The Forgetfulness Plague? Aleksei thinks he recognizes it. He recognizes the lost memories of people who have been bound into service to darkness. Of those who have been under writ, maybe their entire lives. He recognizes these people for what they are: those who have been freed from bondage.

And the Liberators help all who have been freed from bondage.

The Liberators have money and resources, of course, as the discipleship of the Faith, but they also have the connections they've built over the years since their founding. Relationships across the Compact that have been built and nurtured through the dramatic shifts of thralldom and the work of the Liberators in finding all those former thralls new homes. And not just new homes, but new lives: connecting them with apprenticeships, helping them figure out what work they want to do, and basically just doing as much as possible to set them up for success.

_Prodigals_ might be a harder sell, but it is the Liberators' responsibility regardless. And so they shall work to make use of the infrastructure they've already built, and they will work to convince those across the Compact to welcome these new brothers and sisters. To remind them of the Compact's shared responsibility to help those who have been freed from bondage. To honor the tenets of freedom and choice by helping those who have gone without those tenets to find their footing in a new life. _Yes, in a real and tangible way, Compact, you can't just voice your well-wishes._ Time to help!

Resettlement operations are nothing new to the Liberators, and fortunately Ferrando is extremely fluent in all things streetwise and with several years of general carousing all over Arx from Lowers around the docks to the Whisper House on top of the previous Liberator operations helping resettle ex-thralls all across the Compact, he either knows a guy or knows a guy who knows a guy pretty much all over Arvum by this point. To that end he'll be setting up shop in Farhaven closest to the source of the refugees for a bit and essentially help direct said refugee traffic towards trusted contacts in appropriate spots, steering them away from bad situations, making sure they know where not to go to get mugged in unfamiliar cities, and helpful successfully life-rebooting stuff like that.

Claude will visit some of the places facing the heaviest influx of refugees and attempt to hold small town-hall style meetings and speak to influential people in those areas in the hopes of having them be more accepting and offering more aid to the refugees. He will speak on his own experiences as former under-writ Abandoned and how he has flourished thanks in great part to members of the Compact aiding and believing in him. And how welcoming and nourishing these new, lost souls, will make the Compact stronger and more robust.

Caspian was busy after the end of the war in thrax, working with many to help the now freed thralls find new places and new lives. now, he is a member of the commoner's council, and in a slightly better position to help those who find themselves in the city proper. He does his best to share stories of the North, of how shavs had saved lives, or charming stories of star struck loves from different families, anything to ingratiate the shavs with the people of the city.

Something isn't right with the numbers of refugees, the more that the Liberators spend with them. They are able to help them a great deal, but some unsettling details begin to emerge. These aren't just large sections of a few big shav clans, tribes or houses. Every group has their own distinctive markers, different cultural flourishes that they keep to themselves to blend when they have to, but it's still there, and it's easy to spot them as the Liberators spend time with them. They are able to identify members of hundreds of different groups. Thousands even. That's not just a number of groups that were under the sway of the Horned God. It can't be.

It's more like all the Abandoned groups in Arvum.

But if that's the case, where -is- everyone. They are helping thousands of people. Tens of thousands. And certainly that number is multipled many times over throughout all the different holdings in the Compact that people are fleeing to. But it seems like there should be more.

It doesn't feel like just some refugees. It feels like all of the Abandoned are being driven from their lands. -All- of them.

The Prismatic Order hits the books.

We know that Azazel absorbed Fable, Ruin, and Legion. What we want to know, is what does this mean? How does this affect Azazel and how might be different? What strengths could he gain and what weaknesses might come along with it? Ultimately, he must be defeated. So do this, we need to understand who we are facing.

So, the Prismatic Order will comb through information. They will dust off old texts and seek understanding through whatever means inspires them. Maybe there's something out there, that will tell them more. As their own adventures takes them to different places, it gives them the opportunity to look everywhere.

Fortunato has a lot (a lot) of wild ideas, but this is not what they need right now. Where he can, he'll look for anything thematically relevant to intersections, archfiend absorption (gods, has this EVER happened??), reconfigurations in gods and their reflections, limits to absorptions, aaaanything. Where he can't, he'll have his old pal and assistant Ugarte collate. Certainly Ugarte should not be adventuring out in the woods. He's a purely urban fellow.

Time for the time-honored Aleksei tradition of figuring this out: hope that he luckily stumbles on the right tome. At least the Archive is more full these days, and even if this is an entirely unprecedented situation, maybe people have theorized? Or maybe there's records of this happening on a lower level (demon eating demon, etc.). Let's see if they can find it!

Faye has access to a lot of old records in the back rooms at the House of Questions. There are boxes of records from her father's time, as well as from Shreve's time. While mentions of Azazel might be excised, mention of the others may not be, particularly in accounts Inquisitors may have have had with those evil forces. As usual, it's often a matter of reading between the lines and trying to see what used to be there.

Research is something that Ann is good at. She will use her resources such as Inquisitor and Iron Guard to see if they have any information she might have missed in the old texts or if there are other ways to find the information that they seek.

Tikva will apply her inquisitorial skills to the problem and dig through all of Laric's weird-ass stuff in the old refectory and in his office while the others are prowling the archives. Surely between Vellicor's knowledge and the occultist texts and notes that have been accumulated over time they'll be able to sort out some kind of concrete plan for dealing with Azazel.

Keely can read! But everyone else has that covered, so she will use her social skills to schmooze and charm whichever scholars, Inquisitors, librarians, etc. that might hold the key to finding what team Prism is looking for.

While Khanne meditates, searching for answers in her soul's memories a bit related to these very questions (Action 4942), she also will seek more information on Azazel. Has this happened before? How did it 'change the game'? What tools were in place to defeat him? Are there weaknesses we have not yet discovered? Were there plans in place to defeat or stop him? She'll try to see if the parts of her soul that Ylaria's memories reside in can provide any information that might be able to help her.

It's a start. Azazel has the power of a dark god now, but even at his full strength, Baalphrigor was defeated in battle and driven into slumber then sealed. Through research, they are able to discover a few useful strands that might have value. Or might not. But it's something to start. Something to work with.

In order to pass through the Thinnest Point into the Shining Realms, a being needs to take physical form and coalesce into a manifestation to pass. The Thinnest Point is large, perhaps twice as large as a man, but something needs to physically pass through- it cannot do so in an insubstantial state, for reasons related to the way souls pass through death. So if Azazel intends to enter, he must become small enough to do so, and be able to be physically attacked before he passes.

The combined forces of much of the world was able to bring Baalphrigor low, and every indication was the Archfiend of Tyranny physically manifested on the world was significantly mightier than most of the other archfiends combined. This is intensely problematic if he should arrive, but it does mean that if Azazel is in physical form, he could potentially be defeated by enough raw force.

Azazel was brought into existence, amplified really, due to a working by Pyrite, the Great Seal, who some know as Aldwin the forch Archscholar of Vellichor. Pyrite had the magic that led to his creation, perhaps he could unmake it, if he met Azazel in person. And perhaps, though a grim thought, his death could serve to unmake Azazel. Though considering the great seal's death would almost certainly release Baalphrigor, that might not be very helpful. If his death does unmake Azazel, Azazel is likely unaware of it or does not believe it to be the case.

It's not much to go on. Much of the answers about Azazel and his original construction would be with an old man in Eurus, who currently has the Dune Emperor and Prophet of the Sands trying to kill him. It's thin, but it's there.

The reemergence of magic in Arvum doesn't just spell trouble; it also opens up opportunity. And with Prism discovered to be suffering from poison, hopefully this newly emerging freedom will provide them more room discovering a cure. And so Aleksei is going to ask whoever might willing and able to help in exploring possible routes to helping Prism. He knows that she's suffering from a poison related to Legion, based on the skittering he saw inside of her. He knows that Triscali, one of Prism's past lives that she split off from herself several years ago, was bitten by a centipede at the battle at Sungreet. And he knows that Triscali is now acting a bit...erratic.

Aleksei has an IDEA, which is related to the events that took place the night of the Eclipse of Mirrors: if a number of people choosing with all their hearts to sacrifice a dream could help to divert disaster with Destiny's awakening, could a similar logic be applied to a rite to cleanse Prism of Legion? Choices, after all, are the antithesis of Legion's power. Aleksei is going to be doing whatever he can think of to investigate and explore the basic premise, particularly now that he's crossed another threshold with magic and has a LITTLE more ability under his belt.

Fortunato is here to dig, obsessively, in the archives. To seek inspiration through sitting in odd places. To cross-reference, cross-dream, situate and re-situate. He's relying on as much intuition as old texts.

As Khanne travels in the Northlands for other purposes, she is speaking to many people, visiting many towns and tribes. She takes this as an opportunity to expand their research. Perhaps the Northlands histories will hold some information on the Poison of Legion... ways to help cleanse Prism of his presence. She's had some luck in the apst finding truths in tales and songs of old, perhaps she will be lucky this time as well.

Faye concentrates her energy on considering the black roses their group collected some time ago and they have been cultivating. She visits the greenhouse where they are growing, gently pruning them to promote health and growth, removing dead leaves and such, keeping them company. And sometimes she just listens to them, sitting with them and meditating. Considering their connection to Triscali, they may have some link or key their group can use. And as she meditates, she draws a mandala in simple pen and ink. The drawing is a circle of twisting vines and blooms, something like automatic writing, adding closer detail as she goes, where she will see what has developed in the end.

Tikva is a pretty good investigator at this point and carries the full weight of a senior inquisitor as well as her balalaika and her spellsinging chops. The archive is a good source, but so are the stranger resources held in the old refectory, and as far as finding a dream to spend, she is sure she can come up with something, individual and distinct but in concert towards that same goal. She will also provide musical accompaniment to help people on focus. I hear classical strains can help with this.

Denica is not a words person, but she's really good with pictures. She will see if there's any answers in art. She will hit the archives, galleries, anywhere she can find old art, diagrams, symbols, charts and the like. Talking to people to see if they've seen anything that might provide some insight and guidance.

Ann is really good at finding out things that others might have missed. She is willing to help in this investigation in hopes of finding the answers to perhaps cure Prism from their suffering. Her magic skills are min so she can at least do background work for others if needed so others could use their strengths in that way.

It takes a great deal of effort, but they *think* they have a ritual that will work. Aleksei's idea seems to have precisely the right resonance, though it is a certainty that it will have to be used with Triscali present, and attempting to find sacrifices that resonante with aspects of her personality and reign, that have meaning to her and remind her of the parts of her life when freedom was not a burden, and why her soul embraced it. It puts Triscali (and Prism) at great risk, and if the ritual goes badly, it could potentially empower Legion to act- while preventing Skald from acting in return, which would herald doom. But inaction carries more than its share of risks, so they think they can try.

Multiple people have suggested to Sir Bhandn that he try to meditate about Fidelis in order to better understand it. So, he'll be following one such suggestion and taking the blade to the Hall of Heroes to try and explore that connection. His method of meditation is to undertake a vigil at Silver's statue, with that beautiful diamondplate sword unsheathed and exposed to the world. In particular, he hopes to explore the connection his soul has with the blade, if not learn more about the blade's being imbued with primum and why it was imbued.

He will not be going alone; his retainer will accompany him with writing materials to (Bhandn hopes) accurately capture any speech that may come out of the knight's mouth.

Holden is not exactly the greatest at this whole 'meditation' thing, but he's at least tried it once himself; he knows that the more things you have there which have a tie to what you're meditating on, the better the likelihood of success. And if this blade was once the blade of House Morganis, and if the Morgan family are indeed the descendants of House Morganis then perhaps their presence alone will help.

Holden also remembers how deeply affected he was by his own meditative experience. The fact that Bhandn suggests that the sort of effect this has had on him in the past is a /negative/ one does make Holden a little more concerned for the man. So he'll be there to provide support as best he can -- and if something Really Bad happens, well, he'll be there with war-flail in hand. Because you never know what will happen when you start mucking about with these things.

And while Holden isn't an occultist, or a scholar, or a philosopher, or any of these people who muck about with magic... Holden /is/ very good at hitting things.

Accepting Sir Bhandn's invitation (extended out to the pertinent members of the Morgan family), Briseis duly attends the meditation. She has some experience when it comes to paying witness to these rituals, how to conduct herself, how to watch, how to intercede should one start to emotionally unravel -- but, more importantly, she hopes to lend her physical presence for more esoteric, spiritual reasons. As a Morganis blood descendent, she hopes her proximity (along with Holden) will be enough to ground Fidelis and help beacon the magic within the weapon to "open up" to Bhandn. She will also be on hand to try to record any oddities that might come from the knight during the meditation, as well as be ready to assist her brother should anything dangerous happen, and they need to pull Bhandn from harm. Selfishly, she also wishes to know more about Fidelis, as it is a focal part of trying to learn more about her family's mysterious legacy.

Aleksei is no reincarnate, and he doesn't have a magic sword. But it's not his first time meditating on strange things, and he's dealt with much more /aggressive/ swords. So this will be fine! Right? He's not great at /quiet/, but he can actually focus now if he wants to, and he sometimes has a knack or an instinct for weird shit. Or sometimes he has a knack for 'thing that makes sense but is wildly dangerous, what are you doing, Aleksei.' He brings, as he always does, a certain enthusiasm and weirdly eclectic experience.

Also, Silver's real cool.

When all the information had been revealed, coming out of the clouds of doubt concerning this particular venture - it is now with understanding the reason for it's secrecy as the sword in question is one whispered about. Brigid is no stranger to things otherworldly, in fact, she is no stranger to the search for connections related to the soul. In full armor and wielding the templar blade named Canon, the Oathlander will stand at Bhandn's side to save him from whatever may materialize - for who truly knows what veils will be pulled back? If protecting Sir Bhandn from himself will become a necessary thing, by Limerance she'll see to it as the Dragoon of Acorn Hill and a fellow Dame of the Silver Covenant.

There is also some hope that her presence with provide a meditative grounding, tranquil composure a pillar to be leaned upon, and the knowledge of things that lurk unseen able to keep her steadfast.

They are arrayed in the Hall of Heroes, with Bhandn in the center, Fidelis unsheathed and laid across his lap. He empties himself of all thought and waits. There comes a sound, the rustle and clink of metal, and then it is visible, a golden chain, forged one link at a time. The chain loops around Briseis, Aleksei and Holden, there is a hum of sound, the light around each of them cast in golden tones, a sweet sound rises around them, like some great unseen celestial chorus.

The three siblings each have a sunstone gem set in the center of their brow, gleaming golden, red and orange, bright with elysian light. Holden looks younger, stronger, a paragon of knighthood, an incredible proud bearing -- almost royal. Aleksei himself glows with that golden light, as if it were in his veins, illuminating him from the inside. As for Briseis, she is dressed in a gown of red and gold scales, dragonweep woven into her hair, on her rings and necklace, dripping from her ears. She looks every inch a princess with the bearing of the same.

When it comes to Brigid, the chain loops around her as well, though there is a hesitation there, as if uncertain what to make of her. The light is white and neutral, the loop loose and as non-constrictive as it is for the trio of siblings. After a moment there is the most subtle hints of ghostly clink of coins, a few falling like rain at her feet.

The chain stretches out towards Bhandn, a loose loop around his form, the gentle golden light bathing him in warmth. But the light around Bhandn changes, turning a hard, cold blue, glints of sanguine red and flecks of black, but blue, a deep sapphire blue, most of all. The chain around Bhandn shatters and for him the chorus of voices turn to cries of agony, screams of damnation. The blade in his lap has become a massive key forged from ice, freezing him to the bone as a woman's sultry laughter rises, drowning out that chorus of agony. A snake with improbably blue scales and hazel eyes with motes of amber and green, appears from the shadows, slithering towards Bhandn, coiling around him with its impossibly long body. "My sweetest jailer, have you missed me?" The words seem to come from the snake, a woman's voice, both cruel and affectionate.

The chains grow slack around the others, and Aleksei and Brigid are first to be free, their swords wink in the mix of blue and golden light, and as their blades reach the snake, there is a laugh as the snake vanishes with the sound of fluttering wings as a blue jay darts up into the air and flies out of the Hall of Heroes.

With a blink, everything is quite normal, no oddly colored lights, no forehead gems or golden chains. Bhandn has collapsed, unconscious, Fidelis laid over his thighs. When the sword is moved, frost clings to the man's pants, the flesh underneath ice cold.

It's time to have a little rebellion.

Easier said than done. Aleksei has left the expert matters of smuggling to Evaristo and his team of sailors, pirates, and merchants -- both the smuggling in of weapons and the smuggling /out/ of thralls in Action #3945. Aleksei doesn't know smuggling. He's /terrible/ at boats. That is why he recruited people who were the opposite of that.

But where does that leave them? Here is what Aleksei knows: there are some ten thralls in Sungreet for every free citizen. It is perhaps the bastion of traditionalism in the Isles, meaning that the thralls there have likely not been treated softly. He knows that thralls are often controlled by the threat of violence not only against themselves, but against their family and loved ones who might be more vulnerable. He knows that these are going to be people who might be deeply reluctant to even think about something like a rebellion. These are the things he knows.

So he makes sure he has answers to these things. He has asked Brass for his help, for his magic, and for his involvement; he hopes for a number of the weapons smuggled in to be those artificed by Brass for just this purpose. As many as he's willing to make them. He'll bring Brass with them, if Brass is willing. He's asked /Prism/ for help, however she is able to; he knows that she is a powerful illusionist, and she may be able to help to move people from place to place without being seen. Certainly no lock will be able to stand against her mere presence.

But even more important are the others he gathers to help. The regular people, just like him, each with their own valuable skills. With the most vulnerable thralls hopefully able to make it out via the smuggling efforts, he tries to use the contacts and information he may have garnered from Action #3924 to give them a place to start. They'll start quiet conversations with those who are amenable and well-positioned to help influence others. The first step, after all, is convincing them to organize at all. Give them hope. Aleksei is the First Liberator, the Paladin of Freedom, and though he tries to keep his presence quiet overall -- considering who he is -- he also tries to leverage it in those private moments. He isn't there to just throw weapons at them and tell them to rebel while he slips away, after all; he will stand with them. He will fight. He tells them that House Helianthus has no intention of honoring Prince Victus's abolition of thralldom, and that Duke Ivan is surely stalling for time while the Eurusi fleet travels to his shores. That Skal'daja is a City of Slavery, built on chains and auction blocks, and matters will only become worse if their fleet is able to arrive.

It is a scary prospect, but there is also hope. They bring armament, and word that Thrax and the Faith are acting, that their fleet should arrive before Eurus. Aleksei and his team will try to organize the thralls into cells so as to keep things secure. Word has to be passed quietly. People will need to be convinced, and they will need to be trained. Signals will have to be arranged and organized. Quietly. Still quietly.

