In a desperate, end-of-the-world attempt to come up with something that will help save the people of Arx when Azazel and his Abyssal share army come for the Thinnest Point, Medeia gathers the best magical and alchemical minds she can think of to do something Medeia /doesn't/ do: make poison.

Having had luck in the past - before crossing the threshold! - with creating targeted tools against specific threats (like Thornweave Fire and the talismans that protected against the Horned God's magic), she sets out to create something that will specifically harm Abyssal beings. She's not even sure what this is going to take. But she's going to TRY. The blood of Godsworn? Nethicite? She'll clear-cut her gardens if it helps.

After some discussion about collateral harm and intentionality, the hope is that, if successful, the poison should be something that can be coated on the weapons of defenders, perhaps coated upon their armor, and set in strategic traps (near the Thinnest Point?) that can be deployed to great effect without potentially harming allies.

Mabelle is not foreign to experimenting with all those elements. Metals with primum, odd plants, gemstones, her own blood and the time she spent in the Lyceum. Time to mix and try not to die of the explosion.

Galatea's skill at alchemy has few equals. Be it poison, unnatural herbs created during the Platinum Shift, nethicite, or even the blood of the faithful, there are plenty of avenues to take in research. The ritual (revelation 52) of Striking Through the Mirror contains certain techniques for targeted strikes against individual demons, but perhaps it might also provide clues as to more general patterns for substances that threatened demonic lives.

Thea knows about alchemy. A lot about alchemy. Poison. A lot about that too. She will use her knowledge as well as a touch of something else to help aide in the the cause. Thea has her own special additives afterall.

Eirene is an expect occultist. Even without her magic she knows what she's doing with rituals, as well as having knowledge of alchemy. So trying to craft something which harms the enemy isn't too farfetched.

Poison is not Mirk's specialty, but he's worked on the Thornweave poison before, and he helped bind Azazel as well, once upon a time (Action 2936 & Clue 2925), and he knows the rite to hide knowledge from the Despite (Revelation 34). So he draws on that pool of knowledge to attempt to devise something, anything that can harm Azazel. He's in a supporting role, providing advise and knowledge, and perhaps some primum towards a shared ritual, if he needs to.

If it weakens their enemy, even slightly? It's worth it.

So while Mia is no alchemist, she does have an extensive knowledge of the occult. Even more than that, she has a small orichalcum figurine that has long acted a shield against the Abyssal entities controlled by her father, protecting her from their sight and their assault. While she won't offer it up as an ingredient, surely it can provide some helpful insight through.... uhhh... inversion! Yes, inversion. If her figurine protects the wearer from the Abyss, then surely the inversion of some of its properties might help a person attack the Abyss. That makes sense. That totally makes sense. She'll just be standing waaaaaaaay over there while the alchemists test this theory out.

Aco will help, she's only soso with Alchemy but she's got a lot to controbute to a poison. Especially when armed with a bit of magic.

Lianne has spent the majority of her adult life studying the Abyss and its denizens, including a stretch of years specifically focused on how shards are formed. She is uniquely qualified to assist with this project and will focus her efforts specifically on concocting a poison especially effective against shards that this project might drastically reduce the hordes' horrifying numbers. She may be able to provide a shard, if the team would benefit from having a test subject.

That 'blood of a Godsworn' she was talking about? Is me!

Caspian may not know poison or magic very well, but he does know weapons and abyssal. He is quite proficient with the stabbing of and being stabbed by abyssals. There is a trick to making a blade coating, to viscous and it simply drips off, to gooey and it doesn't infect the sight. he offers his insights into weapon coatings as well as how best to fight abyssals and get the poison into their system.

Did someone say poison? Not that a Velenosa Prince who has somehow survived into his sixties would know anything about poison. Okay maybe he knows a little. And maybe he knows a little about the occult. Just maybe. And what little he theoretically does know he uses to help the Lady Medeia with her task.

Mirari is skilled at making poisons, it's something she knows a great deal about and has expert knowledge on. It's more than just alchemy, Mirari herself creates poison through magic. Mirari is also a master weaponsmith and will craft weapons specifically for this cause, seeing if there are ways to alter the weapons design to better hold the poison itself. She will focus all her skills into developing something powerful and effective.

Noah knows all about poisons. He even knows about customizing them. Using them as needed. Dosing people at parties to experiment how they work out. He even knows a few secrets here and there to make them more potent. He is more than willing to lock himself away and study it day and night. He's more than willing to assist. He's more than willing to help come up with a way to help out.

Agric may not be an alchemist, but he does know the occult and is an excellent scholar. He's going to spend time researching anything and everything that may be of use in developing this concoction, focusing on texts relating to the Abyss and similar matters of the occult.

Olivia is going to use her gift with plants to try and rush some hybridized plants that may have a greater impact on Abyssals, with the hope of creating a plant that can have extracts harmful to the intended targets.

Tamsin is not an alchemist, but she is a physician and an invoker. She will lend her necromancy powers to the experimentation, adding death energy to anyone's experiment that wants it. But her real contribution to the effort is going to be in providing leadership! She's going to help arrange lab schedules and coordinate assistants. She'll provide cheerleading to keep people interested and motivated. When things are caustic to touch, Tamsin lends her skeleton pal to carry them around. In short, she'll lead how she's been groomed to lead: by pitching in everywhere there's a gap.

Titania is not good with postions or plants. But what she is good at is talking to people and diplomacy, so she will help get materials. She will talk to those she has to, sit and explain how important this project is.

Raven helps Medeia by letting Media test the potion on one of Raven's spare weapons making sure it adheres to the blade, isn't a hazard to the wielder and so on. Additionally if there is time, Raven will try live testing the weapon with Caspian by finding a low level (non friendly!) demon like a wraith suitable to test the blade on to try to verify the effects.

It did kill a tremendous amount of shards, and certainly was successful against abyssal creatures. Whether the traps in the the catacombs did some good against Azazel is harder to say, but it likely slowled him down, considering he didn't immediately cross into the Thinnest Point.

Princess Fatima Masah'Malak Thrax, Heir to the Throne of Petrioch, will be gathering up the Isles Canines in preparation for transitioning them into a sizeable fleet to sail to Eurus. There are a lot of people running away from things, and she wants to investigate whether this extends to the Mourning Isles as well, and to find out where they came from, and what their story is. So she will take the Isles Canines and explore the Isles to find out their current status, which she'll report back to Alarissa and Victus. Any frightened or displaced refugees, she will attempt to offer them a promise of protection, and shelter and purpose.

The Protection and Shelter - she'll offer them her own protection, and the shelter of House Thrax.

The Purpose - She is hoping to attempt to recruit as many of them as possible into the Isles Canines, building a sizeable fleet in preparation to eventually sail to Eurus and claim her throne in Petrioch. She will be seeking ships, sailors, infantry, archers, siege weapons, and any riches that may also be available to claim throughout the isles, through either tributes or plunder.

Any who resist the Isles Canines with force, of course, she will have her fleet fight back and seize any plunder or materials, and otherwise unclaimed lands so that she can have the funds and waystations to support her efforts.

But the main purpose is to recruit as many into the Fleet as she can, so that she has a fleet that will cause even the Dune Emperor to tremble, as she seeks to support the slave uprising she has become aware of in Eurus. And to find out in general what's going on in the Isles right now. She's aware of the emptied Shardhavens, and a possible army sailing toward the Mourning Isles. The Darkwater is gone. But what does that mean, exactly?

Fatima invites all members of the Isles Canines, displaced refugees, allies within and without the Compact, and all free Eurusi to join her, with promises of riches and adventure ahead. She will continue to build on this, gathering as many as she can to sail for Eurus.

This is mostly an effort for now to gather a large fleet and prepare to sail. The Princess is not sailing for Eurus just yet. Only once they are ready and have investigated what's going on in the Isles.

As promised, Lady Guildmaster Eirene recruits volunteers of the Physicians Guild to join in Fatima's crusade, especially those who may be of Erusi decent and were themselves refugees at one point before joining the Compact. She also makes sure the Medical Pack is up to her high standards for battle medics, and that they're supplied with the medicines, bandages, and other things they might need.

It is often said that an army marches on its stomach and with this in mind Pasquale, with Malespero and Nilanza aid, has offered to build and defend robust supply lines between the Compact and Fatima's war. Believing in the importance of this mission he will step up to advise and lead armed excursions into Eurus whenever it makes solid tactical sense.

Jasper is going to be on the vanguard, helping motivate soldiers on their many future campaigns to bring order and stability to the Isles.

Aconiteand the Whispers begin to ply their social trade with propaganda and the powers of persuasion to not only assist those in fugue from the memory loss, but to help Shav's fleeing slaughter to, if needed, going in to diplomatically convince people that the Shavs lives might have purpose. She's also attempting to get various fealties or refugees from any of the wars to assist the fleet heading to Eurus.

Denica is going to paint. It's a special painting. She will listen to people describe Eurus, she's done this before. Collected stories about a place and painted from other people's memories. When she is done painting Eurus, she will then add symbols of hope to the painting. Denica has done this before in theory, so she hopes that they will appear painting on the walls of the city, like her flower on the Traitor's thorns. If that's the case, people will see these signs of hope and maybe it will give them a better chance in their struggles. Denica wants to inspire the people of Eurus as they rise up.

Katarina has been preparing for this for years. She's been collecting allies among Eurusi refugees and Arvani folk alike. She will be sailing alongside Fatima, bringing with her the Eventide Flotilla and her experience as Fleet Admiral of House Valardin. She will also be calling upon her allies from Cardia, though with no expectation that they will be able to spare anything, given Cardia's current troubles. Her personal priority is Suj'abbat, but she will fight through anything she must in order to get there.

Samira will rely on her social skills while attempting to recruit people to the fleet. She'll talk passionately and persuasively about the importance of their mission, discussing how individual people and their specific skills might play a role, and what might await them when they succeed. This is a cause she wholeheartedly believes in and she hopes that will come across in her recruitment pitch.

Years after the Skal'dajan domination of the Saffron Chain has been ended, a good many of the citizens of that territory boast Eurusi descent. Archduke Patrizio is of mind to let those who have desire to join the flotilla heading to liberate Eurus from the yoke of the Dune Emperor and his allies, after long having had designs himself of seeing that particular foe of the Compact learn a lesson about how turnabout is fair play - one invasion surely deserves another in return.

Faye's father, Berthold Ruger, is alive and in Eurus, so that means Faye has to travel there and find him. There are important things to do once they all get there, so arriving with a strong and determined force is essential. Faye isn't a charming recruiter, she's actually kind of terrifying and yelly. But she's good at working people up and getting them moving, so she helps Princess Fatima add to her people and ships.

Iseulet for many years has been frothing at the mouth to get to Eurus, or as close as she can to it. So, she would like to accompany Fatima (at a distance, personally, acting as cheerleader for morale's sake) and also be directing some of the ships she has control over to join in the fun. Army 455, 456. She brings snacks and booze! And money and resources should they need it. But lets be honest, mostly the booze.

As the reasons behind the recruitment are explained to Mabelle in future reference to something bigger, something she was prepared to oppose to her entire life, Mabelle is happy to lend her voice and influence to the cause. She embarks on that journey with the group, working her charms and reason and maybe something else as well to make sure all understand on what side of that war they need to be.

Titus, with his proven expertise in recruitment and training, lends his strategic acumen to bolster Princess Fatima Masah'Malak Thrax's ambitious initiative. Emphasizing the transformative power of purpose and commitment, Titus frames this campaign as an opportunity for redemption and reconstruction amidst chaos. He reaches out to those haunted by regret, aimlessness, and other burdens, offering them a chance to channel these feelings into a constructive and noble cause. There are plenty of people to harvest and collect, whether they are the newly freed persons under the Foregetfulness Curse, those who were under writs or demands that have either broken or fallen to the wayside, or simply opportunists.

As he traverses the Isles, Titus's message is clear and compelling: Join the formidable force led by Princess Fatima and Katarina, engage in a righteous struggle against the malevolent forces threatening to scorch our world, and earn the chance to rebuild from the ashes. This is not merely a call to arms but an invitation to be part of something greater, to turn personal despair into collective strength.

Titus focuses on the recruitment of various roles necessary for a robust military force - from skilled sailors to valiant infantry, sharp-eyed archers to masterful siege engineers. He underscores the promise of shelter and protection under Fatima, ensuring that those who join will be part of a formidable and caring community.

Furthermore, Titus leverages his persuasive abilities to attract individuals with resources - ships, wealth, and unclaimed lands - contributing significantly to the fleet's readiness and capability. He approaches every encounter with the understanding that this is not only about forming a military force but also about forging a united front with shared dreams and aspirations.

In this endeavor, Titus is not just a recruiter but a beacon of hope and direction, guiding those lost in the turmoil towards a path of valor and potential glory. His involvement is crucial in amassing a fleet that stands as a symbol of defiance and hope, ready to sail to Eurus and aid in a monumental uprising. With Titus's support, Princess Fatima's vision of a formidable fleet capable of making even the Dune Emperor tremble is not just a possibility but an impending reality.

Fatima desires the assistance of her house and Thrax will not turn away those who are family. Traveling with Fatima where and when she can but not at the cost of tending to House Matters, Alarissa lends her voice, position and influence with the Isles to support Fatima and what she's trying to achieve. Encouraging those who wish to join to do just that. With the knowledge of who is already over there, she wishes to see success.

It is most definitely the largest fleet assembled that was not under the banner of a Great House in Compact history. They come by the thousands to assist. Quite nearly ten thousand Eurusi refugees that have made a life in the Compact, fleeing tyranny from home, but knowing that as the fires of revolution spread in Eurus, they have a chance to retake the Dune Kingdoms. There are thousands of sellswords who believe in Fatima and the Isle Canines, and believe that glory and victory can be found under her banner. There are thousands of knights of the Compact, thousands of men-at-arms who have lost from the attacks of Skal'daja, who have fought the Dune Kingdom before, and have hungered for years at a chance to strike back.

They come and are assembled, and wait for the command. For glory. For revenge, and for many?

They are going home.

With the number of refugees arriving into Southport and Malvici holdings, Duke Martino is seeking to welcome them in with semi-open arms. That is: They are willing to accepted our Gods and they are willing to enlist into the Malvici army as per any other citizen of Southport.

For those who are not medically well, a basic service will be provided to bring them up to a standard of health to offer their services if they do choose to. Those who do not, will not be permitted to remain in Southport as their home.

With the large amount of money that House Malvici has acquired from treasures recovered from Malrico, they will be putting this money to use to rapidly expand the city first through temporary accommodation and secondly through production. Recognising this is the first step into large scale growth, they will be focusing on the temporary accommodation and using the new labour to build something more permanent.

Alexio doesn't typically leverage his title of minister in Malvici affairs. For once he does. Utilizing his contacts Alexio is willing to deploy Martino's money where it can help first and foremost in regards to refugees that Malvici takes in, but then wider. He leverages contacts of both a savory and unsavory nature doing his best to ensure that no one might recognize just how much money might be flowing out of Malvici, or how sometimes donations showing up simply in supplies labeled as 'surplus' rather than hard coin. He deploys his charm to ensure people don't talk about the size of the donation but rather simply the generosity of Southport. Or in cases where those receiving donations aren't to be trusted members of House Malvici might occasionally find themselves receiving thank you notes from institutions that they do not recall Alexio unsurprisingly favors institutions that are ecclesiastical in nature but given the members the smalelr healing and physician focused institutions find themselves on priority lists.

Thea is a Master Physician these days. As the refugees come through, she will help vet them. Check them over for illnesses, help tend to those that are likely not healthy. All the while, she will speak to them of her time in the Army and all that she's learned.

As she is doing with the Physician's Guild, (see action 4905) Eirene is making sure the resettled Formerly Writ-Bound refugees have the health care access they need to be healthy and fit for Malvici military service. She proudly tells them of her own time in the army (leaving out the War with Tor part)

The population of Southport grows, as expected, though much of the citizens that come there are extremely badly traumatized and there's a distinct lack of fighters in their ranks, suggesting an overwhelming majority of those that could fight have already been killed.

Raymesin needs to get the Army of Death home following the battle against the Horned Hahahano. To that end he's going to be organising carts and ships, raising the battlefield one small piece at a time, asking those who seem to have a semblance of intelligence whether they want to go back to the catacombs, and getting them to load themselves onto the transport provided if they do. The ones without a semblance of intelligence will be split into the recently dead, who get to lie down in neat lines ready for their comrades to bury them, burn them, or do whatever they do, and the ancient dead, who return to the catacombs.

Hopefully once they get back to Arx the Queen of Endings will sort them out, or they'll sort themselves out, but if he has to go back to the docks a few times to sort that out too, he will.

Raymesin will also be available to help stray souls through the doorway to the shining lands, or to call the soul healers if he needs to. Soul sight isn't natural for him, but he can do it, and he will be doing it. He's expecting the gargantuans at least will have left a sorry mess of souls behind, as well as the twisted Sylv'alfar; he isn't a soul healer, but he can offer his help and try to learn how it's done, then send them on when they're sorted.

It's a big job and it's going to take a while.

Volcica joins the others in gathering the dead. While Raymesin focuses on moving and sorting the bodies, Cufre helps sort them out and find them rest, and Eirene focuses on any that need healing, Volcica will focus on the incorporeal. Some might linger by their bodies, some might not have bodies any longer. She will find them, though, and she will help with whatever they need to find rest or join the Army of Death. She isn't a soul healer, but she can guide them to Eirene and support her efforts. She can relay any information she learns that the others don't have access to. She will do her best to identify any unknown or Nameless dead, by finding other dead that knew them. Even if she can't give their names back properly, it's a step.

Eirene, using her gifts of Soul Sight and Soul Mending, will help Raymesin to the best of her ability in finding the restless dead spirits. Whatever souls need help in repair she will fix, and she will direct Raymesin to the ones who need to cross back over.

Sometimes the way to work through grief is to simply...work. Cufre, disconsolate after the battle against Orichalcum, spends maybe too many hours of her time in conversation with the individuals who form the Army of the Dead, trying her best to guide them to their rest, should they prefer, or their return to the catacombs in continued service, if that's their preference.

As for helping with the stray souls, that's left to others. If Cufre happens to see a someone in conversation with or hands extended to (presumably) someone unseen, she's quick to tears and to choose somewhere else to be.

It is an awful lot of work to sort the dead and their lingering issues, but they did do it. Overwhelmingly of course, most turn to the wheel and finally get some long needed rest after their closure, before they start their next life. A few linger on, though. There's at least a half dozen dead that thought they've made their peace have decided to stick around. Mostly because they figure if they can help out against Azazel before being killed again, why not?

At the war council held by High Lady Liara Grayson, the problem of the thorn barrier was brought up. As a surprise to no one, Archduke Patrizio Pravus suggested fire. With both Arvani Fire and the thornweave poisons being alchemical works, an idea popped into Medeia's head in the moment, and she suggested that she and other trusted alchemists should work together to create a poison-fire hybrid that would be formulated specifically to burn away the thorns. The Voices of the realm who were present supported this plan.

In the time since that meeting, Medeia has been hard at work getting everything organized for undertaking the experimentation that will be needed. An expedition of brave souls was sent to the barony of Gilthern in the Crownlands to collect samples of the thorn vines. No one died! Approximately 35 feet of vine was recovered - in seven five-foot lengths. Additional conversations have been had regarding gaining access to supplies of both Thraxian Fire and Arvani Fire - in case one is more suited to the hybridization than the other, and determining the best way to deliver the resulting concoction. Further, she has reached out to some of the best and brightest alchemical minds in the city to assist with the work.

When the time comes and supplies are at hand, Medeia offers Seawatch Sanctuary as a workspace and staging ground. She has cleared the estate of anything and anyone valuable - if anything goes wrong with the Arvani Fire, she has prepared to lose the building. Of course, she hopes it does not come to that. Before she begins, she lifts prayers to several of the gods: Petrichor to help them destroy the tainted thornweave, Lagoma to support the cleansing power of fire, Skald for the freedom of choice that defeating the Traitor will secure... She encourages others to join her and lift their own prayers to the gods, as well.

Then? It is time to work. Within the limited time and resources available, every possible combination of thornweave poison and Thraxian or Arvani Fire is tested. It is hard enough to make the thornweave poison. She pours the whole of her concentration into achieving this, single-mindedly concentrating on success and pouring all of her energy into the final outcome.

Chemicals and items to produce the earlier version, Goop, that was helpful in killing smaller thorny vines was expensive. Saik has offered 3000 economic resources, 1000 military and 200,000 silver should it be needed to help this effort be successful. (ooc it is in Lucita's inventory)

On a personal level, as a singer, she plans to wait till samples of thorny vines are available, seedlings, clippings or seeds, then assist the Alchemist effort by spell-singing to help stimulate vine growth to both harvest the sap and later to have samples to test effects.

Patrizio Pravus, indeed, was the one who suggested the use of fire against the thorns - it is effective as a deterrent against the abyssal trees that besiege the southern city of Pieros in the Saffron, along with the earthworks erected to the south of the city. Given his suggestion to build a palisade about the thorn field and ignite the plants beyond, he's present to consider how best to apply the result and to ensure that it does not backfire to harm the forces of the Compact.

In order to help the alchemists, many of whom are part of her very own Auxiliary branch of the Physicians, Giada makes sure that all non-thorn supplies are ample and immediately at hand. She also shares a couple of momentos with Medeia, handing over a piece of withered vine and a hardened nub of sap that she had collected from the Whisper House vines. This is to allow the alchemists to find similarities (if they exist) that might help inform the process.

Mirari is well versed in alchemy, specifically poisons, so she will bring these skills to the table. Here to assist in the creation of a substance combine poisons and fire, she will help with the development and testing of the concoction working together with the other alchemists. Mirari will contribute her staff at Of Works Obscura to help as well, as she does have a few alchemists under her employ as well.

Fatima has put herself in charge of obtaining the Thraxian Fire, since she is after all a Thrax. She has obtained permission from Alarissa to take as much Thrax Fire as needed, and House Thrax will provide however many resources are necessary for this. Siege weapons are also available for the delivery method, should the experiments prove successful. If the experiment is successful, she'll ensure that enough Thrax Fire is provided for a large operation against the Wall of Thorns. She will use the Isles Canines ships to ferry the stuff wherever it needs to go.

Thea took part in the expedition, so naturally she would want to help contribute to the alchemy part as well. With the knowledge she's gained regarding alchemy, magic, herbalism, and a few other things, she begins getting to work.

Mabelle has had her share of experimenting with alchemy lately and once again she lends her talents to the aide of the city. She leaves her valuables at home, including her pets, wears her armor and set out. A vial of her previously concucted elixir against the minions of the Traitor at hand, she helps out with all the dreadfully dangerous mixing.

Isolde isn't exactly an expert or even a novice when it comes to alchemy or even magical plantlife. She does have some experience in gathering and organising supplies, however. She will offer whatever logistical support is needed and ensure there's always money available.

Galatea's alchemical creations have in fact been used before to destroy magical trees--more or less melting one of them down through the roots, some years previously. This was originally a mixture created for the Iron Guard to separate base metals from noble metals. It had the side benefit of also being entirely lethal to organic matter. Thus, it's the 'poison' side of the equation that she focuses on, more than the fire. In the spirit of cooperation, Galatea shares everything about this past creation, in order to better create a foundation for subtances that would quickly dissolve bark and vine. The presence of sample vines likewise provides an excellent opportunity for any pre-modern scientist's favorite activity: experimentation. There was perhaps a touch of manic excitement about Galatea as she poured one highly poisonous mixture after another on these samples to figure out just what would be most lethal. Perhaps she even managed to avoid inhaling toxic fumes herself. (Safety protocols sometimes fall slightly by the wayside when she gets like this.) She is prepared to spend a truly considerable amount of economic resources to get the job done, if need be.

Jaenelle is assisting in a more leadership role than actually assisting in the creating of the poisons. She makes sure people have what they need when they need it, and brings people together to make sure support is at hand. She has connections, she has the resources, and people tend to do what she says when she wants something done.

Eirene is one of the originators of the Thornweave poison, so it's only sensible she's on board for this. She uses her arcane and alchemical knowledge to try to weave together herbalism, alchemy, and magic because this seems like the occasion for all three.

Lianne's new to this project, but not to these concepts. Mostly, she'll follow others' leads, acknowledging their expertise on this subject matter. When appropriate, she shares her own expertise, familiar with the occult, with Blight, with the way magic works and how unpredictable it can be, how unlike science. Thematic narrative might not usually have a role in alchemy, but it may help here.

It takes a tremendous amount of work and experimentation to create the hybrid substance, as Arvani fire really is not keen to be mixed with quite nearly anything. But eventually, after much effort, they are able to merge it with the solvent, and no plant growth sands much of a chance against it. They launch it at the hedge, and vast swaths are immediately destroyed, to much cheering by the troops gathered there. Only it immediately grows back with extremely disconcerting speed.

But then the scouts inform Medeia of a discovery- that the Hedge is powered by the Horned God's magic tied with the moon, of the dead god he seeks to raise. And the tall towers of Harrow Hall block one particular segment from being touched by moonlight. Medeia goes there.

