We're going to the catacombs.

It has taken a while to get everything set up and learn about the catacombs. Tunnels change. It's hard to navigate. There are servants of the Queen. Certain parts are more dangerous than others. After learning a good amount, plans are being drawn. They will take the secret entrance into the tunnels under the Murder of Crows. Fitting since there objective revolves around a Murder. Jeffeth has information (Clue 2833) that suggests information about crows and their unusual history may be lost under the city in the catacombs somewhere. So a crack team has been assembled and they will take an expedition into the catacombs to search for this information.

Magpie made a deal that if he opened the door, he comes along. So with Magpie providing the entrance under the Murder to the tunnels. Magpie is along for the trip. Mae knows the way from the tunnels to the catacombs. And Aureth comes to keep Death's servants from harassing the group too much.

Once down they will let their need for the information guide the way. They bring along a lot of items that have been suggested for navigating the catacombs. A lot of chalk. A few very large balls of string. Extremely long wooden poles. A lot of candles.

This is Jeffeth's trip, but he's not the most keen on digging up information or finding things. So he will mostly be focusing on protecting his companions, hoping his more sharp eyed friends find something that may help them.

We go searching for crows!

Does Caith have fighting abilities? Nope. Can she heal people? Nu-uh. So why is she down in the catacombs where she might encounter living skeletons and other assorted peril? In a word: ADVENTURE. Armed and armored with her trusty Jeffeth, she is going to use her tingly senses to help figure out where they should go. Mae is the authority, of course, but maybe something will jump out at her (hopefully not literally). One could say that she intends to stretch out with her feelings..

Surely everyone going along is very capable and formidable. However it's always good to bring a healer along and Juniper is just that person! She packs up a little first aid kit, sets aside her natural uneasiness at the possibility of facing animate skeletons (Death likes her, right? Please please please please) and goes along with the team to help keep people alive.

Mae's been asked about the tunnels under Arx. Fact: No one knows them better than Mae. Okay, maybe someone does, but really, Mae knows those tunnels quite well! So, she's going to be going down with Jeffeth and his team, acting as a guide. Jeffeth's assured he has one of Death's Chosen (Aureth) with him, so that should keep the skeletons from attacking. Hopefully. Right? Mae will then lead the group onward, to Death's domain.

Sir Andry Bayweather may not be quite the warrior his brother is, but is quite good at other things such as finding things which are lost or incoming deadly rolling boulders.

Aureth is not a warrior at all. He doesn't exactly stroll into the catacombs entirely secure in his own person; he comes wearing the spider's silk tunic in all its steelsilk protection that was gifted him by Death, for example, and he doesn't come without being armed, his trusty (crappy) crossbow and its set of bolts packed along for the ride. He can't leave behind his escort because after all he is a Legate of the Faith even if he is a Legate of the Faith doing something rather silly. But his aid in this endeavor is primarily to come, and pray to Death, and generally to let it be known to any nervous or upset skeletons or zombies that he's okay with Jeffeth. Jeffeth is an okay guy. It's fine.

They travel down to the catacombs without further ado, looking carefully for any sign of crows or murders or something. They begin of course in the Murder of Crows bar. That's a good sign right? And since they're going under the city and down to the catacombs and the Necropolis, they bring Legate Aureth and Harlequin Mae and they hope they don't wreck anything important.

Mae knows the tunnels, at least the ones near the Murder, and so she takes the lead with torch held high to illuminate the tunnels. It's quiet here, the only sound their steps and the skittering of crawling things in the darkness that pervades. It's a little eerie, but worse is when they hear a howl of something that sends shivers down their spines. Mae quickly redirects them in a different direction.

Danger averted, it's Caith now who holds up a hand. "That.... way." They are standing at the junction of two paths, and one leads down and one leads up - and she strangely points to the one that leads up. Isn't down where they want to go? Caith is adamant. And so they go.

Up goes the tunnel, and then sharply down again, and now it's Andry who pushes them all out of the way as a statue, previously unseen, comes crashing down from an alcove. It narrowly misses them - was this a trap? Or just a weird coincidence? Spiders skitter out of the hold left by the statue toward the group. Spiders everywhere, and the torch Mae holds blows out, plunging them into darkness.

The spiders converge on Aureth, running up his legs, covering him completely until he is nothing more than an Aureth-shaped mass of spiders. And then he turns and takes a step toward the alcove where the statue was. One step, then another ponderous step, heard and not seen while Mae struggles to relight the torch.

It's Juniper that finally gets it going, just in time to see Aureth vanishing into a hole in the wall made by the statue that fell. Step. Step. Step. And through to a path that leads down, a path that has not been walked in decades - perhaps not in centuries.

At last they come to a halt as a snake slithers toward them. It's a big snake with a book in its coils, and as it stops before them the spiders at last release Aureth, vanishing into the darkness and cracks as the snake stares at them all.

Jeffeth steps forward bravely - this snake is big enough to devour a person, even someone of Jeffeth's size. But it does not move quickly, no. Instead it releases the book from its coils, hisses at them once, and then slithers back down the tunnel, leaving them to their knowledge.

The journey back is thankfully less eventful. Though strangely, when they leave the alcove the wall is repaired as though there never were a statue or an alcove in the first place.

Strange.

