Prince Artur Redrain begins organizing the creation of a massive memorial quilt, giving people from across the compact both great and small the chance to honor their friends and loved ones who fought at Setarco, Darkwater Watch and Stormwall.

Anyone who wishes to may create a small piece of quilted artwork, commemorating the life of somebody who fought, and submit it with a small donation of 100 silver pieces. The squares will then be stitched together into an enormous quilt, which will be a permanent memorial of those who fought.

It can be displayed at a prominent location, or each of the great houses can volunteer to hos it in their ward or in one of their holdings around the compact, giving people everywhere a chance to see it.

Artur begins organizing volunteers to coordinate the efforts centrally and spread the word about his project, so that (hopefully) people will be aware of the project and peoples donations and submissions can be dealt with efficiently.

Wylla isn't a seamstress, but she is the Archlector of Jayus. She will bless what artwork is there, as well as donating money from the Shrine to cover whoever doesn't have the money to help.

Valery will ask the children from her gardening school to make some squares for the quilt if they wish. Since drawing is an option, most of them want to join in! There are a few crude drawings of ships, a house, a flower, and a shark. There is even a very very simple embroidering of a fish and another of what seems a city.

Lisebet has procured a piece of silk cloth, featuring a white sail on a bright blue sea. She has taken care to have "Armand Farshaw" embroidered neatly on it. This piece of cloth is meant to be included in the quilt being made.

As she aided in the evacuation of Stormwall, Gwenna was told many stories of soldiers left behind to fight, many of whom never made it to Farhaven to rejoin their families. Having spent her younger years alongside her mother knitting, crocheting and such, she has a small bit of experience with quilts. She embroiders a square meant to depict warriors standing on the edge of the sea, chins held high as the surf crashes before them. Pride of not just the Northlands, but hues that portray each of the groups who came to aid cities across the realm; Templars, Shamans, healers, soldiers...all standing together.

After setting up his new shop, Kaine has a workspace he can actually use, which is a massive improvement from sitting on the ground and sewing something on his lap. So he softens some wool and shapes it into a fine, quilt-worthy square, and dyes it a rich teal. He then embroiders the fabric, depicting an armor-clad knight walking side-by-side with a child, linked hand-in-hand - or gauntleted hand and tiny hand. Embroidered lettering curves around the imagery at the top and bottom, reading "They Fought" at the top and "For The Future" at the bottom.

Kaldur and House Seliki will contribute wooden framing to hang the quilt on. A yard salvaged from his operation at Setarco if possible, but otherwise, a fresh hewn yard to hang the quilt from.

Marquessa Quenia Igniseri has found a large pillow within her household with a stylized phoenix. She has her seemstress carefully pick away the seams of the pillow so that the cover can be reused in the quilt. She then has the seamstress very carefully make a square to be used in the larger project to honor House Igniseri's representation at war in Setarco. At the bottom of the square it reads "We will not be quenched." in tiny, elaborate stitches. She also donates 100 economic resources and 10,000 silver to help pay for any additional workers that might be needed in order to properly finish it and make it the best quilt ever.

Armani doesn't sew nor does hse have an interest in it. However, she does know some of her her sailors like too. She is nudging those of them that like to contribute to do as such. She is even paying for all their supplies and donations so all they need to do is have their fun. though, most of them, since it is a memorial quilt, are likely using something of personal value. Either way, Armani is just donating money to help with the pretty things and being all leadery.

Prince Artur Redrain begins organizing the creation of a massive memorial quilt. It is meant as a memorial to those lost at Darkwater, and Stormwall, and Setarco. He gathers craftspeople from all over, and sends out the noticies - anyone who wants to have a piece included in this quilt can donate a small sum. The silver goes toward the funding of the project, and from all over squares and memories come in to be included.

The famed alchemist Valery, who teaches at a gardening school, helps the children make squares and draw on them. Crude drawings of ships and houses, flowers and sharks are sent. Lady Lisebet Farshaw sends a square in memory of Lord Armand Farshaw, his name written in careful embroidery. Princess Gwenna embroiders a square with warriors standing on the edge of the sea, chins held high as the surf crashes before them. All the forces of the Compact that came together are depicted, standing as one against the enemy.

Kaine Algair sends a rich teal square, embroidered with an image of a knight and a child walking together, hand in hand - and the words: "They Fought for the Future" carefully stitched around the image. Marquessa Quenia Igniseri contributes a square with a phoenix embroidered on it, and the words: "We will not be quenched" in tiny, elaborate stitches. She also donates a large sum to the project to help fund the creation and display of the memorial quilt. And Lady Armani Gilden reaches out to sailors and has them sending in quilt squares too - and if their embroidery is the rough stitchery of those who make their life at sea, still they are represented in the memorial quilt.

Lord Kaldur Seliki contributes large wooden framing from which to hang the quilt, and Mother Wylla, Archlector of Jayus, blesses it. It is a massive undertaking, and a success all around - many come to see this memorial quilt, reaching out to touch it reverently. And as it is displayed, it becomes custom to bring a note and a flower with the name of a loved one lost in the actions against the Pirate King, and to leave it at the base of the display in memory.

