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Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: June 28, 2020, 11:54 p.m.)

**FORTIFYING ARTSHALL**

It's been a long time since anyone has taken a good look at Artshall's fortifications and defenses. This is what Cristoph is getting up to next, he'll be shoring up anything that /might/ look deficient or aging and replacing it, as well as adding new things. The timing falls right in around when all of these random villages start being destroyed. Perhaps Duke Laurent is being paranoid or maybe he's being pro-active. Have Oathlanders ever been upset about having /more/ military though?

On the list:

*Inspecting curtain wall, repairing and improving where necessary.
*Accounting of watchtowers with new ones to be built where deemed necessary.
*Increased patrols on the road surrounding the seat of Artshall and it's immediate villages.
*Additional stockpiling of non-perishible foods.
*Additional stockpiling of materials necessary to repel a siege.

In her position of the General of Artshall, Jael has built up a sizeable network of suppliers and other military connections. She uses this network to bring in materials and labor for fortifying the defenses of Artshall and its holdings.

With Cristoph's approval and direction, Tyren's job will be negotiating better deals for materials and supplies for the fortifications. After all, they are going to need a lot of bricks and food and spikes. A lot of spikes.

It takes some doing, but between Tyren's skills in negotiating deals, Jael's connections and Cristoph's leadership, things fall into place. The castle of Artshall is shored up, weak spots patched, curtain wall more curtained. There is much success and the people of Artshall appreciate the fact that their Duke is giving them a safe place to shelter in, should something bad happen.

Action by Mabelle(RIP)

(Public Action, OOC Date: April 28, 2020, 4:08 p.m.)

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.

Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: Feb. 17, 2020, 6:56 p.m.)

Lord Kedehern and his people went to scout the Shadowood in action #3672 (and using information from clue #3635) and discovered a tribe of Abandoned known as Clan Red Snake. They told the group a story about a person named 'Rand' who came on behalf of House Durand. A person that I will gleefully refer to here on out as: Rand Durand. I can't be convinced that's not the full name, I'm not sorry.

In Kedehern's explanation of events to Cristoph, he mentioned that there was also another tribe. Both were willing to bend the knee to House Laurent but were also in the midst of a fight between one another. Cristoph and company will be going to the Shadowood to speak with both tribes.

He'll be aiming to bring them under the Laurent banner before House Durand can corner and corrupt them. He would like to avoid as many Abandoned tribes falling to the Knights of the Swarm as they can manage. Because really, who needs their enemies to make more enemies to fight you with??? Ideally, they'll convince both groups to join them, but he'll settle for as many as he can get.

They also bring a reasonable show of force with them, because that area is pretty dangerous.

Kedehern shall accompany Cristoph and the others on their foray to speak to Clan Thistlerick and Clan Red Snake, doing his best to keep the party from harm should anything happen during the trip.

Jael can be surprisingly charming when she feels like it, and she turns that on in efforts to mediate and settle the existing matter between the two Abandoned tribes so that they will both swear fealty to Laurent. Can't they just all get along?

Norwood's bringing Queensguard, and staying close to Cristoph's heel. Why can't this damn House Durand just GO AWAY ALREADY.

Damn elves.

Shae is returning to the Shadowood to speak with Clan Thistlecrick and Red Snake in hopes to help find some way for them to end their feud with each other, so that they will both join the Compact under House Laurent. Shae is hoping that between explaining to them about the dangers that House Durand is and their connections to darker things. Along with proposing that once they join, they can settle this issue via a duel.

Which is a time honored tradition in the Compact, especially in the Oathlands. In which she would explain its purpose, that it is not to the death. That perhaps there is a way to find a compromise, like a marriage between the two tribes. Such as the offending party marrying into Clan Red Snake to help fill the the loss of the young man. And so on.

Mostly, Shae is just hoping to find a positive way to help both clans to find a way to work through the current issue to some sort of compromise that doesn't involve the death of a person.

Mabelle will use her skills as a diplomat, her personal charm and ability to sway minds in order to convince the clan to join the compact so they could be saved from the claws of house Durand and the crazy Rands. Maybe even convince the other tribe that is mad at them. Maybe if she runs into one of those single minded Rands she can talk him into telling her things, nothing quite like getting into your enemy's head. Since there is only one apparently.

When they return to the Shadowood, Clan Red Snake's chieftain is adamant; she has no interest whatsoever in allowing her clan to bend the knee to anyone, let alone a member of the Compact, until and unless the culprit from Tribe Thistlerick is turned over for execution. Thistlerick is also adamant; or, at least, as adamant as a small tribe-turned-refugees with dwindling supplies can be; they will not bend the knee to House Laurent if House Laurent does not swear a solemn oath to protect them from all dangers, very specifically including the danger of 'having our leader's son turned over to be killed by the tribe that drove us from our lands in the first place'.

At first.

This is before two more Red Snake patrols and an expeditionary force heading deeper into the Shadowood vanish. This is before a small Red Snake hunting party is found four days after they were expected to return staked out on the border of Red Snake land, their bodies so bloated as to be nearly unrecognizable and swarming with so many insects that Clan Red Snake resorts to lighting them on fire with arrows from a distance, rather than the usual ceremonial burial.

This is before Thistlerick's primary negotiator, an extremely friendly, almost fawningly polite young woman, suddenly attempts to stab Cristoph with a skinning knife during a negotation meeting, ranting about the crimes of House Laurent, before being quickly cut down by Norwood's blade.

They're a little more open to negotiation after that.

A little is not a lot, however. It takes the combined efforts of Shae, Mabelle, and Jael, and every scrap of charm and persuasion they can manage, to finally start wearing down Red Snake's resistance. It takes long nights of arguments and declarations and exhortations. And it takes a sudden attack by a number of the missing Red Snake Clan members, howling and raving, that is cleanly repelled by the significant forces Cristoph brought with them for protection, for Red Snake's Chieftain to finally agree to let the matter with Thistlerick go. She agrees to bend the knee in exchange for the same promise that Thistlerick wants: an oath of protection from Laurent on top of the usual oaths, to protect them against any Compact aggression as well as that from the Shadowood itself.

Not all of Red Snake agrees, however. The prominent warrior whose son was killed storms out of the negotiations, and the next morning it's discovered he's left, along with a small but potent group of Clan Red Snake's best fighters. Scouts track their path as going further into the Shadowood, but Red Snake is loathe to send anyone after them given what's happened. Regardless, the day after that, both Clan Red Snake and Tribe Thistlerick bend the knee to House Laurent.

Action by Mabelle(RIP)

(Public Action, OOC Date: Jan. 8, 2020, 12:34 a.m.)

After many months of planning, the Laurents, spearheaded by Mabelle decide to construct a waystation: road-station / Inn near Artshall. a structure that offers hospitality for all travellers for a set period of time That should, in theory, encourage merchants and other visitors to experience their lands and will probably help with strengthening bonds with neighbours and foreigners alike. A way station right outside Artshall that will offer any and all guests simple room and board for a period of three days. The waystation with facilities for merchants and travellers, will have shops and stabling to help fund it. After three days visitors can stay but will have to pay inn rates. Relies very heavily on a cultural importance of guest-right/hospitality as demonstrated in the Oathlands, the waystation will also include services of physicians, animal groomers, hagglers, religious representative and the like.

The waystation is planned to be not only a place for traders to lay down, have a warm meal and gather the energies to carry on in their hazardous journey, but also crucial hubs where travelers didn't waste the opportunity to do business with local markets and traders, and cultural crossroads where merchants didn't just exchange textiles and spices but also ideas, traditions, languages, and even news, both importing their own and taking back home what they had learned along the way.

The project will be engaging different individuals from the Compact to assist, be it people to handle logistics, economical aspects, guarding duties, blessing of the Faith and building a of shrine for gild, artists to embellish the place with fabrics, mosaics, paintings and wood works. Do not forget the beehive chandelier.

This should encourage merchants and other travellers to visit Laurent lands and hopefully increase pilgrimage, merchant business and immigration as a result.

Inspiration sketch: http://www.pizzatravel.com.ua/uploads/2014/16645.jpg
Inspiration pics and info: http://www.tourmakerturkey.com/sultan-hani-caravanserai.html

Having reviewed Mabelle's plans for this project, Cristoph gives it the stamp of approval. He also does *a lot* of talking it up while he's at court.

Jael recruits and trains a number of soldiers to keep order and peace at the new waystation.

With a clear understanding of the goals Mabelle has in mind and the ways that everyone else is helping, Edward still step in and fulfill the economics logistic and oversight role. While others help with location, procuring materials, and ensuring they get to the site for construction in a timely manner, he will do his best to ensure that cost overruns and quality of materials are used to their utmost. This will also allow him to ensure that there is no siphoning of materials, limit theft, and ensure that high quality materials are not replaced with cheaper or lesser quality materials.

Iseulet helps Mabelle (and the Laurents!) by using the many many contacts she has made over the years to not only spread the word about the waystation to the people that need to know about it (merchants, traders, hagglers), but also ensure that she gets the goods and supplies to build the waystation at the cheapest possible rates.

With the success of the Bold Espressions in Arx, Ryhalt jumped on the opportunity for possible expansion of another shop at this outpost. He reasoned that travelers weary from the road or messengers needing a boost to keep them going down the road would be sure to find a coffee shop a welcome amenity among the other features of the outpost. Therefore, an investment in the Laurent's latest project to ensure a prime location for the shop was a carefully calculated business decision.

To honor the Laurents, the menu selection would weigh towards flavors of coffee that went well with their honey, along with more standard fare for those that did not want such sweetness and would otherwise suit regional tastes. The shop would not be as big as the establishment in Arx, but would still have a cozy area for chatting and drinking inside for cold or inclement weather. Outside would be a small patio for street-side tables to help advertise and to give a place for those who have only a couple minutes to pause a place to sit and enjoy. For staff, mostly locals would be hired, but Ryhalt would send a more experienced member of the Arx branch to manage the shop to ensure the quality did not waver.

Besides the coffee shop, he arranges for the export of other specialty goods from Westrock such as pomegranates, sugar, pineapples to boost variety of products offered by the outpost and to pique the interest of passing traders to goods not yet available in their region, intending to spread not just coffee through the Compact and ensure wider success of the outpost.

And, as promised, he provided Mabelle with tips on the general plan, drawing on his business and life experience to maximize the placement of the outpost and potential for growth and profit for the entire outpost.

Delia uses her family connections to merchants and tradesfolk to spread word about the new Laurent waystation. She focuses specifically on merchants who might have found it somewhat inconvenient to make their way through Laurent lands, talking up the waystation as a solution for that inconvenience. She also intends to travel out there once the building is complete, to bring back personal descriptions of the place.

Llewella eagerly jumps into the project with Mabelle as it allows her to express an artistic and diplomatic idea she's wanted to put into use. Her help takes the form of labor as well as an art installation.

First, Llewella will buy the freedom of more thralls in the isles, seeking to select them from houses sincere in their efforts of reform. These freed thralls will be asked to find employment with Astarrea or House Laurent and used as paid labor to help with Mabelle's project and Llewella's art.

Second, Llewella will talk to the Knights of Solace, House Laurent, and related trading concerns to learn more about the area that is being worked and the people (Arvani or Shav'arvani) that may be involved. She'll seek out their stories, the things important to their cultures, and so on. Using this information leads to...

And third, Llewella and her labor crews will quarry/buy tall blocks of local stone and arrange them at notable, interesting locations around the waystation. On each of these stones will be carved images of trade and cooperation, or civilization and knowledge being exchange. She'll have carved into each several written versions of the stories in all the related languages for those that stand the most chance of passing this way.

Dante has come to protect those who are working upon the waystation. With Tor bordering the Laurent lands (who are also their allies by marriage), the Sword of Tor sees this as an excellent opportunity to aid allies and traffic to and from Tor alike.

Athaur is more then happy to help out his friends in House Laurent. Especially when he believes in the usefulness of their goal. In his own time spent expanding his own house he has developed quite a bit of knowledge in developing and expanding lands and making improvements. He will bring this knowledge to help the Laurents decide where they should build their waystation, how to expand and supply it.

Sanya aids Mabelle in her efforts by spreading word of the project, drawing attention to it in hopes of gaining assistance. She'll discuss the advantages of the Waystation for merchants and travellers in particular.

Colette doesn't really know much about this stuff, but she is more than happy to scout the are and find places to set up new watchposts along the road to help ensure the safety of travelers on their way to Artshall.

