Not every war is fought with weapons of steel and muscle behind it to wield with deadly purpose. Knowledge and logic are just as important in striving for and earning freedom, justice, and peace. Having a space for greater education and learning has been something that Jaenelle has always been passionate about, finding that understanding is just as powerful a tool. This center of learning will embrace knowledge, encouraging people from all walks of life to better themselves with books and scrolls about anything and every thing they might be interested in.

The library will be built in Lenosia, with hope to be spoken of as the hub of knowledge that people travel from far and wide to experience. Where mathematicians, scholars, historians, and occultists come to strengthen their comprehension of their fields of study, and are only too happy to share their knowledge in return with donations of time and written accounts of their works for others to read after they are gone. Though the large building is free for all to enter, the top floor of the library is corded off for future expansion into the arts of magic (though that might be just a mysterious whispers as to why its been blocked and only select few are free to pass).

The social resources will be put towards gathering books from other houses, the dark corners of the world and the rare first editions that might no longer be available. The economic resources will be put towards the building itself, the large expansive library will have huge vaulted ceilings and shelves for miles filled with every subject. Smaller rooms for more personal studies will be made available as well as lecture halls for those who wish to teach their knowledge to those traveling. The military resources will be the protection used to bring the books to the library and to oversee the work site as the building is built.

The Archduchess of Lenosia has always been a strong proponent of education as a means to better one's life, whether the person be a noble or a commoner. A better educated population is a more useful population when all sentimentality is stripped away from the matter and the typical Lycene pragmatism sets in. So, when Jaenelle first started mentioning that she wanted to helm such a project for Lenosia, Eleyna was thrilled and happy to work with her on it. Now, with a site selected and a plan for the Library's construction and accural of material in place, Eleyna sets her eyes on helping to flesh out the alchemical and apothercary texts of the Library, given that is her own specialty. While she assists Jaenelle, it is clear that this is the Princess' baby with the Archduchess offering advice and assistance where asked.

The Princess Jaenelle Velenosa's Library of Lenosia has been under construction for some time, an institution so large that it has significantly increased the size of the city. Going for miles, the library is stocked with thousands upon thousands of books, and has the deep throated approval of the Scholars of Vellichor who greatly appreciate any contributions to knowledge, and it has become a major attraction with much of the peerage wishing to go see the new library. Second only in size to the Great Archive, it may be years before it's fully stocked, but much of the Compact is incredibly excited about the Library.

Thirteen lit candles with thirteen objects before each surround Jaenelle as she kneels on the floor. Completely at peace, yes closed with a soft smile, she meditates before the ritual begins.

Her eyes open, and she begins, "it took me a long time to search within myself and those around me to find what I desire most for the world. In the end, I thought of my child and what I wish for them, as they will inherit not only what I wish but what we all in turn wish for. I can only hope what we've left for them is better than what we've been given."

"Love," Jaenelle states the first word, reaching for the scroll associated with it. On the paper are the vows she wrote for her wedding to Mydas. "Love for yourself. Those you surround yourself with. Those you have not met yet."

"Understanding," comes next, and burned at the second candle is a building blueprint for the Nox'alfar Embassy. "Sometimes you may not understand every action done by another, every reaction, but it is important to try."

"Traditions," a small wooden Thraxian toy ship is brought to it's candle, "and the power to embrace change when the tides do."

"Passion," a quill is held over the flame, ink mingling with the melted wax. "Whether the passions of the imagination, the arts, adventure, or personal advancement, each person should always follow what they are passionate about."

"Compassion." A piece of paper, clearly a copy of a page of an official document with names listed down the page. "These names are a handful of the refugees which came to Arx from Stormward. It is important to have compassion for those in need, for you never know when it will be you who requires aide next."

"Patience," a silk rose is burned in the tenth candle. "Patience, reasoning, logic. These are not a weakness when it comes to considering important decisions."

"Security," a chip of a boulder and the crushed dust of the rock is brought above the candle, the flame flickering, "this is a piece of the walls surrounding Arx that I took when parts of it were destroyed and rebuilt. May Arx's wall and those defending the city remain steadfast and strong."

"Loyalty," a ribbon of purple silk embroidered with a fox, "a favor I had made. Loyalty is a two way street, without showing it to others you can never expect it to be shown to you."

"Fortitude," a piece of leather. "This came from the grip of a sword won by Talen during the They Shall Rise competition. We shall always rise above pain or adversity."

"Honesty, and the ability to find you are free to be without judgement," Jaenelle says, and with this she burns a silken veil of green.

"Generosity," a key is placed within the appropriate flame, "the bedroom I lived in when I first became a Velenosa was the Generosity room. It was more than a simple name, but a virtue I embrace with every interaction whether that be stranger or friend."

"Freedom," another scroll, rolled up and burnt. This one a marriage contract, though nothing beyond that can be seen. "Freedom can mean many things to many people. From the Thralls of Thrax, the slaves within other Kingdoms, to the less extreme, freedom is needed by all."

"Prosperity, like the others can mean more than one thing to more than one person," she lifts the final object to the final flame, a handful of leaves pulled from the creeping vines found on the Velenosa grounds. "Comfort. Growth. Innovation. The ability to move forward."

Mydas is present, a silent figure as he watches his wife's ritual, listening, watching, and more importantly, remembering. Witness to Jaenelle's ritual.

HOLY MACKEREL WE'RE LEARNING MAGIC. Jeffeth is definitely calm. HE'S CALM. He definitely is not hyperventilating or making a scene. That is not happening. It might be happening a little. Jeffeth is FOCUSED like no other. Probably too focused, drawing pictures of exactly how Jaenelle's standing, what she's wearing, when she pauses to take a breath. Someone should probably let him know that he doesn't have to wear the same dress Jaenelle is wearing. Jeffeth is so hype, but he's also trying to be a very good student. It's probably like watching a hyper-energetic golden retriever puppy in its first week of obedience training. Trying so hard, but... MAGIC!!! Also. Everyone here gets a hug. Jaenelle probably gets ten.

Like her brother, Eleyna watches and listens carefully, her pale blue eyes riveted on Jaenelle as she goes through the steps of the ritual.

Talen's presence is one that's abnormally silent for the majority of that ritual. There might be even one of those rare smiles when Jaenelle mentions the sword he gave her after the competition he fought years ago. He's there physically, in spirit, or whatever-- in support. Witnessing that offering, that ritual, as it was meant to be.

Calista is present to observe Jaenelle's ritual. She watches quietly and becomes still like a placid lake. Each step committed to memory.

Sudara is observing with the kind of quiet intensity that suggests she is also doing her best to commit the whole thing to memory, though her expression is gentle - almost yearning.

It all starts so well. People gather, some quietly, others with barely-contained excitement (looking at you, Jeffeth). But they settle quickly, calmed by the assurance Jaenelle brings to the moment. She is at peace, and that peace fills the room as she softly begins. In the thirteenth hour, on the thirteenth day, she casts her ritual to cleanse the primum and she begins with words of hope.

"I can only hope what we've left for them is better than what we've been given."

She starts with love, offering a page of her wedding vows. But in counterpoint, a man's voice whispers, "We stood witness, though you saw us not."

Understanding, and now a woman's voice whispers. "Forgive us. We could not stay."

Traditions, and there is a harsh voice, rough and scarred that adds, "Set your sights on the horizon, sail where you will. Tears in our wake, never at our wake."

And so it goes. Each emotion she mentions, and a soft voice whispers a counter, though no one in the room with them speaks save for Jaenelle herself. Until the end of the ritual, and then suddenly everyone in the room is filled with that same peace Jaenelle exudes. That same sense of self, the poise and the calm and the purpose. Even Jeffeth settles now, and as the ritual finishes, they all breathe a little lighter now. And that serenity stays with them, and takes several days to fade.

Having been granted leave by Hadrian and Cambria to form a new vassal house -- though, without reliance on House Mazetti resources, Giulio is going to begin the work towards finding a shav tribe that would be amenable to joining the Compact. As part of this, Giulio intends to cement the new alliance with bonds of blood, and will offer to marry one of the 'noble' members of the tribe, who is of marriageable age, healthy body and hale of mind and spirit.

This endeavor will likely take some time, and will be focused in the Lyceum. To Giulio's benefit, he does speak the tongue of the Lycene shav and is going into this with the understanding that not all of the tribes are alike. He is particularly looking for a tribe that is likely to have the least difficulties with melding itself into the Compact. Additionally, he will attempt to shy away from tribes that seem to be engaged in shadowy worship.

