The Society of Explorers gears up their caravel, the Boundless Venture, for a long voyage towards Brightshore. Food, water, and supplies are stacked within the holds, along with adventuring gear and equipment. Lou has put together a team of people to aid with the journey, with several skilled in seamanship and one of the Faith to help guide their path to this new-to-them location.

Lou, at least, spends many nights praying at the various shrines of the Gods, to ensure a speedy journey, and safe and protected passage. Gifts are put together for the hosts of Brightshore, to help ease entry onto the island. Lou has worked tediously to map the location of the island based on the directions given in the information they've found (@clue 3661 - The Southern Route to Eurus and @clue 3717 - Landing in the Southern World), as well as with Wash and Ian's knowledge of the constellations from their vast years of sailing experience.

They go to Brightshore to determine of the island is a viable resupply stop on the way to Eurus and to work out any details or considerations that may be needed for any ship to use the island as a place to stop. Their information is 200 years out of date, and it has been assumed people have long since stopped using the southern route to Eurus for quite some time. They also go to see what dangers might lurk for those traveling along the way.

Their ultimate goal is to be able to bring back as much information as possible about Brightshore and the prospects of using the island to start using the southern route once more, should it be deemed a viable option of travel to Eurus. Adventure Awaits!

OOC: Using the Explorer's ship, of course, is dependent on if the Whirlpool in Arx is resolved by the time they are ready to set sail. If the Whirlpool is still in place by the time of final submission (which we believe will take 2 months to complete, give or take), we'll make arrangements to use a different ship and the write up will change to reflect this new information.

Also, due to code restrictions, several players had to toggle no-attend so we could submit the action, but we're all approved to attend per @request 21785. And Ezra will join the action once the AP requirement is added. He ran out of AP this week.

Wash will be taking the Candlelight's Promise with Lou. This gives their armada a little extra staying power with a second Caravel. he has a crownsworn crew (because this is not a Kennex vessel) but he'll be happy to take passengers as well.

Ian will be accompanying Lou to Brightshore, helping with the sailing of the caravels as needed, even to the point of serving as captain to one of them if he's the most suited to do so. He's especially interested in coming out of the trip with a strong sense of exactly where Brightshore is and how to get there, and he will be keeping a close eye on the surroundings during the trip.

Shae has been asked by her patron, Princess Lou, to join her on this extremely extraordinary, and once in a lifetime sort of adventure, and exploration. One that Shae is excited to be a part of, not only for the chance to possibly find an island that has been been visited in likely hundreds of years.

But also the chance to see a new and wondrous place. To meet new people, and possibly find new flora and fauna that has not been seen or heard of in Arvum. And to be honest, that is really what has Shae's excitement. The chance to find and meet new animals, to learn about them and study them, as well as the flora of the island, too.

Of course along the ocean journey to find the island, Shae will put her keen perception, and survival skills to use to help. From helping to find stars, to navigate by them. As well as keeping any eye out for any signs of possible danger to them.

All it takes is a bit of faith and trust . . . and preparations. Legate Ailith is no stranger to voyages or adventures into the unknown. As one of the few who embarked on finding the 'People of the Waves', known now also as the Marin'alfar, voyages into the sea carry all kinds of superstitions. As she had then to lend aid to their travels, Ailith shall guide the two disciples--Baroness Shae of Petrichor, Lady Mercy Azova in a prayer for the grace of the Pantheon, focusing upon each of the four triads. The three shall offer pour holy water held by the sacred, Ewer of Gods Love [crisis action 3947] over the side of the vessel. Four pours, one per triad, and a devotion of love for each triad --For where there is Faith and Trust, the light of their beliefs can guide them toward where adventures awaits.

She will provide a steady and calming influence, counseling any during the voyage, and leading nightly prayers or services as needed (excluding what she holds for herself being orthodox born). Included in her trove are tiny medicines -- lemon drops and soothing teas for stomach ailments and minor afflictions, but more or less, leaving the majority of healing in the capable hands of Mother Mercy Sophie (having asked her to assist with supplies) and Lady Mercy Azova. Also included is her lantern, lit by the Eternal Flame of Lagoma, and used to guide Orazio through the Wastes and herself through the Gyre War.

Knowing that Brightshore is named for its flowers and foliage, Ailith relies upon the Crown, Lodge of Petrichor, Archlector Brigida, Dame Leola, and Petrichor's and Mangata's disciples to acquire a flowers and foliage from Arvum to be presented as a gift to Brightshore's inhabitants -- an Avrum collection meant to highlight the gifts bestowed upon the gods and by the hard work of its farmers and faithful. One such flower added is a white bud said to hail from the mountains of the Northlands. It is a flower Ailith requested since the Gyre War: these flowers bloomed in the cold region, seen when the gods warned her of the Gyre, and ever since have praised these flowers as a heart of the faith, strong and sturdy when facing adversity and ever white and gold. Another flower hails from Darkwater, the unusual orange flowers which blossomed from a prayer [action 1947, see Darkwater webpage for landmark]. Ailith knows the unique properties of the flower do not venture from Darkwater, but sees the gesture as one to express the love of the pantheon and one to share with Brightshore -- not to convert, but to see the innocence and joy of such a faithful devotion and the gifts therein granted.

Azova has volunteered her services as a Healer and Mercy for the long voyage to Brightshore. She is fully prepared to tend to the medical and spiritual needs of those aboard the ship(s) they will be sailing on, and has promised to bring as many medical supplies as she is able, and will train any crew member who requests it in the basics of first aid as part of her effort to be useful rather than simply an idle passenger. She will be on the lookout for new medicines or medical techniques from Brightshore to bring back to Arx.

Quintin loves him some exploring, especially forgotten places. He's tagged along on sea adventures with the Kennex before, so he'll hopefully be useful on the ship. Otherwise, he's in it for the adventure and to bring his tactical mind to play, attempting to spot difficulties, come up with plans, and assess situations from a military standpoint. Quintin's good company on a long voyage, eager to learn new skills, and he's happy to bring along a board for some games of stones, too.

When Lou asked Marzio if he would be willing to venture off into the unknown to visit a place that hadn't been visited in a few hundred years, the Mazetti Lord had been only too willing to tag along. While he did not have a ton of experience in sailing, he does have a great deal of experience with commanding men. While he will not seek to take control of any forces that Lou does not grant him, he will be there and willing to offer any assistance that he might along the way.

He will seek to primarily serve in a combat roll for the group as they make their journey. Should they meet any hostile forces along the way and it come to combat, he will be there and ready to go to arms alongside his compatriots. He will also be there and willing to lend his considerable knowledge of surviving in inhospitable environments to the group and doing what he can to make sure that the entire group makes it back alive.

Kedehern might not be a sailor, but he still has skills and assets that he can bring on his voyage, after having been invited by Princess Lou. During the course of the voyage, he'll assist with the navigation if need be, though otherwise he'll let the sailors sail, as it were. Once they make landfall at Brightshore however, he'll help get the scouting parties organized, and underway. Happy to use his knowledge of the wilds to help as they explore the island, and see what there is to be found, as well as providing some protection for the group in what manner that he can, to make sure as many as possible return back home safely from the long voyage.

Seliki born and raised, by very definition and a lifetime of training, Kalani loves the sea and everything about it. The chance to take part in this voyage is to great a temptation to pass up. As a healer, she'll bring along medical supplies as well and stand ready to assist the other healers who are accompanying this group. As a decent hand at sketching, she'll also offer to make map copies, as they become available, and so on. Above and beyond any other skill, she's a combat medic and knows how to handle herself in dangerous situations that happen on a slippery deck, while the sea is pitching the ship side to side, and does not fall victim to sea sickness.

Well, they don't drown getting there. This is now scheduled for 11/28, @cal 4895.

After attempting to research in the library, Zoey determines the best course of action is to return to the Water Keepers. Exercising her diplomatic skills, she seeks to learn the following from them:

*What these creatures of great wisdom and age who live far beyond the surface of the sea are. (Sources indicate they may be Balean, the mirror opposite of the kraken and sacred to Mangata.)

*What the tribe's responsibility to them is.