There are definitely better people for the purpose of spreading the word about an ambitious project of construction, artistry and, ultimately, diplomacy. But those people probably wouldn't talk to the exact same people as Naka Laurent, so he figures his lesser efforts might still have some efficacy. So Naka goes about talking up the waystation concept and its needs among the Scholars and other primarily Faith folk he comes across in his day to day. Other persons are not immune to a good talking to about this effort, but the above are the sorts of people he most often interacts with.

Dame Alexis leaps at the chance to aid in Lady Mabelle's project. While the Gold Order is respectful of the faith and careful not to overstep boundaries with the Knights of Solace, Alexis sees little issue in ensuring that there are members of the Order at the Waystaton to help relieve the pressure - the Knights, after all, must frequently aid travellers along the way. Besides, the Golden Order are Questing Knights at heart, and what better place to pick up news of those in need of aid than a Waystation? There's even an inn here! So it is that the Gold Order's insignia is seen on soldiers, squires, and knights who rotate in and out, but always maintain a permanent, reassuring presence.

Vicente's roll in this is largely advisory. He will be seeing to any elements that might make the location vulnerable to attacks or raids. Any troops that need trained or advised on defensive or offensive positions based on the surrounding terrain and advising on ideal ambush locations.

Felix will assist not only in helping to establish the shrine for Gild; the building of statue, metal artworks and the like, but in his role as Godsworn - asking for Gild's blessing in this venture for those travelers and merchants who come from near and far to this place. He will also help to establish a shop here for whichever apprentice is soon to earn their journeyman mark and wishes to preside here for a time to represent this branch of Seaborn Weaponry, giving the majority of business to them, while maintaining shipments of quality blades from his own forges for those who do not wish to travel all the way to Arx itself.

Sir Bhandn is here to both represent the Knights of Solace as well as see to the Knights' efforts in maintaining safety for those travelers who would call the waystation a haven from travel and danger. He brings with him a notable contribution (in the form of 6000 military resources) from the Grandmaster for the purpose of improving the fortification and security of the waystation and the area it's in.

Hospitality. Generosity. Home and Hearth.

The Domestique Bell, as Legate Ailith proposed, also known as the Haven of the Honey Bee embodies the vision set by Lady Mabelle - a haven to forge bonds between travelers and traders across the Compact with the community, and to honor Gild and Limerance.

Between the two (more prominently Mabelle), unique and personalized additions were discussed and carefully selected to create a haven that reflects the love of the Gods by way of the hospitality through Gild and the community bonds through Limerance (see OOC section for silver/resources). Boutiques feature such local works by Laurent and its vassals such as honeycomb and wax crafts or the specialty chocolate coated honey coins embossed with the Gild and Limerance symbols. The rooms at the inn offer a "slice of home" with adornments imported from all across the Compact. Ailith reached out to the scholars to create an embossed guest book to be prominently displayed in the foyer of the inn; any visitor may write their name to be recorded in the archives at the new shrine.

For the shrine, Ailith coordinates with Legate Bianca and the Seraph of Artshall to promote a Godsworn as Seraph to this haven - a person who shares the vision for hospitality and community. In addition, Ailith sought to ensure the godsworn and disciples carry forth charitable deeds - offering sanctuary to the weary, healing to the hurt, and compassion to the downtrodden. It is her hope by the hard work and sermons by the Faith as well as the long-standing Faithful leadership by House Laurent that this haven would be remembered as a place where people felt the love of the gods, not just metaphorically.

And as such, Ailith travels to the haven to lead an elaborate consecration ceremony and ritual for the new Shrine of Gild and out to the center of the crossroads that leads into the waystation. Honeycomb shaped bricks pave the walkway with the outer edges in gold, shimmering like honey. A map of the compact is painted on the walkway with the Laurent lands at center. Names create the roads from the waystation on the map - names of local travelers, prominent and respected traders, inn keepers, and so forth to represent the bonds in the community and those who shared in the creation of this place.

Dead center of the map, Ailith pours a special brand of Laurent honey, wildflower with hints of chocolate blended with holy water. As she pours the honey to create the symbol of the pantheon, she recites the Canticles of Gild and Limerance, sharing stories of how havens as these linked even the smallest of towns to the largest of cities (even remarking on her childhood being from a backwater region of the Oathlands that trade links to civilizations) - news, stories, and songs come way by the road - and the hearts of the locals offering hospitality by generously offering a place to stay can make a difficult journey in life a little lighter. The doors open to the shrine and a feast for all (free for all) is offered. She works with the locals including the surrounding Seraphs to ensure that the stories she shares echo that of people from the community, thereby further personalizing and including them in this haven.

It's a massive construction project, as the Domestique Bell begins to take shape. Called also the Haven of the Honey Bee, or simply the Waystation of Artshall, the waystation is part fortress, part inn and part holy place, and it's a remarkable feat of construction that it serves those three roles relatively seamlessly. Lady Mabelle Laurent's project is heavily hyped from the beginning throughout the Compact. Delia and the Whispers drum up excitement at Court, and Duke Cristoph lending his stamp of approval has many taking notice, due to his continued, triumph success in making Artshall a beacon of security and stability in difficult times. With Iseulet and Naka also helping spread the word, more help is offered though there is a noticably large groundswell of support from suspiciously enthusiastic members of the public after Sanya speaks movingly about its virtues. It really resonated, and goes better than it probably should.

Construction and security of the Domestique Bell is overseen by Edward, Jael, Athaur, Colette, Vicente, Dante, Llewella, Bhandn, and Alexis with her Gold Order. While it's not an inherently military structure, it still is strategically important as its a large fort outside of the city proper for Artshall, that lets travelers rest in safety without having to go to the trouble of entering the city itself. As such it should be a key target for Abandoned, but due to the heavy security there's no meaningful attempts to attack the waystation, and only a few petty acts of sabotage from Abandoned likely pretending to be volunteer workers that don't prove to be more than an annoyance. As its finished, it stands as a huge trading post, fortress, shrine and inn that can easily house hundreds of travelers and in a pinch could likely protect thousands within its walls if packed tight. Ryhalt's trade goods from Westrock gain immediate interest, and Felix's Seaborn Weaponry branch is quite popular.

The care in construction is not lost on the throngs that come to hear Ailith's consecration of the large Shrine in the waystation. Much of the beautiful designs are from Ailith's directions, speaking to a celebration of Gild, Limerance and all of the gods. The huge crowd cheers and applauds Ailith's words at consecretion, and some remark afterwards that eating the providing honey coins created by Ailith gives them nostalgic feelings of hearth and home.

People feel safe at the Domestique Bell- to worship, to rest, and to trade. There's a larger response than there probably should be to the completed waystation, even one as large and significant as the Haven of the Honey Bee. Trade floods in immediately towards Artshall, coming from Tor, Westrock Reach and other places. Many marvel at the comfortable rooms, the sense of welcome from the Shrine, and some say they feel particularly at ease when they inspect the masonry that came from the Isles, with much of the stonework of the waystation having symbols of Gild, and some have writing in a language no one can recognize that makes readers feel at ease.

Aside from the general triumph of the Domestique Bell, a new fabric coming from Artshall catches on and immediately draws notice from the Compact. Artshall velvet, a new luxury fabric, will be spreading throughout the Compact in large part due to the waystation, and the timing of its roll out and completion of the Haven of the Honey Bee is near perfect.

Action by Cristoph for Oathlands Strife

(Public Action, OOC Date: June 24, 2019, 9:59 p.m.)

With mounting evidence that Lord Aramis Fournier is the guilty party responsible for the attacks on the Prodigal Mercy Hopefuls as well as the dozens of Templars en route to Blancbier, Duke Cristoph Laurent is orchestrating a meeting between House Laurent, House Fournier, House Lyonnesse, House Fidante and House Malvici. He'll be encouraging Count Fournier to assist in apprehending and turning him over to the Templars for them to decide his fate. While he understand this is a difficult decision to make as Lord Aramis is his son and /also/ has a military grip on the duchy, Cristoph encourages him to make the right decision. He also explains that his sister is prepared to encircle the border of the county (JAEL ACTION#3534) and is aided by the Templars themselves. She can swoop in to assist in any military skirmishes that happen as well as ensure Lord Aramis does not escape or attempt to turn the entire county against him.

Additionally, he makes a very strong case for Count Fournier for approach Marquess Davegia about a marriage alliance between their two families to really put this thing to rest. Preferably a marriage between one of his less trecherous children and an eligible member of her family.

After previous success with negotiating with house Fournier, Mabelle is ready to hit the field again and be of assistance. Anythign to prevent bloodshed and bring to justice those who have caused it. She has her own personal reasons to be there, of course, but initially, to help the family's interests as Minister of Population.

Standing in as a representative for Fournier's liege house is Lady Jenessa, Lyonesse's acting Voice serving in Demura's stead. She accompanies Duke Cristoph to the meeting between Houses, offering her support to her own liege lord while also making it clear where Lyonesse stands on the matter with Lord Aramis. Jenessa aligns with the Duke and his encouragement of the Count to turn Aramis over to the Faith, in addition giving her own _strong recommendation_ for a marital alliance between Fournier and Daviega. She offers promises and assurances that nothing ill will befall the County for turning Lord Aramis over, and whatever worst case scenario the Count fears will not be allowed to come to pass. No riots. No uprisings. No people getting up in arms and setting anything on fire..etc.

Coming off the success of a previous campaign with Duke Cristoph and House Laurent, Calista Fidante, gladly accepts the invitation to return to the Oathlands on a diplomatic mission. She is there to fortify Cristoph's suggestion of a marriage between Fournier and Davegia. If anyone knows about marrying one's enemies for a successful outcome, it is the Duchess of Roses who married Inigo Malvici of Southport. Bridging gaps and all that seems to be Calista's jam.

In the interests of the Faith, as their Godsworn Knights of the Holy Templars were proven to be slain by Lord Aramis Fournier and his military, the Legate of Concepts will be attending the meeting coordinated and led by Duke Cristoph Laurent. To aid in their goals to peacefully acquire Lord Aramis and ensure discourse by the Fournier military is kept to a minimum, Ailith will be leading an effort to make it easier on Count Gael Fournier to agree to the set forth terms by Duke Cristoph. And if needed, have the swift approval of the Faith over the marriage contract.

Ailith will coordinate with local seraphs and other faith leaders to conduct sermons and counsel of the Faithful, especially the "Warders of the True Oathlands', of their obligations to the Faith, that the oaths every Oathlands holds extremely dear is held as the exemplar of piety to the Compact. This will be contrasted subtly with what Lord Aramis Fournier and the Warders committed, especially drawing attention to the breaking of Oaths and the direct assault on Godsworn who are, after all, servants of the Gods themselves. She and her associates will lay emphasis on the striking down of Templars, a thing unheard of for an Oathlander to do. Her aim will be to contrast the Faithfulness of the slaughtered Templars and pilgrims with the Oathbreaking and Faith-attacking Lord Aramis. It is her hope, by applying such societal pressure, the grip Lord Aramis has on the Fournier military lessens. That the people, too, will encourage absolution and penance by the Faith, and perhaps, Lord Aramis, himself, as a noble lord, a knight of the Oathlands, will present himself to the Legate of Concepts.

Dipomacy is GREAT. Norwood would really love for diplomacy to go really well. The thing is that diplomacy doesn't always work. So Norwood's presence here is super simple.

Don't say anything.

Stay with Cristoph at all times.

Stab anyone who gets close to Cristoph.

Make sure anything that tries to hurt Cristoph doesn't get a chance to do it again.

Calypso will be along to help present justice for her vassal. She will be working alongside Duke Cristoph to make sure everyone plays nice and follows the rules.

After the first diplomatic mission was a success, this time Martino is joining with Duke Cristoph and the wider Laurent mission with the Malvici branch of the family to work under Cristoph and Calypso’s direction.

He will be supporting the comments and suggestions of a marriage between House Fournier and House Daviega. Martino will be in communication as well through messengers with House Daviega with updates on the potential marriage and progress on capturing the guilty Lord.

Keeping things calm, but also proposing how this is the best solution for House Fournier will be Lord Martino Malvici’s direction and line of communication. Playing on his role last time trying to find peace, to show how this really will give us peace at last.

