimon obeys. He is no diplomat, and he is no social creature. He is there for a singular purpose. To stand around and look menacing and to inflict violence should it be required. He is prepared to put his life on the life for his Liege.

It is with Duke Ivan Helianthus' greatest apologies that he couldn't attend in person, trusting instead the meeting would be more than adequately overseen by a trusted new voice named Melar, a former thrall whose parents once successfully raided a fishing village on Maelstrom's isle and put the villagers to the sword when taking advantage of the chaos of the Tyde Rebellion. Melar is happy to point out that his pardon and full forgiveness of carrying his parents debt was made possible by Victus' reforms, and Duke Ivan Helianthus thought it would be flattering to be greeted by one of the fruits of his labors in person, and see the benefits of forgiveness, even when Melar's parents had personally killed some of the families of a few of Thrax's commoner captains. Duke Ivan Helianthus was, of course, called away by seeing to the mass shipbuilding on his different marches as he provides assistance to his March-lords, done in response to worries of potential raids from Eurus after the Faith's declaration.

The meeting is a little tense.

Melar and all of Helianthus has ever appearance of courtesy, and is unfailingly polite and of course offers fulsome apologies for any offense taken by their intemperate words. And to demonstrate their sincerity, a full forty representatives of different houses under Helianthus' banners are there as well, with roughly a hundred warships in harbor, all toasting and celebrating Thrax, and declaring their commitment to Thraxian power and dominance. Melar has every lord or lady representative of forty different houses in turn say something positive or cloyingly polite to Victus, and the entire process is excruciatingly formal and proper.

And very, very, very pointed.

Which isn't to say Victus' trip is entirely a failure. It's clear that Helianthus takes the threat seriously. Dangerously seriously, in fact, by how much effort they put into a pointed, unspoken retort. And the lack of anything said that could be demonstrably a slight without seeming ridiculous is clearly thought out, but it also speaks to a house not willing to risk open war.

Yet.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The beach has been cleansed.

With a big decision ahead of Arvum, Aethan thinks it would be a good idea to work out what's likely to happen to Kennex and its vassals regardless of which offer is chosen. So, he makes a trip to Stormward -- not actually to see what the people he commands want to do -- though he does ask many of them their thoughts -- but instead to try and get a measure of what the likely consequences for Kennex would be in the wake of the various choices. For example, whether they would lose members of the navy should Cardia or Brass be accepted, either from those who value Kennex's lack of thralls, or the traditionalist holdouts who may have been on the verge of leaving.

While there, he runs many training exercises and war scenarios with the navy, both to keep it in top shape should they be called to fight, and also to boost morale among the sailors, showing them that they are valued by their admiral in order to make it less likely that any would desert should the winds blow the wrong way. He reaches out to Kennex vassals to participate in the exercises, both to strengthen ties between their houses and to remind them that the Stormward Fleet has been rebuilt, better than ever, and is capable of protection and aide should they need it.

Finally, he reaches out to others in the House to do the same in their various spheres, whether martial, diplomatic, etc, and coordinates with them to both try and stabilize Kennex and its vassals' territoties, and plan for the future whatever may come.

Ian is worried about two scenarios in the future upheaval, and it's these that he investigates.

His biggest worry is that, should Brass' offer be chosen, some of Kennex's (NPC) vassals might go into revolt or even outright take side offers from Cardia so they can keep their thralls. So Ian's going on a tour of Kennex's vassals, the stated reason of which is to tour their defenses and find out if they need any support from Kennex, since things are soon likely to get hairy. And he does do this, and will work to get whatever people need. But while he's touring, he'll also keep his eyes and ears open for signs of houses that might be considering taking some extreme action, should Brass' offer be accepted, and he's making mental notes of the military capabilities and weaknesses of all of Kennex's vassals, so that, should it become necessary to stomp out rebellion, it'll be easier to do.

The second scenario that Ian is worried about is the Compact accepting Cardia's offer, and slavery being forced on Stormward once more. Specifically, he's worried about what the Orazians will do. Now, Ian isn't good at talking to people, he's not persuasive, and his profoundly uncomfortable relationship with the gods is pretty much the opposite of what's likely to impress them, but he IS one of the only born islanders who could call himself Orazio's friend, even if they've since drifted apart. Maybe some word of that friendship has drifted back. Maybe that, plus the fact that Ian won't lie to them and pretend to be something he's not, will be enough to get them to open up enough for him to get a sense of where they stand. Maybe they tell him to take a hike. (Hopefully not.) He's not going to try to persuade anyone to do or not do anything. For the time being, he's just going to watch and listen.

Wash is mostly doing trade missions at the moment. He will use his mobility and the excuse of escorting a merchant vessel to visit each of Kennex's vassals. He will ascertain the strength of their navy under the auspice of Admiral of Thrax, but will compare what is reported to what he observes in the harbors and warehouses, some unruly vassals may think that they can conceal their strength from their leigelord or the House. Mostly though, he will charm the nobility and share stories from Arx with those that are curious for news.

As Voice of Stormward, Zoey is accompanying her husband and the others to Stormward and the surrounding vassals. She functions primarily in a diplomatic roll: listening to concerns, taking political temperatures, and gathering information from the vassals about how they see things proceeding. She uses her usual charm, making sure that each meeting ends with the other person feeling truly heard by House Kennex. This information will be documented fastidiously and added to the steadily growing pile of puzzle pieces. She is almost committing a significant amount of social capital to the project, pulling in favours and strings to assure that the meetings go well and the ruling nobles are properly treated.

Baroness Skye Blackshore knows a lot about managing upkeep as the Minister of Infrastructure for Thrax. She will use her skills in economics to review all the offers on the table from the Undying Empire (province vs trade alliance), Cardia (province vs trade alliance), Brass (freeing thralls), and Ashe to trace the financial implications on House Kennex, House Darkwater, House Navegant, House Redreef, House Blackshore, House Stormbreak and other NPC vassals. She will itemize the individual fealties as well as bubble it up to what will overall happen.

In addition, she will listen and record any concerns expressed as she discusses the finances with all the Ministers of Income that serve Kennex and their vassals.

Jan does not understand much about politics. Her expertise lies in preparing for the eventuality of war, be it civil war or between nobles. She has been working towards more joint military operations to boost morale and confidence. She does not rely on brutality to win a war, she depends on preparation that borders on morbid pessimism. More guerrilla techniques should be employed, no matter which enemy we end up with, we need to be ready to surprise them.

