It is the 13th day of the month and the 12th hour has just dawned in Maelstrom. High Lord Victus Thrax has gathered his retinue and those willing to attend this ceremony at Maelstrom's memorial of swords. The same field that Victus had prepared for the dead and unrecovered of the Gyre war. Attendees stand among the blades of the fallen, with a raging bonfire having been sent at the epicenter of the field. Victus has sat here for the past few hours, meditating upon the work yet to be done. When all is gathered and the hour at turns over to the 13th, it begins.

"Tonight, I am here to show you my vision of the world. Of the dream. Of how I would shape it and most importantly, how I would help it." The High Lord begins, addressing the crowd. "I show you this because our world must be healed. Because it is our duty be it as noble or common, good or evil, and light or dark to restore what has been lost. Tonight, I perform this duty. Tomorrow, one of you will perform this duty. Then another, and another, and another..." Victus draws in a breath as he stares into the flames. "Here we go."

The first item he brings before the fire is a red and aqua banner of House Thrax.

"My first vision is one of home." He explains. "Thrax. The Mourning Isles. Where I was born and where I hope to rest when my time here is done. My House is my calling, my service to its name is everything to me. Every step I take, every motion I make, it will always be for Thrax. For Home. Never will my vision exist without my House present. This is what this banner represents to me." He casts the banner into the flames.

The second item he holds is an armful of children's toys. Wooden swords, tiny makeshift boats, rattles, teddy bears and other plush animals.

"My second vision are my children." Victus speaks, a far-off look in his eyes tonight. "The world surprises me in many ways throughout my life. The most surprising perhaps is the very idea that I would bear children and come to love my offspring as much as any father could. I had never thought a day would come where I would cosign so much of my life to nurturing a babe. So much time dedicated to love. Astrid. Danse. Siggy. Delia. In each of their faces I have seen a new light. When I look to these simple toys, I see that light reflecting back at me. Hope." He casts the toys into the flames.

The third item brought forward is a simple sash of aeterna.

"My wife." Victus' eyes reflect a fondness. "It is the duty of nobility to marry and solidfy their family's influence. Yet so few marriages end in finding one that completes you. I say it with no doubt in my heart that Alarissa has filled a spot in my life, perhaps even in my soul that I would have never guessed. She was once a griffon, next a drake, and now one of the many serpents that coil around our homeland. With her, I have security. The sturdy platform that reminds me that in the end, we will prevail. No matter the odds. These little pieces of fabric, the expensive and the flashy will always remind me of her." He casts the sash into the flames.

The fourth item he takes into hand is but a stone, carved with a simple rune.

Victus stares at this little trinket for sometime before he's able to speak on it. "Mother. I have so many thoughts for this part of my vision. Yet, so few actual words to do them justice." He turns the runestone over in his hand. "In her spirit I found something I'd been looking for, for a very long time. Purpose. How to live my life not in excess, but as a man of my station should. Were it not for her, I wouldn't have taken the pathes I have. I wouldn't have realized the right choices. For that... she will always be a part of me. One I will always cherish." He casts the runestone into the flames.

The fifth item is a bundle. Unwrapped from its linens, it reveals a group of seashells.

These bring a grin to Victus' face. "I've collected these from every Isle where Thrax holds dominion. Tyde Hall. Grihem's Point. Escuma. Redkeep. Astarrea. Whitefrost. New Hope. Redreef Shores. Darkwater Watch. Stormward. More. Each of these pieces come from the shores of Thrax's people. The people who I serve, the people who I swore an oath to protect. The people of the salt. Their hopes, their dreams, their survival. All things that I hope to see prosper in my dream of the world." He tosses the shells into the flame, one by one.

The sixth item is a familiar one. An unopened bottle of rum.

This one Victus looks on with a frown. "I see a lot of things when I look at this bottle. Merriment, yes. Comfort also. But tonight I look at it in a different light. Tonight, the only thing I see myself holding is a vessel of regret." The High Lord grimaced. "I did many stupid things that ended in me staring at the bottom of the bottle. I was a brutish man. A cruel man. A man who took no responsibility seriously. A man much less than who I aspired to be. Insecurity and doubt wracked my days beneath this bottle. In this self-reflection, I acknowledge these mistakes as mine and mine alone to carry. Though I have atoned for much, I still see a stretch of road left ahead of me. It is my vision to free myself of who I was, so I may propser as who I truly am." He casts the rum into the fire.

