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Action by Victus for Thraxian Legacy

(Public Action, OOC Date: Nov. 19, 2018, 1:51 a.m.)

Reaving has long been a source of income for Thrax, as it bears fortune taken from the hands of the Compact's enemies. High Lord Victus, desiring to partake in some of Thrax's ancient traditions, will be taking a party of fellow Islanders to join his vassal's next party of reavers.

They will wage battle against hostile shav, taking down those who would threaten the shorelines of the Isles and Compact. With hopes of taking back riches for their people as they do, either in the form of pure plunder or as thralls.

Victus himself is personally hoping that beyond the thralling and battle that will be to come, that Thrax might recognize their High Lord sailing the seas and bringing the Isles' militaristic might upon those beyond the Compact, for the sake of forwarding House Thrax's glory.

As a knight of Thrax, Cora feels it only right to serve her House directly. If the High Lord wants battle, Cora will lend her axe to this as well.

Auda's still an untested recruit into Thrax's household, and the young woman is eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to prove herself. While she doesn't bring much more than spirit and daggers to the table, she hopes to help as much as she can.

Representing House Stormbreak, Edward will deploy some of the House navy as a component to be lead under Admiral Turo Navegant and his magnificent leadership. Edward himself will serve with the Navegant fleet element for logistics and supply, ensuring that both the Stormbreak and Navegant ships have the necessary things to keep going for the full duration of the sortie.

It doesn't take any convincing to get Turo Navegant out on the water, and he's all too happy to join in with his fleet. His sailors and marines have been drilled and trained endlessly, and now they get to put their skills to good use. And Turo - admiral strategist that he is - relishes the opportunity to plan the most effective naval encounters possible; sink the ships and don't have to fight them on the land.

The last time Jasher and Victus shared the same battlefield, it was...oh, around a war or two ago, so it was high time they caught up on matters, and the opportunity for blood and silver doesn't hurt. Jasher will keep a lookout for pirates and other notable events where he can, relay orders from Turo, Victus, or himself when needed, and when things get dirty? Well, he's sharpened his sword for that purpose.

Mikani, anxious to get to know others in House Thrax, an on learned a lot fighting side by side. Mikani added resources to the cause and looked forward to seeing Victus in his prime. Also her protective nature lent to keeping back those that might harm the innocent that were just trying to live out their lives around the Mourning Isles.

At every turn they are chasing something. It's an adventure on the high seas, and in this particular time of turmoil and trouble, it provides an outlet for Thrax and friends. The High Lord takes command of the mission, Turo takes command of the ships, and everyone works together supplying the mission and off they sail. Piracy abounds just now, there's no shortage of people doing unsavory things and sailing away free and clear - but on this day they finally overtake two ships. One, the armored, faster one, gets away. The other, laden with goods and materials, is easier to catch and catch it they do. And the Captain doesn't want to surrender either - nor does his crew.

The fight is brutal and swift - the High Lord and Admiral Turo waste no time, and perhaps Turo is less than forgiving, given that they're flying the Navegant flag on this particular day. The pirates are slaughtered to the last man, and while they get no good information out of them, they do come away with a large galley full of goods that were likely earmarked for the Lyceum. Though when they do an accounting, it seems that roughly ten percent of each set of goods is set aside in a separate shipment, and marked with initials - "R.T." Pirates, doing their pirate thing? Where were they expecting to be?

Action by Sorrel

(Public Action, OOC Date: Sept. 9, 2018, 7:18 p.m.)

Sorrel gathers friends and family to her, around a warm brazier. "The time has come," she says, "To cleanse the primum and to sing the world as it truly is. This is my song. This is my ritual. Yours may be different, in turn, for it must truly come from you. I pray that each of you supports me wholeheartedly in this and that you take this as a sample to perform your own ritual."

"Let me sing you a song of love in thirteen verses, each one carefully written with time and creativity. Let me sing Love into the Dream with joy and sacrifice:"

Each bit of the song is pinned to a scrap of fabric that is meant to represent the person or thing the verse of the song is about. The first one is a scrap of violet baby blanket. The second one is a square of gray fabric with a Thrax sea serpent embroidered on it. The third is simply plain gray fabric. The fourth is a bit of aeterna, very plain. The fifth is another square of plain gray fabric, this one with the sigil of the King's Own. The sixth is a square of green seasilk with a sword worked upon it. The seventh is white silk with a spiraling red vine embroidered on it. The eighth is white aeterna edged in gold threads. The ninth is a dirty piece of wool. The tenth is brilliant green seasilk, embroidered with tiny clovers all over it. The eleventh is umbra with the sigil of House Wyrmguard embroidered thereon. The twelvth is also umbra, this time with the sigil of House Thrax. The thirteenth is umbra edged in gold. As the song is sung, the appropriate bit of fabric is placed into the brazier to be consumed.