And when the time is ready? They will need to be led. Timing, of course, is tricky, and will depend on some other things. If Thrax and the Faith show up and battle breaks out -- well, then it's /definitely/ time. But if Eurus looks soon to land without anyone getting in the way? Then it's also time to act.

[OOC: Things might possibly change and adjust as people put in assists and we get closer to deadline!]

Shard intends to let the others do most of the talking and convincing, while she works on helping to keep everything quiet. Secret. Organizing cells? Well, she can work on the logistics of that. Finding quiet places for meetings or safe places to store weaponry? She can probably do that too. Actually teaching willing thralls to learn how to fight? Well, Shard's not much of a teacher, but she /can/ teach, and in a pinch, she actually does have some talent to inspire, particularly when it comes to killing slavers and striving for freedom. She'll keep to the shadows when she's not needed in order to avoid drawing attention to the group, as well as to keep a keen eye out for trouble.

But mostly? Mostly Shard is here for the inevitable fight. She intends to fight by Aleksei's side, and, should things go incredibly poorly, try to get as many people out alive as possible. If they can't get out of Sungreet, then she'll have places already worked out where they can try to bunker down and wait for reinforcements, or go to ground entirely. In her mind, it's always best to prepare for the worst.

But as for the best? Well, she'll be very, very happy indeed if they manage to create a successful uprising at exactly the wrong time for Ivan Helianthus.

The Crownbreaker Wars were started when one conniving princess seduced the guard on watch, and then slit his throat so she could open the gate to the Thraxian warriors. Mirari knows this story better than most, and seduction is an old practiced move for her at this point. So while the others are inspiring the thralls to rebellion, or bringing weapons to help, or teaching the thralls a mnemonic, Mirari will be going under the guise of a recently widowed woman returning from another island to; flirt, seduce, and ensnare the guard captain and his team. Any she thinks she can either distract at a key moment or that she can turn to their side through seduction.

She's got such a pretty smile, and when her knife is hidden under her elaborately braided hair she looks oh so harmless.

She'll also be tossing in some coin to add to the funding of hiring on men-at-arms to help.

He's no Brass and no Prism, but Raymesin has been hired to help - and helping is what he does. A master of back-alley knife-em-ups and dirty fighting in general, he's there to show people that they can and should stand up for themselves and each other. Fighting with honour only counts if the other side is willing to extend that honour to you, and it doesn't matter how good a swordsman is if ten people rush in with sticks, clubs, knives and anything else that comes to hand. But, most important, Raymesin's there to show people how to turn their everyday tools into weapons. Fish-cleaners use knives, and there's not /that/ much difference between gutting fish and gutting people. Farmers lay hedges, prune, mow, and reap - and all of that takes tools, tools that can be turned to ends other than growing food for other people to eat and keeping their land tidy for them. Why should the nobility of House Helianthus benefit so much from someone else's work?

But mostly, Raymesin's here for the fight. He got hired to show these people how to use the skills they already have, and he'll make no bones about that - no-one would believe he was here out of the goodness of his own heart, even if it was true - but when it comes down to it, having the odd professional in with the rebellion they're hoping to raise can't hurt in the slightest. He's not particularly subtle, but then he's not going out to change hearts and minds. He's working with the hearts and minds that are already in, to help them become effective.

Fortunato cannot fight worth shit. Although he is a Whisper, he is not known for his persuasive weight. But he has brought some poetry. Poetry can enliven the heart and the like. He assumes thralls, unique among folk of Arvum, may not be literate, so he reads his poems aloud. He encourages memorization. He says that if they are hurt by someone stronger, or forced to do something they do not desire to do, that reciting one of these poems in private may give them heart.

Reprisal

I have been hurt.
You who hurt me.
Should understand hurt.
This is my plea.

Rescue

I have been chained.
You who chain me.
Should understand chains.
I will be free.

Moving amongst the lowest of the low is something that Raja knows. She will be going in disguise to mingle amongst the Thralls, speaking with them, being them for all intents and purposes. She will hide her dagger and cover her leather armor in the rags of thralls. She will dirty herself and even sport a bruised cheek (which she did to herself) to blend in all the more. Using this disguise, she will help spread dissent and assist in leading away the children and infirmed to safer locales to be smuggled out. She will help spread weapons through the masses.

    Venturo is only too happy to help setup distractions across the area under the guise of carnivals. He'll bring the Kismet Carnival into town, so to speak. He'll be hand picking the performers and entertainers, ones he knows and trusts well, and will give Aleksei and others the opportunity to embed some of their own agents into the carnivals as well. It will serve two points:

    First is the spread of information and organization to the thralls and others who are engaged in these activities. People come and go at these festivities, everyone is drinking and enjoying themselves... and there are plenty of areas to have clandestine conversations to organize a rebellion.

    The second thing Venturo will aim to do is to hold a large celebration for the /important/ people of the House there. The nobles. The beauracrats. The movers and shakers. A large celebration of House Helianthus and their lands. Drinks will be served for free to toast the long life of the House and their deeds, alcohol shall flow freely. And if a group of rebels seeking to free the thralls uses the opportunity to round up so many important, tipsy lords and ladies and dignitaries of Helianthus in one spot? Well, all the better!

The Blackrose lives and she has come to help.

Thralls are criminals and getting what they deserve. That's the philosophy and culture of the Mourning Isles, and particularly in traditionalist holdings such as House Helianthus' Sungreet, where thralls are just not treated softly in general. A majority of thralls are Abandoned seized from their home by war parties, with their thrall debts written as a war debt for raising arms against the Compact, even if the shav'arvani had never touched a blade or seen a member of the Compact before. And their treatment is even worse, since they are treated as murderous raiders that are ancestral enemies of the Compact.

Timing is everything, and it's hard to determine the exact right moment to start their rebellion. Weapons are smuggled in, and some of the non-combatants are smuggled out. Liberators lay the ground work. Mirari spends a great deal of time with some of the guards, and is able to help them all move freely through the city, as Mirari manages to sway a guard captain into being extremely sympathetic to their cause (though mostly to her in particular). Venturo's propaganda is proliferated through the city, priming many of the thralls for the moment, and Raja is able to help smuggle them all around the city, particularly Aleksei and Fortunato for when the time is right. Triscali, well. She is able to move herself without being seen, and wait for the moment.

The moment comes when the templars under command of Sir Preston tries to arrest Duke Ivan Helianthus.

It's unclear what exactly happened at the beaches as House Helianthus met with the templars, but a fight does break out and troops from House Helianthus move to assist and provide an opening. When that happens, Fortunato is struck by a number of chained thralls laboring as masons and working on a new building all stop and begin to recite the poem he had written, a poem they could never had heard, ignoring the angry shout of a guard to stop.

And then it all starts to happen at once.

Some of the thralls near Fortunato slip their manacles, as if their manacles were a size too large, and several guards are tackled. Cries raise up from a score of different buildings as the sounds of battle echoes throughout the city of Sungreet. Guards begin to pour out of buildings and march out from the castle of House Helianthus, and thralls are charging into the streets, frantic fights happening as the thralls are trying to get free and out of the city.

Aleksei is surrounded by dozens of thralls, giving a speech on freedom to cheers that go up around him. Raymesin shivs a Helianthus archer a moment before he would have shot Aleksei, and Mirari is ducking in and out of houses dealing with problems best resolved by sharp instruments. Mirari charges into one barracks alone to help some thralls that were trapped in there, and oddly it seems as if the entire place goes darker, and shadows seem to follow her. She emerges some time later bloody but unharmed.

Thousands of thralls are in the streets fighting Helianthus guards, though there's significantly more Helianthus troops than expected. Some of the Helianthus troops begin to fight against other Helianthus troops, including Mirari's guard captain, cheering on the liberated thralls, though the troops loyal to Duke Ivan Helianthus are cutting down thralls wherever they can, and making a push towards the gates to try to seal the city, and cut the forces of the Faith off.

Scores of armed and armored Helianthus troops rush the open gates to seal it, and are met by one woman wearing a crown and beautifully armored, holding a glaive. Perhaps a handful might recognize the artwork that had immortalized Queen Triscali the Blackrose. Perhaps a few might question why a single armed woman was there to stop them. Perhaps. But they charge all the same, swords raised and letting out battle cries at the one woman there to stop them.

There's a blast of radiant light as Triscali's glaive meets the first sword swung at her, and a dozen men are knocked off their feet. A flick of her wrist and another man charging at her is spun away with such force that him and three other men are imbedded inside a wall. Another man swings his sword at her and stands bemused as Triscali explodes into glittering pink butterflies that fade into wisps of light, and her glaive cuts him down as she reappeared behind him. Another swing of her hand and a dozen men are suddenly blinded, and she points her glaive and utters a word as the ground swallows up another group of soldiers.

And then the swell of hundreds of Helianthus soldiers and hundreds of freed thralls arrive at the gates, and it's a great melee. Eurusi are coming on land as well, and there's battle cries as swarms of Eurusi soldiers try to take the Faith in the rear. Raymesin and Mirari are fighting back to back keeping Helianthus soldiers away from Aleksei and Fortunato, as thralls trained by Raymesin are taking the fight to House Helianthus, a solid mass of armed and liberated former thralls around Venturo guarding him, many of whom are deeply grateful for the man's carnivals providing just the cover they needed for them to be armed and trained. Meeting the charging Eurusi head on is Shard, with dozens of shav ex-thralls around her as they form a wedge to stop the Eurusi from entering the city. She feathers a dozen men before they reach the walls, and then it's time for swords, as she holds a line with determined thralls who would far rather die free than return to the life they had known until today.

Queen Triscali is suddenly among the Eurusi ranks, fighting robed figures that are hurling fire and darkness at her, keeping Eurusi mages at bay. As the Black Rose fights, Aleksei hears an odd buzzing of insects and sees centipedes skittering on the ground. The buzzing gradually becomes more and more audible as he sees swarms of insects moving across the ground, "Sk... skk... skka... skaaa... SKALD. SKALD. SKALD. KIL... KILL... KILL... SKALD... KILL SKALD. KILL SKALD. KILL SKALD." In the midst of the fighting, dozens of snake-sized centipedes start trying to bite at Aleksei, as he, Fortunato and thralls around them stomp and swat at the things, as then there's a howl and a terrible snarl as a giant half-man half-wolf thing half knocks Aleksei over to get at the centipedes, tearing them apart and bitting and rending, and then leaps a solid twenty feet towards a rising humanoid form made up of centipedes, tackling to the ground and disappearing beneath a swirling melee of combatants.

As the Eurusi press in, a second force of Eurusi is arriving and attacking them, coming to the aid of the badly pressed Faith militant forces. The battle is turning as Triscali cuts down another mage trying to launch black fire towards the ranks of the Faith, and the hostile Eurusi and forces under Duke Ivan Helianthus start to withdraw, fighting a savage rearguard action as they fight their way towards the docks and beaches of the city, with both Eurusi ships and ships under Duke Ivan Helianthus begin to depart.

The battle is getting more sporadic and spread out, and the swell has left Fortunato and Aleksei as they recover an unconscious and bloody Shard with torn clothes and armor, and then Fortunato starts to have a very bad feeling. A very, very bad one he can't quite place, but a sensation of overwhelming dread. And he sees it.

One small little centipede, glowing with a sickly green, skittering through the bloody grass at Triscali, as she is fighting desperately to protect a group of unarmed thralls from a Eurusi surrounded by a dark nimbus of flame. Fortunato opens his mouth to call out a warning, even as Triscali finishes an incantation that vaporizes the Eurusi in a wave of light, and she looks up as the little green centipede wraps around her boot and bites deep, through her armor. She instinctively gestures downward and the centipede shrieks and turns to ash, but Triscali's veins in her forehead for a moment pulses a sickly green, and she tumbles over unconscious.

And then the battle is over. House Helianthus is now split in a civil war, with Lord Trevor Helianthus, Ivan's heir, has turned against him, and the Eurusi split as well, with Damik'uhl'daja the Crown Prince of Skal'daja having voiced interest in joining the Compact. Sungreet stands liberated and free... but the Mourning Isles are now at war, and two thirds of the Eurusi fleet is sailing away to the South and Southwest. Towards the Saffron, not towards Eurusi.

They are surrounded by the dead, and unconscious Shard and Triscali. Thousands of grateful thralls are free, cheering Aleksei and his friends. Many have tears of joy, knowing the first freedom since childhood. It's a victory, despite the dead, and considerable alarm over Triscali and Shard and others. And it's a beautiful day, battle aside.

Though on the horizon to the east, there's storm clouds.

Once upon a time, several years ago, about twenty thousand people in Stormward suddenly had no place to go. The Liberators took up the call, expanding previous efforts of assisting those freed from bondage to make it work for -- a much larger number. And, because of the help of countless supporters who came together, they were able to see those people safely relocated (for those who wished to be) and resettled (for all of them) into new lives.

Well! Now we have...several tens of thousands of slaves from the Saffron Chain ending up in Arvum. That is quite a lot. Some of them already seem to be settling in the Lyceum where they landed, but the Liberators would not be doing their duty if they did not respond. And so Aleksei and a number of others are traveling south to see what can be done. A lot of ex-thralls from Stormward ended up settling in Setarco several years ago after Pravus offered such notable assistance, and he'll reach out to see if some of those people -- maybe some of them became Liberators! -- will offer some of their assistance, as people who have benefited from this sort of aid before, along with, of course, connecting with the local Seraph and the Faith discipleships in Setarco.

The process is simple enough: the Liberators always seek to give refugees as many choices as they can. Where do you want to live? What do you want to do? Aleksei provides as much guidance as he can, helping educate people on their options so they can find the path most suitable to them. And then, wherever they land, the Faith makes sure they have places to stay and food to eat as they go through the process of first finding work or apprenticeships to find their feet. A simple enough process! But one that requires a ton of work and resources.

At least it's not Aleksei's first rodeo, right?

Zara's bringing her diplomatic talents to apply to the problem. She has limited direct experience with refugees but a very great deal of experience in smoothing feathers in the midst of great change, as with the Great Road. She's also able to use her position as Voice of Valardin to aide those who would settle in the Oathlands.

Raya began her journey into the Faith, before taking her vows, as a disciple of Jayus. And she still believes there are none better who can aid those in need of finding gainful work as makers of beautiful things. So, she works her connections to help those who can craft find apprenticeships. She also offers instruction on the Pantheon and general cultural matters, so these new citizens can understand what's expected of them and acclimate to their new lives.

Having heard about the move by Aleksei and the Liberators to help settle the Eurusi refugees, Dianna is keen to go to the Lyceum, her birthplace and former home, to assist with helping smooth the transition of these people. She'll use her ability to charm and persuade mass groups of people - her prestige and renown having grown since becoming both Godsworn and a Third Reflection Mirrormask (and it hasn't hurt to be Countess Vanora's protege, as well).

In each of the encampments, inns, or other gathering places where these newly freed former-slaves congregate, Astrid will be there. She'll walk among them, shake their hands, kiss their cheeks. She'll arrange times to preach about Choice and its consequences, on the dogma of Skald. And any who wish to join the Compact (or re-join depending on where they were taken from) she will help find a new life.

Change can be frightening in the moment, even if it is ultimately for the better. Freedom may seem daunting after what feels like forever under the lash, but it is ultimately the first step to a new life. Estelle feels the divine calling of Lagoma to assist these multitudes in need as best as she is able to bolster them through to this new stage of their lives. Long trips and new places can unblance one's humors, and the Mercy will first seek to keep their bodies strong and healthy so that they are better able to focus on the encouraging mentions of what the Liberators and Arvum can offer.

Once upon a time, several years ago, about twenty thousand people in Stormward suddenly had no place to go. And Kennex were greatly in need of help and were greatly assisted by the liberators. Since then, Kennex has grown into a duchy and has a reputation for being one of the most progressive houses in Thrax, and all because of the Liberators help.

It is now time to help pay forward the help the Liberators gave to Kennex all those years ago, by providing support and assistance in the form of writs and silver and support. Catalana will leave the ships and moving people to the others more experienced with boats, while Catalana Kennex will come herself and help take charge of the paperwork. If it's one thing the lady knows, is that paperwork saves lives. She'll take note of what people say in their interviews and where they are interested in being placed. She will look at lists of who has lands available and match them to where is most suited. She will co-ordinate all ships coming and going and make sure each ship has the correct rations and passenger loads. At the end of the day, she will present summary reports and cost analysis to Aleksei and hopefully save him from pulling all his hair out.

Jyri has experience of similar situations, though the scope of this is much bigger than anything he's been involved with before. Either or, he hears Aleksei's call and immediately offers his help. His expertise in survival and leadership is his focus, he knows how to make much out of nothing, so he comes along - despite being quite dubious about travel at sea, should they need to get on a ship.

Before leaving, he held a raffle with one of his paintings as a prize, and a fair bit of extra resources was the result, all to help the refugees with. He also adds on a considerable amount of his own. As a former refugee, he knows fully well how rough this will be for them and every bit of coin helps.

So, his services are protection, and he can train refugees or put his skills as a leader to good use, making sure things run smoothly with his commanding aura. But, additionally - he is the Minister of Population for house Whitehawk and his house is offering housing and work to refugees, to as many as Whitehawk land can reasonably accept.

Darren loves a good liberation, and will gladly travel with Aleksei and the others down south with little grumbling to do his best to help out. He'll extol the virtues of the Northlands and Freedom and offer jobs and homes to those that would take Redrain up on their offer. He also brings with him a contingent of soldiers to ensure that both their own journey, and the journeys of those that wish to travel onwards from the Lyceum, are suitably protected.

Tatienne is a skilled merchant, affluent and willing to invest in this heavily to help the newly freed acquire genuine freedom. She figures this many people will need to be fed and clothed, and so she pulls in on her considerable network contacts to provide abundant amounts of both; and any excess funding can go to building up homes for the newly freed.

Orrin has done this before! Orrin has done this before repeatedly. Between readying his land for refugees with a particular focus on thralls (action 3129), building an entire town set up for the care and education of newly freed folks (action 3284), to screening refugees (acion 3358) and several rounds of hunting down cultists on the heels of that (plot 425), to freeing slaves in the Saffron Chain and settling them at Pearlspire (plot 595), Orrin is prepared for this in particular.

He's going to do three things.

1: He's going to make sure that everyone working on this - from Liberators in general to folks with their specific holdings - have an accounting of what has worked to prepare lands for refugees, what has been good but extraneous, what has been less effective. He's going to make sure that everyone working on this knows what has worked to find cultists and bad actors amongst refugees, in particular using those more familiar with the cultural background of the refugees in general to make note of those acting in ways that are inconsistent with people who legitimately just want to live their best free lives.