As of late, the Archduchess of Lenosia has been personally attending whenever her vassals (or vassals of vassals) interact with the Shav'Arvani, especially when they are trying to convince them to bend the knee and join the Compact. The Grand Duchess makes a point to display the wealth and strength of the Lyceum in her person, something that potentially speaks even more loudly than the words she says.

Mydas does not speak the language of shavs, yet this barrier won't stop him from appliying his intellect in preparing messages of propaganda to put Giulio's efforts under the best light, to be translated by those able to speak the language. He does not take a center role, and indeed much to his habit, his influence is felt rather than seen. Distant aid, yet no lesser for it.

Iseulet helps Giulio with the diplomatic side of this effort and while she doesn't speak the language but she has a good mind for negotiation and a silver tongue to boot. Whenever able, she definitely pulls her weight with words in his favor, too. Not only with the tribe themselves but with the rest of the Compact trying to avoid any political messes and thumbing of noses from the Peerage as best as she can.

Elgana has never been to the Lyceum but what a better time than the present to change that! Sure, she doesn't know the land itself, but she has made a great many friends who are part of the Lyceum since coming to Arx and has learned a great deal from them about their home, their culture. And since it is now one of those friends who has called upon her to assist, assist she shall. She will accompany Giulio but stay largely out of the way of any fighting - no fighting for this Redrain! - and instead she will speak with the people and talk both Lord Giulio /and/ the Compact up. What can this man do for them? What can the Compact do for them? She'll be certain to help him give the right answers and look friendly, charming and approachable while he is giving them. She will be on her most charming behavior for if there is one thing this Bear Princess knows, its people.

As Mydas makes his influence felt from afar, Duarte takes that campaign to the lyceum directs and manages the day-to-day of the diplomatic efforts following along the generalized positions and outline set. He is receiving the debriefs from the field and planning the next diplomatic maneuvers in either continuing negotiations where appropriate, or moving on entirely; helping to isolate the most advantageous arrangements and leveraging political capital. He is essentially managing the activity and actions of the legation.

Mirari does not speak the shav language, but she can climb over the language barrier to speak passionately about Guilio and his drive and abilities. She will find people in small groups, speak to them as the Sword of Lenosia, telling them how much better life could be under good leadership.

Grazia is remarkably good at getting people to believe that what she's saying is in their best interests and even happens to be their own excellent idea. She's going to help Giulio for her own reasons, as a favor, but she'll certainly work to build him up as a paragon of Compact leadership as well as presenting Compact membership as an extremely appealing idea. She's got a commanding presence to her and she knows the Lyceum well, even if she doesn't know this particular group of shavs, and she'll make a point of lucrative alliances both in and out of their fealty chain. It's obviously pragmatic for them to form a County, for the wealth and well-being of all, especially since they'll have powerful allies.

In support of Giulio, Talen will be attending the Archduchess during her address on the Mazetti lord's behalf, complimenting the speech with a demonstration of military prowess. Velenosan infantry in full plate armour with war hounds to accompany them, fully barded heavy cavalry churning up the turf as knights ride, and destructive power of a siege weapon will be all shown as a core reason why the Shav'arvani-- unless they side with the Abyss-- are powerless against the forces of evil. It is a show meant to pair itself with Eleyna's speech in not threatening the Shav'arvani, but rather imploring them to take the protection of the Compact, so that they do not need to become the puppets of the Abyss.

Of course, it also works well as a cover for having an actual army there, just in case bad shit does go down.

House Corvini is in many ways a perfect fit, really. They aren't warlike, they were a respected house of the Compact before the Crownbreaker Wars and vague memory of them remain, they aren't shamanistic. The propaganda efforts, and particularly House Velenosa getting behind this and pushing, are largely successful mostly since the Corvinis are far more acceptable by comparison to the recent Redrain houses of wild shavs, or for the Volkovs closer to home. So critically, while the diehard traditionalists will always resent -anyone- being ennobled, even there it could be argued it's just a restoration of their deserving station and Giulio was a respected noble being granted his own holding, which is unexceptionable. Of course, some truly just hate Abandoned regardless, and there will be a lingering degree of disttrust and hate directed at Corvini, but far less than at some of the others.

(Reference: Request Ticket ID 9883 -- an effort to comply with requirements to expand land area) Nearby land area UNCLAIMED by any Lycene houses is surveyed, explored, and mapped to the west, south, and north to avoid being too close to Brasshall March, the closest Lycene holding to Saikland Greens. East is the bay. Shav villages and camps, areas in use by them are mapped and noted. Areas suitable for establishing a Cavalry Training Facility with necessary pastures, farms (feed, food, stockpiling for lean years), homes (workers/staff), lumber (fences, buildings, cook-fires), training trails in various terrains (woods, hills, shore, marsh, creeks, open, rough) with lengthy routes for coordinated exercises and endurance building rides for horses and men. (Not competitive with horse breeders but to give military an area for groups to use, return to their units and other sessions to start.) Students and instructors in this benefit Saikland by serving as an additional military presence and patrols along the perimeter trails to supplement Saikland military.

Saikland land area is too small, just 5 at present, and growing population and economy may well cause overcrowding and hardship for the people, something Lucita is stern in avoiding. (reference: Action 1963, Action 2116) Land area is also needed in order to establish the Cavalry Facility to help serve the Lycene and Compact military. 1500 economic resources are attached to this action to represent investment in infrastructure, roads, improvements and any necessary buildings. We hired (fee-4000 silver and 15 writs each) three Society of Explorers people to have mappers, surveyors, explorers, etc. to make sure this was done safely and properly. Several ships are available to use for transport of people and supplies.

Saik military and any who wish to support the effort move in to help map, explore, and establish a perimeter and patrol area to claim such area as is not in use by Shavs then follow the steps below when Shavs are encountered. We have already begun to increase our military, not to threaten but to prepare men to defend new holdings, maintain peace, oust hostile Shav's and help teach. Saik military added, a few at a time, during the fall and winter months of 1008-1009 were 15 infantry-150 mil, 3 pike-45 mil, 5 cavalry-150 mil, 5 archers-100 mil--an investment of 445 military resources to reach 200 army. An additional 1000 military resources are added to the action for Calvary Training Facility Trainers, staff and additional military-increases growth.

When Shavs are encountered, translators, diplomats and propagandaists are sent meet with them (military to ensure safety) to initiate peaceable negotiations aimed toward bending the knee and ensure no dangerous cults or factors endanger newly acquired areas. If hostile groups or cults exist or Shav's decline to bend the knee, they will have to be moved away from Saikland borders to avoid having enemies close at hand. Faith is consulted to confirm any bending the knee are meeting current faith efforts. Templars attached to the action and groups provided by Duchess Calypso protect diplomats and negotiators if attacked and handle any abyssals encountered. This is an attempt to build good relationships and avoid bloodshed if possible of those who may become useful, productive and content new citizens using techniques such as succeeded in the Southport action, but enemies can not be permitted to remain in or in dangerous proximity to Saikland. (Reference: Action by Calypso for Turmoil in Southport (Private Action, OOC Date: April 20, 2018.) Lucita has taken the time to learn Lycene Shav language so she can communicate directly with them. 1000 social resources are attached to this action to represent investment and support of these diplomatic, peaceable efforts.

Calypso will fully support this measure for the Barony of Saikland. She will commit 30 of her cavalry to the action as advisors in order to help identify the most ideal land.

Additionally, Calypso will rally House Grey Raptor to help explore these lands. These explorers should be able to ride forward and speak to Abandoned and help convince them to either work with Saik, move off the land, but PRIMARILY to join in with Saik. Grey Raptor has been one of the huge recipients of aid and faith after the Southport conflict and they would be the ideal force to ride with the cavalry and seek peaceful resolution. Prior to Grey Raptor leaving, Calypso would voice this as a test effort for Grey Raptor to move forward without causing violence. If they prove their ability, they will be some of the first to take the training and be able to ride more freely into exploration under proper training. She intends to turn them into a force of Rangers.

At the request of Baroness Lucita, the Faith are taking an active interest in this expansion, especially as it is liable to come across Shav tribes that might be integrated and to ensure it is done by the proper methods. Preston is taking a decent force of 200 cavalry 300 archers and 500 infantry (attached to the action) to monitor events. If the Faithful are threatened, or the Shavs turn out to worship the Abyss, or somehow the Shavs attack the Faith forces directly, they will intervene and put the Shavs to the sword, obeyind Gloria's tenants as they do of course. If the Shavs are willing to talk, the Godsworn of the group including Preston will explain proper worship of the Pantheon, and the benefits that come from the Faith - including training in proper ways of war by the Templars. The large force hopefully will convince the Shavs that fighting is a bad solution for this. The Faith will also bless the land for the cavalry facility in the name of Gloria for Lucita, and will let local Templars know to support the effort and make use of it.

