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.

Reese would like to encourage the Shavs she had ready to bend the knee for a barony to instead bend the knee to Deepwood and Riven somewhere along the lines of half and half. Not wanting to part families or anything like that, she will try to keep people together who want to stay together and will worry about that over being exactly even. She will once again not force anyone bend the knee, but instead will try to rely upon her charm and diplomacy to encourage such. She will stress the need to be safe from the slaver as a reason. Anyone who changes their mind about bending the knee will not be forced. With this she hopes to protect those she gathered to bend the knee from being taken by the slaver, but she also hopes to help increase the size of Riven and Deepwood. She hopes to strengthen her bonds with them and her image as a protector of the Gray Forest. She is going to encourage Countess Mia and Marquesa Samantha to help with such and will support them setting their own terms when it comes to bending the knee. Beyond not forcing the issue, she will honor and aid Mia and Samantha in doing things their way. Although she is pretty sure they wouldn't force anyways and has great faith in their ability to handle this well.

    (ooc note: This going to be done in place of getting the barony for Reese. She would rather the people safe and sworn houses she has faith in then waiting for around.)

Samantha of couse, is mad happy with the notion of adding land and people to her domain. As Mia has already indicated, she will want to more or less go through her now familiar process when it comes to incorporating would-be prodigals. She'll want to meet with the Shav'arvani leadership of the tribes and clans who want to consider swearing fealty to her, as much for them to talk to her as it is for her to talk to them. She'll offer a clear overview of Old Oak law and her expectations (she has not, to date, demanded her people join the Faith), and she'll want to address their expectations in return. She has the means to let her reputation speak for her, but she will also do some outreach with the shav'arvani population that is hoping to be incorporated, take time to expose herself to their particular clan culture and lives. Basically showing that she cares about respecting their way of life. If all goes well, assuming the 50/50 split Reese has proposed, she sit down with their leaders along with Mia and Reese, to determine the border between county and March.

Mia will do as she has so often done with the shav'arvani -- ride out to meet with them herself, and speak to them of all the possibilities of their future together, strenghtened by one another. To this point, she will wish to meet with the leaders of all of the clans and tribes, to hear out their concerns, their requests, their requirements. The utmost respect will be shown to them and to their elders over the course of these discussions, and each point addressed not with vague promises but with specific, pertinent examples of situations faced by others who have joined her banners, with frank honesty given as to their results and current state as best she is able. She will lay forth her own, which are simple enough, as they pertain to the laws of Riven and the requirements of the Compact. Mia will point, too, to the large number of Prodigals that have settled in the County in the last fifteen years, and what has become of them -- their lives, their fortunes, their successes, and yes, their service. Emphasis will be placed on the dire circumstances which Riven and the Greenwoods found themselves in once, with strong comparisons made to the threats made by the Horned God and his minions now, and how each may assure the survival of the other now as was done then, with Thesarin to stand as evidence of the benefits of unity. She will, too, speak of her future hopes and plans for the County -- for developing its lands, for strengthening its defenses, and soon for expanding its armies, all of which may provide opportunity for those who have been displaced from their homes and forced to abandon their property in the face of current threats, thus giving them hope of a more secure future for them and for their children. (NOTE: I have not added resources to this as I was uncertain if they'd be needed, based on Reese already having the people. However, if they would be beneficial to the outcomes as outlined in my/our OOC intent, then I am more than happy to contribute 250 Econ/350 Social from my personal inventory.)

Thesarin will, once again, be riding into the Grey Forest to welcome the Prodigals into the Compact. His own example, he hopes, will serve as a show of the treatment of Abandoned in the Houses of Deepwood and Riven, and he hopes his reputation (mixed though it might be) will carry weight to people in the Grey Forest. As the Prodigal Count-Consort of a largely Prodigal land, welcoming to many peoples, and with his own fame (or infamy) to draw on, he hopes to peacably gain lands and people; with his experience fighting the Slaver's monsters in the woods, and with the fang of Braxxus the Bloodsniffer set at the pommel of his sword, he looks to show the dangers they face and the protection he offers.

The current state of the Gray Forest creates great risk for the average person unaffiliated with the Compact. With Old Oak and its ruler prepared to accept more potential citizens, Rymarr's duties are in need once again. Security is increased in the interest of providing these latest individuals seeking to join with the March with added safety. Rymarr has progressively become more and more accustomed to directing and coordinating large groups of people; first as the Marquis of Lyon's Redoubt, then onward to the King's Own, the Iron Guard, and of course as the military leader of House Deepwood. Outside of warfare, there's plenty of opportunity and reason to employ such skills in the aid of both those committing themselves once more to joining the Compact through House Deepwood and House Deepwood itself.

Of course Rymarr would be missing a golden opportunity not to put on a little show for their arriving citizenry in the form of putting their finest troops forward in hopes of inspiring some of their potential new citizens into enlisting in the ranks of House Deepwood's 2nd Banner.

So they are happy to serve. Maybe a little too happy, in fact. There's one very respected Abandoned priest named Rufus Proudwood who heartily endorses Reese's message, and encourages the different shav groups to settle on Deepwood and Riven lands. Not shamanistic at all, but definitely a divergent line of Pantheon worship that seems to hold Petrichor as the One True God and All Others Are Subservient Before Him And His Wilds, the Divine of the Dirt has been gaining a lot of traction among abandoned groups as of late, and it's a version of worship that is why the Proudwoods were cast out of the Compact during the Elven War. Now the prodigals all bending the knee to Samantha and Mia seem to listen to Thesarin and Rymarr and go out of their way to avoid creating problems, and the patch of proudwood land does pass to Riven while most of the people pass to Deepwood, but some of Rufus' teachings are a little odd. One common sermon supposedly was, "THE GREAT HORNED BEAST IS COMING FOR US ALL! WE NEED TO PROTECT HIS DAUGHTERS OR ELSE ALL IS LOST! WHEN THE CENTIPEDES RISE TO EAT EVERYONE AND FORM SHACKLES OF WRITHING BUGS AROUND THEM, ONLY HIS DAUGHTERS WILL SAVE US!" And so on. It's quite apocalyptic. The proudwoods and their get are VERY happy to settle on Riven and Deepwood lands for some reason.

