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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reese would like to try to work on increasing the defenses of Bastian. She got the okay from the King to do such. She is doing this largely in response to the Great Road, but also in response to concerns that the slaver might cause trouble there. This might be a multi-step process. The first step and the goal of this action, is going to be recruiting for the Grayson Army. Reese would like to travel about the Grayson lands and recruit for the army while bringing along some charming, intelligent and knowledge people to aid in such. Reese will have a gentle hand about such and while not hard pressure anyone into joining the army. She will only accept adults who are consenting into the army. She is willing to take prodigals, but she will take extra care with them to try and make sure they want to be in the army and they are not spies. She will for the most part only take healthy recruits in both mind and body who she feels would have a fighting chance as part of the army. She will be honest about the risks of joining up. Despite honesty, she will be hopeful and focus on the greatness of Grayson, the importance of protecting the road, the importance of protecting the people of Grayson and the expectations of military victories. She will not directly speak about the slaver as she feels such could incite panic, draw the slaver's focus or being a security concern for Grayson. She will try to keep them safe while recruiting. She would rather lose a few recruits than put her group at danger or increase tensions along the road. She wants to take great care not to cause further troubles.

Liara takes a trip upriver to Bastion - it's good to be home, and besides that, she knows no small number of people there who might help with recruitment. She goes about constructing a propaganda campaign. Whether talking to people in person (in part by way of giving 'impromptu' talks in public places, in part speaking directly with local leaders) or by asking one of her acquaintances to assist, she does what she can to encourage people to enlist. A core point is how House Grayson always does what it can to keep its vassals and its people safe, and that by joining the army, people will be able to further that goal and consequently ensure the security of their own friends and families. Of course, she notes, the pay is quite respectable too.

The Radiant Emeritus excels in the arts of negotiation and talking -- discreetly, quietly, whether to groups or to individuals. Whether mustering or an army from eager visitors or reaching out to uneasy Prodigal bands, she uses the art of conversation to build those bridges needed to encourage recruitment. A variety of means at her disposal are employed: reminding people of the sacrifice of Copper, the honour enjoyed by the soldiers, the blessings of the Faith, the Prodigals in the Gray Forest rising in defense of their homes and Compact citizens during the Lodge. When reluctance shows, she individually speaks with elders and hunters or warriors alike to soothe their concerns and relay these to Reese. The prevailing theme of unity and peacemaking she uses throughout. When called upon, she can speak to the positive effect on perceptions of the Prodigals and shav'arvani who have staked their lives for the good of their peoples. Examples include Alistair Velenosa and Thesarin Riven. Through serving a mutual aim, these brave warriors and would-be soldiers can change opinion and elevate their standing. And for everyone, she'll be happy to encourage resistant community leaders to bringing their thinking around by leading by example.

Roxana loves helping! She's not really great at increasing defenses of anywhere, but she does sort of know what that means! It means that Princess Reese needs shiny new army recruits! Military men! This Roxana can totally help with. She can give rousing speeches on the heroics of the men and women in the Grayson military, those who keep the Crownlands safe from the prettiest court ladies to the adorable little commoner kids, and everyone in between. She can appeal to the personal honor of those who seem like potential recruits, listening to them talk about their lives and then suggesting how much more meaningful they might be if they were devoted to protecting House Grayson and its people. She will talk to members of the peerage, to common folk in local gathering spots, and even pen well-written letters to send off to the corners of Grayson territory, hoping to catch as many eager young warriors in this net, or web, or invitation, as possible.

It's markedly successful. There's an extremely large surge of recruitment, greatly increasing the size of House Grayson's army, and their renown within House Grayson spreads. In addition, they do hear a bit more about the tenor inside the Crownlands. There's a great deal of concern about the Grayreeves- not that house itself, but the worry that it's just the start of a huge degree of pushback against the neo nobles and prodigals in the Compact, and many will turn to the great institutions like House Grayson for stability during trying times. ((Grayson army increased, vox up, individual prestige awards))

To introduce the newest Grayson Prince to their subjects, Princess Sabella and Prince Niklas will embark on a tour of the Crownlands taking with them family and friends that will help entertain the populace and make good impressions all around. This is not only to show people that Princess Sabella and Prince Niklas are amazing, but to introduce them to other family members (or in the case of Cassima should she join, future family members!) and remind those around Bastion that the Graysons truly do care about their people! There will be a parade, some charity work/donations, some free concerts, short one act plays, and maybe even a ball put on for commoners and nobility alike to attend! None Greater Than Grayson!

