Under the direction of Lou Grayson, the Society of Explorers is going to - well - Explore. Their prime goal is to explore as much of the Saffron Chain as they are able in the time that they might have, in order to find any additional information that might help provide the Spirit Walkers with an advantage in putting the Great Blood Spirit back to sleep.

They'll do this by setting out to sail the Saffron Islands, introducing themselves to the people they find, and asking questions. There are a number of Explorers with various languages available to them to help facilitiate the role of translator, as well as other who excel in diplomatic relations and protection. They will always try to find a peaceful means to get the information they are seeking, only using violence to defend themselves if necessary. Gifts will be provided where feasible, and if they happen upon any tribes among the Saffron that Alarice might have had relations within the past, Lou might try to leverage that ancient connection, provided it was a good one, to see if they'd be willing to form alliances once more.

Questions they might be asking along the way are:

1) what are the legends associated with the Great Blood Spirit?

2) is there anyone who might know of any rituals to put the Spirit back to sleep?

3) what historical records and/or maps might they have that might give further information on locations where relics might be found to help with putting the creature back to sleep or on what dangers they might want to consider when performing the ritual.

4) would there be anyone willing to help the members of Arvum wishing to perform the ritual to put the Great Blood Spirit back to sleep?

Lou would be relying heavily on those members of the Explorers who have first hand knowledge of the Saffron to try and steer away from any of the more dangerous territories; cannibals, hostiles, etc. She has the safety of her people and her crew at the forefront of her mind, while also seeing this task through.

Guides and Translators: Having grown up in the Saffron Chain and spent much of her adolescences traveling around it. Cassiopeia will use her knowledge and connections to help find guides for the Explorers to assist them in navigating and collecting information.

Where appropriate Ryhalt helps smooth and encourage exchange of information by setting up trade for needed goods. Otherwise he joins trips to investigate findings and offers his mind to help puzzle out elusive clues.

Rosa LOVES people! LOVES them. And she's such a chatter box. A stealthy chatter box at that. She's a scout you know, but quiet when needed. Make sense? While scouting about the Saffron, Rosalind with use her people skills and ability to understand the strange, she will talk to those she finds along the way. She will likely talk their ears off, asking a million questions about the blood spirit, that that should not be named.

Ruins of unknown providence? Jungles with curious critters? Tovell is a fresh-faced Explorer who brings one particular set of skills to bear at this juncture: He's a professional person-protector. Throughout the wandered explorations of the Saffron Chain, Tovell will avail himself to any seekers and scouts who believe they may need to tread dangerous ground and could use a protective fellow who won't blend in all that well.

Oh no Oswyn is so busy. So, so busy. But sometimes there are little hidden snippets about far-away things in the Archives. Maybe even things bigger than snippets, because it's probably easy to shove a book about something as crazy as a blood spirit that quaked a continent apart in the silly stories section. Anyway, Oswyn has people who poke books so he has them poke books. And tells them good places to poke at.

As a newer addition to the SoE, Adalyn is eager to join in this endeavor and assist where she is able. She'll put her sociable nature to work, turning on the charm and trading stories with those she encounters (because if there's one thing she might enjoy as much as telling wild stories of her various adventures, it's hearing others recount theirs). She's hoping her conversational and diplomatic skills will uncover helpful information.

Kiera has always been interested in storries untold and the solving of puzzles, which leads to a fascination with connect disperate subjects. This led to an interest in myth and legend of both the oathlands region and tales outside of her conventional faith upbringing, which in turn lead to discoveries about Dawnhome. Convinced that it will be an area of continued interst to the enemies of the compact, she is resolved to learn all she can. her present focos is examining connections between dawnhome and cardia with the hope of providing insights others may not have explored

Action: Eirene knows sailors. And sailors know stories. So she hits up as many in sailor's taverns as she can to get info about the saffron they may have learned along the way. She uses her knowledge of sailing to make friends.She brings great quantities of Southport rum to help smooth her conversations. Lots and lots of rum.

Ian is an experienced sailor and an experienced captain, and more than that, since he, Haakon, and Jasher won the Regatta, he also has access to a sloop. He loads the Explorers onto this fast, agile ship, hoping to keep the non-combatants among them safe(er) by virtue of being able to outrun any ship that tries to overtake them, while at the same time, the fast ship will cover more distance, allowing further exploration in one trip.

He's able to offer one of the outer islands of the Stormward duchy as a staging area, as well, providing easy (or easier, anyway) access to parts of the Saffron Chain that Pravus has yet to map and explore, as these are the places where undiscovered answers are most likely to be available.

