Warriors' Gate
His cousin Estragon was still talking, annoyingly. Vladimir had been trying to tune him out, with only minimal success. He loved his cousin, most likely, but his voice could cut wood when he started off on one of his drawn-out tirades about something he was passionate about. Right now he was complaining about the decision the leader of their band had made to come and look at Tsirku. Illyana had been quite fired up when she'd heard the call to arms from Rosanna Vtrachenich and immediately insisted they bring their wagons to the arse-end of the Empire.
"... and its not even as if there are any sovereigns here!" Estragon finished, as if that was his trump card.
Vladimir finished strapping himself up, stood, and whacked his cousin around the back of the head.
"What was that for!", demanded Estragon, outraged.
"If you don't know I'm not going to tell you," said Vladimir, making sure the wooden snow-goggles he'd bought during their visit to Hunter's Hall were tied securely in place. "There may not be sovereigns, you dolt, but what there probably is, is a thousand years of untouched wealth buried under all this snow just waiting for someone to rip it up and take it home."
He glanced over at Estragon, who was rubbing the back of his head with a surly expression on his face.
"Honestly," sighed the big wagon raider. "Sometimes I wonder if you are even a Varushkan, cousin"
Overview
- The first steps have been taken to explore the wilderness of Tsirku
The frozen wasteland of Tsirku to the north of Sermersuaq is truly terra incognita as the old Asaveans would have it. Last season a bold endeavour was set in motion to explore the unknown land, to learn more of what lies in its trackless tundra and ice fields, and if possible to make it part of Wintermark.
The first preliminary steps into Tsirku have been a resounding success. A large number of Winterfolk, and a single band of Navarr, challenged the Northern Lights, the eternal storm of Sydanjaa, and the dangers of the wastes. Slowly they have begun to build a picture of this enigmatic, vast stretch of land that lies between the Empire, the Jotun, the Thule, and who-knows-what else. Meanwhile a large number of Winterfolk and some Dawnish adventurers pushed into Tsirku, seeking adventure, and seeing what treasures might lie in the boundless wastes.
Warriors Gate
- Scouts and adventurers have explored the region of Warriors Gate
- They have identified several landmarks but the region is mostly snow-blown tundra
| Citizen | Banner | Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Powell Open-Skies | Open Skies | Navarr |
| Aaro | Bloodforge Hall | Wintermark |
| Aelson Dunhearth | Dunhearth Hall | Wintermark |
| Aengel Dunn | Dunhearth Hall | Wintermark |
| Ailfryn Issigsbarn | Wintermark | |
| Ailsa | Wintermark | |
| Alwyn Croft | The Winter Wolfborn | Wintermark |
| Arja Riftweaver | House Gerís | Wintermark |
| Artic | The Winter Wolfborn | Wintermark |
| Blaidd Sinan | House Gerís | Wintermark |
| Bronn Dunwolf | Dunhearth Hall | Wintermark |
| Calvayne | Wintermark | |
| Ceolmund Dreth | End’s Hearth | Wintermark |
| Ciara | Wintermark | |
| Dart Orias | Hall Stonesworn | Wintermark |
| Duwana | Wintermark | |
| Eahlstan Yarricson | Dunhearth Hall | Wintermark |
| Elgar Angusson Krakenring | Kraken's Vanguard | Wintermark |
| Eodin Swiftstride | Shield Wolves | Wintermark |
| Finn ulson | Wintermark | |
| Gerrick Wind Ward's Guardian | Kraken's Vanguard | Wintermark |
| Ghelwyn | Dunhearth Hall | Wintermark |
| Guthelm Fleetfoot | Eira Spire | Wintermark |
| Guthrum Bjorning | Bjornholt | Wintermark |
| Hazen Marking | Wintermark | |
| Kaisa | Shield Wolves | Wintermark |
| Kara | Dunhearth Hall | Wintermark |
| Kraxis Asherson | Wintermark | |
| Loki | Shield Wolves | Wintermark |
| Miguel Oakshotte | Wintermark | |
| Nerian Hererinc | Dunhearth Hall | Wintermark |
| Oona | Stormspire | Wintermark |
| Quintaras Halivor | Wintermark | |
| Rek Martinez Dunqueza | Dunhearth Hall | Wintermark |
| Reu'Hrokr | Corvenhal | Wintermark |
| Rolf Boarson | Shield Wolves | Wintermark |
| Runik Frostborn | Wintermark | |
| Seht Ravenson of Dunhearth Hall | Dunhearth Hall | Wintermark |
| Sylvi | Dunhearth Hall | Wintermark |
| Tarn Myreson | Hall Stonesworn | Wintermark |
| Theomere Swiftstride | Shield Wolves | Wintermark |
| Tostig | Corvenhal | Wintermark |
| Tyburn Natkysset | Wintermark | |
| Ulfric Ursine | Wintermark | |
| Ulric Baersonling | Corvenhal | Wintermark |
| Utread Broadmeadow | The Winter Wolfborn | Wintermark |
| Utred Tiberiuson | Shield Wolves | Wintermark |
| Vidor Broadmeadow | The Winter Wolfborn | Wintermark |
| Witgast Dunning | Dunhearth Hall | Wintermark |
| Yorrick | Kraken's Vanguard | Wintermark |
| Yrsir | Stormspire | Wintermark |
Tsirku isn't impossible to map, as such, but there are a large number of challenges that need to be overcome. One is that Tsirku is big - meaning that unlike a traditional spy network scouts cannot hope to explore the entire place in a single season. With the Summer Solstice approaching, then, the Winterfolk (and their Navarr ally) have mostly explored a single region, which is named Warriors Gate.
