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Action by Morrighan for In Search of Fire

(Public Action, OOC Date: Jan. 6, 2024, 11:52 a.m.)

Change is a well-known aspect to the Goddess Lagoma, without it, there can be no growth, only stagnation and in turn, decay. The world has inarguably undergone significant change in a small number of years, and it hasn't gone without notice. Secrets are hidden no longer without being lost to memory now that the Despite has fallen. Orichalcum and Legion no longer threaten the Northlands - or the family that Morrighan has sworn to protect. However, that doesn't mean all concern or worry for the fate of the world can be tossed aside. Danger still remains. Nothing is yet safe. Change is still necessary, and the path towards that goal is one that the Last Daughter still travels.

Now, with the Despite fallen, maybe she can now take just a few steps further towards attaining that goal of change. Those steps take her to the Shrine of Lagoma, to the Eternal Flame, a place that's just as much home to the Dame as the Northlands, if not moreso. Fire burns in her heart and soul, it's a part of who and what she is as Brimstone's descendant, a part of her distant past as a soul reborn, of who she used to be as Cobalt and Brimstone's daughter. There's no other place as fitting than within Lagoma's presence to try and understand the flames, and in turn, gain some beginning mastery of them.

Morrighan had taken the first steps on the Isle of Storms years ago, and it opened her eyes to the stories flame could tell (clue 3556). From then she could see and learn, but there was always a lingering feeling that she could do more if she could just....do _something_. In Lagoma's Shrine, before the Eternal flame, she sits and meditates, studies and observes, be it for thirteen hours, thirteen days, or more. With the current threats lingering, she's determined to overcome this final obstacle barring her way of finalizing her personal metamorphosis, to complete the change she's so long sought, to become something more, to embrace her full potential not just for herself, but to protect and defend those she's sworn to. The fight isn't over, the stakes have risen, and whatever battles are coming, she seeks to be ready for them.

Morrighan has fire in her soul.

She always has. She is one of the last of Brimstone's line, and the struggle against the abyss has been forged in fire within her blood. She stares at the Eternal Flame, and she can feel the fire beginning to build.

There are very few clocks in the world, but they all stop at 11:30 pm. As Azazel's legions march on the holdings of the Compact, little by little, the clocks move with infinitismal slowness forward.

11:31. Morrighan is surrounded by flame. She is on a frosted tundra in the Everwinter, watching the legions march on. Valeria fought here.

11:32. The snow is wet underneath her feet, melting. She feels the heat around her. Demonslayer is in her hand as the legions come on. She sees refugees fleeing south, towards Farhaven.

11:33. Morrighan is in the woods outside of Farhaven. She hears screams. Refugees are desperately trying to run.

11:34. Morrighan is ablaze. She explodes in fire, rushing forward with demonslayer in her hand, the sword of Queen Valeria Redrain singing to her in steel and flame. There's a demonic minotaur, twisted by the abyss, lifting a great axe high in the air to bring down on a young shav woman had had tripped and was screaming. The woman lifts her hands to shield her face in a futile attempt for what's coming.

Morrighan is there, an explosion of flame blasting into the minotaur and charring its legs to the bone even before Valeria's sword sliced upward, demonslayer causing the beast to explode in fire and drift into ash. The clocks stop.

And then Morrighan is back in Arx, staring at the eternal flame. She's different. She's changed. She feels the fire inside burning.

And as the world counts down to its midnight, she'll be ready.

Action by Redrain for The Thornweave Threat

(Public Action, OOC Date: Oct. 1, 2022, 11:49 a.m.)

"For every name, a village." These are words Gwenna has not forgotten, and she is certainly not alone in hoping to keep the people across the Northlands safe. House Redrain has spent the years since the Pirate War preparing their coffers for future threats, which this certainly seems to be. The goal is to defend the lands and keep as many people safe as possible. Gwenna's role is funding and making sure everyone is as prepared as possible for their endeavors.

House Redrain has offered to pay the up-front cost for up to two siege weapons in each fealty (Stahlben, Acheron, Charon, and Clearlake took the offer!), and plans to build watch towers and way-stations near their own outlying villages. These stations will be stocked with anti-itch salves and bandages, as recommended by Lady Eirene (who has offered to provide humanitarian relief to evacuated villagers), as well as snowshoes to help the Templars, Knights of Solace, and guards stationed in the North to traverse the landscape. These will give the additional patrols in the area places to rest and restock. If they can get their hands on some of the vine-weakening solution, that will be added. These stations are meant to watch for trouble and alert villagers so they might have a chance to get to safer holdings.

With the news of the disappearance of the entire village of Littlebreak, patrols will be sent to the farther-out villages. They are to request the residents consider temporarily evacuating to places closer to their main holdings so as to avoid the same fate.

The Physicians Guild has been given permission to make a base of operations in Redrain lands should they feel such a location would be beneficial.

The tl;dr: building watch towers/way-stations to watch for trouble & stocking those with supplies for patrols/Templars/Knights of Solace, funding defenses for Farhaven and the fealty houses, and evacuations of the most out-lying villages.

Donella is not the nice girl she once was. Donella actually cannot remember being a NICE girl, and having all her teeth. It's been a dark time, and she's pissed. These attacks happening now, on innocent villagers, with everything else happening out east does not work for her right now. NOT TODAY. And though she can boss people around like no one's business, she is still not a warrior. So to help Gwenna, Nell is going *early* to those little intransigent outlying villages on horseback and with wagons that she can get to, and say basically: "Get in, losers, we're going to save the North."

The Princess Consort knows they are invested in their homes and possessions, but home is where your people are. And people are being liquidated to strengthen the enemy, and the hope that their small settlements are too remote for trouble to find them is a forlorn one. "To the last" doesn't mean fighting to the death where you stand every time. It means as long as you have anything to fight with, people in this case, you fight -- and the North needs its people to persist for what's coming. So yes, it's an order: to get to their nearest feudal strongholds, to ride double, to pack grandma and the kids into the wains, to help their neighbors turn the goats and chickens out to pasture and do it NOW.

If reluctance is a matter of property (which is not actually under threat), she'll spend up to a million silver buying them out at generous rates. Hell, she'll carry someone on her own horse ("Horse"). However, those too stubborn to obey while she's putting her bacon on the line for them -- perhaps the North doesn't need that sort of stupidity, and she'll say so. Those she'll tell to keep a dagger to use on themselves in extremis, so they at least don't strengthen the enemy against those who actually want to live to fight like Queen Valeria.

Princess Agatha IS a warrior, and isn't shy about letting people know. Yes, the princess will contribute resources to boosting the outer defenses. Some things also need to be handled personally, and the ginger princess will certainly do that. Donning her armor (is she ever without it...?), Agatha will personally lead her share of the patrols. And when she isn't on duty she will be assisting with training and keeping up morale for the other soldiers.

Helena Redrain isn't about to let What's-Her-Name (the audacity of having the same name! Really!) Thornweave kill any more of the northern folks if she can help it. And while she isn't a fighter in the traditional sense, the princess has long said she will use her voice to fight against oppression, slavery, and the Traitor and his minions. And so she lifts it now -- to try to convince the villagers to move to where it is safer. To assure those who have fears and to encourage those who have hope. She speaks of their courage and their community, of the need to be united. To ask for volunteers to help those less able as they move from their villages to the strongholds. To organize those volunteers into committees -- patrols, scouts, medical, cooks, etc.

