Marquis-Consort Hadrian Mazetti has began a campaign of expansion on behalf of Ostria and House Mazetti. Prior to the direct conflict with the Gyre and his forces, House Mazetti had reached out to a number of allies and potential allies. Among those potential allies the eye of House Mazetti and Ostria now turns, through the Voice of Marquessa Cambria Mazetti.

Leading up to the war with the Gyre, House Mazetti had extended an offer of fealty to many Abandoned tribes at the borders of Ostria and beyond. Some tribes accepted and now thrive within a growing Ostria, some had consented to an honor duel to decide the matter with varying results, and others had simply politely declined the offer. House Mazetti acted with honor and, some may say dignity, in respecting the choice of those who did not wish to partake in the coming conflict. That particular conflict has passed and the Compact has emerged victorious, so the time is now for House Mazetti to extend the olive branch to those who had shown (polite) reluctance in the past.

To begin with Hadrian will be seeking the aid of capable diplomats and others. Along with that enlistment of skilled individuals, Hadrian will seek out among the Prodigal population in Ostria those who have prospered throughout the economic boom that the city-state has experienced through sound investments, commerce, and more. He will request the aid of these Prodigals in reaching out to those tribes in which the diplomatic campaign will come in contact with, speaking of their own experiences as Prodigals within Ostria and the Compact, along with their successes thus far.

Even soldiers from the banners of House Mazetti will march with the diplomatic party, under strict orders that they will only be acting within a defensive capacity under the command of Lord Valerio Mazetti, the Marshal of Ostria. The ranks of the II Hydra Legion are brought along as a show of support not for the diplomatic party but for those tribes which the diplomatic conducts their efforts with. Hadrian will makes it a point to remind those Abandoned tribes which they deal with throughout the campaign that the Hydra stands ready to defend those who come beneath their banner and join with the Compact through House Mazetti. The evidence is before their very eyes: The Hydra has an army that is battle experienced, known for being territorial, and stands ready to offer aid to those who accept the offer of protection, fealty, and more.

The ultimate message is simple. House Mazetti and Ostria stands ready to provide protection and more to the Abandoned who are willing to swear fealty upon Limerance to Marquessa Cambria Mazetti and her House, thereby joining the Compact. Those offers which meet with success? Hadrian will then attempt to use those successes as something of a domino effect. Utilizing the new Prodigals to act as diplomats with Abandoned tribes who they have peaceful relations with, all in the interest of creating a cascade of oaths sworn in fealty to House Mazetti for the betterment of all involved.

For those which stand ready to refuse the peaceful offer, the Sword of House Mazetti in the form of Lord Theron Mazetti will be asked to represent the House in order to decide the matter once and for all. These duels will be held honorably, without the threat of death or open warfare as any manner of stipulation. They are meant to prevent such things from taking place and thus House Mazetti will conduct itself honorably and present these duels as nothing more than to first blood. As with any duel where deadly weapons are involved, accidents do happen. In the event of any such accidents occur, House Mazetti will provide compensation as a show of good faith in the form of silver and goods. This, of course, is just another clever veil in the diplomatic dance designed to entice the Abandoned into recognizing that House Mazetti will treat them reasonably and fairly. They are Lycene after all.

Hail Hydra.

As a steadfast ally of House Mazetti and a skilled diplomat, Princess Isabeau Valardin will use her bountiful charm, masterful manipulation, and expert skill in propaganda to encourage those Abandoned deemed worthy to bend the knee under the banners of House Mazetti.

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As the Countess of Escuma, Arcelia pulls her resources to assist her Hadrian. An army suddenly marching towards you is not an ideal situation because they would be strictly bending the knee out of fear. As such, Arcelia takes a smaller group (Mercies, Soldiers, Disciples that speak Lycene Shav, etc from Escuma) with her to do some mission work ahead of time. She will bring care packages of food, seeds, medicine, and other important essentials to them and ask for nothing in return except that they let them stay for a few weeks. They will simply act as servants to that tribe in that they will help do chores around their settlement, tell them about what its like living in The Compact, let the Disciples tell them about the Gods, and then at night carelessly party with them. The intention here is that when the rest of the diplomats get here and the army arrives they will have a more positive foundation to work with.