Princess Marian, Warchief to Redrain, is gathering her military leaders together and setting the following strategy to repel the abyssal fleet that is sailing on House Crovane's Stormwall:

Phase 1: Call on the Spirits (Led by Khanne) - Shamans will pray to the spirits of Wind to blow away the clouds if the 'night walkers' are present or on Wind and Storm to storm on the enemy before they reach shore if they are normal humans (note: see @action 1878 if they make it through the storm, see below)

Phase 2: Stop the Enemy's Landfall and Defend the Beaches (Led by Vercyn & Edain) - Once the enemy is in range, there are 3 prong attack done in 3 rounds to cut down the enemy as they try to get to the beaches? Round 1) Siege Weapons used to fire on ships to try to sink the men before they get to shore (note: burn the weapons if have to give up ground); Round 2) Fire reigns down on the men that try to come ashore on longboats (note: when cavalry engage, archers retreat back to the castle) 3) Cavalry swoop in and cut down the men that make it to the beach

Phrase 3: Defend the Castle (Led by Marian, Mydas & Ainsley) - once the enemy goes through the gauntlet set up on the beaches... Round 1) As men approach the castle, arrows reign down to kill Round 2) If they manage to storm the castle, pike armies try to get them as they scale walls or break down gates; Round 3) Infantry engages if they get through (note: there will be a way out so we can slip into the passes if the castle gets taken; we would like to rig explosives to make Stormwall one big trap if we have to give it up); The Healers (Led by Eilonwy & Reigna) will be based out of the Castle and assist the wounded from those armies that fall back from the Beaches (note: they will be the first to evacuate if the castle is taken)

Phase 4: Retreat through the Passes (Led Sigurd & Armel) - If we can't kill them at Stormwall, then we will led them into the passes and take them there... Round 1) the Infantry triggers the traps; Round 2) Archers reign down arrows on those that survive the traps

Fairhaven Defense: Darren is taking a unit of Infantry and Calvary to Fairhaven that is going to be outside of the main defense of Stormwall.

As Darren figures out how many Redrain soldiers will answer his call of banners, he begins organizing soldiers in to the most efficient army he possibly can. He'll use his knowledge to set up units and align them in Marian's army to give her a good balance of size and clarity of communication. While he won't be going to Stormwall himself (he has no heir yet) he wants to set up the army to have the greatest chance of success and will dedicate his own knowledge and the resources of Redrain to do it.

Sigurd(Siguard?) Nightgold will be leading the forces holding the passes in case of eventual retreat.

Eilonwy is supporting the militia by working with other healers. She's using her experience as a triage healer in several battles to help lead and ensure soldiers are patched up and sent back out to fight in fighting form or sent to infirmaries for more intensive care.

Reigna will be coordinating with the other healers to set up and maintain triage stations within the castle, making use of several units of the now-trained civilian healers that she's called. Relying on the training they've been through in setting up and breaking down triage hospitals, she'll be organizing and coordinating with the other healers, particularly Cybele, Valery and Eilonwy to maintain protocols and ensure the best possible care is given, while being prepared for potential evacuation. Evacuation plans will be laid in case the worst happens, and Reigna plans to ensure there are drills run so that people are as ready as they can be, they know what they need to do if and when the time comes. With those preparations made, she is also going to be using her skills as a healer to aid the wounded.

Marquis Mydas Acheron will command his troops from the castle, with the intention to preserve as many of his soldiers' life as possible, while inflicting as much slaughter upon the invaders as possible. As such, he applies his tactical mind to the task, making plans within plans to make the pirates pay for every inch. Though they may be forced to retreat if the worst might come to pass, Mydas' soldiers will fight their very best, strike hard and ruthlessly, and offer no mercy to the enemies of the Compact, the Gods and the Spirits. All beneath the red.

Ainsley will be bringing with him the Grayson ground troops. These men and women will be set to fortify the castle. He will also be bringing with him a Siege Weapon, which will be set up to help rebel any forces that attempt to siege the castle. He and his men will be set to protect and rebel. Anyone who gets through they'll fight. If it looks like the castle is going to fall, they will start getting the non-combatants and the like out, through escape routes to Sigurd and Armel's troops.

Preston is leading the Templars en masse up North, leaving only a small force of Crownland Templars to guard the capital (Army: Templars on Parade #156) in case the Dominus needs them, or a army of cultists rises up and needs a right good stabbing. The rest, including the newly purchased trebuchet Aion, will be heading to crovane along with a heavy mounted knight contingent of the knights of solace. This is detailed in action #1774 as well as action #1874 in greater detail. The Templars will be offering an alternative to Phase 1, namely prayers to the pantheon and seeking Gloria's assistance to defend the innocent against the wicked, and to hold the honour she has taught us dear. The Templars are bringing gear for more temporary trebuchets as well as their more permanent one, so will be helping in that part of Phase 2, as well as engaging the enemy in what is hoped is a decisive battle. Templars have a deviation then after phase 2. As detailed in action 1774, the Templars will retreat south and should the enemy attack/siege stormwall and the defenders sally out, they will charge into the rear, otherwise as Phase 3 and 4 occur, the Templars will withdraw south to prevent the enemy marching down into the Compact.

Thesarin will be leading the Riven forces in the defense of Stormwall, under the direction of Marian and Ainsley. He'll be paying special attention toward the forests around Stormwall, to bleed the Gyre's forces on the approach (@action 1844), with the plan of falling back to the castle as the army approaches. He'll help coordinate plans, lead troops, and fight in combat himself if need be.

Edain will lead his force of 2000 mounted knights into battle on the beaches of Stormwall, per Marian's battle strategy, but he will be relying on Lord Alban to assist him his strategiest and look to him to help him set his formations.

Edain will be following Marian's strategy and coordinating with Duke Vercyn and Archlector Cassandra to arrange Cavalry strikes on the Pirate Kings Forces as the touch down on the beaches. When it comes time to fall back to the city he will direct his forces to cover the shaman, archers and seige engineers falling back to the city. When it comes time to fall back completely they will fall back and regroup, all the way to where Armel and the Knights of Solace hold the pass. Once regrouped and ready they will try and attack the Priate King's flanks once they are enaged with the walls of Stormwall. They will help Armel defend the pass if it is comprimised after falling back.

See action for #1821 for more details of those assisting Edain.

Acting as infantry in the frontlines of the defense, Echo will hold her ground in Crovane lands with her blade in hand, doing whatever she can to protect the enemy from breaching the first line of defense. Should Stormwall's defenses fail and Echo be forced to fall back, she'll be helping out set off traps.

