The Society of Explorers leadership makes it known they are seeking Explorers to assuage the worries of a reasonbly fearful populace regarding Developments of Late. Blood Moons and Mysterious Castles, etc. Explorers, you know, the stuff we see on the regular. If it is not in you to assuage, or give examples wondrous rather than terrifying, describe your triumphs and travails as a living example that it can be endured.

After a conversation with Raymesin about how the Lowers could probably use another guardian, Ian has decided to step up. He's a well known, if reclusive figure, often seen in Raymesin and Raja's company, living on a small ship at the docks. In fact, he's seen as enough of a native to the Lowers at this point that the peerage has started to turn their noses up about the whole thing (Ian has the 'shady' prop mod, just because of the company he keeps.)

Now he starts to come out of his shell, to engage with people. With conversations inevitably turning towards the blood rain, he slowly opens up to these people about some of the absolutely crazy stuff he's seen and done over the years. He tells stories the way he used to in happier times, stories couched as engaging tales to share with drinks, rather than scary stories to tell in the dark. These stories strip all of the mystique out of the mystical, and highlight moments that were funny, or embarrassing, or deserving of a giant facepalm. ("So we're holed up in this wooden house with the walking dead outside, and I shout up to this girl who's gotten out a bow 'Whatever you do, don't light them on fire!' and do you know what happened right while I'm saying this? Yup, out come the flaming fucking arrows. And here's the thing about lighting zombies on fire. You've still got to fight the zombies. But now they're on fire. And did I mention our hideout was made of wood?") He even brings out The Scarf, dubbed Horror Borealis by Vitalis. Nothing brings the supernatural crashing down to earth like an absurdly ugly scarf that smells just awful but somehow takes pride of place in so many adventures.

Ian also, from time to time, lets himself be convinced to go a few rounds with someone in a friendly fight at the ring in the Hollow. While he's not as talented a brawler as he is a fencer, he can still hold his own (brawl 3), and most importantly can display his almost supernatural ability to avoid getting grabbed or struck (Ian has a 20 point dex+dodge knack titled 'Practically Precognition'.) to back up that yes, this is definitely a guy who could pick a fight with a demon if he had to.

But mostly, Ian just establishes himself as a presence here, as someone who has had a long enough experience with monsters and "that fucking occult nonsense" to be able to turn them into something almost mundane. He establishes that he is here, just on the docks where he can easily be sent for. And he establishes that he cares. If the time comes when there is something terrible that needs to be faced here, he'll face it right alongside the people of the Lowers. And it will make for an EPIC story, one that everyone can tell.

Vitalis hosts an event at the Society Charter Hall open to one and all (with the lure of food and drink), opening the Museum and Map Rooms to visitors and inviting Explorers to speak of their adventures.

For his own part, he begins with something out of a fairytale - the Gray Forest Protectors, talking animals who fought alongside Arx's defenders when the Lodge of Petrichor was attacked. He moves on to the mystical herb Sundraw, also called Petrichor's Jewels or Blight's Bane, a rare and powerful cure for terrible poison. And then the story of a voyage beyond the Mourning Sea and of a storm spirit that guided his ship to safety. He tells stories of the Suthryn Wastes and the land beyond, with poison frogs (which he shows) and bright parrots (Peckworthy is an example, but not from that voyage). And in Arx itself, he tells of the sparklemites that light the City's lamps. Of the Clocktower and that strange green snow, they remember it now, don't they, and isn't *that* strange? How a mage called Copper, who created the Clocktower, spent her life and bought grace for the people of Arvum on the day the Clocktower fell. That just recently, the glow over the City during the recent battle was a force of great good will meeting a dark one.

That the world is incredibly large and mysterious and wondrous. That they are all just waking to the mysteries and can likewise chart the course into an uncertain future together! He'll end with a Q&A, doing his best to field the questions asked.

Rosalind definitely knows what lurks in the night. She's fought them. And with that winning smile of hers on that freckled face, she will go around recanting all the tales. The dozens she's witnessed and have been part of. The witnessing of spirits, shapeshifting, the moon. The Ravenseye has the stories. Gather around the first and listen?.

Caspian is nothing if not a story teller! he is known for weaving tales and painting pictures with words of adventures that always seemed impossible. Impossible.. until now. now, with the world awakening to the truth about magic and the wonders that abound, he once more spins his stories. Stories of lost cities, of adventures fighting demons, stories of spirits and dragons. All of his adventures, all of the many things he has seen, laid out for all to hear. He answers questions and shares what information he can with all who ask. Where there is knowledge, there is less room for fear to grow.

Adalyn is a warrior, a champion. Someone who cares deeply for people, understanding how jarring things can be and having experienced some of these things herself she understands. So she will go around with a small group, she will tell people stories of Heroes of Arx and Avrum and how magic helped guide some of them. She will do these small stories in ways only she knows how in small live action story times, she will play the part of both heroes and Villain's to tell the stories, to show people that things will be ok that it is not a bad thing that is happening.

Jan doesn't know much about the occult but she knows plenty about war. She has been studying historical battles and talking with seasoned military leaders of this generation, highlighting the victories the Compact has scored and underscoring humanity has survived such troubles in the past.

