Empire - User contributions [en]

388YE Summer Solstice winds of war

2026-07-20T11:58:45Z

Hailmur: /* Conjunctions */

[[Category:Winds of War]][[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Military Council]][[Category:Recent History]]
<div {{floatleft}}>{{CaptionedImage|file=Overseer Challenged.webp|align=left|caption=Those who sit highest have the furthest to fall|width=2000}}</div>
==Overview==
Over the last three months, Imperial forces have engaged in military campaigns. Sometimes those engagements have been wide-ranging and dramatic, other times they have been more sedate. Where there has been dramatic action, or where there are [[opportunity|opportunities]], we've given a Wind of War its own page; other military actions are discussed here.

As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of War and the [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_fortune|Winds of Fortune]] is to make players aware of things their characters ''should'' know, based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing, and to maintain the Empire as a living, breathing place where all kinds of events take place beyond the scope of [[Anvil]].

It should go without saying that we ask everyone to abide by the rules about [[Online_roleplaying|online roleplaying]] with regard to the military campaign. It's important that the key in-character activity of the Empire world takes place at events. The game is busier and better if everything that can happen in the field, does happen in the field. Military planning and political discussions should happen at events. For this reason, we generally discourage too much downtime roleplaying between events and put strict limits on what can be done online, particularly using our forums and Facebook groups.

All that said, we now present a summary of the key military activity in the Empire - both with links to the expanded Wind of War pages and notes about other important things that have happened that didn't need a full battle campaign write-up.

</table>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="width:400px; float: right; margin: 10px;"
|-
! Conflict !! Wind
|-
| [[Madruga]] || [[Phantasms and foam]]
|-
| [[Mareave]] || [[Mithril and rope]]
|-
| [[Sarangrave]] || [[Thorn and bone]]
|-
|}
</table>
==Battle opportunities==
Imperial prognosticators have identified three possible [[Sentinel_Gate#Major_Conjunctions|major conjunctions]] of the [[Sentinel Gate]] at the coming summit. The [[Military Council]] will [[muster]] on Friday night, and the [[general|generals]] will select two of them to be taken up by Imperial heroes. At the moment, the full details of these opportunities are not clear; more information will be provided nearer to the event.

All battle opportunities are [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Combat Highly Likely]] environments.
<table><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Territory'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opportunity'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Location'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opposition'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Day'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Learn More'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''CS Briefing'''</td>
<tr><td>[[Sarangrave]]</td><td>Contain the dead</td><td>''Fens of Varreth'', Turan Flats</td><td>Druj</td><td>Either day</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Forest of Ulnak]]</td><td>Raid the Druj</td><td>''Fetid Heart'', Ghul'Thak Forest</td><td>Druj</td><td>Either day</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Mareave]]</td><td>Open the Vaults</td><td>''Ruins of Sinat'', Clisearn</td><td>Grendel</td><td>Sunday</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
</table>


===Battle participation===
If you have your own [[orc]] mask please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field forces predominantly comprised of barbarian orcs. If you are unable to wear a mask, then all battle opportunities have limited roles for human barbarian combatants and low-combat roles such as healers, support mages, artisans, messengers and attendants. Player [[Monstering_a_battle#Elite_Monster_Units|elite monster units]] (EMUs) are expected to monster as their barbarian orc units regardless of the battle opportunity, and should not include human combatants.

* '''The Forest of Ulnak opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Druj orc fighters'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Druj orcs as normal. If you have your own [[orc]] mask, please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field a force predominantly comprised of Druj orcs. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Druj weaponry, particularly swords, spears and great weapons, as well as bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Druj look [[Druj_look_and_feel|here]], but the key element for portraying the Druj is a mantle and ragged material layers that echo natural greens, browns, greys, and black, with occasional bright accent colours as their iconic look.

* '''The Sarangrave opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Druj orc fighters, with options for playing winter husks'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Druj orcs as normal. If you have your own [[orc]] mask, please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field a force predominantly comprised of Druj orcs. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Druj weaponry, particularly swords, spears and great weapons, as well as bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Druj look [[Druj_look_and_feel|here]], but the key element for portraying the Druj is a mantle and ragged material layers that echo natural greens, browns, greys, and black, with occasional bright accent colours as their iconic look.

Winter husks have no special requirements and can be represented by basic costume, armour, and weapons (but not thrown or ranged weapons). This could be added to with costume from any Imperial nation that has recently fought in Sarangrave. Using rags and tattered fabric can also enhance the look. Please do not wear any form of undead or zombie mask, as we are aiming to portray the recently dead soliders of Imperial armies, not long decaying or rotting corpses.

* '''The Mareave opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Grendel orc soldiers'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Grendel orcs as normal. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Grendel weaponry, particularly swords, spears, and bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Grendel look [[Grendel look and feel|here]], and the key elements for portraying the Grendel are a light coloured base layer, with mantles, shoulder capes, wraps and other purple clothing and other bright colours as their iconic look.

'''IMPORTANT''' - we will '''not''' be reusing any orc masks to players for these battle opportunities. Our orc masks will only be used once this event and then washed ready for the next event. We are continuing the provision of battle opportunities with non-orc enemies until such a time as we have sufficient masks to run two fully orc-masked battles.

==Conjunctions==
The [[Sentinel Gate]] also allows smaller groups of Imperial citizens to reach locations all over the Empire where their intervention might change the course of events. Many of these ''[[Sentinel Gate#Conjunction|conjunctions]]'' involve combat, but there are also a variety of other opportunities presented by the magic of the Gate.

For most conjunctions, the Civil Service has identified the Imperial titles that are the most appropriate to take overall responsibility for ensuring that a response is organised. Whilst the individual has been named by the Civil Service, there is no legal requirement for them to coordinate a response or travel on the conjunction. They may delegate oversight to another individual of their choosing. As always, Imperial war scouts will be on hand at the Sentinel Gate to provide further information to any citizens wanting to learn more. They can provide updates on the barbarians' goals, guidance on how to engage the enemy troops or advice on how to avoid casualties and return back to Anvil in safety.

Sometimes it is necessary for us to make small adjustments to the timing or size of encounters at the time of this publication and when an encounter runs at an event. Details for the conjunctions on Friday will be finalised on Friday afternoon of the event before time-in (18:00) whilst details for the conjunctions on Saturday will be finalised on Saturday before time-in (10:00). Please check the details of any conjunction you are interested in as soon as possible to ensure that you have the full and up-to-date information; it might also be sensible to check again shortly before the planned time of the encounter. You can check the details of a conjunction by casting [[Detect_magic#Discover_Conjunction|Detect Magic (Discover Conjunction)]] on the Sentinel Gate in the presence of a referee.

It's very important to pay attention to the [[accessibility]] note for each conjunction, which covers the likelihood of combat. Further details about the accessibility of a conjunction are [[Accessibility#Who_and_how_to_ask.3F|available both before and during the event]]. You can learn more about this on the [[accessibility]] page.

===Friday===
<div class="alert">'''These times and numbers are subject to change until 18:00 on Friday</div>
{|table class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Time !! People !! Duration !! [[Accessibility#Combat|Combat]] !! Location !! Responsibility !! Overview/Link
|-
| 18:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Whisperwood, Halfweir Grove || [[Fingers of the Devourer|Custodian of the Fingers of the Devourer]] || [[LINK|Destroy the heralds of Surut]]
|-
| 18:35 || 5 || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Astolat, Withy, Igraine's Regio || [[Astolat|Senator for Astolat]] || [[LINK|Find out why the regio keeps shifting back to Spring, and resolve it]]
|-
| 18:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Mitwold, Maiden Downs, Maiden Stone || [[Champion of Prosperity]] || [[LINK|Stop Jyll Longleys from cursing the Maiden Stone]]
|-
| 19:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Dawnguard, Troubadour's Glade || [[Knight of Dawnguard]] || [[LINK|Kill ''Prilak Gutdredger'']]
|-
| 19:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Mitwold, Maiden Downs, Golden Fields|| [[Keeper of the Golden Fields]] || [[LINK|Stop Dusty Cobb setting Golden Fields alight]]
|-
| 19:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Saltmarsh, The Dredging Flats || [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Winter]] || [[LINK|Kill the Servants of the Burnt]]
|-
| 20:05 || 5 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Madruga, Free Landing, Hart's Cove || [[Hand of Guerra]] || [[LINK|Aid the stranded ship from Sumaah]]
|-
| 20:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Ossium, Echofell, Burned Glade || [[Shadowed Torchbearer]] || [[LINK|Prevent the cursing of Ossium]]
|-
| 21:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Therunin, Lower Tarn Valley, Rotwood Croft || '''Andronikos of the Lighthouse-That-Was''' || [[LINK|Destroy the miasma pillar]]
|-
| 21:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Kroll, Slow Worm's Hill || [[Sevenfold Path|Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path]] || [[LINK|Prevent the cursing of Sarangrave]]
|-
| 21:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Turan Flats, The Breakteeth dais || [[Eastern Sky|General of the Eastern Sky]] || [[LINK|Recover the treasure]]
|-
|}

===Saturday===
<div class="alert">'''These times and numbers are subject to change until 10:00 on Saturday</div>
{|table class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Time !! People !! Duration !! [[Accessibility#Combat|Combat]] !! Location !! Responsibility !! Overview/Link
|-
| 14:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Bitter Strand, Saltshore || [[Merchant of the Fangs]] || [[LINK|Answer General Utmar's call for aid]]
|-
| 15:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Madruga, The Crucible, Talpses Plat || [[Champion of Vigilance]] || [[LINK|Claim the ''Snapping Face'']]
|-
| 15:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Carmine Fields, Trading Way || '''Rhydian de Rondell''' || [[LINK|Remove the failed knights-errant of House Courcillion as a threat]]
|-
| 15:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Necropolis, Coursmouth, The Veiled Garden || [[Guardian of Britta's Memorial]] || [[LINK|Spill the waters of Siakha]]
|-
| 15:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, The Untrod Groves, Glade of the Good Knight || [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Winter]] || [[LINK|Thwart the schemes of Ser Gawain Amboise]]
|-
| 15:50 || TBC || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Mareave, Fleisardh, Spring Regio near Golden Wind's Encampment || [[Silver Chalice|Grandmaster of the Silver Chalice]] || [[LINK|Poison the Grendel]]
|-
| 16:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Tassato, Cascatas, Campo Verdenta || [[Keeper of the Sapphire Stair]]|| [[LINK|Kill the heralds of Siakha]]
|-
| 17:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Spiral, Apstrus, Alba's Lea || [[Legacy|Custodian of the Legacy]]|| [[LINK|Intercept the mercenaries pay]]
|-
| 17:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Reikos, Haros Water, Couros Field || '''Nekoda of the Shattered Tower''' || [[LINK|Save Professor Gelberg from Grendel assassins]]
|-
| 18:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Redoubt, Naris, Isaac's End|| [[Quaymaster of the Elosian Docks]] || [[LINK|Leave no more than a dozen Grendel alive]]
|-
| 18:15 || 12 || 45 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Kallavesa, West Marsh, The Meeting Place || '''[[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_32|Erlend]]''' || [[LINK|Consecrate the Meeting Place]]
|-
| 18:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Kallavesa, Wittal Grove, Frithstan's Fen || [[Grimnir of Wittal Grove]] || [[LINK|Defeat the Grendel (and potentially rescue the Iontach)]]
|-
| 20:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Forest of Ulnak, Grimfen Mire, Moss End || [[Warmage]] || [[LINK|Take advantage of a recent scouting discovery]]
|-
| 20:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Eastern Ward || '''Theodora''' || [[LINK|Cast the permanent ward]]
|-
| 20:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Saltmarsh, Gardenway || [[Envoy to the Karass]] || [[LINK|Prevent Druj raiders from kidnapping Lenna Karass]]
|-
| 21:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Western Ward || [[Spear of the Seven]] || [[LINK|Cast the permanent ward]]
|-
| 21:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Forest of Ulnak, Gloomsea, Islet of Calm || [[Archmage of Day]] || [[LINK|Prevent the Eyes of the Dragon from using a boon of Kimus]]
|-
| 21:30 || TBC || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bendol, Spring Regio || [[Warmage]] || [[LINK|Drive the vallorn from the regio]]
|-
| 21:40 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Possible|Possible]] || Sarangrave, Bendol, Spring Regio || [[Archmage of Spring]] || [[LINK|Cast Dance of Navarr and Thorn]]
|-
| 23:00 || 5 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Sarangrave, the Whisperwood, Depths of the Hungry Earth || [[Sun Chamber|Counsel of the Sun Chamber]] || [[LINK|Investigate the Hungry Earth]]
|-
| 23:05 || 40 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Volodmartz, Livardz, Sumisev Peegel || '''Auntie Armand Mariyavich Remislav''' || [[LINK|Destroy the Sumisev Peegel]]
|}

==Military Considerations==
{{stub}}
Several [[territory]] pages now contain details of strategic obstacles presented or advantages provided by movement through or fighting in those lands. There are also several [[fortification|fortifications]] that follow different rules. Several armies or nations have special rules or opportunities related to the orders they can issue, which should be borne in mind when discussing military strategies during the Winter Solstice.
* '''Billeting:''' Any Imperial army can take the '''''[[Army_orders#Billet|Billet]]''''' order in [[Mitwold]], [[Mournwold]], or [[Upwold]]. [[Army_orders#Billet|Link]]
* '''Dawn:'''
** Dawnish armies cannot take the '''''[[Army_orders#Cautious Advance|Cautious Advance]]''''' order or the '''''[[Army_orders#Give_Ground|Give Ground]]''''' order. [[Dawn military concerns#Army Orders|Link]]
** The borders of [[the Barrens]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_23|mandate]] enacted by Ser Tunic. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in the Barrens.
* '''Highguard'''
** Highborn armies can take the '''''Protect the Innocent''''' order. [[Highguard_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
** Highborn armies enchanted with rituals or targeted by a boon that calls an eternal to send heralds to fight alongside the army will lose a thousand effective strength until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE as a result of a [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_9|mandate]] enacted by Frater Pontius of Adoniram's Testament
** Any Highborn army attacking into Zenith from Morrow gains a 20% bonus to any territory captured and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]
* '''Imperial Orcs'''
** An Imperial Orc army can take the '''''Forge Hammers''''' order whilst in [[Skarsind]]. [[Imperial_Orcs_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
* '''The Marches:'''
** Marcher armies cannot take the '''''[[Army_orders#Give_Ground|Give Ground]]''''' order. [[The_Marches_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
** The [[Strong Reeds]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Bregasland]]. [[New_port,_old_wine#New_Oaths,_Old_Boots|Link]]
** The [[Tusks]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Mournwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
** The [[Drakes]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Mitwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
** The [[Bounders]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Upwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
* '''Urizen:'''
** The borders of [[Morrow]] and [[Zenith]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_14|mandate]] enacted by Herminius of the House of the Wanderer. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in Morrow and Zenith.
** Any Urizen army attacking into Zenith from Morrow gains a 20% bonus to any territory captured and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]
* '''Varushka:'''
** The borders of [[Ossium]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_157|mandate]] enacted by Velko Perunovich Razorasza. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in Ossium.
** Varushkan armies can take the '''''Hospitality of the Boyars''''' order whilst in Ossium. [[Varushka_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]].
* '''Wintermark:'''
** Wintermark armies can take the '''''Fight with Honour''''' order. [[Fight_with_monsters#A_Hero.27s_Tale|Link]].
** Wintermark armies fighting against the Jotun will gain 10% more victory points but inflict 20% less casualties. [[Fight_with_monsters#A_Hero.27s_Tale|Link]]
** Wintermark armies fighting against the Jotun have their casualties taken reduced by 10%. This effect continues as long as the Winterfolk continue to fight honourably. [[A_tale_told#Game_Information|Link]]

Click ''Expand'' to see military considerations that are less relevant at the current time but are still active.
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
*'''Morrow:''' Any Highborn or Urizen army that defends in Morrow against an army attacking from Zenith gains a 20% bonus to defend territory and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]</div>

Upwold

2026-07-20T11:32:28Z

Hailmur: /* OOC Notes */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofUpwold.png|caption=Silver birch and beggarwood are the foundation of Upwold's wealth.|title=Regions of Upwold|align=left|width=500}}
==The Silver Chase==
Upwold is where the Marchers first established themselves when they walked away from [[Dawn]]. The scattered [[orc|orcs]] that dwelt here were no match for their determination to make a home for themselves; those that fled west or south would find themselves followed in short order as the Marchers pushed into Mitwold and Bregasland. Those that fled north found death at the hands of the [[Wintermark]].

Some of the worst fighting of the short-lived [[Marches_history#Joining_the-Empire|Marcher civil war]] took place in western Upwold. One of the few pitched battles between the [[Marcher household|households]] who supported the [[First Empress]] and those households who opposed the formation of the Empire took place here at Hepton Bridge. Widely regarded as the bloodiest conflict of the civil war, the scrubby heathland of the battlefield is largely given a wide berth except by occasional pilgrims of [[Loyalty]] who come here to muse on the spiritual significance of the ancient conflict that set cousins against one another.

Today, Upwold is a wealthy territory in a wealthy nation - though unlike Mitwold a significant amount of its wealth comes from industries other than farming. While there are of course many [[farm|farms]] in Upwold, the quick-growing silver birch woods on the eastern borders are the source of a great deal of income. Charcoal-burners live there, turning wood into easily transportable fuel for smith and hearth alike - the charcoal of Upwold provides pure fuel for the cities of [[the League]] and the forges of [[Wintermark]] alike. The birch bark is used in the tanning industry, to cure the hides of the cattle that graze on the river pastures.

Upwold has always felt a certain rivalry with Mitwold to the west. There is no argument that the farms of Upwold tend not to be as fertile as those of their neighbours; the soil tends to be quite acidic. In part, this has led to a more diverse economy - while the farm is the centre of Marcher life here as elsewhere, there are many who make their living from trees rather than crops, which occasionally attracts comment from the more agriculturally minded Mitwolders.

The people who live up here have closer links to the Navarr than many in the Marches, and more need for Beaters than most. Through the dark heart of those woods are paths no Marcher treads. From these secret ways come the painted [[Feni]] - uncivilised raiders, thieves, and rustlers who raid and steal from isolated settlements. To the north-west, cousins to these forests decay into the marshes that form the southern border of [[Wintermark_Territories|Kallavesa]] in [[Wintermark]].

Finally, Upwold is one of the few areas where anything other than beer is drunk. For centuries, the brewers of Upwold have made a drink from the sap of the birch trees that warms their hearts in the cold winter nights but brings strange dreams.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Peter Lambrook.jpg||caption=While the farm is the centre of Marcher life, many make their living in other ways.|align=right|width=500}}</div>
==Recent History==
Over the last thirty years there have been several attempts by the Jotun to attack across the border from the Mournwold. These campaigns were primarily aimed at claiming the Sutton Stone Quarries - the Jotun apparently have a great desire for white granite to help build and maintain their [[fortifications]]. The last such attack in 372YE saw significant losses on both sides, and several new Jotun burial mounds along the southern borders.

The [[March on their belly|disastrous failure of the Autumn harvest]] in 379YE was followed by a particularly [[March on their belly#Resolution|harsh winter]] during which all the farmers of the Marches suffered significant losses in order to keep the Imperial armies marching. Then the Spring 380YE planting was hit with torrential rains and a vicious blight that devoured many of the seeds before they could be put in the ground. While the rest of the Empire was enjoying a burst of [[The prime colour of the world|vitality and fertility]], the farms of Bregasland, Upwold, and Mitwold were once again labouring under the yoke of a vicious magical [[curse]] that ruined the crops, sapped the life from the beasts in the fields, and spread sickness and hunger wherever it touched.

The plan to construct the ''Imperial Breadbasket'' may have begun in the markets of [[Mitwold#Meade|Meade]], but it received immediate support from [[market town|market towns]] across the Marches. The alders of [[#Stockland|Stockland]] in particular were quick to put their hands in their pockets - not as an act of charity, but as recognition of the fact that when the farmers prosper, everyone in the Marches prospers. Shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE, work was completed on a network of granaries and storehouses across Upwold as part of the [[The_Marches_economic_interests#Granaries and Storehouses - the Imperial Breadbasket|Imperial Breadbasket]] [[great work]]. In addition to its work in securing the future of the Marches, this has helped to improve relations between the yeomanry and the residents of the market towns - reinforcing that even though they do not till the soil, they are still Marchers.

Shortly before the Winter Solstice 381YE, the [[Lorenzo%27s_Legacy#Blood_Red_Roads|Blood Red Roads]] were completed, providing merchants and traders easy access to Marcher merchandise and allowing the yeomen of Upwold to travel much more easily to some of the wealthiest cities across the Empire. For more than half a decade the roads provided a major boon to the [[farm|farms]] and [[business|businesses]] in the territory. In the Winter of 386YE, however, the Imperial Senate determined to [[386YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Levy_Tolls_on_Blood_Red_Roads|levy tolls]] on traffic using the road, meaning they no longer increase the income of individual citizens but provide a significant boost to the Imperial Treasury, in part to pay for the war against the [[vallorn]].

==Points of Interest==
=== Stockland ===
Dominating the fertile farmlands of [[#Stock March|Stock March]], Stockland is a sprawling town known for its sheep and cattle markets. Almost all the [[Marcher_household|households]] of western Upwold take their stock here to trade, and there is a market most weekends through Spring, Summer and Autumn. In addition to its cattle and livestock markets. It is known for its raucous taverns - successful drovers and herders celebrate the sale of their livestock with a hard night's drinking, while the less successful drown their sorrows before heading home. The breweries of Stockland produce ale and beer that is exported around the Marches and across the Empire - but while it is popular it is not particularly fine. Rather, the distinctive peaty taste of the brews is immediately recognisable to anyone who has spent time in Stockland, and easily brings a lump to the throat of the homesick Marcher. The brewers of Stockland take pride in their straightforward, down-to-earth product, and are quick to scorn anyone who expresses a preference for more refined beverages.

Hepton Bridge - the site of the only major pitched battle of the Marcher civil war - crosses the Meade near Stockland. On the anniversary of the battle, monks from the Stockwater Monastery make a pilgrimage to the site and the abbot delivers a sermon from the bridge itself, generally focusing on the importance of [[Loyalty]] and [[Pride]]. The monks, and the many visitors, then spend the night camped around the bridge, alert for signs of any unquiet ghosts. There have been no actual reports of hauntings in over fifty years, but the tradition endures.

===The Eastern Guard===
Great crenelated walls and brooding towers look down from Eastern Guard onto the northern forest of [[Miaren]]. Built early in the history of the Marches in [[#Birchland|Birchland]], the garrison was initially charged both with remaining vigilant against Dawnish aggression and with maintaining readiness for attacks from the vallornspawn of the deep woods. Since Miaren was cleansed in the early days of the Empire, and since the people of Dawn are now an allied nation, the castle has become more open - it is a popular stopping place for merchants travelling through the central Empire. Still, the dour Marchers ensure it maintains battle readiness at all times, for one never knows when an attack may come from an unexpected direction.

During the [[Rocks and gravel|great collapse]] of Spring 381YE, most of the garrison of Eastern Guard was evacuated. Despite serious concerns, the sinkhole stopped spreading before swallowing the old castle whole, although the lip of the great dismal hole is little more than five-hundred yards from the north-eastern tower. Now, Eastern Guard has a new job - keeping an eye on the [[trogoni]] that lurk in the depth of [[Upwold#Lorzeno.27s_Deep_Pockets_.28the_Bloody_Great_Hole.29|Lorenzo's Deep Pockets]].

In Summer 387YE, the Imperial Senate chose to [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Decommission_the_Eastern_Guard|decommission the Eastern Guard]], "''letting the garrison stand down until it's needed again or we can find another use for the site''". This was later [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Abrogate_Decommission_of_Eastern_Guard|abrogated]] during the Winter Solstice 387YE, and the garrison quickly returned to their work.

===The Woldstone===
Standing in central [[#Ashbrook|Ashbrook]], the Woldstone is very old. It is said to be the first menhir planted by [[landskeeper|landskeepers]] when the Marchers claimed Upwold for their own. A little over eight feet tall, it is a rough white stone pitted and weathered by centuries of wind and rain.

The stone marks the centre of a potent Autumn [[regio]] that has in the past been used to lay powerful [[enchantment|enchantments]] over the whole of Upwold. The regio is tied to the realm of the [[eternal]] [[Ephisis]], and watched over by one of her more potent heralds, ''Nunn o' the Wold''. According to stories, Nunn appears as a prosperous Marcher steward or alder, and has a keen interest in the interplay between those who raise crops and the traders who buy and sell them. According to local stories, at one time the herald would appear every solstice and equinox to negotiate minor deals with brave yeomen, but it has been over a century since he was last encountered.

Since early 387YE, the [[Stone_Smith#Stone_Smith's_Workshop|Stone Smith's Workshop]] has stood near the Woldstone, serving as a place for the [[smith|smiths]] of the Marches to congregate, discuss their less mundane business, and sometimes commune with the [[Inhabitants of the realms#Heralds|heralds]] of the [[Realms#Autumn|Autumn realm]].

===Mumford===
In western [[#Stock March|Stock March]] is the sleepy village of Mumford - right on the border with Upwold. Standing on the northern banks of the Meade, it marks a shallow spot in the river used for centuries by travellers and shepherds alike. North of the village, on a low and rolling rise, stands a ring of seven monoliths known as ''the Mummers''. Each of the stones has a name; the six that make up the rough ring are called the [[The Captain|Yeoman]], the [[The Doctor|Abbot]], the [[The Witch|Weaver]], the [[The Prince|Steward]], the [[The Bishop|Farmer]], and the [[The Mountebank|Alder]]. The seventh stone stands a short distance outside the ring proper, and is called ''the Pipe'' - depending on who one asks it represents either the [[Dramaturgy#The_Fool|fool]] or the [[Dramaturgy#The_Beast|beast]]. The stones mark a strong [[regio]] tied to the [[Night magic|night]] realm, and the nature of the Piper is said to be tied to whichever [[eternal]] serves as the patron of the regio at any given time - [[Janon]] or [[Sadogua]].

Every Spring, [[The_Marches_magical_traditions#Mummers|mummers]] and peddlers from across the Marches come here for the Mumford Fair, a celebration of music, dancing, open-ear theatrics, heavy drinking, and the unofficial Mummers Trial in which bands of entertainers compete for ... well it is never entirely clear for what. The entertainers put on their performances, and at the end of the weekend long celebration one or another of their number is carried up to the standing stones and crowned with a wreath of daisies before being dumped unceremoniously into a vat of beer. Traditionally, the "Earl of Mumford" is not allowed to get out of the vat until it is empty, and the fair closes with a night of serious debauchery and celebration as the guests help the Earl drink all the beer. A bottle of beer from the Mumford Fair vat will often fetch a surprisingly high price - occasionally the alcohol is imbued with vestiges of Night magic and gains unpredictable qualities.

===The Bloody Great Hole===
Just over a month after the Spring Equinox 381YE a large section of north-western [[Miaren#Goldglades|Goldglades]] in [[Miaren]] [[Rocks and gravel|collapsed with an almighty roar]] that was heard across most of [[#Birchland|Birchland]]. After the initial collapse, the hole began to spread. Warnings by the Navarr [[Navarr_magical_traditions#Vates|vates]] reached an already-worried Birchland not a moment too soon - over the next month, chaos reigned. [[Upwold#The_Eastern_Guard|Eastern Guard]] was evacuated of all save a bare bones garrison too stubborn to abandon their post, and for several weeks there was real concern that this old fortress might be a casualty of the ongoing destruction.

Where Upwold once bordered [[Temeschwar]], there is now a massive [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinkhole sinkhole]. Estimated to be seven hundred feet deep, with a lake at the bottom that may well be bottomless. The cliff walls are nearly vertical, and still prone to collapse in some places, but there are also signs of caves and tunnels opening out in several places. Initial explorers have excitedly reported what look to be ancient mine workings - some reaching back to the time of the Terunael, and some reaching back even further. The full extent of the network of caverns here has yet to be determined. More worryingly, some of the early daredevils who have made a preliminary investigation of some of the more accessible caves and tunnels have failed to return - and all those who have made it back in one piece have described encounters with particularly angry [[trogoni]] - creatures rarely encountered outside of the mountains of [[Urizen]], and the northern peaks of [[Wintermark]] and [[Varushka]].

The sinkhole was officially named "[[Delver_of_the_Depths#Lorenzo.27s_Deep_Pockets|Lorzeno's Deep Pockets]]" by Lorenzo Macelliao von Temeschwar, but that has not prevented many of the residents of Birchland referring to it as ''the Bloody Great Hole'' (perhaps a reference to Lorenzo's membership of the Bloody Butchers guild, perhaps simply a result of Marchers choosing to call a spade a spade). Some yeomen, with a grim gallows humour, prefer to call the hole ''Downwold'' in reference to the not insignificant amount of Upwold soil that is now at the bottom of it. Regardless of what it is called, the [[The_Marches_military_concerns#Beaters|beaters]] of northern Upwold keep a close eye on the hole - and the dangerous trogoni that lurk in its depths.

===[[Sutton Stone Quarries]]===
The Sutton Stone Quarries are a Bourse resource located on [[#The Heath|the Heath]]. Custodianship of the Quarries is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 23 Imperial wains of white granite every season. Control is allocated to any Imperial citizen by open auction during the Summer Solstice.
===Well of Shadows===
At some point following the [[Wassail]] of 386YE, which was [[Patterns_of_fairytales#A Grand Wassail|attended]] by numerous [[Inhabitants of the realms#Heralds|heralds]] of the [[eternal]] [[Sadogua]], a door appeared in [[#Tower March|Tower March]] about a day's lazy hike east of King's Stoke. A meandering path, little more than a hunting trail, that nobody entirely remembers being there now connects the Stoke to the door, which is set into the bole of a massive ancient oak tree. The door is round, green, and resists all efforts to open it up to and including charging it headlong with a log. The ''Brother of Wizards'' mentions that this is the entry to the ''[[College_of_magic|Well of Shadows]]'' - a place of magical learning that is part of his domain. As a mark of the welcome he has received from them and from their people, he chose to move the door to Upwold. The first group to be granted access to the well were the [[landskeeper|landskeepers]] of the Marches and if anyone knows more it is probably them.
{{Anchor|Moonwater Hall}}

===Moonwater Hall (ruins)===
Built near King's Stoke in [[#Tower March|Tower March]], Moonwater Hall was a [[Faraden]] enclave that consisted of several dozen buildings including inns, homes, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, a shrine, and a number of warehouses, as well as a large public pasture for use by oxen. It was [[Construct_trade_hub_in_Upwold|commissioned]] in Summer 381YE, and work was completed shortly before the Winter Solstice. Half of the materials were provided by Henry Ward on behalf of the Empire, with the other half being supplied by Lady Saretta of the Red Moon on behalf of a consortium of Faraden merchant families. Moonwater Hall provided benefits to the [[farm|farms]] and [[business|businesses]] of Upwold as a [[great work]]. In Spring 384YE, however, the Senate voted to [[abrogate Moonwater Hall]] and the trade hub was decommissioned.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Yeoman and Log.jpg |width=300|align=right|caption=The Marchers of [[#Birchland|Birchland]] and [[#Tower March|Tower March]] farm the trees with the same stubborn focus other Marchers farm grain or pigs.}}</div>

==Regions==
===Ashbrook===
Named for the river Ash which feeds into the Meade, the region of Ashbrook is scattered with thriving communities such as '''Ashill''' - said to be perpetually covered in soot from the charcoal burning that provides its main industry. North of Ashill, near the [[Hahnmark]] border, stands the prosperous [[market town]] of '''Sweetroot'''. This small settlement is a major centre for the cultivation of the liquorice plant. While small, Sweetroot has become wealthy through careful exploitation of the leafy plant and its delicious roots. Popular exports include sweetroot cake (a small, round confection that is popular almost everywhere), and sweetwater (liquorice-infused water, used to treat a number of digestive system complaints).

One of the oldest menhirs in the Marches - [[#The Woldstone|the Woldstone]] - is also located here. Believed to be the first stone raised by the [[landskeeper|landskeepers]], it watches over the farms and market towns of Ashbrook. Not far from the Woldstone is the old oak wood of '''Walksend'''. Some of the trees here are over five hundred years old, but none have ever been felled. Local stories claim that the wood marks the spot where the first Marchers ended the March out of [[Dawn]]. According to this quaint story, on emerging from the woods of [[#Birchland|Birchland]], the Marchers saw the rolling plains of Upwold laid out before them and knew they had reached their new home. They thrust their walking staves into the ground here to signify that they were done with marching, and the staves miraculously put forth roots, branches, and leaves and became the trees that form the forest today. Visitors claim that the experience of walking among the great oaks is distinctly restful. The monks nearby '''Oakwood [[Monastery|monastery]]''', known for their excellent [[Surgical skills#physicks|physicks]], take advantage of this reputation to speed the convalescence of their patients.

Ashbrook is also the site of [[Guardian_of_the_Prosperity_of_Afal#Afal-on-Ash|Afal on Ash]], and a certain stand of gentle silver beehive-hung trees overseen by the [[Guardian of the Prosperity of Afal]].

===Birchland===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
The thick birch woods of Birchland are a source of valuable timber. There are also extensive stands of beggarwood in Birchland, producing excellent quality [[Materials#Beggar's Lye|Beggar's Lye]], which supports a thriving tanning and leatherworking industry. The fortress of [[#The Eastern Guard|Eastern Guard]] stands here, still watching the forest of [[Miaren]] for any sign of invasion by Dawnish [[Noble_house|nobles]]. Scattered here and there are old battlegrounds where Dawn and the Marches clashed in pre-Imperial times. Locals give these areas a wide berth and tell gloomy stories about the ghosts that haunt them.

Just north of the bend in the road that runs between lies [[Steward_of_Good_Leaf_Gardens#Good_Leaf_Gardens|Good Leaf Gardens]] - a wayhouse that regularly receives donations of [[herbs]] from Navarr traders who pass through the area. The herbs are given by Navarr in thanks for the continuing aid of the Marchers in the fight against the [[vallorn]], and are distributed by the [[Steward of Good Leaf Gardens]] to those who need them.

In Spring 381YE, parts of north-eastern Birchland were swallowed up in the [[Rocks and gravel|great collapse]] that created the sinkhole dubbed "''the Bloody Great Hole''" by locals and more properly referred to as [[#Upwold#Lorzeno.27s_Deep_Pockets_.28the_Bloody_Great_Hole.29|Lorenzo's Deep Pockets]].

===The Heath===
There are few settlements on the Heath's rolling grasslands - the soil is not exceptionally fertile and the farms here tend to focus on raising goats and sheep rather than growing crops. The most significant location here is probably the [[#Sutton Stone Quarries|Sutton Stone Quarries]], although historians would argue that the village of '''Redston''' would give it a run for its money. The village is the birthplace of the Marcher hero [[Life of Tom Drake|Tom Drake]], who helped create the [[Military Council]], was the first [[general]] of the [[The_Marches_military_concerns#The_Drakes|Drakes]], and ultimately fell in battle leading the Imperial armies against [[Alderei the Fair]]. Over the centuries, ''Tom's Orchard'' - the apple tree woods where the general was buried - has become something of a place of pilgrimage for Marcher generals and yeomen facing difficult challenges. The Redstons - the [[Marcher_household|household]] that still owns the farms around the village - have resisted any attempt to create a more prestigious memorial to the dead general.

Every month, Brock Heath market is held on the lands of [[Marcher_household|House]] Brockheath, and regularly attracts [[Navarr]] traders from [[Miaren]]. While it is no longer as prestigious as it once was, it has a [[Steward_of_Brock%27s_Heath|storied history]] and is generally believed to be one of the first regular markets that welcomed and encouraged trade with the Navarr in pre-Imperial times.

A significant number of the farms here belong to by grim-faced refugees from the [[Mournwold]]. During the occupation, these emigrants kept a close eye on the border to the south; they saw it as a solemn duty to rally the rest of Upwold against any sign of Jotun aggression from their old homelands. Now that the Mournwold has been liberated, there is a great deal of discussion between the families as to whether they should seek to reclaim their old farmland. While their parents want to return south, the younger generation have never lived anywhere else and consider themselves Upwolders through-and-through.

===Stock March===
The green farmlands of Stock March are dominated by the presence of [[#Stockland|Stockland]], which makes the most of its advantageous position at the junction of major roads linking [[Mitwold]], [[Hahnmark]], and [[Tassato]].

Stock March is the richest region in Upwold, and one of the most prosperous in the Marches. The sprawling '''Applewood''' grows here known for the fine, fat apples that bear its name. The Applewood shares its name with a village on the road near the border to the Moot, famous both for the Applewood Arms and for the fine-quality ciders it has produced since the earliest days of the Marches.

The village of '''[[#Mumford|Mumford]]''' stands on the western border of Stock March, famous for its Spring fair and the magical monoliths that watch over it.

===Tower March===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
The dense woods of Tower March have been cut back around the village of '''King's Stoke''', but remain thick and vital in the rest of the region. A pre-Imperial tower stands here, just east of the village, that is said to mark the place where the rebels held back the King of [[Dawn]] following the [[the Marches history|march of secession]]. Most Upwold families - and indeed many families from other parts of the Marches - claim a connection to the battle at King's Stoke. That said, if every family who claims an ancestor fought there is right, it must have been an easy victory. King's Stoke is also the site of [[#Moonwater Hall|Moonwater Hall]], a [[Faraden]] trading enclave that supports merchants from that western nation who wish to purchase fine quality Marcher food and drink.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Henry Birchsmith.jpg|caption='''Henry Birchsmith''', Senator for Upwold|align=left|width=500}}</div>
West of King's Stoke is '''Borsdell Hall''', perhaps the closest the Marches gets to a centre of learning. The original hall belonged to the well-respected Brigit of Dourfen, the first [[grandmaster]] of the [[Rod and Shield]] [[Conclave order|order]] of the [[Conclave]]. Raised in [[Bregasland]], the legendary [[landskeeper]] moved to Tower March in the early years before the formation of the Empire and built the hall "''the better to keep an eye on the rest of the world.''" Her interest in "the wider world" brought news of the First Empress' meeting at Anvil to the stewards of the Marches, and many historians ascribe her a pivotal role in the Cousins War that followed that fateful congress. Modern landskeepers will send an apprentice who shows a talent for [[Magical_skills#Battle_Mage|battle magic]] to spend a season or two studying at Borsdell, learning techniques refined by Brigit and passed on to the martially-minded magicians who followed her.

[[Farm|Farmland]] is at a premium in Tower March, and the region is better known for its woodcutters and [[forest|foresters]]. In addition to the ever-present beggarwood, Tower March is the main source of [[Materials#Dragonbone|dragonbone]] in the Marches. In recent years the demand for Tower March amber has subsided in the face of extensive imports from [[Miaren]] and through [[Tassato]], but there are still several old and stubborn households whose fortunes are traditionally tied to the valuable material. Some of the more ambitious stewards of Tower March are said to favour a wholesale clearance of the woods, both to take advantage of the voracious Imperial demand for building materials and to allow for new farms - so far they have faced a great deal of resistance from those whose livelihood is tied to the woodlands. Most are pessimistic however; political power in the Marches does not lie in the hands of woodcutters and foresters, after all.

