After attending several defense meetings, being involved in helping evacuate refugees during the razing of Artshall, and meeting with the Society of Explorers as a whole, Lou is taking the Explorers to help House Grayson scout the northwestern part of the Crownlands as indicated in the depicted map: https://imgur.com/a/CNeLZHg (the parts that are circled yellow and red -- also see @clue 4635).

The Explorers will start at northern most portion of the map outlined, which is closest to Frosthaven and Whitepeak and moving south toward the territory just at the base of the mountains above Cedar Vale. They will avoid going into Whitepeak at all; traveling up the mountain is an arduous task and also dangers may still lie there. They will check out the ruins at the base of the mountain where Forsthaven is located, then sweep through the remaining countryside. They are particularly interested in the area where the Arbres used to be homed (all in the red area circled on the map), since the whole tribe of shav'arvani vanished.

While they are almost certain that the Traitor was involved in clearing out the area, they are searching for any signs of survivors among the villagers and baronies that were known in those locations, additional information on how the potential abductions were carried out (all in the yellow circled area on the map), and any new dangers that might be presented in the area. It will be as meticulous a sweep as needs to be in order to bring further information back to Houses Redrain, Grayson, and Valardin.

In particular, they are also looking to see if any areas are being used as a staging grounds for a standing army or group that might do harm to the Crownlands holdings in general in hopes of getting that information back to Liara in order to mobilize the Grayson army if there should be need.

Mirk will be accompanying the Explorers in search of signs of the Traitor's involvement. Though he travels into the Crownlands, it's near to his usual stomping grounds: Cascade Springs, a Halfshav township he helped to found, isn't much further north, and he's had encounters with Shavs in the Grey Forest more than once. He's even traveled though those regions to visit Whitepeak before (Action 4273), though he doesn't speak of that incident.

He accompanies the others and where villages are found or tribes encountered, he gets to know people, never driving for information if he can help it, but always listening and learning their stories. He attempts to get to know the lands they travel in the same way, communing with the spirits where he can and listening to the signs around him, while he pays special attention to anything that distinguishes those places from others. It might present hints of what had happened, leads of where the expedition might go.

Because while these might not be his lands, the Metallic Traitor threatens all, and uncovering his schemes is the first step to stopping them.

Caspian is heading out with the Explorers! While not a fantastic scout in his own right, he knows his way around the hills and woodlands. He is handy in a pinch, can tell horrible jokes and fanciful stories by the fire side, and doesnt mind carrying an extra pack. honestly a great boon on any prolonged scouting trip! That he has done this before is an added bonus. The war on the isles is demanding of his time, but if the Traitor is not stopped, there isles won't matter. And if the Traitor wants something, its a good bet we DONT want him to get it.

Lisebet has been on a few exploration missions with the explorers, and is entirely willing to go along on this one. More, it's important to her to be helpful and useful in the fight against the traitor and his minions. She sees this overall as helping to protect the people of Ashford, and is determined to do all she can to help out.

She's a diplomat, obviously, and so will be there to try to smooth over waters where needed. She'll go along with the group, looking to try to gently get information where she can, if there's any to be found. She's investing resources in order to bring items that are small but valuable, that might be useful in any trading/treaty discussions or to ransom anyone who gets kidnapped. (I was thinking 2000 Economic resources - though am open to any suggestions.)

This diplomacy is the nominal reason she's with the group, and may turn out to be the most important, but she is also an occultist, with a fairly extensive knowledge with regards to things occult, not that she talks about that very often. She'll be looking for anything obvious or obscurely occult, if she can identify it, and if there's a chance it might help, she'll be willing to try mage sense to see if she can learn more - this has helped her at least once (PRP: Tale of the Mercier Massacre) providing some additional information that helped to solidify the picture and understand what was happening. Given that they are searching for information that may relate to a powerful mage, this is possibly a risky but important part of trying to figure out what is going on and how to stop it.

Icelyn is joining the Explorers as a scout. As former Knight of Solace likely she has travelled the roads of the Crownlands before, even if she is not necessarily familiar with some of the settlements they intend to visit. So she'll scout forward where needed and report back to the main group to help keep their people safe.

Lucita has been a member of the SoE for years and is an experienced explorer. She was present at the initial attack on Bastion and at Artshall and is very aware of the threat against the compact. While not the best of scouts, she has traveled through the territory several times on the way to Whitepeak, a matter of which she can not speak (action 4021), to Aviarion's Peak and Bonespire with Quenia (action 4451). She also traveled to Everwinter near Clearlake Hold and Lastlight Hold while attending the wedding of Rowenova and Tarik (event 6542). Bards are generally welcome anywhere. She seeks to ease suspicion of any who are encountered and hopes some of the villages through which she has passed peaceably may remember her kindly enough to share gossip and information.

As the Explorers make their way through the Crownlands, looking for any clues as to what Helena Thornweave might be after or where she might attack next, they pass empty village after empty village. Their mission was grim to begin with, but each abandoned village makes the mood of the party more tense, particularly for Lou who seems to retreat within herself the further they get into the forest without discovering another single living soul.