1 Kyrios is a hope for the sanctity of life, a beautiful new thing being born, something that can grow into something new and greater than that which proceeded it:

Precious love of mine
For nine long months time
Small one within me
No greater love than thee

2 Galen is love. Passion, ambition, attraction, and all the things that attract people to one another. Let the world be full of love and lovers:

My great love for you is a burning flame
Now one and whole, we are never the same
Half of me is you; what am I to do?
To your dear love I will always be true.

3 Leona is faithfulness and fidelity, the choice of a dearest friend. Beautiful and true, a close bond of spirits in trust and friendship:

Sister not of body but of spirit.
To you do I tell secrets; you hear it.
A special bond of choice and freedom dear:
Our friendship in the purest sense is clear.

4 The Choir is a group of us with similar talents who all sing the Dream as it really is. Freedom and love and beauty:

Beautiful dreamers, listen now to me
Hear my song truly; it lets you be free
Power and strength coming with every note
Let the world be as my song is so wrote.

5 Corban is strength and honor, the true knight. Given the opportunity to do something the right way, he will take the path of righteousness:

Brother you are, though no brother you be
Like my own kin is how you are to me.
To you I entrust the most precious weight
Knowing that you are a knight very great

6 Luca was a Champion, and he stood for the honor of others. He also fights for the Light as a member of the Inquisition. Although he may not be a knight, he is a great man, admirable and true:

A fighter you are, champion to all
Dueling for true, never taking the fall.
Working for Light yet behind the closed door
We're lucky to have you give 'em what for!

7 Tikva represents sisterhood and platonic love. The sort of love that comforts you through tears and is joyful for you when you're joyful, love that melds in harmony:

Beautiful singer, sing your songs with me
Together meld in perfect harmony
Best friend and girl friend and companion true
I'll always be found singing next to you.

8 Ailith is Faith, a friend who has recently found her way to greater heights. Faith and love of the gods is important, a real true religious sort of love:

Peaceful, faithful, knowing of mystery,
Joyful, respectful, caring of history.
Guide me in the ways of the gods and love:
Advice that is tempered by those above.

9 Ian is loyalty. Love born of loyalty between soldiers, comrades in arms, in the field true. Love that is camaraderie:

Always at my back, you do yourself ride
Your right sword hand always at my side
Forever my protection with your men
Come! An adventure! I'll need you again!

10 Clover represents family love, the love that comes from sharing the same life growing up and the natural love and loyalty that inspires:

Beloved sister, bound by blood ties --
We would be best of friends yet anywise.
Bubbly temperament, always a joy:
When you were born, I was glad not a boy!

11 House Wyrmguard is where I grew up and how I developed my fascination with dragons. The love of House Wyrmguard, an ancient house, is one of fealty and devotion forever:

Though on the ground, the wyrms may yet lumber
The House recalls: Not all dragons slumber.
Danger is near? They will not surrender
As Valardin lives, they will remember.

12 House Thrax is where I married and to whom I currently owe fealty. Although I am not a sailor, I am learning to love the sea, and though I have reservations about some of their traditions, I am learning to love their culture:

A mariner's dream, so the current flows
Whenever the tide is out, there Thrax goes
Rough Islanders living off of the sea
One of their number is where you'll find me.

13 Music is what I want to fill the world with. Beautiful music is the song to which we should all live our lives, singing the Dream true and full of love:

A song is a song, but in the right key,
It can be a balm for you or for me.
All the world's dreams can be sung in music:
Finding the right words is the only trick.

Cora will learn the ritual through being present when Sorrel performs it so that she might perform it herself to teach others.

Sabella will quietly watch Sorrel's ritual with rapt attention!

Charlaine will learn the ritual through being present when Sorrel performs it. Charlaine will definitely try to perform it herself later in order to spread the knowledge and asisst in cleaning the primum.

Sparte will be present to observe, learn, and lend support.

Amari will sit in to watch Sorrel enact the ritual so she might learn and perform it herself (not nearly as awesomely, but she'll try her best when it's time)!

Having been invited to witness Sorrel's ritual, and hoping to learn it, Alexis attends to bear witness - and if necessary, offer protection, presuming any danger is even physical.