The seventh item Victus brings forward is an old, beaten axe handle.

"My first weapon." He speaks and then he chuckles grimly. "It lost its head ages ago, broken off and fallen into the sea. It is a momento of my past. A past that I look on often for guidance and lessons as I move into the future." He raps the top of the handle against his palm. "I recall carrying this with me through much of my childhood. Through the days I was punished or rewarded by my Uncle. Through the days of training to lead, to fight. To follow my elders and have my cousins follow me while they were small. When I swung for my first honorable kill. When I led my first band of soldiers into the breach." The memories pass by fondly. "I'd never forget where I came from. Never in my vision of the world." He tosses the handle into the flames.

The eighth item he has is not present at first. Rather, it appears exactly when its supposed to. Victus reaches for the left arm of his coat and tears a fresh article of leather from it.

"This coat has served me for years. Weathered storms. Blocked blades and arrows. It has as many scars as I've collected and yet, still it serves as my hide. Protects me from harm." Victus lets out another chuckle. "I wouldn't trade this coat for anything. For me it represents what I find to be the greatest quality any can have, and one I have aspired to nurture for all my time. The strength of perseverance. The strength to endure. The strength to keep going. The rock that sits in the center of the river, a literal tapestry of the lands I've walked and the dangers I've faced. It is as much a part of me as my own flesh and bones." He tosses the leather scrap into the flames.

The ninth item is presented as a broken sword.

"Another momento of mine." Victus explains. "I took this from a battlefield, long ago. Whether it was Tyde Hall, whether it was the Silent War, whether it was simply a reaving... I have no idea. But now I use this as a vessel of my dream. Of the battles I have fought. Of the honor I have sought to bring in every fight against the Compact's enemies, to the light I hope to outshine the darkness of the Abyss that we work to defend against. I have fought many battles. I will fight in many more. It will always be a part of me. Likely one day, I will day by battle. Whether that is to be or not to be is not up to me... But until then, I must acknowledge what I excel at. And how I will continue to bring honor by the sword, axe, mace, and everything else. This is what this broken, weathered piece of steel represents to me." He tosses the sword into the flames.

The tenth item brought forward is a rather luxurious one. It is a breastplate made of the finest high quality steel, covered in emblems and honors of Thrax proper. Ceremonial.

"I owe Thrax many things. Not the least of which is our sense of tradition. For the institutions that have held my seat and my charge together are where we draw our strength as a people." Victus lifts the breastplate high, letting the waning sun catch its glint. "I do not wish to live in a world where we've forgotten homage to our deepest traditions. Hence I cosign this piece of it to the fires, so this vision of mine might burn brightly. May we never stray far from our roots. May it last long." He tosses the breastplate into the flames.

The eleventh item is soft linen bag, jingling with the weight of stones inside it. "Never call me a creative man, for you would be very wrong."

Within its contents is a series of pearls. "I've had a pearl fashioned to represent those who are dear to me. Not in the sense of bloodline. Not in the sense of their service to the Isles. But simply in their camraderie. Companions. Friends. I have few of them. I have just as many as I need as well." He lets the pearls fall into his palm, one after another. "And the pearl is perhaps my favorite stone. Christened straight from the ocean. I use them to show my appreciation for those who have aided my journey up to this point and how important their contribution to my world has been. Their names are close in my heart as I cosign these symbols to the flames..." He tosses the pearls into the fire.

The twelfth item is perhaps a strange one for any but an islander to be using. It is three inches of iron chain.

"The chains are a fickle symbol." Victus says with a demure expression. "Used to bind. For darkness and for light. They are but a tool, however. A tool that is shaped by its creator's vision. Tonight, I share it with a noble purpose. I share it to invoke a dream of mine that I have held since I was a little one. Unity. United as a people. United as the Isles. United against the darkness, united against the creatures that would sack our homes, united in survival. United in purpose. United in duty. United in honor. This chain stands to show all of these things. As a strong link. A link to bond, not in slavery, but in a shared noble purpose." He casts the chains into the flames.

Finally, they arrive to the thirteenth and final offering of the rite. Victus holds nothing.

