Joscelin has watched the unfolding of events, the death of her husband and the rise of traditionalists, the influx of thralls both current and former, and the announcement from House Thrax itself that they intend to end thralldom once and for all, over the course of some handful of years. Through it all, she's gone up and down with her responses, her heart breaking, mending, breaking again, through anger and turmoil, finally, through thoughtful possibility.

Joscelin is a problem solver; its what she does, she sees something that can be neogtiated, worked through, built, or torn down to begin again, and this time, through personal inspiration or Jayus-brought (I mean, can we ever really know where such ideas come from?), Joscelin decides to build a town that will house, clothe, and train former thralls to new skills as tradesmen, with the aid of teachers and Crafters of all walks of life, to aid them in their transition to freedmen and contributing citizens of the Compact.

The plan is thus: several phases (@actions) will proceed, the first being to secure land large enough to build on. Through connection and conversation, Joscelin has acquired the permission needed to build a town on Seliki land, though what comes next will be funding the indefinite lease and the actual construction of it.

Through her own means and those of them she reaches out to, she hopes to come up with enough resources and money to build a well fortified, efficiently designed town that will not only protect and shelter former thralls freed from their contract, but generate a form of income through local paid labor and trade and eventually, crafted goods.

Orrin is of course the connection that Joscelin acquired permission through. And in truth, her aim here is very much in line with the kind of development that he wants to see in Pearlspire: continuing their mandate of accepting former thralls, educating and caring for them. Because of the anger aroused recently, most of the work he's doing here is internal to Pearlspire. First, he's supporting the venture economically, calling in favors from local and nearby trades to get opinions on siting and local conditions. Second, he's supporting the venture militarily, ensuring there are adequate boots on ground to see to the safety of those working on building the town. Third, he's supporting the venture socially, speaking to his people about bringing artisans and training equal to the glorious bounty they receive from Mangata and the rest of the Pantheon so that Pearlspire can flourish and proudly produce the finest goods in Arvum - both pearl-based and a variety of others.

Jyri, pragmatic and hands-on, goes to work on behalf of Joscelin - he is very much on board with her idea and determined to help to the best of his abilities. He'll bring his dogs and spend time out exploring Seliki lands, under the guise of his alter ego 'Red' (a name he uses rather than Lord Jyri Whitehawk). A survivalist expert, he will try to determine where borders are amongst the local Shav'arvani, looking for that one spot of land that will not offend or start a conflict with anyone, including safe routes to Pearlspire from this area - best if it's not TOO far from the town either.

If finding something, he will map it out, make notes of the area and bring it back to Joscelin for overview, or if she can come, bring her there to have a look herself. Any spot found and chosen, he will also make an offering to the local spirits, explaining to them what they are there for and their intent.

Fianna will see that Joscelin's project is well supplied with lumber from Crovane lands, an exotic and hearty quality that resembles the eastern Northland's support in more ways than one. The lumber will be transported at regular intervals to help keep the town's construction on schedule with its deadline. Draft horses from Fianna's personal stock will also be provided to help assist with the project by pulling wagons and acting as transportation as needed. The Duchess of Stormwall will also frequent the site to meet with Joscelin as needed and to act as a supportive presence for the Guildmaster's efforts in bettering the lives of all who will occupy this future town.

Kaldur sets out after a site has been chosen for the new settlement, gathering support and building morale amongst the people who will be doing the construction. His aim is to highlight the importance of the what they are all building as the world shifts and changes - Pearlspire and this new city will be a beacon of what can be. He does it site by site. House by house. Person by person. He ensures that the people doing the work have a stake, a home there too if they want it. Additionally, any who find they have a taste for building are encouraged to join the Seliki Engineering Corps.

Peri uses her leadership skills for project management. With her leadeship skill she maintains a constant situational awareness of the project as it unfolds and evolves. All of that she holds within her mind and uses like a leader would. This situational awareness allows her to know when people are unable to make good progress. When this happens she can act as a leader would to resolve the situation. This awareness also makes her aware of when people and groups are being excellent so that she can praise them.

She makes sure the working conditions of those she leads are pleasant and healthy.

She makes sure everyone has everything they need for their work ready-to-hand.

She will use multiple types of resources to assist in this. Her social adjuncts will use their social skills to aid when soft skills are needed. They will also help things run smoothly in terms of noticing if there are bad actors. Her military adjuncts will help manage the military logistics and defense aspects of the project as well as oversee army gruops. She will pour economic resources into this work to make sure everyone has high quality tools and materials to work with.

She makes sure that this town is connected strategically to the road network and also with consturnctions such that it is easy to embark and debarc supplies and troups to and from ships.

Relocating this many thralls into Seliki lands was never going to be an easy thing. The logistics for resettlement may actually be the easiest part. Lord Jyri and the Seliki engineering corps narrow down a townsite to three potential locations, finally settling on the forested Breckendale Valley tucked at the foot of the mountains west-southwest of Pearlspire on the grounds of its excellent potential for a lumber mill and a thriving salmon run. With help from Duchess Fianna and Guildmistress Joscelin, transporting the necessary building supplies to begin laying out a plan gets underway well before the start of spring. Count Orrin moves the necessary soldiers and scouts along the trail, and Lady Peri has her hands full preparing the logistics of the workcamps and layout.

The idea of moving a large number of Mourning Islanders into one domain leaves the Seliki populace torn. On the one hand, they are vocal supporters for ending thralldom and Lord Kaldur finds substantial support for 'doing something,' but a fair number of those people he talks to reserve deep unease about bringing a group that contains former criminals and unfamiliar ways into their backyard. Several coastal villages band together and their representatives enter a heated discussion about the cost to their livelihood and bad apples among the batch. Orrin, Kaldur, and Joscelin face many questions that repeat in several communities close to Breckendale, and these concerns prove almost prophetic when a vicious fight breaks out at one of the working camps. When the dust settles, two builders are injured and five more thralls sent to the Mercies before Seliki forces break up the scuffle. The news naturally gets distorted when carried and soon, Kaldur and Orrin are fielding louder inquiries about how the thralls can possibly integrate when they attack others.

With the Count focused on allaying his people's concerns and baseless rumours about supply thefts, Kaldur identifies rabblerousers inciting the violence among the thrall camps. It takes time to hunt the men down and bring them in for questioning, but the Selikis didn't enter into such an arrangement blindly. With the saboteurs removed, the camps calm and progress picks up rather quickly. Working side by side for a common goal, the first warehouse is raised within weeks. Plans are laid for a mill, with Crovane lumber and expertise invaluable for laying out the sturdy outbuildings. Excitement grows, for the weary thralls finally see the fruits of their labour taking seed in Crownland soil: a place they can call their own, a home for themselves. The Crafters Guild play a major role in moving between thralls and Selikis, while the nobles on the ground go a long way to convincing their county of a promising start.

Peri admires all of the work her brother organized the Seliki Engineering Corp and so many of the Compact into building the Great Road. Her brother has inspired her. Are there not more great engineering projects the Selikis can accomplish? What of a fortress to protect the Pearlspire and the Compact and give the Pearlspire a shipyard and port? Seliki engineers are capable of this great work. Pearlspire will be able to create a fleet like no other. Her allies will be able to use the port and have ships built for them. Peri will finally be able to give Kalani a hospital ship to command.

Peri will use her command and leadership skills to organize teams of people in this work. She directs people to build fortifications that will provide protection and early warning for hostilities in the sea.