Carita will observe with awe, take notes as she listens, and quietly lends her support to the cleansing of the primum. There are moments when Sorrel's song brings tears to her eyes, or a smile to her face and while she might want to close her eyes to let that song wash over her, she doesn't so that she can witness every last moment.

Invited to bear witness to the ritual, Denica will stay with them and study with her so that she might perform the ritual herself someday.

Caspian watches the ritual with interest, and when it is over, he can already be seen scribbling down verse ideas!

Katarina is but one of many invited along to bear witness to the ritual that may very well begin cleansing the primum of its poison in the land. She listens, watches with rapt attention and intrigue, ready to help however she may.

Sina has been invited to witness the ritual to learn it. She has agreed to bear witness and learn, that the primum may be cleansed.

Ohboyohboyohboy! THIS IS IT! IT IS HAPPENING! /MAGIC/!!! Well, the first step towards it anyway. When Sorrel invites her to come observe the ritual, Caith is the first one there. Bright and early. Probably even before she and Galen and the baby are even awake that day. 'Don't mind me,' she'll shout through the door at the Thrax Estate. 'I'll just wait out here in the hall until you guys are ready!' A few minutes will go by. 'Are you ready now?' A few minutes more. 'How about now?' Five minutes later: 'Do you need help in there? Have you fallen down and hurts yourselves? Come on! Let's get a move on! IT'S RITUAL DAY! WHEEEE!' Caith is there with paper and pen and ink, all bright-eyed and bushy tailed and ready to take /NOTES/. And when Sorrel is done, she will ask /QUESTIONS/ to double-check, triple-check and cross-check her notes. Because, and maybe this isn't clear but: Caith is VERY INVESTED in this.

Bianca will also be observing so that in the future she too may perform and teach others for the betterment of all humanity.

Sasha will sit and carefully watch the ritual as Princess Sorrel performs it. She is eager to learn to so she can help the Primum be cleansed.

Olivia is likewise joining in to watch and learn!

Edain willl participate and observe the ritual. He will be somber and respectful, but he will be paying close attention. His intention is to attempt to perform this rite at Cairn Valardin in the very near future.

Desiree will be there to witness and study the ritual. She is hoping to learn to perform it.

Zoey will be there as well, watching and, knowing her, probably taking notes. Because ritual. Learning rituals. Et cetera.

Fredrik will, of course, join in these proceedings, knowing how valuable this ritual is, both for himself and for the Compact as a whole. For all our futures, it must be spread.

Reese will join this and will try to assist Sorrel however needed. She will attempt to pay close attention and to learn how to do the ritual herself so that such can be done when the time comes for her own. She will be respectful, helpful and largely quiet during the ritual.

Richard will be present in Sorrel's ritual. So that he may learn it and use it in the future.

Victus is here to learn. He doesn't know much about what he's looking at, so he's taking down notes with a quill and parchment and saving all the details in his head.

Kace will be joining in on the ceremony in order to learn the ritual that she might complete it herself someday soon.

Sorrel gathers friends and family to her, around a warm brazier. "The time has come," she says, "To cleanse the primum and to sing the world as it truly is. This is my song. This is my ritual. Yours may be different, in turn, for it must truly come from you. I pray that each of you supports me wholeheartedly in this and that you take this as a sample to perform your own ritual."

"Let me sing you a song of love in thirteen verses, each one carefully written with time and creativity. Let me sing Love into the Dream with joy and sacrifice."

And then she sings, feeding each slip of verse and a small piece of fabric into the fire, and with each one she weaves love through them all. The love of a child, the love for her husband. For her sister of the heart, for the choir. Freedom and strength, chivalry and righteousness. Honor and comfort, joy and harmony. Faith now, and loyalty. The love for family and home, the love for duty carried long through the generations, for fidelity and for music and happiness.

With each verse her love, deep and abiding and joyous, wraps around all of them. It pushes away the darkness, it pushes at the poison. She is seeking to reshape the future and her contribution is love, and there is one timeless moment where everyone assembled feels that love course through them. And while it fades, each of them knows they will remember always the strength of Sorrel's heart as she fights for the people she loves the most, for her family, for her friends, for the Compact, for humanity.

Action by Sorrel

(Public Action, OOC Date: July 29, 2018, 1:04 a.m.)

A moderately sized group of adventurers sails together (with @action 2557) to the Isle of Storms, seeking some of the knowledge that is contained thereon. Sorrel leads this part of the adventuring party, who will be there to survey the island, looking for interesting buildings, ruins, or other structures. They'll be mapping things out and looking for things of interest, particularly in relation to the Marin sisters (Cobalt, Pena, Serenity). Instead of going down into the tunnel, they're going up onto the island itself.