Of all the things to be asked to do, Mattheu was not prepared for it to be of stories of how magic is helpful. However, he's heard others tell tales of where it has been, and was upon the Bay of Arx in return to the city when the attack took place where he witnessed the wall of fire rise up to shield the city from advancement. Years working for scraps and set for distraction as a Ravashari Entertainer, he knows how to spin a tale even if his heart is not completely within it. Taking to his violin and playing music along side of telling stories of what others have done, what he's witnessed, seeking to help change the view of not only how magic is playing within the Compact, but also how Prodigals can be helpful, as he leans into his work with the city, with those around him.

The seemingly ever cheerful Ryhalt helps calm fears by telling of stories focusing on humanity's enduring nature, reminding how its their ability adapt, change, and survive that is their gift. He pulls these stories from his own experiences and research.

Lucita already is using songs to assist with calming populace, reassuring and reminding of joy, familiar things. To that effort already in progress, she adds stories about our brave soldiers in current memory, from the Bringer war and Setarco, the Lodge war that these things are known to many, and even if they have forgotten or blocked them out, they succeeded, they survived! She has stories to tell of the things she has seen and done told in a reassuring, positive way. She encourages people subtly and gently to 'put on their big boy pants'.

Eirene has seen a lot of shit. And done a lot. She shares the story of the first demon slain in recorded memory - the Beast of Sanctum. Back in 1005 Orazio, long before he became Dominus, entrusted Eirene and a handful of others with fighting a demon hoardling summoned near Sanctum. She describes the fight in detail but with the overall message of "You can fight them. We know how to make them bleed. We know how to make them die." )She speaks of the rebirth of magic, and how even now there are people tapping their potential, their heritage, their birthright denied. Stories of their ancestors brave deeds forgotten, but there are stories they will tell their children that they are the heroes of. We are those heroes, and we will fight for a future where our children can freely tell those stories without the torn pages of memories or the chains of Destiny. And the Explorers will help shape those stories, and ensure people are around to tell them.

It does help. The Society of Explorers has many, many stories to tell, much of which just has never been safe to reveal until now, and hearing about it does calm the nerves. There almost certainly would have been some panic, and some riots, but the knowledge that some of what has happened has approached a degree of normalcy just helps a great deal. The Society does quite a bit for helping prevent panic in Arx.

Under the direction of Lou Grayson, the Society of Explorers is going to - well - Explore. Their prime goal is to explore as much of the Saffron Chain as they are able in the time that they might have, in order to find any additional information that might help provide the Spirit Walkers with an advantage in putting the Great Blood Spirit back to sleep.

They'll do this by setting out to sail the Saffron Islands, introducing themselves to the people they find, and asking questions. There are a number of Explorers with various languages available to them to help facilitiate the role of translator, as well as other who excel in diplomatic relations and protection. They will always try to find a peaceful means to get the information they are seeking, only using violence to defend themselves if necessary. Gifts will be provided where feasible, and if they happen upon any tribes among the Saffron that Alarice might have had relations within the past, Lou might try to leverage that ancient connection, provided it was a good one, to see if they'd be willing to form alliances once more.

Questions they might be asking along the way are:

1) what are the legends associated with the Great Blood Spirit?

2) is there anyone who might know of any rituals to put the Spirit back to sleep?

3) what historical records and/or maps might they have that might give further information on locations where relics might be found to help with putting the creature back to sleep or on what dangers they might want to consider when performing the ritual.

4) would there be anyone willing to help the members of Arvum wishing to perform the ritual to put the Great Blood Spirit back to sleep?

Lou would be relying heavily on those members of the Explorers who have first hand knowledge of the Saffron to try and steer away from any of the more dangerous territories; cannibals, hostiles, etc. She has the safety of her people and her crew at the forefront of her mind, while also seeing this task through.

Guides and Translators: Having grown up in the Saffron Chain and spent much of her adolescences traveling around it. Cassiopeia will use her knowledge and connections to help find guides for the Explorers to assist them in navigating and collecting information.

Where appropriate Ryhalt helps smooth and encourage exchange of information by setting up trade for needed goods. Otherwise he joins trips to investigate findings and offers his mind to help puzzle out elusive clues.

Rosa LOVES people! LOVES them. And she's such a chatter box. A stealthy chatter box at that. She's a scout you know, but quiet when needed. Make sense? While scouting about the Saffron, Rosalind with use her people skills and ability to understand the strange, she will talk to those she finds along the way. She will likely talk their ears off, asking a million questions about the blood spirit, that that should not be named.

Ruins of unknown providence? Jungles with curious critters? Tovell is a fresh-faced Explorer who brings one particular set of skills to bear at this juncture: He's a professional person-protector. Throughout the wandered explorations of the Saffron Chain, Tovell will avail himself to any seekers and scouts who believe they may need to tread dangerous ground and could use a protective fellow who won't blend in all that well.

Oh no Oswyn is so busy. So, so busy. But sometimes there are little hidden snippets about far-away things in the Archives. Maybe even things bigger than snippets, because it's probably easy to shove a book about something as crazy as a blood spirit that quaked a continent apart in the silly stories section. Anyway, Oswyn has people who poke books so he has them poke books. And tells them good places to poke at.

As a newer addition to the SoE, Adalyn is eager to join in this endeavor and assist where she is able. She'll put her sociable nature to work, turning on the charm and trading stories with those she encounters (because if there's one thing she might enjoy as much as telling wild stories of her various adventures, it's hearing others recount theirs). She's hoping her conversational and diplomatic skills will uncover helpful information.

