The Knights of Solace are dedicated to the protection of travelers on the road. As such, we will be sending out units to protect the refugee travelers to ensure they reach safe destinations under the guidance of Solace, that the wounded are taken to Mercy stations, and that they are not robbed, threatened, or attacked in their journey. Hopefully, the kindness of Solace and the security we can provide will encourage some memories to start coming in.

Brannen will help both in the distribution of men as well as in leading groups of knights on their escorts. He will fight those who endanger his proteges and offer kindness and comfort to those requiring solace. As knight and as Godsworn, he will do what he can to offer moral support as an example of knightly virtues, showing those losing hope that the Knights of Solace will not leave them to their fate.

Nurie's skills are not those of a knight, but she does lend her soothing touch and demeanor to help keep those fleeing calm and cared for. She's managed to bring with her clothing castoffs of various sizes, as well as her kit so that she can make things fit more appropriately to utilize any supplies Solace might have sent, as well as to upkeep the knights' own garments when necessary. In the relative anonymity she'll have here, she'll be those kind and loving hands to slip a coat over someone's shoulders, make sure hands are protected with gloves, adding an extra lining to a cloak, mending things while those fleeing sleep, spending time silently or with gentle small talk when it's time to rest. Her love for people is quite genuine, and she'll attempt to have it be yet another light amongst many, for Solace and refugee alike, to help strengthen the hearts and minds of those involved in the evacuation.

The first patrols don't return. Then the next wave doesn't. Then a very major escort, more than enough to handle shav attacks doesn't. And it's not until Jeffeth, Brannen and Nurie head out of the city towards the Northlands to see what's happening do they see it.

They pass wave after wave of refugees, huge columns slowly moving, and there's smoke on the horizon. There's roads that go from Bastion up towards Bonespire, parts of the Great road, but in those northern reaches of the Gray Forest, there's no end to the shavs and Compact citizens alike fleeing south. And as they clear the gray forest to the start of the Everwinter, moving to the top of a high crest that serves as a vantage point over the frozen north towards Bonespire.

It's an endless horde. They can see miles and miles, and they can't see the end of the army, with thousands upon thousands of banners showing the maw of azazel, a mouth that moves and gapes like a living things on their battle standards. And at a closer glance, it's not men marching in the army. Not anymore. Abyssal things, mishapen shards, tattered in armor and twisted by abyssal corruption, and winged demons are among them. An army seeming without end, marching towards Arx.

A pair of winged demons spot them on the crest, and begin to swoop towards them, moving to attack and slow their retreat so they are enveloped by the marching horde. As the winged creatures swoop closer and closer, there's a sound of something like a horse neighing from the treeline behind them, and a giant glittering unicorn jumps out of tree line, and it's mouth just opens wider and wider, and then like an almost snake just swallows the two demons midair then lands and gallops off. It's quite possibly the weirdest thing Jeffeth and Brannen have ever seen but they don't have much time to contemplate it as they make a retreat south towards the safety of Arx.

Jeffeth and the Knights of Solace will be escorting the newly arrived refugees to safe harbor and shelter. The knights will be protecting the refugees at their landing and riding through with them to various locations throughout the compact to provide them a new home. The Knights of Solace will be gathering in force to support these large groups of refugees, because of this, they will be in position to support the Templars should martial conflict arise.

At their arrival, the Knights of Solace will be providing full security for the refugees to allow them to be cared by the Mercies before escorting them across the land to various safe harbors owned by the Compact.

Jeffeth himself will be amongst the throng of his knights, leading by example. Riding with his knights back and forth to ensure their safe paths. He will most of the time try to endear himself to the refugees, dismounting and hiking among the refugees as one of them. Carrying their burdens, their children, maybe some of them at times. He will pledge his strength to be their strength, so that they are assured they are truly welcome and safe here.

Natalia will be providing comfort and assistance to the refugees while they are on the move. There is a great deal of very scary change going on for a lot of people, and so Natalia is moving amongst them and doing everything she can to keep people calm, hopeful, and tended to. Socializing, telling stories, explaining things sensibly, finding things for people to look forward to, and so on. She'll help at meal times and the like as well. Lots of lending a quiet, comforting presence.

Podraig will be assessing the refugees for combat ability and pointing out those who could potentially pose a danger to Natalia or Jeffeth as the case may be. He'll also be assisting Natalia with providing further assistance in the process.