Coraline will be here to protect the researchers as well as exploring. She will help prevent harm to come to the team.

Every trip across the sea needs one thing at least, a ship! And so Galen has his crew prepare the Serpents Tide for departure, of course, the Warlord cannot travel completely solo, so a quad of ships to deploy with them for security and additional resources should the need arise. Once on the island, he is fine with falling back and letting Sorrel do her thing, though he is ever the watchful guardian of his wife and those who have set out with them.

Turo's going to make sure everyone gets there safely, and to provide the naval support for this sort of activity. And then he'll do his level best to be helpful on land, whether that's in doing translation (in case they meet anyone whose language he speaks) or just generally providing leadership.

Titania will be joining Princess Sorrel and the others to sail to the Island of storms. She will be helping look into the Marin sisters as well (Cobalt, Pena and Serenity). She will be also trying to look into finding a way to become more connected with Mangata white there since she is a disciple and she feels a strong connect with her already.

Gailin is tagging along for the first time on an explorative mission with Sorrel Titania and the others. Hell be there as martial back up as needed and to help their expedition in any way he can.

The wind swirls around them all, but they do not hear another song in response to Sorrel's. And so they make their way back, with more questions than answers truly. Where is the key, and where the guide? What are the four guardians and how can they be found and vanquished? Is specific blood needed to access the knowledge here? For all its beauty this is a puzzling island indeed.

Action by Victus

(Public Action, OOC Date: July 27, 2018, 3:56 p.m.)

Prince Victus and a team of trusted warriors head north, to the lands of Crovane after being told by their Marin'alfar friends that there is a companion in danger. Their objective is to retrieve Venteri alive and get the fuck outta there as soon as possible. Smash and grab is the preferred route here. They will be taking a warship (dromond) and four longships as escort. The team that will make the rescue itself will be comprised of Victus, Valerio, Marian, Arik, Luca and Barric. Others will stay ashore in the North to receive them and provide healing or back-up if it's necessary.

They will also be bringing along the following tools by the grace of Princess Katarina, Cobalt's Compass and Cobalt's Lantern. It's hoped they'll light the way to Venteri and back home safe. Hoped.

Prince Barric is going to travel north with the rest of the rescue team and prepare to do bloodshed. Given the speed in which the team wants to move (And because metal sinks in the ocean) he will use his leather armor. When the fighting starts he will use Elvesbane and focus entirely on smashing, and grabbing. He will prioritize protecting whomever is holding the Compass and the Lantern at all times so that the group has the best chance of success.

Marshal Mazetti will of course travel with the team Prince Victis assembles. Valerio also ensures that there is a selection of the Guardian elite there to choose from, and makes some of the Ostrian navy ready for use as needed. Either to the mission directly, or to patrol where Prinnce Victis decides in order replace the Thraxian units utilized.

Cora will be staying back in a secondary camp as support. A sword if needed and a healer if needed but not part of the main team. She will be ready to assist as necessary.

Alarissa will be traveling only as far as the secondary camp where the group is set to fall way back to after they have found and rbought back Venteri and any of the other Marin'Alfar that Venteri was sent to find, if they are alive. With skills in patching people up as well - not near as fabled as a mercy or even a member of the physicians guild - and organization, she'll be working int andem with Coraline to ensure that all is ready for when the group makes their way back and be ready to move if they need to seriously fall back even further because of stuff (tm).

Princess Marian doesn't have any sailing skills so she'll primarily assist in the rescue and fighting their way out of their if need be. She'll be outfitted in her exotic leather and using Second Chance for her weapon. She will bring her bow, Artos, in case there's long distance fighting. She will work in tandom with Barric to make sure the Compass and Lantern are covered at all times

Luca's coming along for this smash and grab adventure that promises a chance at both challenge and death. He'll be armored in his mix of exotic leathers and steelsilk, and carrying both his alaricite blade and his ancient-forged Cobalt blade. The mission is to rescue Venteri, and so that's what he will focus on. The only two things that will break his stride in cutting down whatever stands between his group and Venteri is if Marian Redrain is likely to lose her life, or if Barric Grayson manages to lose Elvesbane (by death or accident, you know), wherein he'll attempt to recover it, the thing being Grayson's heirloom sword and all.

Arik Halfshav is going with the group to rescue Venetri. Like as not he'll be focused on Venetri's safety as well as ensuring the artifacts are not lost on the trip. Some mix of steel and leathers will be in his gear and Frostfang will be in hand.