Some time ago the idea of improving County Pearlspire's infrastructure was seeded. The idea began as a military effort, improving roads to improve troop movements. Which would improve trade. And like the bit of grit that eventually becomes a pearl, the idea has grown and taken shape. And grown some more. Inspired by Lord Michael Bisland, the success of the Empyrean trade route, and encouraged by Marquessa Deepwood, Lord Kaldur has begun shepherding a massive infrastructure project - an overland analog to the Empyrean Route that will set a series of trade roads through Grayson's principalities and farther. /From Stormwall to Ostria and beyond!/ says young Kaldur, with emphasis on 'and beyond.'

When the planning is done and construction begins in earnest, Lord Kaldur is a man who prefers to lead from the front when he can. In County Pearlspire he will work tirelessly alongside the men and women (and horses!) of the Seliki Engineering Corps as they plan and execute the work laid before them. He is a steadying presence with encouragement and focus at setbacks and ready with praise for work well done.

(OOC: Recommended support is 100-200 resources for Baronies and Counties, 200-500 resources for Marches and Duchies; but any and all support is welcome)

As work proceeds all over the Compact, who knows what will be discovered!!

Lady Peri Seliki has a strong relationship with the prominent traders that already flock to Pearlspire's shores and has reached out to those that she tipped off previously to some lucrative opportunities on lumber. She gathers information from them on where the best routes would benefit from roads to add to her brother's efforts and arranges for them to get the word out to others, both to fulfill the gap in transporting materials to the workers and in preparation for the new network.

Considering that some adult supervision will be required, Kalani would be happy to go along and serve as a stand-in for said-adults. Chiefly, if anyone is going to build anything, someone is bound to get hurt in the process. It's a natural outcome of people + tools = broken body parts.

Samantha is wholeheartedly invested in this notion, especially with Old Oak (presumably) being one of the stop points on the road. She'll invest resources into its creation, and encourage the hiring of the March's population for all levels of its creation. She will also look into facilitating the formation of security for the road, and aid in the diplomactic and economic efforts surrounded projecting its cost to create and projection of its maintenance.

As a purveyor of stone, particularly granite and marble, Grazia is going to have stone shipped to the Selikis for Pearlspine. Some of the stone will be used for the very roads it is to be transferred along, but the bulk of it will be sailed along the coast to the actual port city to be used to build the harbor. This is an important trading endeavor, and Grazia expects that due to the long-term nature of the project that it will offer a nice economic boost for her quarries.

Aviaron's Peak rests atop a MOUNTAIN, which means its architects and workers have experience working in... the MOUNTAINS. So Rhea will consult with her stewards to put together a crew of advisors and workers to help with Kaldur's project, lending them valuable experience. Aviaron's Peak will also provide any necessary metal for the project at a discount.

As stewards and protectors on the roads of Arvum, and as followers of Gild who favors trade, civilization and hospitality, the Knights of Solace lend their aid to the project with the promise that it will feature a few Solace waystations and shrines for pilgrimage. Thena offers the Solace soldiers stationed near the proposed route for protection and manpower. She also sends resources and silver for the project. Once complete, the route will be added to the Knights of Solace regular coverage.

Ann believes in Kaldur's efforts for a trade route and signs Stormwall up, understanding that he needs support in many ways to see success in the long run.
*She puts her economic mind to use, saving Kaldur where she can and maximizing profits.
*Pours over paperwork with him to make sure no one is pulling a fast one on him.
*Assigns Crovane's reserves to patrol the route inside Crovane lands.
*Uses her Inquisitorial contacts to make sure no one is sharing the details of the road to those outside of the Compact for their own benefit.

Michael Bisland rounds up maps and engineers who know how to READ said maps to help a vassal in need. Or in want. Since Kaldur doesn't /need/ these roads but he sure does love to talk about it. So much. Just constantly. Leave me alone, I helped!

Grady is following Samantha's lead here, helping smooth the way for increased security and infrastructure between Pearlspire and Old Oak, ideally helping both domains grow stronger and more secure. He talks to people, he negotiates, he encourages the soldiers, and he keeps a careful eye out for any rising arguments, moving to help quell those as swiftly as possible.

Gabriel Bisland is encouraged by the younger generation's drive to see the Compact reach new heights. He adds the weight of the mighty House Bisland to the project. Not only to fund the improvement (or new construction of) roads in Pridehall, but so that the project over all might avoid the danger of dipping into the red.

Giulio will assist in helping those that wish it in building a uniform code / set of agreements to make the best money they can on this.

Stonewood is no stranger to road building, having recently refurbished the road to Pridehall that helped put them on the map. What's not on the map, however, is a great way to cross the river at Stonehearth. So in coordination with this network of roads, Malesh will oversee the creation of a bridge or ferry (whichever is more practical/profitable) crossing the Gray River not far from the docks at Stonehearth.

Recognizing the opportunities for trade and also for his house, Fecundo is lending his diplomatic skills to getting the project moving, working through any of the lands where the road is planned to go. It also doesn't hurt that he'll be able to point to the quality of output from the Gemecitta stone.

Etienne has a vested interest in the pursuit of the expansion of civilization, trade, commerce, and the cause of safe journeys. All of which are accomplished by a well funded and functional transportation system. Etienne will be contributing silver generously provided by the Faith as well as speaking well of the endeavor whenever possible to those that need help convincing. Etienne would indicates the funds are for the builders, and those that support them, soldiers, cooks, and the like. Etienne would also be on hand for cutting any ribbons with hilariously large scissors.

Eddard uses all of his wiles and charm to help speed along permits and coax constructions crews to take on the needed jobs. If Duskshire ends up on the new set of roads, thats not so bad, eh?