There isn't even much to hunt for food, forcing them to rely on their rations and whatever they can scavenge in these abandoned villages. Caspian brings back a brace of rabbits for stew one afternoon only to find them all full of maggots when cut open. The forest is quiet for the most part lacking even animal sounds. As Icelyn and Caspian scout ahead, they finally find a village with signs of life? almost.

The carnage is recent with fresh blood making mud of the village green. In the center of it, a twisted amalgamation of red thorny vines rises nearly twenty feet into the air. At the center is a dark haired woman. She has been pierced through with smaller vines and thorns, barely clinging to life. When Lou sees her, the princess immediately backs away to vomit into the nearby grass. The woman looks at Mirk and manages a smile, her teeth limned in blood.

"Take my brooch back to Arx. To? Aindre Grayheart. He will know why. The witch is heading east from here. You.. don't want to catch her." The woman coughs, more blood staining her lips. "She made a monster here, in the green. Made me watch. I set it on fire so she chose to kill me slow."

The woman heaves a few breaths and manages to gasp out, "She doesn't like fire. Tell Aindre that, too. Tell him I'm sorry. Tell him to take care of my brother?" She slumps forward with a sigh of relief and goes still. Before the others can hack apart the vines to put the woman to rest, Caspian spots a copper brooch in the dirt and picks it up, turning it over in his hand with a frown on his face, before handing it off to Mirk as Lou is shaking too hard to take it in her hand.

Lisebet stares at the vines as the others try to remove the woman's body from the cluster. Suddenly, she cries out and drops to her knees, head in her hands as she whispers, "Oh gods, no." Over and over again until she faints.

The Explorers put the woman to rest solemnly, during which Lucita sings a sweet and sad song of mourning for her, and move to head back to Arx as it becomes quite clear that Lou isn't capable of continuing the journey in her current state, Lisebet probably needs to see a Mercy, and they have a message to pass along, it seems.

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.

At the request of Marquis Rymarr, Reese is going to attempt to speak with House Rutherford vassal of house Greyreeve and attempt to get this house to either shift their loyalty to the House Deepwood or withdraw their participation from the conflict. The goal is that such will help encourage House Greyreeve to work with house Deepwood well and help things on their end. Reese will use no violence in her attempt unless it is in direct self defense of herself and those with her. She is attempting to use charm and diplomacy. She is attempting to convince them that not participating in the conflict is in their best interest. She is hoping to bring along some with her who are charming and diplomatic to help with this process. She is being careful not to amp up the conflict, get into any fights or undermine the efforts o those working with House Greyreeve. She will report any results quickly to Marquis to Rymarr. She is being careful not to take over the situation as a Grayson, but rather to help as an ally to House Deepwood.

Lisebet has been asked to bring her diplomatic skills to this endeavour, to try to help with the talking, convincing and persuasion. She's definitely not there to fight, but is more than willing to try to help resolve things peacefully. She's asked for information on House Rutherford in order to get to know them and what they might need/want, to try to come to a peaceful conclusion with them withrawing their participation from the conflict, in aid of the end goal -- to encourage House Greyreeve to work with their liege productively. She is not there to take things over, any more than Reese is, but is there as a diplomat to try to ease the conflict if she can.

Lady Kaia Bisland is part of the low-key ambassadorial party traveling, with Princess Reese Grayson, to House Ratherford’s lands per Marquis Rymarr’s request with the purpose of "charming" (discreetly commanding) and "persuading" (subtly leading) the members of the barony to shift their loyalty towards House Deepwood; or, at the very least, convince them to desist from supporting House Grayreeve on their open rebellion.

Innate charm, silver tongue and honeyed words come together to form a suave masterpiece of tactful mediation. The lovely little Bisland begins with some customary pleasantries, all the while making a subtle but quite perceptive assessment of House Ratherford's needs, before delving deep into highlighting some of the perks and benefits that could prove to be more advantageous to them, the oh-so-great and wise Ratherford’s, in the long run - ONLY IF they were to choose to shift their loyalty to House Deepwood, OR, at the very least, simply cooperate through the withdrawal of both martial and provision support to said rebellion.

Ratherford really was just looking for an excuse to stay out of it, since there's little political benefit to them supporting Grayreeve in his confrontation, so they are all too happy to use any reason to stay out of it. Which doesn't mean they aren't looking for the most benefit out of this that they can. Ultimately they are willing to back down from supporting Augustus, and support his much less warlike and difficult son Thomas, in exchange for a few mills in areas contested with other groups.

Petal would like to lead prayers at the lodge to Petrichor in the hope that such will help to either stop, heal or reduce the withering. She is doing such as the voice of the lodge, but realizes some others are more closely connected with the gods than her and she very much welcomes their guidance. She is gathering up as many faithful people as she can and planning on to prayer very passionately at the lodge in different locations, including the lodge of rebrith, the flower gardens, the orchard and the main grounds. She plans to keep prayering regular like and to encourage others to do so. She plans to keep working on the plants in honor of Petrichor as well.

Olivia seems to have some pull when she prays at the Lodge, so she is going to help Petal with her prays as well.