*What the tribe can tell us of the coming danger, both in its nature and its numbers. (Sources indicate that it is Orichalcum, AKA the Horned God, herald of the Slaver.)

*What tools or abilities the Water Keepers have that can be utilized for the creatures' defense.

*What tools or abilities House Kennex must still gain access to in order to effectively assist in the creatures' defense.

Catalana has always been one of the voices for house Kennex. First Delholm, then Ford, Octavia and now Aethan. Anything that requires tact and charm has Catalana helping.

She heads to the shore and meets with the leaders of the water keepers. She will speak with them on what they need to protect in return for bending the knee. She will negotiate deals and protections with a smile and a laugh. She will view their lands with her full interest and work out what how they can help exactly.

Her goal is to return to Aethan with a new vassal and a plan to keep them safe.

Lilah, as an explorer and a talented theologian, wouldn't miss an adventure like this. While the others handle diplomacy and martial concerns, she seeks to ensure clear understanding of the dangers ahead and gather precious lore that builds out a broader picture about the Water Keepers and their charges. What are these creatures, what do they need, and what sort of tales surround them? Using her background in religion/shamanism and cultural practices, she aims to learn from the tribe about their needs. If necessary, she can help the Kennexes avoid any faux pas or giving offense. She particularly strives to learn about the threat they face and will connect the evidence to any known troubles (especially if it's Orichalcum or his allies) or other references as part of a broader exchange to try and build an accurate picture of their foremost concerns. This isn't the first time she has participated in cross-cultural exchanges.

Evander will be joining the other Kennex in traveling to meet with the Water Keepers. He is, in particular, interested in any oral or written lore they may have, with an intent to transcribe everything. He will engage them in talk often, not just the leaders but various members of the tribe, expressing an ongoing interest in learning about their history and lore. In turn, he will share what lore he has that might coincide with theirs, establishing a basis for mutual understanding and hopefully fostering a better understanding of each other.

From the deck of his cog, the Bounty of Cirella, Wash surveyed the sea. He was no stranger to command, and the Kennex fleet escorting Lady Zoey to a meeting with mysterious shavs was a responsibility he took solemnly. With military precision he commanded the escort ships upon arrival to set a defensive position outside the island's harbor and regular patrols surveyed the island. He would allow no mortal action to endanger a Voice of House Kennex without first circumnavigating his defenses, especially when she was engaged in such delicate and important negotiations. He knew that this was no ordinary exchange of fealty, but that Beings of Great Importance, may be watching this encounter from afar. He may not have magic to counter their will, but at sea he had learned to put his trust in Mangata when That Which Was Beyond His Ken came calling. He kept his blessed Mangata tokens close at hand and reminded his men that anything out of the ordinary should be brought to his attention, no matter how seemingly inconsequential. By the time the negotiations had come to a close, Wash knew the island's contours as well as he knew his newborn son. He had devised a plan to protect it, not just it's inhabitants, but to prevent any creature, man or fish, from entering that all-important harbor where he was told the sacred creatures took refuge.

Mikani is excited to be asked to join. As Ambassador to the Marin'alfar she sends out a missive seeing what they know of the creatures, may be Balean, and if there is anything that the Marin'alfar know about keeping them safe. In an effort to help with the Water Keepers, Mikani uses her language and investigative to study as much about the Water Keepers and the Balean as she is able to. She would help Evander and Delilah in anything they needed.

While not a Kennex, Evonleigh has been lending her voice, charm, and diplomatic graces to the house for a couple of years now, and is happy to assist yet again in one of their endeavors. Speaking with a tribe like this -- well, that's less common for her, but not completely out of her wheelhouse either. She will use all of the skills she has learned as a diplomat and lean on those she's learned as an actress and lady as well, to help the Kennexes in their negotiations, by speaking well of the Kennexes, especially of their loyalty and bravery.

Llewella goes at Zoey's request to help with the matter. She'll do what she can to ensure proper supplies are organized for everyone, that all the retainers brought along are kept efficiently about their duties, and other matters of stewardship that allow the diplomat and researchers to do what they need to do.

Thea is not a Kennex but Lady Zoey is somewhat family now. With Lady Kaia now being Thea's sister by marriage. She will be traveling as s medic this round, being asked personally. So of course, Thea agrees--keeping the sister safe.

Archlector Madeleine of Mangata is here to learn and see what can be done to help.

In her own soft spoken, calm way, occasionally ditzy way, Madeleine will try to learn from the Water Keepers about both themselves and the creatures that are suspected to be sacred to Mangata. She is curious to learn first hand from the Water Keepers about their ways, beliefs in relation to Mangata. She is also very curious to know about the creatures and what they know of them

Understanding the creatures are sacred to Mangata she desires to help protect them however she may, even though they are a Shav tribe. Perhaps they can be brought into the Pantheon over time.

Aethan leaves the diplomacy-ing and investigating to others, but he does accompany the party with a contingent of the Stormward Fleet, due to dangers inherent in the waters. He will also meet with the tribe as needed/wanted.

The Kennex Delegation and Friends travel to where the Water Keepers live their simple lives. The journey there is fairly easy, though they aren't far from shore when they see a light from a fire on the beach. They weigh anchor and take a rowboat in, and are informed that the time of the birthing is almost upon them. They are asked to guard the entry to the cove while the birthing commences, though Madeleine is invited ashore as the Archlector of Mangata, to help with the prayers and the sacred rites. Mikani, who has sent a missive to the Marin'alfar and has received three strange balls of something that seem like little more than seaweed in return, is also invited ashore. The rest they ask to do their best on the seas outside the cove, and to remember that the Water Keepers are under their protection now. The way it is phrased seems important, and very grave indeed.

From there, their experiences differ wildly. Aethan takes the ship and the fleet to the entrance of the cove. Under the water, they can see dark shapes fully as large as the ship itself, swimming under the water and then submerging deeper, until even the hint of them is not seen. And then there's a single ship on the horizon. It does not rise from the Bloodwater at least, so that's something? And yet that single ship seems to bring with it an ominous feel, and the fleet sets sail to engage.

They close enough to warn them off, but the answer comes back almost eerily, as though every crew member on the deck is speaking as one. "And from the Sea shall come new life, and with its death shall Our God be exalted and freed at last." And with that, the battle is on. The ship is hard to track, and harder to kill. It's almost impossible to shoot it, to fire at it. There's a feeling emanating from it, an eerie sense that it would be better to join than to resist after all.

On the deck of the flagship, Aethan is suddenly struck mute, his hand gripping the rail so tightly his knuckles are white. It is up to Wash and Evander to try to marshal their forces. Aethan is muttering a wordless denial, shaking his head over and over again while Wash and Evander take command. The ship evades them, but through their skilled sailing they are still keeping the cove safe.

"Help Aethan!" Delilah is the first to recognize what's going on, with her knowledge of the occult what it is. Zoey, Catalana, Thea, Llewella, and Evonleigh gather around and link hands with Aethan in the center. Delilah, desperate to save the situation, starts speaking. "We are free. We will not submit. We are free. We will not submit." The women pick up the chant, throwing their whole intention into it as they chant together. Until at last Aethan starts murmuring with them. "We are free. We will not submit. We are free."

And then Aethan roars. "WE WILL NOT SUBMIT. YOU CANNOT HAVE THEM." His roar stops the ship, and it is as though with intent alone the ship is pushed back, back, and back - over the horizon and into nothingness, the threat gone, as the circle of women and Aethan himself fall to the deck unconscious.

With the threat negated, Wash and Evander look to the shore and see the signal fire has been lit again, and they make their way ashore as soon as the rest awaken.

Madeleine too has a tale to tell, of how she prayed with the Water Keepers for Mangata's blessings upon them and the new Balean. Of how two of them surfaced, almost large enough to fill the cove, and on their backs born in sadness were two small Balean calves, clinging to life but almost dead. Mikani sprung into action at this, and somehow the two of them coaxed the Balean close enough to feed two of the small balls of seaweed to the calves, who slowly, so slowly started to stir, and then gradually rolled into the water as their parents vanished with them into the depths. The Water Keepers turned to them with tears in their eyes. "Always we lose some," they say with great depth of feeling. "Always, as long as we can remember. Until now. Thank you."

