'Our Mother of Glorious Change,' a Mercies of Lagoma convent at Pridehall

Investing in the Pridehall Chapter of the Mercies of Lagoma, Lord Rafael hopes that highlighting the Compact's more gentle, generous touch will enact widespread positive change -- and glory!

With the blessing of Bisland's Heads of House, the local Seraph, and the Mother Mercy, Rafael will facilitate a donation to the Faith in the form of a Mercy convent at Pridehall. Dedicated to the worship of the entire Pantheon with certain tasteful emphasis on Lagoma, the new institution will serve to instruct and induct new healers into the Mercies of Lagoma. Pridehall's auspicious seat near-center on the map will ensure that these 'Lions of Lagoma' will be primed to trek outward in any direction they so choose, enriching not only the Crownlands but the Compact at large. Traditionally, many Mercy members travel to Blancbier for their training. A central Crownlands locale will make a healer's education much more accessible to those unable to undertake such a journey.

A stone castle with aesthetics befitting its purpose, 'Our Mother of Glorious Change' will include space enough for indoor and outdoor religious services, educational and residential wings, and separate accommodations where Mercies and novitiates may tend to the Faith of the Pantheon's flock in instances when housecalls may be inappropriate.

Assist Summary:

I. Lord Michael Bisland, Voice of Pridehall, will acquire and gift the appropriate lands and see to financial incentives for merchants involved in the convent's construction.

II. As donated by the High Inquisitor, Prince Laric Grayson, a brazier housing the Eternal Flame shall be displayed at the top of the new castle's highest tower where it can be admired for worship even from afar.

III. Lady Lailah Bisland, Magister of the Vellichorian Academy, has offered to curate a library for the convent specially purposed for the study of Lagoma and the healing arts.

IV. Lady Kaia Malvici nee Bisland has volunteered to see that the convent's interior design is up to par with the quality standards that her noble tastes dictate.

V. Along with an incentivizing gift for the first class of students, Sister Sophie Valardin will foster comradery between the Pridehall chapter of Mercies and those in Arx by providing a portion of the initial faculty. Sister Sophie, Mother Mercy of Arx, will also oversee academic materials and supplies along with the help of Novitiate Mercy, Princess Isidora Valardin, and Lady Mabelle Laurent from the Physician's Guild.

Lord Michael Bisland, as Voice of Bisland, certainly sees the need for Pridehall to further establish itself as the center of the Compact. Geographically, of course. Because that is what is true. It sits in the center of the Compact near a major arterial river. A chapterhouse of Lagoma's Mercies should have all the fixings, a covent is probably what others would prefer it to be called. Michael flexes political muscle for the project, getting advisors in the form of surveyors to find the best location for the castle. On the major avenue in Pridehall, near the city walls proper, with space for their own stables and exterior walled courtyard. The location is prime real estate in Pridehall, so it will take a good deal of negiotiation to buy up the landplots that the castle will be built. Michael offers both tax abatements for the sale of land as well as tax abatements for all the vendors who will be involved in the construction.

Of course Isidora would help with anything that would help the Goddess Lagoma. Though she is a much more quiet of her Valardin counterparts, her inner passions for healing and medical arts are things she thinks about. Isidora would take on the medical side of things making sure that this area is stocked with all the medical supplies and items needed to be 'cutting edge'. She would also make sure there is any training available there for those that wish to learn the path of Lagoma and healing.

Sophie will travel to this newly built Mercy convent when it is completed, and oversee that the supplies and teaching materials are appropriate to the task. She will help to supply seasoned Mercies from the Arx chapter to assist in the teaching. She will foster a strong sense of cooperation between the Mercies of Arx and the Convent so that this might carry into the careers of the students for many years to come as they scatter throughout Arvum to act as healers to the realm.

As a gift to the school Sophie intends to gift 200 gold filigree lanterns to the first 200 students to attend this Mercy convent to learn healing. Engraved upon the side are the words, "May Lagoma's light ever shine upon your path and grant you the strength to provide succor to those who need it. When we work together our lights shine brightest. - Sister Sophie Valardin, Mother Mercy of Arx"

Of course Laric is going to get behind a Lagoma-centric project in the Crownlands; though the fact is never emphasized, he's been known to participate in ceremonies and recently contributed his time and personal labor to repairing her shrine after some guy, who definitely wasn't Laric, somehow basically burned it down.