Sina has heard about Petal's call for prayers to Petrichor. She may be Archscholar, but she is also Godsworn. Her faith in the Gods is unwavering, and her love for Petrichor is no less than for the other gods. And so, she has answered Petal's call to prayer at the Lodge of Petrichor. The Archscholar will make her way out to the Lodge whenever she has the free time to do so, and she will find quiet places near the withering to pray and meditate there. She will also offer to teach Petal how to pray, in accordance with the ways of the Faith, though she will be respectful of the spirits and primal entities as well. She will pray not only to Petrichor, but to Mangata and Lagoma as well - the three gods being of the triad of Creation, which she will teach Petal about. The Archscholar will also not neglect to pray to Vellichor for wisdom and guidance, seeking wisdom as to what must be done here.

She will pour the love from her heart into the plants of the Lodge, and seek to commune with the Gods, recalling in her mind the peace in the sacred grove on the Isle of Storms, and willing it to settle here. She will pray for Mangata's blessing, that her cleansing waters might wash away the blight upon the land. She will pray to Lagoma, for her healing. She will help to offer the work of her own two hands to care for the Lodge and the Land while she is there as well, planting flowers in the springtime when appropriate, at Petal's careful direction. She will treat the Lodge with all due reverence, and seek to help find the cause of the withering and bless the land in Petrichor's name as one of the Godsworn. She knows that the Abyss has no business here, and if this withering is due to an Abyssal blight, she will seek, in prayer, to cleanse it. Her heart is filled with hope, that the Lodge may endure, that the withering come to an end. She will open herself fully to the divine will of the gods, thinking nothing for her own desire or self, but only for protection of the Lodge.

Acantha is going to be making time to go and pray at the Lodge at least once a day. Benny will be accompanying her as well. They will leave little offerings as well for the spirits that might be around, but mainly praying to Petrichor and for the recovery.

While widely known to be more shaman than Faithful, Willow jumps at the opportunity to join those in prayer for the Lodge. Her love of nature and deep faith in Petrichor mingling with her obsession with druidic restoration meet and she not only brings prayers but also some offerings. Acorns carved with prayers and stained with various juices, feathers and bits of carved treebark to plant along with seeds.

Kaya is asked by Petal to help at the lodge after having help discover what was going on while coming to help with the Harvest. Kaya agrees and offers what she knows of the ritual of cleansing and her natural luck and skills she can to help see if they can heal what is going on

Cillian will go for a few reasons one to help pray to the spirits and to Petrichor to help them find a way to either stop, heal or reduce the withering. He will also go as guard just incase something may happen why they are there in prayer, it would not be the first time the lodge has been attacked. So he goes as a prayer and a protector.

Lisebet has recently taken a bit more to prayer, and she's more than willing to help Petal out, if she can. However, she's really hoping that she might learn something that will help out, through the benevolence of the gods, and Petrichor in particular. It's perhaps a bit odd, all things considered, but Lisebet is willing to add her voice to the others, in hopes that answers might be found, and action plans might be put in place.

Ysabel is asked to help Petal with the Lodge and she offers to research into what can be done and dig up anything she can find about what is happening and ways to take care of it. Ysabel is known for her dedication to research and has already been making stride among the other Scholars.

When Kael learns about the work that Petal is doing, he volunteers to join the prayers. Kael, due to personal reasons as well as being an Oathlander, has always been exceptionally devout. Though he is afflicted with fatigue, he pushes substantially in his prayer. This is not just the prayers that Petal leads (which he participates in earnestly), but also with work around the lodge. He follows Petal's lead as Voice of the Lodge and assists with her planting, but if he has permission he additionally seeks to tend to the land. He'll advise those that are less comfortable with the wilderness of various elements, utilizing his skills for this. Beyond all however, he is genuinely sincere, praying for a healing of the land. Should there be any danger, Kael will step in to defend those gathered.

The Lodge is withered, and Petal wants so very much to heal it. And so she gathers her friends and they set up as many people to pray as she can. Not just once, but over and over again. She prays while she weeds. She prays while she gardens. She prays while she spreads good fertilizer, hoping beyond hope that this will help. But Spring turns to Summer, and the withering continues.

Olivia joins her in her prayers, as does the Archscholar Sina. Devout women both, tied to the land, loving the earth and the green growing things and Petrichor. Sina adds in prayers to Mangata and to Lagoma for water, for rain, for a change to the withering, to Vellichor for wisdom to know what to do. She pours her love into the planting, into the caretaking, her heart full of hope. And Summer turns to Fall, and the withering continues.

More and more people join. Acantha and Benny go to the Lodge daily and pray, steadfast in their devotions. Willow with her deep love of nature joins the prayers, and she mingles offerings with her prayers and the plantings - acorns carved with prayers, stained with juice. Feathers and bits of carved treebark. Fall turns to Winter, and with it the frigid cold and the hope that when the thaw finally comes, so will the end to the withering.

Kaya offers what she knows of cleansing and healing, trying to help in the winter months, while Cillian and Lisebet and Ysabel search for knowledge. They're trying to find what else they can do to aid in the withering, other than just be faithful, and patient, and endlessly prayerful. Winter turns to Spring, but the plants do not return.

