It seems that what amounts to a few hundred refugees from the Saffron Chain may land on the shores of Stormward and need to be acclimated to life in the duchy. Porter Kennex is leading the efforts to get them settled in, in as sane a way as one can manage. He'll be focusing on a few things to get this done.

1) Ensuring that there are places for these people to live and sleep. Either in some sort of communal setting or finding people that are willing to house them. Or a mix of the two!
2) Feeding all of these extra people. It's going to take a toll on the Kennex resources, so he's going to secure enough rations to help cushion that.
3) Finding them sustainable work.
4) General security. These are a whole bunch of unknowns, which means they should be eyeballed to some degree to try and ascertain whether or not anyone has ulterior motives when it comes to settling in Stormward.

Once the refugees have been eyeballed and security checked, Thea will do her part. That part? Their general health. She will be making sure they wont be spreading diseases in their new home. No one wants the plague or all sorts of other crazy disease and or bugs running rampant! *insert itchy scalp here, falling off patches of skin there* How? By setting up medical tents, clinics if you will.

These make shift clinics will be run by Thea as well as other mercies running around. Theyll be checked head to toe, inside and out-well, as much inside as you can while not dead. Since Thea is pretty no nonsense--at least when she is working, things should run pretty smoothly.

Ian approaches the Orazians and, assuming they're willing to accept his leadership, he organizes them and brings them in as a force for good, people who have been where the refugees currently are, people who'll go out of their way to help however they can.

However, he's not just approaching the Orazians because he thinks they'll be willing to help. Ian knows that it's likely that 1) cultists will try to slip in with the refugees, and 2) who better than a fanatic to sniff out a cultist? So (and he's pretty much hoping to get lucky on this), he keeps tabs on what the Orazians are saying about the refugees, keeping an ear out for any indication that something's not right with someone. If he gets to a point where he trusts any of the Orazians not to go blabbing it everywhere, he might even go as far as to specifically ask one or two of them to be on the lookout.

Yelana's a good talker and can be very convincing when she puts her mind to it. She talks to nobles, and merchants, and sailors, and soldiers, and anyone she can make bend an ear to tell them about the advantages to helping settle the influx of refugees. Think of the new trade contacts! New recruits! How magnanimous you'll look to your rich friends!

Zoey does what she is known for: managing the resources. Helping people takes money, and she is making sure to get everything out of it that she can by knowing where and how to spend it for maximum efficiency. No refugee will go without food, shelter, or medicine due to lack of coin on her watch.

Hired as a private investigator by Porter in order to scope out unsavory characters among the refugees, Ras first established a promise from the Kennex lord that the bulk of the refugees would not be treated with prejudice in Stormward. He already has some knowledge of what sort of enemies might be hidden among incoming groups, as well as some experience with cults, and so plans to use all his detective wiles in order to notice any dangers. If he singles out and confirms a hidden enemy, he will warn Porter, but is very careful not to report any innocents.

Evander will focus on getting to know the refugees, understanding their culture and etiquette, the things that are important to them and that they consider part of their identity. He will work to ensure those things are respected, whether by additions or tweaks to the Stormward social calendar, to make them feel more at home. At the same time he will work to introduce them to the ways of Stormward - not the ships of course, he'll leave that to someone else - but the various little intricacies that someone picks up over the years living in a place, to help them adjust quicker to their new home.

Aethan will be welcoming refugees to Stormward on behalf of Darion as his Regent. He will also be coordinating with Kennex leadership to find employment for the refugees, whether in the Navy, the Corsairs, with fishermen, farmers, or whatever they have an aptitude for.

He will also be working to assist with any security concerns as they arise.

Lord Porter Kennex arranges efforts to get settle Saffron Chain refugees settled in and around Stormward. He moves to ensure they have housing, food, and work. Lady Thea works with local Mercies to ensure the health of each refugee, and to quarantine any who may be ill and infectious. Lady Yelana works with already settled Kennex folk to help these new folk settle. Lady Zoey manages the funding of the venture and ensures that everything is dispersed efficiently. Duke-Regent Aethan lends his words, his presence, his authority to every aspect of the resettlement, and what a charismatic figure he cuts. Lord Evander helps acclimate the refugees to Stormward culture, while learning theirs as well.

But not every refugee enters into Stormward life. The tensions with Skal'daja lead Kennex leadership to the be cautious, and this caution does prove warranted. Lord Ian works with the eccentric Orazians and Ras to suss out who among the refugees might be of dire heart. They uncover a few who, while unarmed save with words, are actively working to sow dissent against a freer society. A chain is not a burden, but a path. It is good and righteous to be bound. So forth. These are handled without trouble. The vast majority of the refugees are successfully settled.

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

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

*What the tribe's responsibility to them is.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In order to put an end to raids along the coast of the Northlands, Rysen builds a coalition of allies in order to set a trap for the raiders. The coalition's goal will be to substantially weaken the raiders' forces and allow the allies to interrogate survivors in order to determine who is ultimately behind the attacks with the minimum amount of casualties on both sides.

Command of the fleet will be handed over to Admiral Aethan Kennex, who will lie in wait off of the peninsula of Greywater Bay, a major port town along the Northlands coast. Rysen offers a good bit of coin to Northland sailors and merchants in the region to suggest a particularly lucrative shipment of blackwood lumber, silver and gold from Crovane mines will be stopping in the major Crackneck port on its way to Perlspire on a trade mission, in an attempt to lure the raiders into an attack. Rysen has entrusted the command of the Crackneck and other Northlands soldiers to Princess Marian Redrain, but he will fight on the beach personally, to honor Gloria, protect the Warchief, and prove the valor of Northland's chivalry. If all goes according to plan, signal fires will alert Aethan's fleet at the sight of incoming raiders, who will sweep in from behind their ships, while Marian and Rysen, along with the Northland warriors and their allies hold off the raiders on the coast. Afterwards, the allies will interrogate the highest ranking survivors, in order to determine their affiliations and by whom they were sent.