Peri wishes for this project to provide protection along the North East coast of Arvum and in the waterways between Arvum and the northern chain of the Mourning Isles. The fortress will be able to provide defense as well as a base for patrol fleets to keep the sealanes clear from piracy.

Peri also wishes for this project to provide a stable location from which scouts and couriers can be safely quartered and provisioned while also ensuring access to a well maintained stretch of road, should a rider need to be dispatched post haste OR a larger response be fielded to the shore line, The fortifications will provide lookout for impending threats. (OOC: thanks! Kalani provided words for this paragraph. she is good at this.)

Peri will consult with with people who provide quick responses to emergencies at sea and along the coast to ensure that the construction will meet their needs and allow them a base to push from. People such as Physicians, Mercies, Order of The East Light. They will have facilities and docking rights.

Peri has spoken with Legate Ailith to get advice on prayers and blessings, and Legate Ailith recommended that Peri meet with her Seraph in Pearlspire to ask for prayers and blessings for the work. Peri asks to have prayers on the people doing the work so that they are protected from injury and harm. She ask for prayers for wisdom in planning. She will ask for blessings upon the construction and for a dedication of it to the pantheon.

Peri will speak with economic advisors to have them plan new trade routes for the area.

Orrin is primarily providing military expertise so that the fortress and shipyard will be properly outfitted for those purposes; though it will surely provide economic benefit, his priority is seeing to the enduring security of the Pearlspire, the Crownlands, and the Compact, in that order. He will be reviewing design choices made by others to ensure that war vessels can be produced at speed; that shipping lanes and cargo platforms are well-protected by the edifices; and that the towers are appropriately arrayed to provide a complete range of visibility to warn of impending attacks, whether by pirates, raiders, or military forces, foreign or otherwise. He will be leveraging military contacts so that it is clear that this port and fortress are meant to provide a continuity of protection for the sea and coasts north of Arx.

Maru does his best to drum up support and resources for the port, extolling the virtues of increased naval defenses and shipbuilding capabilities along the northern coast of the Crownlands.

A lifetime of war has given Gabriel a great appreciation for the usefulness of a well situated fortress and awareness some of the common pitfalls that allowed him to breach countless Shav'arvani fortifications in the gray forest. It's this experience he offers to share with the Seliki engineers as well as an amount of material support from Bisland itself

Always pleased to assist in developing the strength of the Crownlands, Alaric lends some of the Crown bureaucracy's technical expertise as well as some resources for building the project.

Michael Bisland sets about securing authorization for just such a behemoth. Permits and such, ensuring it'll be marked upon mercantile maps. Being a Voice means access to diplomatic channels that some don't have. And the wherewithal to negiotiate within them.

Using the Crafters Guild's best artisans, Joscelin would help the Selikis design a fortress that is not only funtional, but the most beautiful, a tribute to the location and the legacy of its people, as well as a clear testament of the Crafters Guild's nurtured talent and growth in these years past. She would also help negotiate on behalf of the Selikis, ensuring they get the best materials available at the most affordable prices without cutting anyone out.

Etienne lends his expertise where it is applicable, furthering the efforts of civilization and advising where he can for best economic results. This in addition to be generally supportive and lending perspective, education, and teaching the ideals of the Faith to others.

For a feat of such magnitude, there should be significant propaganda campaign done to ensure that word is spread regarding the greatness of House Seliki and what they are doing. Scythia is seeking to do precisely this, using what contacts she has to sway them to supporting the cause. After all, would it not be great to have defenses in that region from the dangers that might be faced? Would it not be beneficial to look to make trade deals with a port, freshly formed, that allows for easy export in both Northlands and Crownlands? What about the ample opportunity of employment in such a place on the surge of an economic boom? Naturally Scythia seeks to sway the population into thinking precisely this, and better yet, ensuring that they believe that is really what they wanted to do to begin with.

Reese will join and help with this by using her military background to support the project, but even more so she will try to lend her voice by providing and help provide hype for the building. She will make sure to be seen about as the night of ribbons, being positing and excited about the project. She will try to inspire those working upon such, including laborers and others who are in the area. Reese will spend time on the site and try to help keep spirits high. She will talk to not only those building, but she will visit any nearby shops and merchants, try the local food, talk to children who around, people bringing lunch to their family. The whole idea is to help keep people energetic, excited and unified about the project.

Prince Ahriman Grayson as a recently appointed admiral after ensuring the engineers build him a command room of his own and making sure he has a copy of the blueprints will assist in the strategic position and location of this fortress.

1) He will make sure that the approaches and location is a prime defensible position.

2) He will advise to build additional defensive measures such as lumber to generate smoke (in case of sky born assault) to help obscure the fortress from elevated targeting for a time.

3) Ahriman will aslo make sure to do his best to ensure that the currents nearby are charted, timed, and that ranges of defenses are timed and adjusted regularly to be optimal in their defense of the fort.

He will advise on other measures and generally assist with the strategic elements of this fort.

Rysen organizes the shipping of blackwood lumber to be used in the construction of the port, and makes diplomatic entreaties for Crovane sailors to use the new port as the primary port of call for trade voyages on their way south to the Oathlands and east to the Mourning Isles.

Fianna will ensure that shipments to the port are approved and will also support its construction with lumber from Stormwall. She will also offer naval assistance should the effort need it, as well as any other support that she is able to provide to see that this project is a success.

In the wake of his successful tour of Pearlspire with Lady Rey, Kaldur returns to Pearlspire as advocate for the people of the county, especially those who will be most affected by the large undertaking, highlighting that change - Lagoma be praised - is essential for growth.

Pearlspire and the new port will be a jewel - a beautiful, gleaming pearl - in the crown of the Great Road, seated (or seeded) appropriately in the Pearlspire. It doesn't escape his - or anyone's notice - that pearls are born from grit... from intrusions turned by long and steady effort into things of beauty. It's the point! To support this message of change and perseverence, he works to ensure that the everyone is working together so that the outcomes are positive and to minimize any negative impacts on the people and industry of Pearlspire.

He also makes a sizeable donation to the Faith, to support the Faith's outreach in the Pearlspire or wherever it is most needed (OOC: 100,000 silver, 50k attached to the action, 50k given or donated to the Faith when the action resolves).

Lady Ilmia is going to be working with Peri to talk up the port and how it can help numerous people. Her social graces have been needing to be put to use and this is a great opportunity while also helping another of the Grayson fealty.

The Seliki Engineers work very hard on what Lady Peri is calling "The Portress." A fortress and a port all at one, this provides quite a staging point for ships and patrolling. With high walls and strategic defense positions, it makes for a surprisingly safe port of call.

Under Count Orrin, the plans are strategically sound. With Lord Kaldur helping direct the Engineering Corps - and spending a surprising amount of time working on the port and out in a ship handling... something to do with water, no one's quite sure - the work goes smoothly. Duke Gabriel and Prince Ahriman also provide sound tactical advice on locations and setup. Guildmistress Joscelin makes minor adjustments to the plans that just somehow make the whole thing seem - just right somehow. Unexplainable, but right.

Etienne offers a blessing along with the Seraph of Pearlspire. Lady Ilmia, Duchess Fianna, Lord Rysen, Princess Reese, Lady Scythia, Lord Maru, Lord Michael, and even the King work very hard to promote this as a Very Good Thing, and people - not just the people in Seliki but also their allies who have every intention of using that new and safe port - are excited about it. Piracy is down and trade is up, and overall that's a very, very good thing.