Lord Bedivere Whitehawk will be acting on behalf of his dear newphew (Baron Silas Whitehawk) to lead forth Whitehawk soldiers to help out on the road project for Lord Kaldur Seliki. Bedivere himself will be out there as a managerial force to help out every day.
He seeks the help of huntsmen and cartographers in the area to help map the road around mountainous and hilly terrain to connect agricultural communities.
Since gravel and paving is time-consuming and expensive, wood is used in these instances to limit excessive sliding on the steeper side of a hill.
Whitehawk soldiers are deployed to help with security and digging where soil is already worn away, close to the bedrock, so muck will be less of a concern.

While the Volkov Woods is one of the newer areas of the map, and that they may not come anywhere near the proposed current trade route - Ruslan is hopeful that someday, when the trade route starts to create the terciary routes, that the Volkov Woods would be part of this future. As such, he has created a small patrol of 150 troops to be sent to provide security and protection for the crews along the route.

Lady Rey Laveer, as Voice of Laveer and a Mercy has decided that roads are more than needed to connect trade routes, but as a side not would be good for movement of healers to farther reaches of Arx. And has offered her House's support as well as her personal support to the Roads Project.

Given the Twainfort's traditional seat as a trading hub due to its control of the fork of the Mother in the Daughter and Son Rivers, it's simply good sense to see that more and more overland routes from far-flung, land-locked Houses can reach Riven's ports and speed the passage of their goods along its way. Mia will work with a number of her advisors, particularly those most familiar with the landscape and locations throughout her County, and those recently joined Prodigals from surrounding areas of the Gray Forest to find the appropriate blend of transversible but also defensible routes through the woodlands.

In her role as minister of upkeep to Inverno, Mirella will be working on behalf of the house to aid Lord Kaldur's project. Alongside advisors from house Inverno she'll be investigating the safest and most convenient routes for roads to the island city of Caina and any surrounding settlements, as well as figuring out required costs prior to these roads being built. She'll share this research with the Seliki Engineering Corps and assist them in any way that's helpful and beneficial to Inverno and Seliki. She'll also be donating 100 economic resources to the project, representing Inverno's ministry of income rising to the task to provide funds.

Though their home is an out-of-the-way island, the Truesworn are often keen to participate in the broader life of the Compact. A grand project to improve the infrastructure of the coastal trade routes evidently meets with the Truespeaker's approval. Sudara duly brings to bear all the Setarcan know-how and book-learning she can muster, in guiding her people through work to develop Esterhold's internal structure and develop its external trade.

Tenebrae, a warrior above all things, will help in this endeavor by both allocating and commanding soldiers to protect the works, as well as using soldiers as workers on the Isle of Esterhold. They will be learning from the engineers as much as possible, while also ensuring no resources go missing, and protecting lives. This protection also applies to guarding the sea lanes to ensure the transport of resources, skilled craftsmen, and the money to pay them.

The Marquessa of Nilanza is happy to supply as much as we can of the materials and labor required for the stretch of road to be built across the march, if the engineers to see it through can be provided by other means. Then we, House Malespero, can contribute both economic and social resources to the effort, and to all upkeep.

Belladonna has received an invitation to take part on Kaldur's new efforts to build a more cohesive network of roads for commerce. She will be seizing that opportunity and trying to convince other lords, traders, merchants, crafters, etc, to join in with some of their own resources, thus investing much of her Social pull into this. She wants to make Setarco, the whole island, a place of culture and wealth. She will know places to avoid and where the roads should go through.

Lord Sebastian Pravus will be visiting Setarco during January of 1010 as part of some other work. While there, he will talk with local contacts to get an understanding of the breadth and scope of work needed to build roads on the island, as well as the best ideas for placement to assist the engineering corp. Additionally, he will assist the project by spruiking the benefits of a well-built trade road far and wide with his many contacts in Arx and especially within the Pravus lands to drum up additional support and interest in the project and its potential benefits to the local economy.

Following her sister's lead, Celeste is offering her expertise in terms of patrol schedules, strategic importance to areas, most likely to be ambushed here... that kind of thing. She'll further take effort to extol the virtues of this project to important and influential figures in Arx and Setarco.

Mikani helps Kaldur understand the unique location that is Redreef. She gathers funds and encourages the infrastructure project through out her Barony. Mikani addes in economic resources to help with the building of the roads and other paths knowing that anything can be useful.

Baroness Skye Blackshore is a founder of the Empyrean Trade Route. She provides all the mappings where the ships will stop along the way, providing recommendations for fortifications so that goods can be transfered from the ships to the land. Then she will using her mapping skills and knowledge of war to figure out potential ambush points and provide that to people who are going to managing security of this route. She will also use her economic skills to assist Duchess Ann with negotiating better building rates, using her woodworking and infrastructure talents to make sure they get the necessary supplies for building without spending to much.

Dycard is going to help out with the persuading of people that this is a good idea and one that should be supported. After all, roads help farmers get their produce to market as well as letting military forces travel much faster, and that has to be to everyone's benefit come tax-time, right?

Tyde lands are connected both by more traditional roads on Tyde Isle, but more often by more watery roads. Increased trade is good by land, but with goods arriving all the time and boats being a bit more infrequent but with larger cargo capacity than a cart, it is important that there are places to store the goods and efficient places to load and offload. As part of Kaldur's efforts, and to connect this large Grayson road network to the Empyrean and the Isles, Tyde makes land and resource available for the construction of proper warehousing and expanded stone piers to allow for efficient offloading, and offer this same expertise to help build them on the Grayson shores.