Knight-Princess Astraea swore a vow that she would see Darren and Donella safely to Farhaven and she intends to do so. She makes her pilgrimages to each of the shrines around the city, leaving her offerings and prayers to each of the Gods. After she believes herself armed with their blessings she will see to her duty. When that task is complete, Astraea takes her sword and shield with the fastest horse before making haste to the frontlines. She will fight to stop the enemy's advance and defend Crovane lands with all the ferocity and might she can muster.

Seymour will be overseeing supply lines and resupply from the safety of somewhere other than Stormwall. Specifics are in action 1782.

Ordered to keep an eye on Giant's Reach's forces and lacking any real commanding talent, Amarantha spends her time volunteering and gathering funds. She sees that the supplies from Sanna go to the correct places and invests her own writs into supporting Redrain's armies.

Agatha will be involved in phase 3 of the plan, the castle defense, where she will lead the pikemen in their attemps to smash and cut down the vanguard of the enemy onslaught attempting to get to the castle at the doors and over the walls. After prayers to the Pantheon and communion with the spirits, armed with a mighty roar and indomitable spirit (and gear), she'll be doing her best to keep the men and women of the pikeline steady so they can help delay the enemy as long as possible before a retreat is necessary.

Tallius will ship out with the other Redrain, lending his bow and his skill as a carpenter in whatever measures they can be of use. He'll help with any building of last minute defenses, and then be present as a fighter in the battle to come.

Valery's smoke bombs are useful again! She will prepare a batch of both her kinds of smoke bombs, the normal ones that just make normal smoke (around 15) and a few red ones, those that itch a lot in the eyes (another 3) and she'll give them to Marian to distribute as she thinks it's best.
She'll also make sure that those from House Redrain going into battle have some ointments and bandages other medicaments they may need to treat the wounds derived from the battle, so they can take some precarious care of them until a healer can reach them.

Cybele is being asked to aid along the healers, so that is what they do - working with Lady Reigna and Eilonwy, guiding the Mercies as best they are able. Primarily working as a surgeon, trying to find the places they can be most effective.

Alban is investing as much military support he can get into shoring up the defenses of Stormwall. The banners have been raised, but he is making last minute personal pleas to try and get more knights, soldiers, archers, and everything else to go to Stormwall to try and stop the Gyre in their tracks!

The Crimson Blades have been hired to do the high risk operations for this theatre under the direct command of Marian, and Tobias intends to do their job well. Blue and Tin Company (100 heavy infantry each) will be fitted for winter gear and light skirmishing, and heavy infantry bodyguarding as necessary. Ruby and Emerald Company (100+ archers/scouts) will be combined for this battle under Colonel Violet. Violet will be in charge of finding Crimson Blade targets, while Tobias will be in overall command of Crimson Blades in this battle, making sure they actually /can/ hit the targets she suggests, and working with the rest of the army commanders to make our job smoother; including discussing all he and his men learned from the Battle of Maelstrom so they don't repeat the same mistakes made there. They've been contracted to be high mobility skirmishers and bodyguards for this one... and Tobias intends to see them through. Tobias will be typically wielding Requiem, his alaricite blade. If they face obvious undead though, Tobias is going to try an rubicund blade, and see if that makes them easier to destroy... or anything with resistance to Requiem, for that matter.

Aiden's part in this act is the Commander of the Grayson Archers (adding military res 50). He's received his orders in the strategy meeting. He will work alongside Mydas to ensure unified command amongst the archers within the castle and upon the walls. Runners are assigned to ensure that messages get to Mydas in case the strategy has to change and the tide of the battle turns differently than what they've planned for. The Grayson Archer forces will be spread out along the walls, covering key points and using murder holes in the lower levels to be more effective when it comes to sharp shooting. The Silver Wings specifically have been told to aim for the heads of their enemies. Longbowmen will be arranged in the courtyard and will upon command of in coming enemies (with range called out and wind accounted for), offer volleys over the wall and into the battle field. There will be a percentage of archers who will always be resting to ensure lower levels of fatigue. He'll make sure that the sub-commanders and captains below him are aware of the strategy. 1) If fog conceals the beach, they'll wait for the order to loose their arrows, are to be taken so to not risk friendly forces. 2) Should the enemy start taking the castle, they will follow the escape routes and prepare to give ground in an organized rout, coming together again at the passages once they escape through the tunnels. 3) No fire arrows.

Aiden does make a speech to his men, lofting up a Cobalt Bow, quick and efficient: "Today we stand against those who would devour our homes and make us slaves to their might. Let them know we will not fear them and that we will fight them. Remain strong, stand firm. There are None Greater. Archers - Make every shot count as it could be the one that matters! Prepare your bows!"

Cirroch will be leading his troops in battle to try and defeat the enemy host. In addition to his own leadership he is adding to the defenses of Stormwall to aid in it’s defense; wooden planks on the beach for archers to hide behind, trenches between the beach and the walls to slow down the enemy host (hopefully with enough spikes in them to make it hurt), and plenty of heavy objects to drop from the walls on anyone trying to scale it.

Violet has been made the Colonel of the combined Ruby/Emerald Company. Violet's job is finding high profile targets for the companies to attack. This is where her preperation of learning the city a few days before the battle will be important, as well as map studying up until that point. They will be using hit and run tactics, bolstering Tin and Cobalt companies as they move through the city. Violet will also be able to keep an eye on the flow of the fight and intends to arrange a way to send vital info to the leadership in the Castle while they are out in the city.

Off to war! Duke Harlan Ashford will be leading the Ashford ground troops with the Compact forces on the way to Stormwall. Once there, he'll turn over command of the ground troops to Ainsley, while he and and his archers will be positioned to assist in raining down arrows upon the invading forces, as well as assisting with the retreat as necessary.