Helena would be sure to make a personal trip to Gulljar to ensure the safe retrieval of the enshrined Discordant Harp. She will speak with the villagers and explain the significance of the harp, as she believes it may be useful in the fight against both Thornweave and the Traitor. If possible, Helena will try to convince them to allow her to take possession of it, but if this is not possible, she will strive to ensure that it is in safe keeping among the most trustworthy of the Gulljar villagers.

Kenjay is a diplomat's aide and a man with an unusual viewpoint. As both a prince born to House Redrain and a former slave in a foreign land, he's in a unique position when it comes to persuading people of the Northlands that being a slave is not for them. He's going to be focusing his efforts on the Eurusi expatriates who've settled in more far-flung Northern lands - after all, inviting them in and then leaving them exposed to that sort of danger is just wrong however you view it - but he'll also be trying to persuade more traditional Redrain villagers to come in from the cold. There are some things that even the greatest warriors can't fight, and none knows that better than Kenjay.

The plateau supporting Glacial Grove has an unparalleled view over the Gray Forest, one that, on a clear day, extends as far as Bastion. Charon scouts are particularly trained to interpret the east from this high vantage. Their eastward focus will not change but, given the reports of disappearing villages, is more attuned to look for oddness that may have been dismissed as fatigue-induced in the past.

The watch towers and waystations are positioned along the north, east, and south of the holding in keeping with recommendations from Redrain and the Physician's Guild. The siege engine, gratefully accepted, is positioned to do what the crumbling curtain wall cannot - protect the castle from an enemy that may have the ability to use the grove to advantage.

Arthen Dayne's been away from the world for a spell, it's true, but House Redrain can always count on him to blow back in on the colds winds like a bit of good news in their darker days. He's here to help (well, he was here to fence off some things, but it seems help is needed) and as an 'explorer' he's been all over the north so he feels pretty at home helping to evacuate the outlying and in-danger villagers that need to be sorted and leading them to wherever it is they're going, likely tucked away behind the safer walls of their main holding. If there are Redrain nobles out there hard at work and risking themselves, like as not he'll help them to help other folks, he makes a dang nice right-hand-man when he's not off gallavanting around and leading his own crew on adventures into the unknown.

Once again, another threat looms on the horizon, and the drums of war have started their beating rhythm. Once again, the call has been made - and Morrighan has answered. For a considerable amount of time, the Sword of Farhaven has been silent and unseen, but has maintained a presence. Now, with the North and its people in need, threatened, she's stepped forward to fulfill her duty.

Protect and guard. That's been her motto since the beginning, ever since she swore fealty to Redrain so many years ago, and it's with that motto in mind that she returns to Farhaven. Donning her rubicund-fireweave armor mixture, Morrighan rides North to her adopted home with Demonslayer close at her hip - among the other multitude of weaponry she keeps on her person. Once there, she patrols the castle grounds, and keeps a close eye on the Redrain Nobles, prepared to act if any trouble arises.

One of the few things Deva is confident in her ability is to scout and fight. Years spent away from court and well-removed from society proper has sharpened her attention to such matters-- so these days find her, as Redrain's minister of war, personally involved up north to oversee patrols in the northlands and race to conflict. It's been too long since she has spent more than a brief moment in her homelands, and while this isn't the way she'd prefer it, there's a deep sense of pride in being back and working shoulder to shoulder with Redrain's vibrant people. So she prepares and coordinates with the keen minds of the fealty, escorting villagers to safer havens and ready to shoot evil in the eye when trouble inevitably comes knocking.

As minister of War and former Knight of Solace, working on defenses might just be considered Icelyn's "jam". She's also got the headstart of Aviaron's Peak and the lands under Acheron control being old, strategically located and rife with tunnels with which to build on and prepare.

So mostly she has to assess the current situation and just... tighten it up. An additional siege weapon to watch the pass? She'll take that. Address deficiencies in the existing defenses of different settlements? She'll do that too. Where possible it's not just about rehabbing the defenses and making it easier for patrols to move aboveground though.

Overland routes are subject to weather. Terrain (and much of that around Aviaron not exactly easy to traverse to start out with) can slow movement, and when a settlement is under threat... speed of reinforcements count. So where possible without compromising secure locations tunnels are going to be checked, rehabbed and brought into use. Stability and practicality, yes, but preparations will also be made for the unfortunate potential of an egress being overrun;- to seal off areas if needed to protect the greater whole. Aviaron's Peak has always had hardy and self-sufficient people, Icelyn's job is simply to streamline things and make them work with their liege and vassals to insure that if the enemy comes for their names, it'll cost more than they gain.

Relay stations need people, and people talk. Cadern whole heartedly endorses setting up relay stations, and sets to setting up a number of relays to extend around Blackwood as well and encourages people to supply and exchange with these watchtowers to ensure the messages are continual and ongoing to reduce chances of a series of them going 'dark'. One can never have too much time, too much money, or too many ways of getting information about attacks on towns. Cadern will do what he can to spread plenty of fun stories picking up older tales of heroic messengers, and those who watch the dark.

As Sword of Stonedeep Aksel has distingished himself in the past as one of the best warriors of the North. When the call comes out to assist, he's first in line. He will use his experience as a soldier and fighter, to help ensure that those that are doing tasks are well protected. Either through actively patrolling himself with other groups to provide guidance on how to best navigate the norths various terrains or ensuring that adequate resources are assigned to other groups to assist in being successful. He knows the threats of the North and will use whatever available resources he can to make sure as many people stay alive as possible.

Ann in being born a Redrain will use this to her advantage as well as being Duchess for a time to lend her voice to the patrols that are going out to the far out villages. She will persuade the villargers to come in closer to safety so they do not end up like Littlebreak. Safety in numbers after all. If supplies or money runs low in this crisis Ann will use her skills in economics to make sure the Redrain money and resources stretch and go far to where it is needed until the crisis is over.

Cillian, The Sword of Storm March hears the drums of War and answers their calls with the scouts and Caribou he's trained. Scouting along the pathways his team knows between villages and towers alike which border the Northern wastes. Organizing supply lines and planning for reinforcements when needed. He will do what us necessary to keep his home and lands safe.

While Darren Redrain is the High Lord of the North and has earned the respect of his people and his peers over the course of his rule, it is no secret that Gwenna Redrain is the one who usually makes Darren's plans into reality. Quietly, Gwenna has amassed a fortune for House Redrain through her careful stewardship and diligent work for her people. She is not just respected in the North. She is beloved. Many Northerners admire her for her ability to distinguish herself without ever needing to lift a sword or wade into battle. After all, why does she need a steel blade when she has a will of steel?

The project she undertakes for the protection of the North is daunting. The building of watchtowers and way-stations isn't complicated, just expensive, but Gwenna Redrain's stock of coin and favors more than amply cover such an expenditure, especially with Princess Ann to help squeeze every last silver out of their investments to complete the project.

The really difficult part is convincing those in the most vulnerable holdings to leave their homes for a safer location. It requires all the charm and powers of persuasion of her family and allies. Princess Donella, through sheer common sense, manages to convince a fair share that leaving behind their homes is only temporary and if they don't survive, they won't get to keep their homes anyway. Few can argue with her logic even if they really want to. Of course, with a presence like Aksel at her side, some who might have wanted to be stubborn find that they might just want to follow Princess Donella's instructions instead.

Helena Redrain has a somewhat easier time in convincing. She just doesn't take no for an answer and seems very willing to pack people up into wagons herself despite their protests. Of course, she would be doing these things -sweetly-. With Morrighan at her side to assist in the 'convincing', there is even less room to argue.