She is proposing a set of war games for nobles and well as men at arms. This will probe for weaknesses in our hierarchy as well as reinforce our bonds as brothers and sisters in arms. The Saffron Chain is a good place to start, and will help training the Corsairs, shoring up defenses, and collecting resources.

Whatever the result becomes of these choices, Jan wants to be able to meet the consequences prepared and with a game plan already set in place. Combing the outlying Isles might not be the quickest way to accomplish this, but someone has to deal with the scraps. Every fighting soul and resource is going to count in the end, and the beneficial side affect is that it gives her men some extra tempering.

As the Minister of Finance for House Thrax and the money manager of Darkwater, along with being the Minister of Finance for House Grimhall in the past, Carita is well versed in what is brought in and taken from a lot of the Houses both above and below Kennex House. Her keen eye for finance has gotten noticed in the past, and when Lord Aethan requests her help she willingly takes on this task. Showing numbers where she can on how Darkwater has managed with the loss of new Thralls during it's rebuild. She knows who to talk to and how to get the attention of those that Aethan might need help getting connections with. She's not a complete expert as of yet, but she knows how to navegate the more traditionally minded folk.

The Kennex move to free all their thralls was a difficult time in the Mourning Isles. But the Compact came together admirably - with economic and military support. It's been a couple of years since then, and as a House the Kennexes have proven their dedication to this new way with a vengeance.

Their ministers have been working to make sure they're economically stable. Their House has practiced economies, made alliances for trade, found ways to not just free thralls but to incorporate these freed thralls into their economy in long term ways. They've started paying back their debts - and their vassals notice that many of those debts that Kennex has been willing to repay have been forgiven instead, proof that they're making political allies well beyond the Isles.

Now the rumors say that thralldom may soon be abolished throughout the Isles, and House Kennex makes moves they've been planning for years. Lord Aethan works with the navy, strengthening ties between the Kennex navy and their vassals' navy as well. Lord Ian, Lord Wash, and Lady Zoey reach out diplomatically to talk to their vassals. Are they struggling? Are they prepared for the changes to come? Lady Zoey in particular charms them as she works to build strong ties.

Lady Jan works behind the scenes to plan for the future, and to work to settle disputes and deal with troublemakers before they have a chance to disturb the overall peace. Baroness Skye and Countess Carita work to audit the Kennex finances, and to make sure that House Kennex and their vassals have solid financial plans moving forward.

In an eddy of turbulence, House Kennex and their vassals are a peaceful calm. All except for House Navegant, that is. That remains a troublesome question, because Count Turo seems very opposed to this forward-thinking movement and allied with those defending Thrax traditions.

As Voice of Stormward and Minister of Coin, Zoey has turned her sights on the infrastructure of Stormward itself. Just about -everything- is getting overhauled in this new initiative. Roads are build built and paved. Sanitation is being improved with cleaner, more efficient practices and aqueducts are being built and repaired. The storage buildings used to house surplus food and municipal supplies are being revamped, resulting in adequate room to grow and better, strategically placed storehouses. By the docks, the customs houses are being expanded, offering increased room for storing cargo left by trading vessels. And speaking of docks... The shipyards are being updated with cutting-edge technology, with wet and dry docks both being improved. There's changes made to the harbour itself, and better storage for shipbuilding supplies. The training yards used by the land-based military (corsairs) get cleaned up and improved, and barracks are restored and given a fresh coat of paint. It's a bright new Stormward, now better able to handle expansion both internal and external!

Zoey will be utilizing her personal finances and calling in favours as well as overseeing the investment of Kennex's funds.

Ian will be bringing his nascent leadership capabilities to bear backing Wash's play. He'll help coordinate the modernization of the harbor on the water in a slightly more hands-dirty way, because Ian doesn't know how to properly noble and everyone's given up trying to teach him by now (and that bit with the diving looks like a LOT of fun).

("... For BIGGER than a caravel? Wash, what in the abyss are you planning?")

Aethan takes the lead from Wash, supporting him however he needs to be supported. He uses his positions as Kennex's Admiral and Minister of War to smooth any ways that he could possibly smooth, delegating a portion of his crew to assist with the dock expansion, and otherwise making sure that there are enough hands to do the work necessary. He will also be turning a military eye to the renovation and expansion, helping to coordinate with the corsairs to make sure all the cleaning and renovating of land-based military operations runs smoothly as well.

Wash will contribute to the reinvigoration of the Stormward quay by moving the breakwater, dredging the bay, expanding the drydock and driving deeper pilings to support and shelter larger vessels. As befitting his station Wash will not be doing the work himself. He will be responsible for coordinating between multiple contractors, achieving the best results from both muscle and coin. He will however use his experience with sailing and other projects, including the Bounty of Cirella (a modern vessel) and the Darkwater Watch's rebuilding. He is still a nobleman and this is the closest thing he has to a purpose in his life at the moment.

Porter Kennex shows the depths of his frugality and the funds he has managed to set aside due to his insistence upon using ships stores as trading opportunities over the last year. The Damsel's Heart ferries supplies and experts to Stormward in style, and Porter makes the ship available to be used for dredging and testing of the docking facilities as needed. This leaves him little time for military maneuvers witht he ship spoken for, but where he can he does.

As minister of income overseeing the northlands along with her experience in assisting with the rebuilding of StormwaLL, Gwenna has some on-the-ground knowledge with infrastructure and the costs therein. Lord Aethan asked for her assistance, knowing this, and she soon gets to work. The Redrain will call in some favors from prior days of trading as well as visit StormwaRD to speak with those undertaking the efforts. The princess will follow any leads Wash gives her and act as support to his coordination plans. She will respectfully request reduced costs for materials and labor where feasible and inquire what might be the least expensive way to go about the restructuring without compromising safety. She will use her talents with people before her skill with numbers, as it will be the people behind the work who determine the eventual weight of costs.

Jasher knows better than to be /that/ peer meddling in workers' affairs with more curiosity than competence, so he won't be attending in person. That said, he arranges for the delivery of able-bodied men and women with the requisite elbow grease and a burning need for silver, supplies obtained through direct sources or references from vassals, and a military escort to cover ships ferrying workers and supplies to and from Stormward, and to report any incidents that happen. Heralds are a thing.

Sheena is doing what she can to help Zoey improve things for Kennex, using her tailoring skills. She is putting her tailoring to use where she can.