The rites that Madeleine participated in were little more than prayers to Mangata, or so it seemed. But something in them seemed powerful, and yet not quite powerful enough to completely counteract the taint - of poison, of the abyss, of whatever is hunting them. Until the Kennexes came to help, that is.

And so as they begin to sail home, they do so with a company of Balean under their ships for the first hour or so, their huge presence making sure the Kennexes know that what was done will not be forgotten.

Upon request of the Marquessa, and in preparation for stormy days to come, Lady Videl Igniseri is working hard to expand the Granatan navy. Using resources provided by her house along with a donation from the Archduchess regent to purchass a longship, Videl is trying to coordinate a group of talented individuals in a concerted effort to acquire or produce vessels and the crew to train them.

Personally, she is working hard to inspire people to join the navy. Besides painting some recruitment posters placed in key points in Granato, she holds speeches for the people, reminding them that the city must be able to protect its shipping trade even in dark hours, and that if one desires peace, one must prepare for war.

While Luis has typically been the sort to avoid the use of ships, preferring solid ground beneath him, he does however have experience when it comes to military matters, especially as the Minister of War for Granato. He will aid Videl by sharing his military contacts and presenting her with various tactics and the like where he can in an effort to help her during the acquisitions. He will aid with selecting men and women based upon natural tendencies, while relying upon others to guage their specific talents when it comes to actual sailing capacity.

Lucita has been asked to help with this effort in her fealty of birth, Granato. She feels strong family and political ties to them and thus devotes her ability to use propaganda and charm to help recruit ship crews and attain discounts in some of the ship building supplies. After all the larger navy will certainly help protect their interests, their families and homes as well as encourage further business.

Lord Sebastian Pravus, Voice of Setarco, has been asked by Videl to lend aid to Pravus' ally in gathering manpower and shipwrights to help build their navy. While he is no military leader, what Sebastian has is an excellent ability to be persuasive and moreover -- to build support and manpower among the populace. He travels with the others, talking up the importance of a strong navy and how they can serve. He will be using his skills to generate the sort of excitement and buzz intended to resonate with the local populations, encouraging an uptick of those wanting to join the navy -- both as sailors and shipwrights.

Admiral Alrec Magaldi of House Pravus extends his expertise in fleet-making. He spends time with the captains of Lady Videl Igniseri's ships, applying some of what he used with Pravus but adjusting it to meet the needs of Igniseri's holdings. After learning the ins and outs of the Igniseri fleet, the Admiral puts them through an excruciating inspection. Only returning to Videl when the results are to her satisfaction.

Aethan will be assisting his brother with the training, leading the new recruits in military exercises and war games to hone their skills. He will enlist the help of some of the captains in the Stormward Fleet, pairing them with those who are to be tapped for command of Grenato's ships so that they will be able to work closely together to cement their skills.

Wash will help Igniseri expand their command crew by interviewing their sworn men and playing a game with them. The game teaches the basics of navigation and sailing. Those who pick it up quickly he will recommend be promoted or sponsored into officer positions.

Ian has trained a number of armies and navies in Arx, and he brings that expertise now to the new recruits, training them in the tactics and skills one uses in close quarters combat, in how to board a ship and how to repel boarders. He brings with him to assist Lieutenant Tash, his second in command for the Thrax Special Forces.

("Lieutenant Tash, Yonden is tangled in the rigging. Again. I'm making this your problem.")

Ajax being a hired hand, lends his assistance towards the development of the troops, when he's not assisting the others efforts. He is going about staging drills for the men to put the knowledge they gained from the others efforts to the test. Those whose performance stand out will also carry a nomination from him for his employers to make use with or ignore as they please. He has also set a small pile of coin aside for those who do well as a reward. After all money motivates him.

The Igniseri navy is increasing, and thanks to work from friends and allies, it's increasing at a quick pace. Lord Luis, Baroness Lucita, and Lord Sebastian, focus on recruitment, looking for volunteers for their new ships. Of course, new ships are always easier to crew than replacement crew on old ships - they're new! Newer is better! Right? This trio works hard for Videl and they are quite successful indeed. Then Lord Aethan, Admiral of Stormward, and Lord Ian, and Lord Wash as well work on teaching these new recruits how to sail. Why ask one Kennex when three will help? And who better to ask than those who live and breathe the life of a sailor in the Mourning Isles? Ajax helps prep the fleet - he stages drills and pays attention to what the new recruits are being taught. He helps create new drills, he focuses, and he makes sure that the quality overall is good for these new vessels and new crews.

All in all, this is a very successful mission, and now Igniseri sees a dromond, a galley, and a longship - with fully trained crews - added to their Navy.

With a big decision ahead of Arvum, Aethan thinks it would be a good idea to work out what's likely to happen to Kennex and its vassals regardless of which offer is chosen. So, he makes a trip to Stormward -- not actually to see what the people he commands want to do -- though he does ask many of them their thoughts -- but instead to try and get a measure of what the likely consequences for Kennex would be in the wake of the various choices. For example, whether they would lose members of the navy should Cardia or Brass be accepted, either from those who value Kennex's lack of thralls, or the traditionalist holdouts who may have been on the verge of leaving.

While there, he runs many training exercises and war scenarios with the navy, both to keep it in top shape should they be called to fight, and also to boost morale among the sailors, showing them that they are valued by their admiral in order to make it less likely that any would desert should the winds blow the wrong way. He reaches out to Kennex vassals to participate in the exercises, both to strengthen ties between their houses and to remind them that the Stormward Fleet has been rebuilt, better than ever, and is capable of protection and aide should they need it.

Finally, he reaches out to others in the House to do the same in their various spheres, whether martial, diplomatic, etc, and coordinates with them to both try and stabilize Kennex and its vassals' territoties, and plan for the future whatever may come.

Ian is worried about two scenarios in the future upheaval, and it's these that he investigates.

His biggest worry is that, should Brass' offer be chosen, some of Kennex's (NPC) vassals might go into revolt or even outright take side offers from Cardia so they can keep their thralls. So Ian's going on a tour of Kennex's vassals, the stated reason of which is to tour their defenses and find out if they need any support from Kennex, since things are soon likely to get hairy. And he does do this, and will work to get whatever people need. But while he's touring, he'll also keep his eyes and ears open for signs of houses that might be considering taking some extreme action, should Brass' offer be accepted, and he's making mental notes of the military capabilities and weaknesses of all of Kennex's vassals, so that, should it become necessary to stomp out rebellion, it'll be easier to do.

The second scenario that Ian is worried about is the Compact accepting Cardia's offer, and slavery being forced on Stormward once more. Specifically, he's worried about what the Orazians will do. Now, Ian isn't good at talking to people, he's not persuasive, and his profoundly uncomfortable relationship with the gods is pretty much the opposite of what's likely to impress them, but he IS one of the only born islanders who could call himself Orazio's friend, even if they've since drifted apart. Maybe some word of that friendship has drifted back. Maybe that, plus the fact that Ian won't lie to them and pretend to be something he's not, will be enough to get them to open up enough for him to get a sense of where they stand. Maybe they tell him to take a hike. (Hopefully not.) He's not going to try to persuade anyone to do or not do anything. For the time being, he's just going to watch and listen.

Wash is mostly doing trade missions at the moment. He will use his mobility and the excuse of escorting a merchant vessel to visit each of Kennex's vassals. He will ascertain the strength of their navy under the auspice of Admiral of Thrax, but will compare what is reported to what he observes in the harbors and warehouses, some unruly vassals may think that they can conceal their strength from their leigelord or the House. Mostly though, he will charm the nobility and share stories from Arx with those that are curious for news.

As Voice of Stormward, Zoey is accompanying her husband and the others to Stormward and the surrounding vassals. She functions primarily in a diplomatic roll: listening to concerns, taking political temperatures, and gathering information from the vassals about how they see things proceeding. She uses her usual charm, making sure that each meeting ends with the other person feeling truly heard by House Kennex. This information will be documented fastidiously and added to the steadily growing pile of puzzle pieces. She is almost committing a significant amount of social capital to the project, pulling in favours and strings to assure that the meetings go well and the ruling nobles are properly treated.