Princess Marian Redrain, Warchief to the North, is going to make sure the families of the fallen receive the pensions for their warriors. She will personally go to each family, giving them comfort for their loss and praising their fallen warriors for their sacrifice. For those with able body men, she will make sure they have an opportunity to join the military and sponsor their starting equipment by working with the Crafter's Guild. She will do workshops to make sure these new recruits receive proper training.

Darren travels alongside Marian as they go door to door, the High Lord making sure that he speaks to each and every one of these families personally to speak of the heroic actions of their fallen family members and offer his condolences and thanks. There's a lot of solemn praise, but also a lot of encouragement given to the able bodied men and women in the families he meets, talking up the actions and abilities of his War Chief, Marian Redrain, with the hope of recruiting more into the military.

As on previous trips of this nature, Gwenna accompanies Marian and Darren on the delivery of pensions for the families of the soldiers lost during the protection of the Lodge. Beside her new husband Lorenzo as they make their visits, she will echo the sentiments offered by them all; gratefulness for their service, appreciation for their sacrifices, and that House Redrain will always care for her own. While Marian and Artur work with new recruits, Gwenna will talk with those who may hedge on joining about Marian's exceptional abilities with battle planning as well as training, share tales of heroics and good deeds against those who threaten the Northlands, and that anyone could be that person who changes the course of history on the battlefield. At the taverns with Artur and Lorenzo, she will sit quietly by the hearth and encourage veterans to share their own stories, listening with genuine interest, and with the hope that they might inspire others listening to join for their own chance at such glory and service.

Joscelin would provide gear and workshops, as specified by Princess Marian Redrain. Blacksmithing, weapons-crafting, armorsmithing, she would either teach the beginning classes herself or bring in those Crafters skilled in such abilities to head more advanced classes, depending on what's needed, asking for volunteers from the Crafters Guild. She would provide materials for work and practice and final creations.

Artur is happy to go on a recruiting tour of the Northlands with Marian! The young prince is charming and inspiring, yet also really personable, making him a good companion for Marian, who is after all a near legendary war hero! Artur works with the recruits, putting them through their paces and filling their with tales of battle and glory from the myths and legends of House Redrain. By night, he's always the first to the tavern to laugh and carouse with the locals, making him a popular figure indeed!

Newly married into House Redrain, Lorenzo uses this recruiting journey to tour the Northlands and meet the people who live there. With Gwenna by his side, he is warm and deeply empathetic as he takes the hands of the family members of fallen soldiers to express his sympathy. He smiles as he meets people, he listens to their stories of lost loved ones, he assures the families that House Redrain will continue to take care of them. Part of this mission will be military recruiting, and Lorenzo will emphasize the way that Redrain supports soldiers and their families, as well as the rewards of military service. He will happily join his brother-in-law Artur in the taverns in the evening for some diplomacy-by-buying-drinks, encouraging a warm-fuzzy memory of this visit. Lorenzo reaches into his own pockets as well, to assist in paying the pensions and recruitment costs, making clear to everyone that he may have been born Lycene, but the people of Northlands are his people and Redrain is his family.

Following the actions at the Lodge, the Redrain family - Darren, Gwenna, Marian, Artur, and Lorenzo - with the help of Guildmistress Joscelin - make provisions for the families of those who fell defending the Lodge. They also take the time to recruit, resupply, and train their armies, and given how much turmoil is rampant in the Compact right now, their people think this is a Very Good Thing. Veteran soldiers know well enough that these new recruits are likely to get quite a bit of on the job training as it is, what with the Great Road being so problematic - and they're glad for the new blood. If there's one thing an old soldier loves, after all, it's a newbie to do all the scut work.

River Begins working with Joscelin to make his way to the various shrines praying over each element of a prayer bracelet to have the gods touch them, perhaps making something that'll help in the conflicts about the city.

Joscelin made this beautiful bracelet (title: 'a striking bracelet of thirteen distinct beads, each made of different materials, symbols for every God in the Pantheon') at River's request, thirteen unique beads spaced with an iridescite bead between each. Each bead is a symbol for a God, worked with care, prayed to Jayus for over every bead and every detail. She's not sure what will come of such focus, simply concentrating on her creation, as in tune with Jayus as she can be, bringing together the symbols of each deity as each bead comes to fruition. After it's done, she follows River to every altar and every person he has pray over it, adding her own prayers and hopes along with it.

While Fairen might not know of a specific Rite, he is fairly familiar with the Gods in general. He knows all of the prayers, and is more than willing to pray over the bracelet, at each of the Shrines.

River told the King he and Joscelin were working on some kind of Faith-themed art piece, and as a patron of the arts Alaric is quite fine with throwing some money at stuff like this for future modeling considerations.

Etienne admires the ambition and craftsmanship of the bracelet, and is accommodating in asking for Gild's guidance, and help with the success of River's desires. He prays over the bracelet.

Joscelin makes a gorgeous bracelet indeed, full of gems and power and symbolism. It's a stunning piece - they didn't pick her as Guildmaster of the Crafter's Guild for her sailing ability, after all. Joscelin is very much in tune with Jayus as she does, focusing her attention on the bracelet and praying as she does. And indeed she has done this before - she is in tune with Jayus and the bracelet, when it is done, is the talk of the town for quite some time.

It's the talk of the town at least in part because the King is talking about it, and let's not pretend when something is beautiful enough that the King is dropping a word, well. People look. People want to look. River is occasionally swamped with people who just want to see this newest piece of art by the hand of Joscelin.

And then Fairen, and River, and Etienne get involved - praying over the bracelet, asking the Gods to give it power. They simply ask - the Archlector of Gild asks Gild for a blessing. Fairen prays at all the Shrines. And River works with Joscelin and then prays too, hoping the bracelet will provide protection of some sort.

Does it? It's impossible to tell - not without being in a dire situation facing Abyssal foes. It is a beautiful bracelet though.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Duarte is growing and establishing the spy network for Fealty Volitant across Arx. He is acquiring paid informants such as courtiers and house staffs as well as orphans and sell swords in the boroughs. He is contracting well vetted "professionals" as insurance policies. He is more than generous in his monetary exchange for information, but his trust and his financial backing comes with trust and a heavy price to pay for "loose lips". It's an undertaking for sure consisting of money and other economic favors, social pull and muscle. But mostly money and muscle. He is seeking to have his agents in every ward. Eyes and ears everywhere. With a steady stream of intel funneling into the Vault, to be categorized and filed. And of course he wants his operation well protected.

Tessa comes across as silly and vapid, and that's useful in it's own way, she gets away with pouring people too many drinks, and asking questions other people wouldn't because she puts a giggle on the end of them. She also is working on adding to the network, a coterie of maids, servers, and stable hands, the sorts of people who are, like lovely Tessa, often overlooked when important people speak around them. They have know knowledge of where this information goes, just that they get coins, or nice cloths, or jewelry for passing on information to the Moore lady, but she does document who said tid bits come from for the files in the Vault... after all, one day the may need leverage and 'well I can prove you've been spying on your liege for the last year' is useful if that's the case.

