Valdemar is going to begin planning for improvements to be made to Grimhold at Grihem's Point. Primarily, this will be expanding it and fortifying it, making the walls stronger where possible and adding arrow slits, murder holes, and pots for boiling pitch. While he is at it, he would include some renovations for the purpose of comfort, but this will be secondary to making it a more secure dwelling for his family.

Ingrid has studied much of economics and with her intellect and perception, she can spot the best deals, and hopefully avoid the rips, for building materials and labor for the improvements to be made to the Grimhold at Grihem's Point. The materials should be the best they can find, while at the most affordable price considering it is a huge project. An emphasis will be made on directing more business the way of whomever deals fairly. For the labor as well, she seeks those that are honest and hardworking.

Duchess Vanora Grimhall has been highly focused on improving Grihem's Point since her husband became Duke, for just as he is the Builder of Grihem's Point she may be the muse that inspires many of the expansions and additions to the Isle. Certainly she played a key role in the Grim Seminary down to details of architectural design...and she lent her support to the Harald Grimhall Naval Academy as well, with slightly less expertise. Expansions and renovations to Grimhold are certainly in her wheelhouse. As her husband considers ways to sure up its defenses, she focuses on the appearance of the castle itself, suggesting the addition of high outer walls and turrets that lend appropriate grandeur to the Grimhall family seat. She supervises the addition of onyx from the famed Grimhall onyx mines to the columns in the great hall and the decor around the gates.

As with any building expansion project, this one requires labor and thus provides jobs for the people, and for some those jobs are the first they have as free men, thralls who are released and paid fairly for their work. Her experience at organizing large efforts of this kind, as well as her charm and diplomacy, which aim to convince the people of Grihem's Point that this endeavor is for the glory of all of them. If her speeches are moving enough, perhaps there will be donations to the cause from the noble vassals and wealthy merchants, in order to impress their Duke and his family.

Orchid is going to help Valdemar with his fortifying and renovations by suggesting changes to optimize the land and organizing the people used for renovations. She isn't really focusing on the military aspect but the more building and people oraganizing.

Iseulet uses her vast network of merchants and people that know people in order to make this a more financially viable affair for House Grimhall. She focuses on sourcing all the materials from local merchants where possible and wields the Empyrean Route to direct more materials that they need to bring in from elsewhere without incurring extra taxes/tariffs. She focuses on not sacrificing quality, just price by (gently) making the merchants compete a little for this business.

Having considerable construction experience - from helping to rebuild Darkwater after the Gyre, to building up the colony at Whitefrost, and assisting in the rebuilding efforts of Stormwall in Redrain lands - Edward is going to leverage his ability with economics and logistics to make sure that quality materials are brought to the efforts of the rebuilding that is being done by House Grimhall. In addition, given his military background and experience - particularly in his assistance with sieges from the Siege of Arx and other locations - he will advise the Duke on how to best place the defenses so as to make full use of the design of the castle at Grimheim's Point.

Fortifying a castle is no small feat; it takes time, people and money. Thankfully, the Duke of Grihem's Point has all of those things. The end result is a heavily fortified keep, complete with secret boltholes and escape routes, a reinforced curtain wall and increase defenses. The people of Grihem's Point are pleased to see that their Duke is looking out for them in these trying and dangerous times.

Valdemar is going to go on a tour of Grimhall's holdings, recruiting new sailors for the Grim Fleet. At each stop, he will give a speech about the warrior tradition of their people, their devotion to duty, and urging them to step up for the sake of the safety and security of the Mourning Isles. Meanwhile, he is also placing an order for new ships with Stormheart Shipyard, asking his protege Aella to assist with expediting the order, so that these new sailors have ships to crew.

With the construction of the Stormheart Naval yard, orders have been coming in at a steady rate, providing work and opportunities to the people of Stormheart. Aella's Patron, and donator to the naval yard, has sought assistance in bolstering the naval forces of Grihem's Point so one good deed deserves another. Aella has opened construction of the naval yard to the Grimhalls, providing them with a workforce more than willing to build ships and assist the Compact.

The Duchess-Consort will be accompanying Valdemar on his tour of the Grimhall holdings, and will do her best to assist Valdemar in recruiting new sailors for the Grim Fleet. She'll host several different events in Grihem's Point, including lavish parties for the nobility and more public speeches directed towards merchants and commoners, all of which are focused on getting as many new recruits as possible, whether through inspiring Grimhall patriotism among the masses or subtle social pressures for noble families to see that their sons have at /least/ a few years of military experience under their belts as Isles traditions would dictate.

The Grim Fleet Admiral will be making his rounds with Valdemar and Vanora on their tour of the Grimhall holdings. Offering speeches and sitting and talking with any potential recruits along the way to bolster up the Grim Fleet's numbers to fill the new ships that are being built.

Seroza is not particularly a fan of long voyages himself, so why not get others to do it for him? Or rather, a recruitment drive. That should help the family out, right? At least, thats what he thinks. So it is Seroza will take it upon himself to rouse up the public in hopes of joining the Grimhall Fleet.

Edward will travel with is Patron, the Duchess Vanora, to help with her efforts at a recruitment drive for the Grimhall military. He will be the veteran of the Gyre's War and the War of Silence, with plenty of stories to share regarding the bravery of House Grimhall and the strength of its military. He will focus on logistical facts and about how it is the merchants who provide supplies and material and the nobles who seek out recruits and opportunities that benefit all of them, that becomes the backbone of strength that makes House Grimhall the mightiest and most well trained military arm in the Mourning Isles.

Lastly, he will even speak not just of the tenacity of the Grimhall fleet - but he will speak on the strength of Duke Valdemar and how the military tradition is very strong with him at the lead. Edward will speak about heros soldiers that the House has had in the past and how every soldier is not just a part of a military but is part of a potential, a group out of many who can rise up and be the next hero recognized by House Grimhall.

The efforts to recruit new sailors and build ships for said sailors is a rousing success. Between the combined efforts of Valedmar, Vanora, Seroza, Edward and Ingvar dozens, hundreds of men report for duty to the Grimhall navy. And given Aella's shipyard, a staggering number of ships set sail for Grihem's Point. 75 Longships, 13 galleys and 2 dromonds all bearing the colors and flag of Grimhall arrive, ready to be manned by the new sailors. Grimhall's fleet nearly doubles and all feel safer for it.

For some time now, house Grimhall has been planning to build a school of theology at Grihem's Point, to teach Mourning Islanders about all of the Gods of the Pantheon and encourage more of them to become Godsworn. The time has come for construction to begin, and so Valdemar will be getting things in order to do this: finalizing the plans for the building, getting them out to construction crews, arranging for the import of any materials needed that are not produced at Grihem's Point, and so on. His focus is on building a grand structure worthy of the Gods, to inspire people to come and learn about all of them, not just Mangata. Vanora will be the face of the project, getting the word out about the school and coordinating with others who will be assisting with matters like finding instructors and support staff or once the school is open.

For more than a year the Grimhall family has been working towards building a school of theology the likes of which few places in all the Compact have ever seen. Called the Grihem Seminary and Philosophical Academy, it is even in its building stages referred to more commonly as the Grim Seminary.