2: He's going to identify helpful folks from those who have successfully settled in Pearlspire from the Isle al'Aswaq, whether they are helpful because they have linguistic skills, keen insights into other people, or other social skills that would make them persuasive and capable of helping, and lead them through the process of refugee screening. For those holdings that are taking refugees who don't have such help, he'll try to identify people who would be willing to travel and do this work in other holdings as well.

3: He's going to offer homes to as many screened refugees as possible, with a focus on populating Breckendale Vale.

When the offer to help slaves from Eurus comes her way, Raja was dubious. She has her own private reasons to not get involved. However, curiosity wins at the end. This would be an opportunity to mingle with people from her place of birth, even though they are the lowliest slaves. She sets off with the Liberators, working alongside them to help settle in the now freed people.

Alessandro will be assisting with the finances of this sort of endeavor. There has to be some sort of budget, and the more it's stretched, the more refugees can be settled somewhat comfortably and hopefully happily. He will also offer Greenhaven as one of the choices for the refugees to settle in, should they wish to. He has some experience with resettlement due to the aftereffects of the Great Road, and so he puts those to use now.

Porter Kennex will be using his position as Admiral of the Stormward Fleet to help transport refugees and get them resettled. They'll be given an opportunity to settle in Stormward, if they should so choose to.

Shard has limited resources, of course, but what she does have in abundance are a whole lot of sellswords available for work, and the ability to provide said work at the cost of their contracts alone, and without taking a cut herself or doing the usual mark-up for profit. And it just so happens that a fair chunk of those sellswords are ex-Kennex Thralls, recruited during that crisis many years ago. They'll be providing security and protection for the incoming refugees, as well as any necessary escort to wherever said refugees choose to go. She'll also be offering a place to any former slave who wants to actually take up the life of a mercenary.

Oh, and if any of her sellswords get any ideas about taking advantage of the needy circumstances of the people they're protecting, or for that matter sticking their fingers into the vast amounts of wealth that need to be moved around to make this happen, well, there are other examples to be taken from the Valorous Few's time in Kennex lands; that of the very swift violent end a few of them met when they decided to start looting. The Captain-General has no intention whatsoever of letting her crew run wild on this trip.

Mailys is a merchant, and that means several things:
1) She has considerable liquid assets, and she'll personally contribute five hundred thousand silver to this cause.
2) She has a talent for getting a -lot- of goods at a discount, and so many of these new refugees will need the sundries. They'll need a change or two of clothes, soap, pots and/or pans. They're going to need bedding, and tools of their trades-- or their apprenticeships, or whatever path they take. Mailys is going to do her absolute best to get the most bang for her buck, trying to get the perfect balance of quality and quantity. None of it's going to be amazing, but it'll all be quite serviceable.
3) She'll offer free room and board within Arx for one (1) year, for any refugees that don't find a place elsewhere, whether that is at Casa di Corsetina or one of the various boarding houses within the city.
4) Employment! Corsetina Merchantile has a wealth of job opportunities for all kinds of skillsets.

Elora accompanies her husband, Jyri, as he provides protection and trains/leads the refugees, she would provide medical services and advice to anyone that needs it, using her skills to spot illnesses and injuries before they become worse (or in the case of diseases, spread to the greater population), as well as providing triage so as not to no misuse valuable resources to ensure the best outcome for all of the surviving refugees.

A well-known merchant, Svana has the gift of a silver-tongue and a perceptive eye. House Stahlben and Svana will donate silver to the cause as well as other resources - though Svana's main goal during this trip will be to help manage those resources. There is a art to stretching both gold and resources. And due to Svana's exquisite charm, it might not hurt to have her talk to those who might be liberated or are newly liberated. She can be very persuasive - even better when the cause is a good one.

It's a huge undertaking, but goes well as can be expected. The largest concern for most is of cultural clashes, as most of the Eurusi fleeing the war in the Dune Kingdoms are aghast at the thought of giving up their worship, and it's complicated that the Eurusi don't all share the same religion with one another, and that the Oathlands Orthodox would be horrified at the thought of thousands upon thousands of non-believers settling among the Compact. True, they all swear oaths of fealty under the sight of Limerance, so they don't -reject- the Pantheon, but that's not the same thing as whole heartedly accepting it. Still, through a monumental effort, the Eurusi ex-slaves and refugees are spread throughout the Compact and it's a triumphant relief effort.

Which is not to say there's not incidents.

While searching for the ill intentioned among the Eurusi, Aleksei gets an uncomfortable feeling among one particular group that has a few burly ex-soldiers that deserted from the Dune Emperor's armies. The soldiers are three scarred and dangerous looking individuals, standing out in a group of a mix of refugees that includes a kindly old woman who must be in her eighties. The little old lady walks haltingly with a cane as she translates in heavily accented Arvani for the group of Eurusi, and seems a little frazzled as she struggles to respond to the angry demands of the former soldiers. The soldiers seem to have a cultural clash with the idea of taking an oath of fealty underneath a foreign god, as they fear it will bind them and make them slaves, misunderstanding the implications. A group of templars moves in to help keep the calm, as Zara tries to ease tensions, and Aleksei, Astrid, Raja and Shard approach to assist.

The little old lady seems very grateful for the help, and turns towards Raja, "Oh! Dear me, you're the whelp of Rasheem Al'Harashi the Traitor, aren't you? I'm going to eat your heart." She smiles toothily and begins to reach forward towards a recoiling Raja, as a templar instinctively steps forward in reflex.

The old woman casually juts her cane towards the templar and it pierces through his platemail breastplate as if it was paper, and she flicks her wrist up and down, lifting the impaled templar in the air with her cane and bringing him crashing down on the cobblestones with such force that the templar's upper body turns to an unrecognizable paste and the stones shatter below.

In the next few seconds,dozens of swords leave sheathes, even as the templars look around in confusion at what the threat in could possibly be as screams and panic takes the crowd, with the previously worried eurusi soldiers scrambling and running. The little old lady is pouncing forward as Raja dances back and stabs with a previously hidden alaricite dagger as dozens of Culler thugs that had been milling around the docks rush forward to help Raja. Arrows whistle through the air from Shard, punching into the old woman who is tittering with a disturbing laugh as she skitters forward spider-like, reaching up to tear a Culler gang member in half with her hands as one gets between her and Raja.

Then the templars and Culler gang members are on her, as well as a half-dozen arrows feathering her body from Shard. As the little old lady tears another templar's head off, dozens of dagger, sword, spear and mace hits impact the horrifying threat, and though she is impossibly tough, the wounds start to cut her apart. Jyri finally cleaves off her head with the Howl, his massive glaive, and the decapitated head is still laughing, "THE PROPHET WILL DRINK DEEP OF YOUR BLOOD! THE PROPHET WILL COME FOR YOU ALL! THE PROPHET WILL..." And an arrow through the forehead from Shard silences her.

So that happened.

Astrid, asked by Father Aureth to help the Liberators expand their focus to include more than just slavery, has taken this task to heart. The staunchest holdouts on accepting the First Choice in his proper Pantheonic place are those of the Oathlands. So that's where she's traveling first!

Astrid is recruiting Liberators, protectors, and other story-tellers to come with her.

The group will gather in Arx when it's time to leave and take a boat to the border of the Oathlands. There, it's Astrid's plan that they'll borrow some horses from the local Knights of Solace post and begin to ride across the Oathlands delivering sermons, telling stories, and convincing people that not only is Skald an important god to know, but that his message holds application to their everyday lives. She seeks to spread the doctrine of Freedom, and the understanding that the importance of a choice is in understanding there will be consequences and accepting whatever those might be.

Astrid will preach it! Whether through a quiet story around a shared campfire, after buying drinks at a roadside inn for everyone, or from a pulpit with a local seraph's permission; Astrid will be extolling Skald's doctrine and how it underpins the Compact and has influenced their culture from the start.

And, if along the way they manage to convince the Orthodoxy to accept the Lost Gods, then that's a bonus.

As one of the few Oathlanders openly devoted to Skald already, Marquis Gaston Blackram will be joining Sister Astrid's pilgrimage to spread the Good Word of Freedom. He'll share personal tales of Skald's influence on his life and House, as well as why he feels -- especially in these troubled times, with rumors of cultists of Skald's Reflection and slavers popping up everywhere -- that Choice is so important an ideal to fight for on every level; even Orthodoxy itself is a Choice, after all, and so every true Oathlander should be proud to stand for that freedom, and he'll do his best to exhort his fellows to the cause.

This isn't Aleksei's first rodeo in the Oathlands. Beyond just having grown up in Sanctum and knowing How Things Are there, he also traveled back to his home city with Aureth back in the day to first open the conversation about the Lost Gods with the Pure Faith crew. So he takes all of that experience and tries to incorporate it into his approach. He knows that Oathlanders love their theology, so he starts with that foundation, making sure to make it just clear enough that he knows what he's talking about, that he's not just some RADICAL from OFF THE STREET, but with the common people he gives it all a more personable touch than he did with the Seraph of Sanctum. He wants this all to feel /real/ to the people. Practical. He wants to share his enthusiasm for Skald and all he stands for, and impart his love and passion for freedom to those they meet. He talks of the history of the Compact, how humanity came to Arvum fleeing slavery, how Queen Triscali banished it from the Compact some centuries later. How foreign nations like Cardia and Eurus put people in chains.

But not us. Not the Compact. And just because they forgot who Skald was doesn't mean they forgot what he stands for. They're all of them, all of humanity, Children of Skald. And they were born to be free.

Zara's here to make sure that everyone plays nice, with an emphasis particularly on helping the Oathlands -- those stubborn, change-resistant Oathlands Orthodox -- accept the change. She is Valardin. She is a Disciple of Gild, a god beloved by the commons. She apprenticed under the Seraph of Sanctum. She has those Oathlands Orthodox bonafides to help ease the change. She's adept at translating the scary and the new into bite-sized chunks, and she's here to smooth the way with a touch of diplomacy to ensure that Astrid's message is well-received.

As the group of pilgrims make their way across the Oathlands and make their conversations, their conversions and praise the First Choice - Prince Talwyn Valardin will be back in Sanctium organising a party.

It will be a liberal affair as far as the Orthodoxy would see it, white and red wine from the Oathlands as well as fresh farm foods. Hearty bread and cheese - salads and beans, fine music and the special guest - Archlector Astrid. Members of the Orthodoxy will be invited to attend and see the dedication, hear the stories, from the Archlector and the other pilgrims. All in the Great Hall within the House of Valardin within the city.

Music will be put on from several artists sponsored by Prince Talwyn, as well accommodation provided in the House for those who have made the whole trip.

Who said pilgrims don't get to finish in comfort?

Raya isn't an Oathlander by birth, or Orthodox, but she's very adept at walking the Oathlander walk and talking the Oathlander talk due to her years of service and training in a seraphy in those parts. She'll enthusiastically put this to use to spread the good word about Skald. Searching for ways to spin theological dogma and traditional beliefs in ways that integrate Skald more smoothly into Orthodox practices. She'll flatter their theological purity and righteousness, charm them with songs and sermons, and try to make it seem like really this doctrine makes them EVEN MORE right about everything and reinforces their beliefs rather than being something new and untraditional.

What's a rodeo?!!? The Grandmaster of the Solace is here, with a contingent of Solace knights to express the Silver Order's approval and investment in this project. Jeffeth personally will be doing what he normally does: Pushups. Also, generally protecting the group as well as perhaps impressing people with muscle tricks enough that they may let Hamish talk at them for a while.

While he's along mostly as escort and guard -- both for the party as a whole, and Princess Zara in particular -- Holden is in a somewhat unique position. He's a knight of the Oathlands in every traditional sense of the word, and yet his younger brother was the former archlector of Skald -- indeed, one who helped return Skald's worship to Arx; he's been exposed to the philosophy of the Liberators at some length. He is, in a sense, a bridge between the two: the honor and tradition of the Oathlands, and the focus on freedom and choice that the Liberators espouse. And if this is something important to his brother... well, then he'll do this

And so he chimes in, occasionally. He explains the importance of choice in honor: after all, having honor means /choosing/ to do the honorable thing, even when it's not the easy thing. If you have no /choice/, then there's not really any honor to be had either, is there? Freedom, too, is important; if there's no honor to be had without being able to choose it, then what honor is there in taking away all of another's choices?

Perhaps his words won't carry that much weight, but then again... perhaps some fellow knights will listen, as well.

Everyone else can party and evangelize and have nice events and tell people the history or what have you. Hamish is going along to find the most irascible brothers and sisters and seraphs that he can and then arguing them into the ground until they agree that the Lost are great and yes they're going to start preaching about them. He might even use charts. Because he CAN.

Anisha takes care not to wear her mask in public while on this journey. But the task of the Mirrormask is the same, whether masked or not. Encourage thought and reflection. Encourage active choice. And isn't that a lovely thing, when one's trying to speak up the First Choice and his place in the Pantheon among his Lost siblings.

While she has some skill in addressing the masses, Anisha is far more interested in penetration - as a Whisper she can usually gain access to Seraphs and nobility, and sit down to have a careful, thought out discussion. With her love for words and playing, she entangles them, and presents the ideals of the Lost. She's careful to only speak truly, and more interested in having the arguments her fellows present become arguments for her case.

It's not that Astrid and her team are not persuasive, it is not that they are not dedicated, and it is not that they can't present the doctrine in its complexity. It's more that the Oathland holdouts are so stiffly wary of anything new, no matter how "old", that for every seraph they can convince that Skald's doctrine is a forgotten tradition and a valuable part of dogma, they worry that at least one finds some perceived conflict to pounce on and obsesses over it and will not be persuaded.

That isn't . . . quite what happens.

For example.

One seraph allows Astrid to preach to her congregation and quietly supports and extols the virtues of choosing virtue, actively, passionately. Another, neighboring seraph seems initially convinced that should the doctrine spread the commonfolk, one and all, will all go crownsworn and abandon the fields. But as word spreads of crusade, he softens. He becomes excited. Yes, yes, the commonpeople love Skald. The common people will be ready to fight.

Gaston impresses one seraph with his title and background. He seems struck by the notion of Orthodox dogmatism being a choice, of not being a filthy cultist as being a choice. But another seraph seems initially argumentative about being a filthy cultist also being a choice -- until crusade comes up. Yes, being a crusader is a wonderful, shining choice, oh, gods, he always wanted to be a crusader.

Aleksei has somewhat heartening luck with the people, especially the lowest of the common folk, for whom the least idea of slavery is especially frightening and unpopular. Some of them seem ready to arm themselves with rocks and sharpened sticks against Eurus, far away as it is now. This at first spooks the seraph, and then -- inspires him. Look how eager the commonfolk are to arm against the darkness. Crusade!

Zara's status as disciple of Gild helps one seraph make the connection between choice and trade, choice and charity, while another seraph tries with great and infuriating patience, to help Zara recognize that clearly Skald isn't a separate ideal from real and well-observed ideals like Gild and Lagoma. Why add more complexity to simplicity? Except that if it leads to crusade, of course. Yes, the sigil of the broken chain does look very stark and inspiring. Crusade! Holden's tie of freedom and honor is especially popular. Freedom to march, freedom to fulfill grand obligations, obligations to the gods and to the nation. Crusade!

Talwyn organizes a gathering, a mingling, and soon enough, soon enough, the conversation turns from theology to shining armor and shining swords, to fervor, to marches. Raya's new songs are beautiful and when performed by some of those present, seem to take on the tenor of an anthem. Jeffeth's muscle tricks garner scattered applause and the occasional stare. Some of the knights muscle back at him.

Hamish finds that the most irascible brothers and sisters love to argue and take harder and harder line positions against his barrage, but the sheer weight of his arguments and his skill and deploying them combine with the rhythms of excitement for the upcoming conflict. They begin reinforcing his arguments. What was lost can again be found. Especially in the service of a crusade.

Anisha's skill with words and charm is absolutely and stunningly exceptional, but enough of the Oathlands folk are likely to see freedom as too close to doubt that this might normally work against her as a mirrormask. But no one is thinking of freedom and doubt now. Freedom is clarity, freedom is godly, freedom is the beautiful contrast to the heretic dark.

In sum, they are successful, they are more successful than they would have been in a different atmosphere, but the tone of their success is a bit more martial and excited, more hyperfocused as the blade of freedom against the darkness of slavery, than they may have intended.

The Morgan brothers are going /hunting/. For mysterious redheads who may or may not be dragons. That is: Relavor.

It all starts with a letter, sent off into the world with Aleksei's usual sort of habitual reliance on luck. He writes it out, shares it with his siblings in Arx, and sends it off:

"Lord/Goodman/Sir/I'm-Not-Sure Relavor,

Hello! I hope this letter finds you safe and well and not murdered by people who don't like you. My name is Aleksei Morgan, and I'm also writing on behalf of my brothers, Holden and Warrick Morgan, and my sister, Briseis Morgan. We understand that our family might have a particular sort of history that maybe you've been particularly interested in it over the years. We'd be really keen to meet you sometime if you'd be interested. I promise not to let Warrick bake for you. (That's a favor, trust me.) I'm really friendly and entertaining or if you like super Morgan-y Morgans then Holden is really that. Like if you prefer somber conversations about duty and stuff. Either way we've got you covered! Also Holden and I _both_ have really nice dogs that everyone likes.

Sorry in advance if this letter isn't formal or stuffy enough. I'm the one writing only because I've got the best luck at sending letters to random powerful beings and actually have them make it to wherever they are somehow. I'm just lucky.

I should have had Holden write this.

Very sincerely and Morgan-y,

Aleksei Morgan

If you are not impressed by titles please stop reading

If you are impressed by titles: Paladin of Freedom, The First Liberator, and former Archlector of Skald"

And then the Morgan brothers -- Aleksei, Holden, and Warrick -- take a trip to the Oathlands. They are going to be very /careful/ about this. They know that Cardia takes an interest in those who are interested in Relavor. So they talk about him more in terms of the sort of folk tales that go around, as if they're just traveling through and looking for idle chatter at the inn. Well, that's how Aleksei plays it, in any case: he's got that easy charm, after all. They work their way through the Oathlands, trying to see if there are any areas where stories might be more populous. To see if volume of chatter might help direct them to the right area. Eventually, they have to find him, right? And then maybe they can talk to him about -- well. "What's the deal with our family," for starters.

Holden is not a scholar familiar with folklore. Holden is not an investigator skilled at tracking down those who don't want to be found. Holden is not unusually lucky. What Holden /is/, however, is extremely persistent; if it will help the Morgan family as a whole, Holden is quite capable of spending days on end poking at local folklore until references to Relavor fall out.

And that's what he'll do. He'll be polite and friendly, and help organize the local militia, or find other ways that he can help things run more efficiently. He'll show children who dream of being knights how to wield a weapon. He'll assist the locals with whatever he can. He will, in short, lead by example by doing what comes naturally: being an Oathlands knight.