Mirk had planned something similar himself, so there's no hesitation when he's offered the chance to connect Whitehold and Cascade Springs to this planned network of roads. As the Minister of Coin for the Halfshavs, he brings some of his House's resources to the table: chiefly stone for the main roads, but also access to scouts with experience finding routes through the mountains. He acts mostly as a diplomat and negotiator, working with others to see to it that those resources are used where they'd be most effective.

Magnus will participate by guiding and assisting in the direction and protection of the roads approach to the Bonespire and surrounding winter wasteland. Utilizing his tactical and martial aptitude he will make himself available to personally advise on any potential known threats or Shav'arvani bands in the area's which they pass through as well as coordinate the protection of all participants with other collaborative members of the team, to include the usage of a detachment of assigned Bone Warden's.

With the building and improving of roads into the far reaches of the Compact, some things might be discovered-- or rediscovered that are best left alone or need a Shaman's expertise to navigate. Volcica will be lending all of her skills to this effort, making sure the spirits remain content in Stahlben's lands and as far out as she can help.

House Ravenseye will happily do their part to be included in a road project to try and make their remote area a little more accessible. Cadern will be sending out missives to Ravenseye and some of their neighbors to avoid any ruffled feathers and ensure things get handled amenably for the usually isolated northerners.

As Voice of Steelhart, Col will invite the trade road to Highhill and provide some military support and strategy as needed to ensure everything is kept safe.

Believing this to be a good endeavor for his house (roads are great for horses), Count Philippe signs up for the project. Alongside his officials, they lay the foundation for dirt paths, making sure to disturb as little as possible of their natural resources by routing the road system through ground that has already been used. Philippe is adamant about raising ranger stations for the Knights of Solace on these roads.

The Rivenshari know other roads, those of the water ways that move through the lands. Which is not a bad thing, they can use that knowledge to help intergrate the two road ways together as well as the roads that will run through Riva. Eshra puts her best minds to this, with the Knights of Solace already having a barracks in Riva and the trade routes that have already been established.

Sasha is gather up 500 economic writs, 500 social writs, and 500 military writs for the roads coming through Giant's Reach. She is also offering to aid with the spreading of the good word of the trade route.

As Marquis of one of the more remote holdings, Gaston is thrilled at the prospect of expanding the Roads and making Cloudspine more accessible. Aside from lending Blackram's political support for the effort, Gaston will also dedicate silver, and military resources to help protect the engineers as they work through expanding into the wilder parts of Arvum.

Cullen will work with his brother-in-law, Lord Alessandro, to make sure that the section of the road that will link Greenhaven to the network (by running along the south bank of the river and establishing a ferry system just west of the fork, ideally with the aid of Rivenshari river captain expertise) will be well-defended during its construction. He will take personal command of a troop of light cavalry and archers. He will also inform any other soldiers, including the engineers, where the safest - and most dangerous - places in the area lie, and how best to fight in the region.

As Minister of Upkeep for Greenmarch, Alessandro is eager to collaborate on a project such as Lord Kaldur has put forth. He will work with the Seliki engineering corps, as well as all other engineers who are assisting, to devise the best route through Greenmarch lands for the roads, perhaps partly running near the river as suggested by his brother-in-law, Lord Cullen, for easier trade with those houses such as Rivenshari and others who are at the forefront of maritime trade. He will also assist with bookkeeping, allocations of funds if necessary, and various economic portions of the endeavor, should it be needed.

The Voice of House Lyonesse takes a personal hand in the great roadworks project, enthusiastic for the potential of growth it can bring to Lyonesse lands and its people. Lady Jenessa temporarily returns to Lyon's Redoubt to assist, providing insight into the geography of the area as well as the best routes for travel. Not only does she oversee the exchange of lumber for proper stones for the road surface, she also plots out the route itself with the Seliki engineers and Lord Kaldur. Furthermore, the Lyonesse offers use of what sailworthy ships they possess to expedite the transport of building materials up and down the river to the surrounding holdings of those involved. Not only is time spent and investments made, but Jenessa further encourages the locals of Lyon's Redoubt to make the experience a memorable one for the visiting engineers and Lord Kaldur himself, throwing a modest but personal banquet for the guests of House Lyonesse and all the workers who put in time and labor.

Reigna had been planning on building roads throughout Oakhaven to stimulate trade and facilitate troop movements throughout the March. Kaldur's plans dovetail perfectly into this plan, and she shifts her focus from just Oakhaven to the surrounding areas as well. She will be contributing resources from wood and stone, to engineers and laborers to help with the construction.

Olivia will draft a plan for House Ashford's particiaption, along with providing some necessary material support. Given her area of expertise, she will prioritize roads in Ashford territory to provide good access to typical regions of agricultural surplus so that these products can be moved to market more quickly without risk of spoilage.

Lilia Telmar offers maps and recommendations for routes through the Temarch, with particular diligence paid to their placement in respect to pre-existing towns and trading routes. She's trying to find that sweet spot between maximum efficiency in road construction and minimum disruption to the people of the land, who might like to use the roads but who don't want to give up their lands. She's tagged a particular river crossing for the establishment of a new bridge, and indicated that it is likely to become the site of a thriving inn catering to travelers.