Designs for the Seminary include a massive structure of locally sourced marble that gleams like a beacon from the top of a cliff providing stunning views of the sea, located just outside the bustling city of Grihem's Point that it can be seen by those in the city below. Interiors are to be beautiful and spare no expense, with large auditoriums for lectures and sermons and smaller classrooms dedicated to more discussion focused education. It includes a library that is well stocked yet still growing its collection, as well as several outbuildings such as a cathedral for religious rites and prayer, and housing for teachers, students, and other workers and their families.

For this initial groundbreaking and dedication, House Grimhall is focusing on the following:

1 Hosting Godsworn and Legates from the City of Arx in order to help design curriculum, perform the dedications when the Seminary opens for students, and in some cases to offer guest lectures and classes to the first class to begin their studies.

2 Spreading word of the endeavor throughout the Mourning Isles in order to drum up interest and fill the classrooms. This includes reaching out to recently freed thralls or those about to be freed, for either studying or working at the Seminary provides housing and meals to students without cost, and the same for employees in addition to a fair wage for their work.

3 Creating paying jobs not only for the construction of the school but for its ongoing maintenance, employing everything from assistant teachers and caregivers for employees children to groundskeepers and maids who keep the buildings at their best.

4 Emphasizing through outreach that the Faith is yet another of the traditional institutions that are so important to Islanders, and that Grimhall continues to invest in these that traditionalists in their holdings are able to see that though there has been great change with abolition, the Isles are not forgetting their traditions or the institutions that keep them in place.

For Vanora's part personally, she will be focused on spreading the word and emphasizing the traditions that the Seminary will be deepening Grimhall commitment to, those of the Faith. She will be traveling around Grimhall holdings as well as Grihem's Point itself to tell of the Seminary and invite students and laborers to come and be a part of it.

As the Minister of Income and Trade for Grimhall, Cassima uses her profound knowledge of economics and experience managing the finances of House Grimhall to set up a stable economic framework for building this grand school of Theology at Grihem's Point so that there is coin enough to pay for the import of building materials, the labourers and so on in this endeavour. She also drafts a financial plan for the smooth and sustainable running of the school when the time comes.

Aureth's principal position here is as a student of theology (with his mid-life career change) and as a designer of a comprehensive and thorough curriculum for the school, piggybacking upon the work of the other priests who are involved and utilizing his long experience as an educator to do so. He also dedicates his own time to the project where he can by aiding in the interview and selection of instructors "on the ground" (so to speak).

One of the things that he primarily finds it important to ensure is that new priests will be trained not only in theology but in the kinds of thing local seraphies need: basic agricultural knowledge, for example, simple economics, introductory teaching, and what training he can design in empathetic and active listening. It's super important that training for new priests take into account the actual nitty-gritty details of their jobs, not just theological questions but practical ones.

Archscholar Sina has been aware of the project to create a school of theology at Grihem's Point for quite some time, since the very early days of its inception. Therefore, she is more than willing to offer whatever aid she can when the time finally comes to set those plans into motion. Using all of the resources at her disposal as Archscholar, she will assist with providing learning materials, copies of texts, writing implements and more. She'll send a delegation of eight to ten Godsworn Scholars to Grihem's Point to begin with, so that they can help with the initial establishment of the school and remain to teach, if they wish. (Represented by 800 Social resources.)

Then, she will be journeying to Grihem's point herself, in order to give her official blessing to the School in Vellichor's name. She will also be teaching a guest lecture, which she will be calling, "Heeding the Call". During this lecture, she'll tell her own story of how she, a Mourning Islander, felt the pull to become Godsworn. She'll tell the story of her how her own mother was a thrall aboard her father's ship before it was destroyed, and how she, Sina, came to serve in the kitchens of House Thrax, and then became handmaiden to Princess Donella and then Princess Alarissa. How, during a tour of the Mourning Isles, she passed through Grihem's Point and heard the choir in the amphitheater singing praises to Mangata, of how the artists and disciples of Jayus of Escuma moved her, and how Mother Ailith inspired her throughout the journey. These things, she will tell them, are all a part of what brought her to the service of the Gods.

She'll tell them, though, that in the end everyone has a different story, and that story has, one way or another, brought them to the seminary. Whatever story has brought them here, she hopes that those choices will carry them to the service of the Gods. But if not, that's okay. To become Godsworn isn't an easy path. She will explain all that it entails, both the pros and the cons, and she will 'keep it real'. She will end by inviting anyone who wishes to ask her questions, to do so. And then she'll give her blessing and benediction over the first class of Grim Seminary hopefuls.

Vayne sets in place curricula for training new godsworn, using his considerable experience and skills to help godsworn be well-rounded servants of the Pantheon. This includes ensuring a wide range of books and other resources are available, of high quality. Lessons and education tracks are established, giving the new godsworn every opportunity to succeed. He also lends the Shrine of Tehom's considerable influence toward advertising this effort.

Sanya will be heading over to Grihem's Point for purposes of spreading word and outreach. She'll use her skill with words and her popularity among the people to encourage them (including former thralls) to study/work at the seminary as well as improve the work ethic of those working to build the school. She'll also aid in hosting the men and women of the faith that have come to help design the curriculum.

As Lilia's first major contribution to her new house, she is determined simply to help where she can. As the former Minister of Upkeep for the Telmarch, she has some experience dealing with infrastructure and public works and that plays into helping with the construction phase, organizing and keeping track of paperwork and otherwise dealing with boring, nitty, gritty details that are otherwise tiresome. As former Voice, she's used to letters and meetings and encouraging people to get with whatever program is being pushed, by whatever means necessary. At every turn she looks for ways to assist, always with the goal that the Seminary should be a triumph and a beacon of theology not just to the Mourning Isles, but to the Compact as a whole.

As an investor, Edward will be on hand to help with logistics and managing supply for the materials that are used for the school. Specifically he has helped broker deals for House Grimhall in the past and knows how the ins and outs of their merchant business dealings more than most, so will make use of that information to help get discounted goods and materials that are still of the high quality that would be expected in the construction project.

It's a massive undertaking, and the better part of a year is spent fully constructing the Grim Seminary, but it's a remarkable achievement once complete.

The response is strong, with many noble houses throughout the Isles nudging a member of the family to be among the first seminaries to study at the school, so that their houses can have another claim in support of a great institution. Of course, the response from former thralls who are struggling to return to their old lives is even stronger, and even with the massive size of the Seminary, the thousands upon thousands of responses make it difficult to sort them all into classes, but the Seminary manages. The Faith will most certainly grow, and it will make it possible to spread some of the parishes, and have better trained Seraphs that will make it less likely for there to be spiritual divisions later (with the resulting unpleasantness in heresies and crusades).

For some time now, Valdemar has been planning to build a naval school in Grimhall territory, and he is finally ready to get started in earnest on this very important project. The Harald Grimhall Naval Academy will serve a number of purposes, though primarily it will be meant to be the best available training facility for sailors, naval officers, and shipwrights, open freely to qualified students from all over the Mourning Isles, as well as other parts of the Compact through sponsorship by the Academy of War. It is also, clearly, a tribute to Valdemar's father, will provide jobs that will be needed as thralls are freed in the coming months and years, and remind the traditionalists of Grihem's Point about traditions other than thralldom, in this case their tradition of naval excellence. The school is to have facilities for classroom as well as practical instruction, built on the western shore of the island of Grihem's Point so that there is space in the bay for naval maneuvers. His part in this will be to oversee the actual construction of the place, managing the expenses, hiring and coordinating the masons, carpenters, and other craftspeople who will be needed to get the place built.