{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Upwold|Territory=Upwold|Season=Autumn}}

==OOC Notes==
* All the regions of Upwold are in the hands of the Marches (and by extension the Empire) making it a staunchly Imperial territory.
* The castle of [[#The Eastern Guard|Eastern Guard]] is a rank one [[fortification]].
* The presence of [[Delver_of_the_Depths#Lorenzo.27s_Deep_Pockets|Lorenzo's Deep Pockets]] means that it is not possible for an [[Army|Imperial army]] to [[Army_orders#Movement|move]] from Upwold to Temeschwar directly. They will instead need to pass through either Miaren or Hahnmark.
[[Category:The Marches]]
[[Category:Gazetteer]]
[[Category:Imperial Territory]]

Everything is on show

2026-07-20T07:23:04Z

Hailmur:

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:388YE Summer]]
<ic>
"''Because she's a dickhead, that's why!''" Heloísa refused to get back in line as they ran drills. Adriana had been riling her up all day, and the dam had finally burst. "''She's a Mestran! We shouldn't be fighting together; she'll just end up stabbing me in back... she can't even parry without risking her arm!''" Both Heloísa's and Adriana's friends started shouting at that, throwing down their dulled steel and raising fists ready to brawl.

Teodora grimaced and clapped their hands together to try to bring some semblance of order. They knew it was risky; that the other officers were generally keeping the twin cities separate. They had a feeling, though, that this group could be something special if they could start to trust each other. "''I don't care if she's from Cevia! If I tell you to fight alongside each other, you're going to. If you can't do that, then you shouldn't consider yourself a Sparrow. And if you're not a Sparrow... what the '''fuck''' are you doing in my training yard?''" Teodora spat on the floor and stared as the two groups started getting back into their lines. "''Right, from the top. I want us to have mastered the Marcus Shield before sundown.''"
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: right; margin: 15px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sparrows Reckoning Badge.png|align=right|width=500}}</div>
==Overview==
During the Winter Solstice 386YE, the Imperial Senate passed a [[Raise Third League Army|motion]] to [[Army#Recruitment|raise]] a third [[The League|League]] army in [[Tassato]]. The motion was proposed by '''Cesare Sanguineo Rezia Di Tassato''', as the Senator for [[Tassato]], and seconded by '''Aspar''', as the [[Conscience of the Senate]]. The majority of the funding for the army was provided by '''Vesna Borkovna Prochnost''', [[Emperor Vesna|Empress of the Hearth]].

Last season, Tassato was enchanted with [[Mystic_scrolls_of_Estavus#Hammers_of_Fury|Hammers of Fury]] by [[Varushka_groups#Cabal_Lyktan|Cabal Lyktan]]. Now, eighteen months after it started raising, the army is almost ready to take the field against the enemies of the Empire, and '''Cesare''' has informed the civil service of the army's name, "''Sparrows Reckoning''", but the army's essential quality remains an open question. The army has been raised from across the League, with recruits drawn from each of the five cities. The recruits have studied at the [[Tassato#Five_Cities_Military_Academy|Five Cities Military Academy]], and are close to finishing their [[army qualities|training]].

None of the options available for the army cost any additional resources. Cesare Sanguineo Rezia Di Tassato, as the raising senator, is responsible for choosing the new army's forte. He should inform one of the Speakers for the Senate of his decision during the summit.

==Always Keeping Score==
<div {{float}}">{{CaptionedImage|file=Point of Pride.jpg|align=left|width=600}}</div>
* '''The creation of the Sparrows has swelled Pride in the city of Tassato'''
* '''Newly mustered soldiers are eager for opportunities to prove that they are the equals of any League army'''

There are two famous armies in the League. The [[Wolves of War]] are one of the most experienced armies anywhere in the Empire. Versatile and universally admired across the League, they have a long and studied history fighting in every major conflict in every war since forever. Their reputation for professionalism makes them a feared enemy and a welcome ally on any battlefield. The army has always drawn recruits from every city in the League, making it something every city ''and no city'' can be Proud of.

The Towerjacks, by comparison, were disbanded in 346YE, so the soldiers of the former army spent the next three decades garrisoning the walls of Holberg, keeping the Druj out. It's hard to be ''more'' famous than being the army that held a siege for thirty-three years. As famous as they are, they are also undeniably "Holberg's army". The League might be proud of the Towerjacks, but if folks in Tassato have to hear that "Holberg is the greatest city in the world" one more time, they just might challenge the Towerjacks to a duel themselves.

In the history of the League, Tassato has never had an army of its own, never had a claim to fame the way Holberg does with the Towerjacks. Until today... As the army comes ready to deploy, there is an enormous swelling of Pride in the city at the achievement. Soon, Tassato will have its own army... soon, Tassato will be a rival for Holberg.

Of course, the Sparrows don't have a famous reputation like the Wolves of War or the Towerjacks. They don't have a long and venerated role in the Empire's history. They didn't fight against Alderei the Fair, or take part in any famous wars. Right now, they're the third army of the League - in a nation that notoriously does ''not'' give out prizes for participation.

The Sparrows are like a newborn child - complete with two proud parents in Regario and Maestra. Sure, the army might not be famous - not yet - but already it's filling up with hot-headed bravos and other ambitious types who are eager to take the fight to the enemy and have a chance to prove themselves every bit the equal of the 'Jacks and the Wolves.

==Take It All==
* '''Sparrows Reckoning could have the ''Conquering'' quality'''
* '''A ''Conquering'' army can take the ''Push the Line'' order when attacking'''
The [[Gryphon's Pride]] were raised as [[Army_qualities#Conquering|conquerors]], representative of Dawnish ambitions in [[the Barrens]]. The officers of Sparrows Reckoning could be trained in the same way; encouraged to focus on strategies that capture land from barbarians. The soldiers would concentrate on practising lightning strikes to claim key objectives and break enemy supply lines.

<div style="max-width:800px;"><box>'''Push the Line'''
* '''The ability of this army to conquer territory is increased by three-tenths
* '''Casualties inflicted by this army are reduced by a fifth'''
The army seeks to dominate key strategic objectives, and focuses on claiming territory from the opposing army. </box></div>

==Quick March==
* '''Sparrows Reckoning could have the ''Fast'' quality'''
* '''A ''Fast'' army can take the ''Forced March'' order when attacking'''
* '''A ''Fast'' army can take the ''Desperate Reinforcement'' order when defending'''
The [[The_Brass_Coast_military_concerns#The_Fire_of_the_South|Fire of the South]] are one of the two fast armies in the Empire, trained in tactics appropriate to flat, open land. Sparrows Reckoning could opt for similar, with a focus on travelling light, with warehouses and caches in the towns and cities across the Empire for them to take on supplies. They would, of course, rely on the [[trods]] but also the vast roads that stretch across the nations.

<box>'''Forced March'''
* '''Can move as far as the general wishes this season. It must still stop moving when it enters a hostile territory'''
* '''The ability of this army to capture territory is decreased by one fifth'''
A general who orders a forced march pushes their troops to move swiftly - but also takes pains to preserve their strength so that when they arrive they are in a fit state to fight. Some soldiers may fall behind, but they keep moving until they catch up with the army again. By taking advantage of roads and trods, the general ensures that when the army arrives at its destination it does so with the will to engage the enemy. Yet a forced march is not magical movement - the army will arrive late in the campaign season, meaning their ability to capture territory is reduced.
</box>
<box>'''Desperate Reinforcement'''
* '''Can move as far as the general wishes this season. It must still stop moving when it enters a hostile territory'''
* '''The ability of this army to defend territory is decreased by one fifth'''
Sometimes a situation is desperate, but additional troops may turn the tide of battle. In such cases, the general pushes their troops to move as quickly as possible, to ensure that a faltering garrison receives last minute assistance, or a failing position is reinforced just before it collapses. When time is of the essence, the general can risk exhausting some of their troops to ensure they arrive in time to support their allies.</box>

==Masters of Logistics==
* '''Sparrows Reckoning could have the ''Resourceful'' quality'''
* '''A ''Resourceful'' army can benefit from [[Casualties#Emergency_Resupply|emergency resupply]] regardless of what territory they are in or whether they are engaged by the enemy'''
* '''A ''Resourceful'' army can benefit from [[Casualties#Natural_Resupply|natural resupply]] regardless of what territory they are in as long as they are not engaged by the enemy, even if they are taking an attacking order'''
The excellent logistics of the League are readily apparent to those who know the history of the Towerjacks in [[Holberg]] and the Wolves of War across the Empire. The best and brightest of Tassato could be encouraged to work with the quartermasters. Tasked with ensuring that Sparrows Reckoning always has access to adequate supplies, the army would be able to rely on that logistical support to distribute resources and assign new soldiers, even while under attack.

==Participation: Sparrows==
* '''Players starting a new League character based in Tassato are encouraged to consider playing an officer in the Sparrows'''
* '''Many Sparrows are Ambitious and hungry to prove themselves in the cut-throat world of League politics'''
* '''You can use a symbol of a sparrow or a sparrow-hawk to show that you are part of the army'''

Players who are creating new League characters based in Tassato are encouraged to consider playing an officer in the Sparrows. The army is filled with ambitious, some would say hot-headed, citizens of Tassato who have joined the army looking to get ahead. Those with their own [[resource|resources]] or some get-up-and-go have already been singled out for the army's officer class, so it's a great background for a starting character. You don't have to have a military unit, nor even be a soldier; every Imperial army includes magicians, artisans, priests and other characters who help with logistics and support.

Being part of the Sparrows is an attitude, not a resource or a skill set. They're the youngest of three ''very'' competitive siblings. Your older siblings, the Towerjacks and the Wolves of War, have been around the block - twice. They've done everything and fought everyone, and they're famous already. The Sparrows are just setting out, and they have got ''everything'' to prove. If you're a [[bravo]], you should be in every fight in Anvil. If you're not, then you should be constantly looking for other ways to prove that you and the other Sparrows aren't just the League's youngest army; you're also the ''best'' army.

As a member of the army, you don't have to do what your [[general]] tells you to do while you're in Anvil. Your time at the summit is effectively your own to spend as you choose. However, if you can find ways to support your general and, more importantly, the army itself, then it will make it easier for them to get established. You don't have a say in what the army orders will be, but of course you are free to encourage your general to ensure that the Sparrows go where the fighting is thickest; otherwise, they'll never get a chance to prove themselves.

Many members of the army wear a symbol of a sparrow or, in some cases, a sparrow-hawk, when they're off duty to show their allegiance. Sparrows still fight amongst themselves - Regarians and Maestrans will always have something to squabble about, but most Sparrows are determined to band together when it counts. You won't become the best army in the League unless you stick together through thick and thin.

If you're playing a long-standing character from Tassato, bear in mind that the Sparrows are ''your'' army. Most of the wealthy and powerful inhabitants of Tassato are immensely Proud of their new army and determined to do their bit to see them succeed. After all, the Pride of the city is at stake here. If you are from Tassato and you see a League citizen wearing the symbol of the Sparrows, it is a good idea to give them as much help as you can afford to. The better the soldiers are doing, the sooner people will talk about the Sparrows in the same whispered tones they use to describe the Wolves and the 'Jacks.

==Remnants of the Iron Labyrinth==
* '''The Hammers of Fury ritual performed on Tassato has had unexpected side effects'''
* '''The Chain is seen to be slightly brighter over Tassato than other constellations'''
* '''Artisans from Tassato gain access to an ability at the coming summit'''
As the forges of Tassato begin to grow cold and the last effects of the [[Hammers of Fury]] start to fade, there is a [[Things_go_awry#The_Stars_are_Wrong|subtle shift]] in the air. [[The Chain]], high above, glows eerily in the night sky. Shining brightly and pulsing - almost as if fed by a heavenly bellows - the five stars can be seen across the twin cities. It only happens for one night, but all [[cambion|cambions]] and every [[artisan]] feels an energy in the air - as if some remnant of [[Autumn magic]] remains.

During the Summer Solstice, any artisan with a personal resource in Tassato can use an ability tied to the lingering effects of the ritual. Once during the summit, they can effectively "refresh" a [[Crafting_skills#Journeyman_Item|journeyman magic item]] bonded to them with thirty seconds of appropriate roleplay. All expended uses of that item are refreshed: if an [[Amberglass Chain]] had been used both times, it would replenish both uses, but if it had only been used once, then it would only replenish one use. This ability does nothing to magic items whose effect is passive, such as a [[Landskeeper's Oath]], or where a resource is expended, such as [[Circlet of Falling Snow]].

Cambions who live in Tassato, or who have spent time there this past season, can gain a benefit once at the upcoming summit. They can regain, or gain, a temporary [[Heroic_skills#Hero|hero point]] if they feel they have bested a worthwhile opponent in some manner. This can be as simple as delivering a witty quip or as complicated as unleashing a curse on a worthy rival. This hero point is always the first to be spent and cannot be regained once lost.
{{ItemTable|Artisan_Slot_Two}}

File:Sparrows Reckoning Badge.png

2026-07-20T07:22:30Z

Hailmur: Art by [https://www.facebook.com/pessimisticorangeart/ pessimistic orange art]

== Summary ==
Art by [https://www.facebook.com/pessimisticorangeart/ pessimistic orange art]

Everything is on show

2026-07-20T03:44:51Z

Hailmur:

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:388YE Summer]]
<ic>
"''Because she's a dickhead, that's why!''" Heloísa refused to get back in line as they ran drills. Adriana had been riling her up all day, and the dam had finally burst. "''She's a Mestran! We shouldn't be fighting together; she'll just end up stabbing me in back... she can't even parry without risking her arm!''" Both Heloísa's and Adriana's friends started shouting at that, throwing down their dulled steel and raising fists ready to brawl.

Teodora grimaced and clapped their hands together to try to bring some semblance of order. They knew it was risky; that the other officers were generally keeping the twin cities separate. They had a feeling, though, that this group could be something special if they could start to trust each other. "''I don't care if she's from Cevia! If I tell you to fight alongside each other, you're going to. If you can't do that, then you shouldn't consider yourself a Sparrow. And if you're not a Sparrow... what the '''fuck''' are you doing in my training yard?''" Teodora spat on the floor and stared as the two groups started getting back into their lines. "''Right, from the top. I want us to have mastered the Marcus Shield before sundown.''"
</ic>

==Overview==
During the Winter Solstice 386YE, the Imperial Senate passed a [[Raise Third League Army|motion]] to [[Army#Recruitment|raise]] a third [[The League|League]] army in [[Tassato]]. The motion was proposed by '''Cesare Sanguineo Rezia Di Tassato''', as the Senator for [[Tassato]], and seconded by '''Aspar''', as the [[Conscience of the Senate]]. The majority of the funding for the army was provided by '''Vesna Borkovna Prochnost''', [[Emperor Vesna|Empress of the Hearth]].

Last season, Tassato was enchanted with [[Mystic_scrolls_of_Estavus#Hammers_of_Fury|Hammers of Fury]] by [[Varushka_groups#Cabal_Lyktan|Cabal Lyktan]]. Now, eighteen months after it started raising, the army is almost ready to take the field against the enemies of the Empire, and '''Cesare''' has informed the civil service of the army's name, "''Sparrows Reckoning''", but the army's essential quality remains an open question. The army has been raised from across the League, with recruits drawn from each of the five cities. The recruits have studied at the [[Tassato#Five_Cities_Military_Academy|Five Cities Military Academy]], and are close to finishing their [[army qualities|training]].

None of the options available for the army cost any additional resources. Cesare Sanguineo Rezia Di Tassato, as the raising senator, is responsible for choosing the new army's forte. He should inform one of the Speakers for the Senate of his decision during the summit.

==Always Keeping Score==
<div {{float}}">{{CaptionedImage|file=Point of Pride.jpg|align=left|width=600}}</div>
* '''The creation of the Sparrows has swelled Pride in the city of Tassato'''
* '''Newly mustered soldiers are eager for opportunities to prove that they are the equals of any League army'''

There are two famous armies in the League. The [[Wolves of War]] are one of the most experienced armies anywhere in the Empire. Versatile and universally admired across the League, they have a long and studied history fighting in every major conflict in every war since forever. Their reputation for professionalism makes them a feared enemy and a welcome ally on any battlefield. The army has always drawn recruits from every city in the League, making it something every city ''and no city'' can be Proud of.

The Towerjacks, by comparison, were disbanded in 346YE, so the soldiers of the former army spent the next three decades garrisoning the walls of Holberg, keeping the Druj out. It's hard to be ''more'' famous than being the army that held a siege for thirty-three years. As famous as they are, they are also undeniably "Holberg's army". The League might be proud of the Towerjacks, but if folks in Tassato have to hear that "Holberg is the greatest city in the world" one more time, they just might challenge the Towerjacks to a duel themselves.

In the history of the League, Tassato has never had an army of its own, never had a claim to fame the way Holberg does with the Towerjacks. Until today... As the army comes ready to deploy, there is an enormous swelling of Pride in the city at the achievement. Soon, Tassato will have its own army... soon, Tassato will be a rival for Holberg.

Of course, the Sparrows don't have a famous reputation like the Wolves of War or the Towerjacks. They don't have a long and venerated role in the Empire's history. They didn't fight against Alderei the Fair, or take part in any famous wars. Right now, they're the third army of the League - in a nation that notoriously does ''not'' give out prizes for participation.

The Sparrows are like a newborn child - complete with two proud parents in Regario and Maestra. Sure, the army might not be famous - not yet - but already it's filling up with hot-headed bravos and other ambitious types who are eager to take the fight to the enemy and have a chance to prove themselves every bit the equal of the 'Jacks and the Wolves.

==Take It All==
* '''Sparrows Reckoning could have the ''Conquering'' quality'''
* '''A ''Conquering'' army can take the ''Push the Line'' order when attacking'''
The [[Gryphon's Pride]] were raised as [[Army_qualities#Conquering|conquerors]], representative of Dawnish ambitions in [[the Barrens]]. The officers of Sparrows Reckoning could be trained in the same way; encouraged to focus on strategies that capture land from barbarians. The soldiers would concentrate on practising lightning strikes to claim key objectives and break enemy supply lines.

<div style="max-width:800px;"><box>'''Push the Line'''
* '''The ability of this army to conquer territory is increased by three-tenths
* '''Casualties inflicted by this army are reduced by a fifth'''
The army seeks to dominate key strategic objectives, and focuses on claiming territory from the opposing army. </box></div>

==Quick March==
* '''Sparrows Reckoning could have the ''Fast'' quality'''
* '''A ''Fast'' army can take the ''Forced March'' order when attacking'''
* '''A ''Fast'' army can take the ''Desperate Reinforcement'' order when defending'''
The [[The_Brass_Coast_military_concerns#The_Fire_of_the_South|Fire of the South]] are one of the two fast armies in the Empire, trained in tactics appropriate to flat, open land. Sparrows Reckoning could opt for similar, with a focus on travelling light, with warehouses and caches in the towns and cities across the Empire for them to take on supplies. They would, of course, rely on the [[trods]] but also the vast roads that stretch across the nations.

<box>'''Forced March'''
* '''Can move as far as the general wishes this season. It must still stop moving when it enters a hostile territory'''
* '''The ability of this army to capture territory is decreased by one fifth'''
A general who orders a forced march pushes their troops to move swiftly - but also takes pains to preserve their strength so that when they arrive they are in a fit state to fight. Some soldiers may fall behind, but they keep moving until they catch up with the army again. By taking advantage of roads and trods, the general ensures that when the army arrives at its destination it does so with the will to engage the enemy. Yet a forced march is not magical movement - the army will arrive late in the campaign season, meaning their ability to capture territory is reduced.
</box>
<box>'''Desperate Reinforcement'''
* '''Can move as far as the general wishes this season. It must still stop moving when it enters a hostile territory'''
* '''The ability of this army to defend territory is decreased by one fifth'''
Sometimes a situation is desperate, but additional troops may turn the tide of battle. In such cases, the general pushes their troops to move as quickly as possible, to ensure that a faltering garrison receives last minute assistance, or a failing position is reinforced just before it collapses. When time is of the essence, the general can risk exhausting some of their troops to ensure they arrive in time to support their allies.</box>

==Masters of Logistics==
* '''Sparrows Reckoning could have the ''Resourceful'' quality'''
* '''A ''Resourceful'' army can benefit from [[Casualties#Emergency_Resupply|emergency resupply]] regardless of what territory they are in or whether they are engaged by the enemy'''
* '''A ''Resourceful'' army can benefit from [[Casualties#Natural_Resupply|natural resupply]] regardless of what territory they are in as long as they are not engaged by the enemy, even if they are taking an attacking order'''
The excellent logistics of the League are readily apparent to those who know the history of the Towerjacks in [[Holberg]] and the Wolves of War across the Empire. The best and brightest of Tassato could be encouraged to work with the quartermasters. Tasked with ensuring that Sparrows Reckoning always has access to adequate supplies, the army would be able to rely on that logistical support to distribute resources and assign new soldiers, even while under attack.

==Participation: Sparrows==
* '''Players starting a new League character based in Tassato are encouraged to consider playing an officer in the Sparrows'''
* '''Many Sparrows are Ambitious and hungry to prove themselves in the cut-throat world of League politics'''
* '''You can use a symbol of a sparrow or a sparrow-hawk to show that you are part of the army'''

Players who are creating new League characters based in Tassato are encouraged to consider playing an officer in the Sparrows. The army is filled with ambitious, some would say hot-headed, citizens of Tassato who have joined the army looking to get ahead. Those with their own [[resource|resources]] or some get-up-and-go have already been singled out for the army's officer class, so it's a great background for a starting character. You don't have to have a military unit, nor even be a soldier; every Imperial army includes magicians, artisans, priests and other characters who help with logistics and support.

Being part of the Sparrows is an attitude, not a resource or a skill set. They're the youngest of three ''very'' competitive siblings. Your older siblings, the Towerjacks and the Wolves of War, have been around the block - twice. They've done everything and fought everyone, and they're famous already. The Sparrows are just setting out, and they have got ''everything'' to prove. If you're a [[bravo]], you should be in every fight in Anvil. If you're not, then you should be constantly looking for other ways to prove that you and the other Sparrows aren't just the League's youngest army; you're also the ''best'' army.

As a member of the army, you don't have to do what your [[general]] tells you to do while you're in Anvil. Your time at the summit is effectively your own to spend as you choose. However, if you can find ways to support your general and, more importantly, the army itself, then it will make it easier for them to get established. You don't have a say in what the army orders will be, but of course you are free to encourage your general to ensure that the Sparrows go where the fighting is thickest; otherwise, they'll never get a chance to prove themselves.

Many members of the army wear a symbol of a sparrow or, in some cases, a sparrow-hawk, when they're off duty to show their allegiance. Sparrows still fight amongst themselves - Regarians and Maestrans will always have something to squabble about, but most Sparrows are determined to band together when it counts. You won't become the best army in the League unless you stick together through thick and thin.

If you're playing a long-standing character from Tassato, bear in mind that the Sparrows are ''your'' army. Most of the wealthy and powerful inhabitants of Tassato are immensely Proud of their new army and determined to do their bit to see them succeed. After all, the Pride of the city is at stake here. If you are from Tassato and you see a League citizen wearing the symbol of the Sparrows, it is a good idea to give them as much help as you can afford to. The better the soldiers are doing, the sooner people will talk about the Sparrows in the same whispered tones they use to describe the Wolves and the 'Jacks.

==Remnants of the Iron Labyrinth==
* '''The Hammers of Fury ritual performed on Tassato has had unexpected side effects'''
* '''The Chain is seen to be slightly brighter over Tassato than other constellations'''
* '''Artisans from Tassato gain access to an ability at the coming summit'''
As the forges of Tassato begin to grow cold and the last effects of the [[Hammers of Fury]] start to fade, there is a [[Things_go_awry#The_Stars_are_Wrong|subtle shift]] in the air. [[The Chain]], high above, glows eerily in the night sky. Shining brightly and pulsing - almost as if fed by a heavenly bellows - the five stars can be seen across the twin cities. It only happens for one night, but all [[cambion|cambions]] and every [[artisan]] feels an energy in the air - as if some remnant of [[Autumn magic]] remains.

During the Summer Solstice, any artisan with a personal resource in Tassato can use an ability tied to the lingering effects of the ritual. Once during the summit, they can effectively "refresh" a [[Crafting_skills#Journeyman_Item|journeyman magic item]] bonded to them with thirty seconds of appropriate roleplay. All expended uses of that item are refreshed: if an [[Amberglass Chain]] had been used both times, it would replenish both uses, but if it had only been used once, then it would only replenish one use. This ability does nothing to magic items whose effect is passive, such as a [[Landskeeper's Oath]], or where a resource is expended, such as [[Circlet of Falling Snow]].

Cambions who live in Tassato, or who have spent time there this past season, can gain a benefit once at the upcoming summit. They can regain, or gain, a temporary [[Heroic_skills#Hero|hero point]] if they feel they have bested a worthwhile opponent in some manner. This can be as simple as delivering a witty quip or as complicated as unleashing a curse on a worthy rival. This hero point is always the first to be spent and cannot be regained once lost.
{{ItemTable|Artisan_Slot_Two}}

File:Point of Pride.jpg

2026-07-20T03:44:10Z

Hailmur: {{Tom}}

== Summary ==
{{Tom}}

Everything is on show

2026-07-20T03:15:18Z

Hailmur: Created page with "Category:Winds of FortuneCategory:388YE Summer <ic> "''Because she's a dickhead, that's why!''" Heloísa refused to get back in line as they ran drills. Adriana had been riling her up all day, and the dam had finally burst. "''She's a Mestran! We shouldn't be fighting together; she'll just end up stabbing me in back... she can't even parry without risking her arm!''" Both Heloísa's and Adriana's friends started shouting at that, throwing down their dulled steel..."

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:388YE Summer]]
<ic>
"''Because she's a dickhead, that's why!''" Heloísa refused to get back in line as they ran drills. Adriana had been riling her up all day, and the dam had finally burst. "''She's a Mestran! We shouldn't be fighting together; she'll just end up stabbing me in back... she can't even parry without risking her arm!''" Both Heloísa's and Adriana's friends started shouting at that, throwing down their dulled steel and raising fists ready to brawl.

Teodora grimaced and clapped their hands together to try to bring some semblance of order. They knew it was risky; that the other officers were generally keeping the twin cities separate. They had a feeling, though, that this group could be something special if they could start to trust each other. "''I don't care if she's from Cevia! If I tell you to fight alongside each other, you're going to. If you can't do that, then you shouldn't consider yourself a Sparrow. And if you're not a Sparrow... what the '''fuck''' are you doing in my training yard?''" Teodora spat on the floor and stared as the two groups started getting back into their lines. "''Right, from the top. I want us to have mastered the Marcus Shield before sundown.''"
</ic>

==Overview==
During the Winter Solstice 386YE, the Imperial Senate passed a [[Raise Third League Army|motion]] to [[Army#Recruitment|raise]] a third [[The League|League]] army in [[Tassato]]. The motion was proposed by '''Cesare Sanguineo Rezia Di Tassato''', as the Senator for [[Tassato]], and seconded by '''Aspar''', as the [[Conscience of the Senate]]. The majority of the funding for the army was provided by '''Vesna Borkovna Prochnost''', [[Emperor Vesna|Empress of the Hearth]].

Last season, Tassato was enchanted with [[Mystic_scrolls_of_Estavus#Hammers_of_Fury|Hammers of Fury]] by [[Varushka_groups#Cabal_Lyktan|Cabal Lyktan]]. Now, eighteen months after it started raising, the army is almost ready to take the field against the enemies of the Empire, and '''Cesare''' has informed the civil service of the army's name, "''Sparrows Reckoning''", but the army's essential quality remains an open question. The army has been raised from across the League, with recruits drawn from each of the five cities. The recruits have studied at the [[Tassato#Five_Cities_Military_Academy|Five Cities Military Academy]], and are close to finishing their [[army qualities|training]].

None of the options available for the army cost any additional resources. Cesare Sanguineo Rezia Di Tassato, as the raising senator, is responsible for choosing the new army's forte. He should inform one of the Speakers for the Senate of his decision during the summit.

==Always Keeping Score==
* '''The creation of the Sparrows has swelled Pride in the city of Tassato'''
* '''Newly mustered soldiers are eager for opportunities to prove that they are the equals of any League army'''

There are two famous armies in the League. The [[Wolves of War]] are one of the most experienced armies anywhere in the Empire. Versatile and universally admired across the League, they have a long and studied history fighting in every major conflict in every war since forever. Their reputation for professionalism makes them a feared enemy and a welcome ally on any battlefield. The army has always drawn recruits from every city in the League, making it something every city ''and no city'' can be Proud of.

The Towerjacks, by comparison, were disbanded in 346YE, so the soldiers of the former army spent the next three decades garrisoning the walls of Holberg, keeping the Druj out. It's hard to be ''more'' famous than being the army that held a siege for thirty-three years. As famous as they are, they are also undeniably "Holberg's army". The League might be proud of the Towerjacks, but if folks in Tassato have to hear that "Holberg is the greatest city in the world" one more time, they just might challenge the Towerjacks to a duel themselves.

In the history of the League, Tassato has never had an army of its own, never had a claim to fame the way Holberg does with the Towerjacks. Until today... As the army comes ready to deploy, there is an enormous swelling of Pride in the city at the achievement. Soon, Tassato will have its own army... soon, Tassato will be a rival for Holberg.

Of course, the Sparrows don't have a famous reputation like the Wolves of War or the Towerjacks. They don't have a long and venerated role in the Empire's history. They didn't fight against Alderei the Fair, or take part in any famous wars. Right now, they're the third army of the League - in a nation that notoriously does ''not'' give out prizes for participation.

The Sparrows are like a newborn child - complete with two proud parents in Regario and Maestra. Sure, the army might not be famous - not yet - but already it's filling up with hot-headed bravos and other ambitious types who are eager to take the fight to the enemy and have a chance to prove themselves every bit the equal of the 'Jacks and the Wolves.

==Take It All==
* '''Sparrows Reckoning could have the ''Conquering'' quality'''
* '''A ''Conquering'' army can take the ''Push the Line'' order when attacking'''
The [[Gryphon's Pride]] were raised as [[Army_qualities#Conquering|conquerors]], representative of Dawnish ambitions in [[the Barrens]]. The officers of Sparrows Reckoning could be trained in the same way; encouraged to focus on strategies that capture land from barbarians. The soldiers would concentrate on practising lightning strikes to claim key objectives and break enemy supply lines.

<div style="max-width:800px;"><box>'''Push the Line'''
* '''The ability of this army to conquer territory is increased by three-tenths
* '''Casualties inflicted by this army are reduced by a fifth'''
The army seeks to dominate key strategic objectives, and focuses on claiming territory from the opposing army. </box></div>

==Quick March==
* '''Sparrows Reckoning could have the ''Fast'' quality'''
* '''A ''Fast'' army can take the ''Forced March'' order when attacking'''
* '''A ''Fast'' army can take the ''Desperate Reinforcement'' order when defending'''
The [[The_Brass_Coast_military_concerns#The_Fire_of_the_South|Fire of the South]] are one of the two fast armies in the Empire, trained in tactics appropriate to flat, open land. Sparrows Reckoning could opt for similar, with a focus on travelling light, with warehouses and caches in the towns and cities across the Empire for them to take on supplies. They would, of course, rely on the [[trods]] but also the vast roads that stretch across the nations.

<box>'''Forced March'''
* '''Can move as far as the general wishes this season. It must still stop moving when it enters a hostile territory'''
* '''The ability of this army to capture territory is decreased by one fifth'''
A general who orders a forced march pushes their troops to move swiftly - but also takes pains to preserve their strength so that when they arrive they are in a fit state to fight. Some soldiers may fall behind, but they keep moving until they catch up with the army again. By taking advantage of roads and trods, the general ensures that when the army arrives at its destination it does so with the will to engage the enemy. Yet a forced march is not magical movement - the army will arrive late in the campaign season, meaning their ability to capture territory is reduced.
</box>
<box>'''Desperate Reinforcement'''
* '''Can move as far as the general wishes this season. It must still stop moving when it enters a hostile territory'''
* '''The ability of this army to defend territory is decreased by one fifth'''
Sometimes a situation is desperate, but additional troops may turn the tide of battle. In such cases, the general pushes their troops to move as quickly as possible, to ensure that a faltering garrison receives last minute assistance, or a failing position is reinforced just before it collapses. When time is of the essence, the general can risk exhausting some of their troops to ensure they arrive in time to support their allies.</box>

==Masters of Logistics==
* '''Sparrows Reckoning could have the ''Resourceful'' quality'''
* '''A ''Resourceful'' army can benefit from [[Casualties#Emergency_Resupply|emergency resupply]] regardless of what territory they are in or whether they are engaged by the enemy'''
* '''A ''Resourceful'' army can benefit from [[Casualties#Natural_Resupply|natural resupply]] regardless of what territory they are in as long as they are not engaged by the enemy, even if they are taking an attacking order'''
The excellent logistics of the League are readily apparent to those who know the history of the Towerjacks in [[Holberg]] and the Wolves of War across the Empire. The best and brightest of Tassato could be encouraged to work with the quartermasters. Tasked with ensuring that Sparrows Reckoning always has access to adequate supplies, the army would be able to rely on that logistical support to distribute resources and assign new soldiers, even while under attack.

==Participation: Sparrows==
* '''Players starting a new League character based in Tassato are encouraged to consider playing an officer in the Sparrows'''
* '''Many Sparrows are Ambitious and hungry to prove themselves in the cut-throat world of League politics'''
* '''You can use a symbol of a sparrow or a sparrow-hawk to show that you are part of the army'''

Players who are creating new League characters based in Tassato are encouraged to consider playing an officer in the Sparrows. The army is filled with ambitious, some would say hot-headed, citizens of Tassato who have joined the army looking to get ahead. Those with their own [[resource|resources]] or some get-up-and-go have already been singled out for the army's officer class, so it's a great background for a starting character. You don't have to have a military unit, nor even be a soldier; every Imperial army includes magicians, artisans, priests and other characters who help with logistics and support.

Being part of the Sparrows is an attitude, not a resource or a skill set. They're the youngest of three ''very'' competitive siblings. Your older siblings, the Towerjacks and the Wolves of War, have been around the block - twice. They've done everything and fought everyone, and they're famous already. The Sparrows are just setting out, and they have got ''everything'' to prove. If you're a [[bravo]], you should be in every fight in Anvil. If you're not, then you should be constantly looking for other ways to prove that you and the other Sparrows aren't just the League's youngest army; you're also the ''best'' army.

As a member of the army, you don't have to do what your [[general]] tells you to do while you're in Anvil. Your time at the summit is effectively your own to spend as you choose. However, if you can find ways to support your general and, more importantly, the army itself, then it will make it easier for them to get established. You don't have a say in what the army orders will be, but of course you are free to encourage your general to ensure that the Sparrows go where the fighting is thickest; otherwise, they'll never get a chance to prove themselves.

Many members of the army wear a symbol of a sparrow or, in some cases, a sparrow-hawk, when they're off duty to show their allegiance. Sparrows still fight amongst themselves - Regarians and Maestrans will always have something to squabble about, but most Sparrows are determined to band together when it counts. You won't become the best army in the League unless you stick together through thick and thin.

If you're playing a long-standing character from Tassato, bear in mind that the Sparrows are ''your'' army. Most of the wealthy and powerful inhabitants of Tassato are immensely Proud of their new army and determined to do their bit to see them succeed. After all, the Pride of the city is at stake here. If you are from Tassato and you see a League citizen wearing the symbol of the Sparrows, it is a good idea to give them as much help as you can afford to. The better the soldiers are doing, the sooner people will talk about the Sparrows in the same whispered tones they use to describe the Wolves and the 'Jacks.

==Remnants of the Iron Labyrinth==
* '''The Hammers of Fury ritual performed on Tassato has had unexpected side effects'''
* '''The Chain is seen to be slightly brighter over Tassato than other constellations'''
* '''Artisans from Tassato gain access to an ability at the coming summit'''
As the forges of Tassato begin to grow cold and the last effects of the [[Hammers of Fury]] start to fade, there is a [[Things_go_awry#The_Stars_are_Wrong|subtle shift]] in the air. [[The Chain]], high above, glows eerily in the night sky. Shining brightly and pulsing - almost as if fed by a heavenly bellows - the five stars can be seen across the twin cities. It only happens for one night, but all [[cambion|cambions]] and every [[artisan]] feels an energy in the air - as if some remnant of [[Autumn magic]] remains.

During the Summer Solstice, any artisan with a personal resource in Tassato can use an ability tied to the lingering effects of the ritual. Once during the summit, they can effectively "refresh" a [[Crafting_skills#Journeyman_Item|journeyman magic item]] bonded to them with thirty seconds of appropriate roleplay. All expended uses of that item are refreshed: if an [[Amberglass Chain]] had been used both times, it would replenish both uses, but if it had only been used once, then it would only replenish one use. This ability does nothing to magic items whose effect is passive, such as a [[Landskeeper's Oath]], or where a resource is expended, such as [[Circlet of Falling Snow]].

Cambions who live in Tassato, or who have spent time there this past season, can gain a benefit once at the upcoming summit. They can regain, or gain, a temporary [[Heroic_skills#Hero|hero point]] if they feel they have bested a worthwhile opponent in some manner. This can be as simple as delivering a witty quip or as complicated as unleashing a curse on a worthy rival. This hero point is always the first to be spent and cannot be regained once lost.
{{ItemTable|Artisan_Slot_Two}}

388YE Summer Solstice winds of fortune

2026-07-20T03:09:53Z

Hailmur: /* Any Dream Will Do */

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Recent History]]
<div {{floatleft}}>{{CaptionedImage|file=Remnants of tales.jpg|align=left|caption=News spreads through word of mouth as fast as it does through broadsheets and posters, and is sometimes more reliable. Or at least, unreliable in more amusing ways...|width=2000}}</div>
==Overview==
<div {{float}}>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
! Wind of Fortune !! Order Released !! Last Updated || Note
|-
| [[In the Court of Far Horizons]] || 1 || data-sort-value="2026/07/03"| 03/07 || Appraisal
|-
| [[Satraps of the Abyss]] || 2 || data-sort-value="2026/07/04"| 04/07 || Appraisal
|-
| [[The Oran operation]] || 3 || data-sort-value="2026/07/05"| 05/07 || Appraisal
|-
| [[Viridian nemesis]] || 4 || data-sort-value="2026/07/06"| 06/07 || Navarr Highest Calling
|-
| [[Love and monsters]] || 5 || data-sort-value="2026/07/13"| 13/07 || Dawn Highest Calling
|-
| [[The right answer]] || 6 || data=sort-value="2026/07/13"| 13/07 || Assembly of the Way Highest Calling
|-
| [[A lasting commitment]] || 7 || data=sort-value="2026/07/13"| 13/07 || Assembly of Ambition Highest Calling
|-
| [[Six sheets to the wind]] || 8 || data=sort-value="2026/07/15"| 15/07 || Challenge the Iron Duke
|-
| [[A horn blast of victory]] || 9 || data=sort-value="2026/07/15"| 15/07 || Imperial Address
|-
| [[Ambassadors of death]] || 10 || data=sort-value="2026/07/17"| 17/07 || Plenipotentiary
|-
| [[War games]] || 11 || data=sort-value="2026/07/17"| 17/07 || Jarm and Commonwealth Diplomacy
|-
| [[All laudable qualities]] || 12 || data=sort-value="2026/07/17"| 17/07 || Proscription Symposium
|-
| [[Full circles]] || 13 || data=sort-value="2026/07/17"| 17/07 || Sevenfold Path and Jarm
|-
| [[This is the end]] || 14 || data=sort-value="2026/07/17"| 17/07 || Apulian
|-
| [[The brightest flame]] || 15 || data=sort-value="2026/07/18"| 18/07 || Peerless Kinship
|-
| [[The shadows fall behind you]] || 16 || data=sort-value="2026/07/18"| 18/07 || Inspirational Location
|-
| [[Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange]] || 17 || data=sort-value="2026/07/18"| 18/07 || Ephisis
|-
| [[Any dream will do]] || 18 || data=sort-value="2026/07/19"| 19/07 || The League Highest Calling
|}</div>
Over the past three months, events have taken place which are of significance to the Empire and may require a response from her champions. These are the winds of fortune, counterparts to the winds of war that detail the Empire's military campaigns. They lay out situations and usually include things that characters can do to take advantage of [[opportunity|opportunities]] or to resolve problems. In almost every case, they start with a piece of flavour text. This fiction helps introduce the wind of fortune or draws out a particular theme or element. Often, it represents a viewpoint that one or more NPCs might have in-character. In all cases, these pieces are intended to help create an atmosphere and provide a little entertainment. Where they contain opinions, those are the opinions of the fictional people depicted - and where they contain information or rumours, the assumption is that the reader will create their own context for that information or gossip if they want to use it in character.