Kiera has always been interested in storries untold and the solving of puzzles, which leads to a fascination with connect disperate subjects. This led to an interest in myth and legend of both the oathlands region and tales outside of her conventional faith upbringing, which in turn lead to discoveries about Dawnhome. Convinced that it will be an area of continued interst to the enemies of the compact, she is resolved to learn all she can. her present focos is examining connections between dawnhome and cardia with the hope of providing insights others may not have explored

Action: Eirene knows sailors. And sailors know stories. So she hits up as many in sailor's taverns as she can to get info about the saffron they may have learned along the way. She uses her knowledge of sailing to make friends.She brings great quantities of Southport rum to help smooth her conversations. Lots and lots of rum.

Ian is an experienced sailor and an experienced captain, and more than that, since he, Haakon, and Jasher won the Regatta, he also has access to a sloop. He loads the Explorers onto this fast, agile ship, hoping to keep the non-combatants among them safe(er) by virtue of being able to outrun any ship that tries to overtake them, while at the same time, the fast ship will cover more distance, allowing further exploration in one trip.

He's able to offer one of the outer islands of the Stormward duchy as a staging area, as well, providing easy (or easier, anyway) access to parts of the Saffron Chain that Pravus has yet to map and explore, as these are the places where undiscovered answers are most likely to be available.

Jhond too is an experience explorer and focused especially on the exploration part. Taking the path less travelled, blazing a trail. He will help explore places and will use his talents to get to hard reach places. cliffs, caves, climbing, swimming. he will help pave the way for others to follow.

Lisebet is an Explorer, Scholar, and diplomat, as well as a Duchess. She is signing up for this trip expecting that diplomatic skills will be needed in order to get to places where relics or clues might be found, or to get stories/history from inhabitants of the isles. She's got some knowledge of things occult and riddles, but by far her largest input seems to be on the diplomatic front. She'll be there to soothe nerves, orate about benefits, ask questions, try to suss out hidden agendas or not so hidden ones. She does speak several languages which may also be of use, and she's willing to put herself out there, in order to help learn what to do to resolve this.

And if she gets a chance, she might even try to negotiate a cute little animal companion.

Vitalis is a seasoned explorer and for an effort like trying to learn about an ominous ancient spirit, he brings his sleuthing skills to bear. Talking with islanders, studying ruins and texts, sigils and symbols, mundane and occult alike. He's looking for information about Dawnhome, the fabled volcano, blood spirits, the easternmost point that Shamans sought out, Dream trees, legends, lore anything that will help shed needed light on the slumbering spirit's status.

Shae is a knowledgeable scout, and tracker, but she also possess a great deal of knowledge of flora and fauna. As well as having had the chance to explore mythical places, such as Brightshore. And she plans to put that knowledge to work to help seek out clues, and information that might go unnoticed by others. Leaning into her connection to the land.

It might seem like 'nothing', and perhaps it is. But! A combination of watching the Spirit Walkers, conversations with the Faith, Bella, Sebastian, heck just by virtue of being alive Raven's learned things that want to meddle or have something to say, or sometimes even just be nosy and silent find her with a frequency that's prompted outright exasperation from the Blackheart. Be it Her Shady Friends from Setarco, Abyssals, Spirits, and /possibly/ even the divine, she must just have an approachable face if one is a non-human sentient.
     So that's what she does. She will join the scouts and keep her eyes and ears open. There are no rituals, no appeals for aid. She may poke around to see what she can see incidentally to point out to scouts. She will accompany some scouting groups, other times she may set up somewhere nearby away from people and sit quietly as Mirk and the spirit walkers have taught her to do. If she can entice something to pass comment, or get to talking, or talk up her fellow Explorers to the non-human natives she will make the attempt to encourage anything that doesn't seem outright suspicious to chat up others so they may be questioned. In short Raven tags along and tries to be her usual magnetic self, and periodically makes time to meditate away from the group. See if anything could be spotted, or something opts to approach her and could be persuaded to chat up the group. Could be the group is left to wonder why Raven's even here.

Xanthe is going to tag along and provide help where need be. Mainly in the way of protection since she is best at fighting things with her weapons.

Felicia is an explorer, and Deathspeaker, though at least in relation to the latter her 'talent' has been somewhat spotty of late, and her relationship to stealth might at best be considered 'laughable'. What she can do is help with the exploration of ancient places and perhaps the puzzling of obscure languages. And if the ghosts are willing, mayhaps they might deign to speak to the Harrow and offer insight of the dead and forgotten as to how to deal with their very modern problem.

Lucita is an experienced explorer, often teaming up with other members of the SoE in those explorations. Music often makes a bridge between people, soothing, relaxing, creating a bond through its enjoyment and helping disarm suspicion. She collects old songs, old music references and hopes exchanging these with others might bring some useful information about the Great Blood Spirit to the effort. She asks if playing soothing, calming music helps relax that spirit and help prolong its quiescent state till rituals to put it back to sleep can be preformed.... and will play that if others answer yes to that question.

Recently rejoined, Caspian will do what he does best, namely be loud and stop trouble. Everyone loves a story, and more so people love to tell them! while most tavern tales are fanciful, there is often a grain of truth. Caspian will frequent the taverns and social gatherings, singing songs of the spirits and encouraging others to share their tales. Find enough similar threads and you can start to find the truth. Also, should any trouble arrive from any of the Explorers endeavors, he will likely be the first into the fray to make sure others are safe.