Prince Kenjay focuses on the settlements of Eurusi to be found in the North. There aren't many, thankfully, but they are far flung and take him into parts of the land that he might not have seen since he was a small child. It could have been dangerous, but, thankfully, he has Princess Agatha to accompany him and watch his back, particularly out in the wilder parts of the mountains.

Princess Deva Redrain, with her skills acquired when leading people during her time away from the Compact, has those skills put to the test as she ventures into some of the more isolated villages to help guide them to safer pastures. Almost quite literally as a significant part of the train of people that she leads through the mountains consists of sheep that no one is willing to leave behind as they are 'like family'. Arthen Dayne also lends his aid to the efforts, particularly in finding trails through the treacherous mountains that will be safe for humans, wagons, and sheep as well.

Lady Icelyn Acheron, Marquis Cadern Blackwood, and Countess Magaen Charon work with Gwenna's offer of resources and assistance to fortify their holdings against whatever might come, be it Helena Thornweave or some other threat. Their people praise their wisdom and feel much more secure should danger come to them, even as they pray that the efforts of their lieges will be unneeded.

The result almost seems miraculous. A system of watchtowers and way-stations is threaded throughout the North in record time. It's expensive, but most of the nobility and commoners can see the value in the increased communication and fortifications even if they weren't potentially going to war. Even more miraculously, the efforts of the Redrains and their allies to evacuate villagers to safer domains is stunningly successful. There are hold-outs, of course, but after all is said and done, the Redrain evacuation is one of the most successful of such efforts in the Compact, earning the entire family acclaim for their forethought. Even the Lycene have to begrudgingly admit that maybe this new generation of Redrain are far more persuasive than ever. Despite the winds of war blowing over the Compact, some whisper that this is a renaissance for House Redrain after so much suffering and loss in the past decade or so. Most point to Gwenna Redrain as the quiet catalyst for the growth in Redrain power and she gains a reputation in the North as someone who gets. shit. done.

Action by Morrighan

(Public Action, OOC Date: March 3, 2020, 6:41 a.m.)

As sure as the tides come and go and the sun rises and sets each day, once more the Compact is in danger. There are threats at every turn, enemies at every corner, it can pull one in multiple directions, spread thin while trying to see to them all. It can be a tiresome thing, overwhelming, but Morrighan's focus is set but on one thing right now and one thing only: the Northlands.

Ever since the Battle of Last Oak, her dreams have changed, dreams of the Horned God, dreams of his desire to create a new Triarchy, and the plans that follow. There's no doubt to be had of the concern and threat that alone poses, but there's something more, something the Sword feels deep in her bones, a sense of unease that doesn't dissipate (clue: 3491, gm note). There's something terrible and wrong in the North, and it's something that's growing.

This something needs to be found. With reports of three Heralds up North, whispers of the Great Beast of Midnight having escaped and joining forces with the Horned God, and potentially a dozen Thornweavers last known heading North, to travel in the same direction is no doubt quite dangerous. Morrighan can't perform this mission alone, and so she's pulled together a small, yet highly skilled group to help with reconnaissance. With her own skillsets and abilities put into play, Morrighan will also be relying on those of the group to help track down whatever this source of unease is - and in the process keep them all out of harms way.

The objectives are thus:

- Get in and out of the Northlands with as little detection (preferably none) as possible. Acquiring the attention of any of the three major threats would be very bad news.

- Find the source. This terrible wrong, this thing that's growing, whatever _it_ is, it needs to be found, and as safely as possible.

- Avoid crossing paths and conflict with the enemy, engaging in combat with three Heralds, the Great Beast of Midnight, or a dozen Thornweavers isn't really ideal or on the agenda. Scouting and reconnaissance only.

Lord Arik Halfshav has patroled Whitehold lands ever since he was a young man. Being able to judge the potential threats of not only the land but others that are traveling it was crucial to his survival. While journeying with Morrighan and the other companions he focuses all his attention on their surroundings, knowing that the abyss can do unnatural things but often leaves a sign he seeks out the disturbances to nature and the hints of odd animal activity as a precursor to any ambushes or in pursuit of the source of Morrighan's concern. Should the worst come about and the party is ambushed Arik will dedicate the bulk of his efforts to saving Dame Morrighan Marin the Sword of Farhaven then the Legate Ailith Godsworn... Everyone else definitely knew what they were getting into.

Before the research party ever leaves Arxlandia, "The Pettening" ultimately commences: of all the Cats and all the Dogs -- ALL OF THEM -- who the Scout Rowenova can possibly find. First and Foremost, this also includes the soulful hound Sir Floppington, of course. Then, the hound-and-human duo head out to the Northern lands with their research party, doing so with the determined objective to carry out those three objectives as expressed above.

With Nova as their luck charm along with Flop as a sensitive nose, they can hopefully help with digging up something substantial with their keen senses!

Ailith is faith, Nova luck, Arik wit, Morrighan wisdom. Lilah, then, is the weird. She contributes her lore skills and ability to detect Abyssal or arcane traces (clue 1202) to help the group avoid direct encounters with their enemies: House Thornweave (theory 516, 557; clues: 3248, 3443*, 3321*, 3244); Legion; the Horned God (revelation 61); and Shaivassa (clues: 357, 2964, 3020). She blends her survival skills with the deep font of occult expertise to ensure a (relatively) safe recon mission. Focused directly on finding signs of Thornweave or this newish Abyssal activity, she communicates the interpretations of these signs so they can build a greater picture of movements and pending trouble. This includes keeping tabs and notes on active use of certain kinds of magic. Making sense of what this threat actually is and getting back to describe it is /high/ on her list of things to do.

As a secondary function, she's using an active counterintelligence strategy to keep the group hidden from their enemies' notice. For example, watching for the enchanted thickets signalling Thornweave/Sylv'alfar magic. Her approach shifts according to observed threats, working closely with Ailith if they're heavy on Abyssal or Arik/Mo/Nova if it's Adepts or such. She is coming well-protected, in various bits of fireweave, steelsilk, Mal's coat, and her alaricite bow.

There and Back Again. Ailith and her Sword Sister, Morrighan, traversed across the Compact on a mission that half relied on a plan with a hammer and the other half as a leap of faith [GM Event 1441, 1446, 1454, 1463]. When there is faith, a direction can be guided by a lit path -- all one needs to do is make the first step. Ailith shall gear up (armor and holy diamondplate sword from PRP Event 1674), pack her holy water, prayer beads, and sacred lantern -- items that have guided her through the darkest of times. She offers to the party, blessings to lend them assistance along their journey -- prayers to the Gods.

She admits to not being stealthy, a tracker, or a survivalist. What she brings is her faith -- the full trust in her gods and being at the side of her Sword Sister. She's aware of all the big threats headed in a similar direction and hasn't let that deter her from finding the source behind Morrighan's unease -- whatever this new threat is for the Compact -- She is well aware that the objective is to detect the abyssal taint that exists outside the main known forces (demons, heralds, and fiends, oh my!) and do her best to bring justice or recover the needed knowledge for justice to be done.

Morrighan came asking for his help in a adveture she is going on to the North, speaking of the dangerous and what is going on Cillian has agreed to go up North with her. He will be doing scouting for her, its where he is most at home in the woods of the north it is where he grew up and lived till he came to Arx. He will be taking his caribou Akkar with them, he will be making sure he is set on supplies and armor before going. He will be lending his skills as a scout on this mission.

They are careful and skilled. They track in a half dozen different ways. Morrighan observes at and through. Arik traces disturbances in birds and beasts. Rowenova sets Sir Floppington sniffing. Delilah looks for dark traces and thickened thickets. Ailith takes deep breaths and gives blessings every so often. Cillian and his caribou slip through the shadows.