Princess Marian Redrain will set a trap at the edge of the port town, using a lumber yard to be where the 'prize' is supposed to be stored, close enough to the water with trees before the beaches so some savvy raiders would normally be able to sneak in and out. The boards under the yard have several trap doors where archers can pop up and shoot, not to kill all so they can capture a few. Infantry will surround the building to catch those that flee. If the men make it to the beaches, calvary are set up to catch them. Of course, once the trap is set, an arrow on fire will launch from the beaches so Aethan is signal to cut off their access to their ships.

Aethan is eager to support Redrain in its endeavors to bring peace and stability to its shores, and so will be commanding its naval forces during this maneuver, augmented with some of the Stormward Fleet. He will be coordinating with Lord Rysen and the Warchief Princess Marian beforehand to make sure to carry out their plans, as well as -- as time allows -- meeting with Redrain captains and pairing them with those of the Stormward Fleet to build trust and understanding between them beforehand so they can better coordinate their efforts. He will also be putting Kennex resources toward it to attempt to ensure a successful outcome.

Cillian will be going with Lord Rysen and Princess Marian and a small blackwood group of troops to help fight on the beach, being the sword of Blackwood and Minster of war he will lead his men into battle and put a end to all of this.

Although I am more a sailor and sea captain than fighter I will stand on the beach by the other northeners and battle with them. Raiding cannot be allowed and I will lend my axe to the fight that puts an end to this.

Following the orders of those above her, Aella will assist Aethan as a captain of one of the ships under his command.

Orrin is offering Pearlspire as the juicy destination of these ships, and also allowing any and all coordination and supply of the forces involved in this action at their new port. He will direct that all ships having visited Pearlspire are drafted appropriate documentation to suggest legitimate unrelated trade purposes for their visits. There will also be appropriate documentation and staffing as if a large shipment of lumber and precious metals is to arrive. All of this will be managed through appropriate application of funds, leadership, and favors.

Arcadia does not know the Northlands well, but she does know the Grey Forest and how to shoot from the trees. Leaving Marian and her troops to take the beach, Arcadia and her forces will be hidden in the trees and moving through the edges of the forest collecting any who try to flee or have set up bases or may give a call to let other raiders know of the trap.

They sail from the North.

This was a surprise, as cutting in from the cold waters of the far north near the everwinter is extremely dangerous, and far from a direct path, but it makes sense- the Bay of Thrax and near waters are being patrolled heavily now by Grayson forces in response to the raids, and so the enemy cuts a far path through the arctic waters in order to try to make landfall north of the port town and then sweep down south towards it.

Rysen's plans work. It looks like the lure provided by Orrin proved successful, as the raiders sweep in from the North, with the ships under command of Aethan, Danvir and Aella staying far out of sight ot the south until they pull into Greywater Bay. No flags fly from the ships, no banners display as the raiders make landfall, speaking to a piratical nature or a group of attackers that has no intention of divulging their alliegence. The raiders are more numerous than might be expected- several hundred, and they approach on the port town with every intention of burning it and putting everyone there to the sword.

Princess Marian waits until they are at a precise point on the beaches- too far from their skiffs to escape into the water, but with wide open area for cavalry to ride right over the raiders. Marian's cavalry charge, supported by Arcadia's hidden archers and Cillian's blackwood troops stopping their advance catches the enemy in a disastrous position, and they are cut to pieces, immediately put to rout. A handful survive to surrender, and reveal they are Undrowned Sons mercenaries, hired anonymously out of Port Defiance.

On the water, their ships turn to flee and are confronted by Aethan's ships. By sheer happenstance, gale force winds pick up and capsize a number of the enemy vessels almost right as they turn to engage, and the already outnumbered enemy ships are quickly set ablaze and ultimately sunk.

It's a crushing victory, and there's no more raids on the Northlands.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aethan will be using the Kennex Navy to transport as many shav'arvani away from the Grey Forest as possible via the river system, in an attempt to cut off the Horned God's supply of people to enslave for his armies ((OOC: this will be ICly done in advance of the main crisis action)).

He himself will be commanding the navy and sailing his own ship, but he is not always very convincing to people who are not directly under his command. To that end, he has brought diplomats with him, who will assist by speaking to the shav'arvani and urging them to evacuate, speaking of the dangers should they stay and attempting to get them to come as quickly and with as little fuss as possible. He will also be bringing along people who will serve as security and protection should they run into danger.

There may be some nervousness from shav'arvani about getting on a Thrax ship, but Aethan hopes to circumvent this by flying very obvious Kennex colors, as Kennex is so publicly thrall-free. They will be temporarily relocated to Stormward until the danger passes, after which they will be offered the choice of whether they wish to relocate permanently, bend the knee and join the Compact, or taken back to the homes they left, which will be done once it can be carried out safely.

Marquessa Simone Greenmarch will first assist with convincing as many people to evacuate as possible, trying to convince them of the dangers ahead and the security that the Compact can offer them. She will especially urge them to send those who cannot fight away to safety. Then, she will draw upon her extensive experience in dealing with prodigals, including her own house, and her own skills in diplomacy to try to help allay any fears that the people dislocated from their homes may have. She will also talk to them about the Compact and the Faith, to answer any questions that they may have regarding them.

Princess Gwenna Redrain, as well, will try to explain to the remaining Abandoned tribes within reach of the Lodge about the dangers of remaining, much in the same way she did prior to the Pirate War. Those who can not or should not fight, especially, will be encouraged to evacuate via the ships and promised a safe return when the threat has passed. The Redrain will note that none of them need to bend the knee to be brought to safety - as the latter is what is foremost in the group's mind. The option for those who might consider bending the knee will be there from others, but moving people away from danger is her main message.

Artur has been asked to come along to help keep everyone safe in the event that the group comes under attack, or that any of the svav'arvani they encounter are aggressively not open to negotiations (which can happen after all, since shavs are not legendarily friendly). Even so, he's a pretty personable sort of guy and for the most part is as jovial and easygoing as ever, welcoming the refugees aboard and helping them get all safely situated ready for the journey. Should the need arise however, Artur is fully armed and armored and apparently quite comfortable with the idea of bashing, pounding, thumping, hammering and smashing as required!