Baroness Skye Blackshore knows a lot about managing upkeep as the Minister of Infrastructure for Thrax. She will use her skills in economics to review all the offers on the table from the Undying Empire (province vs trade alliance), Cardia (province vs trade alliance), Brass (freeing thralls), and Ashe to trace the financial implications on House Kennex, House Darkwater, House Navegant, House Redreef, House Blackshore, House Stormbreak and other NPC vassals. She will itemize the individual fealties as well as bubble it up to what will overall happen.

In addition, she will listen and record any concerns expressed as she discusses the finances with all the Ministers of Income that serve Kennex and their vassals.

Jan does not understand much about politics. Her expertise lies in preparing for the eventuality of war, be it civil war or between nobles. She has been working towards more joint military operations to boost morale and confidence. She does not rely on brutality to win a war, she depends on preparation that borders on morbid pessimism. More guerrilla techniques should be employed, no matter which enemy we end up with, we need to be ready to surprise them.

She is proposing a set of war games for nobles and well as men at arms. This will probe for weaknesses in our hierarchy as well as reinforce our bonds as brothers and sisters in arms. The Saffron Chain is a good place to start, and will help training the Corsairs, shoring up defenses, and collecting resources.

Whatever the result becomes of these choices, Jan wants to be able to meet the consequences prepared and with a game plan already set in place. Combing the outlying Isles might not be the quickest way to accomplish this, but someone has to deal with the scraps. Every fighting soul and resource is going to count in the end, and the beneficial side affect is that it gives her men some extra tempering.

As the Minister of Finance for House Thrax and the money manager of Darkwater, along with being the Minister of Finance for House Grimhall in the past, Carita is well versed in what is brought in and taken from a lot of the Houses both above and below Kennex House. Her keen eye for finance has gotten noticed in the past, and when Lord Aethan requests her help she willingly takes on this task. Showing numbers where she can on how Darkwater has managed with the loss of new Thralls during it's rebuild. She knows who to talk to and how to get the attention of those that Aethan might need help getting connections with. She's not a complete expert as of yet, but she knows how to navegate the more traditionally minded folk.

The Kennex move to free all their thralls was a difficult time in the Mourning Isles. But the Compact came together admirably - with economic and military support. It's been a couple of years since then, and as a House the Kennexes have proven their dedication to this new way with a vengeance.

Their ministers have been working to make sure they're economically stable. Their House has practiced economies, made alliances for trade, found ways to not just free thralls but to incorporate these freed thralls into their economy in long term ways. They've started paying back their debts - and their vassals notice that many of those debts that Kennex has been willing to repay have been forgiven instead, proof that they're making political allies well beyond the Isles.

Now the rumors say that thralldom may soon be abolished throughout the Isles, and House Kennex makes moves they've been planning for years. Lord Aethan works with the navy, strengthening ties between the Kennex navy and their vassals' navy as well. Lord Ian, Lord Wash, and Lady Zoey reach out diplomatically to talk to their vassals. Are they struggling? Are they prepared for the changes to come? Lady Zoey in particular charms them as she works to build strong ties.

Lady Jan works behind the scenes to plan for the future, and to work to settle disputes and deal with troublemakers before they have a chance to disturb the overall peace. Baroness Skye and Countess Carita work to audit the Kennex finances, and to make sure that House Kennex and their vassals have solid financial plans moving forward.

In an eddy of turbulence, House Kennex and their vassals are a peaceful calm. All except for House Navegant, that is. That remains a troublesome question, because Count Turo seems very opposed to this forward-thinking movement and allied with those defending Thrax traditions.

As Voice of Stormward and Minister of Coin, Zoey has turned her sights on the infrastructure of Stormward itself. Just about -everything- is getting overhauled in this new initiative. Roads are build built and paved. Sanitation is being improved with cleaner, more efficient practices and aqueducts are being built and repaired. The storage buildings used to house surplus food and municipal supplies are being revamped, resulting in adequate room to grow and better, strategically placed storehouses. By the docks, the customs houses are being expanded, offering increased room for storing cargo left by trading vessels. And speaking of docks... The shipyards are being updated with cutting-edge technology, with wet and dry docks both being improved. There's changes made to the harbour itself, and better storage for shipbuilding supplies. The training yards used by the land-based military (corsairs) get cleaned up and improved, and barracks are restored and given a fresh coat of paint. It's a bright new Stormward, now better able to handle expansion both internal and external!

Zoey will be utilizing her personal finances and calling in favours as well as overseeing the investment of Kennex's funds.

Ian will be bringing his nascent leadership capabilities to bear backing Wash's play. He'll help coordinate the modernization of the harbor on the water in a slightly more hands-dirty way, because Ian doesn't know how to properly noble and everyone's given up trying to teach him by now (and that bit with the diving looks like a LOT of fun).

("... For BIGGER than a caravel? Wash, what in the abyss are you planning?")

Aethan takes the lead from Wash, supporting him however he needs to be supported. He uses his positions as Kennex's Admiral and Minister of War to smooth any ways that he could possibly smooth, delegating a portion of his crew to assist with the dock expansion, and otherwise making sure that there are enough hands to do the work necessary. He will also be turning a military eye to the renovation and expansion, helping to coordinate with the corsairs to make sure all the cleaning and renovating of land-based military operations runs smoothly as well.

Wash will contribute to the reinvigoration of the Stormward quay by moving the breakwater, dredging the bay, expanding the drydock and driving deeper pilings to support and shelter larger vessels. As befitting his station Wash will not be doing the work himself. He will be responsible for coordinating between multiple contractors, achieving the best results from both muscle and coin. He will however use his experience with sailing and other projects, including the Bounty of Cirella (a modern vessel) and the Darkwater Watch's rebuilding. He is still a nobleman and this is the closest thing he has to a purpose in his life at the moment.

Porter Kennex shows the depths of his frugality and the funds he has managed to set aside due to his insistence upon using ships stores as trading opportunities over the last year. The Damsel's Heart ferries supplies and experts to Stormward in style, and Porter makes the ship available to be used for dredging and testing of the docking facilities as needed. This leaves him little time for military maneuvers witht he ship spoken for, but where he can he does.

As minister of income overseeing the northlands along with her experience in assisting with the rebuilding of StormwaLL, Gwenna has some on-the-ground knowledge with infrastructure and the costs therein. Lord Aethan asked for her assistance, knowing this, and she soon gets to work. The Redrain will call in some favors from prior days of trading as well as visit StormwaRD to speak with those undertaking the efforts. The princess will follow any leads Wash gives her and act as support to his coordination plans. She will respectfully request reduced costs for materials and labor where feasible and inquire what might be the least expensive way to go about the restructuring without compromising safety. She will use her talents with people before her skill with numbers, as it will be the people behind the work who determine the eventual weight of costs.

Jasher knows better than to be /that/ peer meddling in workers' affairs with more curiosity than competence, so he won't be attending in person. That said, he arranges for the delivery of able-bodied men and women with the requisite elbow grease and a burning need for silver, supplies obtained through direct sources or references from vassals, and a military escort to cover ships ferrying workers and supplies to and from Stormward, and to report any incidents that happen. Heralds are a thing.

Sheena is doing what she can to help Zoey improve things for Kennex, using her tailoring skills. She is putting her tailoring to use where she can.

Trade picks up immediately, thanks to their efforts. Kennex lands had been largely repaired by the massive overwhelming investment done after it became the first house to outlaw thralldom, in response to the chaos that had destroyed so much. Still, the docks really benefit from the newest design, and many of the roads just couldn't reach everywhere (such as several mills and mines), and that becomes dramatically easier. Stormward's incomes increase noticably, and the work created by the sound investment also benefits the rising merchant families and craftsmen, many of whom were former thralls.

There's only a few black clouds- notably that not everyone is fond of Kennex's successes. Many, many houses in Thrax, firm traditionalists, want Kennex to fail. Any news of their growing success is unwelcome, and during the dock construction two workers died from a collapsing scaffold that appears to have been sabotaged. The house has enemies, and many of those would never be appeased until and unless Kennex re-embraces thralldom, which would in turn alienate the entire rest of the Compact. Still, regardless of what others want, Kennex continues it's slow climb towards ducal power.