In addition to making a significant monetary contribution, he finds a mason and a metalsmith to make a gilded plinth and brazier for the convent; when all is said and done, he'll see to it that the brazier is lit with fire brought from the Eternal Flame itself.

Lailah would curate a library with specific sections dedicated to Lagoma and Mercy training, along with other general sections. She would use her knowledge and training in teaching to select a cost effective set of books and other materials.

Kaia will make use of her leadership and command skills to organize a group that will ensure the interior spaces of the convent are functional, safe, and aesthetically superb and pleasing. The group of high-end decorators shall determine the space requirements and select proper decorative items, taking in consideration things such as colors, lighting, and the best of materials. No expense shall be spared in the execution of this plan - it is for the glory of the gods and their work after all!

Mabelle volunteered to assist Sophie and Isidora with the curriculum from both the mercies medical training as well as apothecary basics. She will use her knowledge taught in the years of the Lyceum.

The new castle rises with magnificence and flame over Pridehall, and prospective students, old and young, flock to learn the arts of healing. Pridehall sees an increase in population as a result, and the sheer amount of social capital expended on the academy greatly increases its standing and the fame of everyone involved for a time. A real alternative to Blancbier is very attractive, especially in the wake of the failed Great Road pilgrimage, and the building is so beautiful beside having no troubled history at all as yet.

Aleksei is gathering some friends to have a little tea party. Wherein tea party means they are taking a stroll to the new Memorial Park outside the city to use the private upstairs areas of the Temple. He's gonna park some Templars at the ready, because he learned his lesson once about this, and then the tea party will begin! Wherein tea party equals a group of people sitting in a circle and very carefully reciting words to mean "Fuck you Azazel, you can't have this" for the information contained in the clue "Nothing to Find."

WHO, Laric wishes to learn with a BURNING DESIRE, killed my Confessor. Who. He and Salvadore will be showing up to do some magic and providing the necessary primum (rare metals, gemstones, etc etc, not the first rodeo).

Cara brings her medicinal basket and her magic knowledge, ready to assist with casting - and with patching up wounds, in the event it happens. She takes the protection of knowledge very seriously.

Ann helps! First, she has a big breakfast then borrows Audric's steelsilk, of course. She doesn't want to make a big huge bloody smear on the Faith's new hangout if something goes terribly wrong. And then she heads on over, following the lead of those more experienced. Stays hydrated. Alert. Focused. HelpfulAnn is Helpful.

They gather, and they ward - and their determination and focus is somehow even more magical than normal. Stronger. It's clear when they finish that this is one of the special times, that has joy coursing through them and leaves a smile on their lips. Until Laric looks down, that is, and sees the report they were trying to keep safe. There are several more lines on the report, hidden in plain sight. Were they there before? Surely not, or he wouldn't have been so frantic to protect and continue to suss out the killer.

The bartender's report is chilling. "There was a man, solid and strong with heavy, callused hands, brown hair and brown eyes, tanned with hard labor outside. He was quiet - so quiet, and when he laughed it was because others did, and when he moved it was like controlled violence. Older he was, with some salt and pepper in his beard, and he was the one that started the fight that killed the Confessor - and he was the one what struck the blow, too."

Fatima found slight in the betrayal of the Isles Canines when they abandoned Thrax in the wake of Dominic's death. She found injury in their taking up with Port Defiance. Neither of these are conditions that the princess can leave alone, especially if the sellsails might sully the good name of House Thrax - either by showing how easy it is to escape their grasp with impugnity or through their actions and association with Thrax through their former master, Dominic. Action, then, must be taken.

Fatima is organizing a watch of the docks for when the dromond appears so she can set into action the following (with helper actions for each part, listed below):
* Edward will lead Thrax forces to take the Dromond. He'll be aided by Iron Guard forces so that, with overhwhelming force, we might minimize violence.
* Iron Guard will pick up the crew on shore leave.
* Thrax ships will prevent escape (Faelan in command) and take the Isles Canines longship if it doesn't dock. Harald will back up this action as well.

* Halsim will continue to investigate for proof of treason.

* Samael is making sure this is all legal.
* Alaric is king and does what he wants.

* Fatima, then, will go to the bankers and lay claim to all funds and resources of the Isles Canines.