With the work of House Proscipi having cleared the way for the Explorers, the group is permitted to do more of their actual job in exploring rather than trying to fight off the Abandoned. That said, those Abandoned the live within the jungles, give those who arrive a wide berth. There is an awareness that they are there, lurking within the trees or observing from afar, but the Explorers are permitted to explore unbothered. Of course, that also means that they lack the expertise of a local guide in some places, but they are well-trained and still able to pick their way through the jungles with a minimum of injury and delay.

Of course, the fact that it is a jungle means that Lou's dream of trying to map the entirety of the Chain isn't quite able to keep up with reality. She does have the maps provided to her of those areas that -are- settled and well-documented and the work that the Explorers do helps to fill in a few of the blanks on those maps receives wide-spread acclaim from those within the settlements and cities of the Chain since mapping the jungle requires hard work and a degree of ability. Not many possess a wealth of both and either have the skill, but not the time or the time, but lack the skill required. Thankfully, the Explorers possess a good deal of both and are properly appreciated for their efforts, meaning that future trips to the Saffron Chain will likely be welcomed by those members of the Compact that live here.

The jungles are dotted with ruins. Some are so worn down and crumbling that there is only the impression of a structure that once existed where vines now hold the shape. After one strenuous day of travel, they make camp in the midst of some better kept ruins. After rations are distributed and the watch assignments made, some of the group takes some time to explore. The ruins consist of a large building that might have been something like a temple, but one of the walls is missing and, if there was a roof, it is long gone now. Inside, there are marble slabs that line the walls of the 'temple', overgrown with flowering vines and teeming with the local wildlife. There is something that appears to be a fountain in the middle of the large room, but, though it is filled with flowers, it is also crumbling into marble dust.

The carvings on some of the pillars depict closed eyes. Everywhere around them, there are engravings of closed eyes. It's a little creepy.

Still, after a long day of hiking and mapping, they have little trouble falling asleep, despite the weirdness of those carved eyes. Their dreams are deep. They see snakes and hear the sound of music and see the soar of dragon wings overhead. There are voices that whisper in their dreams, but the language is unfamiliar. The dream of a city of the dawn, stretching out over the Chain before it dissolves into lava and ash. When they wake and discuss their dreams, the Explorers realize that they have all had the same dream in this strange, eerie place. They waste little time in packing up and departing after making sure proper notes of the ruins and the dream have been taken for later analysis. Later, when the Explorers speak of the place they found to some within the settlements, they say that they have heard the place called 'The Gate of Dreams'.

Overall, while their mission doesn't map the entirety of the Saffron Chain, they do manage to create some tentative maps where none existed before and earn the respect and favor of the Chain's natives in the process.

After many months of planning, the Laurents, spearheaded by Mabelle decide to construct a waystation: road-station / Inn near Artshall. a structure that offers hospitality for all travellers for a set period of time That should, in theory, encourage merchants and other visitors to experience their lands and will probably help with strengthening bonds with neighbours and foreigners alike. A way station right outside Artshall that will offer any and all guests simple room and board for a period of three days. The waystation with facilities for merchants and travellers, will have shops and stabling to help fund it. After three days visitors can stay but will have to pay inn rates. Relies very heavily on a cultural importance of guest-right/hospitality as demonstrated in the Oathlands, the waystation will also include services of physicians, animal groomers, hagglers, religious representative and the like.

The waystation is planned to be not only a place for traders to lay down, have a warm meal and gather the energies to carry on in their hazardous journey, but also crucial hubs where travelers didn't waste the opportunity to do business with local markets and traders, and cultural crossroads where merchants didn't just exchange textiles and spices but also ideas, traditions, languages, and even news, both importing their own and taking back home what they had learned along the way.

The project will be engaging different individuals from the Compact to assist, be it people to handle logistics, economical aspects, guarding duties, blessing of the Faith and building a of shrine for gild, artists to embellish the place with fabrics, mosaics, paintings and wood works. Do not forget the beehive chandelier.

This should encourage merchants and other travellers to visit Laurent lands and hopefully increase pilgrimage, merchant business and immigration as a result.

Inspiration sketch: http://www.pizzatravel.com.ua/uploads/2014/16645.jpg
Inspiration pics and info: http://www.tourmakerturkey.com/sultan-hani-caravanserai.html

Having reviewed Mabelle's plans for this project, Cristoph gives it the stamp of approval. He also does *a lot* of talking it up while he's at court.

Jael recruits and trains a number of soldiers to keep order and peace at the new waystation.

With a clear understanding of the goals Mabelle has in mind and the ways that everyone else is helping, Edward still step in and fulfill the economics logistic and oversight role. While others help with location, procuring materials, and ensuring they get to the site for construction in a timely manner, he will do his best to ensure that cost overruns and quality of materials are used to their utmost. This will also allow him to ensure that there is no siphoning of materials, limit theft, and ensure that high quality materials are not replaced with cheaper or lesser quality materials.

Iseulet helps Mabelle (and the Laurents!) by using the many many contacts she has made over the years to not only spread the word about the waystation to the people that need to know about it (merchants, traders, hagglers), but also ensure that she gets the goods and supplies to build the waystation at the cheapest possible rates.

With the success of the Bold Espressions in Arx, Ryhalt jumped on the opportunity for possible expansion of another shop at this outpost. He reasoned that travelers weary from the road or messengers needing a boost to keep them going down the road would be sure to find a coffee shop a welcome amenity among the other features of the outpost. Therefore, an investment in the Laurent's latest project to ensure a prime location for the shop was a carefully calculated business decision.