Jhond too is an experience explorer and focused especially on the exploration part. Taking the path less travelled, blazing a trail. He will help explore places and will use his talents to get to hard reach places. cliffs, caves, climbing, swimming. he will help pave the way for others to follow.

Lisebet is an Explorer, Scholar, and diplomat, as well as a Duchess. She is signing up for this trip expecting that diplomatic skills will be needed in order to get to places where relics or clues might be found, or to get stories/history from inhabitants of the isles. She's got some knowledge of things occult and riddles, but by far her largest input seems to be on the diplomatic front. She'll be there to soothe nerves, orate about benefits, ask questions, try to suss out hidden agendas or not so hidden ones. She does speak several languages which may also be of use, and she's willing to put herself out there, in order to help learn what to do to resolve this.

And if she gets a chance, she might even try to negotiate a cute little animal companion.

Vitalis is a seasoned explorer and for an effort like trying to learn about an ominous ancient spirit, he brings his sleuthing skills to bear. Talking with islanders, studying ruins and texts, sigils and symbols, mundane and occult alike. He's looking for information about Dawnhome, the fabled volcano, blood spirits, the easternmost point that Shamans sought out, Dream trees, legends, lore anything that will help shed needed light on the slumbering spirit's status.

Shae is a knowledgeable scout, and tracker, but she also possess a great deal of knowledge of flora and fauna. As well as having had the chance to explore mythical places, such as Brightshore. And she plans to put that knowledge to work to help seek out clues, and information that might go unnoticed by others. Leaning into her connection to the land.

It might seem like 'nothing', and perhaps it is. But! A combination of watching the Spirit Walkers, conversations with the Faith, Bella, Sebastian, heck just by virtue of being alive Raven's learned things that want to meddle or have something to say, or sometimes even just be nosy and silent find her with a frequency that's prompted outright exasperation from the Blackheart. Be it Her Shady Friends from Setarco, Abyssals, Spirits, and /possibly/ even the divine, she must just have an approachable face if one is a non-human sentient.
     So that's what she does. She will join the scouts and keep her eyes and ears open. There are no rituals, no appeals for aid. She may poke around to see what she can see incidentally to point out to scouts. She will accompany some scouting groups, other times she may set up somewhere nearby away from people and sit quietly as Mirk and the spirit walkers have taught her to do. If she can entice something to pass comment, or get to talking, or talk up her fellow Explorers to the non-human natives she will make the attempt to encourage anything that doesn't seem outright suspicious to chat up others so they may be questioned. In short Raven tags along and tries to be her usual magnetic self, and periodically makes time to meditate away from the group. See if anything could be spotted, or something opts to approach her and could be persuaded to chat up the group. Could be the group is left to wonder why Raven's even here.

Xanthe is going to tag along and provide help where need be. Mainly in the way of protection since she is best at fighting things with her weapons.

Felicia is an explorer, and Deathspeaker, though at least in relation to the latter her 'talent' has been somewhat spotty of late, and her relationship to stealth might at best be considered 'laughable'. What she can do is help with the exploration of ancient places and perhaps the puzzling of obscure languages. And if the ghosts are willing, mayhaps they might deign to speak to the Harrow and offer insight of the dead and forgotten as to how to deal with their very modern problem.

Lucita is an experienced explorer, often teaming up with other members of the SoE in those explorations. Music often makes a bridge between people, soothing, relaxing, creating a bond through its enjoyment and helping disarm suspicion. She collects old songs, old music references and hopes exchanging these with others might bring some useful information about the Great Blood Spirit to the effort. She asks if playing soothing, calming music helps relax that spirit and help prolong its quiescent state till rituals to put it back to sleep can be preformed.... and will play that if others answer yes to that question.

Recently rejoined, Caspian will do what he does best, namely be loud and stop trouble. Everyone loves a story, and more so people love to tell them! while most tavern tales are fanciful, there is often a grain of truth. Caspian will frequent the taverns and social gatherings, singing songs of the spirits and encouraging others to share their tales. Find enough similar threads and you can start to find the truth. Also, should any trouble arrive from any of the Explorers endeavors, he will likely be the first into the fray to make sure others are safe.

With the work of House Proscipi having cleared the way for the Explorers, the group is permitted to do more of their actual job in exploring rather than trying to fight off the Abandoned. That said, those Abandoned the live within the jungles, give those who arrive a wide berth. There is an awareness that they are there, lurking within the trees or observing from afar, but the Explorers are permitted to explore unbothered. Of course, that also means that they lack the expertise of a local guide in some places, but they are well-trained and still able to pick their way through the jungles with a minimum of injury and delay.

