The Saikland Blackened Glass area consists of a central thick sheet of solid glass where Baron Eos and his men were incinerated in 1005 while fighting off a group of abandoned who were agents or loyal to Cardia, a dragon causing the damage. The glass extends for a mile in each direction from that central point, growing thinner and becoming shards and splinters toward the perimeter. Plant growth for hundreds of yards from it is stunted, withering, warped and the shore is lined with dead fish, larger sea creatures such as sharks closer to the area of the densest glass. Huge bear tracks, much larger than normal for Saikland were seen and warped oddly behaving bobcats. Dead animals and skeletons were around the outer perimeter. Excursions have collected samples and had analysis done of the glass, animals, etc and shown poisoning and taint. There are concerns for the spreading poison, the poisoned fish in the area, the warped-tainted animals posing potential dangers to the villagers and farmers in the area, risk to Marin'alfar who may venture into the bay and to any ships who fish and eat their catch. This could also have an impact on the economy if ships and trade begins to avoid Saikland. Therefore in the interests of protecting the citizens and economy of Saikland, Lucita has been seeking a means of trying to cleanse, contain, or mitigate the blackened glass effects. She seeks the aid of the faith and of skilled persons to help deal with the animals and the poison and the taint both land and sea side.

Aside from organizing and funding the effort, Lucita plans to attempt to join her voice with the attempts of the faith and others in trying to boost and assist the cleansing efforts.

Sorrel as a spellsinger is going to go with her friend Lucita to join her voice with hers and the attempts of the Faith to assist the cleaning efforts. This is a strong opportunity for her to use her voice against the Abyss and that sort of thing excites her, so she will sing with enthusiasm.

Vayne sets his considerable skills and resources to work for this effort. Not just in researching the possible cures for the tainted stretch of land, but in attempting to provide support and protection in his own special way. So, in addition to putting some time in the Archives, Vayne also begins to bless water to turn it into holy water, and bless mirrors to help keep everyone safe(er) from the Abyssal forces that might step in.

Roran, as Archlector of Lagoma, is going to lend his aid in the cleansing of the tainted land. Since the nature of the glass was supposedly caused by a dragon's fire, likely an atonement rite would not work. So he will attempt a cleansing rite to heal the lands of the taint. If all else fails he will attempt to cleanse the land with fire from a lantern light from Lagoma's Flame.

Nova primarily works with Draven, doing so not only as 'helpful wife who doubles up as lab assistant with a second set of helpful hands' but also doing so as the Safety/Survival expert who ultimately ensures we all have whatever it is that we possibly need to stay alive, who constantly detects potential hazards/threats, and who tracks down tainted creatures upon whom Alchemical dosing can be tested out to hopefully cleanse those poor critters. Should Nova ever spot anything dangerous, she immediately informs Miranda.
Sir Flop also joins with his special booties on all four paws, making sure to help out with threat detection and protectively guards his Bruvir family, too.

For his part, Draven is going to do his upmost to test every known alchemical cleansing combinations he can think of to see if any of them have an affect on reducing the tainting effect in the meat of the dead animals, and in the glass. He does what he can to isolate the tainting effect as well, trying to reduce it down to a singular alchemical component to test with.

Juliana is going for medical support. For everyone concerned be them singers, protectors or support. She will be setting up a triage and working tiredlessly to make sure that those that need medical attention receive it in a timely manner.

Skye is going to use her knowledge in agriculture and infrastructure to figure out natural barriers that could be constructed to keep animals from stumbling upon the area until the cleansing can happen. Introduce flora that naturally cleanses the ground (outside of any abyssal taint) to lessen the damage once the spellsingers are able to remove the abyssal influence. During the different cleansing efforts, she's going to make notes on what works so she can apply it to her own lands that were damaged by dragons.

Olivia will use the power of prayer to help. She will be looking for the most sacred spots in the effected area of the forest and praying to Petrichor, asking him to bring peace to these woods. Hopefully doing this will help push the blight back, or better yet destroy it.

Sanya will travel to the Saikland, to offer her knowledge/abilities as a disciple of Mangata in the cleansing of the tainted shore.

Ian will be going along, as he usually does, with the sole intention of keeping Sorrel (and hopefully everyone else) (and hopefully also himself) alive. He'll work on establishing a perimeter, keep an eye out for trouble, and try to keep anyone from wandering off alone. If there are villagers around who know the area and its dangers better than he does, he'll look for someone he might be able to hire as a paid guide.

Miranda is going to assist in protecting those who will need it. This varies, but a group will be assigned to the spellsingers and others to the various non-combatants, such as Draven and Rowenova, and yet others still. The larger group will go with Miranda and be dispersed as needed. Primarily, her job and those of her infantry will be protection, keeping wild and tainted things, animals, and people from attacking those who are collecting samples or doing other works.

Waldemai intends to support Lady Lucita's action by ensuring she is well-equipped and her party has the best gear available as possible. To that end he is going along to serve as armorsmith, sharpen weapons, and so forth. He can also fight a bit if it comes to that, but he's also got financial resources to throw into the mix if needed.

Leola is good at two things; animals and farming. Here, she helps with both. She knows about land reclamation, and she is more than willing to help examine the taint - and put her methods into practice. She also helps with the animals there - directing them away, trying to help them heal, offering better food and trying to track down the way the taints have ran.

But more, her focus is the damaged land. She pours herself into helping recover it - she is a keen pair of hands in the needed work

Santi's here for operational security. If there are enough guards, he will organize outrider patrols outside of the established perimeter to ensure nothing sneaks up on the group.

Known for her skills in inspiring and bringing people together, organizing large groups and keeping spirits high especially during difficult times, Valencia comes to the aid of her friend without hesitation. With so many people from across the city involved, it helps to have someone who can help bring unity to the group and keep moral high to better facilitate and coordinate efforts in the lead up and during to the excursion. That way everyone can focus on the tasks at hand and be inspired to offer their best.

Salvatore responsible for the Cavalry of the Gemecittan army will take control of his troops and position them to protect the groups afoot. His first priority will be on civilians, and then the participants in the exercise, and lastly animals. His troops spread to provide support to the less mobile contingents and slow any approaching threats to buy them time.

The glass cannot be moved, there is nowhere truly safe to dump it to, so it must be cleansed. This will take time, money, supplies and staff which will require a lot of logistics to carry out. Fortunately these is where Martino can help. He'll help review the plans already undertaken, but also while there help hire the staff required and ensure they are kept well. He'll help organise the supplies being brought in and their safe storage.

A lot of paperwork but, as a trained Minister, something he enjoys as well as having some experience of planning to this degree from his time at Southport.

Rhiannon is there for protection. She is specifically the bodyguard to her cousin, Olivia. She'll take a small handful of Tree Scouts with her, making sure that those involved can do what they need without interruption from man, plant, or animal that might interfere with their work and in their protection. If there is work she and her scouts can do in order to assist Olivia without compromising her protection, they chip in and help where they can.

Petal is going to join this action largely with the intention of helping the land and the plants. She wants to help the plantlife grow. To help cleanse any taint that might be negatively effecting them and to learn more about any negative negative effects.

Domonico will be coming to the aid of Saikland in cleansing the area. He'll be working alongside the Saik military giving them military advice and leadership in their role of protecting those working. The longships in the Malvici Expeditionary Force will be used for transportation of supplies and personale where they need to go around the area.

As Sasha is the Ambassador of the Marin'alfar, she is arranging the negotiations for the cleansing of the waters and checking for mutated and/or tainted water life works. She wants to ensure to all goes as smoothly as humanly and elvenly possible.

Mirk is there as a shaman. He will spend several days in meditation, in hopes of communing with the spirits, and then he begins a rite to call upon the spirits and ask for their guidance and support in cleansing the Blackened Glass.

It's, to put it mildly, a major effort. Valencia's propaganda campaign manages to rouse a lot of public support behind the initiative, with donations and volunteers flooding in. In preparation for their arrival, Vayne blesses holy water to be used in the cleansing rites, Draven works on concoction that should (maybe?) revitalize soil, Skye helps cordon off the area to prevent intrusions by wildlife using natural barriers, Waldemai helps with supplies, Martino with logistics, and Salvatore leads a calvary detachment that makes certain that there's no threat from shavs or wild animals as they work.

The number of guards as well as Salvatore's cavalry act as a big enough deterrant that there's no violence, as Rowenova, Santi, Rhiannon, Miranda and Ian keep their prospective charges safe. As workers get close to the work site of the blackened glass, some complain of headaches or illness, and Juliana is able to treat them effectively, and there's no serious illnesses as a result. As the workers start clearing, Roran begins a cleansing rite, with Sanya assisting with Vayne's blessed holy water sprinkling it over wide patches of the glass, and Mirk leads a shaman cleansing rite to the annoyance by some of the more fervently faithful among the workers.

Work goes slow at first, until Lucita and Sorrel sing. After their song finishes, the next worker that takes a swing with a pick the entire line of glass suddenly shatters, and there's a great cracking sound running down the entire beach as the entire line of glass breaks. After that point, Petal is able to help lead clean up efforts while Sasha sees to no contamination on the shore, and poor Leola is visited by what seems to be a large group of animals with an elk, two deer, a wolverine with a vole on its head, and a particularly indignant badger, and she's seen listening attentively for a long time with a look of exasperation and some overhear her promising to 'take their complaints to management'. Olivia, as she walks by inspecting the area, sees a surprising amount of new growth under the glass (which many expected to be dead), with a new kind of vividly bright green moss that no one can identify. The clean up continues and the beach is cleared of all glass, and Domonico makes certain none is carried off by workers.

The beach has been cleansed.