Trade picks up immediately, thanks to their efforts. Kennex lands had been largely repaired by the massive overwhelming investment done after it became the first house to outlaw thralldom, in response to the chaos that had destroyed so much. Still, the docks really benefit from the newest design, and many of the roads just couldn't reach everywhere (such as several mills and mines), and that becomes dramatically easier. Stormward's incomes increase noticably, and the work created by the sound investment also benefits the rising merchant families and craftsmen, many of whom were former thralls.

There's only a few black clouds- notably that not everyone is fond of Kennex's successes. Many, many houses in Thrax, firm traditionalists, want Kennex to fail. Any news of their growing success is unwelcome, and during the dock construction two workers died from a collapsing scaffold that appears to have been sabotaged. The house has enemies, and many of those would never be appeased until and unless Kennex re-embraces thralldom, which would in turn alienate the entire rest of the Compact. Still, regardless of what others want, Kennex continues it's slow climb towards ducal power.

Upon taking over the Ministry of Coin for House Kennex, Zoey has launched into a months long codification and audit of the March's books. This includes consolidating the various half-filled ledgers, implimenting a standard of itemization and documentation for all transactions, adhering to a single and comprehensive interpretation of fiscal policy, increasing the efficiency of all trade matters coming into and out of Kennex holdings, and tracking down the exact destination of every donation of silver received from the Compact during the financial crisis surrounding the abolition of thralldom in Kennex lands.

To this effect, she and her assistants will be focused on a two prong approach: one focusing on the increased efficiency and financial output of Kennex trade and policies, and the other focusing on forensically identifying the 'paper trail' of Compact funds from the crisis as well as physically tracking down any anomalies within the data.

Connie is on gofer duty alongside Ian, following the line of paper trails to physical sources to discuss the reality of all notes made and get a first account history of where the funds have traveled.

Since Christine had been taking care of the books until Zoey took over the Ministry of Coin, she knows more or less how things are and how are they organized.
She'll try, then, to work side by side with Zoey to help her achieve her goals, mostly the first, sinceshe thinks there are no anormalities since she has already checked those books. (See action #1484)

Cassima will assist Zoey with her own understanding of Kennex's finances, given her knowledge and exposure as the overall finance minister for House Thrax.

Nobody with any sense wants Ian anywhere near the books, trying to math things out, but he's happy to be dispatched on gofer duty, tracking down people who are dragging their feet getting Zoey information she needs.

"You the one who told Zoey you'd get her those receipts 'later'? It's later. Hand them over."

Octavia is going to be devoting what time she can spare to helping doublecheck the books, and also to discussing the fiscal policies that Zoey is suggesting. She should be able to offer some unique insights that will make the process more effective.

Aahana is going to help Zoey by focusing upon the increased efficiency and financial output of Kennex trade and policies. She will be quite meticulous with her efforts and triple check her work.

Ford and Korka are off to Stormward! Meeting with people who received money, following the paper trail, and making sure that everything is as it should be and appears to be. And of course, checking up on the state of the businesses and organizations that received money to make sure they're all working well.

Korka will be assisting where interviews are needed, looking over shoulders and verifying stories, ultimately doing her best to ensure that the stories that the Kennex folks are receiving are the truth. As well, helping with extracting information from people. Kindly. Because she's a friendly sort of person and people like to talk to her.

Zoey takes the lead, as Minister of Income, in a thorough audit of the books. Christine helps, having done this at least once before, as does Cassima - who is so accustomed to Thrax books and searching for trouble that she's really an old hand at this. The whole family gets involved too - Constantine and Ford, Ian and Octavia all pitch in. Then friends and allies too - Aahana and Korka help Ford with a more manual audit of the receipts given to the Kennex Ministry.

In the end, it's fairly successful - Zoey finds a few places where economy can be made, and Stormward benefits accordingly. And fortunately she finds there are no abnormalities, testament to Christine's excellent work previously on the financial matters of Kennex. Overall, Kennex is in a pretty good position right now to grow, and to shine.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@action/newaction Aethan has taken command of the Kennex navy, and has taken stock of the number of ships there are and what condition they're in, as well as whether they're fully crewed. Once that is taken care of, he has several things on the list:

* Ships. Since there are, to say the least, not many at the moment, the first thing he is going to to is call in as many favors as he can -- and, let's be honest, start owing favors to some people -- to get the materials to make more, writs to buy more, or hopefully on the Stormward pirate clearing trip, take a few as prizes.
* Crew. He will be meeting with anyone who he thinks can help point eager young people who feel the call of the sea toward Kennex. And maybe some people who don't feel it but could be convinced to for the right incentives.
* Reputation. Capitalizing on the goodwill hopefully generated from the Stormward trip, he will be looking for people who are respected in their various spheres to start spreading the word that Kennex is on the rise again.

Part of this will also be enacted on the trip to Stormward already planned -- Aethan will be out meeting people, letting them get to know him, and laying out his vision for the Kennex navy. He is not the most charming of men, but he knows how to lead, and that is probably what one wants in an admiral, right?

Ian is going to turn his considerable knowledge and expertise in training new recruits towards the new hires, starting with the basics and maybe even pitting himself against Wash or Aethan in elaborate war games! One way or another, he'll make sure that nobody goes into battle unseasoned.

Wash will write letters, visit vendors, and generally share all of the tips and tricks he learned in his time as Admiral of Kennex on how to rebuild a fleet. He will paint a picture for vendors of how illustrious it is to craft Kennex vessels, to know that your lumber, ropes and brightwork went into making the finest ships in all of Thrax.

Porter is going to be Porter, that is, the dashing sea captain that is hard working, fair, and leads a life of adventure. If there recruitment posters, he'd be on the poster. It's important for everyone to see the hard work and know that Kennex doesn't shirk the work and that they party hardy. He also knows some sailors tired of the Gray River and can be lured out to sea.

Juliana is going to help two fold. First she is going to use her influence and resources in Isles Canines, to get shipwrights and craftsmen to help with the recreation of Kennex Fleet. She will not only talk to those she can but she invest in the fleet as well. Second, she is going to use her own reputaton and skills to talk to those others that can help. Nobles, sailors and the like. After all, Kennex lost a lot fighting to protect her home.

Monique has agreed to help Aethan reestablish the Kennex navy under his control, and to that end the Minx of the Marches is calling in markers from various contacts and providing the Admiral a significant amount of funds to start.