Rohran will be joining the effort, assisting in whatever way he can. When large groups of people move like this, there's always work that needs doing, and he's not a man who's averse to getting his hands roughed up and dirty. Carrying things; setting up, and tearing down camps; sitting around campfires and drinking ale. He's a man of the people, even these people.

Adalyn will be joining in the effort to assist the flood of refugees. She will be there predominantly as support in whatever capacity is needed - helping to carry items, listening to their concerns and experiences, sharing in burdens both physical and emotional, providing a safe space and an empathetic ear.

Bree became a Knight of Solace so that she might do some good in this world - and here is the chance. These refuges wanted nothing of their plight, and now in their freedom she will make certain that they are cared for, protected, and made to feel safe. Along with her fellow knights, she will ride along with the group, walk apace with them, carry their loads, lend an ear when they wish to speak, a smile when she deems it might help. Throughout, she will also offer her sword to defend them. A true Knight of Solace, she hopes.

Vesper will join her fellow knights in guiding refugees toward some semblance of respite from the drums of war. As boots on the ground, her time will be spent walking among the weary travelers and attempting to keep their minds focused on the road ahead and their spirits up. She'll learn names, share stories and offer companionship to those shouldering the burden of loss. She will also frequently break from the group to scout for any surrounding dangers and report any problems that can't be handled by a lone knight back to the group. The nights are long, and Vesper is distrustful of the road's many threats, so she'll coordinate with the others to sleep in shifts.

Bhandn will be heavily focused on keeping an eye out for trouble (e.g. ambushes). He's also bringing along extra supplies and calling in a few favors to try and accomodate for some of the refugees, as well. While his primary focus will be upon martial services and preventing loss of life, he'll be applying some of his past charity work in the Lowers (action #3647) in how he distributes the extra bit that he's brought along.

Brannen will try to ensure that neither refugees nor the helpers come to harm. Hence he will beforehand check the routes the trek is going to use. If he has enough time, he will also try to foresee difficult terrains and obstacles which may necessitate a change in routes so that they know of alternatives if necessary. During the travelling, he will command the forces of the Knights of Solace so that they are evenly distributed across the refugees so there is always a helping hand where necessary.

It's no surprise that Lord Richard Wyrmguard puts forth most of his efforts in seeing to the health and well-being of the refugees, aiding with the Mercies' efforts to see to their health before the escort begins. He also sees to contributing to making sure everyone's nutritional needs can be met along the way (150 eco resources).

While other Knights have their eyes outward, Richard has his eyes inward, trying to ensure no further injuries are sustained by the people as they travel, tracking proper hydration (both a dearth and a surfeit of water can imbalance the humors), even going to so far as to establish proper stretching habits for anyone willing to listen to him.

He isn't a particularly charismatic sort, but its times like this that his straightforward earnestness has the opportunity to come to the forefront. Plus, travelling in full armor is an excellent workout all its own.

Prior to departing to the Grey River Liam will offer some tidbits how he can. While he isn't the most experienced Knight he has the less common knowledge of having been a refugee and understanding it. He provides recommendations and guidance and helps with planning for handling the no doubt uneasy refugees.

It's a daunting task. There's thousands upon thousands of refugees and former slaves of Eurus, and they are all going to different domains in the Compact. It's not like when they are dealing with Abandoned, who are often culturally identical to the Compact and speak the same language. A majority of the Eurusi can't speak a word of Arvani and the different Dune Kingdoms don't share a religion with each other, let alone the Compact. They are frightened and confused by Arvum, and it takes a master diplomat to ease people in that situation.

Fortunately they have Natalia, who is a master diplomat.

The dangers of riots and violence is allayed with her present, letting Jeffeth finally organize escorts by Knights of Solace to dozens of different destinations of the Compact. The biggest concern is really that locals will try to attack the Eurusi refugees, as the drums of war are beating loudly due to Skal'daja, and foreigners who cannot speak the language associated with that are just easy targets. As the columns of refugees finally get underway, more than once the Knights of Solace have to dissuade local guardsmen or townfolk from picking fights, and on least three separate occassions Natalia saves the day by convincing petty lords to let the columns pass through their lands when they had withdrawn their initial permission to let Eurusi through. Liam knows the Crownlands well, and helps plan routes that minimize trouble. Brannen scouts the routes, doing his best to verify their safety. Richard helps train and comfort refugees, and Natalia and the others spend a great deal of time with them, reviewing the refugees and aiding them. Jeffeth leads, the knights of Solace rallying around their grandmaster. It's tense, and as the refugees travel through the Crownlands and to the Oathlands, Lyceum and Northlands, it's a testament to the knights and Natalia that violence is avoided.