Reese is coming to help Baroness Lucita. She would like to use her leadership skills, propaganda skills and experience in relating with Shavs to help try and speak with the Shavs and encourage them gently to join Saik. She will fight, but only in self-defense unless she runs into agents of the abyss. Then she will fight eh agents of the abyss. Reese will remain uninterested in using physical force or threats to encourage anyone to join, but she is very willing to turn on her charm, use her long history of relating well with Shavs and being fair to them and propaganda talk to them about the greatness of Baroness Lucita and Saik.

Look, Lord Karadoc Saik's here. Yes, he's trying to prove himself useful to this VERY IMPORTANT project to expand Saikland Greens lands into territory that's unclaimed by Lycene Houses but occupied by Lycaean Shav'arvani. Look, he's kinda wary about Prodigals, okay? He'll leave all the diplomacy and straight-talk to the diplomats, courtiers, and Whispers. He's working behind the curtain, again, to take care of this project's logistics (intellect) while keeping a very careful eye on supplies (economics.)

Friends help friends. And that's why Sasha is traveling with House Saik to help convince the peaceful tribe of Shavs to bend a knee. In this task the Oathlander turned Northerner throws her all, projecting to the tribe the poise and grace of a former princess, telling the Shavs all that they can gain from bending a knee; security, prosperity, and purpose in a strong and growing alliance of many people. She shows them goods that could be theirs if they join The Compact, food, clothing, tools - all things that they likely have limited access to due to the ban on trading with Shavs. All this to hopefully convince them that it is in their interest to swear fealty to The Compact.

Softest Whisper Saedrus is more than happy to assist Baroness Lucita and House Saik in their endeavour. He will accompany whatever groups lead out into the territories of abandoned tribes to help negotiations of land and joining the compact. It's all with a little charm and gentle diplomacy, with the aid of translators, he hopes to speak with the shav'arvani and see matters sorted out in benefit to the Saik and Abandoned peacefully. He brings with him social, economic and military favours (100 resources each) to help bolster the Saik's efforts.

Zebulon will provide his ship to Lucita to assist in ferrying supplies back and forth as needed to assist with the expansion of Saikland and cavalry camp setup.

Not only will Ariella be making the Red Bargain available for ferrying supplies to Saikland, but she will also be making regular patrols along the coasts in search of potential threats before they become a problem, while also acting as an escort with other cargo ships, her doughty group of sailors offering protection for those ships whose sailors may not have been battle hardened in places such as Setarco.

Leola acts as an outrider for the Saik forces. She knows the lands (Survival), knows what land will likely be valuable (Agriculture), and takes the opportunities to guide the Saik forces to the places that will be most of use to her liege.

Juliana will be using one of her ships from Isles Canines to join and help the Baroness in her quest. Having spent time amoung the Lycene Shavs before the war, to convince them to join Pravus in it's efforts, she will use that experience in working with these to show them how it will benefit them to side with the Baroness Lucita. Not only will she be using her charm and propaganda to help but as they move through the people, Juliana will also do what she can to treat those that need medical attention.

Duchess Calista Fidante offers her assistance in the form of hype and diplomacy. She is known for speaking elegantly and truly getting to the heart of various situations, easing the confusion of those who might be on the fence of bending the knee. She also gives good hype. Hype Hype Hype - Saik is great!

No vassal, even a non-direct one, is too small to not deserve the attention of the Archduchess of Lenosia. In fact, as a show of her respect and affection for House Saik, the Archduchess arrives in person to speak with whatever Abandoned tribes are found. She stresses the strength of not only House Saik, but of the unified Lyceum that stands behind them. Though sheer force of personality, Eleyna attempts to move and persuade them into bending the knee, painting it as an opportunity not just for protection for their tribe, but a chance to join the Compact, a force united against all those that would threaten it, from the Great Houses to the Prodigal tribes that bend the knee.

Scouting! Mapping! Exploring! Yes, that is what Caspian is doing. Working with the other Explorers, Caspian is doing his best to help map out the potential lands without having the party get killed or lost.

Eirene comes along in her official capacity as VOICE OF SOUTHPORT as well as a Healer of the Explorers to make this all official like if anyone has doubts about the validity of the expansion. She's there to ensure the new shav tribes are not diseased and to spread goodwill with her medical knowledge. She's also familiar with the general region if not the specific due to years of Malvici patrols and military exercises in the Saiklands.

Despite an army accompanying them, there's an awful lot of notables in this group of people, and Valarian is there to make sure anyone who would try to slip through and take a stab at any get stabbed first. Accordingly, the giant sellsword and Explorer will hang near the most vulnerable members of the party to provide defense.

Baroness-Regent Lucita Saik continues to strengthen her lands - this time with an expansion of her lands outward. Her Barony is becoming very used to having Very Important People in town to help them with infrastructure and building projects, and when they speak of Lucita now, they speak of her not as the wife of their former Baron-Regent, not as an Igniseri, but as the Baroness who is making sure their home thrives.

First, the Grey Raptor clan, recently-Prodigal shav from Southport arrive, at the direction of Duchess Calypso. Lady Eirene shows up in her role as Voice to help oversee the process, and they start scouting likely territories of receptive shav.

Then Sir Preston arrives with a sizeable force (for a non-Crusade, which is to say, sans trebuchet and sans completely overwhelming force) of Templars too, providing some muscle on behalf of the Faith. And by "muscle" here that is of course to say "measured conversations about the joys and benefits of the Faith.

Princess Reese also shows up to help lend her military expertise, along with Dame Leola, Grandmaster Caspian, and Valarian Harrow of the Crimson Blades. Their experiences and skillsets range from military to scouting, and they work with the Grey Raptors and Lady Eirene and her healers to find shav willing to bend the knee, and convince them through wily strategy not to fight.

Logistics are masterminded - errrr, organized! by Lord Karadoc, and he puts together the charts and plans and schedules for supplies and their transport. Supplies are ferried in to support both the military campaign and the expected expansion, with Lady Ariella's Red Bargain and Sir Zebulon's ship leading the way.

And then the diplomatic corps sweeps in. Alongside Baroness Lucita? Archduchess Eleyna herself comes to entreat people to join the Compact. Lady Calista is so cheerful and excited for this expansion of Saikland Greens. Lady Juliana uses her experience convincing shavs near Pravus to join the Compact and applies that to good effect. Whisper Saedrus helps ease negotiations with the Abandoned-hopefully-soon-to-be-Prodigal. Marquessa Sasha speaks eloquently of all they stand to gain.

In the end, this is a very successful campaign, and Baroness Lucita finds herself in the middle of a Barony that is suddenly quite a bit larger, with infrastructure projects ongoing, and new Prodigals bending the knee and starting to integrate to call Saikland Greens their home.

General Calypso is heading back to Southport once more. This time to defend her city from the pirate named Reveka Tyde. Calypso will personally be taking point on commanding the efforts going on there and coordinating all military efforts going on in and around the city. With the large host of Shav currently sitting outside the gates of Southport, she is also being cautious to maintain their safety until the threat has passed and negotiations can begin. Keeping a watchful eye to how they behave in this tense moment in the city, she hope to learn a little more about her new guests or at the very least, keep them under control while she defends the city.

Her own forces will be joined by two others:
Archduchess Eleyna Velenosa will be bringing half of the Velenosa army under her command. These troops will stay outside the city walls as a standing force to be commanded if and when there is an engagement.
Duke Cristoph Laurent has been given one-third of the Valardin Cavalry to command as well. These cavalry forces will be used as scout and patrol for the surrounding areas and will be on standby to engage if and when there is an attack.

---Southport Preparation Specifics ---

* Chains are being laid across the entrance to the harbor to be pulled taught in an engagement.
* Most of the harbor itself is being shut down, and we are only allowing a slow trickle or merchant vessels in at a time. This is to help Mirari and her crew search the incoming vessels more easily and limit our risks of unknown ships coming in.
* Two balliste have been constructed at the entrance to the harbor and are being manned by Sargent Xander.
* Encouraging the use of the Lycean Split as a means to get to and from Southport safely rather than the mostly locked down harbor. This is the supply line that is being kept open. On the West side rather than the East where the threat is expected to arrive from.
* Fiora is commanding the archers, with Harmon making a pitch and copper concoction to rain green fire down at the enemy ships.
* Anze is commanding the Ground Troops that will be at the ready inside the city of Southport.
* Eirene is on point for civilian evacuation and commanding the healers brigade to keep us alive and handle wounded.