In an effort to bring more interesting people to Acorn Hill, and support the travel development plan, Tessa is personally funding the construction of an inn in the town of Acorn Hill, with stables enough for larger groups of merchants, mercenaries and travellers that may be passing through. The Golden Dame, as the inn is called, also keeps a very comfortable room always open and free of charge to any musicians or entertainers that are willing to perform for their supper so to speak. The HOPE is that this will make the stays for every one more pleasent.

Kritr will put people working towards a road in the land he controls to link it with the rest of the road system and accept whatever help of engineers is offered.

House Grayson will be taking advantage of the economy of scale of the overall effort to acquire the supplies to improve the existing roads surrounding Bastion and Arx at favorable rates, with an eye to planning linkages for future expansion to the ducal territories of the Crownlands.

Saikland Greens is a small area but a link and a junction along the path between areas to the north and Iasu to the west and Ostria to the south should the route extend that far. The route, if it succeeds, is an opportunity for networking with other houses and fealities, for enhanced trade opportunities. The mappers, guards and engineers provided by Lord Kaldur to begin the initial planning and feasibility of the route are welcomed and she accompanies them during one of her trips to Saikland to make sure they find places that do not disturb the farming and vineyard, existing businesses, have resting points with water, camping areas, spots near villages and military posts for protection and provisions. They plan out areas to avoid such as difficult stream fords, the small bog to the south that moving inland a bit can circle. Lucita adds some of her military forces to the group as they look over the areas to the south and north and around the perimeter of Saikland, careful not to intrude into Fidante Holdings but to see the locations and condition of any existing routes and trails, help secure the areas within and adjacent to Saikland and the number and location of any abandoned groups along the way. Her charm and propaganda skills can sooth the way and help persuade some to join the compact rather than resist and prey upon the merchants using such a trade route. Once areas are secured, she will assess to see if improvements to her docks becomes necessary.

Sabella is well aware of the issues that might come up with this road and so she is ready to be on hand to talk it up to anyone and everyone that wants to listen. And even those that don't want to listen, painting a picture for people of the Compact of safe, faster travel and trade, and trying to pitch it to the Shavs that instead of having Compact people traipsing their way everywhere through their lands this will keep them all in one place and hey, they can set up stalls to sell them products along the way and everybody wins! Yay roads!

Tikva thinks this is a terrible idea. She has been repeatedly insistent that it is a terrible idea whenever it has come up. However, a number of her vassals are insisting on involving themselves in it anyway, and despite her best efforts to persuade him and others otherwise, the help of House Grayson has been sought. It is not in her to refuse what aid she can offer in order to defray some of the hazards that she perceives in creating a massive overland trade route through lands that are not held by the Compact. She does what she can to ensure that any workers are actively protected by soldiery, that there are relay stations set up along the route that she believes to be an ultimately doomed project so that messages and emergency cries for help when the raiding parties come can help protect them. Tikva does not anticipate that her efforts will be able to prevent anything from ending in disaster, loss of life and potential deep economic distress for those houses embarking on an ill-advised venture, but at least if she does something to try to stave off some of the worst, maybe she can mitigate the damage to people who insist on failing to follow her good advice.

Niklas will mostly make jokes about how they should extend the road to Stormward. Like, hey guys, why can't we do a road to Stormward? This is a massive undertaking, but you know what would really make you guys legends? Uh. A road to Stormward. Really, he'll keep doing it until people are annoyed with him. But only the people who are actually working on the project. For everyone else the celebrity prince will turn on the megawatt smile and gladhand like the white hot grease fire of charm and charisma he happens to be. He's no good with a sword, he doesn't run his own domain and he doesn't have an army to offer, but what he does have are contacts who can help to make sure the money gets to where it needs to be and parts more easily from those who may be reluctant to turn it over. Call it monetary logistics. You don't need to know what you're moving, you just need to move it.

As Minsiter of Infrastructure for the Crown, Jaenelle understands the captial city is certainly a hub of activity. Arx will continue to assist where needed, making sure the roads leading to and from Arx are kept safe to the traders as well as making sure the steets themselves are kept free from holes, cracks, or anything that might make travel harder. Jaenelle's focus will be the roads directly around Arx.

Jennyva has been given permission from Duke Malcolm to sign Graypeak up for this project and contribute writs, time, whatever Kaldur may need. Her expertise is in negotiations and marketing and she ensures that the merchants know to use these new roads to their advantages.

As a capable steward and Voice for Blackram, Teagan has stepped up to oversee her family's participation in this expansive project. As remote as the Cloudspine is, such a road will be greatly beneficial. She will gladly see to aiding in what ways she can beyond providing what Blackram will for the connection of their holdings to the road: primarily with her economic skills.

Sir Andry Bayweather seems more then interested in the idea of helping connect the compact into a more unified whole and is helping arrange patrols with the Knights of Solace as well putting in work to arrange funding for any sections which otherwise seem to be neglected

Seymour believes an effort like this can only further enhance the trade network between fealties, to the benefits of trade at all levels. Seymour is ensuring that there are ample resources to ensure the holdings in Stormwall and Ashford he is responsible for can be a part of this, and to establish new trade posts for Oak Mercantile where the need for additional trade along the new route may exist.

The Great Road is easily one of the most ambitious projects launched in recent years in the Compact, though the scope is so vast and the current state of travel in the Compact is so dangerous that it verges on quixotic. Still, the bold ambition is embraced by scores of notables in the Compact, and ambitious or no, they get to work with the massive project.