At least at the start.

Rohran and Podraig know military men when they see them. Some of the Eurusi are clearly soldiers, and their questioning reveals they are deserters from the armies of the Dune Emperor of Eurus. One older soldier named Ferys seems to get a great deal of deference from the others, but the man is brisk and secretive, only revealing to Natalia that he came from the Dune Kingdom of Glor'Ruus- where the Dune Emperor now holds court. Several of the other Eurusi seem very wary of Ferys and the former soldiers, and one elderly well liked man named Duuj'ra warns Natalia and others, saying that Ferys is not to be trusted. Adalyn hears similar comments as well.

Trouble comes when they get closer to Sanctum, during the last evening before they'd reach the city. Bree, Vesper and Bhandn detect trouble first- movement in the tree line, and the signs of individuals trying to sneak up to the refugee camp and elude pickets. As soon as Bree raises the alarm, armed raiders rush to attack; an Abandoned tribe, the Ulryn Bloodcallers who had been looking for easy prey.

Jeffeth immediately leads the counterattack, and it's likely the Abandoned drastically underestimated the size of the Solace escort and thought it would be largely unarmed Eurusi. As Vesper and Bree cut down initial raiders, and Bhandn smashed through several Abandoned to get at an archer in the rear, Jeffeth gets into a heated duel with who is likely the raiders' leader but his size and violent vehemence. Rohran, Adalyn, Liam, Richard, Brannen- all of them are fighting, and it's chaos in the dimly lit camp at night, and extremely confused.

And that's when the little old man Duuj'ra tries to murder Ferys in his sleep, trying to cut the throats of Ferys and the deserters as they slumbered.

As Duuj'ra brings his blade downward, the old man is pulled backwards by Podraig who is standing with a Natalia Whisper who looks entirely too pleased with herself. Natalia had made Duuj'ra for an Obsidian Huntsman almost immediately from the start, by the answers he gave and the pieces of information had put together. The woman grew up among the highest ranks of nobility and frankly, she knows liars that are vastly better and more practiced than any huntsman could ever hope to be, and she could tell when something just fit a little too neatly together and was ever too convenient. Duuj'ra the 'elderly' man springing catlike at Podraig and ruthlessly pressing him despite Podraig's edge in reach is more confirmation, as the 85 year old man practically batters Podraig off his feet with the force of his blows as Podraig parries and tries to counter attack. With a war cry, Jeffeth rejoins the fray after finishing defeating the raider warchief, and he presses Duuj'ra together with Podraig, as Ferys and the deserters are waking up and trying to help as well. Duuj'ra jumps suicidally at Ferys, and Jeffeth cleaves Duuj'ra in his side while Podraig takes the man's head off.

Afterwards, Ferys admits that he is Ferys'nam'ruus, an exiled prince from the Dune Kingdom of Glor'ruus, and has come to Arvum to seek aid against the Dune Emperor. He wasn't sure about the Arvani at first. Now, it seems, he can trust them. Particularly Natalia. She doesn't stop looking pleased.

With the travel to Arx and rebuilding, renovating, and cleaning of the Harthall Keep, there has been little opportunity to focus on the current affairs at Fair Harbour. Now that the Keep is in proper working order and the Trade office has been open for business, the Harthall family can get back to the management of Fair Harbour. Utilizing the new relations that they have all made throughout Arx and with the knowledge that they have gained of the current events, it is possible for them reach out with the individual specialties to generate the best possible outcome for growth of the March.

The Marquis Orvyn Harthall will be overseeing the economic impact and nuances that are needed in governing such a large project, ensuring that routes are made open, payment is taken care of and both new and existing methods of commerce are best applied to ensure overall success. He will work with the various trade captains and merchants in the employ of House Harthall to find the best rate for goods and services that they will need in the building of new homes, new farms, and travel costs. He will put forward the call to others of the Harthall family to take part and offer their expertise in their individual fields of study so as to best move the March forward to a brighter and more secure future.

With his family once more focusing on the growth of their March, Islin will be devoting some of his time to helping them. As he serves as one of the Captains in their fleet he will have his ship making regular runs both with and without him, mainly to patrol, make supply runs and insure that the supply lines stay open. He will focus mainly on his strengths the military and economic aspects of the family business, doing what he can to assist.