@action/newaction Aethan has taken command of the Kennex navy, and has taken stock of the number of ships there are and what condition they're in, as well as whether they're fully crewed. Once that is taken care of, he has several things on the list:

* Ships. Since there are, to say the least, not many at the moment, the first thing he is going to to is call in as many favors as he can -- and, let's be honest, start owing favors to some people -- to get the materials to make more, writs to buy more, or hopefully on the Stormward pirate clearing trip, take a few as prizes.
* Crew. He will be meeting with anyone who he thinks can help point eager young people who feel the call of the sea toward Kennex. And maybe some people who don't feel it but could be convinced to for the right incentives.
* Reputation. Capitalizing on the goodwill hopefully generated from the Stormward trip, he will be looking for people who are respected in their various spheres to start spreading the word that Kennex is on the rise again.

Part of this will also be enacted on the trip to Stormward already planned -- Aethan will be out meeting people, letting them get to know him, and laying out his vision for the Kennex navy. He is not the most charming of men, but he knows how to lead, and that is probably what one wants in an admiral, right?

Ian is going to turn his considerable knowledge and expertise in training new recruits towards the new hires, starting with the basics and maybe even pitting himself against Wash or Aethan in elaborate war games! One way or another, he'll make sure that nobody goes into battle unseasoned.

Wash will write letters, visit vendors, and generally share all of the tips and tricks he learned in his time as Admiral of Kennex on how to rebuild a fleet. He will paint a picture for vendors of how illustrious it is to craft Kennex vessels, to know that your lumber, ropes and brightwork went into making the finest ships in all of Thrax.

Porter is going to be Porter, that is, the dashing sea captain that is hard working, fair, and leads a life of adventure. If there recruitment posters, he'd be on the poster. It's important for everyone to see the hard work and know that Kennex doesn't shirk the work and that they party hardy. He also knows some sailors tired of the Gray River and can be lured out to sea.

Juliana is going to help two fold. First she is going to use her influence and resources in Isles Canines, to get shipwrights and craftsmen to help with the recreation of Kennex Fleet. She will not only talk to those she can but she invest in the fleet as well. Second, she is going to use her own reputaton and skills to talk to those others that can help. Nobles, sailors and the like. After all, Kennex lost a lot fighting to protect her home.

Monique has agreed to help Aethan reestablish the Kennex navy under his control, and to that end the Minx of the Marches is calling in markers from various contacts and providing the Admiral a significant amount of funds to start.

Iseulet is many things, but scared of hard work? Never. She accompanies Aethan and Juliana and others that are heading out there and learning as much as she can about the Brothers Kennex and their achievements on the sea.
Her approach to the rest of what she's seeing around here is /vastly/ different and it's readily apparent she marches to the beat of a different drummer, because, you see, she makes music for them! Singing (slightly embellished) songs featuring tales of the Brothers Kennex and how they will rebuild Kennex's navy (with your military writ donations)! Every night they are out there among the people of Stormward, she takes her trusty lute out there with her and performs the songs (in the form of humorous sea shanties) and even improvises so that each night, there is something a little different about the show to keep drawing larger and larger crowds.

While she's not doing this (boat rides are long and boring, alright?) she uses her economic expertise to lend advice where needed, keeping the expenses for the trip as low as possible (without making the Brothers Kennex and other 'staff' of the ship eat gruel - that'd just be cruel).

As Voice of Kennex, Lady Catalana has been busy and being the forefront for Kennex now that she's back on her feet. After discussions and appointing Lord Aethan Kennex as the new admiral of the Stormward fleet she is there to support him. It is with him she intends to help build up the fleet, along with her family, and be sure to make it known that she has full faith in their knew admiral. Visiting with other nobles and vassals, she reaches out to them in order to gain support of writs of otherwise to make the fleet even stronger.

Ember cannot spare her seasoned sailors, but there are young men in Redreef Shores who would suit as sailors for House Kennex. She attempts to recruit, through cajoling to threats and everything in-between, young untrained men for the Kennex Navy.

After discussing this particular effort with Lord Aethan, Gwenna will speak in her various social circles about the endeavors being put forth by he and the Kennex. How when knocked down, they pick themselves up and quickly get to work rebuilding. War and political turmoil may bring chaos, but it is in those moments that we learn and grow toward a better future. She'll mention the visits made to Stormward and dedication of so many toward re-manning a fleet - new ships, new duties, and the new faces feeling the call of the sea to man them. Kennex surely is on the rise, building it plank by plank, deed by deed.

Elara has been asked to work her charm and musical talent to continue to promote the navy. And hopefully to bring in more recruits as well. She will join Iseulet in singing and playing as much as she can. Going further, she writes up little skits with comedic moments and tale telling about actual Kennex sailors and victories that can be added to performances or done on their own.

Harper spends alot of time in the burroughs and meets alot of people on her patrols and through her volunteer work at the Tragedy. She also sees alot of people that need more productive pursuits to keep them from falling into trouble that she or her fellow guards might have to deal with later. So she spreads the word that there's a fancy admiral fellow looking for crews. It's good work and a chance to learn something useful. And she keeps planting the bug about it in their ears, over and over, hoping that maybe through persistence she can badger them into something productive if nothing else works.

Tesha is going to be helping Aethan and the Kennex fleet in the usual way Tesha can, that means she'll be using her delightful charm and wit to talk up the Kennex sailors and things of that nature. Hoping to steer some wide eyed youths looking to become sailors that way. She'll also be aiding with silver to cover some of the costs.

The Kennex Navy under Lord Aethan Kennex is slowly starting to rebuild. Now Aethan makes a tour of his facilities and shifts some priorities over to focus on shipbuilding to make up for the decimation of the fleet at Setarco. Lord Ian comes to help train new recruits. Lord Wash uses his experience as Admiral to encourage merchants to focus on their shipbuilding first.

Lady Juliana uses her own contacts with the Isles Canines and others to encourage support of - and slightly lower prices for - the new Kennex navy. Lady Monique chips in as well, calling in favors and contributing money to the cause. And Lady Catalana, Voice of Kennex? She's right there helping find money to spend on these new ships.

And to crew them? Lord Porter takes the lead here, serving as the face of the Kennex Navy. Lady Iseulet Blackshore, singing songs and telling tales of bravery and heroism! It doesn't hurt that this also bumps up visibility for her new venture, The Empyrean either, but surely that's tangential to the cause at hand! Lady Ember helps focus on recruitment too, and Princess Gwenna talks about the valiance of the Kennex Navy at Setarco.

With Lady Elara also singing songs of bravery and Harper Ashdown encouraging recruitment to a better life for orphans and other misfits and even Lady Tesha Telmar helping boost recruitment, the people of Kennex take a good long look and realize... the Kennex navy is -famous-. Like, famous-famous. There are people from all over the Compact who know them!

Pride swells, recruitment soars, and the Kennex Navy is well on its way to being rebuilt.

Part 0: Personal Story Fluff
Nearly two decades years ago, Victus Baseborn waged war on those Prince Donrai Thrax had declared their enemies. The first over the wall of the Tyde rebel's fortress and slaying Duke Titus Tyde on the field of battle personally. He conquered an Isle under the blood red Serpent's banner as a brutal bastard. He came home a Thrax. That was then.

Today, High Lord Victus Thrax has been given the trust of his peers in rulership and the Crown itself to guide the Compact's Fleets to victory. The Serpent's banner does not fly alone as at least a hundred more have come to stand as equals among it. All in defense of their home against one fallen King who would seek to take it from them. He thinks it's an ironic sight, but he's stepping up to the challenge all the same and donning his mantle of Grand Admiral with pride.