It's been years, now, since Medeia asked how one might even the field between the Arvani and the Skal'dajans - knowing that the Eurusi mages wouldn't suffer the poisoned primum as the people of Arvum did. The result of that inquiry was the Rite of Retribution. Ever since it successfully turned the mages' work against them - making them have to be more judicious in their magic use and allowing a reprieve for the Arvani, Medeia has been thinking about what else could be done.

As she researched magic and plants more broadly, she came to find useful information on plants with special properties. Things like Elfblight Orchids and Sundraw. Combined with her notes on previous attempts to clear Thornweave vines across the Lyceum and Crownlands, a (failed) attempt to create a new poison to act against the vines, successful efforts to help extract primum from plants under Blush's guidance, and some good old fashioned creativity, the lady has worked to secure the assistance of Prince Tyrval Ael'Noctis - whose writings formed part of her research - to create a new ritual. One which can be used to help against the Metallic Traitor. With others offering their help, even knowing the risks, she gathers materials and begins to focus her intent, inviting her companions to assist - whether that is through active participation in the experimentation or simply providing support by protecting the transport of materials, being on hand to observe and fetch help if something goes terribly wrong, or being a trusted confidante that might provide some other insight.

First, she needs a few elfblight orchids. Though most in the city were wiped out during that wretched storm (supposedly), in the wake of that storm, Medeia had gained permission from Lou to do some new propagation tests. Those tests never happened, but if Lou won't provide a few from the Grayson estate, the Saik lady hopes Tyrval might be able to supply a few. These plants are known to be useful against Legion, and if watered with blood, they will sicken Sylv'alfar. Second, Medeia turns to Thea for Sundraw. Having done some experimentation with the plant known to be effective against blight already, she knows that the countess has had success cultivating the plant in captivity. Third, she calls upon Mabelle to share just one of the precious plums from Artshall that are rumored to provide clarity of mind and free people from the Traitor's control. Finally, a malissite gem. This is meant to be the item which all the magical energy is stored within, a portable talisman. Why malissite? Black stones - like onyx and obsidian - are seen by some (especially Eurusi and mirrormasks) as representing strength over the "that which lies beyond" (the Abyss), and while they are often associated with demon summoning, Medeia believes that such strength over the Abyss could be important in turning Abyssal things, too. Also, malissite has some rumored trait of being like concentrated venom, weakening those in touch with it.

All together, Medeia settles into the work of the ritual with the singular purpose in mind of weakening Orichalcum so that someday the Dream can be free of his selfish, destructive terror. Her sacrifice? Her own blood - both to water the orchids and the fuel the magic.

Aconite is helping Medeia with the gardening aspects of the job. Helping in whatever way she can, transplanting, pruining, ect.

Thea will be naturally supplying as much Sundraw as she's able to Medeia. She too has had success with the killing of vines, as was done in action 4380, to be able to make suggestions here and there. Thea will help mix and and show every note from journals she's written and collected over the years.

Eirene understands a lot about magic, more than most thanks to her years of research and study. She helps with the crafting of the ritual and the placement of the items to ensure the most effectiveness in this undertaking.

Vitalis offers to participate in the Rite by making a sacrifice. He offers a ring that he had once given to the late Lord Cillian Blackwood that was representative of breaking the Traitor's chains. The ring:

a slim band tinted red embossed with links of a chain

A slim band of cupridium, carved with the links of a chain circling the wearer's finger. The links are seamless, save a single link, depicted broken, its ends twisted to form a setting, prongs lifting receive a small disc of red metal.

Mabelle apparently thinks she came to a picnic. There is a basket in her hand, within it lies a single plum (they are needed elsewhere), a preserved elfblight orchid from the Laurent garden (although being alchemically preserved, the effect might vary) and a small velvet bag containing an assortment of black stones like jet, onyx and malissite, an ingot of alaricite and an ingot of platinum. She's no foreign alchemical experiments and this is just how she views it, not a ritual, an experiment.

Years ago when Pasquale and Sunaia were still courting Orichalchum taunted her with a dream and she came to him for comfort. Afterwards Sunaia gave him a ring of mirrored stygian decorated with a star-iron moon that Pasquale wore until after Sunaia's dissapearance. It's this ring, symbol of the hurts Orichalchum caused, that Pasquale offers as a sacrifice to this ritual along with his direct participation in the ritual.

Galatea is one of the foremost apothecaries and alchemists in the Compact. As such, she lends her expertise to the ritual preparations, particularly those having to do with the various exotic plant ingredients and making sure they are properly prepared and processed.

Mirk has made it clear that he will not participate in the ritual. His stance against blood magic prohibits it. He will, however, support Medeia indirectly: He combs his personal library, the Archives, and reach out to prodigals who might have stories from their tribes of anything remotely similar. He's not expecting to find or supply a fully-fledged ritual, but any scrap of insight or knowledge that he can provide might help them succeed. Despite his personal misgivings, he does believe the goal is worthy and he wants their efforts to succeed.

Patrizio does /not/ know a great deal about magic - just drips and drabs really he's collected from others who know far more about these things than he. Though he has misgivings about the use of blood magic and may worry about how it could backfire, he recognizes that desperate times call for desperate measures, and he lends his assistance with the experimentation and protection to ensure the ritual goes off as much without a hitch as it can.

Raven has offered to assist in preparation but NOT participation in this ritual. She will help vet aspects of the ritual and offer her opinion but is not present for the ritual

Caspian is here to provide all the field testing, manual labor, and any dangerous tasks that are required. Whether it be rushing into the woods to test some concoction against a infestation, hauling large bags of dirt, debris and other things round, or simply paying bait to nasty things to test efficacy.. he is there for it! He will also attempt to help with the ritual itself. Though he has no prior experience with it, he is familiar with the foundational elements and working of magic. his sacrifice, the collar he wore as a thrall for 19 years. He seeks freedom for all, to drive back the slaver.

If there is one truly unique contribution that Mia can make to this Rite, it's a few drops of her own blood. Prince Tyrval has used Mia's blood before to lure Braxxus the Bloodsniffer and weaponize elfblight orchids against him (Action #2365) and based on comments that have been made by him about the blood connection with her father potentially flowing BOTH ways, well. What better way to build something like a sympathetic connection and ensure that this talisman weakens Orichalcum specifically than his own bloodline? It's as close to his own blood as they're likely to get.

Tyrval finally offers his questionable assistance. On the positive side, he's the second most powerful blood mage and originally helped create some of the very things they are dealing with.

On the negative side, he's Tyrval.

They do it, but it's not easy. They have to go through an extremely significant amount of elfblight orchids and sun draw, and numerous malissite gems are ruined in the attempt. It's often hard to tell what's going right or wrong, as the Crown Prince of the Nox'alfar just keeps saying, 'No.' 'Not yet.' 'Close but wouldn't quite do it.' 'Definitely not.' 'Terrible, this looks like something a Rex'alfar would fashion.' and so on until eventually there's one pendant that he holds up a hand and says, 'This should do it.'

The ritual is a process of taking elfblight orchids, sundraw, a carefully constructed talisman or pendant with arcane etchings, a ritual bowl, malissite, and then mixing it and submerging it all in a bowl of one's own blood. There's incantations and a precise method to follow, and there's nothing showy about it- there's no visible outward effect, as is the case with rituals described as 'low magic' by the Prince. Still, at the end, he's confident it provides significant protection against 'sylv'alfar magic in general, and Orichalcum in particular'. It does not, however, help with being stepped on by gargantuans or stabbed by his minions, though Tyrval suggests trying to carefully position the pendant in a way to absorb arrows.

((It's a stamina check at normal to imbue a talisman and not pass out from blood loss, and once created, on any defensive roll against sylv'alfar magic can @check twice and use the better result. Against The Horned God himself, can check twice at one tier lower difficulty- eg daunting becomes hard.))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After House Malvici crushed the Shav'Arvani House Nonperdo they were left with two weaker Shav'Arvani enemies as well as the issue of the city of Asti to resolve. (Action 4386)

Pledging to finish the war off, after taking the time to prepare the Malvici armed forces, the family and allies, the Malvici move forward once more. Martino will be sending in the Malvici Army and Navy with the intention of crushing both of the remaining Shav Houses and to capture their holdings. Further incorprating their holdings into the Malvici domain. With the family taking command of their respective armies, each will be responsible for delivering a successful result at any cost. Once more giving the Shav'Arvani no mercy in their attack on Malvici, the Compact and Duchess Calypso.

---

In Southport itself, Martino will be recruiting and endorsing the war publicly. Providing rallying speeches and using his charm (and public speaking skills) to ensure Southport delivers. That the soldiers fight with glory, for the Compact and for Calypso once more.

He will also be visiting the city of Asti to pledge that those who bend the knee, swearing fealty to House Malvici will be allowed to remain. Remaining as Citizens of the Compact and adhering to all values and laws that the Compact holds dears. Those who opt to not will be granted twenty-four hours to leave of which after they will be seen as Enemies of the Compact once more.

Desma is intended to command the Magnotta contingent in her capacity as Minister of War. She'll do her best to prove to everyone that not only are Magnotta a worthy military house but that she can contribute well to leading them in battle.
% With this in mind, Desma is going to be using everything that she has learned over the years, from her years in the Malvici army and navy, to her later training under her cousins Domonico and Thea in the art of war. She knows that the Magnotta fleet and army does not have the numbers of Malvici but she can hopefully have them operate alongside in a trusted supporting role. After all, most of Magnotta comes from Malvici anyway.

By Sea and Sky, Duchess Calypso will be avenged!

As is only proper, House Saik, vassal of Malvici, is supportive of Malvici in this effort. Lucita focuses on appling non-military skills in this effort. Charm is the primary factor that can, with social interactions, assist with detecting/investigating if enemies attempt manipulation and discern if they are truly ready to rejoin the compact, bend the knee. She uses honesty to lay out facts and tries to persuade people to accept Martinos words.

Enyo has been asked to help out with things facing the family, and as always, she's more than willing to assist. This time around she's going to be using her more subtle skills, by heading to the city to make sure that there's not anyone that is hiding in the shadows that can damage what the family is working towards.

Anyone that seems reluctant to bend the knee, she attempts to convince. But that isn't her ultimate goal, those who are actively working against the interest of the Malvici family are sought out, through hook or crook, and "convinced" to come to the senses, if they are not willing to see the error of their ways, then Enyo is going to deal with them in a less friendly manner.

Eirene will not let anyone soon forget she is a Malvici, and that the city of Southport is a military power not to fuck with on the open seas. Leading the naval forces, marines, and her combat medics, Eirene takes personal command of the galleon "Queen of Swords".

She reminds her soldiers she is Malvici by both water of womb and blood of battle, and their oath to defend their home, fealty, and Compact is one of the strongest bonds a soldier can give. And there is NO greater tradition than House Malvici bringing war for the defense of the Compact and destruction of enemy forces.

Eireneand the Malvici fleet will track down the ships of any who do not bend the knee to the Compact and House Malvici and send them to the bottom of the sea. As she's said before, "kill them all and let the Marin'alfar sort them out." This is a mission of conquest, but any sailors who beg mercy will be granted it. Their captains and commanders however will meet with a swift end for taking the life of Duchess Calypso. They will feel her wrath and grief for her niece's death.

This will be Akamos's first campaign as both First Knight and Trident of Caer Morien and he knows he has a lot to prove. He's no great leader of men nor strategist but he can fight and do that extremely well.

He'll be putting himself with the troops that are aiming to see combat, either in boarding actions or on land and fighting at the front, doing what he does best and inspiring the soldiers through his skill at arms and battle prowess.

Titania being a ally of house Magnotta as agreed to help house Malvici. Aiding them with her diplomatic skills, she is going to go in hopes she can bring more people into the fold of the compact and that fighting can be avoided.

Remarkably, it goes smooth. Certainly one could expect some riots and violence, having to put down forces that wished to resist, but it just doesn't happen. Asti and all its inhabitants bend the knee, and there's no bloodshed at all.

With Despite's fall and forgetfulness being lifted from the Compact, Martino is taking the opportunity to research into how the Malvici armies protected Arx during the Reckoning. How they held their own, what tools, formations, potential magics or artifacts they had in their possession to do such a thing. Was it shields made of certain material? Magics to aid their combat prowess or unyielding nature?

Whatever it was, now is the time to find out and to begin drilling the Malvici army in this knowledge.

Alexio may not be much on troops and war. But knowledge and teaching he can do. Alexio will do his best to provide surprisingly useful briefings on different types of magics, risks, and known ways of addressing.

Knowledge is always useful. Lucita delves into Saik History as it relates to the time Platinum left Arx and his Platinum Guard relocated to Saiklang Greens and the years afterward. Using her charm and her stewardship knowledge of who to contact and how to organize efforts, she sets up searches for anything that might help fill in gaps in history and information, locations of any possible weapons, tools, artifacts using family, Scholars and verbal history from some of the older commoner families. As far as magic, she is a spellsinger and can, when Eirene tells her it is time, the troops are ready, reminds them of the usefulness of magic in the more recent wars.

Eirene used her own occult knowledge to instruct the Malvici troops (once a Malvici always a Malvici) in the demon and Legion fighting techniques she's learned over the past 15 years. Anything Martino discovers she passes on.

While Eirene has the troops in order, Thea will use this to do some more research. With her notes and the growing of Sundraw, she already has a starting point of her own, but it never hurts to expand one’s knowledge.Not to mention, the always Malvici in blood and spirit has seen, experienced, and experimented a few things on her own over the years. Whatever information she DOES acquire, Thea will make sure it’s swiftly brought to Martino.

If the order of the day is training troops, Drake will also assist in this. He's also built up a lot of specialized knowledge over the years in fighting different types of foes - not always human, necessarily. He can start by focusing on weapon techniques and where best to strike at the heart and weak points of things that need to be fought. He'll also be sure the troops have courage - it will take teamwork and bravery to join this fight.

Sometimes getting the answers is not really helpful when it's only a surface answer. The soldiers of House Malvici had a number of powerful adepts, and their weapons and armor were oft enchanted. That's what they glean from research, but how to reproduce that? That's largely blank, and almost certainly a problem of where the world is now. Magical ascension seems to be distinctly personal, so reproducing it on a large scale is something that remains elusive.

Locating the wealth stolen from them, there are a few steps that House Malvici will be undertaking together. Some will be looking over documents, dossiers and stories about family hierlooms that may have gone missing. So that the House may know what was stolen from it.

Others will be vetting through employees across Southport, sniffing through who may or may not have been under the employ of Malrico. Extracting information about where the location of stolen goods may have ended up, in their own methods.

For some, they may see an opportunity to investigate locations they know of within Malvici's holdings to scout and search it out. To find leads for the next steps or to find what was stolen from them all.

--

Martino will be spending time in the Southport Archives to review and checking that all familiy heirlooms can be accounted for. Any mention of something the family once had, and now does not, will be noted so that a full list of what is expected to be found and belongs to the family will be.

Irisa will levy her position as head of the city guard to have those under her command shake down the city to find out who's been stealing what, to see if there are any patterns or possibilities that might lead Malvici to some answers (such as what trader ships might be transporting less-than-legal goods, if there are any new and unknown faces that have been scarpering about through the city, if any regulars have being doing irregular spending, or if there are new 'job possibilities' kicking about that seem either too good to be true, or too enticing to be legal), and more heavily police the comings and goings of Southport in order to restrict movement in and out of the port.

Eirene digs through ledgers. And journals. And steward's notes. And tracks down the employees and staff from the vault when their silver was first spirited away. She interviews. She threatens. She bribes. Anything needed to get those details for the stolen Malvici treasures. (Silver and otherwise)

Thea may not be a Malvici anymore, but her name still strikes fear depending who you talk to and who remembers. I mean, she's pulled some stunts and done some things! While her family is talking to those closer to home, Thea will likely go to the darker parts of the city. With a guard or two of course, staying in the shadows. She'll ask all the questions, to see if anyone has seen or heard of anything regarding missing Malvici treasures.

Once more a Malvici, although even when her name changed she was always Malvici in her heart, Enyo is doing what she can to assist the family with tracking down leads. She is not the best with paperwork or number crunching, but she's good at turning up a places and sticking her nose into things. So she's putting boots on the ground and spending time around Southport, looking into any location that might strike her as likely hiding spots, to see if she can't locate anything that might have belonged to the family, or anyone else that needs liberating.

Desma isn't learned like the others in her family. Her talents lie in martial practices and that of scouting and hunting. So if anyone who appears guilty or needed for questioning in the investigation attempts to leave Southport or it's holdings, then Desma will be ready to lead the efforts to track down, pursue and bring them back for questioning (or justice).

There's surely going to be missing heirlooms given Malvici's long history and not all of them may be lost for nefarious reasons but it's good to keep note nonetheless. There are of course multiple signets from previous HoH, whose bodies were never recovered. The diamondplate helm of the founder of the House, among other things, but nothing inherently fantastical.

The investigations are a massive success, as are the shakedowns and diligent work of the guards and martial prowess of Malvici. They are not only able to discover caves with underground tunnels, based on information from criminal elements in the city, but their skill allow them to take down the horrifying creatures melded with molten gold that seem to be guarding the cache.

In the end, they discover an elaborate tunnel system under Southport with gold equal potentially 500 million silver in total, but any economics novice can tell that public knowledge of such wealth will utterly break the economy.

((OOC: I'm adding 25 million to Malvici coffers upfront but they are sitting on that much wealth, depending on what they wish to do with it.)).

When House Nonpurdo struck against House Malvici and sunk the Duchess Calypso's ship, as well as the last sighting of her being on board that sinking ship, Duke Martino Malvici pledged war against the Abandoned House.

Reminding the Compact and the upset traditionalists in the world that House Malvici will protect Arvum's Peerage and the traditions of the Compact, war has been pledged. That diplomacy with pirates and the Abandoned is not always with words but, instead, with steel and that House Malvici still honours their militaristic diplomacy.

Plans have been made with the family to locate, hunt down and eliminate House Nonpurdo from the face of the Compact. Leaving no mercy for them.

---

Martino himself will be in Southport to rally citizens of the city to the war, attempting to inspire them to fight with their whole lives in devotion to House Malvici and Duchess Calypso. Speaking forth on the virtues of not allowing this slight against our way of living as an Arvani going unanswered. That, where other Houses would break bread with people like this, Malvici will not for what they have done to harm Southport and Duchess Calypso.

Directed by Martino to head in the direction where Calypso and the flag ship was last seen, Thea works with Baroness Lucita. As Lucita funds everything, Thea will aid too in giving direction. Diving before, the Countess will help those on board, telling them what to do, where to go. Where to dive. The hope is to bring up something such as chests, figure head, remains, anything helpful.

For a mission of this level of importance, Eirene assists the Malvici fighting forces by resuming her place as a high ranked general. She reminds her soldiers she is Malvici by both water of womb and blood of battle, and their oath to defend their home, fealty, and Compact is one of the strongest bonds a soldier can give. And there is NO greater tradition than House Malvici bringing war for the defense of the Compact and destruction of enemy forces.

Her primary tactic is to ensure each naval vessels has boarding marines and her battle medics alongside to protect and assault enemy ships, and be able to deploy once land is reached. Nonpurdo will feel the full wrath of Eirene's grief and fury at losing her niece Calypso.

Malvici's militaristic diplomacy is something Irisa is all too familiar with, and is as comfortable in its execution as she is with her understanding of it. After her return from Riven, and the thoughts that have plagued her since, the straight-forward and righteous conflict at hand is exactly what she needs, and so she has flung herself into the fray.

Certainly, she leads troops -- she is a stalwart figure on the field of battle, and a keenly decisive voice amidst the chaos it inspires, but she does so from the front lines, ready and willing to fight for House Malvici, to whom she owes so much.

Her attempts focus primarily on support actions and well-placed ambushes, supply line harassment and defense, depending upon the scenario she finds herself in, choking and starving the enemy forces and battering their morale in an attempt to give others the greatest chance at victory.

Neither by chance nor by fate, but entirely by choice, Kaia will be alongside her Malvici family, leading her group of archers - the Band of the Hawks (#532) with great might and glory - as she learned from the Bislands.

The force of archers will be ready to strike through and true those enemies with merciless precision just like she taught them. They will be covering the battlefield from both a distance and from great heights - to which some of them will sneak over once they reach land. None from House Nonpurdo will be able to escape the eye of the Malvici hawks; hard as they may try.

Kaia on the other hand, will be specially focused on covering Thea, Irisa, Eirene and any notable ally's back. Ensuring that if they were ever in harm's way by a foe coming too close said enemies get shot down from afar in order for them Malvici to continue their glorious fight.

Count Artorius will be taking out Magnotta's fleet and armies to assist in Duke Martino's plans to war against House Nonpurdo. The Duchess Calypso was the reason behind Artorius becoming Count in the first place and so she will be avenged, for the abyss has no fury compared to the fury in Artorius' heart over this.

With Artorius leading Magnotta's army and navy in support of House Malvici, it is time for Desma to step up and show her worth. Commanding the Magnotta archers, the Talons, she is going to ensure that they fight as efficiently and smoothly as they can, whether that means it is on land or on ship. She will be also lending her bow to the battle, leading by example, as she tries to prove herself worthy of Magnotta and honour those who had given her this opportunity; Artorius, Calypso and Domonico. By Sea and Sky!

As one of the Malvici vassals, Lucita is committed assisting in this effort to actively display the proper tradition of a house supporting its liege and fealty, not undermining it or rebelling. Seeing active support and loyalty, being able to cooperate is intended to reassure those who are in turmoil and make them feel more secure.

At the request of Martino, she works with Lady Thea to make diplomatic contacts, sail to the location in which Calypso and the flag ship was reported to have been sunk by an abandoned house. There a meticulous search is being made, depth of the water ascertained with dropping weighted ropes. If possible, remains, chests, figurehead, flag, helm-wheel are to be recovered by free-divers if shallow enough or with grappling hooks and nets. She assists with funding this attempt and using her skills in stewardship to both connect with people and to draw them together to help this succeed and in rounding up the necessary supplies. Even if their efforts fail to recover anything, it displays positive qualities of how houses can and should work together

Aiding in his adopted family here Drake is helping out to raise the charge. He does love some adventure and if this will also secure the traditions of the compact he's doing his duty to his family as well in the process. Drake will help scout whenever the effort is not on water, since he's good at tracking once land is reached. And of course when things do come to blows, which, seems to be the plan, he'll be in the fray.

Alexio will aid not in the direct military but working in terms of logistics, supplies and ensuring the mobilizing forces have the best equipment, transport and ample supplies. He puts his not insubstantial mercantile efforts and those of Southport to rallying behind the force being put together. Alexio does his best to ensure that the forces selected are able to transport what they need to be autonomous and that each location they arrive in is able to efficiently (and securely) resupply them for the duration of their mission.

To kill a duchess is no laughing matter. There are some parties across the Compact and greater span of Arvum that forget just how dangerous a duchy can be, how stronger their martial arm can slam back in retaliation. There may be no house that this is truer for than House Malvici, those who hold the infamous City of Swords.

With Calypso's death at sea, Martino wastes no time organizing Southport into a campaign of war. The people of the city are eager to agree, traditionalists especially, that the slight of their duchess being killed is not one that can be ignored. This isn't a time for diplomacy or soft words, it's a time for justice at the sharp point of a sword. There's overwhelming support for the Duke-Regent, and the act of going fully in on this endeavor makes him wildly popular among his people. This is exactly what they'd expect in response and what they've been waiting for. He's a man that's long been known for having a softer hand, but this solidifies him for them in a way that's tangible and resonates among the militant minded people of the southern city. It's not money or silks or clever words, it's action and momentum. He's not simply some playboy with an affinity for making silver turn up out of thin air.

He's Martino Malvici, the Steel Hawk of Southport. The man that will see a bloody end to the insult his family suffered in the wake of Calypso's death.

Southport's forces sail, their coffers adequately supplied by the good work of Alexio, who sees that the duchy has absolutely everything they need to manage such a long campaign. It's Artorius who takes the lead at sea, commanding a fleet that is both Magnotta's and Malvici's. His doing so showcases another important point, the devastating power that allied houses can cause when they band together. Two forces, dangerous on their own, are now brought together and slammed into the remains of the fleet that had sent Calypso's ship to the bottom of the sea between Southport and Caer Morien.

Nonperdo had to have been expecting this attack, but no one would be able to tell by the way the Malvici takes them by surprise at sea. With Magnotta's fleet sailing in from one direction, and Malvici's from the other, they pin the Abandoned ships between them. Kaia's archers rain down volley after volley of arrows onto their ships, devastating the crews before they even have a chance to react. The battle is a short skirmish, all told, with Drake and Irisa distinguishing themselves by boldly boarding Nonperdo's flagship and executing the captain and first mate when they refuse to surrender.

Eirene is credited with not only seeing to the longevity of the soldiers under her care by ensuring there are enough medics, but by fighting alongside the soldiers. While she may have married into the Crownlands, no one will ever be able to forget where she came from and who she is under whatever name she carries now.

Nonperdo's holdings are not far off, a small city known by the name Asti. Most of their military was tied up in ships that Malvici violently destroyed down to the last piece of saltwater soaked wood. When their ships sail into dock, lighting buildings on fire and engaging with what city guard that remains, the Abandoned living there capitulate quickly. If it is a choice between every last man, woman, and child being cut down or turning over the remaining members of Nonperdo to be executed by the Malvici's, the choice is simple.

