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Action by Arik for Cascade Springs

(Public Action, OOC Date: March 4, 2019, 6:32 p.m.)

The second phase of expansion in Cascade Springs begins in earnest. While the first phase was about expanding the footprint of the town and ensuring its security, the second phase is all about building it up even further – new infrastructure, new facilities, and all the growth in population and trade and guard forces needed to exploit it. Arik Halfshav has stepped in to help lead and coordinate this phase of the growth allowing his family members to help where they are most talented.

* Countess Carita Darkwater is employing her considerable knowledge of Stewardship and experience from rebuilding Darkwater to oversee construction of the docks and warehouses, as well as any other necessary facilities in the city, to transform this small shrine town into something befitting its growing size.

* Nightingale and Softest Whisper Gianna is opening a branch of the famed Bard's College in Cascade Spring with the understanding it focus and promote northern arts and storytelling traditions while bringing talents from all over the Compact.

* Sven, Vincenzo, Perronne, Bethany, Lore, and Draven are all taking advantage of agreements with House Halfshav to expand their business to Cascade Springs and open storefronts with warehouses for their trade. Reduced rent and taxes with the only requirement being to employ or train Halfshav commoners.

* Brianna, Ajax, Thena, and Rowenova are all providing security for the trade of Cascade Springs as well as the sudden influx of activity during construction of all of these shops and infrastructure. Brianna has the Cascade Springs Guard (#367) to assist her as she is Captain of the Guard for this growing town. Mirk has also instructed Halfshavs Troop Patrols (#369) to assist the Knights of Solace in defending the Great Road traffic during this time.

* High Lady Donella Redrain is working with the Sword of Farhaven Dame Morrighan in bringing members of the Crafters Guild of Arx to Cascade Springs. One speaks to the people while the other creates a unique design to be sold in shops to the pilgrims that come to the Shrine of Mangata.

* Lord Mirk Halfshav and Lady Acantha Clearlake attempt to build confidence in the shrinetown of Cascade Springs so as to make it a desirable place to live and fill out its growing buildings.

After his leadership of the first section of the expansion, Mirk is stepping back to focus on influence instead of direct leadership. He's spreading the word of Cascade Springs, to merchants who might bring wealth, to commoners who would be hired as builders or farmers or other laborers the project will need, selling everyone on the merits of the place and building a grand vision of the future of Cascade Springs.

Countess Carita Darkwater has done much for Darkwater and in so doing has learned just who to talk to and how to organize a project and how to get things done efficiently while doing her own projects. For Cascade Springs she'll help by talking to those people of influence that can get the docks placed in just the right location for trade on the river. She's personally investing her own money into the project, to show her faith in House Halfshav.

Gianna will be directing the construction of the Bard's College. Well, not in a get-your-hands-dirty kind of way. Just organizing the traits the building will need to have (acoustics, acoustics, acoustics) and how many bard blue banners will need to go up and so on. She'll also have to select some talent from her pool to entice over thataway to run the dang place.

Vincenzo is investing in the Cascade Springs project to the tune of 100,000 silver and 200 economic writs. The intent is to build a second shop in Cascade Springs, and send his best steamstress North to head up the operation. She will be producing his designs while learning the fashion sensibilities of the locals and starting to incorporate that into her work. She's also going to be sending the best apprentices, hired locally, back to Arx to train under Vincenzo. The idea being to provide Northern talent opportunities to study under a Lycene tailor and train them up to be successes on their own and ship them back to the North.

As per contract with the Halfshavs, Ajax is working under the Commander of Lady Brianna in setting up Caravans to the town. Along the way Ajax is using silver and resources to attract additional independent sellswords for protection to take the entire weight off the local Garrison. Ajax speaks Northern Shav fluently to help avoid particular mishaps of miscommunication but for most part is just trying to keep everyone coordinated and the goods moving.

Perronne has been hired to put together a trade fair and entice merchants to visit, trade, and invest in Cascade Springs. She is most enthusiastic about this task, and will be contacting the merchants she knows to explain the economic advantages to having a thriving trade hub in Halfshav lands. For the trade fair, she's looking to highlight both local goods AND local purses - bringing in a variety of vendors of attractive trade items the North doesn't see very often for the locals to buy, while ensuring locals have the chance to display their best goods and argue their case for building new exchanges so that the Oathlands and South can receive those goods at profitable prices. To bolster the pitch, she's even purchasing and setting up her own trading house to run in Cascade Springs, having been promised a discount on the land/building, and reduced tariffs and tolls on select goods for the next two years.