Of course, the fact that it is a jungle means that Lou's dream of trying to map the entirety of the Chain isn't quite able to keep up with reality. She does have the maps provided to her of those areas that -are- settled and well-documented and the work that the Explorers do helps to fill in a few of the blanks on those maps receives wide-spread acclaim from those within the settlements and cities of the Chain since mapping the jungle requires hard work and a degree of ability. Not many possess a wealth of both and either have the skill, but not the time or the time, but lack the skill required. Thankfully, the Explorers possess a good deal of both and are properly appreciated for their efforts, meaning that future trips to the Saffron Chain will likely be welcomed by those members of the Compact that live here.

The jungles are dotted with ruins. Some are so worn down and crumbling that there is only the impression of a structure that once existed where vines now hold the shape. After one strenuous day of travel, they make camp in the midst of some better kept ruins. After rations are distributed and the watch assignments made, some of the group takes some time to explore. The ruins consist of a large building that might have been something like a temple, but one of the walls is missing and, if there was a roof, it is long gone now. Inside, there are marble slabs that line the walls of the 'temple', overgrown with flowering vines and teeming with the local wildlife. There is something that appears to be a fountain in the middle of the large room, but, though it is filled with flowers, it is also crumbling into marble dust.

The carvings on some of the pillars depict closed eyes. Everywhere around them, there are engravings of closed eyes. It's a little creepy.

Still, after a long day of hiking and mapping, they have little trouble falling asleep, despite the weirdness of those carved eyes. Their dreams are deep. They see snakes and hear the sound of music and see the soar of dragon wings overhead. There are voices that whisper in their dreams, but the language is unfamiliar. The dream of a city of the dawn, stretching out over the Chain before it dissolves into lava and ash. When they wake and discuss their dreams, the Explorers realize that they have all had the same dream in this strange, eerie place. They waste little time in packing up and departing after making sure proper notes of the ruins and the dream have been taken for later analysis. Later, when the Explorers speak of the place they found to some within the settlements, they say that they have heard the place called 'The Gate of Dreams'.

Overall, while their mission doesn't map the entirety of the Saffron Chain, they do manage to create some tentative maps where none existed before and earn the respect and favor of the Chain's natives in the process.

With a band of skilled outdoorsmen, explorers, cartographers, soldiers, and other miscellaneous tag-alongs, Baron Silas Whitehawk sets out on a quest to further acquaint himself with his lands. Beyond mere curiosity, this is also to ensure there are no nasty surprises when he expands his demesne. Goals are as follows:

- Map the region in its entirety, accurately. Note mountains, landmarks, villages, mines, etc.
- Explore ruins, if any, unless inhabited by hostile entities
- Determine which land is suitable for additional farming, mining, and housing
- Try to do all the above without trespassing on abandoned land or running afoul of hostile abandoned tribes in the area

Additionally, he is also interested in uncovering what may have happened to the noble houses who once oversaw his lands - before they were apparently exterminated during the Elven War and Crownbreaker Wars. Could there still be artifacts left behind from these battles? Or were they completely wiped away, leaving absolutely nothing to denote their existence? He hopes his own doesn't meet the same fate as House Grayfellow, House Tallow, and nameless Bisland vassal house.

A small military retinue will be deployed in case they unintentionally run into trouble, but not one large enough to draw alarm if they approach borders.

A soldier and a survivalist, Jyri puts his skills to use for the Whitehawk barony. He's no cartographer, but he knows the forest and can lead any team safely through dangerous areas. He'll use his scouting abilities and expertise at surviving in the wilds, tracking abilities and hunting skill to good use. The dogs will go with him for extra help with that. If encountering Shav'arvani, he'll avoid violence and try to talk with them instead, but he'll try to avoid meeting them entirely for this particular mission.

Elora will be on the outskirts of helping. She doesn't want to put herself in danger in her current state, however, she will help chart the safer areas, and speak with the local wildlife for clues and information that only the animals of the area might now.

Evonleigh is not a skilled explorer, cartographer, soldier, or outdoorsmen, but she is a miscellaneous tagalong -- one with a charming demeanor and skills in diplomacy. These she will put to work by chatting up the locals and making sure that her party doesn't offend the wrong people. She'll ask for directions, advice and stories from the people she encounters, and make sure the group is seen in a good light to the best of her ability.

Oswyn's good at a few things - he maps, he's good with riddles, puzzles, and lore, and he's a decent healer. Cuts? Scrapes? Broken legs? He is along to fix them. Making friends with isolated villagers that might need basic medicine is also a thing. He'll keep his eyes open, too.

Vitalis is along as eyes and ears on the foray into the lands surrounding Hawkhold. He's an experienced scout and works well to fill out the mission's objective of cataloging the lands in detail. He is not familiar with this part of the Gray Forest and is quick to ask those who are about things he notices, trusting both trained and innate senses to alert him to anomalies or dangers.