And when the locals are feeling well-disposed to him, he'll relax by listening to the local folklore. After all, it's always good to collect tales he can share with his nephew. (Ones which don't involve giant spiders, preferably, as those seem to unsettle Aleksei somewhat.)

Warrick does his best to make sure his inclination towards misfortune is kept clear of Aleksei and Holden's efforts. If either of them find a decent lead, he... shuffles off to be useful elsewhere. But if ever Holden needs a bad guy to slay while he's demonstrating knighthood to children, Warrick plays the part. And if Aleksei needs anyone go fetch something! Or hold a hat! He's there.

Warrick will try to strike up conversations with locals tucked away in the darker corners of the Oathlands. He'll tap on guardsman experience to keep his tone easy and open, guiding topics to the local stories and folklore.

He's pretty hard to track down. In fact, at first it seems that their months-long search will be fruitless.

They travel all over the Oathlands, and surprisingly there's actually a lot of redheaded cripples that act weird out of more than a million people, so there's a number of false leads about Old Redhead Jim, Francois the Limpy, a fellow that actually was inspired by Relavor named Realvor who dyed his hair red and broke his own leg (a little more sad than funny unfortunately), and numerous others.

Eventually though, Aleksei and his siblings find a letter waiting on top of the bed at the Questionable Stop Inn, with the letter addressed to 'House Morgan'.

"Dear House Morgan,

It's been a while! Thank you for interest. At this time, I've been avoiding entertaining guests since there's a very large number of individuals in Arx who want me dead, and I would vastly prefer not being dead, so I thought it wise to steer clear of the city. I have sought the hospitality of a house that has some great amount of experience in taking care of individuals like myself, as they had a pretty good track record for the last thousand years. They seem reliable, give or take a few alarming breaches.

As such, I'll meet with two conditions. One, you convince my hosts at House Dragonsentinel or whatever it translates to in Arvani that you mean me no harm, and two, you bring someone who was close to me during the time of the Reckoning. She is a charming knight these days. Her name sounds like Wee-dah or something, not sure how you spell it. Arvani is weird.

Warm regards,
Relavor"

Aleksei is leading a team to conduct the rite to empower Namesake in order to sunder one of the Gargantuans attacking the Lodge. No big, right?

All right, it's a bit big.

Aleksei's team has been entrusted with Namesake itself, which means that they're gathering together at the Lodge to prepare the Rite to not just sunder a Gargantuan, but do so with Namesake. The team will be mobile, since they'll need to try and get close to a Gargantuan once it shows, and they're going to be ARMED and ARMORED because HOLY SHIT.

Aleksei is bringing with him the scorched and cracked manacle recovered from the Fortress of Choice ("a scorched and broken manacle of strange metal" from @cal 573 run by Pax) to use as a focus of the rite, sacrificing it for what memories of broken chains and freed names it might still hold. For the power that comes from weight and importance in the Dream. It was saved as a memento by someone long ago, as a symbol of someone's freedom. Maybe it wasn't someone terribly important, but what it represents is important. Freeing one soul is important. And so he'll lead his group in the rite as they know it, as they've recovered record of to replicate, but he'll be putting a heart and soul of freedom into it.

And once the rite has been performed -- successfully, it will most certainly be successful -- Namesake will be entrusted to Luca to act with.

This whole is, of course, rather DANGEROUS, especially considering they might be ATTRACTING ATTENTION from MONSTERS AND THINGS. So a crew of Valorous Few -- Shard, Audric, et al -- are setting up specifically in their vicinity to try and intercept any attacks headed in the group's direction. (See action #2762.)

Aleksei has asked Luca to murder a Gargantuan(s?) with a dagger, because he's the best at pillow talk, and Luca is easily convinced to try things like this. It sounds like a challenge, doesn't it? He'll come to the Rite, he'll help however he can with it but mostly he's there to protect the group while they do their work, at least until it's time to demand satisfaction from probably one of the gnarliest creatures on the field of battle. The danger is the danger, after all. He'll wear his best dancing outfit, the one in exotic leather and steelsilk, and maybe have a cup of coffee beforehand, also.

Briseis is at the ritual helping out her brother. More importantly, she's focusing on releasing the imprisoned names. She'll work on bringing justice to the poor souls that have been trapped by the monster, sending them back to the Wheel. She'll be working with the texts, reading from the books and putting all her energy into not only stopping the Gargantuan from destroying the Lodge, but in releasing the names.

In the hours before the undertaking, wearing her leathers, her weeping serpent, and her small sword on her hip she will prepare herself, going to the Cathedral to pray. She addresses the divinities friendly to mankind, but will keep it brief; Team Pantheon has its hands full. She will ask for the strength in the moment to see the work DONE, careful not to say too much about it. When she joins the group, her chin will be set. She will be focused on empowering Namesake, and on the souls who must be freed, as if by sheer willpower and intensity she could make it happen. Should any one of the party falter in carrying out what is necessary, she will be there to reinforce, reorganize, redirect. Plans are all well and good, but they seldom survive long. That weapon is getting imbued, and getting where its going, even if she has to haul Luca over a saddlehorn like a sack of grain and ride hell bent for leather.

Sina will be accompanying Aleksei's group for this Rite. She will be wearing her armor and carrying with her the alaricite Nox'alfar blade Brixeur'Ame, whose name means roughly Freer of Souls, or so she was told by Mother Bianca, who gave it into Sina's care. She will also be bringing her knowledge as Archscholar, and whatever power she carries within her, including that feeling of warmth that descended upon her in Lagoma's shrine while she prayed there. She will also carry with her a lantern alight with Lagoma's holy eternal flame. Sina will be clearing her mind, seeking to calm it into a meditative state, much as she did within the Shrine of the Queen of Endings, as she assists with performing the ritual, and then focusing all of her prayers, energy and heart into the Rite. Sina will assist with the Rite to empower Namesake, and she will be prepared to do what she can otherwise if needed, for anything that might come after, including offering support with Brixeur'Ame if required. Otherwise, if Luca is doing this all on his own, she's pretty light on her feet, and if things get too dire, she'll take the better part of valor (that of discretion) and retreat.

With the dual distractions of a gargantuan in the distance and the Valorous Few being VERY LOUDLY PROFANE nearby, this group still managed to focus. And though it cost them dearly, they did manage to empower Namesake, investing it to kill a gargantuan. And then Luca went running off into the distance with Aleksei, hopefully to sunder that gargantuan - with Namesake glowing in his hand.

It's time for Aleksei to do his part to help heal the Poison.

After having assisted in the rite, Aleksei asks several others to be a part of his, to watch and assist and learn it for themselves so that they can go out and then lead their own ritual and spread it further. On the thirteenth day of the month, at the thirteenth hour, Aleksei borrows the inner sanctum of the Shrine of the First Choice, because that is the theme of his ritual: choice. Freedom. He's choosing a world in which magic is free, in which people are free to discover the Dream around them. He's choosing a world in which magic belongs to all of them.

Thirteen candles are lit as part of the ritual, and thirteen individual sacrifices are offered. One of Aleksei's first letters from Skald. A notebook containing his earliest thoughts and ideas for the Doctrine of Skald. A framed letter from Orazio ("a framed letter from Legate Orazio"). His first Godsworn tabard ("a white tabard embroidered with the sigil of the Faith"). A baby blanket of Fitz's he kept from two years ago. A carved figure from his childhood in Sanctum he held onto all these years. Many and more things beyond that, all adding up to thirteen. All mementos and keepsakes of different moments of choice in his life, different times and crossroads. His ritual is something deeply personal, and it isn't about good or bad, or light or dark. It's about freedom. He'll never fool anyone into thinking his heart isn't golden and new and full of fierce light, but it's also full of a deep dedication to how people have to have the freedom to choose their own paths. He treats it like an opening for both light and dark, because he knows that it will take both to heal the Poison.

Hopefully it will be enough for his part.

Luca has been invited to assist with this thing, because of course he has! It's a party! Who doesn't want Luca at their part-..w-..wait it's not a party? Well. It's for Aleksei, and Luca will do anything for Aleksei. So he'll show up, still, and watch and learn and be as well-behaved as possible so as to not disturb a thing. After all, he has to figure this out so he can repeat it. Maybe /his/ ritual /will/ be a party. He'll help in any way he can, if he's asked to.

Audric is... 'helping'. Which is to say, he's not actually DOING anything, but he'll be there, and in usual Audric style, proooobably making snide comments and preparing to stab any monsters that arrive.

Lianne possesses sufficient familiarity with these sorts of rituals to assist when needed and to keep out of the way while Aleksei works. Her primary purpose in attendance is to observe and understand, to learn not only the methods but the meanings, to understand the connections that she can build her own and recreate a similar ritual into which she can pour her all.

It is theory of these rites, that Saedrus has gotten his head around, but it's his heart that is will Aleksei in these moments. He is present for Aleksei, his paramour, and here to support him. No doubt there is a spiritual sense of being there as well. Watchful, learning, and understanding. When there is something a hand is needed for Saedrus will offer it but otherwise remains as quiet succour.

It's an interesting group Aleksei has assembled - Lianne, Audric, Saedrus, and Luca. Interesting indeed. And very much in keeping with his nature and the feel of his ritual. There is something freeing about it; even gathering they can all feel it, like a breath of fresh air after too long indoors. Like a sunny day after days of rain.

As he feeds each of his "sacrifices" to the fire, it becomes clear that this cleansing is less about giving things up, and instead is a sharing. He is not giving up his thoughts on the Doctrine of Skald - he is sharing it with the ritual. It is something intensely private, now sacrificed by sharing it with the primum. With the ideals of the world. This is what Aleksei would see, how he does see the world, and what he would have the primum do.

There is in that moment a weight lifted from the shoulders of all those participating. Lianne finds her spirit lighter. Saedrus finds a moment of deep serenity and joy. Luca finds a certain joy too - it's not quite a party but it's pretty close. Audric being Audric puts his hand on his weapon - not in threat but because it's all he can do not to just draw it and go out and kill some monsters, because that's what he loves to do.

Each of them has this moment of freedom, of choice, of seeing this world as Aleksei sees it. And when the fire at last burns out, they are left with touch of that wild joy that burns in Aleksei's core always and ever. And the cleansing continues.

Aleksei is praying to Limerance.

Despite his profession, Aleksei doesn't generally pray with the expectation of response; he knows that the gods generally don't reply because they don't want to risk their Dark Reflections taking action, and he respects that. When he prays, he often speaks to the gods, but he's content to hold one side of the conversation, and it's more to process his own thoughts on a subject. Like sending a letter home just to let the other person know you're thinking of them even if they can't send back a reply.

This, however, is different. Aleksei visits the shrine late at night in the rare hours when it's not full of the visiting faithful. He visits alone -- without even Peanut there to keep him company -- and kneels in front of the altar, which is another thing he rarely does. For a long time he just kneels there -- sits, eventually, when he sits back on his heels, his hands twisting together on his lap. It's a long time before he can find his voice to say anything, and when it comes at first, it's hesitant. Quiet.

"Skald says you're used to disappointment," he says. "I guess all the gods probably are, but. You know, I don't actually /like/ disappointing people. I mean -- I wasn't such a shit kid because I liked that look on my dad's face. I mean, getting under people's skin for a laugh is one thing, poking at tempers and stuff, that's fun. But the disappointment? No, I had to run away for ten years and become a priest to get rid of that feeling." His smile is taut across his face; it doesn't reach his eyes. "I've never honored you the way that I should. The Morgans are so good at Limerance, you know, they're so good at -- at duty and fidelity and oaths and -- all of it. Except me. When I was getting ready to take my vows, someone told me how it's better to never take an oath than to take one you don't believe in, and that was -- comforting? Kind of. Made me feel like less of a fuck-up. Like, oh, no, it's not that you suck at fidelity, Aleksei, you've just been -- waiting for the right moment."

He inhales a breath that's grown a bit ragged, his gaze cast down to his hands. "I meant it," he says, voice barely above a whisper. "I meant every word of my vows when I said them. I--" And then he hesitates, guilt etched clear into his features. "It was true. I didn't have any -- dependents. He's -- he's not my dependent. Lorelai didn't even want me in the picture--"

But then he stops. He's quiet for a long time, the silence dropping back down over the shrine like a blanket. Eventually, Aleksei draws in another breath, his voice a bit thick when he says, "I was cheating. At least a little. I was cheating the spirit of it. I thought -- it would be okay. I would be okay. I thought I was -- growing up. You know? I was finally growing up the way my dad always wanted me to. Except now Fort says that maybe that wasn't the only way to grow up. I just--" He swallows hard, the muscles in his throat working visibly. "I was tired of disappointing people. I thought it's what I had to do. I knew I had a choice, of course I had a choice, but I thought -- it was the one real path to be able to do what I wanted to do. To bring Skald back. To -- care for the shrine. I thought--"

It's all fits and starts, really. The prayer. Aleksei stalls once more, fingers twisted so tight in his lap. "I meant my vows when I took them, but I don't think I can keep -- going. Like this. I don't know if I can call it a mistake, but I -- I trapped myself. And I did it willingly, but I don't -- I don't think I knew just how much it would hurt. How much it would /chafe/. How I would just -- keep his shrine and look up at the open sky and want to be flying. How I would hear the call in my blood to be free, how the vows would eventually start to feel like--" He stops a bit more abruptly now, guilt washing his face. "I tell people that vows are a choice you make every day. That's what separates them from chains. From Writs or slavery. There's no worth in keeping an oath if you don't have any other option, right? If you're forced. We're meant to -- to choose it. We're meant to choose to live as best we can. As virtuously as we can manage. If I don't /choose/ to do it, it's worthless. It's supposed to be hard. It's /meant/ to be hard."

Aleksei's fingers untwist and he flattens them out on his thighs, knuckles pressing down into the leather. "You probably already know what I've done, but. I think -- you all see all of it up there. Skald says time works differently there, though. Not so -- linear. So. I wrote to Lorelai asking if I could choose again. Choose differently. If I could have Fitz here in Arx to raise. And if she says yes, I'll go to Aldwin and -- ask to be released from my vows. That I now have a dependent, one that was conceived before I took my vows, that I'm responsible for now. And it will be -- technically true. But it will still hurt. It will still -- disappoint you. /I'll/ still disappoint you. And if Lorelai says no, I -- I don't know. I think -- I'll have no good reason to ask Aldwin to release me, but I can't -- I can't. I can't stay like this. I can't stay here and be an -- /administrator/ and a /politician/ when I was meant to be out in the world /fighting/. I can't. But I'm--"

He swallows again, his throat tight now, and his words come thick now. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I'm going to disappoint you. I'm sorry that -- that I gave you an oath that I couldn't see through." He lifts a hand, dragging the heel across his cheeks where tears have dampened his skin. "I'm sorry I'm such a fucking disappointment. I just want my family. My freedom. I want to watch my son grow up. I want to fight -- the best way that I can. And I don't think this is the best way. I'm just -- I'm just /sorry/."

Aleksei has mostly held back the worst of the tears, but they still fall, and they're audible in his voice by the end, in the thick tension of it, the hiccup of his breath. He finally crumples forward, pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes as his breath hitches and he finally just -- lets himself cry. There's no one else around, after all, except for maybe Limerance. It takes him a while to cry himself out, a few minutes really, and it leaves him empty, spent, and exhausted.

"I just wanted to say sorry," Aleksei whispers. His voice is hoarse by this point. "I'm so sorry. I'm not a real Morgan anyways, when you get rid down to it. Not in my blood. Guess I've got too much of my real father there." His smile is small and strained. "He wouldn't have made the vow to begin with, though. Probably can't. Anyways. I understand you probably can't answer. I get it."

He stays, though. For quite a while, even after he's done praying. Aleksei sits, and thinks, and lets the silence rest for a very long time before he finally leaves.

Aleksei is almost to the door that leads out of the Shrine of Limerance when he hears a voice. It's a woman's voice, soft and gentle and wizened with age. "You young people. Always so dramatic." As Aleksei turns perhaps he would say something but there's an old woman looking very much like someone's grandmother, sitting on one of the benches at the Shrine and knitting.

Knitting?

She is knitting, and she pats the seat next to her expectantly. He did just confess to not liking to disappoint people, and so Aleksei sits, and he opens his mouth to say something and she pops a peppermint into it.

"There," she says, sounding satisfied. "Everything's better with a little peppermint. So serious you are, and you should be. Oaths are serious things. But did you ever stop to think he's the God of Love too? Have you ever loved anyone? I bet you have." She smiles at him, and it's the smile of a grandmother and a mother and an aunt and a cousin and a best friend and every woman who ever loved anyone at all.

"You think about that love. You're tearing at your heartstrings aren't you, because you want a family. You want love, but you swore an oath. If your beloved swore an oath to you, and they kept it but faithfully - and then you realized keeping it was killing them, would you hold them to it no matter what?" She answers before he can. "Of course you wouldn't. And it hurts him, to have people break their oaths or end them. But it hurts him to have them deny love too."

"Love lasts, young man. It lasts long past ourselves. You go to the Hall of Heroes you'll see - every one of those people loved something greater than themselves. Family, House, Ideals, Light, Humanity, Life itself. Every one of them. We're meant to live up to the ideals, or try. But they're ideals, and we fail. So be sorry, and let yourself feel it. But don't forget that you're still trying to serve him. You're still trying to live up to what he stands for. Fidelity and Love, young man. Fidelity and love. You go fight for what you love, however you need to. And be a little sad in the now, but don't let it ruin you. Have a cookie. I made them fresh."

And just like that, she's offering him a plate of cookies and he finds himself taking one, and they sit in silence together for a long time. Cookies and peppermint and a grandmother's wisdom. It's not a bad answer, after all.

With the deaths at Stormwall representing a large portion of the Faith Militant, over half the Templar order at that time, and including Grandmaster Armel of the Knights of Solace Sir Preston, with the support of Dame Thena, has decided that the time has come to have a proper memorial place for the honoured dead of the Templars and the Knights of Solace and those who stood with them to be interred. And where better than to have it close to Sanctum, ancient home of the Faith and spirutually close to the hearts of many of the Faith Militant, especially the majority who look to the Orthodoxy.

Preston envisages something to rival the Cathedral in Arx or the Hall of Heroes. A white marble building with gilded doors, with several halls within. The largest will be for the Faith Militant, with several orders of shrine there to remember notable heroes of the faith, from plaques and busts through to large ornate tombs with a likeness of the individual carved onto the lid.