Cambria brings to the table her experience in a leadership capacity, so that Hadrian's expertise in diplomacy is most aptly utilized by bringing together all the right people are brought together under one umbrella of authority. It sounds more luxurious than it in truth is, as much of it involves paperwork, matters of logistics, knowing who will work with whom and the like, all the way down to signing off on how much feed for pack animals must be brought. Her work, therefore, is largely behind the scenes, though she herself does not remain an elusive figure. On the forefront of the project, she makes sure to be both seen and heard by those she works alongside of...and especially those she hopes to sway to the cause.

Alessia brings her martial skills to the table in the event that things go awry despite attempts at diplomacy. Her role will also be to display her abilities as a glaivedancer to the Abandoned via defensive and offensive drills ran by her uncle in the hopes of bolstering the reputation of the Guardians while also honing her own skills during the diplomatic endevour. In addition, she'll offer whatever aid she can to her cousins as they aim to gain the fealty of the Abandoned.

Valerio is always very much of the mind that if one wishes peace, they must prepare for war. However, he is content to let the diplomats be diplomats and keeps Guardians at the ready in the event of failure. Given the unique task at hand, Valerio continually rotates his current Guardian detail into drills. His purpose behind this is to keep the Guardians battleready just in case, but to show the Abandoned just what Guardians can do. Valerio will run both defensive and offensive drills to show the Abandoned just how well Ostrians are protected, and just how well Ostria will go after their enemies.

Marquis Hadrian Mazetti has asked my assistance in dealing with his land and population expansion around Ostria and having abandoned tribes bend the knee. Lucita applies her Lycene Slav linguistics ability, her charm and her propaganda skills in methods that were successfully used in the Saikland land expansion to assist in his effort. She invites some of the Abandoned who seem content and to be adjusting very well to joining the Compact and Saikland to accompany her so the Ostria area tribes can see that protection and fair treatment is given from some who were just like them. .

Diplomacy, word of mouth advertisement, duels, military might - there seems to be someone covering each of these. But who is out there showing what Arvani culture can really produce? Why not the Champion Whisper? As loud and brash as she can be, Bliss knows how to put on a good show and play to her audience. And so she travels among the Abandoned tribes of Ostria with the Mazettis et al, carousing, singing, and performing far flashier duels than the likes House Swords might do - and for far lower stakes. She's here to put on a show and get these people to see how much /fun/ life in the Compact can be, and win hearts and minds over that way. Everyone else has the finer details of integration covered, after all.

Leading up to the war with the Gyre, House Mazetti had extended an offer of fealty to many Abandoned tribes at the borders of Ostria and beyond. Some tribes accepted and now thrive within a growing Ostria, some had consented to an honor duel to decide the matter with varying results, and others had simply politely declined the offer. House Mazetti acted with honor and, some may say dignity, in respecting the choice of those who did not wish to partake in the coming conflict. (That and they were really too busy to go on a shav-killing campaign with the Pirate King threatening) But now that war is over, and the Mazetti forces are back, and they've got that same look on their face. That "let's talk about fealty to the Compact" look.

And so Marquessa Cambria and Marquis Hadrian, along with their family - Lord Theron, Sword of Mazetti and Lady Alessia in particular - travel with their military forces, with Lord Theron and Valerio in command. They reach Ostria and bring the diplomats to the forefront. They've asked some of their allies, Princess Isabeau, Countess Arcelia, Baroness Lucita, and Bliss Whisper to join them as well, reaching out to those who were previously reluctant. With a savvy mixture of inherent threat from the military and diplomatic overtures by the rest, it presents a particularly Lycene offer - and people respond, expanding Ostria as these shavs bend the knee.

Edain is bringing a total of 2500 Knights/Cavalary to Stormwall (2346 from the total amount raised by the Oathlands, and an extra 154 from Sanctum's reserves to make an even 2500). 2000 of these will work is in conjuction of Marian's defense of Stormwall, Action #1822. The other 500 will be dispatched to help Seymour with the defense of the supply lines. Action #1782

Edain will lead his forces into battle on the beaches of Stormwall, per Marian's plans detailed in #1822, 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.

Holden will be riding with Edain's cavalry to Stormwall and assisting in whatever way the Highlord sees fit in the fighting there.

Jacque will be joining Edain's cavalry, riding a horse at the vanguard with the knights charging. He will obey the orders to the letter.