Lady Evonleigh Whitehawk will be assisting as one of the diplomats. She will be there to reassure the shav'arvani that evacuating is in their best interest and that their safety is the concern of all present. Her hope is that her fealty belonging to Grayson rather than Thrax may also help convince them of the altruism of those leading this endeavor.

Captain Porter Kennex offers the use of The Damsel's Heart to ferry additional people, if the capacity is needed. Primarily, however, he's there to provide a reassuring and personable presence... and thoroughly discourage attacks on the refugees. To this end he's bringing a handful of his most trusted sailors, family men and women who show good instincts for dealing with people and are capable fighters.

Lady Carita Darkwater is more than happy to assist in convincing as many shav'arvani as she possibly can that their current area of habitation is not going to be safe and that, like she did with her people on Darkwater when the Gyre was a threat, explain that leaving to another location is the best possible thing to do. That Kennex played a major part in bringing the people that had fled Darkwater back to the island, and that Lord Aethan Kennex, and those he's handpicked to help, would not let them down. She believes in this so much, that she's giving over her own personal military resources to help, in the name of Darkwater.

Prince Lorenzo Velenosa is happy to help the situation with whatever diplomatic skills he can offer. He will try to appeal to the parents of small children, encouraging them to take advantage of the offer to at least get their children to safety. He will use his kindness and natural warmth to appeal to the kids, and he'll bring along some comfort items to give out: blankets, toys, and so on (adding 100 econ). Hopefully this way he will earn the trust of the parents, and if some family members agree to evacuate, others will as well.

Princess Nuala Redrain trades on the skill of her sword-arm to guard the most vulnerable. With the shav'arvani already in a possibly uneasy situation, she will provide a lively charming presence for those significant diplomats - right up to the point things start going pear-shaped or hostilities are engaged, at which point she falls into on the front line or guards against ambushes and rear-guard attacks. She will be happy to offer support to everyone coming aboard for safety, be they shav, polar bear or something stranger, right up to giving them cover against threats. In short, she's the willing pair of hands pitching in wherever she is needed and providing considerably honed martial skills as security. Rain or shine, she's pleased as punch to be there and will be a persistent source of gallant optimism. Like you do on these things.

The evacuation efforts don't go quite as planned, almost from the beginning. Shav in the Gray Forest aren't really interested in evacuating for the most part. They've seen no signs of armies, there's been no mass attacks anywhere. They are on edge though, and where the Compact has the most success are when they talk to villages that are near the ones that have just disappeared without a trace. Those shav are already considering being on the move, and so the overtures are welcomed and accepted.

Still, there's an interesting shift that's starting now - this is the third time in the last few years that the people of the Compact have faced a serious threat in the Forests, and each time they're trying to reach out to shav to make sure they're protected. It's a new sort of attitude, and one that doesn't go unnoticed. Shav raids decrease significantly during this time, out of respect for those who took the time to come talk to them and warn them and offer them safety.

It's not a truce. Nothing so formal as a treaty. But it's a good precedent to set.

Iseulet begins spearheading a campaign to put into motion a new -MASSIVE- permanent trading route by water that stretches from the Telmarch, round the coast of the Oathlands, heading south round the Lyceum, to the Thraxian Isles, and cutting across to Arx up to Stonehearth.

Each House that participates is asked to donate 50-100 military writs for the funding of security escorts and the fightin' off of Pirates - river and otherwise). Optionally, each House can /also/ donate some social writs to help spread the word along.

The goal is to stimulate trade between Houses - Houses both import and export goods and benefit from the taxes and stimulated economy! Thereby giving a monthly income boost (and maybe some initial economic writs) to all houses represented here. Every House gets an equal share of all the profits, with the exception of the Houses contracted to secure the route from bandits/pirates (those that have attached ships to the action). Not only are these houses entitled to a bigger share of the profits (due to their increased risk) any and all contraband seized by pirates along the route will of course, be theirs.

The Count of Riva himself has taken a very strong interest in this wonderful mission, probably most likely because the idea was born out of a conversation with he and Iseulet. He knew he would be especially helpful among the peoples on the rivers and so the Count would head out to use his charm and diplomatic skill, as well as his life experiences and relationships to assist in the negotiating among not just the peoples of the rivers, but anyone who seemed inclined to hear him.

Belladonna endorses the deal, meeting with merchants and sailors around her port city and spreading word, building hype and excitement for this new trade route that will open up new revenue streams for the bold and daring who sieze the opportunity at hand!

Baroness Skye Blackshore lends Lady Iseulet the resources she needs to start the trading route, giving her military escort and blessing to move forward with these trading agreements.

Lady Tesha Telmar has spoken with Lord Ansel Telmar and they have decided that this is a good idea for the Telmarch to join in. So they are going to be providing Military and Social support for Lady Blackshore in hopes that this venture goes smoothly and without any bumps.

Always on the lookout to place Caina in traderoutes, Oriana, as a Voice of Inverno, interviews her ship captains to carve a new force from Caian's navy specifically to provide safe passage for trade from New Hope and spreads the word through her contacts and mertchant captains at home and in Arx.

As the Queen of Silver for the isles of Ischia, it's important to pursue business policy and trade like it's nobody's business. No pun intended. So when Lady Iseulet begins such a massive campaign she knew she had to be a part of it and was grateful for the opportunity. Providing ships and the Black Curs' finest corsairs, this southern House hopes to protect the vested interests (and further them when possible) of everyone involved. With the blessings of Gild and the spirits of air, luck and sea, Prisila will work closely with the Voice of Inverno and contribute her forces to helping provide safe passage as well as investing economically into this beautiful project.

Aethan will be supporting Lady Blackshore in her trade endeavors by escorting trade ships as needed, as well as clearing pirates from optimal trade routes able to be accessed by the Kennex navy.

Octavia notes the need for Stormward to be part of the building trade route, and commits significant resources to the establishment and securing of the trade route. The Stormward Fleet, an anti-pirate patrol by its origins, will certainly be excited to join the fray and tear the pirates apart.