As for Rufus? Well, accordingly right as they were all about to finally bend the knee, he ran off screaming into the woods saying that 'It had finally come for him!' and was found in a ditch with his barely recognizable devoured form covered in centipedes. So nothing too strange.

Long have the people of Pridehall stood in ready support of the Crown, the Compact en masse, and House Grayson. Throughout his Majesty's childhood and infamous Rest, whilst Duke Gabriel acted as Regent, the noble family members and those serving under House Bisland suffered no neglect -- rather, they picked up the mantle of duty themselves in epic furtherance of peace, prosperity, and glory.

Lumen is bringing others together to produce a grand festival in celebration of these longheld ideals. To take place throughout the streets of Pridehall, the festival will serve as a fantastic reminder of the legendary resolve of House Bisland. Lumen will personally be throwing around her weight (socially, that is). She'll call in boons and finesse friendships to ensure vendors and street performers of all walks. She'll procure the finest lodgings for allies past and present (and prospective) so that they can come, bear witness, and partake in the merriment firsthand.

Delighted to return to her beloved Pridehall, Zoey plunges into the festival with cheer and abandon. This scion of Bisland encourages the stodgy and often grumpily taciturn people of the Mourning Isles (well, at least her husband, Ian, who has been told that he has no choice about coming but all he has to do is drink and stand there) to come with her to partake in Crownlander hospitality at its absolute finest. She uses her charm and diplomacy to encourage deeper bonds and alliances between Pridehall and Stormward.

Lord Michael Bisland the Steadfast, will put boots to polish and to march and prepare a large procession of military prowess for a parade through Pridehall. The survivors of Stormwall will front and center and march on foot with Michael Bisland. Veterans of previous wars will fall in behind them, then behind them the various knights pledged to House Bisland.

Ariel will try to pull dance troupes from Stonewood, Fireviper, and Bisland. Each would do a dance native to that area during the party. Then the final performance would be a new dance involving all three groups one to represent the unified area. She hopes to draw attention to arts of the region and make new contacts in those social circles

Samantha is going to solicit Deepwood vendors of crafts and street food, utilize her social connections, and throw money at the thing to help get it all paid for. But most importantly? She is going to be hiring a playwright and a theatrical company to create and produce a play, portraying the story of Duke Gabriel's heroism during the Tyde Rebellion, and in particular, his rescue of young Samantha from the agents of the Rex'alfar. (Maybe it'll be a musical!)

A festival at Pridehall is arranged in celebration of many long years of success and stability. Lumen Whisper organizes the entire thing, pointing to the years of stability, and how even when Duke Gabriel Bisland served as Regent his heir, Lord Michael Bisland, kept Pridehall secure and successful. Indeed, Lord Michael stands with Lumen, as does Lady Zoey Kennex nee' Bisland, and as do two of their more prominent vassals, Marquessa Ariel Stonewood and Marquessa Samantha Deepwood.

Marquessa Ariel works with performers and creates a new dance. Marquessa Samantha encourages entertainers and performers to show up for the festival, adding to the joy - and even commissions a play to be written and performed that emphasizes the Bisland role in setting the Tyde rebellion to rest, and in rescuing a very young Samantha Deepwood herself so that Deepwood could continue to be strong and to exist as a March in its own right.

Everything is very well received, and the people of Pridehall take great pains to support and enjoy the festival. Indeed, it's a good day to be Bisland.

Lou is taking a group of scouts, guards, linguists, healers, and diplomats out into the Crownlands to do a general census and survey of the Shav'arvani clans. She is interested in getting knowledge about how many there are, their wants and desires, and to see if any of them would be open to negotiations about joining the Compact -- but is not asking them to join. Mostly, she's having her people gather information to take back to the King so he can make an informed decision regarding the shav'arvani populations moving forward. Her part in this will largely be for scouting purposes, to get people to the known shav'arvani clans she's visited. The guards will be there for protection purposes only (represented by military writs.)

She does not ask them to bend the knee, nor does she make threats that they must bend the knee. This is a diplomatic journey, as a way to open the door further down the road. It is, in essence, a first contact experience in order to bring back information to the King. And they are doing this all very, very quietly, or at least as quietly as they are able.

As part of the diplomacy, she'll have healers on standby to help any who might be suffering from diseases or injuries, and to share information about healing techniques with each other. She'll bring small gifts for the clans of things she feels they might need (represented by the addition of economic resources), and ask the diplomats to dispense with them where they think they will be most useful, and have the diplomats do the most talking with the aid of the various linguists. Generally, the message is to promote compromise and peace.

Lou is also interested in exploring their knowledge base with goings on of the shav'arvani villages in as much as whether or not people are still disappearing. If she feels the situation is appropriate, she'll ask to speak to any talented singers within the group, and offer them the knowledge of the Wolfheart Rhymes (@clues Wolfheart Rhymes, Part 1 and Wolfheart Rhymes, Part 2) without saying what tribe she got them from. She doesn't know much about the Rhymes themselves, other than that the people she went with to find them felt that they, in some way, offered protection -- especially Part 1 -- from the slaver and the gargantuans. It is not knowledge that can be researched, but it is knowledge she shares freely with those that seem to be friendly and untainted. She's not certain if the Rhymes will be useful or not, but figures it doesn't hurt to pass them along.

Prior to leaving Arx, Mia will be scouring for any information she can find on the areas they're heading to and the tribes that might be there. Historical records and maps are all well and good, yes, but she has the benefit of more recent information -- the masses of people that have flocked to her banners in the last year, ranging from the 10,000 that joined her a year past to the recent refugees that have joined the Compact. What she can gather, she will share with their scouts and diplomats, in order to help guide their movements.