Part 1: The Gathering
The amassed fleet will assemble and coordinate from the silken city of Setarco itself. Once all divisions have been gathered and accounted for, they will set out to meet the Gyre's forces a few miles off the shore. It is a hopeful tactic that moving their line of defense a fraction more forward will give Setarco's ground defense forces less headache, as there will be more opportunity to intercept any ships full of troops to land. However it should be noted that they are still employing defensive tactics over offensive ones, should anything of the 'magical bullshit' variety spawn from the Gyre's forces in battle. They want to be prepared. Victus himself will be bringing the Maelstrom's stock of Thrax Fire to be distributed to as much of the fleet as possible. Just in case.

Part 2: Movement and Tactics
It's expected that the Compact's fleet will come out to a numerical advantage against the Gyre's, potentially one that doubles the enemy. Once they are in the thick of things, the fleet will begin to converge around the enemy fleet to encircle and corner them - potentially cutting off any hope of escape and allowing the Compact to attack from all sides. Part of these flanking maneuvers will involve staggering the order of engagement early, with some of the fleet (let's say, 25%) sitting in the bay of Linosia that will circle around the enemy. Which would, if done effectively, bridge an attack from two fronts once the battle has kicked off. ((The bay of Linosia stuff may also be aided by a separate action from Skye as it was her idea!))

Part 3: Scary Monsters
Another significant ordering of the ships will be ensuring that there is as little clumping together as possible. This is to ensure that in the event of say, a Kraken showing up, that whole rows of boats are not at risk for being devoured and sunk by a pair of tentacles raising from the waves. In addition to Krakens it can likely be expected that other giant squid, sharks, swordfish, angry crabs and etc may join the fight on the Gyre's side. Measures that are being taken to defend against such creatures are ensuring that squadrons of ships are fitted with nets (as suggested by Estaban) for hindering their movement. Even more boldly, an order is going out to affix the underside of ships (that are willing to do so, AND won't damage the structural integrity) with jagged pieces of metal on the haul. Hopefully the combination of these two will keep crew and ships safe, by capturing or shredding the beasts that come.

Part 4: Food n' Booze
Supply chains will be set up ahead of time, mostly utilizing the coastline of the Lyceum that isn't under immediate threat to make the live's of the crew for this massive ordeal a bit easier. Materials for repairs, food, water, and most importantly alcohol will be a constant factor needed. For this, they ask of the merchant vessels and those who wish to volunteer without the skill or equipment for war to help transport. The most esteemed honor of organizing these vital volunteers has been passed to Magpie Grayhope. You get 'em, Magpie!

Part 5: Please Don't Die.
Victus has also put the call out to mercies that don't get seasick easily to be on board vessels to tend to their eventual wounded. They will be joined by members of the Faith willing to come who likewise, do not get seasick easily. The combination of prayer and medicine will hopefully keep them alive that much longer. Hopefully.

"We stand as one. One fleet, one army, one Compact. This is not for me or you. This is for Arvum. This is for our homes. They're playing your song, it's time to write your legend. Let's make it a damn good one."

((FOR EVERYONE CONTRIBUTING: Thank you! Feel free to include any of the written above in your actions if you would like to help out in any of the specific parts mentioned! If you would also like to take your own actions then feel free to consider this the IC battle-plan and coordinate or contribute as you will! These are Victus' orders for now, interpret them however you would!))

1. Gathering- Antonio will direct all vassal navys (as well as Lenosia's fleet) to gather at Setarco.

2. Tactics Antonio will command the combined Lycene fleet, and the admirals of Lycene vassals will report to him. He, in turn, will take his sailing orders from Victus. This way the chain of command is clear and reinforced. (This will be reflected in an additional @action.)

Despite the fact that Victus Baseborn won is nobility by destroying her own family, the Tyde and Tydelands navies show up in full force to defend Setarco, with the Duchess of Tyde in command herself. She makes it clear that she will not ask anything of her troops that she will not risk herself. The vassels of the Tydelandsare brought with the main host to follow Vuctus' command, for better or worse.

Blessed Roran, Archlector of Lagoma see's the ships off, offering a mass blessing to the ships leaving Arx to join the main fleet. The Higgh Lord's main vessel is blessed persoally, and flame from the eternal flame in the shrine of lagoma is passed over to be filtered off through the fleet to let Lagoma's light guide them through this change. The man is not heading out with the High Lord's fleet since medical care has finally been found, and instead, only his prayers go with them.

Who is she to cower behind stone walls when her Goddess is at stake? She will assist with Part 5: Please Don't Die
The Archlector Madeleine distributes the Disciples of Mangata each to a vessel to offer prayer and morale bolstering - blessing each crew and vessel with santified water and braziers of incense, she herself physically riding whatever ship Victus deems safe for her to be on. The Disciples are to assist as they can since many of them are seafarers anyhow, but to stay out of the way and defer all matters to the military crews of the vessel.

With prayer and faith as her greatest weapons, Madeleine will join the fight.

#1 Gathering - Wash will assess the readiness of every Thrax fleet and report those numbers and distributions to the Grand Admiral. He will disseminate a simple language of flags and horns to used for ship to ship communication between houses. This will incorporate modern merchantmen messaging alphabet, and will create a unified shorthand for common battlefleet tactics.

#3 Tactics - Wash will command the Thrax fleet, and the admirals of Thrax vassals will report to him. He, in turn, will take his sailing orders from Victus. This way the chain of command is clear and reinforced. (This will be reflected in an additional @action.)

With the Oathlands' naval forces under hers and Caelis' command, Katarina answers to the call of the Great Admiral of the Compact with the full force of their ships. They sail to dispatch from Setarco as the plans dictate, prepared to lend their support to the other admirals however they may.

Skye will be assisting with Movements and Tactics. She will dive into the archives to find any Bathymetry studies that will tell her of the ocean depth at the various locations. She will assist High Lord Victus with recommendation on the best places to keep the ships to lessen their vulnerability to large sea creatures that might be accompanying the enemy fleet. Her aim when studying the numbers and combined with her new knowledge of the area to devise a plan that will allow for the Fleet to take advantage of hidey holes like the bay of Linosia and the nooks around Caina and Bravvra so that they have the advantage of surrounding the ships when they converage on Setarco.

Captain Ariella will be leading the Igniseri fleets in our move against the Gyre

Eleanor, born and raised on a ship and thus comfortable on one, will be joining the Compact's fleet as a representative of the King's Own. She has been asked by Victus to serve as his right hand during the battle, and will therefore join him on his ship along with a few other knights under her command.

Turo will be commanding the Navegant fleet, and doing so with aplomb.
Regarding Part 1: He's been incessantly training his marines and sailors, almost to the point where most can fill in at any role on the ships without much drop-off in training.

Regarding Part 2: Turo will direct his fleet to focus on supply and troop ships, wherever possible. Those he wants sunk as quickly as can be, since an ounce of work now might save a pound of work later. However, he'll not needlessly abandon the orders he's given.

Victoria, a Master Healer with some sailing experience, is joining the fleet as a Healer, assisting with Part 5. See also action 1858 for more on her heading up the gang.

Lethe will be helping with part 5:please don't die. While she is a Harlequin and not a Mercy she is still a healer. She will do her best to assist with the injured.

The fleet in Setarco is the best example of what happens with the Compact comes together as one. The first battle was hard, but when the Pretender-King sent reinforcements it got even worse. And yet the fleet never wavered. Never trembled - they continued together to protect the Lyceum and the Compact as a whole, and it was their unity that won the day. Even old rivalries got a chance to be set to rest, as people who normally hate each other or find themselves on opposite sides of political rivalries set all of that aside to act as one. It made the difference and, in the face of a baffling and powerful enemy, it won the day.

Harald is gathering heralds and bards of the Isles to the Hall of Fallen Heroes in Grihem's Point. He will declare the summoning of all banners, and charge them with carrying his words to all lords and captains in the Grimhall chain of fealty: the war their race was born to fight is at hand. Mortal glory, immortal fame, and great wealth await those who answer, while scorn and terrible retribution will fall upon those who shrink from the battles ahead.