A ship returns to the port in Arx and a somber delegation disembarks. High Lord Victus, Princess-Consort Alarissa, Princess Coraline, Lord Arik, Prince Luca and Princess Marian walk down the gangplank. With them are two bodies - Prince Barric Grayson and Lord Valerio Mazetti rest on wooden planks, carried by their companions off the ship. Rumors fly - they left on a mission of mercy, a rescue mission. And though they were successful it was not without great cost. They say Lord Valerio died standing between Lord Arik and danger, selflessly giving his life that his companion could live. Rumor has it he saw the Shining Lands as he died, and his final words were a greeting to his long-dead, beloved wife. And Prince Barric? Beset by controversy and rumor, it is said he was firm in the face of danger, courageous against the evils of the abyss (surely that is hyperbole, but the peole nod anyway because it makes a better story), and that his final words were to confirm his loyalty and love for his family. "None Greater Than Grayson," he said as he fell.

Action by Sabella

(Public Action, OOC Date: July 24, 2018, 11:28 a.m.)

To introduce the newest Grayson Prince to their subjects, Princess Sabella and Prince Niklas will embark on a tour of the Crownlands taking with them family and friends that will help entertain the populace and make good impressions all around. This is not only to show people that Princess Sabella and Prince Niklas are amazing, but to introduce them to other family members (or in the case of Cassima should she join, future family members!) and remind those around Bastion that the Graysons truly do care about their people! There will be a parade, some charity work/donations, some free concerts, short one act plays, and maybe even a ball put on for commoners and nobility alike to attend! None Greater Than Grayson!

Is Niklas writing those one act plays? You bet your ass he is. Is Niklas occasionally singing with Gianna when she's okay with it? Uh, yeah. And, should Tikva decide to join them, is Niklas joining the Princess to banjo the living shit out of the good people of the Crownlands? Oh yes! But what Nik is really there for is gladhanding. He's there to let people know that as the new Prince of Grayson, and as the husband of Sabella, the People's Princess, he's there to be the People's Prince. As such he will be putting the majority of his effort into making friends with locals, especially the magistrates or mayors of the little towns and villages they visit along the way, as well as important commoners in Bastion itself. This isn't to say he's ignoring the Grayson family or their vassal lords at the steadfasts where they make their stops, but he wants to make certain the people know the story of Niklas and Sabella, the difficulties they faced and overcame in making their love match become a reality, and the happy ending that they're going to have. The two of them are the fairy tale so many commoners would like to believe the nobility live, and his job is to give each and every person he meets share in that magic.

Gianna is doing what she does best: singing. Singing and music, but she's always on about her best instrument being her voice, so really, she's just accompanying herself on the citole. May as well use that new instrument!

Delilah will gladly contribute to gathering stories, charming the populace, and listening to the various tales and concerns of the people. She's all about listening and showing a direct interest in the pulse of affairs in their home. After compiling all the information she can, she'll present a bound book of stories, legends, tales, and findings -- such as is appropriate, obviously any ribald love poetry or such gets a good scrubbing -- to the happy couple.

Roxana will be turning on the charm and accompanying Sabella on this diplomacy tour on behalf of her marriage and House Grayson. She'll subtly direct conversations towards the Princess' own virtues and good taste, as well as to the very successful history that Prince Niklas has as a playwright. Surely the Grayson vassals and common people can appreciate the arts, and how proud Grayson is to have such a famed talent now among their own. Roxana will use this opportunity to boost morale regarding House Grayson as a whole as well as the future of the Compact with Grayson at the helm.

Liara heard that someone might want a ball for Sabella and Niklas, and now there's going to be a ball, if she has anything to say about it. It will be hosted in Bastion, in the very biggest ballroom she can wrangle up. She's going to go ahead of the others to make sure it's all arranged to her liking. She plans on an extravagant affair, with abundant food and drink, music and dance, lots of floral decorations with pink peonies (their wedding flower, as she might explain to anyone asking) featuring strongly, and one big pelican-shaped cake.

Tabitha will naturally be talking up her wonderful patron, Princess Sabella, and the equally fabulous Prince Niklas, but she'll also provide her painting skills to add some artistry to their tour. Beautiful posters, invitations and cards will be made to advertise events as needed, and in addition she'll do whatever she can to provide decorations, props and other bits of loveliness to them. Yay! It'll be fun!