Is Niklas writing those one act plays? You bet your ass he is. Is Niklas occasionally singing with Gianna when she's okay with it? Uh, yeah. And, should Tikva decide to join them, is Niklas joining the Princess to banjo the living shit out of the good people of the Crownlands? Oh yes! But what Nik is really there for is gladhanding. He's there to let people know that as the new Prince of Grayson, and as the husband of Sabella, the People's Princess, he's there to be the People's Prince. As such he will be putting the majority of his effort into making friends with locals, especially the magistrates or mayors of the little towns and villages they visit along the way, as well as important commoners in Bastion itself. This isn't to say he's ignoring the Grayson family or their vassal lords at the steadfasts where they make their stops, but he wants to make certain the people know the story of Niklas and Sabella, the difficulties they faced and overcame in making their love match become a reality, and the happy ending that they're going to have. The two of them are the fairy tale so many commoners would like to believe the nobility live, and his job is to give each and every person he meets share in that magic.

Gianna is doing what she does best: singing. Singing and music, but she's always on about her best instrument being her voice, so really, she's just accompanying herself on the citole. May as well use that new instrument!

Delilah will gladly contribute to gathering stories, charming the populace, and listening to the various tales and concerns of the people. She's all about listening and showing a direct interest in the pulse of affairs in their home. After compiling all the information she can, she'll present a bound book of stories, legends, tales, and findings -- such as is appropriate, obviously any ribald love poetry or such gets a good scrubbing -- to the happy couple.

Roxana will be turning on the charm and accompanying Sabella on this diplomacy tour on behalf of her marriage and House Grayson. She'll subtly direct conversations towards the Princess' own virtues and good taste, as well as to the very successful history that Prince Niklas has as a playwright. Surely the Grayson vassals and common people can appreciate the arts, and how proud Grayson is to have such a famed talent now among their own. Roxana will use this opportunity to boost morale regarding House Grayson as a whole as well as the future of the Compact with Grayson at the helm.

Liara heard that someone might want a ball for Sabella and Niklas, and now there's going to be a ball, if she has anything to say about it. It will be hosted in Bastion, in the very biggest ballroom she can wrangle up. She's going to go ahead of the others to make sure it's all arranged to her liking. She plans on an extravagant affair, with abundant food and drink, music and dance, lots of floral decorations with pink peonies (their wedding flower, as she might explain to anyone asking) featuring strongly, and one big pelican-shaped cake.

Tabitha will naturally be talking up her wonderful patron, Princess Sabella, and the equally fabulous Prince Niklas, but she'll also provide her painting skills to add some artistry to their tour. Beautiful posters, invitations and cards will be made to advertise events as needed, and in addition she'll do whatever she can to provide decorations, props and other bits of loveliness to them. Yay! It'll be fun!

Princess Sabella and Prince Niklas are touring Grayson lands, and it seems Marquis Fairen was actually already planning a similar event, to have the Leary Family take the time to visit the citizens of Leaholdt together and show his people his care for them. While the tour goes on, Fairen makes it a point to visit with his people directly, speaking with the merchants and gentry of his Holdings to get a better, personalized understanding of the issues they face. Not to mention, he ensures to hold court, and resolve the issues he can in person, rather than through a messenger sent between Leaholdt and Arx. As for the Prince and Princess that are visiting, he welcomes them readily and hosts a dinner for them to honor not only their union, but the future Grayson Prince or Princess the pair of them have conceived. Additionally, for his own family, he encourages them to tag along, and expresses that they will get the opportunity to see the lovely Lady Valitina Leary II should they come along.

Using her incredibly commanding presence, okay not incredible but darn commanding darn it, Coraline will show her leadership capacity and help keep everything all organized and in military precision.