Princess Fatima has laid out the role she would like Edward to play in taking the Dromond. With 50 Infantry and 35 Infantry in Reserve he will wait for the timing of the taking of the Dromond. Either at sunset or sunrise when the ship activity is to be the lowest and will permit the men to get on the ship without raising an immediate alarm. The primary goal is to take the Captain under arrest. Any who resist will be put to the sword. Those who surrender will be taken captive and handed off to House Thrax on charges of mutiny and sedition. As far as Edward knows this is an internal matter of House Thrax resolving itself and the House is handling all other legalities and thus Iron Guard who arrive will be permitted to observe but not intervene.

Samael was consulted on the legal position Princess Fatima has and he has agreed to oversee her actions pro gratis, so that a conflict doesn't present itself considering he is the Acting Chief Magistrate of the Court of the Crown. The matter is likely Thrax business and they have the legal grounds to execute their legal authority but if it were to come to something Samael might be expected to rule on he would be obligated to recuse himself for conflicting interest. Samael's role is simply making sure everything is legal and above reproach.

Faelan is going to be commanding the detachment of longships trying to prevent the escape of former Isles Canines ships when they dock at Arx.

Harald has detached a few ships to support the recapture of the renegade vessels. He will take a supporting role, leaving command of the initial operation to Edward and Faelan. If called upon by the commanders, or if the mercenary ships look to be in danger of escape, he and his men will step in.

Calaudrin will be helping capture the thieves that Princess Fatima is after. He'll lead groups of the Iron Guard through the city in the event that they make it to shore and will be certain to put an arrow in the knee of any would be adventurer that thinks it's okay to break the law. Because it's not, it's really not.

Halsim takes the time to help the team, cleaning up operational details with intelligence work on his and other 'friends' parts. Using bribery, stealth, and old fashioned observation, Halsim will try to take as much of the guesswork out of things as possible.

In the run-up to the operation Alaric will be stopping by some of the Guard platoons and crews expected to be involved in the interdiction to give them a little royal pep talk, tell them how great a job they're doing, how proud he is of them, how this operation will be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the Crown's strength and ability to provide security for Arx and its vassal houses, and so on basically topping up unit morale for any necessary action to come.

Silas will be commanding the Iron Guardsmen being used to help apprehend the traitorous sellswords, like a good Lord Commander. He will assign experienced Lieutenants to help him with this particular endeavor, alongside Ainsley and Calaudrin, as well as guardsmen who may have passing familiarity with mercenary companies and sailing. There will be more emphasis on capturing than killing, but his men will defend themselves, obviously.

Ainsley will be organizing a battalion of Iron Guard for this operation. Gathering men who have experience in this sort of situation and getting them prepared and out. He'll be assigning 500- roughly 10 platoons in a single battalion -of the Iron Guard infantry so that there are plenty of IG on the mission to handle the arrests that may/will come up.

Per Alaric's request, the Inquisition has a few lovely little cells set aside for some of the prospective prisoners. Laric and some inquisitors will be treating each of them to 'amiable chats' (thorough interrogations) over 'good food' (bland bread) and 'fine tea' (actually the most bitter of coffees). They'll be released to House Thrax afterwards.

Every once in a while, things go well. Suspiciously well. As if there is divine, karmic counterbalance to everything that happened recently in Stormward, for example. The ships could have escaped. But they didn't- the dromond never got underway, and the two longships were politely guided back to the harbor by Harald and Faelan's ships. There could have been overwhelming violence and a massive political incident with the crownsworn being horrified at House soldiers of the Isles fighting crownsworn in the streets. But full Iron Guard support made certain it never happened. There was several dozen mercenaries aboard each ship, but when a full five hundred iron guardsmen showed up along with the Inquisition, the Lord Commander of the Iron Guard, two of his most trusted, and seventy five house troops under Lord Edward, none of the mercenaries were all that eager to die and surrendered without a fight.

Now, they probably would not have done that if they were aware that they could be charged with treason for dealing with Abandoned, and none of them knew that this was anything more tha a dispute over possession of the Black Diamond, Dominic's ship, which they all suspected the moment they saw Thrax troops. There's loud protests as they are handed over to the Inquisition for questioning.

With the thrax men on the ships, the ships are now back under Fatima's control, with her ganing possession of the recent ledgers of the mercenary company. ((Clue sent to Laric for his questioning, Fatima made back in charge of Isles Canines, army under her command that could be moved wherever))

At Laric's request, the victims from the mysterious house fire are brought to the Saving Grace and Eirene and her physicians (to be added) perform a quick Abyssal test and autopsy the victims of the Burroughs fire. With rumors the family was 'strange' she looks for any unnatural signs or remnants of markings, or if they were killed prior to the fire being set. Checking for any kind of rope or bindings to see if they were tied up and left to die as well. Also - does the fire look like normal fire damage or was it weird?