Having received contact from Iseulet, Marquis Fairen meets with his staff and vassals to discuss the trade route, examining it's feasability to improve on the economy of Leaholdt. The resulting meeting ensures that not only does Fairen support the goals and objectives of the project, but he also uses this as a way to improve the sales on the unique product, Leaholdt Dreamwine: A rare and expensive alcoholic drink with a milky, herbal texture, and forest green in color said to produce lucid dreams if the consumer drink a full glass. Not to mention, the Marquis encourages his vassals and the merchants in Leaholdt to take advantage of this trade arrangement.

When she was a young woman, Petra listened to the wind and used her gift of clarity to guide her tribe to safe paths. Now that she is helping her family rebuild after the tragedy that Brand inflicted upon them, she has been relying on this ability again and she does so in this instance to help establish a trade route. She asked the voices threaded within the breezes which route they should follow: 'What course best balances safety and prosperity?' When she is given an answer, she relays it to the others and advises them which currents to follow.

Following the lead of Tesha, Ansel will be assisting in commiting the resources of the Telmarch to bear on establishing and maintaining the trade route project. As the northernmost bastion of the Oathlands, the Telmarch itself holds a key position in economic routes through the area, and Telmarine forces will be dedicated specifically to establishing and safeguarding the route. They will clear the way of any bandits, help establish any trading posts along the way, and provide security for the first few rounds of caravans that make the trip, in order to establish it as a safe trading route.

While the Trade Route is largely over sea, but for it to be successful once it finally reaches the end of the route in the Oathlands, where there are relatively few ports, there has to be ways goods can reach overland, as well as goods reach Sanctum and other Oathland Ports so they can travel back along the route. Edain will focus his efforts on setting up solidly defended trade line to Pride Hall to the East and Farhaven to the North. Attempting to extend the reach of the Blackshore's trade route, and to give the Oathlands, Crownlands and Northlands more ways to access the route if they are far inland from it. Where Isabeau is brokering most of the deals, Edain will do his best to make certain they are well protected and those roads are safe.

On behalf of House Valardin and the overarching route(s) through the Oathlands, Princess Isabeau will coordinate and negotiate with local merchants and militia knights to ensure that trade is fair and the caravans are secure. What's more, she will offer a small tax incentive for merchants who wish to travel on the new trade route and/or share their goods with customers outside of the Oathlands. She will also do what she can to help coordinate with the other Oathlands houses and provide assistance to them where required. (Assisting with an additional 200 writs of economic, military, and social resources.)

With the desire to trade by sea and Harthall being an Island based house, the two mesh rather well. Orvyn will work closely with Iseulet and others to best organize the ships and their routes. His own contacts among the various sailing groups will come into play as the pocketbooks of others will likely aid in ensuring that proper bribes and deals take place throughout the seas of the compact. He will commit several of the house trade ships and encourage their sailors and captains to find ways to follow the prescribed routes in an attempt to streamline the fee structures. Further organization with the other Voices and heads will take place so that two ships loaded with similar goods will not pass each other on the seas, organizing bills of trade so that expedience and profit can both be maximized.

It is Hadrian's attention to set about making arrangements for the planned commerce within the city-state of Ostria through acute applications of... delegation! Putting the proper minds to work within Ostria itself to work in establishing the necessary measures to safeguard Ostria and House Mazetti. Making absolutely certain that visitors, whether merchants or otherwise, to the city-state adhere to the laws and traditions of Ostria and remain in the Outer Round. The fleet of House Mazetti shall patrol their own waters and, if necessary, defend traveling merchants with utmost tenacity from the First Ostrian Fleet. Ostria will welcome escorts attached to commercial traffic in order to maintain the safety of the convoys of merchant vessels. The escorts will however be expected to maintain a respectable distance from the Walled City by the Sea. House Mazetti too will be promoting the endeavor, urging those citizens in need of employment to make inquiries at the docks with the potential boom of new trade. Finally, Hadrian will be dispatching his invaluable lawyer to review any documentation before providing his final nod to Hadrian before anything is agreed upon by the Hydra.

Lady Catalana Kennex will be supporting these endeavors. She will personally speak to every noble of Stormward to negotiate such things. She will happily trade with Blackshore of course to boost both of their economies.

The Crown Minister of Coin permits the use of the harbours and ports in the vicinity of the City of Arx as part of the trade route and provides a measure of support in economic waivers, military permits and social connections for the suitable parties. All in all, the effort is more administrative, indicating that on behalf of the Crown and King that the initiative will not be hindered. All they take, of course, is their cut through taxes from any eventual profits.

Malesh is going to commission a brand new trade center at Stonehearth. Port facilities will be expanded, as well as new warehouses and vaults. City defenses in general shall be beefed up as well, in an effort to make Stonehearth THE place to trust your goods with quick an easy access to several trade routes including this new one. As his people handle that at his expense, he will be busy touring the existing routes speaking to the benefit of this new route as well as the virtues of Gild and, of course, the value of trading through Stonewood. Stonewood forces will take charge of protecting the final leg of the trade route, from Arx to Stonehearth, both on the river and along side it. (1000 Economic Resources, 500 each Social and Military)

Ariel will be hosting a trade fair and festival to Gild to coincide with the trade route announcement. She is aiming for a week-long event showcasing the goods, services, and performers of the region. A tithe of 10% will be given to Gild of all money's made/raised. She will be putting forth the money to host the event so the craftsmen spend nothing out of pocket to set up. The trade fair will run during the day why the night will be devoted to performers. Singers, dancing, and theatre productions.

Amari, acting as House Keaton's Minister of Finance, will oversee the Oakhaven leg of the trade route, while the Riverdogs under the command of her cousin are committed to escort merchant ships and inspect them for contraband. A strong supporter of Lady Iseulet's endeavor, she'll tout the benefits to local merchants and others in Arx she's dealt with during her tenure and offer incentives to bring them on board. Otherwise she mainly concerns herself with the numbers and logistics of the undertaking with a lawyer's eye for detail and compliance, trying to make sure it's all as profitable and legal as can be.