Kaldur will cut a fine and noble figure in the touring party, he and his fine, palomino warhorse Dumpling, a display of resplendent, martial gallantry. He'll turn on the charm, flash his dimples hither and yon, and polish his green griffins armor to a fare-the-well. The armor is a from none other than Princess Reese Grayson! Flying Seliki colors with the colors of the Great House to which he ultimately owes fealty. He'll also bring along Captain Hajo Xander and Cobalt, Commander of the Seliki Engineering Corps' cavalry to have the commander's face known.

Duke Bisland arranges a warm welcome for the new, happy couple when they visit Pridehall. Though he will not be there himself, being required in Arx, he does send word ahead to his family and Voice there, so that the strong relationship between Grayson and Bisland is put on display.

Prince Niklas and Princess Sabella, newly married and eager to settle in, make a tour of various Grayson lands. They start in Bastion with a parade, and performances by Gianna Whisper. Princess Roxana welcomes them too, showing family feeling and support and carrying the glad tidings of their arrival. Princess Liara throws them a party - she likes parties and it's clear she likes Sabella, and she does an excellent job of ensuring it goes off without a hitch.

They travel through Hawkhold with Lady Delilah singing their praises (metaphorically, she's not trying to compete with the Nightingale after all), and the people are clearly taken with the beautiful artwork Lady Tabitha makes for the goodwill tour. They travel through Leaholdt with Marquis Fairen, are welcomed in Pridehall by Duke Gabriel himself, and are made comfortable and at home by Lord Kaldur in the heart of Pearlspire.

Overall it's a joyous, occasionally raucous party made all the more safe with Princess Coraline providing some security for them, and keeping them all on schedule. At the end of the festivities, it's pretty clear that the new Prince Niklas has been welcomed into the fold, and that both he and Princess Sabella clearly believe there's None Greater Than Grayson.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Duchess General Calypso will be heading back home to Southport to be with her people during this time of turmoil. Having a very public and visible presence with her signature state of calm and grace in hopes that it will reassure those who would otherwise be unsure of her leadership. She will be appointing new leaders to fill the positions that were lost and bring stability back to the military. During this time she will also be having her two children, Cosette and Lukas Malvici, naming Cosette the heir and assuring the line of succession. Hopefully giving the people something to celebrate. She will also be enlisting the support of allied politicians to help spread the word of her competence, and allied economists to help sure up the stability of the Duchy and make best use of its resources while others hunt down the missing silver.

Anze is going to southport to be side by side with Calypso not only to be visible along with her but to be present for the birth of their children. Anze may not have calm and grace in the same way that Calypso does but he has worked to make himself a part of the Malvici and instead of relying on grace will instead try and use charm and good nature to calm the people of Southport. Anze will also pull no stops in giving honest opinions of his wife. How she is brilliant, capable, talented, and strong and the best leader Southport could possibly have in this time or in any other.

Harald will send several longships to accompany Calypso in her homecoming, to further illustrate that even traditional rivals support the Duchess against her enemies. One ship of veterans who fought with Harald and Calypso at the Battle of Giant's Fall will get a brief vacation in the Lyceum as winter looms near. Harald's message is that so long as Calypso and Malvici rule, all is well. Should they be overthrown... not so much.

Reese would like to support Calypso by talking about how great a leader she and trying to prompt her leadership in Southport

Edain has assigned 25 of his 100 sworn blades that are present in Arx, under the command of Captain Calevaro to escort to Archlector Bianca in her efforts to assist Lady Eirene in finding the missing Southport Soldiers.

On a more personal note, Edain will do his best to show his faith in Duchess Calypso publicly, and will send some new shipments of lumber to Southport for their ship building efforts to continue and keep up with their contracts. Edain will take this opportunity to distribute some pamphlets about the great achievements of Duchess Calypso as the MInister of Defense and the leader of Southport.

Alarissa's putting her silvered tongue to good use with regards to the Duchess Calypso. Never has she met a woman who even blindfolded, knows how precisely to complete a task effeciently and correctly and come out shining on the other end. Where Calypso's name comes up or even an opportunity to apropriately laud the woman, Alarissa is doing just that. Her support of the Duchess Calypso is without fault. Sure as the sun rises in the morning, Thrax and the Princess-Consort supports Calypso.

