The shadows fall behind you
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found it's end
On south sands the spires and citadels of Urizen
Bore witness as armadas and the army fought and bled
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest
Those maggots, marauders, they brought with them Mawrig's intent
Destruction, devastation, the dirge of a Grendel advance
A portent's in the water, see the signs, the runes were read
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest
Fleet foot flanking, they evade the enemy's gaze
Into Elos harbour, the hero's hammer did raise
And shattered the enchantment of a tempestuous talisman
Ruining the ritual and wrecking the purple clad plan
The Warriors whispered "farewell", fell, then rose up from the dead
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found it's end.
In Redoubt,
The runes fall, fated.
As Ull lies with Yoorn,
As the fleets flow in.
The tide turns, the swords drawn.
Under Wanderer’s eye
Waves wash on southern wharves.
Elos – lost
And no hero hurries to the hopeless fight.
But the skein demands our foe is forced to falter,
The blade blunted, that, sea borne,
Would bleed the mountain mage’s heart.
So our soldiers stand, and,
Step by hard-won step
Break the wave,
Shatter the sea-sphere.
A final blow
Of a far-sighted fist.
Overview
The ripples of the wave that broke on the shores of Redoubt continue to wash across the Empire. Last season, an opportunity was presented to create an inspirational location at the Elos docks using the last banner of the Fist of the Mountains, a gift from general Umarth "Winter's Flame" Kannask. The banner was presented so that it could be raised at Elos when the port was retaken from the Grendel. The Grendel receded, the Empire surged, and the docks were quickly back in service, soon to be joined by a new guest from the day realm.
None of this would have been possible without the sacrifice of the Fist of the Mountain. The oldest of the Wintermark armies, they gave everything to prevent the Grendel invaders destroying Elos with a weapon seized from the Temple of Tempest Jade. If they had not been in Redoubt, the beautiful port-city would have been destroyed by the unleashed power of Maelstrom, and Urizen does not forget such sacrifice.
The Synod have indicated that they do intend to consecrate the restored docks at the Great Harbour at Elos. The benefits could be significant, leaving a lasting impact on the region. The unique and powerful aura would draw virtuous citizens to Elos to experience the effects, contemplate the sacrifice of the Fist of the Mountains and gaze upon the the banner that is Umarth's legacy.
The Empire is an amalgamation of our Ambitions. Each stronger as others take the burden. As Tian bore the flame, Umarth bore the consequence of decision. The Fist of the Mountains paid the price, now our Urizen must take the branches and carry the light. We call for a writ of consecration to build a flame that will burn on the docks of Elos. Let the mystics of Wintermark and the seers and illuminates of Urizen make pilgrimage. There they will reflect on the gift and burden of farsight, to show the Way to their people.
Eldrid 'Phoenix Flame' Vestardottir, Ambition Assembly, Spring 388YE, Vote: Upheld with a Greater Majority 332-0
Calling
- The Ambition Assembly have claimed Umarth's deed as an example of the path of Ambition
It is the Ambition Assembly who have claimed the deeds of the Fist of the Mountain as an example of their path. They cited the story of Tian who achieved great things, but at a great personal cost, and draw a parallel to the actions of the last general and the brave mystics of the Fist. Already, ambitious pilgrims from across Urizen and Wintermark are making the journey to Elos, to be there to witness virtue being made manifest for generations to come.
If the area is consecrated with true liao in the coming season, it will have a lasting effect - assuming the General Assembly confirm they wish to proceed.
Consequences are the price of Ambition. We send (named individual) with a dose of true liao to consecrate the site where the last banner of the Fist of the Mountain flies. May all who see it know that no price is too high to realise your dreams.
Synod Mandate, General Assembly
Should this mandate be enacted, the banner will be hung in pride of place and the docks consecrated with the true consecration of Ambition. Like the Academy of Arms in neighbouring Siluri, it will become a place of pilgrimage and stand as a symbol of the courage of the Fist of the Mountain, and the bonds of loyalty between Urizen and Wintermark, as well as a celebration of ambition.