Along with many from the Redrain fealty, Morrighan travels to Stormwall with the family, assigned to Marian. The Redrain Knight will be glued to the Princess's side, acting as guard and protector to the Warchief - where Marian goes, Morrighan follows. She'll join the battle to defend the castle, fighting the fleet once they come on land and make their approach to their location - and she's armed to the teeth. In addition to being clad from head to toe in her exotic leathers, she's bringing with her her rubicund blade, an alaricite weapon, and a Cobalt cutlass.

Olivia is accompanying the Grayson forces under Prince Ainsley as a healer. Presumably she'll be stationed at the castle with the other healers! It's her second battle doing triage etc so everything should be fine, right? She'll bring her assortment of medicines, rare and unusual ingredients and strange flowers just in case.

Genevieve will be in Emerald/Ruby Company of the Crimson Blades. She will be part of the skirmishing, lending her bow and blade to the mission of the Crimson Blades.

At Stormwall, the Compact's soldiers have worked hard to fortify the city. They evacuated as many as possible, they came up with a coherent first plan that didn't last beyond the first engagement with the enemy (as plans never do), and they responded to the insane strategies of what must clearly be a madman directing the troops. And miraculously, it worked - or it seemed to at first. Gradually though, Compact forces were overwhelmed as wave upon wave showed up to press into the city.

And then, seeing what they faced and the numbers that came at them, they put into motion a brave (and possibly insane) plan of their own - they strategically trapped the enemy in the city, and they burned it down around their ears. It was one of those plans that you only put in motion when all other hope is lost. One that has no reason to work. One that only the truly desperate would use - and those who understand that the value of a place is not in its buildings but in its people.

And it succeeded. The enemy died where they stood. Those who fought that day watched the ships retreat and wondered if they would come back - but they knew that the day was theirs. Those who saw the end of the Battle at Stormwall were left to lick their wounds, patch up who they could, and bury the rest. And there were so many to bury.

And yet the Pirate King did not get a toehold in Stormwall. And Redrain lands remain free. A victory, if at a staggering cost.

Valery was able to make in her laboratory (by mistake) a mix that produced a light similar to that of the lamps of Arx, like a rudimentary version of Sparklegas.
She hasn't been able to make it last longer than those few minutes, or have it ready to use more than having the ingredients meassured, but she's trying to improve it.
She's decided to reproduce the gas, or at least turn her version into something that can be useful for the city and/or those that leave in patrols, storable and lasting.
She'll try checking the studies about the lamps in the town, trying new ingredients and ways to store it.
She's also talking with those she knows have been studying the lamps of Arx and the Sparklegas, and she'll reach for other alchemists she knows to ask for their help.

Maeve has been working on researching sparklegas herself! Really, her trail of research has left her with more questions than answers. So.. the apothecary has decided to try and take samples of sparklegas from various places within the city! Have you ever seen a -very- pregnant woman climb street posts to collect samples from various light posts? It's quite a site! Anyways, she is bottling up samples from the very lamps themselves, but she is not trying to take the lamp off it's post or anything.

Sparte is using his contacts in the Iron Guard and Thrax to try to find any examples of lamps that were damaged or ruined in the siege by Brand, and attempt to secure permission for Valery to use them in her research. While he can't offer her a currently working Arx lamp, even a broken one might shed some insights into how the things work.

Merek will be assisting with finding any lamps that Valery might be able to work with. In addition to that he will be assisting her research a little bit perhaps with his alchemical knowledge to assist her in trying to reproduce it should she allow.

Valery has reached out to those within the Apothecary College in the city, and Nicia has decided that this is just weird and intriguing enough to drag her away from her usual studies. As such, she will be digging around in things the best that she can, aiding with the study of the gas and help out as Valery's assistant in any way needed.

Cybele is more interested in looking at the Sparklegas and experimenting with it, taking a gander from a different point of view, seeing if she can make sense of it all from the other side, so to speak. And aiding Valery and Maeve, of course.

It's a huge undertaking. Merek and Sparte start looking for old, broken lamps. For the most part this is well nigh impossible to find - whoever built these, whenever they did so, they were very good at what they did. The best they can find is one old broken-off head of a lantern that, when Cybele takes a look, seems to have some kind of rune, but because it's broken it can only partially be seen.

While they're working on that, Maeve is looking to get samples of sparklegas - but that's not going so well for her. Oh, she can get them, and they do glow - but she can't keep them glowing for very long after she takes a sample - not even to get them all the way back to the workshoip where they're studying the lanterns. What she does notice is that it seems like there are small circles inside the lanterns lit across the city, and some mechanism at the base. It's tiny, and it's hard to see unless you're on a ladder looking down at the inside bottom of the lantern itself.

Which of course leads to the entire group bringing ladders to a single lantern, talking excitedly as they realize that there are two pipes at the bottom of each lantern, and the little mechanism makes them open and close. Nicia, with her curious, studious mind, points out that the light flickers higher when they open, then they close and the light glows for a while. And then it starts to dim and the mechanism turns and the pipes open again and the light flickers higher.

And that's what gives them the idea. They're back to experimenting now - and it looks like they can create a lantern. Valery prepares the components carefully. She has tried this before, and she can consistently recreate sparklegas now, so she knows what to do. The mechanism is replaced with a simple twist switch. Two little sections hold the components that will react, one with the other. Tiny pipes, as small as she can make them, are how they will enter the lantern proper. Valery fills each side and closes it, and the group looks at each other and takes a deep breath and twists the little switch.

And it lights! They have made a lantern filled with sparklegas! It works! Success! For about an hour until the components run out, and then the lantern is dark again.