Some time ago the idea of improving County Pearlspire's infrastructure was seeded. The idea began as a military effort, improving roads to improve troop movements. Which would improve trade. And like the bit of grit that eventually becomes a pearl, the idea has grown and taken shape. And grown some more. Inspired by Lord Michael Bisland, the success of the Empyrean trade route, and encouraged by Marquessa Deepwood, Lord Kaldur has begun shepherding a massive infrastructure project - an overland analog to the Empyrean Route that will set a series of trade roads through Grayson's principalities and farther. /From Stormwall to Ostria and beyond!/ says young Kaldur, with emphasis on 'and beyond.'

When the planning is done and construction begins in earnest, Lord Kaldur is a man who prefers to lead from the front when he can. In County Pearlspire he will work tirelessly alongside the men and women (and horses!) of the Seliki Engineering Corps as they plan and execute the work laid before them. He is a steadying presence with encouragement and focus at setbacks and ready with praise for work well done.

(OOC: Recommended support is 100-200 resources for Baronies and Counties, 200-500 resources for Marches and Duchies; but any and all support is welcome)

As work proceeds all over the Compact, who knows what will be discovered!!

Lady Peri Seliki has a strong relationship with the prominent traders that already flock to Pearlspire's shores and has reached out to those that she tipped off previously to some lucrative opportunities on lumber. She gathers information from them on where the best routes would benefit from roads to add to her brother's efforts and arranges for them to get the word out to others, both to fulfill the gap in transporting materials to the workers and in preparation for the new network.

Considering that some adult supervision will be required, Kalani would be happy to go along and serve as a stand-in for said-adults. Chiefly, if anyone is going to build anything, someone is bound to get hurt in the process. It's a natural outcome of people + tools = broken body parts.

Samantha is wholeheartedly invested in this notion, especially with Old Oak (presumably) being one of the stop points on the road. She'll invest resources into its creation, and encourage the hiring of the March's population for all levels of its creation. She will also look into facilitating the formation of security for the road, and aid in the diplomactic and economic efforts surrounded projecting its cost to create and projection of its maintenance.

As a purveyor of stone, particularly granite and marble, Grazia is going to have stone shipped to the Selikis for Pearlspine. Some of the stone will be used for the very roads it is to be transferred along, but the bulk of it will be sailed along the coast to the actual port city to be used to build the harbor. This is an important trading endeavor, and Grazia expects that due to the long-term nature of the project that it will offer a nice economic boost for her quarries.

Aviaron's Peak rests atop a MOUNTAIN, which means its architects and workers have experience working in... the MOUNTAINS. So Rhea will consult with her stewards to put together a crew of advisors and workers to help with Kaldur's project, lending them valuable experience. Aviaron's Peak will also provide any necessary metal for the project at a discount.

As stewards and protectors on the roads of Arvum, and as followers of Gild who favors trade, civilization and hospitality, the Knights of Solace lend their aid to the project with the promise that it will feature a few Solace waystations and shrines for pilgrimage. Thena offers the Solace soldiers stationed near the proposed route for protection and manpower. She also sends resources and silver for the project. Once complete, the route will be added to the Knights of Solace regular coverage.

Ann believes in Kaldur's efforts for a trade route and signs Stormwall up, understanding that he needs support in many ways to see success in the long run.
*She puts her economic mind to use, saving Kaldur where she can and maximizing profits.
*Pours over paperwork with him to make sure no one is pulling a fast one on him.
*Assigns Crovane's reserves to patrol the route inside Crovane lands.
*Uses her Inquisitorial contacts to make sure no one is sharing the details of the road to those outside of the Compact for their own benefit.

Michael Bisland rounds up maps and engineers who know how to READ said maps to help a vassal in need. Or in want. Since Kaldur doesn't /need/ these roads but he sure does love to talk about it. So much. Just constantly. Leave me alone, I helped!

Grady is following Samantha's lead here, helping smooth the way for increased security and infrastructure between Pearlspire and Old Oak, ideally helping both domains grow stronger and more secure. He talks to people, he negotiates, he encourages the soldiers, and he keeps a careful eye out for any rising arguments, moving to help quell those as swiftly as possible.

Gabriel Bisland is encouraged by the younger generation's drive to see the Compact reach new heights. He adds the weight of the mighty House Bisland to the project. Not only to fund the improvement (or new construction of) roads in Pridehall, but so that the project over all might avoid the danger of dipping into the red.

Giulio will assist in helping those that wish it in building a uniform code / set of agreements to make the best money they can on this.

Stonewood is no stranger to road building, having recently refurbished the road to Pridehall that helped put them on the map. What's not on the map, however, is a great way to cross the river at Stonehearth. So in coordination with this network of roads, Malesh will oversee the creation of a bridge or ferry (whichever is more practical/profitable) crossing the Gray River not far from the docks at Stonehearth.

Recognizing the opportunities for trade and also for his house, Fecundo is lending his diplomatic skills to getting the project moving, working through any of the lands where the road is planned to go. It also doesn't hurt that he'll be able to point to the quality of output from the Gemecitta stone.

Etienne has a vested interest in the pursuit of the expansion of civilization, trade, commerce, and the cause of safe journeys. All of which are accomplished by a well funded and functional transportation system. Etienne will be contributing silver generously provided by the Faith as well as speaking well of the endeavor whenever possible to those that need help convincing. Etienne would indicates the funds are for the builders, and those that support them, soldiers, cooks, and the like. Etienne would also be on hand for cutting any ribbons with hilariously large scissors.

Eddard uses all of his wiles and charm to help speed along permits and coax constructions crews to take on the needed jobs. If Duskshire ends up on the new set of roads, thats not so bad, eh?

Lord Bedivere Whitehawk will be acting on behalf of his dear newphew (Baron Silas Whitehawk) to lead forth Whitehawk soldiers to help out on the road project for Lord Kaldur Seliki. Bedivere himself will be out there as a managerial force to help out every day.
He seeks the help of huntsmen and cartographers in the area to help map the road around mountainous and hilly terrain to connect agricultural communities.
Since gravel and paving is time-consuming and expensive, wood is used in these instances to limit excessive sliding on the steeper side of a hill.
Whitehawk soldiers are deployed to help with security and digging where soil is already worn away, close to the bedrock, so muck will be less of a concern.

While the Volkov Woods is one of the newer areas of the map, and that they may not come anywhere near the proposed current trade route - Ruslan is hopeful that someday, when the trade route starts to create the terciary routes, that the Volkov Woods would be part of this future. As such, he has created a small patrol of 150 troops to be sent to provide security and protection for the crews along the route.

Lady Rey Laveer, as Voice of Laveer and a Mercy has decided that roads are more than needed to connect trade routes, but as a side not would be good for movement of healers to farther reaches of Arx. And has offered her House's support as well as her personal support to the Roads Project.

Given the Twainfort's traditional seat as a trading hub due to its control of the fork of the Mother in the Daughter and Son Rivers, it's simply good sense to see that more and more overland routes from far-flung, land-locked Houses can reach Riven's ports and speed the passage of their goods along its way. Mia will work with a number of her advisors, particularly those most familiar with the landscape and locations throughout her County, and those recently joined Prodigals from surrounding areas of the Gray Forest to find the appropriate blend of transversible but also defensible routes through the woodlands.

In her role as minister of upkeep to Inverno, Mirella will be working on behalf of the house to aid Lord Kaldur's project. Alongside advisors from house Inverno she'll be investigating the safest and most convenient routes for roads to the island city of Caina and any surrounding settlements, as well as figuring out required costs prior to these roads being built. She'll share this research with the Seliki Engineering Corps and assist them in any way that's helpful and beneficial to Inverno and Seliki. She'll also be donating 100 economic resources to the project, representing Inverno's ministry of income rising to the task to provide funds.

Though their home is an out-of-the-way island, the Truesworn are often keen to participate in the broader life of the Compact. A grand project to improve the infrastructure of the coastal trade routes evidently meets with the Truespeaker's approval. Sudara duly brings to bear all the Setarcan know-how and book-learning she can muster, in guiding her people through work to develop Esterhold's internal structure and develop its external trade.

Tenebrae, a warrior above all things, will help in this endeavor by both allocating and commanding soldiers to protect the works, as well as using soldiers as workers on the Isle of Esterhold. They will be learning from the engineers as much as possible, while also ensuring no resources go missing, and protecting lives. This protection also applies to guarding the sea lanes to ensure the transport of resources, skilled craftsmen, and the money to pay them.

The Marquessa of Nilanza is happy to supply as much as we can of the materials and labor required for the stretch of road to be built across the march, if the engineers to see it through can be provided by other means. Then we, House Malespero, can contribute both economic and social resources to the effort, and to all upkeep.

Belladonna has received an invitation to take part on Kaldur's new efforts to build a more cohesive network of roads for commerce. She will be seizing that opportunity and trying to convince other lords, traders, merchants, crafters, etc, to join in with some of their own resources, thus investing much of her Social pull into this. She wants to make Setarco, the whole island, a place of culture and wealth. She will know places to avoid and where the roads should go through.

Lord Sebastian Pravus will be visiting Setarco during January of 1010 as part of some other work. While there, he will talk with local contacts to get an understanding of the breadth and scope of work needed to build roads on the island, as well as the best ideas for placement to assist the engineering corp. Additionally, he will assist the project by spruiking the benefits of a well-built trade road far and wide with his many contacts in Arx and especially within the Pravus lands to drum up additional support and interest in the project and its potential benefits to the local economy.

Following her sister's lead, Celeste is offering her expertise in terms of patrol schedules, strategic importance to areas, most likely to be ambushed here... that kind of thing. She'll further take effort to extol the virtues of this project to important and influential figures in Arx and Setarco.