Drive
| Fist's Memorial |
| Commission Type: Sinecure |
| Location: Naris, Redoubt |
| Cost: 12 wains of white granite, 8 wains of mithril, 60 crowns, three months |
| Availability: Until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE |
| Special: Requires Elos Harbour be consecrated with true liao following the Summer Solstice 388YE |
Effect:
|
| Custodian of the Fist's Memorial |
| Type: Urizen or Wintermark national |
| Appointment: Ambition Assembly |
| Powers: Receives an income of 9 liao each season |
Responsibilities:
|
- If the mandate to consecrate Elos harbour is upheld it would be possible to create a memorial to the Fist
- The memorial would require a custodian appointed by the Ambition Assembly
- The title could be held by a Wintermarker or an Urizeni
- If the mandate is upheld with a greater majority, the memorial will improve natural resupply for mortal armies and navies from Wintermark and Urizen resting in Elos
Unsurprisingly for a cadre of dedicants of Ambition, the visiting clergy are not simply satisfied to do what was asked and then sit on their laurels. Ambition is not Prosperity, it does not leave time for resting and enjoying the fruits of one's labour, but to strive ever onwards to do ever more. The construction of a memorial is proposed, depicting in relief the brave acts of the warriors of the Fist for visitors to come and pay their respects for many years to come.
Should it be built, it will create the title of Custodian of the Fist's Memorial, available to any Wintermark or Urizen citizen and elected by the Ambition assembly. They would be responsible for telling the tale of the sacrifice of the Fist, and welcoming any pilgrims to the site. As such, they would receive an income of liao from the civil service each season.
Not only this, but the constant stream of inspired pilgrims would mean that any Urizen or Wintermark army or navy who engaged in natural resupply in Redoubt would share in an additional pool of 250 force strength, representing donations and inspired volunteers from among the visiting pilgrims. Armies would need to take a special action to drum up support at Elos harbour, navies would need to put to port there to benefit.
Unfortunately, the Argent Sword cannot benefit from the Custodian of the Fist's Memorial. The heralds respond to words like "volunteer" and "donation" in the same way a devout follower of the Way might respond to the vilest blasphemy.
As the Urizen and Wintermark Assemblies have called on their people to question the Synod, the memorial will only improve the rate of natural resupply if the mandate to consecrate Elos Harbour is upheld with a greater majority.
In the spirit of forging a greater bond between our nations, and in honour of the Fist of the Mountains, we invite the stargazers of Urizen to meet with the mystics of Kallavesa within our swamps. We would share wisdom over the way we build, live and thrive within the swamp with the ambition to help further your aims in the Sarangrave.
Otso Usvaling, Wintermark National Assembly, Spring 388YE, Vote: Upheld with a Greater Majority 188-0Visionary
Dissipating Silks
- Form: Armour. Takes the form of a suit of mage armour. You must be wearing this armour to use its magical properties.
- Requirement: You must have both the magician and battle mage skills to bond to this item.
- Effect: You may ignore the roleplaying effects of any single traumatic wound until the end of the battle.
- Materials: Crafting Dissipating Silks requires no special materials. It takes two months to make one of these items.
Night Ritual; Magnitude 22/18;
Grants a character with the hero skill a vision and two additional hero points
At the completion of this ritual, the targets receives a single mystic vision related to things that are happening, have happened or may happen at the event, if they have the hero skill. The information is often cryptic and is not a catalogue of events that will happen, more the suggestion of things that are likely to happen, or that are relevant to those events. The vision is one of the Signs and Portents that a character can access with that ritual. In addition the targets gain two additional hero points, if they have the hero skill.
The target will experience a powerful roleplaying effect: they are keenly aware of the significance of any impending social or martial confrontation. They feel the urge to carefully prepare for the forthcoming conflict, to ensure they are worthy of a hero's name. They find it hard to contemplate shying away from this confrontation, no matter the danger.
- If Elos docks are consecrated with true liao at the coming event, the Urizeni will add a schema for a new magical item to Runesmith's Law
- If that happens, Wintermark mystics will arrange to have a new magical ritual added to Urizen Lore
The stargazers of Urizen and the mystics of Kallavesa have not historically spent a great deal of time together. Their natural geographical distance is matched by their different approaches to the supernatural. Still, the last few seasons have forged a great bond between the peoples of the north-west and south-east, threads from individual skeins interwoven into one great net. In honour of the links that have formed, each side has worked with their counterparts to prepare a great in the joint traditions of crafting and cession.
Arethas is one of the illuminates of the Spire of the Stallion's Volition. Known for his debating skills more than the power of his preaching, he has organised dozens of Urizeni magicians to work together to create a suitable gift for the Wintermark people who heroically sacrificed the Fist to save Elos. With the help of the great foundaries in Zenith, Arethas and his allies have arranged for the creation of a copy of a rare schema that allows someone to learn how to make Dissipating silks. This powerful magical item can be worn by magicians taking the battlefield to provide them with a measure of protection from deadly blows. If the consecration of the Elos docks goes ahead, Arethas intends to pass the schema to Wilda so that it can added to Wintermark Law.