Warriors Gate lies north of Suaq Fount and takes its name from the fact that it is the gateway to Tsirku, and that the path of those who walk into Sydanjaa passes through it. It is cold - even with Summer approaching it is significantly colder than northern Sermersuaq. Snowfalls are not uncommon, and water regularly freezes overnight. Yet it is by no means barren. In the south particularly there are areas of scrubby grass, heather, and hardy thornbushes. A few bent trees grow here, and where their roots spread there are oases of life. Pale hares, equally pale foxes, wolves, and even the occasional massive snow bear are found here. There are also huddles of the massive white dire penguins native to the north-west of the Empire here, in numbers hitherto unknown. They provide good eating for those brave enough to hunt them.
The place is also a cornucopia of unfamiliar plants and berries growing here - treasures of Tsirku that are unfamiliar to southern explorers. It's not that the place is lush precisely, more that the plants that survive here are hardy and perhaps possessed of some additional virtue. A few magicians speculate that the threads of mana here, left to flow freely without tampering by human or orc, infuse the landscape. Others point to the baleful influence of the Northern Lights, while still others note that this wasteland may be touched by the magic of the realms in ways that settled lands are not. Finally, a few suggest that it is just that the most dangerous locations tend to be the most rich - they point to Varushka and Otkodov as examples of this and the wealth of the wild Barrens.
Warriors Gate is flat, and has comparatively few significant geographical features. There is a frozen lake here in the northern part of the region called the Lake of Sighs, which is frozen solid nine months of the year. The "pilgrims' trail" to Sydanjaa passes over the ice of the lake. There is also a scrubby forest in the east of the region dubbed Courtier's Wood because the hardy trees that make it up are bent over like bowing diplomats. Beggarwood is found in profusion here, along with patches of bladeroot, but there are also reports of odd creatures like furred spiders the size of wolves that move around in the place. They scurry away from explorers, and nobody gets more than a glimpse of them, but they may prove to be a danger.
There is no Jotun or Thule presence here. The sole sign that anyone other than Winterfolk pilgrims has ever been here is only a short distance across the border of Sermersuaq - a trilithon of white stone carved with stylised depictions of mammoths, hares, penguins, and deer as well as symbols of Summer. It puts the Navarr who see it immediately in mind of the Gate of Summer in Hercynia. The monument is dubbed the Gate of Winter, and like the structure in the south it has absolutely no magic associated with it.
The only other common feature are cairns - four of them - that mark a kind of trail that wends north through Warriors Gate. Most of the stones that mark these cairns come from the local area, but a few have been carried from further afield. Many are marked with runes, and in amongst them are odd relics such as long-rusted blades, animals of carved bone, scraps of fabric hung as flags, and the like. These are pilgrim cairns, created over the centuries by those taking the long walk from Sermersuaq to Sydanjaa. Even the beasts of Agramant do not interfere with these monuments.
Claiming Warriors Gate
- Warriors Gate has been explored but is too inhospitable for an army to claim it for the Empire
- The Citadel of the Warm Hearth would anchor the exploration and an Imperial claim to the region
Tsirku is trackless, barren, and vast. Armies cannot conquer regions of this wasteland, and attempting to do so would result in significant casualties just due to the cold. However, the explorers identify several locations in the region where the Citadel of the Warm Hearth proposed by Firebird Eorling could be built. All that is required is a commission, and a massive investment of white granite and mithril. If the citadel were completed, there would be an opportunity to "conquer" Warriors Gate and begin the ultimate ambition of bringing the wasteland under control of Wintermark.