Mikani helps Kaldur understand the unique location that is Redreef. She gathers funds and encourages the infrastructure project through out her Barony. Mikani addes in economic resources to help with the building of the roads and other paths knowing that anything can be useful.

Baroness Skye Blackshore is a founder of the Empyrean Trade Route. She provides all the mappings where the ships will stop along the way, providing recommendations for fortifications so that goods can be transfered from the ships to the land. Then she will using her mapping skills and knowledge of war to figure out potential ambush points and provide that to people who are going to managing security of this route. She will also use her economic skills to assist Duchess Ann with negotiating better building rates, using her woodworking and infrastructure talents to make sure they get the necessary supplies for building without spending to much.

Dycard is going to help out with the persuading of people that this is a good idea and one that should be supported. After all, roads help farmers get their produce to market as well as letting military forces travel much faster, and that has to be to everyone's benefit come tax-time, right?

Tyde lands are connected both by more traditional roads on Tyde Isle, but more often by more watery roads. Increased trade is good by land, but with goods arriving all the time and boats being a bit more infrequent but with larger cargo capacity than a cart, it is important that there are places to store the goods and efficient places to load and offload. As part of Kaldur's efforts, and to connect this large Grayson road network to the Empyrean and the Isles, Tyde makes land and resource available for the construction of proper warehousing and expanded stone piers to allow for efficient offloading, and offer this same expertise to help build them on the Grayson shores.

Mirk had planned something similar himself, so there's no hesitation when he's offered the chance to connect Whitehold and Cascade Springs to this planned network of roads. As the Minister of Coin for the Halfshavs, he brings some of his House's resources to the table: chiefly stone for the main roads, but also access to scouts with experience finding routes through the mountains. He acts mostly as a diplomat and negotiator, working with others to see to it that those resources are used where they'd be most effective.

Magnus will participate by guiding and assisting in the direction and protection of the roads approach to the Bonespire and surrounding winter wasteland. Utilizing his tactical and martial aptitude he will make himself available to personally advise on any potential known threats or Shav'arvani bands in the area's which they pass through as well as coordinate the protection of all participants with other collaborative members of the team, to include the usage of a detachment of assigned Bone Warden's.

With the building and improving of roads into the far reaches of the Compact, some things might be discovered-- or rediscovered that are best left alone or need a Shaman's expertise to navigate. Volcica will be lending all of her skills to this effort, making sure the spirits remain content in Stahlben's lands and as far out as she can help.

House Ravenseye will happily do their part to be included in a road project to try and make their remote area a little more accessible. Cadern will be sending out missives to Ravenseye and some of their neighbors to avoid any ruffled feathers and ensure things get handled amenably for the usually isolated northerners.

As Voice of Steelhart, Col will invite the trade road to Highhill and provide some military support and strategy as needed to ensure everything is kept safe.

Believing this to be a good endeavor for his house (roads are great for horses), Count Philippe signs up for the project. Alongside his officials, they lay the foundation for dirt paths, making sure to disturb as little as possible of their natural resources by routing the road system through ground that has already been used. Philippe is adamant about raising ranger stations for the Knights of Solace on these roads.

The Rivenshari know other roads, those of the water ways that move through the lands. Which is not a bad thing, they can use that knowledge to help intergrate the two road ways together as well as the roads that will run through Riva. Eshra puts her best minds to this, with the Knights of Solace already having a barracks in Riva and the trade routes that have already been established.

Sasha is gather up 500 economic writs, 500 social writs, and 500 military writs for the roads coming through Giant's Reach. She is also offering to aid with the spreading of the good word of the trade route.

As Marquis of one of the more remote holdings, Gaston is thrilled at the prospect of expanding the Roads and making Cloudspine more accessible. Aside from lending Blackram's political support for the effort, Gaston will also dedicate silver, and military resources to help protect the engineers as they work through expanding into the wilder parts of Arvum.

Cullen will work with his brother-in-law, Lord Alessandro, to make sure that the section of the road that will link Greenhaven to the network (by running along the south bank of the river and establishing a ferry system just west of the fork, ideally with the aid of Rivenshari river captain expertise) will be well-defended during its construction. He will take personal command of a troop of light cavalry and archers. He will also inform any other soldiers, including the engineers, where the safest - and most dangerous - places in the area lie, and how best to fight in the region.

As Minister of Upkeep for Greenmarch, Alessandro is eager to collaborate on a project such as Lord Kaldur has put forth. He will work with the Seliki engineering corps, as well as all other engineers who are assisting, to devise the best route through Greenmarch lands for the roads, perhaps partly running near the river as suggested by his brother-in-law, Lord Cullen, for easier trade with those houses such as Rivenshari and others who are at the forefront of maritime trade. He will also assist with bookkeeping, allocations of funds if necessary, and various economic portions of the endeavor, should it be needed.

The Voice of House Lyonesse takes a personal hand in the great roadworks project, enthusiastic for the potential of growth it can bring to Lyonesse lands and its people. Lady Jenessa temporarily returns to Lyon's Redoubt to assist, providing insight into the geography of the area as well as the best routes for travel. Not only does she oversee the exchange of lumber for proper stones for the road surface, she also plots out the route itself with the Seliki engineers and Lord Kaldur. Furthermore, the Lyonesse offers use of what sailworthy ships they possess to expedite the transport of building materials up and down the river to the surrounding holdings of those involved. Not only is time spent and investments made, but Jenessa further encourages the locals of Lyon's Redoubt to make the experience a memorable one for the visiting engineers and Lord Kaldur himself, throwing a modest but personal banquet for the guests of House Lyonesse and all the workers who put in time and labor.

Reigna had been planning on building roads throughout Oakhaven to stimulate trade and facilitate troop movements throughout the March. Kaldur's plans dovetail perfectly into this plan, and she shifts her focus from just Oakhaven to the surrounding areas as well. She will be contributing resources from wood and stone, to engineers and laborers to help with the construction.

Olivia will draft a plan for House Ashford's particiaption, along with providing some necessary material support. Given her area of expertise, she will prioritize roads in Ashford territory to provide good access to typical regions of agricultural surplus so that these products can be moved to market more quickly without risk of spoilage.

Lilia Telmar offers maps and recommendations for routes through the Temarch, with particular diligence paid to their placement in respect to pre-existing towns and trading routes. She's trying to find that sweet spot between maximum efficiency in road construction and minimum disruption to the people of the land, who might like to use the roads but who don't want to give up their lands. She's tagged a particular river crossing for the establishment of a new bridge, and indicated that it is likely to become the site of a thriving inn catering to travelers.

In an effort to bring more interesting people to Acorn Hill, and support the travel development plan, Tessa is personally funding the construction of an inn in the town of Acorn Hill, with stables enough for larger groups of merchants, mercenaries and travellers that may be passing through. The Golden Dame, as the inn is called, also keeps a very comfortable room always open and free of charge to any musicians or entertainers that are willing to perform for their supper so to speak. The HOPE is that this will make the stays for every one more pleasent.

Kritr will put people working towards a road in the land he controls to link it with the rest of the road system and accept whatever help of engineers is offered.

House Grayson will be taking advantage of the economy of scale of the overall effort to acquire the supplies to improve the existing roads surrounding Bastion and Arx at favorable rates, with an eye to planning linkages for future expansion to the ducal territories of the Crownlands.

Saikland Greens is a small area but a link and a junction along the path between areas to the north and Iasu to the west and Ostria to the south should the route extend that far. The route, if it succeeds, is an opportunity for networking with other houses and fealities, for enhanced trade opportunities. The mappers, guards and engineers provided by Lord Kaldur to begin the initial planning and feasibility of the route are welcomed and she accompanies them during one of her trips to Saikland to make sure they find places that do not disturb the farming and vineyard, existing businesses, have resting points with water, camping areas, spots near villages and military posts for protection and provisions. They plan out areas to avoid such as difficult stream fords, the small bog to the south that moving inland a bit can circle. Lucita adds some of her military forces to the group as they look over the areas to the south and north and around the perimeter of Saikland, careful not to intrude into Fidante Holdings but to see the locations and condition of any existing routes and trails, help secure the areas within and adjacent to Saikland and the number and location of any abandoned groups along the way. Her charm and propaganda skills can sooth the way and help persuade some to join the compact rather than resist and prey upon the merchants using such a trade route. Once areas are secured, she will assess to see if improvements to her docks becomes necessary.

Sabella is well aware of the issues that might come up with this road and so she is ready to be on hand to talk it up to anyone and everyone that wants to listen. And even those that don't want to listen, painting a picture for people of the Compact of safe, faster travel and trade, and trying to pitch it to the Shavs that instead of having Compact people traipsing their way everywhere through their lands this will keep them all in one place and hey, they can set up stalls to sell them products along the way and everybody wins! Yay roads!

Tikva thinks this is a terrible idea. She has been repeatedly insistent that it is a terrible idea whenever it has come up. However, a number of her vassals are insisting on involving themselves in it anyway, and despite her best efforts to persuade him and others otherwise, the help of House Grayson has been sought. It is not in her to refuse what aid she can offer in order to defray some of the hazards that she perceives in creating a massive overland trade route through lands that are not held by the Compact. She does what she can to ensure that any workers are actively protected by soldiery, that there are relay stations set up along the route that she believes to be an ultimately doomed project so that messages and emergency cries for help when the raiding parties come can help protect them. Tikva does not anticipate that her efforts will be able to prevent anything from ending in disaster, loss of life and potential deep economic distress for those houses embarking on an ill-advised venture, but at least if she does something to try to stave off some of the worst, maybe she can mitigate the damage to people who insist on failing to follow her good advice.