Valery has kinda-adopted a couple of children several months ago. They help her in the garden and, in exchange, they get a small pay, shelter and food. And she's teaching them some gardening and alchemy.
Not so long ago, Lady Sasha offered Valery to work in her garden too... but that may be too much! Instead, Valery had a big idea!
She's asking people with gardens to offer shelter as she did to some orphans. If they give then a house, food and a small payment, she offers to teach them what she knows of gardens. She wanted to teach some healing and alchemy too, and she may teach those related to the plants they are growing, but since there are already other organizations taking care of that, she will let it to just a basis, so she won't get in trouble with them.
That way, the garden-owners get more help and children get a place to stay and a future!
She also intends to ask other people like Maeve to help her teaching and, for that, she's building a small school of Gardening in her garden, in the small house she has there (that, some people already call the Mouse House.)

Princess Sasha is going to be assisting Valery in her teaching of the children and help supply food and shelter for them during their classes and once graduated supply them pay as well. She will also be making sure the children have durable clothing for all the seasons as well as shoes.

Estaban has agreed to take two children into house Saik, he will be taking it a step further. Not only will he be taking them in so that they can have a safe place to live and clean sleeping quarters so that Valery can teach them about herbs, guardning etc. He will also be making sure that the two children have a education and once they are old enough they can return to the community and be able to support themselves and those around them.

Monique takes in urchins! After all, there's the hedgemaze and the forest solar to care for! And Greenmarch is quiet these days. Plenty of space to house street children! And give them lessons. And con Corban into taking some for Telmar, too.

Conned by Lady Monique, Lord Corban has agreed to allow some of Valery's orphans to work in the Telmar gardens, around the hedge maze and the like. He will pass this off to his House gardeners to take care of with an admonition to make sure that do not take anything.

Larissa will agree to help Valery by apprenticing orphans to the Botanical Gardens of Arvum to give the children a home and an education in the field of agriculture.

Maeve has a perfect place to offer a home for any of the orphaned children. She owns a small yurt behind her shop which she would use to house orphans. She is willing to take on and provide orphans a forever home if they so desire. It is Maeve's intent to help them follow their dreams and help them find the training required to follow their dreams.

Action by Valery now has your assistance: After speaking with the Hart’s head gardener and members of her staff, Valencia has offered to assist Valery by providing paid apprenticeships at the Hart for her students. Safe and welcoming homes for four additional children will be found with some of the Hart’s staff who have families of their own. At least one of the four orphaned children rescued from the fire, and currently in the care of the princess, would like to participate in the program and so the princess will cover the cost of their fees. Funding will also be supplied to help fund any tools or sundries the children may require to start their training. Free breakfast at the Hart is offered to any student who has need. The children in her care will also be offered education in literacy, maths and other skills to help them support their learning.

An apothecary named Valery is starting to make a name for herself as a practical philanthropist. Along with Princess Sasha Valardin, orphaned children who are interested in learning more about herbology are being housed while taught to be gardeners, caretakers, and herbologists. Beyond simply teaching these children something useful she has also reached out to make contact with nobles who have room for more gardeners, and found placements for these children once they're skilled enough to continue on their own, supplying home, a job, and a good new life for those willing to learn. Lord Estaban Saik, Countess Monique Greenmarch, Lord Corban Telmar, Princess Valencia Velenosa at the Golden Hart, Maeve Aisling, and Whisper Larissa at Arvum's Botanical Gardens have all agreed to offer new jobs to these orphans. The people are impressed at Valery's thoughtfulness - she isn't just showing these children new skills, she's helping them find new homes and make new lives for themselves. And look who's supporting her and signing on! Everyone loves helping orphans in winter, and it's a good feeling for all to see them start their new lives.

Watchwords are circulated to allies, to be given when any Isles warship approaches. Allies are also encouraged to group their merchants into convoys for ease of protection and inspection. One week later, to allow this new policy to spread, Mourning Isles patrols will begin challenging all ships in Kennex waters. If the watchword is wrong, the ship in question will be boarded and inspected, to be confiscated if evidence of smuggling or piracy is found (inaccurate ship's ledger suggesting smuggling, illegal cargo, goods suggesting trade with Abandoned, etc.)

The warships of the Grim Fleet will spread into smaller squadrons of 2-3, in order to patrol more widely among the thousands of merchant ships coming and going from Stormward.

Yet again, The Grim Duke calls, and yet again, House Navegant answers. As voice, the lady navegant will mobilize her forces in suport of the dukes actions. The Navegant fleet, instead of protecting it's own traders, will instead be forming a picket and defense line of patrolling vessles. This new "Mourning Watch" will dedicate itself to full spectrum maritime patrol operations. This includes, escort, anti-piracy actions, rescue operations if needed, and Watchword questioning with Visting, board, search, and seizure operations as needed. To see the boarding operations in case of a failure to utter the correct watchword, Regla has detached Navegant Marines with each warship.

Victus will be committing the full might of the Thrax Fleet to hunting down these smugglers and false flag pirates. Ensuring to learn of the proper watchwords and pass them through the crew. Much like in dealing with the Thralls and Mutineers, Victus will be personally there for this. However he will not be bringing the Red Serpent, as to not immediately reveal that the High Lord of the Mourning Isles has re-entered Kennex waters. Rather he'll be taking more of a backseat role, standing in as a Lord to ensure no international incidents are going to happen if one or two vessels ends up forgetting their watchwords. Or even if the smugglers may learn of one themselves.

Edward will accompany boarding crews that are to inspect ships for smuggling to check manifests and other ships documentation for signs of deception or malfeasance. In addition, given this was part of his job for House Redreef he will apply his know how to searching ships for hidden compartments and where cargo may commonly be stashed - as well as the types of tricks that smugglers may use. Such as towing, barreling, keel riding and so on.