Once done, Mia will be acting primarily as a diplomat (with the benefit of her skill in linguistics and her knowledge of multiple shav dialects) and as a healer, providing assistance to those who are part of the various tribes they come into contact with. She's long tended her husband's wounds, so the site of blood disturbs her little, and with several children of her own, she's familiar enough with the ailments of childhood. For as cool and reserved as she can sometimes seem, the locals may note that Mia has a particular fondness for children. A great deal of attention is paid to them and their needs and if she happens to earn the regard of any of the tribes for gentle care of the smallest and most vulnerable among them, or learn any new songs or rhymes from the children? Well, all the better.

Also accompanying her will be supplies, represented by my addition of economic resources to the action, in particular a number of leathers and furs that are common goods at the Twainfort. It's winter, after all, and a hard life out in the wilds. Someone needs to see them through to spring.

Despite the presence of hired guards, Valarian - as an expert with his blade - will be dressed non-threateningly, but keep his sword at his side and remain close to Lou and the other expedition members to ensure their safety.

Samantha will be participating as a member of the diplomatic team. She will be tapping her shav'arvani contacts in advance to let them know about the delegation while stressing the lack of any need to bend the knee, in the hope that they will encourage the clans and tribes encountered to be receptive to diplomatic approach.  She will make sure her fellow diplomats and others on the mission who are not otherwise educated on whatever traditions for the groups they encounter that she has knowledge of in order to show respect (obviously some of them will be well educated, like Mia). She'll basically do the job she's become known for. In addition to this, she will have a squad of the Deepwood Rangers come with the group, both as part of their security and defense (scouting, and the like), as well as to openly display the kind of elite position a Prodigal can achieve within the Deepwood military in particular. No recruitment, nor as Lou indicated, any bending knee requests or demands, but letting them see Prodigals in an advantageous position.

Oswyn is along as a field medic/healer. He pitches in a few resources for the procurement of gifts as well. Mostly, he's there to tag along, tend to any injuries or illnesses, and teach what he can about medicine.

Caspian is working to protect the group. His main objective is to stab what needs to be stabbing, and to not stab what doesn't need to be stabbing. He'll also give out candy to the children, because these kids probably never had candy before! Poor kids.

Lou's expedition into the Gray Forest does not come without risk. This is a forest that lately has been reported to potentially house gargantuans, cultists, and other denizens that serve the Horned God. And so Lou assembles a small but quiet group - swift moving, diplomats and scouts and warriors too. They even take Oswyn along in case they need a field medic.

And so they go, reaching out. Lou is the Pathfinder for the Explorers' Guild for a reason - she is very, very good at what she does. She scouts the safest places, the best paths to their destinations. Some villages they find in tact. Others not so much - some show signs of complete abandonment, hastily done. Each of those has a small shack at the outskirts, half-built. Some show signs of complete destruction, and where Lou once knew of a shav tribe's home there are only the charred remnants of wood and fallen burnt stone. Still others are worse - in perfect working order, devoid of people, and in the center of the villages a plaque. "Slaves," some read. "Sacrifice," others read. "Fodder," still others.

When they do find villages now, Samantha and Mia work the diplomatic angle and, being known to the shav here well, the Marquessa and the Countess find themselves quite well received indeed. These villagers want to talk about the Horned God, and are willing to do so to any who will listen.

What unfolds is a tale of sorrow and grief. They never know, they say, when they might be visited by the Horned God's cultists. Some villages have taken to a nomadic life to try to avoid being found. Others simply know that they'll be found wherever they are. The situation is ripe right now for someone to come and claim the land, in truth. "There's a rumor that says that if someone powerful enough has claim to you, then he can't just up and take. He needs permission." Whether it's true or not, the leaders insist, their people believe it. So while some shav are willing to take their chances? Others might be very willing indeed to bend the knee indeed.

With Caspian and Valarian there, talk also turns to protection of the villages. It seems there are less martial activities going on than one might suspect. "He's not raising an army," says one grizzled warrior. "An army we could fight. Or join. He's raising a religion. Cultists. Magic. Demons. Slaves. He doesn't care if you're willing, and all he wants is more sacrifices. More of the right kind of sacrifices that is, but I don't know what those are except we aren't special enough. Sometimes we hear rumors of horrifying giant monsters, but we haven't seen those in this place. And when his cultists come through, sometimes we hear whispers - they're focused on sacrificing everything at the Lodge, and they're looking for 'The Blood.' Whatever that is, it's hidden, even from his cultists, and they're very, very angry about that."

All in all, it's a successful journey - they bring back intelligence and information, and no one dies - but it leaves more uncertainty than ever.

With the news that many shav'arvani tribes are fearful for their lives in the face of the Horned God, Samantha has decided to attempt what she has previously done successfully: open her borders to shav'arvani refugees, without obligation of joining the Compact, but with the requirement that they adhere to the rule of law while within her borders. That being said, as there is great concern regarding any spies or Horned God loyalists coming in amongst the refugees, Samantha is going to utilize the procedures that she helped develop when she acted as a Liberator and needed to screen for true criminals amongst the freed thralls when helping them re-establish their lives. She will also turn to her Prodigal population from the time before, asking them to take an active hand in this process, as they themselves can speak from experience as to the veracity of Samantha's word, and she believes they would be extremely scrutinizing in making sure any spies or enemies slip through the process. As before, Samantha will show by example the benefit of joining the Compact, and hope that her actions result in further prosperity.

Grady is used to the quiet spaces. To growing up in the woods, and being away from Arx. Having recently made the journey himself, he'll talk of his own experiences. It's not quite the same journey, mind - he's always been part of the Compact. But it's not so different out in the middle of nowhere. He appreciates the quiet spaces too, and so he'll talk about how expansive the world can be. How there's still room to be free. How the Compact isn't a trap it's a gift of security. He'll mention children too, and building for a bright future together. How the Compact takes care of its own, and in these difficult times that's important. How we fight for each other, and celebrate the joys together, and come together in times of sorrow. We can build together. It's not a bad thing at all, is it?