Niklas will mostly make jokes about how they should extend the road to Stormward. Like, hey guys, why can't we do a road to Stormward? This is a massive undertaking, but you know what would really make you guys legends? Uh. A road to Stormward. Really, he'll keep doing it until people are annoyed with him. But only the people who are actually working on the project. For everyone else the celebrity prince will turn on the megawatt smile and gladhand like the white hot grease fire of charm and charisma he happens to be. He's no good with a sword, he doesn't run his own domain and he doesn't have an army to offer, but what he does have are contacts who can help to make sure the money gets to where it needs to be and parts more easily from those who may be reluctant to turn it over. Call it monetary logistics. You don't need to know what you're moving, you just need to move it.

As Minsiter of Infrastructure for the Crown, Jaenelle understands the captial city is certainly a hub of activity. Arx will continue to assist where needed, making sure the roads leading to and from Arx are kept safe to the traders as well as making sure the steets themselves are kept free from holes, cracks, or anything that might make travel harder. Jaenelle's focus will be the roads directly around Arx.

Jennyva has been given permission from Duke Malcolm to sign Graypeak up for this project and contribute writs, time, whatever Kaldur may need. Her expertise is in negotiations and marketing and she ensures that the merchants know to use these new roads to their advantages.

As a capable steward and Voice for Blackram, Teagan has stepped up to oversee her family's participation in this expansive project. As remote as the Cloudspine is, such a road will be greatly beneficial. She will gladly see to aiding in what ways she can beyond providing what Blackram will for the connection of their holdings to the road: primarily with her economic skills.

Sir Andry Bayweather seems more then interested in the idea of helping connect the compact into a more unified whole and is helping arrange patrols with the Knights of Solace as well putting in work to arrange funding for any sections which otherwise seem to be neglected

Seymour believes an effort like this can only further enhance the trade network between fealties, to the benefits of trade at all levels. Seymour is ensuring that there are ample resources to ensure the holdings in Stormwall and Ashford he is responsible for can be a part of this, and to establish new trade posts for Oak Mercantile where the need for additional trade along the new route may exist.

The Great Road is easily one of the most ambitious projects launched in recent years in the Compact, though the scope is so vast and the current state of travel in the Compact is so dangerous that it verges on quixotic. Still, the bold ambition is embraced by scores of notables in the Compact, and ambitious or no, they get to work with the massive project.

There are numerous challenges. First and foremost, the traditional respect for the autonomy of every domain holder. The Compact has always had paths, or even rough mud roads between major thoroughfares, and the Knights of Solace have long patrolled many of the most popular, but the proposed brand new road attracts notice of every domain holder that they would pass through, and this is hundreds of them. The majority welcome the increase in trade... provided a) it doesn't stir up an Abandoned response and b) that they aren't responsible for patrolling it with their own funds. That is relatively little help, and they are happy to profit from it, if it is at no cost to them. A smaller number enthusiastically welcome it, and are EAGER for an Abandoned response, and are actively looking forward to doing battle with their hated enemies. Particularly in the Oathlands, there's talk about 'cleansing their lands for good and all', which goes well outside the bounds of a friendly trade agreement, and is more than a little worrisome. Some of the talk goes well past a little worrisome, in fact. And a very few outright refuse to have any new road built on their land, despite all reasoning, pleading, threats, forcing the road to be built entirely around some random baronies and counties that simply do not wish to risk any sort of conflict with Abandoned or increase the flow of riff-raff through their borders.

But with initial agreements signed up, then comes construction. This is thousands upon thousands upon thousands of miles of road to build a road that unites the different domains on somethnig more than dirt, often overgrown, hunting paths. The sheer engineering this takes in laying down the stones and creating the waystations will stand as one of the most remarkable marvels done in the Compact in centuries. Much of the land goes through Abandoned controlled territory, even if it is ostensibly owned by the Compact, but the amount of forces brought make most of the Abandoned steer clear aside from the odd skirmish here and there as the road is being built with overwhelming force. But the key words are 'as the road is being built'.

The good news is that trade spikes up immediately, and many of the traders in the Compact are absolutely thrilled to have better overland paths in order to move their goods when rivers are inaccessible or impractical. It's a boon many of the domains, and the economic consequences should be strong, in the long term. The bad news is that there simply are not anywhere near enough Knights of Solace in the Compact to patrol thousands of miles of road. Certainly they do what they can, but the raids start immediately, and in great force, and the losses from the Knights of Solace start to mount, even as caravans start to hire sellswords and travel in greater numbers for protection. Which in turn, has prompted stronger raids. Much stronger.

The Great Road is an economic success, overall, despite the raids. And fame comes with such a large, daring project. But the social and political consequences are another matter all together, and those will be forthcoming.

Petal is going to help power the stone shield that Dame Leona and Sir Corban came to to tell her about. She plans to do this by helping her flowers to power the shield. It is her intention to follow any directions of the King's Own on when/if to use this. If instructions don't come, she will use her best judgement. It is her intention to only use the shield if needed to protect the lodge. If the shield is not needed she does not intend to use such. Petal intends to only use the shield for as long as needed. Petal is going to plant the flowers of the lodge, including her special white ones in a ring surrounding the lodge grounds. She wants plant a patch of her white flowers in the center of the lodge and stand near that patch without stepping on her flowers. If the shield is not needed, she will focus on protecting her flowers in place of doing the shield. She plans to invite others to join his action with her, including Lady Olivia, Princess Kace, Mistress Maeve, Archlector Brigida and Dame Leola. This action should connect to Caspian's action, who is doing a flower guard action to provide protection during this.

Olivia is joining the ritual participants at the Lodge. According to Leona, the ritual's power can be sustained by the flowers in the Lodge garden, where to Petal's white blossoms Olivia has brouht quantities of her own various blooms (suthryn dahlias, her bromeliads, and perhaps a few black roses for color contrast!). Being told that maintaining the ritual main drain the plants, and thus require them to be tended to preserve its effect, she will be on hand to tend the flowers. Presumably, this is more an effort of prayer and use of her innate abilities versus more typical gardening. In any case, she will do what she can to preserve the blossoms as long as possible to maintain the earthen shield (if and once it is raised).

Kace will be helping to power the shield if needed, or to protect the flowers otherwise.

Brigida can't talk to flowers. She can't use flower power to power a shield. But she can make herself useful, and that's exactly what she does. Where she needs to be, she'll be there. And where she can help by yelling at other people to do their damn jobs, she'll do that as well. Brigida may not have magic at her fingertips, but who needs magic when your glare can make nails quietly extricate themselves from boards, apologize and then leave in a single file line?

Sasha might be a primum conduit? She is not sure herself, with magic being a lost knowledge and such. But this isn't going to stop Sasha from trying to use her possible powers to strengthen the others using the shield. Hopefully, this is enough to help them.

The shield went up, not like anything they had expected at all. But it worked. And, with the three of them working together, it held. And so far the flowers aren't happy with them but they're not dead. So perhaps if need be, the shield can be used again. Perhaps. And for tonight, the Lodge stands.

At his family's urging, Mirk has brokered deals to secure the necessary help to start the project of creating a proper township out of the small settlement growing up around the Great Northern Shrine to Mangata, at the origin of the Grey River in the runoff of the White Peak Mountains (see: Halfshav landmarks at http://play.arxmush.org/topics/org/54/). A month of meetings and promises had gone into the project, before he so much as turned his eyes to the North.

It's a massive undertaking, involving numerous people and resources, but with the flow of support, hopefully it will be the beginning of a prosperous township, called Cascade Springs.

As the first step, Mirk will clear out land around the settlement and secure the site with fortifications. This will also require investment in housing for soldiers and construction crews.

Mirk will be leading the entire project, but he will also oversee the land clearance personally. He will bring in foremen and workers as necessary, but his goal is to organize the residents of the settlement to do as much as possible, and he'll offer them silver and favors to secure their service - this village elder gets a position in the new township, that one places his niece as a House servant, and so on. He will bring in offerings to the spirits for each place where brush must be cleared out or a tree cut down, while consulting with the planners and engineers to insist that nature must be preserved wherever possible. It will be a delicate balancing act, but one Mirk is confident that he can accomplish.

An overview of the rest of the project:
* During the land clearance, Kace will survey likely farmlands, and Draven will harvest and catalogue herbs from the countryside for local apothecaries.
* Construction, overseen by Bethany, of wooden fortifications designed by Vercyn, with Tesha's assistance. They'll begin with a small palisade around the settlement, and expand to include the entirety of the planned township. It'll also include modest housing and other infrastructure needed to support a population of soldiers and workers, such as the beginnings of an expensive chapterhouse for Violet's Crimson Blades.
* Establishment of a military presence in the area under Arik. He and Taldolf will train guards to man the fortifications, while Rowenova will provide scout support to locate potential threats. Violet will lead Crimson Blade mercenaries on patrol to keep Shav tribes away from the settlement, while Harlex leads soldiers on surgical strikes where threats are identified.
* Import deals and support from allied Houses to secure building materials, military stockpiles, and necessary supplies. Sasha and Tesha will provide this support, and Mirk will add his own favors and resources to facilitate their efforts.
* Whispers will spread news of the settlement and its upcoming expansion throughout Halfshav lands, with Juniper as their point of contact. This will draw people - and workers - to the settlement.

Lord Arik Halfshav the Sword of Whitehold supports the township project by seeing to the training of the longterm town guards with Taldolf. The pair of them drill the guards on things to watch for, shav tactics, the way Halfshav expects the law to be handled in the town, and other forms of honor and discipline. Once the guards are trained and their martial skills approved by Arik they are handed off to Scout Rowenova for some field experience during construction.