To honor the Laurents, the menu selection would weigh towards flavors of coffee that went well with their honey, along with more standard fare for those that did not want such sweetness and would otherwise suit regional tastes. The shop would not be as big as the establishment in Arx, but would still have a cozy area for chatting and drinking inside for cold or inclement weather. Outside would be a small patio for street-side tables to help advertise and to give a place for those who have only a couple minutes to pause a place to sit and enjoy. For staff, mostly locals would be hired, but Ryhalt would send a more experienced member of the Arx branch to manage the shop to ensure the quality did not waver.

Besides the coffee shop, he arranges for the export of other specialty goods from Westrock such as pomegranates, sugar, pineapples to boost variety of products offered by the outpost and to pique the interest of passing traders to goods not yet available in their region, intending to spread not just coffee through the Compact and ensure wider success of the outpost.

And, as promised, he provided Mabelle with tips on the general plan, drawing on his business and life experience to maximize the placement of the outpost and potential for growth and profit for the entire outpost.

Delia uses her family connections to merchants and tradesfolk to spread word about the new Laurent waystation. She focuses specifically on merchants who might have found it somewhat inconvenient to make their way through Laurent lands, talking up the waystation as a solution for that inconvenience. She also intends to travel out there once the building is complete, to bring back personal descriptions of the place.

Llewella eagerly jumps into the project with Mabelle as it allows her to express an artistic and diplomatic idea she's wanted to put into use. Her help takes the form of labor as well as an art installation.

First, Llewella will buy the freedom of more thralls in the isles, seeking to select them from houses sincere in their efforts of reform. These freed thralls will be asked to find employment with Astarrea or House Laurent and used as paid labor to help with Mabelle's project and Llewella's art.

Second, Llewella will talk to the Knights of Solace, House Laurent, and related trading concerns to learn more about the area that is being worked and the people (Arvani or Shav'arvani) that may be involved. She'll seek out their stories, the things important to their cultures, and so on. Using this information leads to...

And third, Llewella and her labor crews will quarry/buy tall blocks of local stone and arrange them at notable, interesting locations around the waystation. On each of these stones will be carved images of trade and cooperation, or civilization and knowledge being exchange. She'll have carved into each several written versions of the stories in all the related languages for those that stand the most chance of passing this way.

Dante has come to protect those who are working upon the waystation. With Tor bordering the Laurent lands (who are also their allies by marriage), the Sword of Tor sees this as an excellent opportunity to aid allies and traffic to and from Tor alike.

Athaur is more then happy to help out his friends in House Laurent. Especially when he believes in the usefulness of their goal. In his own time spent expanding his own house he has developed quite a bit of knowledge in developing and expanding lands and making improvements. He will bring this knowledge to help the Laurents decide where they should build their waystation, how to expand and supply it.

Sanya aids Mabelle in her efforts by spreading word of the project, drawing attention to it in hopes of gaining assistance. She'll discuss the advantages of the Waystation for merchants and travellers in particular.

Colette doesn't really know much about this stuff, but she is more than happy to scout the are and find places to set up new watchposts along the road to help ensure the safety of travelers on their way to Artshall.

There are definitely better people for the purpose of spreading the word about an ambitious project of construction, artistry and, ultimately, diplomacy. But those people probably wouldn't talk to the exact same people as Naka Laurent, so he figures his lesser efforts might still have some efficacy. So Naka goes about talking up the waystation concept and its needs among the Scholars and other primarily Faith folk he comes across in his day to day. Other persons are not immune to a good talking to about this effort, but the above are the sorts of people he most often interacts with.

Dame Alexis leaps at the chance to aid in Lady Mabelle's project. While the Gold Order is respectful of the faith and careful not to overstep boundaries with the Knights of Solace, Alexis sees little issue in ensuring that there are members of the Order at the Waystaton to help relieve the pressure - the Knights, after all, must frequently aid travellers along the way. Besides, the Golden Order are Questing Knights at heart, and what better place to pick up news of those in need of aid than a Waystation? There's even an inn here! So it is that the Gold Order's insignia is seen on soldiers, squires, and knights who rotate in and out, but always maintain a permanent, reassuring presence.

Vicente's roll in this is largely advisory. He will be seeing to any elements that might make the location vulnerable to attacks or raids. Any troops that need trained or advised on defensive or offensive positions based on the surrounding terrain and advising on ideal ambush locations.

Felix will assist not only in helping to establish the shrine for Gild; the building of statue, metal artworks and the like, but in his role as Godsworn - asking for Gild's blessing in this venture for those travelers and merchants who come from near and far to this place. He will also help to establish a shop here for whichever apprentice is soon to earn their journeyman mark and wishes to preside here for a time to represent this branch of Seaborn Weaponry, giving the majority of business to them, while maintaining shipments of quality blades from his own forges for those who do not wish to travel all the way to Arx itself.

Sir Bhandn is here to both represent the Knights of Solace as well as see to the Knights' efforts in maintaining safety for those travelers who would call the waystation a haven from travel and danger. He brings with him a notable contribution (in the form of 6000 military resources) from the Grandmaster for the purpose of improving the fortification and security of the waystation and the area it's in.

Hospitality. Generosity. Home and Hearth.