They are careful and skilled, but without any indication of having been seen, they stumble into . . . something. The air is thick with wicked crows, crows that Floppington cannot smell, cawing mockery. The shadows buzz with anticipation. The ground seems soft and fragile under foot. They stand in the darkness and realize that there does not need to be anything growing in the north besides the Horned God and his New Triarchy, the abyss they expect rather than the abyss they don't.

And by the time they get to that point, they seem too far in. The air smells like singed paper and burning metal, like sweat and insect wings and damp fur. They turn around and what they can see of the path is unfamiliar. They are not certain how they got where they are. The path, a loose track through the woods, is growing dark, their footsteps filling with murk. The crows' laughter seems both everywhere and targeted at them. They feel vague, blurred, as if they were falling into each other, as if they were losing themselves.

They try to make it back. They avoid the filling footsteps. They cling to each other. Their vision blurs. They see fire in deep water, they feel themselves drowning. They feel themselves helpless, dying, dissolving. They raise a hand and are not sure whose it is. They are dissolving. The shadows are devouring them. Or the crows. Is there a difference? Is the darkness from without or within? They think they feel chains as far as they can feel anything, the suggestion of chains around their limbs, dragging them together. And down.

Then, suddenly, two things happen. Rowenova and Sir Floppington howl at once, and Delilah sees a path, a true path, out of the shadow, a glimmer of hope in the darkness. She and Rowenova and Floppington thread the line, and the rest of the team finds themselves step by step. Ailith blinks and sees the path like a golden thread binding herself and the Compact back together. Arik feels strong as iron and beast, his every footstep like a tree re-rooting. Cillian finds his hand on Akkar's back. He feels lighter. Freer.

Then they're back. Then the shadows are gone. They remember this place. The hut in the distance with the soft eddy of smoke. The crooked tree overhanging the gully. They can't see what they stumbled into -- whatever it is doesn't seem to be a place, at least, not a place that one can see. Not now. But Delilah feels sure that this has a direction, and Sir Floppington's nose agrees (he doesn't smell anything, but there's this . . . tingle). Toward the Gray Forest. Past Old Oak. Delilah feels that the New Triarchy wants a crown.

It's just when they're settled back into themselves that they notice they're not alone. A great winged darkness passes to their left, amorphous. The shadow does not fall on them; not this time. The trees twist in the shadow underneath, tangling together into what Morrighan's team swears is a word. "Fugue." Then the amorphous darkness wings south, and the trees relax into their normal configuration.

Action by Arik for Cascade Springs

(Public Action, OOC Date: March 4, 2019, 6:32 p.m.)

The second phase of expansion in Cascade Springs begins in earnest. While the first phase was about expanding the footprint of the town and ensuring its security, the second phase is all about building it up even further – new infrastructure, new facilities, and all the growth in population and trade and guard forces needed to exploit it. Arik Halfshav has stepped in to help lead and coordinate this phase of the growth allowing his family members to help where they are most talented.

* Countess Carita Darkwater is employing her considerable knowledge of Stewardship and experience from rebuilding Darkwater to oversee construction of the docks and warehouses, as well as any other necessary facilities in the city, to transform this small shrine town into something befitting its growing size.

* Nightingale and Softest Whisper Gianna is opening a branch of the famed Bard's College in Cascade Spring with the understanding it focus and promote northern arts and storytelling traditions while bringing talents from all over the Compact.

* Sven, Vincenzo, Perronne, Bethany, Lore, and Draven are all taking advantage of agreements with House Halfshav to expand their business to Cascade Springs and open storefronts with warehouses for their trade. Reduced rent and taxes with the only requirement being to employ or train Halfshav commoners.

* Brianna, Ajax, Thena, and Rowenova are all providing security for the trade of Cascade Springs as well as the sudden influx of activity during construction of all of these shops and infrastructure. Brianna has the Cascade Springs Guard (#367) to assist her as she is Captain of the Guard for this growing town. Mirk has also instructed Halfshavs Troop Patrols (#369) to assist the Knights of Solace in defending the Great Road traffic during this time.

* High Lady Donella Redrain is working with the Sword of Farhaven Dame Morrighan in bringing members of the Crafters Guild of Arx to Cascade Springs. One speaks to the people while the other creates a unique design to be sold in shops to the pilgrims that come to the Shrine of Mangata.

* Lord Mirk Halfshav and Lady Acantha Clearlake attempt to build confidence in the shrinetown of Cascade Springs so as to make it a desirable place to live and fill out its growing buildings.

After his leadership of the first section of the expansion, Mirk is stepping back to focus on influence instead of direct leadership. He's spreading the word of Cascade Springs, to merchants who might bring wealth, to commoners who would be hired as builders or farmers or other laborers the project will need, selling everyone on the merits of the place and building a grand vision of the future of Cascade Springs.

Countess Carita Darkwater has done much for Darkwater and in so doing has learned just who to talk to and how to organize a project and how to get things done efficiently while doing her own projects. For Cascade Springs she'll help by talking to those people of influence that can get the docks placed in just the right location for trade on the river. She's personally investing her own money into the project, to show her faith in House Halfshav.

Gianna will be directing the construction of the Bard's College. Well, not in a get-your-hands-dirty kind of way. Just organizing the traits the building will need to have (acoustics, acoustics, acoustics) and how many bard blue banners will need to go up and so on. She'll also have to select some talent from her pool to entice over thataway to run the dang place.

Vincenzo is investing in the Cascade Springs project to the tune of 100,000 silver and 200 economic writs. The intent is to build a second shop in Cascade Springs, and send his best steamstress North to head up the operation. She will be producing his designs while learning the fashion sensibilities of the locals and starting to incorporate that into her work. She's also going to be sending the best apprentices, hired locally, back to Arx to train under Vincenzo. The idea being to provide Northern talent opportunities to study under a Lycene tailor and train them up to be successes on their own and ship them back to the North.

As per contract with the Halfshavs, Ajax is working under the Commander of Lady Brianna in setting up Caravans to the town. Along the way Ajax is using silver and resources to attract additional independent sellswords for protection to take the entire weight off the local Garrison. Ajax speaks Northern Shav fluently to help avoid particular mishaps of miscommunication but for most part is just trying to keep everyone coordinated and the goods moving.

Perronne has been hired to put together a trade fair and entice merchants to visit, trade, and invest in Cascade Springs. She is most enthusiastic about this task, and will be contacting the merchants she knows to explain the economic advantages to having a thriving trade hub in Halfshav lands. For the trade fair, she's looking to highlight both local goods AND local purses - bringing in a variety of vendors of attractive trade items the North doesn't see very often for the locals to buy, while ensuring locals have the chance to display their best goods and argue their case for building new exchanges so that the Oathlands and South can receive those goods at profitable prices. To bolster the pitch, she's even purchasing and setting up her own trading house to run in Cascade Springs, having been promised a discount on the land/building, and reduced tariffs and tolls on select goods for the next two years.


The Bruvir family (Draven, Nova, and Flop) have put together 500 styled (economic styled) with which they start up a second home with a shop front in Cascade Springs. They ultimately combine their Alchemy and Medicine (Draven) along with their Security and Survival (Nova & Flop) for a thriving business which hopefully improves the living conditions of their purchasing patrons.
Besides this, Nova and Flop routinely participate in security work around the Halfshav township, too, making sure to be threat detectors/deterrants of the highest degree and team up to consistently report their observant findings!