Marquis-Consort Rymarr Deepwood has sent along notice to Old Oak of the plans of the ruling Marquessa, Samantha. In that notice he calls for volunteers that may be prepared to accept new Prodigals and teach them the way of life in the Compact - ideally pulling from the great many Prodigals already become citizens of Deepwood Hold. Along with that efforts are to be taken to ensure the safety and security of Old Oak, whether from these welcomed Abandoned in the form of a subtly close eye being kept on them or ensuring that they do not bring something altogether unpleasant in with them. Up to and including disease or other less than savory affairs.

Mia will be following Samantha's lead, opening up Riven's borders to allow for the transport of various shav'arvani tribes along the rivers that run north-to-south through the county, ferrying people from dangerous locations to more secure ones. Those who have been thoroughly vetted by all of the procedures laid out may also be permitted to remain at the Twainfort, on condition that all laws of the Compact be adhered to while present.

Moving a large number of people is an undertaking. Moving whole villages into Deepwood territory, in winter, will take food, blankets, foragers, guides, fires, and waystations. Thesarin, and his Riven subjects (Prodigals especially), will be working with Deepwood and Grayson to arrange everything needed to bring the shavs into the refugee camps, and see them protected on their way.

Lord Kaldur will shadow Samantha in her efforts to welcome the shav'arvani who take shelter in Deepwood as the Traitors forces stir. He's reasonably observant, so he'll be on the look out for mannerisms or customs, greetings, physicalities, sayings. He will be of particular use if any cultists are discovered.

Reese would like to help protect the shavs who are wanting to move to safer lands. She would like to try and be a positive force and to gently encourage those in danger to move. She will be highly focused on protecting any shavs as they move.

Dame Esoka's efforts are two-fold. First, she assists with security under the Marquessa's direction, keeping a particular eye (and feel) out for any shavs who might be Abyssal spies. Second, she speaks to those who come about her own experiences as a prodigal among the Deepwoods and Rivens and encourages them to bend the knee, trying to show them they can maintain their pride and tradition within the Compact.

As Voice of Whitehawk, Kenna organizes routes for the shav'arvani who meet the Deepwood requirements through Whitehawk land, as well as places for them to stay within the barony as space and protections exist that deep within the forest. Her greatest effort is directed towards helping arrange passage down the two branches of river that cup surround the Barony to where there are better defenses.

Alaric will be comitting some military resources and support from House Grayson to temporarily bolster garrison postings that have had forces diverted to help in other areas of the effort. Otherwise, he will be putting his diplomatic skills to managing any complaints, disagreements, and other general issues in regards to residents with problems with refugees traversing the Crownlands.

Bethany will bring the Mercier trade network to bear, handling logistics, tracking down suppliers for the needed sundries and negotiating the best possible prices. She won't go herself, but she'll do everything that can be done from the safety of her tea shop to make sure that on the ground, everything runs as smooth as a well oiled... anachronism.

The Baron of Whitehawk will provide his cousin Kenna with the military personnel, food, and resources she may need in assisting the prodigal population to or through Hawkhold. Rangers, healers, boats, caravans - the works. He will delegate the actual orders and organization to her, though, to preserve the plans she has already set in place.

Scouts in the Gray Forest are reporting a significant number of shav who are afraid of the actions being taken in the Forest by a cult figure known only as the Horned God. While most reasonable people in Arx know that this is clearly a figure trying to draw from various scary pieces of folklore, some of the leaders of Grayson are seeing a chance to extend their lands and expand their populations.

Under Marquessa Samantha Deepwood's diplomatic leadership, diplomats from the Compact gather - Countess Mia Riven, Lady Kenna Whitehawk, and Princess Reese Grayson among them. They assemble support - Marquis Rymarr Deepwood, Baron Silas Whitehawk, Lord Grady Deepwood, Dame Esoka Greenblood, Bethany Mercier, Count Thesarin Riven, and Lord Kaldur Seliki - to render aid, tactical leadership, diplomatic outreach, and economic strength to their proposition. King Alaric Grayson even signs off on this attempt, putting his not inconsiderable charm to work.

They offer safe haven for those who want to flee potential "recruitment" by this cult leader. No overt mention is made of the need to bend the knee and yet those responding bend the knee anyway. Without prompting. One tribal leader even comments, 'It's a protection isn't it, to have someone we're oathed to already?' And so it seems. Riven, Whitehawk, and Deepwood lands expand, their populations swell, and for now it seems as though this is a very good thing for everyone.

One wonders what the response in the forest will be to that.

Ainsley is leading up a mass organized attempt at charity and relief efforts for Stormwall and Darkwater. He's gathered multiple people to help with his efforts and many donations. They are as follows:

1) Aiden, Samantha, and Ainsley will head together to Stormwall to personally drop off supplies, services, and other things for the recovery efforts (of course keeping away from those tar pits). Samantha will be providing lumberjacks, lumber, and the like. Aiden will be helping to provide morale boosts and help the families and the survivors. While Ainsley will be busy helping to direct and work with the locals for the people they are providing to help.

2) Titania will be heading up the efforts to help recover Darkwater. She will be in charge of taking the donates resources, supplies, and money to Darkwater to liaise with the Darkwater people. Likely Ariel and Malesh will be helping her. Ariel will be contacting people to help find aid and suitable locations to help relocate the Darkwater Redoubt. While Malesh will be putting his economic Know How to good use to try and generate funds to help with the rebuilding efforts.

3) Roxanna will be handling dealing with public relations and help gather donations, public support and otherwise getting word spread that these things are happening! She is our PR person.

4) Olivia, Jordan, and Harlan will be helping as well. Sir Jordan will go along as a pledged sword to help protect the caravans and help make certain that they are not attacked on the way to Stormwall. While Harlan will be assisting Aiden by sending ahead money and resources to be sent to the distribution center. And Olivia will be working as healer to help the people of Stormwall as they go, focusing on recouping the human cost of battle.