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Alban will be riding and marching with Edain to Stormwall, where he will assist with the planning and execution of the battle at least as it pertains to the knights and cavalry. He will provide advise on what plan to go with, but will otherwise follow Edain's decision after giving the best plan he can. He will ride with the vanguard at Edain's side, unless otherwise sent to lead a different group of cavalry.

After helping the other shamans Eirlys (who will be in armor at the time) has been told to ride to meet and help Edain where she will fight with him against any of Pirate Kings Forces. She will be carrying the Greenmarch house sword which is diamondplate.

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.

Iron Guard, Faith and Kings Own got you covered, baby. Plans in case a fleet feints and heads for Arx, possible attempts at a hostage situation:

Have plans in place to evacuate the Boroughs, but only if absolutely necessary, and more geared towards getting the city's most vulnerable to safety (we will NOT be moving people OUT of the city, only to more defensible areas!). Shelters will be prepared to accommodate the masses who seek refuge, and we may require the other wards to accept commoners seeking shelters should the Boroughs no longer be safe to occupy. We will begin to plant the suggestion that we may need to evacuate the Boroughs in the forseeable future as an attempt to alleviate panic.

* The Iron Guard and the Faith factions will be coordinating their efforts under the direction of Lord Commander Silas and Dame Thena, much like they did in the last siege. The former will be more focused on maintaining the peace, whereas the latter will likely be fighting with both sword and soup ladle. This should put the populace at greater ease in the following weeks.

* Checkpoints will be placed at the gates from the plains into the city, the harbor into the Lowers, and the Compact Ward into the Crown Ward to better acquire and organize information. These checkpoints will be overseen by Lieutenant Michael and Faith appointees, and some of the Iron Guard's newer recruits who come from the isles will be placed at these points to better vet the people providing their documents. They will be taking take names, affiliations, destinations, etc.

* Dame Thena and Princess Marian will be reaching out the the Commoners Council to rope them into more specific plans for the defense of the Boroughs. May include traps and/or harbor fortification.

* The King's Own will be protecting the royal family.

Calaudrin will be doing his job, training and leading groups of Iron Guard. This will including scouting with small groups beyond the walls to check for potential threats and keeping an eye on the walls.

Rymarr will be focusing much of his attentions within the greater Iron Guard effort on his assigned area: the Seawatch Gate and Seawatch South. Increased patrols, heightened readiness, and group training regimens are called for. Rymarr intends to lead by example and thus perform his own duties with a touch more gusto. On top of that the hope is that those fellow Iron Guard that he has sway over may join him in setting that example of a more proactive defensive force in the face of potential invasion. Along with following the orders dispensed from above, Rymarr intends to begin preparing the Seawatch Gate and Seawatch South for more potential pitched battles. In answer to those same orders from above, Rymarr hopes to orchestrate a streamlined system of patrols around the area and heightened inspections of those entering or departing the city, while attempting to not make it so inconvenient that traffic in and out of Arx is disrupted. To accomplish some of this, Rymarr fully intends to invest some of his own funds and contacts into the endeavor to hopefully ensure that the Iron Guard is prepared to face a threat.

Estaban will be helping the long ships get ready and make sure they are set up for their patrolls on the water, he will also be doing Dock patrols and making sure everything is set before he himself has to ship out with the fleet.

Kenna will be putting her organizational and logistical mind to making sure that all the little details of the guard get settled. Schedules, organizing reports, and making sure everything goes where it needs to go will be her part in this. Where others look at the Macro she'll keep her eyes on the micro and hopefully put together any pieces that might otherwise not get connected without a dedicated set of eyes. She also puts her time into making sure that the individuals in the guard have someone looking out for them on a personal level. She'll be looking for signs of stress and individuals taking too much on at one time. (Especially Silas.)

Princess Marian Redrain, military liason to the Ministry of Defense, has reached out to the Commoners Council to arrange for a town hall for all commoners to hear what the Iron Guard, King's Own, the Faith and Ministry of Defense are doing to keep Arx safe. This town hall will occur once military plans have been finalized by these organizations. She will also assist Iron Guard in coming up with an evacuation plan for non-combatants in the Upper and Lower Boroughs to ensure no lives are lost from panic if the enemy comes at our doorstep.