The body of the wind of fortune describes situations and lays out ways players can engage with them. Except where we explicitly talk about something being "rumoured" or use a phrase like "some might say..." the details of a wind of fortune are factual. They represent briefing material presented by the civil service or similar authoritative sources and represent something the average educated citizen would acknowledge as a reliable truth. Unless we specify otherwise, we're also being as thorough as possible. This information doesn't need further checking in-character. It's not an opinion, and we're not trying to trick you.
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:350px; float: left; margin: 10px;"
|-
! Nation !! Diplomacy Wind
|-
| [[Commonwealth]] || [[War games]]
|-
| [[Principalities of Jarm|Jarm]] || [[War games]]
|-
|}

As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of Fortune is to maintain the illusion of the Empire as a living, breathing place where things happen - and to make players aware of things their characters could know based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing for the past three months. It's perfectly acceptable to turn up to Empire having read only a few Winds of Fortune that directly interest your character; part of the fun on the field can come from learning about situations and opportunities in other parts of the game.

In each case, we've tried to tag the Winds of Fortune entry with the nations or political bodies to which it is most relevant. We've done this to help people who are interested only in events that are especially relevant to them. In no way are these tags intended to be exhaustive; the Empire is a complex place, and very little happens in isolation. We are also adding the dates that they were last updated (other than typos and correcting [[red links]]) in an attempt to make it easier to keep track of the newest releases.
__TOC__

==Winds of Fortune==
===In the Court of Far Horizons===
* '''Throne; Senate; Fleet owners; Ambassadors; titles involved in international trade'''
At the recent summit, [[the Throne]] requested that the [[Scrutiny#Constitutional_Court|Constitutional Court]] [[Forever_is_composed_of_nows#The_Abraham_Gambit|appraise the implications]] of a new [[Imperial sodality]], the ''Court of Far Horizons''. Magistrate Abraham has conducted an analysis of the constitutional implications of the new sodality's provisional manifesto. Abraham notes that the manifesto is "bold and vigorous" in establishing its remit, but that means that some of the implications are far-reaching... which can be both a good and a bad thing depending on where you stand.

You can read about Abraham's findings, as well as some proposals from interested parties, in the '''[[In the Court of Far Horizons]]''' wind of fortune.
===Satraps of the Abyss===
* '''Conclave; Ambassador to Sumaah; scholars of magic and the eternal realms'''
The [[Senate]] has taken advantage of an opportunity brokered by the [[Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic|Ambassador]] Accalon to engage in a spot of magical cooperation with the [[Sumaah Republic]]. Freshly-appointed prognosticator ''[[Appraisal#Lisane de Terresford|Lisane de Terresford]]'' has been sent to ''[[appraisal|appraise]] how the High Houses of Virtue and the Imperial Conclave can find ways to co-operate in interactions with [[eternal|eternals]]''. While Lisane is expected to be engaged for the next several seasons, she has dispatched a preliminary report on her findings; a review of the relation between the magicians and the Präster of the republic - and the dealings they have with the creatures of the [[realms]].

You can read about Lisane's findings, and about the opportunity for the Conclave to assist, in the '''[[Satraps of the Abyss]]''' wind of fortune.
===The Oran Operation===
* '''The Brass Coast, especially citizens of Feroz and Madruga; Imperial Senate; Military Council'''
The river Scorrero broke its banks several years ago, and washed away the dreadful threat of the ''dry patricians''. As a consequence of the wild river rising, the bridges connecting Madruga and Feroz were washed away. Last season, the Senate accepted [[An_arrow_nocked_and_in_flight#A_Garden_Proposal|an offer]] from the ''Protectorate of Morajasse'' to apply their expertise to the challenge of reconnecting the eastern Brass Coast. Their [[appraisal]] of the situation has been submitted, with notes added by the [[Appraisal#The_Prognosticators_Office|Prognosticators Office]], and involves a major feat of engineering in the southern Empire.

You can learn about their proposal, and some changes that might make it a little more feasible, in the '''[[The Oran operation]]''' wind of fortune.
===Viridian Nemesis===
* '''The League; Navarr; the Vallornguard; Loyalty assembly; Senate; Military Council'''
The [[The highest calling|highest calling]] of the [[Navarr]] is to share their long experience fighting the [[vallorn]] with other nations. Last season, they [[Cup_of_choices|chose to work]] with the people of [[Urizen]]; now the Navarr National Assembly has urged their people to embrace the citizens of [[the League]] to arm and armour them for the upcoming battle with the Doom of Terunael. Once again, the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies|Loyalty Assembly]] has supported the cause, calling upon those whose heart drives them towards the destruction of ''Terun's Folly''.

You can read about the proposals put forward to help the League fight the vallorn, some of which are somewhat esoteric, in the '''[[Viridian nemesis]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float: right; width: 175px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly Dawn.png|width=200px}}</div>
===Love and Monsters===
* '''Dawn, especially the national assembly; Senate; vallornguard; Knight of the Greenwood'''
The Earl of Fools has convinced the National Assembly that the fight against the [[vallorn]] is the [[The_highest_calling#The_Highest_Calling|highest calling]] of the [[Dawn|Dawnish]] people. With [[the Barrens]] won and the [[Druj]] crumbling beneath the Empire's anvil and the [[Thule|Thule's]] hammer, surely it makes sense to focus on the next threat to their prize. The vallorn has not one but ''three'' hearts adjacent to the sprawling expanse of the Barrens - and so defeating it will be a truly glorious endeavour! Plus, the idea of a great, glorious war against the vallorn is more than enough to stir the blood of the people of the most splendid nation in the Empire!

You can learn about the opportunities presented by this highest calling, both for the assembly and the rest of the nation, in the '''[[Love and monsters]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float: right; width: 175px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Labyrinth.jpg|width=200px}}</div>

===The Right Answer===
* '''Assembly of the Way; Imperial Synod'''
The Assembly of the way have found the [[The_highest_calling#The_Highest_Calling|highest calling]] of those priests who commit themselves to the faith as a whole rather than any single virtue. Formally the Assembly of the Way is expected to be responsible for the [[Inquisition#Virtue|integrity of the Way itself]]. Many in the Assembly dedicate themselves to creating a more perfect understanding of the Way, even as they strive to maintain the fidelity of the [[Doctrines of the Faith]]. Such exploration is never without risk, however, and as recent events have shown revelation can shake the foundations of the Way. However, by making the need to test the faith their highest calling, the Assembly of the Way has an opportunity to examine the faith in a way that tries to ensure that nothing disastrous can happen.

You can learn about what this might involve, and the opportunities and costs involved, in the '''[[The right answer]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:right; width: 175px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly_Ambition.png|align=right|width=200}}</div>
===A Lasting Commitment===
* '''Ambition assembly; Highguard; Senate'''
The [[Ambition]] assembly has declared their own [[The_highest_calling#The_Highest_Calling|highest calling]], one that is as challenging as it is aspirational. The [[Construct_Grand_Inspiration_of_the_Way|Grand Inspiration of the Way]] is well underway, but if it can be completed within the next few seasons it will be a capstone not only to the Imperial faith but for the virtue of Ambition. Just the idea of declaring something to be a highest calling embraces the Virtue of Ambition, but even so this is an extraordinary thing to attempt. There is still a vast amount of work to be done, but there is nothing more Ambitious than achieving the impossible....

You can learn about the Ambition assembly highest calling, and how it applies to the Grand Inspiration of the Way, in the '''[[A lasting commitment]]''' wind of fortune.

===Six Sheets to the Wind (Challenge the Iron Duke)===
* '''Challengers of the Iron Duke'''
<div style="float:right; width: 175px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=BarienArt.jpg|align=right|width=200}}</div>
Each season, the eternal ''[[Barien]]'' presents opportunities to those prepared to [[Challenge the Iron Duke]]. For the Summer Solstice, he has offered two challenges: a grand melee in the arena and a game of carefully manoeuvring a boat on a map. As ever, the rules of the ritual apply. Each person who receives the ritual will be ''guaranteed'' entry to a challenge. Depending on the challenge, they ''may'' be able to bring a certain number of attendants with them to assist. The exact number will depend on the nature of the challenge and the number of challengers. The [[civil service]] will publish exact numbers in [[Anvil#The_Hub|the Hub]] on Saturday morning for all to see.

You can find details of the challenges issued by Barien this season in the '''[[Six sheets to the wind]]''' wind of fortune.

===A Horn Blast of Victory (Imperial Address)===
* '''Imperial citizens; Dawn; Generals of Dawn; Earls of Dawn; People interested in oaths'''
[[Emperor Vesna]] has used their power to [[The_Throne#Address_the_Empire|address the Empire]] to present a personal message to all Imperial citizens, but especially those of [[Dawn]] following their victory against the manticore. Now, the people of Dawn look towards the end of the [[Druj]].

The message has been distributed across the Empire by the civil service, and you can read it in the '''[[A horn blast of victory]]''' wind of fortune.
===Ambassadors of Death (Plenipotentiary)===
* '''Imperial Conclave; magicians; General of the Black Thorns, Senator for Miaren; practitioners of Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust; Ambassadors to Jarm and the Commonwealth, Grandmaster of the Celestial Arch; Knight-protector of Autumn, Dawnish enchanters; practitioners of From the Mouths of Babes; Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path, Cardinal of Wisdom; practitioners of Forge the Wooden Fastness, Marcher landskeepers, magistrates'''
Each of the six [[archmage|archmages]] are empowered to send a [[Archmage#Plenipotentiary|plenipotentiary]] message to an [[eternal]] of their [[Realms|realm]] each season. Those eternals are bound to respond, although ''how'' exactly they respond is broadly up to them. Following the Spring Equinox, six - sorry ''five'' - eternals have responded to what are presumed to be missives from the respective archmages. One of the realms is not represented and, perhaps fittingly given its nature, conspicuous in absence.

You can find out about the eternals, and the nature of their responses, in the '''[[Ambassadors of death]]''' wind of fortune.

===All Laudable Qualities===
* '''People interested in Symposia; the ''Raboviches'' of False Hopes; People interested in proscriptions'''
At the Winter Solstice 387YE, the [[General Assembly]] [[Stones_in_the_wellspring#A_Convocation_of_Condemnation|supported a call]] for a symposium to discuss [[proscription|proscriptions]]. The [[Assembly of the Nine]] subsequently confirmed that '''Wulfric of the Marches''', the Member of the [[Synod]] who originally called for the symposium, would be charged with leading it. He has apparently sworn an oath, and though the wording of that oath is not common knowledge, it was deemed good enough for the Nine.

You can find out more about the upcoming symposium in the '''[[All laudable qualities]]''' wind of fortune.
===Full Circles===
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrderSevenfoldPath.jpg|align=right|width=175}}
* '''Sevenfold Path; Synod'''
In addition to fighting the [[Cold Sun]] in the east, magicians of the [[Sevenfold Path]] have been making contacts with a community of [[Principalities of Jarm|Jarmish]] pilgrims called the ''Convocation of Virtue''. The magicians of the Convocation seem friendly and enthused by the idea of discussing their faith with the visiting magicians. Adherents of the Way, their approach to the faith has been shaped by relative isolation from the Empire and Sumaah, although that may be more by choice than anything else. With a gift of [[liao]], with the backing of the [[Conclave]], and against a backdrop of [[War games|political chaos]], magicians of the Sevenfold Path have been able to get closer to these foreign pilgrims and a learn a little more about who they are.

You too can discover more about the Jarmish Convocation of Virtue, and opportunities to cultivate closer ties with them, in the '''[[Full circles]]''' wind of fortune.
===This is the End===
* '''Citizens of Apulian; Citizens of Spiral; Map to the City Below; Custodian of the Vicente School and Orphanage; Folk invoved in the fight between cats and birds; Conclave; Senate; Urizeni cat-lovers'''
The odd dramaturgic confluence that began in the city of [[Spiral#Apulian|Apulian]] more than a year ago, seems to have a reached a crescendo. Against a backdrop of running battles in the Apulian streets between strangely-coloured cats with mispaired eyes and songbirds with rainbow feathers, a cadre of military units arrives in the city to help Sofonisba Amilcara "map the city below". Under a potent [[Night magic]] enchantment, beneath skies filled with [[Things go awry|chaotic stars]], and within shouting distance of the {{Black Plateau}}...

You can learn about how this went, and some implications for the future, in the '''[[This is the end]]''' wind of fortune.
===The Brightest Flame (Peerless Kinship)===
{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly_Highborn.png|align=right|width=150}}{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly_Freeborn.png|align=right|width=170}}
* '''Highborn and Freeborn, especially members of the respective assembly; Senate'''
The [[Highguard|Highborn]] have once again expressed their [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Peerless_Kinship|peerless kinship]], this time offering support to their cousins in [[the Brass Coast]]. They have identified the [[On_the_road_ahead#City_of_Passions|ascendant Firebrand movement]], whose embers have been stoked both by [[mandate]] and by the commissioning of the [[On_the_road_ahead#City_of_Wonders|City of Wonders]], as a matter of concern. As the Freeborn assembly calls for unity in the shared pursuit of virtue, morality and the ever-changing Way. the [[The_Brass_Coast_culture_and_customs#Hospitality|famously hospitable]] folk of [[the Brass Coast]] throw open their doors and welcome their guests to [[Segura#Anduz|Anduz]]. Together they explore the implications of the ''firebrand'' movement, what it might mean for the Brass Coast, and how it might theoretically be channelled in service of the Empire.

You can learn about the philosophies of the firebrand movement, and the outcome of the peerless kinship, in the '''[[The brightest flame]]''' wind of fortune.
===Shadows Fall Behind You===
* '''Ambition Assembly; General Assembly; Urizen and Wintermark; Ambassador to the Grendel'''
The ripples of the wave that broke on the shores of [[Redoubt]] continue to wash across the Empire. The [[Flames_and_the_dark#The_Dream_Master|opportunity to create]] an [[inspirational location]] at the [[Redoubt#Elos|Elos]] docks using the last banner of the [[Fist of the Mountains]] has resulted in a [[writ of consecration]]. The [[Synod]] have indicated that they do intend to [[consecration|consecrate]] the restored docks, and 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 banner that is ''Umarth's legacy''.
<div style="float:right; width: 175px; clear: left;">[[file:Ephisis001.webp |align=right|width=175]]</div>
You can learn about the writ of consecration, and opportunities it would create, in the '''[[The shadows fall behind you]]''' wind of fortune.

===Propensity to Truck, Barter, and Exchange===
* '''Entrepreneurs and traders; practitioners of Ephisis' Scale; members of the Golden Pyramid conclave order'''
[[Inhabitants of the realms#Heralds|Heralds]] from the [[Ephisis|Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead]] have become regular attendants of the Hall of Worlds towards the end of each summit. They seek to make deals with Imperial citizens who have submitted their goods for potential sale via the [[Ephisis' Scale]] ritual. For the most part, trades have been largely successful and have brought Prosperity to both parties. Recently, though, the volatile nature of the markets has raised some concern among Imperial magicians. In response, the heralds related to the market have put together a comprehensive list of the kinds of things they are interested in buying - and selling. They're also trialling a new idea, in which merchants who are able to reach the Hall of Worlds can secure contracts to provide specific goods in bulk for known rewards, as well as discussing the matter of patronage for the [[Golden Pyramid]] order in general.

You can learn about the guidance from the City of Gold and Lead, and about new systems being trialled, in the '''[[Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly League.png|align=right|width=200}}</div>
===Any Dream Will Do===
* '''League Assembly'''
The [[League]] Assembly has declared its own [[The_highest_calling#The_Highest_Calling|highest calling]]; to bring in sapient beings of all kinds into the Empire and [[the Way]] of Virtue and into the League in particular. The five cities are cosmopolitan, and their people diverse, but there will be challenges ahead. The question of who to approach is one thing, and of ''who'' to send specifically is another thing altogether. However, even the largest forest can be felled one tree at a time. The question that stymies some is which tree to start with.

You can learn about the League Assembly's highest calling and what it means for the nation, in the '''[[Any dream will do]]''' wind of fortune.

===Everything is on Show===
* '''The League; Especially citizens of Tassao; and especially Cesare Sanguineo Rezia Di Tassato'''
The third League army has been raising for fifteen long months, but now, with the help of [[Varushka_groups#Cabal_Lyktan|Cabal Lyktan]] and [[Mystic_scrolls_of_Estavus#Hammers_of_Fury|Hammers of Fury]], it has mustered in [[Tassato]]. '''Cesare Sanguineo Rezia Di Tassato''' has already informed the civil service of its name, but the essential [[Army qualities|quality]] of the [[army]] remains to be seen. At the same time, there is information on what the army has done for the Pride of Tassato, and what the [[Things_go_awry#The_Stars_are_Wrong|lingering remnants]] of the Hammers of Fury mean for the artisans of the city.

You can learn more about the new army, the potential qualities it might have, and the lingering effects of the enchantment in the '''[[Everything is on show]]''' wind of fortune.

==Diplomatic Winds==
Each season, the Civil Service prepares a summary of the Empire's relationship with the foreign nations, based on communications received from their ambassador, along with any useful intelligence gathered from other sources. While the [[Senate]] and the other houses of Imperial power may respond to these offers, it is important to note that it is the appropriate [[ambassador]] that the foreign power will expect to hear from. Their communication with the foreign power is the primary element that will determine the tenor of any response.

These winds of fortune deal with the Empire's diplomatic relationship with one or more foreign or barbarian nations. Usually, the wind is shaped by communications from the appropriate [[ambassador]] or the [[Imperial Consul]]. While these winds revolve around international matters, their focus is still on the Empire and what its citizens can do to influence diplomatic matters, so they're as likely as any other wind to contain something of interest to characters from all walks of life.

===War Games===
* '''Ambassadors to Jarm and the Commonwealth; Imperial Senate; Imperial Conclave; all sorts of fleet captains; most of the other Ambassadors'''
The [[Commonwealth]] and the [[Principalities of Jarm]] are at war not only with each other, but with the forces of [[Cold Sun]]. The tiny country of Lantir is no more and attempts to contain the incursion [[Weaving_tangled_nets#Against_the_Cold_Sun|have failed]]. Imperial soldiers and magicians remain engaged in the east fighting the ''scions'' of destruction. Yet even in this time of heightened conflict, the wheels of diplomacy continue to turn... and sometimes those same wheels snag your sleeve and before you know it your entire arm has been crushed to pulp.

You can find out about the three-way war in the east, and Imperial involvement therein, in the '''[[War games]]''' wind of fortune.

==Other Events==
===Alongside the Earthquake Drummers===
* '''People interested in the Thule conquest of the Forest of Ulnak'''
Shortly after the Winter Solstice 387YE, several military units from across the Empire travelled to north-eastern [[Ossium]], to [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_interlude#Support_Earthquake_Drummers|support the Earthquake Drummers]]. The leaders of those military units received a report at the Spring Equinox 388YE, detailing how the campaign progressed over the season. Over the past few months, rumours and details from that season in the [[Forest of Ulnak]] have spread. Any Imperial citizen can be aware of the details of this report.

You can read the report first received at the last summit in '''[[Alongside the Earthquake Drummers]]'''.

===Dusk===
* '''For this event we are defining dusk as beginning at 20:30 and ending at 21:30'''
* '''No bow or crossbow use in Anvil after 21:25 or on quests that start on or after this time'''
Our [[Bow_safety#Bow_Safety|bow safety rules]] prohibit the use of bows and crossbows after "dusk". At this event we are defining that point as 21:25 each day. This means you cannot use a bow in Anvil after this time, or on a skirmish or quest that starts on or after this time.

The necromantic ritual [[Whispers through the Black Gate]] can only be performed for one hour around dusk - at this event that means the ritual can be performed at any time between 20:30 and 21:30.

==Mandates==
* '''You can find details of the mandates, along with the rest of the Synod judgements, [[388YE_Spring Equinox_Synod_judgements#Mandate|here]].'''
A number of [[mandate|mandates]] were successfully upheld in the Imperial Synod last season. As long as the named priest provided sufficient liao, those mandates have been [[Mandate#Implementing_a_Mandate|automatically enacted]].

==Spring Conjunctions==
* '''Last event there were a number of conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate; their known outcomes are listed here'''
During the Spring Equinox, there were a number of [[Sentinel_Gate#Conjunctions|conjunctions]] of the [[Sentinel Gate]] identified by the Imperial prognosticators. In each case, a band of Imperial heroes used that conjunction to travel to a location far from Anvil and intervene in an ongoing situation. These are the known outcomes of those conjunctions. In the case of battles, it is important to remember that the [[Military Council]] can only make use of ''two'' of the major conjunctions each summit, choosing which to take advantage of during the [[Muster]].

===Major Conjunctions===
<table><tr><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Location'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opportunity'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opposition'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Link'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Outcome'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Sarangrave|Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, ''Mantifent's Bier'']]</td><td>Hold back the vallorn</td><td>Druj</td><td>[[Other_monstrous_geographies#Bloodwater Marsh|Bloodwater Marsh]]</td><td>[[Field Marshal]] was '''Andronikos of the Lighthouse-That-Was''' of [[Urizen]]; The five Mantifent Stones were warded; Leadership of the Bilious Breath were killed; Two of the Urizen seers were rescued</td></tr>

<tr><td>[[Mareave|Mareave, Clisearn, ''Ohwinn Scour'']]</td><td>Freeze the Grendel advance</td><td>Grendel</td><td>[[Wide_azure_skies#Battle_Opportunity:_Wealth_of_Water|Wealth of Water]]</td><td>[[Field Marshal]] was '''Skywise Rykana''' of the [[Imperial Orcs]]; Iskanders Donjon was summoned; ''Scutt-Tadgh'' taken back to Anvil using [[Cuckoo's Egg]] and negotiated with; Two of the Tholdie Rotary were rescued, but others were killed; ''Fergus Konnaugh'' succesfully cursed with [[Like Water Through Your Fingers]]; Blades of Evdokia were killed.</td></tr>

<tr><td>[[Sarangrave|Sarangrave, Nesustak Forest, ''Feverbank Trees'']]</td><td>Hold back the vallorn</td><td>Druj</td><td>[[Other_monstrous_geographies#Nesustak Forest|Nesustak Forest]]</td><td>Not taken; Vallornspawn of [[Sarangrave#Béantal_Dol|Béantal Dol]] attacked into Nesustak Forest; Envenomed Claws remain a threat in the area; Fate of the hares of [[Irra Harah]] unknown</td></tr>

<tr><td>[[Mitwold|Mitwold, Meade March, ''Meade Meadow'']]</td><td>Recover Meade's treasures</td><td>Lasambrian Jotun</td><td>[[Where_the_slow_river_flows#Battle_Opportunity:_Plundered_Gold|Plundered Gold]]</td><td>Not taken; Warband of [[Fjorknae]] orcs have been hired; Foot-the-ball trophy lost</td></tr>

<tr><td>[[Bregasland|Bregasland, Grey Fens, ''Drayham Mere'']]</td><td>Erect the Mere Stone</td><td>Jotun</td><td>[[Old_blue_banners_dancing#Battle_Opportunity:_A_Broken_Rock|A Broken Rock]]</td><td>Not taken; Ullsmere Rock stolen; Howling Night have improved their quality; Grey Fens has gained the [[Region_qualities#Haunted|haunted]] quality; Fate of ''Friar Bloughton'' unknown; Grey Walkers remain in the area.</td></tr>

</table>

===Minor Conjunctions===
{|table class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! # !! Location !! Responsibility !! Overview !! Result
|-
| 1 || Reikos, High Chalcis, Emergency Hospital || [[Medical Officer of the Pegasus Respite]] || [[A_bright_cerulean_flame#Opportunity:_Reikos_Influx|Assist the refugees]] || Refugees treated and assisted
|-
| 2 || Hahnmark, Valasmark, The Fallen Tree || '''Morgan Drifting Bough''' || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#Legends_(Hahnmark)|Recover the letter]] || Uncertain, but '''Morgan Drifting Bough''' should know more
|-
| 3 || Hahnmark, Kronemark, Grieversonn Farmstead || '''Eevi of the Gadrai''' || [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_fortune#Meeting_with_Destiny_(Hahnmark)|Meet with Valdr Grieversonn]] || [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_152|Valdr Grieversson was dedicated to Loyalty]]
|-
| 4 || Karov, Wieliczka, Maria's Descent || [[Temeschwar|Senator for Temeschwar]] || Retrieve the Rat Idol from the cultists of the Night Below || Idol successfully recovered
|-
| 5 || Reinos, Bastasor, Beatriz's Field || [[Champion of Ambition]] || [[Gossamer_threads#On_a_Broken_Road_(Segura)|Claim the Lasambrian banner]] || Lasambrian banner recovered
|-
| 6 || Ossium, Drownbark Forest, Sarakov Point || [[Merchant-Boyar of the Stinking Market]] || [[Lean_and_athirst#Lost_Wagon_Raiders_(Ossium)|Investigate wagon raiders acting strangely]] || Several strange items were recovered and the wagon raiders were rid of their spiritual ailments
|-
| 7 || Madruga, Crucible, Egnar Range || [[Rod and Shield|Grandmaster of the Rod and Shield]] || [[Deep_blue_sea#Warp_in_the_Air_(Madruga)|Slay the dire astacids]] || Imperial casualties suffered. Camp of the Sand Crab left in ruins
|-
| 8 || Sarangrave, Turan Flats, Dahis Outskirts || [[Strategos|Strategos of Dawn]] || [[Other_monstrous_geographies#When_The_Light_Fades_Away_(Turan_Flats)|Rescue the sept members from the blinded ghosts]] || Sept members rescued
|-
| 9 || Spiral, Apulus, Broken Lea || [[Oblivion Sentinel]] || [[Deep_blue_sea#Nightfall_(Spiral)|Claim the wage of the Vorlach Adventurers]] || Imperials repulsed. Vorlach Adventurers escaped Spiral.
|-
| 10 || Forest of Ulnak, Grimfen Mire, The Bound Glade || [[High Exorcist]] || [[Voice_irresistable#The_Outer_Dark_(Conjunction)|Recover the Thule's material and clear the ghosts]] || All ghosts exorcised
|-
| 11 || Feroz, Oranseri, Sisters' Meadow || [[Corsair of Oran]] || [[Deep_blue_sea#A_Box_Opens_(Feroz)|Reclaim the Brazen Links]] || Brazen Links reclaimed and returned to the Freeborn egregore
|-
| 12 || Sarangrave, Thornfen, Stonesedge || [[Boyar's_Hasta|General of the Boyar's Hasta]] || [[Other_monstrous_geographies#Part_The_Ways_(Thornfen)|Eliminate the blinded ghosts]] || The blinded ghosts were not eliminated and remain a threat in the area
|-
| 13 || Karsk, Branoc, Hall of the Bloodwise || Named persons || [[Journeys_end_in_lovers_meeting#She_Knows_My_Name|Meet with Taysa of the Black Feathers]] || Uncertain, but named persons should know more
|-
| 14 || Casinea, Syrene, Kaela's Regio || [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of Prosperity]] || [[Journeys_end_in_lovers_meeting#Whatever_happened_to_Mendicant_Garev_(this_time)?|Rescue ''Mendicant Garev'']] || Mendicant Garev rescued. '''Iniska Ashwood''' later raised a [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_172|judgement]] on the matter
|-
| 15 || Mitwold, Meade March, Maggie's Bulwark || [[Bailiff of Meade]] || [[Where_the_slow_river_flows#When_Iron_Melts_%28Conjunction%29|Claim the cache]] || Yegarra defeated. Cache later recovered and sent to the Bailiff of Meade
|-
| 16 || Hercynia, Deer's Folly, Greenmount || [[Vallornguard|Speaker of the Vallornguard]] || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#A_Place_to_Begin_(Hercynia)|Destroy the ettercaps' structure]] || All ettercaps killed and structure destroyed
|-
| 17 || Sermersuaq, Suaq Wastes, Desolate Stretch || [[Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq]] || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#Ways of Honour (Sermersuaq)|Kill ''Hallr Winterborn'']] || ''Hallr Winterborn'' killed and banner recovered
|-
| 18 || Reikos, Chalcis Mount, South Downs || [[Champion of Loyalty]] || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#Questions_of_Control_(Reikos)|Rescue the wounded Highborn]] || All ettercaps killed. Highborn rescued and treated in Anvil
|-
| 19 || Bregasland, The Rushes, Harry's Hole || [[Narwhal's Spear|General of the Narwhal's Spear]] || [[Old_blue_banners_dancing#Crack_in_the_Stone_(Conjunction)|Kill the yegarra]] || Yegarra killed; Narwhal's Spear resupplied
|-
| 20 || Astolat, Withy, Igraine's Regio || [[Astolat|Senator for Astolat]] || [[Ripple_of_echoes#Queen_Igraine's_Regio|Fix the regio]] || Regio fixed. '''Éamon Ashenmourn de Cordraco''' should know more
|-
| 21 || Brocéliande, Elerael, Longberth Trod || [[Knight of the Greenwood]] || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#On_a_Broken_Road_(Brocéliande)|Eliminate the hunting ettercaps]] || All ettercaps killed
|-
| 22 || Sarangrave, Turan Flats, Kullflirn || [[Keeper of the Tower of the Fall]] || [[The_poisoned_air#Desecrators_of_the_Wasteland|Destroy the miasma pillar and stymie Kull]] || Druj all killed and miasma pillar destroyed
|-
| 23 || Ossium, Drownbark Forest, Nadezhda's Enclosure || [[Custodian of the Shchaslyvyy Spile]] || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#Questions of Control (Ossium)|Kill the Kallad]] || Kallad all killed
|-
| 24 || Sarangrave, Thornfen, Overgrown Pillar || [[Gardener of Pallas]] || [[The_poisoned_air#Strangle|Destroy the miasma pillar]] || Miasma pillar destroyed
|-
| 25 || Volodmartz, Murupa, Forest of Blades || [[The Academy]] || Find and destroy the "bandit" vale || "Bandit" vale destroyed
|-
| 26 || Sarangrave, Kroll, Kreeflirn || [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Spring]] || [[The_poisoned_air#Assassins_of_the_Forest|Destroy the two miasma pillars]] || Both miasma pillars destroyed. Some Imperial casualties
|-
| 27 || Volodmartz, Livardz, Sunless Vale || [[Grieftender of the Forgotten]] || [[Sunrise_over_Livardz#The_Shadow_Ghosts|End the suffering of the Shadow Fellowship]] || Suffering of Shadow Fellowship ended
|-
| 28 || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Toxic Pillar || [[Apothecaries Guild|Guild Leader of the Apothecaries Guild]] || [[The_poisoned_air#Suffocate|Destroy the miasma pillar]] || Miasma pillar destroyed
|-
| 29 || Karsk, Crowslook, Skylost Clearing || [[Apothecaries Guild|Guild Leader of the Apothecaries Guild]] || [[Lean_and_athirst#Embers_and_Ash_(Karsk)|Treat the Gregadze]] || Situation unclear, but the Speaker of Apothecaries Guild should know more
|-
| 30 || Sarangrave, Thornfen, Haunted Pillar || [[High Exorcist]] || [[The_poisoned_air#Scream|Destroy the miasma pillar]] || Miasma pillar destroyed
|-
| 31 || Kallavesa, West Marsh, Gull's Isle Hall || '''Ingrid Talon-of-the-Mark''' || [[Who_counts_the_path_untaken%3F#To_the_Meeting_Place_(Conjunction)|Engage in the hetjuveisla]] || Hetjuveisla engaged in. Those who went should know more
|-
| 32 || Feroz, Afarjasse, Abril's Pasture || [[Dhomiro of Afar]] || [[Gossamer_threads#Nature_of_Pain_(Feroz)|Stop the Hand of Dumon]] || Hand of Dumon killed, herd of Afar is safe
|-
| 33 || Arbonne, Laufette, Solden Farm || [[Minister of Historical Research]] || [[Gossamer_threads#The_Perils_of_Marko_Siwarsbairn_(Arbonne)|Sort the situation out]] || Hand of Dumon killed. Marko Siwarsbairn rescued.
|-
| 34 || Sarvos, Uccelini, Bertolli's Glebe || [[Ambassador to the Iron Confederacy]] || [[Gossamer_threads#Tears_From_Steel_(Sarvos)|Stop the Hand of Dumon]] || Hand of Dumon killed
|-
| 35 || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Dandelion Glade || [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Responsibility_for_Nesustak_Conjunction|'''Sławomir Rabovich Bolotstrazh''']] || [[Your_hand_in_mine#The_Solution_to_the_Problem|Meet with the rebels]] || Uncertain, but the named citizens should know more
|-
|}

Any dream will do

2026-07-19T22:56:00Z

Hailmur: Created page with "Category:Winds of FortuneCategory:388YE Summer <ic> "I like to think of it like your Great Dance! We'll find a city, and we'll ask them to be our dance-partner. We will create something magical together!" Alcuin stared at the bishop with a look half way between outrage and contempt. "It's ''nothing'' like the Great Dance", he said as a stop gap to keep from swearing. He liked Bishop Bertolli - of all the bishops in Sarvos, Bertolli gave the best tips whenever Al..."

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:388YE Summer]]
<ic>
"I like to think of it like your Great Dance! We'll find a city, and we'll ask them to be our dance-partner. We will create something magical together!"

Alcuin stared at the bishop with a look half way between outrage and contempt. "It's ''nothing'' like the Great Dance", he said as a stop gap to keep from swearing. He liked Bishop Bertolli - of all the bishops in Sarvos, Bertolli gave the best tips whenever Alcuin brought him a letter. But honestly, you could go off people.

"Oh c'mon, it's a bit like it, surely? It's about becoming partners of a kind, like a marriage, so that we grow rich by joining our fates and our fortunes. That's a bit like dancing!"

The navarr opened and closed his mouth. Twice. "Firstly, I don't know what kind of dancing you enjoy, Bishop, but you should let me take you to Song and Story some time. Real dancing is ''not'' about growing rich. And secondly the Great Dance is about ''people'' - it's about people changing partners and people changing their lives. It's about helping ''people'' to find the right place for them to be."

The bishop refused to be acknowledge the protestations. "Right - and that's what we want to do! We want to find some people and help them find the right place for them to be."

"And their right place just happens to be in the League?"

"It will be, if we can persuade them," the bishop grinned.
</ic>
<div style="float: left; width: 300px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly League.png|caption=The Assembly of the League has announced its highest calling; to seek out those who would do well in the Great Game and invite them.|width=300px}}</div>
==Overview==
The Assembly of [[the League]] have declared bringing sapient beings of all kinds into the Empire and [[the Way]] of Virtue and into the League in particular to be [[The_highest_calling#The_Highest_Calling|their highest calling]].

The League is truly cosmopolitan. The Assembly cited the examples of [[Holberg]] and [[Spiral#Apulian|Apulian]] - both cities that once homed distinct peoples with their own histories but who chose to join the Great Game and become part of the League. Now Holberg is the greatest city in the world, while Apulian has become a city of wondrous secrets. Anyone can find a place in this nation - if they want to embrace the spirit of the nation. They were the first human nation to admit orcs, accepting that anyone who ''can'' play the Great Game is welcome to a seat at the table.
{{SOP|statement=The League has successfully attracted other peoples into the Empire - witness Holberg and Apulian! We urge you to use your ingenuity and cleverness to identify who might next join the League and how we might attract them to be a partner in our great game. We seek to bring other sapient beings from all species into our great Empire and to the Way of Virtue, and where better to come then to this League of great cities. This is our highest calling.|by=Lia Adelaar van Holberg,League Assembly|vote={{GM}} 404-0|when=Spring 388YE}}
==Where to look==
The assembly have made clear that their highest calling is to find new partners in the great game. But where to look? Within the border of the Empire, there are various groups of foreigners who might be persuaded to join the League - both orc and human. In every case, there is a reason why the group has ''not'' become Imperial citizens already - reasons that would need to be addressed before the Assembly's ambition could be made reality.

Further afield, there are cities not so far away which the League could dream to one day marry to their eternal bond. It was this kind of foresight and outreach that made both Holberg and Apulian choose to partner with the League. Arguably, the same kind of thinking led Maria Ivanova of Temeschwar to join with Barell of Tassato when Aldones di Sarvos proposed the founding of the nation. One could even argue that Sarvos and Tassato achieved their independence from Highguard through diplomacy.

Finally, there is the most enigmatic aspect of the assembly's judgement. They are careful to name "sapient beings from all species" as those they wish to reach out to. Orcs and humans both number amongst the League's citizens... but who else might join them? An interesting question indeed...

==Partners within==
* '''Each season the League Assembly can use a mandate to name a different group of people, orcs or humans in the Empire they would like to recruit'''
* '''The opportunity is available each season until the start of the Summer Solstice 389YE'''
* '''The statement must name a different League archetype each time that will spearhead the engagement'''

The easiest option is reaching out to groups of foreigners within the Empire who might be persuaded to join the League. There are some obvious candidates, perhaps, but there are all sorts of small groups of orcs or humans who dwell within the Empire who could join the League with the right approach. After all, the thing that fundamentally defines the nation of the League is the promise of opportunity that lies at the heart of urban life. People can bring parts of their culture with them and fold it into the cosmopolitan embrace of Leagueish life in a way that is simply not possible with any other nation within the Empire.

The League Assembly can use a mandate to identify the group the nation should focus on. It could be broadly defined - "all non-Imperial citizens living in (named) territory" - or very specific; there are pros and cons to both approaches. The mandate will need to name a specific League archetype and ask them to take the lead on the approach. That will influence the approach and affect the outcome, so it is important to choose carefully.