The Domestique Bell, as Legate Ailith proposed, also known as the Haven of the Honey Bee embodies the vision set by Lady Mabelle - a haven to forge bonds between travelers and traders across the Compact with the community, and to honor Gild and Limerance.

Between the two (more prominently Mabelle), unique and personalized additions were discussed and carefully selected to create a haven that reflects the love of the Gods by way of the hospitality through Gild and the community bonds through Limerance (see OOC section for silver/resources). Boutiques feature such local works by Laurent and its vassals such as honeycomb and wax crafts or the specialty chocolate coated honey coins embossed with the Gild and Limerance symbols. The rooms at the inn offer a "slice of home" with adornments imported from all across the Compact. Ailith reached out to the scholars to create an embossed guest book to be prominently displayed in the foyer of the inn; any visitor may write their name to be recorded in the archives at the new shrine.

For the shrine, Ailith coordinates with Legate Bianca and the Seraph of Artshall to promote a Godsworn as Seraph to this haven - a person who shares the vision for hospitality and community. In addition, Ailith sought to ensure the godsworn and disciples carry forth charitable deeds - offering sanctuary to the weary, healing to the hurt, and compassion to the downtrodden. It is her hope by the hard work and sermons by the Faith as well as the long-standing Faithful leadership by House Laurent that this haven would be remembered as a place where people felt the love of the gods, not just metaphorically.

And as such, Ailith travels to the haven to lead an elaborate consecration ceremony and ritual for the new Shrine of Gild and out to the center of the crossroads that leads into the waystation. Honeycomb shaped bricks pave the walkway with the outer edges in gold, shimmering like honey. A map of the compact is painted on the walkway with the Laurent lands at center. Names create the roads from the waystation on the map - names of local travelers, prominent and respected traders, inn keepers, and so forth to represent the bonds in the community and those who shared in the creation of this place.

Dead center of the map, Ailith pours a special brand of Laurent honey, wildflower with hints of chocolate blended with holy water. As she pours the honey to create the symbol of the pantheon, she recites the Canticles of Gild and Limerance, sharing stories of how havens as these linked even the smallest of towns to the largest of cities (even remarking on her childhood being from a backwater region of the Oathlands that trade links to civilizations) - news, stories, and songs come way by the road - and the hearts of the locals offering hospitality by generously offering a place to stay can make a difficult journey in life a little lighter. The doors open to the shrine and a feast for all (free for all) is offered. She works with the locals including the surrounding Seraphs to ensure that the stories she shares echo that of people from the community, thereby further personalizing and including them in this haven.

It's a massive construction project, as the Domestique Bell begins to take shape. Called also the Haven of the Honey Bee, or simply the Waystation of Artshall, the waystation is part fortress, part inn and part holy place, and it's a remarkable feat of construction that it serves those three roles relatively seamlessly. Lady Mabelle Laurent's project is heavily hyped from the beginning throughout the Compact. Delia and the Whispers drum up excitement at Court, and Duke Cristoph lending his stamp of approval has many taking notice, due to his continued, triumph success in making Artshall a beacon of security and stability in difficult times. With Iseulet and Naka also helping spread the word, more help is offered though there is a noticably large groundswell of support from suspiciously enthusiastic members of the public after Sanya speaks movingly about its virtues. It really resonated, and goes better than it probably should.

Construction and security of the Domestique Bell is overseen by Edward, Jael, Athaur, Colette, Vicente, Dante, Llewella, Bhandn, and Alexis with her Gold Order. While it's not an inherently military structure, it still is strategically important as its a large fort outside of the city proper for Artshall, that lets travelers rest in safety without having to go to the trouble of entering the city itself. As such it should be a key target for Abandoned, but due to the heavy security there's no meaningful attempts to attack the waystation, and only a few petty acts of sabotage from Abandoned likely pretending to be volunteer workers that don't prove to be more than an annoyance. As its finished, it stands as a huge trading post, fortress, shrine and inn that can easily house hundreds of travelers and in a pinch could likely protect thousands within its walls if packed tight. Ryhalt's trade goods from Westrock gain immediate interest, and Felix's Seaborn Weaponry branch is quite popular.

The care in construction is not lost on the throngs that come to hear Ailith's consecration of the large Shrine in the waystation. Much of the beautiful designs are from Ailith's directions, speaking to a celebration of Gild, Limerance and all of the gods. The huge crowd cheers and applauds Ailith's words at consecretion, and some remark afterwards that eating the providing honey coins created by Ailith gives them nostalgic feelings of hearth and home.

People feel safe at the Domestique Bell- to worship, to rest, and to trade. There's a larger response than there probably should be to the completed waystation, even one as large and significant as the Haven of the Honey Bee. Trade floods in immediately towards Artshall, coming from Tor, Westrock Reach and other places. Many marvel at the comfortable rooms, the sense of welcome from the Shrine, and some say they feel particularly at ease when they inspect the masonry that came from the Isles, with much of the stonework of the waystation having symbols of Gild, and some have writing in a language no one can recognize that makes readers feel at ease.

Aside from the general triumph of the Domestique Bell, a new fabric coming from Artshall catches on and immediately draws notice from the Compact. Artshall velvet, a new luxury fabric, will be spreading throughout the Compact in large part due to the waystation, and the timing of its roll out and completion of the Haven of the Honey Bee is near perfect.

With the Empyrean Trade Route established, Ryhalt sends the Farshaw Merchant fleet about it in an effort to bring Westrock trade goods to the east, and Arx trade goods at reasonable prices to the west.