There is a special importance to Whitehawk's lands for Sparte, and he is more than happy to help in this. Pulling from his experience as an explorer and a cartographer, he'll do his best to ensure the goals set forth by Baron Silas are met.

he will be particularly interested in any of the history of the land that comes to light, given his connection to the lost House Grayfellow.

The survey takes quite some time to complete, and even then it's not truly complete. For the most part, Sparte is able to make a lovely map of the area as a whole. But there are several areas that he cannot thoroughly map.

One is an Abandoned area where Vitalis and his scouts encounter opposition and hostility - they've set perimeters and while they don't leave those boundaries, they are obvious enough about their rather thorough guarding of their determined border that Vitalis and his scouts know it will take a fight to oust these people from this small section of territory.

Another is a section where Oswyn seeks - and he falls to the ground at one point, blinded. "It's so -bright-," is all he says before he passes out. And when he awakens, hours later, he has a terrible headache that lasts for two days.

Evonleigh visits a few places, with Jyri making sure she's well protected as she goes. There are a few taverns and places for travelers to stay that aren't really part of Silas' lands, but after talking to them it seems they might not be averse to joining those lands. Provided the terms were acceptable to both parties - those tavernkeepers have an eye for business, and will need to be convinced that joining Whitehawk would be good for business and not bad - and they have no intention of stopping caring for those travelers not part of the Compact - silver spends, regardless of source, after all.

And Elora points to a place on the map where she says the animals will not go. Absolutely will not, cannot, not ever go. They call it "theplacewhereevilgoeswhywouldyouevengetcloseyoulunatic" and speak dark words of death and horrors.

But overall, the map is complete - the area surveyed.

House Igniseri has an eye to the future with the potential for expansion on the horizon. In order to factilitate such expansions, Quenia needs to have a solid idea on what might be on the property of her March, as well as what areas seem most likely available to expand into in order to grow her march. She has hired a team of explorers, to be led by Lord Luis Igniseri, to survey House Igniseri holdings, and the immediate areas around Granato for future expansion.

1) The party being sent out has been instructed to map out the lands owned by House Igniseri, paying special attention to locations that might be used for mines, mills, or historical value - such as ruins.

2) They have also been asked to list any properties that might be adjacent to their lands owned by others (baronies, counties, duchies), and to see what land is available for possible expansion in order to grow the 'domain' of House Igniseri further, and what obstacles they might encounter for that to happen - IE: local shav'arvani that must be dealt with, critters that might need to be vacated, etc.

Quenia will be accompaning the group, to act as a translater for any Lycene shav'arvani tribes they might encounter, as well as to work any diplomatic efforts with them. To help smooth the way, if a way to be smoothed is needed, she makes sure to bring gifts to exchange for any potential encounter of the shav'arvani people (referenced by the inclusion of 300 economic resources). She's also hired extra guards (referenced by 300 military resources) to go along in order to ensure that the party going on the scouting mission stays safe, should there be any dangers involved.

Leading an expedition, Luis will begin with what he knows and the rumours that he has heard from his time as a youth in Granato. From there he will utilize the explorers as best he can with their strengths and what makes them valuable for being part of the mission. For himself, he is mostly muscle and charm, with the ability to lead those whom would come with. Differeing to each of their specialties and allowing Quenia to set the goals, Luis will help the team to achieve the goals set out.

Calaudrin will be accompanying the group of Explorers as they survey. He'll use his experience scouting to the groups advantage when they're out in the wild.

There's better negotiators and better scouts, so Jasher does what works for him. He keeps an eye on things, provides a voice to bark orders and provide direction when needed, and worse comes to worst...well, he's already brought his sword.

Donato donates several ships to the cause and sets about mapping the coastline in the indicated areas, taking regular measurements of depth and marking reefs, rocks and other obstacles, as well as promising natural harbors and key strategic positions. When opportunity arises, he turns on the charm with the local nobility, looking for opportunities to expand Caina's network of trading relationships.

Oswyn is good at cartography. It's involved in his Senior Scholar project, after all, not that that has anything to do with southern lands. He's using his best social graces to chat people up, too. Beyond that, his other function is to be a field medic, in case something goes horribly wrong... or if they encounter people who need help.

Aahana is accompanying alongside Marquessa Quenia, offering her diplomacy in her native tongue should it be needed. As well as helping with understanding the cultures of any of the tribes they run into, since she is a newly ennobled prodigal herself.