The Bruvir family (Draven, Nova, and Flop) have put together 500 styled (economic styled) with which they start up a second home with a shop front in Cascade Springs. They ultimately combine their Alchemy and Medicine (Draven) along with their Security and Survival (Nova & Flop) for a thriving business which hopefully improves the living conditions of their purchasing patrons.
Besides this, Nova and Flop routinely participate in security work around the Halfshav township, too, making sure to be threat detectors/deterrants of the highest degree and team up to consistently report their observant findings!

Bethany brings with her the considerable weight of the Mercier trade family, who will be using Cascade Springs as a trading hub through which they'll be able to expand to new, totally untapped markets in the north. Having supervised the initial phase of construction, Bethany knows the nuts and bolts of the nascent city well enough to make sure that her family has every possible advantage, something she will use to entice them there.

Brianna will be taking care of the military presence in Cascade Springs, trying to keep people who are working and building safe. The family has employed various sellswords and has gathered a small troop to assist. There will be patrols through the area, keeping an eye out for people who shouldn't be on site, with guards stationed at buildings and build sites.

With prior agreements having been made with the Crafter's Guild, Morrighan's role is that of Assistant Guildmaster and Seamstress. She gathers members of the Guild, and with the help of Princess-Consort Donella Redrain (who does most of the talking), conveys the benefits and deal to those willing to uproot and make the move to the new township in the Northlands. Secondly, the dame is hard at work, creating a stunning piece to represent and honor both Cascade Springs and the Goddess Mangata. In a variety of sizes for toddlers up to adults, Morrighan provides hooded cloaks made of the finest wool found in the Northlands, dyed in a swirling sea-hued gradation, and lined with sumptuous white fur. The hem and edges are embellished with silver embroidery taking the form of crashing waves, and upon the back is an intricately embroidered silver emblem: an image of two streams coming to meet as one, and in the background is a mountain region with the sun beginning to rise over them with Mangata's likeness found in the sky. It's completed with a clasp of faceted aquamarine set in a pewter setting, shaped into a drop of water.

Vercyn is going to set up shop in Cascade Springs itself with a veritable army of messengers. He means to co-ordinate the efforts of the expansion of cascade springs, sending word and receiving it from his central location. He wants to make certain that things run at peak efficency and so they are well informed of any emergencies or shortage of workers or supplies.

Lady Acantha Clearlake has been asked to help with the more Diplomatic things concerning Cascade Springs. She's also good with campaigning on why it's a good place to visit/move/pilgrimage to. She's going to promote the township. She's also going to provide silver and social writs to make sure things go smoothly with the talking. Why should people move there? It is secure, it has trade, there are jobs, and new goods from the Compact. Why should people trade with the town? It's on the river, it's safer than the great road, and we secure trade routes to and from the shrine town. Also the largest shrine in the northlands to Mangata is there so it is also a pilgrimage site.

Per the deal with Halfshav, Lore is investing money and resources into a warehouse and storefront where Artiglio can sell and trade their goods and materials with a people they don't often have access to. Artiglio can expect a reduced rate on rents and import/export tariffs for two years, and will further invest additional resources into making the warehouse/storefront look more appealing as well as bring in some early goods to get a jumpstart on sales. Extra resources have also been invested into spreading word of this new trading hub and the store carrying special and exotic goods and materials. She is looking to set up an Artiglio cousin to run the operation but will be hiring locals for general labor and to apprentice in the merchant trade.

Dame Thena sends a number of veteran Knights of Solace to guard the supply trains to Cascade Springs, and to train the guard and other troops in the finer points of guarding the roads. She also donates silver from the Solace coffers.

Once notable for charitable works in the lowers, Donella attempts to help the effort by speaking to craftspeople known to live and/or work there of the advantages of life in a new settlement. It's cold in the north, but the air is fresh and clean, and the coin flows at a higher rate where there are not so many competitors for business. More space for families to grow, and for apprentices and journeymen to establish themselves. Better to be a big fish in a smaller pond, than a minnow in a reeking, massive fen.

Draven does his absoulte best to help Scout Rowenova, the best Wife ever, set up their home and their shop in Cascade Springs. He has already gotten his documentation on what herbs are in the area, so he is using the data to get a good idea on how to help people the most, with that.

As a representative of his family and their brewery that has up until now largely only been serving their drinks in Whitehold proper, Sven is investing time, effort and resources(400 econ) in making sure that visitors and residents in Cascade Springs will have access to some of the best spirits in the north.