Iseulet is many things, but scared of hard work? Never. She accompanies Aethan and Juliana and others that are heading out there and learning as much as she can about the Brothers Kennex and their achievements on the sea.
Her approach to the rest of what she's seeing around here is /vastly/ different and it's readily apparent she marches to the beat of a different drummer, because, you see, she makes music for them! Singing (slightly embellished) songs featuring tales of the Brothers Kennex and how they will rebuild Kennex's navy (with your military writ donations)! Every night they are out there among the people of Stormward, she takes her trusty lute out there with her and performs the songs (in the form of humorous sea shanties) and even improvises so that each night, there is something a little different about the show to keep drawing larger and larger crowds.

While she's not doing this (boat rides are long and boring, alright?) she uses her economic expertise to lend advice where needed, keeping the expenses for the trip as low as possible (without making the Brothers Kennex and other 'staff' of the ship eat gruel - that'd just be cruel).

As Voice of Kennex, Lady Catalana has been busy and being the forefront for Kennex now that she's back on her feet. After discussions and appointing Lord Aethan Kennex as the new admiral of the Stormward fleet she is there to support him. It is with him she intends to help build up the fleet, along with her family, and be sure to make it known that she has full faith in their knew admiral. Visiting with other nobles and vassals, she reaches out to them in order to gain support of writs of otherwise to make the fleet even stronger.

Ember cannot spare her seasoned sailors, but there are young men in Redreef Shores who would suit as sailors for House Kennex. She attempts to recruit, through cajoling to threats and everything in-between, young untrained men for the Kennex Navy.

After discussing this particular effort with Lord Aethan, Gwenna will speak in her various social circles about the endeavors being put forth by he and the Kennex. How when knocked down, they pick themselves up and quickly get to work rebuilding. War and political turmoil may bring chaos, but it is in those moments that we learn and grow toward a better future. She'll mention the visits made to Stormward and dedication of so many toward re-manning a fleet - new ships, new duties, and the new faces feeling the call of the sea to man them. Kennex surely is on the rise, building it plank by plank, deed by deed.

Elara has been asked to work her charm and musical talent to continue to promote the navy. And hopefully to bring in more recruits as well. She will join Iseulet in singing and playing as much as she can. Going further, she writes up little skits with comedic moments and tale telling about actual Kennex sailors and victories that can be added to performances or done on their own.

Harper spends alot of time in the burroughs and meets alot of people on her patrols and through her volunteer work at the Tragedy. She also sees alot of people that need more productive pursuits to keep them from falling into trouble that she or her fellow guards might have to deal with later. So she spreads the word that there's a fancy admiral fellow looking for crews. It's good work and a chance to learn something useful. And she keeps planting the bug about it in their ears, over and over, hoping that maybe through persistence she can badger them into something productive if nothing else works.

Tesha is going to be helping Aethan and the Kennex fleet in the usual way Tesha can, that means she'll be using her delightful charm and wit to talk up the Kennex sailors and things of that nature. Hoping to steer some wide eyed youths looking to become sailors that way. She'll also be aiding with silver to cover some of the costs.

The Kennex Navy under Lord Aethan Kennex is slowly starting to rebuild. Now Aethan makes a tour of his facilities and shifts some priorities over to focus on shipbuilding to make up for the decimation of the fleet at Setarco. Lord Ian comes to help train new recruits. Lord Wash uses his experience as Admiral to encourage merchants to focus on their shipbuilding first.

Lady Juliana uses her own contacts with the Isles Canines and others to encourage support of - and slightly lower prices for - the new Kennex navy. Lady Monique chips in as well, calling in favors and contributing money to the cause. And Lady Catalana, Voice of Kennex? She's right there helping find money to spend on these new ships.

And to crew them? Lord Porter takes the lead here, serving as the face of the Kennex Navy. Lady Iseulet Blackshore, singing songs and telling tales of bravery and heroism! It doesn't hurt that this also bumps up visibility for her new venture, The Empyrean either, but surely that's tangential to the cause at hand! Lady Ember helps focus on recruitment too, and Princess Gwenna talks about the valiance of the Kennex Navy at Setarco.

With Lady Elara also singing songs of bravery and Harper Ashdown encouraging recruitment to a better life for orphans and other misfits and even Lady Tesha Telmar helping boost recruitment, the people of Kennex take a good long look and realize... the Kennex navy is -famous-. Like, famous-famous. There are people from all over the Compact who know them!

Pride swells, recruitment soars, and the Kennex Navy is well on its way to being rebuilt.

With the Gyre defeated and no other threats currently in play, Katarina has decided to prepare a ship and a crew to send out to the Island of Storms to retrieve an artifact and explore the locale. With the complicated maps and journals that tell of treacherous waters and harrowing landscapes to triangulate the direct location of the island, she's well aware the journey itself will prove to be one of their most challenging voyages yet.

In order to maximize their chances of survival in the event that the absolute worst happens, duplicate maps have been made available for the more seasoned and trusted sailors to serve aboard a second ship tasked with rescue. That ship will anchor as close as they can where the seas are still calmest, just in case. It also helps to make sure the team she's bringing along covers fields of expertise they may need in the expedition.

Ian will be joining Katarina in this venture. As the Lantern of Lagoma is something that Galen expressed an interest in going after, Ian will bring the Thrax Special Forces as a little bit of backup and a little extra muscle.

Monique is here for linguistic support and general investigation and protection support. She can speaks Isles Shav, and will do so quite readily, charming the pants off of anyone who might have the information they need. Her blade, too, is placed in the service of Katarina and this noble endeavor.

While there is peril in navigating and sailing through treacherous waters, Terese will leave the navigation in the hands of Katarina and lend her personal support to act as a defense to anything that should encounter that might try to descend upon them. Should the Island prove too dangerous to stay upon she is hoping to assist with retrieving any item as quickly as possible.

Ansel will be departing the city to accompany Princess Katarina and the others, along with a small contingent of Telmarine armsmen. He's likely not going to be much help insofar as navigating the ship goes, but will be there to lend an extra sword arm if needed, having some experience with marine-type landings before with the Abandoned tribes loyal to the Gyre.

Lisebet has been invited to go along on this mission, so she will be going as well. She's not likely going to be able to help with navigation or sword arms, but can provide some resources to help trade with locals if needed, assisting with those who are negotiating while there. Although young in scholarly pursuits, she is coming along to assist as she may with the non-fighty things, adding her wit, charm and whatever mental acuity she might have to the endeavour.

With the lantern found, and disaster narrowly averted, they return to Arx. Thanks to Lisebet's sure-footedness, Ansel's cowardly courage, Terese's paper, Monique's scouting, Katarina's discernment and Ian's steadiness they are successful. The legend of the Unsullied grows - and so does the legend of The Scarf.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Harald is gathering heralds and bards of the Isles to the Hall of Fallen Heroes in Grihem's Point. He will declare the summoning of all banners, and charge them with carrying his words to all lords and captains in the Grimhall chain of fealty: the war their race was born to fight is at hand. Mortal glory, immortal fame, and great wealth await those who answer, while scorn and terrible retribution will fall upon those who shrink from the battles ahead.