It is, in a word, tense. Count Gael Fournier doesn't seem thrilled to see either the voice of his direct liege or his banner duke again, nor word of Jael and others leading military forces on his lands, but he is quite willing to listen, and the diplomatic expertise of Mabelle and Calista are critical there, as well as the pressure brought to by Ailith as Shield of the Faith, and the Malvici representatives with the Duchess of Southport and her commander Martino. Despite the clear reluctance on Gael's part, he has little desire to stand alone against Lyonesse, Laurent, Malvici and others, and even his baronies sworn to him are quite obviously manifestly reluctant to back him in a fight with the Faith, particularly when the evidence against Lord Aramis is so strong.

After several days of negotiations, Count Gael decrees that his son shall not be protected by House Fournier forces, and that templars can take him into custody for a fair trial- though he is not aware of his precise location, and the search is left to others. He does agree that his younger son, Lord Erroll Fournier, will wed Marquessa Magdalena Daveiga and they will work out various concessions to Daveiga to have a lasting peace. Gael is almost a little too conciliatory, and it's possible someone had some leverage over him in addition to what was visible.

Action by Cristoph for The Great Road Crisis

(Public Action, OOC Date: April 28, 2019, 5:51 p.m.)

There's been trouble along the Lycene and Oathlands border for some time now. But with tensions continuing to flare between the warring houses of Fournier and Daveiga as they war with each other, Cristoph Laurent has decided it's time to wander down to the site of the conflict and try to diplomatically stem the flow of blood. And if he can get the road safely opened up again so that trade might resume between the Oathlands and Lyceum in that particular area, all the better. He doesn't go alone, bringing with him a portion of the Laurent army to help bolster the border strength as well prevent any 'funny business' and inviting several key speakers (ie: allies from the Lyceum) to help underline the value of peace talks over war.

Mabelle is a Charming Laurent Lady and a very skilled Physician. In her view of things, the conflict is harming local people which has led to her nursing instincts calling her to help. Her mission is to seek them putting a stop to further conflict. She will be providing her insight and influence as a Laurent Lady, as well as setting up a nearby medical tent for those hurt in the war to seek treatment. She will be applying her social grace, statue and flirtatious nature to woo and win over the hearts of Lords during the diplomatic meeting.

Norwood isn't a key speaker, which is probably not too surprising. Instead he's coming to help lead and partition out those parts of the Laurent Army. His attention is focused mostly on highly mobile Calvary units that can split apart forces with less danger than infantry can. He isn't backwards in wading in when his arm is needed.

Less obviously the Baron is keeping an eye on Cristoph's back. Last time they were out with a group of Laurent's soldiers on a 'diplomatic' mission the enemy turned into centipedes and attacked. Just to be on the safe side Norwood will make sure Queensguard is in the right place if it's the proper time to glow. Whatever that is.

Alongside her cousin, Calista offers her diplomatic expertise to assuage the tensions at the Oathlands/Lyceum border. Where there are open roads, there is business and business brings profits. Surely everyone can benefit from this. Tor has several businesses, including the Apothecary College which is world renown. Offering to assist with the development of new business ventures not only is becoming of the Duchess of Roses but also speaks of her Crown Ministry of Production.

As a representative of the Lycene side of things, Fiora Malvici also favors the stick over the carrot. She makes it clear with her icy demeanor what the facts are. The facts of how this all will inevitably turn out poorly. No matter what intentions are behind this, the result will always be the same. That result is a significant loss of blood, silver, and wine. That's her key tagline and she mentions blood silver and wine a lot, as she quietly and calmly bullies those in conflict towards a more reasonable solution. Where everyone loses less wine, silver, and blood.

Demura is better with the stick than the carrot, but she's understand there's a time and a place for both. So she's going to do her best to go in convince them Fournier to see reason. Well, her reason. His reason is wrong, obviously. And how will she do that? But sitting him down and showing him what the compact, what Arx, what history will think of him. She will go over just how the general populous feels about this-- spinning a yarn in how the faith gets involved, in how the people back the faith, and how the templars and the knights of solace come march on him. Meanwhile, trade will completely dry up because the roads are being blockades, the merchants will go elsewhere, his people will starve, and then riot and... It's not a good luck he's got going on right now, and maaaaaybe he could stop pissing off the faith and the merchants?

Braden rides where ever he is asked to by Duke Cristoph. He was asked to ride for this. He is there mostly to provide safety for the nobles involved. One never knows what will happen on the road, or while at the boarder. He won't be much help for negotiations apart from staying out of the way, but much like on the journey there, he will be ready to ensure the Peers accomplish their task. And if all is uneventful enough, he might even get a chance to flirt with a southern woman or two.

Duke Cristoph Laurent marches with his army to the site of the Fournier-Daveiga war, which at first makes both sides rather nervous- the forces of Laurent are considerably stronger than Fournier's and Daveiga's combined, which is an excellent way to get their attention. Fortunately, there's no violence, or any surprise attacks- Baron Norwood Clement helps a great deal in that regard, and frankly it doesn't hurt that the man has a reputation for fighting Abandoned, which is appreciated by many of the more hardline Fournier troops even if they don't really grasp the nuances there. Braden along with the rest of the troops is able to provide security, and tense moments between Fournier and Daveiga never quite spill over into violence.

Nicia's team was able to get Fournier to the table, and the tremendous work by Duchess Calista Fidante and Lady Mabelle Laurent as diplomats are able to get the two sides talking, aided by Lord Martino and his emissaries. Fiora looks appropriately spooky and intimidating, and critically Marquessa Demura Lyonesse, the direct liege of House Fournier demands that Fournier end this nonsense. Between all of them, Fournier is pushed hard, and Gael is more than ready to make concessions- Fournier was trying to rally other Oathlands houses to come to their aid to 'repulse these invaders', and without this intervention, the war WOULD have spread, and become a wide Oathlands vs Lyceum war. It is good they acted when they did. Between all the efforts, Fournier and Daveiga agreed to a ceasefire in place. Daveiga withdraws their forces to the Lycene side of the border and out of the Wineroad Pass, which frees Oathlands trade to travel again, so it is not purely symbolic, it's agreeing to surrender an important strategic position. Fournier for their part agree to not fortify the pass either, since the temptation would be to hold it in force. Daveiga however will not be satisfied until the guilty party for the pilgrims' massacre is produced, but is willing to agree to a several month cease fire to allow that to happen and some form of proof to be produced.

Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: March 15, 2019, 9:26 p.m.)

When the tale of the woman with the garden reaches the Laurents, they decide that they might as well take a little visit. They've been listening for any whisper of Redire or Durand or the Sylv'alfar in general for many months, closing in on a year now. The story of a lady and a man who disappear into the gardens and only flowers can tell you the way certainly seems like some sort of wood elf magic. And this lady has a really awesome garden?! Good place as any to start!

When they arrive at the old woman's home, it's with a request to visit with her gardens. When they arrive, they each come bearing a gift. Cristoph gives her several beautiful hyacinth plants in a variety of colors that are just ready to bloom. Then he requests the opportunity to walk the garden paths.

While they're there, he says a little poem to the flowers, hoping to encourage their cooperation. "Our name is Laurent, from a time long since spent. We search for those lost, but fear for the cost. Because they who must hide, will surely abide by a path that leaves them hidden from our eyes." Then he'll show the plants his ducal ring with the honeybee etched as the heraldry. "Will you help the beekeepers find the lady and the man of the gardens?"

When given a choice between doing a magic ritual to clean more magic and visiting a garden, Norwood is absolutely on the side of the garden visit.

He brings his own gift: Earthworms from Duskshire's newly planted fields. Each of them are plump, wiggly, and ready to get to turning over the earth for a bountiful harvest. (No, Norwood doesn't think that giving a gift of worms is weird at all. Gardens NEED worms. Moreover, worms are way easier to travel with than a beehive.)

The poem part he is a little unsure of and he moves a bit further away from the others to mumble: "Laurent we come, to blossoms in bloom, to ask this crumb, less we assume, and find our doom." Then he'll draw Queensguard and just sit for a bit. Assuming that the sword won't glow because, apparently, that's rude.

Who better to ask to come along on a garden visit to talk to flowers than the Vala? At least, that seems to be what Cristoph thought. She heard the tale before, and again when talking to him and was keen on traveling along with the Laurents to visit this reportedly beautiful garden. He asked that she bring along a gift for the Lady, and a poem for the flowers. As a gift, she offers a small wooden Ladybug Cottage with lots of little holes for ladybugs to crawl into if they so desired. Ladybugs are good for plants, she knows, and there are already some within the cottage as part of the gift. The cottage is painted by Khanne's own hand in spring like colors that should blend in with many a bloom.

The poem is more difficult for her, she's not one for flowery words usually, but she gives it her best if the Lady allows them into the garden. After a look around to see, perhaps, the best flowers to whisper to, she recites; "breath of life and little seed, shall grant this garden what it needs, with gentle soil as water sinks in, let the growing begin. Then will come rain and sun, bringing bright blooms when it is done," and waits to see if the flowers will speak.

It is the start of winter.

The gardens are lovely, but the stunning blooms have given way to wilted flowers, the drooping petals and bare buds heralding the coming frosts. And in the early twilight, there is something ineffably sad in the crisp air, a feeling of loss as the color fades from the garden. And it is there that they speak, as the light of day dies into the early twilight. The poems are read into the evening air, as a lonely wind blows and rustles through the garden, and the silence is only broken by the aching of tree branches of an old oak and the falling of some last leaves.

The last light of day fades, and it seems it's for naught, just another sad garden that was once much more beautiful, but as they consider going, there's the sound of a voice that seems to be coming from Norwood's sheathed sword that just says, "Proper protocol would bid you wait a moment longer."

As the stars come out, and the first moonlight hits the garden, there's another rustling from the wind stronger than before. Petals are blown from dying flowers, and this time the petals swirl about as if caught in the air, hundreds of petals, and they seem to form a faint outline of a female face, "We bid you welcome, House Laurent and Lord Commander." There's a creaking of old branches from the tree, and then there is the outline of a powerfully built humanoid figure covered in armor made of wood, covered with thorns facing inward and piercing the wearer's skin, "We bid you welcome, House Clement and Jonathan Baseborn." A face forms on the tree, moving with slow deliberate motion, "We bid you welcome, House Halfshav and the Blightsbane." The voices seem to echo, as if coming from more than one source, and they seem to ripple- the faces and forms there one moment, gone the next, only to reappear, as if the air is distorted by smoke not quite seen. "Welcome welcome welcome."

"It is difficult to speak." "It is painful to be here." "There's not much time, we hear the call even now." The voice of the one wearing a mail of thorns piercing him, "Only in agony can I block the call of Legion, and we can stay but fleetingly." "We cannot return or we will all lose ourselves." "We would return but if we are not shielded, all would be lost." "Lost." "Lost." "Lost."

"Chains could be broken." "Songs could be sung." "Names could be writ in blood." "And kept dear." They are fading now, growing less distinct, "We weaken." "We must flee." "Before we are lost." "You saved us once." "Once." "We would save you." "But first find..." "Find a singer..." "Find a daughter..." "Find a namer..." "And together..." "Together." "Together."

And then they are gone, and the three are left alone underneath the moon's pale light, as the last flowers wilt in the cold winter air.

Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: Feb. 12, 2019, 8:40 a.m.)

On the thirteenth day of the month, at the thirteenth hour, Cristoph gathers a group of family, friends and allies in the gardens of the Laurent Estate. He sits with his companions and lights thirteens candles, with which he'll consign thirteen items of significance to him. He'll explain briefly, how the following ritual is meant to assist in cleansing the poisoned Priumum from Arvum. But that it's only a drop in the bucket, one voice that when combined with many others performing will slowly erode away at something terrible that affects everyone.

Hopefully.

He goes on to say that these sacrifices will represent his personal ideals for the future, that he hopes will affect the Dream in a positive way. The items are an array of things, all deeply personal, some of the significance is probably easy to spot while others are more vague. What's more important than that for the observers are the thirteen ideals, he'd like to see shaped into the Dream:

Courage, to be strong and brave when there is danger.
Honor, to hold it even when it would be easier to not.
Generosity to give freely to those who have little.
Hope, to keep a flame against the darkness.
Faith in the Gods of the Pantheon.
Justice when wrongs are done, to set them right.
Mercy for your enemies, so that you don't become the monsters you fear.
Determination to see through pain and difficulty.
Family, for the joy and solace they can provide.
Loyalty to the things in your life that matter.
Invention, so that we may never grow stagnant.
Love, to nourish your soul.
Humility, so that you don't become mired down in your own importance.