Bethany brings with her the considerable weight of the Mercier trade family, who will be using Cascade Springs as a trading hub through which they'll be able to expand to new, totally untapped markets in the north. Having supervised the initial phase of construction, Bethany knows the nuts and bolts of the nascent city well enough to make sure that her family has every possible advantage, something she will use to entice them there.

Brianna will be taking care of the military presence in Cascade Springs, trying to keep people who are working and building safe. The family has employed various sellswords and has gathered a small troop to assist. There will be patrols through the area, keeping an eye out for people who shouldn't be on site, with guards stationed at buildings and build sites.

With prior agreements having been made with the Crafter's Guild, Morrighan's role is that of Assistant Guildmaster and Seamstress. She gathers members of the Guild, and with the help of Princess-Consort Donella Redrain (who does most of the talking), conveys the benefits and deal to those willing to uproot and make the move to the new township in the Northlands. Secondly, the dame is hard at work, creating a stunning piece to represent and honor both Cascade Springs and the Goddess Mangata. In a variety of sizes for toddlers up to adults, Morrighan provides hooded cloaks made of the finest wool found in the Northlands, dyed in a swirling sea-hued gradation, and lined with sumptuous white fur. The hem and edges are embellished with silver embroidery taking the form of crashing waves, and upon the back is an intricately embroidered silver emblem: an image of two streams coming to meet as one, and in the background is a mountain region with the sun beginning to rise over them with Mangata's likeness found in the sky. It's completed with a clasp of faceted aquamarine set in a pewter setting, shaped into a drop of water.

Vercyn is going to set up shop in Cascade Springs itself with a veritable army of messengers. He means to co-ordinate the efforts of the expansion of cascade springs, sending word and receiving it from his central location. He wants to make certain that things run at peak efficency and so they are well informed of any emergencies or shortage of workers or supplies.

Lady Acantha Clearlake has been asked to help with the more Diplomatic things concerning Cascade Springs. She's also good with campaigning on why it's a good place to visit/move/pilgrimage to. She's going to promote the township. She's also going to provide silver and social writs to make sure things go smoothly with the talking. Why should people move there? It is secure, it has trade, there are jobs, and new goods from the Compact. Why should people trade with the town? It's on the river, it's safer than the great road, and we secure trade routes to and from the shrine town. Also the largest shrine in the northlands to Mangata is there so it is also a pilgrimage site.

Per the deal with Halfshav, Lore is investing money and resources into a warehouse and storefront where Artiglio can sell and trade their goods and materials with a people they don't often have access to. Artiglio can expect a reduced rate on rents and import/export tariffs for two years, and will further invest additional resources into making the warehouse/storefront look more appealing as well as bring in some early goods to get a jumpstart on sales. Extra resources have also been invested into spreading word of this new trading hub and the store carrying special and exotic goods and materials. She is looking to set up an Artiglio cousin to run the operation but will be hiring locals for general labor and to apprentice in the merchant trade.

Dame Thena sends a number of veteran Knights of Solace to guard the supply trains to Cascade Springs, and to train the guard and other troops in the finer points of guarding the roads. She also donates silver from the Solace coffers.

Once notable for charitable works in the lowers, Donella attempts to help the effort by speaking to craftspeople known to live and/or work there of the advantages of life in a new settlement. It's cold in the north, but the air is fresh and clean, and the coin flows at a higher rate where there are not so many competitors for business. More space for families to grow, and for apprentices and journeymen to establish themselves. Better to be a big fish in a smaller pond, than a minnow in a reeking, massive fen.

Draven does his absoulte best to help Scout Rowenova, the best Wife ever, set up their home and their shop in Cascade Springs. He has already gotten his documentation on what herbs are in the area, so he is using the data to get a good idea on how to help people the most, with that.

As a representative of his family and their brewery that has up until now largely only been serving their drinks in Whitehold proper, Sven is investing time, effort and resources(400 econ) in making sure that visitors and residents in Cascade Springs will have access to some of the best spirits in the north.

Cascade Springs is becoming the fastest growing, most significant new settlement in all of the Northlands, and Halfshav lands are expanding enormously in terms of economic strength because of its tremendous growth and improvement. The security of the town, despite the strength of Halfshav forces, was by no means guaranteed. Perhaps the single greatest drawback of the Great Road is how swiftly powerful shav forces can travel along it, and it is a testament to the skill of Brianna, Ajax, Thena, and Rowenova that both the town and the roads leading to it stay secure. The fact the town grows in the wild, uninhibited Northlands without routine friendly brawls turning into something much more serious is a further sign of their great influence.

Waves of crafters and artisans, representatives of the Crafters Guild of Arx, head to Cascade Springs at the behest of Dame Morrighan and Princess-Consort Donella Redrain. The booming nature of Cascade Springs does put housing at a premium, and the amount of craftsmen coming up from Arx lets Cascade Springs almost keep up with demand, though it's still quite tight.

Carita uses her experience in rebuilding Darkwater masterfully, which is most visible in working with the different Northlands merchants who are starting the different businesses that will keep contributing to long term growth of Cascade Springs, particularly the families from far more distant parts of the Compact. Among those many merchants and businessmen and women of the Compact are Sven, Vincenzo, Perronne, Bethany, Lore, and Draven- each of whom are helping grow their own interests there.

Softest Whisper Gianna opening a branch of the Bard's College in Cascade Springs is wildly popular, as the Northlands have long had a disproportionately high representation among bards historically. The college branch opening is praised throughout the Northlands, and taken as a sign of the Whisper House's esteem, which is much appreciated.

As word spreads from Acantha's and Mirk's propaganda efforts, people from all over the Compact are coming to have a look at the town. Of course, whether the tone can sustain its growth and support the booming population it has long term is an open question, but for now it's tremendously successful.

Action by Morrighan

(Public Action, OOC Date: Nov. 29, 2018, 8:45 p.m.)

Much like those who came before her in preparation for the ritual to cleanse primum, Morrighan has produced thirteen items to commit to the flames. Each has been made by her hand (obviously not the fabric itself), large tapestries of elaborate needlepoint embroidery. Though not a painter, she has created art in a different fashion - the fabric her canvas, the needle her brush, and the various threads and colored glass beads used in the creations - her paint. They all display a different scene, but there's a common theme among them, of not only what's important to her, but in what they promote. Of her vision for the Dream. A world that's safe, a view of safety and protection, of comfort and family, a view of magic and unrestricted knowledge, a view of love and loyalty, creativity and determination, of being strong, either of will or body. Together it paints a vision of a better world, kinder and filled with love and family, where the means to learn magic is widely available, so all that's important can be better protected and defended from evil, as those who came before had done.

Attention to detail has been paid with these thirteen tapestries, each stitch meticulous, every thread carefully chosen for color and brilliance, every sparkling glass bead placed for a visual impact, and combined they create stunning imagery that in and of itself is artwork.

Lord Arik Halfshav takes the time to review the tapestries that Morrighan has created. Whatever he sees in the artwork he goes *huh* quite a bit. Prior to the actual ritual he would take a trip to the Stone Grove to focus on the tale the images told before coming to support the Sword of Farhaven's efforts.

Donella's parents left her instructions before their death. Vague instructions, true, but the spirit was clear: She was to help leave the world better if she could. In this instance, she can, and so she will, as a witness and supporter to Morrighan's ritual. Prior to the event she will isolate herself in a dim, quiet place for a few hours, to compose herself and sharpen her mind to focus on the effigies and Morrighan's vision for what should be.