For awhile, there is nothing but silence. Victus' gaze remains locked onto the flames. "Loyalty is perhaps the most important quality I aspire to see in everyone. I have spoken much of oaths, promises, pledges, responsibilities and duty tonight. Preaching almost of their importance. Of adhering to tradition, of learning from one's mistakes, of valuing those around us. What kind of man would I be if I did not reaffirm these things myself?" Slowly he draws that alaricite axe from his back. "I make my final offering as a pledge. A reaffirming of things I spoke before the Gods long ago. I seal it with something of my own body. For this is the strength of my loyalty to my ideals, my principles and my cause."

Victus cuts the braided ponytail he sported, half of his hair gone just like that as the alaricite slices through it like nothing. As the strands flutter, he holds the tail over the flame - the ends catching fire as the flames travel upwards. His own hand getting singed. "We fight. We protect. We guard. Not for ourselves. Not for our own glory, but for the preservation of the world. I will uphold. I will not bend or break. I will fight to preserve." Every word comes with conviction. Conviction that is added to the flames, for the rite's benefit.

Then he draws his hand away, a fresh burn on the back of it as the rest of his cut locks fall into the pyre. Thirteen things offered on the thirteenth hour of the thirteenth day. In the heart of Thrax, Maelstrom. Victus slowly raises his head and looks upon the embers. Looks upon what he has done here today. "I can only hope this is enough. I want you all to hope with me. Carry that hope with you when you perform this yourselves. For our world will be made stronger by it."

With that, their grim business is complete.

Alarissa is present in Maelstrom as the ritual is started and has been through it all - that is a piece of Aeterna from her dress after all. She stands quietly, with their oldest daughter standing in front of her, warm cloaks around their shoulders and observes.

Lethe is there to watch Victus perform the ritual. She plans to pay close attention and learn the rite of cleansing.

Magpie watches the ritual as quietly as the others, but partway through he reaches an arm around Harper's shoulders and draws her close in an embrace that he doesn't release until the High Lord has finished.

Mikani watches her dark eyes taking in the ritual as if memorizing it and giving it the reverence it deserves. In the moment she feels the one-ness of the group.

Auda's hear to support and witness, nothing more. She watches closely, as if she's trying to memorize the night and all it encompasses.

Nuala remains an attentive participant at the ritual, playing close watch to everything that Victus does. She may take notes afterward, but everything she does is focused wholly upon the specifics of the rite.

Vanora observes the ritual attentively, attempting to commit the basics to memory. She listens to Victus' words with reverence and respect, sincerely thanking him for the opportunity to do so.

Jasher stands in attendance, a black wraith in silent vigil amidst Maelstrom's memorial of swords. He will listen to Victus' words with varying degrees of emotion flickering like the firelight across his face; some of the High Lord's paths tread closer to his than others, it seems. At the end, when the thirteenth offering is made and the words are spoken, Jasher will /hope/. He will /dare/ to hope that it will be enough.

Harper is there in her full armor, standing straight and at attention as Victus performs his ritual. She will watch and learn, as requested, deep respect shining on her face at the High Lord's words.

On the 13th hour of the 13th day, Victus gathers people to watch his rite of cleansing. "Tonight, I am here to show you my vision of the world. Of the dream. Of how I would shape it and most importantly, how I would help it." The High Lord begins, addressing the crowd. "I show you this because our world must be healed. Because it is our duty be it as noble or common, good or evil, and light or dark to restore what has been lost. Tonight, I perform this duty. Tomorrow, one of you will perform this duty. Then another, and another, and another..." Victus draws in a breath as he stares into the flames. "Here we go."

Even now, even before the ritual starts, a feel of heavy duty lays across everyone's shoulders. Victus stands tall though, and as he feeds that first thing to the flames - a banner of aqua and red, the symbol of House Thrax - even as he gives that to the flames there is the knowledge that this man is very aware of the burden that lays upon his shoulders. Heavy the weight of his duty, and everyone in the room knows how seriously he takes that.

He speaks of the honor of the House. Of the responsibility he has to care for it, to guide Thrax into the future. Of his love for his children, his hope that they will inherit a better future. Of his wife, who provides a stability for him even as he forges a new path for Thrax. Of his mother. A rock, with a rune on it. To symbolize his mother - and in that moment, that sense of heavy responsibility becomes something more.