There are numerous challenges. First and foremost, the traditional respect for the autonomy of every domain holder. The Compact has always had paths, or even rough mud roads between major thoroughfares, and the Knights of Solace have long patrolled many of the most popular, but the proposed brand new road attracts notice of every domain holder that they would pass through, and this is hundreds of them. The majority welcome the increase in trade... provided a) it doesn't stir up an Abandoned response and b) that they aren't responsible for patrolling it with their own funds. That is relatively little help, and they are happy to profit from it, if it is at no cost to them. A smaller number enthusiastically welcome it, and are EAGER for an Abandoned response, and are actively looking forward to doing battle with their hated enemies. Particularly in the Oathlands, there's talk about 'cleansing their lands for good and all', which goes well outside the bounds of a friendly trade agreement, and is more than a little worrisome. Some of the talk goes well past a little worrisome, in fact. And a very few outright refuse to have any new road built on their land, despite all reasoning, pleading, threats, forcing the road to be built entirely around some random baronies and counties that simply do not wish to risk any sort of conflict with Abandoned or increase the flow of riff-raff through their borders.

But with initial agreements signed up, then comes construction. This is thousands upon thousands upon thousands of miles of road to build a road that unites the different domains on somethnig more than dirt, often overgrown, hunting paths. The sheer engineering this takes in laying down the stones and creating the waystations will stand as one of the most remarkable marvels done in the Compact in centuries. Much of the land goes through Abandoned controlled territory, even if it is ostensibly owned by the Compact, but the amount of forces brought make most of the Abandoned steer clear aside from the odd skirmish here and there as the road is being built with overwhelming force. But the key words are 'as the road is being built'.

The good news is that trade spikes up immediately, and many of the traders in the Compact are absolutely thrilled to have better overland paths in order to move their goods when rivers are inaccessible or impractical. It's a boon many of the domains, and the economic consequences should be strong, in the long term. The bad news is that there simply are not anywhere near enough Knights of Solace in the Compact to patrol thousands of miles of road. Certainly they do what they can, but the raids start immediately, and in great force, and the losses from the Knights of Solace start to mount, even as caravans start to hire sellswords and travel in greater numbers for protection. Which in turn, has prompted stronger raids. Much stronger.

The Great Road is an economic success, overall, despite the raids. And fame comes with such a large, daring project. But the social and political consequences are another matter all together, and those will be forthcoming.

It's no secret that Lady Monique Greenmarch has been at odds with the Faith lately. It's something the Minx of the Marches is trying to rectify. She has plans to search out an artifact or lost piece of lore for each of the gods she feels closest to: Gild, Petrichor, Skald, Vellichor. She will recruit her friends to help her, and with each success, will donate said artifact or information to the Pantheon.

The first attempt, and the Goddess the Greenmarch is closest to, Gild. Perhaps ambitious, but the Lady has heard stories about the dwarven kingdom to the north, Aviaron. She seeks some lost relic of Gild beneath the Peak of the Dwarves, or perhaps renewed contact and Faith with those who live under the mountain.

Etienne will, out of a great sense of at least curiosity, travel to find the Gild loving Dwarves beneath the mountain. Eager and developing a burgeoning sense of adventure goes forth with some protests of need for comfort and trappings of civilization in hopes to share stories, knowledge, and appreciation for the goddess with the sub-terranean dwellers and aid in the recovery of some relic. Etienne would bring textiles of all moderate sorts as gifts. (such as seasilk, umbra, and aeterna).

Sparte has long been on good terms with Lady Monique, and he knows what it is to be at odds with a group and have to make amends. That Lady Monique seeks amends is something he finds admirable. Her choice of method is a dangerous one, so he is seeing this expedition as a risky venture to be planned for accordingly. He will be collecting supplies and equipment through the Society of Explorers to help ensure the mission's success. He will of course also be going, and taking the same risks.

Marian will go on the trek, assisting with the security and protecting the group from harm. She's the warrior so she'll be first in line to attack anything that proves to be a threat to the group. She will also use her knowledge of the Northlands and survival to navigate any difficult areas. Keeping a sharp eye out of any ambushes or attacks.

Jhond will go on the trek as a member of the expedition. His specialty is as a guide and in reaching hard to reach places if its needed. Cliff to climb to drop a drop, river for swim to help the others ford, etc as well as facing whatever danger may prevent itself with steel if needed.

Initially brought in as a tent-buddy, Alrec, gains some weight and makes sure to bring a lot of games, alcohol, and furs. Still, wanting to be respectful to the cause, he amasses a few writs to trade along the route (and one can only hope, with the dwarves also).

Cadern is happy to join the search for the Dwarves to further his research in . Cadern in particular will go along to research the fascinating culture and take note of what they learn. His primary goal to smooth relations within the group and with others they encounter, dwarves or otherwise. He'll also bring along trinkets to trade particularly things he thinks they may not have such as glass and masks in particular, and no doubt extra booze.

Dwarves. It's... well. As she stated to Monique. Oh no dear Lady, not you too. But Monique is a good client, and for good clients Josephine will go out of the way and if a potential (likely false and laughable claim made by others) lineage makes things easier for one of her favourite clients? Well, Josephine will go. Armed in heavy furs, a sturdy cane, bearing gifts of brass namely in the shape of a series of tomes of brass sheets engraved with the history of the people since the reckoning as a communal gift, and a dragonweep stone in a lovely iridescite box made by Josephine, she's venturing forth. The worst? They find nothing and Josephine has at least experienced the far north and can quietly laugh to herself. The best? They find these dwarves and Monqiue's purpose is achieved. Either way, she's along for the journey and it's at least NOT via a boat.