Sir Floppington sets up as a perimeter guard for the magical ritual. Meanwhile, Scout Rowenova Bruvir of the Ranging Wolves will be doing the magical ritual, herself. She thoroughly prepares by carefully observing all the wonderful tapestries, too, along with scribing down her friend's visions for The Dream which will be rest before her to be easily seen during the ensuing magic which will take place, to make sure that no matter what distracting poison there may be, she will not lose focus.

Joscelin takes her time studying every tapestry, looking it over not just with the critical eye of an artisan, but a woman who understands the vision behind the made world, having glimpsed many times the fingerprints inherent in the world around her, the world she exists in, the many touches of beauty and love by them that created it. Whether she's successful in 'Seeing' those markers and fingerprints now, she wears her seashell necklace, the one that first helped her see the World, the Dream underneath this one, in the hopes that it might help her focus on being there for Morrighan, to help her hone the intent her dear friend has bent upon.

Morrighan gathers those close to her and begins her ritual. There's something about the tapestries that catches the eye - not just because of the needlepoint, but because of something ineffable upon them that draws attention. Each is a different scene, and rather than explaining each one audibly, Morrighan presents them together, sacrificing each one in turn to the flames.

The scenes are family. A world that's safe, protected. Comfort and family are there waiting, magic and unrestricted knowledge as a woman sits in the archives of Vellichor and reads. Love and loyalty, Creativity and determination. It's a good, safe, happy vision.

But as she gives each one to the ritual there is something else there. A wistful sorrow - this is a world that Morrighan has never known. These are her dreams for a better future than her past. And the sorrow and loneliness of dreaming and reaching for a thing so long denied is a poignant, bitter pill.

But as the flames consume the tapestries, a voice speaks from the flames. "Daughter, you will always have family." And then the flames flash for joy and salamanders leap from them and circle the room, and the flame grows as it consumes the last tapestry and takes the shape of an ancient elemental. And suddenly the room is filled with warmth, and hearth, and the welcome of home.

And then the ritual is done, and peace is left in its wake.

Action by Morrighan

(Public Action, OOC Date: May 16, 2018, 9:28 p.m.)

With the violent and horrific death of Duke Cassius Pravus, cousin to Prince Ettore (Mydas) Velenosa, there has been a call, and it's one Morrighan has answered for her dear friend and ally. She finds an unsettling similarity in the manner in which the Duke was slain, ravaged by a beast, much like her sister Zhayla had been struck down by Marin's murderdogs. She has gone to the Lowers to help with the current investigation (#1186), to find tracks or blood trails that point either to where the beast came from - or the direction it went. Morrighan has other motives besides tracking, aiming to find the place where the battle transpired, finding clues where she can in an attempt to see if anything she comes across might trigger a vision. She goes fully clad in her leathers, armed with a multitude of weapons - including her alaricite trident, because you never know. Man eating beasts are dangerous things.

When Morrighan nears where the Lowers meets the Uppers, she suddenly has a vision. There are two figures. She sees a robed, hooded figure who speaks in a weird voice that sounds like the buzzing of insects. "Zzthe Grayhope woman. She saw us. We will not take her name. Deal with her, Braxxus." The other figure is a slender, whip of a man with a smirk and a bright mane of red hair, who bows, "She's all mine" With every step the man takes, he seems to grow and becomes more bestial as he turns towards the Upper Boroughs. There is a wolf howl, and then the sound of a door shattering.

Action by Marian

(Public Action, OOC Date: May 15, 2018, 1:17 p.m.)

Princess Marian Redrain organizes the Redrain ward guard to make sure they keep an eye out for shards and chunks of light absorbent black glass are poisonous waste left behind by one of the Gyre's weapons. Whatever tainted material is found is then turned over to the Inquisition. Provided those men step forward, then no punishment is given. For those that have to have the shards removed with force. They are sent to the Physicians Guild and the Spirit Walkers to ensure no ill effects, and once they're well and clear of taint, they are reprimanded and required to give service by aiding the reconstruction of families that lost loved ones during the battle.

Ianna oversees the collection, observing the effects on the workers and making sure they are healthy and doing all they can to be safe.

With Prince Gareth seeing to the task of investigating the shards of glass in Redrain, the Inquisitor will not be alone. No, he'll be accompanied by Morrighan, temporarily glued to his side while he's in the Ward, escorting him around the premises. The dame will ensure that no one gives Gareth a difficult time as he investigates and questions, but at the same time she'll keep the Prince-Inquisitor in check and make sure he plays nice with the Northern people.

Gareth will actually be hunting down this stuff. He is familiar with it, involved heavily in the study of the tainted glass. Gareth will be doing what Gareth does best. Following the clues. Interviewing people, did someone say something stupid? Did someone act suspicious at a specific time? Putting together a timeline, Gareth will be working out who are potential holders of the glass, and where they can be located.

Quietly, they do scour all over the Ward of House Redrain and find all the tainted glass and quarantine and collect it, with the ground being worked (and blessed) afterwards. After a week or so, grass does begin to regrow in the affected areas. It does seem to be contained for now.

Action by Morrighan

(Public Action, OOC Date: April 3, 2018, 11:36 p.m.)


Brimstone's Hammer. Holding it within her hands, Morrighan will never forget the power that surged through it, pouring into her during that final battle with her Father. They are memories that are forever seared into her mind, but so are the sacrifices that twelve others had to make in order to ensure the hammer's awakening was possible. The war with Koraj Marin may be over, but there is another evil in his place, and even more out there in the world - one day it may be needed again. But to have so many sacrifices once more? There has to be another way. Her immediate threat has been disposed of, so now there's time. It's to Salvadore she goes, a visit paid to the fire salamander whenever he's not busy with Laric.

"Sally." Morrighan's greeting is warm, jubilant, as it often is for the little lizard. "I'm in need o' your guidance, old friend. I'd like tae learn more about th'hammer, how tae use it properly without draggin' people intae wakin' it up. It does'nae settle well havin' other people givin' up things tha' are important tae them jus' for my benefit. Is there any way at all tha' I could wake it up on my own? I know tha' I need trainin' o' a sort tae do so, but I'm nae sure where tae begin. Even if'n I never have tae use it again in my lifetime, knowin' how tae wake it up might be useful for my children, if'n I have any. An' if'n I ever do have tae use it again..I dunnae want people tae lose anythin' else. Can you train me? Or point me in th'right direction? What do I need tae do?"

Sally is, as always, happy to see Morrighan. He chirps a cheery greeting, nuzzling her fondly, but then she asks her question. Round and round he spins, until the Elemental of Flame gives her an answer.

"The weapon was meant as a channel," he says. "It is too dangerous for one person to use on their own. Mortal bodies are not meant to hold so much primum. In the ancient days you would have a coven, or a group of friends used to working with you, and together you could channel your magic through a totem of some sort and therein make it more powerful than singularly or even additively it would normally be.

"But power always comes at a price. To do what you want to do, you would need to fundamentally change how the hammer works. If you want to do that, I suggest long years of study before attempting something so dangerous. You can't even see magic yet, how do you plan to learn to inherently change something so old?"

His tone is fond as he concludes. "Little flame, learn to burn before you try to become a raging forest fire."

Action by Morrighan

(Public Action, OOC Date: April 3, 2018, 1:25 p.m.)


Weeks following the end of the war with Koraj Marin and his fleet, Morrighan has taken time to wind down from the events that transpired - including her Father's death. It's in this period that the Redrain Knight has reflected upon her path, how far she's come, how she got there, and those responsible for guiding her where she needed to go. Many are responsible for nudging her in the right direction, giving guidance - but there's one in particular that put her on the path to begin with - Lagoma. It's within the Goddess' shrine that the dame goes, kneeling before the Eternal Flame one spring afternoon when little to no one is lingering about. It is there she prays.