Operating as a merchant for years, Lord Fredrik knows the best and most profitable routes among the Isles. How to avoid pirates, how to get the best profit for your returns, and how to make certain that you are not ripped off by the hundreds of hidden fees that are scattered in every port authority. He will bend this knowledge to help the trade efforts, as well as examining the rest of the route thoroughly for wastage or investment opportunities, trying to make this route one large, flowing river of product that benefits everyone involved.

Duarte represents not only Bravura, but also the greater goal and group, in negotiating trade routes and costs with transporters and contractors, mercenaries and merchants. Tying together such an intricately detailed route and nailing down precise agreements for the benefit of all is not always as straight forward as 'Let's do the thing!' and Duarte is there to help smooth the waters and finalize the commitments as a new, but adept, diplomat.

Lys, Voice of Afflua, will of course help! Granted, Fen de Lire is not particularly nearby the water. So she'll be doing what she can to put the word out for the project and see if she can get people to help with it! And of course they'll provide some extra muscle via the Valorous Few.

Lucita evaluates the maps and plans shown her and decides to assist. She uses her charm and skills with propaganda to heighten interest in this project, both locally in Saikland Greens and amid the trade partners she has already established, Secure trade and steady protection and trade partners can only help build the economy and strengthen the military protection against pirates of all who are involved. 100 military resources are put into helping fund the protection from pirates, 300 economic resources are invested.

Lady Cadenza Fidante is happy to assist with this endeavor. As both the Voice of Hawkmour as well as the Admiral of the Tempest Rose, she will be ensuring that Tor and their vassal's lands are properly patrolled and protected as they have always done. She will see to it that the waters around Tor and Brassfall March are properly guarded for the trade route to be safe and successful. In addition, of course Brassfall will be taking part of this trading endeavor to boost their economy.

Duchess Calista Fidante is well know for her charming ways and when it comes to public relations, there are few who can match her talent. She speaks with the Merchants of Tor about new trade commissions and how this opportunity will stimulate the economy. Tor is a city-state that is rich with resources. More trade means more money and everyone likes money.

While gratuitously thanking House Malvici for its offer to protect areas which include areas under control of Tor, their offer will have to be declined. House Fidante has protected Tor and her surrounding lands for a very long time. Knight-Captain Ignacio Fidante shall instead however increase patrols within the Torean region to ensure any efforts by bandits or pirates will be thwarted.

Quenia hears out Iseulet's plan, and agrees to talk to her merchants and her nobles. She works to convince them that this would be a good idea, bringing in new goods, and much needed new avenues for export. She also reminds them that all the new goods would also be traveling to Gemcitta, since Granato is the hub for trade with Rubino-Zaffria lands as well, which should help convince them. She talks to her fleets, and sees that they handle additional protection around the ports of Granato. It's not that she doesn't trust Malvici, getting on with the Duchess well, just she wants her own people to be out in the waters as well in a combined effort to protect the trade routes. Working as one Lyceum. As such, she invests military favors (100) and economic favors (200) into seeing this prosper.

House Malvici will most certainly not come anywhere near Lenosia with its ships. House Velenosa shall protect its own waters, with their own ships, and ensure the proper passing of any trade vessels along its part of the sea route. Prince Mydas Velenosa makes that abundantly clear, before setting to work on using his own knowledge of economics to ensure the venture is a successful one. He also brings in the Silver Consortium as its Voice, to supply their expertise and existing networks to the effort. All for commerce! And to each their own waters!

The proposed trade-route precisely fits with Sudara's hopes for the kingdom as a whole and the Truesworn in particular. Given Esterhold's location, this plan could bring many advantages to her beloved Prodigals: she is committing herself and her little House to its support. Personally, this entails uncovering as much relevant information as possible, and accurately passing it on to her people to help them serve as guides and guardians in their home waters: the latest maps, schedules, accounts of seasonal changes in weather and currents and tides, recognition signals and flags for all the nations and Houses, and more besides. Her hope is that she can make the waters near Esterhold as safe as possible for merchant shipping, and turn her little fief into a favoured port of call.

Tenebrae, like her Lady Sudara, is devoted to helping her people gain power and riches that they deserve. She will do all she can to assist in this endeavor, though with her skills, it will probably be restricted to ensuring the safety of ships around Esterhold and assisting with the navigation of the nearby seas.

Pasquale represents Malespero in seeing the trade route established, putting what military weight his young House has into helping secure the waters and encouraging Nilanza's sailors and merchants to utilize the route for buying and selling. He also puts some of his own personal time to use in studying the raiding patterns of pirates along the route and tries to come up with strategies to avoid and combat them.

Duke Harlan Ashford will also supply social and military support towards this endeavor, but also bring up the fact that he's expanding Fortune's Harvest in Oak's Rest -- and suggests expanding the trading route towards there, especially as he's already building a road from Arx that will lead there -- and the Knights of Solace are patrolling (see action 2250)! The duke will also be allocating 100 military and social writs to the cause.

Lady Olivia authorizes House Ashford's participation in the route, as well as encouraging its (NPC!) vassals to participate and supplying resources in support of the endeavor. In terms of personal contribution, while not a merchant, she is an expert in agricultural affairs and will effectively use that skillset to try and leverage Ashford's participation in the network as a food exporter, studying crop patterns and directing a focus toward those likely to create surpluses in excess of local use. She can also to a degree export that agricultural knowledge as a good itself, ie by selling good seed stocks and other such bounties to their trade partners, hopefully increasing production among all the participating holdings.

Dycard will be working his way through the social scene, reinforcing that this is a great idea and the profit should be rich - and that other trade routes will likely come of it. Not in on this one? Well, when it's a success, there'll be others. Worried about changes? Life is change, and not all changes are for the bad.

Turo commits to protecting the trade routes to and from his waters, ensuring clean hand-offs of responsibility to other fleets as they occur. He also commits his formidable skills and experience in planning naval efforts to maximising these routes. Turo collaborates with the merchants in Escuma, as well as the Arts Academy, and brings Estil - the minister of Income - into those discussions as well.