Vanora will be attempting to catch with honey any bannermen that Harald's fear and vinegar method does not work for completely. The Marquessa Kennex will use her charm and diplomatic skills to gently persuade those Harald calls upon to heed that call. She will be dong this via post for the most part as well as through persuading allies and friends among the Grimhall holdings to do so in person. She will be engaging with Kennex and vassals therein as well, for though the diplomatic endeavor that Octavia and Catalana will be undertaking when Kennex's own banners are called has not yet begun, she wants those she has sway over within Kennex to be ready when that summons appears. In addition among the Kennex lands still populated by new 'freedmen' she will be exercising her influence to encourage all recently freed thralls with any skills at sailing (or others useful in similar undertakings, such a ship and sail repair, ropeworks, etc) to join into this upcoming challenge faced by the Compact. These once-thralls will be reminded that they serve the Gods well and show thanks to those who cared for them when the step out to defend their homes. As well as reminded that unlike in many other trades, the widows and children of soldiers and sailors who lose their lives in battle are well care ford by the lieges.

A few particular persuasive letters will be sent in the direction of the zealot population settled into Stormward, reminding those among them that the upcoming battles are not strictly those of war but have legends implying it is a 'holy' clash as well, between the beloved gods of the Pantheon and the Heralds and Archfiends who would destroy what the Compact has built. These Orazians will be asked not only to consider offering their service to the vassals of Kennex and Grimhall, but also to use their preaching and engaging while in Stormward to mobilize freedmen to do the same.

With Edward I will use his Propaganda skill to gather as many combatants to the banners as possible. His Barony is so new it probably does not have any. So he will help others.

Turo sets about rallying the captains and soliders and sailors he knows with absolutely no hand-holding, nor discussion of future glory. Instead, he mixes a combination of straight-up ordering people to get to work, along with some mention of duty and whatnot. There's not a lot of yelling per se, but he's not really letting anyone give any excuses about why they couldn't possibly be involved in the upcoming war. He focusses on everyone doing their duty, whatever it might be, from the sailor to the captain to the ropemaker.

Faelan will be taking sailors and ships and going out to spread the word, and recruit every able bodied man he can convince to come aid in the coming battles. He'll be focusing on Navegant lands, but will also help out with Grimhall lands if it's needed. He'll mostly be relying on the soldier's fame earned during his previous battles in the ongoing war to help him draw men to the cause.

Ivarr will be grabbing his reavers and going out to press captains and vassals of Grimhall into rallying the banners. He will include pirate acquaintances he has met in this if they swear fealty. His angle: Leave the women to making laws and doing hard math, grab your axes, and come grab glory that will make your ancestors jealous . He is promising great glory, honour, fame, and the best deaths anyone could ask for. As extra incentive, he will burn down the hall of and crucify anyone left over from the first group to refuse the call to rally, using that as leverage against any captains that do not want to rally afterward.

Sameera, as per usual for her, is organizing the people and goods that will be going with the Grimhall fleets. She'll be rallying the Coldrains that wish to fight to do as such. She is assuring food, supplies, weaponry, etc, is all directed to where they need to be so they are most efficiently done. Those under her command are given orders on what they are to do, where they are to be, and clear procceedures on what they are to do.

Also, even if just rallying, Sameera IS assuring Grimhalls and THrax Family members are not at risk (AKA in a getting dead place).

Ian will go and do some drunken carousing with friends he has among the more martial noble NPCs among Harald's vassals. He'll regale them with some of the best Brothers Kennex stories (like the time Aethan decided to sneak up on a faster ship over open waters by hiding behind the swells, and everyone thought he was crazy, but then they did it, and you should have seen the LOOKS on the pirates' faces!) and listen to their battle stories as well. As a note: He will only be going to vassals of Grimhall, not vassals of Kennex. Ford has yet, as far as Ian knows, to mobilize his vassals, and Ian doesn't want to step on Ford's toes.

Wash will pick at least one outlying vassal with a limited naval force and sail out with the repopulated Kennex fleet. He'll invite them to participate in maneuvers, and share his knowledge of the enemy and sailing with them.

Darrow Darkwater visits the nobles and captains comprising both the Darkwater vassalage, and those of Grimhall and Kennex he's known from the many manuevers and actions in the past few years. He's known amongst them for not losing his head, and its this angle he will press - to firm the resolve of the armies to rally to the Darkwater Redoubt.

Though not a bard, Caspian will still answer the call to action as a bard, seeking audiences with those within the Grimhall chain of fealty to perform songs and poetry for them. These songs and poetry are meant to inspire courage, honor, and a desire for heroism while mocking those who hide away or do the bare minium as their brothers and sisters give it their all for glory.

Baroness Skye Blackshore answers the summons, offering to help even though she has no men to call to her banners. The brave young woman who looks like she can barely stand up in a fierce wind offers to command a ship against the Gyre, citing her sailing skills are her best talent. Hmmm, perhaps other vassals will be shamed by being upstaged by a petite little lady and answer Duke Grimhall's call.

Ember will have a frank talk with her military lieutenants rallying them to join the fight that is coming. She'll give a bold speech, telling her army that the might of Redreef is needed to help with the upcoming battles. There will be a lot of yelling and posturing, but the tiny woman is adept at getting her point across. Once her lieutenants and sailors are on board to fight, she'll pass that information along to the Thrax family, letting them know that Redreef will be present and geared and ready to fight.

Valdemar will be sending letters to Grimhall's vassals, making liberal use of terms like "honor", "duty", "loyalty" and so on in an attempt to fire them up for the fight to come against the Gyre and his minions.

Duke Harald calls the Grimhall banners with a decidedly less-gentle touch. Mortal glory, immortal fame, and great wealth await those who answer, while scorn and terrible retribution will fall upon those who shrink from the battles ahead. You cowards. Lord Valdemar Grimhall also assists, making liberal use of terms like "honor", "duty", and "loyalty" in an attempt to fire vassals up for the fight to come. Marquessa Vanora also lends her softer skills, persuasion and diplomacy her watchwords to convince even the hardest of hearts and the yellowest of cowards to join the join this holy war. Grimhall and its vassals respond surprisingly well to this three-pronged exhortation.