And then the ritual ends and hopefully no one blows up.

Jael is in attendance, still sort of shocked by the fact that not only is magic a thing, but that her brother is doing it. Also she's there to make sure he doesn't get rid of any of HER stuff.

Naka is present, respectful and mostly silent, sitting relaxed without quite actually lounging. The cost to him of the evening is only in attention, which he pays gladly and mindfully.

Kael is most supportive of his liege, and tries to instill the feeling of this on the day of the ritual. During the ritual itself, he walks respectfully, and cautiously. You know, just in case something bad happens.

Tessa attends to witness, entirely comfortable, relaxed and pleased. Adding her own well wishes and energy to the efforts to cleanse the priumum.

Shae will be quietly watching the ceremony, never having seen it performed before and wanting to learn it herself. Being sure to give it her full attention, as she watches it with her keen and perceptive gaze. As well as trying to follow along with the ritual.

Alis is goingto watch, intently. Not too intently, becausee that would be creepy and probably make everyone uncomfortable. But this is a very important ritual! And she must learn it well, to be able to perform the same herself.

Nicia is not entirely unfamiliar with the concept of what they are doing, so her approach to the situation is one of calm and cool relaxation. Yes, she realizes how very, very important this is, but she's also going to follow the ritual that was presented, put everything into it.

On the thirteenth day of the month, at the thirteenth hour, Cristoph convenes friends and family to cleanse the primum. He gathers them at the Laurent Estate, and the gardens are a beautiful and peaceful place to begin. He tells them these sacrifices will represent his personal ideals for the future, that he hopes will affect the Dream in a positive way. And then he begins, explaining each sacrifice - the significance to him, for these offerings are deeply personal. What they represent. The ideals he wants to reinforce in the Dream.

And for a moment, it seems like the Dream itself holds its breath - and then he begins. Courage, he says, to be strong and brave when there is danger. And as the first sacrifice burns, there is a sudden feeling they share as one - that heart-pounding knowledge that something is coming. It's hard to keep going, hard to not draw a sword. But even a glance around the gardens shows nothing imminent or dire.

Honor, to hold it even when it would be easier to not. Generosity. Hope - a flame against the darkness. One by one he lists qualities, those things he holds most dear, most closely.

The flame burns silver - not white but a true silver - is that even possible?

And suddenly they are not in the garden, they are somewhere else. Cristoph is there with them, in ancient armor, wearing the uniform of the Sovereign's Own Royal Guard, and there's the sword of the Lord Commander in his hand.

"No," Lord Commander - Cristoph? - whoever he was, he looks like Cristoph does now, of a certainty. "We're not doing that. We're going to push them back and out. We'll cut them down to a man, because there's no room in the Compact for the Pack of the Slaver."

"What about the ones who haven't fallen?" The Nox'alfar woman next to him stares at him with one eyebrow raised. On her armor - which matches his - the insignia of the First Captain.

"Seal 'em up, on the Queen's orders," he says grimly. "I don't like it, but maybe if they sleep long enough they'll forget this war, or we'll be better positioned to deal with their disagreements. But we can't just leave 'em loose or all of humanity will fall."

"For the Queen then," she returns, though it's clear she's not comfortable with the orders given - she's also not contradicting them.

There is a sense of purpose there, and in that moment, all the qualities that Cristoph values so highly - courage and honor, hope and faith and justice, mercy and determination. Family, for now as the Queen's Own surrounds them, they all feel that sense of camaraderie, that family of shield and sword. Loyalty. Invention - they are doing something new here, and they are witnessing the birth of a unified Arvum.

And then the vision fades, and so do the flames, and the rite is complete. It leaves with them a sense of purpose. A taste of battle. A rush of love and pride and certainty, even as they slowly disperse to consider their own rites, and their own mundane duties.

Action by Norwood for House Durand

(Public Action, OOC Date: Dec. 3, 2018, 8:54 p.m.)

You have drafted a new action (#2882): Following @action 2878, a precursor to @action 2881, and a part of plot "House Durant #54", Norwood leads a scouting group. They start in Artshall then sweep their way up through Duskshire and then into Keaton's Shadowood. They're on the lookout for anything that Jael's storytellings have managed to stir up. They'll stick away from the main roads and sweep through the forests mainly.

Their primary objective will be to uncover anything they can find about House Redire on the hope that the stories being spread will have encourage them to come out. They'll have numbers enough to move quickly, but also enough to prove to be a deterrent against being attacked by any annoying House Durand or simple Bandit types.

This group has no plan to engage if at all possible, but seeks to learn what they can and then report back to Cristoph.

Faye comes along on this mission to see if she can provide any assistance with her perceptive skills. While scouting isn't precisely her forte, she has a few wilderness and survival skills as well as some experience hunting, which may be useful. If nothing else, she can help keep the party fed along the way. She has an eye for detail and good investigative instincts, and along the way she keeps watch for any trace of House Redire. While she isn't looking for trouble, she has her crossbow and isn't afraid to use it if any aggressive forces attack their party, shav or otherwise.

Amari is going to stick like glue to Norwood, to the point he'll maybe wonder why he ever thought it a good idea to bring her along. The way she'll watch him and seem to take notes on his behavior, actions and decisions may be mildly unsettling, as if she's trying to learn his manners and mindset in order to vanish him in the wood, stick on a fake beard and take his place with no one the wiser.

Less frighteningly, she'll also smile a fair amount, be cheerful and sing on occasion as she rides along atop her faithful old horse, Clopsy. It might all help morale if the scouts start feeling down, or scared. The Shadowood is pretty spooky and full of dangers after all, but she has lived there and knows her way around, roughly, and is familiar with some of the shavs and how to speak their lingo, and not infuriate them in the process.
Above all, she's perceptive. She'll keep her eyes and ears open, alert to danger and any hint of House Redire the party might stumble across.

Scouting in the woods? Now this is something Cullen excels at. During most of the mission, he'll remain on elk back with the rest of the group, looking for signs of House Redire. However, any time they face any dense woods or terrain generally impassable on horseback, he'll use his masterful talent for tracking and moving about the forest, living off the land and counting on his physical hardiness to get him through while slithering through the most difficult of terrain, then report back to the party.

Natalia will be accompanying the scouts, with dogs and Podraig (Sis is being left at home). She will step up diplomatically wherever possible if people are encountered, encouraging non-violent resolution to any encounters the group might have. She will assist in translating, and lean on Podraig for general basic information about the people they run into where it pertains to the Shadowood.

Travel the countryside trying to hear whispers of a lost house? Cristoph is there. He has a strong sword arm to wield if the group gets in trouble, but largely he attempts to remain discreet. If something comes up during the Artshall portion of their tour, he'll chat with the locals and smooth things over. But with Natalia there? He's not expecting to need to step in all that much there either.

It's slow, methodical work, going through the Shadowood, a huge stretch of land that it's easy for even the most seasoned of scouts to become lost in, and one could spend years in it and only grow familiar with a tiny portion of it. Full of valleys and near impenetrable stretches, it's no wonder that Abandoned tribes go for decades before contact with the houses of the Compact, and it's been all but impossible to flush raiders out. Against that, Amari is able to help keep up morale, as otherwise scouts would start to become despirited as they go over area after area, looking for anything.

Faye is the first one to find anyone living in the woods, the small Woodscutter family that's been living isolated for years in an exceedingly hard to find cabin. Though they haven't had much to do with most of civilization, they aren't truly Abandoned but they are still technically sworn to House Keaton. They are obviously terrified and loathe to speak of what they've seen recently in the Shadowood, but Natalia is able to relax them, and the oldest daughter Henrietta speaks of how a few days past they heard terrifying howling in the woods, like a great hound but it was so loud it shook their cabin, and then snarls. Very distantly, they could hear screams and the sound of battle, and some strange buzzing sound, roughly from the direction of Old Hound Creek.

Even with directions, it takes the better part of a day to find Old Hound Creek, with Cullen being the first one to find the trail through wood so thick near every step has to be climbed or cleared. When the scouts follow Cullen's directions and lead Norwood and Cristoph to the creek, it's hard to piece together with what they are seeing.

The creek is still running red with blood, and what might have been humans have been completely torn apart. Armor that might have been platemail has been totally destroyed, chewed into pieces no larger than a hand, and the best preserved corpse is hanging from a tree's branches about fifty feet in the air, half impaled upon the branches that knocked off part of the tree from what might have been an impact of impossible force. That corpse clearly shows a surcoat bearing the sigil of House Durand much like the others whom they've fought before. Piles of thousands and thousands of stomped and torn apart centipedes litter the ground, and most oddly there are giant tuffs of fur scattered around, some about as large as a man's chest.

There's no tracks leading from the carnage, though Norwood is the first to notice that there's no normal wood ambience there at all. No birds, no bugs, nothing.

Action by Cristoph for House Durand

(Public Action, OOC Date: Nov. 29, 2018, 1:23 p.m.)

You know what's a real pain? When people show up to your villages and burn all of the crops just as winter is setting in. It's just so RUDE. In response to the findings in @action 2689 and following the thread of plot: House Durand #54, Cristoph organizes what can best be described as a light military response. They'll be bringing non-perishable food reserves out to the affected villages, but the people bringing them? The Swarm of Artshall (which we're starting to think is maybe not a great army name, totally open to suggestions on that one) along with several notable military leaders from the region. And should any "bandits" turn up, they'll be ready to give them a taste of their own medicine.

Another day, another trip to Artshall. Jael accompanies the expedition sent to protect her people, bringing as much food as she can arrange for and using her position as a military leader and part of the ducal line to charm and reassure the citizens of her family's holdings.

Norwood brings his report back to Cristoph (2882), and then comes along for the rest of it. His sword is ready for "bandits" and he honestly hopes to run into the ones responsible for the murder of Duke Edmund. Norwood really liked that guy, even more than he liked Dave the gardener.

When his Liege informed him of the goings-on, of course Kael was at the ready to stand in service. Marquis Keaton serves as one of the military leaders brought on board, assisting with the coordination with the Swarm of Artshall and also ready with his own blade should trouble arise. Getting wind of the food shortage, he as well detours some goods from Oakhaven for the people of the Duchy.

Alis is tagging along as one of the military leaders that Duke Laurent has requested to assist as part of the response. She brings with her supplies and silver to utilize in offsetting the damage done by the bandits to show Valardin support for Laurent and its affected vassals. And, her trusty shield and flail. Just in case any 'bandits' happen to be run across.

The farming village of Beesboro is under a half day's ride from Artshall, far closer to the heart of the ducal holding than any Abandoned normally dares to attack. True, it's easy for even a significant force of Abandoned to slip amongst the wilds in between ay of the towns and villages, and many of the ancient woods and hillds could hide much, but it's still a peaceful region where those direct vassals to Laurent trust in the protection that the duchy grants them.

Which makes the dozen armored riders wearing gren tabards descending upon the 'food delivery' all the more shocking.

It's troubling for a number of reasons. First, most Abandoned usually aren't in full platemail with silk green tabards on destriers and using lances. Secondly, if one was fighting well equipped, mounted knights, they usually aren't trying to raid villagers. And thirdly...

As the 'defenseless food delivery train' reveals itself to be Cristoph leading the Swarm of Artshall, and Norwood pulls out his sword, and Jael, Alis and Kael all ready for battle, mounted knights usually don't all issue an unholy howling roar that seems to shake the earth as they all scream in perfect, echoing unison, "LAURENT! KILL THEM ALL!"

The fight is short but brutal. Armored and well equipped or no, the dozen raiders are grossly outnumbered. Laurent soldiers rally around the Oathlands heroes, and while a few Laurent soldiers are cut down, the dozen raiding knights are cut down fortunately quickly with all of them fighting with suicidal ferocity. There's clear relief, even as worried murmurs spread as they find the surcoats of the raiders bore the sigil of House Durand. But in the midst of conversation, there starts to be an odd chittering sound.

The armored bodies start to shift. The armor seems like it's collapsing in on itself, with a metallic clanging as if they were being hit by hidden hammers, and there's the sound of snapping bone and sinew. And then the bodies all seem to explode. Teeming masses of centipedes, each the size of a large snake, mill forward and attack. Several Laurent soldiers are buried underneath the writhing mass as Alis is cutting a path free among them, and Kael, Jael and Cristoph all find themselves fighting in a quickly shrinking circle as the hew and cut back the massive horrifying mass of centipedes chomping and trying to tear into them. And then Norwood's sword starts to glow.