Sparte has fallen into the role of organizer between the Iron Guard and the other guards and troops in Arx that may be called to the defense of the city if it is under siege. He has received approval from each of the great houses to organize cross-training between their men and Iron Guard forces, so that if a crisis does come to Arx again they will be ready to work together to protect the city.

Derovai has been approached to keep an eye on the Lowers. He'll do so and check back with Calaudrin, whom he knows, to see if there's any other potential usefulness he might have.

Even as the diplomats focus on esprit du corps, the Iron Guard, some of the Knights of the Faith, and the King's Own are settling in to protect Arx.

Under Lord Commander Silas Whitehawk and Calaudrin Estes, the Iron Guard are instituting checkpoints at all the major gates. Marquis Rymarr and his people secure the Seawatch Gate, setting the example for a proactive defensive force in case of potential invasion. 'Constant Vigilance' is his watchword, and his influence spreads. The guards at the South Gate are looking particularly sharp these days.

Baron Estaban Saik mans the docks and leads the Iron Guard to make sure that all ships are properly inspected, and all cargo correct and complete. It's a difficult job, what with the propensity of ship captains to smuggle the odd thing here and there (as is their inalienable right as captain, most will argue) but he does a commendable job. The docks are quiet and safe, for now.

Derovai Voss heads to the Lowers, keeping an ear to the ground on behalf of the Iron Guard - he's casual enough to make it seem like happenstance, but he's clearly probing to try to keep ahead of any rumors of malcontent or, worse yet, cultists. So far so good, and Arx is as secure as the Iron Guard can make it.

Meanwhile, the King's Own is keeping a close eye on the King, the Queen, and the babies, more diligent even than usual and certainly more formal about who is admitted into the presence, and who is allowed to keep anything sharper than a table knife when approaching.

Lady Kenna Whitehawk keeps an eye on everyone as they work, determined to make sure they are still taking care of themselves even as new trainees fresh from classes with Officer Sparte Fatchforth start their own patrols, following plans coordinated between Lord Commander Silas, Princess Marian Redrain, Dame Thena Grayhope, and Lord Commander Leona Thrax.

Cristoph Laurent is calling for all vassals of House Laurent to heed his call! Raise to arms! He'll be sending out word through the marches for them to rally and raise their banners as well as that of their vassals. He's served as a soldier and commander before himself, so he'll be banking on that experience there to help him rally the men and women sworn to House Laurent.

He doesn't work alone! He petitions the help of family members, house servants and other allies to get the message out as effectively as possible.

The Keatons, as a whole, are doing a GREAT tour of their lands, the Baronies beneath them, in an attempt to rally the troops. However, during their adventure they are moving through Laurent lands as well, and Kael will be speaking highly of the Honey Duke and his skills, not to mention the great need for any and all capable soldiers to go to arms. He attempts to inspire, to command, and to rivet them of tales. Not to mention he might have smuggled some Laurent mead along for the journey to share drink with any and all for camaraderie.

Naka decides to take time to physically travel to key points within Laurent and Laurent-sworn lands. He concentrates his efforts on the population, hoping to convince them to accept the idea of a smaller number of troops for home defense in order to free up additional forces to answer the muster call. These people may not have any say in who actually gets sent where, but Naka hopes that helping to allay their concerns and convince them to keep a determined, positive attitude at home will give the associated nobility a spur towards going above and beyond the least necessary participation.

Nicia is planning to play upon the emotions of the vassals and their men by appealing to their sense of loyalty, and honor. Making sure that they feel compeled to rally and raise to arms, for fear that doing any different would lessen their regard in the eyes of the fealty. She has taken to sending messengers, and putting in visits to those close enough, making it a more personal quest to speak with them.

Klaus has rallied all of his men. Men that do not faulter at their lords command. The sight of men at arms to nearby vassals shows that there is no room for avoiding the situation. Coupled with the respect that his men have for him it should be rather usefull in a quick mustering of troops.

As House Sword, Norwood will be helping Cristoph rally the marches and leaning on his skills in leadership and years of experience.

Aeryn is using her spreading her infectious optimism like a disease, rallying everyone that will stop and listen! She keeps spirits high and morale at maximum!

With all his charmed talents Saedrus willingly steps in to assist Cristoph to help gather Laurent’s vassals to arms. It is with an empathic call that Saedrus helps rally the Duke’s men to the cause. Missives are sent with poignant prose to stir the recipients to answer their duty, to bolster them in the face of their fears and remind them that great honour is found in their bravery.