Baron Edward Stormbreak, needing little urging, follows suit, calling his banners to fame and glory. Count Turo Navegant doesn't ask so much as order, but he leads the way in preparing for war with Lord Faelan at his side. They are clearly expecting those well-accustomed to Turo's leadership to follow suit.

Sameera Coldrain works hard to get supplies organized for everyone, and make sure that as they're preparing for war they're doing so with ships well-stocked and mended, and enough provisions for all. Ivarr goes looking for pirates, who give him the finger and sail off, shouting about how they're not going to fight for him now when Thrax is openly going up against pirates, dammit. Don't they know The Code?

Lord Ian Kennex goes drinking - as Ian is wont to do - but uses this time to swap drinking stories with buddies in the Ebb and Flow. He regales them with stories and reminds them of the fun to be had on the open seas, even when times are Grim. Lord Wash Kennex for his part sails to train others in the Navy, hoping to coordinate ship maneuvers with them and encourage them to set sail.

Lord Darrow Darkwater also calls his banners, even as his people begin a mass evacuation. Here Caspian Wild plys his skills, using songs and poetry to inspire people to answer the call to arms and subtly shame those who don't.

And not to be left out, Baroness Ember Redreef and Baroness Skye Blackshore talk to the various troops, challenging them by their size and gender alone to prove they can fighter better than a couple of women. It's maybe not the most effective tactic, but it's not the least effective tactic either.

Grimhall and their vassals sail to war. -_-

The Marquessa Kennex has put a great deal of time and effort towards ensuring the continued security and economic viability of Stormward since the freeing of the thralls. She has divided her attention across three different areas with the expectation that each will play a part in contributing to Stormward's success.

Economic Issues: First and foremost Vanora is focusing on the economic issues that face Stormward and other Kennex holdings as they transition from using free labor to paying their workers. To this end the Marquessa has communicated by post with prominent businesses and trades in the Kennex territories. Every effort is made to encourage business to keep their former thralls in their employ, especially in cases where the thralls were trained extensively in their area of trade. Economic incentives in the form of contributions of silver and the promise of eventual tax breaks for these businesses will be offered in order to see that industry remains in Stormward. (10000 silver put towards the cause as well as 50 economic resources.)

Diplomatic Outreach: Marquessa Vanora has also put effort into diplomacy with House Kennex vassals in order to persuade them to do all that they can to support former thralls settle into their new lives. Vanora will ask the (NPC) vassals of Kennex to work with House Kennex itself in creating infastructure to support these newly freed laborers, such as housing, appropriate medical care, and schools both for the children of former thralls and the former thralls themselves as they work to learn a trade. There will be particular effort made to see former thralls trained as shipwrights, sailors, and warriors in order to protect Stormward and serve the Mourning Isles when the call sounds to summon banners. (50 Social)

Specific Diplomatic Outreach to Zealots: Lastly the Marquessa will communicate with leaders among the once Orazians and now Sentinels, asking for their support in convincing freed thralls to remain in Kennex and their support in providing housing, education, and jobs to freedmen. Vanora will also share with them that there are plans to build several temples to various Gods of the Pantheon in Stormward once the crisis of Darkwater Deeps has passed. Freedmen will be invited to find paid work in building and maintaining these temples, and the Zealots will be asked to help bring these freedmen to appreciation of the Gods.

Other members of House Kennex and allies of the House may provide assistance in any of these three areas as the foundation is laid for Stormward not merely to survive, but to thrive as a progressive house.

Ford's assistance of Vanora's The Trouble with Thralldom action;

Economic Issues: Ford works closely with his wife to find a good balance between profitability and stability. He accompanies her to any meetings with nobility in Arx, and only speaks when directly spoken to, reinforcing the Co-Rulership. Ford also reaches out to smaller businesses, especially the ones that hired thralls after the Unchaining, to see if a collaboration of brands couldn't benefit profits for the smaller businesses. Spice merchants and produce sellers are put in touch with key personnel from Oseyan, the Kennex Vodka brand. (Command+Leadership)

Diplomatic Outreach: In this instance, Ford takes a proverbial backseat, this is where he feels it's best Vanora take the wheel in terms of further solidifying the Co-Rulership. He feels that if Kennex Vassals deal directly with Vanora on key issues it will ease the transition and culture shock. However, if there is resistance to that, he'll be there to affirm that this is Vanora's plan and what she says goes. (Composure+Diplomacy OR Command+Intimidation if there's some resistance)

Side Note OOC: I'm not sure if I'm allowed to have more than one check on an action. So I tossed in a few just in case, but if I cannot, then Command+Leadership should work fairly well for both of those assistanceseses.

Naomi will provide Lady Vanora with all of her Corsair contacts in order to better facilitate the retraining of former thralls into sailors and soldiers.

Catalana will spend her time meeting with her various contacts in her orgs to assure that spending time with the ex thralls to help retrain them will not only help the ex thralls but to the community at large.

Valdemar will be helping out by providing security in the form of mercenaries, and providing them with strict written orders, so that the people there to perform outreach can concentrate on what they are doing.

Wash will make room available on vessels for ex-thralls to find employment. He will establish through example that they are not to be treated differently from other freedmen.

Ian will use the experience that he's gotten training Duke Grimhall's new recruits to help train any new recruits Kennex takes on in fighting, sailing, strategy, and general discipline. In addition, he'll sail with the Saffron Fleet in any operations they undertake to provide security for the more diplomatic side of this @action.

Marquessa Vanora Kennex has not been idle. While others prepare for war, Vanora focuses on the immediate need for peace amongst the Kennex. This is not the best time to be at odds, and she has worked tirelessly to reach out and help set the domain she co-rules with her husband Ford to rights.

She works with businesses within Kennex to retain former thralls, particularly well-trained ones, at a fair wage. She sponsors necessary infrastructure projects - schools, medicine, housing - to make sure that everyone is properly housed and cared for. She pays particular attention to the thralls who work with ships - as sailors and shipwrights and everything in between - to make sure that their naval strength is as steady as possible with the upcoming crisis in the east.

She even reaches out to Orazio's Sentinels (who stubbornly insist upon referring to themselves as that, even though Orazio himself asked them politely to stop) and assures them that proper care is being taken to see to the religious education of the former thralls - that temples are being built not just to Mangata but to the entirety of the Pantheon. Freedmen are being asked to help work on the temples once the issue to the east is settled, and the zealots have been asked by the Marquessa to keep an eye on things and make sure that the gods are properly honored. It speaks to their zealot hearts it does, and they agree gladly. Of course, this means zealots will be in and out of the temples but right now they're at least walking with Kennex, not marching against.