There's a flash of light, harsh and blinding, as if everyone unexpectedly caught a glimpse of the sun and had to flinch away in instinct, followed by a great screeching sound that is suddenly cut short. As everyone opens their eyes, all the centipedes are turning to ash and starting to wither away and blow in the wind, as if they had never existed at all.

Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: Sept. 6, 2018, 9:36 p.m.)

House Laurent is so, so busy these days. But there's been one task that Cristoph has delayed dealing with for a long time. And that's his father's affairs. Sure, the manse in Arx has been taken care of. But aside from ledgers having to do with their business dealings, he mostly packed everything up into boxes and sent it back to Artshall. Those boxes ended up in the late Duke Edmund's study and that study has barely been touched in the last four years. Even his mother hasn't bothered to go in there, save maybe to open the windows and let in some air.

With a trip planned for quite a few of the Laurents to return to Artshall, Cristoph decides this is the time to finally go through the study. Look through all the books, folders and boxes. Set things aside or throw them out and really make the place his own.

Of course, that's not all he's planning on doing. He's brought the House Durand signet ring that they found under Gardener Dave's floorboards and he'll be comparing it to other documents. Did his father know anything about the Durands? Did he try to hide it or was he planning on ever doing anything about it? Is this why Duskshire's territories were always such a hot mess? Are there any mentions of 'the green' rising?

This wouldn't be party without Jael, so she'll be here too. As a secondary goal he's going to dedicate quite a bit of time into folding up paper gliders and throwing them at her head.

What is she, an archivist now? Don't they have servants for this? Nevertheless Jael sucks it up and joins her brother in the quest to clean out their father's office. All right, maybe it is the sort of thing that should be handled by family. She'll help Cris look through the contents with as much scholastic rigor that she can bring to bear (not much but she tries).

This does of course eventually devolve into a paper glider war, though their mother intervenes when Jael escalates it to spitballs.

Duke Edmund own's writings revealed that he thought House Durand was a preposterous legend, much like silly fables of 'wood elves' and 'house redire' and other foolishness that might have had a grain of truth five hundred years ago, but were certainly just foolishness now. He had little time of it. In his youth, he said that a ravashari fortune teller warned him that 'the Green' would be the death of him, and he made it into a running joke during his youth, and had largely forgotten it by his older years. Duke Edmund's death was considered not suspicious, as he sickened and died relatively quickly, and it frustrated the Mercies that saw to it, but he was not young. It was rather cold and wet the day he met those prodigals spreading tall tales about how their clan was hunted to extinction by 'the scions of House Durand', when Duke Edmund was fairly sure it was just outlaws fighting outlaws.

Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: July 13, 2018, 9:59 p.m.)

The Laurents are finally putting their money where their mouthes are. 3750 economic resources have been tagged for transforming Duskshire Keep and the surrounding lands into a new barony. They will be ennobling Sir Norwood Clement, who will be known onward as Baron Norwood Clement. Prior to any official proclamation a social campaign is conducted with the Whisper House in order to raise Norwood's esteem with the peerage (@action 2421). Cristoph will be handling the diplomatic feather smoothing and palm greasing that this will entail, while others will be using their own strengths. The Swarm of Artshall and the Laurent Cavalry will also be sent to Duskshire in force, to dissuade anyone that might considering harassing Norwood and Jael while they're down there.

While Nicia is not the sort to go out and pick up a sword, she has paper and writing utensils, and the knowledge to fight battles on that front. So while the rest of the Laurent's have lended far more martial efforts to reclaiming Duskshire, she has lended her assistance in a legal manner. She has fought the battles that have cropped up there, argued and made sure that things are smoothed out. In addition she has aided by making any contracts that might crop up, making sure that those with skills and vocations are protected, and those that have ways to trade are going to profit, thus the profit moving up the chain.

Jael assists Norwood with the reclamation of Duskshire, sending Artshall troops to assist with cleaning up and rebuilding the keep. She will travel there herself on occasion as well, to show the people that one of the Voices of Laurent and the daughter of the old Duke is invested in the project.

No number of years of service could have prepared Norwood for the honor that Cristoph is setting forth, and he isn't backwards about saying so. Norwood meets often with Whisper Amanda to learn what will help him become a good steward of the Duskshire lands. He'll stand for himself with the quiet composed dignity that has been the hallmark of his service to Laurent. Knowing that those who have sway in the peerage are doing their thing, Norwood focuses instead on the rebuilding of Duskshire. He works to show that life out in Duskshire isn't the dangerous prospect it has been for years to entice the right kind of people to take the chance. He guarantees their safety with his own life, swearing that he'll fall before Duskshire does. Woodworkers and stonemasons are sought out, the best that Norwood can find to help rebuild the keep and surrounding areas to be ready for the people who will call Duskshire home.

The news from Duskshire is interesting these days. Duskshire? Yeah, that little bit of land near Laurent lands, where of late the Duchy has been focusing its resources and attention. Under Sir Norwood Clement, the area has been cleaned out and rebuilding is starting. In fact, barely a day goes by when someone from the Laurent family isn't talking about how amazing Sir Norwood is.

They've canvassed the people. They've highlighted his heroic actions - how he saved the Duke's life. How he has year after year of faithful service to the Laurents. How his honor as Sword of Artshall is unquestioned, and how he has been a loyal supporter of his Duchy time and time again, not hesitating to put himself between them and danger for the good of all their people.

It is, then, a receptive people who listen to Duke Cristoph's proclamation that a new Barony is being established in Duskshire, and that Sir Norwood is being elevated to Baron Norwood to govern it well. Duchess Nicia handles the paperwork and details, for the full support of the Duchy in creating this Barony and seeing these lands brought once more under Compact dominion are engaged now. Lady Jael shows her personal support as well, and is the loudest voice in the song that sweeps through Laurent lands lauding the new Baron.

And while there are some side-eyes from the people of the Compact as a whole, many of whom neither know Laurent lands nor care about them, all the diplomatic and social work undertaken - including sending Baron Norwood to the Whispers to acquire the sort of polish a nobleman needs - mean that there is surprisingly little grumbling when the elevation occurs. Oh, he's still new to the nobility. But it's far easier when it's someone that has dedicated their life in leal service and is well known for it, as the exact sort that nobility is usually able to tolerate being ennobled, and when there's a catchy song, well. And as it happens - there is a catchy song.

Who's the good man who is Sword of Artshall?
Norwood! Norwood!
Who's seen demons and hellhounds and slaughtered them all?
Norwood! Norwood!

Who protected the Duke and then all of his heirs?
Norwood! Norwood!
And who fought off Abandoned alone and in pairs?
Norwood! Norwood!

These are reasons the Laurents owe much to this man
Norwood! Norwood!
He does all the things that no other Knight can!
Norwood! Norwood!

This fine fellow's honor is never in doubt
Norwood! Norwood!
So raise up your voices and give him a shout!
NORWOOD! NORWOOD!

Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: July 5, 2018, 6:08 a.m.)

In the months and weeks before any official proclamation is made regarding Norwood's ennoblement and barony, a carefully constructed social campaign begins to stir. When Cristoph is at court, meetings or formal dinners, he speaks of the man when the opportunity arises. He encourages other people in House Laurent, to drop Sir Norwood's name when appropriate.

They tell the story of how he lost his wife, but carried on bravely to take care of his young daughter. They talk of how when there were less gray hairs on his head and in his beard, he saved Duke Edmund's daughter, Lady Jael, from a fierce bear in the woods. How he guided and shaped her into the industrious young woman she is today. For which many are thankful, considering she was Cristoph's heir for many years and remains in the line of succession even now. Then they'll joke of how his daughter and the scion of House Laurent are likely to blame for all the grays he has /now/, with some help from Lord Klaus to boot.

And of course, there's the most recent act of heroism and bravery. The moment when his duke lost his horse in a fierce battle in Setarco and was nearly torn limb to limb by fierce monsters- or were they just dogs? The story is unclear here. But regardless, he charged forth on his horse to sweep him to safety. Yes, yes. He did DROP him but right after that, he supported the other man and helped him walk (he dragged him, basically) to safety.

Most recently there are tales from a little corner of Artshall known as 'the Duskshire', a small keep with attached lands that's served as a sore spot for the Laurents for years and years and... well, a long time. Sir Norwood was instrumental in leading various teams to the area and cleaning out bandits as well as some roaming groups of Abandoned that had attempted to set up in the keep.

There is /no/ finer knight in all of the Oathlands. A man who has shown his worth through actions and deeds, through a life well lived and decades of service. It's believed they'll be talking about him for many years to come.

But that's not all! Cristoph employs the works of the Whisper House to help train Norwood in etiquette (and other things!) so that he hopefully won't make some of the same social gaffes other ennobled commoners have made. And the duke collaborates with them to promote and smooth the path for Sir Norwood into a society that will not be thrilled with his presence.

Amanda will take a two-pronged attack to this little battle against public sentiment. First, she is coaching Sir Norwood in matters not just of etiquette (he mostly has that down, good Oathlander he is) but socializing. Play the game, shake some hands, smile every so often. Next, she will be seen with the good knight in public, to help create a smoother image for him here in Arx. Finally, Amanda will take to passing along word of Sir Norwood's good deeds, as outline by Cristoph. Sanctum born-and-bred, she has plenty of contacts back home.

As general of the Laurent forces (in no small part due to the training she received while squiring for the man of the hour himself), Jael reminds those who serve in the Laurent military units of Sir Norwood Clement's feats of valour and his long, long looooon record of service with the Laurent family.

Nicia hasn't known Norwood nearly as long as the rest of the Laurent's, but she is more than willing to repeat the stories to others, and provide her own spin on the more recent ones. How if it hadn't been for him, she'd be a widow and how because of Norwood's loyalty and bravery she was able to see her husband again after Setarco. A man that brave, and that loyal, he is exactly the sort that is worthy of being moved up in social status and position.

At last, Margerie's letter writing campaigns can once again come to the aid of Oathland causes! It isn't a new thing for her letters to the various elder nobles of the Oathlands to include praise for Norwood Clement, as warranted, but it becomes focused to support the Duke's talking points. There's an emphasis on his long years of service, the guiding influence he has had on these successful young Laurent leaders, and his close friendship with the Keaton family as well. She isn't above mentioning that she has taken an interest in helping him to develop his social skills. There may also be reminders that it wasn't long ago that she groomed young Kael Keaton from a lost, unknown boy to a well regarded Count in a very short period of time. Her recent position as High Lord Edain's protege may lend some extra weight to her words. In the city of Arx, she is seen with him publically regularly. While there is nothing untowards and certainly no kanoodling in public, her esteem for the man is evident. They walk arm in arm and he is frequently her escort at various functions and dinners. It's a public stamp of approval for the knight.

These days, it seems all the Laurent family can talk about is Sir Norwood. They tell the story of how he lost his wife, but carried on bravely to take care of his young daughter. They talk of how when there were less gray hairs on his head and in his beard, he saved Duke Edmund's daughter, Lady Jael, from a fierce bear in the woods. How he guided and shaped her into the industrious young woman she is today. For which many are thankful, considering she was Cristoph's heir for many years and remains in the line of succession even now. Then they'll joke of how his daughter and the scion of House Laurent are likely to blame for all the grays he has now, with some help from Lord Klaus to boot.

And of course, there's the most recent act of heroism and bravery. The moment when his duke lost his horse in a fierce battle in Setarco and was nearly torn limb to limb by fierce monsters- or were they just dogs? The story is unclear here. But regardless, he charged forth on his horse to sweep him to safety. Yes, yes. He did DROP him but right after that, he supported the other man and helped him walk (he dragged him, basically) to safety.

Most recently there are tales from a little corner of Artshall known as 'the Duskshire', a small keep with attached lands that's served as a sore spot for the Laurents for years and years and... well, a long time. Sir Norwood was instrumental in leading various teams to the area and cleaning out bandits as well as some roaming groups of Abandoned that had attempted to set up in the keep.

There is no finer knight in all of the Oathlands. A man who has shown his worth through actions and deeds, through a life well lived and decades of service. It's believed they'll be talking about him for many years to come. There might even be a song in the making.

Action by Thena

(Public Action, OOC Date: May 19, 2018, 10:20 a.m.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: May 8, 2018, 10:55 a.m.)