Previously, there was insufficient knowledge about the region to allow such a castle - or indeed anything else - to be built. Now sites have been found, and the shape of the region is known, the opportunity is there to establish an anchor for Wintermark's expansion and further exploration.
The citadel is a serious endeavour in and of itself, but some runesmiths suggest that it might be possible to secure assistance from the spirits of the realms. Both Cathan Canae and Adamant would have reasons to offer their aid - the former because the citadel represents a profound test of fortitude and the beginning of a glorious conquest, the latter because a massive castle of white granite in an impossible location is just the kind of thing the King Under the Mountain likes.
Of course eternals rarely offer their aid without a cost, and given the current attitudes of the Synod to trafficking with the eternals it might be better to go it alone. But perhaps the Archmage of Summer Mirella of the Twisted Rose could be persuaded to use their power of plenipotentiary to help Wintermark engage with the eternals?
Summer in Tsirku
- There are three regions that might be explored next
- The Imperial Spymaster determines which region to explore next
From Warriors Gate there are three ways the exploration could proceed.
- Westward, toward Tromsa, lies a region that preliminary exploration identifies as "barren, windswept, with wide and unsettling skies". It's likely that Lake Nutjuitoq extends into this area, and there may be a connection to the Sea of Snow given that there must be some way for the great sea beasts to reach the Grave of the Giants. The hylje have offered aid in exploring this region, should Wintermark wish to avail themselves of it.
- Eastward, towards Urdur lies a region described as "rocky, with scattered trees, that feels ominous". It's possible that the region actually abuts Urdur and if it does that increases the likelihood of some kind of Thule presence there.
- Northward, towards Sydanjaa is a region described as "icy, covered in snow, with vicious looking chasms". It doesn't seem that Sydanjaa extends into this region, but it is one that those walking that way would pass through.
The decision on where to focus exploration after the Summer Solstice lies with the Imperial Spymaster, although they may receive counsel from the people of Wintermark. At the very least, the Imperial Spymaster should let the Wintermark people know which direction to head in, and the best way to do that would be to address their muster during the Summer Solstice. The Wintermark egregores should be able to arrange such an opportunity for them.
Notably, the season of exploration following the Summer Solstice will be the last before the weather begins to turn. After the Autumn Equinox, until the Spring Equinox, the strength required to gain any information from the Tsirku spy network is doubled (something that might make the aid offered by the hylje particularly valuable).
Dangers and Hunters
- Creatures of Blood-on-the-Snow threaten explorers in Warriors Gate
Warriors Gate is indeed dangerous. Explorers here are passing through a wasteland unprotected by the wards of the Conclave. Specifically, every warband has a story of encountering what can only be beasts or heralds from the demesne of Blood-on-the-Snow. They include black-eyed, emaciated white bears, skin hanging like damp cloth over their twisted bones, that speak with human voices; viciously grinning snaggle-toothed humans and orcs garbed in suspicious leather and blood-soaked fur who offer aid to lost or hungry travellers; and at least one massive creature combining the worse elements of forest ape, wolverine, and stag that simply stands a short distance away from an encampment and watches the explorers with cold, dead eyes.
Fortunately, steps have been taken to mitigate the risks of the creatures of the eternal Wasteland. Following the advice of the banner-bearers of Wintermark, the Senate has expanded the responsibilities of the Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq. They now contribute their expertise, and the support of the Hall of the Hunters towards protecting the explorers of Tsirku from the threat of Agramant's beasts.
One of the first "points of interest" in Warriors Gate discovered by the explorers are a pair of regio in different parts of the region that are clearly claimed by Blood-on-the-Snow. Both sites are marked by rocks and ice protrusions that weep a horrible, thick, blood-like substance familiar to those who remember the Bleeding Ice discovered in Tanikipari by the Shuttered Lantern three years ago. These powerful Winter regio are guarded by dozens of servants of the Wastewalker, and are clearly the "staging posts" for the creatures that he sends south to bedevil northern Sermersuaq.
There's also reports of the fallen thane, Wemba the Bloody, whose spirit snapped when the Jotun claimed his hall in Atalaq. Now a cannibal who has sworn to eat only the flesh of his defeated enemies, he and his warband are clearly using these regio to commune with Agramant and receive his boons. The two sites are dubbed the Bloody Teeth and the Treachers Dagger by scouts. The explorers aren't able to get close to them, but they're able to mark their locations.
The new responsibilities of the Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq provide a possible way to try and deal with the two regio. Bands of heroes use the Hall of Hunters as their base from which to Hunt the Suaq Wastes. The venture is only available to Wintermark and bold Dawnish captains, and there are fewer and fewer beasts actually in Sermersuaq to hunt. However, this presents an opportunity.