What happens with the people of Asti from here on out is the choice of Duke-Regent Martino.

As the embers of battle begin to burn out, Thea and Lucita sail to the site where Calypso's ship was last seen. There have been other searches, but it's another thing to see it for yourself. They find an expanse of peaceful ocean, sun glittering off of gently lapping waves. The two women have collected a good number of the most noteworthy and skilled divers, and can even swim down to take a look for themselves.

It's impossible to tell in the dark depths of the sea which of the wreckage is which. But then Thea has the kind of luck that's akin to finding a needle in a haystack. On one of her dives to the bottom, she spots the familiar glint of gold. She's running out of breath and has to make a desperate snatch before swimming to the surface and getting a good gasp of air again.

In her hand, she holds Calypso's signet ring.

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

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

Questions they might be asking along the way are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inspirational Music for the Action


- https://youtu.be/aIHvr5zKquw - Throw off the Bowlines (starting the journey)


https://youtu.be/n-Dh3ftkRAs - Flight of the Silverbird (Wind in the sails and cutting through the water. If you only listen to one make it this one)


https://youtu.be/6qTghUgMOeY - Impossible (an Epic One)


Domonico has been planning a pilgrimage dedicated to Mangata for some time (FLASHBACK 291), intending to visit numerous sacred sites to the Goddess of the Sea and Sky.
The ship transporting the pilgrims will be Domonico's personal caravel, the Tempest, named and dedicated to Mangata and personally blessed by Blessed Madeleine, Archlector of Mangata. The ship will be flying the colours of Mangata for this journey. (ACTION 3706)

The voyage itself will be as important as the destinations themselves, with Domonico doing his best to navigate the Tempest through interesting routes and making sure that the other pilgrims and travellers are able to assist with the sailing on the ship and will encourage 'sea chanties', sung prayers to the Goddess to help with with work on board ship, as even the act of sailing on the seas will be a form of worship.
The wind in his hair and the smell of the waters will even have the stern Admiral smiling most of the journey as well. On the voyage one thing that Domonico will be noted doing every day, is dangling (absail fashion) by a rope or climbing netting, off the side of the ship, just enough to let his hand touch the water, running his fingers through it.

The route will be beginning at Arx with prayers held at the Shrine and on the Beach by the statue of the Goddess and as they travel they will collect water from the different sites to return to Arx with. (if the whirlpool is still in effect then they will have a brief travel to where the Tempest is at anchor on the Gray River).
From Arx, the voyage will head up the river towards the North, the wide river allowing the Tempest to travel a considerable distance up towards there, pausing briefly at the numerous Shrines and aiming to reach the Great Northern Shrine itself.

From there the journey will go back down the river again before heading up the coast to Pearlspire where the ship will moor before cliff jumping and pearl diving will be the main experiences in a form of worship to Mangata.

Onwards the voyage will go, across the sea to the Mourning Isles to pay tribute to the Goddess in the ruins near Maelstrom to visit (clues 3018 and 3019), praising her name. Here Domonico will drink from the fountain statue and gaze upon the murals of her likeness.

After Maelstrom, Domonico will set course for Darkwater Watch, to allow Carita to host the pilgrimage and show them the altar, shrine and healing pool there.

Setting sail from Darkwater Watch, the Pilgrimage will set course towards Southport, the City of Swords to dock and pay tribute at the monument of Mangata that was erected several years ago.(Action 497)

From there the Tempest will sail around the coast towards Ostria to dock at Port Valerio and see the statues of Mangata on the walls there.

The Tempest will then head to the southwest, towards the Cyrto Archipelago and the domain of Magnotta, the House named in honour of the Goddess. There it will allow a while to pause and reflect in one of the natural lagoons off Cyrto Major, a time to rest, relax and swim in the sea before Domonico berths the Tempest at Fort Magnotta and will host and entertain the pilgrims in Caer Morien, the towered city built on the ruins found on the highest mountain on Cyrto Major. Here they will be close to the Goddess's other domain, that of the Sky and the vantage point allows them to look out over the Cyrto Arch and the sea itself.

The Tempest will then give the Goddess the helm, letting the wind fill the sails and see where the winds take them as per the suggestion (in FLASHBACK 291) from Legate Aillith. Where would the Goddess want to take them? A new island? A forgotten shrine? Maybe just the open sea?

Whereever they end up, Domonico will eventually turn the Tempest back towards Arx, taking the pilgrims home, hopefully with a greater love and devotion to the Azure Queen, Goddess of Sea and Sky, Mangata.

Madeleine is very much for a pilgrimage dedicated to Mangata and is delighted to be invited by Lord Domonico. It's clearly something that falls under her remit as Archlector. She joins the voyage for in her capacity as Archlector for a few reasons. She is interested in going on pilgrimage to sites sacred to the Goddess. She is also very interested in creating a new notable route dedicated to the Goddess that others can follow in the future.

She will lead the pilgrims and crew in prayers, as well as leading a few 'sea chanties'. She will sing prayers to the Goddess to help with work on board the ship.

Months and months ago..ok, probably a year ago, Domonico asked his favorite sister(only sister), if she would go on this pilgrimage with him. Of course she agreed! She's in a boat, so of course she did. And she's never gone on such before, so let the adventure begin! Thea is so excited to get out of the city, to get sun, sea, and just away--To learn more about Mangata.

Thea will listen to every story, every prayer(respectfully), every everything from all on board and well-she came to not only go and do the things but well---she's is also going to be the medic. Someone has to make sure if something goes, iry they can get mended.

At every shrine, Thea will pray, leave a little bit of something personal of herself at each place. The final leg of their journey, she will leave something of her late father, Callo Malvici. The most important man in her life.

Miranda's never been on a pilgrimage. This will be her first and she is excited. The Explorer side of her is excited to see the different places they may go and her Malvici half (Father's side) is excited to be amongst family. More, to help her cousin see his way through this necessary step in his life. And for hers! Mangata's been essential in various dealings of nasty Abyssal things and in life, so Miranda is glad to pay homage. She will bring a small vial to fill just a little with the water of each place they go. At each shrine, she will offer something of her own. Nothing big. The idea is to just leave a tiny piece of herself as sacrifice. A strand of hair. Tears. Laughter... at each shrine, each holy place they go, she will let the place 'speak' to her and offer something as a result. She loves to sail and knows Mangata can offer them gentle seas and winds, or storms of terrifying proportions (she's been through both!) and that is part of the thrill. Are they worthy? Will they be tested? Only Mangata knows for sure!

Accompanying Domonico and the others on the pilgrimage, Jasher offers neither hymns nor scintillating conversational skills. What he -does- offer, though, is being there: when not participating in the various rituals of the pilgrimage, rarely a moment goes by when the Thraxian isn't seen checking knots or otherwise doing maintenance suspiciously close to puttering busywork. He also keeps an eye on their surroundings, noting changes in the current or wind when able, and doing what he can to help navigate the Tempest around whatever hazards may be in the way.

Otherwise, Jasher seems to willingly participate in the rituals as they visit the various places the Tempest takes them. He would join the prayers held at the beach where the shrine is, linger near the side of the vessel as it sails so as to relish the feel of the wind and the sea spray, drink in the fountain and the sight of the ruins near Maelstrom, and even engage in cliff diving(!).

"An endless pilgrimage of the heart . . ."

With a mind unfurled and light as the winds and a devotion vast as the ocean, the Legate of Concepts dedicates this pilgrimage to the love of our Lady, Bright Star of the Ocean, Azure Mother, Pearl of Grace - Mangata. In unison with Archlector Madeleine and supported by the attending Godsworn and disciples, Ailith oversees the spiritual needs and ceremonies as well as encouraging the pilgrims with their spiritual journeys.

To the Bay of Arx, dropped to a kneel, Ailith awakens the dawn with a prayer before the sacred statue and altar of Mangata -- sharing with earlier risers the tale of how the devoted in Arx in company of Prince Venteri of the Marin'alfar recovered the ancient altar piece and made offerings before the statue, sharing a tale of white dolphin babies being rescued, sharing of other tales of how prayers across the Mourning Isles empowered the Goddess with the eternal struggle against Leviathan, sharing a tale of the Goddess' kiss upon a young inquisitive girl's cheek opened the possibility of hope and new devotion -- that this morning prayer is to symbolize the devoted to the Goddess (in all forms) and to invite a new beginning for each pilgrim.

The prayer is focused on encouraging pilgrims to seek meaning about their self by expanding their knowledge and deepening their connection with the Goddess. The route was selected, not only for the sacred sites, but the long journey across the waters to allow for seclusion with prayers and contemplation within their cabin as well as opportunities to discuss and share personal experiences related to the Goddess. Emphasizing, Ailith asks each pilgrim to prepare a prayer or offering for the Goddess at the last leg of the journey -- to symbolize what was learned or any grown devotion.

At every stop along the journey, Ailith makes a point to accompany Archlector Madeleine to visit the shrine, local Seraph, and parishioners. The focus is to renew kinship and be among the people, offering charity and means to expand upon these communities. A special afternoon ceremony is held for the pilgrims, inviting the local parishioners and above all the host House nobility to share in these devotions made in honor of the Goddess, Mangata. Each ceremony is personalized to the specific region, a tale the people can identify with, but, too, also become more aware of the Goddess, her gifts, and acts done in her name. For instance, of the Lighthouses that stand as beacons against the night and storms (clue 1087).

At Ostria, Ailith accepts with Archlector Madeleine the very kind invitation by Duke Hadrian to spread good will, charity, and worship upon the faithful beyond the port at Port Valerio. For this specific case, she will carry forth the Ewer of Gods Love (crisis action 3947) to host a special ceremony for them and to pour the holy water in the gardens that Duke Hadrian has permitted (hoping by the shrine).

At the Great Northern Shrine to Mangata, she walks with Archlector Madeleine and converses with Lord Arik as to honor the devoted site built by House Halfshav. To this, she carefully pours these sacred waters from the Ewer by the trees and flora that Duchess Khanne or Lord Mirk personally oversaw in being planted.

At Southport, Ailith shall host a special ceremony to honor those who dedicated themselves in the battle against the Gyre -- sharing the public pieces of her experience and offering chances for the pilgrims such as Lady Eirene and Highlord Victus to share their own. At the very port where the sailors departed for the Gyre War, Ailith pours the sacred waters and whispers prayers in thanks to the Goddess, asking that the winds shall be fair to House Malvici when they are called to defend the Compact and in her honor as they had during the Gyre War.

In between each shrine, Ailith guides prayer circles and encourages the time for seclusion and journaling. She asks for every pilgrim to be willing to share any new experiences or ask their questions to one another -- for together, we can grow wiser by learning and accepting differences. And for fun, she assists with Archlector Madeleine for water coloring! It is a soothing artform that can focus one's mind in meditations or can simply be a fun and enjoyable practice to bond with others.

It is at the very final spot -- the leap of faith. Ailith starts a pilgrimage ritual to send their prayers upon the winds and waters to the Goddess -- letting her hear how her pilgrims grew in their faith and devotion. This specialized ritual relies upon every pilgrim to offer their prayer or gift to the Goddess, to be open with their heart and soul, so she will come to know their individual journey and change within themselves. It is at the bow of Tempest that she begins this ritual, gesturing to each pilgrim to extend their prayer or offering off the bow. Upon conclusion, she seals the ritual with her own devotions -- calling out to the Marin'alfar (touching upon her moon pendant to say hello to Ayllish and Venteri), to the brotherhood of white dolphins, to every sacred gift of sea and sky, to the Seraph of Mangata, and lastly to the Goddess herself -- and offering her water color portrait which represents every water collected at each spot on the pilgrimage, painted in brilliant colors to reflect her worship. She asks that the winds catch their sails and the pilgrims based on their journey be guided to a place under Mangata's eye -- a place her present worshippers may renew to be included in future pilgrimages.

Caelis has been looking forward to this pilgrimage for some time. Having offered her cousin her aid previously in the past, she is quick to join the crew for this voyage. With plenty of soul searching to do, Cae helps out with the day to day managing of sailing as well as using the various tools in her arsenal to make sure the trip is as safe as it can be.

Reese plans to attend this mission and to help sail and fight as needed! She hopes to be there to support Domonico and to help the mission be a success. She will help defend the others if it comes up, fight if they need to and will try to help with the ship or navigating."

Eirene has, as of late, expressed more interest in learning about the Gods and how the Pantheon interacts with one another. So she takes the opportunity to better learn and grow from this journey, enjoying the sea air and sunlight on her skin as they sail further south, after the oppressive Arx weather

Arik Halfshav on a pilgrimage. Impossible. Improbable. It's a pilgrimage to shrines to Mangata. Oh that makes sense. On the journey Arik asks quite a few questions it would appear he has a passing familiarity with the specifics of Mangata. There's a booze contest, he knows about that. There are some elves below the waves that she likes an awful lot. Spring stuff. He asks a lot of questions especially once they leave Cascade Springs for other sites.

His actual participation though is showing off the Whitehold shrines to Mangata. It is more than likely that they don't stop to see them all since Halfshav and its people made shrines at at the mouth of every river in the duchy, by every pond, every stream, every lake within the lands years ago. He'll point to a spot as they float by on the Grey River and tell of oh there's a shrine over there only a half a days ride... etc etc. Once they do get to Cascade Springs itself and the Great Northern Shrine to Mangata, Arik has some things prepared for them. Northern wool cloaks with swirling sea-hued gradient and sumptuous white fur. Upon the back is a silver emblem: an image of two streams coming to meet as one. They are also treated to pudding cups which look like planted springs of mint which are in fact chocolate confections. Finally everyone on the ship gets a tour of the river port town. Arik is rarely long winded but as he was one of the people who built it... He talks quite a bit. How Khanne brought about the shrines in the duchy. How the shrinetown of Cascade Springs became a goal of the Halfshav's a few years after. How there is a Bard's College chaperhouse, notable merchants from every fealty with northern shops here, and of course the Great Northern Shrine to Mangata itself. (see action: 2976 for origin of items)

Leola is there in her role as the Paladin of Creation and as a Knight of Southport. She accompanies to inspire, to support, and to act as a second to the Archlector and to the Dominus as required, supporting them as they need.

Orrin will both be attending the whole of the pilgrimage and, before it sails, ensuring there is an appropriate reception for the travelers in Pearlspire.

Attendance: Orrin's expertise has never been sailing. He loves the sea, of course, but loves it from within, swimming and diving; from above, the breeze on the cliffs of his home; in its foods, seaweed, fishes, mollusk and brine; and in his people, the divers and fishermen, sailors, shipwrights, navy men and other salt-stained souls he calls his. Seeing the sea through sailors' eyes will be a new sort of devotion, and a way of showing his people he understands the gifts they've been given, a way of channeling their gratitude through him as their leader. And so he will sail, and learn what he can, and also enjoy the wind and the water in ways more familiar to him on the way, swimming and diving, eating fresh catch, and letting the sun bake him as happens. Particularly in Maelstrom, he will meditate on his family's relationship to the sea, and in particular Tiga Seliki, shipwright, liberator, and leader.

In Pearlspire, he will ensure a proper feast and celebration is prepared, reflecting the bounty of the sea in its season and the diaspora of peoples of Pearlspire through the range of foods, songs, dances, and games, both cliffside and ready to board the ships so that everything can be enjoyed on the water itself. Games to include of course cliff-diving and swimming races, plus the easygoing enjoyment that is Pearlspire's every day. Local officials of the Faith will be called upon to bless the journey. Those of the pilgrimage who dive and manage to capture for themselves a pearl will be encouraged to keep it and offered settings by Pearlspire's own artisans, and those who are not so bold or lucky will be given a Seliki pearl (with the same offer of a setting) to remember their visit to Pearlspire along the way.

Scythia joins the pilgrimage with her husband, Orrin, though the Redreef born noble is devout in her prayer and pleased to accompany the group for such a purpose. Through the pilgrimage, she tells stories of Mangata, via voice and dance when appropriate, and naturally when they are at Pearlspire she relishes the time with her people.

There will be those who may believe it slightly mad of the Third Reflection to have suggested - nay, /convinced/ - Count Domonico Mangotta to have allowed her beloved, Ravna Culler, to join them on this journey. But Dianna is sure that the wild vagabond is both lucky and beloved by at least one god, either Gild or Mangata -- and this is both a journey, therefore a tribute to Gild, and a journey of the sea, an obvious tribute to Mangata.

She has assured and promised Count Domonico that she will keep the Culler well-in-hand and well-behaved such that this journey is truly successful. She is a Mirrormask, of course; is it so very strange, then, that one of her personal tributes and contributions is one so unusual?

And yet, all things have and must have a balance: Dianna is, of course, sworn to all gods first and foremost. She will bring her lyre and play it, singing prayers with Madeline in support of the sailors, the journey and the various stops. Dianna also brings with her tributes of her own to aid in these rituals: Two casks of Third Wall, her favorite Ostrian brandy, with which she will share a toast with the others at every shrine; and a single bottle of Second Wall, Ostria's juniper-and-fig-based gin, which she will share with her companions when they arrive at Ostria's shores, where she and Madeline may see to the state of the statues Dianna had placed there while she was with House Mazetti (action 1572).

The arrival in Ostria will be, of course, the most emotional part of the journey for Dianna: Being home, being reminded of what she had been, being reminded of what she gave up and for whom: The very goddess she makes this journey for being one of the gods and goddesses Dianna has traded her oaths to serve.

So, the greatest tribute Dianna gives is her own life, her presence. In Ostria, the Third Reflection Mirrormask will offer a special prayer to rededicate the statues to Mangata and will hold a sermon on the divine place of the sea and of drink in Ostria's history, noting the good that can come of even overindulgence in alcohol - for, how many truths are spoken freely by those who are drunk? How many earnest tears spilled, how many honest emotions revealed? How many friendships are sealed so very often in the joy of sharing wine and distilled alcohol - like Third and Second Wall?

Having, of course, invited her beloved parents to the sermon and rededication so they may see for themselves who Dianna is and know of her great dedication - both to Ostria and to the Faith, the Third Reflection hopes they will accept and honor her choice. Of course, they will also meet Ravna, should they accept her invitation - and who knows how they will feel about that wild Culler being loved by their eldest daughter? But, perhaps, they will see her joy in his freedom and love for her; and it will make them smile.

Unconventional, though she may be, Dianna Godsworn is yet always bold - and so very elegant in being so.

Princess Rawen is coming along on the pilgrimage to study over as much of the lands as she can. She wants to find out what secrets may lurk on these isles

On this trip, Ravna will dice with the crew and any who join. He will drink, be merry, and otherwise sing and lounge; enjoying life as only the Drunken Sage can. At each site, he will spin his luck and eyeball these places, the words and riddles within, and in each place riddle, and talk aloud to Mangata herself. Probably while in a hammock. Or so drunk he falls asleep in the green grass.

For Prince Victus' part, he'll be welcoming the whole procession onto Maelstrom personally. Shepherding their ships into the same docks that the Colossus of Mangata overlooks. He will also ensure that several disciples of Mangata are there to meet them when they arrive. Once they're here, he'll join their group to the Ruins of Maelstrom, where he'll recount the history to the best of his knowledge. On the trip back, he'll ensure they're sent off with a proper and formal feast celebrating their journey. Victus will be talking up the worship of Mangata quite a bit during this time. The rest of the Pantheon is great too of course, but Mangata? Hohoho that Mangata sure is great.

Ostria is made ready to receive visitors. This means a few different things. An honor guard tasked with receiving the Tempest in the form of the caravel Valor, two galleys, and four longships from House Mazetti's own fleet move out to meet the visiting caravel and helpfully guide it to Port Valerio's deep waters.

Due to upcoming efforts regarding Port Valerio's use in cooperative efforts between House Mazetti and Velenosa, the visiting worshippers will be advised that their presence is welcomed within Port Valerio itself and the shipyards are strictly off-limits; this is to lessen the possibility of misunderstandings and the fact that the points of worship are quite evident in the sea-side statuary, the wonder that is Port Valerio itself, and the fantastic mural of Marshal Valerio Mazetti (action 3064).

An escort is assigned for those seeking to explore the port, to ensure that nothing untoward happens to the distinguished visitors. Any attempt to access locations that have been previously advised as closed to visitors? Will result in their being turned away and sent back to the port, up to and including being sent back to the ship which they arrived on.

The visiting Archlector Madeline and Legate Ailith of course have approval to venture beyond the port, mingle with the people, and spread their good word. They are the exception to the rule.

Carita aaaabsolutely loves the salt air, wind in her hair, listening to the various singing voices. She's not much of a singer herself, but she can carry a tune, and she's more than willing to join in when the song calls for it. If there's a drinking game, she'll offer up the rum and whiskey, likely drink someone under the table (or at least look like she did while pretending to be sober) and hate everything the next day. There's not a single port that the group goes in to see that she isn't -right- there with everyone else, quiet, considerate, reverent, observing. She'll tell her own story, how felt like she had an excellent relationship with Mangata since her childhood, and believes that it's how she was brought to Darkwater, through Mangata's guiding hands. When Ailith and Madeleine paint, Carita joins them; in fact, she will most likely set up a little time at each port visited to paint a little, if time allows for it. She'll also spend a little bit of time with the other pilgrims, asking them about their stories to keep a record by writing them down, when permitted, for everyone later so that the trip's memory is forever solidified on paper.

When the journey takes them past Maelstrom towards Darkwater, Carita is happy to host the pilgrimage there. Though, because of the past hurts of the isle, the Countess is protective. Following Hadrian's example, the worshippers will be advised that their presence is welcomed as long as they don't wander to explore without the guards that Carita has offered, who will make sure they don't go any further than the healing pool that the Countess has arranged to show everyone. She'll explain how she believes the pool might be a marriage of Mangata and Lagoma, telling that she witnessed Highlord Victus dip his cut hand into it, once, and pull it out completely healed. That Legate Ailith was there for the shrine's creation, which is carefully built from the weapons of the fallen near the funeral pyre that once burned for Lord Darrow and Koraj Marin--better known as the Gyre. She'll proudly show around the altar are the symbols of each of the Thirteen. And at the base of the altar are symbols - The symbols of the Faith. The symbol of the Inquisition. The symbol of the Sentinel, of a ship. Of a trident, of a hand, a pair of crossed lightning bolts beneath a single flame, and in the center a teardrop.

A small cairn sits to one side next to the altar, a stone cairn with a medallion bearing the image of Sentinel, a faceless helm, atop. And in front of the altar, where careful hands dug a small pool, it has widened now and turned into a reflecting pond. They'll be encouraged to visit the water, but warned to leave the peace flowers around it alone, and their guards would respectfully enforce this as well.

Pasquale is joining the pilgrimage in an attempt to better understand and connect with Mangata, the sailors mindset and each location along the route. He will be paying special attention to the religious aspects of the journey but also wishes to take the opportunity to make contacts and explore parts of the world he doubts he would have visited otherwise.

It is an auspicious day to begin the pilgrimage - clear and cool, under a beautiful autumn sky. The group must travel to the Tempest’s berth on the river, and from there, they sail up towards the North. Although unkind stereotypes often paint the North as a place of barbarism and spirit-worship, the Faith is just as well known in the northern fealties as it is in the Crownlands, and the pilgrimage visits the northern temples on the wide, deep Gray River. When the Gray River grows too narrow and shallow for the great caravel, the pilgrims walk to Halfshav lands to see how the Northerners have honored the lifegiving goddess of sea and sky with beauty and bounty. Arik proves a competent host, despite some initial grumbles from the more Orthodox followers regarding his status as shaman. By the end, even the most skeptical are willing to admit that Halfshav does honor the gods well, whatever quaint customs they also choose to cling to. Ravna spends the entire time drunk, but he makes a lot of friends by sharing his peach liquor.

Along the way, the prayers of the Archlector Madeleine and Legate Ailith resound from temple and shrine, and people flock to be ministered to by leaders of the Faith that they never get to see. The songs and performances by Dianna and Scythia are greatly appreciated, and by the time they get back to their ship, several Northerners have begged for a chance to join the pilgrimage as well. Thus, the Tempest is followed by a small fleet of river boats all the way down and to Pearlspire - only Domonico’s canny captaincy and the help from these sailors enables the Tempest to navigate a branch river to the great river leading to Pearlspire and avoiding the whirlpool.

There, the pilgrims are feted and feasted by Count Orrin. A pearlfishing expedition is remarkably successful; everyone who chooses to dive comes up with a pearl-bearing oyster, and Rawen shows impressive oyster-shucking skills. As pilgrims offer prayers to the sea, the wind kicks up, blowing a large wave up and over the shore; for some reason, Orrin is particularly struck (and soaked) by the surprisingly warm water. When they set out on the sea, it is to cheers and joy. Ravna spends the entire time drunk, but somehow, when he passes out on the shore and almost drowns, he finds a remarkably nice pearl oyster. And almost drunkenly eats it, before some kind soul trades it for more booze.