Arcelia will work to support the additional trading routes at port sites around Escuma. She will also attempt to combine her own efforts in establishing trade routes(@action 2257) for Escuma with Iseulet's much larger expansion of trade routes around Arvum. She will attempt to utilize her relations with the Marin'alfar to expand trade routes to them as well, an attempt to see to it that our potential underwater allies are well supported.

Given the proximity of House Darkwater, Redreef, and Blackshore - Edward already knows these routes fairly well. These are the routes that his family, when he was still Redreef, had him personally following and tracking to ensure efficiency and little loss of cargo for the two Houses. Now he will apply this same knowledge for House Blackshore, showing Iseulet how to incorporate House Blackshore into these trade routes which includes at least two routes down to the Lycem, one specifically going to Setarco. This information is meant to be used to not establish the route since there is one but to ensure the depth of its efficiency - knowing when it is safe to push hugging the coast line against when it is okay to move out. How much cargo can be moved before spillage takes place in terms of perishables, and what the most commonly desired imports for those places are so there is no guesswork to be had.

As Voice of House Tyde, Archeron is keen to promote trade which takes Tyde's hardwoods and other exotic goods wider than just the Mourning Isles and the East coast, especially as they are trying to expand their forestry. Tyde provides a good number of resources to acquire military guards, even recommending a few of the old reavers who have retired from House service but who know the waves and how to defend goods. They also put the feelers out to their vassal houses, spreading the word through their social skills and resources. Archeron will be as charming as he can, of course, to those who wish to trade - showing them the fine qualities of Tyde hardwoods, with the confidence a woodsman has. And of course, direct the leaders to the best and most skilled former soldiers, as mentioned, to defend them.

While her brother, Valdemar, sets up the trade routes, Ingrid's focus is to ensure an economical boost to exports while expertly managing the taxes and other red tape associated with establishing a trade route coming in/out of Grihem's Point. Understanding that often you must spend resources to net in a bigger profit, House Grimhall does just that, using some of their economical clout to influence potential new partners.

Ember prepares Redreef Shores for an influx in trade by organizing patrols to protect the trading ships entering the waters near Redreef shore as well as meeting with local merchants so Redreef Shore may benefit from the new trade.

Donato will take command of Caina's fleet and help to secure the burgeoning trade route. He will drill the sailors and inspect the fleet to ensure they are fighting fit and disciplined and help to plan out the most effective and efficient naval patrol routes to ensure everything goes according to plan.

Demura has given Anabelle the responsibility to oversee the new investments of the Trade Route with Blackshore, and as such the girl has taken an interest in learning more about the world of Investments and the Finnacial Stability of Lyon's Redoubt and her family. The girl seem very interested in the potential of this great partnership to be used for something more among the Dominions, and will make sure that the profit is guaranteed to all parts.

Marquessa Demura Lyonesse will command personally the Lyonesse navy to make sure the first few days of the trade route will go smoothly. She will organise routine patrols and establish proper scouting alongside her strecht of the route to make sure no merchant will be harmed while trying to pass through the Lyon's Redoubt, while promoting the incoming trade goods among her folk. (100 military resources will be donated, 100 social resources will be donated and the Lyonesse navy will be added to the action)

Clover would give aid in spreading the news about this campaign, talking to people and getting others interested in not only investing but using this new trade route once it's settled. She has friends in all sorts of places, and connections plenty. She would see if she could also get independent captains willing to provide help with protection.

House Farshaw adds to this trade route some of its merchant fleet to assist in the shipment of goods as well as two ships to help with escort. What is good for the betterment of the west also is for the betterment of Westcrown. All in Farshaw are in agreement increased trade is to the benefit of all. There is a profit to be made here.

Calypso is going to be using her newest assets to their fullest extent. While using the new naval base (still pending @action, Apost still needed to review early) as a logistical strongpoint for her fleet, she will be directing it to help ensure that the ships she is applying to the trade route not only are deployed properly, but that she is exercising the best coverage. Being relied-on to guarantee the southern route for now, she will be ordering her ships to keep a watchful eye for pirates. Ships Captains are expected to prosecute pirates with extreme prejudice. Her vessels will not be entering waters recognized as belonging to other Houses, however. In the meantime she has been coordinating with Valardin about the logistical angles while building out her combat fleet (Apost is aware of plans, pending base @action approval) and plans to spend a few days in Southport directly rallying her troops and sailors, getting them motivated and putting her best people forward. (The Army attachment should include pending additional Longship purchases, as discussed.)

There's a lot more pirates than expected. A -lot- more. And they seem to have caught word of exactly this new trade route, with a suspicious amount of forewarning about exactly when and where different galleys would be making port calls, as well as a decent amount of resistance by coastal lords who are resistant to seeing any warships in their waters even to guard commerce, which makes things tense and difficult.

It's still a spectacular success.

The amount of diplomatic work in easing tensions, and the amount of military forces dispatched to help oversee this, even with the limitation on where they can and can't go, means that the overwhelming majority of galleys are making their port calls, and after a few crushing defeats of piratical forces, it doesn't look like much will threaten that... provided that the forces stay committed to patrolling the waters of their domains.

The Empyrean Trade Route, as it is being known, covers over thirty primary domains as ports of call or in-land trading partners, and the gains in commerce is significant, even if it is just starting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watchwords are circulated to allies, to be given when any Isles warship approaches. Allies are also encouraged to group their merchants into convoys for ease of protection and inspection. One week later, to allow this new policy to spread, Mourning Isles patrols will begin challenging all ships in Kennex waters. If the watchword is wrong, the ship in question will be boarded and inspected, to be confiscated if evidence of smuggling or piracy is found (inaccurate ship's ledger suggesting smuggling, illegal cargo, goods suggesting trade with Abandoned, etc.)

The warships of the Grim Fleet will spread into smaller squadrons of 2-3, in order to patrol more widely among the thousands of merchant ships coming and going from Stormward.