Joscelin is at the hub of all Crafters Guild information, as all issues and complaints and applications of patronage and gossip and well, anything that happens in the Guild, is there available at her fingertips, she simply has to ask the right people the right questions, and she'll tap into a never-ending font of information. Apprentices as unassuming as servants know they can speak to her without fear of their Masters, journeymen and Crafters coming into their own know that the Guildmaster will ever have an ear for them. This is common knowledge to any Crafter in the Guild: the Guildmaster serves. But on the flipside, Joscelin uses what she knows to collect information, effectively using the eyes and ears of every member of her Guild to garner insight and information and gossip. Who's buying what? Why are they buying it? A gift for someone? Who's the gift for? A secret lover? A scandalous child from the union of an affair? A secret ally? Cheaply made items disguised as high-end merchandise as a subtle insult to a superior? All of this, and more, is at Joscelin's disposable, and while she would never use this power maliciously, she would use it to keep her people safe, funneling what's important to Duarte and mindful of what should stay secret and what can be used to further the endeavors of the Fealty.

It takes some time, and it's not easy. But gradually they make contacts - merchant contacts. Military contacts. Economic contacts. There's a lot of information here and it's nigh on impossible to sift through all of it by hand, but there's definitely information that starts to come in. Do they have eyes and ears everywhere? No. But do they have eyes and ears? Absolutely.

Now it becomes a matter of figuring out what information is useful and what information is not. But with a group this large there's bound to be something of note.

[Prestige Boost for Previous Action #2101 and bb Vox Populi/85] It's one thing to bend your resources like a river changing course into a problem that needs to be solved, it's quite another for those efforts to produce more than what was intended. Joscelin put the might of the Crafters Guild into rebuilding Stormwall for exactly one reason and one reason only: the Commoners. It's common (ha!) knowledge that Joscelin feels the foundation of a society is on the back of those who make up the most of it, and she knew that if the city was to be rebuilt and the markets to stabilize, it's best to start at the bottom. Working with Ann Crovane proved not only fruitful, but astoundingly successful, creating a college of her own volition, slapping Joscelin's family name on it for good measure. The Arterius College has the hopes of many poured into it, along with the experience of Crafters who've joined the city's efforts to rebuild, as well as many Crafters who hail from the city and some that have relocated for the opportunities inherent in such a grand endeavor.

Ann is delighted that she was able to come through for Joscelin and even slap her name on it! As an addition, she sets aside some writs for the Coldrain Scholarship Fund that will see to it that promising thralls are accepted as much as possible.

Word does spread about the accomplishments, and much of the peerage has a great deal of admiration for the work by the Guildmistress of the Crafter's Guild and also Lady Ann. It's a stark reminder to many just who can build cities, when they really try. ((70,000 fame and 7k legend to each))

Princess Marian Redrain continues on her recruiting and training efforts in the Redrain lands. Once the winter thaws, she will make her rounds, seeing the progress of those in training. Also with the help of Guildmaster Joscelin, Marian will bring skilled tradesmen to showcase the latest techniques in weapons and armor so Redrain weaponsmiths and armorers outfit these new warriors with the best arms.

Darren accompanies Marian's recruiting party, his presence lending the weight of authority to all they do. This time around, with pensions having already been paid and enough time having passed to soften painful memories, Darren does gather the townspeople in each village to deliver a rousing speech. He speaks of the higher call to serve that drives the valiant. He speaks of salaries earned and glory won, and of homeland defended. His words are different in each place, guided by the faces he sees and what he feels, but despite the differences the message each time is clear: 'Your Highlord calls you and your fealty needs you. The time to stand up and serve is now.' After the speeches he will oversee the enlistment of new recruits. Those who stand to serve are divided between the infantry and archers based on aptitude.

Gwenna accompanies Marian once again on her recruiting efforts, following up with those they visited before who may have heeded the call during their previous efforts. During the times that Marian works on physical training with the soldiers, and the tradesmen are showcasing, Gwenna will make the usual rounds trying to encourage any who have not joined, to do so. She will also take the time to check in with those families that received their pensions last visit and how they are doing. Ultimately, Gwenna will again try to be the softer side of the Redrain efforts.

Artur goes along on the recruiting trip and does...well, it's not so much recruiting in the traditional sense, but he spends a lot of time in taverns buying rounds of drinks for the locals and telling them crazy stories of adventure and derring do, firing them up with stories of the North and it's legendary past. By day, he cuts a slightly more sensible figure, training hard with the new recruits and putting them through their paces. Artur isn't a swordsman of legend, of course, but he's usually far beyond the average farmboy unless he's really hungover, so hopefully he puts on a half decent show! He's here, there and everywhere, filled with infectious excitement and winning smiles.

Joscelin Arterius has more than enough talented blacksmiths skilled in weaponry and armor to teach the Redrain weaponsmiths everything they could possible want to know about the trade. She would provide materials and manpower to teach and hone the Redrain tradesmen, and donating any left over for Marian dole out as she sees fit.

Rebuilding after the pirate fleet issues continues. Under Redrain Warlord Marian's capable direction, with High Lord Darren, Prince Artur, and Princess Gwenna assisting, Marian goes on a recruitment drive. It is surprisingly well-received, and many enlist on the spot - many more so when they hear Guildmistress Joscelin is making sure the best of the Crafters' Guild are responsible for outfitting these new recruits. Even as the threat surrounding the Lodge and the spirits taking refuge there looms large, Redrain shows it's preparing.

Duarte and Joscelin are throwing a LEGENDARY extravaganza to open the Crafters Gallery at Crossroads Casino. For Duarte, he is newly-ish ennobled and still gets the side-eye on occasion for his base behavior and lack of "cradle-to-adulthood" grooming in etiquette and noble affairs. So he hopes to make a big name for himself and draw attention to his successes as a noble, a business man and a humanitarian. To that end he is getting his story out there by way of propaganda and social contacts, making sure it's all properly spun and laudatory by calling in some favors (investing resources).

This joint endeavor establishes a permanent storefront which will boast high-priced, high profit margin, limited edition items from designers in the city made exclusively for Crossroads.

The Grand Opening event will include a high-end fashion show with the likes of Melody Whisper, River Whisper, Gianna Whisper, Princess Katarina Valardin, Caspian and more!

Numerous sponsors have signed on to help cover the costs of the event planning, spaces and talent.

Modeling in Arx is a new trend and until now these professional trendsetters had little to no clear idea how to price their services. Duarte's work in organizing the event took a census of their societal impact and helped each establish a pricepoint for their value. The sponsors ate it up and were quick and eager to procure these services - thus establishing a new industry in the city.

This event highlights Duarte's commitment to not only artisans and artists, but the people of Bravura - the demesne of House Amadeo - to whom he swore he would represent their interests and passions here in the capital of Arvum. Not only has he stayed true to this promise, but Crossroads Casino has also been giving back to the local community and is one of the largest employers in the Boroughs, while Duarte himself does not take a single penny from the operation (as verified by independent accountants!). Can you believe he did it all while increasing Bravura revenue 62% in the past 3 months and quintupling reserves!?

Joscelin has busted her ass for this event, calling in Crafters, helping with designs, and pulling in new, up-and-coming talent to help fill in the holes in the ensembles, making personally sure every outfit is complete. She is also announcing, talking to prospective patrons looking for proteges and guiding them to Crafters that might fit what they're looking for, being the best damn Guildmaster she can possibly be without flagging.

Mirari will be present at the Fashion Show, she'll be debuting some new pieces that has been paired with clothing that others have sewn up. Known for her fashion sense, and the things she sells regularly, she'll try to draw a crowd, promising some new Corsetina creations that will amaze and hopefully inspire (people to buy things)!

Lottie has been hard at work at a new line of confections specialized for the Crossroads Casino. Wheel of Chance decorated sugar cookies, dice shape hunks of fudge, little Game of Stones boards with chocolate molded game boards and hard candy 'stones,' she's done her best to emulate the spirit of the establishment in her confectionary designs.