Eirene marshalls her units in Southport to prepare for a siege by either harbor and outside gate; stockpiling medicines and supplies, preparing evacuation plans for the civilians in either district. She wants to be ready to handle either crisis, moving people towards the city center and away from where there might be fighting. If there's combat, there will be wounded. She wants to be ready.

Under the overall command of General Calypso, Anze prepares the troops for an assault on the city. Soldiers are stationed at the gates and in support of the archers as would be expected and some soldiers are left at the harbor to help with the shut down harbor. The remaining forces are kept at the city center as a response team, ready to move towards the gates or the harbor depending upon where an assault might come from to make sure the Malvici ground army can be used where most effective.

Xander has been tasked with operating a pair of heavy ballistas on the bay that have been set up to protect the bay from what nastiness that Calypso expects to show up. He, and a group of soldiers are to man and defend the ballistas, firing upon anything that shows up that isn't a Compact ship. They're aware that just manning heavy artillery is going to make them a pretty large target, so Xander has picked soldiers that are okay with that kind of mission. Needless to say, they don't intend on abandoning their post once the fighting starts. Either the ballistas are destroyed or whatever they're firing at falls over dead. One of those two things will happen, and these hardy men and women, still loyal soldiers of Southport are okay with that.

Harmon realizes that the coming enemy will use sea monsters as terror weapons, and as such will reply in kind. He sets to work on collecting the materials and assistances required to produce significant amounts of pitch resin while producing a copper sulfate solution through alchemy. The copper solution, once finished and added to the pitch, should produce fire that is not only sticky but green in rough approximation to the research he's done to "witch fire." It isn't the actual stuff, but the enemy won't know any better when it's rained down them through coated arrows and catapulted clay containers.

Archduchess Eleyna Velenosa will have half of the House Velenosa at her disposal in Southport. She'll keep her troops stationed outside of Southport's walls, near to the shav'Arvani camped there, yet make no overtures toward the Abandoned as of yet. Rather, the Archduchess will do her best to make sure that these Abandoned see her and her soldiers as a protective force, keeping them safe from whatever horrors might come. Her men will conduct regular patrols around the outside of the city to monitor for and eliminate suspicious activity.

In all of this, as the reports of casualties come in and weary commanders sit down to write letters to the loved ones of dead soldiers, people look strangely at a sizeable force sent to Southport. The Malvici armies stayed in Southport - which, considering there are shav camped outside is understandable - but for some reason some Valardin forces and Velenosan forces also deployed there. With no public reports of the Pirate-King targeting Southport or sending his fleets there why, people wonder, were ground troops sent there at all?

In truth, some in Redrain wonder at the heavy deployment of ground forces in Setarco, what with the entire fleet deployed there too. Some argue that it was necessary for Setarco to be saved so that the chain of cities beyond that initial port weren't vulnerable. But then what about Grayson and Redrain lands? Are they not important too? They look at the destruction of Stormwall and they wonder - why so many?

And they look too to the armies at Southport and they wonder - is there some kind of corruption in the Ministry of Defense, that Compact forces were diverted to the city ruled by the Minister of Defense herself? Or was there some reason others are not privy to that made the deployment make sense? As with any confusing strategy, people start talking about it and become very passionate as they argue one pet theory or another. Overall though, Calypso, Edain, Alis, and Eleyna take some heat with Redrain, Thrax, Darkwater, and Pravus folks for diverting soldiers to a port that was never in danger from the Pirate King. Perhaps, as tempers run high, it's time for a little diplomacy.

For those in the army deployed to Southport though, the people are less concerned - particularly as they were just following orders. And, when it became clear there was nothing to do in Southport and that Setarco was seriously under siege? They high tailed it to the thick of the fighting and did their level best to make sure that they helped keep the Silk City free from the tyranny of pirates. After all, the Lyceum may be full of shenanigans and people of dubious moral character, but they're not pirates. Most of them. They're far too civilized for that.

Duchess General Calypso will be heading back home to Southport to be with her people during this time of turmoil. Having a very public and visible presence with her signature state of calm and grace in hopes that it will reassure those who would otherwise be unsure of her leadership. She will be appointing new leaders to fill the positions that were lost and bring stability back to the military. During this time she will also be having her two children, Cosette and Lukas Malvici, naming Cosette the heir and assuring the line of succession. Hopefully giving the people something to celebrate. She will also be enlisting the support of allied politicians to help spread the word of her competence, and allied economists to help sure up the stability of the Duchy and make best use of its resources while others hunt down the missing silver.

Anze is going to southport to be side by side with Calypso not only to be visible along with her but to be present for the birth of their children. Anze may not have calm and grace in the same way that Calypso does but he has worked to make himself a part of the Malvici and instead of relying on grace will instead try and use charm and good nature to calm the people of Southport. Anze will also pull no stops in giving honest opinions of his wife. How she is brilliant, capable, talented, and strong and the best leader Southport could possibly have in this time or in any other.

Harald will send several longships to accompany Calypso in her homecoming, to further illustrate that even traditional rivals support the Duchess against her enemies. One ship of veterans who fought with Harald and Calypso at the Battle of Giant's Fall will get a brief vacation in the Lyceum as winter looms near. Harald's message is that so long as Calypso and Malvici rule, all is well. Should they be overthrown... not so much.

Reese would like to support Calypso by talking about how great a leader she and trying to prompt her leadership in Southport

Edain has assigned 25 of his 100 sworn blades that are present in Arx, under the command of Captain Calevaro to escort to Archlector Bianca in her efforts to assist Lady Eirene in finding the missing Southport Soldiers.

On a more personal note, Edain will do his best to show his faith in Duchess Calypso publicly, and will send some new shipments of lumber to Southport for their ship building efforts to continue and keep up with their contracts. Edain will take this opportunity to distribute some pamphlets about the great achievements of Duchess Calypso as the MInister of Defense and the leader of Southport.

Alarissa's putting her silvered tongue to good use with regards to the Duchess Calypso. Never has she met a woman who even blindfolded, knows how precisely to complete a task effeciently and correctly and come out shining on the other end. Where Calypso's name comes up or even an opportunity to apropriately laud the woman, Alarissa is doing just that. Her support of the Duchess Calypso is without fault. Sure as the sun rises in the morning, Thrax and the Princess-Consort supports Calypso.

Calista Fidante is known for being an exemplary courtier prior to taking up the role as Duchess of Roses and as such there are few who can hold a candle to her charm and grace. When called upon by Duchess Calypso Malvici to offer assistance to Southport, Calista did not think twice. One time fierce enemies, the two cities are bonded by the bridge of marriage. The pending arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Tor's first child and heir is the perfect opportunity to help assuage the ill feelings the people of Southport are feeling these days. The pen is mightier than the sword and words offer a soothing balm to ease the disgruntled citizens. There are many friends and allies to Southport who are coming out in support of House Malvici and Duchess Calypso. Calista will make sure to reiterate this to the people of Southport and do all in her power to make sure they understand they are not alone and will not be left in the dark during troubled times.

Eleyna Velenosa, Archduchess of Lenosia and Grand Duchess of the Lyceum, lets stand no question as to her feelings regarding the competence of Duchess Calypso Malvici. But it's not in what the Archduchess does that speaks to her faith in her vassal, but what she does NOT do. Despite rumors of unrest and turmoil, she does not march Velenosa soldiers into Southport to secure the city. Despite the dire situation that seems to be unfolding, Eleyna doesn't seem particularly moved to 'sweep in and save the day'. It's not as if rebellion and political intrigue are particularly unusual in the Lyceum. Instead, when she is asked, the Grand Duchess simply explains that she trusts Calypso to set things right, which speaks more to her liege's confidence in her abilities than an incessant insistence on the fact.

The Newly made countess of Magotta has a vested interest in her new county and its ports. She will reach out to the serfs and providing morale where morale is short. Spreading propaganda of Calypso's great deeds and reassuring she has the best intentions for all that live within.