5) Lastly all donations should be split equally amongst the two houses: 2k Econ for each house, 250,000silver split for each house, etc.

Samantha is riding alongside Ainsley and Aiden to personally deliver All of The Things. As for her contributions, she's aware that Crovane's duchy has significant access to lumber, so she is going to round up as many volunteers as are willing to come from Deepwood and its fealties. Lumberjacks, carpenters, carvers, etc. Samantha will also arrange for volunteers who are willing to provide adminstration and organization for temporary housing, sanitations resources, and communal kitchens. The people of Old Oak pride themselves on their philanthropy, and this is an opportunity for all of Arvum to see and consider their example.

Aiden can contribute in the means of morale boosts. He was acting as the Commander of the Grayson Army during the conflict at Stormwall. He will help by personally visiting the survivors of Stormwall and speaking with them on an individual basis. It will be a long grueling process but one he started in the aftermath of the fighting, when he went around speaking to the injured. The easiest way to accomplish this is to visit the survivor's camps first and there he will collect the names of the family memebers which are yet surviving, those who are lost, and start compiling a sense of what each family needs in respect to long term compensation and immediate need. It's a great undertaking but he's pulling in help from his social network (social writs: 200) to make the task easier to manage. The next step is to set up a distribution center in which can allocate the resources more efficiently in a tirage sort of decision making tree - shelter, food, and water being of the utmost concern. He'll have contributed what he can to the economic plight (economic writ: 300) as he feels responsible for all those that lost.

Titania along with her husband Count Gailin will be taking the resources, services, materials, and etc to the Darkwater Redoubt or to whoever is in charge of their rebuilding efforts on that side.

Roxana assists dear cousin Ainsley's efforts with what she does best, skillful public relations. She builds up the plan that Ainsley, Aiden, and Samantha set out for Stormwall and Darkwater to all of her contacts who will listen, including those loyal to her Grayson and Malvici kin. Other groups and individuals she has ties with hear the same message, that she would be so very grateful if this worthy cause was given the attention it deserves among the populace of Arx and the nobles of Arvum. Any difficulties that arise from the organization of these efforts that she might assist in smoothing over she will, and she will continue to make sure that the Grayson penchant for doing the best by the people of the Compact is always recognized and appreciated.

Princess Cassima Thrax has funds to offer as part of rebuilding efforts for Darkwater and Stormwall. These funds are the proceeds of the Islander Relief Auction, which took place just before the final naval maneuvers against the Gyre began. As promised, Cassima is prepared to make these funds available for use by any who seek to provide relief for the Isles and, by extension, Stormwall. To this, Cassima has pledged the support of 100,000 silver for the rebuilding efforts, as well as her own skills in budgeting and economics to help make favorable purchase agreements for materials.

Jordan can't contribute with much; his finances aren't all that good and he's paying off a thing or two, still. Nevertheless, he pledges his sword in efforts to ensuring the caravans sending support, material and cares are secure. He'll accompany them to the roads leading to Stormwall, as well as assist with his manual labor in the rebuilding process. He's not going to shy away from giving his all in helping the Northlands.

Harlan can also contribute in the means of morale boosts. Under Aiden, he lead the Grayson archers during the conflict at Stormwall. He will also be visiting the survivor camps, gathering family names, as well as reaching out to as many survivors and families of the fallen in Ashford that he can. Likewise, he will be using his social ties to help him with this (150 social writs) to help gather the information. He will assit Aiden with the distribution center, but also be working within Ashford to do the same there as well (Economic writ: 200). He will also be supplying Grayson with 50,000 silver towards helping with the rebuilding of Stormwall, as he was unable to travel there himself -- he also gives Jordan his blessing to accompany the others on their journey with him.

As she was at the battle in Stormwall as a healer, Olivia will make a point of returning with the support effort to provide medical assistance. She'll check in with any old patients who survived the battle, render what care she can, and so on. In terms of material support, she'll focus on preparing medicines and other such necessities to focus on the human cost of the battle rather than the physical and economic destruction.

Ariel will be sending out messengers to Stonewood holdings to get together what can be spared. Contacting others seeking their aid in the matter and help in finding suitable locations to house the displaced.

Malesh has had his chance at leading in combat and that went well enough, given the circumstances. He's much more at home in this sort of thing now, taking advantage of the foibles of trade deals and the locations of this good or that. Putting quill to paper and chewing through a good deal of it, he will assist in the crunching of numbers to ensure that the funds and resources gathered are stretched to the absolute breaking point to provide the greatest results. Coin is pooled to buy in bulk, and chains of goods purchased to ensure the free flow of the supplies needed from one town to the next.

Prince Ainsley takes the lead in Grayson restoration efforts. Raising money for aid to Stormwall and Darkwater both, he enlists diplomats and society notables to help raise relief funds to be put to use in rebuilding both destroyed domains.

Prince Aiden, Marquessa Samantha, and Prince Ainsley head together to Stormwall to personally drop off supplies, services, and other things for the recovery efforts. From Deepwood, lumberjacks and lumber. From Grayson, financial aid and morale support. They help with the organizational efforts and the actual building alike.

Countess Titania Fireviper leads the efforts to help recover Darkwater. She will be in charge of taking the donates resources, supplies, and money to Darkwater to liaise with the Darkwater people. Marquess Malesh and Marquessa Ariel also help, contacting people to help find aid and willing backs to clear the debris and carnage from the Redoubt so that it can be rebuilt. Princess Cassima Thrax, Economic Genius, also pours Thrax money into these efforts to aid her family's vassal.

Lady Olivia, Sir Jordan, and Duke Harlan will help too. Sir Jordan helps protect the caravans and help make certain that they are not attacked on the way to Stormwall. Duke Harlan assists Aiden by helping supply funds and supplies for relief. And Lady Olivia will be working as healer to help the people of Stormwall as they go, focusing on recouping the human cost of battle.