Natalia will be reaching out through the Academy of War to assist in finding instructors for the naval school, as well as providing consultation for the logistics particular to setting up an academy. She will work with Valdemar and others he designates to meet with potential instructors to ensure they know what is expected of them, and to ensure that they are reasonably qualified in what they are supposed to be teaching. And also to ensure that they're not terrible people who will be awful teachers because (insert one of a million reasons here). All connections will be used.

Having helped not only Halfshav with their dock location and placement, not to mention the rebuilding of Darkwater, Carita is well versed now in just how to get the right people that know people for the end result being utter perfection and the highest efficiency.

Her goals aren't small, as she calls on people for:

* The site of building mapped out for the best placement.

* Buildings for new members having a place to stay, a place to eat, the barracks laid out for optimal happiness - especially if this will the the home for the soon to be freed thralls.

* A place of worship.

* An area for training and exercise, with the help and advice of Count Turo and his planned curriculum.

* Naval archives for studies and teaching.

* A central courtyard for the future site for Duke Harald Grimhall's monument, or statue.


Carita also offers some of Darkwater's economic writs, toward this adventure of House Grimhall's, to accompany the help being offered up in support of the reinforcment of naval excellence, and to encourage stronger growth that has nothing to do with thralldom.

Lucita has been told this naval school will have an impact upon the acceptance of Thrall release and ease the resistance to it, helping promote a peaceable transition. Skills and gainful employment available sooner than the distant end to debt paid off. She is in favor of stability and of assisting the effort to free the thralls so lends her abilities to Grimhall for the purpose assisting this establishment. The barring of females she is a little leery about having sailed with and having skilled sailors in her own family, but one step at a time. First education and freedom and acceptance and stability. She is skilled with propaanda, and goes about attempting to convince people with charm and reasonable logical facts, helping sooth ruffled feathers and pointing out strengths and benefits in this concept.

Vanora will assist her husband and build up anticipation and interest in the military school. Her charms will be used to convince several of the Grim Fleet’s most promising young commanders to consider a stint of teaching at the Academy. She will also help spread word throughout the fealty in order to recruit teachers and also students. Her focused attention will be on ensuring that the school is a grand success and that everyone hopes to send sons there to study warcraft, sailing, and shipbuilding.

Katya is good with words, and she's willing to talk to get things done. When it reaches her attention that the family is working on getting a naval academy set up she pitches in her help. You want to have the best, that means that you need the best, and she starts sending out word to people, trying to get them to sign on to come teach at the academy. She talks, she woes, she tries every trick in the book to get people to sign on the dotted line to come teach.

Being familiar with construction projects and having helped on a great many, Edward will be there to help the logistics of the project. He will ensure that all of the money is accounted for economically and that materials used by those hired to construct the project are of good quality. In addition to helping set up the school, Edward will gladly volunteer to be an outreach instructor - taking on a select few chosen by the school to learn directly with him. Edward himself was taught naval warfare and tactics by the great Duke Harald Grimhall himself and so will be more than happy to pass on those teachings to other eager learners.

Turo lends his considerable skill and experience toward this end. He not only sets himself to creating curricula that will inform, challenge, and prepare the students of the academy, but also enlists the aid of his own captains to make the academy a success for generations to come.

Erik has a deep passion for the pursuit of knowledge and the opportunity presented by The Harald Grimhall Naval Academy fits him like a glove. To help incentivate others to join the Academy, he will host some of the initial classes and invite some of his crew at the Grimhall fleet to join him there. He should also be able to host some wargaming sessions to test the commanding skills of the new students.

The Harald Grimhall Naval Academy is established to uphold the naval traditions at Grihem's Point. It's a strong reminder of the man once called the Grim Duke, and it couldn't come at a better time for Grimhall. Duke Valdemar, son of Harald, spearheads the planning, and focuses on emphasizing how there are many traditions in the Isles. Oh sure, thralldom is at the forefront, but Duke Valdemar is very particularly emphasizing the proud tradition of naval excellence. Grimhall traditions are why Duke Harald was once a Voice of Thrax. Grimhall naval traditions are why Duke Harald once served as the Admiral of the Thrax Navy. These traditions are strong and proud, and now Duke Valdemar son of Harald means to remind the Isles of this tradition in the best way - and to ensure that it's carried on to next generations.

The execution of it is flawless. He hires Natalia Whisper to work with the Academy of War, hiring instructors that understand Grimhall Traditions and are excellent teachers. Countess Carita and Baron Edward work to make sure they get the most for their money, and that the placement of the school is ideal. Baroness Lucita gives aid too, helping establish programs where freed thralls can be used as workers, but also where they can learn the proud traditions of Grimhall.

Admiral Turo helps create curricula, and Lord Erik Grimhall hosts some of the very first classes. Throughout, Duchess Vanora continues to emphasize how great the Academy will be, and how it will continue to uphold those proud traditions of Grihem's Point. It's an obvious move to support Grimhall traditions.

Traditionalists across all of Thrax are uncomfortable and unhappy these days, and it should be noted that each of the Duchies of Thrax are traditionalists in truth. With murmurs of the end of thralldom, it's hard for these people, who set such store by tradition, to look at the future with anything but the grim certainty of war. And yet this naval academy reminds them, Duke Valdemar emphasizes again, that there are many proud traditions of Thrax - and the focused support of one of their greatest traditions wins praise for everyone involved.

House Grimhall will be touring Grihem's Point on a mission of celebration, diplomacy, and showing their availability to the people. Organized by Duchess-Consort Vanora Grimhall, those diplomats and other Grimhall allies accompanying on the trip are offering their assistance typically in one of three ways.

1) Rousing speeches are given to the men of the Grim fleet and Grim Legion, with praise on all of their recent work and propaganda about how important it is to be a part of one of the strongest naval powers in the seas. Citizens will be encouraged to join the Fleet or the Legion in order to show their devotion, reminded that though we have had successes, the battles 'our race' must win are only beginning.

2) The Duke and Duchess Grimhall, their family, and their visiting allies will spread the message of stability across Grimhall holdings. While the Grim Duke was much admired (if not always loved) he is succeeded by his son, and his grandsons will succeed after that, a line of succession cast strong through the males of Grimhall that should keep the holding stable for some time. The chaos of Euginie and then Dmitry's brief rules is in the past, and the era of prosperity and power that Duke Harald ushered in is now continued by his son. To demonstrate this, the new dromonde named after Harald and now used as Grimhall's flagship will be displayed in the harbor to much fanfare. The twins, Arkyn and Anthony, will be brought before the crowds that the generations of Grimhall rule have been secured for years to come.

3) The last mission of the Grimhall party in this visit and tour of Grihem's Point is to take the temperature of the people, after a fashion. Whether it Valdemar joking with soldiers and generals over drinks or Vanora visiting young families with her own children in tow, the Grimhall family will attempt to find out how their people are feeling about their lives and the current situation in the Isles. Are traditionalists afraid that more will be lost, and what is it they fear for? Are some of those of Grihem's Point beginning to have a more progressive outlook? What issues do they feel impact them the most, and what do they hope their rulers will accomplish for them?