Donato is taking one direction, Ariella takes the other! She sets out in the Red Bargain, determined to map out the coat leading into the Bay of Granato on the other side, looking for places that would make for good fishing villages, or which call for fortification, or which could use lighthouses to protect ships, or coastal shav settlements that could use someone to go and see if they're friend or foe.

Lord Cullen, the General of Greenmarch, has come to see Granato for himself! But beyond that, to assist the scouting party in matters of battlefield tactics and strategy, should it come to that. Highly experienced at both commanding on the field and wartime theory, should they come under attack, he'll be able to hopefully utilize the guards to their maximum advantage. Also, through the Marquessa translating, he can speak with any non-hostile Abandoned about the advantages of bending the knee, given his own history in the matter.

Marquessa Quenia gathers a crack team of scouts to search her lands. She's looking for anything - places to expand, places for infrastructure projects, places just outside her reach where maybe the shav would be amenable to bending the knee and adding to Igniseri - and Compact - control.

Ariella and Donato go by ship, and find two secluded coves that would make excellent locations for quiet villages to block potential smuggling - that's always a potential problem, though for many in the Lyceum this would potentially amount more to an increase on taxes by calling them bribes to make them more palatable for these pira...privateers. In any case, there are places to expand along the shore.

Lord Luis and Sir Calaudrin scout across land, and take Marquessa Quenia, Lady Aahana, and Lord Cullen with them - particularly with Scholar Oswyn to make maps. They find another area - a mine that appears to be - haunted in some manner, if the stories those who live nearby can be trusted. Most concerning is a nest of... creatures. Creatures that potentially escaped the carnage at Setarco and traveled far to find a quiet place to live. Of course, quiet is relative, as it seems there are plenty of nearby citizens of Igniseri who would like the night terrors to go away. They can't precisely describe the creatures, but they're fairly afraid of them.

All in all, it's a mixed bag - there are plenty of places to expand, but also there are some troubled areas to which the Marquessa could direct forces. And indeed her people hope sincerely that she does just that.

Lou is taking a group of scouts, guards, linguists, healers, and diplomats out into the Crownlands to do a general census and survey of the Shav'arvani clans. She is interested in getting knowledge about how many there are, their wants and desires, and to see if any of them would be open to negotiations about joining the Compact -- but is not asking them to join. Mostly, she's having her people gather information to take back to the King so he can make an informed decision regarding the shav'arvani populations moving forward. Her part in this will largely be for scouting purposes, to get people to the known shav'arvani clans she's visited. The guards will be there for protection purposes only (represented by military writs.)

She does not ask them to bend the knee, nor does she make threats that they must bend the knee. This is a diplomatic journey, as a way to open the door further down the road. It is, in essence, a first contact experience in order to bring back information to the King. And they are doing this all very, very quietly, or at least as quietly as they are able.

As part of the diplomacy, she'll have healers on standby to help any who might be suffering from diseases or injuries, and to share information about healing techniques with each other. She'll bring small gifts for the clans of things she feels they might need (represented by the addition of economic resources), and ask the diplomats to dispense with them where they think they will be most useful, and have the diplomats do the most talking with the aid of the various linguists. Generally, the message is to promote compromise and peace.

Lou is also interested in exploring their knowledge base with goings on of the shav'arvani villages in as much as whether or not people are still disappearing. If she feels the situation is appropriate, she'll ask to speak to any talented singers within the group, and offer them the knowledge of the Wolfheart Rhymes (@clues Wolfheart Rhymes, Part 1 and Wolfheart Rhymes, Part 2) without saying what tribe she got them from. She doesn't know much about the Rhymes themselves, other than that the people she went with to find them felt that they, in some way, offered protection -- especially Part 1 -- from the slaver and the gargantuans. It is not knowledge that can be researched, but it is knowledge she shares freely with those that seem to be friendly and untainted. She's not certain if the Rhymes will be useful or not, but figures it doesn't hurt to pass them along.

Prior to leaving Arx, Mia will be scouring for any information she can find on the areas they're heading to and the tribes that might be there. Historical records and maps are all well and good, yes, but she has the benefit of more recent information -- the masses of people that have flocked to her banners in the last year, ranging from the 10,000 that joined her a year past to the recent refugees that have joined the Compact. What she can gather, she will share with their scouts and diplomats, in order to help guide their movements.

Once done, Mia will be acting primarily as a diplomat (with the benefit of her skill in linguistics and her knowledge of multiple shav dialects) and as a healer, providing assistance to those who are part of the various tribes they come into contact with. She's long tended her husband's wounds, so the site of blood disturbs her little, and with several children of her own, she's familiar enough with the ailments of childhood. For as cool and reserved as she can sometimes seem, the locals may note that Mia has a particular fondness for children. A great deal of attention is paid to them and their needs and if she happens to earn the regard of any of the tribes for gentle care of the smallest and most vulnerable among them, or learn any new songs or rhymes from the children? Well, all the better.