And Kael joins the Prayers too. Afflicted with fatigue, still he comes, day by day. To pray. To work. As a disappointing Spring comes, as it seems their prayers are not answered. That their work is not successful. Until one day - one day at last Sina arrives to pray and to work and sees... a single sprout, not withered, but green. Not a healthy green, but not brown either. One sprout, and hope springs again in their hearts.

Slowly, bit by bit, moment by moment, they do the hardest thing they have ever done. In the face of a Lodge that is not green, and not restored, still they work, and they strive, and they pray. And slowly, bit by bit, the Lodge starts to revive. Sprouts here and there. Sparse, but green. These they nurture and pray over. They rejoice. They pray more. They fertilize and weed and care for these little seeds with all the love and hope in their hearts.

And as Summer arrives it is clear - the withering is over, but the Lodge will still take work to return to its former glory. But this determined group, willing to keep working at it, bit by bit, for well over a year - they can do it. If they only hold to hope and keep the faith.

Great Road Patrol/Reese is going lead a patrol of the Great Road in the Crownlands in the name of Grayson and Solace. Her goal is to keep the road for travelers, merchants and civilians safe. She wants to help keep the road in Bastian as a safe place to travel and she wants to contribute toward the road being used to help increased trade in the Crownlands. She is bringing along about half of the Grayson army. She is going to try avoid battles if possible. She will be focusing on chasing off thieves, those stealing and attacking from the road. She will not attack anyone who is not hostile to their patrol, clearly tainted by the abyss unless they are someone attacking others who will not cease such. She will retreat from overwhelming odds. She will try diplomatic means before going into combat if possible. She really wants to bring back the army in one piece. They are staying on or close to the road. They are going to follow the normal paths that Solace would take. She is not going to venture into the lands of Grayson Vassals because she respects agency. So while she patrols the pathways, she won't go chasing down bad guys in Riven lands for example. She hopes to make a positive show of force that will help those in the Bastian. She hopes to a patrol that reflects well on both Grayson and Solace. She will throw in the weight of her name as the Knight of Ribbons and the Grayson General to help in the image of the patrol. Since many important members of her family supported the road, she also hopes to give the road a better image as well.

Reese has invited Rey to be the head Mercy that moves on the road with this large group. She will be there to offer healing to the warriors as well as any on the road that has need. During this time she will be looking and marking sites for warstations to be placed along the road itself.

Rymarr will be present to aid in the patrols of the Great Road alongside House Grayson's efforts. He will be present to offer himself in the physical sense, but to also act as counsel when sought by the General of House Grayson.

Lisebet has been asked to come along, bringing her diplomatic skills. She's there to try that diplomatic approach in an attempt to settle things peacefully wherever possible. To that end, she'll be studying up on the lands they're going on, and making sure she's got a good idea of who she might be speaking to and with, so that when they are there, she will be at her best. Although she's not a Whisper, she's a fairly good diplomat, and used to helping out in such ways.

As a former Crownsworn and with a fierce loyalty to the crown and the vassal houses under the Graysons, if Princess Reese asks Jyri to help, he will come. So, using his expertise as a soldier, he will join this effort. He has a vested personal interest in the safety of the road as well, and it fits perfectly with his wish to see that refugees can travel safely to safe areas. The safer this part of the road is, the better for them. He will keep to what Reese orders, but offer his expertise at living in the wilds, work as a scout in the nearby forests to look for trouble, and he can also talk Crownlands Shav'arvani should they face any Shav'arvani of that kind - not that he's much of a diplomat, but he can translate if needed. And of course, if it becomes violent, he knows how to use that spear.

As per the modus operandi of Princess Reese, Lord Bedivere rides forth with Hawkhold's Soldiers and some promising Solace recruits mixed in ((from @action 3080)) at a 10:1 ratio. He will help patrol that Great Road which he and his men helped build. Whenever come close to Whitehawk lands, they temporarily detour to check those then join back up with the Grayson patrol.

Olivia is comming along to help keep the group healthy. She is not a fighter and won't be able to contribute in any martial way, but hopefully her knowledge of Medicines, Herbs, Alchemy, will help keep everyone in top top shape! Ideally though the group stays safe and healthy enough to not need her skills.

A show of force is enormously helpful. The Crownlands were spared much of the worst of the problems facing the rest of Arvum as a result of the Great Road, due to Alaric forbidding construction in areas that would have cut through largely Shav'arvani controlled lands. Being spared the worst doesn't mean 'no', however, as more than one Abandoned group took advantage of the distraction of the chaos of the Great Road to prey on travelers, and brigand attacks are at a high not seen in decades. Reese patrol largely puts an end to that.

Some of the groups can be talked down, of course, particularly with force behind them. Lisebet is able to resolve one inane border conflict between House Twinstone and House Ratherford, two of the baronies sworn to Grayreeve that had quarreled since Augustus' declaration. Jyri is able to convince the Gray Forest Reavers to stay well clear of this, after some had ventured from closer to Nox lands. Rey and Olivia help aid many of the wounded on the road, which turns out to be more than might be expected- there was at least four significant skirmishes between Whitehawk soldiers under Bedivere's command and brigand groups, ending with the latter's apprehension.