Vanora has assisted Sanya in organizing this several pronged mission of diplomacy, and will play her part in executing it as well. She will be at her husband's side when the new Duke addresses his people, playing the expected role of traditional Islander wife while also serving as a reminder of the potential for progress as generations change. She will show off all three of her sons, including little Harald the Younger, that the citizens of Grihem's Point can see the strong line of succession. She will also focus on taking the temperature of the people. With the sweeping reforms that have changed the Isles in the last few years under Victus' leadership to the potential for the Compact allying with Brass and the practice of thralldom being abolished completely, she wants to ensure that the people House Grimhall is charged with leading are feeling heard, and that the Grimhalls know what their primary concerns are. This information will be used to guide upcoming decisions that impact Grihem's Point, with the goal being to avoid civil strife and loss of faith in Grimhall leadership.

Valdemar will do his best to make sure the speeches to the military are rousing, telling the Grim Legion and the Grim Fleet that they need to remain a force to be reckoned with. That his father would be proud of what they've become, but that there is still a lot of work to be done to be ready for the new order of the Mourning Isles.

He will also be helping to drive home the message of stability, showing off his twin sons and speaking of the importance of tradition to house Grimhall. Talking of how Arkyn and Anthony will learn about their roots in the same way that he did himself, so that they can be informed by those traditions as they face the future and rulee Grihem's Point just as he is.

During the smaller talks, he will spend plenty of time with the soldiers, officers, and other important men of Grihem's Point. Though he will do his best to keep them on topic, he will otherwise mainly listen to what they have to say, offering reassurance at times that they seem too agitated by some particular topic.

If there's anything Iseulet is good at, it's rousing speeches and improving morale, so she will assist in Vanora's recruitment drive! She encourages those in Grihem's point to join in their efforts. Between speeches, she too will be getting to know some of the people and aid in the hosting of meetings to get to know the concerns of the citizens.

Joining House Grimhall on their tour is a no brainer for Edward, who will represent House Stormbreak in speaking highly of the new Duke and Duchess. A big part of this will be using stories and gilded talk to step Valdemar outside of the shadow of Duke Harald Grimhall to highlight the new Duke on his own but also equate the two men together as being of the same sort - that Valdemar was a son that Harald was proud of both publicly and privately, and is more than worthy of stepping into the role of Duke. And for those who have doubts and dissent Edward will speak with further - levying his place of trust with the old Duke to provide him leverage and insights - he will do everything he can to reassure those who stand opposed or on the fence, that Valdemar carries every ounce of strength that his father had and more.

Karina will emerge from her on-again, off-again artist cocoon, join the expedition, and actually be social, offering to do a handful of free portraits for a mixed bag of nobility and commonfolk. Most importantly, she'll chat them up (temperature-taking) while she paints them, their magnificent holdings, their adorable and not at all messy and annoying babies, and/or their favorite lapdogs. And while they chat, Karina might just throw in a word or two about how rock-solid (message of stability) her FuzzyCuz AKA the New Duke is and will be.

Baroness Skye Blackshore will craft a wooden door awning to go in front of the entrance of Grihem's Point, giving homage to the what has come before through Harold's reign, showing off some of his deeds and military victories. With the former Duke clasping the hands of Valdemar, showing off the military might and capability of the new duke who has taken over. A reminder that Grimhall's history and traditions will be remembered even as Valdemar takes them into the next piece of the journey.

The baroness will also play a part in the diplomatic envoy by speaking to those vassals about her own experiences, giving them comfort that they are in good hands. It's clear that House Blackshore supports House Grimhall in words and actions.

The tour is a wild success, in terms of raising the profile of the leaders and winning the approval of the people of Grihem's Point. In terms of what they want, the people under House Grimhall are VERY traditional. Most strongly disapprove of things like men doing women's work by going into law or scholarly work even moreso than female soldiers and sailors, and some of them ask that male lawyers and judges be denied the right to practice law in Grimhall lands, due to distrusting their experience. A majority would rather than female soldiers be denied on Grimhall lands, and at the very least they should not serve in the Grimhall military. And most see removing thralldom as an assault on Islander way of life, and strongly disapprove of destroying the institution, as they see it as justice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The ninth item is presented as a broken sword.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With that, their grim business is complete.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Valdemar will be leading Luis, Salvatore, Vanora, Rosalie and Harald into the caves surrounding the Lodge of Petrichor. They make up one of many teams of Mirrorguard and Explorers that will be making similar expeditions, coordinated by Princess Lou Grayson. By way of preparation, Valdemar will be ensuring that they are carrying ample mundane supplies: rope, torches, grappling hooks, chalk (if it is thematic, if not then some sort of white paint), food and water. In addition, he will see how much blessed water he can get his hands on. As they progress into the tunnels, the idea will be to keep in a rough formation of three ranks of two, with Valdemar and Luis leading the way, followed by Vanora and Rosalie, with Salvatore and Harald guarding our backs. Where the caves become too narrow for this, we will adjust.

Vanora will be there in case knowledge of the occult is necessary, there has been talk of magical traps and the like and she wants to do her part. She will be doing her best to avoid contact with anything dangerous, as she's blessed with the physical prowess of cooked pasta, and likely be keeping close to Harald and Valdemar. It's not expected that diplomacy will be useful in this particular engagement, but should whatever is in those tunnels want to talk, she'll be there to keep them open to persuasion.

Rosalie will be accompanying the Mirrorguard group into the caverns. She is along to represent the Society of Explorers, and to offer her expertise in any number of intellectual matters! While certainly not a combatant, she can occasionally find a good place to hide and wait out fights, otherwise she tends to place herself behind a better fighter and tries to just stay out of the way. Mostly though, she's along to help decipher clues, riddles, puzzles, and traps!

Luis will aid in the simple way that he can as a soldier and as someone familiar with the nuances of warfare. Should it require the simple wielding of a blade, then he shall do that and do it with gusto, though should it require something more of the capabilities of a leader, then he shall offer his charismatic services and knowledge of such things as well. It is possible that the team will require a large variety of skills and should additional fighting men and women be required, Luis shall offer a personal squad of soldiers to aid in the defense and efforts of reclaiming the Lodge.

Salvatore will be on hand to offer his services as backup. Mostly he'll focus on guarding the backs of the others and doing what he can to not let them get surprised. He'll carry supplies and a big stick in the cave exploration.

Harald will join as part of the back row, spear in hand given the likelihood of limited fighting space. His primary purpose will be to guard the others, particularly the non-combatant types, though he will reserve the right to turn more offensive should the necessity arise.

They managed to stop reinforcements from joining their compatriots in... the Isles? They came away with maps and write-ups on various places around the Isles, which is worrisome enough. Worse though, this was a strong, well-trained unit they killed. So who's already in the Isles? Are they all strong like this? It came at a price too - The Grim Duke gave his life in the battle, stabbed by an extremely lucky shot as the last man fell. Next will be a time of regrouping - but in the meantime, what exactly is going on in the Isles, and why are the Horned God's forces involved?