The servants of Agramant gather in Warriors Gate and must be dealt with. We send the Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq with 25 doses of liao to lead heroes and glory-seekers alike to face the dangers of (the Bloody Teeth/Treachers Dagger) and drive them back from whence they came.
Synod Mandate, Wintermark National Assembly
If this mandate is enacted, it will focus the efforts of the Hunt the Suaq Wastes venture on taking the fight to the servants of Agramant at the named regio. Provided at least 5,000 strength supports the venture after the Summer solstice, the servants of Agramant there will be scattered and an opportunity to permanently sever the regio will be provided.
The Bloody Teeth is clearly a source of Heart's Blood, similar to the Bleeding Stone. If this target is chosen, a standard military unit will receive three pawns of Winter vis in place of the rewards they would usually get, with upgraded or enchanted resources gaining more.
Treachers Dagger however is where Wemba the Bloody and their entourage were last seen, and is where the mortal servants of the eternal seem to be congregated. In this case, military units will each receive a ribbon for an enchanted item seized from the slain enemies in place of the standard rewards for the venture.
If the mandate is enacted this season, and the raid is successful, an opportunity to attack the other regio may be presented at the Autumn Equinox, along with an opportunity to use the Sentinel Gate to deal with the regio permanently.
The only people not entirely enthused about this are a handful of maggots who point out that if the Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq is successful at destroying the two regio, they'll be basically putting themselves out of a job. The Feast of Famine will still be a threat to folk exploring the north - these are surely far from the only regio that are available to the eternal - but there'll be no more monsters coming south to attack Sermersuaq. Which will spell the end for the venture to Hunt the Suaq Wastes and potentially the entire purpose of the Banner-bearer.
Securing Allies
- Wintermark has begun sharing their expertise in surviving arctic conditions with the rest of the Empire
- The Smokehouse of Atalaq is providing food to explorers in the wasteland
The task of mastering Tsirku is truly ambitious, and Wintermark is unlikely to achieve it on its own. During the Spring Equinox, the Wintermark Assembly sought allies from the other Imperial nations. They sent Thritt, themselves a banner-bearer, to encourage those familiar with the cold and the arctic conditions of Tsirku to share their knowledge with the rest of the Empire. Captains, explorers, trappers, trackers, and travellers have all begun to take advantage of this offer, learning how to deal with the frigid conditions north of Sermersuaq.
At the same time Hildelith Kaukosdottir arranged further support by encouraging the farmers of Wintermark to provide surplus provisions, suitable for use in Tsirku, to those scouting the wastes. As such, each season a strength of 500 will be committed to the scouting network. It isn't enough to operate the network by itself, but it will bolster efforts in the north. More importantly for some, though, it means that anyone taking part in the endeavour has a ready supply of compact, easy to carry, nutritious food that can give them the strength to push through the hostile landscape. This comes at the cost, however, of removing the usual benefits provided by the Smokehouse of Atalaq - it will no longer provide additional production to the farms of Sermersuaq.
Siglings and Guides
We in Varushka understand the importance of building roads into the unknown. In this regard we in the Varushkan National Assembly support our little siblings in Wintermark and their exploration of the unknown wastes of Tsirku.
Rosanna Vtrachenich, Varushkan Assembly, Spring Equinox 388YE, Vote: Greater Majority 208-30The Imperial Orc nation accepts the wisdom of the northern folk. Teach us the ways of snow and climb, let us learn from those who came before us. Varushka and Wintermark be our guide as we share your journey into Tsirku.
Skywise Gralka, Imperial Orcs Assembly, Spring Equinox 388YE, Vote: Greater Majority 60-0- The Imperial Orcs and Varushka passed statements of principle pledging support for Wintermark
- Champions from both nations can take part in the Adventure in Tsirku venture
- The Varushkan has an opportunity to contribute by helping explore and exploit the wastes
- The Imperial Orcs are focused on their highest calling
Two nations responded with statements of principle - Varushka and the Imperial Orcs. The main consequence at the moment is that the opportunity to Adventure in Tsirku is now available to captains and champions of those two nations, alongside the Winterfolk and the people of Dawn. The Varushkans are already experienced in the kind of conditions they might find in Tsirku, and the expertise shared by Wintermark mean that the Imperial Orcs can embrace this adventure nearly as effectively as the more practiced explorers.
While the aid of the Unshackled is appreciated, the efforts of the Imperial Orcs are currently focused on their highest calling - to explore the ancestors and spiritual beliefs of other septs who are not part of the Empire. There is some hope that once they have finished their own ambitious undertaking, they will still be enthusiastic about helping in the north. It's likely that the endeavour will not be complete any time soon, after all.