Sameera is doing as she normally does on missions Harald undertakes: She is managing inventory, keeping track of the people and organzing things on the ship to run as smoothly as possible. She has the added duty of checking ship ledgers and trying to find any suspicious activity. Anything that might give cause for concern is reported to Harald. As per normal for her all other duties are disregarded if a Thrax or Grimhalll family member is at risk (AKA has a potential of dying or running off to do something dangerous alone) and she will put her life on the line to protect them.

Faelan is going to be leading one of the longship squadrons in the hunt for more pirates and smugglers.

So, not much into the sneaky stuff. But as soon as one of these pirates gets caught?  I’m gonna axe him a question.

Ian, hopefully along with Wash, Porter and Aethan, will be setting up a small task force that adds actual hunting and deterrence to Harald's strategy of pirate isolation. They'll be setting up a 'bait' ship, ie a ship that seems like a lone merchant ship or trader, a plum target for pirates. The 'merchant sailors' of course will be Kennex pirate hunters, and any pirate who takes the bait and tries to board the 'merchant ship' will live (or not live, as the case may be) to regret it.

Porter will be accompanying Ian on a task force to attempt to bait the pirates into attacking them, and then fight back! Porter will be laying in weight with the ambush crowd.

Aethan will be taking part in the pirate hunting expdition with his brothers and Wash.

Duchess General Calypso works closely with Harald Grimhall and his fleet to support this new policy. Her captains have been given the Watchwords and been instructed to cast out any pirates, smugglers or otherwise undocumented and unwanted travelers on her ships. This only pertains to the fleet she had originally sent out in to Kennex waters.

Titania will be supporting Harald in this and leanding aid in whatever way she can with both Kennex Soldiers and Ships. She will be making sure that all work with Harald so that the situation in Kennex is not taken advantage of and Smuggling and Piracy will be stopped and dealt with.

Lark has forwarded the watchwords to her vassals to use as needed. So as not to confuse the issue, however, she has reduced Grayson naval footprint in Stormward waters to nilch, and suggested that her vassals similarly reduce their traffic there while Grimhall deals with pirates and criminals.

Wash will disguise himself and his personal vessel as a merchant ship, load it down with armed sailors from other Kennex vessels and attempt to lure the pirates into a raid. He will spread word through the lower boroughs (through proxies) of the wealth the ship is bringing to Stormward. Wash will be in command of the vessel, despite his usual disinclination toward hand to hand combat.

Darrow joins the efforts in the Stormward March with his marines and ship, the Reaper, to sail in the efforts of Harald Grimhall. He himself and a squadron of the Lament marines place themselves on the bait ship, knowing that it is likely to draw the most interest of pirates, smugglers, or any other submarine forces that might be lurking. This bait will not be easy prey with Darrow on its deck.

Valery is researching how to improve her smoke bombs, adding pigments so the smoke will come in different colors. (Action 1435) She's been told that could be used for signals!
She's handing Harald a few of these experiments, 3 of three different colors (red, yellow and blue) and another 3 white, making a total of 12.
(Added ap and resources for their cost)

Once watchwords are distributed, the Valardin navy will offer aid in light of increased piracy to escort and defend merchant vessels that are confirmed to be pirate free in the spirit of protecting and bolstering trade while giving the small and growing navy some opportunity to hone it's teeth on pirate vessels.

Watchwords are better than nothing, but actionable intelligence is what Halsim deals with. While everyone else is handling naval issues, Halsim goes pro-active and consults with informants across the Isles about pirates and probable false flaggers, sending any serious leads to Harald for him to actively hunt down. Narrowing the wide net to actual problems.

is going to take a different approach to the smuggling issue. Most lords think the problem is at the sea, that boarding will solve the problems, and often they're right. However, the Crimson giant and his men will be at the ports, stopping anything that they can that falls through the cracks. If contraband is spotted, he will threaten and beat his way to the source, and in turn he will turn over those hiding spots to the boarding parties, as not to let them be tricked twice.

201 ships participate in the massive pickets surrounding Kennex waters. The watchwords catch a number of smugglers off guard, and at least in the initial weeks, 4 longships and 2 galleys are captured running false flags, with their crews turned over to House Grimhall and the ships confiscated. Piracy dies down overnight, and if there were more than that they are definitely avoiding Kennex waters at present.

Valery is upgrading her smoke bombs. She's adding pigments to her mixture of saltpetre, baking soda and sugar to get colorful smoke. She's trying with different colors: red, yellow, green and blue.

It's an unusual mixture that Valery comes up with, and it's entirely by mistake.

She starts out simply enough, working with the formula until her smoke is a deep crimson red. Unfortunately, the red smoke seems to highly irritate the eyes as well, and so when she begins working on the yellow pigment her eyes are still a bit watery. It's a bit careless, really, but with her vision still blurred she grabs the wrong vial for her mixture and doesn't even notice until it's too late.

What she produces as a result is unlike anything she's previously seen: the cloud of gas isn't dark and smokey, but rather a cloud of glimmering light. It takes almost ten minutes to diffuse, and it casts her entire workshop in bright, clear light as it does so. Stunning, really. It takes another few days of tries -- and waiting until her eyes have cleared -- before she gets the mixture exactly right to reproduce her fortuitous accident. The substance seems to activate immediately upon mixture, making it difficult to store for later use, but it's still stunning.

Yet something about the quality of the light seems familiar; the more Valery looks at it, the more it reminds her of the alchemical street-lamps of Arx, the ones that have been around for longer than anyone can remember. Could it be that she's stumbled on a variant of the gas used in those?

Eirene will be overseeing the project testing on various samples regarding the Malar poison used in the attempt to kill Alis. First of all, she will have a vial of Alis’ blood and a second of her own (As control). She will have a sample of the Malar poisons and a common poison (another control)). She will then distribute the samples in a blind test to various people and observe their results (To ensure 1. That the blood is not kept and 2. The poisons are not kept) She will mix up the samples and the control so that no one has any kind of preconceived bias or knows which they have., with the exception of Eleyna and Blacktongue – they both get both samples. Eirene hopes Blacktongue & Eleyna may be able to develop an antedote against the stuff to be certain they can’t use it on Alis or her baby. Valery will get Alis’ blood and the common poison, Mirari will get Eirene’s blood and the Malar poison, Maeve will get both control subjects. If there are any bizarre results, I’ll be happy to GM the scene out with the respective testers.