Cascade Springs is becoming the fastest growing, most significant new settlement in all of the Northlands, and Halfshav lands are expanding enormously in terms of economic strength because of its tremendous growth and improvement. The security of the town, despite the strength of Halfshav forces, was by no means guaranteed. Perhaps the single greatest drawback of the Great Road is how swiftly powerful shav forces can travel along it, and it is a testament to the skill of Brianna, Ajax, Thena, and Rowenova that both the town and the roads leading to it stay secure. The fact the town grows in the wild, uninhibited Northlands without routine friendly brawls turning into something much more serious is a further sign of their great influence.

Waves of crafters and artisans, representatives of the Crafters Guild of Arx, head to Cascade Springs at the behest of Dame Morrighan and Princess-Consort Donella Redrain. The booming nature of Cascade Springs does put housing at a premium, and the amount of craftsmen coming up from Arx lets Cascade Springs almost keep up with demand, though it's still quite tight.

Carita uses her experience in rebuilding Darkwater masterfully, which is most visible in working with the different Northlands merchants who are starting the different businesses that will keep contributing to long term growth of Cascade Springs, particularly the families from far more distant parts of the Compact. Among those many merchants and businessmen and women of the Compact are Sven, Vincenzo, Perronne, Bethany, Lore, and Draven- each of whom are helping grow their own interests there.

Softest Whisper Gianna opening a branch of the Bard's College in Cascade Springs is wildly popular, as the Northlands have long had a disproportionately high representation among bards historically. The college branch opening is praised throughout the Northlands, and taken as a sign of the Whisper House's esteem, which is much appreciated.

As word spreads from Acantha's and Mirk's propaganda efforts, people from all over the Compact are coming to have a look at the town. Of course, whether the tone can sustain its growth and support the booming population it has long term is an open question, but for now it's tremendously successful.

Action by Mirk for Cascade Springs

(Public Action, OOC Date: Sept. 10, 2018, 11:01 p.m.)

At his family's urging, Mirk has brokered deals to secure the necessary help to start the project of creating a proper township out of the small settlement growing up around the Great Northern Shrine to Mangata, at the origin of the Grey River in the runoff of the White Peak Mountains (see: Halfshav landmarks at http://play.arxmush.org/topics/org/54/). A month of meetings and promises had gone into the project, before he so much as turned his eyes to the North.

It's a massive undertaking, involving numerous people and resources, but with the flow of support, hopefully it will be the beginning of a prosperous township, called Cascade Springs.

As the first step, Mirk will clear out land around the settlement and secure the site with fortifications. This will also require investment in housing for soldiers and construction crews.

Mirk will be leading the entire project, but he will also oversee the land clearance personally. He will bring in foremen and workers as necessary, but his goal is to organize the residents of the settlement to do as much as possible, and he'll offer them silver and favors to secure their service - this village elder gets a position in the new township, that one places his niece as a House servant, and so on. He will bring in offerings to the spirits for each place where brush must be cleared out or a tree cut down, while consulting with the planners and engineers to insist that nature must be preserved wherever possible. It will be a delicate balancing act, but one Mirk is confident that he can accomplish.

An overview of the rest of the project:
* During the land clearance, Kace will survey likely farmlands, and Draven will harvest and catalogue herbs from the countryside for local apothecaries.
* Construction, overseen by Bethany, of wooden fortifications designed by Vercyn, with Tesha's assistance. They'll begin with a small palisade around the settlement, and expand to include the entirety of the planned township. It'll also include modest housing and other infrastructure needed to support a population of soldiers and workers, such as the beginnings of an expensive chapterhouse for Violet's Crimson Blades.
* Establishment of a military presence in the area under Arik. He and Taldolf will train guards to man the fortifications, while Rowenova will provide scout support to locate potential threats. Violet will lead Crimson Blade mercenaries on patrol to keep Shav tribes away from the settlement, while Harlex leads soldiers on surgical strikes where threats are identified.
* Import deals and support from allied Houses to secure building materials, military stockpiles, and necessary supplies. Sasha and Tesha will provide this support, and Mirk will add his own favors and resources to facilitate their efforts.
* Whispers will spread news of the settlement and its upcoming expansion throughout Halfshav lands, with Juniper as their point of contact. This will draw people - and workers - to the settlement.

Lord Arik Halfshav the Sword of Whitehold supports the township project by seeing to the training of the longterm town guards with Taldolf. The pair of them drill the guards on things to watch for, shav tactics, the way Halfshav expects the law to be handled in the town, and other forms of honor and discipline. Once the guards are trained and their martial skills approved by Arik they are handed off to Scout Rowenova for some field experience during construction.