Yet again, The Grim Duke calls, and yet again, House Navegant answers. As voice, the lady navegant will mobilize her forces in suport of the dukes actions. The Navegant fleet, instead of protecting it's own traders, will instead be forming a picket and defense line of patrolling vessles. This new "Mourning Watch" will dedicate itself to full spectrum maritime patrol operations. This includes, escort, anti-piracy actions, rescue operations if needed, and Watchword questioning with Visting, board, search, and seizure operations as needed. To see the boarding operations in case of a failure to utter the correct watchword, Regla has detached Navegant Marines with each warship.

Victus will be committing the full might of the Thrax Fleet to hunting down these smugglers and false flag pirates. Ensuring to learn of the proper watchwords and pass them through the crew. Much like in dealing with the Thralls and Mutineers, Victus will be personally there for this. However he will not be bringing the Red Serpent, as to not immediately reveal that the High Lord of the Mourning Isles has re-entered Kennex waters. Rather he'll be taking more of a backseat role, standing in as a Lord to ensure no international incidents are going to happen if one or two vessels ends up forgetting their watchwords. Or even if the smugglers may learn of one themselves.

Edward will accompany boarding crews that are to inspect ships for smuggling to check manifests and other ships documentation for signs of deception or malfeasance. In addition, given this was part of his job for House Redreef he will apply his know how to searching ships for hidden compartments and where cargo may commonly be stashed - as well as the types of tricks that smugglers may use. Such as towing, barreling, keel riding and so on.

Sameera is doing as she normally does on missions Harald undertakes: She is managing inventory, keeping track of the people and organzing things on the ship to run as smoothly as possible. She has the added duty of checking ship ledgers and trying to find any suspicious activity. Anything that might give cause for concern is reported to Harald. As per normal for her all other duties are disregarded if a Thrax or Grimhalll family member is at risk (AKA has a potential of dying or running off to do something dangerous alone) and she will put her life on the line to protect them.

Faelan is going to be leading one of the longship squadrons in the hunt for more pirates and smugglers.

So, not much into the sneaky stuff. But as soon as one of these pirates gets caught?  I’m gonna axe him a question.

Ian, hopefully along with Wash, Porter and Aethan, will be setting up a small task force that adds actual hunting and deterrence to Harald's strategy of pirate isolation. They'll be setting up a 'bait' ship, ie a ship that seems like a lone merchant ship or trader, a plum target for pirates. The 'merchant sailors' of course will be Kennex pirate hunters, and any pirate who takes the bait and tries to board the 'merchant ship' will live (or not live, as the case may be) to regret it.

Porter will be accompanying Ian on a task force to attempt to bait the pirates into attacking them, and then fight back! Porter will be laying in weight with the ambush crowd.

Aethan will be taking part in the pirate hunting expdition with his brothers and Wash.

Duchess General Calypso works closely with Harald Grimhall and his fleet to support this new policy. Her captains have been given the Watchwords and been instructed to cast out any pirates, smugglers or otherwise undocumented and unwanted travelers on her ships. This only pertains to the fleet she had originally sent out in to Kennex waters.

Titania will be supporting Harald in this and leanding aid in whatever way she can with both Kennex Soldiers and Ships. She will be making sure that all work with Harald so that the situation in Kennex is not taken advantage of and Smuggling and Piracy will be stopped and dealt with.

Lark has forwarded the watchwords to her vassals to use as needed. So as not to confuse the issue, however, she has reduced Grayson naval footprint in Stormward waters to nilch, and suggested that her vassals similarly reduce their traffic there while Grimhall deals with pirates and criminals.

Wash will disguise himself and his personal vessel as a merchant ship, load it down with armed sailors from other Kennex vessels and attempt to lure the pirates into a raid. He will spread word through the lower boroughs (through proxies) of the wealth the ship is bringing to Stormward. Wash will be in command of the vessel, despite his usual disinclination toward hand to hand combat.

Darrow joins the efforts in the Stormward March with his marines and ship, the Reaper, to sail in the efforts of Harald Grimhall. He himself and a squadron of the Lament marines place themselves on the bait ship, knowing that it is likely to draw the most interest of pirates, smugglers, or any other submarine forces that might be lurking. This bait will not be easy prey with Darrow on its deck.

Valery is researching how to improve her smoke bombs, adding pigments so the smoke will come in different colors. (Action 1435) She's been told that could be used for signals!
She's handing Harald a few of these experiments, 3 of three different colors (red, yellow and blue) and another 3 white, making a total of 12.
(Added ap and resources for their cost)

Once watchwords are distributed, the Valardin navy will offer aid in light of increased piracy to escort and defend merchant vessels that are confirmed to be pirate free in the spirit of protecting and bolstering trade while giving the small and growing navy some opportunity to hone it's teeth on pirate vessels.

Watchwords are better than nothing, but actionable intelligence is what Halsim deals with. While everyone else is handling naval issues, Halsim goes pro-active and consults with informants across the Isles about pirates and probable false flaggers, sending any serious leads to Harald for him to actively hunt down. Narrowing the wide net to actual problems.

is going to take a different approach to the smuggling issue. Most lords think the problem is at the sea, that boarding will solve the problems, and often they're right. However, the Crimson giant and his men will be at the ports, stopping anything that they can that falls through the cracks. If contraband is spotted, he will threaten and beat his way to the source, and in turn he will turn over those hiding spots to the boarding parties, as not to let them be tricked twice.

201 ships participate in the massive pickets surrounding Kennex waters. The watchwords catch a number of smugglers off guard, and at least in the initial weeks, 4 longships and 2 galleys are captured running false flags, with their crews turned over to House Grimhall and the ships confiscated. Piracy dies down overnight, and if there were more than that they are definitely avoiding Kennex waters at present.

Harald is committing the Grim Fleet to the support of Kennex in the following ways: first, in hunting down the renegade Kennex longships which newly freed thralls took over, as well as cracking down on any other pirates looking to exploit the chaos. He will lead this effort personally. If found, the leaders of the mutineers will be publicly crucified as traitors in Grihem's Point, and the crews returned to thralldom under Grimhall.