The Farshaw fleet sails with trade goods, heading for lands along the Empyrean Route. Under Duke Ryhalt's direction they are quite successful, bringing back more than they set out with in what turns out to be quite a profitable venture.

The grand opening of Bold Espressions, the latest social experiment and development of the collective efforts of House Farshaw and it allies. A coffee salon to serve the different coffee varieties of the Compact as well as sweet and savory delicacies which complement coffee selections. The business would also feature works of art for sale, and a selection of books for patrons to read at their pleasure and return when they finish. A place for social gathering and discourse which is an alternative to other businesses in Arx.

Dame Ida Ferron has a particular love of coffee and as such, is well on board with a proposed venue that offers something akin to the famed Tea House. But coffee. She will donate silver as well as resources toward the endeavor.

Lisebet is definitely helping her family set up the new coffee shop, assisting in finding location, name and now helping to host the Grand Opening Event. She's talking about it, working with her family and friends to help create a buzz about it, and lending whatever social clout she can muster to the project.

The Grand Opening of the new coffee shop in town, Bold Espressions, is a popular place to go. Coffee afficionados seem to make it their first stop in the morning, or sometimes their last stop at night, and occasionally a place to go and meet someone for a tasty beverage and engaging conversation. The opening is a success and the talk of the town for a while, and even more than that a financial success from the get-go. Though most businesses close in their first two years, here's to hoping this coffee shop beats the odds.

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.

Clover has very quietly become something of a propagandist, and as such she is starting the initiative to call the banners of the Westrock Reach. She will, despite being pregnant, go on a tour from the main island of the reach to the smaller ones. Bringing with her inspirational tales of bravery, loss, and war. Aiming to fire up and encourage all of the houses of the Westrock Reach to answer the call of the Banners. She will bring with her letters from the Faith, and hire whispers. And pour into the initiative her own military influence and writs. Hoping to cause more to answer the call by showing that the duchy is willing to pour as much resources into the initiative as the houses themselves will need to put in.

With all his charmed talents Saedrus willingly steps in to assist Clover to help gather Farshaw's vassals to arms. It is with an empathic call that Saedrus helps rally the duchy's men to the cause. Missives are sent with poignant prose to stir the recipients to answer their duty, to bolster them in the face of their fears and remind them that great honour is found in their bravery.

The Duke himself commands respect, and he calls forth the banners of Westrock Reach with great leadership. He puts forth a solid military plan and stresses the importance of a good turnout for his people. He especially focuses on sailors and their vessels, making a point that if they do not help now, the war will come to them later, for they are coastal and potential prey for the Gyre

As a service to her second cousin, Clover, and to seek strength for House Valardin, Princess Isabeau will be helping House Farshaw call their bannermen and rallying the troops along with the Duchess-consort and her sister. Isabeau will both make grand speeches and visit milk bars to carouse and cajole the duchy's citizens to both muster up their military might and offer what civilian resources they might be able to provide to assist.

Teodoro Whisper has been hired to accompany Duchess Clover on her tour. At each stop along the way, he will sing ballads of heroism and bravery, recounting tales of great heroes of the Oathlands and the Compact as a whole in song. It is Teodoro's hope that to stir up patriotic sentiment among the houses loyal to Westrock Reach and inspite them to commit the greatest possible number of their troops to the service of house Farshaw, as well as filling the common soldiers with bravery and a sense of noble purpose in the face of the challenges to come.

Elsbetta has been told of the need to raise the banners, and thus sets out to meet with any of the banner representatives, speaking with them about the oaths they took and the need to defend their realm against dire harm. Her relationships with others should help her persuade and rouse them to action. Charm with an overlay of politics, applied with practiced ease.

Once Clover informed Thorley of the need to raise the banners, the former sailor took to the docks of Westrock Reach, speaking to the Captains of the fleet of ships to press them to support the young Duke and Duchess in this endeavor. There was lots of alochol involved - but many of the former Captains will hopefully recognize the sailor turned knight and the new Sword of Lastlight to come around and assist the banners.

Alban is going to contact any local representatives of banners, impress upon them the severity of the threat that the realm at large faces. Remind them of their oaths, and their chivalric duties. These are Oathlanders, after all. For Gloria! Death before dishonor!

Sorrel cannot let her little sister forray off into banner calling all by herself, so she's sending a bundle of letters along to try and get the word out how universal this experience is. In addition, she'll send along copies of her battle hymn to better foster unity and good feelings and a sense of togetherness. The battle hymn, which has been made public for some time, is:

Joined strong by unity
Faith, hope, and victory
Together we have greater might
Forever holding in the Light
The darkness will be banished
Abyssal forces vanquished
As one people we do fight
To persevere o'er endless night

Duchess Clover Farshaw leads the way in calling the banners of the Westrock Reach. With the Duke at her side they go forth, meeting people and talking about tales of bravery, loss, and war. She brings letters from the Faith, and letters as a call to action written by Saedrus Whisper. Duke Ryhalt talks about battle plans, endorsed by Sir Thorley and Lord Alban. Princess Isabeau helps rally the banners with grand speeches and pomp and circumstance. Teodoro Whisper sings the battle hymn written and sent by Lady Sorrel herself too, and that's the song on everyone's lips in the Farshaw Duchy.

Joined strong by unity
Faith, hope, and victory
Together we have greater might
Forever holding in the Light
The darkness will be banished
Abyssal forces vanquished
As one people we do fight
To persevere o'er endless night.