While the youngsters rally armies and large speeches and the like, Margerie? She's using contacts. If she's at the speech? She's standing next to the woman that everyone in the holding looks to as the moral center, the one who can give entire neighborhoods The Look about what they know they should do. Or that man who employs half the town, who knows how to train the other half to keep business going. She's going for short walks, buying a meat pie for them. She's a guided missile calling on decades of service to from Oakhaven up to Laurent to know which person needs convincing at their stops in order to keep the convincing going when they've moved on.

Bastien has been hired to assist with matters of propaganda. He writes a series of speeches to provide to Duke Cristoph and various others who are doing the actual traveling in the Oathlands to speak with the vassal leaders, speeches about the nature of history and living within it, of the weight of recognizing the times they live in now. Speeches of honor and oaths and sacrifice. He tailors the speeches to the various houses, trying to include known notes from their histories in order to apply particularly targeted pressure. In addition, he'll supply a few different outlines for written pamphlets that can be copied and spread through the various cities to also encourage each domain's populace to support their leaders' dedication of troops.

Derovai is providing whatever advice his good judgment of character will afford Duke Laurent in this matter.

Jael has always been an outside kid. Sometimes with an sizeable entourage, sometimes with just a few retainers, she rides out to every part of the Laurent territory she can cover on a massive wicked-looking black warhorse named Freddie to rally the troops. This almost always involves some inspiring speechifying done while performing lot of fancy horseback maneuvers like caprioles and courbettes, pirouettes and piaffes. Maybe even some friendly jousting! All this will hopefully show the vassals that the Commander of the Laurent forces is competent and approachable, and worth rallying to. Also a badass who can manage large wayward beasts with ease.

House Laurent is calling for all their vassals to heed the call, and so, it is time to act. House Valardin's own Prince Rook is lending his aid as a ghostwriter, spin-doctor and one-man propaganda machine to polish up the efforts. As he's come from a very well trained background as a sophisticated courtier, he knows the political and social landscape well enough he can push and prod without sticking his oar in too hard where it oughn't go.

And having worked with the Keatons to call their banners, now Duke Cristoph turns his attention to House Laurent. He's sending out word through the marches to rally and raise their banners, and encourage their vassals to do likewise. He's smart about it too, he isn't trying to do it all on his own, but rather includes his family and those willing to stand with him.

Count Kael and the Keatons are already doing a tour of their lands, and he takes the time to speak highly of the Honey Duke and his skills, inspiring them with tales of his liege. Lord Naka concentrates on the populace, organizing troops for home defense to free up additional forces to answer the call. Duchess Nicia stands by her husband, appealing to their people's sense of loyalty and honor. As often as she can she turns this into a series of personal conversations, using her charm to encourage as many as she can.

Lord Klaus is a man of few words now, relying on honor and the respect his men have for him, the Sword of Laurent, Sir Norwood, at his side. Lady Aeryn adds some cheer and charm, enthusiastically supporting the message and spreading it far and wide.

Saedrus Whisper steps in as well, sending missives with poignant prose to stir the recipients to answer their calls to duty. Lady Margerie tries a more oblique tack, talking to those who stand as the moral centers, the ones who give The Look to entire neighborhoods when they decide something needs to be done. Or she's reaching out to that man who employs half the town, who knows how to train the other half to keep business going. She's calling on decades of service and her finely-honed intuition to reach out to influential movers and shakers wherever they go.

Prince Rook works as a ghostwriter of speeches. Bastien also works writing speeches of honor and oaths and sacrxifices, tailoring speeches to the varying houses, trying to include known notes from their histories in order to apply particularly targeted pressure to answer the call.

Some of these are used by Duke Cristoph, others delivered by Derovai to Lady Jael to use as she rides out to every part of the Laurent territory on a wicked-looking black warhorse named Freddie to rally the troops. She gives inspiring speeches while performing ancy horseback maneuvers like caprioles and courbettes, pirouettes and piaffes. Maybe even some friendly jousting! All this proves to their vassals that the Commander of the Laurent forces is competent and approachable, and worth rallying to. Also a badass who can manage large wayward beasts with ease. In a different house this might be less welcome, but here in Valardin where Knights are often riding before they can walk, they cheer on Lady Jael's acrobatics.

Laurent is rallied to war!