In the various halls, one for each fealty and one for the Crown, there will be spaces for those knights sworn to the noble houses of the fealties - whose oaths are sworn under the Gods, and Gloria chiefly among those - who fell at Stormwall, Setarco and Darkwater, as well as in future actions alongside the Faith Militant. A lot of space will be left to grow, in case the King should wish to send the King's Own or others who die in service there as well. In the very centre of the Faith's hall will be an ornate fountain, with statues in miniature of those Mercies who fall while in battle, so that in death they are not seperated from those Knights of Solace who looked after them in life.

Under this grand maosoleum of the faith there will be a large series of catacombs to hold the ossuries, with so many fallen the great many will be remembered in long lists on plaques, listed by Parish. It will also hold lesser tombs on its upper levels.

It will have, going forward, a guard of Templars that will be drawn from all the fealties, a deliberate statement that this belongs to all, and the Faith is everywhere. There will also be a dedicated waystation built for the Knights of Solace who guide pilgrims to this holy site. And of course, invitations at its opening to all the high lords and leaders of the Faith, including the Seraph of Sanctum.

The project was organised in the name of the Faith Militant, both the Knights of Solace and the Templars, by Sir Preston and with the support of Dame Thena. The major donors to the project were the Templars under Sir Preston (and a bit of Sir Preston personal donations), the Knights of Solace under Dame Thena, the Mercies under their Voice Cybele, the Faith of the Pantheon via Legate Orazio and with support from Princess Alarissa and Prince Victus of Thrax. Land was provided by Prince Edain of House Valardin.

((OOC: Per request response, we are aiming for the largest category offered of 5000 resources to rival the great cathedral of Arx/Hall of Heroes. Some is provided in silver at the agreed rate of 500 silver to 1 resource. Hubris thy name is creepy big place full of heeby jeeby skeletons that totally won't backfire on us))

To celebrate the construction, and to consecrate the ground, there will be a consecration ceremony taking place. As mentioned, invites will go out to all the high lords, the Seraph of Sanctum and local seraphs, to the Faith.

Preston will be journeying north from Arx with a body of troops to attend and to give a speech on the importance of this endeavour to commemorate loss, and a moment when we were united as a people against evil, and to understand that our continued fight will mean continued sacrifice, but that as long as the Faith endures, our people will be remembered.

As the other arm of the Faith Militant, Thena and the Silver Order provide what resources they can. Thena and a small contingent join the group going to Sanctum and make a terser speech than Preston that is hopefully still inspiring.

In addition to the diverting of resources to this worthy project, Legate Orazio is happy to make his support for the memorial project clear. He reaches out to clergy throughout Arx, but particularly in the Oathlands, and encourages them to support the project as well. He also talks to chapters of the Knights of Solace and the Mercies of Lagoma throughout Arx, sending letters to explain the purpose of the project, and either answering their questions (when he can) or directing them to Sir Preston for whatever he can't anser.

Edain will provide the land that the monument can be built on and will sponsor a yearly Tourney in Sanctum the Victor's of both the joust and the grand melee will be given the honor of being Honor Guards for the tombs for the year that follows. There is no greater honor than defending the rest of fallen Faith Militant.

The primary assistance that Aureth offers Preston here is in consultation regarding the memorial, and the ways to ensure that it best honors Death, as well as the consecration of the memorial for Death. He offers his expertise both theologically and as, essentially, a SPOKESPERSON for Death. (Salesman for Death?)

Twofold actions are led by Ailith. The first is with assisting with the invitation campaign to the neighboring Seraphs and Godsworn to encourage attendance and participation for this memorial consecration ceremony. One such suggestion for those closest to Sanctum is to create and encourage pilgrimages by the Faithful with the Seraphs, Mercies, Godsworn, and Faith militant among them.

The second is to coordinate with the Seraph of Sanctum for a joint consecration ceremony with the attending Seraphs (herself included) assisting the Seraph of Sanctum (because he represents parish of the Heart of the Faith AND the memorial is built near Sanctum). She will provide many traditional orthodox excerpts of the Faith Militant and the Godsworn as this memorial reflects all our holy brethren as well as appropriate excerpts for Gloria, Gild, Lagoma, and the Queen of Endings. This ceremony would be formal and solemn as well as hopeful and honoring those who have passed . . . candles lit, leaving offerings to each god of the pantheon, (for example, to Petrichor for the land and holy domain) and so forth.

Aleksei joins the Faith contingent for the consecration ceremony, making himself a known presence in Sanctum, because it can't hurt to continually check in and see if they've decided he's a servant of the Abyss yet. Skald isn't the foremost of the gods being honored, but Aleksei will talk about honoring the brave choices those interred made to serve the Faith and the cause of light. Since they chose to put their lives at risk to protect others, so to will the Faith choose to honor their sacrifice.

As the adopted sister of the High Lord of the Oathlands, it's with dutiful honor that Katarina accompanies the contingent at the consecration ceremony in Sanctum to show her support for the fallen heroes of Stormwall who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their victory. While she isn't one for grandstanding orations, it's with quiet pleasure that she speaks with the peerage to encourage donations to the ongoing maintenance and memorial services yearly thereafter to remember the people by giving her own.

As a noble daughter of the Oathlands upon which the mausoleum of the faith is to be built Terese sets out to journey with the group as an escort. While others seek to make their speeches upon the grounds, she works in the background to speak with the Oathlands clergy as well as the people that come to see the consecration of the grounds. She speaks of the battle of Stormall, the devastation of its losses and the ever enduring strength and leadership of both the faith and the Templars that act as the sword and the shield that refuses to falter even in the face of such tragedies and the importance of honoring their sacrifices along with all of the knights that fell.

With the deaths at Stormwall representing a large portion of the Faith Militant, over half the Templar order at that time, and including Grandmaster Armel of the Knights of Solace, Sir Preston with the support of Dame Thena has decided that the time has come to have a proper memorial place for the honoured dead of the Templars and the Knights of Solace and those who stood with them to be interred. High Lord Edain provides the land for this mausoleum at Sanctum, promising a yearly tournament in honor of the fallen.

Legate Orazio speaks to those in the Faith, expressing his hope in their support and his own approval of the project. Archlector Aureth consults on the project, and perhaps there is some discussion of small rodents in the mausoleum, or maybe he's just being punny. Seraph Ailith reaches out to her fellow Seraphs, and also to the Seraph of Sanctum, and gets their support for the project, encouraging pilgrimages to the dedication and including them in the consecration ceremony. Blessed Aleksei shows up too, honoring his Oathlands roots as he stands with his fellow priests for the consecration ceremony.

The Valardin turn out in force, most notably Princess Katarina and Princess Terese, standing with their High Lord as they dedicate this mausoleum for the fallen of the Faith to rest. With a huge cathedral above, and catacombs below with ample room for ossuaries for the dead, the mausoleum is a grandiose tribute to fallen heroes, funded and supported by the Faith, the Mercies under Cybele, and donations from High Lord Victus and Princess-Consort Alarissa.

Aleksei is leading a group of Godsworn and Disciples to the Fortress of Chains (From clue: "The Fortress of Chains"). The purpose of the trip is to find out more about the darkness haunting the location, retrieve any hidden knowledge that might be stored there, and hopefully cleanse the fortress. To that end, the team is going in armed and armored, but not just with regular weapons and the like. Each adventurer will also bring with them a lantern lit from the Eternal Flame of Lagoma and a flask or two of holy water. And Aleksei has instructed each member of the party to bring with them an item or two of personal value that they can use as a focus in case there is dark magic that intends on trying to steal their names. Something to remind them of themselves, that they can anchor their identity to.

In the case that they find the fortress simply too overrun by enemies to reasonably stand against with their number, they'll try to make a strategic retreat.

For Aleksei's part, he'll be in mixed leather and rubicund (and maybe a bit of borrowed steelsilk) and with, of course, Chainbreaker, his alaricite longsword. He'll be bringing with him the locket and signet ring he's already always wearing, his original copy of the Doctrine of Skald, and the ruined/destroyed manacles of a strange, unknown metal recovered from the ancient Temple of the First Choice the Society of Explorers found near the Telmarch. (See @cal 573, "SoE: Choose Wisely". I do not know what metal they are! But Pax surely does.)

Jeffeth is also going in rubicund armor with a diamondplate sword. He will be focusing on protecting Sina primarily. He's used to protecting healers, and even if she may not be one, well scholars are like a distant cousin to mercies. Right? It's close enough! Otherwise Jeffeth will be following orders using his combat skill and athleticism for the good of the group! Also he will be praying to Gild all the time. As far as the items that are rooting him, he is bringing his oldest and prized posession, the tabard he was awarded when he first became a Knight of Solace, diligently washed and kept in pristine condition. His ring depicting Gild. His sword, Absolution. And finally a stuffed animal. In the shape of a corgi. Strapped to his belt.

Esoka goes in armored and armed with her diamondplate blade River's Heart. Along with the holy provisions Aleksei has provided them. She'll also consult with the senior Templars before leaving about what experience their warriors might've had with demons or hostile shavs in that general area of Arvum, to get a better handle on what they'll be facing and what the corruption of the land around the fortress might be like to fight.

Preston will be taking along his nice heavy rubicund armour, his nice big stabby diamondplate sword (and spare), and of course, holy water and his lantern of the TEmplars created for the War of the Pirate King (with the fire naturally relit from the eternal flame). Preston is a Templar, so its his duty to keep everyone nice and safe. Which is easy as Esoka is also a Templar, and Jeffeth is some kind of Knight of Solace type of Ent. Preston will ensure they have a sufficient retinue though to help move their gear, even if the retinue must be left camped off a distance from the Fortress itself. Along with this, Preston will make sure he has the ring he was awarded for the Templars at Stormwall, and his prayerbeads. And if all else fails, his pendant of the Faith. Enough to keep him rooted and sane. If they are forced to retreat, Preston will also try to get the group back to the retinue left in the woods, so they can if needed help fight off any pursuers and get the important Archlector back to Arx.

Sina, as her first real duty as a full Disciple of the Scholars of Vellichor, is along for this mission to help document the journey for Archscholar Bianca and Father Orazio, to be added to the Archives later. She will be documenting it in writing and probably in drawings and sketches as well. She will also do what she can to provide what Scholarly insights she might, and act as another set of eyes and ears as they investigate the Fortress of Chains. The personalized items she will be bringing with her are the hairpins that Princess Donella gave to her as a gift (which can also be used as a weapon in an emergency) and her beloved beaded seashell bag, within which she will keep a lock of hair from someone close to her, and a small rose made of violet satin.

Ten Thousand Shardhavens, they said. And perhaps it is an exaggeration, but staring at the entrance to the Fortress of Chains, it's difficult to believe it is anything but truth. And an oppressive truth at that, for the fortress is not manmade but Sylv'alfar by the legends, and it is a huge and ancient tree. Even from a distance there is sorrow that washes out in waves, and a heavy sort of oppression. The closer they get, the slower their steps are - not so much with trepidation as the heavy weight of - are those chains around their ankles? Surely not.

No, when they look down their ankles are free. And yet there is something in the tree itself, of the tree itself. The closer they get, the more they feel like they can't breathe. Like they are bound, chained all 'round and tight. Restricted.

There's a buzzing in their ears, a whisper repeated over and over and over again, barely heard - just the hum of bees, isn't it? No, no it is words now, a thousand thousand voices whispering. "One of us. One of us. One of us." And in their voice - many voices into one - is rage, and despair, and anger, and a weary sense of hopelessness that makes their feet drag and falter, yet somehow keeps them inexorably moving forward.

And then Aleksei and Sina are pulling them all away, away, away, and the voices turn to anger and they can feel the rage emanating from the giant, gnarled, ruined tree.

They have just enough time to turn and run.

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."

As the Scholars of Vellichor undergo a great archive across the Compact, Seraph Ailith has devised a project to focus regionally, beginning with Valardin. She will reach out to the Seraphs of all the parishes under the Valardin fealty to host monthly (or every two months) a community event (free food!) to encourage the people to share their stories which reflect their family, friends, and community. A local scholar will attend and write these stories to create a book that represents that community (village, town, cities!).

Eventually, a copy will be sent to the Great Archives in Arx where scholars can review and compare any stories to create other books such as a farmer's almanacs using stories and tips from the various local farmers or cookbook of local recipes, even mother's homemade cookies.

The idea is to create regional books that these communities can be proud about. And if any locals attending these community events feel inspired to help the scholar, that young person can be trained to become a scholar, too.

To Unify his past attempts to aid Duchess Clover and Archlector Bianca put pressure on the Story Eater, Edain will try and use the same network of Errant Knights that he is trying to use to assist Ailith. As errant knights wander and set up camps where people can come to share their stories with them, Edain will provide writing materials for them and their squires to take down these stories and to deliver them to the local scholars, that Ailith has recording the stories to be preserved in the Archives eventually. Hopefully this will extend the reach of her story gathering. to smaller hamlets, outposts, mining and logging camps that the local scholars and the workers employeed there cannot neccesarrily reach as easily.

Bianca is openly in full support of Seraph Ailith's call to the collection of knowledge and the promotion events to come. Orders have been dispersed among the Scholar parishes/libraries throughout the Oathlands to ensure everything is documented properly and copies are then forwarded to the Archive to be copied again and dispersed between the five great cities per the Archival Initiative.

Duke Cristoph Laurent will be putting the word out to his people in Artshall, going so far as to help mitigate the costs of these events himself for the local parishes. Everyone is encouraged to get out, enjoy and share stories of their family histories. Even the ridiculous ones! Mead provided by House Laurent.

Lord Corban, Voice of the Telmarch, will contact the new Seraph of the Telmarch and encourage him or her to participate in Ailith's efforts. He will also send Ailith's emissaries with a letter under the seal of House Telmarch exhorting Telmarines to participate in the telling of their stories. Sure, it's not important enough for Corban to go personally, but he can write a nice letter.

Countess Reigna Keaton is reaching out to her contacts within the Scholars to speak to those stationed in Oakhaven, beginning the coordination and brainstorming required to set up these monthly or bimonthly meetings. She is almost making sure they have all the supplies and resources necessary, in terms of parchment, quills, books, ink. She'll be specifically requesting Scholars with a keen ear and the ability to communicate effectively with all sorts of people, who are skilled at coaxing stories from even the shyest commoner or the most tedious noble.

Lady Margerie, Voice of Keaton, will reach out to her former citizens and a network of 'not in the seat of power, but still rather close to it, and stuck in the country' nobles out in the Oathlands to encourage their participation. A special effort will be made to reach out to older people and their families/neighbors to try and collect their stories even if they may not be able to attend some of these get togethers. To encourage Oakhaven's efforts specifically, she'll be sending recipes from some of the farflung places she's encountered in Arx, a chance for them to try new things.

Aleksei is reaching out to his family to get them involved. The Morgans have quite a history of service in the Oathlands, and there are surely plenty of stories passed down that they could share for just such a project. Plus, hopefully the involvement of such respected notables as Guard-Captain Hardwicke Morgan will help to encourage others to participate.

Clover will be reaching out to the vassals of Farshaw. As a new Duchess she feels somewhat on shakey grounds. However, she is providing a legimate heir for the duchy that will help stabilize the power of the area. In the honor of the future ducal heir she is going to be asking the vassals of Farshaw to start a collection of books for a great library to be created at the Westrock Reach, and in their own territories. To provide books of local histories, of local legends, and the like.

Thena asks the Knights of Solace stationed in the Oathlands to make sure that scholars and the cargo they carry are well protected on the roads. And should a Knight him/herself wish to jot down their own stories, well, what's more exciting than tales of adventure?

Beyond being encouraging of the Wyrmguards and their vassals to share more stories with one another and to seek young people with vocations as scholars, Sorrel is even more enthusiastically than usual working to inspire bards to collect and compile regional songs and ballads. (This is pretty damn enthusiastic for those who know Sorrel; it's like she's been unleashed to eagerly harass people about music, particularly old music with songs of the past.) She is absolutely unabashed about bugging other bards for their songs and encouraging them to write new ones based on the stories of today and yesterday.

Seraph Ailith leads an initiative to document the stories of the people. She starts with Valardin and with the help of many of the leaders of the House and its vassals, she and her team move through the countryside talking to anyone who wants to talk. It's a time to come together - refreshments are offered, people are there to listen. The first few towns are skeptical, but by the time they get to the third the word has gone out - they are listening. They want to know. The archival project to record the lives and times even of the smallest, meanest of lives is important. They are important. There's a rush of warmth and feeling, and for the length of their conversation with Ailith and her group, the people are able to feel like they matter. That something of them will live on beyond themselves.

Perhaps no one will care about the lives of the smallest vassals in Valardin. But maybe it all matters. And the people are now linked by the same connection - their stories are told. Their stories are important. Warmth and fellow-feeling grow in Valardin. A fondness for all those who participate in this great effort. And outside Valardin the question is asked - hey? when is it our turn for immortality?

Aleksei is gathering a group to attempt a Rite of Protection for the information contained in "Wolfheart Rhymes, Part 2." After learning a little bit from last time, the group will now be meeting in the upper chambers of the new temple in the Memorial Park outside of the city. There will also be Templars stationed at hand in case of _demonic emergency_.

This is fine.

Orazio is almost always grave and cautious, and it's no different today. His retainers will be sworn to secrecy and placed as guards, and he will have his sword with him, for all the good it's likely to do. The Legate will be taking is cue mostly from the others, since they've done this before.

This time, Aureth is altogether grave and cautious. No jokes. No screwing around. He's going to be so focused. He's going to be so on board. The additional templars is a great idea. He's also going to arrive early to pray and meditate first so that he can be centered when they start.

Grave and cautious seems to be the order of the day. Dafne can be grave and cautious. She's done several of these so far, so she'll be focussed and ready, arriving early to pray with her archlector. She will also have her guards at hand in case, sworn to secrecy.

Wolfheart Rhymes. What's so special about children's rhymes anyway? And as they gather, perhaps it's Francesca's disapproving presence or Orazio's sobriety or maybe it's the Templars guarding the doors and ready for any demonic incursion. But as they sit down this is a place of peace, and that permeates their demeanors as they begin to cast the rite.

It goes well, this ritual. Well, and smoothly. No hiccoughs, no real bumps in the road - but as the warmth of the rite permeates through them, they get an image of the rhyme as though it rises off the page. Only this time there are no children, only adults who make their offerings around a stone tablet as tall as a person, with reflected runes on either side. It's only a brief image, swiftly gone, but it leaves them with a rumbling sense of dread.

The truth shall set us free.

The call has been made and a great archival is being set into motion by the Scholars of Vellichor, reaching out to the entirety of the discipleship far and wide in an effort to duplicate and spread information contained in each outpost of Vellichor’s faithful from the grandest library to the smallest monastery.

The plan itself is no small task and in reality Bianca is aware it will take years to come to fruition, but they had to start somewhere.