And Princess Roxana Grayson drops word in just the right places. There's a fundraising party here. There are people collecting supplies there. She makes sure that the flow of information is smooth and seamless, that people who want to help know where to send donations, and that the people in charge of helping are well known for their efforts.

All in all a resounding success on both fronts, and the Graysons are certainly taking part in the rebuilding efforts in both places. Things are looking brighter in Darkwater and Stormwall.

So Sam did a thing! She wrote a book called The Four Pillars of Diplomacy, which discusses fundamental principles of the craft, but has specific emphasis on how to approach non-hostile Abandoned tribes. She has been giving copies to anyone who solicits her for one, with one exception: she sent a copy to Princess Lou for the Explorer's Society because a year or so back, Aislin asked her to write something along those lines for them, and Samantha has now fulfilled that promise. But many have requested and received a copy, including the Lead Archivist of the Scholars of Vellichor.

Marquessa Samantha Deepwood writes a book about Diplomacy. It's a dry subject so it's not what people would call a page-turner. But it does talk in fairly reasonable terms about the pillars of diplomacy, and how one could potentially use diplomacy to do great things with it, and the people involved in trying to avoid wars and altercations (and save lives, they are quick to add) by talking out their differences are quick to point out that it's an intelligent book written by an excellent diplomat herself. Among the knowledgable, the book is in high demand.

The Liberators of Skald have been quite busy. Mason and Aleksei organized the opening of an art show featuring the works of Fortunato Grayhope (and an anonymous artist). The show was entitled "Freedom" and featured work on the subject of slavery in its many forms, both inside and outside the Compact. The show ran for about a month, at which time the art was auctioned off in an event organized by Saedrus Whisper. All donations and winning bids were collected into one fund. In the end, the Liberators raised 3.2 million silver.

Using that 3.2 million silver, Aleksei and Mason are going to get to work. They have a list of thrall debts throughout the Isles that was procured very quietly and expertly by Ferrando some months ago. They're using this as a basis of where to start in order to identify the most appropriate candidates and also to hopefully minimize any inflation of debt when the sellers realize that they have a buyer with considerable funds at hand. As far as "appropriate candidates" goes, they're focusing on people in the following order of priority:

1) People who enslaved because of the debts of their parents who committed no crimes of their own.
2) People who were enthralled for nonviolent crimes.
3) People who were enslaved via reaving, i.e. people from Abandoned tribes that Compact citizens specifically targeted to attack and enthrall. (As opposed to actual prisoners of war from Abandoned tribes who were attacking Compact settlements.) On the stipulation that they can agree to become sworn citizens of the Compact.

They're not spending the full 3.2 million on just debts; they're going to use the money to purchase the debt and pay the cost of transport and resettling for as many thralls as they can manage with the funds. The Faith will offer the thralls transport to wherever they'd like to resettle within the Compact (so long as they'll swear fealty). The ex-thralls will be housed by the Faith in their parish of choice, and the local Godsworn will help them to find work or apprenticeships within the parish with the expectation that the freedmen will procure their own room and board when they have become self-sufficient.

Individuals are working their particular strengths in the following ways:

- Mason is using his investigation skills to work through the lists of debts Ferrando procured and help identify the best candidates, while also trying to not drain any one area of the Mourning Isles.

- Aleksei isn't exactly a negotiator or a businessman, so he's relying on the lists of debts they procured and a well-honed sense of empathy to try and figure out the best way to talk with both the debtholders and the thralls themselves.

- Saedrus is also helping with this part with a similar skillset to try and charm and empathize his way through negotiations.

- Since the Liberators know that there will possibly be some friction from the Faithful and the Godsworn in the parishes chosen -- "of course you should free those slaves! but don't bring them here, they might be dangerous." -- they have recruited Seraph Ailith to lend her commanding prowess of propaganda to help drum up public support among the Faithful and within the Faith for this initiative.

The most remarkable sucess through it all is the complete lack of violence. Here empathy was absolutely vital, and Aleksei in particular finds out a truth that isn't entirely reassuring- when going to buy a thrall, expressiong concerns about violence in their past is quick to have a seller willing to talk up the many reasons that would be unlikely. Sellers, if they think a buyer is concerned about a thrall potentially turning on them or start a revolt, go out of their way to talk about how they were peaceful before they were taken by reavers, or how their debt was inherited and they always were docile, or the many disturbing reasons that a thrall won't be a problem. It's horrifying, but it still allows them to vet ones that are far less likely to cause violence. Mason and Saedrus help find the best candidates off of Aleksei's work, and in the end, they have the better part of five thousand thralls able to be bought (and well below market price for their life debts! A thousand per wouldn't be uncommon).

Ailith and Samantha do great work in preparing for a lack of violence in where they wish to settle, and a few hundred choose to stay in the Isles, as the place they've known, or have always lived. A few hundred more return to other places in the Compact- but a full four thousand are interested in one place in particular, Old Oak.

Samantha's march has acquired quite a reputation as a place of safe refugee for new Prodigals, and so a massive number of ex-thralls believe they can find a new beginning there.

((Old Oak will see a massive bump in its labor numbers of vassals int he domain))

%It was brought to Reese's attention that any Shavs in the Gray forest who have not bent the knee are likely to be recruited to the Horned God's army and to serve as his slaves while fighting against the people of Compact. Reese would like help prevent the Shavs from becoming enslaved as she highly values freedom, but she would also like to help prevent increasing the size and power of the Horned God's army. She also wants to secure the Gray forest as much as she can to make the it more difficult for the Horned God to take action there.

With this in mind she went to her cousin Calarian for help. Calarian and Reese decided to embark upon a mission to help secure he forest and encourage the Shavs to bend the knee. Calarian would be focusing on the diplomatic side of this mission and Reese on the military side (providing the diplomats with protection from any possible threats). Reese fears that treats might come in the form of Shavs who don't like this missions, abyss tainted animals and etc. The goal of the mission is to use words and charm rather than violence as much as possible.