Reese and Rymarr lead the main Grayson forces, and there is one major engagement against a several-hundred strong force of Clan Wildrage, who seemed to be preparing a major raid against villages near Old Oak lands. Suspiciously, Clan Wildrage is closer to Grayreeve lands than it is to Old Oak, making it exceedingly odd that they would have been able to travel that far unchallenged, but unfortunately the handful of ones that surrendered were clan spearcarriers that only knew that they were told by their leaders that Old Oak lands were vulnerable and ripe for raids.

At any rate, as a result of the patrols, the Crownlands are significantly safer for it, and word spreads of their success.

Sorrel has written seven songs that she wishes to spread far and wide to educate the public about the Metallics and remind them of their heroes from long ago. To this end, she's employing an army of bards to get the music out about Iron, Steel, Gold, Brass, Copper, Cobalt, and Silver. She's also trying to provide some historical context for her songs to those that are interested. Some songs are catchy, some are a little sad, some are a bit romantic, but they're all slightly different and designed to be memorable.

Please note that the text of the songs are contained in @theories 369-275, with a bonus track in 376 that will not be spread far and wide (even if Tyrval found it hilarious). There will be a relative slow roll-out of songs, to give people time to start singing them and learning about them, and the events for them are going to increase in magnitude as they go. The coordinating calendar listings are 2455 (Iron and Steel), 2579 (Brass and Gold), 2523 (Cobalt), 2524 (Copper), and 2525 (Silver). Songs will be hosted either in the Hall of Heroes or the Bard's College or another appropriate place for a musical party. Silver's song shall be hosted in the palace, per the king, as the grand finale.

Galen's going to be bankrolling the main tracks of this little would-be Metallic Opera with a substantial amount of resources.

Lisebet is going to help organize parties and she will use her social acumen and singing skill (which may not be bard quality, but it's not bad!) to help spread the songs. Hearing them over and over will definitely work in favour of this initiative.

Tikva will absolutely help Sorrel with this, and she'll do so by adding her songs to her performance repertoire and using them to entertain and educate at every available opportunity! Why not? Sorrel's lyrics are all better than hers anyway!

What's that about an army of bards? Gianna has one of those! Or at least the closest thing to. The College bards will be taught the songs, and Gianna will sing them herself as well, using her reputation, prestige, and social resources to help. If any College types are on their way through Arx going elsewhere, they'll be encouraged to spread those songs. Even other non-member bardic types will be encouraged. This is one of the reasons the College was founded, after all.

Y'know what would be a real boost to a show like this? Having one of the most prestigious people in the ding dang city jumping on board to tell people how very excited he is about it! Oh, wait a second! Niklas is one of the most prestigious people in the city! And he's willing to use that. I mean, when you're It then everyone wants to do the stuff you want to do, right? Might as well put that to good use.

Clover is not a singer, no. What she is, however? Is a very smart propagandist. And so that is what she is going to do. She is going to spread these songs far and wide. She is going to get everyone talking about them. She is going to mention to them to everyone she knows. She is going to get her people talking about them. And she's going to start creating little pamphlets with the verses of the songs, and spread those about the city as well!

Sparte is no singer, but he can tell a half decent story. Converting songs to taletelling, he'll try to inspire emotion not with the power of music but that of the listener's own imagination.

Sir Corban is not a bard. But he does sing. How is that? Well, on their morning "jog" around the Ward of the Crown, the King's Own must carry a cadence. And as First Captain, Corban often gets to call the tune. He will in particular promote the song of Silver, the founder of the King's Own. And as the King's Own's drills are often a matter of public spectacle, the songs will spread in that way.

Have you heard about Princess Sorrel and the Metallics opera she wrote? You haven't? Well, Sabella will tell everyone she meets ALL about it, enthusing at what amazing prose Princess Sorrel has come up with and also the music! She composed it all herself! And it tells such an important story. Oh, you have heard about it? Well, let's enthuse about it to everyone around us! She will be talking this up to EVERYONE, pointing out how important it is that these things be taught in many forms, especially ones with catchy tunes attached!

Sanya will use her charm and musical ability to help educate the public on music about metallics. She's hoping she can show her musical range through this job.

Eddard is a bard and is quite capable of putting voice to song. Comfortable clothes and no silks adorn him when he ventures down into the lower buroughs. People /probably/ know him, but nobody should raise their nose at him singing on street corners to anyone who will listen.

Giulio will help with those seeking to learn more of the songs, working to teach of their meanings and provide insights and details regarding those spoken of as necessary. Moreover, he will work to make certain that something akin to 'hymnals' on the subject are available for such.

Orelia is a much better singer than she is teacher or propaganda artist, so she'll take the songs out and go sing them for the public. Most of that will probably be in taverns, bars and pubs as well as other possibly less than savory places, but it may help the songs reach a new audience. She'll sing other places as well of course, more public places.

Sapphira is a bard, and loves to sing songs everywhere she goes. She will sing them to her family, to random strangers, or to the birds. The tunes will be shared and with her angelic voice as she explores the city.