Giulio will work with those present to attempt to convince people that they desperately need the newest items, or that they might wish to procure something for their beaus -- various things of that ilk.

Count Duarte enters the social scene with a splash, opening a permanent storefront as part of the Crossroads Casino which will boast high-priced, high profit margin, limited edition items from designers in the city made exclusively for Crossroads. The Grand Opening event included a high-end fashion show with the likes of Melody Whisper, River Whisper, Gianna Whisper, Princess Katarina Valardin, Caspian and more! Numerous sponsors have signed on to help cover the costs of the event planning, spaces and talent, showing the general mood in the city - Duarte is clearly on the cutting edge of fashion, and people want more! more! more!

Modeling in Arx is a new trend and Duarte's commitment to artisans and artists does not go unnoticed. He manages to rope in Big Names like Guildmaster Joscelin of the Crafters' Guild, Mirari Corsetina, Sword of Lenosia, as a designer, and Lottie Parkins to cook delectable food for the Grand Opening. Lord Giulio Mazetti lends a hand too, spreading word of the Grand Opening and the fashion delights to come far and wide.

His people notice, and so does the city of Arx. The Grand Opening is mobbed, and the fashion show is a decided hit. Industrious designers start vying for attention, and overall it is weeks before people stop talking about the fashion hit Count Duarte organized. It is, as they say in the industry, a triumph.

Joscelin wants to know who she was in her lives before, specifically the reason why she is God-Touched this turn around the wheel. It has been said that one being favored in such a way has to do with what one did before. Before this life, or the last, or something. She's curious now and wants to know, so sets herself forth to the Hall of Heroes to meditate and pray and perhaps learn more about this.

Joscelin prays, and she meditates, and she sleeps in the Shrine of Jayus, and she dreams. And she wakes and she meditates, and she prays, and she meditates some more. And then she decides, there as she hopes for some kind of knowledge or divine communication, that she should be making something and so she takes her tools and she starts working on a fine chain to hold a pendant.

As she twists metal most carefully now, the world around her fades and she is suddenly entranced in her work. Each link in the chain, made as evenly as possible, uniform and careful. The work of a master as she is, she pays attention to the smallest detail. Lovingly she bends and twists, linking together to form one purpose. And there she sees it - each link is unique and beautiful, but only together can it serve its purpose. And now she sees a line of Seers, each one unique, each one working together as a master crafter would shape them. Alone each one is small, but together they help shape the Dream, moving it ever toward good. Away from evil.

The understanding is too great for mortal mind to encompass for more than a flash, but she is left staring at her chain and knowing she is one link among many, forged to guide her people toward the Light.

Once the conflict with the Gyre has been resolved, House Blackshore starts opening it's doors to take in commoners who wish new opportunities and a willingness to roll up their sleeves to revitalize Blackshore's industries of farming, fishing, whaling, exotic skins, lamp oil, candlemaking, and ship building. Her call to Blackshore Isle draws many skilled tradesmen, sailors, fishermen, and farmers to work the land. Many nobles praise the new baroness for starting a program for orphans that are coming to age and wish to learn a trade. House Blackshore begins sponsoring their apprenticeships for their service in return. When other nobles ask Baroness Skye where she got the clever idea, she credits Sir Jeffeth Bayweather from the Knights of Solace for bring these deserving orphans to her attention.

Jeffeth will be networking. Hearing from the kids he knows what kids are suitable for apprenticeships and are seeking to get out of the life. He'll be trying to convince some kids who have all but resigned to gang life or life of crime to reform and move on to honest work to help the Blackshores.

He'll be spreading the word that Baroness Blackshore is recruiting kids for an honest life found in servitude of Blackshore. He'll be trying to get kids are ready to age out of the various orphanages to sign up.

The Princcess Consort of Thrax has been invested in her protege from the moment that interest was stated in getting blackshore back. From supporting projects, assisting her in taking survey of her land to redefine it's habitability, assisting to gathering the resources needed and much, much more. So with this final step, she is right there. Whether it's helping displaced individuals who will not be able to return to their homes to resettle in New Hope. Orphans from the lowers who will be aging out and need a place to ply their trade and might desire the satisfaction that comes from getting in on a barony from the ground up and a woman who will invest in them.

Alarissa herself, is making trips out now that the waters are safe and does her best to stand with or just behind her protege and do all in her power to make the young woman shine and succeed. Astrid comes with her as well to lend credit and spend time at the shrine erected there. She even reaches out to the faith to see if they have a Godsworn who might be willing to settle, or two or three, to tend to the shrine and minister to those who will eventually settle and show all that the gods are beloved here. Most of all, she states that for the next year, once the drydocks are built and running and able to take the full orders, that half of Thrax's ships will be built in Blackshore's facilities to show the House's support in the Baroness's capabiities.

Joscelin Arterius is eager to set up futures for the apprentices that are close to Journeymen class or, in most cases, have been waiting for the opportunity for growth as they linger on the cusp of Journeymen. She negotiates with the Baroness to send those willing to Blackshore on the Crafters Guild's coin, in exchange for ongoing trade from Blackshore with exclusive rights (such as first pick) to a limited degree. It's Joscelin's hope that new horizons and new perspectives will inject new art into the Crafters Guild while giving many gifted youngsters the chance to grow into their trade unfettered.

It's exceedingly successful. While New Hope has much to grow, the effective starting infrastructure and population was about doubled. ((53 over, so essentially 5 points * 6 for the total resources and AP, 30ish buildings/300ish pop, about doubled current infrastructure))

Joscelin is attempting, for the first deliberate time, to Artifice, to make something more than just the pretty baubles she's always creating. Perhaps it's Hana's teachings, or her need to contribute to the war in more than just her position as Guildmaster.

She would bend her will, her intent, her purpose, into making a wearable item, a pair of bracelets, to help in the protection of the wearer against the sea-witches/zealots of the Gyre that use magic, for her friend Lord Theron, who has a history/talent in killing unnatural creatures.

The yearning to do more. That drive to be great, to meld beauty and functionality and magic that lies at the heart of every inventor, every true artificer. Joscelin begins by making something exquisite, as she is wont to do. And then she draws a deep breath, and starts trying to do what Hana showed her. The world narrows, her breath slows, her heartbeat pounding so loudly she can hear it in her ears as she works, and she struggles, and she reaches....

And then she is violently ill, all over her workshop. And she doesn't have the strength to try again any time soon.

Joscelin Arterius has made it her responsibility to replenish and restock the perishables and non-perishables of the warehouses the Crafters Guild originally had put together for the siege. It's hard to say how many there are (I forget, there were a lot of econ put into them) but she's determined to clean them up and repair the buildings and shore them up, just in case things get Really Bad.

The Crafter's Guild as a whole has come together under the Guildmaster Joscelin Arterius to replenish and restock the perishables and non-perishables of the warehouses the Crafters Guild originally had put together for the Siege. While it's hard to say how many warehouses this entails (there are a lot of people ready to make things and to use them to supply and craft for the city as a whole), the Crafters all pitch in and work together to lay in supplies for the coming days. It's a huge effort, but much like cleaning off the workbench before starting a project, it's something that really must be done. With the warehouses fully stocked, the Crafters Guild settles in to let inspiration strike and get back to projects of their own.