Reese and Calarian would like to bring others with them, especially of the Grayson faction, including vassals and commoners who are interested in such an effort. They would like to bring scouts (who know the forest), social characters (who can help charm the Shavs over) and warriors (who can help defend the party). While on this mission they will be trying to stay alert for anything amiss including, but not to limited to (signs of the Horned God, cultists, blight, abyss tainted animals, any unexpected animals and any signs of monsters).

Reese will not hesitate to kill in defense of their party or herself, however she will offer any mortal and non abyss tainted combatants a chance to surrender. She also has moral problems with killing when not in defense. Which means she probably not kill Shavs who will not bend the knee if they are not attacking the party, not behaving as a threat or not engaging in acts she would consider evil. Reese will most likely follow the commands of Calarian who is voice and above her in rank. She wishes to be inclusive as possible and to invite the Grayson faction to aid in this effort.

Thanks, Reese's player

Since this is getting a little long and unwieldy, I'm going to save this one for reference as we go over the PRPs and applicable crises. Since it's getting hard to track what's resolved in PRPs and what's not, let's break it up into separate ones to make sure things aren't missed and go ahead and throw up a prprequest to make sure staff responses to anything outstanding aren't missed.

Reese would like to help clean up the Grayson forest. She wants to clean up the whole forest, but she is interested in starting in the areas closest to Grayson farmlands, Grayson lands, compact, etc and branching out from there. She would like to work closely with Mistress Leola and Lady Khanne who are aware of her intentions. She does this crisis action with Leola's blessing. She wants to mobilize Grayson faction npcs and pcs both to help restore the land. She has a few ways of trying to do this. 1. Bringing in fresh new healthy soil and carting it in. 2. Bringing in new healthy plants of a sort that go naturally to the area and replanting. 3. Putting intense effort - blood, sweat and tears to the land. The more energy sunk into this especially while actually at site in the forest the better. 4. She wants to try and help inspire those who go with her to be passionate and work hard. 5. She is not a singer - but she would like to sing while they work and hopes to get some songresses on the action. 6. She is not a priest, but she plays to prayer while she works and will encourages (or try to encourage others to do the same). She suspects those more effective at this might take point here, but she feels like every little bit helps. 7. She wants to take any life that seems corrupted beyond hope - such as twisted animals and plants, killing them and burning them if possible. She plants to follow Leola's and Khanne direction and will listen to them if they advise her in some way. She plans to give them credit amoung the Graysons working with her for the work they have done toward this.
Reese is is using a 100 econ to help provide the funds for this. 100 social to help provide the social influencing to encourage people to get involved. 100 military to help protect those joining the effort. She also is spending 10,000 to help fund the project. She wants to bring much generous number of the Grayson military with them to help guard those working. She will focus on moreso on commanding the forces and guarding the efforts - now that more information has come to light.


Important Append: Reese is taking the group only to the area of the forest closest to compact and is not venturing too far into the Gray forest. She plants to what she can help to help the forest close to compact. She still plans to bring Grayson soldiers and to focus on the protection of those going out. Keeping people safe is her personal #1 objective. She will be fully armed and armored and on the watch for trouble.

Esoka has been enlisted by Reese to aid in the task of restoring the Grayson lands in the Gray Forest to order and beauty.
She'll pitch in on the manual labor, and patrolling/clearing areas of hostiles. She'll also offer her assistance, and the aid of those other Riven prodigals willing, as translators and general envoys to meet with the more cooperative Abandoned tribes in the area. She wants to facilitate information-sharing about the dangers in the forest, what it endured during the march of the Silent Army, and ways to rectify it. Perhaps even gain some assistance from these Abandoned in the effort to restore it.

For once, Aislin's not going to be able to help that much with lore or esoterica. But she /can/ help by providing sweat and labor to help work the land in the Gray Forest, and she will absolutely do so.

Killian isn't sure how much help he can be with the matter of restoring the land, but the one thing he's certain he can be of help in, is finding the places where darkness and evil still linger and taint the land. So he's going to go lend his unique ability to find trouble to the group, and his sword to deal with whatever trouble they find of course. Under no circumstances is he attempting to plant anything or nurture anything, because he's certain to have a black thumb and be more harm than good.

Reese asked Olivia to help in her efforts in the forest, and naturally the nature-loving Ashford is quite happy to assist. Her best skills are in matters of herbal lore and alchemy, so I imagine she could be of some help identifying and analyzing the blighted areas, both to try and target the dead areas as precisely as possible while retaining anything that can be saved, and also to learn more about the blight itself close-hand. So maybe a bit of soil analysis, etc. Of course if she knows any natural products or processes that might spurn new growth, she'd also use these once things are cleared and re-soiled (ie maybe using improved fertilizer blends or... something? Player has a total black thumb!)

Reese also asked about her assisting in coordinating some of the farmers in their planting works. She's not an expert at this but will do her best if there's not anyone better or pitch in assisting if there is.
Added: Following certain new information, Olivia contacted Reese (as well as Leola and Cara who I know have other actions on the same crisis) with a warning about their efforts potentially coming under attack. Wary of the fact that she's not readily able to defend herself, she'll make sure she stays close to certain protection (likely Killian ) and doesn't wander off or stray from the group as she might normally be inclined. Caution is the word!

Luca's going to be joining his wife in helping to fix the land if he can, primarily by putting his own blood, sweat, and tears into the effort and trying to help inspire others to do similarly. The things a lazy man will do for love!

Sparte is making an effort to collect plants to present to the king, mostly taken from the Gray Forest. As a side effect of this he is learning about the areas that were damaged and what grew there. He is doing his part to lend a hand clearing the damage and ensuring there is qualify spaces for the plants to regrow while collecting his samples.

Silas will get his hands dirty and do some manual labor, as well as take some new Iron Guard recruits with him for 'physical conditioning'. Additionally he will look into getting some of the farmers of Whitehawk to lend a hand with their skills in forest agriculture. They will use agricultural lime to help lessen the toxicity of the afflicted soil.