Princess Roxana Grayson was first and foremost a Malvici and is loyal to her siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews just as they are to her. She will attempt to assist the family while staying in Arx, letting Calypso handle what needs handling in Southport itself. Roxana will be writing letters to nobles she is in contact with back 'home' in Southport to reassure them that the Duchy is as safe and reliable as it ever has been under the rule of House Malvici, and praising the work of her sister Eirene and her niece Calypso in their dedication to addressing this turmoil. In addition she will be sharing those same opinions with her contacts in her house-by-marriage, House Grayson. Her status as a Grayson princess and a widowed one at that has elicted warmth and sympathy for years, and she will leverage this through gentle cajoling and occasional hints of manipulation. The focus will be having Calypso's competence praised on several fronts, enough so that any support among her contacts for a rebellion in Southport is quashed and redirected.

Donella doesn't just talk Calypso Malvici and her leadership up at home with Northerners who do business in the south. She makes overtures to captains on the Lycene coastal transport routes (esp. those interested in Redrain business), and puts a ship or two of bullish veterans who served as raiders and soldiers during the Silence crisis on shore leave in Southport. With extra coin to spend on resupply and repairs, of course. She makes sure that crews talk war stories on the way into port, encouraging effusiveness in their praise of the Duchess, and generosity during the process of social lubrication. Because nothing speaks louder, literally or figuratively, than a man (Thrax or otherwise) waxing poetic about the woman who successfully led them in battle. It just doesn't happen that often, unless there's something extraordinary to praise. The captains themselves can speak to the prosperity of Southport with an outsider's perspective. "The princess-consort of Farhaven will gladly take Calypso's leadership wherever it lands. Arx would not still stand if not for her able administration of our defense effort."

Karadoc will call in every favor he has to stimulate trade to and from Southport, get the silver flowing, even if, in some cases, this means trading IOUs for IOUs until the coffers can support the ebbs and flows of day-to-day exchange. He will lean hardest on markets that need Southport goods the most, and are thus most likely to accept brief hiccups. (He will, of course, try to keep the hiccups modest to low. Eradicate where possible!)

Marquis Mydas Nightgold aids by applying his knowledge of economics to Southport's aid. As such, he works with Karadoc to not only ensure trade flows, but pays particular attention to ensure proper book-keeping is kept of the finances, with as many copies as is required to ensure no information regarding the economy is lost. As such, his role is far more the one of an accountant, than to personally encourage further trade or making deals with various houses and groups.

Cicero will work with Karadoc and Mydas to bring trade and commerce to Southport to get that tax/customs money flowing. Silver Consortium gonna Consort

Dafne works on encouraging trade between Gemecitta and Southport, assuring Gemecittan merchants that such trade is both safe and profitable, and Southport is stable under the rule of Duchess Calypso. Among the goods flowing to Southport is a certain amount of Gemecittan granite, just in case any fortifications need repair.

Quenia will be speaking to her various nobles and merchants, and sending letters to Granato, letting her people know she has complete faith and confidence in House Malvici and Duchesss Calypso. She'll also remind them what an important trade hub Southport is, and that if trade fails there, that the effects of the disrupted economy may very well hit their own bottom line.

The King of the Compact aims to cut off support to rebellious factions in Southport by any party who wants to hedge against a possible change at the top (or get ahead by getting in on the ground floor of an potential transition) by making it known through various diplomatic channels that the Crown judges the situation in Southport to have very suspicious indications of an externally directed plot to personally discredit an effective Minister of War by foreign powers that would stand to gain a lot by the Compact -not- having an effective Minister of War. As such any aid at all to the rebellious factions is actively discouraged by the clear implication that anyone found doing so will draw attention to their own dealings in Arx and with the Crown for invasive scrutiny by the Inquisition for any other evidence of collaborating with enemies of the Compact. And the Inquisition has a reputation for being good at finding things, whether they were originally there or not.

Alis will be singing Calypso's prpaises as a General and a Leader every chance she gets, going so far as to give anecdotes and stories from each of the battles they have fought together. Strong, smart, capable, loyal. And she will encourage those cavalry that were given to Malvici as part of the marriage contract between Edain and Caelis to do the same.

Khanne is known for many things, for those who know her. She is not widely known as an economist though, despite her role in the NDC (she prefers to be thought of as an idea person on that front), so lets Darren and Mydas help support Calypso and Southport when it comes to their economy. She is not known as a soldier, so is more than happy to let those more capable help there. She is also not widely known for her negotiating skills or diplomacy so to speak... though she does have experience there. What she might be known for is her ability to connect to people, understand their concerns, and speak to them in ways that ease their minds. This is where she focuses her time in helping, knowing and working with Calypso for some time, as a fellow Crown Minister, she assures them that the Duchess General is more than capable in her position, and is not responsible for Southport's current issue. She agrees with King Alaric that it was an external force of some sort. She would emphasize the fact that all of the Houses of the Compact are behind her offering their support and assistance as needed to help Southport thrive again, through economics, trade, and whatever support is needed. She would talk to those in Arx, but would also travel to Southport to spread the word if it would be of further help.

As High Lord of Redrain, Darren will offer his public and private support to Calypso and the Malvici family as a whole. Darren is going to be sure anyone who will listen will hear about how much confidence he has in her leadership, and at a time when evils from outside the Compact threaten our shores, we must all stand behind the Minister of Defense. Patriotism and all that. Finally, to seal the deal, Darren is going to encourage the distillers on Farhaven to release a special, "Calypso's Reserve" whiskey brand, top shelf stuff with the slogan "Strong, but smooth - like the General herself." Because, you know, the Northlands!

And now Duchess Calypso Malvici arrives in Southport herself. She brings offerings from her friends, and she brings friends as well - a special limited edition whiskey from Redrain, a ship full of Redrain sailors speaking well of her. Grayson charm and Velenosan confidence, words of support from Fidante, praise from the Princess-Consort of Maelstrom and longships of Grimhall as an escort. Soldiers from Valardin and trade credit from Saik and the Silver Consortium alike - well and carefully accounted for. Trade with Gemecitta and personal friends too, as well as an endorsement from the King of the Compact himself!

All of this means that Calypso arrives with friends and allies and gifts aplenty, ready to set things right in Southport. Indeed, as she arrives she finds the path eased for her by Hadrian and Melinda. She finds work done by Eirene, Orazio, Bianca, Leola, and Sophie. She works to establish order. She works to make peace, to fill in the ranks that were decimated by soldiers not at their posts. In short, she steps off the ship and she goes to work.

Is it enough?

Princess Eleyna Velenosa encourages nobles and commoners throughout the Lyceum to back the removal of Fawkhul as Dominus and support the appointment of a more suitable choice in his place. Through letter, messenger, and even personal visits if need be, Eleyna will be sure to show that while the Faith is not to blame for Fawkhul's choice to excommunicate the Compact's leaders on the brink of war, she will insist that such blatant political maneuverings are entirely unfit for the Voice of the gods.

Eleyna's encouragement is a large reason why the Convocation of the Faith is able to go forward, as many of the other leaders of the Faith felt intense pressure from the peerage and commoners alike in order to agree to it. More than a few resent that, but on the other hand, her standing with the affected great houses is increased as they firmly agree with her statements about the Dominus.

Eleyna reaches out to the merchant princes and trading houses based out of the Lyceum, stressing that the stability that Niccolo as Archduke woulf offer, especially in this time of crisis, would be invaluable to ensuring their profits remain secure. While Eleyna soothes and flatters with well-chosen words and expensive gifts, the basic gist is the same: If they want to keep making money, then they need to show their support to House Velenosa and use their economic power to make sure that those cities and Houses that they do trade with follow suit.

Princess Eleyna Velenosa is VERY good at manipulating merchants. The Black Widow of House Velenosa manages to sway the entire merchant caste, not only of Lenosia, but the words spread through most of the Lyceum. Stability and their own best interests are powerful incentives, and come what may, they firmly believe that backing Niccolo is the answer.

Lady General Calypso Malvici has been assigned as the field commander to lead an assault up-river to attack one of the four columns of Brand’s army. She will be leading forces from House Malvici, House Velenosa and House Pravus in the form of infantry and archers. Other commanders she is coordinating with are Prince Victus Thrax, Princess Deva Redrain, Princess Alis Valardin and Duke Valkieri Rubino.

The host of Compact forces will be traveling up-river by boats provided by Thrax, the Lyceum and the Black Mountain Training Company. We will be searching for an ideal location to set up our assault. High ground for archers, a place to anchor the ships and a field for the infantry. All with the goal of eliminating the entire column of Brand’s forces to weaken the army by one fourth.

Calypso will also be wielding Truestrike, the alaricite rapier during this battle.