Princess Sabella and Prince Niklas are touring Grayson lands, and it seems Marquis Fairen was actually already planning a similar event, to have the Leary Family take the time to visit the citizens of Leaholdt together and show his people his care for them. While the tour goes on, Fairen makes it a point to visit with his people directly, speaking with the merchants and gentry of his Holdings to get a better, personalized understanding of the issues they face. Not to mention, he ensures to hold court, and resolve the issues he can in person, rather than through a messenger sent between Leaholdt and Arx. As for the Prince and Princess that are visiting, he welcomes them readily and hosts a dinner for them to honor not only their union, but the future Grayson Prince or Princess the pair of them have conceived. Additionally, for his own family, he encourages them to tag along, and expresses that they will get the opportunity to see the lovely Lady Valitina Leary II should they come along.

Using her incredibly commanding presence, okay not incredible but darn commanding darn it, Coraline will show her leadership capacity and help keep everything all organized and in military precision.

Kaldur will cut a fine and noble figure in the touring party, he and his fine, palomino warhorse Dumpling, a display of resplendent, martial gallantry. He'll turn on the charm, flash his dimples hither and yon, and polish his green griffins armor to a fare-the-well. The armor is a from none other than Princess Reese Grayson! Flying Seliki colors with the colors of the Great House to which he ultimately owes fealty. He'll also bring along Captain Hajo Xander and Cobalt, Commander of the Seliki Engineering Corps' cavalry to have the commander's face known.

Duke Bisland arranges a warm welcome for the new, happy couple when they visit Pridehall. Though he will not be there himself, being required in Arx, he does send word ahead to his family and Voice there, so that the strong relationship between Grayson and Bisland is put on display.

Prince Niklas and Princess Sabella, newly married and eager to settle in, make a tour of various Grayson lands. They start in Bastion with a parade, and performances by Gianna Whisper. Princess Roxana welcomes them too, showing family feeling and support and carrying the glad tidings of their arrival. Princess Liara throws them a party - she likes parties and it's clear she likes Sabella, and she does an excellent job of ensuring it goes off without a hitch.

They travel through Hawkhold with Lady Delilah singing their praises (metaphorically, she's not trying to compete with the Nightingale after all), and the people are clearly taken with the beautiful artwork Lady Tabitha makes for the goodwill tour. They travel through Leaholdt with Marquis Fairen, are welcomed in Pridehall by Duke Gabriel himself, and are made comfortable and at home by Lord Kaldur in the heart of Pearlspire.

Overall it's a joyous, occasionally raucous party made all the more safe with Princess Coraline providing some security for them, and keeping them all on schedule. At the end of the festivities, it's pretty clear that the new Prince Niklas has been welcomed into the fold, and that both he and Princess Sabella clearly believe there's None Greater Than Grayson.

Action by Preston

(Public Action, OOC Date: July 24, 2018, 7 a.m.)

Crusader. The sword of the Templars, blade of Gloria. In discovering its past (Clues: Crusader - The Templars' Blade, Bay Blades, Treasures of the Templar Order) the Templars have discovered it is located in a cavern one week's ride from Arx, outside of which is possibly the skeletal remains of a fallen Templar. Calaudrin has a cavern which they are exploring, but Preston just isn't sure it is the right one - surely they would not have thought a shardhaven was a good place to secure such valuable items? - so he sets up the large search.

Given a horse travels 40 miles a day, give or take 5, on a long journey it gives them radius to search. It must also be near to the road network which further limits it down. And of course it must be in terrain which supports caverns - it won't be in the middle of the sea, it won't be in a swamp. It narrows it down. But it is still a huge area. Thankfully this has been assigned a high priority by the order.

Preston will be dispatching parties of knights from Arx, hopefully with the assistance of Solace who are far more expert on the roads that they travel all the time, to locate possible candidate sites that match the descriptions in the histories. Though it will be a larg enumber of knights moving, it will be over time, and publicly the Templars will be putting it down to small patrols alongside Solace near Arx given the recent spate of brutal attacks. Just being safety buddies.

Once we have the candidates, then the three amigos (Ok 6 people and only some are friends. The 6 Vaguely Aware Acquaintances?) will ride to check them out. The team is created to bring in those who have supported the research so far, but also those who have sufficient martial skill to secure what they are after as they know the cavern is infested with the abyss. In order to ensure it is correct, Preston will be wearing his Ring of the Order. Allowing them to detect the Abyssal taint without going blindly spelunking and ending up trapped in an underwater cave or such.

The goal will be to retrieve Crusader and the 3 rings that should be stored there, as well as any others. They will bring a small force with them to the cave mouth to secure the area, and also to allow them to bring back goods in secured wagons. Preston will be personally choosing the Templars, and allowing Solace to pick the mercies for that escort, not wanting the Abyss to betray the storage of these artifacts again.