Marquis Ford is not absent from these negotiations. He is present for all of them, presenting a united front but letting Vanora take the lead. He reinforces her authority as needed, if a particular vassal gets too fractious about it - and in general seems to agree with everything she is doing and saying. The united front is well received it seems, particularly as Vanora is doing what even the most traditional of Thrax know women are best at - cementing alliances, handling diplomatic matters, and keeping things well organized and well run.

Lady Catalana Kennex, recently returned from a sojourn in Stormward, wastes no time in helping the Marquessa, reaching out to everyone she knows to help smooth the diplomatic path. Naomi Cutter does the same, providing valuable contacts among the more common sailors so that when Vanora starts encouraging people to hire ex-thralls - the boots on the ground (decks) are already primed to do it. Lord Wash Kennex likewise orders the Captains of ships in the Kennex fleet to start hiring ex-thralls, and has been heard talking about this new path for Kennex most enthusiastically.

Lord Ian Kennex and Lord Valdemar Grimhall, interestingly, both provide security - Lord Ian by training men and coming along to ensure the Marquessa's safe passage, Lord Valdemar by hiring mercenaries to protect the Marquis and Marquessa on their diplomatic travels.

All in all, it's a united front that Kennex provides. Rumors of squabbling between the various members of the family seem to be just that - whatever happens between them in private, together they're providing a united front of strength and forward-looking goals to Stormward and to the rest of the Compact.

Graysons, take note.

Ian is sending a letter to the Maelstrom embassy for the Marin'alfar, which they hopefully will get before too long. It's in his usual hand, tiny and obsessively neat, but crabbed in a way that suggests he doesn't do a hell of a lot of writing:

Hello.

I'm not sure if you know that Lady Aislin Ashford has recently disappeared at sea. On the off chance that you have her or know where she is, could you send word? Her friends and loved ones are talking about sending ships out to search for her, and I imagine you understand how dangerous that would be. I don't think anything is going to talk them out of it short of news of where she is.

Thank you for your time. I know it's scarce these days.

Lord Ian Kennex

(And yes, I know that letter is ridiculous and awkward. Ian is way out of his element here.)

In the middle of the battle for Setarco, a huge tentacle monster vomited up a tablet with the following note chiselend into stone.

"Lord Ian.

A little busy.

Your friend isn't here.

-V"

With Harald's go-ahead, Ian is putting together a small team to go and salvage the ship with gray banners that was deserted near the shore, which he is assuming is the ship that the Marin agents used to get to Arx, and thus which belongs to nobody living at this point. He plans to sail out there, make sure the ship is seaworthy and that there's nothing dangerous hiding on it, kedge it away from the shore if it's run around, and limp it back to harbor, where it can be investigated and/or refurbished by people who do those sorts of things for Grimhall. He's also assuming House Grayson would appreciate having the bodies of their dead guards back; they probably have families of their own who would like to mourn them, after all.

Wash will put his sailing skills to use getting the extra crews out to the salvageable vessels. He'll use his private cog for this mission the vessel since it is not authorized by Ford and Harald is not to be apprised of Kennex naval matters by Wash. Wash has spent the last six months buried in ship design and rebuilding the fleet so he will recruit some freedmen craftsmen to the job using whatever monies are needed.

Mae's been asked very nicely by her husband to not sail out with Ian. No one wants another Kraken attack! Mae will be a good wife, and instead she's staying home, waiting at the harbor for Ian to tow the boat back in. "Safely" in harbor, Mae will board the boat and look over the bodies. First, she looks for any strange occult items, and/or any signs something Abyssal lurks. Second, she'll say prayers to Death on behalf of the bodies. Third, she'll help pull those bodies off the ship and see them handled - either burned, if there's any sign of Abyssal stuff and/or occult stuff, or burried.

Dianna will be providing additional security for the salvage operation, in the event that anything goes sideways while they're scouring it or towing it to shore.

Harald will be offering guidance to ensure traditions of salvage are obeyed.

The problem with salvaging ships, especially when dealing with evil minions of evil, is that few things are ever what they seem. The ship with gray banners is still off shore - listing slightly to port but not sinking, not off course. Its anchor is down, and so when Ian's salvage team shows up it's not exactly cutting and running.

It's not a Marin ship either. It is in fact a Grayson vessel, and it isn't abandoned - the crew has been slaughtered down to the last sailor, left to lie on the decks. Some are missing uniforms, others torn apart - and Ian has of course seen this savagery before. It seems the vessel they sunk was the Marin vessel, and this was a ship of Grayson, with Grayson bodies. They sail it back to the docks and a cry goes up - the vessel is a trading vessel that was expected days ago. Now its fate is known.

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.

Harald is committing the Grim Fleet to the support of Kennex in the following ways: first, in hunting down the renegade Kennex longships which newly freed thralls took over, as well as cracking down on any other pirates looking to exploit the chaos. He will lead this effort personally. If found, the leaders of the mutineers will be publicly crucified as traitors in Grihem's Point, and the crews returned to thralldom under Grimhall.

Second, the fleet will escort any Kennex Freedmen who accept passage from Stormward March to Grihem's Point, where they will be considered free serfs. They won't be paid much, but they'll have work, shelter, and food for their families. Harald rejects Aleksei's placement of Churchmen aboard his vessels in this relocation.

Third, the fleet will provide escort to any mainland ships bringing aid to Stormward March, to ensure pirates do not prey on idiot mainlanders who announce they are transporting loads of silver and supplies.

Lastly, the Grim Legion is being prepared against the possibility that Stormward March falls into open revolt. Should this happen, Harald is prepared to land his troops together with Thrax to prevent a lengthy civil war and impose an overlord's order on the March. Should this be necessary, the army will bring supplies and silver to encourage cooperation, so that there is a carrot to go with the stick.

Ian will be going along with the grim fleet (hopefully together with Aethan and Porter). He's not just there to lend his blade to the fight, but also his expertise; Ian sailed Kennex waters for years, and if it comes to fighting pirates, it's a fair bet that they'll be pirates who became thralls after a ship Ian was on caught them in the first place. He knows the tactics that pirates in that area use, where they like to hide, etc. More personally, he's spent a lot of time with the grim legion, and also wants to go because he feels a certain obligation to dive into trouble alongside them. As an aside, it may or may not be worthy of remark that the Brothers Kennex, who used to have a reputation as pirate hunters, at least in their own House if not on the Isles as a whole, are together again on a reunion tour of sorts, and together under Grimhall's banner. Given the tension between Ford and Harald, it might set tongues wagging.