Marquessa Sasha Sanna answers the Halfshav call for investment in the township project. Not only does she aid with financial favors but she aids in seeing ever silver and favor called due for supplies goes just a little bit further. She has a mine for economics and trade and utilizes it thoroughly to increase the efficacy of the entire project from the clearing of the land to the hiring of labor to the supplying of food and equipment. If there is a ledger Sasha has her hands on it and is ensuring everything is following a common sense approach.

Tesha travels north with the Halfshavs and assists Duke Vercyn on the fortifications. While he handles the overall design of the fortifications, she adds in details such as arrow holes, strategic spots for burning pitch atop the wall, or signaling methods to quickly convey information between the troops. With those added insights and refinements on his design, she conveys the plans to those in charge of the construction and insures that their vision for the fortifications is realized.

Scout Rowenova and Sir Flop (the soulful hound) are prime spotters on the trip North, making sure commanding individuals are swiftly notified about any potential benefits/hazards. Upon finally arriving, these two lead forth those trained guards (from Arik and Taldolf) to scout out hunting grounds and any nearby shav tribes. She draws up detailed reports concerning all the surrounding terrain (good and/or bad) for future roads which will go toward Whitehold (and eastward, too). While staying attentive to Nature's needs, the whole group sustainably fishes/hunts (new stock being given over to Bethany), too. During breaks/camping, she helps out with verbal/written translation for whatever Draven might need to clearly communicate, also making sure he and everyone else is staying safe with survival advice and so on for good health.

Commander Taldolf takes a break from his duties to House Sanna to support House Halfshav's newest expansion efforts. While Lord Arik is taking the lead on training the new longterm guards for the settlement the Sanna Commander is helping keep the women and men being trained in line. Proper motivation and passing along orders from Arik to other trainees to ensure communication is open and well understood by the recruits.

Juniper travels with the Halfshavs up the river. Her purpose is to speak to those they meet along the way, recruiting settlers and workers. Charming to a fault and willing to speak to anyone, she mingles as if born to the area and targets those looking to make a change in their life, or contribute to something greater than they've ever done before. The benefits of the settlement are extolled, as are the merits of the organizers, their foresight and vision. It isn't all just rainbows and unicorn farts-- she's practical and down to earth about the challenges such an enterprise faces, having come from humble origins herself-- but she's an adept at finding ways to balance descriptions of hardship with the good which can come of uprooting to join the settlement. To lend credence to her efforts, she comes armed with letters of introduction and other outside resources provided by Halfshav and their allies, and she will also be deploying 200 of her own social resources as a glamourous (but relatable!) Whisper and common girl made good.

Bethany brings her financial acumen and skill at people-wrangling to act as a steward of personnel for the project. Like a conductor overseeing a grand symphony, she makes sure that supplies and workers get where they need to be when they need to be there, everything runs on schedule, and the construction generally hums along with the brisk efficiency that she expects in all aspects of her work. She brings in assistants from her own family, people who she knows well and knows that they know what they're doing and will get the job done.

Kace will be travelling upriver witht he Halfshavs to look over the land around the burgeoning town. She will be checking soil and grass quality to determine where is best suited for farmlands, where would be the best grazing land for herds, the best spots along the river for fishing, and where to clear out space for a lumber yard as well as a barracks and training yard. In addition, she will be seeking out any potential underground water sources that the city can tap into, as well as any possible hotsprings that may run beneath the city.

Duke Vercyn could hardly miss the expansion of the Great Northern Shrine to Mangata. Not only is he a publicly devout member of the Pantheon but this may be the largest construction effort in Halfshav history and it is under his tenure as Duke with his own nephew doing a fair bit of the work. His primary goal is to use his vast experience as a military commander and war chief to design the fortifications and guard assignments so that they are organized in the optimal fashion with the right width and height to the walls, the correct number of towers, and enough guardsmen for the township and wall. In addition his personal participation is a validation that this is indeed the will of House Halfshav and a new chapter in the growth of the domain underneath his families leadership. Also he names the town: Cascade Springs

After a discussion with Lord Mirk and coordinating with the Commandant's efforts closer to the settlement, Harlex intends to take a group of mercenaries ahead of the caravans set to venture to the settlement. Their goal? Preemptive strikes. Scouting and clearing out ambush raiders/highwaymen that lie in wait for the traveling merchants, workman, and settlers. It's much more effective than waiting for those ambushes to spring, potentially frightening off commerce. While the caravans are protected, he coordinates riding out with his soldiers to take down any impending threats, traveling up and down the routes; eliminating targets and generally being a suppression force against would-be attackers of the caravans should they be shav, brigands, or others. Specifically only those who seek to harm or destabilize the routes of the new settlement. They utilize the tactics inherit to their Company; swift, precise, and deadly when provoked to violence. All in the purpose of making sure those deep pockets aren't scared off from the township by frequent attacks.

In terms of military and protection for the building project, Halfshav has hired the Crimson Blades. Especially since part of the new building of the town will include a new chapter house for the Mercenary Company. So Violet herself spends her time in the area. Working as hard as her soldiers and making sure that the protection of the budding settlement is secure. But more importantly making connections with those who are building it. And those who will probably one day live there, or already do. Building bridges for the future of the Blades.

Scouts are sent out ahead of clearing parties. Making sure there are no dangers, human or otherwise, for the new township. Violet herself goes and patrols the area with her troops. They take great care in their sweeps. Never attacking right away unless absolutely necesarry. However problems -are- dealt with swiftly and with the precision and care the company has been known for. Attacking the problem with tactics rather than just lots of muscle and weapons.

Perhaps much to the dismay to the soldiers he is going with, being allowed to tag along on with the Halfshav party has only left the incredibly energetic Draven even more excited. Quite simply, he can't seem to sit still throughout nearly the entire journey, and the only time he stops talking is when he is sleeping. Everyone in the whole group will have heard about the differences between Things and Stuff at least a hundred times, and none of what Draven says really will make much sense unless translated by someone who knows him well. Then, however, when they get to where he can start his work, they see a whole new person left in his place. When Draven is left to do what he came to, Alchemy and Herbalism, he is entirely dedicated and focused, even if none of the notes he makes in his log make any sense to anyone. He was tasked to help catalog the plantlife in the new township, and to help treat the sick and injuired along the way, which he actually does exceptionally well.

Construction on a new township in Halfshav lands, a place called Cascade Springs, has finally been completed. Under the guidance of Lord Mirk Halfshav, the entirety of the project has been overseen carefully. Princess Kace works hand in hand with Rowenova and her faithful hound to scout the area, selecting the perfect place to build. Marquessa Sasha answers the Halfshav call for investing in the township. Lord Arik supports the project by sending guards he has personally trained to see to its new town defenses, managed and directed by Commander Taldolf.

Duke Vercyn works with the designers to create defenses for the new township, with Lady Tesha assisting him. To add to the defenses, Commander Violet and Harlex Valtyr work to establish a barracks for the Crimson Blades nearby. And Bethany Mercier is established as the steward of this new township, with Draven doing whatever alchemical things a Draven does best. And as Juniper Whisper leads the social scene in talking about all these goings on, it's clear that the township is the talk of the town.

All in all it's a huge success, and the new Cascade Springs is established with care and precision.

Sorrel gathers friends and family to her, around a warm brazier. "The time has come," she says, "To cleanse the primum and to sing the world as it truly is. This is my song. This is my ritual. Yours may be different, in turn, for it must truly come from you. I pray that each of you supports me wholeheartedly in this and that you take this as a sample to perform your own ritual."

"Let me sing you a song of love in thirteen verses, each one carefully written with time and creativity. Let me sing Love into the Dream with joy and sacrifice:"

Each bit of the song is pinned to a scrap of fabric that is meant to represent the person or thing the verse of the song is about. The first one is a scrap of violet baby blanket. The second one is a square of gray fabric with a Thrax sea serpent embroidered on it. The third is simply plain gray fabric. The fourth is a bit of aeterna, very plain. The fifth is another square of plain gray fabric, this one with the sigil of the King's Own. The sixth is a square of green seasilk with a sword worked upon it. The seventh is white silk with a spiraling red vine embroidered on it. The eighth is white aeterna edged in gold threads. The ninth is a dirty piece of wool. The tenth is brilliant green seasilk, embroidered with tiny clovers all over it. The eleventh is umbra with the sigil of House Wyrmguard embroidered thereon. The twelvth is also umbra, this time with the sigil of House Thrax. The thirteenth is umbra edged in gold. As the song is sung, the appropriate bit of fabric is placed into the brazier to be consumed.

1 Kyrios is a hope for the sanctity of life, a beautiful new thing being born, something that can grow into something new and greater than that which proceeded it:

Precious love of mine
For nine long months time
Small one within me
No greater love than thee

2 Galen is love. Passion, ambition, attraction, and all the things that attract people to one another. Let the world be full of love and lovers:

My great love for you is a burning flame
Now one and whole, we are never the same
Half of me is you; what am I to do?
To your dear love I will always be true.

3 Leona is faithfulness and fidelity, the choice of a dearest friend. Beautiful and true, a close bond of spirits in trust and friendship:

Sister not of body but of spirit.
To you do I tell secrets; you hear it.
A special bond of choice and freedom dear:
Our friendship in the purest sense is clear.

4 The Choir is a group of us with similar talents who all sing the Dream as it really is. Freedom and love and beauty:

Beautiful dreamers, listen now to me
Hear my song truly; it lets you be free
Power and strength coming with every note
Let the world be as my song is so wrote.

5 Corban is strength and honor, the true knight. Given the opportunity to do something the right way, he will take the path of righteousness:

Brother you are, though no brother you be
Like my own kin is how you are to me.
To you I entrust the most precious weight
Knowing that you are a knight very great

6 Luca was a Champion, and he stood for the honor of others. He also fights for the Light as a member of the Inquisition. Although he may not be a knight, he is a great man, admirable and true:

A fighter you are, champion to all
Dueling for true, never taking the fall.
Working for Light yet behind the closed door
We're lucky to have you give 'em what for!