Laric isn't very interested in the gardening aspect of Reese's patrols, but will happily assist in controlled burning where deemed appropriate. He's apparently pretty good at starting and containing fires, go figure. Inquisitors are weird.
I.E, overly corrupt areas or places the actual gardeners feel need it.

Samantha is going to tap her network of new Prodigals, requesting that their shamans and healers research and consult the spirits for information on how to reverse the blight. She will also call upon the archivists at Old Oak for any information they might find as well.

Arianna is the Voice of House Stonewood and all of their forces mobilize to support the Princess Reese's efforts to reclaim the outskirts of the Gray Forest. A small unit of infantry, cavalry and pikemen are dispatched to assist in patrols. Keeping travelers and surveyors safe. The craftsmen and other vassals of House Stonewood lend their skills to help build fortifications and the many pyres needed for the controlled burns. The timber her House provides comes from Stonehearth and should be of great use. Arianna herself will be accompanying the small army of Stonewood soldiers, craftsmen, and laborers to the Gray Forest. She stays for a time and oversees the initial efforts of their getting involved before she will leave a capable commander in charge until she returns.

At Reese's request, Zhayla is joining those helping to bring new life to the Grayson forests. She's more than willing to defend the less martial among them in case of trouble, and will be armed for it, but she's mostly hoping that she can just plant a few trees. A lot of trees.

Princess Reese Grayson leads the other major effort to work the Gray Forest and revitalize the land left dead by the Bringers of Silence. Of particular use are the prodigals in her group, such as Esoka or ones with very close ties like Marquessa Samantha, who are able to speak personally with some of the remaining Abandoned mostly left shattered in the Gray Forest and near Old Oak to at worst leave the work parties alone, and a handful see it as time to bend the knee and help out- they've been through enough. Lady Olivia spends time studying the land and seeing what specific plants can be brought in to foster growth and reporting such to Reese, who sees it done. Aislin, Luca, Sparte, Killian and Zhayla help out with with sweat and labor, and making certain the area stays safe as they till the land and haul up fertilizer in one of the least glamorous jobs done in their respective careers. Silas as Lord Commander of the Iron Guard 'requests' iron guardsmen help out, which has its share of grousing but is undeniably effective at helping provide manpower. Laric and the Inquisition help organize control burns to clear the land for recovery, because inquisitors are weird. Lady Arianna has Stonewood house troops on hand to make certain the work parties are kept safe, and to lend raw effort. Between the efforts of Reese's part and Leola's, the effected land in the Gray Forest is expected to make a full recovery.

Aleksei is doing a bit more work in Stormward. Now that so many thralls have been relocated with the help of so many ships, he's turning attention to those who have remained in House Kennex's demense. With those that remain, he's working to try and and continue smoothing over their transition to freedmen, and encouraging the others of Stormward towards a more accepting path with their new fellow citizens. He does his best to approach matters from a place of respect for Thraxian tradition (even if he DOES NOT AT ALL RESPECT IT), at least so far as he knows it will be the best way to relate to the Stormward natives. This includes using some investment of Liberators funds where appropriate to help smooth matters over.

Without question, Saedrus will travel to Stormward with Aleksei and the Liberators to help the transition of freedmen. With a little sale of clothes he's added coin to the coffers to assist in a monetary matter. While in Stormward however he's there as a diplomatic voice to see that everything goes smoothly, and that the locals are assured in the change.

Zhayla intends to help. She heads to Stormward, knowing a little of the Isles as she does, and tries to help. She's not terribly sure how to help, mind - but she is determined to do what she can. So to Stormward she travels, and she reaches out to help Aleksei talk to thralls, and when he gets in over his head she starts glowering and making sure they know to leave him alone even if they don't agree with him. And she makes some effort at trying to lead them to a better path, but this is more Aleksei's gig than hers and so she follows along. She wants to help, but her trident isn't really a diplomatic sort of weapon.

Off on another Stormward venture, Ferrando is similarly engaged with doing stuff for Aleksei that's not quite important enough for his direct attention, getting dispatched to go handle miscellaneous things in a general-purpose sort of way.

Cassandra is joining the Faith's approach to the Kennex crisis by organizing some Templars to visit the affected isles. She's sending a small contingent of disciples and priests to keep order and calm - trusting that warcamps may be very similar to some of the situation the newly freed thralls will face - and organizing refuge points. She's bringing more non-combatants than combatants, though, hoping that some of those impacted in the Isles might find apprenticeships and the like with the smiths, chefs and so on that get brought by the Templar forces.

Knowing how Thraxians revere and respect Mangata's clergy over all others, Blessed Madeleine sends Disciples to assist with the transition and to encourage freedman merchant vessels - yes you can have oar crewed boats, yes they also need to be paid. They offer blessings and support and mediation when needed to help soothe the transition.

Archscholar Bianca arranges for a small group of Scholars specialized in diplomacy to act as Aleksei's extended voices. With their aid, stories of Thraxian histories and traditions are spun in a positive light and it is reinforced that the times they live in are ones of great change and progressive in nature. It is only with the foundation of their past and unity of the people that the Isles can move forward into the future.

Aureth will go with Aleksei to Stormward, not because he is a Liberator, but because Aleksei is his friend, and because all souls are human souls even if some of them make him sigh more than others. Once there, he will make his best efforts to help the locals buy what Aleksei is selling. He may privately think that Thrax culture is garbage, but mo propagandist ever had to believe all his own bullshit.

Fortunato's in the shop with his apprentices churning out some respectful art gifts celebrating Stormward and, of course, freedom. He does not himself go to Stormward, trusting an apprentice with good balance and strong arms to cart the load.

There was always the danger of backsliding into violence, particularly with the amount of religious fanatics on Stormward now. The outreach helps stabilize Stormward significantly further, and while there's certainly a few thousand Orazians there, they don't seem to be on the edge of violence... unless someone should try to undo the reforms, of course.