The group of soldiers Inigo is in command of are the remnants of the same crew he commanded at the Battle of Pridehall, additional men filled in to replenish the losses from the previous battle of course. He wields Recompense, the diamondplate longsword, hoping this time to be more effective at taking down Bringers, saving his men from their wrath. The battalion's mission is to do as much damage as possible to Brand's army, fighting fiercely at the front lines of combat.

As the result of a discussion with Eirene, at least one member of the battalion will possess bow and arrows, the arrows themselves tied with highly visible cloth that will be fired into the air should the group encounter a High Bringer. This is to alert any of the special forces that are intended to take down such targets that one has been found. Inigo will, of course, engage any he sees himself, as he is the best equipped in the battalion to take on such a threat. The goal is to either slay the High Bringer, or delay it long enough for one of the special forces to arrive and kill the creature.'

Costas will be Calypso's bodyguard for the campaign, at her side at all times as well as defending her in battle. He sleeps in the same tent as her to ward against potential assassins, and is only ever removed from her vicinity for private discussions with other nobility.

Although sending squadrons of the Malvici Phoenixes to assist the other Compact forces, Eirene brings her hand-picked finest battle medics to accompany herself to the front with General Calypso. She will ensure the triage centers are defendable and coordinate medical efforts with the Mercy's and other assigned medics.

Waldemai will be deploying with the field forces under Calypso's command to provide on-site armor evaluations, upgrades and repairs.

Harmon will accompany Eirene, supplementing her medical expertise with his knowledge of occult matters as well as alchemy in order to stretch out supplies without losing efficacy.

Mirari will be joining Eirene and her medics, providing medical supplies via her apothecary skills, where she can. And defending the medical tents and medics with her small blades should forces break through the lines and to the medic station.

For the next stage of the Bringer's march on Arx, Alis will be accompanying the combined forces led by Lady General Calypso Malvici.

She will be in charge of the Valardin Infantry and Archers. Her instructions to those under her command will be to help divide and flank pockets of the enemy column into more manageable groups; with a warning about the berserker Bringers, and that they should call out a warning when the berserkers are spotted so they can be swarmed and taken down as quickly as possible. She will be participating in the battle.

    Ansel will be leading the Telmar forces in Princess Alis' forces supporting Lady General Calypso' mission of eliminating the shav forces at the river.

    Ansel will be coordinating with, and taking orders directly from, Princess Alis as the forces deploy to engage the shav forces. He's delegated total authority of his subordinate sections to his vassal house's commanders, providing them instruction pertaining to the general goals of the mission, but leaving the exact manner of accomplishing those principles to his subordinate commanders.

    For his part, Ansel will be taking direct command of a small company comprised of a section of archers supporting a small team of hand-picked swordsmen. Their mission will be to identify any Bringers at the outset of the engagement, particularly any beserker Bringers, and eliminate the most serious threat to the Valardin column as quickly as possible. He'll be leveraging the support of the archer section, as well as the Telmar diamondplate heirloom weapon, attempting to dispatch these threats hastily.

As Alis' second-in-command, Fiachra will be coordinating his efforts directly with her, using his knowledge and experience of Greenmarch tactics in facing a larger force. (Particularly from an archer/scout standpoint.) As before, he will be using his particular talents for assessing the terrain (see his metaplot secrets) to any advantage it can afford for the troops under General Calypso's command. He will not be leaving Alis' side, and will be watching for threats to her life.

Barric will be accompanying Calypso's force upriver. During the battle he will be focusing his efforts on identifying and destroying the massive and hulking Bringer beserkers. Presumably with a team of other soldiers doing the same, he will position himself on the battlefield when one of the monstrosities is found and engage them in an attempt to minimize their devastating impact. He has fought one before and wields Elvesbane, the alaricite blade of House Grayson.

The Mirrorguard (led by Talen and Luca), Valorous Few (led by Audric and Kima) and Grayson (Barric and Reese) strike teams have been given the high profile task to break the River Column morale by gunning for the Undead Generals (like Hush!) and Abandoned Beserkers that undoubtedly guard them.
Their troops will be armed with fire and poison (supplied by Eleyna, Blacktongue, etc) for more effective fighting against the standard Bringers and Abandoned respectively while the commanders named above will be using their diamondplate and alaricite weapons in combat with the big baddies - individually, as pairs or in teams as is appropriate.
Talen will be wielding Mirror Blade, the alaricite blade of House Velenosa and as usual will be fighting dirty as fuck.

Holden will be with the Valardin Infrantry forces leading one of the smaller manageable groups under Alis's command. He will be participating in the battle.

Valkieri is leading the combined troops of Rubino, Zaffria, and Igniseri under the coordination of Lady General Calypso. Their naval forces for the journey upriver are under the sub-command of Lady Ariella Igniseri, and Lord Luis Igniseri and Captain Gian Fuller are also a part of their ranks. He will be leading a mix of archers, infantry, and some cavalry, and it is the cavalry that he will be among on his warhorse Tempest.

Kima, for this particular excursion, joins Captain-General Audric of the Valorous Few to do what she does best: slaughter enemies upon the field of battle. With her recent gift of an alaricite blade, the Absolute, she has been chosen as part of the strike force targeting Bringer generals and berserkers.

Audric and the Valorous Few (and Kima, see her action) will be taking part in Calypso's offensive action against one of the oncoming Bringer armies. Specifically, they'll be part of the strike force meant to target the Bringer Generals and Berserkers in an attempt to take out their core leadership. Since alaricite seems to make them basically die instantly, he'll be using Coinspinner, his alaricite sword for the fight.

Luca is joining the special assault squads going to the river column front alongside Talen, leading the Mirrorguard prong of three groups all hunting the biggest, baddest Bringers they can find, whether commander types, berserker types, or anything else monstrous they can cut down with Alaricite or Diamondplate. Luca will be fighting with Viper's Fury, his diamondplate sabre and Viper's Fang, his HQ steel blade, unless Lorelai ends up finding him an alaricite blade before then as she implied might be feasible, in which case he'll fight with diamondplate and alaricite. He is going to try and identify and cut as quick a path as possible to any big bads and asplode them with heart or head shots of the diamondplate (or alaricite). Luca very much will be trying to keep an eye on state of Reese and Barric's team as he wanted to accompany them to see Reese safer but was overruled by Calypso. If Reese ends up in trouble and Luca has any hope in the Abyss of cutting his way to her, it's possible he'd break orders and go and try to save her (and is something our players OOCly sort of want for a bonding moment of fighting side by side). Luca's more than a little burnt out by rage, grief, pain, and discontent with lack of challenge at Pridehall, so it's quite likely he'd take greater risks than he probably _should_ strictly if it meant finding a greater challenge in this battle, though only the sort of risks that would get himself hurt, not that'd kill off hundreds of others depending on him.

Under Valkieri's direction, Gian will be leading the Infantry of Rubino-Zaffria, from the front line. In addition to defending archers or attacking as ordered, he will have a number of guardsmen nearby for a rescue/recovery assignment, in case Duke Valkieri's stupid horse goes down.

Reese is joining the special assault squad going to the river column front alongside Barric, as a member of the three groups all hunting the biggest Bringers they can find, whether commander types, berserker types, or anything else monstrous they can cut down. This is a six person team (Talen, Luca, Audric, Kima, Barric and Reese). Divided into 3 pairs. Reese is with Barric.

Reese is fighting with Devotion, her alaricite superb short sword. Reese plans on using Dex+medium wpn as her attack skills. Her sword is 10 dam, 12 damage bonus and -2 difficulty. She will have Dazzler her rubicund excellent short with her just in case. She will wear her hq steel armor with mitigation 68. She is going to try and identify and cut as quick a path as possible to any big bringers and explode them with heart or head shots (but not mouth shots!) with alatricite. She plans to keep close to her cousin Barric. she will try to watch out for him. She plans to fight side by side with him. If Barric falls in battle, she will be attempting to retrieve Elvesbane, the Grayson house sword from his body.

Ariella will be leading the naval actions of the Rubino, Zaffria, and Igniseri from her ship the Red Bargain, up the river in support of the attack.

GOing with Eirene's healing unit, using uber medical skills, chatting with hurt soldiers for morale boosts, offering last rites to those willling to have them with a THirteenth bent.

Eleyna will be gathering any and all alchemists willing to assist in the upcoming war effort, including Blacktongue and Emeline, to provide additional supplies to the three strike teams put together by Lady General Calypso. The Mirrorguard (led by Talen/Luca), Grayson (led by Reese/Barric) and Valorous Few (led by Audric/Kima) forces will be given fire and poison to fight the Bringers and Abandoned respectively, so their troops which are not wielding alaricite and diamondplate can gain the upper hand when cutting their way towards the generals.