Joscelin's interest in her Golden Ratio has renewed, she's since become obsessed with spirals found in nature. Her first attempt to deliberately focus on this has resulted in a shell made of gold and DIVINE quality. She is offering it to Jayus at His Shrine in the hopes that such work and inspiration will beget more inspiration and insights into the Golden Ratio originally shown to her by Jayus as a child.

It's after the third item that she has the dream. She sees herself in a workshop, fashioning things that incorporate the spiraling Golden Ratio. Beneath her skillful hands form perfect images of the world -- shells and flowers, to start, but then it gets even more complex. She sees the pattern in the way a raptor dives from the sky towards its prey, and captures that moment in a necklace of a soaring hawk. She sees it in the patterns of honeybees, and captures it in a spiral of honeycomb compartments, with little jeweled bees. Dozens, and then hundreds of these.

And these items go out into the world, and those who see them are filled with wonder at the artistry of Joscelin's work... but also the artistry that's gone into the design of the world itself. They see the touch of craftsmanship all around them, and Joscelin can see the light of understanding dawn in their eyes.

And then she awakens, and in her hand is the golden shell necklace she made. The first item of all of them. Yet somehow, it seems to gleam all the more brightly than she remembers, and when she holds it to her ear, she's certain she can hear the ocean.

Joscelin has finished the 'portraits' of each of the Five Paladins. They are crafted in the form of necklaces, riddled with personal symbols of said Paladins, with words scribed on the metal here and there about the people they're meant to represent.

They are carried by her in a bag of black velvet, and she takes them to the Shrine of Jayus to lay them out, to bask in the beauty He helped inspire her to create. She settles herself there for a night, to meditate and open herself up to the gratitude she feels, and sends out an emotion of curiosity with her vigil: what does she do now?

As she prays, her pendant begins to glow and take on an unearthly beauty. The glow fades but the beauty remains, seeming something that is too beautiful to be real. For a moment, she sees an image in her mind of paintings showing heroic mages fighting against a great maw trying to consume the world, and the faith fighting to help the mages. She pictures her paintings hanging in the Jayus Gallery of Art.

Saving this for historical reasons so we can just look at @sheet/storyrequest to reference it, but pretty much you can CG any of these whenever you're ready, and let me know if you have any questions.

Joscelin is trying to find out, definitively, what happened to her sister. Josie would use all of the people at her disposal to find information without disrupting trade, but would definitely use her resources in trading to search for anything about the fate of Ianthe Artusio. She's praying that with a little luck, she might find the answers to the questions that plague her dreams.

A merchant ship called the Darkwater Maiden left port when Ianthe went missing, supposedly going to do a port call to Darkwater Watch. According to individuals that had talked to the Kraken's Kin, the prodigals that were desperate to find Ianthe after her disappearance, she was last seen talking to Captain Argus Vastdark, a commoner merchant vassal sworn to Darkwater. His ship, the Darkwater Maiden, never made call in Darkwater Watch and was never seen again. A rumor going among the prodigals that talked to the Kraken's Kin is she either was kidnapped by Argus Vastdark, or she willingly went with him- and they sailed for the Darkwater Deeps, not any port.

The Iron Guard will be forking over 1 million silver to the families of the 3000 men who fell during the siege. With assistance from the Crown and the Crafters Guild, they will hopefully be able to cover the 3 million needed to take care of everyone. (I'll be roping Rook and Joscelin in!)

I just went ahead and did this and updated Vox. If Josc disapproves she can talk to me and I can tweak the numbers, but I wanna move stuff forward.

In the middle of the Siege, due to a concern about foodstuffs being used impractically, Joscelin sought conversations with the merchants and suppliers as to their most pressing financial issues. Many of them had the same troubles: they had debts to pay. The financiers weren't out of line or unreasonable, and further conversations led Joscelin to come to the conclusion that there was no fault in the people involved, but rather the horrible timing of the war (but let's be honest, when does war have good timing, ever?). After speaking to several nobles and making her case, she managed to buy almost 150,000 of debts owed and forgave all of them, thus making it easier for merchants to focus on providing food for the city rather than going for the products that paid more (such as alcohol) but had less use.

Updated.

Joscelin and Eleyna are in talks to build a college in Arx, using the Crafters Hall as a base and expanding outward into wings and rooms for different trades, to bring in more interest into crafting for those that want to get into the skills slowly, or who want something different and want to look for something new to try. Instead of meeting with Crafters when they are around, they can see for themselves hwo things are made and the many styles and ways to make a thing. There are plans for this Crafters COllege to become a more expansive 'College', teaching other trades like apothecary, sciences, maybe eventually artificing and magic, and combat skills. Everything but the crafters skills and trades are public, magic and artificing and all that on the down-low for now. It would probably just make folks nervous. Let us know if you need anything from us or have any questions! -Eleyna AND Joscelin

This should be an expansion to, rather than a replacement of, the Academy of Vellichor which is a place of learning and teaching of everything. So they could make a Crafter's College wing, but any teaching should have at least the general sanction of the scholars (which would be pro forma, they would never refuse people wanting to teach, or thematically shouldn't). Code wise, that means a college build right next to the academy of vellichor or additional rooms inside of it. Either way, but it should definitely be something they've signed off on.

Joscelin is again heading to the Shrine of Jayus, to spend a night in vigil and to give an offering to Him of a fine gold, perfect bangle bracelet. It's deceptive in its simplicity; the inside of the bangle, the part that presses to the skin, is engraved with spirals with squares marked within; Joscelin's Golden Ratio. She's praying for guidance and inspiration, to have the God of Art speak to her once more, to show her where to go on this path she walks that started with the dreams He spoke to her in all those years ago.

The dream is very vague that she has afterwards. She seems to be flying over a mountain in some distant land she doesn't recognize and then suddenly she is diving, moving through rock and stone and going into and under the mountain, and then see she sees a sprawling, wondrous city made of brass with thousands of diminutive smiths crafting and hammering away. It's just a glimpse, and then she wakes.

After becoming a Disciple of Jayus in the eyes of the Faith, Joscelin has decided to hold vigil at the Shrine of Jayus, bringing with her a solid gold bracelet of -superb- quality, hoping her many hours working on the item would grant her a vision or dream from Jayus Himself, much as He did when she was younger.

Joscelin, as she prays, can't help but get an overwhelming feeling of 'wrongness'. That something isn't right, and even at the shrine she feels as if there are eyes upon her. It's a slow creeping feeling of dread, not the serenity one would normally feel, but there's no one there.

Joscelin Arterius would like to make contact with Copper and was told by Bethany that this person was the one to look for. How would she make contact or would she +request it or +investigate it? (Sorry, this is ticket 1745 on the regular rquests, I used the wrong command.)

Sorry for delay, contact made.

Joscelin Arterius and the Crafters Guild and all the merchants who supply and support them are being tasked with the job of repairing the city and its defenses as needed, as well as shoring up existing fortifications when the repairs are done. There are certain things she needs help with, however:

Staying supplied. Repairs require materials and materials don't appear out of thin air, it has to come from somewhere. Abandoned buildings can be salvaged for wood and stone if necessary, but there should be a way to get some kind of supply to the city when/if what's available runs out.

A mobile response team for repairs in the field. Be they catapaults, ballistas, crucial defenses, people on hand who know how to fix whatever needs fixing would be good to have.

More hands, light work. The more people to help with the lifting and hammering and moving, actions that don't require skill in repair but anyone can do, can be accomplished if you throw enough living bodies at it. You don't need to be a crafter to move crucial items from point A to point Wherever.