The opportunity is available for a year, but it will need to be a different group targeted each season and a different archetype each time. This is the League's highest calling, but even so, one group of citizens can't devote the whole year to this - Leaguers have busy lives to lead!

As such, from the Summer Solstice 388YE and for every summit following before the Summer Solstice 389YE, the League Assembly could pass this mandate.

{{Mandate|mandate=Nothing is beyond our grasp. We send (named priest) with 25 doses of liao to urge {archetype} to reach out to {chosen group} to find ways to persuade them of the benefits of a seat at the great game. Even the most impenetrable forest may fall one tree at a time|assembly=League Assembly}}

This is no guarantee of any kind that any group that the League approaches will agree to join the nation, but the mandate is guaranteed to create an [[opportunity]] to build links with the group, improve relations and bring them closer to the League.

There is one final option. The League could reach out to a group within the Empire who are ''already'' citizens - but who for some reason are unhappy in their current nation - and encourage them to join the League. Obviously, this would be an act of supreme Ambition, and it would likely be very politically significant in its ramifications. But you can't cut down an impenetrable forest without swinging a few axes... At the end of the day, what League citizen would dispute the claim that the League way of life is simply better than that of other nations? What if there were some citizens within the Empire who might agree?

==Partners without==
* '''Instead of reaching out to a group inside the Empire's border they could reach out to a foreign city'''
* '''The Assembly could mandate one League city approach a foreign city to try to improve links with them'''
* '''This could be any large town or city in a foreign or barbarian power or the same continent as the Empire'''

Years ago, Sarvos and Tassato were Highborn cities, outposts of the civilisation of the Patricians that ruled at Pharos. Eventually, they made their break with the Highborn, but it was not done as an act of military rebellion. When the day came, they declared themselves free citys, and somehow both managed to maintain reasonable relations with their erstwhile kin. Similarly, Temeschwar became part of the League without a sword being drawn. The years before Holberg became Imperial are somewhat blurred by time and history, but it's well known that the League forged friendships with the burghers that led to Holberg joining the League long before the Dawnish claimed the territory. And as for Apulian... well. That is quite recent history, after all. It would not be true to say that it was a totally bloodless transition, or without rancour, but it is another example of a city joining the League without any army needing to conquer it.

The Assembly's chosen highest calling evokes this history. It is natural to think about other cities - and to dream that perhaps one day they could be part of the League. However, as the Church of the Little Mother teaches, dreams are for orphans with empty bellies - hard work is what makes the world go round. Better, therefore, to think of hard beginnings instead of triumphant conclusions. No city is going to join the Empire overnight - or even ever, but it would lead to an [[opportunity]] to entwine the fate of the two cities, in a way that would draw their mutual fates closer together.

Approaching a foreign town or city would need a different approach. Rather than lean on a single archetype, the Assembly would need to ask one of the five cities to take the lead. Not unlike a [[The_League_culture_and_customs#Relationships|League marriage]], it would be a formal approach looking to create permanent bonds between the two cities. It sounds fanciful, but there are some who describe Tassato Mestra and Tassato Regario as a pair of lovers bound in fractious matrimony.

{{Mandate|mandate=The Virtuous build up their fellows. We send {named citizen} with 25 liao to urge {League city} to reach out to {foreign city} to show them the advantages of becoming part of the greatest alliance of city-states the world has even seen. Let us marry our fates together.|assembly=League Assembly}}

If this mandate is enacted, one city of the League will approach the chosen foreign town or city to demonstrate the advantages that being part of the League offers. This is not an invitation to join the League, it is a request to get up and dance. It would open up a conversation with the people of that city but it would be guaranteed to provide an [[opportunity]] to draw the city closer to the League's orbit.

That ''might'' mean that if other circumstances leant that way - if the city's territory was being otherwise invaded, or liberated, or simply threatened in some way that was truly fateful - then an opportunity ''might'' arise for the city to join the League. Some like to dream of the day the League has a dozen twenty territories under its belt! Surely impossible... but few people ever lost money overestimating the League.

There are two key limitations. It is not possible to choose a city that the Empire simply does not know ''anything'' about, and it would have to really be a significant town or city. And crucially, it would need to be a city that is nearby - that is on the same continent as the Empire. No city within the orbit of Sumaah or Asavea, for example, is going to have the slightest interest in this approach. It just is not possible to meaningfully entwine the destiny of one of the League's cities with somewhere half the world away - the affairs of the Great Powers of the world take place at a fundamentally different scale.

Still, from the citadels of [[Axos]] to the bustling [[Faraden]] mining town of Caitun, there are many towns and cities within the Empire's orbit that the League could build up. It would need to build up the city; of course, this approach won't work if the League is trying to tear them down. For that reason, the League might do well to consider carefully before approaching the city of a barbarian or hostile power like Dubhtraig or [[Foreign_ports#Robec|Robec]]. The opportunity would still be there - but do the League ''really'' want to find ways to benefit the city of Dubhtraig in the middle of a war with the [[Grendel]]?

The two mandates are in [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|competition with each other]]. If both were passed in the same season, the mandate with the highest margin would apply.

==Partners beyond==
* '''Life in the League is cosmopolitan - in theory other species could join'''
* '''The Empire does not know of any other sentient species who might plausibly join, ''at this time'' '''
* '''The League will be ready to take advantage if that situation ever changes'''

The Assembly went out of its way to emphasise that they wished to "bring other sapient beings from all species" to join the League. It is a noble statement - one that goes further even than the recent [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Enlightenment|Doctrine of Enlightenment]] in pointedly not limiting their welcome to orcs and humans.

The issue is that there simply are no other species the Empire knows of who might conceivably join the League. The hylje of the north are certainly [[Among the hylje|spiritually unlike human or orc]], but if they could ever join an Imperial nation, it would surely be [[Wintermark]]. The fact that they have ''not'' joined suggests that perhaps they cannot. There is something about their nature that is fundamentally formless and ephemeral. Any student of magic knows that the essential nature of things is fundamental to how they act and exist, but the hylje seem able to change their forms more easily, and perhaps - if the darker rumours of the links between the hylje and the akhlut are true - change their nature fundamentally. Whatever the essential nature of a hylje is, it may be beyond the egregore bond to grasp.

There are other sapient creatures in the world. Trolls exist - and the Empire knows of one, perhaps two living trolls, and neither wants much to do with the world nor would it seem prudent to entwine the affairs of the League with creatures whose doom is carved into their very being. No - it is hard to imagine that a troll could ever join the league.

It's hard to be sure what the true nature of a sovereign is - indeed, it is likely that there are as many answers to that as there are sovereigns. They don't tend to have malleable natures, but their natures are bound up in some tight way with the darkness that exists in the north-east of the world. King Rat, the mysterious sovereign who lays claim to the underbelly of Temeschwar, is one such. There are rumours that this being, or more precisely a representative thereof, was seeking to join the League - and that many wished to accept its wish to do so. This might be possible - though the League might want to think exceptionally carefully before formally welcoming a monstrosity into their midst.

A few magicians suggest that the denizens of the Autumn realm are halfway to being League citizens already, but this betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the realms. There is something profoundly different between a city of the Iron Labyrinth and a city of the League. Every citizen of Sarvos has traits in common, but they are all unique individuals with their own loyalties. Every inhabitant of the [[Ephisis|City of Lead and Gold]] has traits that set them apart, and yet fundamentally they all seem to share the same ethos, the same loyalties, the same core desires. A pair of identical twins from the League have more to set them apart than a pair of Ephisus heralds like Crown and Patina. No herald could ever join the League, nor any other Imperial nation for that matter, no matter how much superficial resemblance there was.

Finally, there are the daeva of the [[Commonwealth]]. Not a lot is known about these people. They rarely frequent Leerdam or any of the known Commonwealth ports, and even those who have spent a lot of time in the Commonwealth say that they are an uncommon sight. Despite recognising them as people in the Liberty Pact, in truth, the Empire does not have a clear idea about what they even look like. As far as anyone knows, they are only found on the continent across the Sea of Steel, inhabited by [[Jarm]] and the Commonwealth. There are simply no daeva that anyone knows about who live close enough to the Empire to make an approach worthwhile.

It is a worthy aim, but there simply are no other sapient beings that the League could approach at this time. But who knows? Times change, and sometimes more quickly than anyone can imagine. By making embracing sapient beings their highest calling, the League put a permanent marker in the [[The_League_culture_and_customs#Reckoners|reckoners]] books. If the day ever arises when that marker comes due... then people will remember what was said all those years ago. If the time does come to welcome other sapient beings into the Empire, the League will be ready...

388YE Summer Solstice winds of fortune

2026-07-19T22:49:17Z

Hailmur: /* Winds of Fortune */

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Recent History]]
<div {{floatleft}}>{{CaptionedImage|file=Remnants of tales.jpg|align=left|caption=News spreads through word of mouth as fast as it does through broadsheets and posters, and is sometimes more reliable. Or at least, unreliable in more amusing ways...|width=2000}}</div>
==Overview==
<div {{float}}>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
! Wind of Fortune !! Order Released !! Last Updated || Note
|-
| [[In the Court of Far Horizons]] || 1 || data-sort-value="2026/07/03"| 03/07 || Appraisal
|-
| [[Satraps of the Abyss]] || 2 || data-sort-value="2026/07/04"| 04/07 || Appraisal
|-
| [[The Oran operation]] || 3 || data-sort-value="2026/07/05"| 05/07 || Appraisal
|-
| [[Viridian nemesis]] || 4 || data-sort-value="2026/07/06"| 06/07 || Navarr Highest Calling
|-
| [[Love and monsters]] || 5 || data-sort-value="2026/07/13"| 13/07 || Dawn Highest Calling
|-
| [[The right answer]] || 6 || data=sort-value="2026/07/13"| 13/07 || Assembly of the Way Highest Calling
|-
| [[A lasting commitment]] || 7 || data=sort-value="2026/07/13"| 13/07 || Assembly of Ambition Highest Calling
|-
| [[Six sheets to the wind]] || 8 || data=sort-value="2026/07/15"| 15/07 || Challenge the Iron Duke
|-
| [[A horn blast of victory]] || 9 || data=sort-value="2026/07/15"| 15/07 || Imperial Address
|-
| [[Ambassadors of death]] || 10 || data=sort-value="2026/07/17"| 17/07 || Plenipotentiary
|-
| [[War games]] || 11 || data=sort-value="2026/07/17"| 17/07 || Jarm and Commonwealth Diplomacy
|-
| [[All laudable qualities]] || 12 || data=sort-value="2026/07/17"| 17/07 || Proscription Symposium
|-
| [[Full circles]] || 13 || data=sort-value="2026/07/17"| 17/07 || Sevenfold Path and Jarm
|-
| [[This is the end]] || 14 || data=sort-value="2026/07/17"| 17/07 || Apulian
|-
| [[The brightest flame]] || 15 || data=sort-value="2026/07/18"| 18/07 || Peerless Kinship
|-
| [[The shadows fall behind you]] || 16 || data=sort-value="2026/07/18"| 18/07 || Inspirational Location
|-
| [[Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange]] || 17 || data=sort-value="2026/07/18"| 18/07 || Ephisis
|}</div>
Over the past three months, events have taken place which are of significance to the Empire and may require a response from her champions. These are the winds of fortune, counterparts to the winds of war that detail the Empire's military campaigns. They lay out situations and usually include things that characters can do to take advantage of [[opportunity|opportunities]] or to resolve problems. In almost every case, they start with a piece of flavour text. This fiction helps introduce the wind of fortune or draws out a particular theme or element. Often, it represents a viewpoint that one or more NPCs might have in-character. In all cases, these pieces are intended to help create an atmosphere and provide a little entertainment. Where they contain opinions, those are the opinions of the fictional people depicted - and where they contain information or rumours, the assumption is that the reader will create their own context for that information or gossip if they want to use it in character.

The body of the wind of fortune describes situations and lays out ways players can engage with them. Except where we explicitly talk about something being "rumoured" or use a phrase like "some might say..." the details of a wind of fortune are factual. They represent briefing material presented by the civil service or similar authoritative sources and represent something the average educated citizen would acknowledge as a reliable truth. Unless we specify otherwise, we're also being as thorough as possible. This information doesn't need further checking in-character. It's not an opinion, and we're not trying to trick you.
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:350px; float: left; margin: 10px;"
|-
! Nation !! Diplomacy Wind
|-
| [[Commonwealth]] || [[War games]]
|-
| [[Principalities of Jarm|Jarm]] || [[War games]]
|-
|}

As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of Fortune is to maintain the illusion of the Empire as a living, breathing place where things happen - and to make players aware of things their characters could know based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing for the past three months. It's perfectly acceptable to turn up to Empire having read only a few Winds of Fortune that directly interest your character; part of the fun on the field can come from learning about situations and opportunities in other parts of the game.

In each case, we've tried to tag the Winds of Fortune entry with the nations or political bodies to which it is most relevant. We've done this to help people who are interested only in events that are especially relevant to them. In no way are these tags intended to be exhaustive; the Empire is a complex place, and very little happens in isolation. We are also adding the dates that they were last updated (other than typos and correcting [[red links]]) in an attempt to make it easier to keep track of the newest releases.
__TOC__

==Winds of Fortune==
===In the Court of Far Horizons===
* '''Throne; Senate; Fleet owners; Ambassadors; titles involved in international trade'''
At the recent summit, [[the Throne]] requested that the [[Scrutiny#Constitutional_Court|Constitutional Court]] [[Forever_is_composed_of_nows#The_Abraham_Gambit|appraise the implications]] of a new [[Imperial sodality]], the ''Court of Far Horizons''. Magistrate Abraham has conducted an analysis of the constitutional implications of the new sodality's provisional manifesto. Abraham notes that the manifesto is "bold and vigorous" in establishing its remit, but that means that some of the implications are far-reaching... which can be both a good and a bad thing depending on where you stand.

You can read about Abraham's findings, as well as some proposals from interested parties, in the '''[[In the Court of Far Horizons]]''' wind of fortune.
===Satraps of the Abyss===
* '''Conclave; Ambassador to Sumaah; scholars of magic and the eternal realms'''
The [[Senate]] has taken advantage of an opportunity brokered by the [[Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic|Ambassador]] Accalon to engage in a spot of magical cooperation with the [[Sumaah Republic]]. Freshly-appointed prognosticator ''[[Appraisal#Lisane de Terresford|Lisane de Terresford]]'' has been sent to ''[[appraisal|appraise]] how the High Houses of Virtue and the Imperial Conclave can find ways to co-operate in interactions with [[eternal|eternals]]''. While Lisane is expected to be engaged for the next several seasons, she has dispatched a preliminary report on her findings; a review of the relation between the magicians and the Präster of the republic - and the dealings they have with the creatures of the [[realms]].

You can read about Lisane's findings, and about the opportunity for the Conclave to assist, in the '''[[Satraps of the Abyss]]''' wind of fortune.
===The Oran Operation===
* '''The Brass Coast, especially citizens of Feroz and Madruga; Imperial Senate; Military Council'''
The river Scorrero broke its banks several years ago, and washed away the dreadful threat of the ''dry patricians''. As a consequence of the wild river rising, the bridges connecting Madruga and Feroz were washed away. Last season, the Senate accepted [[An_arrow_nocked_and_in_flight#A_Garden_Proposal|an offer]] from the ''Protectorate of Morajasse'' to apply their expertise to the challenge of reconnecting the eastern Brass Coast. Their [[appraisal]] of the situation has been submitted, with notes added by the [[Appraisal#The_Prognosticators_Office|Prognosticators Office]], and involves a major feat of engineering in the southern Empire.

You can learn about their proposal, and some changes that might make it a little more feasible, in the '''[[The Oran operation]]''' wind of fortune.
===Viridian Nemesis===
* '''The League; Navarr; the Vallornguard; Loyalty assembly; Senate; Military Council'''
The [[The highest calling|highest calling]] of the [[Navarr]] is to share their long experience fighting the [[vallorn]] with other nations. Last season, they [[Cup_of_choices|chose to work]] with the people of [[Urizen]]; now the Navarr National Assembly has urged their people to embrace the citizens of [[the League]] to arm and armour them for the upcoming battle with the Doom of Terunael. Once again, the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies|Loyalty Assembly]] has supported the cause, calling upon those whose heart drives them towards the destruction of ''Terun's Folly''.

You can read about the proposals put forward to help the League fight the vallorn, some of which are somewhat esoteric, in the '''[[Viridian nemesis]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float: right; width: 175px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly Dawn.png|width=200px}}</div>
===Love and Monsters===
* '''Dawn, especially the national assembly; Senate; vallornguard; Knight of the Greenwood'''
The Earl of Fools has convinced the National Assembly that the fight against the [[vallorn]] is the [[The_highest_calling#The_Highest_Calling|highest calling]] of the [[Dawn|Dawnish]] people. With [[the Barrens]] won and the [[Druj]] crumbling beneath the Empire's anvil and the [[Thule|Thule's]] hammer, surely it makes sense to focus on the next threat to their prize. The vallorn has not one but ''three'' hearts adjacent to the sprawling expanse of the Barrens - and so defeating it will be a truly glorious endeavour! Plus, the idea of a great, glorious war against the vallorn is more than enough to stir the blood of the people of the most splendid nation in the Empire!

You can learn about the opportunities presented by this highest calling, both for the assembly and the rest of the nation, in the '''[[Love and monsters]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float: right; width: 175px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Labyrinth.jpg|width=200px}}</div>

===The Right Answer===
* '''Assembly of the Way; Imperial Synod'''
The Assembly of the way have found the [[The_highest_calling#The_Highest_Calling|highest calling]] of those priests who commit themselves to the faith as a whole rather than any single virtue. Formally the Assembly of the Way is expected to be responsible for the [[Inquisition#Virtue|integrity of the Way itself]]. Many in the Assembly dedicate themselves to creating a more perfect understanding of the Way, even as they strive to maintain the fidelity of the [[Doctrines of the Faith]]. Such exploration is never without risk, however, and as recent events have shown revelation can shake the foundations of the Way. However, by making the need to test the faith their highest calling, the Assembly of the Way has an opportunity to examine the faith in a way that tries to ensure that nothing disastrous can happen.

You can learn about what this might involve, and the opportunities and costs involved, in the '''[[The right answer]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:right; width: 175px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly_Ambition.png|align=right|width=200}}</div>
===A Lasting Commitment===
* '''Ambition assembly; Highguard; Senate'''
The [[Ambition]] assembly has declared their own [[The_highest_calling#The_Highest_Calling|highest calling]], one that is as challenging as it is aspirational. The [[Construct_Grand_Inspiration_of_the_Way|Grand Inspiration of the Way]] is well underway, but if it can be completed within the next few seasons it will be a capstone not only to the Imperial faith but for the virtue of Ambition. Just the idea of declaring something to be a highest calling embraces the Virtue of Ambition, but even so this is an extraordinary thing to attempt. There is still a vast amount of work to be done, but there is nothing more Ambitious than achieving the impossible....

You can learn about the Ambition assembly highest calling, and how it applies to the Grand Inspiration of the Way, in the '''[[A lasting commitment]]''' wind of fortune.

===Six Sheets to the Wind (Challenge the Iron Duke)===
* '''Challengers of the Iron Duke'''
<div style="float:right; width: 175px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=BarienArt.jpg|align=right|width=200}}</div>
Each season, the eternal ''[[Barien]]'' presents opportunities to those prepared to [[Challenge the Iron Duke]]. For the Summer Solstice, he has offered two challenges: a grand melee in the arena and a game of carefully manoeuvring a boat on a map. As ever, the rules of the ritual apply. Each person who receives the ritual will be ''guaranteed'' entry to a challenge. Depending on the challenge, they ''may'' be able to bring a certain number of attendants with them to assist. The exact number will depend on the nature of the challenge and the number of challengers. The [[civil service]] will publish exact numbers in [[Anvil#The_Hub|the Hub]] on Saturday morning for all to see.

You can find details of the challenges issued by Barien this season in the '''[[Six sheets to the wind]]''' wind of fortune.

===A Horn Blast of Victory (Imperial Address)===
* '''Imperial citizens; Dawn; Generals of Dawn; Earls of Dawn; People interested in oaths'''
[[Emperor Vesna]] has used their power to [[The_Throne#Address_the_Empire|address the Empire]] to present a personal message to all Imperial citizens, but especially those of [[Dawn]] following their victory against the manticore. Now, the people of Dawn look towards the end of the [[Druj]].

The message has been distributed across the Empire by the civil service, and you can read it in the '''[[A horn blast of victory]]''' wind of fortune.
===Ambassadors of Death (Plenipotentiary)===
* '''Imperial Conclave; magicians; General of the Black Thorns, Senator for Miaren; practitioners of Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust; Ambassadors to Jarm and the Commonwealth, Grandmaster of the Celestial Arch; Knight-protector of Autumn, Dawnish enchanters; practitioners of From the Mouths of Babes; Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path, Cardinal of Wisdom; practitioners of Forge the Wooden Fastness, Marcher landskeepers, magistrates'''
Each of the six [[archmage|archmages]] are empowered to send a [[Archmage#Plenipotentiary|plenipotentiary]] message to an [[eternal]] of their [[Realms|realm]] each season. Those eternals are bound to respond, although ''how'' exactly they respond is broadly up to them. Following the Spring Equinox, six - sorry ''five'' - eternals have responded to what are presumed to be missives from the respective archmages. One of the realms is not represented and, perhaps fittingly given its nature, conspicuous in absence.

You can find out about the eternals, and the nature of their responses, in the '''[[Ambassadors of death]]''' wind of fortune.

===All Laudable Qualities===
* '''People interested in Symposia; the ''Raboviches'' of False Hopes; People interested in proscriptions'''
At the Winter Solstice 387YE, the [[General Assembly]] [[Stones_in_the_wellspring#A_Convocation_of_Condemnation|supported a call]] for a symposium to discuss [[proscription|proscriptions]]. The [[Assembly of the Nine]] subsequently confirmed that '''Wulfric of the Marches''', the Member of the [[Synod]] who originally called for the symposium, would be charged with leading it. He has apparently sworn an oath, and though the wording of that oath is not common knowledge, it was deemed good enough for the Nine.

You can find out more about the upcoming symposium in the '''[[All laudable qualities]]''' wind of fortune.
===Full Circles===
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrderSevenfoldPath.jpg|align=right|width=175}}
* '''Sevenfold Path; Synod'''
In addition to fighting the [[Cold Sun]] in the east, magicians of the [[Sevenfold Path]] have been making contacts with a community of [[Principalities of Jarm|Jarmish]] pilgrims called the ''Convocation of Virtue''. The magicians of the Convocation seem friendly and enthused by the idea of discussing their faith with the visiting magicians. Adherents of the Way, their approach to the faith has been shaped by relative isolation from the Empire and Sumaah, although that may be more by choice than anything else. With a gift of [[liao]], with the backing of the [[Conclave]], and against a backdrop of [[War games|political chaos]], magicians of the Sevenfold Path have been able to get closer to these foreign pilgrims and a learn a little more about who they are.

You too can discover more about the Jarmish Convocation of Virtue, and opportunities to cultivate closer ties with them, in the '''[[Full circles]]''' wind of fortune.
===This is the End===
* '''Citizens of Apulian; Citizens of Spiral; Map to the City Below; Custodian of the Vicente School and Orphanage; Folk invoved in the fight between cats and birds; Conclave; Senate; Urizeni cat-lovers'''
The odd dramaturgic confluence that began in the city of [[Spiral#Apulian|Apulian]] more than a year ago, seems to have a reached a crescendo. Against a backdrop of running battles in the Apulian streets between strangely-coloured cats with mispaired eyes and songbirds with rainbow feathers, a cadre of military units arrives in the city to help Sofonisba Amilcara "map the city below". Under a potent [[Night magic]] enchantment, beneath skies filled with [[Things go awry|chaotic stars]], and within shouting distance of the {{Black Plateau}}...

You can learn about how this went, and some implications for the future, in the '''[[This is the end]]''' wind of fortune.
===The Brightest Flame (Peerless Kinship)===
{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly_Highborn.png|align=right|width=150}}{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly_Freeborn.png|align=right|width=170}}
* '''Highborn and Freeborn, especially members of the respective assembly; Senate'''
The [[Highguard|Highborn]] have once again expressed their [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Peerless_Kinship|peerless kinship]], this time offering support to their cousins in [[the Brass Coast]]. They have identified the [[On_the_road_ahead#City_of_Passions|ascendant Firebrand movement]], whose embers have been stoked both by [[mandate]] and by the commissioning of the [[On_the_road_ahead#City_of_Wonders|City of Wonders]], as a matter of concern. As the Freeborn assembly calls for unity in the shared pursuit of virtue, morality and the ever-changing Way. the [[The_Brass_Coast_culture_and_customs#Hospitality|famously hospitable]] folk of [[the Brass Coast]] throw open their doors and welcome their guests to [[Segura#Anduz|Anduz]]. Together they explore the implications of the ''firebrand'' movement, what it might mean for the Brass Coast, and how it might theoretically be channelled in service of the Empire.

You can learn about the philosophies of the firebrand movement, and the outcome of the peerless kinship, in the '''[[The brightest flame]]''' wind of fortune.
===Shadows Fall Behind You===
* '''Ambition Assembly; General Assembly; Urizen and Wintermark; Ambassador to the Grendel'''
The ripples of the wave that broke on the shores of [[Redoubt]] continue to wash across the Empire. The [[Flames_and_the_dark#The_Dream_Master|opportunity to create]] an [[inspirational location]] at the [[Redoubt#Elos|Elos]] docks using the last banner of the [[Fist of the Mountains]] has resulted in a [[writ of consecration]]. The [[Synod]] have indicated that they do intend to [[consecration|consecrate]] the restored docks, and 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 banner that is ''Umarth's legacy''.
<div style="float:right; width: 175px; clear: left;">[[file:Ephisis001.webp |align=right|width=175]]</div>
You can learn about the writ of consecration, and opportunities it would create, in the '''[[The shadows fall behind you]]''' wind of fortune.

===Propensity to Truck, Barter, and Exchange===
* '''Entrepreneurs and traders; practitioners of Ephisis' Scale; members of the Golden Pyramid conclave order'''
[[Inhabitants of the realms#Heralds|Heralds]] from the [[Ephisis|Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead]] have become regular attendants of the Hall of Worlds towards the end of each summit. They seek to make deals with Imperial citizens who have submitted their goods for potential sale via the [[Ephisis' Scale]] ritual. For the most part, trades have been largely successful and have brought Prosperity to both parties. Recently, though, the volatile nature of the markets has raised some concern among Imperial magicians. In response, the heralds related to the market have put together a comprehensive list of the kinds of things they are interested in buying - and selling. They're also trialling a new idea, in which merchants who are able to reach the Hall of Worlds can secure contracts to provide specific goods in bulk for known rewards, as well as discussing the matter of patronage for the [[Golden Pyramid]] order in general.

You can learn about the guidance from the City of Gold and Lead, and about new systems being trialled, in the '''[[Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange]]''' wind of fortune.
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly League.png|align=right|width=200}}</div>
===Any Dream Will Do===
* '''League Assembly'''
The [[League]] Assembly has declared its own [[The_highest_calling#The_Highest_Calling|highest calling]]; to bring in sapient beings of all kinds into the Empire and [[the Way]] of Virtue and into the League in particular. The five cities are cosmopolitan, and their people diverse, but there will be challenges ahead. The question of who to approach is one thing, and of ''who'' to send specifically is another thing altogether. However, even the largest forest can be felled one tree at a time. The question that stymies some is which tree to start with.

You can learn about the League Assembly's highest calling and what it means for the nation, in the '''[[Any dream will do]]''' wind of fortune.

==Diplomatic Winds==
Each season, the Civil Service prepares a summary of the Empire's relationship with the foreign nations, based on communications received from their ambassador, along with any useful intelligence gathered from other sources. While the [[Senate]] and the other houses of Imperial power may respond to these offers, it is important to note that it is the appropriate [[ambassador]] that the foreign power will expect to hear from. Their communication with the foreign power is the primary element that will determine the tenor of any response.

These winds of fortune deal with the Empire's diplomatic relationship with one or more foreign or barbarian nations. Usually, the wind is shaped by communications from the appropriate [[ambassador]] or the [[Imperial Consul]]. While these winds revolve around international matters, their focus is still on the Empire and what its citizens can do to influence diplomatic matters, so they're as likely as any other wind to contain something of interest to characters from all walks of life.

===War Games===
* '''Ambassadors to Jarm and the Commonwealth; Imperial Senate; Imperial Conclave; all sorts of fleet captains; most of the other Ambassadors'''
The [[Commonwealth]] and the [[Principalities of Jarm]] are at war not only with each other, but with the forces of [[Cold Sun]]. The tiny country of Lantir is no more and attempts to contain the incursion [[Weaving_tangled_nets#Against_the_Cold_Sun|have failed]]. Imperial soldiers and magicians remain engaged in the east fighting the ''scions'' of destruction. Yet even in this time of heightened conflict, the wheels of diplomacy continue to turn... and sometimes those same wheels snag your sleeve and before you know it your entire arm has been crushed to pulp.

You can find out about the three-way war in the east, and Imperial involvement therein, in the '''[[War games]]''' wind of fortune.

==Other Events==
===Alongside the Earthquake Drummers===
* '''People interested in the Thule conquest of the Forest of Ulnak'''
Shortly after the Winter Solstice 387YE, several military units from across the Empire travelled to north-eastern [[Ossium]], to [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_interlude#Support_Earthquake_Drummers|support the Earthquake Drummers]]. The leaders of those military units received a report at the Spring Equinox 388YE, detailing how the campaign progressed over the season. Over the past few months, rumours and details from that season in the [[Forest of Ulnak]] have spread. Any Imperial citizen can be aware of the details of this report.

You can read the report first received at the last summit in '''[[Alongside the Earthquake Drummers]]'''.

===Dusk===
* '''For this event we are defining dusk as beginning at 20:30 and ending at 21:30'''
* '''No bow or crossbow use in Anvil after 21:25 or on quests that start on or after this time'''
Our [[Bow_safety#Bow_Safety|bow safety rules]] prohibit the use of bows and crossbows after "dusk". At this event we are defining that point as 21:25 each day. This means you cannot use a bow in Anvil after this time, or on a skirmish or quest that starts on or after this time.

The necromantic ritual [[Whispers through the Black Gate]] can only be performed for one hour around dusk - at this event that means the ritual can be performed at any time between 20:30 and 21:30.

==Mandates==
* '''You can find details of the mandates, along with the rest of the Synod judgements, [[388YE_Spring Equinox_Synod_judgements#Mandate|here]].'''
A number of [[mandate|mandates]] were successfully upheld in the Imperial Synod last season. As long as the named priest provided sufficient liao, those mandates have been [[Mandate#Implementing_a_Mandate|automatically enacted]].

==Spring Conjunctions==
* '''Last event there were a number of conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate; their known outcomes are listed here'''
During the Spring Equinox, there were a number of [[Sentinel_Gate#Conjunctions|conjunctions]] of the [[Sentinel Gate]] identified by the Imperial prognosticators. In each case, a band of Imperial heroes used that conjunction to travel to a location far from Anvil and intervene in an ongoing situation. These are the known outcomes of those conjunctions. In the case of battles, it is important to remember that the [[Military Council]] can only make use of ''two'' of the major conjunctions each summit, choosing which to take advantage of during the [[Muster]].

===Major Conjunctions===
<table><tr><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Location'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opportunity'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opposition'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Link'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Outcome'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Sarangrave|Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, ''Mantifent's Bier'']]</td><td>Hold back the vallorn</td><td>Druj</td><td>[[Other_monstrous_geographies#Bloodwater Marsh|Bloodwater Marsh]]</td><td>[[Field Marshal]] was '''Andronikos of the Lighthouse-That-Was''' of [[Urizen]]; The five Mantifent Stones were warded; Leadership of the Bilious Breath were killed; Two of the Urizen seers were rescued</td></tr>

<tr><td>[[Mareave|Mareave, Clisearn, ''Ohwinn Scour'']]</td><td>Freeze the Grendel advance</td><td>Grendel</td><td>[[Wide_azure_skies#Battle_Opportunity:_Wealth_of_Water|Wealth of Water]]</td><td>[[Field Marshal]] was '''Skywise Rykana''' of the [[Imperial Orcs]]; Iskanders Donjon was summoned; ''Scutt-Tadgh'' taken back to Anvil using [[Cuckoo's Egg]] and negotiated with; Two of the Tholdie Rotary were rescued, but others were killed; ''Fergus Konnaugh'' succesfully cursed with [[Like Water Through Your Fingers]]; Blades of Evdokia were killed.</td></tr>

<tr><td>[[Sarangrave|Sarangrave, Nesustak Forest, ''Feverbank Trees'']]</td><td>Hold back the vallorn</td><td>Druj</td><td>[[Other_monstrous_geographies#Nesustak Forest|Nesustak Forest]]</td><td>Not taken; Vallornspawn of [[Sarangrave#Béantal_Dol|Béantal Dol]] attacked into Nesustak Forest; Envenomed Claws remain a threat in the area; Fate of the hares of [[Irra Harah]] unknown</td></tr>

<tr><td>[[Mitwold|Mitwold, Meade March, ''Meade Meadow'']]</td><td>Recover Meade's treasures</td><td>Lasambrian Jotun</td><td>[[Where_the_slow_river_flows#Battle_Opportunity:_Plundered_Gold|Plundered Gold]]</td><td>Not taken; Warband of [[Fjorknae]] orcs have been hired; Foot-the-ball trophy lost</td></tr>

<tr><td>[[Bregasland|Bregasland, Grey Fens, ''Drayham Mere'']]</td><td>Erect the Mere Stone</td><td>Jotun</td><td>[[Old_blue_banners_dancing#Battle_Opportunity:_A_Broken_Rock|A Broken Rock]]</td><td>Not taken; Ullsmere Rock stolen; Howling Night have improved their quality; Grey Fens has gained the [[Region_qualities#Haunted|haunted]] quality; Fate of ''Friar Bloughton'' unknown; Grey Walkers remain in the area.</td></tr>

</table>

===Minor Conjunctions===
{|table class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! # !! Location !! Responsibility !! Overview !! Result
|-
| 1 || Reikos, High Chalcis, Emergency Hospital || [[Medical Officer of the Pegasus Respite]] || [[A_bright_cerulean_flame#Opportunity:_Reikos_Influx|Assist the refugees]] || Refugees treated and assisted
|-
| 2 || Hahnmark, Valasmark, The Fallen Tree || '''Morgan Drifting Bough''' || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#Legends_(Hahnmark)|Recover the letter]] || Uncertain, but '''Morgan Drifting Bough''' should know more
|-
| 3 || Hahnmark, Kronemark, Grieversonn Farmstead || '''Eevi of the Gadrai''' || [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_fortune#Meeting_with_Destiny_(Hahnmark)|Meet with Valdr Grieversonn]] || [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_152|Valdr Grieversson was dedicated to Loyalty]]
|-
| 4 || Karov, Wieliczka, Maria's Descent || [[Temeschwar|Senator for Temeschwar]] || Retrieve the Rat Idol from the cultists of the Night Below || Idol successfully recovered
|-
| 5 || Reinos, Bastasor, Beatriz's Field || [[Champion of Ambition]] || [[Gossamer_threads#On_a_Broken_Road_(Segura)|Claim the Lasambrian banner]] || Lasambrian banner recovered
|-
| 6 || Ossium, Drownbark Forest, Sarakov Point || [[Merchant-Boyar of the Stinking Market]] || [[Lean_and_athirst#Lost_Wagon_Raiders_(Ossium)|Investigate wagon raiders acting strangely]] || Several strange items were recovered and the wagon raiders were rid of their spiritual ailments
|-
| 7 || Madruga, Crucible, Egnar Range || [[Rod and Shield|Grandmaster of the Rod and Shield]] || [[Deep_blue_sea#Warp_in_the_Air_(Madruga)|Slay the dire astacids]] || Imperial casualties suffered. Camp of the Sand Crab left in ruins
|-
| 8 || Sarangrave, Turan Flats, Dahis Outskirts || [[Strategos|Strategos of Dawn]] || [[Other_monstrous_geographies#When_The_Light_Fades_Away_(Turan_Flats)|Rescue the sept members from the blinded ghosts]] || Sept members rescued
|-
| 9 || Spiral, Apulus, Broken Lea || [[Oblivion Sentinel]] || [[Deep_blue_sea#Nightfall_(Spiral)|Claim the wage of the Vorlach Adventurers]] || Imperials repulsed. Vorlach Adventurers escaped Spiral.
|-
| 10 || Forest of Ulnak, Grimfen Mire, The Bound Glade || [[High Exorcist]] || [[Voice_irresistable#The_Outer_Dark_(Conjunction)|Recover the Thule's material and clear the ghosts]] || All ghosts exorcised
|-
| 11 || Feroz, Oranseri, Sisters' Meadow || [[Corsair of Oran]] || [[Deep_blue_sea#A_Box_Opens_(Feroz)|Reclaim the Brazen Links]] || Brazen Links reclaimed and returned to the Freeborn egregore
|-
| 12 || Sarangrave, Thornfen, Stonesedge || [[Boyar's_Hasta|General of the Boyar's Hasta]] || [[Other_monstrous_geographies#Part_The_Ways_(Thornfen)|Eliminate the blinded ghosts]] || The blinded ghosts were not eliminated and remain a threat in the area
|-
| 13 || Karsk, Branoc, Hall of the Bloodwise || Named persons || [[Journeys_end_in_lovers_meeting#She_Knows_My_Name|Meet with Taysa of the Black Feathers]] || Uncertain, but named persons should know more
|-
| 14 || Casinea, Syrene, Kaela's Regio || [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of Prosperity]] || [[Journeys_end_in_lovers_meeting#Whatever_happened_to_Mendicant_Garev_(this_time)?|Rescue ''Mendicant Garev'']] || Mendicant Garev rescued. '''Iniska Ashwood''' later raised a [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_172|judgement]] on the matter
|-
| 15 || Mitwold, Meade March, Maggie's Bulwark || [[Bailiff of Meade]] || [[Where_the_slow_river_flows#When_Iron_Melts_%28Conjunction%29|Claim the cache]] || Yegarra defeated. Cache later recovered and sent to the Bailiff of Meade
|-
| 16 || Hercynia, Deer's Folly, Greenmount || [[Vallornguard|Speaker of the Vallornguard]] || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#A_Place_to_Begin_(Hercynia)|Destroy the ettercaps' structure]] || All ettercaps killed and structure destroyed
|-
| 17 || Sermersuaq, Suaq Wastes, Desolate Stretch || [[Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq]] || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#Ways of Honour (Sermersuaq)|Kill ''Hallr Winterborn'']] || ''Hallr Winterborn'' killed and banner recovered
|-
| 18 || Reikos, Chalcis Mount, South Downs || [[Champion of Loyalty]] || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#Questions_of_Control_(Reikos)|Rescue the wounded Highborn]] || All ettercaps killed. Highborn rescued and treated in Anvil
|-
| 19 || Bregasland, The Rushes, Harry's Hole || [[Narwhal's Spear|General of the Narwhal's Spear]] || [[Old_blue_banners_dancing#Crack_in_the_Stone_(Conjunction)|Kill the yegarra]] || Yegarra killed; Narwhal's Spear resupplied
|-
| 20 || Astolat, Withy, Igraine's Regio || [[Astolat|Senator for Astolat]] || [[Ripple_of_echoes#Queen_Igraine's_Regio|Fix the regio]] || Regio fixed. '''Éamon Ashenmourn de Cordraco''' should know more
|-
| 21 || Brocéliande, Elerael, Longberth Trod || [[Knight of the Greenwood]] || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#On_a_Broken_Road_(Brocéliande)|Eliminate the hunting ettercaps]] || All ettercaps killed
|-
| 22 || Sarangrave, Turan Flats, Kullflirn || [[Keeper of the Tower of the Fall]] || [[The_poisoned_air#Desecrators_of_the_Wasteland|Destroy the miasma pillar and stymie Kull]] || Druj all killed and miasma pillar destroyed
|-
| 23 || Ossium, Drownbark Forest, Nadezhda's Enclosure || [[Custodian of the Shchaslyvyy Spile]] || [[388YE Spring Equinox winds of war#Questions of Control (Ossium)|Kill the Kallad]] || Kallad all killed
|-
| 24 || Sarangrave, Thornfen, Overgrown Pillar || [[Gardener of Pallas]] || [[The_poisoned_air#Strangle|Destroy the miasma pillar]] || Miasma pillar destroyed
|-
| 25 || Volodmartz, Murupa, Forest of Blades || [[The Academy]] || Find and destroy the "bandit" vale || "Bandit" vale destroyed
|-
| 26 || Sarangrave, Kroll, Kreeflirn || [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Spring]] || [[The_poisoned_air#Assassins_of_the_Forest|Destroy the two miasma pillars]] || Both miasma pillars destroyed. Some Imperial casualties
|-
| 27 || Volodmartz, Livardz, Sunless Vale || [[Grieftender of the Forgotten]] || [[Sunrise_over_Livardz#The_Shadow_Ghosts|End the suffering of the Shadow Fellowship]] || Suffering of Shadow Fellowship ended
|-
| 28 || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Toxic Pillar || [[Apothecaries Guild|Guild Leader of the Apothecaries Guild]] || [[The_poisoned_air#Suffocate|Destroy the miasma pillar]] || Miasma pillar destroyed
|-
| 29 || Karsk, Crowslook, Skylost Clearing || [[Apothecaries Guild|Guild Leader of the Apothecaries Guild]] || [[Lean_and_athirst#Embers_and_Ash_(Karsk)|Treat the Gregadze]] || Situation unclear, but the Speaker of Apothecaries Guild should know more
|-
| 30 || Sarangrave, Thornfen, Haunted Pillar || [[High Exorcist]] || [[The_poisoned_air#Scream|Destroy the miasma pillar]] || Miasma pillar destroyed
|-
| 31 || Kallavesa, West Marsh, Gull's Isle Hall || '''Ingrid Talon-of-the-Mark''' || [[Who_counts_the_path_untaken%3F#To_the_Meeting_Place_(Conjunction)|Engage in the hetjuveisla]] || Hetjuveisla engaged in. Those who went should know more
|-
| 32 || Feroz, Afarjasse, Abril's Pasture || [[Dhomiro of Afar]] || [[Gossamer_threads#Nature_of_Pain_(Feroz)|Stop the Hand of Dumon]] || Hand of Dumon killed, herd of Afar is safe
|-
| 33 || Arbonne, Laufette, Solden Farm || [[Minister of Historical Research]] || [[Gossamer_threads#The_Perils_of_Marko_Siwarsbairn_(Arbonne)|Sort the situation out]] || Hand of Dumon killed. Marko Siwarsbairn rescued.
|-
| 34 || Sarvos, Uccelini, Bertolli's Glebe || [[Ambassador to the Iron Confederacy]] || [[Gossamer_threads#Tears_From_Steel_(Sarvos)|Stop the Hand of Dumon]] || Hand of Dumon killed
|-
| 35 || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Dandelion Glade || [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Responsibility_for_Nesustak_Conjunction|'''Sławomir Rabovich Bolotstrazh''']] || [[Your_hand_in_mine#The_Solution_to_the_Problem|Meet with the rebels]] || Uncertain, but the named citizens should know more
|-
|}

Rewarding

2026-07-19T22:18:40Z

Hailmur: /* Counting Houses */

{{Synod Judgement Summary|General Assembly|Lesser Majority}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Magdalena di Sarvos.jpg|title=The Virtue Fund allows the Synod to offer material reward to the virtuous|caption=The [[Prosperity]] [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies|Assembly]] in particular often pays close attention to a judgement of rewarding.|align=left|width=450}}
==Overview==
The General [[Assembly]] of the [[Synod]] controls the Virtue Fund - a pool of money, Bourse materials and True Liao ([[mithril]], [[weirwood]] and [[white granite]]) endowed to the Synod so that they may directly reward virtuous behaviour. The mainstay of the money in the fund usually comes from the auction of a dose of [[liao#True Liao|true liao]] but it is supplemented with donations of Imperial currency from wealthy citizens who wish to use the benefits of their prosperity to encourage virtue. A small number of these citizens are sufficiently wealthy to donate small quantities of mithril, weirwood or white granite, trusting the Synod to ensure these are put towards virtuous causes.
__TOC__
The Virtue Fund exists to allow the Synod to encourage virtue, and to reward the virtuous. Judgements of Rewarding can only be raised in the General Assembly - despite historical interest from the Prosperity Assembly in bringing the Fund directly under their control. At various points the [[Senate]] has chosen to supplement the money raised by donations and auction with a [[New_Imperial_titles#Stipend|stipend]] from the [[Imperial treasury]]. This practice began in the reign of [[Empress Teleri]] whose supporters argued that the Imperial Synod was best placed to ensure that the Empire's wealth was distributed to worthy and virtuous causes. The popularity of this practice has waxed and waned, but during the reign of [[Emperor Hugh]] the existing stipend, already little more than a token sum, was entirely abrogated.