Also accompanying her will be supplies, represented by my addition of economic resources to the action, in particular a number of leathers and furs that are common goods at the Twainfort. It's winter, after all, and a hard life out in the wilds. Someone needs to see them through to spring.

Despite the presence of hired guards, Valarian - as an expert with his blade - will be dressed non-threateningly, but keep his sword at his side and remain close to Lou and the other expedition members to ensure their safety.

Samantha will be participating as a member of the diplomatic team. She will be tapping her shav'arvani contacts in advance to let them know about the delegation while stressing the lack of any need to bend the knee, in the hope that they will encourage the clans and tribes encountered to be receptive to diplomatic approach.  She will make sure her fellow diplomats and others on the mission who are not otherwise educated on whatever traditions for the groups they encounter that she has knowledge of in order to show respect (obviously some of them will be well educated, like Mia). She'll basically do the job she's become known for. In addition to this, she will have a squad of the Deepwood Rangers come with the group, both as part of their security and defense (scouting, and the like), as well as to openly display the kind of elite position a Prodigal can achieve within the Deepwood military in particular. No recruitment, nor as Lou indicated, any bending knee requests or demands, but letting them see Prodigals in an advantageous position.

Oswyn is along as a field medic/healer. He pitches in a few resources for the procurement of gifts as well. Mostly, he's there to tag along, tend to any injuries or illnesses, and teach what he can about medicine.

Caspian is working to protect the group. His main objective is to stab what needs to be stabbing, and to not stab what doesn't need to be stabbing. He'll also give out candy to the children, because these kids probably never had candy before! Poor kids.

Lou's expedition into the Gray Forest does not come without risk. This is a forest that lately has been reported to potentially house gargantuans, cultists, and other denizens that serve the Horned God. And so Lou assembles a small but quiet group - swift moving, diplomats and scouts and warriors too. They even take Oswyn along in case they need a field medic.

And so they go, reaching out. Lou is the Pathfinder for the Explorers' Guild for a reason - she is very, very good at what she does. She scouts the safest places, the best paths to their destinations. Some villages they find in tact. Others not so much - some show signs of complete abandonment, hastily done. Each of those has a small shack at the outskirts, half-built. Some show signs of complete destruction, and where Lou once knew of a shav tribe's home there are only the charred remnants of wood and fallen burnt stone. Still others are worse - in perfect working order, devoid of people, and in the center of the villages a plaque. "Slaves," some read. "Sacrifice," others read. "Fodder," still others.

When they do find villages now, Samantha and Mia work the diplomatic angle and, being known to the shav here well, the Marquessa and the Countess find themselves quite well received indeed. These villagers want to talk about the Horned God, and are willing to do so to any who will listen.

What unfolds is a tale of sorrow and grief. They never know, they say, when they might be visited by the Horned God's cultists. Some villages have taken to a nomadic life to try to avoid being found. Others simply know that they'll be found wherever they are. The situation is ripe right now for someone to come and claim the land, in truth. "There's a rumor that says that if someone powerful enough has claim to you, then he can't just up and take. He needs permission." Whether it's true or not, the leaders insist, their people believe it. So while some shav are willing to take their chances? Others might be very willing indeed to bend the knee indeed.

With Caspian and Valarian there, talk also turns to protection of the villages. It seems there are less martial activities going on than one might suspect. "He's not raising an army," says one grizzled warrior. "An army we could fight. Or join. He's raising a religion. Cultists. Magic. Demons. Slaves. He doesn't care if you're willing, and all he wants is more sacrifices. More of the right kind of sacrifices that is, but I don't know what those are except we aren't special enough. Sometimes we hear rumors of horrifying giant monsters, but we haven't seen those in this place. And when his cultists come through, sometimes we hear whispers - they're focused on sacrificing everything at the Lodge, and they're looking for 'The Blood.' Whatever that is, it's hidden, even from his cultists, and they're very, very angry about that."

All in all, it's a successful journey - they bring back intelligence and information, and no one dies - but it leaves more uncertainty than ever.

Archscholar Bianca is reaching out to her connections within the clergy, the Academy, Heart in Hand and the discipleship of Vellichor (as well as a few others) in search of volunteers and food/supply donations for a goodwill/missionary tour in Southport regarding the 60k Shav'arvani parked outside the city’s gates. She's calling specifically upon the Scholars (NPCs) of Arx, Southport and surrounding Lyceum areas to volunteer and hoping for about 2000 bodies to assist with the efforts.