On Valdemar's last trip to Grihem's Point, he and his scouts checked out the shoreline of a modest-sized island just south of his home. Now house Grimhall is looking to explore that island, to see if it is worth settling, or if there is anything of interest or value to be found there. No coastal settlements were noted last time, but as this expedition moves further inland, they will be on the lookout for Abandoned who might live there. They will be offered the opportunity to bend the knee and become Prodigals, but if they refuse, survivors will be taken thrall according to Islander tradition. According to the new laws of Grimhall, however, orphans will be taken in to be raised and taught alongside child thralls who have been freed already.

Vanora isn't much of a scout, but she is a skilled diplomat and has been training in Isles Shav too. She plans to blend those skills and try to convince groups of shavs to bend the knee to Grimhall, The Mourning Isles, and the Compact. She'll co-ordinate and lead a group of similar diplomatic types to work with, and will try to stay out of the way if anything more violent threatens to occur. She will also bring along trinkets (or just silver) that the shavs might enjoy to be offered as gifts should they agree to join the Compact.

Harald will be working side-by-side with Valdemar to scout the island for signs of life. Should any Abandoned be found occupying the island, he will use the fearsome reputation of Grimhall to convince them to bend the knee to the Grimhall, Thrax, and the Compact.

Ingvar has been asked to take charge of the scouts and head out and start surveying the island searching for any signs of habitation by the Abandoned, or any signs of past habitation in general. In addition he will be bringing back information about what he finds that may suggest natural resources or other landmarks of interest to allow the others of the expedition to make better assessments of the island. He is not going to engage any locals in hostilities, just observe, and retreat back to the main force if any hostilities begin.

Being the veteran explorer on the team, Edward will give an idea of how many potential Shavs could live on the island based on its size and location - using the same methods that Harald used the first time to know the general size of the population of Whitefrost's Shav population before they were dealt with. Edward will also use Ingvar's information from the scouting trip to help estimate the value of the resources on the island and give exerpience based information on how habitable the island is - having done this with Whitefrost he's learned about how long it can take a colony to hit self sufficiency based on the islands resources that it is known to have. Besides information, Edward will also be ready to help either fighting teams or diplomacy teams. He can recommend some of the more appealing trade items to Vanora that Isles Shavs might be interested in.

Ingrid will turn to old maps and chronicles to see if there are any historical accounts documenting the layout and possible resources that may be found on the island. She is trying to determine whether the amount of resources found on the island is worth the risk of trying to settle it. What she is seeking is locations of potential farmlands, mines and any sightings of grazing animals or anything else of interest.

Cold winter months are not well known as good months to be on the water, but that doesn't stop the delegation from Grihem's Point at all. Under Lord Valdemar Grimhall, heir to Grimhall, a group sails forth to look at a smaller island south of Grihem's Point. Unclaimed and unbothered by the Compact in years past, now Grim attention turns toward it.

Advised by Baron Edward, who did something similar in his own holdings, they first sail around to take stock of it. It's not a huge island, certainly not big enough for a large holding in its own right, but it's not small either. They find a good place to land the ships and the group goes ashore, complete with their armies.

Lady Ingrid has poured over maps for months now, trying to find the most likely places that would hold good resources and good opportunity. Lord Ingvar scouts ahead, looking for potential problems or opportunities as his sister directs. Some of they places he scouts seem to be abandoned, as though the shav there saw them coming.

Others though welcome them. News of the recent events in Darkwater and Setarco have reached even the shav here, and those who stay to hear what Lady Vanora, their diplomat has to say. Though some are fractious, Duke Harald's glower calms them down and they listen.

In the end, several villages worth of shav bend the knee, and a small toehold is established on this nameless island.

With her recent marriage to Lord Valdemar Grimhall creating such a scandal in its wake, Vanora is determined to do all she can to ensure that the newly forged bonds between Pravus and Grimhall remain strong. As such, she and her new husband are making pilgramage to all of the Shrines within Arx as well as the Great Cathedral. They offer up specific vows to each of the gods, and a sizable donation in the form of 100k silver to the temple of Limerance in particular, set aside for educating the masses on the importance of vows and subsidizing costs for those who wish to travel through Arvum spreading Limerance's message. (100k silver, 150 social res, 150 economic res)

They also spend a good deal of time writing letters to the common citizens and the peerage of Grihem's Point and surrounding Grimhall territories. These come from Valdemar directly, sealed with the official seal of House Grimhall. A few even come from Duke Harald himself. All express to their recipients this new marriage, despite the scandal attached, occurred with Duke Harald's blessing. They cite how hard Vanora worked for Kennex and Stormward and express confidence that the skills she employed in working for Stormward will be utilized for Grimhall to the House's benefit. (They do not expressly refer to her role in the abolishment of thralldom, but do mention that work she does for Grimhall will be in service to Grimhall, in the hopes of calming any citizens who might be concerned that she will attempt to bring the 'progress' of other Islander houses into Grihem's Point) (150 social res)

Lastly Vanora again reaches out to Orazio's Sentinels (Though Orazio keeps insisting they should not call themselves that, not even Vanora has had any success in persuading them otherwise) In that letter Vanora explains that though she is no longer Marquessa of Kennex she has not forgotten them or the promises that she made, and that the construction of a new temple to the Pantheon in Stormward will remain as scheduled, funded jointly by herself and Marquis Kennex. (100 social res)

Harald will focus on communicating with Grimhall and the vassals and citizens of Grihem's Point. His letters will be strongly worded declarations that the match between Vanora and Valdemar was his desire and that it was best for Grimhall. The implication will be clear...Lady Vanora is a Grimhall and he expects her to be treated as such, and deriding the match and questioning his judgment would be unwise.

Valdemar will write the letters that Vanora mentioned, to the nobility and commoners of Grihem's Point, emphasizing the loyalty and hard work she gave house Grimhall and the people it governs well before she was even divorced, assuring them that her skills will be used to further their cause, and that the match was not a reckless love match but a wish of Duke Harald's and supported by Duchess Belladonna, and comes with a strong alliance between these houses on which the marriage now rides. That he understands that broken oaths are an offense to the Gods but reassures that the appropriate efforts are being made to atone, and that the contract formalizing the marriage is ironclad.

In addition, he will be joining Vanora as she visits the shrines, showing his own contrition for the scandal that has taken place, and helping to deliver the donation from house Grimhall and the personal funds of both himself and his wife.

Lady Carita Darkwater has been asked to provide assistance in this matter by her friend, Lady Vanora Grimhall, and so she steps in to aid. Not within her role as Darkwater's Voice, no, but within her scope of influence as a former Whisper and expertly trained courtier in diplomatic matters.

Where Vanora and Valdemar are, Carita follows.

The quiet murmur when the Lady and Lord Grimhall are the clarion presence and sincere voice that passes to assure the citizens and the peerage - she is the one that emphasizes those assurances, soothes worries, and makes sure to speak highly of those that have employed her service.

Vayne works to reassure his fellow members of the Faith that Vanora has been a loyal servant of the Shrine of the Thirteenth, and has acted with integrity and selflessness during the time he's known her. He has lists of examples of her hard work and diligence. He also reassures people that the Faith takes Oathbreaking seriously, even if it is for a good reason, and points to the donations being made in Limerance's honour as examples of Vanora's sense that this is not done frivolously.

In the wake of the controversy surrounding the marriage of Valdemar and Vanora Grimhall, the couple and their supporters take action.