The sea is, however, a place of dangers, and not everyone honors a pilgrimage as they should. As they are heading towards Darkwater Watch, pirate vessels are sighted on the horizon. To arms, to arms! Unable to outrun the pirates, the pilgrims must fight. All of the pilgrims put up a good fight, but Thea, Jasher, Victus, and Caelis show themselves particularly adept in the defense. As does Princess Reese, who swings to the other ship, and cuts down the pirates’ first mate in a brief but vicious duel across the deck. The captain, finally recognizing the High Lord of Thrax and the legendary Knight of Ribbons, turns tail and flees. Eirene finds the rest of the pilgrimage quite full with treating the wounded, and people are thankful to have such a competent healer along, even if it means she doesn’t get to concentrate on her own prayers as much as she’d hoped. Ravna spends the entire time drunk, but does manage to stumble into a pirate and knock him overboard during the fighting.

In Darkwater Watch, the pilgrims are welcomed by Carita, who moves from pilgrim to host with grace, as well as prayers and feasting. Although the pilgrims are not permitted far into the Watch, they do get to see the beautiful spring rumored to have healing powers - but when they find it, the water in the pool is very, very low, as if the spring is, at last, drying up. Ravna (still drunk) bursts into tears, moaning, “It is not enough. It is never enough.” And, perhaps overcome by the journey, Miranda faints. She is quickly revived, finding herself desperately thirsty, and the pilgrimage continues, although not without some worried murmurs from those inclined to superstition.

Although the curiously persistent escort of dolphins that leads them away from the Watch brightens some spirits, especially in conjunction with the charming sight of Leola teaching them some tricks along the way, it’s still a more sober Tempest that docks at Ostria. And the Ostrian reception is equally complicated, with stern and cautious people who are not as open as many others. But, if they are not effusive, they are welcoming, and Duke-Consort Hadrian is as warm and friendly as anyone might wish. The visitors are confined to the port, but given every comfort. Dianna finds her reception chilly at first, but by the time they leave, she has begun to reconcile with some of her people. Ravna spends the entire time drunk, and is found snoring on deck, draped in seashell necklaces. He has no idea where they came from.

Finally, to Caer Morien, where its heights touch the sky as its roots reach into the sea. Unsurprisingly, with Domonico leading the pilgrimage, the welcome is everything they might wish, and several days are spent in feasting, praying, and celebration. On the third day, a tremendous storm arrives, and the sky itself turns to water with the sheeting rain, the booming thunder somehow a joyful - if potentially deadly - sound as lightning dances over the sky. The next day, Domonico lets Mangata take the Tempest’s wheel, and the winds blow hard, sending the ship skimming over the waves as if it suddenly sprouted wings. The winds blow for most of the day, sending them out deeper into the sea that any of the Compact’s trade goes. There, they are becalmed. The silence is broken by massive bodies, leaping out of the sea around the vessel. Even with the size of the caravel, when they land, the waves shake the ship, and splash the pilgrims with saltwater. Leola gasps, and says a word under her breath...balaen. The great, scaly-hided beasts of the deep sea circle the ship, singing a strange song without cease. And then they sink under the waves. All is calm. Ravna is drunk.

Domonico unerringly guides the ship back to the coast of Arx, although he must find a lesser port to dock the ship, as the whirlwind continues to churn.

The Tina Laurent teaching hospital in Artshall is a project by Lady Mabelle Laurent and a joint venture of the Physicians, The College of Apothecary and The College of Agriculture. The hospital is designed to serve the medical need of the people of Artshall and the neighboring villages as well as offer lectures and a place where they can learn a new vocation, be it as a physician, a mercy or an apothecary. Research facilities lay ground for future developments, particularly of herbal uses.

The hospital will feature care and service facilities, including an operating theatre, lecturing areas, a large library for studies and information, a research laboratory and a large garden in the back of the building, planted by the College of Agriculture in order to assure the self-sustenance of the hospital’s herbal requirements.

In addition the garden will include plants and herbs that are recommended by shaman healers as commonly used by local tribes that have bent the knee to the compact and to the Laurents, in order to encourage their presence in the hospital as patients, students and teachers alike.

A shrine for the 13 will be built within the hospital and saplings will be planted beyond the garden to develop into a grove for those of more spiritual inclinations.

While not any kind of healer, or physician, Nicia has been around enough to know what sorts of things might be helpful from an apothecary standpoint. So on behalf of the Apothecary College she provides insights into what might be needed to keep a fully stocked garden and lab for their purposes. She has even pledged to send over teachers to help establish the teaching hospital and train future apothecary students until such time as there are enough locals that might want to take over teaching duties, but also forge a bond between the hospital and the College to further everyone's education despite distances. As well as a promise to aid when needed in the event of a crisis.

Shae has volunteered to help build and plant the Hospital's garden and grove. With Shae's knowledge of the land; including the terrain, weather patterns, and the like, as well as her mastery of agriculture. She will use all that she knows to find the perfect location for the garden and grove. Even better if there is already a grove or woods that she could make use of, nothing wrong with using what is already there.

From there she will gather on the recommendation from various Mercies, Physicians, Shamans, and healers the herbs and plants they believe will be needed to help their patients. For the uses of first aid, tinctures, liniments, slaves, teas and so forth. If she is able to find a grove that already exists, she will build upon it, adding additional trees that are used in healing. And if not, then she will happily create one various trees that are good for medicinal purposes, including: Alder, Apple, Ash, Beech, Birch, Cedar, Cherry, Elder, Elm, Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, Basswood (Linden), Maple, Oak, Pine, Poplar, Rowan, Walnut, Willow, Witch Hazel.

In addition to finding the right place to plant the garden and grove, Shae would also make sure they are planted in ways that help provoke a sense of peace, to help aid in convalescing, and healing those that spend time within them. Including adding a greenhouse for growing more delicate plants, benches for resting on, and enjoying the garden. Birdhouses, and baths, and a couple beehives. To help keep the health of the grove and garden, and provide honey for uses in medicinal purposes.

And of course she would say a prayer to Petrichor after planting the garden and grove. Thanking him for the gifts he has given them all, and hopes that he will watch over them, and help keep them safe, a place of safety and peace for those in need of such.

Brigid, while not someone who is of a medical mind or has been trained, has come to lend her help in other ways. House Moore has been prosperous in their soil given certain experimentation conducted largely by House Champagne. This soil which is considered highly fertile, has been gifted to help foster the growth of medicinal gardens in which a bevy of plants can grow and the hospital will be able to always have a supply on hand. Further more, two snippings of a rare herb known as Frosthope have been gifted to Mabelle Laurent, it contains specific properties known for helping to fight back blight as well is it known for curative and anesthetic properties among physicians. A home for all of these places, however comes with six large raised planter boxes built from the mighty oaks of Acorn Hill.

Cristoph is obviously very in favor of anything that's going to improve Artshall. He lends his stamp of approval for the project and also uses his extensive connections in the Peerage within the Oathlands and across the Compact to talk it up. He speaks not only of the benefits of such a project but about what an exemplary member of the Laurent family Lady Mabelle is and what's an incredible asset she's grown into.

As Minister of Loyalty for House Laurent, Naka engages the populace near Artshall regarding the project and the numerous ways it will improve their lives. In addition to this education effort, he also elicits their input, particularly regarding local herbal lore, for the benefit of the planning and construction. If nothing else, he hopes to help them feel connected to the project from the very beginning, even if their suggestions are not forthcoming or feasible where given.

Kritr has been called in to consult on the Artshall Hospital project. He has been asked how to make the hospital more comfortable for prodigals such as himself. He is only a few years removed from seeing the Compact as the enemy, so he will use his considerable powers of persuasion to ensure prodigals that the Laurents have only the best intentions with their school and hospital. He will visit the newly inducted clans and tribes in the hopes of encouraging their healers to send apprentices and promising recruits to learn the Compact's methods of treating injuries. He is living proof of the scars that primitive treatment can leave.

Thea is a combat medic. That's what she primarily does, anyway. So for the school, she will be teaching them how to set up field hospitals, properly and SWIFTLY care for those that have fallen and are wounded, and all the other quick things you should know. So please don't be squeamish! It isn't the first time she's taught such. Thea has also taught battlefield surgeons in Southport(action 3423), so she knows what she's doing. Southport's soldiers are being well taken care of, so hopefully she can teach others what she taught them.

Ilsa, though she now resides in Arx, understands the difficulties of those who live far from modern conveniences when attempting to provide medical care. While she offers her experience as a doctor and teacher to the new teaching hospital she also offers her knowledge of traditional herbs and herbal remedies. A skilled apothecary, she offers lessons in the natural flora which can be gathered and brewed and crafted into medicine when one is far from more established medical care. It is her hope that by providing instruction on those medicinal plants which can be gathered in and around the areas of Arthall, she can create opportunities for those living in the outlying villages greater abiity to tend to the illnesses of their neighbours when travel to the hospital is not possible.

Rukhnis is always glad to hear of more institutions being founded to bring together and disseminate medical knowledge of various kinds, and she is going to enthusiastically offer her own assistance in this project. She will be working to draw up detailed curricula in her own particular fields of expertise, with a full course each on holistic medicine and epidemic disease. Between these two courses there will be both introductory material and more advanced content dealing with such matters as the interconnections of mind and body in the delicate balance of health; the influence of environment, climate, and the seasons upon the humours; the impact of diet and the prescription of special dietary regimens for people with various conditions and temperaments; the causes, diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis of a number of miasmic fevers and other epidemic diseases; and so much more! Each curriculum will additionally be extensively illustrated by case histories from her own work. In fact Rukhnis is, on the whole, far happier and more enthusiastic about putting together lesson plans, reading lists, illustrative examples, and teaching schedules than any sane person should be.

And then because apparently this isn't enough work, she's also volunteered to visit the teaching hospital for periodic lectures. Having trained in Eurus under a leading expert in the physiology of the eye, she's particularly glad to offer supplementary lectures about the eye and its various unique maladies, as well as providing demonstrations of surgical techniques such as the couching of cataracts.

Having assisted in establishing the Saving Grace Hospital in Arx, and being one of the leaders of the Physicians guild (at one point) Eirene knows what goes into establishing such an endeavor. She lends her expertise in medicine to make sure the administration is there to support the doctors first, not the other way around. She ensures the proper tools are being cleaned proper prayer sterilization practices to Lagoma. And she knows what kind of beds, operating tables, and supplies are needed to staff such a location.

Gwenna could not be more excited to be allowed to attempt to help on such a promising endeavor, especially for her cousin Lady Mabelle and the Laurents. The Redrain isn't at all skilled in the areas of medicine or apothecary, with just a passing fancy in agriculture, but what she has sometimes been rather capable of is talking up the merits of such projects to help gain further support. Having been involved in no few building ventures across the Compact, Gwenna will use her experiences to do the same for The Tina Laurent teaching hospital in Artshall, and hope her words around the region and personal support assist in making it a great success.

Curricula. Comfort. Medical administration. That all seems to be covered which leaves Edward to perform in what has slowly become a specialty of his own. Construction, costs, and logistics. While the physicians and alchemists and doctors decide how it will be run and what is needed to run after the place is completed he focuses on the process of building.

Using his experience in construction and logistics from prior projects he will ensure that the materials used to build the hospital are quality materials. That cost saving endeavors are not detrimental to the overall quality and structure of the building. And ensure that the laborers hired are capable of doing the work with an eye towards the overall quality that is expected of such a place where people come to seek better health. Additionally, Edward will leverage his considerable economic knowledge to keep cost overruns down and attempt to obtain supplies and construction materials for prices that allow an excess of materials to help with last minute problems that always come up in large building projects.

Kedehern isn't much of a builder, or someone with medical experience. He does however, know how to get people organized, and working efficiently. He'll make sure that tasks are properly delegated, and lend morale to the workers' efforts, as well as make sure that logistics are taken care and running seemlessly. His skills may have been honed on the battlefield, but there's something refreshing about putting them to use on a work of healing, instead.

Rosalie is going to be helping with the teching hospital that Mabelle is looking to have constructed in Artshall. More specifically, she will be helping with the creation and blessing of the shrine therein. Small, really more of a chapel than a true shrine, it will be crafted, at least on the interior, as a tridecagon. A 13-sided room, each wall panel bearing a small mural representative of its respective God, with a bas relief of the God's sigil at the top of the wall. Pews will be the majority of the furniture in the room, thirteen to be exact. Small pews, able to seat just a few people at each. At the front, a small altar where worshippers can leave offerings or where the resident Godsworn priest can offer counseling or tutoring. And a small bookshelf replenished as needed, filled with primers, a beginner's introduction to the Faith. Thin volumes offered in Arvani, each of the four shav'arvani dialects, even Eurusi.

The blessing itself will encompass each of the Gods, with an offering made at each panel before being placed into the altar.

Aion receives a request for restful sleep and sweet Dreams made possible through hard work and trust in the Gods, the wall panel brushed with crushed moonstone mixed with spring water gathered beneath a full moon.

Death receives a request for help with the transition from one life to another, of starting anew and being reborn into a new way, the wall given home to a tiny spider in its silken web.

Gild receives a prayer for goodwill and charitable thoughts to be granted to all who pass through the shrine, the wall panel brushed with powdered gold mixed with myrrh oil.

Gloria is given prayer for strength and honor to walk the proper path, no matter how hard it may seem at the time, the wall panel brushed with steel and cleaning oil.

Jayus receives a request for inspiration to guide those seeking answers or help to find what they need within the walls of the hospital, the wall brushed with a small rainbow of paints created from local flowers and herbs.

Lagoma receives a prayer for healing of course, but also for change to lead people to new lives and down new paths, the wall brushed with the soot gathered from one of Lagoma's eternal lanterns.

Limerance receives a request for love for new homes and new beginnings, and fidelity to the paths chosen and each other, the wall brushed with purest silver mixed with rose oil.

Mangata receives a prayer for new life and hope to spring as eternal and steady as the tides pull at the shores, the wall brushed with a mixture of crushed coral and local springs.

Petrichor receives a request for a fertile field of the mind as well as body, allowing new ideas and learnings to take root as well as the flora in nature, the wall brushed with powdered leaves mixed with sap from local trees.

Sentinel receives a prayer for order to rise from chaos and help to leave those who enter with a clearer sense of purpose and self, the wall brushed with powdered iron mixed with armor oil.

Skald is given thanks for his gift of Choice and prayer that those who enter will find their way to the Choice best suited for them and the strength to accept the consequences of it, the wall brushed with crushed metal from broken shackles mixed with a healing salve.

Tehom receives a request to give those that enter the strength to look at themselves and see those things within that they must acknowledge before they can move forward in their new paths, the wall is brushed with crushed stygian mixed with mirror polish.

Vellichor receives a prayer for the wisdom to embrace new paths and new teachings with open arms and in turn to share that wisdom with others, the wall brushed with dust mixed with ink.

In Artshall rises the Tina Laurent Teaching Hospital, a grand endeavor planned by Lady Mabelle Laurent as a joint venture of the Physicians, the College of Apothecary, and the College of Architecture. Beyond library, lecture halls, and laboratory, the teaching hospital has a vast herb garden that includes both a shrine to the Pantheon, and, more controversially, a grove. Less controversially and more spectacularly, the herbs in the garden include Frosthope, an herb previously thought legendary. Lady Mabelle's deep diplomatic skills and the exciting novelty of the new herb means that the inclusion of more shamanistic traditions draws little more than grumbling, for the moment, and people with such beliefs alongside pantheon worship appreciate the nod. And the invitation.

Duchess Nicia Laurent, on behalf of the Apothecary College, provides insights into the best healing herbs. Baroness Shae Fortier provides the design of garden and grove, greenhouse and birdhouse and beehive, and, it is said, was key to the Frosthope planting. Lady Brigid Moore helps see to the soil. Sister Rosalie Redtyde sees to the design, dedication, and blessing of the new shrine, emphasizing each of the gods, and providing a small theological library. Duke Cristoph Laurent and Princess Gwenna Redrain promote the hospital as a wonder and a boon, while Lord Naka does similarly more locally, with a special emphasis on those who've recently bent the knee. Lord Kritr Clearlake intensifies this emphasis, providing propaganda for the Compact way of health. Lady Thea Malvici provides instruction in that Compact way of health, while Ilsa focuses more on herbal instruction. Rukhnis also assists with instruction and curriculum and scheduling, excited by the organizational challenge. Lady Eirene Malvici ensures that the administration prioritizes support for doctors and good medical practice.

Baron Edward Stormbreak sees to the economic efficience of the construction. Baron Kedehern Fortier sees to the morale of the workers and the logistics of that construction, as well as aiding his wife with the garden.

The hospital, once completed, is indeed a marvel, and the successful tending of Frosthope is truly exciting to the Arvani, even the vast majority who aren't sure yet what it is. It represents a fundamental success, and an exciting novelty, and a sign of ever increasing medical knowledge.

Let's build a really big dock in the Lyceum! Well, at very least impressively expand the size of Southport's dock.

Lord Martino Malvici will be working with others to secure their expertise and their finances to aid building a larger trading dock in Southport for the use of the Lyceum as a whole and the Malvici family. There will be additional warehouses built to store goods, as well as integrating better office facilities to ensure goods can move quicker through the port. It will be built to connect to Lady Eirene's work with the Shav's in Malvici lands (Action 3882) and Duchess Calypso's to improve the defenses (Action 3858) with the direct connections to Goldhawk Naval Base.

Ships will have more space to dock and wider access points to allow both larger ships to arrive, but also move goods on and off quicker. Ultimately accuracy and speed of loading, with ships later disembarking, will be the goal for Martino in this. High turnover of ships means higher trading profits and more tariffs coming in through the city's coffers. Shipping off more Southport Steel, Southport Spiced Red and wider Lyceum trade goods who make use of the port. As well as the warehouses.

There will also be an opportunity to recruit more fishermen to the Southport coastline, and further afield. With a larger port, there is planned to be more space to allow Clan Brass Hawk and Clan Crimson Malvicus to further integrate into Southport and help fish for the city.

Martino's own role will be to recruit those to help build this. From those within Southport to work, to the Clans outside of the City to aid in building it. To find builders from outside of the Malvici fealty and offering to them the opportunity to work on one of the biggest construction projects ever. After built, he will be travelling to Lyceum cities to make a pitch to their Ministers of Trade and staff to bring goods down to Southport to be shipped out. That, being the Southern point, will mean they see their silver return quicker than in anywhere else.

The name? Dame Arsenia Malvici's Trading Port. The Malvici who build Southport.

Calypso will provide leadership (and the occasional motivational shouting), keeping an eye on how all of the different parts of this project are moving and making sure that everyone has what they need when they need it. Running a big construction project like this isn't, after all, all THAT much different from running a war.

Improving the docks of Southport is something that Domonico readily agrees to assist with, bring his considerable naval knowledge and experience to the project.

He'll review the plans for the improved and widened docks, making sure that they indeed will work, and that the necessary facilities are there to properly and quickly secure ships in order to make sure they are as efficient as possible. He'll test the dock workers and the facilities using a variety of ships from longships, galleys and cogs up to dromonds and his caravel the Tempest (action 3706). He'll also work to plot out the best routes to use entering and leaving the harbour in order to make the operation of the dock goes smoothly and that trade can continue unimpeded.

In addition, he will make sure that the new docks take into account the new defenses that are being implemented in Southport (Action 3858) in order to best protect the Trade Port.

Verity is helping as only an Oathlander among Lycene can: securing buy-in for cooperation through earnest friendliness. She'll assist Martino in convincing trade ministers by providing enthusiastic letters of recommendation and introduction to various Oathlands trading companies, banking on Chevalle's recently-obtained reputation for Lycene cooperation to bring a credible air of inter-fealty commerce. Since she has no problem speaking to her fellow commoners, she'll similarly reach out to various southern traders who will have opportunity to use the new port and attempt to convince them to begin drawing up new routing plans to make use of the soon-to-be superior facilities.

In the spirit of cooperation between the two families, and the contract being negotiated, Zoey has agreed to put her financial acumen toward helping her brother-in-law with his ambitious dock project. Much of her time dedicated to it is spent with ledgers, making sure funds are accounted for and distributed properly. She also ensures that wheat is spent is spent wisely and efficiently, stretching each bit of coin as far as it reasonably can be stretched.

Eirene, as Malvici Minister of Population (Domain Population:1) makes sure there's housing built for all the workers as well as infrastructure to handle the increase in population needed to manage the port. New sewers. Water sources. Housing that's not a slum. All those logistical things that make life run smoothly for a worker's population. She's good at bossing people around to make sure it all happens.

Miranda is going to provide a good deal of resources to Martino's project. For a change, she will build something rather than destroy. Her Malvici Cousin wants to make a dock that suits his ego, well.. who is she to say no! Nobody, that's who. (He's got his wife for that!) However, she can easily supply the resources - or some of them - to make this possible. In addition, she will supply motivation for others, encouraging them to help add their own resources because a stronger port in Southport means more money and a better Lyceum for all!

Master craftsman Waldemai Isenhu stands ready to work on any construction project, by working himself, training apprentices to support the local community, providing and repairing tools for workers in other crafts, and organizing bands of workers for projects too large for one person.

If there is anything Iseulet knows, it's trading. If Martino needs help with negotiating, she can do that during the building process attempting to keep the costs low and drive profits up just that little bit more. But her speciality and focus is in the long term gains for House Malvici. She begins to send word to all of her merchantile contacts throughout the Empyrean Route and ties in the Route to the new docks, bringing in plenty of goods from all over the Compact to sell and then taking Malvici goods elsewhere to sell too. It's a win for everyone!

Bringing a slightly softer yet spirited set of skills to smooth the way for success, Valencia lends her abundant charm, talents and extensive expertise in raising strong support and funds to the project.

Bringing together various leadership, workers, merchants, suppliers, the clans and communities (both in and outside of the city), the Velenosan princess works tirelessly to inspire cooperation, partnerships and passion for the project, while also securing support from various ministers of trade, merchants, traders, shipping companies and other businesses so they can forge new business opportunities and be part of what is sure to be the one of the grandest, busiest and most profitable docks in all of Avrum.

Jules is helping with Martino's Southport dock project and is primarily taking on the role of helping not just to find deals but finding the largest deals possible. He's supplying 10,000 writs to assist in the process. He'll also be willing to help in any other necessary details such as haggling or interacting with people who have any need of his skills.

Being that Southport will forever be his hometown, and the root tradeyard that allowed him to prosper and gain some notorious success in the merchant business, the charming Alexio feels more than compelled to financially support the advancement and growth of his beloved city. The Dame Arsenia Malvici Trading Port certainly seems like a noteworthy investment in his eyes; significantly more when, with the promise of a certain notable Malvici lord, he has already secured a spot in it for a future merchant fleet.

Military (1k) and economic (1k) favors are claimed, and a hefty amount of coin (500k) are invested as well, by the Donatti, in order to have the project be a success.

Thea is doing something out of the ordinary for her. Kinda. She will NOT be doing anything medically related, nope. It's time to get your drink on!

Thea will be getting some of the builders working on expanding the port and the warehouses to add a tavern for her to enjoy. And others as well. (She's not that selfish. Sharing is caring or whatever) She'll be chatty with them to convince them to build it while Martino isn't looking and afterwards will advertise it out to other merchants so they know - Thea's Bar is open! Who wouldn't want a place named after them?! It'll be like Cheers! Where Everybody knows your name!

It is not an easy thing to grow a duchy. Much of the focus needs to be on keeping all the plates spinning to maintain stability. Making genuine advancement and growth takes a massive amount of time, effort, and of course, money. So, so much money.

Martino works on recruiting workers from local clans, incorporating them into the populace and turning them into laborers and fishermen. Calypso develops a new method of motivational shouting to keep people energized and engaged in their tasks, while Dominico works security, both in the short and long term. Verity wheels and deals and seems to have a knack for finding the vendors willing to take a chance on a new venture, and though sometimes these conversations run long, and occasionally happen behind closed doors, they all seem rather smug and pleased with the deals made. Lady Zoey's skill with economics ensures that the venture is a resounding success, creating profits at unprecedented rate. Eirene works with the people, ensuring there is housing, food and supplies for the new citizens to streamline and ensure there are no shortages and blocks. Miranda keeps a weather eye on any potential troublemakers, assisting Domonico's efforts in security. Waldemai lends his personal experience in building and construction, while Iseulet's experiences in trade, when worked in tandem with Zoey's book smarts, contributes to those outstanding results. Alexio and Jules donate copious amounts of money, seed money for Zoey and Iseulet's efforts. Thea and Valencia make a phenomenal team, keeping morale high, culminating in the opening of a tavern, the Canted Lever, which is an instant hit and social hub of the docks, which have been named: Dame Arsenia Malvici's Trading Port.

(Reference: Request Ticket ID 9883 -- an effort to comply with requirements to expand land area) Nearby land area UNCLAIMED by any Lycene houses is surveyed, explored, and mapped to the west, south, and north to avoid being too close to Brasshall March, the closest Lycene holding to Saikland Greens. East is the bay. Shav villages and camps, areas in use by them are mapped and noted. Areas suitable for establishing a Cavalry Training Facility with necessary pastures, farms (feed, food, stockpiling for lean years), homes (workers/staff), lumber (fences, buildings, cook-fires), training trails in various terrains (woods, hills, shore, marsh, creeks, open, rough) with lengthy routes for coordinated exercises and endurance building rides for horses and men. (Not competitive with horse breeders but to give military an area for groups to use, return to their units and other sessions to start.) Students and instructors in this benefit Saikland by serving as an additional military presence and patrols along the perimeter trails to supplement Saikland military.