Food/Supplies - First and foremost upon arrival, distribution of ideally a week's worth of food (depending on the funding we raise) will begin in conjunction with the following tasks. This alone will be a massive effort in it of itself… but if all goes well, hopefully it will soften up the Shav a bit further and help make everything run smoothly and happily. ((Represented by the silver attached to the @action!))

Documentation - Listening is key in these efforts and as it is primarily and effort of the Scholars! The Scholars of Vellichor are hoping to document the history, culture and personal stories of the shav tribes to be added to the Great Archive in honor of Vellichor and this new union of people in honor of Vellichor and for a better understanding of the Shav themselves.

Diplomatic Efforts - To assist in the transition of the Prodigals, Bianca is enlisting translators and other entities to help explain and teach the settling shav about the core culture of the Compact and what expectations there are when bending a knee (such as freeing slaves). Visual guide pamphlets (created and overseen by Sina) are produced and distributed to help in this effort. In addition, House Malvici has provided the following to assist in integrating the population into the local culture as well: “Southport - the city of swords…” This is a visual guide to Southport, with illustrations of the harbor, the Academy of Gloria, and the shrines to the gods, the fortified Malvici hall, and the main training building. Some of the illustrations don't seem to be entirely accurate as if someone modified some features to conceal military aspects of the buildings. There's additional illustrations of soldiers sparring, doctors healing, smiths at work, and command groups reviewing maps with small tactical figurines on it.

Missionary Work - As this is an effort of the Faith, it is to be expected that missionary work coincides with diplomatic efforts in the hopes some conversions take place, relying on the volunteer Scholars of Vellichor to work with the Shav in explaining the Faith of the Pantheon and it's works throughout Arvum in an open offer of free flowing cultural exchange. In addition, another visual pamphlet (created and overseen by Sina) are produced and distributed detailing the thirteen gods and their roles within the Pantheon.

Protection - Lastly, in case things go awry or dissenters are discovered and begin violent retaliation, some individuals will attend as protection to volunteers.

(( OOC Notes: Participants - Please make sure to select ONE primary area that your character is assisting with and state it at the beginning of your assist to keep everything organized for the Staff. Let's make this as easy on them as possible. :) ))

Simone Greenmarch will be helping with the Diplomatic Efforts. Given her upbringing as a member of the Compact and her marriage into House Greenmarch when they joined the Compact, she will be using her diplomatic skills and firsthand knowledge of how other shav tribes have integrated into the Compact to provide information and to answer questions that those camped outside of Southport might have. She will also try to assist with translation efforts since she speaks Oathlands Shav to the extent possible.

Sina Izetta is assisting the Faith with this action by helping to create and mass-distribute colorful visual pamphlets designed to aid in the teachings of the Pantheon. Each pamphlet will consist of thirteen pages, one for each of the Gods, with a visual representation of each along with their imagery. The art is intentionally simplistic and easy to understand.

Mangata is represented as a divine woman with an aura of clouds and waves, surrounded by ocean themes in the form of seashells, starfishes, coral, oysters with little gleaming pearls and ships at sea.

Vellichor is represented with books and quills and scrolls, as well as images of students studying under the instruction of a priest in Scholar's robes.

Skald is represented as a lone wolf, free to roam and answerable to no one, though there's a pack of wolves in the forested background, a distant family to fall back on in times of trouble.

Aion, that mysterious Dreamer, is depicted as a an androgynous figure sleeping, with tendrils spreading out which become forests, treees, animals and men and women in a glorious homage to all of Creation, as if the Dreamer's very own dreams bring life to reality, and a thirteen-point star glimmers overhead.

Gild is represented by images of pilgrims traveling down a road, distributing alms to the poor, while the road itself is packed with merchants along its edges in a colorful bazaar of tents and stalls, hawking their wares.

Jayus is represented by the image of a hammer crossed with a brush above men and women at their various arts and crafts; from the blacksmith creating armor and weapons, to basket weavers, jewelers, and painters.

Lagoma is represented as a female figure surrounded in a wreath of flames in hues of red, gold and vermilion, the circular shape of the wreath indicative of the cycle of rebirth, change and purification. Surrounding this flaming wreath are images of change, such as a woman who has just given birth, an elderly man on his deathbed, and the Mercies of Lagoma bringing healing to the sick or injured.

Limerance is reflected in images of love and romance, with themes revolving around marriage and depecting scenes of what Arvani marriage ceremonies might entail within the Faith.

The god Petrichor is depicted as a nature figure, with a great tree with spreading branches, which shelter and provide sanctuary to all. In the distance, beyond the tree, images of farms may be seen and people working in the fields to bring in the harvest.