**War Pensions**

House Laurent will be taking 1,000,000 silver out of the bank and portioning it out over the next several years to the families of soldiers slain in the fight against the pirate king. Cristoph as well as members of House Laurent will be traveling to Artshall to oversee the initial distribution of funds and touch base with their people. This will include meeting personally with families and stopping in villages to assess their situations and listen to grievances.

Nicia is making certain that, legally speaking, the funds go to the right people, and are protected in such a way that they aren't going to be taken away over the years. She is accompanying Cristoph and the rest, with her mountains of paperwork and making sure that their people are as protected as possible.

Jael helps with money distribution, as someone who can ride around with bags of silver and not require too much guarding.

Norwood comes with the Laurent Duke as he hands out the pensions. Much like he did in Oakhaven, the sword brings a commoner's bent to the venture. He tells stories of the soldiers he served with and leaves the families with tales of valor that he either experienced with their loved ones, or were passed to him by their loved ones. In addition he helps out as he can, helping with some scattered sheep here, a broken fence there, and all around does what he can to help them move on after the trauma of lost loved ones.

Naka travels along with other members of House Laurent to meet with families of slain soldiers. The main commitment from him is time spent in listening and commiserating. There is nothing that can be done to bring back those who have fallen, but it is a genuine rather than a manipulative sentiment that their sacrifice is remembered and respected. When it seems appropriate, Naka will speak up to that effect.

Under Duke Cristoph Laurent, the Laurent family takes a mind-boggling 1,000,000 silver and parcels it out to the families of the fallen in the recent actions against the Pirate King. Duchess Nicia, Lady Jael, Lord Naka, and Sir Norwood travel with Duke Cristoph to Artshall to make arrangements for the distribution of these funds in the coming decade.

The people of Artshall are stunned, and very pleased to see that their ruling family is taking such care of the families of the fallen - not just in the immediate, but over the coming years as well. Their estimation of the Laurents rise, their praises are sung, and many a smug conversation is had in Arx over a drink, pointing with pride to their particular ruling family and how carefully they take their responsibilities to their people. The Laurents aren't just randomly donating to soup kitchens, they point out - they're taking care of their own, just as they're supposed to do.

Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: March 5, 2018, 11:32 p.m.)

Hurray! The heir and future Duke of Artshall has been born! Young Lord Eadric Laurent. In celebration of his birth, Cristoph and Nicia take a trip to Artshall. While they're there, they visit the surrounding villages to take stock of how the duchy is doing. A considerable sum of money is invested into areas where infrastructure seems to be weakening and where promising commoners that could become talented tradesmiths need some start-up funds. There's also a party for Lord Eddie, along with party /hats/! But they keep it practical and simple. Workhorse Duchy style.

Parties! It may be noted that while it is very practical, and simple, Nicia is a bit more free with sharing any of the good mead with those at Artshall. In addition she is happy to help any that might be interested in pursuing more scholarly arts find a home for studies.

The heir and future Duke of Artshall has been born! In celebration of the birth of Lord Eadric Laurent, Cristoph and Nicia take a trip to Artshall. While they're there, they visit the surrounding villages to take stock of how the duchy is doing. A considerable sum of money is invested into areas where infrastructure seems to be weakening and where promising commoners that could become talented tradesmiths need some start-up funds. There's also a party for Lord Eddie, along with party hats! It's a joyous time and a productive trip, reminding their people that life continues even as the Compact prepares for war.

Action by Cristoph for Gyre Straits

(Public Action, OOC Date: March 4, 2018, 4:07 p.m.)

House Valardin has decided that 1/3rd of its cavalry will ride to Southport in order to protect its interests there and to reinforce defenses, should the city be attacked. Duke Cristoph Laurent will be taking the lead on this leg of the campaign, bringing down 1/3rd of ALL the mustered cavalry within the fealty of House Valardin.

These cavalry will ride patrols around the city of Southport, keeping an eye out for trouble as well as looking rather impressive in all their armor. Their focus with patrols is going to be on getting advanced notice back to Duchess Malvici should they spot anything in the surrounding area that looks suspicious or if they should see anything along the Lycene split while patrolling. They will also fight the enemy if it becomes necessary.

Cristoph will be investing personally in the well-being of of the troops and their horses.

1500 military and economic total combined resources: To be used for hiring experienced farriers and those well versed in the care of horses. Several armor and weaponsmiths to take care of equipment repair. Tents, uniforms and other necessary non-edible gear for the knights as well as their mounts. Non-perishable and longer-lasting perishable food items so that there isn't an unnecessary strain on Southport's resources.

500 social resources: To be used on items to keep idle Oathlands troops from getting bored and starting theological/moral debates with their Lycene cousins that are camping outside of Southport. and/or the Abandoned. Cristoph is also going to be recruiting the help of several skilled people in order to produce some pamphlets and other literature in order to help keep his troops out of trouble. There's been some historical friction between the Lyceum and the Oathlands and he's sensitive to what a bunch of heavily armored and trained soldiers might like to people already stressed from their current situation (The Turmoil in Southport + the Abandoned outside the gates).

As an accomplished rider, Jael will be going out with cavalry patrols on her wicked black war stallion of hell, that foul beast from the east, that hulking creature of venom and spite known as...Freddie the warhorse. Anyone who looks suspicious is getting an arrow in the knee...if they're lucky.

Norwood will be going with Duke Cristoph to Southport to assist in leading that 1/3 of the mustered Cavalry. He will be involved with patrols to make sure the Duchess has all the information she needs about advancing troops. He'll be working with Cristoph to stay abreast of the evolving situation and making sure that he is free to go at the drop of a hat if needed, even if Cristoph must remain behind. Keeping the Laurents at Southport like, ALIVE, is also a main goal.

While no commander like Norwood or Klaus, Thorley has been busy with his own duties and assisting with teaching those soldiers that will be participating in the action, training with their blades and skills in combat to keep their minds and blades sharp and on the task at hand. He attends the nightly briefings from Cristoph, the knight is making sure that the information is disseminated to the ranks.

Klaus Speaks nightly with his men and closest under him. His words are encouarging and aggressive at times, enciting some of the soldiers to possess anxious feelings. He enjoys being in command and is attempting to harness the momentum that his duchy has been building.

Eiran is going to Southport with Cristoph and the rest. He's a knight (seriously though, honest!) and he's going to do the respectable thing and knight around with his mace and shield. But he's useful for more than just soldiery: he's a natural when it comes to chatting people up and understanding and/or swaying their feelings, and he's fairly sharp. All of those things will have a place in his efforts to keep a finger on the pulse of what's going on locally - with the knights and with local citizens - and to help things run smoothly, with minimal kerfuffles.

Duchess Calista Fidante is set to use her rather skilled silver tongue when it comes to the matter of assuaging two very different types of military personnel with the hope that both the Oathlanders and the Lycene forces can work and fight together against the common enemy. As a first cousin to Duke Cristoph Laurent (their fathers were brothers) and wife to the former Inigo Malvici (Now Duke-Consort Inigo Fidante), Calista appeals to both parties on a very personal level. Clearly she has everyone's best interest in mind. Sure, the last time fighting broke out among these two groups, it was Duke Leo with the aid of House Valardin and the Oathlanders who took down Count Lucien Malvici in the Tor-Southport War, but with Calista's marriage to Inigo being favorable and Prince Edain's marriage to Caelis Malvici also being widely accepted, all that former bad blood should be water under the bridge. Right? At least that is what Calista reminds the people when she speaks to them. Elegant and graceful, yet strong and passionate, Calista sets out to prove to the people of her beloved family that she is not called The Steel Rose for no reason. Now is the time to put aside any residual feelings and work together.

Margerie Keaton consults with members of the faith and Lycene companions before writing up pamphlets to be distributed amongst the literate set of soldiers heading south to fight. Ideas on activities, cultural sensitivities, how not to get bent out of shape when someone tries to prick those delicate Oathlander sensibilities with licentious displays, diplomatic ways to not tell someone you think they are going to be condemned do the Abyss for all eternity because they looked in a mirror. She's putting her gentle, charming humor and respect for all involved into the pages. Might even find some illustrators to lend a hand.

Reigna is deploying units of healers to Southport under the guidance of an NPC leader who has been thoroughly trained in how to work with Laurent forces. These healers have been trained in setting up and breaking down triage tents and hospitals. The healers have been trained to work within the ranks of the military forces there.

With her work in Southport and her roots in the Oathlands, Archscholar Bianca hopes to stand as a representative of the Faith and further bridge the theological mindsets at play alongside Duke Cristoph, Duchess Calista and Lady Margerie's efforts. She will be enlisting the aid of a small grouping of Arx local Scholars to join her and assist in the distribution of the pamphlets Lady Margerie prepares (200 social). In this act she hopes to stand as an icon of the Faith and bolster morale, offering blessings over the gathered calvary. Prayers to Gild focus on those of the Oathlands troops as they make their way from the North to the South. Prayers to Gloria to uplift a sense of honor in and off the field of war. Prayers to the Sentinel in that their efforts may be just and the righteous guarded. In hopes of not stirring up any contention she strays away from any other sweeping prayers/blessings to avoid riling sensibilities, but amidst the camps and in the quiet of the evenings each grouping is offered private counsel and prayer.

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.

Action by Cristoph for Gyre Straits - Calling the Banners

(Public Action, OOC Date: Jan. 24, 2018, 9:56 a.m.)

Cristoph Laurent is calling for all vassals of House Laurent to heed his call! Raise to arms! He'll be sending out word through the marches for them to rally and raise their banners as well as that of their vassals. He's served as a soldier and commander before himself, so he'll be banking on that experience there to help him rally the men and women sworn to House Laurent.

He doesn't work alone! He petitions the help of family members, house servants and other allies to get the message out as effectively as possible.

The Keatons, as a whole, are doing a GREAT tour of their lands, the Baronies beneath them, in an attempt to rally the troops. However, during their adventure they are moving through Laurent lands as well, and Kael will be speaking highly of the Honey Duke and his skills, not to mention the great need for any and all capable soldiers to go to arms. He attempts to inspire, to command, and to rivet them of tales. Not to mention he might have smuggled some Laurent mead along for the journey to share drink with any and all for camaraderie.

Naka decides to take time to physically travel to key points within Laurent and Laurent-sworn lands. He concentrates his efforts on the population, hoping to convince them to accept the idea of a smaller number of troops for home defense in order to free up additional forces to answer the muster call. These people may not have any say in who actually gets sent where, but Naka hopes that helping to allay their concerns and convince them to keep a determined, positive attitude at home will give the associated nobility a spur towards going above and beyond the least necessary participation.

Nicia is planning to play upon the emotions of the vassals and their men by appealing to their sense of loyalty, and honor. Making sure that they feel compeled to rally and raise to arms, for fear that doing any different would lessen their regard in the eyes of the fealty. She has taken to sending messengers, and putting in visits to those close enough, making it a more personal quest to speak with them.

Klaus has rallied all of his men. Men that do not faulter at their lords command. The sight of men at arms to nearby vassals shows that there is no room for avoiding the situation. Coupled with the respect that his men have for him it should be rather usefull in a quick mustering of troops.

As House Sword, Norwood will be helping Cristoph rally the marches and leaning on his skills in leadership and years of experience.

Aeryn is using her spreading her infectious optimism like a disease, rallying everyone that will stop and listen! She keeps spirits high and morale at maximum!

With all his charmed talents Saedrus willingly steps in to assist Cristoph to help gather Laurent’s vassals to arms. It is with an empathic call that Saedrus helps rally the Duke’s men to the cause. Missives are sent with poignant prose to stir the recipients to answer their duty, to bolster them in the face of their fears and remind them that great honour is found in their bravery.

While the youngsters rally armies and large speeches and the like, Margerie? She's using contacts. If she's at the speech? She's standing next to the woman that everyone in the holding looks to as the moral center, the one who can give entire neighborhoods The Look about what they know they should do. Or that man who employs half the town, who knows how to train the other half to keep business going. She's going for short walks, buying a meat pie for them. She's a guided missile calling on decades of service to from Oakhaven up to Laurent to know which person needs convincing at their stops in order to keep the convincing going when they've moved on.