Phase 1: Organization - A rather large focus team is gathered utilizing local Scholars and overseen by three Senior Scholars (NPCs) to take point on the clerical end of the Archival process. The role of this team is ongoing, their job being to disseminate information to the known enclaves of the discipleship throughout the many territories of Arvum regarding the archival process and how it will function. Once the process begins, they will be the ones dealing with the incoming reports and developing an encoded master inventory list of all outlying literary collections within the jurisdiction of the Scholars. A secondary list will also be created in regards to the location of lost relics that may be hidden away though in the possession of the Scholars. This secondary list shall also be encoded, its construction remains solely in the hands of the three senior scholars on point for this team and is only to be viewed by them and Archscholar Bianca. Once both lists are completed a secondary action will be taken to protect the contents of the pages (either via in-game actions or a storyrequest). From there a procedure will be set in place for all future acquisitions to be reported to the Archives to be properly categorized and added to the proper encoded list.

Phase 2: Reproduction - The next step of this accounting is the duplication of documented works. Any pieces of literary record (fiction AND historical) not found in duplicate shall be reproduced by the Scholars located in the parish these works are found to be and aid from Arx will be sent to the smaller libraries in the form of manpower to help. The goal is that a copy of everything not deemed ‘imprimatur’ will be replicated and disseminated to the Archives as well as the discipleship’s library in each of the five regional capitals: Sanctum, Lenosia, Maelstrom, Farhaven, Bastion. Anything deemed ‘imprimatur’ will also be duplicated though these duplications will only be sent to the Great Archive. This process will also be applied to all new information coming into the Archives or discovered by the discipleship moving forward.

Phase 3: Dissemination to the Public - While the Archives have always been open to the public and all noble houses, an immediate public relations campaign is set in place to better inform those of Arx and Arvum on the whole that the pursuit of knowledge and information will not be turned away or looked upon with wary eyes. This campaign is to be fostered by /all/ of the discipleship setting the stage for an open door policy and as more information is collected in Phase 1 and Phase 2, the Archive will be able to ideally provide direction if not a copies of what is being sought. The title of the campaign is “Let no question go unanswered.” For those seeking knowledge that extends beyond the bounds of what is considered safe for public consumption, they will be directed to petition the Scholars for access. A small council of senior scholars headed by Archscholar Bianca will be set to task in reviewing such requests and disseminating information on a case by case basis (unless of course PCs come to her directly).

Now, with the discipleship’s funds recently diminished due to the recent expenditure in Stormward, Bianca is also reaching out to all those outside the Scholars willing to aid with this tremendous undertaking. Donations are to be accepted in specific to aid in the Archival as well as individual manpower for replication of books not marked ‘imprimatur,’ though the most poignant request in the forefront is martial cooperation and aid. There is a great danger present and those tasked with the duplication or simply traveling to disperse information and transport copies will undoubtedly need protection and assistance while traversing the many territories of Arvum. And sometimes boats. Boats are cool and there are a lot of islands to be reached.

Lady Monique Greenmarch has a wide net of contacts she employs, along with their silver and her own gratuitous charm, on behalf of the ArchScholar's endeavor. How does she find out the things she does? It's impossible to know, but she will attempt to secure safe roads to travel, and trusted safe houses for those scholars and their handlers to stay in, alongside vaults for the information to be saved.

Fortunato, although no official scholar, is happy to lend his hands and eyes to the work of replication (if with a tiny bit of illumination in the margins as strikes him, not enough to seriously detract from the speed of the task). He is able and willing to travel to the regional archives to aid copying work there as well, if, of course, with escort.

Sophie will be aiding in Phase 2, leading any and all Mercy volunteers to go through the extensive medical records and white journals of known Mercies, collating what is deemed important information. She will also write to the Mercy chapters throughout the Compact, seeking their cooperation, and offering organizational instruction to those wanting. Finally, she'll do what she can to procure what House Valardin has.

Phase I-III: Ailith will coordinate through her increasing network of Seraph contacts across the Compact, and reaching out also to the Seraphs that the Dominus and Legate of Creation informed Ailith about. She'll explain the first Phase of Archlector Bianca's process and encourage the Seraphs in how the parishes may assist such as the Seraphs providing copies of any texts to the Archlector or the three Senior Scholars. Ailith will assist in fielding any questions if the Seraphs respond directly to her. In additional letter will be included.

Calaudrin will be joining with other members of the Iron Guard in helping protect the Faith's documents as they move through the city. He'll be especially on the lookout for anything at all suspicious as they go.

Lord Commander Silas will be helping direct his men in protecting the precious cargo -- copies of invaluable lore from several great libraries and archives. He himself will likely lead the retinue guarding the largest cache. They will avoid all thoroughfares known to be havens for thieves and criminals, and all guardsmen on this mission will be thoroughly armed and alert. They will also not be guardsmen with past criminal history, themselves, no matter how small the theft or how long ago the incident occurred. No chances!

Ainsley will be helping with the Iron Guard portion of things. He'll be assigning more senior soldiers to help with the transportation and dissemination portion-- helping to protect the scholars. He, himself, will be with one squad of people helping to transport and protect. Carrying with him his Alaricite sword and his rubicund plate, as he leads the forces. He'll also supply some of his own military favors, writs, and currency to help with the project.

Harald has given leave for the the scholars of Vellichor to travel to Grihem's Point aboard his ships and under his protection, as well as granting them access to the Grimhall libraries. While the private Grimhall libraries are largely collections of literature (especially traditional poetic sagas which are widely believed simple verse fiction) any pieces desired for copying will be made available. After all, the Scholars certainly aren't likely to find any decent sagas on the mainland; it's a mission of mercy, really.

Phase 1: Knights of Solace agents, in the course of their usual duties, will help disseminate the new archival procedures across Arvum, and bring back reports if needed. They will also be instructed to share with Blessed Bianca or her chosen representatives any information they may have picked up in the course of their journeys regarding the possible locations of valuable documents that should be included in the archival effort. Phase 2: Knights of Solace will help protect sensitive archival works as they are transported to or from the various repositories in Arvum.

Mae has began to distribute the Commoners Bulletin, as well as a primer on a subject (Marin'alfar) that has otherwise been erased from history. She'll be writing more, including a book on reincarnation, and all will be spread far and wide. Take that, Fable!

Christine will help with phase 2, copying books that need to be reproduced, and translating those in Isles shav so they could be spread more easily.

Eirene, with the help of her own soldiers, goes through any of the Malvici libraries in Arx and sends word for the libraries of Southport to be duplicated and the copies added to the efforts, transported as quickly as the lot can be completed. As Malvici has a longstanding history of fighting demonic forces, she hopes to find useful information to be added to the master archives.

Lord Corban Telmar will invest both time, treasure, and resources into the Archscholar's appeal to duplicate and preserve knowledge. He will donate 200,000 in House Telmar silver to copying, transporting, and preserving Archives information in the Oathlands. He will also call in House Telmar's extensive network of military favors to ensure that the convoys transporting the materials are protected, and will personally lead some himself, lending his sword and considerable leadership abilities to the effort.

Armand, as a Templar disciple, will aid in the Scholar's efforts by ensuring their protection, notably during the more dangerous Phase 3 of the project, the dissemination and duplication. Able and willing to travel wherever the Scholars need to go, he will ensure that those he is tasked to protect are able to do their work unhindered. No criminal nor servant of the Abyss shall be allowed to stand in the way of Vellichor's holy work.

The main effort the Templars will offer, as well as general help should they be asked, is during phase 2. With the threat that bandits or indeed things more foul could try to stop the material reaching Arx, the Templars will make up to 1000 men at arms available to escort material from the various holds back to the capital. Alongside this, each Parish will be expected to have their templars provide additional support as material moves through their lands, more a procession of honour though that for military support. As the various archival holdings come together from the regions to head to Arx, the Templars will blob the escorting forces together and ensure that the material makes its way safely to Arx.

Cybele is good at organising and teaching and digging up info, so more than happy to dive into the deep stacks, and set to work looking at what comes in. Besides, the shaman has a knack for finding the right texts. Right? Right.

Delilah will be focusing her efforts on Phase 2, working closely with other scholars to replicate as many texts as she possibly can in her spare time. She will also be speaking with the Master of Questions in an attempt to more closely incorporate the Inquisition with the ongoings of this entire process.

Alaric will be having lots of nice things to say about the project, dropping little mentions to nobles and Crown functionaries and important merchants alike about how nice it would be to hear of people and groups lending some aid to the Vellichorian discipleship with their work, and generally generating some positive PR and motivation for people to get involved with helping.

Fatima will allow the Scholars access to the Thrax libraries available in Maelstrom to aid the Archscholar. More than that, though, she's using her social circle to help circulate the news of Phase 3: Dissemination to the Public. When Bianca signals it's time, Fatima will utilize her propaganda machine to get out the word the Archscholar desires.

Percephon will be participating heavily with the Phase 2 portion of this very important project. Working within his position as Senior Scholar, he will go to the library in Sanctum to assist in creating faithful duplicates of all materials that are that are uncovered and found. With a focus on organizing which overly important and sensitive materials will be sent to the Great Archives.

Estaban will be opening the Saik Library to the scholars of Vellichor, he will also be giving military esscort the schollars where they may need to go.

Victus will be allowing the Scholars of Vellichor within the libraries of the Maelstrom, as well as to comb the Isle the capital fortress is located on for nay other information they deem noteworthy. In addition, he'll be sending a detachment of some Thraxian scholars and stewards who are better versed in history than he is. Surely, the Isles will have LOADs of interesting stories to tell!

Aiden can help considerably in Phase 1 and Phase 2. Since he's had a lot of practice with the Court in reproducing works, that's where he will initially provide the most support, however, he's got a good eye for organization, so he'll certainly swap between the two roles, depending on what's more important at the time. Though since he's an excellent teacher, he puts a lot of his time into Phase 3 as well, answering as honestly as he can and has he has done to anyone in the past who has come to him for answers.

Not being much of a smarty himself, Edain will do his best to give the scholarly types the access and the trust they need to do something good, making sure they have access to the archives in Sanctum. He will also task 100 of his knights with the task of helping to escort the travelling scholars, with as much travel as this entails it is sure to tax even the Knights of Solace and so Edain will do his best to help them escort travelling scholars.

Alis has offered to help Bianca by assigning military escorts to and from Sanctum for the scholars that she sends, ensuring their safety and the safety of any materials they bring with.

Princess Isabeau Valardin will primarily be lending her assistance to this endeavor (in Phase 3) by using her considerable charm and skill in persuasion and propaganda to get the word out to the people that the great Archive's enriched texts are available and that the Scholars of Vellichor can guide everyone, high or low, rich or poor, to greater understanding of their world and the vast knowledge contained within.

Lark is opening the Grayson library to the Scholars, and spending her own time overseeing and directing efforts of scribes to copy their works.

While waiting to offer what aid he can for the protection of contents, Aleksei will also reach out to his the vague network he's beginning to form of those freed or aided in their freedom by the Liberators of Skald. Plenty of ex-thralls served in administrative capacities, and he'll kindly ask if they'd be willing to help the Scholars in their various local parishes. Hopefully it will provide some additional manpower for the copying of books and journals to be conducted under the local Godsworn at these various parishes.

Cicero is promising the scholars the use of the Silver Consortiums contacts and networking of infrastructure for moving about the Compact and keeping their scribes supplied as needed.

Deacon will focus his efforts on Phase 3. As a composer of some small renown, he will write a short series of ballads to promote the knowledge contained within the walls of the Archives. The goal will be to help popularize the pursuit of knowledge on the cultural level. Once he's written the music, he will make it available to every bard and performer whom he can convince to take it.

Samael will open up Pridehall libraries and provide military escorts for the Scholars coming to and leaving Pridehall. In addition to that in Phase 3 Samael will help to disseminate information using his oratory skills.

Sasha will in Phase 1 and Phase 2, she is able to reproduce and also translate many texts should the need be there. She is also a very good teacher as well so she will also assist with Phase 3 when the time comes.

Lucita, with her love of music, has been collecting old songs and legends through trading them with other musicians and travelers, bards and music lovers in the taverns, inns, bars and during social events in Arx. Many of these serve as oral history and some have not been documented. This she does and helps contribute to the overall effort toward Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Sebastian will be assisting in accompanying scholars to provide protection and whatever other assistance is needed as they travel throughout the Lyceum to various smaller locations. He will assist in acquiring passage through the lands and courts with which he is familiar, particularly around Setarco and the surrounding isles. He will also assist in locating the smaller repositories of knowledge, acquiring the information and documents required, and seeing their return to Arx during Phase 1. He will also work to help with transcription and the reproduction of drawings and other artistic work contained within the documents acquired during Phase 2. During Phase 3, he will help with the public relations campaign to help promote the use of the Archives and the future expansion of the knowledge contained therein through art and social engagements.

Juliana will be helping Sebastian and the accompanying scholars to provide protection and healing as well as any other assistance is needed as they travel throughout the Lyceum to various smaller locations. She will assisting him in acquiring passage through the lands and courts with which they are familiar, particularly around Setarco and the surrounding isles. She will also assist him in finding the smaller repositories of knowledge and in acquiring the information and documentation, to see that they are returned to Arx during Phase 1. She will also try to help with the work of transcription of the documents acquired during Phase 2. During Phase 3, She will help with the public relations campaign to help promote the use of the Archives and the future expansion of the knowledge contained therein through art and social engagements.

Orathy will be helping Sebastian and Juliana Pravus during the course of the events. He's particularly good at flanking the enemies if there are any, his fighting style coming from the shadows rather than direct assault, therefore, scouting might be his thing. He'll shield Sebastian and Juliana while on mission, body guarding for them.

Nierzen sets to work writing propaganda in support of Phase 3 to move the hearts of people to favour and support the work and effort. He aims propaganda at nobles, motivating them to generously give silver to the Scholarly work, and he aims propaganda at the residents of the Boroughs, moving them to cooperate and even go out of their way to help collect stories and information. In all things, his propaganda tugs at the ideals of duty, faith, and self interest.

The Great Archival Project of 1007 AR causes a complete uproar. In every corner of the Compact, people turn up to add books to the archives, to add knowledge to the archives. To make copies of precious books and send them on. To spread the word - if you need information, your best hope is to find it in the Archives. High Lords and Nobles have opened their libraries. The Templars and the Knights of Solace, as well as many guards hired by various families across Arvum are moving to preserve knowledge and see it safely from the far corners of the Compact into Arx itself. It's a huge project, and under Archscholar Bianca's watchful eye, an incredibly successful one.

Tomes once thought lost are found, copied, and brought to Arx under guard. People are encouraged to come to Arx to seek knowledge. Learn from the Archives of Vellichor, learn from our tutors, our Scholars. Knowledge is available, free for the asking.

The Liberators of Skald have promised aid to all freed thralls: relocation if they wish it to any demense of the Compact, room and board within the housing of the Faith, and assistance finding work or training for it until they have found their feet.

The Liberators of Skald were not expecting twenty thousand people to need this aid at once.

And so Aleksei has reached out to -- pretty much everyone. All the noble houses. Merchant fleets. Friends who have maybe one ship! Basically he's organizing a mass effort to make contact with the newly-freed thralls in Stormward and either get them resituated in Stormward or give them transport elsewhere in the Compact that they may want to go. All of this is stuff he's already set up, but he's having to haul in major support to try and do it on a much larger scale than he was anticipating.

Aleksei will endure the terrors of seasickness to travel to Stormward personally to oversee the efforts of the Liberators and do his best to keep matters calm where possible and work as efficiently as he can.

For those generous enough to offer ships for transport, Aleksei will make sure each ship will have some sort of representative of the Faith on board to help keep an eye on things and discourage any untoward actions in regards to the freed thralls.

Indeed, the Valorous Few are Being Helpful! Since Victus so kindly invited people, Audric (and Shard, and probably a handful of the friendlier types) are heading up with the Liberators. First and foremost will be offering the fabulous life of a sellsword, to any who wish to join up! Money, plunder, see the world, get to kill people fairly frequently, there's nothing but upside, really. Oh, and I guess if there's any room left over they'll help transport some people.

After speaking with Aleksei, the Few have agreed to find space on the ships they're using both for his Faith representatives and his freed Thralls. In fact, Shard's stated her intent to pack everyone in as tightly as possible for the journey, comfort be damned so long as the crew can still function, so between that and Audric's hope to annoy the ears off of the poor priest who gets stuck on his boat, it probably won't be a very pleasant series of trips at all, but at least there will be more people getting to where they need to go.

In addition to this, Shard will be putting in a few words--or many words--or some not so gentle nudges--and maybe some heavy coin--to some people she knows who know some people who know some other people about extra boats and ships for the sole use of Aleksei's cause for the duration. Just don't look too hard at these boats or ask where they came from. They don't take kindly to questions.

Killian is dispatching ships from the Ashford navy to assist with the evacuation of freed thralls, per Aleksei's request. The ships will be providing transport, and staying together with one another, their orders to guardian one another and transport their passengers safely to the appointed destination.

Nicia has agreed to aid Aleksei and the Liberators in their task of helping to resettle the freed thralls, as such she has decided that one galley, and three longships from the Laurent military should be sent to help resettle the freed thralls. Allowing them to choose where they wanted to go, the help is not dependent on them coming to Laurent lands, although she will also make a point of stating that Laurent is willing to accept the resettlement of thralls in their lands.

Belladonna is putting Pravus's fleet at the Liberators' disposal for this. They are fresh and probably antsy for something to do. A skeleton force will be held back to patrol Setarco's borders as they have been, and a scout vessel or two are kept standing by in case the fleet has to be recalled swiftly (plus the ship kept in Arx!), but otherwise they can have use of the fleet as per the terms laid out by Aleksei. They are placed under Alrec's command, and Alrec is directed to report to the Faith on this one (using his judgment). Members of the Faith are most certainly allowed to be on every ship.

As well, she has put forth to both Aleksei and Bianca that those particularly suited for the role of a courtesan and interested in doing so, she will pay for their tuition to and support during the attendance of one of the courtesan schools in Setarco. And! Pioneering spirits that she might be able to interest in Luciva, they are being accepted that way too.

Boots on ground in Stormward while ships are there and have access to people (likely very briefly, but still), they are directed to aid in calming the populace, and provided talking points to do so by Belladonna.

Ford will be kept in the loop by her men as a matter of course throughout the entire mission.

Thena has agreed to assist Aleksei by providing as many Solace agents as can be spared to represent the Faith on ships transporting and resettling freed thralls. Since these agents are already out in the field acting as protectors to travellers and pilgrims, and have a presence long established in the Mourning Isles, shuffling things around shouldn't be too difficult. In addition, Thena is slated to send aid to the Mourning Isles for the Darkwater exploration and should be able to combine these efforts.

Thena is also dispatching a newly commissioned galley to help with transport. The galley will be crewed by freed thralls.