Continuing his role as the back channel logistical man, Maximilian has hired ships to transport and maintain logistical ties for up to 7000 extra men, as well as bringing a few of his river-capable warships along to help keep river pirates off the goods. He's getting paid back for this, right? Right? Why is everyone suddenly quiet?

Max will be investing 300 Military Resources (Darkwater) into outfitting many of the merchant ships as riverine warships, as he anticipates that the enemy will try and cut Calypsos supply line. He will take personal command of this unit and use it to keep the enemy from severing those lines. They will look like normal merchant vessels, just covertly outfitted with weaponry and marines.

Deva will be commanding the Redrain portion of the overall river assault under Calypso's direction. Her forces will consist of approximately half of overall Redrain troops (archers, infantry, etc.), several hundred Nightgold archers and calvary, and at least a chunk of Halfshav infantry as well. The goal is to separate the enemy as best as possible to make it easier to cut them down. Adjustments will be made as necessary per any instructions given in the thick of it, and Deva will be flexible with fighting both ranged with her archers, and up close melee on the front lines as/if needed.

Artorius is leading a battalion of Malvici warriors under General Calypso's command up the river.

Dagon will be joining the forward operation to flank and cut through the ranks of the Bringer army, and focus on finding and eliminating Bringer generals and berserkers; the baddest of the bad. He will be working alongside three other strike teams (Valorous Few, Mirrorguard, and Graysons) with his own hand picked Knights of Tyde. Dagon plans to attack with Reafian, the sword of House Thrax, while wearing rubicund plate, and plans to lead at the head of his unit, and work quickly to cut a path into the generals. In and out, ruthless and efficient; everyone on this mission was hand-picked, and Dagon has no illusions about saving anybody -- not today. They can handle themselves, they are all warriors, and they all are prepared to die. His mind is on breaking this army, here and now, to save those back at Arx the trouble, and he will single out the generals with a one-track determination, trusting his men and the others to cover his back.

Serafine is aiding Dagon Tyde as his second, following his orders but exercising her own judgement and experience, wielding her diamondplate blade, Pathway, to use it to its namesake and cut a path into her foes, using light, well-made, high quality leather armor, efficient and dangerous, using her speed, strength, and endurance to her advantage. With her experience in the past of killing and identifying Bringers in earlier campaigns and missions as well as her exceptional skill at killing the Shav-slaves they keep, she would do her damnedest to get the job done as efficiently as possible, while also do her best to stay safe and, if the Gods allow it, return home to her loved ones, more or less in one piece.

Leta will be joining the Valorous Few, with Audric and Kima, in the attack on the Bringers. Since she just has rubicund and steel, she'll stick to protecting Audric and Kima's backs by helping cut a path to the big Bringers and fending off any counter-attacks with the rest of the Few. Leta isn't planning on any heroics, but if some opportunity presents itself to chop some Bringer in the side, or to attempt a rescue of some of our heroic alaricite wielders, she'll probably take it. If Audric dies, she's grabbing his sword. If there's time for it, she'll also go through his pockets. He would have wanted it that way.

Estaban is joining the Archers under Calypso's comand.

Garza will be joining Audric and the other Valorous Few as part of the strike force meant to target the Bringer Generals and Berserkers in an attempt to take out their core leadership. He'll be fighting with his bow and sword, focusing on range tactics unless he needs to fight in close quarters combat.

Inquisitor Alistair and a cadre of loyal Confessors (loyal to him) will be accompanying Lady General Calypso and her command guard. From there the man will observe the battle, keeping an eye out for the presence of Bringers and any possible abyssal magic that the enemy will be using. He will point out Bringers that he identifies as well as issuing warnings of their approach and/or the workings of any abyssal magic. Further he will be keeping an eye on any Compact soldiers who attempt to use magic, though he will not stop them. If battle is joined his Confessors armed with crossbows and he armed with a blade will fight with the cry "May the Sentinel guard the Righteous!" on their lips.

Halsim is supplying the armies intercepting at the river, along with the archers at the ramparts, with poison for their arrows and other gear they might want. Anyone who wants any other alchemical supplies is welcome to approach him for supplies as well.

Karadoc will be assisting from General Calypso's command tent. A (lazy) genius, he's been pressed into action to support his leige lord family as best as he is able, and is (reluctantly) doing so. A veritable master of economics, he's working to solidify support lines, arranging resupplies, and acting in a manner most mercantile. His efforts are on food and fresh water for the soldiers, leaving the specialized supplies to those better able to provide. He'll be traveling with his favorite cousin Kima, though, will certainly be confined to non-combat rolls, stuck in/around the command tent.

Caelis will be serving under Lady General Calypso largely as transpertation. She'll be leading the Malvici ships carrying troops up the riber and back. While they are up the river she'll join the troops in battle on the field.

Zhayla will be joining the Grayson forces with her alaricite trident, looking for the biggest, meanest bad guys and the worst of the fight where she might make the biggest difference and look ~so heroic~. Even if it is super risky.

Infamous for being the man to survive the poisons of his former position, Blacktonge is the defacto unspoken, but recognized with knowing nods, poison maker for House Velenosa - apples be damned. The Harlequin of House Velenosa will open up his lab, chuck out the apples, and pour all of his work into making the poisons to help along the blades wielded by Talen and crew.

Live GM'd and resulted in the destruction of the Bringer column after a confrontation with a Formorian Bringer of Silence.

Based off of experimentation conducted by Eleyna and Blacktongue, amongst others, regarding poisonous substances to use on the Bringers, the pair begin to manufacture this substance, created from those materials sacred to The Queen of Endings (grave dirt, spiders, etc). Once prepared, Blacktongue and Eleyna place the mixture into clay pots that should break when thrown at the Bringer troops. These will be given to the commanders to use as needed.

Upon Blacktongue's discovery that the addition of anything associated with the Queen of Death's realm to his poisons renders them deadly to Bringers, the Harlequin has made it his mission to collect more grave dirt and spiders to add to his concoctions. The more notable 'Harlequin's Kiss' poison from the last battle is used predominantly from his end. It is dirt from the tunnels closest to the graveyard that he uses most.

His poison will be used in the claypots, but the man has also seen to it that murderholes have been placed at the entrance gates and along Arx's walls. This is just in case the Bringers get too close for comfort, then there will be vats on standby.

It is also worth noting that Valery helped Blacktonge in the procuring of the materials for his mixtures.

Pots of Potions of Bringer Killin' have been prepared, and distributed to the troops. Like everything else, this will come up during live GMing whether the characters are there or not.

Duchess General Calypso Malvici is leading half of the Malvici Military and hald of the Velenosa Military Northwards to help Duke Vercyn stave off any Abyssal tainted Shavs in the Northlands. They will also hold the area secure in hope of keeping the Horned God's influence from spreading. She intends to travel north with the rest of the committed Lycene troops to help coordinate with the Redrain forces there.

She will also be working to coordinate with Princess Freja's efforts to search for weapons and locate the weapon which is thought to be hidden inside the Palace of Arx.


Calypso will be taking the following team with her in to the Palace to search for the weapon rumored to be there. She has expressed permission from His Majesty King Alaric, with the stipulation that any weapons uncovered become the property of the King's Own. Agreeing to that, the team is formed - Sir Miles of the King's Own, Princess-General Alis Valardin, Princess Reese Grayson and Master Costas.

As is her role as a Brigadier General, Eirene will be taking command of the Malvici battle-medic Phoenix Brigade but will also be coordinating with the other medical forces of the Lycene houses to ensure there is ample medical attention and protection for the healers working in triage outside of the lines.

She will also use her knowledge of occult lore and superstition to be on the lookout for any magical maladies or unusual attacks which may be used against their forces.

Working on the 'wolf of Skald' being a counter to the Horned King's magic, she will keep a small supply (from Eleyna- not poisoned) to test on any out of the ordinary wounds or afflications she may encounter.
She also prepares for frostbite and trenchfoot and other cold-weather maladies.

A man known for being adept with Logistics, Edward will bring his expert skill at quartermastering and logistics to the entirety of Calypso's forces. Working with the Captains and Sergeants he will make sure that each command has the necessary equipment and supplies needed to do their job but also have a proper amount of extra resources allocated to cover unfortunate happenstances. He will work with the supply teams to ensure proper packing of foods and materials that an army on the move will need and ensure that it is packed efficiently and in as few trains as possible to keep a short and tight supply line to limit its vulnerability.