Throughout the history of humanity, many have sacrificed everything for the Compact. Those heroes who stood alone against unbeatable odds. Those who stood in that moment when darkness would consume the world. Those who refused to give in, whose actions were more than could be expected of a mere mortal - who stood and fell as a guardian not just of a city or a fealty, but of ideals great enough to encompass all - those are enshrined in the Hall of Heroes. Many who travel to Arx only once in their lives spend at least a day touring the Hall, reading the stories. Looking at history.

And over time, these stories became allegories. Became morals. Became legends used to guide the next generation, and the generation after, and the generation after that. That is what enshrinement in the Hall of Heroes meant. But memories fade over time, and these legends were faded too - the statues worn in places with touches over the stone, the words carved into the pedestals not always legible. The thoughts more of the morals therein, the examples - and less on the people who sacrificed their lives in these ways.

But Princess Sorrel Thrax has changed that. With a series of concerts, researched well in Vellichor's Archives. With the blessing of the King, with support from Whispers and Bards, from people across the Compact, she has written songs about the Metallic Order. Of Iron and Steel, Gold and Brass, of Cobalt and Copper and Silver she sings. They're catchy songs all - some sad, some joyous, some heartrending. She sings them - and they spread so swiftly through the Compact.

Princess Tikva, Gianna Whisper - the Nightingale of the Bard's College herself - Lord Eddard, Lady Sanya, Lady Orelia, Lady Sapphira - all of them aid, either as fellow singers in her concert, or by singing the songs themselves, or both. Officer Sparte is no singer, but he tells the stories too, reciting them to inspire as he can. Sir Corban is no singer either, but he teaches the songs to the Hundred as a cadence - and now on the morning "jogs" of the Silver Swords, they're drilling while using the cadence of the Metallic Cycle - especially the song of Silver. They teach the songs, the stories to others. They encourage the songs to spread. And spread they do.

'Have you heard the Metallic Cycle yet?' It's a common question among the socialites too. Count Giulio, Princess Sabella, Prince Niklas, Lady Lisebet, Duchess Clover, and many other famed and famous people are encouraging everyone to learn, to hear, to sing. It's on everyone's lips - and Princess Sorrel is becoming the Singer of Heroes, even as everyone reminds themselves of the promise: "As Arx endures, we will remember."

Some folks are not fighters, but that doesn't mean they can't help. Lady Lisebet and Princess Zara are working together to get supplies. They are collecting silver, resources, supplies, and making sure that it gets to where it needs go go. Supplies include cots, food, water, rope, blankets, weapons, arrows, and other things that might be needed, with the understanding that someone else has the medical supplies in hand. They are also coordinating with the military types to make sure the supplies get to where it makes most sense for them to be.

Zara will set about speaking with other members of family and within the city who might have time on there hands and want to feel part of things. She will get others to roll bandages, to help pack up boxes, to do everything to get the items they are preparing ready and enough of them in time.

Princess Isabeau Valardin is no steward, but she does have access to a Great House's purse and she know how to make every copper count. She'll assist Lady Lisebet by offering her bookkeeping skills and generally helping to ensure that every piece of silver that is donated is spent as wisely as possible.

Aahana is aiding Lady Lisebet and Princess Zara with gathering supplies together for the Lodge of Petrichor. Using her charms and ways of moving the masses, as well as some of her own writs, she is trying to gather as much supplies as possible. It is better to be over prepared than under after all!

On behalf of her house, Lady Ouida is using her personal contacts and access to gather funds for military supplies and to aid in helping to place them.

Lady Lisebet Farshaw rounds up more mundane supplies with the help of Princess Zara, Princess Isabeau, Lady Aahana and Lady Ouida. They collect resources, supplies, cots, food, water, weapons, armor, arrows - anything that might help in the defense of the Lodge, as the Compact expands its holdings further into the Gray Forest and prepares to defend what it has taken. They coordinate with military folks to make sure everything is placed in the most advantageous positions.

Lisebet goes back to Westrock Reach for a visit, telling all the nobles there - counts and countesses, marquis's and marquessas, barons and baronesses, about Bold Espressions, about all that is going on in Arx, about the trade deals that their Duke and duchess are negotiating, intending to raise morale and goodwill amongst everyone in Westrock Reach.

Lady Lisebet Farshaw has recently been seen in Westrock Reach. She's telling all who will listen about how many trade deals the Duke is making, how we'll the Farshaws are doing in Arx - and she is just bubbling over with good news about Bold Espressions. Not because of the money made, mind - but because it has become a social center in Arx, a place for people to gather and to talk. The people of Farshaw are glad to receive her, and happy to see that their ruling family is working so hard to build up their Duchy.

The grand opening of Bold Espressions, the latest social experiment and development of the collective efforts of House Farshaw and it allies. A coffee salon to serve the different coffee varieties of the Compact as well as sweet and savory delicacies which complement coffee selections. The business would also feature works of art for sale, and a selection of books for patrons to read at their pleasure and return when they finish. A place for social gathering and discourse which is an alternative to other businesses in Arx.

Dame Ida Ferron has a particular love of coffee and as such, is well on board with a proposed venue that offers something akin to the famed Tea House. But coffee. She will donate silver as well as resources toward the endeavor.