Calista Fidante is known for being an exemplary courtier prior to taking up the role as Duchess of Roses and as such there are few who can hold a candle to her charm and grace. When called upon by Duchess Calypso Malvici to offer assistance to Southport, Calista did not think twice. One time fierce enemies, the two cities are bonded by the bridge of marriage. The pending arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Tor's first child and heir is the perfect opportunity to help assuage the ill feelings the people of Southport are feeling these days. The pen is mightier than the sword and words offer a soothing balm to ease the disgruntled citizens. There are many friends and allies to Southport who are coming out in support of House Malvici and Duchess Calypso. Calista will make sure to reiterate this to the people of Southport and do all in her power to make sure they understand they are not alone and will not be left in the dark during troubled times.

Eleyna Velenosa, Archduchess of Lenosia and Grand Duchess of the Lyceum, lets stand no question as to her feelings regarding the competence of Duchess Calypso Malvici. But it's not in what the Archduchess does that speaks to her faith in her vassal, but what she does NOT do. Despite rumors of unrest and turmoil, she does not march Velenosa soldiers into Southport to secure the city. Despite the dire situation that seems to be unfolding, Eleyna doesn't seem particularly moved to 'sweep in and save the day'. It's not as if rebellion and political intrigue are particularly unusual in the Lyceum. Instead, when she is asked, the Grand Duchess simply explains that she trusts Calypso to set things right, which speaks more to her liege's confidence in her abilities than an incessant insistence on the fact.

The Newly made countess of Magotta has a vested interest in her new county and its ports. She will reach out to the serfs and providing morale where morale is short. Spreading propaganda of Calypso's great deeds and reassuring she has the best intentions for all that live within.

Princess Roxana Grayson was first and foremost a Malvici and is loyal to her siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews just as they are to her. She will attempt to assist the family while staying in Arx, letting Calypso handle what needs handling in Southport itself. Roxana will be writing letters to nobles she is in contact with back 'home' in Southport to reassure them that the Duchy is as safe and reliable as it ever has been under the rule of House Malvici, and praising the work of her sister Eirene and her niece Calypso in their dedication to addressing this turmoil. In addition she will be sharing those same opinions with her contacts in her house-by-marriage, House Grayson. Her status as a Grayson princess and a widowed one at that has elicted warmth and sympathy for years, and she will leverage this through gentle cajoling and occasional hints of manipulation. The focus will be having Calypso's competence praised on several fronts, enough so that any support among her contacts for a rebellion in Southport is quashed and redirected.

Donella doesn't just talk Calypso Malvici and her leadership up at home with Northerners who do business in the south. She makes overtures to captains on the Lycene coastal transport routes (esp. those interested in Redrain business), and puts a ship or two of bullish veterans who served as raiders and soldiers during the Silence crisis on shore leave in Southport. With extra coin to spend on resupply and repairs, of course. She makes sure that crews talk war stories on the way into port, encouraging effusiveness in their praise of the Duchess, and generosity during the process of social lubrication. Because nothing speaks louder, literally or figuratively, than a man (Thrax or otherwise) waxing poetic about the woman who successfully led them in battle. It just doesn't happen that often, unless there's something extraordinary to praise. The captains themselves can speak to the prosperity of Southport with an outsider's perspective. "The princess-consort of Farhaven will gladly take Calypso's leadership wherever it lands. Arx would not still stand if not for her able administration of our defense effort."

Karadoc will call in every favor he has to stimulate trade to and from Southport, get the silver flowing, even if, in some cases, this means trading IOUs for IOUs until the coffers can support the ebbs and flows of day-to-day exchange. He will lean hardest on markets that need Southport goods the most, and are thus most likely to accept brief hiccups. (He will, of course, try to keep the hiccups modest to low. Eradicate where possible!)

Marquis Mydas Nightgold aids by applying his knowledge of economics to Southport's aid. As such, he works with Karadoc to not only ensure trade flows, but pays particular attention to ensure proper book-keeping is kept of the finances, with as many copies as is required to ensure no information regarding the economy is lost. As such, his role is far more the one of an accountant, than to personally encourage further trade or making deals with various houses and groups.