It is not possible to donate anything other than true liao, money, or wains to the Virtue fund.

==Judgement==
Any member of the Synod may submit a judgement of rewarding for money or wains for consideration by the General Assembly. The judgement must state the size and type of the proposed reward. A single judgement may ask for money or wains of a single type - it is not possible to request money and wains, or two different kinds of materials, in one judgement.

A judgement of rewarding requires a lesser majority to pass. Every judgement of rewarding shares the same period of [[Judgement#Scrutiny|scrutiny]]. All such judgements close at 6pm on Saturday, and it is not possible for the [[Cardinal|Cardinals]] to request [[Cardinal#Further_Scrutiny|further scrutiny]] of a judgement of rewarding. Owing to this restriction, a judgement of rewarding must be raised by 3pm on Saturday or it cannot be accepted.

It is not possible to raise a judgement of rewarding for a dose of True Liao. In the rare occurrence that a dose enters the Virtue Fund, then a Judgement of Rewarding will be raised directly by the [[Tribune of the Synod]].

<div style="float:right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">Better to earn a ring than be given a crown</quote></div>

==Outcome==
After the scrutiny period closes at 6pm Saturday, each judgement is assessed, and funds provided in order from the judgement with the highest margin to that with the lowest margin. If there is insufficient money or wains remaining in the fund to meet the full amount requested, then only what is remaining will be distributed. In the event of two or more judgements having the same margin and there being insufficient funds remaining to support them both, then the remaining amount is split equally between those judgements, with any remainder staying in the fund for the next summit. It is not possible for the Virtue Fund to go into debt. If there are no funds or wains of the requested type available, the judgement can still pass, but nothing will be provided.

The Tribune will deduct the money or wains from the Virtue Fund, to be collected by the Member of the Synod who raised the judgement. These will be available to collect from the Tribune of the Synod in the Hub from 7:30pm Saturday. It is '''not''' possible for a judgement to specify that a reward be made at some future time beyond the close of scrutiny. The money or wains become immediately available and should be collected from the Tribune as soon as is practical. If the sum is not collected by the end of the summit, the Tribune will make arrangements to send the money or wains to the raising Member (OC: uncollected rewardings will be placed into the inventory of the raising priest and will go into their character pack at the next event they attend).

It is common for individuals to ask for money or wains from the Virtue Fund for a specific goal. It is perfectly acceptable to reference the goal in the judgement of rewarding, but this is not legally binding. On receipt of the funds, they become the legal property of the raising Member of the Synod who may dispose of them as they choose. In the rare event that the raising member of the Synod dies before they are able to collect, then the Tribune will instead use their discretion to disburse the funds towards the person, group or cause expressed in the wording of the judgement.

<ic>At the Winter Summit 376YE, Harald Johnson, of the Marches and The Way, called for the General Assembly to reward the Orc Generals with 20 crowns from the Virtue Fund.</ic>

Voting on a judgement to reward a citizen with a dose of true liao also closes at 6pm on Saturday, in the rare case that a dose has been donated this way. The citizen with most votes in their favour may collect the dose from the Tribune from 7:30pm.

==Virtue Fund==
As mentioned, the Virtue Fund is a pool of money and wains endowed to the Synod so that they may directly reward virtuous behaviour. The majority of the money that makes up the virtue fund comes from the auction of a dose of [[liao#True Liao|true liao]] at each summit, but it is supplemented with donations from wealthy citizens who wish to use the benefits of their prosperity to encourage virtue.

The size of the fund is calculated at the start of each summit and displayed in the Civil Service Hub. It includes donations made by private citizens (including through [[#Counting Houses|counting houses]]), bequests from virtuous benefactors, and the funds raised by the auction of true liao at the previous summit. Any remainder after the end of the summit remains in the fund.

Any Imperial citizen can donate money or wains to the virtue fund by speaking to one of a [[Tribune of the Synod]] at the Hub. The money or wains will be added to the Virtue Fund at the ''next'' summit, and the name of the benefactor included in public documents about the fund.

==Counting Houses==
<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Prosperous Counting House'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 5 weirwood, 5 white granite, 30 crowns, and three months to construct</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' Adds funds to the Virtue Fund based on territory</td></tr></table>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<tr><td style="background-color: LightYellow;">'''Territory'''</td><td style="background-color: LightYellow;">'''Benefits'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sarvos</td><td> 14 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>Segura</td><td> 13 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>Skarsind</td><td> 13 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mitwold</td><td> 12 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>Miaren</td><td> 11 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>Hahnmark</td><td> 11 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>Zenith</td><td> 10 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>Other</td><td> 8 crowns</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
<div {{float}}>
<table class="wikitable sortable">
<tr><th>Territory</th><th>Completed</th><th>Virtue Fund Income</th></tr>
<tr><td>[[Reikos]]</td><td>Spring Equinox 386YE</td><td>10 crowns per season</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Semmerholm]]</td><td>Winter Solstice 386YE</td><td>11 crowns per season</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Tassato]]</td><td>Summer Solstice 386YE</td><td>16 crowns per season</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Karsk]]</td><td>Spring Equinox 387YE</td><td>12 crowns per season</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Temeschwar]]</td><td>Spring Equinox 388YE</td><td>14 crowns per season</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Holberg]]</td><td>Summer Solstice 388YE</td><td>15 crowns per season<sup>[[#1|(1)]]</sup></td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''A single counting house can be built in each Imperial territory'''
In the months leading up to the Winter Solstice 385YE, the [[architect]] Dialogos of the Isles of the Spires [[Forwards_and_Rewards#Prosperity_and_Posterity|proposed construction of]] a series of counting houses in ten Imperial territories, to collect donations for the Virtue Fund and keep record of these Prosperous donations for posterity. Each of these [[edifice|edifices]] would see a consistent amount of money donated to the Virtue Fund each season, depending on the affluence and propensity of the territory in question. A counting house will only start producing income for the Virtue Fund in the first full season after it is constructed.

Shortly before the Summer Solstice 388YE, the potential for the counting houses was expanded and work done to see them possible to build in ''any'' Imperial territory. There is no benefit to building more than one counting house in a single territory; the donations would simply be split evenly.

As of the start of the Summer Solstice 388YE, six have been commissioned by the Senate - in [[Construct_Semmerholm_Counting_House|Semmerholm]], [[Construct_Tassato_Counting_House|Tassato]], [[Construct_Prosperous_Counting_House_in_Karsk|Karsk]], [[Construct Temeschwar Counting House|Temeschwar]], a [[Forwards_and_Rewards#High_Benefits|more extensive construction]] in [[Construct_Reikos_Counting_House|Reikos]], and one in [[Construct_Prosperous_Counting_House_in_Holberg|Holberg]].

The table to the right shows the counting houses constructed as of the start of the Summer Solstice 388YE.

<small>
#{{anchor|1}} This counting house will begin affecting the virtue fund starting at the Autumn Equinox 388YE
</small>
{{Synod Further Reading}}

388YE Summer Solstice Senate sessions

2026-07-19T20:53:47Z

Hailmur: /* Amend Master of Works */

[[Category:Senate]] [[Category:Senate Sessions]] [[Category:388YE Summer]]
{{stub}}
==Overview==
The [[Imperial Senate]] governs the Empire, and its authority extends to all areas of Imperial life not already covered by the other houses of government. Each summit the [[senator|senators]] meet [[Event schedule|several times]] to deliberate and vote on the [[Senate motion|motions]] they have raised.

After the summit, the civil service enacts those motions and ensures a public record of each is made available to the citizens of the Empire. This page lists all the motions raised during the summit, along with the [[Senate announcement|announcements]] made by citizens with [[Imperial title|Imperial titles]]. In each case, the motion and its effects are summarised, including the wording, who proposed and seconded it, whether it passed or not, whether any funds were disbursed to support it, and what the outcome of the motion will be.

Many motions (especially the [[commission|commissions]]) also have a ''Further Details'' section that provides a link to a wiki page dealing specifically with that motion in more detail, any commentary from the [[Scrutiny|Constitutional Court]], progress on commissions, or expanded information about the outcome of the motion.

==Treasury==
* Imperial treasury during this season announced by the civil service at TBC

==Administrative Motions==

===Appoint Minister of Historical Research===
*'''Motion:''' Appoint the Minister for Historical Research
*'''Raised by:''' Speaker of the Senate at the Friday session
*'''Outcome:'''
*'''Note:''' The motion to appoint the [[Minister of Historical Research]] was raised at the final session of [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Appoint_Minister_of_Historical_Research|Spring 388YE]].

===Appoint Ambassador to Asavea===
*'''Motion:''' To elect the Ambassador to Asavea
*'''Raised by:''' Speaker of the Senate at the Friday session
*'''Outcome:'''
*'''Note:''' The motion to appoint the [[Ambassador to Asavea]] was raised at the final session of [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Appoint_Ambassador_to_Asavea|Spring 388YE]].

===Appoint Imperial Consul===
*'''Motion:''' To elect an Imperial Consul
*'''Raised by:''' Speaker of the Senate at the Friday session
*'''Outcome:'''
*'''Note:''' The motion to appoint the [[Imperial Consul]] was raised at the final session of [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Appoint_Imperial_Consul|Spring 388YE]].

===Amend Master of Works===
*'''Motion:''' To amend the Master of Works to be able to commission one fortification and separately to upgrade one fortification each season
*'''Raised by:''' Speaker of the Senate at the Friday session
*'''Outcome:'''
*'''Note:''' The [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Amend_Master_of_Works|amendment last season]] was unclear about whether Master of Works could make two separate commission announcements in a single season. If this motion is passed, they will be able to build a new fort and upgrade a fort, using two of the Senate's limited commissions. If it fails, the Master of Works will be able to either build a new fort or upgrade an existing one, but not both.

A lasting commitment

2026-07-19T20:46:48Z

Hailmur: /* Language beyond words */

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:388YE Summer]]
<ic>
When revelation yet eluded<br>
And in the dark we knew not how to see<br>
Did come Tian, and with her great gift<br>
Began the fire that burns relentlessly<br>

Behold our souls, Ambition's flame ignite<br>
Lights in the dark, Lights in the dark<br>
Behold our souls, Ambition's flame ignite<br>
Lights in the dark, Lights in the dark<br>
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Grand Endeavours.png|caption=The Grand Inspiration of the Way promises to cement the Empire's position as the heart of the faith.|align=left|width=400}}</div>
==Overview==
In the Winter of 387YE, the Highborn Assembly declared their highest calling to be [[Construct_Grand_Inspiration_of_the_Way|the Grand Inspiration of the Way]]. The great project begun in Summer 385YE is well underway, and with renewed focus, the people of [[Highguard]] have begun to [[lay the foundations]] for how the grand edifice may be laid out.

Now in the beginning of 388YE, the [[Ambition]] Assembly have joined them with a sense of urgency; not just to complete the largest commission the Empire has ever attempted but to do so by the end of the year. Just the idea of declaring something to be your highest calling seems to embrace the Virtue of Ambition, but even so this is an extraordinary thing to attempt. There is still a vast amount of work to be done, but if the Assembly can achieve the impossible it will have a dramatic impact.

==Mean What You Say==
{{SOP|statement=Completing the Grand Inspiration of the Way is a lofty goal, but nothing is beyond the grasp of the Virtuous. The Hallowing of the Patron drives us to silence naysayers, and what better way than to complete this inspiration project within the year? It will draw the eyes of the world to us, establishing Bastion as the heart of the Way. From there, our faith will spread across the globe. This is our highest calling!|by=Rafael Barossa, Ambition Assembly|vote={{GM}} 392-82|when=Spring 388YE}}
* '''The Assembly of Ambition has stated that their highest calling is to complete the Grand Inspiration of the Way in the space of a single year'''
* '''If the Assembly can put their reputation on the line to commit themselves to this impossible task, then they will reap the benefits'''

Inspired by the words of Rafael Barossa d'Apulian, the Ambition Assembly have invoked the [[Auras_of_Ambition#Hallowing_of_the_Patron|Hallowing of the Patron]], a call to silence naysayers of any who might say that the Grand Inspiration cannot be completed at all, let alone within the year. Unlike the nation of Highguard however, there is little for the Assembly to [[Lay_the_foundations#The_Family_Silver|sell off]] in exchange for new sources of precious [[white granite]]. Any additional efforts to complete the Grand Inspiration will rely on the resources of those who attend Anvil.

The best way to silence to naysayers, of course, is to stand steadfast in your convictions and prove them wrong. If the Ambition Assembly are truly confident that the Grand Inspiration will be complete within the year, then putting their reputation on the line will reap the benefits. There is no price for failure, it is a fundamental tenet of Ambition that ''"It is better, by far, to try and fail, than fail to try."'' But if they manage it, if the Grand Inspiration is completed by the start of 389YE, then the achievement will inspire the faithful.

The Assembly can use a mandate to spread word of their highest calling to every corner of the Empire:

{{Mandate|mandate=We shall ignite a flame to illuminate the Second Age of Virtue. We send {named priest} with 50 doses of liao to spread the word of the grand opening ceremony to take place as 388 turns to 389. Let the whole Empire know that the hour is at hand.|assembly=Ambition Assembly}}

If this mandate is enacted, then followers of Ambition will spread the news of the imminent completion of the Grand Inspiration across the Empire. They will ensure that everyone knows that the great project will be completed by the start of the Spring Equinox 389YE. All eyes will be on the construction in Bastion, waiting to see if the Highborn and the followers of Ambition can achieve this extraordinary feat.

If that happens and the Grand Inspiration is completed by the start of 389YE, then it will spread a powerful confidence through the faithful, creating an [[opportunity]] for members of the Assembly to see other great ambitions fulfilled.

==Say What You Mean==
* '''The Highborn Assembly have begun the hard work of defining how the Grand Inspiration will be laid out'''

After declaring the Grand Inspiration to be their highest calling the Highborn Assembly have begun the hard work of deciding how the Grand Inspiration will be laid out. The construction is vast, far and away the biggest commission ever created in the Empire, larger even than the great walls of Holberg. But size is not the only way to inspire the faithful - the way the Grand Inspiration is arranged and decorated will ultimately be more important than the construction itself.

===Voices of Virtue===
{{SOP|statement=The Highborn Assembly invite the Voices of Virtue assemblies to be the first to take up offices in the Grand Inspiration of the Way because they and the edifice are united in our will: to spread the Way to all sapient people|by=Rinnah, Highborn Assembly|vote= 300-10|when=Spring 388YE}}
* '''The Highborn Assembly have called for the office of Voices of Virtue to occupy the central space in the Grand Inspiration'''
* '''Creating ornate gardens for each Voice of Virtue would provide them with 5 liao a season'''
* '''It would allow each Voice to choose the single most important statement of principle passed during their term to be recorded for posterity'''
* '''Highborn benefactors offer to provide the Guildmaster of the Artisans with 4 thrones a season if he will arrange for a suitable magical item to be made for each Voice after they are elected'''
<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Garden Paths'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Motion Type:''' [[Commission#Altering_an_Existing_Commission|Amend commission]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Necessary Details:''' Amend the designs for the Grand Inspiration of the Way to incorporate seven serene gardens</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 70 crowns, three months</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' Until the completion of the Grand Inspiration</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:'''
* Provides an income of five liao each season to each Voice of Virtue
* Creates a serene garden that each voice could use to preach their Virtue
* Creates the Annals of Virtue, allowing a Voice of Virtue to record a single crucial statement of Virtue or teaching at the end of the year after their appointment.
* Provides the Guildmaster of the Artisans with a stipend of 4 thrones a season, if they agree to arrange for the creation of suitable regalia for the voices
</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
While Rinnah's statement failed to achieve a greater majority, it was the only one that suggested how the halls of the Grand inspiration may be fitted out. With the urging of the Ambition Assembly that speed matters, the [[Wayfarer|Wayfarers]] of Highguard insist that there should be some place for the [[Voice of Virtue|Voices of Virtue]] to preach to those who come to the Grand Inspiration seeking their benedictions. A set of seven beautiful gardens is proposed where the gathered can contemplate their sermons and take time to meditate on their chosen path.

The increased prominence of the Voices would mean that they would receive an addition income of five liao. In addition there would be a library set up for the voices to record important statements and particularly elegant quotes and sayings to be recorded for posterity. The Annals of Virtue would be housed in the Grand Inspiration to record select statements of principle whose perspicacity and wisdom moved them beyond the day-to-day business of the Synod.

In the final season of their term, the Voice could choose a single statement of principle that their Assembly passed in the previous year since they were elected. This should be a statement, either part of the wording or all of it, that cut to the core of their Virtue that they believe future priests would do well to consider and debate with their colleagues. That statement will be recorded in the "Annals of Virtue" along with up to a hundred words of commentary by the Voice on the importance of the teaching. If the Voice does not deem a statement worthy, they may wish to not submit one rather than diminish the whole with an unworthy part.

Finally there is a question of finding a way to provide the voices with suitable regalia. A number of Highborn benefactors are keen that they should have some suitable symbol of their office or position, an item that can help them with their duties. Unable to agree what form such regalia should take, they decide to write to the [[Guildmaster of the Artisans]], '''Xanthius Storm's End''', and make a public offer of a regular income of 4 thrones a season, if they will undertake to ensure that each Voice is provided with a suitable crafted magical item. The hope is that the Guildmaster will arrange to speak with each Voice after they are elected, to agree with them what magical item they would like to have made. If the Guildmaster wishes to accept the offer then he can collect the first payment of four thrones from the head of the civil service, ''Leonardo i Del'Toro i Riqueza''.

===Four not Forty===
{{SOP|statement=The Way and the Empire are a not a monolith, but a mosaic construct of profound, and beautiful traditions, human and orc, united nonetheless by faith, Synod and Doctrine. The life and worship of the greatest monument must reflect and and celebrate this diversity in order to truly uplift every soul in the Empire. Therefore, we look to the Senate to ensure that the completed Grand Inspiration is governed by a college of residentiary Canons, one elected by each National Assembly, and led by a Dean chosen by the Assembly of Nine, who will together be charged with this sacred task. Let us show that the past, present, and \future of the Way is here in the ten Proud nations of the Empire who stand together in Virtue.|by=Nicodemus of Balthazar's Vineyard, Highborn Assembly|vote={{GM}} 440-62|when=Spring 388YE|size=small}}
* '''The Highborn Assembly has called for residentiary canons, elected by each National Assembly, to sit in the Grand Inspiration'''
* '''Nations could instead choose to copy the Highborn tradition of having a speaker for each assembly'''
Nicodemus of Balthazar's Vineyard has raised a statement in the Highborn Assembly calling for residentiary canons, one to be elected by each National Assembly. No such canons exist at the moment, so the Senate would need to create the titles, but if that happened, then a place could be made for them in the Grand Inspiration. The statement does raise questions in some quarters. With Cardinals, Champions, Voices and Inquisitors already, is there truly a need for an additional round of titles? At what point do titles without practical legal powers disincentivise the impetus for individuals to take it upon themselves to further the cause, as surely the titled person will do it?

One possible alternative might be to embrace Nicodemus' role as [[Speaker of the Highborn Assembly]]. Besides Highguard, there are four other nations with an existing title whose responsibilities include guiding their national assembly, and ensuring their nation's traditions are upheld. Each title is unique, reflecting the nation's pride and priorities. The existing titles are:

* [[Archbishop of Capodomus]]
* [[Herald of the Throne of Glory]]
* [[Speaker of the Crows]]
* [[Speaker of the Highborn Assembly]]
* [[Voice of Barbs]]

Given these five titles exist and their responsibilities seem to parallel those identified in the statement, would they not be the natural choice to take up residency in the Grand Inspiration? Creating offices for the ten "speakers" would enhance their prestige and give them a place to stay and work when visiting the Grand Inspiration. Of course there are only five at present, but the Highborn Assembly could prepare chambers for each of them and set aside space for the other five nations to occupy if they create a similar position with the responsibility to chair their national assembly and champion their nation's traditions.

Such a step would still require the [[Senate]] to create the titles in question, but it would mean each nation could create their own position when they were ready to act, rather than have the Senate try to create a canon for each nation. In addition, sinecures could be built in each nation that would provide these additional titles with the kind of support the Speaker of the Highborn National assembly currently receives.
<gallery heights=250 mode="packed">
Archbishop of Capodomus.jpg|'''Estella Lucati''' (right), Archbishop of Capodomus
Ingrid Talon-of-the-Mark.webp|'''Ingrid Talon-of-the-Mark''', Speaker of Crows
Nicodemus of Balthazar's Vineyard.jpg|'''Nicodemus of Balthazar's Vineyard''', Speaker of the Highborn Assembly
Eirlys Ashes Blaze.jpg|'''Eirlys Ashes Blaze''', Voice of Barbs
</gallery>

===Language beyond words===
* '''The Highborn Assembly could enact a mandate encouraging cantors to support the Grand Inspiration of the Way'''
* '''If that happens, the commission could be amended to incorporate a choristers balcony into the edifice'''
* '''Doing so would make a new Highborn archetype, the cantor, available to players'''

The Highborn are known for their musical traditions. The voices of their [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantor cantors] have carried battle anthems across every corner of the Empire, its words sown into the very earth itself. The ineffable power of a host of choristers singing the songs of Virtue, using music to speak the truth and joy of salvation to stir the heart in harmony that mere language by itself finds insufficient. Too long, some say, have the virtue and evangelism of those whose voices can ignite faith in the hearts of others in this way been overlooked.

{{Mandate|mandate=Those who spread salvation with the inspirational beauty and power of their voices must come forth to take up their rightful place in the Grand Inspiration. We send {named priest} with 50 doses of liao to encourage the cantors of our nation to congregate and sing the songs their souls yearn to share that all may hear them and know their destiny.|assembly=Highguard National Assembly}}
<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Choristers Balcony'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Motion Type:''' [[Commission#Altering_an_Existing_Commission|Amend commission]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Necessary Details:''' Amend the designs for the Grand Inspiration of the Way to incorporate a grand balcony for the choir</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 20 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:'''
* Only available if the mandate is enacted to encourage cantors to attend the Grand Inspiration
* Available until the Grand Inspiration is completed</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:'''
* Encourages Highborn cantors to attend the Grand Inspiration
* Makes the cantor archetype available to Highborn players
</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
If this mandate is enacted, choristers who use the numinous power of music to inspire and uplift the Virtuous will attend the Grand Inspiration in Bastion. Those who inspire the faithful through majestic voices united in concert will come to witness the construction of the great edifice and lend the power of their voices to raise the spirits of those who work there. If that happens, the Imperial Senate could use a Senate motion to amend the Grand Inspiration of the Way to incorporate an impressive choristers balcony to allow singers to perform from. The balcony would include a hymnal library to keep records of the most inspiring music from across the whole Empire. Highborn choristers would attend the Grand Inspiration to sing with their fellow devotees, filling the great cathedral with mellifluous voices.

By putting the choral tradition of the Highborn at the centre of the Grand Inspiration, the important role of the cantor would be promoted all across the nation. The cantor tradition would be reinvigorated, not just musicians and choristers, but all those who create stirring works to inspire others; architects who build grand edifices; craftspeople who make stained glass windows or weave enormous tapestries and other artists who produce works on a grand scale. ('''OOC Note:''' the '''cantor''' archetype, one who employs the musical traditions of the Highborn to spread the Way would be available to players).

==Further Reading==
* [[The highest calling]] - 387YE Autumn wind of fortune introducing the highest calling
* [[Blood_will_thicken#A_Question_of_Scale|Blood with thicken]] - 385YE Spring wind of fortune introducing the Grand Inspiration of the Way

388YE Summer Solstice winds of war

2026-07-19T20:26:08Z

Hailmur: /* Friday */

[[Category:Winds of War]][[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Military Council]][[Category:Recent History]]
<div {{floatleft}}>{{CaptionedImage|file=Overseer Challenged.webp|align=left|caption=Those who sit highest have the furthest to fall|width=2000}}</div>
==Overview==
Over the last three months, Imperial forces have engaged in military campaigns. Sometimes those engagements have been wide-ranging and dramatic, other times they have been more sedate. Where there has been dramatic action, or where there are [[opportunity|opportunities]], we've given a Wind of War its own page; other military actions are discussed here.

As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of War and the [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_fortune|Winds of Fortune]] is to make players aware of things their characters ''should'' know, based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing, and to maintain the Empire as a living, breathing place where all kinds of events take place beyond the scope of [[Anvil]].

It should go without saying that we ask everyone to abide by the rules about [[Online_roleplaying|online roleplaying]] with regard to the military campaign. It's important that the key in-character activity of the Empire world takes place at events. The game is busier and better if everything that can happen in the field, does happen in the field. Military planning and political discussions should happen at events. For this reason, we generally discourage too much downtime roleplaying between events and put strict limits on what can be done online, particularly using our forums and Facebook groups.

All that said, we now present a summary of the key military activity in the Empire - both with links to the expanded Wind of War pages and notes about other important things that have happened that didn't need a full battle campaign write-up.

</table>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="width:400px; float: right; margin: 10px;"
|-
! Conflict !! Wind
|-
| [[Madruga]] || [[Phantasms and foam]]
|-
| [[Mareave]] || [[Mithril and rope]]
|-
| [[Sarangrave]] || [[Thorn and bone]]
|-
|}
</table>
==Battle opportunities==
Imperial prognosticators have identified three possible [[Sentinel_Gate#Major_Conjunctions|major conjunctions]] of the [[Sentinel Gate]] at the coming summit. The [[Military Council]] will [[muster]] on Friday night, and the [[general|generals]] will select two of them to be taken up by Imperial heroes. At the moment, the full details of these opportunities are not clear; more information will be provided nearer to the event.

All battle opportunities are [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Combat Highly Likely]] environments.
<table><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Territory'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opportunity'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Location'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opposition'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Day'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Learn More'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''CS Briefing'''</td>
<tr><td>[[Sarangrave]]</td><td>Contain the dead</td><td>''Fens of Varreth'', Turan Flats</td><td>Druj</td><td>Either day</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Forest of Ulnak]]</td><td>Raid the Druj</td><td>''Fetid Heart'', Ghul'Thak Forest</td><td>Druj</td><td>Either day</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Mareave]]</td><td>Open the Vaults</td><td>''Ruins of Sinat'', Clisearn</td><td>Grendel</td><td>Sunday</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
</table>


===Battle participation===
If you have your own [[orc]] mask please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field forces predominantly comprised of barbarian orcs. If you are unable to wear a mask, then all battle opportunities have limited roles for human barbarian combatants and low-combat roles such as healers, support mages, artisans, messengers and attendants. Player [[Monstering_a_battle#Elite_Monster_Units|elite monster units]] (EMUs) are expected to monster as their barbarian orc units regardless of the battle opportunity, and should not include human combatants.

* '''The Forest of Ulnak opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Druj orc fighters'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Druj orcs as normal. If you have your own [[orc]] mask, please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field a force predominantly comprised of Druj orcs. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Druj weaponry, particularly swords, spears and great weapons, as well as bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Druj look [[Druj_look_and_feel|here]], but the key element for portraying the Druj is a mantle and ragged material layers that echo natural greens, browns, greys, and black, with occasional bright accent colours as their iconic look.

* '''The Sarangrave opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Druj orc fighters, with options for playing winter husks'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Druj orcs as normal. If you have your own [[orc]] mask, please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field a force predominantly comprised of Druj orcs. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Druj weaponry, particularly swords, spears and great weapons, as well as bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Druj look [[Druj_look_and_feel|here]], but the key element for portraying the Druj is a mantle and ragged material layers that echo natural greens, browns, greys, and black, with occasional bright accent colours as their iconic look.

Winter husks have no special requirements and can be represented by basic costume, armour, and weapons (but not thrown or ranged weapons). This could be added to with costume from any Imperial nation that has recently fought in Sarangrave. Using rags and tattered fabric can also enhance the look. Please do not wear any form of undead or zombie mask, as we are aiming to portray the recently dead soliders of Imperial armies, not long decaying or rotting corpses.

* '''The Mareave opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Grendel orc soldiers'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Grendel orcs as normal. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Grendel weaponry, particularly swords, spears, and bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Grendel look [[Grendel look and feel|here]], and the key elements for portraying the Grendel are a light coloured base layer, with mantles, shoulder capes, wraps and other purple clothing and other bright colours as their iconic look.

'''IMPORTANT''' - we will '''not''' be reusing any orc masks to players for these battle opportunities. Our orc masks will only be used once this event and then washed ready for the next event. We are continuing the provision of battle opportunities with non-orc enemies until such a time as we have sufficient masks to run two fully orc-masked battles.

==Conjunctions==
The [[Sentinel Gate]] also allows smaller groups of Imperial citizens to reach locations all over the Empire where their intervention might change the course of events. Many of these ''[[Sentinel Gate#Conjunction|conjunctions]]'' involve combat, but there are also a variety of other opportunities presented by the magic of the Gate.

For most conjunctions, the Civil Service has identified the Imperial titles that are the most appropriate to take overall responsibility for ensuring that a response is organised. Whilst the individual has been named by the Civil Service, there is no legal requirement for them to coordinate a response or travel on the conjunction. They may delegate oversight to another individual of their choosing. As always, Imperial war scouts will be on hand at the Sentinel Gate to provide further information to any citizens wanting to learn more. They can provide updates on the barbarians' goals, guidance on how to engage the enemy troops or advice on how to avoid casualties and return back to Anvil in safety.

Sometimes it is necessary for us to make small adjustments to the timing or size of encounters at the time of this publication and when an encounter runs at an event. Details for the conjunctions on Friday will be finalised on Friday afternoon of the event before time-in (18:00) whilst details for the conjunctions on Saturday will be finalised on Saturday before time-in (10:00). Please check the details of any conjunction you are interested in as soon as possible to ensure that you have the full and up-to-date information; it might also be sensible to check again shortly before the planned time of the encounter. You can check the details of a conjunction by casting [[Detect_magic#Discover_Conjunction|Detect Magic (Discover Conjunction)]] on the Sentinel Gate in the presence of a referee.

It's very important to pay attention to the [[accessibility]] note for each conjunction, which covers the likelihood of combat. Further details about the accessibility of a conjunction are [[Accessibility#Who_and_how_to_ask.3F|available both before and during the event]]. You can learn more about this on the [[accessibility]] page.