Second, the fleet will escort any Kennex Freedmen who accept passage from Stormward March to Grihem's Point, where they will be considered free serfs. They won't be paid much, but they'll have work, shelter, and food for their families. Harald rejects Aleksei's placement of Churchmen aboard his vessels in this relocation.

Third, the fleet will provide escort to any mainland ships bringing aid to Stormward March, to ensure pirates do not prey on idiot mainlanders who announce they are transporting loads of silver and supplies.

Lastly, the Grim Legion is being prepared against the possibility that Stormward March falls into open revolt. Should this happen, Harald is prepared to land his troops together with Thrax to prevent a lengthy civil war and impose an overlord's order on the March. Should this be necessary, the army will bring supplies and silver to encourage cooperation, so that there is a carrot to go with the stick.

Ian will be going along with the grim fleet (hopefully together with Aethan and Porter). He's not just there to lend his blade to the fight, but also his expertise; Ian sailed Kennex waters for years, and if it comes to fighting pirates, it's a fair bet that they'll be pirates who became thralls after a ship Ian was on caught them in the first place. He knows the tactics that pirates in that area use, where they like to hide, etc. More personally, he's spent a lot of time with the grim legion, and also wants to go because he feels a certain obligation to dive into trouble alongside them. As an aside, it may or may not be worthy of remark that the Brothers Kennex, who used to have a reputation as pirate hunters, at least in their own House if not on the Isles as a whole, are together again on a reunion tour of sorts, and together under Grimhall's banner. Given the tension between Ford and Harald, it might set tongues wagging.

Aethan is joining his brothers in sailing with Harald to hunt former thralls turned pirate.

Faelan is going to come along with Harald to fight and hunt down the renegade Kennex freedmen. He is also going to bring Navegant soldiers with to help.

Traveling with the Grimhall Fleet, Edward will go as someone to meet with traditionalists and progressive who are concerned over their loss of thralls and provide financial and economic advice on how to spend the monies they should expect and demand of House Kennex and the Compact to help with the transition, recommending wage prices for thralls who want to stay and how to incentivize them to not leave on the great fleets that come to pick them up to take them away. This will include conversations to confused and lost thralls who do not know what to do, encouraging them to stay and continue their trade and craft - with examples of how wealthy a crafter in the Compact can become. And for those who still desire to escape their Kennex cages an encouragement to resettle inside Thrax instead of without - his focus then on places like Navegant and Whitefrost.

Melinda will be using her skills in Propaganda to help her father keep morale amongst his crew and his ships. She is also getting Artorius to lend more ships to her fathers cause.

Sameera, being more of an organazier, it set on keeping track of the inventory of the Grimhall fleet as well as organzing those on reserve for occupation Kennex, should it come to it. She is heeding any change of orders that Harald might give her or acting on any ill actions done by those following the Grimhall Duke. As a note, if Harald or a Grimhall, especially Harald, is in a situation of risk she will, absolutely disregard the orders Harald gives her to keep them safe. She will also attempt to try getting former thralls to follow her command, using her status as a former thrall, to draw them in and convince them to cease and then swear themselves to Grimhall. She will be nudign Torstein to join her, under her command.

Torstein will be assisting and playing bodyguard (babysitter) to Sameera.

Let's get some pirates! And probably do some other helpful and boring stuff, too. But mostly catching some pirates!

The High Lord is providing Thrax's own marine forces to assist Harald in combating piracy and aid in whatever other military campaigns that the Duke sees fit. By Victus' order, they will be led under Harald's command until order has been restored to Stormward and the mutineers are brought to swift justice.

Piracy? In our waters? Against our people? No. That will not stand. The Lady Regla Navegant, alongside the Marines and Navegant fleet will assist in anti-piracy and escort operations.

Two things go extremely well, from the standpoint of the Isles. First, no revolt happens under the watchful eyes of Isles' military might, which in turn stops the flow of blood due to anarchy and help stabilize the freefall of Kennex's economy. Most of the traditionalists are happy about that, even if they are disinclined to put their own money forward to buy old thrall debts that have now been abrogated by Ford's actions. Secondly, two renegade longships have been run down by their forces and destroyed. They were flying Kennex colors, but the flayed crucified bodies of their former commanders on decks made it not very ambiguous about whether they were legitimate Kennex vessels or not. Those ships were run down, cornered, and slaughtered with the surrendering survivors brought back to Grihem's Point to be presented to the sea. The overwhelming force combined with the vastly more disciplined soldiers made them extraordinarily one sided, with only three Grimhall men dying for 78 former thralls being slain in combat, and one of the deaths was from a man named Rolf trying to leap from a boarding plank, hitting the side of a longboat, and then drowning.

As a result of the show of force, a small amount of refugees choose to settle on Grihem's Point, Escuma, Whitefrost and Maelstrom. They all see a modest boost in their labor forces as a result.

It's not a complete success, but that is largely out of their control and their forces wish for more clarification on how to proceed, since they are crossing into some dangerous waters (a pun which they all argue is not intended). The problem is there are now hundreds of ships of the Compact's houses in Kenenx waters helping with relief efforts. While the morons on the two renegade longships were easily dealt with because they got carried away, more professional pirates and smugglers are much less stupid, and are taking advantage of the chaos by flying false flags. This is a predicament because many of the other ships are ducal houses from the Lyceum, Grayson, and the Oathlands at least. And some suspect that some pirates are flying Thrax colors as well, and this creates issues as asking any other ship to stop to be boarded could provoke some extremely ugly incidents- particularly since most would expect Kennex to be the ones doing this by law, and they aren't here. Grimhall could argue they have the rigths for this, as the liege of Kennex and it being a problem, but some of the craftier pirates might be flying Grimhall flags. It's very hard to tell how many are out there, but there was at least 3 attacks on isolated ships after the two longships of Kennex mutineers were killed, meaning -someone- at least is still in the business of piracy, and those ones are being extremely careful. Most of the large fleets of the Compact are traveling in far to big detachments for pirates to risk, but for smaller groups of refugees fleeing, it's a serious concern.