Keen to reciprocate, a coven of Kallavesi mystics, the Crescent's Eye have made arrangements with Feather on the Breeze. A generation ago, a catoblepas killed a favoured herald of the Night Singer and escaped to run amok in the marshes. The coven trapped the monster in a circle of moon-wards, allowing their hunters to finally defeat the beast. The Spiral Dancer gave the coven a powerful ritual that they could use to grant their hunters the power to overcome the monster. If the consecration of the Elos docks goes ahead, the Crescent's Eye intend to use Gift of Knowledge to put Hero's Journey into Urizen Lore.
Dare do all
- The Synod could use the true consecration to celebrate the Grendel's Ambition in attacking Elos docks
- What effect that might have on Grendel diplomacy or their view of Elos is unknown
Just when everyone thought that they had agreed on the proposal and were ready to submit it to the civil service, something perhaps entirely predictable happened; an Urizeni questor opened their mouth and inevitably an argument followed. Incommodus of the Spire of the Stallion's Volition asks a challenging question - was it not also an Ambitious plan of the Grendel, to bring a volatile boon of the Maelstrom to attempt to blow the dock to smithereens? Ambition has much to say about it being better to try and to fail than failing to try after all.
While Incommodus' proposal raises a lot of eyebrows it isn't entirely without precedent. Some Grendel are known to honour the "inspiration" of both Zemress and Emperor Barabbas, even though both the Freeborn and Highborn figures were their committed enemies. There is an argument that virtue is contagious. The Doctrine of Enlightenment says that "Virtue's power to exalt transcends the boundaries of soul, spirit, and species" so is it that hard to believe that it can transcend the boundaries of nationality and enmity? Incommodus may be out of order, but perhaps he has a point.
After much debate, slightly different proposals are also drawn up to show not only the heroism and sacrifice of the Fist, but the audacity and ambition of the Grendel in their plan that - while it ultimately failed - was certainly in service of a challenging goal. There were no Grendel available to comment, what with the war and all, and the Apulian orcs approached for comment said they were now too long removed from the politics of the Salt Lords or the mood of the Questioners for them to feel confident in any suppositions they might make. They're followers of the Way now, after all, and be sure to write that down.
A mandate is somewhat grudgingly prepared, one that very much in competition with the more traditional one already written.
Consequences are the price of Ambition and it is better to try and fail than fail to try. We send (named individual) with a dose of true liao to consecrate the site where the last banner of the Fist of the Mountain flies. May all who see it, whether Imperial or otherwise, know that no price is too high to realise your dreams.
Synod Mandate, Ambition Assembly
If the mandate is enacted, it will still allow the creation of the Fist's Memorial, and inspire the exchange between Urizen and Wintermark. If the commission is raised following this mandate, it will need to be clear whether the focus of the reliefs are to be solely focused on the heroic sacrifice of the Fist, or shared with the Grendel invaders. In the case there is any doubt, the civil service will default to focusing on the Imperial Army.
What other effects it might have, especially with regard to diplomatic relations with the Grendel, if any at all, is unclear. They might ignore it of course, but they have shown a considerable interest in other consecrated locations in the past. The Ambassador to the Grendel may have their own opinion on the matter, but that will have to be sought at Anvil.
Incommodus' "helpful contribution" does raise an interesting point about inspiration however. Are the acts of the Empire's enemies worthy of commemoration in this way? Can they inspire the virtuous even though the folk who performed them are not themselves followers of the Way? At least one barbarian nation - the Jotun - honours their fallen enemies as well as their own dead and show reverence for the memorials to Imperial heroes they have never met. Should the Empire be doing the same? Any decision on that matter lies in the hands of the Synod, and will thus need to take place in Anvil where Incommodus is not especially inclined to venture.
Down they came, the Fist the Fist
And they saw through the mist, the mist
They heard the sound the drums, the drums
The Grendel fleet; it comes it comes
Then Umarth looked he saw he saw
To see their scheme before before
They came to port to fight to fight
But could not dodge his sight his sight
The Maelstroms gift it roared it roared
And crackled on the shore the shore
But none would stop heroes heroes
They came to fight in throes in throes
A crystal brought to seek to seek
Destruction here to wreak to wreak
Yet heroes there stood tall stood tall
Prepared they were to fall to fall
And so they did proclaim, proclaim
A hero has a name, a name