===Friday===
<div class="alert">'''These times and numbers are subject to change until 18:00 on Friday</div>
{|table class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Time !! People !! Duration !! [[Accessibility#Combat|Combat]] !! Location !! Responsibility !! Overview/Link
|-
| 18:15 || 12 || 45 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Kallavesa, West Marsh, The Meeting Place || '''[[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_32|Erlend]]''' || [[LINK|Consecrate the Meeting Place]]
|-
| 18:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Whisperwood, Halfweir Grove || [[Fingers of the Devourer|Custodian of the Fingers of the Devourer]] || [[LINK|Destroy the heralds of Surut]]
|-
| 18:35 || 5 || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Astolat, Withy, Igraine's Regio || [[Astolat|Senator for Astolat]] || [[LINK|Find out why the regio keeps shifting back to Spring, and resolve it]]
|-
| 18:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Mitwold, Maiden Downs, Maiden Stone || [[Champion of Prosperity]] || [[LINK|Stop Jyll Longleys from cursing the Maiden Stone]]
|-
| 19:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Dawnguard, Troubadour's Glade || [[Knight of Dawnguard]] || [[LINK|Kill ''Prilak Gutdredger'']]
|-
| 19:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Mitwold, Maiden Downs, Golden Fields|| [[Keeper of the Golden Fields]] || [[LINK|Stop Dusty Cobb setting Golden Fields alight]]
|-
| 19:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Saltmarsh, The Dredging Flats || [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Winter]] || [[LINK|Kill the Servants of the Burnt]]
|-
| 20:05 || 5 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Madruga, Free Landing, Hart's Cove || [[Hand of Guerra]] || [[LINK|Aid the stranded ship from Sumaah]]
|-
| 20:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Ossium, Echofell, Burned Glade || [[Shadowed Torchbearer]] || [[LINK|Prevent the cursing of Ossium]]
|-
| 21:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Therunin, Lower Tarn Valley, Rotwood Croft || '''Andronikos of the Lighthouse-That-Was''' || [[LINK|Destroy the miasma pillar]]
|-
| 21:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Kroll, Slow Worm's Hill || [[Sevenfold Path|Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path]] || [[LINK|Prevent the cursing of Sarangrave]]
|-
| 21:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Turan Flats, The Breakteeth dais || [[Eastern Sky|General of the Eastern Sky]] || [[LINK|Recover the treasure]]
|-
|}

===Saturday===
<div class="alert">'''These times and numbers are subject to change until 10:00 on Saturday</div>
{|table class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Time !! People !! Duration !! [[Accessibility#Combat|Combat]] !! Location !! Responsibility !! Overview/Link
|-
| 14:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Bitter Strand, Saltshore || [[Merchant of the Fangs]] || [[LINK|Answer General Utmar's call for aid]]
|-
| 15:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Madruga, The Crucible, Talpses Plat || [[Champion of Vigilance]] || [[LINK|Claim the ''Snapping Face'']]
|-
| 15:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Carmine Fields, Trading Way || '''Rhydian de Rondell''' || [[LINK|Remove the failed knights-errant of House Courcillion as a threat]]
|-
| 15:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Necropolis, Coursmouth, The Veiled Garden || [[Guardian of Britta's Memorial]] || [[LINK|Spill the waters of Siakha]]
|-
| 15:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, The Untrod Groves, Glade of the Good Knight || [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Winter]] || [[LINK|Thwart the schemes of Ser Gawain Amboise]]
|-
| 15:50 || TBC || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Mareave, Fleisardh, Spring Regio near Golden Wind's Encampment || [[Silver Chalice|Grandmaster of the Silver Chalice]] || [[LINK|Poison the Grendel]]
|-
| 16:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Tassato, Cascatas, Campo Verdenta || [[Keeper of the Sapphire Stair]]|| [[LINK|Kill the heralds of Siakha]]
|-
| 17:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Spiral, Apstrus, Alba's Lea || [[Legacy|Custodian of the Legacy]]|| [[LINK|Intercept the mercenaries pay]]
|-
| 17:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Reikos, Haros Water, Couros Field || '''Nekoda of the Shattered Tower''' || [[LINK|Save Professor Gelberg from Grendel assassins]]
|-
| 18:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Redoubt, Naris, Isaac's End|| [[Quaymaster of the Elosian Docks]] || [[LINK|Leave no more than a dozen Grendel alive]]
|-
| 18:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Kallavesa, Wittal Grove, Frithstan's Fen || [[Grimnir of Wittal Grove]] || [[LINK|Defeat the Grendel (and potentially rescue the Iontach)]]
|-
| 20:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Forest of Ulnak, Grimfen Mire, Moss End || [[Warmage]] || [[LINK|Take advantage of a recent scouting discovery]]
|-
| 20:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Eastern Ward || '''Theodora''' || [[LINK|Cast the permanent ward]]
|-
| 20:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Saltmarsh, Gardenway || [[Envoy to the Karass]] || [[LINK|Prevent Druj raiders from kidnapping Lenna Karass]]
|-
| 21:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Western Ward || [[Spear of the Seven]] || [[LINK|Cast the permanent ward]]
|-
| 21:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Forest of Ulnak, Gloomsea, Islet of Calm || [[Archmage of Day]] || [[LINK|Prevent the Eyes of the Dragon from using a boon of Kimus]]
|-
| 21:30 || TBC || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bendol, Spring Regio || [[Warmage]] || [[LINK|Drive the vallorn from the regio]]
|-
| 21:40 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Possible|Possible]] || Sarangrave, Bendol, Spring Regio || [[Archmage of Spring]] || [[LINK|Cast Dance of Navarr and Thorn]]
|-
| 23:00 || 5 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Sarangrave, the Whisperwood, Depths of the Hungry Earth || [[Sun Chamber|Counsel of the Sun Chamber]] || [[LINK|Investigate the Hungry Earth]]
|-
| 23:05 || 40 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Volodmartz, Livardz, Sumisev Peegel || '''Auntie Armand Mariyavich Remislav''' || [[LINK|Destroy the Sumisev Peegel]]
|}

==Military Considerations==
{{stub}}
Several [[territory]] pages now contain details of strategic obstacles presented or advantages provided by movement through or fighting in those lands. There are also several [[fortification|fortifications]] that follow different rules. Several armies or nations have special rules or opportunities related to the orders they can issue, which should be borne in mind when discussing military strategies during the Winter Solstice.
* '''Billeting:''' Any Imperial army can take the '''''[[Army_orders#Billet|Billet]]''''' order in [[Mitwold]], [[Mournwold]], or [[Upwold]]. [[Army_orders#Billet|Link]]
* '''Dawn:'''
** Dawnish armies cannot take the '''''[[Army_orders#Cautious Advance|Cautious Advance]]''''' order or the '''''[[Army_orders#Give_Ground|Give Ground]]''''' order. [[Dawn military concerns#Army Orders|Link]]
** The borders of [[the Barrens]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_23|mandate]] enacted by Ser Tunic. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in the Barrens.
* '''Highguard'''
** Highborn armies can take the '''''Protect the Innocent''''' order. [[Highguard_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
** Highborn armies enchanted with rituals or targeted by a boon that calls an eternal to send heralds to fight alongside the army will lose a thousand effective strength until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE as a result of a [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_9|mandate]] enacted by Frater Pontius of Adoniram's Testament
** Any Highborn army attacking into Zenith from Morrow gains a 20% bonus to any territory captured and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]
* '''Imperial Orcs'''
** An Imperial Orc army can take the '''''Forge Hammers''''' order whilst in [[Skarsind]]. [[Imperial_Orcs_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
* '''The Marches:'''
** Marcher armies cannot take the '''''[[Army_orders#Give_Ground|Give Ground]]''''' order. [[The_Marches_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
** The [[Strong Reeds]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Bregasland]]. [[New_port,_old_wine#New_Oaths,_Old_Boots|Link]]
** The [[Tusks]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Mournwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
** The [[Drakes]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Mitwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
** The [[Bounders]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Upwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
* '''Urizen:'''
** The borders of [[Morrow]] and [[Zenith]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_14|mandate]] enacted by Herminius of the House of the Wanderer. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in Morrow and Zenith.
** Any Urizen army attacking into Zenith from Morrow gains a 20% bonus to any territory captured and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]
* '''Varushka:'''
** The borders of [[Ossium]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_157|mandate]] enacted by Velko Perunovich Razorasza. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in Ossium.
** Varushkan armies can take the '''''Hospitality of the Boyars''''' order whilst in Ossium. [[Varushka_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]].
* '''Wintermark:'''
** Wintermark armies can take the '''''Fight with Honour''''' order. [[Fight_with_monsters#A_Hero.27s_Tale|Link]].
** Wintermark armies fighting against the Jotun will gain 10% more victory points but inflict 20% less casualties. [[Fight_with_monsters#A_Hero.27s_Tale|Link]]
** Wintermark armies fighting against the Jotun have their casualties taken reduced by 10%. This effect continues as long as the Winterfolk continue to fight honourably. [[A_tale_told#Game_Information|Link]]

Click ''Expand'' to see military considerations that are less relevant at the current time but are still active.
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
*'''Morrow:''' Any Highborn or Urizen army that defends in Morrow against an army attacking from Zenith gains a 20% bonus to defend territory and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]</div>

388YE Summer Solstice winds of war

2026-07-19T20:22:31Z

Hailmur: /* Friday */

[[Category:Winds of War]][[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Military Council]][[Category:Recent History]]
<div {{floatleft}}>{{CaptionedImage|file=Overseer Challenged.webp|align=left|caption=Those who sit highest have the furthest to fall|width=2000}}</div>
==Overview==
Over the last three months, Imperial forces have engaged in military campaigns. Sometimes those engagements have been wide-ranging and dramatic, other times they have been more sedate. Where there has been dramatic action, or where there are [[opportunity|opportunities]], we've given a Wind of War its own page; other military actions are discussed here.

As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of War and the [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_fortune|Winds of Fortune]] is to make players aware of things their characters ''should'' know, based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing, and to maintain the Empire as a living, breathing place where all kinds of events take place beyond the scope of [[Anvil]].

It should go without saying that we ask everyone to abide by the rules about [[Online_roleplaying|online roleplaying]] with regard to the military campaign. It's important that the key in-character activity of the Empire world takes place at events. The game is busier and better if everything that can happen in the field, does happen in the field. Military planning and political discussions should happen at events. For this reason, we generally discourage too much downtime roleplaying between events and put strict limits on what can be done online, particularly using our forums and Facebook groups.

All that said, we now present a summary of the key military activity in the Empire - both with links to the expanded Wind of War pages and notes about other important things that have happened that didn't need a full battle campaign write-up.

</table>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="width:400px; float: right; margin: 10px;"
|-
! Conflict !! Wind
|-
| [[Madruga]] || [[Phantasms and foam]]
|-
| [[Mareave]] || [[Mithril and rope]]
|-
| [[Sarangrave]] || [[Thorn and bone]]
|-
|}
</table>
==Battle opportunities==
Imperial prognosticators have identified three possible [[Sentinel_Gate#Major_Conjunctions|major conjunctions]] of the [[Sentinel Gate]] at the coming summit. The [[Military Council]] will [[muster]] on Friday night, and the [[general|generals]] will select two of them to be taken up by Imperial heroes. At the moment, the full details of these opportunities are not clear; more information will be provided nearer to the event.

All battle opportunities are [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Combat Highly Likely]] environments.
<table><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Territory'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opportunity'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Location'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opposition'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Day'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Learn More'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''CS Briefing'''</td>
<tr><td>[[Sarangrave]]</td><td>Contain the dead</td><td>''Fens of Varreth'', Turan Flats</td><td>Druj</td><td>Either day</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Forest of Ulnak]]</td><td>Raid the Druj</td><td>''Fetid Heart'', Ghul'Thak Forest</td><td>Druj</td><td>Either day</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Mareave]]</td><td>Open the Vaults</td><td>''Ruins of Sinat'', Clisearn</td><td>Grendel</td><td>Sunday</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
</table>


===Battle participation===
If you have your own [[orc]] mask please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field forces predominantly comprised of barbarian orcs. If you are unable to wear a mask, then all battle opportunities have limited roles for human barbarian combatants and low-combat roles such as healers, support mages, artisans, messengers and attendants. Player [[Monstering_a_battle#Elite_Monster_Units|elite monster units]] (EMUs) are expected to monster as their barbarian orc units regardless of the battle opportunity, and should not include human combatants.

* '''The Forest of Ulnak opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Druj orc fighters'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Druj orcs as normal. If you have your own [[orc]] mask, please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field a force predominantly comprised of Druj orcs. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Druj weaponry, particularly swords, spears and great weapons, as well as bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Druj look [[Druj_look_and_feel|here]], but the key element for portraying the Druj is a mantle and ragged material layers that echo natural greens, browns, greys, and black, with occasional bright accent colours as their iconic look.

* '''The Sarangrave opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Druj orc fighters, with options for playing winter husks'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Druj orcs as normal. If you have your own [[orc]] mask, please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field a force predominantly comprised of Druj orcs. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Druj weaponry, particularly swords, spears and great weapons, as well as bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Druj look [[Druj_look_and_feel|here]], but the key element for portraying the Druj is a mantle and ragged material layers that echo natural greens, browns, greys, and black, with occasional bright accent colours as their iconic look.

Winter husks have no special requirements and can be represented by basic costume, armour, and weapons (but not thrown or ranged weapons). This could be added to with costume from any Imperial nation that has recently fought in Sarangrave. Using rags and tattered fabric can also enhance the look. Please do not wear any form of undead or zombie mask, as we are aiming to portray the recently dead soliders of Imperial armies, not long decaying or rotting corpses.

* '''The Mareave opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Grendel orc soldiers'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Grendel orcs as normal. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Grendel weaponry, particularly swords, spears, and bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Grendel look [[Grendel look and feel|here]], and the key elements for portraying the Grendel are a light coloured base layer, with mantles, shoulder capes, wraps and other purple clothing and other bright colours as their iconic look.

'''IMPORTANT''' - we will '''not''' be reusing any orc masks to players for these battle opportunities. Our orc masks will only be used once this event and then washed ready for the next event. We are continuing the provision of battle opportunities with non-orc enemies until such a time as we have sufficient masks to run two fully orc-masked battles.

==Conjunctions==
The [[Sentinel Gate]] also allows smaller groups of Imperial citizens to reach locations all over the Empire where their intervention might change the course of events. Many of these ''[[Sentinel Gate#Conjunction|conjunctions]]'' involve combat, but there are also a variety of other opportunities presented by the magic of the Gate.

For most conjunctions, the Civil Service has identified the Imperial titles that are the most appropriate to take overall responsibility for ensuring that a response is organised. Whilst the individual has been named by the Civil Service, there is no legal requirement for them to coordinate a response or travel on the conjunction. They may delegate oversight to another individual of their choosing. As always, Imperial war scouts will be on hand at the Sentinel Gate to provide further information to any citizens wanting to learn more. They can provide updates on the barbarians' goals, guidance on how to engage the enemy troops or advice on how to avoid casualties and return back to Anvil in safety.

Sometimes it is necessary for us to make small adjustments to the timing or size of encounters at the time of this publication and when an encounter runs at an event. Details for the conjunctions on Friday will be finalised on Friday afternoon of the event before time-in (18:00) whilst details for the conjunctions on Saturday will be finalised on Saturday before time-in (10:00). Please check the details of any conjunction you are interested in as soon as possible to ensure that you have the full and up-to-date information; it might also be sensible to check again shortly before the planned time of the encounter. You can check the details of a conjunction by casting [[Detect_magic#Discover_Conjunction|Detect Magic (Discover Conjunction)]] on the Sentinel Gate in the presence of a referee.

It's very important to pay attention to the [[accessibility]] note for each conjunction, which covers the likelihood of combat. Further details about the accessibility of a conjunction are [[Accessibility#Who_and_how_to_ask.3F|available both before and during the event]]. You can learn more about this on the [[accessibility]] page.

===Friday===
<div class="alert">'''These times and numbers are subject to change until 18:00 on Friday</div>
{|table class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Time !! People !! Duration !! [[Accessibility#Combat|Combat]] !! Location !! Responsibility !! Overview/Link
|-
| 18:15 || 12 || 45 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Kallavesa, West Marsh, The Meeting Place || '''[[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_32|Erlend]]''' || [[LINK|Consecrate the Meeting Place]]
|-
| 18:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Whisperwood, Halfweir Grove || [[Fingers of the Devourer|Custodian of the Fingers of the Devourer]] || [[LINK|Destroy the heralds of Surut]]
|-
| 18:35 || 5 || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Astolat, Withy, Igraine's Regio || [[Astolat|Senator for Astolat]] || [[LINK|Find out why the regio keeps shifting back to Spring, and resolve it]]
|-
| 18:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Mitwold, Maiden Downs, Maiden Stone || [[Champion of Prosperity]] || [[LINK|Stop Jyll Longleys from cursing the Maiden Stone]]
|-
| 19:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Dawnguard, Troubadour's Glade || [[Knight of Dawnguard]] || [[LINK|Kill ''Prilak Gutdredger'']]
|-
| 19:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Mitwold, Maiden Downs, Golden Fields|| [[Keeper of the Golden Fields]] || [[LINK|Stop Bill of Beatsdown setting Golden Fields alight]]
|-
| 19:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Saltmarsh, The Dredging Flats || [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Winter]] || [[LINK|Kill the Servants of the Burnt]]
|-
| 20:05 || 5 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Madruga, Free Landing, Hart's Cove || [[Hand of Guerra]] || [[LINK|Aid the stranded ship from Sumaah]]
|-
| 20:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Ossium, Echofell, Burned Glade || [[Shadowed Torchbearer]] || [[LINK|Prevent the cursing of Ossium]]
|-
| 21:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Therunin, Lower Tarn Valley, Rotwood Croft || '''Andronikos of the Lighthouse-That-Was''' || [[LINK|Destroy the miasma pillar]]
|-
| 21:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Kroll, Slow Worm's Hill || [[Sevenfold Path|Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path]] || [[LINK|Prevent the cursing of Sarangrave]]
|-
| 21:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Turan Flats, The Breakteeth dais || [[Eastern Sky|General of the Eastern Sky]] || [[LINK|Recover the treasure]]
|-
|}

===Saturday===
<div class="alert">'''These times and numbers are subject to change until 10:00 on Saturday</div>
{|table class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Time !! People !! Duration !! [[Accessibility#Combat|Combat]] !! Location !! Responsibility !! Overview/Link
|-
| 14:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Bitter Strand, Saltshore || [[Merchant of the Fangs]] || [[LINK|Answer General Utmar's call for aid]]
|-
| 15:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Madruga, The Crucible, Talpses Plat || [[Champion of Vigilance]] || [[LINK|Claim the ''Snapping Face'']]
|-
| 15:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Carmine Fields, Trading Way || '''Rhydian de Rondell''' || [[LINK|Remove the failed knights-errant of House Courcillion as a threat]]
|-
| 15:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Necropolis, Coursmouth, The Veiled Garden || [[Guardian of Britta's Memorial]] || [[LINK|Spill the waters of Siakha]]
|-
| 15:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, The Untrod Groves, Glade of the Good Knight || [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Winter]] || [[LINK|Thwart the schemes of Ser Gawain Amboise]]
|-
| 15:50 || TBC || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Mareave, Fleisardh, Spring Regio near Golden Wind's Encampment || [[Silver Chalice|Grandmaster of the Silver Chalice]] || [[LINK|Poison the Grendel]]
|-
| 16:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Tassato, Cascatas, Campo Verdenta || [[Keeper of the Sapphire Stair]]|| [[LINK|Kill the heralds of Siakha]]
|-
| 17:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Spiral, Apstrus, Alba's Lea || [[Legacy|Custodian of the Legacy]]|| [[LINK|Intercept the mercenaries pay]]
|-
| 17:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Reikos, Haros Water, Couros Field || '''Nekoda of the Shattered Tower''' || [[LINK|Save Professor Gelberg from Grendel assassins]]
|-
| 18:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Redoubt, Naris, Isaac's End|| [[Quaymaster of the Elosian Docks]] || [[LINK|Leave no more than a dozen Grendel alive]]
|-
| 18:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Kallavesa, Wittal Grove, Frithstan's Fen || [[Grimnir of Wittal Grove]] || [[LINK|Defeat the Grendel (and potentially rescue the Iontach)]]
|-
| 20:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Forest of Ulnak, Grimfen Mire, Moss End || [[Warmage]] || [[LINK|Take advantage of a recent scouting discovery]]
|-
| 20:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Eastern Ward || '''Theodora''' || [[LINK|Cast the permanent ward]]
|-
| 20:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Saltmarsh, Gardenway || [[Envoy to the Karass]] || [[LINK|Prevent Druj raiders from kidnapping Lenna Karass]]
|-
| 21:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Western Ward || [[Spear of the Seven]] || [[LINK|Cast the permanent ward]]
|-
| 21:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Forest of Ulnak, Gloomsea, Islet of Calm || [[Archmage of Day]] || [[LINK|Prevent the Eyes of the Dragon from using a boon of Kimus]]
|-
| 21:30 || TBC || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bendol, Spring Regio || [[Warmage]] || [[LINK|Drive the vallorn from the regio]]
|-
| 21:40 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Possible|Possible]] || Sarangrave, Bendol, Spring Regio || [[Archmage of Spring]] || [[LINK|Cast Dance of Navarr and Thorn]]
|-
| 23:00 || 5 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Sarangrave, the Whisperwood, Depths of the Hungry Earth || [[Sun Chamber|Counsel of the Sun Chamber]] || [[LINK|Investigate the Hungry Earth]]
|-
| 23:05 || 40 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Volodmartz, Livardz, Sumisev Peegel || '''Auntie Armand Mariyavich Remislav''' || [[LINK|Destroy the Sumisev Peegel]]
|}

==Military Considerations==
{{stub}}
Several [[territory]] pages now contain details of strategic obstacles presented or advantages provided by movement through or fighting in those lands. There are also several [[fortification|fortifications]] that follow different rules. Several armies or nations have special rules or opportunities related to the orders they can issue, which should be borne in mind when discussing military strategies during the Winter Solstice.
* '''Billeting:''' Any Imperial army can take the '''''[[Army_orders#Billet|Billet]]''''' order in [[Mitwold]], [[Mournwold]], or [[Upwold]]. [[Army_orders#Billet|Link]]
* '''Dawn:'''
** Dawnish armies cannot take the '''''[[Army_orders#Cautious Advance|Cautious Advance]]''''' order or the '''''[[Army_orders#Give_Ground|Give Ground]]''''' order. [[Dawn military concerns#Army Orders|Link]]
** The borders of [[the Barrens]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_23|mandate]] enacted by Ser Tunic. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in the Barrens.
* '''Highguard'''
** Highborn armies can take the '''''Protect the Innocent''''' order. [[Highguard_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
** Highborn armies enchanted with rituals or targeted by a boon that calls an eternal to send heralds to fight alongside the army will lose a thousand effective strength until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE as a result of a [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_9|mandate]] enacted by Frater Pontius of Adoniram's Testament
** Any Highborn army attacking into Zenith from Morrow gains a 20% bonus to any territory captured and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]
* '''Imperial Orcs'''
** An Imperial Orc army can take the '''''Forge Hammers''''' order whilst in [[Skarsind]]. [[Imperial_Orcs_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
* '''The Marches:'''
** Marcher armies cannot take the '''''[[Army_orders#Give_Ground|Give Ground]]''''' order. [[The_Marches_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
** The [[Strong Reeds]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Bregasland]]. [[New_port,_old_wine#New_Oaths,_Old_Boots|Link]]
** The [[Tusks]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Mournwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
** The [[Drakes]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Mitwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
** The [[Bounders]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Upwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
* '''Urizen:'''
** The borders of [[Morrow]] and [[Zenith]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_14|mandate]] enacted by Herminius of the House of the Wanderer. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in Morrow and Zenith.
** Any Urizen army attacking into Zenith from Morrow gains a 20% bonus to any territory captured and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]
* '''Varushka:'''
** The borders of [[Ossium]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_157|mandate]] enacted by Velko Perunovich Razorasza. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in Ossium.
** Varushkan armies can take the '''''Hospitality of the Boyars''''' order whilst in Ossium. [[Varushka_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]].
* '''Wintermark:'''
** Wintermark armies can take the '''''Fight with Honour''''' order. [[Fight_with_monsters#A_Hero.27s_Tale|Link]].
** Wintermark armies fighting against the Jotun will gain 10% more victory points but inflict 20% less casualties. [[Fight_with_monsters#A_Hero.27s_Tale|Link]]
** Wintermark armies fighting against the Jotun have their casualties taken reduced by 10%. This effect continues as long as the Winterfolk continue to fight honourably. [[A_tale_told#Game_Information|Link]]

Click ''Expand'' to see military considerations that are less relevant at the current time but are still active.
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
*'''Morrow:''' Any Highborn or Urizen army that defends in Morrow against an army attacking from Zenith gains a 20% bonus to defend territory and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]</div>

This is the end

2026-07-19T20:14:19Z

Hailmur:

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
<ic>
SCENE: A COURTYARD IN SHADOW. MUSIC PLAYS FAR AWAY. THEY SPEAK, FILLING THE COURTYARD WITH WHISPERS, THEIR VOICES GLITTERING LIKE GEMSTONES.

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "Quite a shame, quite a shame. We did so like that city. Oh, waily waily, our house in ruins...! What a beautiful game it was, though - and such good sports all."

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "We shall return, perhaps, in a less fervent season? Though now it is under the cursed serpent's aegis... by the void and abyss, how I hate that cursèd songbird!"

'''RUBY VOICE:''' "All the more reason to skulk in secret, my dearest darling confidante. We'll find places, and people will whisper to us once more. The circle turns, and tickets are always on sale."

'''TOPAZ VOICE:''' "And what of the rest? The sloth? The hybrid? The chatterer? The firestorm? All in their tedium. They'll all be clamouring to be there now. Not to even speak of --"

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "-- don't you go on so, beloved. We were the first! First to notice the potential of the place, before the feathered bore stuck in her beak. Art is about getting everyone talking."

'''RUBY VOICE:''' "First to roost, and first to flee. Such is our lot. O, what an ill-fated star for the beloved of cats. Friendless, now, abandoned by our confidantes. Even dearest Teodore... even--"

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "-- you know I heard the Barossa priest is to defend Bela Vicente. Rumour speaks, companions mine, that he does so out of an obligation we created - how exceptionally droll."

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "Ah, Asav. Pleasant, this time of year. Now there's a place that appreciates the value of intrigue. Not like these Catazarri secret-murderers, addicted to truth's dishonesty."

'''TOPAZ VOICE:''' "Or Jarm. Our friends in the Violet Forest have been saying we have been neglecting them. Though they keep busy anyway, I hear. There's always a way where there's a will."

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "So we're agreed. A sojourn onwards to new retreats for this merry band of players and artists. We must prepare for the next debut. Where one curtain falls, after all, another rises."

THE FIGURES RETREAT FROM THE SHADOWS. A SMALL ALBINO KITTEN WANDERS OUT ONTO THE STAGE. IT LOOKS TOWARDS THE AUDIENCE. IT LOOKS AT YOU.

Letitia lowered the pages, trying to keep her face neutral, but Mario saw through her immediately. He jutted his jaw pugnaciously, and she could see him getting angry with her before she had even opened her mouth.

"Well?" He demanded. She tried to plaster a smile on her face but it wouldn't stick and slipped off, possibly because she had started to sweat.

"It's a bit... I mean it's very good obviously." The last bit was spoken very fast indeed because she'd noticed Mario had one hand on the pommel of the rod at his side. The playwright's days of fighting for the Conclave were past, but he kept the rod to remind people that as well as wrangling words he could still crack heads when the situation called for it.

"A bit what," he said, refusing to let it go.

"It's a bit... it's a bit.. <small>over the top?</small>"

Mario ripped the pages from her hands and threw them on the ground. The rest of the company turned to gawk, as actors are wont to do. Two of the stage hands took the opportunity to nip off for a quick break.

"FINE!" Mario shouted in a voice Letitia swore was making the rafter vibrate. He could project when he wanted to. "You ''wanted'' a play about the Whisper Gallery but I ''give'' you a play about the Whisper Gallery and what do you do? You ''criticise''! You throw it back in my face! ''You'' write a play that captures the enigmatic nature of the Lords of the Chiaroscuran Throne then! You clearly know what you want better than I do!" The playwright stormed out.

Letitia squeezed the bridge of her nose. She hated bringing the company to Spiral, because of exactly this kind of thing. What, she wondered - not for the first time - did the Black Plateau have against art?</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sofonisba Amilcara of the City Below.jpg|caption='''Sofonisba Amilcara''' is somehow the map to the City Below. Exactly what that means is... well, a mystery.|align=left|width=350}}</div>
==Overview==
The peculiar dramaturgic confluence that began in the city of Apulian more than a year ago, seems to have reached a crescendo. Against a backdrop of running battles in the Apulian streets between [[This is the end|strangely-coloured cats with mispaired eyes and songbirds with rainbow feathers]], a cadre of military units arrives in the city to help Sofonisba Amilcara "map the city below".

Apparently convinced that there is not enough Night magic running amok in the territory, someone has laid a powerful enchantment over the territory. It brings strange dreams that seem to be linked to ongoing events. Many people suddenly awaken from dreams in which they were part of the ongoing war, fighting as either a cat or a bird against the enemy trying to seize control of the city.

Despite the strangeness, most inhabitants of Spiral find sleep brings renewed optimism and vigour. The city is filled with a feverish energy, and on the lonely mountain slopes those that live there are filled with a new joy after many sorrows. Things live. This is an old place, with a history beyond imagining, and it seems impossible it could ever be abandoned, so tightly and beautifully does it command the heart of those who call it home.

==Talon and claw==
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right; margin: 15px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Great Eared-Nightjar.jpg|align=right|caption=The war between birds and cats is over, and the city echoes with birdsong.|width=450}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Rainbow cat.jpg|caption=The war between birds and cats is over, and the cats have decided they'd actually rather not live in the city any more thank you.|align=left|width=450}}</div>
</div>
* '''The war between the cats and the birds is over'''
* '''The birds have driven the cats out of the city'''
* '''Birdsong is now everywhere in Apulian, drowning out the emanations of the Black Plateau'''
* '''The penalty to League businesses from the Black Plateau will be drowned out for a season after the Summer Solstice'''
As the season wears on, the war for dominion in Apulian intensifies with open fighting on the streets between the two rivals gangs. The first major battle takes place on Mulberry Avenue; a large flock of common blackbirds are deployed to the area, but as soon as they alight on the walls and rooftops, they are set upon by a force of cats that are lying in wait for them. Like soldiers under [[Clarity of the Master Strategist]], the cats are able to strike with perfect coordination, taking the enemy by surprise, killing two and driving the rest away. Days later a group of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightjar nightjars] are attacked in the same way on Bleeker Street with similar results.

Despite this, it soon becomes clear that the cats are ''not'' winning. Eventually, the birds are able to arrange an ambush of their own. A group of cats surround a tiny thrush that appears to have recklessly alighted on a branch on the old yew tree outside the Lone Reveller, a well-regarded eatery on the city's central plaza. Cats converge on the bird from every side-street, but as they do a huge flock of birds of prey plummet from the sky. Amber hawks lancing down to the streets below, plummeting kites with beautiful argent feathers, diving merlins whose feathers bear the rune of wealth.

A battle royale takes place all across the plaza, but the cats are badly outnumbered and outmatched and they are routed in short order. From that point on, no cat is seen in the plaza, thereafter it is the secure demesne of beautiful songbirds. The pattern repeats all across the city and soon the cats are in full retreat. In dribs and drabs they flee the city, seeking refuge in the citadels and spires that still dot the hills and mountains of the territory. By the end of the season, there is not a single cat of any kind left in Apulian.

In their place, the city is filled with birds of every kind and colour imaginable. Most are flighty and wary of people, but the smaller ones come close if fed with seed. Their birdsong fills the city, countless beautiful songs, each one different to the last, are now audible on every street and avenue in the city. Those whose cats have fled mourn the loss of their pets, but the presence of the birds is so beneficial it is hard to be entirely disgruntled. Somehow, the birdsong it entirely drowns out the constant malevolence coming from the Black Plateau, leaving the city well-protected and serene.

The strangely coloured cats with the mispaired eyes have not quit the territory entirely. Every Urizeni spire, every Urizeni magician, has been approached by at least one of the odd cats, seeking adoption and shared cohabitation. Negotiations are opened with offers of dead mice, and the promise of a study completely free of flies and other insects. Despite the obvious concerns, all magical investigation reveals that while the cats are unusually clever and conspiratorial, and clearly touched by night magic, they are not otherwise marked by any connection to the realm or any one of its inhabitants. Any Urizeni magician who wishes, now has at least one cat whose fur is a single primary color, like a bright red or a deep green, with mispaired eyes. The cats are hard working, keeping spires clear of insects and vermin and they are all highly companionable. They clearly welcome human company and like to snuggle close when people are talking or otherwise engaged.

==Never follow me==
<div {{float}}>
<table class='wikitable mw-collapsed mw-collapsible sortable'><tr><th>Citizen</th><th>Banner</th><th>Nation</th></tr>
<tr><td>Alistair de Vere</td><td>House de Vere</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alys de Vere</td><td>House de Vere</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>D'Eon</td><td>Anvil Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Desmond Redbear Steward</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Earl Enchanter Severin De Manticore</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Evrard Taillier</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lady Soleil-Jolie duLac</td><td>House duLac</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lerac Birdkeep</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lord Bors "The Middle" du Merciel</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mirella of the Twisted Rose</td><td>Amber Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Olwyn Pickle</td><td>Amber Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Perrin Syrenus</td><td>House Syrenus</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ser Percival of de Licorne</td><td>House de Licorne</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Adrianna</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Caius</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Quintus</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Renata</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Carmine de Sarvos "Father"</td><td>The Printers' Guild</td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Natalia 'The Falcon' Barossa</td><td>Company of The Red Fox</td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sofonisba Amilcara of the City Below</td><td></td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Aella</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Althaea Sunshaper</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Arephanes of Tropaion Citadel</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Argentus</td><td>The Wise Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Atreus</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cassian Highwind</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Corinthius</td><td>The Wise Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cyrus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cyrus Stillwater</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Donato of the Crucible</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Fausta Ankarien</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Floria Sunshaper</td><td>Sunshaper Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Grakulus</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Halkyon of the Myriad Stream</td><td>The Banner of the Spiral Council</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ignatious</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Linos</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Magnus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Marcus</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sabina</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Shibboleth Tziporah</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Valerius</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Varrus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Vespasian</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Xanthippe Of the Lighthouse-That-Was</td><td>Arete's Promise</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Sofonisba Amilcara has successfully become the Map to the City Below'''
* '''The military units who assisted her have uncovered a lair under the dominion of the Whisper Gallery below the Vicente School and Orphanage'''
* '''The lair has been destroyed but the Whisper Gallery has stolen the Orphanage that was hiding it'''
* '''There was nobody in the Orphanage when it was stolen'''
* '''Sung has rewarded the Map to the City Below for their efforts'''
* '''There is a pack insert for everyone who took part in the venture that contains words that might describe their experience'''
<div style="float: right; max-width: 350px; margin-right: 10px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sung001b.JPG|width=350|align=right}}
{{HoverImage|WhisperGal004.png|width=350|WhisperGal005.png}}</div>
At the request of the [[Sung|Rainbow Serpent]], Sofonisba Amilcara - the magician the League Assembly has appointed to become the "Map to the City Below" - successfully arranged just under forty five military units to support their efforts to explore the the sewers and passageways that lie beneath the old city. Fears that the [[Whisper Gallery]] would find a way to hinder their efforts have proved unfounded and the force was more than enough to achieve the eternal's goals, whatever they might be. They haven't actually managed to produce a physical map that anyone can check - in fact many of the military units didn't actually seem to do anything other than spend long nights in deep slumber - but that's fine because there was already a perfectly practical map of the sewers anyway. And yet, and yet..

There were revelations at the recent summit of a terrible conspiracy at the heart of the Empire. A cult of the Whisper Gallery has been exposed: involving not only the duSesna Guild of Reckoners in Apulian, but, it is said, the ''very'' highest levels of the Conclave itself. A web of lies and deceit has been spun that has left many wondering who they can truly trust. Thus, it is not a complete shock, when Sofonisba and her allies report that they have discovered a lair of the Whisper Gallery here in Apulian.

The Shadow Den of the Adumbral Volution is something akin to a ''fane''. It has been established in the basement of the [[Custodian_of_the_Vicente_School_and_Orphanage|Vicente School and Orphanage]], not by the action of the Senate, but by the action of wicked cultists. Somehow these agents of wickedness have suborned the title-holder's natural authority over the orphanage and used it to grant dominion to the Whisper Gallery, despite the Senate's lack of formal [[Urizen_hearth_magic#Cession|cession]]. In practical terms, the result is not that different to a [[fane]] - its presence here has allowed the eternal to operate freely in the city - only in this case nobody knew it was happening. Sadly it is difficult to discern more, for the Orphanage has been lost in the battle. The allies of Sung claim they didn't destroy the building; if that is true, the most likely alternative is that the Whisper Gallery has chosen to spirit it away somehow. If the eternal can't have the school, neither can the Empire, it would seem.

<div {{float}}><box>
'''Night Marks'''
<p>Apulian has been left permanently marked by the dominion of the Whisper Gallery. Every magician who examines the marks agrees that there is nothing that can be done about them, but they aren't a threat to the city ''right now''. They may become an issue in the future, but if that happens there will be a way to deal with them then.</p>

<p>They might draw the attention of other night eternals seeking to become involved in the City Below, or they might create an [[opportunity]] for the Whisper Gallery to cause trouble for citizens of Spiral. They exist in case we choose to use them for a new plot involving the eternal in the future.</p></box></div>

The Shadow Den has been uprooted, and the baleful influence of the Whisper Gallery on Apulian has been ended. The duSesna Guild have gone to ground, fleeing Apulian. In time most will likely be found and brought to justice by [[Venture#War_of_Whispers|enterprising captains]] - for they no longer have anywhere to hide, here. Sofonisba reports that she and the captains supporting her have overturned the lair and run the Whisper Gallery out of the city. The eternal is defeated... but their presence here has seeped in to the stones of the city. The wound has healed, but the ''scar'' remains. Magicians who cast [[Bright Lantern of Ophis]] while in Apulian can sense ''something'' which most agree are the marks left on the city by the eternal. A parting gift from the Shadow Courtiers: the magical equivalent of graffiti scrawled on the toilet walls.

There is nothing that can be done about this now: not without razing the city to the ground and beginning again. There is little to fear from these marks in and of themselves - they don't have any power over the city or anyone who dwells in it. The only influence they could have would be to make the city a little more secretive and conspiratorial - and really... this is Apulian. Would anyone even notice at this point?

It would be unwise to forget about the marks completely however. The Whisper Gallery has had to expend considerable effort to create the marks. The ''Concilium of the Perjured Throne'' has demonstrated that the Empire can drive it out, but they cannot remove every trace of its influence. The marks show that the eternal had dominion here once and that perhaps, it intends to return one day to reclaim its prize. Perhaps for that reason, Sung has rewarded the Map to the City Below, empowering them to protect the city from the malevolent wickedness of the Whisper Gallery.

==Take a chance with us==
* '''Other Night eternals have inquired if they might themselves receive a berth in the City Below'''
* '''In particular, the Azoth and Sadogua have drawn up some curious proposals'''
* '''The actual effect of building these commissions is a mystery - but Sung guarantees a measure of protection and safety under the shadow of her wings'''

<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''The Delectable Refectory'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Apulus, Spiral</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 10 wains of mithril, 10 wains of white granite, 10 rings of ilium, and 60 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 1 season</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' The Delectable Refectory would need to be ceded to Sadogua</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' All the effects of this edifice are a mystery</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
</table>

<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''The Grand Laboratory'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Apulus, Spiral</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 10 wains of mithril, 10 wains of white granite, 10 weirwood, 10 rings of ilium, and 90 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 1 season</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' The edifice would need to be ceded to Azoth</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' All the effects of this edifice are a mystery</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
As predicted, the completion of Sung's fane has drawn attention from other Night eternals - and the routing of the Cavalcade of Purrs has only heightened that, for there is little love lost between the Shadow Courtiers and the other denizens of the realm. Heralds working for both the [[Azoth]] and [[Sadogua]] have begun seen now regularly in the city this season and have also come to call at spires and citadels across the territory. The two eternals have made no secret of the fact that they would ''dearly'' love a place within the City Below to call their own.
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">[[file:Sadogua001d.webp|align=right|width=250]]</div>
Sadogua, perhaps predictably, has taken a close interest in the [[The_play_that_came_to_Apulian#Curiouser_and_Curiouser|dramaturgical college]]. His heralds have presented his "suggestions" for an annex to the University; specifically, ''Batfather'' feels that the current plans fail to take into account the need to ensure that students and teachers are replete with find food and drink, so that they can indulge themselves when needed or deserved. As such, the ''Brother of Wizards'' suggests the construction of what he calls the Delectable Refectory. This would be an edifice ceded to Sadogua - a fane for all practical terms - at which banquets would be served for those who cared to attend them, "with plenty of extra trimmings and custard for all as wants them, and hammocks provided too to aid in after-dinner digestion". Everyone would be welcome to attend, but the Refectory would be housed inside a Night regio, so they would need to cast [[operate portal]] to enter, or have some other means of ingress and egress.
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Crucible.png|align=right|width=200}}</div>
The Azoth has let it be known that it, too, would like a home in the city of night. They envisage a Grand Laboratory that is attached to the growing University of Apulian, though to what end is unclear. As such, they propose that in lieu of actual plans, a suitable quantity of building materials could be acquired first. Then, once they had been arranged, ''Makeready'' would provide the builders and craftspersons with several dozen of its finest alchemical concoctions. After that, they could be encouraged to "just sort of make what comes to mind - no wrong answers!", as one herald put it. Such an... unconventional... approach would be ''guaranteed'' to produce something original and creative. Whether that is an entirely good idea is open to criticism, as one Holberg professor of civil engineering dryly comments "You can overrate the value of originality when suspending three tons of roofing tiles over someone's head".

Either, or both, of these edifices could be constructed and ceded so long as the [[Conclave]] does not declare its enmity on either Eternal. Experienced magicians caution that doing so is bound to provide some benefits to the city, but will inevitably attract even more attention from the other night eternals. [[Lashonar]] and [[Janon]] are both under enmity at the moment, preventing their heralds from ''appearing'' in Spiral, even despite the enchantment over the territory, but there are murmurings that they share the desire of their fellow wyrms and serpents to engage.