7 Tikva represents sisterhood and platonic love. The sort of love that comforts you through tears and is joyful for you when you're joyful, love that melds in harmony:

Beautiful singer, sing your songs with me
Together meld in perfect harmony
Best friend and girl friend and companion true
I'll always be found singing next to you.

8 Ailith is Faith, a friend who has recently found her way to greater heights. Faith and love of the gods is important, a real true religious sort of love:

Peaceful, faithful, knowing of mystery,
Joyful, respectful, caring of history.
Guide me in the ways of the gods and love:
Advice that is tempered by those above.

9 Ian is loyalty. Love born of loyalty between soldiers, comrades in arms, in the field true. Love that is camaraderie:

Always at my back, you do yourself ride
Your right sword hand always at my side
Forever my protection with your men
Come! An adventure! I'll need you again!

10 Clover represents family love, the love that comes from sharing the same life growing up and the natural love and loyalty that inspires:

Beloved sister, bound by blood ties --
We would be best of friends yet anywise.
Bubbly temperament, always a joy:
When you were born, I was glad not a boy!

11 House Wyrmguard is where I grew up and how I developed my fascination with dragons. The love of House Wyrmguard, an ancient house, is one of fealty and devotion forever:

Though on the ground, the wyrms may yet lumber
The House recalls: Not all dragons slumber.
Danger is near? They will not surrender
As Valardin lives, they will remember.

12 House Thrax is where I married and to whom I currently owe fealty. Although I am not a sailor, I am learning to love the sea, and though I have reservations about some of their traditions, I am learning to love their culture:

A mariner's dream, so the current flows
Whenever the tide is out, there Thrax goes
Rough Islanders living off of the sea
One of their number is where you'll find me.

13 Music is what I want to fill the world with. Beautiful music is the song to which we should all live our lives, singing the Dream true and full of love:

A song is a song, but in the right key,
It can be a balm for you or for me.
All the world's dreams can be sung in music:
Finding the right words is the only trick.

Cora will learn the ritual through being present when Sorrel performs it so that she might perform it herself to teach others.

Sabella will quietly watch Sorrel's ritual with rapt attention!

Charlaine will learn the ritual through being present when Sorrel performs it. Charlaine will definitely try to perform it herself later in order to spread the knowledge and asisst in cleaning the primum.

Sparte will be present to observe, learn, and lend support.

Amari will sit in to watch Sorrel enact the ritual so she might learn and perform it herself (not nearly as awesomely, but she'll try her best when it's time)!

Having been invited to witness Sorrel's ritual, and hoping to learn it, Alexis attends to bear witness - and if necessary, offer protection, presuming any danger is even physical.

Carita will observe with awe, take notes as she listens, and quietly lends her support to the cleansing of the primum. There are moments when Sorrel's song brings tears to her eyes, or a smile to her face and while she might want to close her eyes to let that song wash over her, she doesn't so that she can witness every last moment.

Invited to bear witness to the ritual, Denica will stay with them and study with her so that she might perform the ritual herself someday.

Caspian watches the ritual with interest, and when it is over, he can already be seen scribbling down verse ideas!

Katarina is but one of many invited along to bear witness to the ritual that may very well begin cleansing the primum of its poison in the land. She listens, watches with rapt attention and intrigue, ready to help however she may.

Sina has been invited to witness the ritual to learn it. She has agreed to bear witness and learn, that the primum may be cleansed.

Ohboyohboyohboy! THIS IS IT! IT IS HAPPENING! /MAGIC/!!! Well, the first step towards it anyway. When Sorrel invites her to come observe the ritual, Caith is the first one there. Bright and early. Probably even before she and Galen and the baby are even awake that day. 'Don't mind me,' she'll shout through the door at the Thrax Estate. 'I'll just wait out here in the hall until you guys are ready!' A few minutes will go by. 'Are you ready now?' A few minutes more. 'How about now?' Five minutes later: 'Do you need help in there? Have you fallen down and hurts yourselves? Come on! Let's get a move on! IT'S RITUAL DAY! WHEEEE!' Caith is there with paper and pen and ink, all bright-eyed and bushy tailed and ready to take /NOTES/. And when Sorrel is done, she will ask /QUESTIONS/ to double-check, triple-check and cross-check her notes. Because, and maybe this isn't clear but: Caith is VERY INVESTED in this.

Bianca will also be observing so that in the future she too may perform and teach others for the betterment of all humanity.

Sasha will sit and carefully watch the ritual as Princess Sorrel performs it. She is eager to learn to so she can help the Primum be cleansed.

Olivia is likewise joining in to watch and learn!

Edain willl participate and observe the ritual. He will be somber and respectful, but he will be paying close attention. His intention is to attempt to perform this rite at Cairn Valardin in the very near future.

Desiree will be there to witness and study the ritual. She is hoping to learn to perform it.

Zoey will be there as well, watching and, knowing her, probably taking notes. Because ritual. Learning rituals. Et cetera.

Fredrik will, of course, join in these proceedings, knowing how valuable this ritual is, both for himself and for the Compact as a whole. For all our futures, it must be spread.

Reese will join this and will try to assist Sorrel however needed. She will attempt to pay close attention and to learn how to do the ritual herself so that such can be done when the time comes for her own. She will be respectful, helpful and largely quiet during the ritual.

Richard will be present in Sorrel's ritual. So that he may learn it and use it in the future.

Victus is here to learn. He doesn't know much about what he's looking at, so he's taking down notes with a quill and parchment and saving all the details in his head.

Kace will be joining in on the ceremony in order to learn the ritual that she might complete it herself someday soon.

Sorrel gathers friends and family to her, around a warm brazier. "The time has come," she says, "To cleanse the primum and to sing the world as it truly is. This is my song. This is my ritual. Yours may be different, in turn, for it must truly come from you. I pray that each of you supports me wholeheartedly in this and that you take this as a sample to perform your own ritual."

"Let me sing you a song of love in thirteen verses, each one carefully written with time and creativity. Let me sing Love into the Dream with joy and sacrifice."

And then she sings, feeding each slip of verse and a small piece of fabric into the fire, and with each one she weaves love through them all. The love of a child, the love for her husband. For her sister of the heart, for the choir. Freedom and strength, chivalry and righteousness. Honor and comfort, joy and harmony. Faith now, and loyalty. The love for family and home, the love for duty carried long through the generations, for fidelity and for music and happiness.

With each verse her love, deep and abiding and joyous, wraps around all of them. It pushes away the darkness, it pushes at the poison. She is seeking to reshape the future and her contribution is love, and there is one timeless moment where everyone assembled feels that love course through them. And while it fades, each of them knows they will remember always the strength of Sorrel's heart as she fights for the people she loves the most, for her family, for her friends, for the Compact, for humanity.

After more recent events of Eurus was reported to Katarina during an unexpected meeting, Katarina has decided to discreetly enact measures to try and attempt to gain more current information on the happenings in respective dune kingdoms to track the progress of the Dune Emporer in his path to conquer and unite the 13 kingdoms into a unified force, as well gather any more information of interesting happenings. She knows sailors from Eurus have been showing up in Eurus as of late, some of which who have decided to make Arvum their home rather than return to the volatile danger that awaits them back across the Sea of Leviathan.

Keeping her own memories of what caused her to leave Eurus as abruptly as she did, Katarina is going to attempt to forge a network along the ports Eurusi sailors are most likely to visit between Arx and choice destinations in the Mourning Isles. Through these networks, she puts out quiet messages that safe haven awaits them in Arx should they seek it. They need only find those who work with Katarina Al'Sabbat-Muraq in the harbors of Arx and mention, "The Scorpion is never mighter than the dragon". From there, room and board will be provided. Jobs, too. Such charity always comes at a price, but one any can afford to pay: information from back home on what's been going on.

Marquessa Sasha Cirroch is well-versed with the language of Eurusi, something in which she's kept up her practice in with frequent conversations with Katarina. After hearing of the rumors of terrible & wretched things happening, she can empathize with sailors who would rather take a risk of starting a new life on a continent as backwards and strange as they come rather than returning to the dangerous lands of Eurus. Gifted with words, she discreetly employs those trustworthy to spread word on hers and the Princess' behalf of the port of Arx being a potential safe haven for the travel weary of Eurus. And when they come, it's with care that she arranges meetings to speak with them and learn of their story, putting them up in the care of hostels, inns, and other establishments as long as they need with her cousin to ensure their safety. All she asks in return is, again, to simply know their story and all they have to tell.

Merek will not be able to directly visit the Eurusi folk, as he is assisting with other things back in Arx. He will privately be assisting through a middleman he trusts, to write letters within the language to the proper sailors, provide some funding towards bettering their lives in Arvum to supplement what Kat is doing. He has no personal desire to gain information from them, but he wishes to better their lives, which might turn to assist Katarina in gaining what she seeks from it.

There's rumors, though no hard information. Some of the Eurusi claim that the Dune Emperor has it all, that every Dune Kingdom has fallen. Others insist that at least some hold out, while others say that's a misunderstanding, that a few of the Dune Kingdoms have rebelled, and he can't seem to keep them all under control, and that it's a four way war between different kingdoms. Most agree that the Prophet of the Sands, the head of the Magisters of the Mirror fought the Dune Emperor, but has now thrown in his lot with him. Some claim that tens of thousands of prisoners are being escorted across the sands to blackened Pyre, for execution or who knows what.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seax and company will travel north and begin in the eastern pass. From there they will progress west, stopping in whitehold, and all other Halfshav settlements and villages. At each location they will reach out to the people. They will speak of defending their lands, their families, their way of life. They will tell of the threats forming against the North. They will offer hope through strength. Seax especially will be speaking of the Noble Savages, a unit of men and women formed on the words of House Halfshav to protect each village and each settlement. When necessary they will also attack those that threaten Whitehold lands, wiping them out. He will provide a brief explanation of how such a unit of soldiers can be effective in his speeches.