First, they show their reverence to the Gods, visiting shrines and making offerings and prayers. Lady Vanora reaches out to Orazio's Sentinels (who seem to refuse being called anything else despite his injunction) and reminds them that she has not forgotten her promise, and that a shrine to the Pantheon will be built in Stormward. Apparently her ties to Marquis Ford remain strong, as she indicates that Kennex and Grimhall will be working together on the establishment thereof.

Lord Valdemar and Duke Harald are not sitting idly by either. They reach out to their vassals, to the notables among their lands, and even to some of the common citizens. Vanora, they say, will be working directly for Grimhall and to Grimhall purposes. The implication here is that she isn't instituting a platform of reform, not among these traditionalists.

Lady Carita Darkwater throws her support behind the new couple as well, quietly adding her voice and reassurance to the people that this is a strong marriage meant to last, and that they're working to the benefit of Grimhall. And Archlector Vayne also adds his voice, pointing to the donations in Limerance's honor made to the shrines, and reminding people of Lady Vanora's reverence for the Pantheon.

They work hard to soothe potentially ruffled feathers, and it works fairly well. Oh, Vanora still gets some side-eye, but overall their vassals are mollified.

In the relative calm that has fallen over Arx since the Gyre's defeat, Valdemar has decided that a trip home, of sorts, is a good idea. He is going to take a number of Grimhall's longships out to thoroughly scout Grihem's Point and the surrounding waters. With the enemy fleets from Setarco and Darkwater Watch dispersed but not entirely destoryed, he wants to make certain that his home has no nasty surprises lurking about. Once done, he will also pay his family's acestral home a visit, though there isn't a specific purpose to that other than to see his mother and siblings before returning to Arx.

Sameera, as per usual for her, is prioritizing helping a Grimhall. Though, in this case it is Valdemar instead of Harald. She is using her investigative knowledge and skills to help him sniff out any possible threats that might be lurkign in Grimhall lands. She, as is her usual duty as a member of the Grimhall's people assuring the longships are set up with the proper supplies and the people are organized as they should be for the plans. Basically, her usual duties.

Having extensively studied the trade routes and set up most of Grimhall's trading himself as his time working for the Duke, Edward will provide Valdemar with the proper charts and coursings to patrol first to search for pirates that might still be flying under the banner of the Gyre or the remnants of his fleet. In addition, he will provide Valdemar with places near Grimheim's Point that were revealed as places of hiding for the Gyre's men and naval forces, this information created from prior investigations into House Darkwater and its illicit tradings with Abandoned and Venta Darkwater's continued trade with Port Defiance and its pirates. Making these places of interest for Valdemar to search for Gyre's men and forces in hiding.

Lady Vanora Pravus will focus on gathering information through contacts in the Isles in order to cover more ground. Any leads that she hears via friends in Stormward or surrounding territories will be passed on to Valdemar so that he and Grimhall can follow up. In addition to attempting to suss out any groups of Gyre loyalists or pirate enclaves that Grimhall may need to demonstrate shows of force to, she will also be seeking information on territories close to Grihem's Point still populated by shavs and Abandoned. She is well aware that economic struggle may be a factor in the Isles for some time, so any potential territories rich in natural resources or ideally located for trade she will hope to hear something of and share with the scouting team. She will attend physically but remain well protected on the ships unless there is reason where diplomacy might be of immediate benefit, at which time she would be more than willing to use charm in order to encourage cooperation and see that the fact-finding mission is a successful one.

The trip home goes well. Everyone is glad to see him, and glad too that he survived. Proud of his accomplishments in Setarco - this pride and joy is well communicated - his mother, he can see, almost smiled. -_-

The rest of Grihem's Point seems to be doing well - safe from the attacks that leveled Darkwater and Stormwall, the Grimhall home has weathered the storm admirably. Even as they return to more mundane concerns (is abolitionism going to take hold in Grimhall too, or are they safe from these dangerous, newfangled political messes?!) there are still pirates to contend with. Reports have them unable to triangulate a base of operations, but predations of pirates on coastal towns and merchant vessels continues as it ever has.

Though now the reports are they fly a different flag - no longer the flag of Marin, some pirates have taken to flying the Tyde flag on a background of red. It's not enough to set fear in their hearts yet, but there are already rumblings about what they call "the Tyde problem." Some praise Donrai for attempting to cull them completely. A few say he didn't go far enough. Others curse that Victus undid a great deal of his good works by marrying Dagon to Margot. And some - notably those who were at Setarco themselves - urge caution. This is not the Tyde we know. This is someone different, and her rage is as deep as the ocean.

Of the small island to the south of Grihem's point, there is no sign of settlement or civilization. What is there remains to be seen, but from the water there are no docks nor ports nor cities in evidence. If the pirates have set up a base of operations, their ships make port somewhere hidden and undiscovered.

Harald is gathering heralds and bards of the Isles to the Hall of Fallen Heroes in Grihem's Point. He will declare the summoning of all banners, and charge them with carrying his words to all lords and captains in the Grimhall chain of fealty: the war their race was born to fight is at hand. Mortal glory, immortal fame, and great wealth await those who answer, while scorn and terrible retribution will fall upon those who shrink from the battles ahead.

Vanora will be attempting to catch with honey any bannermen that Harald's fear and vinegar method does not work for completely. The Marquessa Kennex will use her charm and diplomatic skills to gently persuade those Harald calls upon to heed that call. She will be dong this via post for the most part as well as through persuading allies and friends among the Grimhall holdings to do so in person. She will be engaging with Kennex and vassals therein as well, for though the diplomatic endeavor that Octavia and Catalana will be undertaking when Kennex's own banners are called has not yet begun, she wants those she has sway over within Kennex to be ready when that summons appears. In addition among the Kennex lands still populated by new 'freedmen' she will be exercising her influence to encourage all recently freed thralls with any skills at sailing (or others useful in similar undertakings, such a ship and sail repair, ropeworks, etc) to join into this upcoming challenge faced by the Compact. These once-thralls will be reminded that they serve the Gods well and show thanks to those who cared for them when the step out to defend their homes. As well as reminded that unlike in many other trades, the widows and children of soldiers and sailors who lose their lives in battle are well care ford by the lieges.

A few particular persuasive letters will be sent in the direction of the zealot population settled into Stormward, reminding those among them that the upcoming battles are not strictly those of war but have legends implying it is a 'holy' clash as well, between the beloved gods of the Pantheon and the Heralds and Archfiends who would destroy what the Compact has built. These Orazians will be asked not only to consider offering their service to the vassals of Kennex and Grimhall, but also to use their preaching and engaging while in Stormward to mobilize freedmen to do the same.

With Edward I will use his Propaganda skill to gather as many combatants to the banners as possible. His Barony is so new it probably does not have any. So he will help others.

Turo sets about rallying the captains and soliders and sailors he knows with absolutely no hand-holding, nor discussion of future glory. Instead, he mixes a combination of straight-up ordering people to get to work, along with some mention of duty and whatnot. There's not a lot of yelling per se, but he's not really letting anyone give any excuses about why they couldn't possibly be involved in the upcoming war. He focusses on everyone doing their duty, whatever it might be, from the sailor to the captain to the ropemaker.