Varushka on the other hand does not have a highest calling. Like Wintermark, it rejects the idea of such things, and so it is free to encourage virtue where it wishes. The words of Rosanna Vtrachenich strike a chord with many who learn of them. The statement refers to the historical connection between Wintermark and Varushka - as People of the North lays out, the Suaq, Kallavesi, and ancient Ushkan folk likely are branches of the same family, and the Vard are the elder siblings to the Steinr. Their history has not always been peaceful, but perhaps more than any other Imperial nations there is a connection between the two. Indeed, before the recent arrival of the Imperial Orcs and the Thule, they even shared a border (for good and ill).
There are old ties between the people of Varushka and those of Wintermark; we are cousins to Suaq and Kallavesa and siblings to the Steinr. They seek to master Tsirku, and we are wise in the ways of taming dangerous lands. We send (named priest) with 100 doses of liao to urge the folk of Varushka to remember our old bonds, and to help our cousins secure their future.
Synod Mandate, Varushkan National Assembly
If this mandate is passed, it will inspire the people of Varushka to offer their help to the people of Wintermark in their exploration of Tsirku. There will be an opportunity at the Autumn Equinox for members of the nation to support the exploration with a particular eye towards sharing expertise with supernatural threats, and locating resources to exploit. However, the mandate also holds within it an assertion that Tsirku is Wintermark - recognising their claim to the land. Should it ever be necessary to do so, the people of Varushka will expect their assembly to support that claim.
However, for the next year, the idea of mastering the wasteland and its resources, exploring its dangers, and working beside Wintermark will excite and inspire the people of the nation. Any further attempt to move the people of the nation to support some other grand endeavour will have no effect until a full year has passed.
Whispered Opposition
- The Whisper Gallery offers an opportunity for those who wish to interfere in the exploration of Tsirku
- The Snap rope and foil explorers scouting venture allows military units to oppose the exploration
- In return they receive treasures and potentially wonders of the wasteland and Night vis
- Taking this action is a crime, should an individual be found out, but evidence will be difficult to find
- Only those who have made themselves known to the Whisper Gallery will be invited to snap rope and foil explorers
- Any military unit that takes this action will be listed alongside the other explorers
Nothing is ever easy, of course. Tsirku is secret, full of things unknown in the Empire. Arguably, full of things no living mortal has ever laid eyes on. The warnings of Night Singer and the Brother of Wizards last season spoke of opposition from the Stewards of the Shadowed Throne who are apparently very unhappy to see Imperial scouts exploring Tsirku. It seems that with the first explorers penetrating the secrets of Tsirku, the Concilium of the Perjured Throne is prepared to take action.
Normally the enmity of the Conclave would keep the agents of the Cavalcade of Masks at bay but that protection does not extend to Tsirku. Fortunately, the baroque creature is attempting some over-complicated method of recruiting suitable allies which thus far is restricting its appeal. Perhaps to compensate for that, the eternal is increasing the rewards on offer.
Following the Summer Solstice select military units can participate in the Snap ropes and foil explorers scouting venture. This venture is aimed at causing trouble for the explorers supporting the Imperial spy network in Tsirku. Any military unit that takes it will be listed alongside those military units who are sincerely supporting efforts to understand Tsirku, but their effective strength will be subtracted from the amount achieved rather than added to it.
No military unit may take advantage of this opportunity unless they have made themselves known to the Whisper Gallery. If they do that, then they will be invited to take part.
Any military unit that takes part will receive a little guidance from the Whisper Gallery - they can offer aid to find secret things after all - meaning they will receive three treasures of the wasteland (consumables representing unique resources found in Tsirku) and three pawns of crystal fire as a direct gift from the Ministers of the Chiaroscuran Palace. A military unit that has an effective rank of at least 8 (counting enchantment and upgrades) will also receive assistance in finding a wonder of the wasteland, a much rarer consumable.
It's notable that any military units taking the Snap ropes and foil explorers action will still suffer the same penalty to do so they would suffer when taking any other action in Tsirku - and in a way Wintermark's enthusiasm for securing allies has played a little into the hands of the Whisper Gallery by reducing those difficulties.
There is unfortunately no way to tell whether someone supporting the spy network is doing so honestly, or with nefarious intent. The civil service will continue to publish the list of who is working on the spy network, but everyone taking the Snap ropes and foil explorers action will appear alongside their less treacherous compatriots.
Obviously, taking boons from the Whisper Gallery in this fashion is a crime.