As they stand for Victus' rite, watching him, all of them hear the sounds of battle dimly, as though the clang of swords is distant and untouchable. And yet there is a lifting of their spirits as he speaks of right choices, of duties befitting his station. There's a change in the air now as he adds seashells and a bottle of rum, and an old axe handle. Leather and mementos from the past, given to the fire. Symbols of hope, of old evils left behind, of new paths to forge anew.

And then he speaks of unity, offering chains and lastly a braid of his hair. And he speaks of loyalty and hope. It's a good vision, and together they listen to the sounds of battle - coming closer, moving away - but the feel of it changes. Where before there was grim duty and future slaughter, now there is the righteous battle to protect all that is loved. Everything he holds dear. The man has been by turns brutish and self-serving, and kind and self-sacrificing. And as the ritual concludes the fire suddenly flares, for a moment too bright to view, too bright to withstand.

And then it ebbs again, and they are left with a feeling of hope, taking a breath in this new moment where the High Lord of Thrax is a fighter for justice, and for right, and for a future of freedom for all. He is changed, cleansed anew with the ritual and by his will. And nothing will ever be quite the same.

Venturo is seeking those who are interested in partnership to expand the Raconteur Enterprises for the betterment of all of Arvum. He campaigns for further breweries to bring jobs to fealties and to lower the cost of safe drinks for the general populace. To expand the Kismet Carnivals and their games of luck and chance.

And for those looking to invest more, to bring races that only the everyday man can participate in for the chance to win a purse of money provided by Venturo himself. Horse races, hunting races, foot races, obstacle course races. Not only will they give something that truly belongs to the people that they can demonstrate their skill, but it will allow the nobles to find the most skilled in their lands.

Lastly, he wants to offer local tavern owners the chance to come under the Raconteur brand. They would still own and run their tavern, but would be provided discounts on the alcohol from the Raconteur, and would be provided entertainers to draw in even more of their patrons. In exchange, they would run under the Raconteur label, and a nominal, small part of their proceeds would go back to the Raconteur.

TLDR for Expansion:
More Breweries
Expanded Kismet Carnivals
Locals owning Raconteur Branded Taverns
Bards, poets, entertainers for thsoe Taverns
Horse, foot, obstacle and hunting races for the everyday man.
Allows the nobles to find the most skilled athletes, boatsmen, horsemen and hunters in their lands.

Nuala may not know horse races, but she sure knows how to mobilize a crew of people to plot out the best course for the horse races in the Kismet Carnival. She reaches out to the best riders in Farhaven and those of her acquaintances in Valardin lands, the Lyceum (especially Tor, where she grew up) and other assorted connections. She can additionally tap the Academy of War for riding trainers to help create a fiendishly exciting course with many obstacles, smart turns, and surprises for both rider and mount to make the event memorable. Getting all these minds together, they will plot out an impressive path and take into account the natural environment and landscape. Nuala uses every ounce of charisma she has to keep them focused on a singular purpose.

Who better to introduce new entertainment to the Lyceum than a Princess of Lenosia? Berenice focuses on wining and dining with those well-positioned to introduce new and exciting horse races to their various domains. Because, in Berenice's opinion, horse racing is the BEST and MOST EXCITING part of what Venturo's working on, hence her involvement in the First Annual Raconteur Cup Horse Race. She'll talk to various noble leaders and even some of the upper class mercantile commoner families about the acclaim and prestige they'll earn themselves by sponsoring such events, and she'll be full of flattery and flirting where necessary to get the job done.

Everybody loves musicians! Well, alright, not everybody, but bards are a good source of entertainment. What does Gianna have? Access to a lot of bards. Not just the ones in Arx, but the bards that come through the College on their way to other places, bards who might be convinced to play at these Raconteur-associated taverns. She'll be convincing entertainers - storytellers, singers, musicians - to go the route.

Having been part of Venturo's original unveiling of the Kismet Carnival as well as expanding the cultivation of more crops and a brewery, Gwenna of course pitches in to assist him with the planned expansion. She will support her fellow Redrain, Princess Nuala, with her efforts in Farhaven, and remind the people there how much fun was had at the last carnival. As done before, she will spend the first day of the festival handing out 10,000 of her own silver so that those who might not have much disposable income can partake in the games. Her main effort, though, will be visiting the taverns and farmers in the hopes that Venturo's branding idea and more breweries might strike interest as well as better income for them.