Lisebet is definitely helping her family set up the new coffee shop, assisting in finding location, name and now helping to host the Grand Opening Event. She's talking about it, working with her family and friends to help create a buzz about it, and lending whatever social clout she can muster to the project.

The Grand Opening of the new coffee shop in town, Bold Espressions, is a popular place to go. Coffee afficionados seem to make it their first stop in the morning, or sometimes their last stop at night, and occasionally a place to go and meet someone for a tasty beverage and engaging conversation. The opening is a success and the talk of the town for a while, and even more than that a financial success from the get-go. Though most businesses close in their first two years, here's to hoping this coffee shop beats the odds.

While Princess Coraline Thrax begins her humanitarian efforts in the east as planned, Princess Katarina Valardin turns her attention westward toward the heart of the Oathlands as the base for her own philanthropic operation. She wants to use her position as Valardin Minister of the Hearth to create new learning centers within Sanctum and other major settlements across the Oathlands.

While Dayne's Academy serves as an institution dedicated to taking Knight Aspirants and turning them into shining examples of chivalry, honor, and martial prowess in which the Oathlands prides itself upon, these schools will cater to those who choose pursuits beyond that of knighthood and military service.

Curriculum choices will be extensive. From applied sciences to linguistics and diplomacy, the courses of study made available will cater to a broad range of interests.

In order to raise awareness of her efforts and generate backers from the ranks of the nobility of the Oathlands, Katarina recruits the aid of her like-minded peers to donate their time and resources in a variety of ways suited to them. Be it taking on a young protege to teach them in a chosen craft, hosting forum-style discussions on the possibilities of their futures, or allowing them along in expeditions to inspire in them a thirst for knowledge and adventure, Katarina is supporting it all in a safe and productive environment.

Warfare is one thing that Marquis Rymarr Deepwood knows. A son of the Oathlands, hailing from Tristfell March and Lyon's Redoubt within it, there he served in a number of campaigns against hostile shav'arvani groups and tribes. Then he went away from the Oathlands to pursue other dreams and learned even more. At one point from Duke Gabriel Bisland himself. Now the time has come to pass that knowledge along to others, because while the heaviest of fighting has arrived at a lull - it's not over. Where many have stepped right back into their usual peaceful routines, Marquis Rymarr Deepwood is a Lyonesse at heart and knows eventually, sooner than later, it will all go south.

Marquis Rymarr fully intends to write up a series of rules of warfare to be expanded upon and presented to those seeking out information on the subject of military strategy and maneuvers. Be where your enemy least expects it, don't try to face down a cavalry charge on open terrain, and the rest. Fairly standard explanations and basic levels of instruction, but for some that is the first step to a larger world.

While Alaric can't go to Sanctum personally, he does have a number of Crown operatives at his disposal which he will direct mostly to make sure that no toes get stepped on with respect to the Faith's existing programs for general education and trade learning and that the collective effort is as collaborative as possible without individual groups getting territorial and defensive about matters.

Simone will reach out to the people of both House Greenmarch and House Telmar to try to spread the word of the schools that Princess Katarina is working to establish. She will assist with gathering names and topics for subjects that people may be interested in learning more about. She will also use her charm to convince some of their people to assist with the project as teachers. Though her own skills in teaching are very minimal, she will offer those if needed as well. Her experience in handling diplomatic situations is fairly well known. In addition, she relishes the idea of discussions and explorations alongside other students both into the Faith and into shamanism.

Marius throws his support behind Princess Katarina's initative wholeheartedly. The Marquis of Greenmarch has extensive experience in diplomacy and negotiation, ranging all the way from dealing with Shav tribes, to help negotiating entry into the Compact itself, to the various treaties he has been involved in since. He helps in shaping the curriculum for that subject, offering aid in teaching the teachers of diplomacy, and makes himself available to the students to answer questions periodically.

Additionally, Marius orders room cleared and assistance rendered to build one of the centers on Greenmarch lands for the benefit of his people and the Oathlands in general.

Alis will be lending her voice and leadership skills to Katarina's efforts. Being a leader is not just limited to leading troops, and she will be more then happy to teach some of the finer points of that particular type of expertise at whichever of the learning centers she is needed. In addition, she will spread word far and wide about the new endeavor.

Lisebet is from the far west, and yes, she has every intention of spreading this initiative, one day. This is not that day. So for now, she is throwing her assistance in with this more central work, able to add some resources to Princess Katarina's plan, and to talk to her friends, family and acquaintances about the goodness that this improved education will bring to all. She's not a very good teacher so doesn't imagine she'd be called on to teach, but will do her small bit to help out.

In the Oathlands, Princess Katarina Valardin has been working tirelessly to establish a series of schools and learning centers dedicated to teaching an extensive cirriculum for those who eschew military service and knighthood in pursuit of more scholarly and political pursuits. With respectable members of the Peerage who have demonstrated notable diplomatic and leadership achievements stepping into roles of mentorship and teaching such as Princess Alis Valardin, Marquis Rymarr Deepwood, Marquis Marius and Marquessa Simone Greenmarch, and Lady Lisebet Farshaw, the schools are of immediate interest for many wishing to learn new diplomatic and non-combative vocations from some of the most honorable in Arvum. ((Vox updated))

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.