In addition, he brings with him a portion of his own Whitefrost forces who are adept at defensive combat due to the military conditions in the Isles that breed that kind of warrior. He will use his forces as the Duchess General directs with the recommendation she deploy them in a defensive capacity.

To be appended.
Merek will travel with the forces that are heading to the North with Fidante (should any of them be assisting in this, if not then generically he will be under Calypso's Command). He will take a token force of the Iron Guard if permitted to assist them, with permission from Velenosa and Redrain should it be allowed. He also has his three personal guards and champion assigned to his protection, and his secretary for logistic matters. His action is a bit different from the others. While he will be willing to fight and will travel north, and has skill and his special blade in case any Abyssal threats are met that require such weapons, his main focus will be on the monetary and logistics only in a different manner, instead as a Merchant he will be working on forging the best of weapons and armor he can, which admittedly isn't too much, and he will be helping with field repairs as well. In addition to that he will be assisting in funding the expedition so that the army lacks for less as they travel. This likely means he will be assisting 'Edward' in addition to any Fidante forces, to help boost the man's work in logistics. (In other words, non-combatant unless he's required to fight in full. Mostly Command/Logistics/Smithing to some extent)

Special note: His personal Guard is loyal and willing to lay down their lives to ensure his safety, and I accept that if this happens to them it will be a loss of the Agents/Retainers that do such an act.


[He will be bringing 80 Iron Guardsmen to assist the soldiers. A token force at most, but more folk it is nonetheless.]

Since Inigo is marching out, he will be with the Fidante folk, who are under Calypso, and then the Guards he brought will be under him, with oversight of the chain of command upwards but answering to him.

Estaban will be gathering his troops in the next few days running them through drills and since most are from the south teaching them about the cold counditions of the North as he has been there first had and almost froze. Once they are ready he will let Calypso know and they will being prepping to march out at her side.
Estaban will be marching with the House Saik army, I can not add them to the Crisis at the moment because I am Admiral of the Malvici fleet at and can not also command the saik Army at the the same time code wise. I spoke with Apostate and he told me to note it in the crisis.

Alis is going to help Calypso with searching the Palace for a shiny.

Count Artorius Magnotta sends warriors to aid and serve in Duchess Calypso's army in the effort to help the fight against Legion, as well as personally joining the fray himself to fight in the impending conflict.

As the commander of the Army of Tor, Duke Inigo Fidante will be leading half of the strength of the Fidante army north to assist in the military exercise. Inigo has been under the tutelage of the Duchess General in leadership and warfare but is still very green when it comes to engagements. This being the case, the Duke will be issuing commands to his army but under the instruction and guidance of Duchess Malvici. If needed, i.e. if things get messy and he needs to take a more hands on approach, the Duke is outfitted with his armor and diamond plate sword 'Recompense'.

Sparte will be marching out with the Iron Guard contingent, to assist in what ways he can. As a line and file guardsman that may not be much, but he'll still be there. His main contribution will likely be chiding the other guardsmen on packing appropriately for cold weather, and making poor quality maps of things they see along the way.

Anze begins the preparations to support Vercyn with the Malvici troops by making sure that the Malvici forces are well prepared for the journey north. Having grown up in Farhaven and serving under Vercyn, he makes sure to meet with the Malvici forces commanders and Lieutenants to go over the basics of the terrain, their path up, and what the weather might be like. Knowing that the Malvici forces are from the furthest southernmost tip of Arvum, he makes sure that they will bring cloaks and other supplies to keep them warm in the for northern spring.

Any Lycene forces showing an interest in learning what Anze knows also get his support, going over the basics of maps, terrain, and weather so that they know what to expect.

Anze will spend his time helping Calypso command the Malvici forces, and being ready to step in in case she has to move to another location or work with other groups. Having worked with Vercyn and knowing the northern forces well, he would work to make sure that the Malvici and northern forces mesh well and can work together in the most efficient way.

In addition to half of the Velenosa forces being lent to the cause of fighting Legion, Talen has committed half of the Mirrorguard forces as well. He'll personally lead these as a strike force available to the plans and whims of Duchess CAlypso Malvici who has been given the temporary control of southern forces pledged to Darren under her command by Eleyna Velenosa. Talen's agents are primarily focusing on geurilla-style warfare, laying traps and ambushes to known points where the Northlands shavs attack. This will be in addition to any forces provided by Baron Audric De Lire who is sending his Valorous Few, if any, as they are known to have similar styles of assault and a 'get the job done under any means necessary' attitudes.
Talen is using Eleyna's wolf-blood poison (detailed in her action) against the corrupted Shav'Arvani in battle and other creatures under the Horned God's control to demonstrate whether the theory is correct.

Miles will babysit these Malvici (all except Eirene who needs no babysitter) as they bumble about the Palace. To keep them in line he will tactically and strategically grump at them. Miles is working with them to explore the palace, keeping an eye out for potential security breaches and if a weapon is found, securing it for the Crown per His Majesty's orders.

Costas will be present in his role as Calypso's bodyguard as she hunts in the Palace.

Duchess Calista Fidante is assisting House Fidante's actions to better prepare the military for battle in the North.
Duchess Calista Fidante is assisting House Fidante's actions to better prepare the military for battle in the North. House Fidante is sending in half their military forces under the command of Duke Inigo Fidante with Sword of Tor Dante Fidante on the helm. For her part, the Duchesses of Roses will be aiding in diplomatic efforts.

Mirari will be using her knowledge of alchemy and apothecarism. She'll be selecting skilled warriors that she knows won't object-- and she'll be poisoning their blades. Things that will debilitate and make it easier for the warriors to win, but not be particularly torturous or awful.

Being neither a commander nor a scholar of the occult, Eleyna's actions are those of support from Arx rather than traipsing into the field with the others. As a show of her faith in the alliance between Redrain and Velenosa, bonds forged in shared grief and, now, in deep friendship between Eleyna and Darren, she pledges half of the Velenosa army to go North and assist. As a show of trust, she offers Duchess General Calypso Malvici command of those forces in the North as Talen will be focusing on the Mirrorguard, who are better suited toward guerilla-style combat than military maneuvers.

As a small side action, after a discussion with Lady Eirene Malvici, Eleyna retreats into her lab and, using what she learned in the last war regarding spiders and their use against Bringers, mixes up a concoction of wolf's blood (ethically sourced, of course!) sinces wolves were thought to be a 'Skald' thing and nettle poison, known for causing painful blistery rashes. She instructs Talen to put it on his sword at some opportune time. Just as a test.
((Could not add the army due to org permissions, but they will be there!))

As part of the Malvici Military, Fiora accompanies in helping Duke Vercyn by providing archery support and heeding the orders of her cousin, Duchess General Calypso. And for kicks, maybe she'll see about protecting her family members from getting hurt or instead goad her twin brother into fight alongside her like old times. The things people do for family, liege, and fealty.

Lord Dante Fidante, Voice of Fidante and Sword of Tor will be headed North to help in assisting Duke Inigo with the Fidante forces, along with this, as half of the Mirrorguard have been committed to the attack, Dante will be assisting Prince Talen and the Mirrorguard as well. He will mostly be there on a combative basis, and not so much as being in command. Despite this, if Inigo were to need assistance leading the Fidante forces, he is there in his position as both voice and Sword.

Dafne entrusts half of the Rubino-Zaffria troops to Calypso's command for this action. She takes time to give them a stirring speech beforehand. And warm clothing.

Back in the Gray Forest, even more fortifications are being built and strengthened. Baron Edward Stormbreak brings his particular expertise in logistics and quartermastering to aid and advise the forces led by Duchess General Calypso Malvici. Merek Black also comes, helping with the setup of their home away from home and helping make sure that the logistics and supply chain is as secure as possible. Brigadier General Eirene Malvici coordinates a triage center as well, using supplies graciously donated by Princess Eleyna Velenosa. Duchess Dafne Zaffria assists by sending troops, and Mirari Corsetina seems to have developed an unholy interest in polishing blades (that is not a euphemism, folks). Those soldiers willing to let her look at their swords tend to be very careful with handling them afterwards. All in all though, these defenses are a success, and the soldiers operating in the Gray Forest are safer as a result. Estaban, Artorius, Inigo, Sparte, Anze, Talen, Fiora, Dante, Calista, and Calypso are handling some guerilla action as well, drawing the shavs loyal to the Horned God deeper and deeper into a trap.