Merek will assist with the salvage efforts, and the efforts to help build up fortifications and put some work towards helping supply Joscelin in the Crafter's Guild. He will be using all his various resources to do this, which involves haggling with folk, salvage, and repair, as needed. Nothing really crazy.

As he often does, he will take Meeka with him to assist, be a lookout, will likely be doing this with groups, and always have his Guard Champion with him. Meeka has social skills, and is less of an assistant, more spy, but she has been leveled up, so she might try and help him draw more people in, just as a story booster.

Haati is taking up hammer and anvil to help in keeping the city and siege weapons repaired. Using his knowledge with his time on the Wavebreaker to keep the ship in repair he has had some experience in this line of smithing and general repair work. He will also be donating time to get supplies and other materials to help against the siege. Proper deconstruction measures can be explained to those that are making resources out of scavenged empty buildings and other sources so that the damage while doing so is minimized and they can get the most out of those materials being salvaged.

Among the women and men who help shore up the walls, Lyiana is found with the majority, moving into abandoned buildings with escorts and taking down things that could be used, putting up sandbags, and getting dirty like the rest of the folk. By the time she would have been finished, her hair would have been covered in dirt and dust, sand would cling to her dress, and she would still be working long into the night to continue what help she could. At some point, she'd give food to the workers while also trying to stay on her feet, continuing her designated tasks with the gusto of someone who wishes to do her part, even if she is a tailor. She cannot provide a building perspective, but at least she can give supplies to those who need and move sandbags and other things in place. She is someone who is a part of something, even if she can disappear in a crowd at a moment's notice if she wishes not to be seen.

Brier would volunteer herself to be on the mobile response team being gathered, offering her knowledge of smithing to help with the repairs whenever there is a need for it. She would also offer her strength in regards to moving some of the heavier supplies.

Supplying the city is what Lazarus does and now with the Merciers having access and control of key trading routes over the rivers, he can do it even better, enough to split his resources to assist Joscelin. Taking a page from his father, he gathers his best working shirt and joins the merchants at the river to help with pushing more goods to and from Arx even when the danger nearby is very real.

Branan is once more delcigng ino the Archives to locate plans, change orders and other documentation relating to the walls, fortifications and structures near the walls, to allow for easier repair or discovery of potential flaws before the enemy does.

Emeline will help out will building the defenses however she can. When she doesn't have commissions, she will be closing her shop to work upon strengthening defenses.

Alarie is a seamstress. She is not handy with machines of war or repairing ballistae. However, she does help with one thing. She serves a support role for the healers by crafting some high quality bandages of silk that are padded with cotton for higher absorbancy.

Acacia, on behalf of the Culler family, dedicated extra time to supporting Joscelin and the defenses. She spent 200 social resources gathering and charming people who weren't otherwise engaged in the fighting to bring them together and help repair the walls (though much of her work was spent specifically in assisting Lower Boroughs defenses). She spent 200 economic resources in a showing of extra no-questions-asked materials that she gathered, or smuggled through, in the process, whenever supplies might have been at risk of a shortage. And she spent 50 military resources to protect those Lower Borough denizens who might've needed it throughout repairs, while subtly mentioning the Culler name.

Under the leadership of Guildmaster Joscelin Arterius, the Crafters Guild of Arx works relentlessly at bolstering the defenses of the walls in preparation for the impending assault upon the city by the Silent Army. The number of catapults and ballistae have been increased dramatically, and salvage has been gathered by the guild to prepare for the attack. When the attack finally comes, the brave crafters will be ready to repair even in the heat of battle.

((The battle will have live GMing, and all the actions here have been noted for it.))

While not taking on the grand task of ending thralldom for those sworn to the Thrax Family Dame Sameera Coldrain IS taking on the task of making it so those released from Thralldom can assimilate into the world of freedom far easier, especially for those who have spent many years as a thrall. To this end she is using the land Count Maximilian gave her to manage to create a small village, that is not intended to grow large, for former thralls to use as a 'half way house' of sorts. She is looking to have it run by former thralls and allow for former thralls to create their own safe haven. The thralls will be able to find their niche in the world among those that have been where they were and not be thrown in a world of decisions and freedom unprepared. The final, solid goal for this little village is for the former Thralls to give back what they take and become profitable. What this means, in essence, is she wats to make the former thralls self sufficient and contributing members of society. These people can either stay in Coldreach or find their place out of it, armed with skills to help them survive. Obviously for this to work Sameera needs people skilled in economics, stewardship, and agriculture as well as any resources needed.
Any and all resources will also be very useful for making this happen.
(OOC: For resources: For the moment Apostate said it would be 5 economic resources per person in the village.)
Sameera has gotten money from Niccolo to use towards the village project. He donated 100,000 silver, 42,000 of it has been used to obtain military and social resources to add to the resources being used.
OOC Since Aldwin already has an action in King's Rest but is definitely supporting: Player Aldwin pages you: Farm implements for the farmers and some tools, and guaranteed to buy 10% of the exports for teh first few years, and... Sending a priest to the village with a disciple of mangata to help organize the thralls.
Sameera would be sending a sketch along with those going to Coldreach to give them an idea what is being shot for when it comes to layouts and for potential more than expected. She is shooting for 500 people in the cost department, while trying to assure there is enough cushion for if more than projected amount arrives. Coldreach Sketch: A vague mime of the island is done on this sketch with the buildings focused around the center of it. The buildings are a mix of communal homes and personal, using the buildings already there by repairing them if possible, as well as necessary buildings like the keep. The homes are intended to be set up with herbal, vegetable, and ground fruit gardens for them to feed their families and export any extras. The lands surrounding the village is made up of open animal farms, consisting of smaller animals like sheet, pigs, and goats. Types of animals that don't take a lot of space and can graze openly on the island's grass. Rather than farm lands orchids of limes, lemons, mangos, and bananas are the dominant intentions. Around the island edges, outside the normal ship docks, are docks designed to house homes and businesses should more than the projected amount of people arrive. There is also a designated area for fishing and oyster diving. At the bottom of the sketch is a note listing the desired major exports: tree fruits (limes, lemons, bananas, mangos, etc), fish, and pearls. A list of potential minor exports is also included, which is what would be excess of supplies produced for consumption over anything else.

OOC: Just so it is known the angle Sameera is going for and all that.
Damnit. Any 'sheets'=sheep and 'orchids'=orchards. And in the central area churches/schools as well, since the Faith is sending priests and disciples. Basically, Sameera would do her best to assure that all the expected buildings of a village is there. Taverns, businesses, chruch, school, etc. Maybe not of grand sizes but there. And she would not be expecting it all to happen 'right away'. The orchards, I am loosely playing at the angle of them having been there due to the island originally hosing a plantation.
Since Samantha can't add due to having an action already in: Player Samantha pages you: Samantha will be contributing by donating lumber from Deepwood for structure and furniture building, as well as seeds from grove crops to see if any of them will grow viably on the island. She will offer any former thralls currently residing in Old Oak who want to return to Thrax an opportunity to do so as instructors in lumber and wood artisanship to be presented to Sameera as possible instructors to teach newly free thralls trade.
Donella (since she might still be having net issues?) has decided to throw her whole support behind Sameera's project and is determined to see it succeed. She is using her connections with people and adding any financial help she needs too.

Merek Black and Meeka, along with his two Guards, will be doing what they can to help sway some Merchants/People that might be sympathetic to the ideals of Sameera's task, to support it with funding. In addition to this, he will also be putting his own funding into it to an extent. He does not have the abilities to manage any logistics, so he will be specifically staying away from anything too involved besides the funding aspect, for the time being.