Prince Artur Redrain begins organizing the creation of a massive memorial quilt, giving people from across the compact both great and small the chance to honor their friends and loved ones who fought at Setarco, Darkwater Watch and Stormwall.

Anyone who wishes to may create a small piece of quilted artwork, commemorating the life of somebody who fought, and submit it with a small donation of 100 silver pieces. The squares will then be stitched together into an enormous quilt, which will be a permanent memorial of those who fought.

It can be displayed at a prominent location, or each of the great houses can volunteer to hos it in their ward or in one of their holdings around the compact, giving people everywhere a chance to see it.

Artur begins organizing volunteers to coordinate the efforts centrally and spread the word about his project, so that (hopefully) people will be aware of the project and peoples donations and submissions can be dealt with efficiently.

Wylla isn't a seamstress, but she is the Archlector of Jayus. She will bless what artwork is there, as well as donating money from the Shrine to cover whoever doesn't have the money to help.

Valery will ask the children from her gardening school to make some squares for the quilt if they wish. Since drawing is an option, most of them want to join in! There are a few crude drawings of ships, a house, a flower, and a shark. There is even a very very simple embroidering of a fish and another of what seems a city.

Lisebet has procured a piece of silk cloth, featuring a white sail on a bright blue sea. She has taken care to have "Armand Farshaw" embroidered neatly on it. This piece of cloth is meant to be included in the quilt being made.

As she aided in the evacuation of Stormwall, Gwenna was told many stories of soldiers left behind to fight, many of whom never made it to Farhaven to rejoin their families. Having spent her younger years alongside her mother knitting, crocheting and such, she has a small bit of experience with quilts. She embroiders a square meant to depict warriors standing on the edge of the sea, chins held high as the surf crashes before them. Pride of not just the Northlands, but hues that portray each of the groups who came to aid cities across the realm; Templars, Shamans, healers, soldiers...all standing together.

After setting up his new shop, Kaine has a workspace he can actually use, which is a massive improvement from sitting on the ground and sewing something on his lap. So he softens some wool and shapes it into a fine, quilt-worthy square, and dyes it a rich teal. He then embroiders the fabric, depicting an armor-clad knight walking side-by-side with a child, linked hand-in-hand - or gauntleted hand and tiny hand. Embroidered lettering curves around the imagery at the top and bottom, reading "They Fought" at the top and "For The Future" at the bottom.

Kaldur and House Seliki will contribute wooden framing to hang the quilt on. A yard salvaged from his operation at Setarco if possible, but otherwise, a fresh hewn yard to hang the quilt from.

Marquessa Quenia Igniseri has found a large pillow within her household with a stylized phoenix. She has her seemstress carefully pick away the seams of the pillow so that the cover can be reused in the quilt. She then has the seamstress very carefully make a square to be used in the larger project to honor House Igniseri's representation at war in Setarco. At the bottom of the square it reads "We will not be quenched." in tiny, elaborate stitches. She also donates 100 economic resources and 10,000 silver to help pay for any additional workers that might be needed in order to properly finish it and make it the best quilt ever.

Armani doesn't sew nor does hse have an interest in it. However, she does know some of her her sailors like too. She is nudging those of them that like to contribute to do as such. She is even paying for all their supplies and donations so all they need to do is have their fun. though, most of them, since it is a memorial quilt, are likely using something of personal value. Either way, Armani is just donating money to help with the pretty things and being all leadery.

Prince Artur Redrain begins organizing the creation of a massive memorial quilt. It is meant as a memorial to those lost at Darkwater, and Stormwall, and Setarco. He gathers craftspeople from all over, and sends out the noticies - anyone who wants to have a piece included in this quilt can donate a small sum. The silver goes toward the funding of the project, and from all over squares and memories come in to be included.

The famed alchemist Valery, who teaches at a gardening school, helps the children make squares and draw on them. Crude drawings of ships and houses, flowers and sharks are sent. Lady Lisebet Farshaw sends a square in memory of Lord Armand Farshaw, his name written in careful embroidery. Princess Gwenna embroiders a square with warriors standing on the edge of the sea, chins held high as the surf crashes before them. All the forces of the Compact that came together are depicted, standing as one against the enemy.

Kaine Algair sends a rich teal square, embroidered with an image of a knight and a child walking together, hand in hand - and the words: "They Fought for the Future" carefully stitched around the image. Marquessa Quenia Igniseri contributes a square with a phoenix embroidered on it, and the words: "We will not be quenched" in tiny, elaborate stitches. She also donates a large sum to the project to help fund the creation and display of the memorial quilt. And Lady Armani Gilden reaches out to sailors and has them sending in quilt squares too - and if their embroidery is the rough stitchery of those who make their life at sea, still they are represented in the memorial quilt.

Lord Kaldur Seliki contributes large wooden framing from which to hang the quilt, and Mother Wylla, Archlector of Jayus, blesses it. It is a massive undertaking, and a success all around - many come to see this memorial quilt, reaching out to touch it reverently. And as it is displayed, it becomes custom to bring a note and a flower with the name of a loved one lost in the actions against the Pirate King, and to leave it at the base of the display in memory.