Vanora will be attempting to catch with honey any bannermen that Harald's fear and vinegar method does not work for completely. The Marquessa Kennex will use her charm and diplomatic skills to gently persuade those Harald calls upon to heed that call. She will be dong this via post for the most part as well as through persuading allies and friends among the Grimhall holdings to do so in person. She will be engaging with Kennex and vassals therein as well, for though the diplomatic endeavor that Octavia and Catalana will be undertaking when Kennex's own banners are called has not yet begun, she wants those she has sway over within Kennex to be ready when that summons appears. In addition among the Kennex lands still populated by new 'freedmen' she will be exercising her influence to encourage all recently freed thralls with any skills at sailing (or others useful in similar undertakings, such a ship and sail repair, ropeworks, etc) to join into this upcoming challenge faced by the Compact. These once-thralls will be reminded that they serve the Gods well and show thanks to those who cared for them when the step out to defend their homes. As well as reminded that unlike in many other trades, the widows and children of soldiers and sailors who lose their lives in battle are well care ford by the lieges.

A few particular persuasive letters will be sent in the direction of the zealot population settled into Stormward, reminding those among them that the upcoming battles are not strictly those of war but have legends implying it is a 'holy' clash as well, between the beloved gods of the Pantheon and the Heralds and Archfiends who would destroy what the Compact has built. These Orazians will be asked not only to consider offering their service to the vassals of Kennex and Grimhall, but also to use their preaching and engaging while in Stormward to mobilize freedmen to do the same.

With Edward I will use his Propaganda skill to gather as many combatants to the banners as possible. His Barony is so new it probably does not have any. So he will help others.

Turo sets about rallying the captains and soliders and sailors he knows with absolutely no hand-holding, nor discussion of future glory. Instead, he mixes a combination of straight-up ordering people to get to work, along with some mention of duty and whatnot. There's not a lot of yelling per se, but he's not really letting anyone give any excuses about why they couldn't possibly be involved in the upcoming war. He focusses on everyone doing their duty, whatever it might be, from the sailor to the captain to the ropemaker.

Faelan will be taking sailors and ships and going out to spread the word, and recruit every able bodied man he can convince to come aid in the coming battles. He'll be focusing on Navegant lands, but will also help out with Grimhall lands if it's needed. He'll mostly be relying on the soldier's fame earned during his previous battles in the ongoing war to help him draw men to the cause.

Ivarr will be grabbing his reavers and going out to press captains and vassals of Grimhall into rallying the banners. He will include pirate acquaintances he has met in this if they swear fealty. His angle: Leave the women to making laws and doing hard math, grab your axes, and come grab glory that will make your ancestors jealous . He is promising great glory, honour, fame, and the best deaths anyone could ask for. As extra incentive, he will burn down the hall of and crucify anyone left over from the first group to refuse the call to rally, using that as leverage against any captains that do not want to rally afterward.

Sameera, as per usual for her, is organizing the people and goods that will be going with the Grimhall fleets. She'll be rallying the Coldrains that wish to fight to do as such. She is assuring food, supplies, weaponry, etc, is all directed to where they need to be so they are most efficiently done. Those under her command are given orders on what they are to do, where they are to be, and clear procceedures on what they are to do.

Also, even if just rallying, Sameera IS assuring Grimhalls and THrax Family members are not at risk (AKA in a getting dead place).

Ian will go and do some drunken carousing with friends he has among the more martial noble NPCs among Harald's vassals. He'll regale them with some of the best Brothers Kennex stories (like the time Aethan decided to sneak up on a faster ship over open waters by hiding behind the swells, and everyone thought he was crazy, but then they did it, and you should have seen the LOOKS on the pirates' faces!) and listen to their battle stories as well. As a note: He will only be going to vassals of Grimhall, not vassals of Kennex. Ford has yet, as far as Ian knows, to mobilize his vassals, and Ian doesn't want to step on Ford's toes.

Wash will pick at least one outlying vassal with a limited naval force and sail out with the repopulated Kennex fleet. He'll invite them to participate in maneuvers, and share his knowledge of the enemy and sailing with them.

Darrow Darkwater visits the nobles and captains comprising both the Darkwater vassalage, and those of Grimhall and Kennex he's known from the many manuevers and actions in the past few years. He's known amongst them for not losing his head, and its this angle he will press - to firm the resolve of the armies to rally to the Darkwater Redoubt.

Though not a bard, Caspian will still answer the call to action as a bard, seeking audiences with those within the Grimhall chain of fealty to perform songs and poetry for them. These songs and poetry are meant to inspire courage, honor, and a desire for heroism while mocking those who hide away or do the bare minium as their brothers and sisters give it their all for glory.

Baroness Skye Blackshore answers the summons, offering to help even though she has no men to call to her banners. The brave young woman who looks like she can barely stand up in a fierce wind offers to command a ship against the Gyre, citing her sailing skills are her best talent. Hmmm, perhaps other vassals will be shamed by being upstaged by a petite little lady and answer Duke Grimhall's call.

Ember will have a frank talk with her military lieutenants rallying them to join the fight that is coming. She'll give a bold speech, telling her army that the might of Redreef is needed to help with the upcoming battles. There will be a lot of yelling and posturing, but the tiny woman is adept at getting her point across. Once her lieutenants and sailors are on board to fight, she'll pass that information along to the Thrax family, letting them know that Redreef will be present and geared and ready to fight.

Valdemar will be sending letters to Grimhall's vassals, making liberal use of terms like "honor", "duty", "loyalty" and so on in an attempt to fire them up for the fight to come against the Gyre and his minions.

Duke Harald calls the Grimhall banners with a decidedly less-gentle touch. Mortal glory, immortal fame, and great wealth await those who answer, while scorn and terrible retribution will fall upon those who shrink from the battles ahead. You cowards. Lord Valdemar Grimhall also assists, making liberal use of terms like "honor", "duty", and "loyalty" in an attempt to fire vassals up for the fight to come. Marquessa Vanora also lends her softer skills, persuasion and diplomacy her watchwords to convince even the hardest of hearts and the yellowest of cowards to join the join this holy war. Grimhall and its vassals respond surprisingly well to this three-pronged exhortation.

Baron Edward Stormbreak, needing little urging, follows suit, calling his banners to fame and glory. Count Turo Navegant doesn't ask so much as order, but he leads the way in preparing for war with Lord Faelan at his side. They are clearly expecting those well-accustomed to Turo's leadership to follow suit.

Sameera Coldrain works hard to get supplies organized for everyone, and make sure that as they're preparing for war they're doing so with ships well-stocked and mended, and enough provisions for all. Ivarr goes looking for pirates, who give him the finger and sail off, shouting about how they're not going to fight for him now when Thrax is openly going up against pirates, dammit. Don't they know The Code?

Lord Ian Kennex goes drinking - as Ian is wont to do - but uses this time to swap drinking stories with buddies in the Ebb and Flow. He regales them with stories and reminds them of the fun to be had on the open seas, even when times are Grim. Lord Wash Kennex for his part sails to train others in the Navy, hoping to coordinate ship maneuvers with them and encourage them to set sail.

Lord Darrow Darkwater also calls his banners, even as his people begin a mass evacuation. Here Caspian Wild plys his skills, using songs and poetry to inspire people to answer the call to arms and subtly shame those who don't.

And not to be left out, Baroness Ember Redreef and Baroness Skye Blackshore talk to the various troops, challenging them by their size and gender alone to prove they can fighter better than a couple of women. It's maybe not the most effective tactic, but it's not the least effective tactic either.

Grimhall and their vassals sail to war. -_-

The Marquessa Kennex has put a great deal of time and effort towards ensuring the continued security and economic viability of Stormward since the freeing of the thralls. She has divided her attention across three different areas with the expectation that each will play a part in contributing to Stormward's success.

Economic Issues: First and foremost Vanora is focusing on the economic issues that face Stormward and other Kennex holdings as they transition from using free labor to paying their workers. To this end the Marquessa has communicated by post with prominent businesses and trades in the Kennex territories. Every effort is made to encourage business to keep their former thralls in their employ, especially in cases where the thralls were trained extensively in their area of trade. Economic incentives in the form of contributions of silver and the promise of eventual tax breaks for these businesses will be offered in order to see that industry remains in Stormward. (10000 silver put towards the cause as well as 50 economic resources.)