There are clear risks in ceding anything to an eternal of course, not least what happens if the Empire decides to change its mind. However the heralds attending the [[Map_to_the_City_Below|Chamber of Euphony]] claim that ''Spiral Dancer'' has enfolded her wings around Apulian, protecting its mysteries and its occupants from harm. Now that the battle for Apulian is won, other night eternals seeking a foothold in the city would be bound to acknowledge Sung's ascendency. The protection provided by the ''Rainbow Serpent'' is something of a double-edged sword - it preserves mysteries, making it literally impossible for Sadogua or Azoth to know what the edifices they propose might ultimately do, but it severely restricts the ability of any eternal to act with genuine malice or deceit. It is not impossible that an eternal could circumvent such protection, Sung is not all knowing and is as prone to error as any mortal, but it would make it vastly more difficult.

This is why Spiral Dancer has created the Map to the City Below. Having successfully driven the ''Concilium of the Perjured Throne'' from Spiral, the Map is now "bound" to the City. Sung's heralds don't actually mean bound in the way a magical item is [[create bond|bound]] to its owner, but they clearly mean something similar. It is clear that Sung believes that a map of the city represents the city in a way that goes beyond what a mortal cartographer might assume. Mortals see the map as an image that represents the city - Sung views it the other way round, regarding the city as a reflection of the map. To the eternal, the map is real and concrete while the city is abstract and symbolic.

Which is all a lot of fancy magical bollocks in the minds of many practical League business folk. What it actually ''means'' is that the "Map" will usually be the first to know if the city is threatened by an eternal. Or that the Map will know about any threat as soon as Sung does. Or that Sung will know about any threat as soon as the Map does. At least one of those things is definitely true, possibly all of them. Straight answers are rare with some night eternals, and none more so than the ''Lord of Illusions''.

==The moment prepared for==
<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Seductive and Mysterious.jpg|caption=Dramaturgy is at once bold and obvious, but also subtle and enigmatic. A play is an easy thing to understand, but its effect on the mind and the spirit not quite so straightforward.|align=left|width=400}}</div>
* '''The dramaturgical confluence has largely ceased, though its cause and nature remain an elusive mystery'''
The dramaturgical confluence that began with the streets of Apulian beginning to stretch and tangle seems to have finally ended. Dramaturgists report that the personae and the thrones seem to be behaving more normally, at least for now. To the disappointment of some, the streets of Apulian seem to have largely settled down. Things are finally where they should be. Good news for accountants who are late for important meetings to go through the books with a client, bad news for cicisbeo who discover they can no longer cram a week's entertainment into a single night.

Not everything is back ''exactly'' the way it was. There is a back-alley off Metals Street just behind Lorazo's Smithy that is barely fifty yards long but it still emerges on Bleeker Street despite the fact that Bleeker Street is almost a mile away. There is a bookdealers in Three Corpse Culvert called Newcomers's Books which has five complete floors to it, as well as a basement, despite being housed in a single story building. There is a statue of Salt Lord Kaliact on the dockfront which slowly changes position, but only when someone is looking at it: otherwise, it is perfectly still. For the large part, these magics are muted and minor, at least compared with the torrent that swept the city when the confluence was in effect.

It is not clear what caused the confluence, or what it ended it for that matter. It is easy to imagine that it was the Whisper Gallery, too easy in the minds of many dramaturgists, who are convinced that the tale cannot be that simple. Dramaturgy has certain resonances that lend itself to the Whisper Gallery's games, but it is not solely the province of Night, after all.

Once the Barossa University of the Dramaturgical Arts is complete, they will be in a position to investigate dramaturgical magic more thoroughly. If they can examine the personae, thrones and instruments, and any lingering effects of the confluence, this might give insight into what happened in Apulian. Even if it doesn't, it will certainly leave the Empire much better prepared were ''another'' confluence to form which would be useful given how eager eternals appear to have been to take advantage of this one.

The shadows fall behind you

2026-07-19T19:57:16Z

Hailmur: /* Dare do all */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
<div style="display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<quote by='The Wind Erodes the Mountain, by Fedelmidd Sydanjaa's Heart Floer'>
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found its end<br>
On south sands the spires and citadels of Urizen<br>
Bore witness as armadas and the army fought and bled<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Those maggots, marauders, they brought with them Mawrig's intent<br>
Destruction, devastation, the dirge of a Grendel advance<br>
A portent's in the water, see the signs, the runes were read<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Fleet foot flanking, they evade the enemy's gaze<br>
Into Elos harbour, the hero's hammer did raise

And shattered the enchantment of a tempestuous talisman<br>
Ruining the ritual and wrecking the purple clad plan<br>
The Warriors whispered "farewell", fell, then rose up from the dead<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest<br>
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found its end.
</quote>

<quote by='In Redoubt, by Ethelfrith Sigeling'>
In Redoubt,<br>
The runes fall, fated.<br>
As Ull lies with Yoorn,<br>
As the fleets flow in.

The tide turns, the swords drawn.<br>
Under Wanderer’s eye<br>
Waves wash on southern wharves.

Elos – lost<br>
And no hero hurries to the hopeless fight.<br>
But the skein demands our foe is forced to falter,<br>
The blade blunted, that, sea borne,<br>
Would bleed the mountain mage’s heart.<br>

So our soldiers stand, and,<br>
Step by hard-won step<br>
Break the wave,<br>
Shatter the sea-sphere.

A final blow<br>
Of a far-sighted fist.
</quote></div>
{{CaptionedImage|file=LastFistBanner.jpeg|caption=Great leaders inspire greatness in others|align=left|title=Art by Determination of Ice Kaisa|width=400}}
==Overview==
The ripples of the wave that broke on the shores of [[Redoubt]] continue to wash across the Empire. Last season, an [[opportunity]] was [[Flames_and_the_dark#The_Dream_Master|presented]] to create an [[inspirational location]] at the [[Redoubt#Elos|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 [[Flames and the dark|quickly back in service]], soon to be joined by [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Acceptance:_Phaleron_and_Phoebus_Al-Pulpi|a new guest]] from the [[Realms#Day|day realm]].

None of this would have been possible without the sacrifice of the Fist of the Mountain. The oldest of the [[Wintermark]] [[army|armies]], they [[To ruin|gave everything]] to prevent the Grendel invaders destroying Elos with a weapon seized from the [[Bay_of_Catazar#Temple_of_Tempest_Jade|Temple of Tempest Jade]]. If they had not been in Redoubt, the beautiful port-city would have been destroyed by the unleashed power of ''[[Siakha|Maelstrom]]'', and Urizen does not forget such sacrifice.

The [[Synod]] have indicated that they do intend to [[consecration|consecrate]] the restored docks at the [[Redoubt#Elos|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''.
{{SOP|statement=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.|by=Eldrid 'Phoenix Flame' Vestardottir, Ambition Assembly|vote={{GM}} 332-0|when=Spring 388YE|size=small}}

==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 [[mystic|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 [[liao#True Liao|true liao]] in the coming season, it will have a lasting effect - assuming the General Assembly confirm they wish to proceed.

{{Mandate|mandate=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.|assembly=General Assembly}}

Should this mandate be enacted, the banner will be hung in pride of place and the docks consecrated with the [[Auras_of_Ambition#Dare_Do_All|true consecration]] of Ambition. Like the [[Prelate_of_Adelmar%27s_Shrine#Academy_of_Arms|Academy of Arms]] in neighbouring [[Redoubt#Siluri|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==
<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Fist's Memorial'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Sinecure</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Naris, Redoubt </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 12 wains of [[white granite]], 8 wains of [[mithril]], 60 crowns, three months</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' Until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' Requires Elos Harbour be consecrated with true liao following the Summer Solstice 388YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:'''
* Creates the title Custodian of the Fist's Memorial
* Creates a sinecure producing 9 liao
</td></tr>
</table>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightGreen;">'''Custodian of the Fist's Memorial'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Type:''' Urizen or Wintermark national</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Appointment:''' Ambition Assembly</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Powers:''' Receives an income of 9 [[liao]] each season
<tr><td>'''Responsibilities:'''
* Maintain the site and welcome visiting pilgrims
* Share the stories of the last stand of the Fist
* Encourage Imperial citizens to take a stand against the rapacious Grendel</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
* '''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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relief 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.

{{SOPInner|statement=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.|by=Otso Usvaling, Wintermark National Assembly|vote={{GM}} 188-0|when=Spring 388YE}}

==Visionary==
<div {{float}}>
<box>
'''Dissipating Silks'''<br>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
{{Mage Armour}}
* '''Effect:''' You may ignore the ''roleplaying effects'' of any single [[Combat#Traumatic_Wounds|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.
</div>
</box>
</div>
<div {{float}}>
<box>'''Hero's Journey'''<br>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
'''Night Ritual; Magnitude 22/18;'''<br>
''Grants a character with the hero skill a vision and two additional hero points''<br>
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.
</div>
</box>
</div>
* '''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 [[stargazer|stargazers]] of Urizen and the [[mystic|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 [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Skein|skeins]] interwoven into one great [[Urizen_culture_and_customs#The_Net_of_the_Heavens|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 [[Wintermark_hearth_magic#Crafting|crafting]] and [[Urizen_hearth_magic#Cession|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 [[Zenith#Crucible_of_Fate|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 [[Wintermark_Egregore|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 [[Sung|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|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 [[Siakha|''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 [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] and [[Highguard|Highborn]] figures were their committed enemies. There is an argument that virtue is contagious. The [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Enlightenment|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 [[Grendel_religion#Audacity|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 [[The_League_people#Orcs_and_Humans|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 [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|in competition]] with the more traditional one already written.

{{Mandate|mandate=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.|assembly=General Assembly}}

If the mandate is enacted, it will still allow the creation of the [[#Drive|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.

'''Eli of the Cenotaph''' has presented an alternate mandate for the consideration of the General Assembly.

{{Mandate|mandate=The Grendel’s willingness to eliminate any obstacle in their path using all tools at their disposal is a demonstration 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 be reminded of what folly and carelessness bring when faced by an Ambitious foe.|assembly=General Assembly}}

If enacted, this mandate will have no extra effect on the Grendel beyond that presented above. In addition, it would not enable the construction of the [[#Drive|memorial to the Fist]], nor would [[#Visionary|anything]] be added to Urizen lore or Runesmiths Law, respectively.

These mandates are considered to be competing with each other.

<ic>
Down they came, the Fist the Fist</br>
And they saw through the mist, the mist</br>
They heard the sound the drums, the drums</br>
The Grendel fleet; it comes it comes</br>
Then Umarth looked he saw he saw</br>
To see their scheme before before</br>
They came to port to fight to fight</br>
But could not dodge his sight his sight</br>
The Maelstrom's gift it roared it roared</br>
And crackled on the shore the shore</br>
But none would stop heroes heroes</br>
They came to fight in throes in throes</br>
A crystal brought to seek to seek</br>
Destruction here to wreak to wreak</br>
Yet heroes there stood tall stood tall</br>
Prepared they were to fall to fall</br>
And so they did proclaim, proclaim</br>
A hero has a name, a name</br>
</ic>

388YE Summer Solstice winds of war

2026-07-19T19:14:23Z

Hailmur: /* Conjunctions */

[[Category:Winds of War]][[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Military Council]][[Category:Recent History]]
<div {{floatleft}}>{{CaptionedImage|file=Overseer Challenged.webp|align=left|caption=Those who sit highest have the furthest to fall|width=2000}}</div>
==Overview==
Over the last three months, Imperial forces have engaged in military campaigns. Sometimes those engagements have been wide-ranging and dramatic, other times they have been more sedate. Where there has been dramatic action, or where there are [[opportunity|opportunities]], we've given a Wind of War its own page; other military actions are discussed here.

As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of War and the [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_fortune|Winds of Fortune]] is to make players aware of things their characters ''should'' know, based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing, and to maintain the Empire as a living, breathing place where all kinds of events take place beyond the scope of [[Anvil]].

It should go without saying that we ask everyone to abide by the rules about [[Online_roleplaying|online roleplaying]] with regard to the military campaign. It's important that the key in-character activity of the Empire world takes place at events. The game is busier and better if everything that can happen in the field, does happen in the field. Military planning and political discussions should happen at events. For this reason, we generally discourage too much downtime roleplaying between events and put strict limits on what can be done online, particularly using our forums and Facebook groups.

All that said, we now present a summary of the key military activity in the Empire - both with links to the expanded Wind of War pages and notes about other important things that have happened that didn't need a full battle campaign write-up.

</table>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="width:400px; float: right; margin: 10px;"
|-
! Conflict !! Wind
|-
| [[Madruga]] || [[Phantasms and foam]]
|-
| [[Mareave]] || [[Mithril and rope]]
|-
| [[Sarangrave]] || [[Thorn and bone]]
|-
|}
</table>
==Battle opportunities==
Imperial prognosticators have identified three possible [[Sentinel_Gate#Major_Conjunctions|major conjunctions]] of the [[Sentinel Gate]] at the coming summit. The [[Military Council]] will [[muster]] on Friday night, and the [[general|generals]] will select two of them to be taken up by Imperial heroes. At the moment, the full details of these opportunities are not clear; more information will be provided nearer to the event.

All battle opportunities are [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Combat Highly Likely]] environments.
<table><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Territory'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opportunity'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Location'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Opposition'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Day'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''Learn More'''</td><td style="background-color: LightGray;">'''CS Briefing'''</td>
<tr><td>[[Sarangrave]]</td><td>Contain the dead</td><td>''Fens of Varreth'', Turan Flats</td><td>Druj</td><td>Either day</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Forest of Ulnak]]</td><td>Raid the Druj</td><td>''Fetid Heart'', Ghul'Thak Forest</td><td>Druj</td><td>Either day</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Mareave]]</td><td>Open the Vaults</td><td>''Ruins of Sinat'', Clisearn</td><td>Grendel</td><td>Sunday</td><td>{{TBC}}</td><td>[[:File:|PDF Link]]</td></tr>
</table>


===Battle participation===
If you have your own [[orc]] mask please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field forces predominantly comprised of barbarian orcs. If you are unable to wear a mask, then all battle opportunities have limited roles for human barbarian combatants and low-combat roles such as healers, support mages, artisans, messengers and attendants. Player [[Monstering_a_battle#Elite_Monster_Units|elite monster units]] (EMUs) are expected to monster as their barbarian orc units regardless of the battle opportunity, and should not include human combatants.

* '''The Forest of Ulnak opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Druj orc fighters'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Druj orcs as normal. If you have your own [[orc]] mask, please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field a force predominantly comprised of Druj orcs. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Druj weaponry, particularly swords, spears and great weapons, as well as bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Druj look [[Druj_look_and_feel|here]], but the key element for portraying the Druj is a mantle and ragged material layers that echo natural greens, browns, greys, and black, with occasional bright accent colours as their iconic look.

* '''The Sarangrave opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Druj orc fighters, with options for playing winter husks'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Druj orcs as normal. If you have your own [[orc]] mask, please do bring it along as we're keen to ensure we can field a force predominantly comprised of Druj orcs. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Druj weaponry, particularly swords, spears and great weapons, as well as bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Druj look [[Druj_look_and_feel|here]], but the key element for portraying the Druj is a mantle and ragged material layers that echo natural greens, browns, greys, and black, with occasional bright accent colours as their iconic look.

Winter husks have no special requirements and can be represented by basic costume, armour, and weapons (but not thrown or ranged weapons). This could be added to with costume from any Imperial nation that has recently fought in Sarangrave. Using rags and tattered fabric can also enhance the look. Please do not wear any form of undead or zombie mask, as we are aiming to portray the recently dead soliders of Imperial armies, not long decaying or rotting corpses.

* '''The Mareave opportunity involves forces composed primarily of Grendel orc soldiers'''
We ask the majority of player volunteers to take on the roles of Grendel orcs as normal. You can help by wearing leather or plate armour you have, as well as any iconic Grendel weaponry, particularly swords, spears, and bows of all types. You can find out more about the iconic Grendel look [[Grendel look and feel|here]], and the key elements for portraying the Grendel are a light coloured base layer, with mantles, shoulder capes, wraps and other purple clothing and other bright colours as their iconic look.

'''IMPORTANT''' - we will '''not''' be reusing any orc masks to players for these battle opportunities. Our orc masks will only be used once this event and then washed ready for the next event. We are continuing the provision of battle opportunities with non-orc enemies until such a time as we have sufficient masks to run two fully orc-masked battles.

==Conjunctions==
The [[Sentinel Gate]] also allows smaller groups of Imperial citizens to reach locations all over the Empire where their intervention might change the course of events. Many of these ''[[Sentinel Gate#Conjunction|conjunctions]]'' involve combat, but there are also a variety of other opportunities presented by the magic of the Gate.

For most conjunctions, the Civil Service has identified the Imperial titles that are the most appropriate to take overall responsibility for ensuring that a response is organised. Whilst the individual has been named by the Civil Service, there is no legal requirement for them to coordinate a response or travel on the conjunction. They may delegate oversight to another individual of their choosing. As always, Imperial war scouts will be on hand at the Sentinel Gate to provide further information to any citizens wanting to learn more. They can provide updates on the barbarians' goals, guidance on how to engage the enemy troops or advice on how to avoid casualties and return back to Anvil in safety.

Sometimes it is necessary for us to make small adjustments to the timing or size of encounters at the time of this publication and when an encounter runs at an event. Details for the conjunctions on Friday will be finalised on Friday afternoon of the event before time-in (18:00) whilst details for the conjunctions on Saturday will be finalised on Saturday before time-in (10:00). Please check the details of any conjunction you are interested in as soon as possible to ensure that you have the full and up-to-date information; it might also be sensible to check again shortly before the planned time of the encounter. You can check the details of a conjunction by casting [[Detect_magic#Discover_Conjunction|Detect Magic (Discover Conjunction)]] on the Sentinel Gate in the presence of a referee.

It's very important to pay attention to the [[accessibility]] note for each conjunction, which covers the likelihood of combat. Further details about the accessibility of a conjunction are [[Accessibility#Who_and_how_to_ask.3F|available both before and during the event]]. You can learn more about this on the [[accessibility]] page.

===Friday===
<div class="alert">'''These times and numbers are subject to change until 18:00 on Friday</div>
{|table class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Time !! People !! Duration !! [[Accessibility#Combat|Combat]] !! Location !! Responsibility !! Overview/Link
|-
| 18:15 || 12 || 45 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Kallavesa, West Marsh, The Meeting Place || [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_32|Erlend]] || [[LINK|Consecrate the Meeting Place]]
|-
| 18:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Whisperwood, Halfweir Grove || [[Fingers of the Devourer|Custodian of the Fingers of the Devourer]] || [[LINK|Destroy the heralds of Surut]]
|-
| 18:35 || 5 || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Astolat, Withy, Igraine's Regio || [[Astolat|Senator for Astolat]] || [[LINK|Find out why the regio keeps shifting back to Spring, and resolve it]]
|-
| 18:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Mitwold, Maiden Downs, Maiden Stone || [[Champion of Prosperity]] || [[LINK|Stop Jyll Longleys from cursing the Maiden Stone]]
|-
| 19:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Dawnguard, Troubadour's Glade || [[Knight of Dawnguard]] || [[LINK|Kill ''Prilak Gutdredger'']]
|-
| 19:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Mitwold, Maiden Downs, Golden Fields|| [[Keeper of the Golden Fields]] || [[LINK|Stop Bill of Beatsdown setting Golden Fields alight]]
|-
| 19:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Saltmarsh, The Dredging Flats || [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Winter]] || [[LINK|Kill the Servants of the Burnt]]
|-
| 20:05 || 5 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Madruga, Free Landing, Hart's Cove || [[Hand of Guerra]] || [[LINK|Aid the stranded ship from Sumaah]]
|-
| 20:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Ossium, Echofell, Burned Glade || [[Shadowed Torchbearer]] || [[LINK|Prevent the cursing of Ossium]]
|-
| 21:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Therunin, Lower Tarn Valley, Rotwood Croft || '''Andronikos of the Lighthouse-That-Was''' || [[LINK|Destroy the miasma pillar]]
|-
| 21:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Kroll, Slow Worm's Hill || [[Sevenfold Path|Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path]] || [[LINK|Prevent the cursing of Sarangrave]]
|-
| 21:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Turan Flats, The Breakteeth dais || [[Eastern Sky|General of the Eastern Sky]] || [[LINK|Recover the treasure]]
|-
|}

===Saturday===
<div class="alert">'''These times and numbers are subject to change until 10:00 on Saturday</div>
{|table class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Time !! People !! Duration !! [[Accessibility#Combat|Combat]] !! Location !! Responsibility !! Overview/Link
|-
| 14:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Bitter Strand, Saltshore || [[Merchant of the Fangs]] || [[LINK|Answer General Utmar's call for aid]]
|-
| 15:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Madruga, The Crucible, Talpses Plat || [[Champion of Vigilance]] || [[LINK|Claim the ''Snapping Face'']]
|-
| 15:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Carmine Fields, Trading Way || '''Rhydian de Rondell''' || [[LINK|Remove the failed knights-errant of House Courcillion as a threat]]
|-
| 15:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Necropolis, Coursmouth, The Veiled Garden || [[Guardian of Britta's Memorial]] || [[LINK|Spill the waters of Siakha]]
|-
| 15:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, The Untrod Groves, Glade of the Good Knight || [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Winter]] || [[LINK|Thwart the schemes of Ser Gawain Amboise]]
|-
| 15:50 || TBC || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Mareave, Fleisarsh, Spring Regio near Golden Wind's Encampment || [[Silver Chalice|Grandmaster of the Silver Chalice]] || [[LINK|Poison the Grendel]]
|-
| 16:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Tassato, Cascatas, Campo Verdenta || [[Keeper of the Sapphire Stair]]|| [[LINK|Kill the heralds of Siakha]]
|-
| 17:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Spiral, Apstrus, Alba's Lea || [[Legacy|Custodian of the Legacy]]|| [[LINK|Intercept the mercenaries pay]]
|-
| 17:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Reikos, Haros Water, Couros Field || '''Nekoda of the Shattered Tower''' || [[LINK|Save Professor Gelberg from Grendel assassins]]
|-
| 18:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Redoubt, Naris, Isaac's End|| [[Quaymaster of the Elosian Docks]] || [[LINK|Leave no more than a dozen Grendel alive]]
|-
| 18:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Kallavesa, Wittal Grove, Frithstan's Fen || [[Grimnir of Wittal Grove]] || [[LINK|Defeat the Grendel (and potentially rescue the Iontach)]]
|-
| 20:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Forest of Ulnak, Grimfen Mire, Moss End || [[Warmage]] || [[LINK|Take advantage of a recent scouting discovery]]
|-
| 20:30 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Eastern Ward || '''Theodora''' || [[LINK|Cast the permanent ward]]
|-
| 20:45 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || The Barrens, Saltmarsh, Gardenway || [[Envoy to the Karass]] || [[LINK|Prevent Druj raiders from kidnapping Lenna Karass]]
|-
| 21:00 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Western Ward || [[Spear of the Seven]] || [[LINK|Cast the permanent ward]]
|-
| 21:15 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Forest of Ulnak, Gloomsea, Islet of Calm || [[Archmage of Day]] || [[LINK|Prevent the Eyes of the Dragon from using a boon of Kimus]]
|-
| 21:30 || TBC || 30 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|Highly Likely]] || Sarangrave, Bendol, Spring Regio || [[Warmage]] || [[LINK|Drive the vallorn from the regio]]
|-
| 21:40 || TBC || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Possible|Possible]] || Sarangrave, Bendol, Spring Regio || [[Archmage of Spring]] || [[LINK|Cast Dance of Navarr and Thorn]]
|-
| 23:00 || 5 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Sarangrave, the Whisperwood, Depths of the Hungry Earth || [[Sun Chamber|Counsel of the Sun Chamber]] || [[LINK|Investigate the Hungry Earth]]
|-
| 23:05 || 40 || 20 mins || [[Accessibility#Combat_Unlikely_or_Contained|Unlikely]] || Volodmartz, Livardz, Sumisev Peegel || '''Auntie Armand Mariyavich Remislav''' || [[LINK|Destroy the Sumisev Peegel]]
|}

==Military Considerations==
{{stub}}
Several [[territory]] pages now contain details of strategic obstacles presented or advantages provided by movement through or fighting in those lands. There are also several [[fortification|fortifications]] that follow different rules. Several armies or nations have special rules or opportunities related to the orders they can issue, which should be borne in mind when discussing military strategies during the Winter Solstice.
* '''Billeting:''' Any Imperial army can take the '''''[[Army_orders#Billet|Billet]]''''' order in [[Mitwold]], [[Mournwold]], or [[Upwold]]. [[Army_orders#Billet|Link]]
* '''Dawn:'''
** Dawnish armies cannot take the '''''[[Army_orders#Cautious Advance|Cautious Advance]]''''' order or the '''''[[Army_orders#Give_Ground|Give Ground]]''''' order. [[Dawn military concerns#Army Orders|Link]]
** The borders of [[the Barrens]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_23|mandate]] enacted by Ser Tunic. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in the Barrens.
* '''Highguard'''
** Highborn armies can take the '''''Protect the Innocent''''' order. [[Highguard_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
** Highborn armies enchanted with rituals or targeted by a boon that calls an eternal to send heralds to fight alongside the army will lose a thousand effective strength until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE as a result of a [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_9|mandate]] enacted by Frater Pontius of Adoniram's Testament
** Any Highborn army attacking into Zenith from Morrow gains a 20% bonus to any territory captured and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]
* '''Imperial Orcs'''
** An Imperial Orc army can take the '''''Forge Hammers''''' order whilst in [[Skarsind]]. [[Imperial_Orcs_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
* '''The Marches:'''
** Marcher armies cannot take the '''''[[Army_orders#Give_Ground|Give Ground]]''''' order. [[The_Marches_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]]
** The [[Strong Reeds]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Bregasland]]. [[New_port,_old_wine#New_Oaths,_Old_Boots|Link]]
** The [[Tusks]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Mournwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
** The [[Drakes]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Mitwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
** The [[Bounders]] receive an additional 1000 strength when fighting in [[Upwold]]. [[I_already_know_you#Reeds,_Drakes,_Tusks,_Bounders|Link]]
* '''Urizen:'''
** The borders of [[Morrow]] and [[Zenith]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_14|mandate]] enacted by Herminius of the House of the Wanderer. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in Morrow and Zenith.
** Any Urizen army attacking into Zenith from Morrow gains a 20% bonus to any territory captured and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]
* '''Varushka:'''
** The borders of [[Ossium]] are patrolled by citizens of the territory as a result of the [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_157|mandate]] enacted by Velko Perunovich Razorasza. The Druj require 25 victory points to claim a beachhead in Ossium.
** Varushkan armies can take the '''''Hospitality of the Boyars''''' order whilst in Ossium. [[Varushka_military_concerns#Army_Orders|Link]].
* '''Wintermark:'''
** Wintermark armies can take the '''''Fight with Honour''''' order. [[Fight_with_monsters#A_Hero.27s_Tale|Link]].
** Wintermark armies fighting against the Jotun will gain 10% more victory points but inflict 20% less casualties. [[Fight_with_monsters#A_Hero.27s_Tale|Link]]
** Wintermark armies fighting against the Jotun have their casualties taken reduced by 10%. This effect continues as long as the Winterfolk continue to fight honourably. [[A_tale_told#Game_Information|Link]]

Click ''Expand'' to see military considerations that are less relevant at the current time but are still active.
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
*'''Morrow:''' Any Highborn or Urizen army that defends in Morrow against an army attacking from Zenith gains a 20% bonus to defend territory and suffers a 10% reduction in casualties inflicted. [[Three_soldiers#The_High_Pass|Link]]</div>

Writ of consecration

2026-07-19T19:00:23Z

Hailmur: /* Judgement */

{{Disambiguation|This page concerns the legal power of the [[Synod]]. The [[religious skills|religious skill]] of consecration is found [[consecration|here]].}}
{{Synod Judgement Summary|Virtue Assembly, General Assembly|Greater Majority}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Consecration.jpg|caption=Creating a true consecration can be an incredibly important moment in someone's life.|title=The writ of consecration is an explicit endorsement by the Synod.|align=left|width=400}}
==Overview==
A [[consecration]] performed with [[Liao#True Liao|true liao]] creates a [[Aura#Durable_Auras|durable aura]], an [[inspirational location]] that can have profound effects, both spiritual and political. For this reason, Imperial law limits when true liao can be lawfully used to perform a consecration to a [[Paragons and exemplars|paragon, exemplar]] or "other inspirational figure". The correct use of a [[Judgement]] issuing a writ of consecration can specify who the consecration should commemorate and where it should take place. Any consecration to an inspirational figure which does not conform with the terms of a writ issued by the [[Synod]] constitutes a grave breach of Imperial law.

The writ was created by the Imperial Senate during the [[385YE_Autumn_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Create_Writ_of_Consecration|Autumn Equinox 385YE]]. Their decision was informed by concerns about the potential to abuse [[true liao]] - specifically the risk of the resting place of controversial [[Sulemaine]] being transformed into an inspirational tomb [[The_deepest_cut#Interred_With_Their_Bones|consecrated to Hate]]. The writ ensures that a consecration with true liao cannot be performed without explicit endorsement from the Imperial Synod.
__NOTOC__
==Judgement==
* '''A writ of consecration must be raised by a virtue assembly'''
* '''If it is upheld with a greater majority then it will create an opportunity for one or more mandates'''
* '''Only a single writ of consecration from each virtue assembly each season will create an opportunity'''
*'''The opportunity will present one or more competing mandates, one of which can be passed in the general assembly to authorise the use of true liao'''

A writ of consecration must be raised and upheld by the relevant [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies|virtue assembly]] with a [[Judgement#Greater_Majority|greater majority]]. If a citizen intends to use true liao to consecrate a location to [[Wisdom]], then they must raise the judgement in the Assembly of Wisdom. To be legally binding, the judgement must clearly identify both the [[Inspirational location]] they plan to consecrate and the virtue of the consecration. A maximum of one writ of consecration can be enacted by each virtue assembly each summit.

If a valid writ of consecration is upheld by the greater majority of a virtue assembly then it will create an [[opportunity]]. Over the following season, the civil service will collate and present information on what effects might come from consecrating the named location using a [[mandate]] in time for the Synod to make a final deliberation on the matter at the following summit. Where more than one option for a viable site is identified by the civll service, then these options will be presented in the wind of fortune. If more than one achieves a greater majority in a given virtue assembly, only the one with the greatest margin will lead to an opportunity.

The opportunity will present one or more mandates that any priest can raise at the coming summit to consecrate the location with true liao. All mandates resulting from a writ of consecration are considered to be [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|competing]] with each other. Any mandate that consecrates a location in either [[Urizen]], [[Wintermark]], or [[Varushka]] requires a greater majority in order to have an effect due to the mandates enacted by the [[384YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_93|Varushkan]], Wintermark, and [[382YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_31|Urizen]] National Assemblies.
<div style="float:right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">A crypt is just a barn 'til it's full.</quote></div>

==Outcome==
* '''If the mandate is successful, then the named priest can use a dose of true liao to create an inspirational location'''
If the mandate is successful then the consecration has the explicit authorisation of the Imperial Synod and will be enacted [[Mandate#Implementing_a_Mandate|as normal]] (provided the named priest provides the dose of true liao required). The writ does not create any legal obligations - but it does grant the named priest the legal entitlement to use true liao to consecrate the specified location to the named figure with the appropriate virtue. Any deviation from these terms would provide grounds for an investigation by the magistrates.
<quote by="Senate Motion Autumn Equinox 385YE, Proposed: Sermersuaq, Seconded: Miaren">To create a Judgement of Writ of Consecration, by which the Imperial Synod may authorise the use of Imperial (true) liao to consecrate an inspirational memorial or tomb to a Paragon, exemplar, or other inspirational figure. A Writ of Consecration shall require approval by a greater majority of the relevant Virtue assembly, whereupon the Tribune of the Synod will raise the same judgement for approval by the lesser majority of the General Assembly. The use of Imperial liao to consecrate a tomb or other memorial to an individual, conducted without this approval, will constitute a grave breach of Imperial law.</quote>
{{Synod Further Reading}}
[[Category:Writ of Consecration]]

Writ of consecration

2026-07-19T19:00:12Z

Hailmur: /* Judgement */

{{Disambiguation|This page concerns the legal power of the [[Synod]]. The [[religious skills|religious skill]] of consecration is found [[consecration|here]].}}
{{Synod Judgement Summary|Virtue Assembly, General Assembly|Greater Majority}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Consecration.jpg|caption=Creating a true consecration can be an incredibly important moment in someone's life.|title=The writ of consecration is an explicit endorsement by the Synod.|align=left|width=400}}
==Overview==
A [[consecration]] performed with [[Liao#True Liao|true liao]] creates a [[Aura#Durable_Auras|durable aura]], an [[inspirational location]] that can have profound effects, both spiritual and political. For this reason, Imperial law limits when true liao can be lawfully used to perform a consecration to a [[Paragons and exemplars|paragon, exemplar]] or "other inspirational figure". The correct use of a [[Judgement]] issuing a writ of consecration can specify who the consecration should commemorate and where it should take place. Any consecration to an inspirational figure which does not conform with the terms of a writ issued by the [[Synod]] constitutes a grave breach of Imperial law.

The writ was created by the Imperial Senate during the [[385YE_Autumn_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Create_Writ_of_Consecration|Autumn Equinox 385YE]]. Their decision was informed by concerns about the potential to abuse [[true liao]] - specifically the risk of the resting place of controversial [[Sulemaine]] being transformed into an inspirational tomb [[The_deepest_cut#Interred_With_Their_Bones|consecrated to Hate]]. The writ ensures that a consecration with true liao cannot be performed without explicit endorsement from the Imperial Synod.
__NOTOC__
==Judgement==
* '''A writ of consecration must be raised by a virtue assembly'''
* '''If it is upheld with a greater majority then it will create an opportunity for one or more mandates'''
* '''Only a single writ of consecration from each virtue assembly each season will create an opportunity'''
*'''The opportunity will present one or more competing mandates, one of which can be passed in the general assembly to authorise the use of true liao'''

A writ of consecration must be raised and upheld by the relevant [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies|virtue assembly]] with a [[Judgement#Greater_Majority|greater majority]]. If a citizen intends to use true liao to consecrate a location to [[Wisdom]], then they must raise the judgement in the Assembly of Wisdom. To be legally binding, the judgement must clearly identify both the [[Inspirational location]] they plan to consecrate and the virtue of the consecration. A maximum of one writ of consecration can be enacted by each virtue assembly each summit.

If a valid writ of consecration is upheld by the greater majority of a virtue assembly then it will create an [[opportunity]]. Over the following season, the civil service will collate and present information on what effects might come from consecrating the named location using a [[mandate]] in time for the Synod to make a final deliberation on the matter at the following summit. Where more than one option for a viable site is identified by the civll service, then these options will be presented in the wind of fortune. If more than one achieves a greater majority in a given virtue assembly, only the one with the greatest margin will lead to an opportunity.

The opportunity will present one or more mandates that any priest can raise at the coming summit to consecrate the location with true liao. All mandates resulting from a writ of consecration are considered to be [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|competing]] with each other. Any mandate that consecrates a location in either [[Urizen]] or [[Varushka]] requires a greater majority in order to have an effect due to the mandates enacted by the [[384YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_93|Varushkan]], Wintermark, and [[382YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_31|Urizen]] National Assemblies.
<div style="float:right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">A crypt is just a barn 'til it's full.</quote></div>

==Outcome==
* '''If the mandate is successful, then the named priest can use a dose of true liao to create an inspirational location'''
If the mandate is successful then the consecration has the explicit authorisation of the Imperial Synod and will be enacted [[Mandate#Implementing_a_Mandate|as normal]] (provided the named priest provides the dose of true liao required). The writ does not create any legal obligations - but it does grant the named priest the legal entitlement to use true liao to consecrate the specified location to the named figure with the appropriate virtue. Any deviation from these terms would provide grounds for an investigation by the magistrates.
<quote by="Senate Motion Autumn Equinox 385YE, Proposed: Sermersuaq, Seconded: Miaren">To create a Judgement of Writ of Consecration, by which the Imperial Synod may authorise the use of Imperial (true) liao to consecrate an inspirational memorial or tomb to a Paragon, exemplar, or other inspirational figure. A Writ of Consecration shall require approval by a greater majority of the relevant Virtue assembly, whereupon the Tribune of the Synod will raise the same judgement for approval by the lesser majority of the General Assembly. The use of Imperial liao to consecrate a tomb or other memorial to an individual, conducted without this approval, will constitute a grave breach of Imperial law.</quote>
{{Synod Further Reading}}
[[Category:Writ of Consecration]]

Upwold

2026-07-19T18:00:16Z

Hailmur: /* The Eastern Guard */

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofUpwold.png|caption=Silver birch and beggarwood are the foundation of Upwold's wealth.|title=Regions of Upwold|align=left|width=500}}
==The Silver Chase==
Upwold is where the Marchers first established themselves when they walked away from [[Dawn]]. The scattered [[orc|orcs]] that dwelt here were no match for their determination to make a home for themselves; those that fled west or south would find themselves followed in short order as the Marchers pushed into Mitwold and Bregasland. Those that fled north found death at the hands of the [[Wintermark]].

Some of the worst fighting of the short-lived [[Marches_history#Joining_the-Empire|Marcher civil war]] took place in western Upwold. One of the few pitched battles between the [[Marcher household|households]] who supported the [[First Empress]] and those households who opposed the formation of the Empire took place here at Hepton Bridge. Widely regarded as the bloodiest conflict of the civil war, the scrubby heathland of the battlefield is largely given a wide berth except by occasional pilgrims of [[Loyalty]] who come here to muse on the spiritual significance of the ancient conflict that set cousins against one another.

Today, Upwold is a wealthy territory in a wealthy nation - though unlike Mitwold a significant amount of its wealth comes from industries other than farming. While there are of course many [[farm|farms]] in Upwold, the quick-growing silver birch woods on the eastern borders are the source of a great deal of income. Charcoal-burners live there, turning wood into easily transportable fuel for smith and hearth alike - the charcoal of Upwold provides pure fuel for the cities of [[the League]] and the forges of [[Wintermark]] alike. The birch bark is used in the tanning industry, to cure the hides of the cattle that graze on the river pastures.

Upwold has always felt a certain rivalry with Mitwold to the west. There is no argument that the farms of Upwold tend not to be as fertile as those of their neighbours; the soil tends to be quite acidic. In part, this has led to a more diverse economy - while the farm is the centre of Marcher life here as elsewhere, there are many who make their living from trees rather than crops, which occasionally attracts comment from the more agriculturally minded Mitwolders.

The people who live up here have closer links to the Navarr than many in the Marches, and more need for Beaters than most. Through the dark heart of those woods are paths no Marcher treads. From these secret ways come the painted [[Feni]] - uncivilised raiders, thieves, and rustlers who raid and steal from isolated settlements. To the north-west, cousins to these forests decay into the marshes that form the southern border of [[Wintermark_Territories|Kallavesa]] in [[Wintermark]].