Bastien has been hired to assist with matters of propaganda. He writes a series of speeches to provide to Duke Cristoph and various others who are doing the actual traveling in the Oathlands to speak with the vassal leaders, speeches about the nature of history and living within it, of the weight of recognizing the times they live in now. Speeches of honor and oaths and sacrifice. He tailors the speeches to the various houses, trying to include known notes from their histories in order to apply particularly targeted pressure. In addition, he'll supply a few different outlines for written pamphlets that can be copied and spread through the various cities to also encourage each domain's populace to support their leaders' dedication of troops.

Derovai is providing whatever advice his good judgment of character will afford Duke Laurent in this matter.

Jael has always been an outside kid. Sometimes with an sizeable entourage, sometimes with just a few retainers, she rides out to every part of the Laurent territory she can cover on a massive wicked-looking black warhorse named Freddie to rally the troops. This almost always involves some inspiring speechifying done while performing lot of fancy horseback maneuvers like caprioles and courbettes, pirouettes and piaffes. Maybe even some friendly jousting! All this will hopefully show the vassals that the Commander of the Laurent forces is competent and approachable, and worth rallying to. Also a badass who can manage large wayward beasts with ease.

House Laurent is calling for all their vassals to heed the call, and so, it is time to act. House Valardin's own Prince Rook is lending his aid as a ghostwriter, spin-doctor and one-man propaganda machine to polish up the efforts. As he's come from a very well trained background as a sophisticated courtier, he knows the political and social landscape well enough he can push and prod without sticking his oar in too hard where it oughn't go.

And having worked with the Keatons to call their banners, now Duke Cristoph turns his attention to House Laurent. He's sending out word through the marches to rally and raise their banners, and encourage their vassals to do likewise. He's smart about it too, he isn't trying to do it all on his own, but rather includes his family and those willing to stand with him.

Count Kael and the Keatons are already doing a tour of their lands, and he takes the time to speak highly of the Honey Duke and his skills, inspiring them with tales of his liege. Lord Naka concentrates on the populace, organizing troops for home defense to free up additional forces to answer the call. Duchess Nicia stands by her husband, appealing to their people's sense of loyalty and honor. As often as she can she turns this into a series of personal conversations, using her charm to encourage as many as she can.

Lord Klaus is a man of few words now, relying on honor and the respect his men have for him, the Sword of Laurent, Sir Norwood, at his side. Lady Aeryn adds some cheer and charm, enthusiastically supporting the message and spreading it far and wide.

Saedrus Whisper steps in as well, sending missives with poignant prose to stir the recipients to answer their calls to duty. Lady Margerie tries a more oblique tack, talking to those who stand as the moral centers, the ones who give The Look to entire neighborhoods when they decide something needs to be done. Or she's reaching out to that man who employs half the town, who knows how to train the other half to keep business going. She's calling on decades of service and her finely-honed intuition to reach out to influential movers and shakers wherever they go.

Prince Rook works as a ghostwriter of speeches. Bastien also works writing speeches of honor and oaths and sacrxifices, tailoring speeches to the varying houses, trying to include known notes from their histories in order to apply particularly targeted pressure to answer the call.

Some of these are used by Duke Cristoph, others delivered by Derovai to Lady Jael to use as she rides out to every part of the Laurent territory on a wicked-looking black warhorse named Freddie to rally the troops. She gives inspiring speeches while performing ancy horseback maneuvers like caprioles and courbettes, pirouettes and piaffes. Maybe even some friendly jousting! All this proves to their vassals that the Commander of the Laurent forces is competent and approachable, and worth rallying to. Also a badass who can manage large wayward beasts with ease. In a different house this might be less welcome, but here in Valardin where Knights are often riding before they can walk, they cheer on Lady Jael's acrobatics.

Laurent is rallied to war!

Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: Jan. 9, 2018, 11:47 p.m.)

Duke Cristoph Laurent, Count Kael Keaton, Countess Reigna Keaton and Lord Corban Telmar held a charity race in the Ward of House Valardin. It was called 'The Armor Run'. Quite a few people attended and they collected numerous writs and silver from various attendees to use towards their cause. They've opted to put what they collected towards helping restablize the streets and aid the commoners in the Ward of the Crown that were affected by the fire. If there's already been IC progress there, this would hopefully help finish and/or add to general improvements in the area.

Lord Corban brought, as Countess Keaton put it, "spirit and energy and positivity" to the race, coming in fourth. Corban also solicited the support of those present, raising significant funds for those affected by the fire.

Reigna spent a number of days baking, baking, baking, with the help of Keaton chef extraordinaire, Marie. They made innumerable baskets of raspberry filled weapon-shaped pastries dusted in powdered sugar and then sold said baskets of pastries so the contents could be eaten, or flung at the racers (as the philanthropist desired). She also designed and crafted the prizes, three silk capes offered to the top three runners. During the event Reigna sold the pastries, and at the finish, handed out the prizes!

Kael Keaton brought himself to the race and made certain that everyone was aware of it! He posed behind Cristoph at the introduction and he chanted during the race itself (especially regarding Lord Corban), donated a sum of economic writs with his wife from House Keaton, and making certain to help his wife in the kitchen (on the sly, mind you, by being official taste tester). In preparation before the event, he spoke with those soldiers around Arx to see if they might be amiable to joining, attempting to get them to follow his lead. After all, a decent turnout means more money... and free training for said soldiers! Full armor is heavy!

Not a baker, and certainly not a runner, Nicia did what she could however to spread word of the fun, to discuss it with those that might be interested in it, and do any number of other things needed to make sure that any legal issues with holding the run in the location they chose were smoothed over.

To finish what first the Inquisition, then the Champions Guild and the Golden Hart have done, Duke Cristoph Laurent, Count Kael Keaton, Countess Reigna Keaton and Lord Corban Telmar held a charity race in the Ward of House Valardin. It was called 'The Armor Run'. Quite a few people attended and they collected numerous writs and silver from various attendees to use towards their cause. They've opted to put what they collected towards helping restablize the streets and aid the commoners in the Ward of the Crown that were affected by the fire. And thus, with the help of generous charities and aid, the Ward is in tact once more and people's lives are - not restored as they were completely, but able to start the true process of healing.

Action by Ailith for The Despite of Fable

(Public Action, OOC Date: Jan. 8, 2018, 3:31 p.m.)

As the Scholars of Vellichor undergo a great archive across the Compact, Seraph Ailith has devised a project to focus regionally, beginning with Valardin. She will reach out to the Seraphs of all the parishes under the Valardin fealty to host monthly (or every two months) a community event (free food!) to encourage the people to share their stories which reflect their family, friends, and community. A local scholar will attend and write these stories to create a book that represents that community (village, town, cities!).

Eventually, a copy will be sent to the Great Archives in Arx where scholars can review and compare any stories to create other books such as a farmer's almanacs using stories and tips from the various local farmers or cookbook of local recipes, even mother's homemade cookies.

The idea is to create regional books that these communities can be proud about. And if any locals attending these community events feel inspired to help the scholar, that young person can be trained to become a scholar, too.

To Unify his past attempts to aid Duchess Clover and Archlector Bianca put pressure on the Story Eater, Edain will try and use the same network of Errant Knights that he is trying to use to assist Ailith. As errant knights wander and set up camps where people can come to share their stories with them, Edain will provide writing materials for them and their squires to take down these stories and to deliver them to the local scholars, that Ailith has recording the stories to be preserved in the Archives eventually. Hopefully this will extend the reach of her story gathering. to smaller hamlets, outposts, mining and logging camps that the local scholars and the workers employeed there cannot neccesarrily reach as easily.

Bianca is openly in full support of Seraph Ailith's call to the collection of knowledge and the promotion events to come. Orders have been dispersed among the Scholar parishes/libraries throughout the Oathlands to ensure everything is documented properly and copies are then forwarded to the Archive to be copied again and dispersed between the five great cities per the Archival Initiative.

Duke Cristoph Laurent will be putting the word out to his people in Artshall, going so far as to help mitigate the costs of these events himself for the local parishes. Everyone is encouraged to get out, enjoy and share stories of their family histories. Even the ridiculous ones! Mead provided by House Laurent.

Lord Corban, Voice of the Telmarch, will contact the new Seraph of the Telmarch and encourage him or her to participate in Ailith's efforts. He will also send Ailith's emissaries with a letter under the seal of House Telmarch exhorting Telmarines to participate in the telling of their stories. Sure, it's not important enough for Corban to go personally, but he can write a nice letter.

Countess Reigna Keaton is reaching out to her contacts within the Scholars to speak to those stationed in Oakhaven, beginning the coordination and brainstorming required to set up these monthly or bimonthly meetings. She is almost making sure they have all the supplies and resources necessary, in terms of parchment, quills, books, ink. She'll be specifically requesting Scholars with a keen ear and the ability to communicate effectively with all sorts of people, who are skilled at coaxing stories from even the shyest commoner or the most tedious noble.

Lady Margerie, Voice of Keaton, will reach out to her former citizens and a network of 'not in the seat of power, but still rather close to it, and stuck in the country' nobles out in the Oathlands to encourage their participation. A special effort will be made to reach out to older people and their families/neighbors to try and collect their stories even if they may not be able to attend some of these get togethers. To encourage Oakhaven's efforts specifically, she'll be sending recipes from some of the farflung places she's encountered in Arx, a chance for them to try new things.

Aleksei is reaching out to his family to get them involved. The Morgans have quite a history of service in the Oathlands, and there are surely plenty of stories passed down that they could share for just such a project. Plus, hopefully the involvement of such respected notables as Guard-Captain Hardwicke Morgan will help to encourage others to participate.

Clover will be reaching out to the vassals of Farshaw. As a new Duchess she feels somewhat on shakey grounds. However, she is providing a legimate heir for the duchy that will help stabilize the power of the area. In the honor of the future ducal heir she is going to be asking the vassals of Farshaw to start a collection of books for a great library to be created at the Westrock Reach, and in their own territories. To provide books of local histories, of local legends, and the like.

Thena asks the Knights of Solace stationed in the Oathlands to make sure that scholars and the cargo they carry are well protected on the roads. And should a Knight him/herself wish to jot down their own stories, well, what's more exciting than tales of adventure?

Beyond being encouraging of the Wyrmguards and their vassals to share more stories with one another and to seek young people with vocations as scholars, Sorrel is even more enthusiastically than usual working to inspire bards to collect and compile regional songs and ballads. (This is pretty damn enthusiastic for those who know Sorrel; it's like she's been unleashed to eagerly harass people about music, particularly old music with songs of the past.) She is absolutely unabashed about bugging other bards for their songs and encouraging them to write new ones based on the stories of today and yesterday.

Seraph Ailith leads an initiative to document the stories of the people. She starts with Valardin and with the help of many of the leaders of the House and its vassals, she and her team move through the countryside talking to anyone who wants to talk. It's a time to come together - refreshments are offered, people are there to listen. The first few towns are skeptical, but by the time they get to the third the word has gone out - they are listening. They want to know. The archival project to record the lives and times even of the smallest, meanest of lives is important. They are important. There's a rush of warmth and feeling, and for the length of their conversation with Ailith and her group, the people are able to feel like they matter. That something of them will live on beyond themselves.

Perhaps no one will care about the lives of the smallest vassals in Valardin. But maybe it all matters. And the people are now linked by the same connection - their stories are told. Their stories are important. Warmth and fellow-feeling grow in Valardin. A fondness for all those who participate in this great effort. And outside Valardin the question is asked - hey? when is it our turn for immortality?

Action by Alis for Darkwater Revealed

(Public Action, OOC Date: Dec. 17, 2017, 9:58 p.m.)

Prince Fiachra Valardin has uncovered the location of a weapons cache containing weapons needed to fight The Gyre. Princess Alis is putting together a small strike team to retrieve the weapons, and hopefully provide the Thrax with more they can use to fight the monster in the deeps.

Fiachra's main strength is as a scout, so he'll be making use of his survival skills in getting to the location of the cache, and will be searching for traps or potential guardians as he goes. In addition, as expected of someone of his training, he has the ability to move silently when needed, and is a skilled archer.

Cristoph will be helping Princess Alis and Prince Fiachra in their hunt for the weapons. He's an okay warrior but a better tactician. So he'll approach things from that angle.

Edward has joined the expedition by Alis, bringing his experience in the hunt for the special weapons to the expedition. He also is able to recognize the weapons now that he has seen them first hand. For the most part he is here to do as he is told to help secure the success of the mission, even if that includes leading soldiers or providing logistics to make sure the expedition is well supplied for its success.