Faelan will be taking sailors and ships and going out to spread the word, and recruit every able bodied man he can convince to come aid in the coming battles. He'll be focusing on Navegant lands, but will also help out with Grimhall lands if it's needed. He'll mostly be relying on the soldier's fame earned during his previous battles in the ongoing war to help him draw men to the cause.

Ivarr will be grabbing his reavers and going out to press captains and vassals of Grimhall into rallying the banners. He will include pirate acquaintances he has met in this if they swear fealty. His angle: Leave the women to making laws and doing hard math, grab your axes, and come grab glory that will make your ancestors jealous . He is promising great glory, honour, fame, and the best deaths anyone could ask for. As extra incentive, he will burn down the hall of and crucify anyone left over from the first group to refuse the call to rally, using that as leverage against any captains that do not want to rally afterward.

Sameera, as per usual for her, is organizing the people and goods that will be going with the Grimhall fleets. She'll be rallying the Coldrains that wish to fight to do as such. She is assuring food, supplies, weaponry, etc, is all directed to where they need to be so they are most efficiently done. Those under her command are given orders on what they are to do, where they are to be, and clear procceedures on what they are to do.

Also, even if just rallying, Sameera IS assuring Grimhalls and THrax Family members are not at risk (AKA in a getting dead place).

Ian will go and do some drunken carousing with friends he has among the more martial noble NPCs among Harald's vassals. He'll regale them with some of the best Brothers Kennex stories (like the time Aethan decided to sneak up on a faster ship over open waters by hiding behind the swells, and everyone thought he was crazy, but then they did it, and you should have seen the LOOKS on the pirates' faces!) and listen to their battle stories as well. As a note: He will only be going to vassals of Grimhall, not vassals of Kennex. Ford has yet, as far as Ian knows, to mobilize his vassals, and Ian doesn't want to step on Ford's toes.

Wash will pick at least one outlying vassal with a limited naval force and sail out with the repopulated Kennex fleet. He'll invite them to participate in maneuvers, and share his knowledge of the enemy and sailing with them.

Darrow Darkwater visits the nobles and captains comprising both the Darkwater vassalage, and those of Grimhall and Kennex he's known from the many manuevers and actions in the past few years. He's known amongst them for not losing his head, and its this angle he will press - to firm the resolve of the armies to rally to the Darkwater Redoubt.

Though not a bard, Caspian will still answer the call to action as a bard, seeking audiences with those within the Grimhall chain of fealty to perform songs and poetry for them. These songs and poetry are meant to inspire courage, honor, and a desire for heroism while mocking those who hide away or do the bare minium as their brothers and sisters give it their all for glory.

Baroness Skye Blackshore answers the summons, offering to help even though she has no men to call to her banners. The brave young woman who looks like she can barely stand up in a fierce wind offers to command a ship against the Gyre, citing her sailing skills are her best talent. Hmmm, perhaps other vassals will be shamed by being upstaged by a petite little lady and answer Duke Grimhall's call.

Ember will have a frank talk with her military lieutenants rallying them to join the fight that is coming. She'll give a bold speech, telling her army that the might of Redreef is needed to help with the upcoming battles. There will be a lot of yelling and posturing, but the tiny woman is adept at getting her point across. Once her lieutenants and sailors are on board to fight, she'll pass that information along to the Thrax family, letting them know that Redreef will be present and geared and ready to fight.

Valdemar will be sending letters to Grimhall's vassals, making liberal use of terms like "honor", "duty", "loyalty" and so on in an attempt to fire them up for the fight to come against the Gyre and his minions.

Duke Harald calls the Grimhall banners with a decidedly less-gentle touch. Mortal glory, immortal fame, and great wealth await those who answer, while scorn and terrible retribution will fall upon those who shrink from the battles ahead. You cowards. Lord Valdemar Grimhall also assists, making liberal use of terms like "honor", "duty", and "loyalty" in an attempt to fire vassals up for the fight to come. Marquessa Vanora also lends her softer skills, persuasion and diplomacy her watchwords to convince even the hardest of hearts and the yellowest of cowards to join the join this holy war. Grimhall and its vassals respond surprisingly well to this three-pronged exhortation.

Baron Edward Stormbreak, needing little urging, follows suit, calling his banners to fame and glory. Count Turo Navegant doesn't ask so much as order, but he leads the way in preparing for war with Lord Faelan at his side. They are clearly expecting those well-accustomed to Turo's leadership to follow suit.

Sameera Coldrain works hard to get supplies organized for everyone, and make sure that as they're preparing for war they're doing so with ships well-stocked and mended, and enough provisions for all. Ivarr goes looking for pirates, who give him the finger and sail off, shouting about how they're not going to fight for him now when Thrax is openly going up against pirates, dammit. Don't they know The Code?

Lord Ian Kennex goes drinking - as Ian is wont to do - but uses this time to swap drinking stories with buddies in the Ebb and Flow. He regales them with stories and reminds them of the fun to be had on the open seas, even when times are Grim. Lord Wash Kennex for his part sails to train others in the Navy, hoping to coordinate ship maneuvers with them and encourage them to set sail.

Lord Darrow Darkwater also calls his banners, even as his people begin a mass evacuation. Here Caspian Wild plys his skills, using songs and poetry to inspire people to answer the call to arms and subtly shame those who don't.

And not to be left out, Baroness Ember Redreef and Baroness Skye Blackshore talk to the various troops, challenging them by their size and gender alone to prove they can fighter better than a couple of women. It's maybe not the most effective tactic, but it's not the least effective tactic either.

Grimhall and their vassals sail to war. -_-

The Marquessa Kennex has put a great deal of time and effort towards ensuring the continued security and economic viability of Stormward since the freeing of the thralls. She has divided her attention across three different areas with the expectation that each will play a part in contributing to Stormward's success.

Economic Issues: First and foremost Vanora is focusing on the economic issues that face Stormward and other Kennex holdings as they transition from using free labor to paying their workers. To this end the Marquessa has communicated by post with prominent businesses and trades in the Kennex territories. Every effort is made to encourage business to keep their former thralls in their employ, especially in cases where the thralls were trained extensively in their area of trade. Economic incentives in the form of contributions of silver and the promise of eventual tax breaks for these businesses will be offered in order to see that industry remains in Stormward. (10000 silver put towards the cause as well as 50 economic resources.)

Diplomatic Outreach: Marquessa Vanora has also put effort into diplomacy with House Kennex vassals in order to persuade them to do all that they can to support former thralls settle into their new lives. Vanora will ask the (NPC) vassals of Kennex to work with House Kennex itself in creating infastructure to support these newly freed laborers, such as housing, appropriate medical care, and schools both for the children of former thralls and the former thralls themselves as they work to learn a trade. There will be particular effort made to see former thralls trained as shipwrights, sailors, and warriors in order to protect Stormward and serve the Mourning Isles when the call sounds to summon banners. (50 Social)

Specific Diplomatic Outreach to Zealots: Lastly the Marquessa will communicate with leaders among the once Orazians and now Sentinels, asking for their support in convincing freed thralls to remain in Kennex and their support in providing housing, education, and jobs to freedmen. Vanora will also share with them that there are plans to build several temples to various Gods of the Pantheon in Stormward once the crisis of Darkwater Deeps has passed. Freedmen will be invited to find paid work in building and maintaining these temples, and the Zealots will be asked to help bring these freedmen to appreciation of the Gods.