Though no longer enjoying the privileges or protections of lordship, Sir Brannen is lending his mind for martial leadership to House Harthall. Specifically, Brann will be actively helping to access Fair Harbour militant's needs and daily mechanisms. He'll concentrate on streamlining military procedures, maintaining productivity while trimming unnecessary spending. He will do this with as grim and worrisome an expression as possible.

Not sailor, nor economic advisor, Liliana chooses a different path to take. She is good at procuring things, and list-making to make certain all the things are purchased. She will draw up lists of all the things a good household needs, from dishes to bedding, from spices to horseshoes, from nails to hammers, from anvils to horse feed, from horses to chickens, from bandages to buckets.. and so forth. She's seeking to purchase all the things that they'll need right away until the settlements become self-sustaining.

Lists in hand, off she'll go to do what she does best: shop! She'll scour the city of Arx for merchants willing to provide quality goods at discounted prices due to volume and future business. She pays well, despite requesting discounts, to have everything carted down to the docks and stored in warehouses for transport upon Islin's ship, and others in the fleet.

Additionally, she knows the lands where she grew up like the back of her hand. She'll suggest potential places for settlement that are near travel routes (likely rivers) with sunny plains for planting, and woods nearby for timber and hunting.

Action: Marquessa Consort Sunniva Harthall is a woman of heart and passion and belief in her family and their holdings. They have the room and the ability to take on more people and give them a place to find a home. She begins by speaking to the refugees that have been gathering in Arx and expounding upon the benefits of relocating to Fair Harbour and the isles owned by the Harthall March. She will speak of her belief that everyone has a place and a purpose and that Harthall welcomes all those who wish for a purpose and a prosperous life with the opportunity to find a stable place to live.

Marquis Hadrian doesn't rule over House Harthall. He's not even a vassal of the Oathland's House. What he is though is connected, socially and economically, through his own House. So while he can not speak for House Harthall, he can certainly speak OF them. Taking on a support role within the endeavors of Marquis Orvyn Harthall and House Harthall, Hadrian plans to speak with a number of other influential members of society - particularly within the world of finance and commerce. The message is clear: House Harthall is making efforts to drive trade toward Fair Harbour and they have his vote of confidence.

Within that effort, Hadrian will likewise be working to promote greater trade relations between Ostria and Fair Harbour. In the midst of rubbing elbows and directing further commerce toward Fair Harbour, so too does Hadrian make efforts to bring further trade to the ports and gates of the city-state of Ostria. Economic wealth, after all, promotes growth. And Ostria's in need of another ring or two of walls!

Cambria is the other half to Hadrian's plans to promote Harthall and Fair Harbor. Whereas he applies the oil to the proverbial gears, she oversees operations to make sure the right person is in the right place, or the right goods at the right price. Promoting good relations between Ostria and Fair Harbor benefits each, and in turn, the Compact at large.

Marquis Orvyn Harthall has turned his hand to his lands with stunning focus. In trade and in advantageous dealings he has amassed a massive amount of resources that he, with single-minded purpose, immediately invests into the March - particularly surrounding improvements to Fair Harbour.

Lord Islin helps him now, devoting his time to train and strengthen their naval base. Sir Brannen leads military drills and training on land. Lady Liliana lends an organizational hand, and Marquessa Sunniva speaks of how close the Harthall family holds their responsibility to build and protect their domain and their people.

Marquis Hadrian and Marquessa Cambria, not to be left out, spend time reaching out to praise the entire Harthall family and to hold them up as examples to all. Overall though, the work speaks for itself as Fair Harbour is positively thriving, even in the dead of winter.

Thena fears that the rumors of a figure gaining influence in the Lower Boroughs point to a possible enemy agent who works for the Abyss and who is trying to gain support under the guise of acts of charity. To counter this, she releases funds from the Silver Order coffers to be distributed in the Lowers with a message. Not a message of opposition, but merely a reminder. This silver is a gift from Gild, and comes with no strings attached. The Knights of Solace want to help you. Remember how the last time unvetted strangers gave out money in the Lowers, thousands were lost to Tolemar Brand and his lies? With the silver comes acts of generosity as Thena increases the Solace presence in the Lowers. Old ladies are helped to carry groceries home. Solace knights take shifts at the orphanage and play with the children. They help put wheels back on carts. They direct people in need of food to the Soup Kitchen or even the Rectory. It's all about small deeds and representing the ideals of Gild and the Faith in general.