The Knights of Solace will accept freed thralls who wish to work either as soldiers or support staff and pay them a living wage for their services. They need not take vows, though should any wish to follow that path, instruction will be arranged.

Aleksei has asked for support to guard the ships, and knowing that the Knights of Solace will be focusing on supporting the Thralls this means the Templars only need worry about protecting the ships and ensuring that the ships are not mobbed when they land. Accordingly, Preston is making available Templars from the Arx Templars to sail out with the ships and hold order while Solace and the others help the former Thralls. The priority for the Templars is preserving the majority - the boats, the Faith people helping the Thralls. But they are also not the local police force. So. If the boats are at risk of being swamped or a mob forms and attacks the rescue attempts, they will defend. If a mob forms and isn't threatening the boats? Thats for Kennex.

Although she cannot be there in person, Katarina will be sending part of her fleet in her stead; three longships and a galley. These assets are to be used to help ferry newly freed thralls to their intended destinations, with gentle emphasis on a wealth of opportunity that can await them in Valardin-owned lands.

Hana is not the world's best teacher, but she's often been lucky in instructing others. And she's nothing if not enthusiastically devoted to Jayus -- the god of both crafting /and/ of hope. So she travels to the Isles as well, trying to give hope to the former thralls who need to learn a new trade -- those who worked menial jobs and desperately want to do something new, something that provides a chance at a better life. She'll be organizing lessons, yes, but she'll also have worked to encourage other Disciples of Jayus to the same -- to travel with her, and to teach /their/ skills as well. Tailoring, baking, carpentry, and so on. Hopefully, it at least makes a small difference.

Without question, Saedrus has agreed to assist Aleksei. First and foremost he intends to accompany Aleksei, and other Liberators, to Stormward not only as a Disciple of Skald, but as a composed and diplomatic voice in what might be a chaotic situation. Though he cannot offer ships or safe escort, he can be present to try and mollify vassals (or persons of the general populace) crying out against the current crisis. A little charm can go a long way, and hopefully Saed can keep things calm.

In addition, though he cannot take many, he will let it be known that the Grotto can take on a small number of ex-thralls as attendants, board and basic needs seen to, and assistance in finding them trades and future work. Furthermore, pending approval of the Radiant, he can take a handful in under the Whisper House as house staff until either they settle to other livelihoods or to continue on for potential future training. The total is miniscule in comparison to the twenty-thousand, but every little bit helps.

As a Liberator Ferrando is coming along to Stormward to try and generally help un-clusterfuck the situation. He's not really a logistical type or a big public speaker. He's a bouncer! It's fair to say his #1 skill to lend to the effort is an ability to move around heavy stuff. He's probably just going to end up dealing with minor things Aleksei is too busy for.

As promised the Scholars of Vellichor are ready to assist at the word of the Archscholar. Messengers have been sent to the parishes of the discipleship present in Stormward to open the doors to their smaller libraries and utilize donations already in stock to help in upholding the offer of a living wage to freed Thralls seeking higher education or tradeskill apprenticeships. Bianca will also be accompanying Blessed Aleksei to Stormward directly to aid immediately with her own diplomatic abilities and personal resources.

Mydas will be making use of his substantial ability in logistics and economics to ensure the resources deployed to aid the newly freed Thralls are not ill spent or wasted. To summarize, Marquis Mydas Nightgold will play the role of the accountant.

Seraph Ailith will reach out to the local Seraphs in aiding the Faith's efforts of providing solace, community outreach, and humanitarian efforts for the many believers. Using her presence and prowess of propaganda, she'll help kindle hope, compassion, and support among the Faithful and within the Faith such as sermons with stories of the compassion, love, charity, and hope, the many gifts of the Gods, in hopes to soothe and provide a steady familiar place of solace (worship in the shrines) during this chaotic time. When not doing these things, she personally heal the injured and sick who come to the Faith and assist them on their way to the outbound ships, should they be departing.

As minister of warfare and with authorisation to release about half the Velenosa armada into a committed liberation fleet, Talen is overseeing the leading arrangements in that regard. Ensuring the that there are captains who know what they're doing to act as transportation for ex-thralls is key. Faith and Liberator representatives are permitted aboard and allowed to direct the efforts with all reasonable requests to make things easier. The Velenosa are focusing primarily on carrying people, so any security escorts to defend the ships from external attacks will come from the Thrax, and Velenosa vassals organised by the Lyceum aid council.

Lianne is lending ships from Nilanza's navy to aid with the safe transport of the recently freed to Arx. Modest financial assistance will be provided to individuals or families interested in resettling in Nilanza, particularly if they are skilled in a trade or capable sailors interested in enlisting in the navy. Representatives of the Faith will be welcomed on board each vessel.

Victus will be providing transport via the 1st Thrax Fleet, namely in his stated offer of paying work in the Maelstrom and safe haven until they can be transported elsewhere in the Compact. Aleksei's Liberators and other agents of the Faith will be allowed passage on these vessels making runs to and from Stormward to assist in the relocation efforts for Thralls lacking employment. With the exception of any ships provided by Grimhall, per Harald's request. It should be noted that freed Thralls who have gone on to commit crimes against Kennex will not be offered the same on Victus' own vessels, as they are Kennex's right to judge for their actions.

In an unofficial capacity, though with no less focus, Rook will be duplicating the efforts of Mydas Nightgold in an effort. It can't hurt to be certain, can it? Resources in, out and spent all about. In addition there's the counting of ex-Thralls shipped out, sprinkled across the Compact, giving as accurate a set of numbers as possible to all takers of the refugees. Did any go missing, how many died, do they have at least enough coin and resources to keep this mission up until all of Stormward's loose freemen are, well, free?

Lacking much in the way of funds or resources, Fortunato employs his skill and that of his apprentices to make flyers, encouraging people of great means and small means to donate to the resettlement effort and otherwise help smooth out the transition, perhaps by hiring the displaced. Need someone in the back room? Someone to knead dough? Someone, perhaps, to draw more flyers?

Monique will accompany the flotilla and use her charm and diplomacy to convince freed Prodigal thralls to resettle in the Compact, using her knowledge of their native tongue to win their trust. She will also use her significant silver to see they are set up with necessities when they arrive at their destinations.

They manage to avoid violence, which is no minor miracle as of the sheer amount of naval force in the region now. Setarco's massive navy is significantly larger than the pride and joy of many Isles houses, a fact most seem completely unaware of even as House Pravus' dromonds and dozens of longships arrive in Kennex waters under the command of Admiral Alrec to assist the liberators. This is not, in any way, to diminish the forces sent by the Knights of Solace, House Laurent, Lianne's fleet of Nilanza, or the detachments by House Velenosa, Katarina's Oathlands fleet, Ashford or Thrax, but all combined it roughly doubles the overall size of the force, which would likely make any lower rank peers of the Isles distinctly uneasy if they realized its scope.

Fortunately, that's unlikely to happen, as the fleet takes place in a great disapora. There is still a significant percentage that opts to stay in Kennex lands with the support to do so, and in this, the Faith is instrumental. The Faith is one of the great consistent institutions across the entire Compact, even in the shamanism heavy north, but the Isles have always been closer to the Faith than that. Orazio, Thena, Preston, Bianca, Ailith in particular are able to make a great deal of difference in many staying, particularly with the economic work by Rook and Mydas helping to make a chaotic situation be broken down into stabilizing a destroyed economy, and peacekeeping efforts from the forces sent. Killian's Ashford men, Nicia's Laurent forces, Lianne's Nilanzans, Audric and Shard's valorous few, Preston's templars, Thena's knights of solace, Setarco marines all do a part to keeping peace on the ground, with the aid of the Valorous Few being a little questionable and a few of them seem determined to put the 'liberation' in Liberators to mean goods that belonged to individuals. A few hangings by Audric fixes that (and these were the friendlier ones, a shame), as well as Ferrando helpfully letting others know where the problematic elements are.

While a small but significant percentage stays, what truly happens is a massive disapora led by the combined fleet. Some prodigals. Setarco, Nilanza, Maelstrom, Maelstrom, and Ashford lands all see a significant amount of ex-thralls wishing to settle, with Setarco as an example seeing a large bump in capable courtesans at Setarco's schools. The Lycene is a bit more popular as in terms of climate, Setarco or Nilanza is closest to the saffron chain, and what the vast majority of former thralls originally came from. Monique as a prodigal has a great deal in common with many of the newer, louder voices from factions of former thralls, and is able to help many peacefully find new homes throughout the Compact- a smaller percentage opt for different vocations in Arx, with Hana having new weaponsmiths, Saedrus having some new employees at the Grotto and potential Whispers, the Valorous Few see a bump in questionable fellows replacing the ones hanged with Shard sorting out the most promising. There's quite a few new templars, knights of Solace and Scholars, particularly from those wishing to see Arx as godsworn. All in all, a massive amount of refugees are resettled peacefully.

All that's the good, the bad is minor but still significant- the huge amount of ships flying Oathlands and Lycene flags are allowing some pirates to take advantage of the confusion and fly false flags to escape justice, with hundreds of ships in Kennex waters without an overall central command, no one really knows who is who which is allowing some smugglers and pirates to hope that Thrax doesn't have the balls to pick on Oathlands or Lycene ships and provoke an incident (unfortunately for all involved, this is probably untrue). Also, while the great disapora helps the refugees, it doesn't help Kenenx- the recovery they see is modest, as most of their workforce is, in effect, leaving with only a minority staying. They still need a massive amount of investment to survive.

Aleksei has decided to do something stupid(ly brave?): he's writing to try and meet Onyx.

Given recent appearances by Despair, Aleksei feels like there's something that could be poked here, given that he knows Onyx is the Herald of Despair and that Despair seems to think Azazel is overstepping in certain areas. It certainly /does/ make sense that Despair would be unhappy with all of this scary, despair-inspiring information being hidden away, after all. So maybe Onyx is...pokable?

So Aleksei writes a letter. On Prism's suggestion, he simply takes it to the Onyx Mausoleum and leaves it. His strategy is to try to meet Onyx open and honestly and without pretense. He's not going to fight. He's not even going to try and gather intel (although he'll take whatever he's allowed to remember). He's going to have as honest a conversation as he can have.

His letter reads:

--

My Lord Onyx, Master of the Black Library:

I'm not sure whether it's vain to think you might know who I am or insulting to suggest you don't. In either case, I am Aleksei Morgan, the Archlector of Skald and a Godsworn priest of the Faith. We are very much not on the same side of matters, and I won't try to lie or pretend otherwise. But I'm writing you because I was visited by Jayus's Dark Reflection that you serve as Herald, and the the encounter left me with some very heavy considerations that have compelled me to pen this letter.

I would like to respectfully request an audience. I come to you proverbial white flag in hand. I will make no attempt to harm you. (I'm sure that you probably find the idea of me managing to harm you laughable, really.) I will, to the best of my ability, be respectful and honest with you. I hope you'll offer me a similar consideration, although your choices are, of course, your own. As are mine.

I ask only this: if you do me the honor of speaking with me, that you allow Skald to be present as well. He's assured me that he holds no grudge against you and won't start any sort of conflict. For a god of the Pantheon, he can be stunningly neutral in a lot of matters. But he's someone who would prefer to see me alive and unharmed. I'm sure you and I both know that I have pretty much no defenses of my own if you decided to see me dead. Skald's concern is just seeing me out alive and unharmed, nothing more.

I await your reply.

Most Respectfully,

Blessed Aleksei Morgan, Archlector of Skald

--

And then Aleksei prays. This isn't necessarily to actually gain protection from anyone, but he prays because he needs to. He prays to Gloria to ask her for courage. He prays to Vellichor to ask him to wisdom in this effort to fight his Reflection and its Herald. He prays to Lagoma to help him bring change into the world, to help nudge one situation into something else. He prays to Death to ask her to keep his soul safe if he falls. He prays to the Sentinel to help him see the truth, and he prays to Limerance to keep him steady with the strength of his vows and the love and fidelity he holds with those closest to him. He prays to Petrichor, Mangata, and Gild to help him keep all the parts of the world safe -- from the earth to the sea to the villages and cities themselves.

He prays to Jayus for forgiveness. And then he prays to Aion to help him protect the Dream itself.

He entrusts key questions to Saedrus, Aureth, and Fortunato to ask him if he returns to help gauge the possibility of him returning Writ-bound. (Not that that's likely to happen with Skald there, but.) Simple questions that they know the answers to that will be obvious if he answers untruthfully on purpose as a signal. And they also know his plan, so if he returns back without memory of an encounter, they should at least be able to tell him he /went/. (If, again, somehow Skald wasn't able to tell him as much.)

That's the other important part: Skald is definitely going with him!

I had asked about the cost of attempting a rite of protection on a person, but Aleksei has opted against it after speaking to Prism. (He is also not going to let Audric draw blood wards on him.) However, I do have 600 econ resources sitting on Aleksei. If they would, uh. Help something. Feel free to use them.

Onyx replied, and this is def happening.

The Liberators of Skald have been quite busy. Mason and Aleksei organized the opening of an art show featuring the works of Fortunato Grayhope (and an anonymous artist). The show was entitled "Freedom" and featured work on the subject of slavery in its many forms, both inside and outside the Compact. The show ran for about a month, at which time the art was auctioned off in an event organized by Saedrus Whisper. All donations and winning bids were collected into one fund. In the end, the Liberators raised 3.2 million silver.

Using that 3.2 million silver, Aleksei and Mason are going to get to work. They have a list of thrall debts throughout the Isles that was procured very quietly and expertly by Ferrando some months ago. They're using this as a basis of where to start in order to identify the most appropriate candidates and also to hopefully minimize any inflation of debt when the sellers realize that they have a buyer with considerable funds at hand. As far as "appropriate candidates" goes, they're focusing on people in the following order of priority:

1) People who enslaved because of the debts of their parents who committed no crimes of their own.
2) People who were enthralled for nonviolent crimes.
3) People who were enslaved via reaving, i.e. people from Abandoned tribes that Compact citizens specifically targeted to attack and enthrall. (As opposed to actual prisoners of war from Abandoned tribes who were attacking Compact settlements.) On the stipulation that they can agree to become sworn citizens of the Compact.

They're not spending the full 3.2 million on just debts; they're going to use the money to purchase the debt and pay the cost of transport and resettling for as many thralls as they can manage with the funds. The Faith will offer the thralls transport to wherever they'd like to resettle within the Compact (so long as they'll swear fealty). The ex-thralls will be housed by the Faith in their parish of choice, and the local Godsworn will help them to find work or apprenticeships within the parish with the expectation that the freedmen will procure their own room and board when they have become self-sufficient.

Individuals are working their particular strengths in the following ways:

- Mason is using his investigation skills to work through the lists of debts Ferrando procured and help identify the best candidates, while also trying to not drain any one area of the Mourning Isles.

- Aleksei isn't exactly a negotiator or a businessman, so he's relying on the lists of debts they procured and a well-honed sense of empathy to try and figure out the best way to talk with both the debtholders and the thralls themselves.

- Saedrus is also helping with this part with a similar skillset to try and charm and empathize his way through negotiations.

- Since the Liberators know that there will possibly be some friction from the Faithful and the Godsworn in the parishes chosen -- "of course you should free those slaves! but don't bring them here, they might be dangerous." -- they have recruited Seraph Ailith to lend her commanding prowess of propaganda to help drum up public support among the Faithful and within the Faith for this initiative.

The most remarkable sucess through it all is the complete lack of violence. Here empathy was absolutely vital, and Aleksei in particular finds out a truth that isn't entirely reassuring- when going to buy a thrall, expressiong concerns about violence in their past is quick to have a seller willing to talk up the many reasons that would be unlikely. Sellers, if they think a buyer is concerned about a thrall potentially turning on them or start a revolt, go out of their way to talk about how they were peaceful before they were taken by reavers, or how their debt was inherited and they always were docile, or the many disturbing reasons that a thrall won't be a problem. It's horrifying, but it still allows them to vet ones that are far less likely to cause violence. Mason and Saedrus help find the best candidates off of Aleksei's work, and in the end, they have the better part of five thousand thralls able to be bought (and well below market price for their life debts! A thousand per wouldn't be uncommon).

Ailith and Samantha do great work in preparing for a lack of violence in where they wish to settle, and a few hundred choose to stay in the Isles, as the place they've known, or have always lived. A few hundred more return to other places in the Compact- but a full four thousand are interested in one place in particular, Old Oak.

Samantha's march has acquired quite a reputation as a place of safe refugee for new Prodigals, and so a massive number of ex-thralls believe they can find a new beginning there.

((Old Oak will see a massive bump in its labor numbers of vassals int he domain))

%It was brought to Reese's attention that any Shavs in the Gray forest who have not bent the knee are likely to be recruited to the Horned God's army and to serve as his slaves while fighting against the people of Compact. Reese would like help prevent the Shavs from becoming enslaved as she highly values freedom, but she would also like to help prevent increasing the size and power of the Horned God's army. She also wants to secure the Gray forest as much as she can to make the it more difficult for the Horned God to take action there.

With this in mind she went to her cousin Calarian for help. Calarian and Reese decided to embark upon a mission to help secure he forest and encourage the Shavs to bend the knee. Calarian would be focusing on the diplomatic side of this mission and Reese on the military side (providing the diplomats with protection from any possible threats). Reese fears that treats might come in the form of Shavs who don't like this missions, abyss tainted animals and etc. The goal of the mission is to use words and charm rather than violence as much as possible.

Reese and Calarian would like to bring others with them, especially of the Grayson faction, including vassals and commoners who are interested in such an effort. They would like to bring scouts (who know the forest), social characters (who can help charm the Shavs over) and warriors (who can help defend the party). While on this mission they will be trying to stay alert for anything amiss including, but not to limited to (signs of the Horned God, cultists, blight, abyss tainted animals, any unexpected animals and any signs of monsters).

Reese will not hesitate to kill in defense of their party or herself, however she will offer any mortal and non abyss tainted combatants a chance to surrender. She also has moral problems with killing when not in defense. Which means she probably not kill Shavs who will not bend the knee if they are not attacking the party, not behaving as a threat or not engaging in acts she would consider evil. Reese will most likely follow the commands of Calarian who is voice and above her in rank. She wishes to be inclusive as possible and to invite the Grayson faction to aid in this effort.

Thanks, Reese's player

Since this is getting a little long and unwieldy, I'm going to save this one for reference as we go over the PRPs and applicable crises. Since it's getting hard to track what's resolved in PRPs and what's not, let's break it up into separate ones to make sure things aren't missed and go ahead and throw up a prprequest to make sure staff responses to anything outstanding aren't missed.

Hold onto your butts: Aleksei and Aureth are going to Sanctum.