Aethan is joining his brothers in sailing with Harald to hunt former thralls turned pirate.

Faelan is going to come along with Harald to fight and hunt down the renegade Kennex freedmen. He is also going to bring Navegant soldiers with to help.

Traveling with the Grimhall Fleet, Edward will go as someone to meet with traditionalists and progressive who are concerned over their loss of thralls and provide financial and economic advice on how to spend the monies they should expect and demand of House Kennex and the Compact to help with the transition, recommending wage prices for thralls who want to stay and how to incentivize them to not leave on the great fleets that come to pick them up to take them away. This will include conversations to confused and lost thralls who do not know what to do, encouraging them to stay and continue their trade and craft - with examples of how wealthy a crafter in the Compact can become. And for those who still desire to escape their Kennex cages an encouragement to resettle inside Thrax instead of without - his focus then on places like Navegant and Whitefrost.

Melinda will be using her skills in Propaganda to help her father keep morale amongst his crew and his ships. She is also getting Artorius to lend more ships to her fathers cause.

Sameera, being more of an organazier, it set on keeping track of the inventory of the Grimhall fleet as well as organzing those on reserve for occupation Kennex, should it come to it. She is heeding any change of orders that Harald might give her or acting on any ill actions done by those following the Grimhall Duke. As a note, if Harald or a Grimhall, especially Harald, is in a situation of risk she will, absolutely disregard the orders Harald gives her to keep them safe. She will also attempt to try getting former thralls to follow her command, using her status as a former thrall, to draw them in and convince them to cease and then swear themselves to Grimhall. She will be nudign Torstein to join her, under her command.

Torstein will be assisting and playing bodyguard (babysitter) to Sameera.

Let's get some pirates! And probably do some other helpful and boring stuff, too. But mostly catching some pirates!

The High Lord is providing Thrax's own marine forces to assist Harald in combating piracy and aid in whatever other military campaigns that the Duke sees fit. By Victus' order, they will be led under Harald's command until order has been restored to Stormward and the mutineers are brought to swift justice.

Piracy? In our waters? Against our people? No. That will not stand. The Lady Regla Navegant, alongside the Marines and Navegant fleet will assist in anti-piracy and escort operations.

Two things go extremely well, from the standpoint of the Isles. First, no revolt happens under the watchful eyes of Isles' military might, which in turn stops the flow of blood due to anarchy and help stabilize the freefall of Kennex's economy. Most of the traditionalists are happy about that, even if they are disinclined to put their own money forward to buy old thrall debts that have now been abrogated by Ford's actions. Secondly, two renegade longships have been run down by their forces and destroyed. They were flying Kennex colors, but the flayed crucified bodies of their former commanders on decks made it not very ambiguous about whether they were legitimate Kennex vessels or not. Those ships were run down, cornered, and slaughtered with the surrendering survivors brought back to Grihem's Point to be presented to the sea. The overwhelming force combined with the vastly more disciplined soldiers made them extraordinarily one sided, with only three Grimhall men dying for 78 former thralls being slain in combat, and one of the deaths was from a man named Rolf trying to leap from a boarding plank, hitting the side of a longboat, and then drowning.

As a result of the show of force, a small amount of refugees choose to settle on Grihem's Point, Escuma, Whitefrost and Maelstrom. They all see a modest boost in their labor forces as a result.

It's not a complete success, but that is largely out of their control and their forces wish for more clarification on how to proceed, since they are crossing into some dangerous waters (a pun which they all argue is not intended). The problem is there are now hundreds of ships of the Compact's houses in Kenenx waters helping with relief efforts. While the morons on the two renegade longships were easily dealt with because they got carried away, more professional pirates and smugglers are much less stupid, and are taking advantage of the chaos by flying false flags. This is a predicament because many of the other ships are ducal houses from the Lyceum, Grayson, and the Oathlands at least. And some suspect that some pirates are flying Thrax colors as well, and this creates issues as asking any other ship to stop to be boarded could provoke some extremely ugly incidents- particularly since most would expect Kennex to be the ones doing this by law, and they aren't here. Grimhall could argue they have the rigths for this, as the liege of Kennex and it being a problem, but some of the craftier pirates might be flying Grimhall flags. It's very hard to tell how many are out there, but there was at least 3 attacks on isolated ships after the two longships of Kennex mutineers were killed, meaning -someone- at least is still in the business of piracy, and those ones are being extremely careful. Most of the large fleets of the Compact are traveling in far to big detachments for pirates to risk, but for smaller groups of refugees fleeing, it's a serious concern.

After Ian got hurt, he made a conscious choice to avoid bitterness towards the gods (and Mangata in particular) by choosing to believe that they're out there, yes, but they don't get involved in human affairs. Thus, the fact that Mangata wasn't there to either catch him or just let him die was unremarkable. He's clung to the belief ever since that what happened to him was nobody's fault, that sometimes shit just happens and there's nothing for it but to keep going as best as possible.

But now, Mangata's touch seems to be everywhere (the statue is glowing, for crying out loud), and has grown beyond even Ian's ability to put out of his mind. It's hard to avoid the conclusion that the gods DO intercede. So that old bitterness is coming back again, right when he's also dealing with the helpless feeling of having to stay behind while the people he cares about fight and risk their lives.

Ian's strong, but he's not made of stone, and he's going to have, however briefly, a crisis of faith. He's going to stumble over the uneven sand to the statue, telling himself that he just wants to see it with his own eyes. But once he's there, facing a glowing image of the goddess, he's finally going to crack and ask that question that he hasn't let himself ask in the years since he got hurt: "Where were you?"

Now, Ian's not expecting an answer to this question, not really. He's only even letting himself ask it in a moment of weakness. Ian's player (me) isn't necessarily expecting an answer, although an answer might make for some interesting character development. But I don't want to RP that Ian demanded an explanation from Mangata and got silence in return if that's not what would happen.

As Ian's prayer touches his lips a gust of wind has him stumbling and he reaches out automatically to brace himself on the statue. What comes to him is a vision - the great leviathan of the Abyss is hungry, devouring everything Ian has ever known, ever loved, and there suddenly he sees the manifestation of Mangata, placing herself between the Abyss and the world, struggling to hold back the starving creature that would devour the world in a titanic battle that is clearly more than she can handle alone. Some small part whispers to Ian, sounding reproachful, "Where was I? Where were you?"