"Lagoma, throughout my life I've felt your presence. I was a child when th'cycles started, put under attack for bein' part o' Brimstone's tribe, it's when change began, never stoppin'. Flames razed my village tae th'ground, there was great calamity an' adversity in what followed, but in so doin' it purified me o' weakness an' put me on a better path where I'd grow stronger, nae jus' physically, but emotionally an' mentally. Th'changes were'nae easy, it was difficult, but I endured. I overcame. When I prayed for guidance, You answered, You put me on another path, an' again, there was a cycle o' growth, an' it was difficult, but I endured. I changed an' b'came somethin' more in order tae end a cycle tha' had gone on tae long, an' for tha' I thank you. An' thank you for Laric, he was a great help along th'way, thank you for directin' me tae him. You have been a source o' great strength for me, an' out o' all o' th'Pantheon, I feel connected tae you th'most in ways tha' are hard tae explain. Jus' feels right. Like home. You are one half tha' represents who I have become, who I am, an' I hope you'll bless whatever changes come next, big or small. I dunnae know if'n I'm one o' those you've blessed or touched or favored in any way, I think I'd know by now if'n I was, but figure it could'nae hurt tae ask for a sign. If'n I am. If'n nae in this life, perhaps th'next, you'll always be my favorite, regardless."

It's from there that Morrighan travels from Lagoma's Shrine to another that's nearby - the one that belongs to Mangata. She keeps an object in hand, a framed section of seasilk with Mangata inspired beaded embroidery, upon entering. The offering was one she had made herself - and it couldn't have turned out more perfect. At the altar she kneels, settling her gift along with the others, and it's here she makes a second set of prayers when there's no one else around - at least none that might hear.

"Mangata. I'm not yet verra familiar with you, but it's somethin' I'm gradually workin' on. I hope tha' your battle is a little less now, tha' you can now take a bit o' a break an' rest, even if'n it's brief. Some time ago I promised you, vowed tha' I'd do what I could tae help you, an' I did everythin' I could, tha' was within what power I had, tae see my promise through. I think you know who I am, who I truly am, th'Last Daughter o' Marin. This embroidery here, I made for you, a gift. My Father made a lot o' trouble for you, bein' Herald an' creatin' a lot o' chaos, an' you've been fightin' for over a thousand years. I ask for your forgiveness, as th'last o' Marin's line, for all tha' my Father had done, both as Herald, an' as th'last King o' Marin. As his daughter, an' hopefully th'line will carry on with what offspring I may have, I will see tae it Marin will honor an' respect you, for you are th'other half tha' I feel makes my bloodline what it is. Who I am. Flame an' storm. I look forward tae learnin' about you an' gettin' tae know you better, as well as everythin' tha' you represent. I dunnae know if'n I'm touched, blessed, or favored in any way by you, I think it'd have manifested by now if'n I was, but does'nae hurt tae inquire. If'n I was in any fashion, is it possible for a sign? I know tha' things are 'nae completely over, but when th'next storm comes, if'n it does in my current lifetime, I'll help you in whatever way I can."

As she prays, Morrighan suddenly feels a familiar warmth - the warmth of home. Her lips curve upwards in a smile, and when she opens her eyes there is Salvadore - not Sally the Salamander but Salvadore, the elemental, the great Hearthfire.

"Daughter, do you really need more signs? A pool of cleansing, Mangata's blessing, rests on Darkwater. A Shrine to the Gods sits nearby, and on them your mark, indelibly etched forever as a sign that you served the Gods and were worthy to bear the weight of their hopes. Is that not enough?"

And then Salvadore is gone, and even Sally has fled - back to Laric's side, most likely. Did the fire in the shrine flicker? Did the pool ripple? Perhaps it was only a trick of light.

Action by Marian for Gyre Straits

(Public Action, OOC Date: March 3, 2018, 5:24 p.m.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Action by Morrighan

(Public Action, OOC Date: Dec. 20, 2017, 11:27 p.m.)

Now more than ever answers are needed on the matter of Brimstone's Weapon. Having been his daughter in a past life, Morrighan is determined to try and reconnect with her past self. She will meditate while holding the weapon, possibly even while in Lagoma's Shrine with the hope there might be a trigger to awaken old memories that might help.

Her sister is dead. Newly found, swiftly lost. The hits just keep on coming, and tonight Morrighan is tired. So tired. She's tired of all of it - of the burning ball of fire in her stomach that threatens to burst out of her and burn everything down. Of the endless grief and loneliness. Of the knowledge that her father is the enemy she was born to fight. Of everything. So tired. So tired that it's easy to fall into slumber, but hard to find peace. It's the feeling of the water in motion that has her turning on her bed, rocking to and fro as though she's on the deck of a ship, swaying as the waves gently ebb and flow. She struggles against it momentarily, but then she's just so tired and slides deeper into sleep.

"It's beautiful out here, isn't it?" The beautiful man beside her should terrify her, but for some reason she can't remember why.

"It is," she responds. "It's so calm and peaceful." Indeed, the blue of the sea is exceptional this morning, with the bright sun shining down. The ship is alone on the sea, and nothing but the horizon splits the water and the sky.

"It could be like this always, you know. I almost have enough power to make it so. Almost enough, and I can cast off the chains holding me back and make everything right again. Our family, ruling the Mourning Sea as we should. Our home, restored. Everything back the way it should be. I am almost there." He smiles down at her. "All I need is for you to help me."

She catches herself smiling up at him, a warm smile, but there is something in his too-beautiful eyes and it sets her memory spinning.

"Help. My help." She frowns as a shadow passes over the sun. "You need my help." There's a flash of the hammer of stone and she feels it, heavy in her hands. But when she looks down, it's not there.

When she looks back up he's as beautiful as he was before, but now there's a coldness to him. "I don't need your help," he says spitefully. "Your death will do just as well."

"No," she says very clearly. "You need my help. Mine more than hers. You killed her. You got Julea's help. But you still need mine, somehow. And I'll never help you. Never."

"Then die with your sister!"

With that she sits up in bed, her heart beating so fast, the great stone hammer they took from Brimstone's tomb leaning against her bed, and her hand is clenched around its hilt.

Action by Morrighan

(Public Action, OOC Date: Oct. 27, 2017, 3:50 p.m.)

After the events that took place on Weeping Daughter Isle, when Morrighan and others went in search of the hidden weapon, now more than ever she's gaining certainty that she carries an old soul. The fire spirit on the island gave plenty of indication, yet she still doesn't know the identity of her other self. Feeling this knowledge could be important, she's sought out the help of Freja, hoping that the noble shamaness can perform a ritual that will open Morrighan up to her past life, so that it might help to find out who she had once been.

Her father would be home soon. As she played games with the salamander he left for her, the companion of his many years, as she read and studied and learned about the world around her, and went for walks and played in the cold of the island she knew one thing above all else - he would come home soon. He traveled often, the man they called 'Brimstone' - but he always, always came home. His promise to her, and she was secure in the knowledge that her father kept his promises. And so as she played in the evening, while the night turned cold, she was not in her innocence prepared to look up to find a horribly burned stranger at the mouth of the cave, staring at her with her father's eyes.

"Daddy?"

"I'm home, baby, but not for long." She knew that, she could see it in the way he held himself. So horribly burned, so dreadfully injured. Her father was dying and she couldn't stop it. She moved to help him and started to cry, all at the same time.