It's officially a visit to the Seraph of Sanctum to make contact in matters regarding the Lost Gods, most specifically Skald and Death in their roles as Archlectors. They each bring a disciple with them: Saedrus for Aleksei and Dafne for Aureth. Aleksei, having grown up in Sanctum, has a fair amount of experience with Oathlander Orthodoxy, even if he's never been close to that himself. Hopefully he'll be able to use his experience to just provide a certain level of context and expectation for the rest of the party. "This is what Oathlanders in Sanctum are like, try to avoid doing this particular thing that totally annoys them. I know it annoys them because I got in trouble doing it when I was fifteen." That sort of thing.

The purpose of the visit is really to gain support from the Seraph of Sanctum and the ranking Godsworn there at whatever level they can manage. They'll go in with the public face of recognizing Sanctum's importance within the Faith -- as the Birthplace of the Faith -- which is hopefully indicated by their visiting Sanctum in particular before anywhere else outside of Arx. Aleksei is prepared to be charming and empathetic, with a firm understanding of the theology in question, and he will grudgingly lean on the fact that he's from a well-respected Sanctum family with a long history of service. (Sure, he went off as a black sheep for a while, but then he found his way back to respectability through the Faith!!) Aureth will do his best not to alarm the natives and will be as charming a propagandist as he possibly can on behalf of the Queen. He definitely chose Dafne as his accompaniment on this adventure for a REASON since his own background is about as non-falutin as it is possible to be. Saedrus and Dafne come armed with respectability to support the Archlectors -- he as a Softest Whisper of the Whisper House, she as a Duchess of the Lyceum. They will know the correct title and the correct flatware /every time/.

The Seraph of Sanctum and the Pure Faith of the Oathlands (as they sometimes call themselves) appear to be in a heated contest to see who can be the most pompous and arrogant. There is no doubt, none, that if Saedrus hadn't managed to help everyone follow the precisely proper protocol with such flair that they would not even have agreed to meet, and they do require all of them to go through a Ceremony of Clensing at the White Cathedral of Sanctum before even being willing to meet, with thirteen hours spent in penitent prayer and singing of canticles. So much damned singing.

It is entirely likely they were looking for an excuse to not meet the heathens of the east, but Aleksei's mastery over theology is enough to follow all the proper worship to the letter, and grudgingly they meet. Because of that mastery and the proper respect and deference being paid to them, they do listen as Saedrus lays out a heartfelt, compassionate case for the good of the Faith of Arvum if they are willing to to listen to the new teachings with an open heart. Aureth being able to delve into extremely esoteric doctrines of the Faith helps tremendously, because there's nothing that excruciatingly painful pedants like the Western Faith love more than being able to hear fine points that they can inflict on other people. It wins him many points, and the gods will have mercy on his soul.

Things go less well when Duchess Dafne tries to present a compelling political case that it will ease tension between the Oathlands and the Lyceum and most of the Faith if they are willing to listen, but it's not her fault. Truth is, Francesca just couldn't help herself after hearing the Seraph of Sanctum drone on and on and on and on about the Pure Faith and how sinful the Lycene were and how they were not to be trusted, and Francesca muttered, "Gods save us from these dullards." And the Seraph and other pure of faith couldn't tell who had said anything but demanded, "Who said that?" Leaving to a, "I didn't say anything, did you say something?" awkward moment of exchange. But it fortunately does not derail everything.

The Pure Faith heard them out, and they offer what they feel is an extremely magnanimous offer overflowing with Gild's generosity and Limerance's fidelity and Lagoma's compassion. They claim they will not actively undermine the maybe-not-entirely-heretical new fangled notions. They will not formally accept them yet, saying that a period of Thirteen Years of study would be appropriate, but with two Archlectors of the Faith telling them that this is a thing, they are willing to say that at least Aleksei and Aureth are not the spawns of the Abyss trying to corrupt and destroy the faith. Openly. To their faces. But they will not undermine the new members of the Faith to their flocks. And that, at least, is something.

After the expedition to track activity by the Horned God/Metallic Traitor, the Ministry of Defense scouting team brought back what Aleksei believes to be a Writ-bound Abandoned slave. Based on new information he's received regarding the history of spellsingers among the Sylv'alfar, and the connection of the Metallic Traitor to that history, he's recruited Tikva -- whose gift sounds an AWFUL LOT LIKE THAT -- to see if her ability might have the same effect of returning the Abandoned prisoner's identity to him and breaking the Writ.

Tikva will be singing about names and identity and remembering oneself, trying to encourage the prisoner's soul to remember its own name so he can find his way back to himself. If she's successful, and if the prisoner is able to answer questions (maybe after a break -- possibly an extended one), Lady General Calypso will be present to ask about any information he might be able to provide about the Metallic Traitor, his movements, his plans, or anything else that might be helpful or relevant.

Vision sent, it worked ok

Aleksei, Fortunato, and Aureth are poking around looking for information on Agnes. Talking to friends, family, loved ones, etc. about anything strange that may have been going on with her, particularly in her last weeks. If her rooms or belongings are still around anywhere and they can get access, they’ll poke around there. All three of them are leaning on their general familiarity with the Lower Boroughs and their various connections with its denizens. (Including Aureth’s shadier ties, if need be.) Look, they’re LB regulars! You can talk to them!

While Aleksei and Aureth are probably Charming and Streetwise-ing their way through this, Fortunato is probably going a more Perceptive and Investigatory route.

No strange meetings stand out, or any big hints. A few of her friends note she had been a little more reclusive in the last months, and had been reading a lot of self-help style books with titles like, "Emotionally Inaccessible Men and the Women Who Changed them."

Orazio, Aureth, Fortunato, and Aleksei are trying to talk to the Queen of Endings.

Each of them has a sort of "function" in the quartet.

1) Orazio is the focus: he is the one who cares deeply and fervently about awaking the king, and thus has the most emotional energy invested. He is also the most literally practiced at /focusing/, especially when it comes to prayers.

2) Aureth is the conduit. For whatever reason, he's already been the recipient of several visions from her, so the group figures she either has a particular affection for him or his Sight just makes him more open to receiving visions. He's also kind of the Occult to Orazio's Theology.

3) Fortunato is the creator. He's providing whatever artistry they need, especially when it comes to ingredients that are -- harder to come by naturally.

4) Aleksei is the humor. He is the one turning serious prayers into terrible, terrible jokes. You know: just trying to tickle a lost goddess's funny bone.

The four of them are gathering their things and setting up an evening's vigil at the Shrine of the Lost one evening when the full moon is out. They are bringing with them the following things (which all have tchotchkes in the Shrine of the Lost now):

1) "Wings of a bat." There are no bats around. Bats are extinct. But Orazio got a pair anyways! Fortunato will be making a clay bat body wrapped in cloth and hair to attach them to with wires and hang it up.

2) "A kitten's tail." This is an awful ingredient. The group actually tries to check with some ratcatchers for this, as they sometimes dock their cats' tails. The group really doesn't want to have to catch a kitten and cut off a tail themselves. They will cry. They will do it if they need to, but they will cry.

3) "Tears of a scorned lover." Aureth collected these in a jar from Joscelin, whose heart he broke when they were teenagers. Way to go, Aureth.

4) "Red wine." Orazio is bringing the good stuff.

5) "Twelve skulls." They go Pit-diving for these. It's awful to rob graves. Sorry, Pit.

6) "Humor under moonlight." Aleksei is making the stupidest puns possible for each and every item. They read:

* Bats: "This request might be a little batty."

* Kitten's Tail: "You really aren't kitten around about these ingredients."

* Red Wine: "We don't want to wine too much, but..."

* Twelve Skulls: "Hope you find us humerus. Throw us a bone, here!"

7) Not an ingredient required by the list, but Aureth has also written a poem with rhyming couplets of a (more or less) similar style to how the Queen of Endings spoke to him. It reads:

I heard the Queen's clear command:
Destroy that shitty fuckhead Brand,
Cut short the asshole's stupid plan.
Beseech thee, lady: Lend us a hand?
The trouble is, you see, our leaders,
have the brains of bottom-feeders!
What can you expect, all that inbreeding,
without some sensible interceding?
They flail and piss away our allies
No matter what Faith or reason advise--
Can't find their asses with a compass,
Their incompetence will return to haunt us.
With our crappy king awake and breathing
perhaps the people's squabbles seething
will come to naught but itchy teething
and we can get back to our ensheathing
an axe in the neck of Tolamar Brand.
We will tan every Bringer slain
until their presence is erased again;
the enemies' armies quite unmanned,
so that the Silence dies and we, withstand.

And then they pray. Well, they pray and focus, whatever makes sense for them. (Orazio is a champion long-distance prayer.) They probably drink some wine. Aleksei surely comes up with more dumb jokes as the night goes on. It is likely not as formal as Orazio would want or as ridiculous as Aleksei would want, so they probably end up somewhere in the middle. Their question for the Queen? "What's the price of returning the King's soul?"

(Puns courtesy of Vincere and Aislin.)

Done!

So! Aleksei has volunteered for Silas's job of hunting down and killing CHANSE GRAYHOPE. He has given Aleksei directions ("If one goes to the beach from the East Gate of the city, swims out, and dives, there is some kind of underground hidden dock or grotto. There is allegedly a secret room there with paintings of light and dark elves. The man you are looking for is Chanse Grayhope, an agent of the Rex'alfar.") and a small contingent of Iron Guards (in leather! not steel) with Serafine coming along to make sure they follow Aleksei's orders and to help. Aleksei will be going in in leather armor to get into the hidden dock/grotto and try to take out Chanse and return with the body. If necessary, he can bring another PC depending on how you guys want to do things. Let me know if you need any more details!

One would expect, 'We are the Iron Guard, halt' to have -some- sort of effect on the men that were working inside the smuggler cove as Aleksei and Serafine with their Iron Guard escorts went to hunt down Chanse Grayhope, but they surprisingly didn't. In fact, they were attacked by a half dozen men that seemed more like shavs from an flagless smuggler's ship who fought more like fanatics than worried criminals, screaming war cries and laying into them, while the ship struggled to get under way and escape. The fanatical shav-smugglers cut down the Iron Guard escorts in the fighting before Aleksei and Serafine are able to kill them, the duo managing to board the ship as it gets under way and quickly finding themselves under assault by yet more shavs... while the ship pulls out of the cove and Victus' waiting thraxian ship runs it down. As Victus' men flood in and help cut down the shavs on board, more than a few scream, 'BLOOD FOR SKYLORD! BLOOD FOR THE SKYLORD! KILL THEM ALL!' and not a one was willing to be taken alive. On the ship, there's no sign of Chanse Grayhope, and searching the tunnels including the room with Nox'alfar symbols turns up nothing. There's no trace of him, as if he vanished in thin air, and he won't be found in Arx again. One of the dying shavs whispered, 'We care not, we die as Malardin' before expiring, however.

Aleksei is basically hanging out at Legate Row a lot, although not as a part of the Valardin or Iron Guard contingents. He's there specifically in case people decide that they're going to suddenly attack the Rectory, because his priority is making sure Orazio doesn't get killed in such an attempt. So if there /is/ an attempt and Aleksei has any reason to think that Orazio is in the Rectory, he's going to be trying to make sure he gets out safely.
Aleksei now has help from some PCs who have volunteered to also keep an eye on Legate Row and send word to him if things get heated when he's not there. Rey, Sen, and Aureth have all offered to keep an eye out ICly, with Aureth offering to help pay for some others to cover things if need be. (This appendation just means that Aleksei will be able to sleep sometimes instead of trying to be there 24/7.)

Nothing goes wrong while waiting and watching. How much of this is tied to Aleksei's supernatural luck? About ten thousand percent of it.

Aleksei is mostly keeping out of things for the time being, but IF the Bringers do happen to actually get near the city, he'd be at the Hall of Heroes to defend it. Otherwise, this is a useless crisis action. SORRY.

Alas, the bringers do not make it to Arx. The city stands ready, but no attack is made.

Ever since her encounter with the Simurgh of Blackwood, and being inducted into the battle against Legion and the Horned God, Katarina has been actively hunting down tools and searching for the First Children of Sea and Salt to stop him.

With the help of several members of the Faith, she's managed to track the tools of Brimstone and Cobalt to the Weeping Daughter Isle. A team of talented people is being assembled to go and search the uninhabited isle, specifically the lightning storm-wracked summit where there is said to be a graveyard of the slain kin of Brimstone & Cobalt.

Aleksei is going along to /vomit/. That is: he'll spend the entire journey over being seasick, but what's important is what happens once they get to the Island. He brings both his full armor and whatever knowledge of esoterica might come into handy in such an investigation; it's difficult to know what to expect. If he needs to fight, he'll fight. If he needs to try and identify some weird shit, he'll try to identify some weird shit. What is his life even.

Morrighan's attendance with the group heading for the Weeping Daughter isle is, for the most part, personal. The Redrain Knight has, as much as she'll admit, a particular connection with Brimstone, and it's the majority of the reason she's going. That and keeping an eye on someone in particular. She'll gladly assist in whatever manner she can, fight if necessary. Morrighan is determined to find -something- more about Cobalt and Brimstone than she already knows, and perhaps see if she can pick up on anything while there. She'll be armed with her rubicund blade and equipped with her exotic leathers, as well as the bits of knowledge she has involving the two - Cobalt and Brimstone, that is.

Shard makes no secret of why she wants to come along: she's looking for a means, any means, to fight the Horned God, and she's wholly on board with any mission that involves tracking said means down. To that end, she's bringing her weapons, her armor, and her wits. Fighting is most of what she can contribute, but she's also a fair hand at wilderness survival, not the worst (if certainly not the best) at investigation, and she's stubborn as the Abyss itself. One might easily get the impression that her desire to fight the Horned God is personally motivated, and not a little single-minded.

Aislin has no powers or family heritage to bring to the table, but she can provide her years of experience as an explorer -- including one who's sailed the Mourning Isles -- her keen observation and investigative skills, and her knowledge of esoterica. (And, of course, her sword -- just in case.) Her particular goal is to find any lost, forgotten lore that might help with fighting either of the Heralds involved -- albeit with a particular focus on the Horned God, and protecting the spirits. Weapons or relics would also be a worthy find. But mostly she's here to provide service as both the Experienced Explorer and the Encyclopedia Esoterica.

Fortunato brings his eyes for searching, his paints for documentation, and his brain for figuring if needs be. He does his best to stay out of /fighting/, having embarrassed himself on one too many occasions. How can he turn up a chance to paint a storm-wracked summit, though, how can he?

It's possible that there's nothing useful whatsoever to be offered in Aureth risking himself on a voyage of this kind. He can literally count the times that he has been beyond the walls of Arx further than the immediate outskirts on the fingers of one hand. But the lure of information is too much for him, so he will accompany the crew with the thought in his head that he may go and kneel in the graveyard itself and pray to Death for further enlightenment very deliberately on site. I mean, you never know, right

This talented team requires a combat medic because obviously someone will likely get hit by lighting. As such, Ailith will read ahead of time on treating lighting victims and stock up on those supplies, aside from the standard ones a combat medic carries (re: following Mercy & Physician's Guild guidelines). In addition, she'll provide aid where she can with matters of the Faith and inspire with her unwavering faith.

The group travel to the Weeping Daughter Isle. It is a strange, haunting place. Bitterly cold and unwelcoming, but the warmth of the hearthfire hidden high in a mountain cave both warms and challenges them. They come out of it with a weapon of indeterminate use and the memory of the warmth of the Salamander's fire. Strange place.

Aleksei is doing a bit more work in Stormward. Now that so many thralls have been relocated with the help of so many ships, he's turning attention to those who have remained in House Kennex's demense. With those that remain, he's working to try and and continue smoothing over their transition to freedmen, and encouraging the others of Stormward towards a more accepting path with their new fellow citizens. He does his best to approach matters from a place of respect for Thraxian tradition (even if he DOES NOT AT ALL RESPECT IT), at least so far as he knows it will be the best way to relate to the Stormward natives. This includes using some investment of Liberators funds where appropriate to help smooth matters over.

Without question, Saedrus will travel to Stormward with Aleksei and the Liberators to help the transition of freedmen. With a little sale of clothes he's added coin to the coffers to assist in a monetary matter. While in Stormward however he's there as a diplomatic voice to see that everything goes smoothly, and that the locals are assured in the change.

Zhayla intends to help. She heads to Stormward, knowing a little of the Isles as she does, and tries to help. She's not terribly sure how to help, mind - but she is determined to do what she can. So to Stormward she travels, and she reaches out to help Aleksei talk to thralls, and when he gets in over his head she starts glowering and making sure they know to leave him alone even if they don't agree with him. And she makes some effort at trying to lead them to a better path, but this is more Aleksei's gig than hers and so she follows along. She wants to help, but her trident isn't really a diplomatic sort of weapon.

Off on another Stormward venture, Ferrando is similarly engaged with doing stuff for Aleksei that's not quite important enough for his direct attention, getting dispatched to go handle miscellaneous things in a general-purpose sort of way.

Cassandra is joining the Faith's approach to the Kennex crisis by organizing some Templars to visit the affected isles. She's sending a small contingent of disciples and priests to keep order and calm - trusting that warcamps may be very similar to some of the situation the newly freed thralls will face - and organizing refuge points. She's bringing more non-combatants than combatants, though, hoping that some of those impacted in the Isles might find apprenticeships and the like with the smiths, chefs and so on that get brought by the Templar forces.

Knowing how Thraxians revere and respect Mangata's clergy over all others, Blessed Madeleine sends Disciples to assist with the transition and to encourage freedman merchant vessels - yes you can have oar crewed boats, yes they also need to be paid. They offer blessings and support and mediation when needed to help soothe the transition.

Archscholar Bianca arranges for a small group of Scholars specialized in diplomacy to act as Aleksei's extended voices. With their aid, stories of Thraxian histories and traditions are spun in a positive light and it is reinforced that the times they live in are ones of great change and progressive in nature. It is only with the foundation of their past and unity of the people that the Isles can move forward into the future.

Aureth will go with Aleksei to Stormward, not because he is a Liberator, but because Aleksei is his friend, and because all souls are human souls even if some of them make him sigh more than others. Once there, he will make his best efforts to help the locals buy what Aleksei is selling. He may privately think that Thrax culture is garbage, but mo propagandist ever had to believe all his own bullshit.

Fortunato's in the shop with his apprentices churning out some respectful art gifts celebrating Stormward and, of course, freedom. He does not himself go to Stormward, trusting an apprentice with good balance and strong arms to cart the load.

There was always the danger of backsliding into violence, particularly with the amount of religious fanatics on Stormward now. The outreach helps stabilize Stormward significantly further, and while there's certainly a few thousand Orazians there, they don't seem to be on the edge of violence... unless someone should try to undo the reforms, of course.