The High lord of the Northlands will accompany the Halfshav progress through their holdings with his retinue. This time, he will leave it to the Halfshav lords to reach the hearts and minds of their people. Instead Darren will apply his not-inconsiderable resources and experience to recruiting and forming the Noble Savages in the wake of Seax's speeches. The High lord will see to the administration, formation and supply of these units, leaving behind the defensive force the Halfshavs envisioned.

The Sword of Whitehold is supporting his cousin on his first independent progress through the Halfshav lands. He is there to show that the War Minister explicitly endorses the formation of a home guard in the Noble Savages but instead of making speeches he is meeting with township and settlement leaders. He is charming if blunt with them as is his way. He speaks of the winter months, asks about raids or difficulties, and mentions the newly prodigal tribe of White Fox to each of the settlements. His primary purpose besides reaching out to the leadership of the settlements is to ensure that volunteers are properly equipped and housed.

Marquessa Sasha Sanna is a loyal vassal to House Halfshav and speaks passionately to the people at each stop. Her approach is less militaristic and more social. She appeals to the safety the Noble Savages will provide. She gushes about the honor they will bring to the families of those who serve. It's all glowing and bright in the future where they heed Lord Seax Halfshav's vision, according to Sasha anyway.

It's not easy to get started, but with the help of Prince Darren, Marquess Sasha, and Lord Arik, Lord Seax managed to start getting the word out. Using Prince Darren's resources, Seax buys a Siege Weapon and then sets the propaganda machine in motion. Arik and Sasha are working on it and it does in fact lure people, knowing that they'll be well equipped and well armed. The first few recruits are an exciting development, and though more will be needed for this army to truly be fearsome, it's a good beginning.

The truth shall set us free.

The call has been made and a great archival is being set into motion by the Scholars of Vellichor, reaching out to the entirety of the discipleship far and wide in an effort to duplicate and spread information contained in each outpost of Vellichor’s faithful from the grandest library to the smallest monastery.

The plan itself is no small task and in reality Bianca is aware it will take years to come to fruition, but they had to start somewhere.

Phase 1: Organization - A rather large focus team is gathered utilizing local Scholars and overseen by three Senior Scholars (NPCs) to take point on the clerical end of the Archival process. The role of this team is ongoing, their job being to disseminate information to the known enclaves of the discipleship throughout the many territories of Arvum regarding the archival process and how it will function. Once the process begins, they will be the ones dealing with the incoming reports and developing an encoded master inventory list of all outlying literary collections within the jurisdiction of the Scholars. A secondary list will also be created in regards to the location of lost relics that may be hidden away though in the possession of the Scholars. This secondary list shall also be encoded, its construction remains solely in the hands of the three senior scholars on point for this team and is only to be viewed by them and Archscholar Bianca. Once both lists are completed a secondary action will be taken to protect the contents of the pages (either via in-game actions or a storyrequest). From there a procedure will be set in place for all future acquisitions to be reported to the Archives to be properly categorized and added to the proper encoded list.

Phase 2: Reproduction - The next step of this accounting is the duplication of documented works. Any pieces of literary record (fiction AND historical) not found in duplicate shall be reproduced by the Scholars located in the parish these works are found to be and aid from Arx will be sent to the smaller libraries in the form of manpower to help. The goal is that a copy of everything not deemed ‘imprimatur’ will be replicated and disseminated to the Archives as well as the discipleship’s library in each of the five regional capitals: Sanctum, Lenosia, Maelstrom, Farhaven, Bastion. Anything deemed ‘imprimatur’ will also be duplicated though these duplications will only be sent to the Great Archive. This process will also be applied to all new information coming into the Archives or discovered by the discipleship moving forward.

Phase 3: Dissemination to the Public - While the Archives have always been open to the public and all noble houses, an immediate public relations campaign is set in place to better inform those of Arx and Arvum on the whole that the pursuit of knowledge and information will not be turned away or looked upon with wary eyes. This campaign is to be fostered by /all/ of the discipleship setting the stage for an open door policy and as more information is collected in Phase 1 and Phase 2, the Archive will be able to ideally provide direction if not a copies of what is being sought. The title of the campaign is “Let no question go unanswered.” For those seeking knowledge that extends beyond the bounds of what is considered safe for public consumption, they will be directed to petition the Scholars for access. A small council of senior scholars headed by Archscholar Bianca will be set to task in reviewing such requests and disseminating information on a case by case basis (unless of course PCs come to her directly).

Now, with the discipleship’s funds recently diminished due to the recent expenditure in Stormward, Bianca is also reaching out to all those outside the Scholars willing to aid with this tremendous undertaking. Donations are to be accepted in specific to aid in the Archival as well as individual manpower for replication of books not marked ‘imprimatur,’ though the most poignant request in the forefront is martial cooperation and aid. There is a great danger present and those tasked with the duplication or simply traveling to disperse information and transport copies will undoubtedly need protection and assistance while traversing the many territories of Arvum. And sometimes boats. Boats are cool and there are a lot of islands to be reached.

Lady Monique Greenmarch has a wide net of contacts she employs, along with their silver and her own gratuitous charm, on behalf of the ArchScholar's endeavor. How does she find out the things she does? It's impossible to know, but she will attempt to secure safe roads to travel, and trusted safe houses for those scholars and their handlers to stay in, alongside vaults for the information to be saved.

Fortunato, although no official scholar, is happy to lend his hands and eyes to the work of replication (if with a tiny bit of illumination in the margins as strikes him, not enough to seriously detract from the speed of the task). He is able and willing to travel to the regional archives to aid copying work there as well, if, of course, with escort.

Sophie will be aiding in Phase 2, leading any and all Mercy volunteers to go through the extensive medical records and white journals of known Mercies, collating what is deemed important information. She will also write to the Mercy chapters throughout the Compact, seeking their cooperation, and offering organizational instruction to those wanting. Finally, she'll do what she can to procure what House Valardin has.

Phase I-III: Ailith will coordinate through her increasing network of Seraph contacts across the Compact, and reaching out also to the Seraphs that the Dominus and Legate of Creation informed Ailith about. She'll explain the first Phase of Archlector Bianca's process and encourage the Seraphs in how the parishes may assist such as the Seraphs providing copies of any texts to the Archlector or the three Senior Scholars. Ailith will assist in fielding any questions if the Seraphs respond directly to her. In additional letter will be included.

Calaudrin will be joining with other members of the Iron Guard in helping protect the Faith's documents as they move through the city. He'll be especially on the lookout for anything at all suspicious as they go.

Lord Commander Silas will be helping direct his men in protecting the precious cargo -- copies of invaluable lore from several great libraries and archives. He himself will likely lead the retinue guarding the largest cache. They will avoid all thoroughfares known to be havens for thieves and criminals, and all guardsmen on this mission will be thoroughly armed and alert. They will also not be guardsmen with past criminal history, themselves, no matter how small the theft or how long ago the incident occurred. No chances!

Ainsley will be helping with the Iron Guard portion of things. He'll be assigning more senior soldiers to help with the transportation and dissemination portion-- helping to protect the scholars. He, himself, will be with one squad of people helping to transport and protect. Carrying with him his Alaricite sword and his rubicund plate, as he leads the forces. He'll also supply some of his own military favors, writs, and currency to help with the project.

Harald has given leave for the the scholars of Vellichor to travel to Grihem's Point aboard his ships and under his protection, as well as granting them access to the Grimhall libraries. While the private Grimhall libraries are largely collections of literature (especially traditional poetic sagas which are widely believed simple verse fiction) any pieces desired for copying will be made available. After all, the Scholars certainly aren't likely to find any decent sagas on the mainland; it's a mission of mercy, really.

Phase 1: Knights of Solace agents, in the course of their usual duties, will help disseminate the new archival procedures across Arvum, and bring back reports if needed. They will also be instructed to share with Blessed Bianca or her chosen representatives any information they may have picked up in the course of their journeys regarding the possible locations of valuable documents that should be included in the archival effort. Phase 2: Knights of Solace will help protect sensitive archival works as they are transported to or from the various repositories in Arvum.

Mae has began to distribute the Commoners Bulletin, as well as a primer on a subject (Marin'alfar) that has otherwise been erased from history. She'll be writing more, including a book on reincarnation, and all will be spread far and wide. Take that, Fable!

Christine will help with phase 2, copying books that need to be reproduced, and translating those in Isles shav so they could be spread more easily.

Eirene, with the help of her own soldiers, goes through any of the Malvici libraries in Arx and sends word for the libraries of Southport to be duplicated and the copies added to the efforts, transported as quickly as the lot can be completed. As Malvici has a longstanding history of fighting demonic forces, she hopes to find useful information to be added to the master archives.

Lord Corban Telmar will invest both time, treasure, and resources into the Archscholar's appeal to duplicate and preserve knowledge. He will donate 200,000 in House Telmar silver to copying, transporting, and preserving Archives information in the Oathlands. He will also call in House Telmar's extensive network of military favors to ensure that the convoys transporting the materials are protected, and will personally lead some himself, lending his sword and considerable leadership abilities to the effort.

Armand, as a Templar disciple, will aid in the Scholar's efforts by ensuring their protection, notably during the more dangerous Phase 3 of the project, the dissemination and duplication. Able and willing to travel wherever the Scholars need to go, he will ensure that those he is tasked to protect are able to do their work unhindered. No criminal nor servant of the Abyss shall be allowed to stand in the way of Vellichor's holy work.