Orazio has been a veteran of the Silent War, and now uses that knowledge to gently remind people of the last time mysterious figures came bearing gifts who were not willing to show their faces, and reminds them that someone who hides who they are may have agendas that put the Compact and their own families at risk. He points out the wide number of Faith and private charities available to those in the Lowers, and encourages people to question why, if there are no strings attached, that /all those people/, nobles and common alike, feel comfortable doing charity with their faces bared, while this one person does not.

Cristoph is a quiet auxiliary member of the Knights of Solace. In truth, he doesn't normally do a whole lot. It amounts to charity functions and helping to raise money or just straight up donating. He quietly donates some money this time too! There's no Laurent name attached. It's given over to the KoS to add to the amount they can distribute to the Lowers. In the meanwhile, he'll accompany the knightly order on a few trips and talk with the citizens of Arx. He's helpful as well as diplomatic. He'll empathize their values and usefulness to the every day man and discuss what an excellent job they do on a regular basis. Such honest, good folk! Especially that Daemon guy. He's basically the epitome of goodness.

Daemon might not be the best diplomat the world has ever seen, but it cannot be said he does not try his best when the need arises. As he sets to the Lowers where perhaps his name has some mild popularity, he's going to be spreading the good word of the Faith. He tells the people there that while generosity is indeed a noble virtue, one he hopes all subscribe to, one must be careful of those who bend disguise virtue as manipulation. While the Faith is very honest about their work and have the history to back it up, hooded mystery-people cannot be given the same trust. He rationalizes these words by asking, what's to stop a noble with coin taking up a guise and trying to sway the disenfranchised to their cause? Or some agent of another organization hoping to make connections?

"It helps you today and that is wonderful. But tomorrow, they may use your trust for their own gain, and you may have less than you ever started with."

It's time for MUSCLES! Jeffeth has a lot of them and boy are the Lowers gonna see em! Jeffeth will be putting on a show with his might and athletic ability. You know who can protect you, we can! Cause we got THESE! The Solace is here to protect you as always. Jeffeth will be putting on a show of feats of strength as well as helping with manual labor all the livelong day. Need those heavy things moved? Got you. Need that roof redone? Got you. Need that horse picked up? Got you. Jeffeth will be using his tremendous athletic ability to impress as well as tangibly help many of the people in the Lowers.

Eager to further familiarize himself with the ways of Arx, Sir Brann will but his energy into helping organize efforts. It won't do much good if everybody shows up on the same day. He'll use his natural leadership abilities to make sure these efforts are prolonged and sustainable for maximum impact. without burning everybody out or spreading resources too thin.

Because she knows she is not terribly good at Diplomacy, Cora instead tries to be friendly and helpful with tasks she sees people need doing. She hopes that by doing so she can at the least generate enough good will that those with diplomacy have a better chance of getting the information they need. She's a helper!

Helping people in the lowers is right up Harper's alley. With her patrols, she is often there anyway and already helps where she can and as much as she can. Using her time to help and assist people that need it comes natural. She grew up in the lowers though and knows that the others in the Knights will be reaching out as well. So she focuses on trying to use her knowledge of the lowers to try to reach out and help some of the more forgotten groups and people that the others might not even know about. However, with all of the help that she gives, this time she is making sure they know that it is a mission of the Knights of Solace to help too and that there are no strings attached.

The Knights of Solace are out in force in the Lowers. Under the direction of Grandmaster Thena they work, with Sir Jeffeth, Sir Daemon, and Sir Brannen leading the way. Even supporting members like Duke Cristoph, Harper, and Princess Coraline are helping too, and Father Orazio is also working with them too. They offer charity. They help the elderly. They give aid and, they remind the people, this aid is offered with no strings attached. The Knights of Solace are certainly beloved by the people - and this is part of the reason why.

And in their work they meet a woman in a mask and they talk to her. She is just trying to help the people, she says. They question her but they're polite about it, and she's polite in return. There are just so many stories of a Shade who helped people, she wants to do a charitable turn by the legend. She is using the best of what people remember and trying to live up to that. Even if the Knights of Solace think her misguided, it's clear she's really just doing charity work.

Though there are darker tones too - separate from this woman they hear other rumors of a man named Zick Cuddle, who is preying on people. People are going missing, they hear. People are perhaps dying. The Lowers are a dangerous place always, but just now they're even more dangerous than usual. And the charity work? That's not stopping it.