Pasquale views the success of Venturo - his Marquessa's protege - as success for Nilanza. He spreads the word in the Malespero domain about the carnival and encourages participation in it among the common folk, even pitching in for the purse for the prize money. He'll also do a bit of PR with the local tavern keepers so they'll see this venture as an opportunity rather than competition, and be more inclined to go in for it.

Mirk, on behalf of the Halfshavs, is throwing his support behind Venturo and the Raconteur expansion. He spreads the word of their coming expansion, building anticipation for the carnivals and the taverns that are going to be opened, and offers assistance in finding local owners and businessmen to run their tavern under the Raconteur brand. If he makes a point to find well-placed tavern owners in Whitehold and Cascade Springs, well, that's a part of his duties as Halfshav Minister of Coin. Regardless, he'll do whatever he can to make sure that Venturo's efforts are a success.

Sandreef Point is a port place. And every port place needs a good Tavern and, even better, a good brew to make and call their own. To draw the crowds and bring the cheer. So it is that Violet, the Quartermaster as well as Baroness, sets aside land and even some acreage for a brewing operation. Enough land to brew hops, barley, malt, or even grapes and space in the city for a tavern. This can only bring in more commerce and provide more jobs for those who need and want them.

As Kael has had an amiable working relationship with Venturo in the past, he is looking forward to seeing this new venture through. With his blessing, Venturo is allowed to approach tavern owners to join up under the Raconteur brand and he will personally write concerning how profitable associations with Venture Thayne has been in the past. Not only this but he has offered to help train up guards, not to mention supply equipment for them, so that the caravan and traveling members of Ranconteur Enterprises has less to fear of banditry. He supplies a map of the safest routes through his domain, and as other lands agree to join in, would offer to provide what he sees as the safest navigation routes.

In the city of Setarco, Alrec Magaldi, admiral and minister of the ruling house, uses his position of priviledge to ensure that Venturo has everything he needs to establish his brand in the Saffron Chains. He uses his reputation and notoriety to advertise Raconteur, hoping to associate their drinks with him for his fans. The staff of the carnival is seen to with board and food, their security handled by his own people.

There's very little the Mourning Isles likes better than drinking: perhaps, drinking and a show! Sorrel will represent Thrax's interests in this expansion of breweries and carnivals as Minister of Productivity for Maelstrom and the Mourning Isles. She'll be sure that at least some of the jobs on offer here go to former thralls who are renovating their lives, and that a certain amount of effort is paid to recruiting such, though by no means exclusively. There are plenty of commoners who would like to own their own businesses, and she'll promote that enthusiastically. She'll also make sure there are boat races available at the carnivals, and use the winners of these boat races to recruit into the Thrax military, especially if they aren't already.

Grady got in on the ground floor of the Kismet Carnivals to help develop Deepwood lands - particularly their cideries. He is excited about the expansion of the carnivals, as that always brings good taxes in, and as it gives the people of Old Oak a festival and some extra fun. Enjoying horse races and fine alcohol is a hallmark of civilization in Grady's opinion, and he gladly makes sure the funding is there to make the Carnivals in Old Oak exceptional indeed. Deepwood trades well with Raconteur Brewing too, and a friendly rivalry has gone up between Raconteur enterprises and Deepwood's own cideries. Will there be competition at the carnival? You better believe it. All in good fun, of course!

Though not in on the ground floor, the Kismet Carnivals and Venturo's spreading out across the compact works in tandem with Josephines own grand works. You won't find a stall, not in the least. As Josephine will point out, you don't get arcuri goods in mere stalls. But she does work with her family to see prizes made of all kinds to be supplied as prizes. From jewelry, to trinkets and even nudging a son in law to see about a blade or two, the Arcuri's time, energy and her payrons funds to ensuring even the most low ranked of men should tgey happen to winthese horse races have sonethingspecial as a prize.

Truthfully, it's a little alarming at how wide it spreads, and how much notice it gets throughout the Compact. People REALLY like Carnivals, it seems, with Farhaven, Nilanza, Whitehold, Sandreef Point, Oakhaven, Deepwood, Maelstrom, Setarco and more all expanding in an uptick in trade, and massive gains in the prestige of all involved.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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