Marquessa Sasha Sanna answers the Halfshav call for investment in the township project. Not only does she aid with financial favors but she aids in seeing ever silver and favor called due for supplies goes just a little bit further. She has a mine for economics and trade and utilizes it thoroughly to increase the efficacy of the entire project from the clearing of the land to the hiring of labor to the supplying of food and equipment. If there is a ledger Sasha has her hands on it and is ensuring everything is following a common sense approach.

Tesha travels north with the Halfshavs and assists Duke Vercyn on the fortifications. While he handles the overall design of the fortifications, she adds in details such as arrow holes, strategic spots for burning pitch atop the wall, or signaling methods to quickly convey information between the troops. With those added insights and refinements on his design, she conveys the plans to those in charge of the construction and insures that their vision for the fortifications is realized.

Scout Rowenova and Sir Flop (the soulful hound) are prime spotters on the trip North, making sure commanding individuals are swiftly notified about any potential benefits/hazards. Upon finally arriving, these two lead forth those trained guards (from Arik and Taldolf) to scout out hunting grounds and any nearby shav tribes. She draws up detailed reports concerning all the surrounding terrain (good and/or bad) for future roads which will go toward Whitehold (and eastward, too). While staying attentive to Nature's needs, the whole group sustainably fishes/hunts (new stock being given over to Bethany), too. During breaks/camping, she helps out with verbal/written translation for whatever Draven might need to clearly communicate, also making sure he and everyone else is staying safe with survival advice and so on for good health.

Commander Taldolf takes a break from his duties to House Sanna to support House Halfshav's newest expansion efforts. While Lord Arik is taking the lead on training the new longterm guards for the settlement the Sanna Commander is helping keep the women and men being trained in line. Proper motivation and passing along orders from Arik to other trainees to ensure communication is open and well understood by the recruits.

Juniper travels with the Halfshavs up the river. Her purpose is to speak to those they meet along the way, recruiting settlers and workers. Charming to a fault and willing to speak to anyone, she mingles as if born to the area and targets those looking to make a change in their life, or contribute to something greater than they've ever done before. The benefits of the settlement are extolled, as are the merits of the organizers, their foresight and vision. It isn't all just rainbows and unicorn farts-- she's practical and down to earth about the challenges such an enterprise faces, having come from humble origins herself-- but she's an adept at finding ways to balance descriptions of hardship with the good which can come of uprooting to join the settlement. To lend credence to her efforts, she comes armed with letters of introduction and other outside resources provided by Halfshav and their allies, and she will also be deploying 200 of her own social resources as a glamourous (but relatable!) Whisper and common girl made good.

Bethany brings her financial acumen and skill at people-wrangling to act as a steward of personnel for the project. Like a conductor overseeing a grand symphony, she makes sure that supplies and workers get where they need to be when they need to be there, everything runs on schedule, and the construction generally hums along with the brisk efficiency that she expects in all aspects of her work. She brings in assistants from her own family, people who she knows well and knows that they know what they're doing and will get the job done.

Kace will be travelling upriver witht he Halfshavs to look over the land around the burgeoning town. She will be checking soil and grass quality to determine where is best suited for farmlands, where would be the best grazing land for herds, the best spots along the river for fishing, and where to clear out space for a lumber yard as well as a barracks and training yard. In addition, she will be seeking out any potential underground water sources that the city can tap into, as well as any possible hotsprings that may run beneath the city.

Duke Vercyn could hardly miss the expansion of the Great Northern Shrine to Mangata. Not only is he a publicly devout member of the Pantheon but this may be the largest construction effort in Halfshav history and it is under his tenure as Duke with his own nephew doing a fair bit of the work. His primary goal is to use his vast experience as a military commander and war chief to design the fortifications and guard assignments so that they are organized in the optimal fashion with the right width and height to the walls, the correct number of towers, and enough guardsmen for the township and wall. In addition his personal participation is a validation that this is indeed the will of House Halfshav and a new chapter in the growth of the domain underneath his families leadership. Also he names the town: Cascade Springs

After a discussion with Lord Mirk and coordinating with the Commandant's efforts closer to the settlement, Harlex intends to take a group of mercenaries ahead of the caravans set to venture to the settlement. Their goal? Preemptive strikes. Scouting and clearing out ambush raiders/highwaymen that lie in wait for the traveling merchants, workman, and settlers. It's much more effective than waiting for those ambushes to spring, potentially frightening off commerce. While the caravans are protected, he coordinates riding out with his soldiers to take down any impending threats, traveling up and down the routes; eliminating targets and generally being a suppression force against would-be attackers of the caravans should they be shav, brigands, or others. Specifically only those who seek to harm or destabilize the routes of the new settlement. They utilize the tactics inherit to their Company; swift, precise, and deadly when provoked to violence. All in the purpose of making sure those deep pockets aren't scared off from the township by frequent attacks.