The main effort the Templars will offer, as well as general help should they be asked, is during phase 2. With the threat that bandits or indeed things more foul could try to stop the material reaching Arx, the Templars will make up to 1000 men at arms available to escort material from the various holds back to the capital. Alongside this, each Parish will be expected to have their templars provide additional support as material moves through their lands, more a procession of honour though that for military support. As the various archival holdings come together from the regions to head to Arx, the Templars will blob the escorting forces together and ensure that the material makes its way safely to Arx.

Cybele is good at organising and teaching and digging up info, so more than happy to dive into the deep stacks, and set to work looking at what comes in. Besides, the shaman has a knack for finding the right texts. Right? Right.

Delilah will be focusing her efforts on Phase 2, working closely with other scholars to replicate as many texts as she possibly can in her spare time. She will also be speaking with the Master of Questions in an attempt to more closely incorporate the Inquisition with the ongoings of this entire process.

Alaric will be having lots of nice things to say about the project, dropping little mentions to nobles and Crown functionaries and important merchants alike about how nice it would be to hear of people and groups lending some aid to the Vellichorian discipleship with their work, and generally generating some positive PR and motivation for people to get involved with helping.

Fatima will allow the Scholars access to the Thrax libraries available in Maelstrom to aid the Archscholar. More than that, though, she's using her social circle to help circulate the news of Phase 3: Dissemination to the Public. When Bianca signals it's time, Fatima will utilize her propaganda machine to get out the word the Archscholar desires.

Percephon will be participating heavily with the Phase 2 portion of this very important project. Working within his position as Senior Scholar, he will go to the library in Sanctum to assist in creating faithful duplicates of all materials that are that are uncovered and found. With a focus on organizing which overly important and sensitive materials will be sent to the Great Archives.

Estaban will be opening the Saik Library to the scholars of Vellichor, he will also be giving military esscort the schollars where they may need to go.

Victus will be allowing the Scholars of Vellichor within the libraries of the Maelstrom, as well as to comb the Isle the capital fortress is located on for nay other information they deem noteworthy. In addition, he'll be sending a detachment of some Thraxian scholars and stewards who are better versed in history than he is. Surely, the Isles will have LOADs of interesting stories to tell!

Aiden can help considerably in Phase 1 and Phase 2. Since he's had a lot of practice with the Court in reproducing works, that's where he will initially provide the most support, however, he's got a good eye for organization, so he'll certainly swap between the two roles, depending on what's more important at the time. Though since he's an excellent teacher, he puts a lot of his time into Phase 3 as well, answering as honestly as he can and has he has done to anyone in the past who has come to him for answers.

Not being much of a smarty himself, Edain will do his best to give the scholarly types the access and the trust they need to do something good, making sure they have access to the archives in Sanctum. He will also task 100 of his knights with the task of helping to escort the travelling scholars, with as much travel as this entails it is sure to tax even the Knights of Solace and so Edain will do his best to help them escort travelling scholars.

Alis has offered to help Bianca by assigning military escorts to and from Sanctum for the scholars that she sends, ensuring their safety and the safety of any materials they bring with.

Princess Isabeau Valardin will primarily be lending her assistance to this endeavor (in Phase 3) by using her considerable charm and skill in persuasion and propaganda to get the word out to the people that the great Archive's enriched texts are available and that the Scholars of Vellichor can guide everyone, high or low, rich or poor, to greater understanding of their world and the vast knowledge contained within.

Lark is opening the Grayson library to the Scholars, and spending her own time overseeing and directing efforts of scribes to copy their works.

While waiting to offer what aid he can for the protection of contents, Aleksei will also reach out to his the vague network he's beginning to form of those freed or aided in their freedom by the Liberators of Skald. Plenty of ex-thralls served in administrative capacities, and he'll kindly ask if they'd be willing to help the Scholars in their various local parishes. Hopefully it will provide some additional manpower for the copying of books and journals to be conducted under the local Godsworn at these various parishes.

Cicero is promising the scholars the use of the Silver Consortiums contacts and networking of infrastructure for moving about the Compact and keeping their scribes supplied as needed.

Deacon will focus his efforts on Phase 3. As a composer of some small renown, he will write a short series of ballads to promote the knowledge contained within the walls of the Archives. The goal will be to help popularize the pursuit of knowledge on the cultural level. Once he's written the music, he will make it available to every bard and performer whom he can convince to take it.

Samael will open up Pridehall libraries and provide military escorts for the Scholars coming to and leaving Pridehall. In addition to that in Phase 3 Samael will help to disseminate information using his oratory skills.

Sasha will in Phase 1 and Phase 2, she is able to reproduce and also translate many texts should the need be there. She is also a very good teacher as well so she will also assist with Phase 3 when the time comes.

Lucita, with her love of music, has been collecting old songs and legends through trading them with other musicians and travelers, bards and music lovers in the taverns, inns, bars and during social events in Arx. Many of these serve as oral history and some have not been documented. This she does and helps contribute to the overall effort toward Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Sebastian will be assisting in accompanying scholars to provide protection and whatever other assistance is needed as they travel throughout the Lyceum to various smaller locations. He will assist in acquiring passage through the lands and courts with which he is familiar, particularly around Setarco and the surrounding isles. He will also assist in locating the smaller repositories of knowledge, acquiring the information and documents required, and seeing their return to Arx during Phase 1. He will also work to help with transcription and the reproduction of drawings and other artistic work contained within the documents acquired during Phase 2. During Phase 3, he will help with the public relations campaign to help promote the use of the Archives and the future expansion of the knowledge contained therein through art and social engagements.

Juliana will be helping Sebastian and the accompanying scholars to provide protection and healing as well as any other assistance is needed as they travel throughout the Lyceum to various smaller locations. She will assisting him in acquiring passage through the lands and courts with which they are familiar, particularly around Setarco and the surrounding isles. She will also assist him in finding the smaller repositories of knowledge and in acquiring the information and documentation, to see that they are returned to Arx during Phase 1. She will also try to help with the work of transcription of the documents acquired during Phase 2. During Phase 3, She will help with the public relations campaign to help promote the use of the Archives and the future expansion of the knowledge contained therein through art and social engagements.

Orathy will be helping Sebastian and Juliana Pravus during the course of the events. He's particularly good at flanking the enemies if there are any, his fighting style coming from the shadows rather than direct assault, therefore, scouting might be his thing. He'll shield Sebastian and Juliana while on mission, body guarding for them.

Nierzen sets to work writing propaganda in support of Phase 3 to move the hearts of people to favour and support the work and effort. He aims propaganda at nobles, motivating them to generously give silver to the Scholarly work, and he aims propaganda at the residents of the Boroughs, moving them to cooperate and even go out of their way to help collect stories and information. In all things, his propaganda tugs at the ideals of duty, faith, and self interest.

The Great Archival Project of 1007 AR causes a complete uproar. In every corner of the Compact, people turn up to add books to the archives, to add knowledge to the archives. To make copies of precious books and send them on. To spread the word - if you need information, your best hope is to find it in the Archives. High Lords and Nobles have opened their libraries. The Templars and the Knights of Solace, as well as many guards hired by various families across Arvum are moving to preserve knowledge and see it safely from the far corners of the Compact into Arx itself. It's a huge project, and under Archscholar Bianca's watchful eye, an incredibly successful one.

Tomes once thought lost are found, copied, and brought to Arx under guard. People are encouraged to come to Arx to seek knowledge. Learn from the Archives of Vellichor, learn from our tutors, our Scholars. Knowledge is available, free for the asking.

Sasha, along with those who with to come along, is going to be spending some time at the Lodge at Petrichor. She is sleeping during the day so that she can be awake all night to try and see the Unicorns. She wants to ask them if they guard the mystical Moonflower or know where to find it. And she hopes they can guide her or give directions to it since she seeks it for her cure.

Cirroch will be coming along to meet the Unicorns. This is Sasha's quest and he is here as support for her. If given the chance he might chime in with a plea for their help using the skills he has honed in the battlefield and as a Marquis of Giant's Reach.

Sasha's plight of illness has always been a concern to Aiden. They are second cousins after all, with a relationship that started when they were both young. They've supported eachother over the years and it goes without saying that if Sasha asks him to help, he will. He will attend the Lodge at her side. Due to recent events with other First Children, he will be reluctant to do much more than introduce himself, unless they ask something of him. However, he will make thorough notes on where the Moonflower is, should that be revealed.

Jayanthi goign with Sasha on her unicorn venture. She's going to do what she can to use her medicinal knowledge to help obtain the moonflower.

In an attempt to assist her March Lord and his future intended, Amarantha is tagging along to meet the Unicorns. If needed she's happy to negotiate, charm, and in general use her social skills to help things run smoother! Worst comes to worst she can write them a song? Right? Right?

Bianca will be assisting to the best of her abilities, her first priority being Sasha's health despite her immediate desire to you know... see a unicorn. For the most part she will be acting as a diplomatic envoy as needed, otherwise documenting events as they unfold for Sasha's future reference should it be necessary.

Calypso has been spending a fair amount of time at the Lodge of Petrichor. A light sleeper, means she spends mornings, before dawn breaks, walking the ground. If there are any unicorns around, Calypso will talk to them about moonflowers.

"Come back when you have the rest of the ingredients, and the Lodge is safe. And we will help you make the potion. I will stir it with my own horn," said the Herdmother, and this promise keeps Sasha warm as she travels back to Arx and continues her quest. She has found the Moonflower, and with the promise of the unicorns now she must finish gathering the rest of the ingredients - and hopefully find a way to help protect the Lodge. The cure may yet be possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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