Dwarves? Princess Helena's eyes lit up with wonder and awe when she heard of the quest to Aviaron, so much so that poor Monique probably felt she had to ask the Redrain to go along. Still, Helena's of the north and knows much of the journey well, and she's going along to add her own knowledge of the north and its lore to the wealth of knowledge of her party mates and to chronicle the event should they actually meet the storied dwarves of Aviaron, for that would be a story worth retelling.

Estelle is coming along to assist in any way that the Mercy is able! She is most likely to assist in the capacity of a healer however, keeping everyone healthy and in one piece for the trek as well as helping out with negotiations if need be.

The Knights of Solace are more then interested in making contact with these worshipers of Gild and Andry is one of the knights assigned as escort. He will also do what he can to bring along whatever supplies may be needed.

Lora, possessed of a keen interest in Brass and his associates, will first assist Josephine with the design and creation of brass objects, partially to show affinity to the Knight and partially to create some kind of pictorial communication device. She will join the expedition as a diplomatic asset, bringing coin to hopefully make the journey easier, and then her skills as a communicator in case they actually find who they're looking for.

It is, in a word, daunting.

Rumors of dwarves have swirled in whispers for a long, long time, but any more precise details that would take them from legend to an actual meeting are impossibly elusive. Ultimately, the most promising lead came from a seraph of a small village near Aviaron's Peak, who had some local Northlands legends about them. From there, it was a long trek of chasing the local legends that were disappointments, and then came a story of the Red Mine of Underhill Fortress, which was an abandoned set of mines from veins of gold and silver long since run dry, but legend had connected to a fortress miles deeper in the mountain that once had dwarves. Several days of searching there does find what once was obviously a massive fortress built deep in the earth, but almost completely shattered ages ago, possibly before the Reckoning, with some skeletons of what likely were dwarves there. With luck though, they find writing on stone tablets near the entrance with a single skeleton by itself next to the tablets. Etched in Arvani, speaking of 'the Last Stand of Clan Underhill against Ruin'. The etchings say, 'Ruin was understood too late. Cannot be stopped by swords or spells. Cannot be stopped by strength or will. Bound by words, but not by magic. Needed a treaty. A pact. Perhaps the copy of the treaty forming this new alliance in the South? Blessed by Gild. That might have saved us all."

Jeffeth Bayweather got the High Lords and the King to sign the treaty as agreed to previously.(Action #2328). He has raised a good amount of funds. It is time to get to business!!! Jeffeth himself will be using his crazy physical prowess to help do the actual manual labor, he'll be hauling stone and moving logs all the livelong day, singing as he goes. Come on guys! Back to work! Yay!

He would like to thank: Archduchess Eleyna Velenosa, Prince Victus Thrax, Prince Darren Redrain, Duchess Belladonna Pravus, Archlector Aureth Grayhope, Marquis Orvyn Harthall, and Prince Edain Valardin for their generous donations to see that the site get built. Let it be known they were the ones who funded this endeavor!

This is to be an orphanage and an abbey. It is meant to honor the Gods and honor Sandrine as a Hero of the Faith for her sacrifice long ago as told in the story of Sandrine. (Clue 29486). But it is not a gaudy shrine or statue, there will be a plaque telling the story of Sandrine, leaving out the part of her current residence. Other than that it is an orphanage and an abbey. Originally Jeffeth had been raising enough resources to build a combination, but people wanted to give and give. So the site shall be one building to serve as the abbey and another as the orphanage. Both will be inside a wall with the inclusion of two watch towers on either end of the walled in bailey. A small area for gardening and farming and some housing to support the staff, soldiers, and clergy who will be serving at Morning Mist Hill.

Jeffeth will also be including a special room in the orphanage. Bigger than it ought to be a room for one person that will more than likely go empty most of the time. It will be comfortable, but not lavish. It will have a large window that overlooks the entire yard where the children will play, with a sword rack positioned to face the window, designed so that the hilt of the blade can face outwards to the window.

Jeffeth will be working hard to help make sure the site gets built, and that it's know that this is now a place of pilgriamage.

Thena contributes the services of the Knights of Solace out on the road to guard and protect those moving to and from Morning Mist Hall, and adds it to the regular Solace patrol routes. The Hall will also become a waystation for Knights moving through that area. She is also SUPER PROUD of Jeffeth even if she doesn't tell him to his face (but she might, who knows).

Being an orphan herself, Harper has volunteered her time with the Knights of Solace as a way to pay them back for helping orphans. So when Jeffeth tells her about this project, she is not only willing to help, but she is also enthusiastic about the entire project. She will pitch in alongside Jeffeth to help build it and to provide whatever support is needed that she can offer. If Jeffeth needs an errand girl then she'll be it. If it's climbing up ladders or other nimble feats to accomplish it then she's more than happy to do that as well.

Jeffeth had no idea how close to Aureth's heart this was going to be, but it totally is, and he supports him wholeheartedly and vocally, both in rounding up support for the project, and arranging for prayer books and Faithy, Deathy accoutrements for the abbey itself. Aureth can be a real powerhouse when it comes to marshalling religious support about something about which he is really passionate, and Roland and Sandrine are pure and good and lovely and he loves them, so.