In terms of military and protection for the building project, Halfshav has hired the Crimson Blades. Especially since part of the new building of the town will include a new chapter house for the Mercenary Company. So Violet herself spends her time in the area. Working as hard as her soldiers and making sure that the protection of the budding settlement is secure. But more importantly making connections with those who are building it. And those who will probably one day live there, or already do. Building bridges for the future of the Blades.

Scouts are sent out ahead of clearing parties. Making sure there are no dangers, human or otherwise, for the new township. Violet herself goes and patrols the area with her troops. They take great care in their sweeps. Never attacking right away unless absolutely necesarry. However problems -are- dealt with swiftly and with the precision and care the company has been known for. Attacking the problem with tactics rather than just lots of muscle and weapons.

Perhaps much to the dismay to the soldiers he is going with, being allowed to tag along on with the Halfshav party has only left the incredibly energetic Draven even more excited. Quite simply, he can't seem to sit still throughout nearly the entire journey, and the only time he stops talking is when he is sleeping. Everyone in the whole group will have heard about the differences between Things and Stuff at least a hundred times, and none of what Draven says really will make much sense unless translated by someone who knows him well. Then, however, when they get to where he can start his work, they see a whole new person left in his place. When Draven is left to do what he came to, Alchemy and Herbalism, he is entirely dedicated and focused, even if none of the notes he makes in his log make any sense to anyone. He was tasked to help catalog the plantlife in the new township, and to help treat the sick and injuired along the way, which he actually does exceptionally well.

Construction on a new township in Halfshav lands, a place called Cascade Springs, has finally been completed. Under the guidance of Lord Mirk Halfshav, the entirety of the project has been overseen carefully. Princess Kace works hand in hand with Rowenova and her faithful hound to scout the area, selecting the perfect place to build. Marquessa Sasha answers the Halfshav call for investing in the township. Lord Arik supports the project by sending guards he has personally trained to see to its new town defenses, managed and directed by Commander Taldolf.

Duke Vercyn works with the designers to create defenses for the new township, with Lady Tesha assisting him. To add to the defenses, Commander Violet and Harlex Valtyr work to establish a barracks for the Crimson Blades nearby. And Bethany Mercier is established as the steward of this new township, with Draven doing whatever alchemical things a Draven does best. And as Juniper Whisper leads the social scene in talking about all these goings on, it's clear that the township is the talk of the town.

All in all it's a huge success, and the new Cascade Springs is established with care and precision.

Action by Samantha

(Public Action, OOC Date: June 14, 2018, 11:14 p.m.)


With the news that many shav'arvani tribes are fearful for their lives in the face of the Horned God, Samantha has decided to attempt what she has previously done successfully: open her borders to shav'arvani refugees, without obligation of joining the Compact, but with the requirement that they adhere to the rule of law while within her borders. That being said, as there is great concern regarding any spies or Horned God loyalists coming in amongst the refugees, Samantha is going to utilize the procedures that she helped develop when she acted as a Liberator and needed to screen for true criminals amongst the freed thralls when helping them re-establish their lives. She will also turn to her Prodigal population from the time before, asking them to take an active hand in this process, as they themselves can speak from experience as to the veracity of Samantha's word, and she believes they would be extremely scrutinizing in making sure any spies or enemies slip through the process. As before, Samantha will show by example the benefit of joining the Compact, and hope that her actions result in further prosperity.

Grady is used to the quiet spaces. To growing up in the woods, and being away from Arx. Having recently made the journey himself, he'll talk of his own experiences. It's not quite the same journey, mind - he's always been part of the Compact. But it's not so different out in the middle of nowhere. He appreciates the quiet spaces too, and so he'll talk about how expansive the world can be. How there's still room to be free. How the Compact isn't a trap it's a gift of security. He'll mention children too, and building for a bright future together. How the Compact takes care of its own, and in these difficult times that's important. How we fight for each other, and celebrate the joys together, and come together in times of sorrow. We can build together. It's not a bad thing at all, is it?