The poison appears to be a mixture of several rare naturally occuring poisons made from plants growing up in the Red Mountains combined with a venom from a certain rare snake. Through mixtures, they think they've developed an antidote, though it seems a little unreliable. It will probably save someone. Probably. Maybe.

Tarik will be searching for the weapons cache located at the remains of LastLight Hold, or close to it. He will be bringing 350 military resources in the form of sellswords of various levels of experiences from the favors that he collected over the years. The plan is to locate the weapons cache, and gather any hidden knowledge that might among the remains that related to the fight against Legion. Base on Tarik's past's experiences with dealing with previous thought dead beings coming alive, they will be taking cautious appoints. Tarik's sellswords will be divided upon guarding the non-combatants traveling with him, rapidly retrieving any injured personal bringing them to the healers, and the first few ranks in the formation. Extra care will be protection to allow for quick movement, but keeping noise to the minimal. The standing operating procedures if engage by hostile forces is to protect the flanks, and the non-combatants. It is to keep a tight formation in which no unit can be isolated. They will seek aid from any shavs to aid in the of securing of the weapons cache. If they are successful, they will depart the area in the quickest and most efficient way possible. Tarik speech to the people with them, "We are going to the place where Clan Morien after spilling theirs' and enemies' blood sacrificed their lives to by time for those mustering their forces. Yes, it was a small battle, but that battle led to the Compact. This mission might be a small mission, but it will lead to defeat of the Compact's greatest enemy. So for this brief moment in time, until we are gone. Be like the best of your ancestors, draw from their strength, and make sure no history could ever hide the fact that you gave all for the Compact!
Sir Preston lend Morien the use 50 military resources in the form of Templars.
Dame Thena lent 300 military resources to Tarik in the form of Solace soldiers. The unit consists of 30 sworn Knights and 70-foot soldiers under a commanding officer. The 30 sworn knights will be split between guarding supply lines between camps as needed, and the camp themselves taking in consideration in account for the maximum effectiveness. The Templars lent to him by Sir Preston, and the 70-foot soldiers will make up the bulk of the force. If successful in finding the weapons cache, the Templars will be asked to move to the rear flank to help protect their escape. Tarik will spend 300 economic resources to make sure everyone has enough food, fishing and hunting supplies, extremely warm clothes, material to make on the spot repairs, even extra journals so that any knowledge gain or final thoughts if the worse happens might not be loss for all time. He will spend 50,000 silver on medical supplies. Tarik will spend 300 social resources on calling on favors among the Refugees and Golden Hart's sailors and Merchant to find enough ships to help transport everyone to northwest Arvum, and heading east towards the mountain. They will do their best to establish a main camp followed by a secondary and tertiary camp as needed. Since the area that they are exploring is vast, they will move the collapse and set up the main camp as needed for safety and security. Noncombatants will be housed in the main camp, and triage will be set inside.

Wash will be providing transport on his brand new cog. He will commit 50 military resources in order to scrape together a crew of able-bodied crownsworn sailors. This mission is not authorized by the Marquis, so he will not be using Kennex resources for it. He will be bringing his loyal champion, Jayne.

Clover will be taking 100,000silver from the Wyrmguard bank to help pay for the expedition; purchasing gear, sellswords, and the like. While she is going she will also be there to both investigate/research as they go along, and act as a healer.

Rey will be coming along with all of her healing things at the ready to hopefully keep as many people from being killed by the kinds of horrors that require italics (or more commonplace horrors).

Aiden came to Tarik as soon as he could, with the information of the ballad, knowing that he was a Morien. He came to aid Tarik, believing that as one of the last Moriens, that Tarik had the right to the weapons before many many others. He knows that numerous groups are deploying at a rapid pace to try to get their hands on these weapon caches. Afraid that they'd lose valuable time, Aiden struck a bargin with Tarik. He would proceed to go with him on the expedition, and challenge anyone who would otherwise deny Tarik of his right to the cache. Aiden knows the importance of history, of the echos of it. Tarik's people took their last stand over this cache and as a Grayson, he is determined to see the right people get it - He will EXPRESS that to anyone who says otherwise. In return, he only asks that if a bow were to be found, that he has claim to it, to defend the First Children with it.

As unofficial co-leader/supporter and Grayson representative, Aiden brings to the table his survival skills and his awareness of dealing with First Children and Abyssal Creatures. He has spoken to a First Child before and so will COMMAND the group not to attack anything 'animalistic' until he's determined if it was abyssal or not! (Animal Ken Rolls!) He will also aid in scouting, whether by himself or with a small group of Isles Canines that he brings with him (Military Res: take 100) to protect him and to provide support to the military proceedings of the group.

His Speech to the Group: "Together, we will win this fight. Our piece may be small, but put all the small pieces together and it makes a larger picture. We must not let this cache get into the wrong hands. I trust the blood of Morien, who sacrificed themselves to leave us these last measures of strength to free ourselves with. Tarik, will take the cache. As a Morien, it is his to protect and dispense to those warriors who would stand as Moriens did before. A fight to the death, to the end, to the very last!" (command/leadership to inspire!)
Aiden came to Tarik as soon as he could, with the information of the ballad, knowing that he was a Morien. He came to aid Tarik, believing that as one of the last Moriens, that Tarik had the right to the weapons before many many others. He knows that numerous groups are deploying at a rapid pace to try to get their hands on these weapon caches. Afraid that they'd lose valuable time, Aiden struck a bargin with Tarik. He would proceed to go with him on the expedition, and challenge anyone who would otherwise deny Tarik of his right to the cache. Aiden knows the importance of history, of the echos of it. Tarik's people took their last stand over this cache and as a Grayson, he is determined to see the right people get it - He will EXPRESS that to anyone who says otherwise. In return, he only asks that if a bow were to be found, that he has claim to it, to defend the First Children with it.