Jack is looking for signs of smoke inhalation (which would suggest they died in the fire), then things like stab wounds or other marks that would show they might have died before the fire started. He'll also be doing whatever he can to cover information about the bodies, to help identify them.

In addition to assisting with the standard autopsy and routine Abyssal-influence testing, Lianne will be making use of her occult expertise to inspect for any signs of abnormalities or ritual activity, either performed by or on the victims.

Laric is providing the bodies! The already dead bodies, not fresh ones, my goodness. Confessor Baptiste (retainer 463) will hang around to act as Laric's observer and may or may not lose his lunch in the process. He is a delicate Oathlands flower.

Two things are discovered about the family. One, they were extremely weird. Really, really weird. People said that members of that family often forgot their own names, or would respond to the names of each other, as if they were confused which of them was which. Like the mother would answer as the father, the father would answer as the daughter, and so on randomly. It was extremely offputting, to say the least. Secondly, Lord Sivard Grimhall was spotted entering and leaving the house, and evidence strongly suggests he was responsible for the blaze- and there was no smoke in the lungs, cuts on the bones, they were definitely all dead before the fire took them.

Reese would like to help clean up the Grayson forest. She wants to clean up the whole forest, but she is interested in starting in the areas closest to Grayson farmlands, Grayson lands, compact, etc and branching out from there. She would like to work closely with Mistress Leola and Lady Khanne who are aware of her intentions. She does this crisis action with Leola's blessing. She wants to mobilize Grayson faction npcs and pcs both to help restore the land. She has a few ways of trying to do this. 1. Bringing in fresh new healthy soil and carting it in. 2. Bringing in new healthy plants of a sort that go naturally to the area and replanting. 3. Putting intense effort - blood, sweat and tears to the land. The more energy sunk into this especially while actually at site in the forest the better. 4. She wants to try and help inspire those who go with her to be passionate and work hard. 5. She is not a singer - but she would like to sing while they work and hopes to get some songresses on the action. 6. She is not a priest, but she plays to prayer while she works and will encourages (or try to encourage others to do the same). She suspects those more effective at this might take point here, but she feels like every little bit helps. 7. She wants to take any life that seems corrupted beyond hope - such as twisted animals and plants, killing them and burning them if possible. She plants to follow Leola's and Khanne direction and will listen to them if they advise her in some way. She plans to give them credit amoung the Graysons working with her for the work they have done toward this.
Reese is is using a 100 econ to help provide the funds for this. 100 social to help provide the social influencing to encourage people to get involved. 100 military to help protect those joining the effort. She also is spending 10,000 to help fund the project. She wants to bring much generous number of the Grayson military with them to help guard those working. She will focus on moreso on commanding the forces and guarding the efforts - now that more information has come to light.


Important Append: Reese is taking the group only to the area of the forest closest to compact and is not venturing too far into the Gray forest. She plants to what she can help to help the forest close to compact. She still plans to bring Grayson soldiers and to focus on the protection of those going out. Keeping people safe is her personal #1 objective. She will be fully armed and armored and on the watch for trouble.

Esoka has been enlisted by Reese to aid in the task of restoring the Grayson lands in the Gray Forest to order and beauty.
She'll pitch in on the manual labor, and patrolling/clearing areas of hostiles. She'll also offer her assistance, and the aid of those other Riven prodigals willing, as translators and general envoys to meet with the more cooperative Abandoned tribes in the area. She wants to facilitate information-sharing about the dangers in the forest, what it endured during the march of the Silent Army, and ways to rectify it. Perhaps even gain some assistance from these Abandoned in the effort to restore it.

For once, Aislin's not going to be able to help that much with lore or esoterica. But she /can/ help by providing sweat and labor to help work the land in the Gray Forest, and she will absolutely do so.

Killian isn't sure how much help he can be with the matter of restoring the land, but the one thing he's certain he can be of help in, is finding the places where darkness and evil still linger and taint the land. So he's going to go lend his unique ability to find trouble to the group, and his sword to deal with whatever trouble they find of course. Under no circumstances is he attempting to plant anything or nurture anything, because he's certain to have a black thumb and be more harm than good.