Ariel is doing a fund raiser and using her charm, her dancing, singing or her violin playing to gather funds as well as more help in Sameera's deed. Former thralls need homes too!
Ariel has also donated her own personal resources into the action. 305 economic, 105 military, 50 social.
Ariel has also donated her own personal resources into the action. 305 economic, 105 military, 50 social. She is also hosting an Auction on thursday, auctioning off donated items and vouchers that she has bought personally.

Princess Seva will be having a luncheon at her shop to raise awareness for ex-thralls. She'll be having Count Maximilian speak on Sameera's behalf. She's also try to help sway any merchants or noble's that she knows to get behind the worthy cause.

With her Guild's support, Guildmaster Joscelin Arterius would contract and trade to provide materials and labor to build the village Sameera needs for her endeavors. Joscelin's connections allow her to provide the resources needed as well as the manpower. While that is going on, on the mainland and in the city, Joscelin would speak of Sameera's work to anyone that might be interested, encouraging others to invest and aid the young Dame who looks to use her new title to improve the lives of others who share a common history with Sameera herself.

Harald is training a retainer  in stewardship to assist Sameera in organizing her new domain.  The coded retainer is Henrik, who will remain in Sameera’s service.  Harald will spend further influence to smooth over the view of Sameera’s project among the more reactionary Isles nobility, painting the experiment as a step to preserve Thralldom in the long term (100 social)

Gathering up a handful of Stormward's best Agricultural experts and teachers, Marquis Kennex is sending them to Dame Sameera's new island to work with the ex-Thralls, teaching them what they need to know to improve their living conditions on the field, as well as help them teach themselves.

As the child of a former Thrall, Carita has connections among the Lower Burroughs through her extensive commoner family to raise awareness of the project. A village will need villagers. Through her social connections she will be seeking former Thralls that might be able to aid recently freed Thralls in the transition from one life into the other in a way that is more feasible to the people. Like ought to meet like as it will aid in the learning process. In addition, she will be seeking donations of silver and resources.

Max put Sameera to this task, and he is not leaving her high and dry in any measure. Putting his own economic mind to the task, he will be assisting her with the economic side of things, as well as putting 1000 economic resources into the venture to help getting it going with no possible failure for lack of funding or supply.

Additionally, with generous pensions and bonuses to the military, on top of a highly successful military campaign, Max is ensuring the Darkwater military and local bannermen have no cause to feel like they are losing power or prestige to this effort. In that end, Max is disbursing an additional 250 economic resources for parades, banquets and honors in Darkwater Watch itself.

Having heard of Sameera's plans and the support she's gained Lucius has decided to use his knowledge about stewardship to help the former thrall. He is giving instruction on how to manage the lands properly and assuring people are doing what they are suppose too to keep the village going smoothly.

As a former thrall who has been able to pay his own debt and freedom as well as steward for the Darkwater family, Driskell knows many thralls and understands the issues they face. As a teacher and steward, Driskell will offer to go to the village and provide assistance in educating released thralls on how to manage finances, business and lands to squeeze as much profitability from whatever they have as well as being an example to emulate. He'll also be preaching that the Reflection offers thralls hope in their darkest moments, they can find strength in what others might feel are weaknesses.

Lark has pledged her support, using her influence in both House Grayson and the Crown to draw attention to Sameera's efforts, spreading the word. She uses her knowledge of economics, her contacts with merchants, and her <3<3charm all in conjunction to try to make deals on Sameera's behalf while assuring investors that Sameera has her long term support in this matter.

As Sameera is her lady's maid, and a dear friend, there is nothing Katarina would not do for the half-Eursui. She pledges a sizeable portion of resources, in both economic writs, social and military contacts gained in the time of the siege, to ensure a prosperous start for the island.

Through his persona and alternate identity of sorts Remi as The Tempest has called together friends and those who have sailed under his command now holding to their own vessels. Pirates, Bucaneers, Smugglers and outlaws of the water called under his flag to assist in the aftermath of the siege that nearly ended it all. But rather than having war or riches on their minds they come to help.
     The ships set to arrive in the early morning hours with their flags lowered to half mast and banners of truce flying to show they are there not for raiding or taking but in peace. The men of the crews there to assist in building efforts and if need be lay the ground work for docks for future trips and to aid others coming to help. Before the crews and ships leave any former thralls wishing to take their path beyond the edges of the law are allowed to leave with them learning the trade of sailing and questionable legality.

Khanne Halfshav, Minister of Agriculture for The Crown and Voice of Halfshav House, has agreed to assist Sameera with her efforts. She has spoken to other nobles about the efforts, and how it is a large undertaking that most of the Great Houses should be in support of. Aside from spreading the word, Khanne has offered to assist the thralls learn about agriculture and other means of survival. She offers to teach the thralls how to plant and best care for the crops, how to forage, and even hunt. Though others might be better skilled than she, she has vowed to do what she can, even offered to go on a dreaded boat and help begin on the island itself if need be. She has also offered to speak on shamanism to any thralls interested in the paths, and to work with the thralls in support of their own spirituality.

Juliet is helping - the Salon's long-promised debate on how to replace thralldom now has a practical example to point to, and as both a Spoke of the Silver Consortium, a Senior Associate of Black Mountain, a Diplomat in the Voice of the Compact and a Voice of Fidante, she has a lot of sway to help her pet projects. In this case, that includes encouraging the ethical practice of the village and gathering promises from merchants and nobles to remove their sanctions on Thrax-produced goods guaranteed to be made by the hands of free men and women. She's also making a personal investment into the village of Coldreach to the tune of 125 Economic Resources.

To assist with Sameera's attemps build her community by sending some masons and farmers from the Oathlands to help them build sturdy homes, and to grow crops upon the island.

Edward will assist the efforts of Sameera by using his own House resources to set up intitial trade routes with the expansive merchant fleet that Redreef possesses, to ensure that the village has suitable food imports and reasonable and discounted prices for the first two years. As well as provide, at no cost to the village, construction materials and supplies to ensure that the village has the material needs to get its initial neccessary construction projects under way, such as housing, food storage, defensive structures, and centralized village buildings, without being forced into construction stops due to a lack of those materials. These things to be represented by an influx of economic resources by House Redreef.

For his part, Darren will be garnering support of the noble class in Redrain and the Crown for support of Sameera's island. He takes the position that this is a thing of hope for the City - a true sign that times are changing and evolving for the betterment of all people. And if the Thrax can support an entire island of freed thralls, perhaps that will give them all the incentive they need to continue freeing more Thralls. There is a firm reminder that no one wants to see Thrax's economy stumble as a result, which is why it is all the more important that this island be supported by /all/ fealties and the Crown as well.

Marquis Malesh Stonewood, having heard of the Coldreach Villiage project through the Graysons and the Darkwaters, will be lending his aide as well. Assisting Lady Khanne and Dame Sameera Coldrain in the agricultural department, he lends expertise particularly in the propper care of orchards. Every helpfull, he will also lend his economic expertise to the project, helping to manage things at scale to prevent waste, loss, and graft. All to give the former Thralls of the village the best possible start.

Titania is helping educate the former thralls, when she can, and is trying to send those she thinks would go to help educate along. She is putting focus on sending those she knows are former thralls.

The village of Coldreach is established- still a part of the darkwater domain, but in effect an extension of Darkwater's territory and a strong exemplar project towards the abolition of Thralldom. See Vox update.