Saikland land area is too small, just 5 at present, and growing population and economy may well cause overcrowding and hardship for the people, something Lucita is stern in avoiding. (reference: Action 1963, Action 2116) Land area is also needed in order to establish the Cavalry Facility to help serve the Lycene and Compact military. 1500 economic resources are attached to this action to represent investment in infrastructure, roads, improvements and any necessary buildings. We hired (fee-4000 silver and 15 writs each) three Society of Explorers people to have mappers, surveyors, explorers, etc. to make sure this was done safely and properly. Several ships are available to use for transport of people and supplies.

Saik military and any who wish to support the effort move in to help map, explore, and establish a perimeter and patrol area to claim such area as is not in use by Shavs then follow the steps below when Shavs are encountered. We have already begun to increase our military, not to threaten but to prepare men to defend new holdings, maintain peace, oust hostile Shav's and help teach. Saik military added, a few at a time, during the fall and winter months of 1008-1009 were 15 infantry-150 mil, 3 pike-45 mil, 5 cavalry-150 mil, 5 archers-100 mil--an investment of 445 military resources to reach 200 army. An additional 1000 military resources are added to the action for Calvary Training Facility Trainers, staff and additional military-increases growth.

When Shavs are encountered, translators, diplomats and propagandaists are sent meet with them (military to ensure safety) to initiate peaceable negotiations aimed toward bending the knee and ensure no dangerous cults or factors endanger newly acquired areas. If hostile groups or cults exist or Shav's decline to bend the knee, they will have to be moved away from Saikland borders to avoid having enemies close at hand. Faith is consulted to confirm any bending the knee are meeting current faith efforts. Templars attached to the action and groups provided by Duchess Calypso protect diplomats and negotiators if attacked and handle any abyssals encountered. This is an attempt to build good relationships and avoid bloodshed if possible of those who may become useful, productive and content new citizens using techniques such as succeeded in the Southport action, but enemies can not be permitted to remain in or in dangerous proximity to Saikland. (Reference: Action by Calypso for Turmoil in Southport (Private Action, OOC Date: April 20, 2018.) Lucita has taken the time to learn Lycene Shav language so she can communicate directly with them. 1000 social resources are attached to this action to represent investment and support of these diplomatic, peaceable efforts.

Calypso will fully support this measure for the Barony of Saikland. She will commit 30 of her cavalry to the action as advisors in order to help identify the most ideal land.

Additionally, Calypso will rally House Grey Raptor to help explore these lands. These explorers should be able to ride forward and speak to Abandoned and help convince them to either work with Saik, move off the land, but PRIMARILY to join in with Saik. Grey Raptor has been one of the huge recipients of aid and faith after the Southport conflict and they would be the ideal force to ride with the cavalry and seek peaceful resolution. Prior to Grey Raptor leaving, Calypso would voice this as a test effort for Grey Raptor to move forward without causing violence. If they prove their ability, they will be some of the first to take the training and be able to ride more freely into exploration under proper training. She intends to turn them into a force of Rangers.

At the request of Baroness Lucita, the Faith are taking an active interest in this expansion, especially as it is liable to come across Shav tribes that might be integrated and to ensure it is done by the proper methods. Preston is taking a decent force of 200 cavalry 300 archers and 500 infantry (attached to the action) to monitor events. If the Faithful are threatened, or the Shavs turn out to worship the Abyss, or somehow the Shavs attack the Faith forces directly, they will intervene and put the Shavs to the sword, obeyind Gloria's tenants as they do of course. If the Shavs are willing to talk, the Godsworn of the group including Preston will explain proper worship of the Pantheon, and the benefits that come from the Faith - including training in proper ways of war by the Templars. The large force hopefully will convince the Shavs that fighting is a bad solution for this. The Faith will also bless the land for the cavalry facility in the name of Gloria for Lucita, and will let local Templars know to support the effort and make use of it.

Reese is coming to help Baroness Lucita. She would like to use her leadership skills, propaganda skills and experience in relating with Shavs to help try and speak with the Shavs and encourage them gently to join Saik. She will fight, but only in self-defense unless she runs into agents of the abyss. Then she will fight eh agents of the abyss. Reese will remain uninterested in using physical force or threats to encourage anyone to join, but she is very willing to turn on her charm, use her long history of relating well with Shavs and being fair to them and propaganda talk to them about the greatness of Baroness Lucita and Saik.

Look, Lord Karadoc Saik's here. Yes, he's trying to prove himself useful to this VERY IMPORTANT project to expand Saikland Greens lands into territory that's unclaimed by Lycene Houses but occupied by Lycaean Shav'arvani. Look, he's kinda wary about Prodigals, okay? He'll leave all the diplomacy and straight-talk to the diplomats, courtiers, and Whispers. He's working behind the curtain, again, to take care of this project's logistics (intellect) while keeping a very careful eye on supplies (economics.)

Friends help friends. And that's why Sasha is traveling with House Saik to help convince the peaceful tribe of Shavs to bend a knee. In this task the Oathlander turned Northerner throws her all, projecting to the tribe the poise and grace of a former princess, telling the Shavs all that they can gain from bending a knee; security, prosperity, and purpose in a strong and growing alliance of many people. She shows them goods that could be theirs if they join The Compact, food, clothing, tools - all things that they likely have limited access to due to the ban on trading with Shavs. All this to hopefully convince them that it is in their interest to swear fealty to The Compact.

Softest Whisper Saedrus is more than happy to assist Baroness Lucita and House Saik in their endeavour. He will accompany whatever groups lead out into the territories of abandoned tribes to help negotiations of land and joining the compact. It's all with a little charm and gentle diplomacy, with the aid of translators, he hopes to speak with the shav'arvani and see matters sorted out in benefit to the Saik and Abandoned peacefully. He brings with him social, economic and military favours (100 resources each) to help bolster the Saik's efforts.

Zebulon will provide his ship to Lucita to assist in ferrying supplies back and forth as needed to assist with the expansion of Saikland and cavalry camp setup.

Not only will Ariella be making the Red Bargain available for ferrying supplies to Saikland, but she will also be making regular patrols along the coasts in search of potential threats before they become a problem, while also acting as an escort with other cargo ships, her doughty group of sailors offering protection for those ships whose sailors may not have been battle hardened in places such as Setarco.

Leola acts as an outrider for the Saik forces. She knows the lands (Survival), knows what land will likely be valuable (Agriculture), and takes the opportunities to guide the Saik forces to the places that will be most of use to her liege.

Juliana will be using one of her ships from Isles Canines to join and help the Baroness in her quest. Having spent time amoung the Lycene Shavs before the war, to convince them to join Pravus in it's efforts, she will use that experience in working with these to show them how it will benefit them to side with the Baroness Lucita. Not only will she be using her charm and propaganda to help but as they move through the people, Juliana will also do what she can to treat those that need medical attention.

Duchess Calista Fidante offers her assistance in the form of hype and diplomacy. She is known for speaking elegantly and truly getting to the heart of various situations, easing the confusion of those who might be on the fence of bending the knee. She also gives good hype. Hype Hype Hype - Saik is great!

No vassal, even a non-direct one, is too small to not deserve the attention of the Archduchess of Lenosia. In fact, as a show of her respect and affection for House Saik, the Archduchess arrives in person to speak with whatever Abandoned tribes are found. She stresses the strength of not only House Saik, but of the unified Lyceum that stands behind them. Though sheer force of personality, Eleyna attempts to move and persuade them into bending the knee, painting it as an opportunity not just for protection for their tribe, but a chance to join the Compact, a force united against all those that would threaten it, from the Great Houses to the Prodigal tribes that bend the knee.

Scouting! Mapping! Exploring! Yes, that is what Caspian is doing. Working with the other Explorers, Caspian is doing his best to help map out the potential lands without having the party get killed or lost.

Eirene comes along in her official capacity as VOICE OF SOUTHPORT as well as a Healer of the Explorers to make this all official like if anyone has doubts about the validity of the expansion. She's there to ensure the new shav tribes are not diseased and to spread goodwill with her medical knowledge. She's also familiar with the general region if not the specific due to years of Malvici patrols and military exercises in the Saiklands.

Despite an army accompanying them, there's an awful lot of notables in this group of people, and Valarian is there to make sure anyone who would try to slip through and take a stab at any get stabbed first. Accordingly, the giant sellsword and Explorer will hang near the most vulnerable members of the party to provide defense.

Baroness-Regent Lucita Saik continues to strengthen her lands - this time with an expansion of her lands outward. Her Barony is becoming very used to having Very Important People in town to help them with infrastructure and building projects, and when they speak of Lucita now, they speak of her not as the wife of their former Baron-Regent, not as an Igniseri, but as the Baroness who is making sure their home thrives.

First, the Grey Raptor clan, recently-Prodigal shav from Southport arrive, at the direction of Duchess Calypso. Lady Eirene shows up in her role as Voice to help oversee the process, and they start scouting likely territories of receptive shav.

Then Sir Preston arrives with a sizeable force (for a non-Crusade, which is to say, sans trebuchet and sans completely overwhelming force) of Templars too, providing some muscle on behalf of the Faith. And by "muscle" here that is of course to say "measured conversations about the joys and benefits of the Faith.

Princess Reese also shows up to help lend her military expertise, along with Dame Leola, Grandmaster Caspian, and Valarian Harrow of the Crimson Blades. Their experiences and skillsets range from military to scouting, and they work with the Grey Raptors and Lady Eirene and her healers to find shav willing to bend the knee, and convince them through wily strategy not to fight.

Logistics are masterminded - errrr, organized! by Lord Karadoc, and he puts together the charts and plans and schedules for supplies and their transport. Supplies are ferried in to support both the military campaign and the expected expansion, with Lady Ariella's Red Bargain and Sir Zebulon's ship leading the way.

And then the diplomatic corps sweeps in. Alongside Baroness Lucita? Archduchess Eleyna herself comes to entreat people to join the Compact. Lady Calista is so cheerful and excited for this expansion of Saikland Greens. Lady Juliana uses her experience convincing shavs near Pravus to join the Compact and applies that to good effect. Whisper Saedrus helps ease negotiations with the Abandoned-hopefully-soon-to-be-Prodigal. Marquessa Sasha speaks eloquently of all they stand to gain.

In the end, this is a very successful campaign, and Baroness Lucita finds herself in the middle of a Barony that is suddenly quite a bit larger, with infrastructure projects ongoing, and new Prodigals bending the knee and starting to integrate to call Saikland Greens their home.

Another dead Malvici. It's becoming almost common at this point, to Eirene's extreme anger. Using the Inquisition's Morgue and autopsy room, with permission and Godric's accompaniment, Eirene conducts Anze's autopsy to see if there's anything she can learn from his death. Standard Abyssal experiments, mirror testing, autopsy from a medical standpoint... she does it as detatched as she can for someone she cared for as family.

Have morgue, will (not) travel. Godric will be there to assist with the autopsy and experiments, performing with his usual thoroughness and attention to detail. What can two grouches discover?? Hopefully some good information.

Eirene and Godric do the autopsy together. From a medical standpoint, it looks very much as though the initial assumptions were correct - he died of fright. There are no surprising wounds or any particular indicators of poisoning either, definitely something a medic from the Lyceum would check.

But what could have scared a notable fighter like Duke Anze to death?

Eirene checks the ways she thinks will indicate some sort of magic and - it's not that things are inconclusive, it's that nothing makes sense. The mirror shows a regular reflection one time, and another time shows a reflection as though Anze is in his final moments, and he turns his head and gasps, but he is held still while whatever he sees causes his face to change from surprise to terror. The struggle is evident on his face until abject fear overwhelms it all.

The holy water does nothing but wet the corpse.

In the end, whatever he met in the Lowers was enough to hold him still, keep him from fighting, and scare him literally to death. But whether it was abyssal or not is inconclusive. And what could have done such a thing? Who?

Mirrors are often backed with silver and seem to reveal truths of occult things. What happens when you back a mirror with Alaricite? Eirene wants to find out and test various strange samples (the famori skull, elfbane orchids, the paw of the Hunter, a mask made with the face of a Mirrorborn (from Talen), whatever else she can get her hands on) to see if the mirror reflects anything out of the ordinary. She also studies the reflections of herself to see if anything unusual appears. (Object is in my inventory).

Eirene goes about this in a methodical way. First the silver mirror, then the alaricite one. She has assembled multiple objects that might have other people quailing in horror (really, a mask made from the skin of a mirrorborn?) but not Eirene. Not when this is important.

And so she goes about it, looking first at the reflection in the traditional mirror, and then the alaricite one. Certainly the alaricite mirror takes a little less polishing to make a shine. The reflection looks a little clearer. But there seems to be no difference in what is shown between silver mirror and alaricite.

Huh.

Duke Cassius Pravus has been murdered in the Lowers. Known to be furyborn, he sent some messengers before heading to his death with a cohort of Knights of Solace. Whatever killed him suffered the loss of a giant paw in the process, and the duke himself was found in a pool of ichor. Abyssal forces are suspected. Grazia has a special talent of noticing Abyssal taint on people (though she's not quite certain the extent of this talent) and so there will be an Inquisition-led expedition into the Lowers to investigate the crime scene thoroughly. Known Clues: Braxxus the Bloodsniffer, The Bloodsniffer Hunts in Arx

As Mirrormask and scholar of the occult, and leading the other investigation on his cousin's death, Mydas joins Grazia's efforts in the hopes of finding information on the identity of those responsible, directly and indirectly, for the slain Pravus born Nightgold. He brings with him his Mirrormask, and plenty of other mirrors besides, as well as his knowledge to the investigation of the crime scene.

Ainsley is not particularly an investigator. What he is, however, is a man who can stab things. _really well_. So he'll be coming along not to act as an investigator but as a bodyguard. He'll bring Threnody along just in case. Alaricite against demons is always the best idea.

Thena will join the expedition in hopes of discovering more information about what killed her troops and why they were there to begin with. She brings her diamondplate dagger, the insider knowledge of someone raised in the Lower Boroughs, and hopefully the protection of the gods.

Silas is much more proficient at stabbing abyssal-tainted things than he is at detecting them or studying them, but this isn't his first foray into the Lowers to hunt such things and it isn't likely to be his last. He'll let others in the party do what they're good at, while protecting them with his alaricite blade.

This is likely not the first very bloody situation that Calaudrin has had to look at in his life. He accompanies the Inquisition as well as his fellow Iron Guards. He inspects all of the nooks and crannies and keeps an eye on who might be hanging around the scene that might not belong there. He'll talk to locals, he'll search high and low for clues.

Kenna is actually okay with the fact that it seems like most of the stabbing is done. At the suggestion (voluntelling) of Ainsley Kenna has joined the expedition into the lowers. Since she doesn't have much in the way of fighting type skills she'll focus more on their surroundings to see what clues her eyes can pick up and be ready to shout an alarm if the stabbing things isn't quite as over as it seems to be.

A wounded foe of such size and nobody knows where it went, that is a worrying situation. Sparte will be there on behalf of the Iron Guard, bringing city maps and his knowledge of tracking. His hope is to determine if there is a hidden den that the creature may have retreated to, should the abyss sniffing talents of others not already lead them to find the beast.

As one of the last people to hear from Cassius and his admitted lover, Eirene has personal interest in tracking down the persons behind this killing. Knowing the signs and symbols of occult activity, she lends her expertise to the crime scene and related searches.

Cassius was her brother and last surviving direct relative. Lydia will stop whatever else she is doing to directly participate in the ongoing investigation in any way she is able to assist, and will get out of the way in areas where she cannot assist. She will listen to those leading the investigation in various areas to determine which is which. If necessary, and under the direction of those leading the investigation, Lydia will commit active military in service of Nightgold and military resources not to exceed 100 writs worth. She will not commit these resources frivolously, only upon advisement or request of more principal investigators. She defers to Grazia's lead to decide between any conflicting advice.

There's a number of things that are telling about the crime scene. The type of force that hit Cassius could not have been a man, not with the wounds inflicted or the damage done to the buildings. A full grown bear wouldn't have had that kind of strength. Further, the ways the assailant could have fled were limited, and -someone- would have seen a giant beast of some kind running around. But questioning witnesses, no one saw anything like that, only a few mentioning that afterwards they saw an attractive, redhaired man that apparently had his hand cut off- a few kindly mercies tried to offer him aid, but he rudely brushed by them. They thought he was a victim and survivor of the attack, but he wanted nothing to do with anyone, and had seen to go down to the Gray River.

Some oddities at the crime scenes- a lot of bugs. It's getting cool this late in the year, but not -that- cold, there should have been flies and other bugs taking advantage of the gore left behind, but there just weren't. No bugs at all, which was just exceedingly weird. Minus the lack of bugs, the area shows worrying signs of corruption. Animals refuse to get near that alleyway. Horses approaching it will throw their riders in a panic. Dogs bark and growl at it or whine to get away from it, and so on. People have reported seeing strange shadows moving to and from the crime scene, or what has sounded like screams coming when it is empty. It's a foul place, and the blood stains seem to return after they are cleaned.

Eirene and the Phoenix Brigade split into units to perform basic health and welfare checks on the shavs. Tending to wounds, sickness, and disease. With as big a number as there are, they focus on those who look immediately sick or look at those who seem like potential soldiers for their army. Eirene travels with an armed guard per Calypso's command orders, and every unit is equipped with translators and at least two soldiers carrying highly polished mirrored shields to ensure there's no disguised weirdness.
They are doing honest health checks to make sure there's no carried diseases or health risks, and for military readiness, however, they are also looking for the following...
*A marking of a chained book behind the ear.
*Any common tatoos which mark anyone of a particular unit or organization i.e. the Shadowspeakers tribe.
*Disease or plague symptoms

Anyone displaying any of the above are noted and sent either to quarantine if genuinely sick, or sent to report to a recruiter for the military. They will make note of the suspicious ones for later review. Some of those sent to the recruiter will be perfectly normal shavs who do indeed show fine health. They will treat any injuries or maladies while they're out and about and go to anyone who they are referred to.

Mirari will be sticking very close with Eirene. When the Vulture of Southport goes somewhere dangerous, Mirari will be with her guards. She'll have some alchemical tools with her as well, to aid those who are doing medical work, but that is not her focus. Her focus is keeping Eirene as safe as she can.

Lord Vitalis will travel to Southport with Lady Eirene Malvici and company to assist in the checking of the Shavs for odd symbols or tattoos by using his fluency in the language of the Lyceum's shavs combined with his natural charm to get them to open up to him, while using his knowledge of "weird shit" to take a close look for any sinister influences.

Marcos will be going along to help provide medical care and another set of searching eyes for the group. While checking over the Shav he'll make sure to listen to them as well as look them over hoping to gain insights from his 'patients'.

Caelis will travel south with her aunt Eirene to assist her in inspecting those who might be well suited to military training to repopulate the army while Eirene sees to the ill or injured.

As someone fluent in Lycene shav and as someone who knows some medicine but is a trained apothecary, Kia will be wandering about, speaking with the people, making sure that those waiting in Southport get the proper medical attention and services they need. She will also be discussing with other shavs life as a prodigal, especially under the Malvici banner considering her tribe on the Cyrto Arch Islands was recently annexed as well.

Under Lady Eirene Malvici, and using the flag of truce, a group of medics and healers ride out to offer their help to the assembled shav at the gates of Southport. It's a dangerous move, a risky one - but they are hoping to do some good will checkups. And hey, if they happen to scope small details like operational readiness, or proportion of cultists to "honest shav" well, that's really not why they're there of course, but they're not going to turn down that information. Mirari goes too, keeping a careful eye on the Vulture of Southport to make sure she is as safe as one woman and a crack team of soldiers can make her.

In talking to them, there's a lot of confusing information. There's a group with tattoos of glaives on their necks, who seem quite ready to fight, and there are others with no tattoo at all who also seem willing and able. And yet they're not fighting since everyone is under the flag of truce, and they honestly seem a little confused by this. They're pleasant enough though, grateful for the medical attention and willing to find common ground. It seems more like they just enjoy fighting than that they have a particular plan in place.

Kia spends the time marginally ill - something in the general area of her stomach just? ugh. It's just not right. It's worst around some of the shav that the others bow to in deference - and when she really looks at those bowing, they aren't bowing out of respect but out of fear. Meanwhile Vitalis is making friends with a group that calls themselves House Gray Raptor. They seem ready for battle, but they also don't seem very invested in whether or not that happens. They find common ground when talking about exploration though - Vitalis and the Raptors then proceed down the rabbit hole of adventure and exploring the great wilds of Arvum.

Caelis and Marcos go to together, scouting the weapons of war under the guise of Marcos looking for new patients. From everything Caelis can see, this army is extremely well equipped. They're more like an army of the Compact than a shav force, but she does notice that their armor is mismatched and confused, as though these are several forces merged together, not one united group.

Whatever they were expecting, one thing becomes clear: This is not the monolithic army they present themselves as being. Some may mean good and others may mean ill, but as with many things political, it's complicated.

General Calypso is heading back to Southport once more. This time to defend her city from the pirate named Reveka Tyde. Calypso will personally be taking point on commanding the efforts going on there and coordinating all military efforts going on in and around the city. With the large host of Shav currently sitting outside the gates of Southport, she is also being cautious to maintain their safety until the threat has passed and negotiations can begin. Keeping a watchful eye to how they behave in this tense moment in the city, she hope to learn a little more about her new guests or at the very least, keep them under control while she defends the city.

Her own forces will be joined by two others:
Archduchess Eleyna Velenosa will be bringing half of the Velenosa army under her command. These troops will stay outside the city walls as a standing force to be commanded if and when there is an engagement.
Duke Cristoph Laurent has been given one-third of the Valardin Cavalry to command as well. These cavalry forces will be used as scout and patrol for the surrounding areas and will be on standby to engage if and when there is an attack.

---Southport Preparation Specifics ---

* Chains are being laid across the entrance to the harbor to be pulled taught in an engagement.
* Most of the harbor itself is being shut down, and we are only allowing a slow trickle or merchant vessels in at a time. This is to help Mirari and her crew search the incoming vessels more easily and limit our risks of unknown ships coming in.
* Two balliste have been constructed at the entrance to the harbor and are being manned by Sargent Xander.
* Encouraging the use of the Lycean Split as a means to get to and from Southport safely rather than the mostly locked down harbor. This is the supply line that is being kept open. On the West side rather than the East where the threat is expected to arrive from.
* Fiora is commanding the archers, with Harmon making a pitch and copper concoction to rain green fire down at the enemy ships.
* Anze is commanding the Ground Troops that will be at the ready inside the city of Southport.
* Eirene is on point for civilian evacuation and commanding the healers brigade to keep us alive and handle wounded.

Eirene marshalls her units in Southport to prepare for a siege by either harbor and outside gate; stockpiling medicines and supplies, preparing evacuation plans for the civilians in either district. She wants to be ready to handle either crisis, moving people towards the city center and away from where there might be fighting. If there's combat, there will be wounded. She wants to be ready.

Under the overall command of General Calypso, Anze prepares the troops for an assault on the city. Soldiers are stationed at the gates and in support of the archers as would be expected and some soldiers are left at the harbor to help with the shut down harbor. The remaining forces are kept at the city center as a response team, ready to move towards the gates or the harbor depending upon where an assault might come from to make sure the Malvici ground army can be used where most effective.

Xander has been tasked with operating a pair of heavy ballistas on the bay that have been set up to protect the bay from what nastiness that Calypso expects to show up. He, and a group of soldiers are to man and defend the ballistas, firing upon anything that shows up that isn't a Compact ship. They're aware that just manning heavy artillery is going to make them a pretty large target, so Xander has picked soldiers that are okay with that kind of mission. Needless to say, they don't intend on abandoning their post once the fighting starts. Either the ballistas are destroyed or whatever they're firing at falls over dead. One of those two things will happen, and these hardy men and women, still loyal soldiers of Southport are okay with that.

Harmon realizes that the coming enemy will use sea monsters as terror weapons, and as such will reply in kind. He sets to work on collecting the materials and assistances required to produce significant amounts of pitch resin while producing a copper sulfate solution through alchemy. The copper solution, once finished and added to the pitch, should produce fire that is not only sticky but green in rough approximation to the research he's done to "witch fire." It isn't the actual stuff, but the enemy won't know any better when it's rained down them through coated arrows and catapulted clay containers.

Archduchess Eleyna Velenosa will have half of the House Velenosa at her disposal in Southport. She'll keep her troops stationed outside of Southport's walls, near to the shav'Arvani camped there, yet make no overtures toward the Abandoned as of yet. Rather, the Archduchess will do her best to make sure that these Abandoned see her and her soldiers as a protective force, keeping them safe from whatever horrors might come. Her men will conduct regular patrols around the outside of the city to monitor for and eliminate suspicious activity.

In all of this, as the reports of casualties come in and weary commanders sit down to write letters to the loved ones of dead soldiers, people look strangely at a sizeable force sent to Southport. The Malvici armies stayed in Southport - which, considering there are shav camped outside is understandable - but for some reason some Valardin forces and Velenosan forces also deployed there. With no public reports of the Pirate-King targeting Southport or sending his fleets there why, people wonder, were ground troops sent there at all?

In truth, some in Redrain wonder at the heavy deployment of ground forces in Setarco, what with the entire fleet deployed there too. Some argue that it was necessary for Setarco to be saved so that the chain of cities beyond that initial port weren't vulnerable. But then what about Grayson and Redrain lands? Are they not important too? They look at the destruction of Stormwall and they wonder - why so many?