((OOC: I checked with Puffin that 6 people was OK for this mission, rather than the usual 5. However, in order for the code to accept, I've had to set myself non attend because it would have been 6 people otherwise - please ignore that!))

Saddling up once more with feeling, heading off on mysterious ventures based on hunches or intuition (in this case lots of research) is an typical journey for this Fearless Seraph in the company of her sword sister, Esoka. She sticks close by the Champion of Gloria, buddy copping along the way, and to discuss any probable shared twitches or pangs. She brings a trust, stalwart light/faith, that a way will be found, believing in the teamwork of the 6 Vaguely Aware Acquaintances and their Faith in the Gods for what could be an epic ballad of proportions to bring home the relics of the Templars. Gearwise, she'll have her high quality steel armor, diamondplate sword of Eastguard, and back-up lantern of Lagoma and healing pouches (back-up healer).

Esoka saddles up and heads off on this quest with feeling. Literally, in some ways. She occasionally gets /feelings/ when near enemies working the Abyss or, less direly, pangs of direction she feels are tied to Gloria, and she'll be on the look-out for both during their adventures. More practically, she'll take along her diamondplate blade, some holy water, a borrowed flame of Lagoma, and other such trappings. She shall try to come correct to find Crusader and the rings, or at least meet Abyssal things with holy smashing before they overly threaten the party.

Have sword, will travel! Mercedes is along to help if things get dicey -- and it sounds like there is a high probability that they will. Horrible, awful, abyssal monsters that want to kill them? SHE EATS THAT SHIT FOR BREAKFAST. No, not really (abyssal creatures are low in fiber and high in fat; horrible for a healthy start to the day) but dealing with that kind of stuff does come up periodically in her line of work so it is something she has encountered before. Mercedes has her diamondplate sword, her armor and a no-nonsense, can-do attitude. If they encounter anything aggressive, she will hack. She will slash. She will stab. Until the thing is dead. Gone. Donezo. Kaput.

Cora will be using her martial skill to defend what they find. She will also use her healing skills should the need arise. She will be certain to be particularly cautious when it is likely abyssal situations are apt to occur to situate herself so that her teammates are safe.

Sir Jeffeth will be stepping in for Grandcommandermaster Thena. He will be suited up in his rubicund armor and will bringing along Silverfall the diamondplate sword that belongs to the Silver Order as well as his diamondplate warhammer. Unless otherwise directed, Jeffeth is here as muscle. As one of the members of the Six Vaguely Aware Acquaintances (band name, called it) Jeffeth will volunteer to be vanguard and be the meatshield in front of the rest of the party. He will be the guy who climbs things in the cliff to scout ahead, using MUSCLES to guide the way. He also will quietly, when it's nighttime and the campfire is lit, casually but consistently mention how awesome it would be to just hold the sword for a little. JUST FOR A SECOND. If they find it, that is. Above all else, safety first, and Jeffeth is prepared to help with a strategic retreat if needed.

Into the darkness they go, and again the door rumbles shut behind them and there is no going back. For a moment they are in darkness again, but then the darkness starts to be relieved as light gradually suffuses the room. Whispered words fall into the chamber. "So long you have searched. With honorable companions you came. The blessings of the Gods you entreated. In Fidelity you remained true to your quest. With Courage you continued through pain and blood and death. Your Honor you held close, eschewing treasure for the holy relic instead. Through trials you have proven your worth. Find at last what you seek." As the whisper fades an altar appears and on that altar is a sword. It is simple. Beautiful. Perfectly balanced, beautifully made. And in a case are three rings, matches to Preston's own.

Action by Thena

(Public Action, OOC Date: May 19, 2018, 10:20 a.m.)

Thena fears that the rumors of a figure gaining influence in the Lower Boroughs point to a possible enemy agent who works for the Abyss and who is trying to gain support under the guise of acts of charity. To counter this, she releases funds from the Silver Order coffers to be distributed in the Lowers with a message. Not a message of opposition, but merely a reminder. This silver is a gift from Gild, and comes with no strings attached. The Knights of Solace want to help you. Remember how the last time unvetted strangers gave out money in the Lowers, thousands were lost to Tolemar Brand and his lies? With the silver comes acts of generosity as Thena increases the Solace presence in the Lowers. Old ladies are helped to carry groceries home. Solace knights take shifts at the orphanage and play with the children. They help put wheels back on carts. They direct people in need of food to the Soup Kitchen or even the Rectory. It's all about small deeds and representing the ideals of Gild and the Faith in general.