Cicero will work with Karadoc and Mydas to bring trade and commerce to Southport to get that tax/customs money flowing. Silver Consortium gonna Consort

Dafne works on encouraging trade between Gemecitta and Southport, assuring Gemecittan merchants that such trade is both safe and profitable, and Southport is stable under the rule of Duchess Calypso. Among the goods flowing to Southport is a certain amount of Gemecittan granite, just in case any fortifications need repair.

Quenia will be speaking to her various nobles and merchants, and sending letters to Granato, letting her people know she has complete faith and confidence in House Malvici and Duchesss Calypso. She'll also remind them what an important trade hub Southport is, and that if trade fails there, that the effects of the disrupted economy may very well hit their own bottom line.

The King of the Compact aims to cut off support to rebellious factions in Southport by any party who wants to hedge against a possible change at the top (or get ahead by getting in on the ground floor of an potential transition) by making it known through various diplomatic channels that the Crown judges the situation in Southport to have very suspicious indications of an externally directed plot to personally discredit an effective Minister of War by foreign powers that would stand to gain a lot by the Compact -not- having an effective Minister of War. As such any aid at all to the rebellious factions is actively discouraged by the clear implication that anyone found doing so will draw attention to their own dealings in Arx and with the Crown for invasive scrutiny by the Inquisition for any other evidence of collaborating with enemies of the Compact. And the Inquisition has a reputation for being good at finding things, whether they were originally there or not.

Alis will be singing Calypso's prpaises as a General and a Leader every chance she gets, going so far as to give anecdotes and stories from each of the battles they have fought together. Strong, smart, capable, loyal. And she will encourage those cavalry that were given to Malvici as part of the marriage contract between Edain and Caelis to do the same.

Khanne is known for many things, for those who know her. She is not widely known as an economist though, despite her role in the NDC (she prefers to be thought of as an idea person on that front), so lets Darren and Mydas help support Calypso and Southport when it comes to their economy. She is not known as a soldier, so is more than happy to let those more capable help there. She is also not widely known for her negotiating skills or diplomacy so to speak... though she does have experience there. What she might be known for is her ability to connect to people, understand their concerns, and speak to them in ways that ease their minds. This is where she focuses her time in helping, knowing and working with Calypso for some time, as a fellow Crown Minister, she assures them that the Duchess General is more than capable in her position, and is not responsible for Southport's current issue. She agrees with King Alaric that it was an external force of some sort. She would emphasize the fact that all of the Houses of the Compact are behind her offering their support and assistance as needed to help Southport thrive again, through economics, trade, and whatever support is needed. She would talk to those in Arx, but would also travel to Southport to spread the word if it would be of further help.

As High Lord of Redrain, Darren will offer his public and private support to Calypso and the Malvici family as a whole. Darren is going to be sure anyone who will listen will hear about how much confidence he has in her leadership, and at a time when evils from outside the Compact threaten our shores, we must all stand behind the Minister of Defense. Patriotism and all that. Finally, to seal the deal, Darren is going to encourage the distillers on Farhaven to release a special, "Calypso's Reserve" whiskey brand, top shelf stuff with the slogan "Strong, but smooth - like the General herself." Because, you know, the Northlands!

And now Duchess Calypso Malvici arrives in Southport herself. She brings offerings from her friends, and she brings friends as well - a special limited edition whiskey from Redrain, a ship full of Redrain sailors speaking well of her. Grayson charm and Velenosan confidence, words of support from Fidante, praise from the Princess-Consort of Maelstrom and longships of Grimhall as an escort. Soldiers from Valardin and trade credit from Saik and the Silver Consortium alike - well and carefully accounted for. Trade with Gemecitta and personal friends too, as well as an endorsement from the King of the Compact himself!

All of this means that Calypso arrives with friends and allies and gifts aplenty, ready to set things right in Southport. Indeed, as she arrives she finds the path eased for her by Hadrian and Melinda. She finds work done by Eirene, Orazio, Bianca, Leola, and Sophie. She works to establish order. She works to make peace, to fill in the ranks that were decimated by soldiers not at their posts. In short, she steps off the ship and she goes to work.

Is it enough?