Reese asked Olivia to help in her efforts in the forest, and naturally the nature-loving Ashford is quite happy to assist. Her best skills are in matters of herbal lore and alchemy, so I imagine she could be of some help identifying and analyzing the blighted areas, both to try and target the dead areas as precisely as possible while retaining anything that can be saved, and also to learn more about the blight itself close-hand. So maybe a bit of soil analysis, etc. Of course if she knows any natural products or processes that might spurn new growth, she'd also use these once things are cleared and re-soiled (ie maybe using improved fertilizer blends or... something? Player has a total black thumb!)

Reese also asked about her assisting in coordinating some of the farmers in their planting works. She's not an expert at this but will do her best if there's not anyone better or pitch in assisting if there is.
Added: Following certain new information, Olivia contacted Reese (as well as Leola and Cara who I know have other actions on the same crisis) with a warning about their efforts potentially coming under attack. Wary of the fact that she's not readily able to defend herself, she'll make sure she stays close to certain protection (likely Killian ) and doesn't wander off or stray from the group as she might normally be inclined. Caution is the word!

Luca's going to be joining his wife in helping to fix the land if he can, primarily by putting his own blood, sweat, and tears into the effort and trying to help inspire others to do similarly. The things a lazy man will do for love!

Sparte is making an effort to collect plants to present to the king, mostly taken from the Gray Forest. As a side effect of this he is learning about the areas that were damaged and what grew there. He is doing his part to lend a hand clearing the damage and ensuring there is qualify spaces for the plants to regrow while collecting his samples.

Silas will get his hands dirty and do some manual labor, as well as take some new Iron Guard recruits with him for 'physical conditioning'. Additionally he will look into getting some of the farmers of Whitehawk to lend a hand with their skills in forest agriculture. They will use agricultural lime to help lessen the toxicity of the afflicted soil.

Laric isn't very interested in the gardening aspect of Reese's patrols, but will happily assist in controlled burning where deemed appropriate. He's apparently pretty good at starting and containing fires, go figure. Inquisitors are weird.
I.E, overly corrupt areas or places the actual gardeners feel need it.

Samantha is going to tap her network of new Prodigals, requesting that their shamans and healers research and consult the spirits for information on how to reverse the blight. She will also call upon the archivists at Old Oak for any information they might find as well.

Arianna is the Voice of House Stonewood and all of their forces mobilize to support the Princess Reese's efforts to reclaim the outskirts of the Gray Forest. A small unit of infantry, cavalry and pikemen are dispatched to assist in patrols. Keeping travelers and surveyors safe. The craftsmen and other vassals of House Stonewood lend their skills to help build fortifications and the many pyres needed for the controlled burns. The timber her House provides comes from Stonehearth and should be of great use. Arianna herself will be accompanying the small army of Stonewood soldiers, craftsmen, and laborers to the Gray Forest. She stays for a time and oversees the initial efforts of their getting involved before she will leave a capable commander in charge until she returns.

At Reese's request, Zhayla is joining those helping to bring new life to the Grayson forests. She's more than willing to defend the less martial among them in case of trouble, and will be armed for it, but she's mostly hoping that she can just plant a few trees. A lot of trees.

Princess Reese Grayson leads the other major effort to work the Gray Forest and revitalize the land left dead by the Bringers of Silence. Of particular use are the prodigals in her group, such as Esoka or ones with very close ties like Marquessa Samantha, who are able to speak personally with some of the remaining Abandoned mostly left shattered in the Gray Forest and near Old Oak to at worst leave the work parties alone, and a handful see it as time to bend the knee and help out- they've been through enough. Lady Olivia spends time studying the land and seeing what specific plants can be brought in to foster growth and reporting such to Reese, who sees it done. Aislin, Luca, Sparte, Killian and Zhayla help out with with sweat and labor, and making certain the area stays safe as they till the land and haul up fertilizer in one of the least glamorous jobs done in their respective careers. Silas as Lord Commander of the Iron Guard 'requests' iron guardsmen help out, which has its share of grousing but is undeniably effective at helping provide manpower. Laric and the Inquisition help organize control burns to clear the land for recovery, because inquisitors are weird. Lady Arianna has Stonewood house troops on hand to make certain the work parties are kept safe, and to lend raw effort. Between the efforts of Reese's part and Leola's, the effected land in the Gray Forest is expected to make a full recovery.