There are many things that Orvyn does well, but there are some things that he needs to do better and when it comes to charity work, this would be one of those areas that he needs to learn more from. Sir Bayweather has been a long time client and almost friend, sadly the two have not had an opportunity to speak with each other as much as they would both likely enjoy, however the Godsworn Knight of Solace has always been a shining example to Orvyn when it comes to what to put one's effort behind. With that in mind, Orvyn has studied the Knight closely, following his rise in charity and in doing so, has found something that he can finally apply his skills to. Offering funding from the Harthall coffers, as well as his expertise in economic facilitation, Orvyn will ensure that all funds sent to charity will be utilized to their utmost and that not a single silver goes unaccounted for. Unforatunately he knows how beuracracy's work and it is Orvyn's will to see Jeffeth's dream and orphanage realized to the utmost.

With roots twined with the Lowers and having been an orphan himself, Andry eagerly volunteers to be the project's jack of all trades. If there's something that needs to be done, he'll do it. Whether it be assisting with the heavy lifting, or taking on extra Solace patrol duties, spreading the word, building things -- if it needs getting done, Andry's the guy to make it happen. One piece of the project that he takes particular care overseeing is the outdoor play area and the building of physical structures for the kids to enjoy. He makes sure there are plenty of things for the kids to climb on, crawl through, and swing upon. Hey, he might even test a few those swings and crawl spaces out himself just to make sure that, you know, they're functional (and fun!). He won't sing, but he will most certainly whistle while he works.

Martin was delighted when Sir Jeffeth brought this particular project to him. Like many others who are donating their time and energy to the cause, Martin, too, spent many years after he retired from the road as a teacher and caretaker within the local orphanage in Arx itself. He donates what he can in the way of silver and other material goods, as well as the assurance that once it is built and functional that he will continue to offer his time there as well, as a teacher of both religious and secular subjects.

Sabella is talking to all her noble friends about what an amazing endeavor this is! How helpful it will be for the children, how important to the Faith, and how wonderful it is that legends such as Sandrine are honored in this way. She will talk it up while not so subtly hinting that donations would be nice--materials, money, but also manpower to help get this built. The faster it is, the better for the children! She will also stress how wonderful Sir Jeffeth is to have put this all together. What an amazing man to have risen as he has!

What's an orphanage without people to fill it with love? Without priests and knights to open their arms and welcome the orphans, Morning Mist Hill would be just a building and nothing more. So as the site is being built, Caith is going around and talking it up! She is telling people about Sandrine's story, about their journey through the Grey Forest to find the site of her last stand, about how the Reaver's would only allow them to build an orphanage in her honor on that spot if the Compact would agree to a treaty to leave their lands alone, about how all the High Lords AND the King came together to sign the treaty because they all believed in the importance of the orphanage /that much/ and about how now -- right now -- the orphanage is being built. She is bringing people together and she is recruiting folks to staff the orphanage so that on day one?

Morning Mist Hill will be more than an orphanage. It will be even more than a shrine. It will be a HOME.

Sir Jeffeth Bayweather, fresh from the events at the Tragedy, has not just cleaned the orphanage but also continues to show his charity toward orphans. Working, or so it is rumored, with the Nox'alfar themselves he has gotten approval from the Compact's allies to build an orphanage. There is also a rumor that the King and the High Lords of the Compact have signed some sort of treaty protecting that area, and Sir Jeffeth has raised funds himself to build it. And so the Morning Mist Hill Orphanage and Abbey is built. While he hauls rocks and helps the workmen, he is often heard praising all those who gave aid and generous donations to assist in the establishment of this place special to his heart - Archduchess Eleyna Velenosa, Prince Victus Thrax, Prince Darren Redrain, Duchess Belladonna Pravus, Archlector Aureth Grayhope, Marquis Orvyn Harthall, and Prince Edain Valardin.

The Morning Mist Hill Orphanage is not just an orphanage though - it is also an Abbey. Dedicated to the Pantheon, Sir Jeffeth makes sure that the Gods are honored here, and works with the Faith to ensure that the orphans housed there have every opportunity to learn about the Faith and to potentially find in it the home he has.

And they have heroes of their own, too. This is no ordinary site, but the location where it is said the Dame Sandrine, Knight of Solace held against demons to protect orphans from the forces of the Abyss until relief could arrive. There is also a library there, a quiet place for tales of heroism and faith to be read, and this he makes sure is dedicated to Brother Martin, who has inspired so many to walk a path of Faith and Honor.

Grandmaster Thena adds the Orphanage to the list of waystations, and many a Knight of Solace takes an evening's rest there - to recover, to recouperate. In some cases, Knights recovering from grevious wounds ask to work and serve there helping with the orphans. It benefits all concerned and starts to become one of Solace's favorite places to be.

Archlector Aureth also supports the effort, representing the interests of the Faith in the Abbey, making sure its distance from Arx does not cause it to suffer any neglect. Harper Ashdown, an orphan herself also gives what aid she can. Jeffeth's brother Andry helps quietly, with Princess Sabella, Princess Caith, and Marquis Orvyn aid in spreading news about this new orphanage, recruiting staff, and making trade arrangements to ensure that the highest quality materials are used at excellent prices, so that it is built to last.

And everywhere, the memory of Brother Martin and the legend of Dame Sandrine are waiting - in every quiet corner and every stone, from floor to roof this is a place that speaks poignantly of home, love, and chosen family.