And they look too to the armies at Southport and they wonder - is there some kind of corruption in the Ministry of Defense, that Compact forces were diverted to the city ruled by the Minister of Defense herself? Or was there some reason others are not privy to that made the deployment make sense? As with any confusing strategy, people start talking about it and become very passionate as they argue one pet theory or another. Overall though, Calypso, Edain, Alis, and Eleyna take some heat with Redrain, Thrax, Darkwater, and Pravus folks for diverting soldiers to a port that was never in danger from the Pirate King. Perhaps, as tempers run high, it's time for a little diplomacy.

For those in the army deployed to Southport though, the people are less concerned - particularly as they were just following orders. And, when it became clear there was nothing to do in Southport and that Setarco was seriously under siege? They high tailed it to the thick of the fighting and did their level best to make sure that they helped keep the Silk City free from the tyranny of pirates. After all, the Lyceum may be full of shenanigans and people of dubious moral character, but they're not pirates. Most of them. They're far too civilized for that.

Utilizing her position with the Ministry of Defense, Eirene will portion out the various medical groups of the Compact- the Military medics of the various houses, the Physicians Guild, the Mercies. Her goal is to handle the actual MILITARY portion while Reigna is managing the ORGANIZATION portion. She needs an idea of what resources can go with the various fleets and prepare for the naval engagements with ships surgeons and ground medics for the land based troops.

Lady Eirene Malvici goes to inspire the healers among the military folk, and to encourage more to join the cause. The response is desultory at best, most of the military-based healers and support crew responding to her irascible ways with snark of their own.

Eirene's room has a desc of having a full length mirror on the far wall by her windows and a dressing mirror as part of a wardrobe set. She pushes her bed near the full mirror and sets the dressing mirror by her door to try to keep the Shadow Hunters at bay OR reveal them.

Eirene carefully puts her bed near the full-length mirror along her wall, placing the dressing mirror near the door, making certain both are in her peripheral vision from her desk, and clearly visible from her bed. Then she settles in for the evening, working on her papers.

As she writes, she catches a glimpse of motion in the mirror near the door. She turns to look, but there's nothing there. She returns to writing, and there's another movement visible out of the corner of her eye, reflected outside the window. But again, nothing there when she looks.

It's when she goes to bed that it truly gets unsettling, however. At night, in the dim light, she can see movement in the mirrors. Constant, rustling movement. At first when she stares at the mirrors, she still sees nothing, but she can't shake the newly intense feeling that she's not alone. That she's being watched.

When she finally lights a candle, the space around her bed is empty... but when she glances over at the mirror beside her, she sees two Shadow Hunters at the foot of her bed. Standing there silently. Watching her as she rests.

Needless to say, sleep doesn't come easily after that.

Now knowing that Clue: The Pointed Confession of Leporis says that their men got eaten, Eirene works on finding out who is still alive and can possibly help. She also uses the time in Southport to look up those who retired from active military life or did their mandatory service and went back to Civilian duty. Her assistants she uses to find out what slots need to be filled or what families need to be compensated or cared for.

Bianca will be accompanying Eirene on her trek to Southport and utilizing the aid of the local Scholars of Vellichor parish for assisting manpower in the search for information regarding the missing individuals. Utilizing the local Scholars as a task force, Bianca will be working out of the parish to document and collaborate all information found pertaining to the missing parties to help paint a better picture of what happened... and where they've gone.

Leola will be providing aid to attempt to prevent more vanishings, as well as ensure Orazio's safety. To this end, she ... starts feeding, and organising, cats, explaining to the remaining guard how important dogs were during the Siege of Arx, but how cats are, frankly, cooler and far more in keeping with the Lycene aesthetic. She will teach them how best to react to a cat's attention, laughing about how cats see far more than we do. Of course, during this, she also organises the cats to watch for the Shadows, to alert guards and she arranges food and comfort for them in return, as well as many guardsmen on which to perch.

Orazio's going to reach out to old friends still in Southport, both from his time of service, and his time as a priest there. He'll make a trip down, reconnect, buy many rounds of drinks, and see what he can find out about the missing people, as well as what those who remain are thinking about all of this. Where he can, he will soothe concerns which can be soothed, and pass on concerns which probably should be addressed. He's also probably going to drink a /lot/ of beer, and meet a lot of people's kids and grandkids.

Sophie will reach out to the Southport chapter of the Mercies as well as the Knights of Solace there. Perhaps they have heard some odd tales from pilgrims and patrols, or maybe have encountered unusual injuries and illnesses (amnesia, in particular).

Marcos answers Eirene's call for assistance. He ponders the problem and starts trying to figoure out the when of the missing people. Moving about with a list and checking in with friends and family of the missing folks. When they wer last seen. Any oddness or wrry they expressed. He tries to set up a timeline for each missing person so that timelines can be compared to one another. Also durring his looking into things he, of course, will keep his eyes open for other clues or strangeness.

Count Artorius Magnotta joins Eirene as she returns to Southport with one of the ships from his navy and a band of his elite guard from Magnotta to help keep the peace, as well as personally help solve the mystery of where in the hell all of their soldiers had run off to.

Under Lady Eirene Malvici, old soldiers, veterans, retired people, and those thinking about getting out of military service are encouraged to think about the community. Father Orazio, Archscholar Bianca, Mother Sophie, Count Artorius, and Lord Marcos go forth trying to talk to various people with varying levels of success.

Archscholar Bianca, perhaps with her newfound familiarity with the Eater of Stories' habits, works with Lady Eirene to learn where the missing folk have gone - and to their combined dismay, they conclude that it's quite likely they were simply eaten, not just kidnapped or hidden away.

Father Orazio reaches out to people he used to know and they are generally pretty receptive to sharing a beer with him and showing him their grandkids. For the most part they're fairly confused by the entire debacle - because up until the heist happened, they were confident in Duchess Calypso's leadership.

Mother Mercy Sophie is similarly successful. She hears some odd tales from patrols - not of amnesia, but of surprisingly well-armed shavs that are also increasingly hostile. It's a little ominous, considering that she is interviewing mostly veterans who know better than to underestimate an enemy. They're concerned, to be sure.

And Leola? Leola looks to the cats for help. She hears things like 'I could probably tell you, but I'm just so thirsty. It's hard to think when I'm thirsty." And then pointed glances at the nearest dairy. Or "You know, that fish yesterday really helped me focus on looking for those shadow things." And then a look. The Look. Cats are unpredictable at the best of times, and these are decidedly not the best of times. They will work for Leola - as long as the bribes keep coming, which means she spends her time in Southport literally herding cats.

With their efforts, veterans and retired soldiers start filling in the ranks of the missing soldiers. Slowly, Southport is getting up to strength again.

The truth shall set us free.

The call has been made and a great archival is being set into motion by the Scholars of Vellichor, reaching out to the entirety of the discipleship far and wide in an effort to duplicate and spread information contained in each outpost of Vellichor’s faithful from the grandest library to the smallest monastery.

The plan itself is no small task and in reality Bianca is aware it will take years to come to fruition, but they had to start somewhere.

Phase 1: Organization - A rather large focus team is gathered utilizing local Scholars and overseen by three Senior Scholars (NPCs) to take point on the clerical end of the Archival process. The role of this team is ongoing, their job being to disseminate information to the known enclaves of the discipleship throughout the many territories of Arvum regarding the archival process and how it will function. Once the process begins, they will be the ones dealing with the incoming reports and developing an encoded master inventory list of all outlying literary collections within the jurisdiction of the Scholars. A secondary list will also be created in regards to the location of lost relics that may be hidden away though in the possession of the Scholars. This secondary list shall also be encoded, its construction remains solely in the hands of the three senior scholars on point for this team and is only to be viewed by them and Archscholar Bianca. Once both lists are completed a secondary action will be taken to protect the contents of the pages (either via in-game actions or a storyrequest). From there a procedure will be set in place for all future acquisitions to be reported to the Archives to be properly categorized and added to the proper encoded list.

Phase 2: Reproduction - The next step of this accounting is the duplication of documented works. Any pieces of literary record (fiction AND historical) not found in duplicate shall be reproduced by the Scholars located in the parish these works are found to be and aid from Arx will be sent to the smaller libraries in the form of manpower to help. The goal is that a copy of everything not deemed ‘imprimatur’ will be replicated and disseminated to the Archives as well as the discipleship’s library in each of the five regional capitals: Sanctum, Lenosia, Maelstrom, Farhaven, Bastion. Anything deemed ‘imprimatur’ will also be duplicated though these duplications will only be sent to the Great Archive. This process will also be applied to all new information coming into the Archives or discovered by the discipleship moving forward.

Phase 3: Dissemination to the Public - While the Archives have always been open to the public and all noble houses, an immediate public relations campaign is set in place to better inform those of Arx and Arvum on the whole that the pursuit of knowledge and information will not be turned away or looked upon with wary eyes. This campaign is to be fostered by /all/ of the discipleship setting the stage for an open door policy and as more information is collected in Phase 1 and Phase 2, the Archive will be able to ideally provide direction if not a copies of what is being sought. The title of the campaign is “Let no question go unanswered.” For those seeking knowledge that extends beyond the bounds of what is considered safe for public consumption, they will be directed to petition the Scholars for access. A small council of senior scholars headed by Archscholar Bianca will be set to task in reviewing such requests and disseminating information on a case by case basis (unless of course PCs come to her directly).

Now, with the discipleship’s funds recently diminished due to the recent expenditure in Stormward, Bianca is also reaching out to all those outside the Scholars willing to aid with this tremendous undertaking. Donations are to be accepted in specific to aid in the Archival as well as individual manpower for replication of books not marked ‘imprimatur,’ though the most poignant request in the forefront is martial cooperation and aid. There is a great danger present and those tasked with the duplication or simply traveling to disperse information and transport copies will undoubtedly need protection and assistance while traversing the many territories of Arvum. And sometimes boats. Boats are cool and there are a lot of islands to be reached.

Lady Monique Greenmarch has a wide net of contacts she employs, along with their silver and her own gratuitous charm, on behalf of the ArchScholar's endeavor. How does she find out the things she does? It's impossible to know, but she will attempt to secure safe roads to travel, and trusted safe houses for those scholars and their handlers to stay in, alongside vaults for the information to be saved.

Fortunato, although no official scholar, is happy to lend his hands and eyes to the work of replication (if with a tiny bit of illumination in the margins as strikes him, not enough to seriously detract from the speed of the task). He is able and willing to travel to the regional archives to aid copying work there as well, if, of course, with escort.

Sophie will be aiding in Phase 2, leading any and all Mercy volunteers to go through the extensive medical records and white journals of known Mercies, collating what is deemed important information. She will also write to the Mercy chapters throughout the Compact, seeking their cooperation, and offering organizational instruction to those wanting. Finally, she'll do what she can to procure what House Valardin has.

Phase I-III: Ailith will coordinate through her increasing network of Seraph contacts across the Compact, and reaching out also to the Seraphs that the Dominus and Legate of Creation informed Ailith about. She'll explain the first Phase of Archlector Bianca's process and encourage the Seraphs in how the parishes may assist such as the Seraphs providing copies of any texts to the Archlector or the three Senior Scholars. Ailith will assist in fielding any questions if the Seraphs respond directly to her. In additional letter will be included.

Calaudrin will be joining with other members of the Iron Guard in helping protect the Faith's documents as they move through the city. He'll be especially on the lookout for anything at all suspicious as they go.

Lord Commander Silas will be helping direct his men in protecting the precious cargo -- copies of invaluable lore from several great libraries and archives. He himself will likely lead the retinue guarding the largest cache. They will avoid all thoroughfares known to be havens for thieves and criminals, and all guardsmen on this mission will be thoroughly armed and alert. They will also not be guardsmen with past criminal history, themselves, no matter how small the theft or how long ago the incident occurred. No chances!

Ainsley will be helping with the Iron Guard portion of things. He'll be assigning more senior soldiers to help with the transportation and dissemination portion-- helping to protect the scholars. He, himself, will be with one squad of people helping to transport and protect. Carrying with him his Alaricite sword and his rubicund plate, as he leads the forces. He'll also supply some of his own military favors, writs, and currency to help with the project.

Harald has given leave for the the scholars of Vellichor to travel to Grihem's Point aboard his ships and under his protection, as well as granting them access to the Grimhall libraries. While the private Grimhall libraries are largely collections of literature (especially traditional poetic sagas which are widely believed simple verse fiction) any pieces desired for copying will be made available. After all, the Scholars certainly aren't likely to find any decent sagas on the mainland; it's a mission of mercy, really.

Phase 1: Knights of Solace agents, in the course of their usual duties, will help disseminate the new archival procedures across Arvum, and bring back reports if needed. They will also be instructed to share with Blessed Bianca or her chosen representatives any information they may have picked up in the course of their journeys regarding the possible locations of valuable documents that should be included in the archival effort. Phase 2: Knights of Solace will help protect sensitive archival works as they are transported to or from the various repositories in Arvum.

Mae has began to distribute the Commoners Bulletin, as well as a primer on a subject (Marin'alfar) that has otherwise been erased from history. She'll be writing more, including a book on reincarnation, and all will be spread far and wide. Take that, Fable!

Christine will help with phase 2, copying books that need to be reproduced, and translating those in Isles shav so they could be spread more easily.

Eirene, with the help of her own soldiers, goes through any of the Malvici libraries in Arx and sends word for the libraries of Southport to be duplicated and the copies added to the efforts, transported as quickly as the lot can be completed. As Malvici has a longstanding history of fighting demonic forces, she hopes to find useful information to be added to the master archives.

Lord Corban Telmar will invest both time, treasure, and resources into the Archscholar's appeal to duplicate and preserve knowledge. He will donate 200,000 in House Telmar silver to copying, transporting, and preserving Archives information in the Oathlands. He will also call in House Telmar's extensive network of military favors to ensure that the convoys transporting the materials are protected, and will personally lead some himself, lending his sword and considerable leadership abilities to the effort.

Armand, as a Templar disciple, will aid in the Scholar's efforts by ensuring their protection, notably during the more dangerous Phase 3 of the project, the dissemination and duplication. Able and willing to travel wherever the Scholars need to go, he will ensure that those he is tasked to protect are able to do their work unhindered. No criminal nor servant of the Abyss shall be allowed to stand in the way of Vellichor's holy work.

The main effort the Templars will offer, as well as general help should they be asked, is during phase 2. With the threat that bandits or indeed things more foul could try to stop the material reaching Arx, the Templars will make up to 1000 men at arms available to escort material from the various holds back to the capital. Alongside this, each Parish will be expected to have their templars provide additional support as material moves through their lands, more a procession of honour though that for military support. As the various archival holdings come together from the regions to head to Arx, the Templars will blob the escorting forces together and ensure that the material makes its way safely to Arx.

Cybele is good at organising and teaching and digging up info, so more than happy to dive into the deep stacks, and set to work looking at what comes in. Besides, the shaman has a knack for finding the right texts. Right? Right.

Delilah will be focusing her efforts on Phase 2, working closely with other scholars to replicate as many texts as she possibly can in her spare time. She will also be speaking with the Master of Questions in an attempt to more closely incorporate the Inquisition with the ongoings of this entire process.

Alaric will be having lots of nice things to say about the project, dropping little mentions to nobles and Crown functionaries and important merchants alike about how nice it would be to hear of people and groups lending some aid to the Vellichorian discipleship with their work, and generally generating some positive PR and motivation for people to get involved with helping.

Fatima will allow the Scholars access to the Thrax libraries available in Maelstrom to aid the Archscholar. More than that, though, she's using her social circle to help circulate the news of Phase 3: Dissemination to the Public. When Bianca signals it's time, Fatima will utilize her propaganda machine to get out the word the Archscholar desires.

Percephon will be participating heavily with the Phase 2 portion of this very important project. Working within his position as Senior Scholar, he will go to the library in Sanctum to assist in creating faithful duplicates of all materials that are that are uncovered and found. With a focus on organizing which overly important and sensitive materials will be sent to the Great Archives.

Estaban will be opening the Saik Library to the scholars of Vellichor, he will also be giving military esscort the schollars where they may need to go.

Victus will be allowing the Scholars of Vellichor within the libraries of the Maelstrom, as well as to comb the Isle the capital fortress is located on for nay other information they deem noteworthy. In addition, he'll be sending a detachment of some Thraxian scholars and stewards who are better versed in history than he is. Surely, the Isles will have LOADs of interesting stories to tell!

Aiden can help considerably in Phase 1 and Phase 2. Since he's had a lot of practice with the Court in reproducing works, that's where he will initially provide the most support, however, he's got a good eye for organization, so he'll certainly swap between the two roles, depending on what's more important at the time. Though since he's an excellent teacher, he puts a lot of his time into Phase 3 as well, answering as honestly as he can and has he has done to anyone in the past who has come to him for answers.

Not being much of a smarty himself, Edain will do his best to give the scholarly types the access and the trust they need to do something good, making sure they have access to the archives in Sanctum. He will also task 100 of his knights with the task of helping to escort the travelling scholars, with as much travel as this entails it is sure to tax even the Knights of Solace and so Edain will do his best to help them escort travelling scholars.

Alis has offered to help Bianca by assigning military escorts to and from Sanctum for the scholars that she sends, ensuring their safety and the safety of any materials they bring with.

Princess Isabeau Valardin will primarily be lending her assistance to this endeavor (in Phase 3) by using her considerable charm and skill in persuasion and propaganda to get the word out to the people that the great Archive's enriched texts are available and that the Scholars of Vellichor can guide everyone, high or low, rich or poor, to greater understanding of their world and the vast knowledge contained within.

Lark is opening the Grayson library to the Scholars, and spending her own time overseeing and directing efforts of scribes to copy their works.

While waiting to offer what aid he can for the protection of contents, Aleksei will also reach out to his the vague network he's beginning to form of those freed or aided in their freedom by the Liberators of Skald. Plenty of ex-thralls served in administrative capacities, and he'll kindly ask if they'd be willing to help the Scholars in their various local parishes. Hopefully it will provide some additional manpower for the copying of books and journals to be conducted under the local Godsworn at these various parishes.

Cicero is promising the scholars the use of the Silver Consortiums contacts and networking of infrastructure for moving about the Compact and keeping their scribes supplied as needed.

Deacon will focus his efforts on Phase 3. As a composer of some small renown, he will write a short series of ballads to promote the knowledge contained within the walls of the Archives. The goal will be to help popularize the pursuit of knowledge on the cultural level. Once he's written the music, he will make it available to every bard and performer whom he can convince to take it.

Samael will open up Pridehall libraries and provide military escorts for the Scholars coming to and leaving Pridehall. In addition to that in Phase 3 Samael will help to disseminate information using his oratory skills.

Sasha will in Phase 1 and Phase 2, she is able to reproduce and also translate many texts should the need be there. She is also a very good teacher as well so she will also assist with Phase 3 when the time comes.

Lucita, with her love of music, has been collecting old songs and legends through trading them with other musicians and travelers, bards and music lovers in the taverns, inns, bars and during social events in Arx. Many of these serve as oral history and some have not been documented. This she does and helps contribute to the overall effort toward Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Sebastian will be assisting in accompanying scholars to provide protection and whatever other assistance is needed as they travel throughout the Lyceum to various smaller locations. He will assist in acquiring passage through the lands and courts with which he is familiar, particularly around Setarco and the surrounding isles. He will also assist in locating the smaller repositories of knowledge, acquiring the information and documents required, and seeing their return to Arx during Phase 1. He will also work to help with transcription and the reproduction of drawings and other artistic work contained within the documents acquired during Phase 2. During Phase 3, he will help with the public relations campaign to help promote the use of the Archives and the future expansion of the knowledge contained therein through art and social engagements.

Juliana will be helping Sebastian and the accompanying scholars to provide protection and healing as well as any other assistance is needed as they travel throughout the Lyceum to various smaller locations. She will assisting him in acquiring passage through the lands and courts with which they are familiar, particularly around Setarco and the surrounding isles. She will also assist him in finding the smaller repositories of knowledge and in acquiring the information and documentation, to see that they are returned to Arx during Phase 1. She will also try to help with the work of transcription of the documents acquired during Phase 2. During Phase 3, She will help with the public relations campaign to help promote the use of the Archives and the future expansion of the knowledge contained therein through art and social engagements.

Orathy will be helping Sebastian and Juliana Pravus during the course of the events. He's particularly good at flanking the enemies if there are any, his fighting style coming from the shadows rather than direct assault, therefore, scouting might be his thing. He'll shield Sebastian and Juliana while on mission, body guarding for them.

Nierzen sets to work writing propaganda in support of Phase 3 to move the hearts of people to favour and support the work and effort. He aims propaganda at nobles, motivating them to generously give silver to the Scholarly work, and he aims propaganda at the residents of the Boroughs, moving them to cooperate and even go out of their way to help collect stories and information. In all things, his propaganda tugs at the ideals of duty, faith, and self interest.

The Great Archival Project of 1007 AR causes a complete uproar. In every corner of the Compact, people turn up to add books to the archives, to add knowledge to the archives. To make copies of precious books and send them on. To spread the word - if you need information, your best hope is to find it in the Archives. High Lords and Nobles have opened their libraries. The Templars and the Knights of Solace, as well as many guards hired by various families across Arvum are moving to preserve knowledge and see it safely from the far corners of the Compact into Arx itself. It's a huge project, and under Archscholar Bianca's watchful eye, an incredibly successful one.

Tomes once thought lost are found, copied, and brought to Arx under guard. People are encouraged to come to Arx to seek knowledge. Learn from the Archives of Vellichor, learn from our tutors, our Scholars. Knowledge is available, free for the asking.

At Laric's request, the victims from the mysterious house fire are brought to the Saving Grace and Eirene and her physicians (to be added) perform a quick Abyssal test and autopsy the victims of the Burroughs fire. With rumors the family was 'strange' she looks for any unnatural signs or remnants of markings, or if they were killed prior to the fire being set. Checking for any kind of rope or bindings to see if they were tied up and left to die as well. Also - does the fire look like normal fire damage or was it weird?

Jack is looking for signs of smoke inhalation (which would suggest they died in the fire), then things like stab wounds or other marks that would show they might have died before the fire started. He'll also be doing whatever he can to cover information about the bodies, to help identify them.

In addition to assisting with the standard autopsy and routine Abyssal-influence testing, Lianne will be making use of her occult expertise to inspect for any signs of abnormalities or ritual activity, either performed by or on the victims.

Laric is providing the bodies! The already dead bodies, not fresh ones, my goodness. Confessor Baptiste (retainer 463) will hang around to act as Laric's observer and may or may not lose his lunch in the process. He is a delicate Oathlands flower.

Two things are discovered about the family. One, they were extremely weird. Really, really weird. People said that members of that family often forgot their own names, or would respond to the names of each other, as if they were confused which of them was which. Like the mother would answer as the father, the father would answer as the daughter, and so on randomly. It was extremely offputting, to say the least. Secondly, Lord Sivard Grimhall was spotted entering and leaving the house, and evidence strongly suggests he was responsible for the blaze- and there was no smoke in the lungs, cuts on the bones, they were definitely all dead before the fire took them.

Halsim has provided what’s described as muscled up abyssal humanoid creature which has been part of the Horned God’s forces, another mutated shav. Her team is Sophie for the religious aspects, and Jack and Lianne for the more mundane ones. They’ll run the usual Abyssal force testing (holy water/fire per Sophie, check it in a mirror, alaricite) special testing with wolf’s blood/fur since this is Skald’s reflection they’re dealing with, acids, any weird herbs, and then cut it open to see if the insides are also mutated. The goal is to see if they were human at some point or, per Halsim’s request, if they were infected with the sentient black goopy paracite that ‘Hush’ had.

The corpse looks different in a mirror, more like a normal person the first time it's reflected. Then when the mirror shows again, it has no reflection at all. Then the third time and each time after that, it reflects as normal in the mirror, alarmingly. But seems ever so slightly closer to Eirene and the others each time in the reflection. Huh. It does smolder and burn from each of the other elements (holy water, alaricite, fire), and when they cut it open, it has two hearts, and redundancy in other organs, but it seems otherwise that they would have been human. As if multiple people were shoved together somehow. No sign of black goopy parasites, but Khanne has an uneasy feeling, when she looks at it, sometimes it is as if she is seeing a dozen figures, not just one, like her vision is distorted. It gives her an intense headache.

Thirteen hours after the cadaver is dissected, it blackens and turns to ash, disintegrating on the slab. Huh.

Duchess Calypso was told by Duke Asger that a school of mermaids was escorted to Southport Harbor. Which is both a great honor, and a troubling thought all in one. They are First Children and must be protected. But, they hate men and have a tendency to lure them to their deaths, or so she was told. Calypso has pooled together a group of -female only- crew members and negotiators to go out and talk to the mermaids. The goal is to convince them only to use their siren songs to protect Southport and the Compact, and not to harm the male sailors and merchant ships that pass by the area.

Arcelia has been asked along to help negotiate with them. Eirene is there as Voice of House Malvici and to help if there are any injuries. Caelis is there to sail the ship out to greet them. And Fiora is there to help keep a watchful eye and to serve as protection if anything does go wrong.