The Queen of Endings is represented, not in dire or dark images, but rather, in images celebrating life, surrounding an image of an old crone in a black robe, who carries in one hand a lantern to guide the way to those souls seeking their place in the afterlife, and a skull in her other hand as a reminder that death comes to all, eventually.

The Sentinel is represented by an image of an armored warrior with a faceless helm, and a sword held in one hand as he fights off a demonic horde, while in his other hand he holds a shield with a set of balanced scales. Before him are the chaotic forces of the Abyss, while behind him is a world filled with images that bring to mind a sense of balance, order and justice, which he stoically guards.

Finally, Tehom is depicted as a man staring into his own reflection in a mirror, unflinching. One half of the picture, the half where the man is standing, is filled with imagery of the world as we know it, while the other half shows what lies beyond the mirror... a world of darkness.

All of these are then mass-produced by a team lent by the Archscholar so that the Scholars of Vellichor or other members of the faith are able to use them as visual aides to bring knowledge of the Faith and its ideals to the shavs who are preparing to join the Compact.

Oswyn will be helping with documentation, as it's a task the scholar is already well familiar with. Considering he had a mission up in the Northlands during the Great Archival project, he's pretty well suited to documentation and knows bits of Northlander shav. He also has superb penmanship, writes quickly, and is super unassuming and non-threatening.

Protection - Perrach will be assuring the safety of movement for all the missionaries. He'll organize with the combat orientated that have volunteered to offer their protection among their movements through the various encampents of abandoned in Southport. Perrach will be providing escort to the Archscholar Bianca as she helps lead others on this diplomatic and charitable mission. He lacks the social skills to lend in seeing these efforts succeed. He's present to make sure peace is kept and it all runs smoothly. He's also keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity among the shavs.

Food and Supplies - Working in conjunction with the Southport Navy, Ford Kennex and the Stormward Navy work to bring in various supplies to those who need them. That's food stuffs, that's bedrolls, that's blankets, that's anything a recently exploded population would need to keep things...civil. Having some experience with dealing with a sudden and massive influx of population, Ford Kennex has a pretty good idea as to what these new Prodigals are going to need. Along with those various supplies is an army's worth of Triage tents. Not for triage, but temporary housing. With any luck, it won't be a repeat of Stormward post-abolition.

Archscholar Bianca is reaching out to her connections within the clergy, the Academy, Heart in Hand and the discipleship of Vellichor (as well as a few others) in search of volunteers and food/supply donations for a goodwill/missionary tour in Southport. And where she looks, she finds.

She finds Lady Simone Greenmarch to reach out and help talk to shavs who are about to bend the knee, about the process of joining the Compact and what it means to be a Prodigal. She finds Sina Izetta, handmaiden of Thrax, who makes helpful pamphlets to talk about the Faith of the Pantheon, and what it means to join the Faith. She finds Oswyn Spencer, who researches and writes about the process of joining the Compact from the perspective of northern shavs he interviews and reads about who have already bent the knee.

She finds Sir Perrach Seiler, who is a living example of the ideals of honor to which the Compact holds. And she finds Marquis Ford Kennex, who opens his coffers, having learned from experience the pain that unrest brings, and provides for the shav who are willing to bend the knee, offering food and supplies, clothing and necessities for the people who will hopefully join the Compact.

They reach out and they talk to people. Clan Dreadglaive take to Sir Perrach immediately, wanting to talk about strictures of honor but also differences in weapons forms and techniques. The Crimson Malvicus get along well with Marquis Ford, who builds on their shared love for the sea and sailing. Clan Brass Hawk spends time around Sina, particularly interested in her information about Jayus and all the many ways to worship him. House Gray Raptor is particularly fascinated by Oswyn and his accounts from the north. He overhears one remark happily about how joining the Compact opens up so many opportunities for exploration!

Lady Simone is popular in her own right - there are many shav assembled here who are tired of the constant fighting, and just want to join the Compact. They speak to her about transitions and the unique worries of a people who have been autonomous for many years.

And Archscholar Bianca oversees it all, and her scholar's eyes notice what many won't. The Lestatores and Shadow Falcons may come close, listening or occasionally sneering at a point made. And when they do, other clans seem to disperse immediately. And the Shadowspeakers? They're few and far between, and don't deign to speak with the scholarly delegation. But it takes no more than a glance to end what was a pleasant conversation. There's definitely division in the ranks though. And it seems perhaps the Shadowspeakers are preoccupied, but preoccupied with what is not discussed. Asking produces little more than a pale face and a hasty headnod, eyes glancing away and excuses made to leave immediately.

Huh.