Orazio has been a veteran of the Silent War, and now uses that knowledge to gently remind people of the last time mysterious figures came bearing gifts who were not willing to show their faces, and reminds them that someone who hides who they are may have agendas that put the Compact and their own families at risk. He points out the wide number of Faith and private charities available to those in the Lowers, and encourages people to question why, if there are no strings attached, that /all those people/, nobles and common alike, feel comfortable doing charity with their faces bared, while this one person does not.

Cristoph is a quiet auxiliary member of the Knights of Solace. In truth, he doesn't normally do a whole lot. It amounts to charity functions and helping to raise money or just straight up donating. He quietly donates some money this time too! There's no Laurent name attached. It's given over to the KoS to add to the amount they can distribute to the Lowers. In the meanwhile, he'll accompany the knightly order on a few trips and talk with the citizens of Arx. He's helpful as well as diplomatic. He'll empathize their values and usefulness to the every day man and discuss what an excellent job they do on a regular basis. Such honest, good folk! Especially that Daemon guy. He's basically the epitome of goodness.

Daemon might not be the best diplomat the world has ever seen, but it cannot be said he does not try his best when the need arises. As he sets to the Lowers where perhaps his name has some mild popularity, he's going to be spreading the good word of the Faith. He tells the people there that while generosity is indeed a noble virtue, one he hopes all subscribe to, one must be careful of those who bend disguise virtue as manipulation. While the Faith is very honest about their work and have the history to back it up, hooded mystery-people cannot be given the same trust. He rationalizes these words by asking, what's to stop a noble with coin taking up a guise and trying to sway the disenfranchised to their cause? Or some agent of another organization hoping to make connections?

"It helps you today and that is wonderful. But tomorrow, they may use your trust for their own gain, and you may have less than you ever started with."

It's time for MUSCLES! Jeffeth has a lot of them and boy are the Lowers gonna see em! Jeffeth will be putting on a show with his might and athletic ability. You know who can protect you, we can! Cause we got THESE! The Solace is here to protect you as always. Jeffeth will be putting on a show of feats of strength as well as helping with manual labor all the livelong day. Need those heavy things moved? Got you. Need that roof redone? Got you. Need that horse picked up? Got you. Jeffeth will be using his tremendous athletic ability to impress as well as tangibly help many of the people in the Lowers.

Eager to further familiarize himself with the ways of Arx, Sir Brann will but his energy into helping organize efforts. It won't do much good if everybody shows up on the same day. He'll use his natural leadership abilities to make sure these efforts are prolonged and sustainable for maximum impact. without burning everybody out or spreading resources too thin.

Because she knows she is not terribly good at Diplomacy, Cora instead tries to be friendly and helpful with tasks she sees people need doing. She hopes that by doing so she can at the least generate enough good will that those with diplomacy have a better chance of getting the information they need. She's a helper!

Helping people in the lowers is right up Harper's alley. With her patrols, she is often there anyway and already helps where she can and as much as she can. Using her time to help and assist people that need it comes natural. She grew up in the lowers though and knows that the others in the Knights will be reaching out as well. So she focuses on trying to use her knowledge of the lowers to try to reach out and help some of the more forgotten groups and people that the others might not even know about. However, with all of the help that she gives, this time she is making sure they know that it is a mission of the Knights of Solace to help too and that there are no strings attached.

The Knights of Solace are out in force in the Lowers. Under the direction of Grandmaster Thena they work, with Sir Jeffeth, Sir Daemon, and Sir Brannen leading the way. Even supporting members like Duke Cristoph, Harper, and Princess Coraline are helping too, and Father Orazio is also working with them too. They offer charity. They help the elderly. They give aid and, they remind the people, this aid is offered with no strings attached. The Knights of Solace are certainly beloved by the people - and this is part of the reason why.

And in their work they meet a woman in a mask and they talk to her. She is just trying to help the people, she says. They question her but they're polite about it, and she's polite in return. There are just so many stories of a Shade who helped people, she wants to do a charitable turn by the legend. She is using the best of what people remember and trying to live up to that. Even if the Knights of Solace think her misguided, it's clear she's really just doing charity work.

Though there are darker tones too - separate from this woman they hear other rumors of a man named Zick Cuddle, who is preying on people. People are going missing, they hear. People are perhaps dying. The Lowers are a dangerous place always, but just now they're even more dangerous than usual. And the charity work? That's not stopping it.