Marquis-Consort Rymarr Deepwood has sent along notice to Old Oak of the plans of the ruling Marquessa, Samantha. In that notice he calls for volunteers that may be prepared to accept new Prodigals and teach them the way of life in the Compact - ideally pulling from the great many Prodigals already become citizens of Deepwood Hold. Along with that efforts are to be taken to ensure the safety and security of Old Oak, whether from these welcomed Abandoned in the form of a subtly close eye being kept on them or ensuring that they do not bring something altogether unpleasant in with them. Up to and including disease or other less than savory affairs.

Mia will be following Samantha's lead, opening up Riven's borders to allow for the transport of various shav'arvani tribes along the rivers that run north-to-south through the county, ferrying people from dangerous locations to more secure ones. Those who have been thoroughly vetted by all of the procedures laid out may also be permitted to remain at the Twainfort, on condition that all laws of the Compact be adhered to while present.

Moving a large number of people is an undertaking. Moving whole villages into Deepwood territory, in winter, will take food, blankets, foragers, guides, fires, and waystations. Thesarin, and his Riven subjects (Prodigals especially), will be working with Deepwood and Grayson to arrange everything needed to bring the shavs into the refugee camps, and see them protected on their way.

Lord Kaldur will shadow Samantha in her efforts to welcome the shav'arvani who take shelter in Deepwood as the Traitors forces stir. He's reasonably observant, so he'll be on the look out for mannerisms or customs, greetings, physicalities, sayings. He will be of particular use if any cultists are discovered.

Reese would like to help protect the shavs who are wanting to move to safer lands. She would like to try and be a positive force and to gently encourage those in danger to move. She will be highly focused on protecting any shavs as they move.

Dame Esoka's efforts are two-fold. First, she assists with security under the Marquessa's direction, keeping a particular eye (and feel) out for any shavs who might be Abyssal spies. Second, she speaks to those who come about her own experiences as a prodigal among the Deepwoods and Rivens and encourages them to bend the knee, trying to show them they can maintain their pride and tradition within the Compact.

As Voice of Whitehawk, Kenna organizes routes for the shav'arvani who meet the Deepwood requirements through Whitehawk land, as well as places for them to stay within the barony as space and protections exist that deep within the forest. Her greatest effort is directed towards helping arrange passage down the two branches of river that cup surround the Barony to where there are better defenses.

Alaric will be comitting some military resources and support from House Grayson to temporarily bolster garrison postings that have had forces diverted to help in other areas of the effort. Otherwise, he will be putting his diplomatic skills to managing any complaints, disagreements, and other general issues in regards to residents with problems with refugees traversing the Crownlands.

Bethany will bring the Mercier trade network to bear, handling logistics, tracking down suppliers for the needed sundries and negotiating the best possible prices. She won't go herself, but she'll do everything that can be done from the safety of her tea shop to make sure that on the ground, everything runs as smooth as a well oiled... anachronism.

The Baron of Whitehawk will provide his cousin Kenna with the military personnel, food, and resources she may need in assisting the prodigal population to or through Hawkhold. Rangers, healers, boats, caravans - the works. He will delegate the actual orders and organization to her, though, to preserve the plans she has already set in place.

Scouts in the Gray Forest are reporting a significant number of shav who are afraid of the actions being taken in the Forest by a cult figure known only as the Horned God. While most reasonable people in Arx know that this is clearly a figure trying to draw from various scary pieces of folklore, some of the leaders of Grayson are seeing a chance to extend their lands and expand their populations.

Under Marquessa Samantha Deepwood's diplomatic leadership, diplomats from the Compact gather - Countess Mia Riven, Lady Kenna Whitehawk, and Princess Reese Grayson among them. They assemble support - Marquis Rymarr Deepwood, Baron Silas Whitehawk, Lord Grady Deepwood, Dame Esoka Greenblood, Bethany Mercier, Count Thesarin Riven, and Lord Kaldur Seliki - to render aid, tactical leadership, diplomatic outreach, and economic strength to their proposition. King Alaric Grayson even signs off on this attempt, putting his not inconsiderable charm to work.

They offer safe haven for those who want to flee potential "recruitment" by this cult leader. No overt mention is made of the need to bend the knee and yet those responding bend the knee anyway. Without prompting. One tribal leader even comments, 'It's a protection isn't it, to have someone we're oathed to already?' And so it seems. Riven, Whitehawk, and Deepwood lands expand, their populations swell, and for now it seems as though this is a very good thing for everyone.

One wonders what the response in the forest will be to that.