"What happened?" She couldn't stop crying as he put his arm across her shoulder, leaning on her to take slow steps into their home, passing bedrooms and storage areas and living areas and moving to his workroom. All the way, he was explaining - something about traitors and dragons and attacks, but she couldn't hear him over the pounding in her head. It was just so loud. And still she couldn't stop crying.

They reached his workroom and he pulled her close, holding her while she sobbed despite the pain it must have caused him. And then he kissed her forehead and his eyes turned the color of molten fire and she could see the magic pour out from him in his final moment, pour out from him and into the salamander, who grew, and changed, and shrank, and spun, and was suddenly as vivid as her father was not. As he slumped to the floor with his final breath she wept, and she could not stop as she laid him out, and placed the weapon in his hands, and covered it with his charred hands.

The warmth of the salamander felt so distant now, as everything in her turned to ice. She gathered her things by memory, and she collected her caretaker and headed to the ship that brought her father home to die, and everywhere she walked turned to ice, forever frozen in that one moment of grief. It could not be borne. It would not be borne, and so she poured her sorrow out with her tears, and though she would never again do magic like this, where she stepped the island stopped, frozen in grief and misery, this moment preserved. She left the salamander behind and did not look back, did not see as the island was encased completely. She sailed away from grief as she wept, but forever left behind too was the welcome of home.

To the sailors who saw it, they started calling it the Weeping Daughter Isle, and some regarded it as a place sacred to love forever remembered, and others viewed it as a bad omen of loss and suffering. It faded in men's memories over time, and no one came to see the island, and the memory of the Weeping Daughter's grief faded. But still the island waited, and high in a cave in the mountain the salamander waited too, for a time when the world would remember.

Action by Morrighan

(Public Action, OOC Date: Sept. 4, 2017, 1:39 p.m.)

Lately Morrighan has been frequenting Lagoma's Shrine, often spending hours there, sitting before the Eternal Flame and offering up thoughts and prayers to the Goddess of Fire. Over the past few weeks she's acquired a little more knowledge about herself, of the fire that burns bright around or within her - as told by Cybele when they gazed upon Morrighan with their shaman sight. It can't be ignored or denied that whatever it is, to Morrighan, Lagoma might have a part in it, of the protection she seems to have via fire against the Archfiend of the Deeps and the darkwater. Knowing this, she's given prayers of thanks and appreciation to Lagoma while simultaneously trying to reach out to the Goddess. She's expressed her desire to aid Arvum, to protect and fight against the threatening darkness that approaches, and has asked for direction and guidance. As a symbol of her willingness to connect and of her belief - aside from her frequent visits - she's left an offering in Lagoma's shrine.

As Morrighan prays, she sees herself standing among the darkwater, with flames licking about her that burn the darkwater away as it tries to approach her and swell over her, with each wave turning into mist as it tries to splash upon her. A great flame arises around her, and she sees faces in the flame. She sees Caelis grasping a blade made of lightning. She sees Laric unleashing flame into a forest. Then she sees a great horned figure standing in between two different maws moving towards one another, and then the flaming vision ends.

Action by Morrighan

(Public Action, OOC Date: Aug. 25, 2017, 5:55 p.m.)

After learning about rebirth and reincarnation from Lady Aislin Ashford, Morrighan has approached the subject with Princess Freja, and has been directed to one of Redrain's shaman's - Cybele. She's approached them via missive, asking if they could look upon her with their shaman sight, to see if there's anything notable they can see. It was agreed upon that they would at the very least try. All that remains is the meeting and the gazing.

Staring at Morrighan is like staring at a flame. Difficult, overwhelming, and it can blot out the eye if stared at long enough. Lightning mixes with flame, and slowly creeping towards Morrighan is darkwater. Darkwater that attempts to surround her. To smother her. But is burned away and vanishes.

Action by Katarina for Fighting Legion

(Public Action)

Ever since her encounter with the Simurgh of Blackwood, and being inducted into the battle against Legion and the Horned God, Katarina has been actively hunting down tools and searching for the First Children of Sea and Salt to stop him.

With the help of several members of the Faith, she's managed to track the tools of Brimstone and Cobalt to the Weeping Daughter Isle. A team of talented people is being assembled to go and search the uninhabited isle, specifically the lightning storm-wracked summit where there is said to be a graveyard of the slain kin of Brimstone & Cobalt.

Aleksei is going along to /vomit/. That is: he'll spend the entire journey over being seasick, but what's important is what happens once they get to the Island. He brings both his full armor and whatever knowledge of esoterica might come into handy in such an investigation; it's difficult to know what to expect. If he needs to fight, he'll fight. If he needs to try and identify some weird shit, he'll try to identify some weird shit. What is his life even.

Morrighan's attendance with the group heading for the Weeping Daughter isle is, for the most part, personal. The Redrain Knight has, as much as she'll admit, a particular connection with Brimstone, and it's the majority of the reason she's going. That and keeping an eye on someone in particular. She'll gladly assist in whatever manner she can, fight if necessary. Morrighan is determined to find -something- more about Cobalt and Brimstone than she already knows, and perhaps see if she can pick up on anything while there. She'll be armed with her rubicund blade and equipped with her exotic leathers, as well as the bits of knowledge she has involving the two - Cobalt and Brimstone, that is.

Shard makes no secret of why she wants to come along: she's looking for a means, any means, to fight the Horned God, and she's wholly on board with any mission that involves tracking said means down. To that end, she's bringing her weapons, her armor, and her wits. Fighting is most of what she can contribute, but she's also a fair hand at wilderness survival, not the worst (if certainly not the best) at investigation, and she's stubborn as the Abyss itself. One might easily get the impression that her desire to fight the Horned God is personally motivated, and not a little single-minded.

Aislin has no powers or family heritage to bring to the table, but she can provide her years of experience as an explorer -- including one who's sailed the Mourning Isles -- her keen observation and investigative skills, and her knowledge of esoterica. (And, of course, her sword -- just in case.) Her particular goal is to find any lost, forgotten lore that might help with fighting either of the Heralds involved -- albeit with a particular focus on the Horned God, and protecting the spirits. Weapons or relics would also be a worthy find. But mostly she's here to provide service as both the Experienced Explorer and the Encyclopedia Esoterica.

Fortunato brings his eyes for searching, his paints for documentation, and his brain for figuring if needs be. He does his best to stay out of /fighting/, having embarrassed himself on one too many occasions. How can he turn up a chance to paint a storm-wracked summit, though, how can he?

It's possible that there's nothing useful whatsoever to be offered in Aureth risking himself on a voyage of this kind. He can literally count the times that he has been beyond the walls of Arx further than the immediate outskirts on the fingers of one hand. But the lure of information is too much for him, so he will accompany the crew with the thought in his head that he may go and kneel in the graveyard itself and pray to Death for further enlightenment very deliberately on site. I mean, you never know, right

This talented team requires a combat medic because obviously someone will likely get hit by lighting. As such, Ailith will read ahead of time on treating lighting victims and stock up on those supplies, aside from the standard ones a combat medic carries (re: following Mercy & Physician's Guild guidelines). In addition, she'll provide aid where she can with matters of the Faith and inspire with her unwavering faith.

The group travel to the Weeping Daughter Isle. It is a strange, haunting place. Bitterly cold and unwelcoming, but the warmth of the hearthfire hidden high in a mountain cave both warms and challenges them. They come out of it with a weapon of indeterminate use and the memory of the warmth of the Salamander's fire. Strange place.