The trip to see the mermaids is at first uneventful, until the sailors realize what they're going to do. Sailors are superstitious so it's hard to convince them to keep sailing, but Calypso manages - barely. It doesn't take long before they hear the song and they are ensnared almost immediately - not by anything more tangible than the lure of one's heart's desire. There are no words to this beautiful, haunting song, and yet somehow it speaks to each woman differently. It sings the songs of lovers waiting, of lust in the dark, of that fury of touch and desire of course. Of these things are stories made. And yet it speaks of more, and the longer the song goes on the more ensnared they all are, caught in the sure and certain knowledge that if they find the source of this song all their hearts' desires will come true.

And yet when the ship at last sights the mermaid sitting on the rock, the song cuts off abruptly. It gives them time to recover their senses, to get in the longboat and head over to speak with the siren. She watches them with eyes devoid of feeling, curiosity the only emotion present. They start the negotiations and she listens for a while, tail flapping against the stone. At length she says, in a voice smooth as refined honey - "We agreed to try. We cannot stay here forever, but for while we are here and are not the guardians but instead the guarded we will try. But we will not make promises and agreements. What are treaties to a Daughter of the Waves? We will not go out of our way to lure your ships and haunt your sailors. But we cannot deny our natures, after all. Perhaps you will understand better soon." So saying, she flips into the water and is gone.

It seems at first that this is a failure, but no song follows them, luring them back to the rock jutting out of the water. And while there is still a place that sailors are starting to avoid, no sunken ships are reported - at least no more than can reasonably be attributed to the normal predations of piracy and weather. But the song haunts every member of the crew for a week, singing in their dreams and enticing them to go back and chase their heart's desire. It is, after all, their nature.

Eirene will be overseeing the project testing on various samples regarding the Malar poison used in the attempt to kill Alis. First of all, she will have a vial of Alis’ blood and a second of her own (As control). She will have a sample of the Malar poisons and a common poison (another control)). She will then distribute the samples in a blind test to various people and observe their results (To ensure 1. That the blood is not kept and 2. The poisons are not kept) She will mix up the samples and the control so that no one has any kind of preconceived bias or knows which they have., with the exception of Eleyna and Blacktongue – they both get both samples. Eirene hopes Blacktongue & Eleyna may be able to develop an antedote against the stuff to be certain they can’t use it on Alis or her baby. Valery will get Alis’ blood and the common poison, Mirari will get Eirene’s blood and the Malar poison, Maeve will get both control subjects. If there are any bizarre results, I’ll be happy to GM the scene out with the respective testers.

The poison appears to be a mixture of several rare naturally occuring poisons made from plants growing up in the Red Mountains combined with a venom from a certain rare snake. Through mixtures, they think they've developed an antidote, though it seems a little unreliable. It will probably save someone. Probably. Maybe.

With the usual Suspects (Sophie, Eleyna, and Eirene starts to run the sample produced by Katrina and Dagon's journey with their typical evaluation, but then things get mixed up. Eirene oversees feeding a caged rat some of the water to see if it alters anything, with guards on standby if it gets out of control. They also expose it clear water to the substance to see if it overtakes it and at what rate, and how it reacts in contact with blessed water. Eirene also uses a sample of Elfsbane to see if there’s any reaction to the flowers and the darkwater out of pure curiosity.

Out of control? What? The guards eye each other sternly at the start of the experiments, and sigh with tragic and utterly heroic self-sacrifice. The water Eirene wants to try to fee the rat eats the bowl she pours it into, and the rat vanishes too. Presumably either eaten alive, or if other accounts are more accurate the rat is now swimming in an abyssal sea. Oops. Alas, poor Ratigan, we barely knew you.

Sophie and Ailith do their work thoroughly, praying over the bucket, praying over other containers too - these hold the Darkwater without getting eaten, so that's at least something. They poke it with a pencil and the pencil disappears. They pray over another pencil and poke it and that pencil disappears too. They go to note that down and realize all their pencils are gone the way of poor Ratigan, and send one of the guards for more.

Then Maeve comes in, and with her acides, poisons, and simple soaps, proceeds to test them against the darkwater. Which absorbs all of them easily, and shows no change whatsoever. Whatever the darkwater is made if is clearly made to let anything in, and let nothing out.

So now Eirene has Raven abyssal things from the most recent Iron Guard expedition. With Ailith and Sophie, she plans to test and retest to make sure that she's not screwing up, and that they're just plain illogical when it comes to figuring out if they're demonic or abyssal or just plain twisted. Usual tests, including the new 'mirror' test to see reflections.

Eirene is getting good at this. They appear to be once normal things corrupted by Abyssal influence that started transformations into shards. Did show reflections, so still had souls.

I've been told Adona wrote some kind of writ as a favor that would allow the bearer any thing they want, it coming down to Hadrian leaving Malvici to marry Cambria at this point. Do I remember what it was Adona may have written this for, or how it came to be magically enchanted (Which, by the way, Eirene is super suspicious of).

Eirene remembers an offhand comment by Adona towards the end, "We'll owe House Mazetti dearly, but that will be something that will be long past -my- time." It wasn't entirely clear, but the impression was it was something to spare Southport damage towards the end of the Tor-Southport war, probably an agreement that Southport would not have to owe an indemnity to former vassals or the like due to the way the war developed, but it was extremely vague. The writ isn't magic, at least not in the way the people of Arvum would see. It's written on Vellichorian Vellum, the same specially treated material that black journals are written on that do not tear and are fire resistant, and are seen as unchangeable once they are treated. It's just a sign of an extremely binding contract, and Adona must have considered it essentially a blood debt- she would not have done it unless it was core to the family, and it is a sign of an outstanding debt of honor.

As she's learned all she can from Juliet, the Inquisiton asks if Eirene can look into Fidelia?s death. (SHE is the one with the Brain assault, according to Laric. Confusion was Eirene's player.) if anything, she wants to look into that and if there was any signs of magic assault like with Juliet.

Not magical, but the strike was absurdly, unbelievably skilled to a point where it does not seem possible. It was an extremely precise, surgical incision that struck and killed fidelia, but it was thrown from a rooftop away. It would be much like if someone asked for Eirene to set a broken rib on a patient, but do so by throwing a stone from a block away and hitting at a precise angle to apply enough force to set it back perfectly. It is preposterous.

Hi. I was quoted that there were 20 non-Godsworn Mercies to cover with pensions, which would be 24,000 silver, standard. Sophie will be paying out 48,000 silver.

I was also quoted that the Physicians have 10 members to cover with stipends. Eirene gave 12,000 silver. (Please see that she is credited for this). Sophie will be paying out an additional 12,000.

Furthermore, Sophie will donate 20,000 silver to help the citizens of the Lower Boroughs and 20,000 to help the refugees.

Since silver and resources can't be codedly added to a story request like they can in a +crisis, I went ahead and used the +donate command to spend the coin so there would be a paper trail.

Vox post up

Provided she's not forbidden by the Fidantes, Eirene will go through Juliet's room to see if she can find any kind of clues as to why this and why now. Sure- she'll go through her massacred girlfriend's things... She knows Juliet served Cardia so she has an idea of why this happened. And if she can find the catalyst for this, she will. Also- if Fidelia the lady in waiting is still alive she'd ask who the last people Juliet saw were, and if there's any letters she received recently.

Assuming that Calista lets Eirene inspect the portrait and ask questions around, two big things stand out. First, the way the portrait was designed. It would have taken a nearly impossible degree of skill to flay someone and arrange the viscera the way they did. Most would have torn, and it seems nearly impossible someone could make a painting like that so quickly, Eirene working with organs knows that most of the human body is easy to tear, so it seems absurdly skilled that someone could make the grotesque painting out of Juliet's body. Secondly, Fidelia was seen leaving Juliet's room well after the time of Juliet's death. But word among the servants is that Fidelia was found murdered as well.

Eirene has been keeping tabs of all the Southport missing and dead, writing letters home to each family with her sincere condolences and sending back a personal momento if they could be found. Then she will host what she calls the Vulture's Feast for the survivors - where they celebrate the dead with their closest friends taking possessions and arms/armor before the funeral. (see relevant journal entry where she discusses the tradition.) The funeral will invoke Lagoma as their patron of arms, Tehom out of Lycene tradition, and now adding the goddess of Death, inviting the Archlectors of all three to give the rites.

Vox updated

At Calypso's request, Eirene and the Physicians Guild (Ira, Harmon, Lianne, Benjamin, etc) are to study the Famori skull. Due to size, they will carefully chip off small pieces to test away from the skull so the main bulk remains intact and unharmed. The usual tests- acid, holy water, holy fire, exposure to black stone... Eirene will be looking out for the black Bringer mold/ooze to ensure it's not tainted. Provided it's clean, the skull will be given back to Calypso.

The skull of the Formorian Bringer of Silence is remarkable in that it nearly resists everything. Fire doesn't scorch it, holy water has no effect, it is only through a herculean effort with alaricite weapons that Eirene is able to get slivers of bone chips from it, finger sized chips that do melt from holy water when separated from the skull. But the skull itself seems nearly impervious to everything, impossibly durable.

As the various militaries of the Compact prepare action against the Bringers, Lady Eirene offers the assistance of the Malvici Medical Units- trained in basic combat defense and battlefield trauma care. Their role is to help get patients off the battle lines to the care of the Mercy's or other civilian medics and defend them against attackers until other soldiers can take over. Their standard is the Phoenix, Lagoma's firebird.

It's not Eirene's first time on the front lines, nor will it likely be her last. At the Battle of Pridehall, she plays a decisive roll in preventing extremely heavy losses by having the triage forces of the Malvici Medical Units right in the thick of things and providing constant immediate lifesaving care. The losses sustained by the Compact forces are vastly, vastly less due to her efforts, and she personally had to help lead forces repulsing a shav push on the triage tents.

Malvici medics, trained in both combat and healing, offer assistance in the city's various clinics and places of healing to help with those injured in the ongoing unrest. They also help provide updates to the Malvicis on what is happening wear.

Most of the uptick in crime is more a petty in nature, though there is still more assault than there used to be, and the House of Solace and the new lower boroughs clinic greatly appreciates the assistance. Eirene does notice that the majority of victims seem to be those who wander into the Lower Boroughs and aren't locals, or battered up Iron Guard, pointing to inhabitants avoiding preying on their own.

Lady General Calypso Malvici has been assigned as the field commander to lead an assault up-river to attack one of the four columns of Brand’s army. She will be leading forces from House Malvici, House Velenosa and House Pravus in the form of infantry and archers. Other commanders she is coordinating with are Prince Victus Thrax, Princess Deva Redrain, Princess Alis Valardin and Duke Valkieri Rubino.

The host of Compact forces will be traveling up-river by boats provided by Thrax, the Lyceum and the Black Mountain Training Company. We will be searching for an ideal location to set up our assault. High ground for archers, a place to anchor the ships and a field for the infantry. All with the goal of eliminating the entire column of Brand’s forces to weaken the army by one fourth.

Calypso will also be wielding Truestrike, the alaricite rapier during this battle.

The group of soldiers Inigo is in command of are the remnants of the same crew he commanded at the Battle of Pridehall, additional men filled in to replenish the losses from the previous battle of course. He wields Recompense, the diamondplate longsword, hoping this time to be more effective at taking down Bringers, saving his men from their wrath. The battalion's mission is to do as much damage as possible to Brand's army, fighting fiercely at the front lines of combat.

As the result of a discussion with Eirene, at least one member of the battalion will possess bow and arrows, the arrows themselves tied with highly visible cloth that will be fired into the air should the group encounter a High Bringer. This is to alert any of the special forces that are intended to take down such targets that one has been found. Inigo will, of course, engage any he sees himself, as he is the best equipped in the battalion to take on such a threat. The goal is to either slay the High Bringer, or delay it long enough for one of the special forces to arrive and kill the creature.'

Costas will be Calypso's bodyguard for the campaign, at her side at all times as well as defending her in battle. He sleeps in the same tent as her to ward against potential assassins, and is only ever removed from her vicinity for private discussions with other nobility.

Although sending squadrons of the Malvici Phoenixes to assist the other Compact forces, Eirene brings her hand-picked finest battle medics to accompany herself to the front with General Calypso. She will ensure the triage centers are defendable and coordinate medical efforts with the Mercy's and other assigned medics.

Waldemai will be deploying with the field forces under Calypso's command to provide on-site armor evaluations, upgrades and repairs.

Harmon will accompany Eirene, supplementing her medical expertise with his knowledge of occult matters as well as alchemy in order to stretch out supplies without losing efficacy.

Mirari will be joining Eirene and her medics, providing medical supplies via her apothecary skills, where she can. And defending the medical tents and medics with her small blades should forces break through the lines and to the medic station.

For the next stage of the Bringer's march on Arx, Alis will be accompanying the combined forces led by Lady General Calypso Malvici.

She will be in charge of the Valardin Infantry and Archers. Her instructions to those under her command will be to help divide and flank pockets of the enemy column into more manageable groups; with a warning about the berserker Bringers, and that they should call out a warning when the berserkers are spotted so they can be swarmed and taken down as quickly as possible. She will be participating in the battle.

    Ansel will be leading the Telmar forces in Princess Alis' forces supporting Lady General Calypso' mission of eliminating the shav forces at the river.

    Ansel will be coordinating with, and taking orders directly from, Princess Alis as the forces deploy to engage the shav forces. He's delegated total authority of his subordinate sections to his vassal house's commanders, providing them instruction pertaining to the general goals of the mission, but leaving the exact manner of accomplishing those principles to his subordinate commanders.

    For his part, Ansel will be taking direct command of a small company comprised of a section of archers supporting a small team of hand-picked swordsmen. Their mission will be to identify any Bringers at the outset of the engagement, particularly any beserker Bringers, and eliminate the most serious threat to the Valardin column as quickly as possible. He'll be leveraging the support of the archer section, as well as the Telmar diamondplate heirloom weapon, attempting to dispatch these threats hastily.

As Alis' second-in-command, Fiachra will be coordinating his efforts directly with her, using his knowledge and experience of Greenmarch tactics in facing a larger force. (Particularly from an archer/scout standpoint.) As before, he will be using his particular talents for assessing the terrain (see his metaplot secrets) to any advantage it can afford for the troops under General Calypso's command. He will not be leaving Alis' side, and will be watching for threats to her life.

Barric will be accompanying Calypso's force upriver. During the battle he will be focusing his efforts on identifying and destroying the massive and hulking Bringer beserkers. Presumably with a team of other soldiers doing the same, he will position himself on the battlefield when one of the monstrosities is found and engage them in an attempt to minimize their devastating impact. He has fought one before and wields Elvesbane, the alaricite blade of House Grayson.

The Mirrorguard (led by Talen and Luca), Valorous Few (led by Audric and Kima) and Grayson (Barric and Reese) strike teams have been given the high profile task to break the River Column morale by gunning for the Undead Generals (like Hush!) and Abandoned Beserkers that undoubtedly guard them.
Their troops will be armed with fire and poison (supplied by Eleyna, Blacktongue, etc) for more effective fighting against the standard Bringers and Abandoned respectively while the commanders named above will be using their diamondplate and alaricite weapons in combat with the big baddies - individually, as pairs or in teams as is appropriate.
Talen will be wielding Mirror Blade, the alaricite blade of House Velenosa and as usual will be fighting dirty as fuck.

Holden will be with the Valardin Infrantry forces leading one of the smaller manageable groups under Alis's command. He will be participating in the battle.

Valkieri is leading the combined troops of Rubino, Zaffria, and Igniseri under the coordination of Lady General Calypso. Their naval forces for the journey upriver are under the sub-command of Lady Ariella Igniseri, and Lord Luis Igniseri and Captain Gian Fuller are also a part of their ranks. He will be leading a mix of archers, infantry, and some cavalry, and it is the cavalry that he will be among on his warhorse Tempest.

Kima, for this particular excursion, joins Captain-General Audric of the Valorous Few to do what she does best: slaughter enemies upon the field of battle. With her recent gift of an alaricite blade, the Absolute, she has been chosen as part of the strike force targeting Bringer generals and berserkers.

Audric and the Valorous Few (and Kima, see her action) will be taking part in Calypso's offensive action against one of the oncoming Bringer armies. Specifically, they'll be part of the strike force meant to target the Bringer Generals and Berserkers in an attempt to take out their core leadership. Since alaricite seems to make them basically die instantly, he'll be using Coinspinner, his alaricite sword for the fight.

Luca is joining the special assault squads going to the river column front alongside Talen, leading the Mirrorguard prong of three groups all hunting the biggest, baddest Bringers they can find, whether commander types, berserker types, or anything else monstrous they can cut down with Alaricite or Diamondplate. Luca will be fighting with Viper's Fury, his diamondplate sabre and Viper's Fang, his HQ steel blade, unless Lorelai ends up finding him an alaricite blade before then as she implied might be feasible, in which case he'll fight with diamondplate and alaricite. He is going to try and identify and cut as quick a path as possible to any big bads and asplode them with heart or head shots of the diamondplate (or alaricite). Luca very much will be trying to keep an eye on state of Reese and Barric's team as he wanted to accompany them to see Reese safer but was overruled by Calypso. If Reese ends up in trouble and Luca has any hope in the Abyss of cutting his way to her, it's possible he'd break orders and go and try to save her (and is something our players OOCly sort of want for a bonding moment of fighting side by side). Luca's more than a little burnt out by rage, grief, pain, and discontent with lack of challenge at Pridehall, so it's quite likely he'd take greater risks than he probably _should_ strictly if it meant finding a greater challenge in this battle, though only the sort of risks that would get himself hurt, not that'd kill off hundreds of others depending on him.

Under Valkieri's direction, Gian will be leading the Infantry of Rubino-Zaffria, from the front line. In addition to defending archers or attacking as ordered, he will have a number of guardsmen nearby for a rescue/recovery assignment, in case Duke Valkieri's stupid horse goes down.

Reese is joining the special assault squad going to the river column front alongside Barric, as a member of the three groups all hunting the biggest Bringers they can find, whether commander types, berserker types, or anything else monstrous they can cut down. This is a six person team (Talen, Luca, Audric, Kima, Barric and Reese). Divided into 3 pairs. Reese is with Barric.

Reese is fighting with Devotion, her alaricite superb short sword. Reese plans on using Dex+medium wpn as her attack skills. Her sword is 10 dam, 12 damage bonus and -2 difficulty. She will have Dazzler her rubicund excellent short with her just in case. She will wear her hq steel armor with mitigation 68. She is going to try and identify and cut as quick a path as possible to any big bringers and explode them with heart or head shots (but not mouth shots!) with alatricite. She plans to keep close to her cousin Barric. she will try to watch out for him. She plans to fight side by side with him. If Barric falls in battle, she will be attempting to retrieve Elvesbane, the Grayson house sword from his body.

Ariella will be leading the naval actions of the Rubino, Zaffria, and Igniseri from her ship the Red Bargain, up the river in support of the attack.

GOing with Eirene's healing unit, using uber medical skills, chatting with hurt soldiers for morale boosts, offering last rites to those willling to have them with a THirteenth bent.

Eleyna will be gathering any and all alchemists willing to assist in the upcoming war effort, including Blacktongue and Emeline, to provide additional supplies to the three strike teams put together by Lady General Calypso. The Mirrorguard (led by Talen/Luca), Grayson (led by Reese/Barric) and Valorous Few (led by Audric/Kima) forces will be given fire and poison to fight the Bringers and Abandoned respectively, so their troops which are not wielding alaricite and diamondplate can gain the upper hand when cutting their way towards the generals.

Continuing his role as the back channel logistical man, Maximilian has hired ships to transport and maintain logistical ties for up to 7000 extra men, as well as bringing a few of his river-capable warships along to help keep river pirates off the goods. He's getting paid back for this, right? Right? Why is everyone suddenly quiet?

Max will be investing 300 Military Resources (Darkwater) into outfitting many of the merchant ships as riverine warships, as he anticipates that the enemy will try and cut Calypsos supply line. He will take personal command of this unit and use it to keep the enemy from severing those lines. They will look like normal merchant vessels, just covertly outfitted with weaponry and marines.

Deva will be commanding the Redrain portion of the overall river assault under Calypso's direction. Her forces will consist of approximately half of overall Redrain troops (archers, infantry, etc.), several hundred Nightgold archers and calvary, and at least a chunk of Halfshav infantry as well. The goal is to separate the enemy as best as possible to make it easier to cut them down. Adjustments will be made as necessary per any instructions given in the thick of it, and Deva will be flexible with fighting both ranged with her archers, and up close melee on the front lines as/if needed.

Artorius is leading a battalion of Malvici warriors under General Calypso's command up the river.

Dagon will be joining the forward operation to flank and cut through the ranks of the Bringer army, and focus on finding and eliminating Bringer generals and berserkers; the baddest of the bad. He will be working alongside three other strike teams (Valorous Few, Mirrorguard, and Graysons) with his own hand picked Knights of Tyde. Dagon plans to attack with Reafian, the sword of House Thrax, while wearing rubicund plate, and plans to lead at the head of his unit, and work quickly to cut a path into the generals. In and out, ruthless and efficient; everyone on this mission was hand-picked, and Dagon has no illusions about saving anybody -- not today. They can handle themselves, they are all warriors, and they all are prepared to die. His mind is on breaking this army, here and now, to save those back at Arx the trouble, and he will single out the generals with a one-track determination, trusting his men and the others to cover his back.

Serafine is aiding Dagon Tyde as his second, following his orders but exercising her own judgement and experience, wielding her diamondplate blade, Pathway, to use it to its namesake and cut a path into her foes, using light, well-made, high quality leather armor, efficient and dangerous, using her speed, strength, and endurance to her advantage. With her experience in the past of killing and identifying Bringers in earlier campaigns and missions as well as her exceptional skill at killing the Shav-slaves they keep, she would do her damnedest to get the job done as efficiently as possible, while also do her best to stay safe and, if the Gods allow it, return home to her loved ones, more or less in one piece.

Leta will be joining the Valorous Few, with Audric and Kima, in the attack on the Bringers. Since she just has rubicund and steel, she'll stick to protecting Audric and Kima's backs by helping cut a path to the big Bringers and fending off any counter-attacks with the rest of the Few. Leta isn't planning on any heroics, but if some opportunity presents itself to chop some Bringer in the side, or to attempt a rescue of some of our heroic alaricite wielders, she'll probably take it. If Audric dies, she's grabbing his sword. If there's time for it, she'll also go through his pockets. He would have wanted it that way.

Estaban is joining the Archers under Calypso's comand.

Garza will be joining Audric and the other Valorous Few as part of the strike force meant to target the Bringer Generals and Berserkers in an attempt to take out their core leadership. He'll be fighting with his bow and sword, focusing on range tactics unless he needs to fight in close quarters combat.

Inquisitor Alistair and a cadre of loyal Confessors (loyal to him) will be accompanying Lady General Calypso and her command guard. From there the man will observe the battle, keeping an eye out for the presence of Bringers and any possible abyssal magic that the enemy will be using. He will point out Bringers that he identifies as well as issuing warnings of their approach and/or the workings of any abyssal magic. Further he will be keeping an eye on any Compact soldiers who attempt to use magic, though he will not stop them. If battle is joined his Confessors armed with crossbows and he armed with a blade will fight with the cry "May the Sentinel guard the Righteous!" on their lips.

Halsim is supplying the armies intercepting at the river, along with the archers at the ramparts, with poison for their arrows and other gear they might want. Anyone who wants any other alchemical supplies is welcome to approach him for supplies as well.

Karadoc will be assisting from General Calypso's command tent. A (lazy) genius, he's been pressed into action to support his leige lord family as best as he is able, and is (reluctantly) doing so. A veritable master of economics, he's working to solidify support lines, arranging resupplies, and acting in a manner most mercantile. His efforts are on food and fresh water for the soldiers, leaving the specialized supplies to those better able to provide. He'll be traveling with his favorite cousin Kima, though, will certainly be confined to non-combat rolls, stuck in/around the command tent.

Caelis will be serving under Lady General Calypso largely as transpertation. She'll be leading the Malvici ships carrying troops up the riber and back. While they are up the river she'll join the troops in battle on the field.

Zhayla will be joining the Grayson forces with her alaricite trident, looking for the biggest, meanest bad guys and the worst of the fight where she might make the biggest difference and look ~so heroic~. Even if it is super risky.

Infamous for being the man to survive the poisons of his former position, Blacktonge is the defacto unspoken, but recognized with knowing nods, poison maker for House Velenosa - apples be damned. The Harlequin of House Velenosa will open up his lab, chuck out the apples, and pour all of his work into making the poisons to help along the blades wielded by Talen and crew.

Live GM'd and resulted in the destruction of the Bringer column after a confrontation with a Formorian Bringer of Silence.

Lady General Calypso is leading the forces at the Ramparts and Gates. This includes all of the Malvici Forces within the city. The group mustered to keep watch there will be working as an information point for the city, keeping their eyes beyond the walls for any movements, new arrivals or anything else they can see coming towards the city on the horizon.

They are also the active point of defense that includes both archers on the walls to take out any advancing troops, and the guarding of the gates to make sure they remain closed and fortified. This group will fight back any and all who approach the city to the best of their ability while staying inside the walls.

Calypso will also be wielding the Alaricite sword, Truestrike during this time.