Other members of House Kennex and allies of the House may provide assistance in any of these three areas as the foundation is laid for Stormward not merely to survive, but to thrive as a progressive house.

Ford's assistance of Vanora's The Trouble with Thralldom action;

Economic Issues: Ford works closely with his wife to find a good balance between profitability and stability. He accompanies her to any meetings with nobility in Arx, and only speaks when directly spoken to, reinforcing the Co-Rulership. Ford also reaches out to smaller businesses, especially the ones that hired thralls after the Unchaining, to see if a collaboration of brands couldn't benefit profits for the smaller businesses. Spice merchants and produce sellers are put in touch with key personnel from Oseyan, the Kennex Vodka brand. (Command+Leadership)

Diplomatic Outreach: In this instance, Ford takes a proverbial backseat, this is where he feels it's best Vanora take the wheel in terms of further solidifying the Co-Rulership. He feels that if Kennex Vassals deal directly with Vanora on key issues it will ease the transition and culture shock. However, if there is resistance to that, he'll be there to affirm that this is Vanora's plan and what she says goes. (Composure+Diplomacy OR Command+Intimidation if there's some resistance)

Side Note OOC: I'm not sure if I'm allowed to have more than one check on an action. So I tossed in a few just in case, but if I cannot, then Command+Leadership should work fairly well for both of those assistanceseses.

Naomi will provide Lady Vanora with all of her Corsair contacts in order to better facilitate the retraining of former thralls into sailors and soldiers.

Catalana will spend her time meeting with her various contacts in her orgs to assure that spending time with the ex thralls to help retrain them will not only help the ex thralls but to the community at large.

Valdemar will be helping out by providing security in the form of mercenaries, and providing them with strict written orders, so that the people there to perform outreach can concentrate on what they are doing.

Wash will make room available on vessels for ex-thralls to find employment. He will establish through example that they are not to be treated differently from other freedmen.

Ian will use the experience that he's gotten training Duke Grimhall's new recruits to help train any new recruits Kennex takes on in fighting, sailing, strategy, and general discipline. In addition, he'll sail with the Saffron Fleet in any operations they undertake to provide security for the more diplomatic side of this @action.

Marquessa Vanora Kennex has not been idle. While others prepare for war, Vanora focuses on the immediate need for peace amongst the Kennex. This is not the best time to be at odds, and she has worked tirelessly to reach out and help set the domain she co-rules with her husband Ford to rights.

She works with businesses within Kennex to retain former thralls, particularly well-trained ones, at a fair wage. She sponsors necessary infrastructure projects - schools, medicine, housing - to make sure that everyone is properly housed and cared for. She pays particular attention to the thralls who work with ships - as sailors and shipwrights and everything in between - to make sure that their naval strength is as steady as possible with the upcoming crisis in the east.

She even reaches out to Orazio's Sentinels (who stubbornly insist upon referring to themselves as that, even though Orazio himself asked them politely to stop) and assures them that proper care is being taken to see to the religious education of the former thralls - that temples are being built not just to Mangata but to the entirety of the Pantheon. Freedmen are being asked to help work on the temples once the issue to the east is settled, and the zealots have been asked by the Marquessa to keep an eye on things and make sure that the gods are properly honored. It speaks to their zealot hearts it does, and they agree gladly. Of course, this means zealots will be in and out of the temples but right now they're at least walking with Kennex, not marching against.

Marquis Ford is not absent from these negotiations. He is present for all of them, presenting a united front but letting Vanora take the lead. He reinforces her authority as needed, if a particular vassal gets too fractious about it - and in general seems to agree with everything she is doing and saying. The united front is well received it seems, particularly as Vanora is doing what even the most traditional of Thrax know women are best at - cementing alliances, handling diplomatic matters, and keeping things well organized and well run.

Lady Catalana Kennex, recently returned from a sojourn in Stormward, wastes no time in helping the Marquessa, reaching out to everyone she knows to help smooth the diplomatic path. Naomi Cutter does the same, providing valuable contacts among the more common sailors so that when Vanora starts encouraging people to hire ex-thralls - the boots on the ground (decks) are already primed to do it. Lord Wash Kennex likewise orders the Captains of ships in the Kennex fleet to start hiring ex-thralls, and has been heard talking about this new path for Kennex most enthusiastically.

Lord Ian Kennex and Lord Valdemar Grimhall, interestingly, both provide security - Lord Ian by training men and coming along to ensure the Marquessa's safe passage, Lord Valdemar by hiring mercenaries to protect the Marquis and Marquessa on their diplomatic travels.

All in all, it's a united front that Kennex provides. Rumors of squabbling between the various members of the family seem to be just that - whatever happens between them in private, together they're providing a united front of strength and forward-looking goals to Stormward and to the rest of the Compact.

Graysons, take note.

Vanora is focusing effort on increasing her reputation and standing among the people of Stormward, her people at least for the time being. She may be traveling there if I find out how much time that takes IC and if it works to do it, or if not she would be hiring talented actors and actresses among the Whisper House to perform as commoners and sing her praises. She will also send letters to prominent families among the vassal nobles, elegant invitations to come and visit the Marquis and Marquessa in the city of Arx and promises they will be along to visit soon. Are there ellgible single men among the low gentry? If so she'll be mentioning Titania's name, sending one of those old-timey little paintings of her, and implying that Titania would love to meet them. Vanora is not terribly wealthy, but gifts of small trinkets would be sent to families with small children she is aware of, beads for the girls, boats for the boys, she'd remember her gender normative gift giving because it is the Thraxian way. She would also be attempting to make contact with a leader among the Zealots that have begun to populate Stormward, introducing herself as a fellow Disciple of the Gods and expressing her concern about the piety of the people of Arvum and generally attempting to appear someone he'd find enlightened and who 'gets it.'

Vanora's efforts are wildly successful, especially in her outreach to the Orazian Sentinels in Stormward. They understand that she gets it, and they're willing to work with her, their attitude turning quite friendly - perhaps even alarmingly so as they look for guidance and seem more than willing to show her how progressive and dedicated to the Faith she can be. The traditionalists are mollified, and the progressives happily settle into this brave new world without thralls. Sometimes a bit of diplomacy goes a long way.

Vanora is working to gain the honor of being a Second Reflection in the Temple of the Thirteenth. She has been deeply devoted to Tehom since she was a child, and believes that He favors her specially, whether or not it is actually true. Recently she has been leading rituals and discussions about the Dark Reflection, and has also been researching old texts to find out some of the deeper secrets in the history of Tehom's church. She believes that her work and unwavering devotion ought earn her a place among his Second Reflections, and is trying to make this happen. Though she hopes that Tehom will hear her prayers and see them granted, she is well aware that it is mortals, and betimes mortal politics, that create these structures of leadership. Thus she will be talking to others who might be influential in her cause, as well as continuing to show herself worthy of what she seeks.

The mirrormasks are deeply impressed by her consistent display of devotion, and as she goes about her days, she can swear she feels watched whenever she passes by a mirror, as if something besides her reflection was staring back at her. One night is particularly intense, and she swore that her reflection smiled at her, and thirteen days later she receives word that the Mirrormasks have decided to promote her to a Second Reflection.