Diplomatic Outreach: Marquessa Vanora has also put effort into diplomacy with House Kennex vassals in order to persuade them to do all that they can to support former thralls settle into their new lives. Vanora will ask the (NPC) vassals of Kennex to work with House Kennex itself in creating infastructure to support these newly freed laborers, such as housing, appropriate medical care, and schools both for the children of former thralls and the former thralls themselves as they work to learn a trade. There will be particular effort made to see former thralls trained as shipwrights, sailors, and warriors in order to protect Stormward and serve the Mourning Isles when the call sounds to summon banners. (50 Social)

Specific Diplomatic Outreach to Zealots: Lastly the Marquessa will communicate with leaders among the once Orazians and now Sentinels, asking for their support in convincing freed thralls to remain in Kennex and their support in providing housing, education, and jobs to freedmen. Vanora will also share with them that there are plans to build several temples to various Gods of the Pantheon in Stormward once the crisis of Darkwater Deeps has passed. Freedmen will be invited to find paid work in building and maintaining these temples, and the Zealots will be asked to help bring these freedmen to appreciation of the Gods.

Other members of House Kennex and allies of the House may provide assistance in any of these three areas as the foundation is laid for Stormward not merely to survive, but to thrive as a progressive house.

Ford's assistance of Vanora's The Trouble with Thralldom action;

Economic Issues: Ford works closely with his wife to find a good balance between profitability and stability. He accompanies her to any meetings with nobility in Arx, and only speaks when directly spoken to, reinforcing the Co-Rulership. Ford also reaches out to smaller businesses, especially the ones that hired thralls after the Unchaining, to see if a collaboration of brands couldn't benefit profits for the smaller businesses. Spice merchants and produce sellers are put in touch with key personnel from Oseyan, the Kennex Vodka brand. (Command+Leadership)

Diplomatic Outreach: In this instance, Ford takes a proverbial backseat, this is where he feels it's best Vanora take the wheel in terms of further solidifying the Co-Rulership. He feels that if Kennex Vassals deal directly with Vanora on key issues it will ease the transition and culture shock. However, if there is resistance to that, he'll be there to affirm that this is Vanora's plan and what she says goes. (Composure+Diplomacy OR Command+Intimidation if there's some resistance)

Side Note OOC: I'm not sure if I'm allowed to have more than one check on an action. So I tossed in a few just in case, but if I cannot, then Command+Leadership should work fairly well for both of those assistanceseses.

Naomi will provide Lady Vanora with all of her Corsair contacts in order to better facilitate the retraining of former thralls into sailors and soldiers.

Catalana will spend her time meeting with her various contacts in her orgs to assure that spending time with the ex thralls to help retrain them will not only help the ex thralls but to the community at large.

Valdemar will be helping out by providing security in the form of mercenaries, and providing them with strict written orders, so that the people there to perform outreach can concentrate on what they are doing.

Wash will make room available on vessels for ex-thralls to find employment. He will establish through example that they are not to be treated differently from other freedmen.

Ian will use the experience that he's gotten training Duke Grimhall's new recruits to help train any new recruits Kennex takes on in fighting, sailing, strategy, and general discipline. In addition, he'll sail with the Saffron Fleet in any operations they undertake to provide security for the more diplomatic side of this @action.

Marquessa Vanora Kennex has not been idle. While others prepare for war, Vanora focuses on the immediate need for peace amongst the Kennex. This is not the best time to be at odds, and she has worked tirelessly to reach out and help set the domain she co-rules with her husband Ford to rights.

She works with businesses within Kennex to retain former thralls, particularly well-trained ones, at a fair wage. She sponsors necessary infrastructure projects - schools, medicine, housing - to make sure that everyone is properly housed and cared for. She pays particular attention to the thralls who work with ships - as sailors and shipwrights and everything in between - to make sure that their naval strength is as steady as possible with the upcoming crisis in the east.

She even reaches out to Orazio's Sentinels (who stubbornly insist upon referring to themselves as that, even though Orazio himself asked them politely to stop) and assures them that proper care is being taken to see to the religious education of the former thralls - that temples are being built not just to Mangata but to the entirety of the Pantheon. Freedmen are being asked to help work on the temples once the issue to the east is settled, and the zealots have been asked by the Marquessa to keep an eye on things and make sure that the gods are properly honored. It speaks to their zealot hearts it does, and they agree gladly. Of course, this means zealots will be in and out of the temples but right now they're at least walking with Kennex, not marching against.

Marquis Ford is not absent from these negotiations. He is present for all of them, presenting a united front but letting Vanora take the lead. He reinforces her authority as needed, if a particular vassal gets too fractious about it - and in general seems to agree with everything she is doing and saying. The united front is well received it seems, particularly as Vanora is doing what even the most traditional of Thrax know women are best at - cementing alliances, handling diplomatic matters, and keeping things well organized and well run.

Lady Catalana Kennex, recently returned from a sojourn in Stormward, wastes no time in helping the Marquessa, reaching out to everyone she knows to help smooth the diplomatic path. Naomi Cutter does the same, providing valuable contacts among the more common sailors so that when Vanora starts encouraging people to hire ex-thralls - the boots on the ground (decks) are already primed to do it. Lord Wash Kennex likewise orders the Captains of ships in the Kennex fleet to start hiring ex-thralls, and has been heard talking about this new path for Kennex most enthusiastically.

Lord Ian Kennex and Lord Valdemar Grimhall, interestingly, both provide security - Lord Ian by training men and coming along to ensure the Marquessa's safe passage, Lord Valdemar by hiring mercenaries to protect the Marquis and Marquessa on their diplomatic travels.

All in all, it's a united front that Kennex provides. Rumors of squabbling between the various members of the family seem to be just that - whatever happens between them in private, together they're providing a united front of strength and forward-looking goals to Stormward and to the rest of the Compact.

Graysons, take note.

With Harald's go-ahead, Ian is putting together a small team to go and salvage the ship with gray banners that was deserted near the shore, which he is assuming is the ship that the Marin agents used to get to Arx, and thus which belongs to nobody living at this point. He plans to sail out there, make sure the ship is seaworthy and that there's nothing dangerous hiding on it, kedge it away from the shore if it's run around, and limp it back to harbor, where it can be investigated and/or refurbished by people who do those sorts of things for Grimhall. He's also assuming House Grayson would appreciate having the bodies of their dead guards back; they probably have families of their own who would like to mourn them, after all.

Wash will put his sailing skills to use getting the extra crews out to the salvageable vessels. He'll use his private cog for this mission the vessel since it is not authorized by Ford and Harald is not to be apprised of Kennex naval matters by Wash. Wash has spent the last six months buried in ship design and rebuilding the fleet so he will recruit some freedmen craftsmen to the job using whatever monies are needed.

Mae's been asked very nicely by her husband to not sail out with Ian. No one wants another Kraken attack! Mae will be a good wife, and instead she's staying home, waiting at the harbor for Ian to tow the boat back in. "Safely" in harbor, Mae will board the boat and look over the bodies. First, she looks for any strange occult items, and/or any signs something Abyssal lurks. Second, she'll say prayers to Death on behalf of the bodies. Third, she'll help pull those bodies off the ship and see them handled - either burned, if there's any sign of Abyssal stuff and/or occult stuff, or burried.

Dianna will be providing additional security for the salvage operation, in the event that anything goes sideways while they're scouring it or towing it to shore.

Harald will be offering guidance to ensure traditions of salvage are obeyed.

The problem with salvaging ships, especially when dealing with evil minions of evil, is that few things are ever what they seem. The ship with gray banners is still off shore - listing slightly to port but not sinking, not off course. Its anchor is down, and so when Ian's salvage team shows up it's not exactly cutting and running.

It's not a Marin ship either. It is in fact a Grayson vessel, and it isn't abandoned - the crew has been slaughtered down to the last sailor, left to lie on the decks. Some are missing uniforms, others torn apart - and Ian has of course seen this savagery before. It seems the vessel they sunk was the Marin vessel, and this was a ship of Grayson, with Grayson bodies. They sail it back to the docks and a cry goes up - the vessel is a trading vessel that was expected days ago. Now its fate is known.

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.

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.