Artorius moves to the wall/rampart to help support Calypso as she prepares to lead the Malvici forces in the defense of Arx
Artorius takes a group of archers to the south side of the wall, hoping to hit the shavs and bringers in the army's weak spot.

Under the direction of General Calypso, Kima is taking part of the defense of the gate. She knows to remain inside, due to the foul magic possessed by Tolomar Brand. She will be wielding her alaricite sword, the Absolute, during this conflict.

Gabriel will be supporting Calypso in support of the gate with the Bisland forces he has available to him.

Advised to join the wall with the Grayson Archers was the best course of action and placement for the young Prince Aiden during this coordinated effort. He will stand among numbers for the first time against the enemies of Arx, showing a steady countenance in dark leathers and a Grayson cloak, Eagle Strike - his Grayson Bow, and a white gyrfalcon circling above. Aiden will inspire the Archers on the wall with not only his presence, but his ability to take action when it comes time. The Prince will add his arrows to each call to 'loose', as well as taking dynamic attempts to strike at individual targets when the order for 'fire at will' takes place. He will take heart in the men and women around him and will encourage them verbally with a voice like that of a drumbeat: "Aim True, For Our People!"

Per Reese's request, Aislin will be placing Ashford forces -- particularly any present or former Vista Glades (Ashford's elite arboreal scouts and archers) who happen to be the city -- atop the roofs of buildings throughout the city, as well as stringing ropes and such between roofs ahead of time where possible. They'll be concentrated around the gates, but others will be scattered throughout the city as well, with another cluster close to the Lower Boroughs to be able to keep an eye on any approaches to the Pit. The intent here is to give a not-quite bird's eye view of situations in the city -- keep track of enemy movements should any be spotted within the city -- and provide semi-aerial archery coverage.
(Additionally -- given that this /is/ the Vista Glades -- I have been reminded by others to ensure that, if at all possible, ziplines, rope bridges, and parkour be involved if possible. Because... well, crazy arboreal special forces.)

I shall set a healing tent up where I can provide assistance to people who need quick healing. Also, I would like to use stealth to maybe locate Brands army gathering any intel I can before they get close to the gate.

Will be assisting Calypso at the gate with the sword Elvesbane. He will also be wearing a new set of armor to try and help inspire the troops to stand fast against the siege.

Peregrine will be leading the Gold Feathers as a mobile reserve force, guerilla style, to supplement the gate forces in the event of a breach. Anything that gets by will be hunted, with prejudice, by the thousand newly minuted Prodigals.

Eirene will mobilize the Phoenix Brigade to perform triage, moving the wounded back to safety and holding the defenses until reinforcements can take the places of the fallen. As for herself, she will use her studies of the occult to try to prevent and counter any of the more lethal supernatural attacks when not coordinating movement of their medics.

Reese plans to join the Grayson forces at the east gate. She intends to help serve as back up leadership, but will let Lady Maude and Duke Gabriel take point on commanding. She hopes to inspire the troops with her presence. She hopes to service as a heavy hitter if needed against any bringers or Shavs who might breach the gates. She will have her superb Alatricite short sword with her. She will be armed in her hq steel. She intends to fight next to Barric and Zhayla. She will try to help keep them alive if they run into trouble. She will pick up Barric's sword, the Grayson blade, Elvesbane if he falls in battle. She would like to focus on being a charming inspiration more than commanding and hopes to use her charm+leadership pool to inspire the Grayson troops. She hopes to use dexterity + medium wpn to fight if needed.

Inigo will be directly commanding the three-fourths of the Fidante army promised for the protection of the Seawatch gate. He will be overseeing the troops from the front, leading by example (as best as he currently knows how). The overall actions of the Fidante army will be seen to by Lady General Calypso Malvici, Inigo and the Fidante army will be acting according to her commands and directions. Lord Inigo will be wielding the diamondplate longsword Recompense and will be adorned in a full suit of HQ leather armor (while fondly wishing he had exotic).

Estaban will be up on the ramparts raining arrows from above down to the Bringers below.

Esoka will be there with her Riven peeps to help hold the gates with the Grayson/Lycene forces. She'll have given her prayers to Gloria before the battle, for guidance and favor for her own sword and the lives and honor of her comrades.
She'll be with the Riven forces as they lend their strength, primarily under their liege the Deepwoods and their forces.

Captain Caelis Malvici brings her marines in support of Lady General Calypso in the Seawatch Gate. In her hawk armor with her rubicund blade, she is ready for part two in facing off with the shavs and bringers on the ramparts.

Luca will be joining the defense of the gates in front of part of the Mirrorguard as likely his last act as their Shield. He'll be wielding his (as yet unmade) alaricite blade called Viper's Soul and in his usual diresnake scale exotic leather dueling armor, and as the last fight, would be focusing on cutting down any Bringers he can reach specifically. As the last battle he didn't even touch a Bringer for getting caught up fighting the trashmobs, he'll be tasking the Mirrorguard explicitly to trying to hold them back for him and others with diamondplate or alaricite to focus on the more dangerous foes. The intention I believe is for the mirrorguard to act as mobile strikeforce targetting breaches as they come up so that other forces can plug the holes with more defensive fighters, though this could change as Talen ultimately will be directing strategy.

Fiora will be playing rooftop rascal when the fighting begins. Raining arrows down so fast and furious they will have to fight in the shade! Or, you know, she'll be trying to help harry and harass the Bringers where the Compact wants them to be led. Or just straight up trying to murderface them. That would be good too!

Ferrando will be using his streetwise smarts, connections, and encyclopedic knowledge of the layout of Arx plus some general stealthiness to provide a ground-based compliment to Aislin's aerial rooftop operations. Should small groups of enemy infiltrators make it past the gate area into the city, Ferrando and his allied associates (cashing in some military resources to represent some recruiting among his fellow independent security consultants) will be setting traps and laying ambushes inside the Boroughs and especially along the approach to the Pit to apply his alaricite mace to Bringer faces as often as possible, as well as trying to clear out any enemies pinned down by the archers to free them up to keep scouting.

As the Gemecittans have tragically lost their commander, Dafne has placed her troops under the command of Lady General Calypso. A non-combatant herself, she does visit her troops beforehand and reminds them of what they are fighting. Not only to save all of existence, but to avenge their duke and leader, foully murdered by one of the creatures they now face. FOR VALKIERI!

The forces of Lenosia in the city that helped reinforce Seawatch Gate during the last attack, will be doing so yet again this time around. They will be joining Calypso's forces and any other armies at that location. Niccolo will be commanding those forces himself.

Gian will lead what remains of the Rubino-Zaffria troops in defense of the walls and gates, under Calypso's direction. Without much left to lose, and so recently after failing to defend Valkieri, he and many of the house guard will die before falling back.

Will lend her aid in training troops and fighting herself to whomever asks of her assistance.

Zhayla will be in the thick of the fight with her alarcite trident. She's a little bit reckless, and a lot a bit looking to prove herself, but not stepping out of line of the Deepwood / Grayson / etc. battle orders.

Tikva will be with the archers on the walls, shooting down troops on the advance with the defense of the gate. If the walls breach, she will edificeer some leaps to other roofs and pursue the front line, shooting where she can.

Costas will be walking in Calypso's shadow, on the lookout for any attacks at the Lady General herself. That protection extends to others in the vicinity but his priority is to keep Calypso safe and mobile during the battle.

Dante will be assisting the forces at the gate with a small detachment of Fidante soldiers. He wields the diamondplate blade Rosethorn, and his presence, along with that of the famous blade, should prove to be a boon and a symbol of moral for those soldiers serving with him and around him. He will be actively attempt to go where the fighting is thickest, as he finally has the chance to prove his own valor, and that of his house, on the field of battle.

Maude will be assisting with the deployment and command of Grayson troops. Other than generic generalling and shouting at people, she will continue to focus her attention on defending the city streets behind the gates and the walls, in case of a breach. She's already done much of the planning for this last time. This involves fortifying some points, preparing ambush sites, and having a reserve ready to flank the enemy if it gets through. If the enemy overruns the wall, the idea is feign a retreat to lure that group into the city, whittle away at them with ambushes and archery from rooftops and the inner walls. If possible, surround them with the reserves and counter-attack. It's all very elaborate.

In keeping with Samantha's effort to provide the Prodigals of Deepwood the means of being readily identified, Rymarr will aid in dispensing the various means of identification. Likewise he'll help to coordinate those willing among the refugees occupying Deepwood's turf within Arx in forming groups to more efficiently produces these means and then dispense them in a bid to make the process as fluid and efficient as possible. Ideally through the acute application of Command and Leadership.

On the topic of Old Oak and the Prodigals there which will be harassing the Bringer army from the rear, Rymarr will put his martial planning experience to the test. While not instructing the Prodigals how to fight Bringers, as they're no doubt experienced in that regard by now - Rymarr will at least send a few birds off to Old Oak in order to offer some advice in terms of a battle plan. Sent to the most noteworthy leadership figures among the more martially inclined figures of Old Oak's current warriors, Rymarr will provide some military insights - giving tips on terrain features to utilize, emphasizing teamwork over battling individually, and any other aspects of warfare that Rymarr may feel are prudent to reinforce the importance of War.

As the newly minted Marquis of Deepwood, Rymarr has been tasked with leadership of the House's military forces. Deepwood will make themselves present at the Seawatch Gate and join the assembled forces. Sticking with their direct liege in the form of Bisland and their direct vassal in Riven. Rymarr will be investing some of his own personal armaments(Military Resources) in ensuring that as many of Deepwood's soldiers are appropriately equipped and prepared as possible, for the oncoming battle. Rymarr for his part will be exactly what he is, the former Lord Commander of the King's Own, utilizing that reputation as a means to hopefully aid in keeping the gathered forces in line and steadfastly fighting; i.e., working to prevent a rout through pure Leadership and War planning. Furthermore Rymarr will make absolutely certain that messengers or criers in general circulate through the Compact forces. The message that is cried, screamed, shouted, delivered, spoken, or otherwise is simple and clear: "Deepwood's Prodigals will possess three black lines on a green field", in an effort to differentiate them from the enemy shav forces. Whether said Prodigals arrive from the north or within Arx itself, it should prevent any confusion or . For the fighting itself Rymarr will be carrying Autumn's Grace, an alaricite longsword and a rubicund morningstar as a de facto secondary weapon.

The creation of the siege towers and scaling ladders and deployment of Brand's forces all across the spread of the North wall has not gone unnoticed by the defenders of Arx. The Silent Army intends to attack all three northern wards simultaneously and move over the wall and storm the Seawatch Gate simultaneously. When the attack comes, they'll be ready.

((This will be live GM'd. The AP and military resources greatly reduced the difficulty of the rolls and this will be factored for initial deployments of soldiers, and taken into account. All characters not physically present during the GMing will be noted based on their actions)).

Investigating the 'bad' dust. Eirene has obtained a sample of 'clean' dust from Talen, which she and Eleyna subject to the usual Abyssal/Taint tests for a baseline - including now touching it to metals and gemstones just to see if it does anything. She also looks at the bodies and patients in the Grace for any signs of overdose; lethargy, extreme thirst, emaciation, red blurry eyes, so they can start tracking the victims themselves and perform autopsy on the passed ones- including a blood draw to see if the blood (and primum) has been affected by the bad stuff. Essentially they want to see what normal dust does (Talen as a baseline) and how the victims are affected in different ways.

Talen's not exactly the most discrete when it comes to his Dust habits. Though they've never really gone away, he's perhaps been mindful to ensure he sticks to consuming within the Lycene ward and its various establishments. When word was given to him via Acacia some months ago that there was influences in the drug that were potentially dangerous, he begun to gather the information. When he shared this information with Eleyna, Eirene and Blacktongue, it became a matter of priority to ensure that there was a 'clean' source for him to consume.

Then, it's probably no surprise that when they're all due to work in the lab, they might come back to find Talen already huffing smoke and scratching away in a notebook. Doodling on the walls. On the ceilings. Whatever he can get at to record his latest trip. If he's likely to talk and acknowledge his idioacy, it'll be when he's found laying upside down on one of the tables, head tilted back over the edge, wide-eyed and asking: "What? The candle-people told me to do it." Solid excuse.

It isn't an isolated instance, even if they're admonishing him, he wants to help. As a guinea pig. With doctors and alchemists about, surely he'll be in safe hands, if he doesn't smoke to assess. Maybe all this can give them some insight into what kind of visions and if they're making progress on 'cleaning' the strains, or isolating which is most potent, or where they're coming from.
smoke to excess*! Not assess. Wtf, brain. Just because they have two 's'.

The lack of consistency is infuriating. For dust itself, there doesn't seem any sort of reaction that would place itself outside of normal bounds. No special reactions to gemstones or metals, nothing to holy water, blessed items, diamondplate or alaricite. But then she starts experimenting with cadavers that were overdose victims, and that DOES show reactions to abyssal influence. One cadaver blinked, looked at Eirene and said, "Delusion is power." No one else saw it. No one else noticed it, but the cadaver had ever so slightly moved as one bit of empirical evidence that it wasn't entirely in her head... unless she moved it, and she had started a trip herself.

Similarly, when Talen was very, very deep into a trip he looked at Eirene and just matter of factly says, "You can't really quantify the whims of the dreamer, as there will always be a thousand unseen variables." His trip, however, was about him turning into a frog, and having a hopping competition. He doesn't remember saying it whatsoever.

The City of Southport has always held both Mangata and Gloria close, calling them Patrons of the City of Swords. It is only fitting then that Duchess General Calypso Malvici has called for a monument of Mangata to be erected on the southern most tip of Arvum. The priests of the city are. Wong asked to hold devotional worship ceremonies there allowing the people to show their love of the sea and it's Goddess openly.

It is also being said that the Duchess is sending half their fleet and Lord Admiral Estaban to join the fight along with their allies, House Thrax. (This part will be as an assist to Fatima)

While the Phoenix of Malvici tend to honor Lagoma, they are instructed to wash and request Mangata's blessings of purity for their tools by cleaning them in water and then again in alcohol. (Look, sanitization for religious purposes!) They are also given free leave to go to the statue dedication and a night of drinks on their Brigadier General in the Goddess' name.

Caelis will travel down to Southport to assist with the building of the monument. While she is there she'll pray in the ocean off the southern most tip and rinse the stone used in construction with sea water offering more prayers to the goddess.

Lord Captain Artorius joins Lord Admiral Estaban as he goes to fight with their Thrax allies to help ensure his safety and the success of the operation! he lends his blade to join the fight.

Waldemai will use his contacts with the Crafters of the city to locate sculptors and stone carvers to work on the monument, and will use his own skills to keep their tools in good shape as they work.

And never let it be said that Southport is not also devoted to the Goddess too - and so Duchess Calypso Malvici calls for a monument of Mangata to be erected on the southernmost tip of Arvum. Waldemai Isenhu uses his own skills to keep the tools of the crafters sharp, and Lady Caelis Malvici travels to assist with the building of the monument as well. When it is completed a grand dedication ceremony is held, with Caelis making sure the statue itself is washed in sea water during the prayers offered. Lady Eirene brings the Phoenix of Malvici to the shrine's unveiling and treats her people to a night of drinks in the Goddess' name too, and thus is Mangata honored from the north to the south of the continent.

Duchess General Calypso Malvici is leading half of the Malvici Military and hald of the Velenosa Military Northwards to help Duke Vercyn stave off any Abyssal tainted Shavs in the Northlands. They will also hold the area secure in hope of keeping the Horned God's influence from spreading. She intends to travel north with the rest of the committed Lycene troops to help coordinate with the Redrain forces there.

She will also be working to coordinate with Princess Freja's efforts to search for weapons and locate the weapon which is thought to be hidden inside the Palace of Arx.


Calypso will be taking the following team with her in to the Palace to search for the weapon rumored to be there. She has expressed permission from His Majesty King Alaric, with the stipulation that any weapons uncovered become the property of the King's Own. Agreeing to that, the team is formed - Sir Miles of the King's Own, Princess-General Alis Valardin, Princess Reese Grayson and Master Costas.

As is her role as a Brigadier General, Eirene will be taking command of the Malvici battle-medic Phoenix Brigade but will also be coordinating with the other medical forces of the Lycene houses to ensure there is ample medical attention and protection for the healers working in triage outside of the lines.

She will also use her knowledge of occult lore and superstition to be on the lookout for any magical maladies or unusual attacks which may be used against their forces.

Working on the 'wolf of Skald' being a counter to the Horned King's magic, she will keep a small supply (from Eleyna- not poisoned) to test on any out of the ordinary wounds or afflications she may encounter.
She also prepares for frostbite and trenchfoot and other cold-weather maladies.

A man known for being adept with Logistics, Edward will bring his expert skill at quartermastering and logistics to the entirety of Calypso's forces. Working with the Captains and Sergeants he will make sure that each command has the necessary equipment and supplies needed to do their job but also have a proper amount of extra resources allocated to cover unfortunate happenstances. He will work with the supply teams to ensure proper packing of foods and materials that an army on the move will need and ensure that it is packed efficiently and in as few trains as possible to keep a short and tight supply line to limit its vulnerability.

In addition, he brings with him a portion of his own Whitefrost forces who are adept at defensive combat due to the military conditions in the Isles that breed that kind of warrior. He will use his forces as the Duchess General directs with the recommendation she deploy them in a defensive capacity.

To be appended.
Merek will travel with the forces that are heading to the North with Fidante (should any of them be assisting in this, if not then generically he will be under Calypso's Command). He will take a token force of the Iron Guard if permitted to assist them, with permission from Velenosa and Redrain should it be allowed. He also has his three personal guards and champion assigned to his protection, and his secretary for logistic matters. His action is a bit different from the others. While he will be willing to fight and will travel north, and has skill and his special blade in case any Abyssal threats are met that require such weapons, his main focus will be on the monetary and logistics only in a different manner, instead as a Merchant he will be working on forging the best of weapons and armor he can, which admittedly isn't too much, and he will be helping with field repairs as well. In addition to that he will be assisting in funding the expedition so that the army lacks for less as they travel. This likely means he will be assisting 'Edward' in addition to any Fidante forces, to help boost the man's work in logistics. (In other words, non-combatant unless he's required to fight in full. Mostly Command/Logistics/Smithing to some extent)

Special note: His personal Guard is loyal and willing to lay down their lives to ensure his safety, and I accept that if this happens to them it will be a loss of the Agents/Retainers that do such an act.


[He will be bringing 80 Iron Guardsmen to assist the soldiers. A token force at most, but more folk it is nonetheless.]

Since Inigo is marching out, he will be with the Fidante folk, who are under Calypso, and then the Guards he brought will be under him, with oversight of the chain of command upwards but answering to him.

Estaban will be gathering his troops in the next few days running them through drills and since most are from the south teaching them about the cold counditions of the North as he has been there first had and almost froze. Once they are ready he will let Calypso know and they will being prepping to march out at her side.
Estaban will be marching with the House Saik army, I can not add them to the Crisis at the moment because I am Admiral of the Malvici fleet at and can not also command the saik Army at the the same time code wise. I spoke with Apostate and he told me to note it in the crisis.

Alis is going to help Calypso with searching the Palace for a shiny.

Count Artorius Magnotta sends warriors to aid and serve in Duchess Calypso's army in the effort to help the fight against Legion, as well as personally joining the fray himself to fight in the impending conflict.

As the commander of the Army of Tor, Duke Inigo Fidante will be leading half of the strength of the Fidante army north to assist in the military exercise. Inigo has been under the tutelage of the Duchess General in leadership and warfare but is still very green when it comes to engagements. This being the case, the Duke will be issuing commands to his army but under the instruction and guidance of Duchess Malvici. If needed, i.e. if things get messy and he needs to take a more hands on approach, the Duke is outfitted with his armor and diamond plate sword 'Recompense'.

Sparte will be marching out with the Iron Guard contingent, to assist in what ways he can. As a line and file guardsman that may not be much, but he'll still be there. His main contribution will likely be chiding the other guardsmen on packing appropriately for cold weather, and making poor quality maps of things they see along the way.

Anze begins the preparations to support Vercyn with the Malvici troops by making sure that the Malvici forces are well prepared for the journey north. Having grown up in Farhaven and serving under Vercyn, he makes sure to meet with the Malvici forces commanders and Lieutenants to go over the basics of the terrain, their path up, and what the weather might be like. Knowing that the Malvici forces are from the furthest southernmost tip of Arvum, he makes sure that they will bring cloaks and other supplies to keep them warm in the for northern spring.

Any Lycene forces showing an interest in learning what Anze knows also get his support, going over the basics of maps, terrain, and weather so that they know what to expect.

Anze will spend his time helping Calypso command the Malvici forces, and being ready to step in in case she has to move to another location or work with other groups. Having worked with Vercyn and knowing the northern forces well, he would work to make sure that the Malvici and northern forces mesh well and can work together in the most efficient way.

In addition to half of the Velenosa forces being lent to the cause of fighting Legion, Talen has committed half of the Mirrorguard forces as well. He'll personally lead these as a strike force available to the plans and whims of Duchess CAlypso Malvici who has been given the temporary control of southern forces pledged to Darren under her command by Eleyna Velenosa. Talen's agents are primarily focusing on geurilla-style warfare, laying traps and ambushes to known points where the Northlands shavs attack. This will be in addition to any forces provided by Baron Audric De Lire who is sending his Valorous Few, if any, as they are known to have similar styles of assault and a 'get the job done under any means necessary' attitudes.
Talen is using Eleyna's wolf-blood poison (detailed in her action) against the corrupted Shav'Arvani in battle and other creatures under the Horned God's control to demonstrate whether the theory is correct.

Miles will babysit these Malvici (all except Eirene who needs no babysitter) as they bumble about the Palace. To keep them in line he will tactically and strategically grump at them. Miles is working with them to explore the palace, keeping an eye out for potential security breaches and if a weapon is found, securing it for the Crown per His Majesty's orders.

Costas will be present in his role as Calypso's bodyguard as she hunts in the Palace.

Duchess Calista Fidante is assisting House Fidante's actions to better prepare the military for battle in the North.
Duchess Calista Fidante is assisting House Fidante's actions to better prepare the military for battle in the North. House Fidante is sending in half their military forces under the command of Duke Inigo Fidante with Sword of Tor Dante Fidante on the helm. For her part, the Duchesses of Roses will be aiding in diplomatic efforts.

Mirari will be using her knowledge of alchemy and apothecarism. She'll be selecting skilled warriors that she knows won't object-- and she'll be poisoning their blades. Things that will debilitate and make it easier for the warriors to win, but not be particularly torturous or awful.

Being neither a commander nor a scholar of the occult, Eleyna's actions are those of support from Arx rather than traipsing into the field with the others. As a show of her faith in the alliance between Redrain and Velenosa, bonds forged in shared grief and, now, in deep friendship between Eleyna and Darren, she pledges half of the Velenosa army to go North and assist. As a show of trust, she offers Duchess General Calypso Malvici command of those forces in the North as Talen will be focusing on the Mirrorguard, who are better suited toward guerilla-style combat than military maneuvers.

As a small side action, after a discussion with Lady Eirene Malvici, Eleyna retreats into her lab and, using what she learned in the last war regarding spiders and their use against Bringers, mixes up a concoction of wolf's blood (ethically sourced, of course!) sinces wolves were thought to be a 'Skald' thing and nettle poison, known for causing painful blistery rashes. She instructs Talen to put it on his sword at some opportune time. Just as a test.
((Could not add the army due to org permissions, but they will be there!))

As part of the Malvici Military, Fiora accompanies in helping Duke Vercyn by providing archery support and heeding the orders of her cousin, Duchess General Calypso. And for kicks, maybe she'll see about protecting her family members from getting hurt or instead goad her twin brother into fight alongside her like old times. The things people do for family, liege, and fealty.

Lord Dante Fidante, Voice of Fidante and Sword of Tor will be headed North to help in assisting Duke Inigo with the Fidante forces, along with this, as half of the Mirrorguard have been committed to the attack, Dante will be assisting Prince Talen and the Mirrorguard as well. He will mostly be there on a combative basis, and not so much as being in command. Despite this, if Inigo were to need assistance leading the Fidante forces, he is there in his position as both voice and Sword.

Dafne entrusts half of the Rubino-Zaffria troops to Calypso's command for this action. She takes time to give them a stirring speech beforehand. And warm clothing.

Back in the Gray Forest, even more fortifications are being built and strengthened. Baron Edward Stormbreak brings his particular expertise in logistics and quartermastering to aid and advise the forces led by Duchess General Calypso Malvici. Merek Black also comes, helping with the setup of their home away from home and helping make sure that the logistics and supply chain is as secure as possible. Brigadier General Eirene Malvici coordinates a triage center as well, using supplies graciously donated by Princess Eleyna Velenosa. Duchess Dafne Zaffria assists by sending troops, and Mirari Corsetina seems to have developed an unholy interest in polishing blades (that is not a euphemism, folks). Those soldiers willing to let her look at their swords tend to be very careful with handling them afterwards. All in all though, these defenses are a success, and the soldiers operating in the Gray Forest are safer as a result. Estaban, Artorius, Inigo, Sparte, Anze, Talen, Fiora, Dante, Calista, and Calypso are handling some guerilla action as well, drawing the shavs loyal to the Horned God deeper and deeper into a trap.