As unofficial co-leader/supporter and Grayson representative, Aiden brings to the table his survival skills and his awareness of dealing with First Children and Abyssal Creatures. He has spoken to a First Child before and so will COMMAND the group not to attack anything 'animalistic' until he's determined if it was abyssal or not! (Animal Ken Rolls!) He will also aid in scouting, whether by himself or with a small group of Isles Canines that he brings with him (Military Res: 100) to protect him and to provide support to the military proceedings of the group. His skills with the bow are sufficient enough to help provide a line of defense and will likely provide command or support command to archers.

His Speech to the Group: "Together, we will win this fight. Our piece may be small, but put all the small pieces together and it makes a larger picture. We must not let this cache get into the wrong hands. I trust the blood of Morien, who sacrificed themselves to leave us these last measures of strength to free ourselves with. Tarik, will take the cache. As a Morien, it is his to protect and dispense to those warriors who would stand as Moriens did before. A fight to the death, to the end, to the very last!" (command/leadership to inspire!)

Aiden is also using his social status to help with diplomacy issues that arrise when traversing, ensuring safe passage. (Social Res: 100). Aiden is also ensuring that there's enough supplies, given his travel to the North before, he's a little more accustomed to what needs to be brought along. (Econ Res: 100)

Cassandra will be talking to the Templars and getting together a small group of volunteers to assist her in taking this. She is looking for a group of veterans who can rally around her and are familiar with how to strike down this end. She is not going to order them into combat but will be expending 100 military resources in this action to ensure it succeeds.

Fiachra will be accompanying Tarik on this mission. If he happens to recall anything about the location of the cache, any potential traps, etc, he will be letting his comrades know. (Please see my character's secrets, if they become applicable during this action.)

Shae will use her knowledge of tracking, and her keen senses to help in assisting with locating and scouting out the area. Looking for any sort of information she might be able to find while doing so. Her dog Deagmund will be assisting her with this. If they should come across any animals (or other creatures) Shae will use her skills and knowledge with them to help defuse any possibility of a bad situation happening. In addition, she would be most willing to try and speak with any Abandon they might come across and try to convince them to join with them in stopping Legion and his forces. As well that if they need help or assistance or new homes that the Lodge of Petrichor can help them. And that as a Disciple of Petrichor Shae will do all that she can to help them. If fighting does occur, Shae does have her bow with her and will do all that she can to help and assist her group with her skill set. ((Shae does have a secret that could possibly come into play in this.))

Lou will be using her extensive knowledge of Arvum (see @clue Lou's Travels) to help in the expedition to find the weapons cache at LastLight Hold. She has maps of her time spent in the far north and in Everwinter, and has the skills (Survival 3) necessary to scout ahead and find safe spaces for encampment and any additional food they might need along the way so they do not risk frost exposure. She will also act as an archer in times of danger, and if it should come to it, switch to hand to hand combat when archery is not an option.
Lou will also spend 25,000 silver towards helping to ensure that the party has enough food, drink, and warm weather supplies to help keep them stocked during the expedition.
I mean -- COLD WEATHER SUPPLIES, not warm weather! -- IE: coats/cloaks, boots, warm socks, gloves, blankets -- Thank you!!

Mason is accompanying Lou and the others to the horrific place of ice and snow. He's surely going to freeze to death, but he loves his wife and so he will go. He'll be lending his experience as an explorer and scholar of the occult, assisting where needed and endlessly muttering in Eurusi about how cold it is. (but no one will really be able to hear it under the 10 layers of clothing and scarves anyway)

The Blackram Marquis will be bringing with him 75 infantry troops, and 25 archers from his March's forces, as well as offering his personal expertise as a scout and huntsman to help survey the land and enemy, as well as engage in guerrilla warfare. Forging trails, using his keen eye to locate potential sources for the cache, as well as setting traps to maim and slow any pursuit by the followers of Legion.
When Gaston was in the wild, he heard the name Legion whispered to him in his dreams. Leola surmised this was perhaps due to Sylv'alfar blood, or perhaps something else. Whatever it is, Gaston will be wary and on guard should the demon seek to speak to him in his dreams once more.

While not skilled in much beyond healing, alchemy, and artwork, Jayanthi is going with Tarik and those supporting him to offer her aid as healing. Given her severe lack of combat capabilities she is keeping her head down and keeping out of the line of fire as much as possible while healing people. Though, she does put special effort into assuring members of the High Lord families stay safe.

Valery hasn't left Arx since she arrived and she doesn't really want to, even less back north! but she cannot really say no to Tarik's request of help, he says he needs her...
So she's reluctantly packing her warmest clothes and a bunch of health supplies (adding 100 economic resources) and she gets ready to help with any healing (or alchemy work) needed.
However, if there is any danger, she's going to try to stay as out of sight and out of trouble as possible: people don't call her Mouse in vain...
(As they are travelling North, Valery's secrets may be relevant.)

The group made the long trip northward without incident. They scouted out a map in an ancient settlement, abandoned to the weather (and a bear). Heading even further north, they did find Lastlight Hold - but that's where things went wonky. A basilisk, ancient rock elemental guardians, and traps galore both protected the weapon and ate quite a few of the people looking for it. In the end, the basilisk was chased off - and it was carefully noted where he lived so that it could be avoided in the future - the weapon was carried to safety, and Tarik's ancestral home was destroyed. Hopefully it was worth the sacrifice.