Farshaw is called to war!

On the occasion of the birth of their child the Farshaws will be donated a large some of money to the various orphanages of Arx. Their child shall grow up privileged and protected but they understand not every child does.

Duke Ryhalt and Duchess Clover Farshaw announce the birth of their daughter, Ivy Mae. As has become popular these days, they use it to buy rounds of drinks and to make a sizeable donation to supporting orphanages in the city. In times of great joy, it speaks well of them that they're still considering people who are not quite as fortunate. The people approve!

House Valardin is donating 700,000 silver to help with the initial cash of the economy in the hopes that these funds will be used to help those most afflicted. We will also waive trade tarriffs on Kennex ships coming to Sanctum and ports controlled by the Valardin to help them beable to start financially recovering on their own. Other houses have been invited to donate what they feel they can, and offer aid in otherways to help House Kennex recover. Duchess Nicia Laurent will oversee that the funds that are being sent by the Oathlands are put to their intended purpose.

Alis is contributing some of her own economic resources to assist in setting up any trade deals and helping reduce tariffs on current trade to Kennex. She would also be volunteering to help with the hunting party to provide food and hides for those who need it.

Fiachra will primarily be assisting with organizing hunts to provide meat and hides for those who need it. Fia also knows how to make hardtack (as well as Alis and Eirlys) and will teach those who would like to learn the process. It's not the best-tasting stuff in all Arvum, sure, but when any food is better than no food...

House Keaton will be assisting in aid with the hunt for meat to donate forth to those that are hungry. They will have hounds brought in for the hunting parties to aid the efforts and a storage shed will be made on their property to store the preserved food. In addition to this, Keaton has done a fair amount of trade of lumber with Thrax, and are willing to offer House Kennex a deal (should they take it) where they are the center point in supplying Keaton lumber to Thrax for building vessels, creating profit for House Keaton but also giving a healthy commission to House Kennex.

Reigna Keaton will be helping to set up a trust account into with the Oathlands donations will be put in. She will help administrate this trust to ensure the funds reach the freemen that are to benefit from this trust.

Ryhalt is directing a substantial sum of silver to Countess Reigna's trust at the bank of Arx as well as contributing his experience in financial matters to help grow the principal of the trust until such time as it is expended, finding profitable, short trades that he feels are within acceptable risk parameters to make the initial contributions go farther.

Princess Isabeau will do what she can to assist Nicia in the bookkeeping and paperwork aspects on the economic side of the situation. She possesses some mild familiarity with the concept of economics and she can alphabetize.

As asked, Nicia is going to oversee the funds, collection and allocation of, and make certain that there is no shady sleight-of-hand happening. As such she will be checking everyone's bookkeeping, on all sides, making certain that things are signed off on, and that there are no unusual inflations happening for goods that are being purchased, or donated, and that there are in fact an accounting of every item, every silver. She will be making certain that Kennex keeps good records, approaching the Marquis and her cousin, the Marquessa, as well as Lady Octavia to make certain that what is being donated goes to proper use.

For her part, Katarina contributes both time and energy into raising additional funds to compensate the initial cash investments of House Valardin. Being the wife of the Crown Minister of Coin has it's benefits. She will also use her connections throughout the various coastal ports of the Oathlands to encourage local businesses to open their ranks to potential newly freed thralls that might make their way back from the Mourning Isles under the ships she's already sent to ferry them wherever they might wish to begin their new lives.

The Oathlands' efforts have an immediate, significant effect on dealing with the immense economic damage that House Kennex has suffered. Reigna's idea of a trust is an excellent one, particularly when being overseen by Princess Isabeau and Duchess Nicia in making certain there's no malfeasance that takes part with the funds. Ryhalt's contributions from the Duchy of Westrock with all of its shipping concerns, which combined with Edain's tariff forgiveness and Katarina's contributions takes a good step towards getting Kennex's trade up and running again. Fiachra and Kael's hunting skills, aided by Alis, helps teach the new thralls some subsistence methods, and staves off a great deal of starvation concerns- something that almost certainly would have happened if not for their efforts.

With so many freed Thralls, many are looking to (hopefully) resettle to other lands. Lord Corban will lead the lent West Rock merchant marine, escorted by its traditional allies, the Telmar navy, to Stormward to recruit those that may wish to resettle in the Oathlands. Corban will also detail soldiers as security forces in case troubles should arise on the voyage back home.

Unlike some, Corban is not looking for just crafters or those in thralldom from debts. He will accept prodigal warriors for Telmar, seeking to grow the army ranks, and those that Ryhalt might show interest in, inspiring them with tales of the lives of honor and service that could await them. (Since the Oathlands are so far from the Isles, it is not as if these warriors would battle their old neighbors). He will also use his silver to set up resettled thralls with the necessities of life where they land.

Ryhalt is sending a number of ships from the Westrock fleet as well as a complement of armsmen to help keep things orderly just in case, bent on ferrying former thralls that need a place to live and work, settle areas in the westrock marches that are away from Darkshore influences, or go wherever in the Oathlands will take them if they prefer.

Thanks to their efforts, a number of refugees settle in both the Telmarch and Westrock Reach. Their military forces do a great amount of peacekeeping, and under their watchful eyes, there's no attacks on any of the refugee movements, though there are rumors of pirate activities on isolated shipping away from the convoys. Both Westrock and Telmar see small population gains.