Antonio will be joining the expedition. He's an expert sailor, as well as a more than fair hand with a sword. He's also been involved with one of these expeditions in the past- having found a cache of weapons with Caelis. So perhaps that experience will come to bear.

They make their way to the island, following ancient paths and good scouting to a place once used to forge weapons. Fiachra finds a journal, and Edward takes some sketches - but the real treasure is the crate of weapons below. And yet there were two more crates taken by the Kraken's Kin and out of their reach forever. They try to track the thieves, but they catch up just in time to see a longboat filled with the Kraken's Kin though - 6 of them, to be precise - and two large crates, headed to a ship waiting for them just off shore. So even though they have a crate of weapons, the sight of one of them giving a mocking salute as they sail away will linger.

Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: Oct. 7, 2017, 9:32 a.m.)

Story post please? :)

Word filters out from the hills north of Artshall in the Oathlands, a band of individuals claiming to be knights of Valardin are terrorizing the small villages and towns dotting the area. Dispatched to take care of the situation by Duke Laurent: Sir Norwood Clement, Sir Fawkes, Sir Daemone Dracone and Count Kael Keaton travel to the area, accompanied by Princess Alis Valardin. It's said they came upon a petrified village who told them an awful tale of the would-be 'knights'. Death and pain, but worst of all: the destruction of beehives. Also something about 'Malar'. But that's probably just rumors, what's truly important is the loss of innocent bee-lives! The group follows the nose of Count Kael's young hound to the enemies hideout and there they're said to engage in a short, but blood and victorious skirmish. It's unclear if this was an isolated incident or if it's part of a larger group... only time will tell!

Emit sent, story update made under Oathlands Interlude.

Action by Cristoph

(Public Action, OOC Date: Sept. 4, 2017, 2:39 p.m.)

Cristoph Laurent marries Nicia Pravus. As seems to be the going tradition, House Laurent makes a donation to the Faith. They end up choosing to make that donation towards the Knights of Solace in particular rather than the Faith as a whole, giving the order 100k in silver and 300 military writs to use towards rebuilding the order since their numbers were hurt during the Siege of Arx. Duchess Belladonna Pravus generously matches the donation bringing the total to 200k and 600 military resources.

Complete!

Action by Cristoph for Silence

(Public Action)

Cristoph is ordering, following discussion with Edain, approximately half of his troops to form up with the Valardin host and advance to Pride Hall in order to join with Duke Bisland's forces.
Cristoph will send troops in the proportion specified by Edain in his own +crisis entry, 60% of house Laurent's cavalry, 50% of their infantry and 50% of their archers, along with the forces of Laurent's currently unspecified vassal houses.

In the lead up to the battle he will then be taking command of one of the skirmish units, in advance of this he will be trying to ensure that any such troops under his control have a proper chain of command, that their supplies and logistics are in order, that maps are obtained and understood along with recruitment of local hunters to act as guides and scouts.

If I can pay money to have this materially help then please let me know!
To expand on the previous, now that things have been discussed in character, please see the below:

Cristoph's understanding is that he is going to be commanding a large proportion of the Oathlands continent to skirmish against the shavs in the Grey Forest and the Bringers of Silence, to try to either draw them or force them into prepared ground.

He is going to go for as mobile a force as possible, cavalry supported by infantry or archers with horses for travel (even if they do not fight on them). The supply train will be limited to mules and donkeys with no carts or wagons, no camp followers beyond for medical support and logistics, as many local scouts as he is able to secure. The goal will be to form a compact and agile column which will seek to annihilate enemy foraging parties and scouts whilst avoiding engagement with larger bodies of troops, instead shadowing them and interdicting their movements.

This will hopefully discourage the enemy from spreading out to forage and ravage the countryside, which, assuming that most of them at least need to eat, should give them problems if they are trying to move overland away from supply dumps. He will lead the troops personally and is not planning to seek decisive engagements unless opportunity presents itself, the priority is to keep his command intact and present, shadowing the enemy and able to rejoin the main host when battle is joined.

There's more enemy foraging parties than would be expected. Far too many. The forces of House Laurent, under the command of Cristoph, bring to action and destroy numerous parties, killing several hundred shav foragers for only minimal, single digit losses in return, but that many foragers over thousands of square miles suggests a truly terrifyingly huge main body. Can't sustain itself very long, and definitely not with their foragers being killed, but it might be large enough to be a threat to Arx.

Action by Cristoph for Broken Faith

(Public Action)

Cristoph currently has about 25 Crimson Blade under his employ and positioned outside of Arx in reserve, he is going to order them to keep watch on the road west just in case Fawkuhl somehow manages to escape the city and flee in the direction of the Oathlands. Their orders would be to detain him if possible, otherwise to try to delay, or at least report his progress if he is spotted.

This is intended as a fail-safe if Fawkuhl manages to bypass the Iron Guard and the Valardin vigil then tries to flee the city in this direction.

They keep a vigil- it seems like Fawkuhl is going to go ahead with the convocation of the Faith, but if he attempts to flee afterwards, they'll be ready.

Action by Cristoph for Three Blights

(Public Action)

Cristoph does not have the details, but has has been informed that blights such as the one in the Grey Forest and also the Oathlands are caused by the Bringers of Silence devouring the magic in the land, obviously he is also rather concerned about the idea of another war such as the one now consuming the Crownlands taking place closer to home.

He is going to send orders back to Artshall and have scouts map the extent of the blight within Laurent and their vassal's territory. If possible, he will also have a woods savvy local Seraph or Priest brought along to give the official church opinion on what is happening.

He also wants full reports on any changes in Abandoned activity, are there rumours of new leaders, are they raiding less, more? Migrating?

Laurent lands have been largely untouched. It seems like where the Bringers of Silence have migrated, they leave dead land along in their wake, much like if the land had been overfarmed without any attempt at crop rotation for a generation, enough to completely deplete it. That's rare on Laurent lands though, it does seem to follow a pattern of some Abandoned migrating- migrating away from the Oathlands entirely, and towards arx, meaning that some Abandoned forces are definitely joining those at Arx, which could inflate their numbers.

Of course this means that there has been much less Abandoned activity in Laurent lands in general, and more than one vassal is praising Cristoph for keeping the peace and reducing the number of Abandoned, even if it's a coincidence. Good job, Duke Cristoph!

Action by Cristoph for Silence

(Public Action)

Cristoph is going to continue actions against Shav raiding parties, leading his and any other assisting troops in person to try to wipe out as many small parties, scouting and foraging groups, as possible. Obviously he is not going to be able to make a huge impression in a force eighty thousand strong but he wants those troops to reach Arx as hungry, blind and disorganised as possible.

As such he is going to repeat the same thing he did before, form a mobile column of Laurent and (hopefully!) Lyonesse troops, heavy on cavalry and with an agile supply chain. They are not going to go berserk or try to engage the main bodies of the enemy army, they will shadow them and pick off smaller groups that detach to try to forage.

The plan is to be aggressive with this and entirely ruthless, ambushes, letting the enemy start to settle into forage/raid/loot then sweeping down and annihilate them with knights as they are disorganised, attacking and burning camps at night. No effort is going to be made to defend anything unless that is tactically helpful, the priority is maximum efficiency attritional skirmish warfare.

Also as a note he is not going to be trying to really fight himself or be a hero, he is going to be there, armoured and mounted on horseback, but concentrating on effectively commanding his troops and with at least a dozen Crimson Blades guards for if things go wrong or a charge of the reserve is required.
Cristoph is partially carrying out event 347 for public relations reasons and because huge hunts are awesome, but this will also be an exercise in denuding the local forests around Arx of game ahead of the siege and will be carried out on a massive scale. He will be spending an additional 20,000 silver on top of the event cost to hire a literal army of beaters along with sending all of his hired Crimson Blades out with crossbows and recruiting as many local peasants with bows as possible. The goal? To shoot as many edible animals as they can, both to help stock Arx (and the peasant hunters) larders and to deny said food to the enemy when they arrive.

Rather than withdrawing his cavalry forces within Arx, Cristoph is going to keep them active in the Grey Forest, behind Abandoned armies that move to invest the capital under siege. Communications with Arx will have to be by sea and suitable (too small to be on the main map) ports identified. A command and supply center will (Grayson willing) be established in a suitable baronial or comtal castle and Cristoph will spend up to 100,000 silver ensuring adequate stockpiles of provisions, weapons, but most importantly food and appropriate clothing to continue the fight over the winter.


Hopefully final addition: This crisis action is prominently for cavalry actions along with whatever mounted infantry has been procured, there will be efforts to coordinate with Calypso's attack on one of the Abandoned armies. Ideally, the combined cavalry forces will arrive behind the Abandoned army and participate in the battle, if, as seems likely, this is impossible due to the issues of communication and distance, then the cavalry will attempt to position to help cover any retreat or take advantage of any victory to inflict maximum enemy casualties.

The remaining Laurent infantry will be fighting under Alis' command.

Jael is going to support the supply chain, riding with it between the troops and the city. While with the troops, she'll keep a finger on the pulse of their morale, doing her best to be visible among the men and women, talking with them, getting their feedback.

She's also going to join in on the raids, particularly ones where they can strike from a distance, focusing on mounted bowmanship to strike and flee without waiting for retaliation.

Okay. I don't know much about how to do this so: All Isidora will really be doing is doing her best to keep her head down and heal people where she can.

Demura is going to lend some of her men to Cristoph in hopes that they will beneficially help him ravage the enemy's vital resources and reduce the number of viable opposing soldiers, providing a critical weakness that can be exploited through other means.

Sigurd will be coming along with 250 Nightgold cavalry and a supporting column of mounted infantry for reinforcements. He will be the assistant commander in this mission, with Duke Cristoph having overall command of the troop's movements, including his own, while Sigurd provides his aid when the troops hit rough terrain (survival training comes into play) as well as being the main leader once the troops actually engage the enemy, leaving Cristoph able to direct larger troop movements while he leads the charges and provides leadership in the forefront. Together, they hope to seriously curtail and disrupt the enemy rituals, movements, and especially foraging parties, making it next to impossible for the Bringer army to sustain a siege.

Aislin will be taking a contingent of Ashford scouts into the forests to assist, at Maude's request. The Ashford guards are, of course, well familiar with both the Gray Forest in general and the area from Arx southwards in particular, so this is their home territory. While they lack their network of watch-platforms and pathways among the trees, most are skilled at both climbing and archery. They'll be supporting other troops, scouting from overhead where possible, and providing archery cover from above.

Aislin will also be bringing a number of Society scouts along. Field cartographers who can map out the movements of the enemy, and help assist Duke Cristoph and others with determining where best to cut the enemy's troop lines, to carve off chunks for easy dispatch. And, of course, Society members /do/ tend to be a little more aware of occult considerations, if it comes down to Bringer encounters. Aislin will be predominantly with the Society scouts, trying to coordinate.

Niamh is coming along with Aislin and Ashford's forces. Mostly Niamh is there to smash skulls and cut off heads. She'll go where Aislin goes, mostly, and try to keep the Ashford safe. She's not a leader though, so Niamh mostly fills the roll of the Big Damn Hero and Murder Machine. She's bringing Gyrd, her war elk (retainer), an alarcite sword, and full rubicund armor to the event.

Tikva will be working with the other scouts that Aislin is bringing, as a seasoned and rangery agent of the forest! In the event of a combat with the Forces of Evil, she will hold nothing back (fully kitted out with bow and arrows) -- but as a scout, her primary skills will be in mapping the area, keeping an eye on troop numbers, and moving quickly and discreetly in conjunction with other scouts to keep track of troop movements for the advancing army.

The Laurent forces, supported by House Nightgold and House Ashford, ravage the western 2nd Column of the Bringer forces and smash their supply lines. Most of their foraging parties are cut down in exchange for minimal losses, though two hundred horse that attempted to skirmish with the 3rd Column is entirely lost, and it is unclear why- just none returned from that particular skirmishing mission, which is adequate encouragement to concentrate their forces on the 2nd Column.

Guided by Tikva and Aislin with excellent knowledge of the Gray Forest, and the leadership of Sigurd, helps prove to provide excellent mobility in continually outracing the enemy and following Cristoph's well laid out strategy for bleeding the bringer forces. More than once, the 2nd Column attempts to seek battle and is led into ambushes, leaving several thousand dead over the course of the week and slowing their advance to a crawl, which in turn buys time for the main forces of the Compact under Calypso to return to the defense of Arx, after the destruction of the first bringer column.