Finally, Upwold is one of the few areas where anything other than beer is drunk. For centuries, the brewers of Upwold have made a drink from the sap of the birch trees that warms their hearts in the cold winter nights but brings strange dreams.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Peter Lambrook.jpg||caption=While the farm is the centre of Marcher life, many make their living in other ways.|align=right|width=500}}</div>
==Recent History==
Over the last thirty years there have been several attempts by the Jotun to attack across the border from the Mournwold. These campaigns were primarily aimed at claiming the Sutton Stone Quarries - the Jotun apparently have a great desire for white granite to help build and maintain their [[fortifications]]. The last such attack in 372YE saw significant losses on both sides, and several new Jotun burial mounds along the southern borders.

The [[March on their belly|disastrous failure of the Autumn harvest]] in 379YE was followed by a particularly [[March on their belly#Resolution|harsh winter]] during which all the farmers of the Marches suffered significant losses in order to keep the Imperial armies marching. Then the Spring 380YE planting was hit with torrential rains and a vicious blight that devoured many of the seeds before they could be put in the ground. While the rest of the Empire was enjoying a burst of [[The prime colour of the world|vitality and fertility]], the farms of Bregasland, Upwold, and Mitwold were once again labouring under the yoke of a vicious magical [[curse]] that ruined the crops, sapped the life from the beasts in the fields, and spread sickness and hunger wherever it touched.

The plan to construct the ''Imperial Breadbasket'' may have begun in the markets of [[Mitwold#Meade|Meade]], but it received immediate support from [[market town|market towns]] across the Marches. The alders of [[#Stockland|Stockland]] in particular were quick to put their hands in their pockets - not as an act of charity, but as recognition of the fact that when the farmers prosper, everyone in the Marches prospers. Shortly before the Spring Equinox 381YE, work was completed on a network of granaries and storehouses across Upwold as part of the [[The_Marches_economic_interests#Granaries and Storehouses - the Imperial Breadbasket|Imperial Breadbasket]] [[great work]]. In addition to its work in securing the future of the Marches, this has helped to improve relations between the yeomanry and the residents of the market towns - reinforcing that even though they do not till the soil, they are still Marchers.

Shortly before the Winter Solstice 381YE, the [[Lorenzo%27s_Legacy#Blood_Red_Roads|Blood Red Roads]] were completed, providing merchants and traders easy access to Marcher merchandise and allowing the yeomen of Upwold to travel much more easily to some of the wealthiest cities across the Empire. For more than half a decade the roads provided a major boon to the [[farm|farms]] and [[business|businesses]] in the territory. In the Winter of 386YE, however, the Imperial Senate determined to [[386YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Levy_Tolls_on_Blood_Red_Roads|levy tolls]] on traffic using the road, meaning they no longer increase the income of individual citizens but provide a significant boost to the Imperial Treasury, in part to pay for the war against the [[vallorn]].

==Points of Interest==
=== Stockland ===
Dominating the fertile farmlands of [[#Stock March|Stock March]], Stockland is a sprawling town known for its sheep and cattle markets. Almost all the [[Marcher_household|households]] of western Upwold take their stock here to trade, and there is a market most weekends through Spring, Summer and Autumn. In addition to its cattle and livestock markets. It is known for its raucous taverns - successful drovers and herders celebrate the sale of their livestock with a hard night's drinking, while the less successful drown their sorrows before heading home. The breweries of Stockland produce ale and beer that is exported around the Marches and across the Empire - but while it is popular it is not particularly fine. Rather, the distinctive peaty taste of the brews is immediately recognisable to anyone who has spent time in Stockland, and easily brings a lump to the throat of the homesick Marcher. The brewers of Stockland take pride in their straightforward, down-to-earth product, and are quick to scorn anyone who expresses a preference for more refined beverages.

Hepton Bridge - the site of the only major pitched battle of the Marcher civil war - crosses the Meade near Stockland. On the anniversary of the battle, monks from the Stockwater Monastery make a pilgrimage to the site and the abbot delivers a sermon from the bridge itself, generally focusing on the importance of [[Loyalty]] and [[Pride]]. The monks, and the many visitors, then spend the night camped around the bridge, alert for signs of any unquiet ghosts. There have been no actual reports of hauntings in over fifty years, but the tradition endures.

===The Eastern Guard===
Great crenelated walls and brooding towers look down from Eastern Guard onto the northern forest of [[Miaren]]. Built early in the history of the Marches in [[#Birchland|Birchland]], the garrison was initially charged both with remaining vigilant against Dawnish aggression and with maintaining readiness for attacks from the vallornspawn of the deep woods. Since Miaren was cleansed in the early days of the Empire, and since the people of Dawn are now an allied nation, the castle has become more open - it is a popular stopping place for merchants travelling through the central Empire. Still, the dour Marchers ensure it maintains battle readiness at all times, for one never knows when an attack may come from an unexpected direction.

During the [[Rocks and gravel|great collapse]] of Spring 381YE, most of the garrison of Eastern Guard was evacuated. Despite serious concerns, the sinkhole stopped spreading before swallowing the old castle whole, although the lip of the great dismal hole is little more than five-hundred yards from the north-eastern tower. Now, Eastern Guard has a new job - keeping an eye on the [[trogoni]] that lurk in the depth of [[Upwold#Lorzeno.27s_Deep_Pockets_.28the_Bloody_Great_Hole.29|Lorenzo's Deep Pockets]].

In Summer 387YE, the Imperial Senate chose to [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Decommission_the_Eastern_Guard|decommission the Eastern Guard]], "''letting the garrison stand down until it's needed again or we can find another use for the site''". This was later [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Abrogate_Decommission_of_Eastern_Guard|abrogated]] during the Winter Solstice 387YE, and the garrison quickly returned to their work.

===The Woldstone===
Standing in central [[#Ashbrook|Ashbrook]], the Woldstone is very old. It is said to be the first menhir planted by [[landskeeper|landskeepers]] when the Marchers claimed Upwold for their own. A little over eight feet tall, it is a rough white stone pitted and weathered by centuries of wind and rain.

The stone marks the centre of a potent Autumn [[regio]] that has in the past been used to lay powerful [[enchantment|enchantments]] over the whole of Upwold. The regio is tied to the realm of the [[eternal]] [[Ephisis]], and watched over by one of her more potent heralds, ''Nunn o' the Wold''. According to stories, Nunn appears as a prosperous Marcher steward or alder, and has a keen interest in the interplay between those who raise crops and the traders who buy and sell them. According to local stories, at one time the herald would appear every solstice and equinox to negotiate minor deals with brave yeomen, but it has been over a century since he was last encountered.

Since early 387YE, the [[Stone_Smith#Stone_Smith's_Workshop|Stone Smith's Workshop]] has stood near the Woldstone, serving as a place for the [[smith|smiths]] of the Marches to congregate, discuss their less mundane business, and sometimes commune with the [[Inhabitants of the realms#Heralds|heralds]] of the [[Realms#Autumn|Autumn realm]].

===Mumford===
In western [[#Stock March|Stock March]] is the sleepy village of Mumford - right on the border with Upwold. Standing on the northern banks of the Meade, it marks a shallow spot in the river used for centuries by travellers and shepherds alike. North of the village, on a low and rolling rise, stands a ring of seven monoliths known as ''the Mummers''. Each of the stones has a name; the six that make up the rough ring are called the [[The Captain|Yeoman]], the [[The Doctor|Abbot]], the [[The Witch|Weaver]], the [[The Prince|Steward]], the [[The Bishop|Farmer]], and the [[The Mountebank|Alder]]. The seventh stone stands a short distance outside the ring proper, and is called ''the Pipe'' - depending on who one asks it represents either the [[Dramaturgy#The_Fool|fool]] or the [[Dramaturgy#The_Beast|beast]]. The stones mark a strong [[regio]] tied to the [[Night magic|night]] realm, and the nature of the Piper is said to be tied to whichever [[eternal]] serves as the patron of the regio at any given time - [[Janon]] or [[Sadogua]].

Every Spring, [[The_Marches_magical_traditions#Mummers|mummers]] and peddlers from across the Marches come here for the Mumford Fair, a celebration of music, dancing, open-ear theatrics, heavy drinking, and the unofficial Mummers Trial in which bands of entertainers compete for ... well it is never entirely clear for what. The entertainers put on their performances, and at the end of the weekend long celebration one or another of their number is carried up to the standing stones and crowned with a wreath of daisies before being dumped unceremoniously into a vat of beer. Traditionally, the "Earl of Mumford" is not allowed to get out of the vat until it is empty, and the fair closes with a night of serious debauchery and celebration as the guests help the Earl drink all the beer. A bottle of beer from the Mumford Fair vat will often fetch a surprisingly high price - occasionally the alcohol is imbued with vestiges of Night magic and gains unpredictable qualities.

===The Bloody Great Hole===
Just over a month after the Spring Equinox 381YE a large section of north-western [[Miaren#Goldglades|Goldglades]] in [[Miaren]] [[Rocks and gravel|collapsed with an almighty roar]] that was heard across most of [[#Birchland|Birchland]]. After the initial collapse, the hole began to spread. Warnings by the Navarr [[Navarr_magical_traditions#Vates|vates]] reached an already-worried Birchland not a moment too soon - over the next month, chaos reigned. [[Upwold#The_Eastern_Guard|Eastern Guard]] was evacuated of all save a bare bones garrison too stubborn to abandon their post, and for several weeks there was real concern that this old fortress might be a casualty of the ongoing destruction.

Where Upwold once bordered [[Temeschwar]], there is now a massive [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinkhole sinkhole]. Estimated to be seven hundred feet deep, with a lake at the bottom that may well be bottomless. The cliff walls are nearly vertical, and still prone to collapse in some places, but there are also signs of caves and tunnels opening out in several places. Initial explorers have excitedly reported what look to be ancient mine workings - some reaching back to the time of the Terunael, and some reaching back even further. The full extent of the network of caverns here has yet to be determined. More worryingly, some of the early daredevils who have made a preliminary investigation of some of the more accessible caves and tunnels have failed to return - and all those who have made it back in one piece have described encounters with particularly angry [[trogoni]] - creatures rarely encountered outside of the mountains of [[Urizen]], and the northern peaks of [[Wintermark]] and [[Varushka]].

The sinkhole was officially named "[[Delver_of_the_Depths#Lorenzo.27s_Deep_Pockets|Lorzeno's Deep Pockets]]" by Lorenzo Macelliao von Temeschwar, but that has not prevented many of the residents of Birchland referring to it as ''the Bloody Great Hole'' (perhaps a reference to Lorenzo's membership of the Bloody Butchers guild, perhaps simply a result of Marchers choosing to call a spade a spade). Some yeomen, with a grim gallows humour, prefer to call the hole ''Downwold'' in reference to the not insignificant amount of Upwold soil that is now at the bottom of it. Regardless of what it is called, the [[The_Marches_military_concerns#Beaters|beaters]] of northern Upwold keep a close eye on the hole - and the dangerous trogoni that lurk in its depths.

===[[Sutton Stone Quarries]]===
The Sutton Stone Quarries are a Bourse resource located on [[#The Heath|the Heath]]. Custodianship of the Quarries is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Bourse]]. It produces 23 Imperial wains of white granite every season. Control is allocated to any Imperial citizen by open auction during the Summer Solstice.
===Well of Shadows===
At some point following the [[Wassail]] of 386YE, which was [[Patterns_of_fairytales#A Grand Wassail|attended]] by numerous [[Inhabitants of the realms#Heralds|heralds]] of the [[eternal]] [[Sadogua]], a door appeared in [[#Tower March|Tower March]] about a day's lazy hike east of King's Stoke. A meandering path, little more than a hunting trail, that nobody entirely remembers being there now connects the Stoke to the door, which is set into the bole of a massive ancient oak tree. The door is round, green, and resists all efforts to open it up to and including charging it headlong with a log. The ''Brother of Wizards'' mentions that this is the entry to the ''[[College_of_magic|Well of Shadows]]'' - a place of magical learning that is part of his domain. As a mark of the welcome he has received from them and from their people, he chose to move the door to Upwold. The first group to be granted access to the well were the [[landskeeper|landskeepers]] of the Marches and if anyone knows more it is probably them.
{{Anchor|Moonwater Hall}}

===Moonwater Hall (ruins)===
Built near King's Stoke in [[#Tower March|Tower March]], Moonwater Hall was a [[Faraden]] enclave that consisted of several dozen buildings including inns, homes, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, a shrine, and a number of warehouses, as well as a large public pasture for use by oxen. It was [[Construct_trade_hub_in_Upwold|commissioned]] in Summer 381YE, and work was completed shortly before the Winter Solstice. Half of the materials were provided by Henry Ward on behalf of the Empire, with the other half being supplied by Lady Saretta of the Red Moon on behalf of a consortium of Faraden merchant families. Moonwater Hall provided benefits to the [[farm|farms]] and [[business|businesses]] of Upwold as a [[great work]]. In Spring 384YE, however, the Senate voted to [[abrogate Moonwater Hall]] and the trade hub was decommissioned.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Yeoman and Log.jpg |width=300|align=right|caption=The Marchers of [[#Birchland|Birchland]] and [[#Tower March|Tower March]] farm the trees with the same stubborn focus other Marchers farm grain or pigs.}}</div>

==Regions==
===Ashbrook===
Named for the river Ash which feeds into the Meade, the region of Ashbrook is scattered with thriving communities such as '''Ashill''' - said to be perpetually covered in soot from the charcoal burning that provides its main industry. North of Ashill, near the [[Hahnmark]] border, stands the prosperous [[market town]] of '''Sweetroot'''. This small settlement is a major centre for the cultivation of the liquorice plant. While small, Sweetroot has become wealthy through careful exploitation of the leafy plant and its delicious roots. Popular exports include sweetroot cake (a small, round confection that is popular almost everywhere), and sweetwater (liquorice-infused water, used to treat a number of digestive system complaints).

One of the oldest menhirs in the Marches - [[#The Woldstone|the Woldstone]] - is also located here. Believed to be the first stone raised by the [[landskeeper|landskeepers]], it watches over the farms and market towns of Ashbrook. Not far from the Woldstone is the old oak wood of '''Walksend'''. Some of the trees here are over five hundred years old, but none have ever been felled. Local stories claim that the wood marks the spot where the first Marchers ended the March out of [[Dawn]]. According to this quaint story, on emerging from the woods of [[#Birchland|Birchland]], the Marchers saw the rolling plains of Upwold laid out before them and knew they had reached their new home. They thrust their walking staves into the ground here to signify that they were done with marching, and the staves miraculously put forth roots, branches, and leaves and became the trees that form the forest today. Visitors claim that the experience of walking among the great oaks is distinctly restful. The monks nearby '''Oakwood [[Monastery|monastery]]''', known for their excellent [[Surgical skills#physicks|physicks]], take advantage of this reputation to speed the convalescence of their patients.

Ashbrook is also the site of [[Guardian_of_the_Prosperity_of_Afal#Afal-on-Ash|Afal on Ash]], and a certain stand of gentle silver beehive-hung trees overseen by the [[Guardian of the Prosperity of Afal]].

===Birchland===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
The thick birch woods of Birchland are a source of valuable timber. There are also extensive stands of beggarwood in Birchland, producing excellent quality [[Materials#Beggar's Lye|Beggar's Lye]], which supports a thriving tanning and leatherworking industry. The fortress of [[#The Eastern Guard|Eastern Guard]] stands here, still watching the forest of [[Miaren]] for any sign of invasion by Dawnish [[Noble_house|nobles]]. Scattered here and there are old battlegrounds where Dawn and the Marches clashed in pre-Imperial times. Locals give these areas a wide berth and tell gloomy stories about the ghosts that haunt them.

Just north of the bend in the road that runs between lies [[Steward_of_Good_Leaf_Gardens#Good_Leaf_Gardens|Good Leaf Gardens]] - a wayhouse that regularly receives donations of [[herbs]] from Navarr traders who pass through the area. The herbs are given by Navarr in thanks for the continuing aid of the Marchers in the fight against the [[vallorn]], and are distributed by the [[Steward of Good Leaf Gardens]] to those who need them.

In Spring 381YE, parts of north-eastern Birchland were swallowed up in the [[Rocks and gravel|great collapse]] that created the sinkhole dubbed "''the Bloody Great Hole''" by locals and more properly referred to as [[#Upwold#Lorzeno.27s_Deep_Pockets_.28the_Bloody_Great_Hole.29|Lorenzo's Deep Pockets]].

===The Heath===
There are few settlements on the Heath's rolling grasslands - the soil is not exceptionally fertile and the farms here tend to focus on raising goats and sheep rather than growing crops. The most significant location here is probably the [[#Sutton Stone Quarries|Sutton Stone Quarries]], although historians would argue that the village of '''Redston''' would give it a run for its money. The village is the birthplace of the Marcher hero [[Life of Tom Drake|Tom Drake]], who helped create the [[Military Council]], was the first [[general]] of the [[The_Marches_military_concerns#The_Drakes|Drakes]], and ultimately fell in battle leading the Imperial armies against [[Alderei the Fair]]. Over the centuries, ''Tom's Orchard'' - the apple tree woods where the general was buried - has become something of a place of pilgrimage for Marcher generals and yeomen facing difficult challenges. The Redstons - the [[Marcher_household|household]] that still owns the farms around the village - have resisted any attempt to create a more prestigious memorial to the dead general.

Every month, Brock Heath market is held on the lands of [[Marcher_household|House]] Brockheath, and regularly attracts [[Navarr]] traders from [[Miaren]]. While it is no longer as prestigious as it once was, it has a [[Steward_of_Brock%27s_Heath|storied history]] and is generally believed to be one of the first regular markets that welcomed and encouraged trade with the Navarr in pre-Imperial times.

A significant number of the farms here belong to by grim-faced refugees from the [[Mournwold]]. During the occupation, these emigrants kept a close eye on the border to the south; they saw it as a solemn duty to rally the rest of Upwold against any sign of Jotun aggression from their old homelands. Now that the Mournwold has been liberated, there is a great deal of discussion between the families as to whether they should seek to reclaim their old farmland. While their parents want to return south, the younger generation have never lived anywhere else and consider themselves Upwolders through-and-through.

===Stock March===
The green farmlands of Stock March are dominated by the presence of [[#Stockland|Stockland]], which makes the most of its advantageous position at the junction of major roads linking [[Mitwold]], [[Hahnmark]], and [[Tassato]].

Stock March is the richest region in Upwold, and one of the most prosperous in the Marches. The sprawling '''Applewood''' grows here known for the fine, fat apples that bear its name. The Applewood shares its name with a village on the road near the border to the Moot, famous both for the Applewood Arms and for the fine-quality ciders it has produced since the earliest days of the Marches.

The village of '''[[#Mumford|Mumford]]''' stands on the western border of Stock March, famous for its Spring fair and the magical monoliths that watch over it.

===Tower March===
*'''Quality:''' Forest
The dense woods of Tower March have been cut back around the village of '''King's Stoke''', but remain thick and vital in the rest of the region. A pre-Imperial tower stands here, just east of the village, that is said to mark the place where the rebels held back the King of [[Dawn]] following the [[the Marches history|march of secession]]. Most Upwold families - and indeed many families from other parts of the Marches - claim a connection to the battle at King's Stoke. That said, if every family who claims an ancestor fought there is right, it must have been an easy victory. King's Stoke is also the site of [[#Moonwater Hall|Moonwater Hall]], a [[Faraden]] trading enclave that supports merchants from that western nation who wish to purchase fine quality Marcher food and drink.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Henry Birchsmith.jpg|caption='''Henry Birchsmith''', Senator for Upwold|align=left|width=500}}</div>
West of King's Stoke is '''Borsdell Hall''', perhaps the closest the Marches gets to a centre of learning. The original hall belonged to the well-respected Brigit of Dourfen, the first [[grandmaster]] of the [[Rod and Shield]] [[Conclave order|order]] of the [[Conclave]]. Raised in [[Bregasland]], the legendary [[landskeeper]] moved to Tower March in the early years before the formation of the Empire and built the hall "''the better to keep an eye on the rest of the world.''" Her interest in "the wider world" brought news of the First Empress' meeting at Anvil to the stewards of the Marches, and many historians ascribe her a pivotal role in the Cousins War that followed that fateful congress. Modern landskeepers will send an apprentice who shows a talent for [[Magical_skills#Battle_Mage|battle magic]] to spend a season or two studying at Borsdell, learning techniques refined by Brigit and passed on to the martially-minded magicians who followed her.

[[Farm|Farmland]] is at a premium in Tower March, and the region is better known for its woodcutters and [[forest|foresters]]. In addition to the ever-present beggarwood, Tower March is the main source of [[Materials#Dragonbone|dragonbone]] in the Marches. In recent years the demand for Tower March amber has subsided in the face of extensive imports from [[Miaren]] and through [[Tassato]], but there are still several old and stubborn households whose fortunes are traditionally tied to the valuable material. Some of the more ambitious stewards of Tower March are said to favour a wholesale clearance of the woods, both to take advantage of the voracious Imperial demand for building materials and to allow for new farms - so far they have faced a great deal of resistance from those whose livelihood is tied to the woodlands. Most are pessimistic however; political power in the Marches does not lie in the hands of woodcutters and foresters, after all.

{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Upwold|Territory=Upwold|Season=Autumn}}

==OOC Notes==
* All the regions of Upwold are in the hands of the Marches (and by extension the Empire) making it a staunchly Imperial territory.
* The castle of [[#The Eastern Guard|Eastern Guard]] was a rank one [[fortification]].
* The presence of [[Delver_of_the_Depths#Lorenzo.27s_Deep_Pockets|Lorenzo's Deep Pockets]] means that it is not possible for an [[Army|Imperial army]] to [[Army_orders#Movement|move]] from Upwold to Temeschwar directly. They will instead need to pass through either Miaren or Hahnmark.
[[Category:The Marches]]
[[Category:Gazetteer]]
[[Category:Imperial Territory]]

This is the end

2026-07-19T17:30:03Z

Hailmur: /* Never follow me */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
<ic>
SCENE: A COURTYARD IN SHADOW. MUSIC PLAYS FAR AWAY. THEY SPEAK, FILLING THE COURTYARD WITH WHISPERS, THEIR VOICES GLITTERING LIKE GEMSTONES.

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "Quite a shame, quite a shame. We did so like that city. Oh, waily waily, our house in ruins...! What a beautiful game it was, though - and such good sports all."

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "We shall return, perhaps, in a less fervent season? Though now it is under the cursed serpent's aegis... by the void and abyss, how I hate that cursèd songbird!"

'''RUBY VOICE:''' "All the more reason to skulk in secret, my dearest darling confidante. We'll find places, and people will whisper to us once more. The circle turns, and tickets are always on sale."

'''TOPAZ VOICE:''' "And what of the rest? The sloth? The hybrid? The chatterer? The firestorm? All in their tedium. They'll all be clamouring to be there now. Not to even speak of --"

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "-- don't you go on so, beloved. We were the first! First to notice the potential of the place, before the feathered bore stuck in her beak. Art is about getting everyone talking."

'''RUBY VOICE:''' "First to roost, and first to flee. Such is our lot. O, what an ill-fated star for the beloved of cats. Friendless, now, abandoned by our confidantes. Even dearest Teodore... even--"

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "-- you know I heard the Barossa priest is to defend Bela Vicente. Rumour speaks, companions mine, that he does so out of an obligation we created - how exceptionally droll."

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "Ah, Asav. Pleasant, this time of year. Now there's a place that appreciates the value of intrigue. Not like these Catazarri secret-murderers, addicted to truth's dishonesty."

'''TOPAZ VOICE:''' "Or Jarm. Our friends in the Violet Forest have been saying we have been neglecting them. Though they keep busy anyway, I hear. There's always a way where there's a will."

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "So we're agreed. A sojourn onwards to new retreats for this merry band of players and artists. We must prepare for the next debut. Where one curtain falls, after all, another rises."

THE FIGURES RETREAT FROM THE SHADOWS. A SMALL ALBINO KITTEN WANDERS OUT ONTO THE STAGE. IT LOOKS TOWARDS THE AUDIENCE. IT LOOKS AT YOU.

Letitia lowered the pages, trying to keep her face neutral, but Mario saw through her immediately. He jutted his jaw pugnaciously, and she could see him getting angry with her before she had even opened her mouth.

"Well?" He demanded. She tried to plaster a smile on her face but it wouldn't stick and slipped off, possibly because she had started to sweat.

"It's a bit... I mean it's very good obviously." The last bit was spoken very fast indeed because she'd noticed Mario had one hand on the pommel of the rod at his side. The playwright's days of fighting for the Conclave were past, but he kept the rod to remind people that as well as wrangling words he could still crack heads when the situation called for it.

"A bit what," he said, refusing to let it go.

"It's a bit... it's a bit.. <small>over the top?</small>"

Mario ripped the pages from her hands and threw them on the ground. The rest of the company turned to gawk, as actors are wont to do. Two of the stage hands took the opportunity to nip off for a quick break.

"FINE!" Mario shouted in a voice Letitia swore was making the rafter vibrate. He could project when he wanted to. "You ''wanted'' a play about the Whisper Gallery but I ''give'' you a play about the Whisper Gallery and what do you do? You ''criticise''! You throw it back in my face! ''You'' write a play that captures the enigmatic nature of the Lords of the Chiaroscuran Throne then! You clearly know what you want better than I do!" The playwright stormed out.

Letitia squeezed the bridge of her nose. She hated bringing the company to Spiral, because of exactly this kind of thing. What, she wondered - not for the first time - did the Black Plateau have against art?</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sofonisba Amilcara of the City Below.jpg|caption='''Sofonisba Amilcara''' is somehow the map to the City Below. Exactly what that means is... well, a mystery.|align=left|width=350}}</div>
==Overview==
The peculiar dramaturgic confluence that began in the city of Apulus more than a year ago, seems to have reached a crescendo. Against a backdrop of running battles in the Apulus streets between [[This is the end|strangely-coloured cats with mispaired eyes and songbirds with rainbow feathers]], a cadre of military units arrives in the city to help Sofonisba Amilcara "map the city below".

Apparently convinced that there is not enough Night magic running amok in the territory, someone has laid a powerful enchantment over the territory. It brings strange dreams that seem to be linked to ongoing events. Many people suddenly awaken from dreams in which they were part of the ongoing war, fighting as either a cat or a bird against the enemy trying to seize control of the city.

Despite the strangeness, most inhabitants of Spiral find sleep brings renewed optimism and vigour. The city is filled with a feverish energy, and on the lonely mountain slopes those that live there are filled with a new joy after many sorrows. Things live. This is an old place, with a history beyond imagining, and it seems impossible it could ever be abandoned, so tightly and beautifully does it command the heart of those who call it home.

==Talon and claw==
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right; margin: 15px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Great Eared-Nightjar.jpg|align=right|caption=The war between birds and cats is over, and the city echoes with birdsong.|width=450}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Rainbow cat.jpg|caption=The war between birds and cats is over, and the cats have decided they'd actually rather not live in the city any more thank you.|align=left|width=450}}</div>
</div>
* '''The war between the cats and the birds is over'''
* '''The birds have driven the cats out of the city'''
* '''Birdsong is now everywhere in Apulus, drowning out the emanations of the Black Plateau'''
* '''The penalty to League businesses from the Black Plateau will be drowned out for a season after the Summer Solstice'''
As the season wears on, the war for dominion in Apulus intensifies with open fighting on the streets between the two rivals gangs. The first major battle takes place on Mulberry Avenue; a large flock of common blackbirds are deployed to the area, but as soon as they alight on the walls and rooftops, they are set upon by a force of cats that are lying in wait for them. Like soldiers under [[Clarity of the Master Strategist]], the cats are able to strike with perfect coordination, taking the enemy by surprise, killing two and driving the rest away. Days later a group of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightjar nightjars] are attacked in the same way on Bleeker Street with similar results.

Despite this, it soon becomes clear that the cats are ''not'' winning. Eventually, the birds are able to arrange an ambush of their own. A group of cats surround a tiny thrush that appears to have recklessly alighted on a branch on the old yew tree outside the Lone Reveller, a well-regarded eatery on the city's central plaza. Cats converge on the bird from every side-street, but as they do a huge flock of birds of prey plummet from the sky. Amber hawks lancing down to the streets below, plummeting kites with beautiful argent feathers, diving merlins whose feathers bear the rune of wealth.

A battle royale takes place all across the plaza, but the cats are badly outnumbered and outmatched and they are routed in short order. From that point on, no cat is seen in the plaza, thereafter it is the secure demesne of beautiful songbirds. The pattern repeats all across the city and soon the cats are in full retreat. In dribs and drabs they flee the city, seeking refuge in the citadels and spires that still dot the hills and mountains of the territory. By the end of the season, there is not a single cat of any kind left in Apulus.

In their place, the city is filled with birds of every kind and colour imaginable. Most are flighty and wary of people, but the smaller ones come close if fed with seed. Their birdsong fills the city, countless beautiful songs, each one different to the last, are now audible on every street and avenue in the city. Those whose cats have fled mourn the loss of their pets, but the presence of the birds is so beneficial it is hard to be entirely disgruntled. Somehow, the birdsong it entirely drowns out the constant malevolence coming from the Black Plateau, leaving the city well-protected and serene.

The strangely coloured cats with the mispaired eyes have not quit the territory entirely. Every Urizeni spire, every Urizeni magician, has been approached by at least one of the odd cats, seeking adoption and shared cohabitation. Negotiations are opened with offers of dead mice, and the promise of a study completely free of flies and other insects. Despite the obvious concerns, all magical investigation reveals that while the cats are unusually clever and conspiratorial, and clearly touched by night magic, they are not otherwise marked by any connection to the realm or any one of its inhabitants. Any Urizeni magician who wishes, now has at least one cat whose fur is a single primary color, like a bright red or a deep green, with mispaired eyes. The cats are hard working, keeping spires clear of insects and vermin and they are all highly companionable. They clearly welcome human company and like to snuggle close when people are talking or otherwise engaged.

==Never follow me==
<div {{float}}>
<table class='wikitable mw-collapsed mw-collapsible sortable'><tr><th>Citizen</th><th>Banner</th><th>Nation</th></tr>
<tr><td>Alistair de Vere</td><td>House de Vere</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alys de Vere</td><td>House de Vere</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>D'Eon</td><td>Anvil Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Desmond Redbear Steward</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Earl Enchanter Severin De Manticore</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Evrard Taillier</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lady Soleil-Jolie duLac</td><td>House duLac</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lerac Birdkeep</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lord Bors "The Middle" du Merciel</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mirella of the Twisted Rose</td><td>Amber Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Olwyn Pickle</td><td>Amber Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Perrin Syrenus</td><td>House Syrenus</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ser Percival of de Licorne</td><td>House de Licorne</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Adrianna</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Caius</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Quintus</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Renata</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Carmine de Sarvos "Father"</td><td>The Printers' Guild</td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Natalia 'The Falcon' Barossa</td><td>Company of The Red Fox</td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sofonisba Amilcara of the City Below</td><td></td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Aella</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Althaea Sunshaper</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Arephanes of Tropaion Citadel</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Argentus</td><td>The Wise Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Atreus</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cassian Highwind</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Corinthius</td><td>The Wise Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cyrus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cyrus Stillwater</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Donato of the Crucible</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Fausta Ankarien</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Floria Sunshaper</td><td>Sunshaper Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Grakulus</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Halkyon of the Myriad Stream</td><td>The Banner of the Spiral Council</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ignatious</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Linos</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Magnus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Marcus</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sabina</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Shibboleth Tziporah</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Valerius</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Varrus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Vespasian</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Xanthippe Of the Lighthouse-That-Was</td><td>Arete's Promise</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Sofonisba Amilcara has successfully become the Map to the City Below'''
* '''The military units who assisted her have uncovered a lair under the dominion of the Whisper Gallery below the Vicente School and Orphanage'''
* '''The lair has been destroyed but the Whisper Gallery has stolen the Orphanage that was hiding it'''
* '''There was nobody in the Orphanage when it was stolen'''
* '''Sung has rewarded the Map to the City Below for their efforts'''
* '''There is a pack insert for everyone who took part in the venture that contains words that might describe their experience'''
<div style="float: right; max-width: 350px; margin-right: 10px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sung001b.JPG|width=350|align=right}}
{{HoverImage|WhisperGal004.png|width=350|WhisperGal005.png}}</div>
At the request of the [[Sung|Rainbow Serpent]], Sofonisba Amilcara - the magician the League Assembly has appointed to become the "Map to the City Below" - successfully arranged just under forty five military units to support their efforts to explore the the sewers and passageways that lie beneath the old city. Fears that the [[Whisper Gallery]] would find a way to hinder their efforts have proved unfounded and the force was more than enough to achieve the eternal's goals, whatever they might be. They haven't actually managed to produce a physical map that anyone can check - in fact many of the military units didn't actually seem to do anything other than spend long nights in deep slumber - but that's fine because there was already a perfectly practical map of the sewers anyway. And yet, and yet..

There were revelations at the recent summit of a terrible conspiracy at the heart of the Empire. A cult of the Whisper Gallery has been exposed: involving not only the duSesna Guild of Reckoners in Apulus, but, it is said, the ''very'' highest levels of the Conclave itself. A web of lies and deceit has been spun that has left many wondering who they can truly trust. Thus, it is not a complete shock, when Sofonisba and her allies report that they have discovered a lair of the Whisper Gallery here in Apulus.

The Shadow Den of the Adumbral Volution is something akin to a ''fane''. It has been established in the basement of the [[Custodian_of_the_Vicente_School_and_Orphanage|Vicente School and Orphanage]], not by the action of the Senate, but by the action of wicked cultists. Somehow these agents of wickedness have suborned the title-holder's natural authority over the orphanage and used it to grant dominion to the Whisper Gallery, despite the Senate's lack of formal [[Urizen_hearth_magic#Cession|cession]]. In practical terms, the result is not that different to a [[fane]] - its presence here has allowed the eternal to operate freely in the city - only in this case nobody knew it was happening. Sadly it is difficult to discern more, for the Orphanage has been lost in the battle. The allies of Sung claim they didn't destroy the building; if that is true, the most likely alternative is that the Whisper Gallery has chosen to spirit it away somehow. If the eternal can't have the school, neither can the Empire, it would seem.

<div {{float}}><box>
'''Night Marks'''
<p>Apulus has been left permanently marked by the dominion of the Whisper Gallery. Every magician who examines the marks agrees that there is nothing that can be done about them, but they aren't a threat to the city ''right now''. They may become an issue in the future, but if that happens there will be a way to deal with them then.</p>

<p>They might draw the attention of other night eternals seeking to become involved in the City Below, or they might create an [[opportunity]] for the Whisper Gallery to cause trouble for citizens of Spiral. They exist in case we choose to use them for a new plot involving the eternal in the future.</p></box></div>

The Shadow Den has been uprooted, and the baleful influence of the Whisper Gallery on Apulus has been ended. The duSesna Guild have gone to ground, fleeing Apulus. In time most will likely be found and brought to justice by [[Venture#War_of_Whispers|enterprising captains]] - for they no longer have anywhere to hide, here. Sofonisba reports that she and the captains supporting her have overturned the lair and run the Whisper Gallery out of the city. The eternal is defeated... but their presence here has seeped in to the stones of the city. The wound has healed, but the ''scar'' remains. Magicians who cast [[Bright Lantern of Ophis]] while in Apulus can sense ''something'' which most agree are the marks left on the city by the eternal. A parting gift from the Shadow Courtiers: the magical equivalent of graffiti scrawled on the toilet walls.

There is nothing that can be done about this now: not without razing the city to the ground and beginning again. There is little to fear from these marks in and of themselves - they don't have any power over the city or anyone who dwells in it. The only influence they could have would be to make the city a little more secretive and conspiratorial - and really... this is Apulus. Would anyone even notice at this point?

It would be unwise to forget about the marks completely however. The Whisper Gallery has had to expend considerable effort to create the marks. The ''Concilium of the Perjured Throne'' has demonstrated that the Empire can drive it out, but they cannot remove every trace of its influence. The marks show that the eternal had dominion here once and that perhaps, it intends to return one day to reclaim its prize. Perhaps for that reason, Sung has rewarded the Map to the City Below, empowering them to protect the city from the malevolent wickedness of the Whisper Gallery.

==Take a chance with us==
* '''Other Night eternals have inquired if they might themselves receive a berth in the City Below'''
* '''In particular, the Azoth and Sadogua have drawn up some curious proposals'''
* '''The actual effect of building these commissions is a mystery - but Sung guarantees a measure of protection and safety under the shadow of her wings'''

<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''The Delectable Refectory'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Apulus, Spiral</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 10 wains of mithril, 10 wains of white granite, 10 rings of ilium, and 60 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 1 season</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' The Delectable Refectory would need to be ceded to Sadogua</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' All the effects of this edifice are a mystery</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
</table>

<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''The Grand Laboratory'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Apulus, Spiral</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 10 wains of mithril, 10 wains of white granite, 10 weirwood, 10 rings of ilium, and 90 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 1 season</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' The edifice would need to be ceded to Azoth</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' All the effects of this edifice are a mystery</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
As predicted, the completion of Sung's fane has drawn attention from other Night eternals - and the routing of the Cavalcade of Purrs has only heightened that, for there is little love lost between the Shadow Courtiers and the other denizens of the realm. Heralds working for both the [[Azoth]] and [[Sadogua]] have begun seen now regularly in the city this season and have also come to call at spires and citadels across the territory. The two eternals have made no secret of the fact that they would ''dearly'' love a place within the City Below to call their own.
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">[[file:Sadogua001d.webp|align=right|width=250]]</div>
Sadogua, perhaps predictably, has taken a close interest in the [[The_play_that_came_to_Apulian#Curiouser_and_Curiouser|dramaturgical college]]. His heralds have presented his "suggestions" for an annex to the University; specifically, ''Batfather'' feels that the current plans fail to take into account the need to ensure that students and teachers are replete with find food and drink, so that they can indulge themselves when needed or deserved. As such, the ''Brother of Wizards'' suggests the construction of what he calls the Delectable Refectory. This would be an edifice ceded to Sadogua - a fane for all practical terms - at which banquets would be served for those who cared to attend them, "with plenty of extra trimmings and custard for all as wants them, and hammocks provided too to aid in after-dinner digestion". Everyone would be welcome to attend, but the Refectory would be housed inside a Night regio, so they would need to cast [[operate portal]] to enter, or have some other means of ingress and egress.
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Crucible.png|align=right|width=200}}</div>
The Azoth has let it be known that it, too, would like a home in the city of night. They envisage a Grand Laboratory that is attached to the growing University of Apulus, though to what end is unclear. As such, they propose that in lieu of actual plans, a suitable quantity of building materials could be acquired first. Then, once they had been arranged, ''Makeready'' would provide the builders and craftspersons with several dozen of its finest alchemical concoctions. After that, they could be encouraged to "just sort of make what comes to mind - no wrong answers!", as one herald put it. Such an... unconventional... approach would be ''guaranteed'' to produce something original and creative. Whether that is an entirely good idea is open to criticism, as one Holberg professor of civil engineering dryly comments "You can overrate the value of originality when suspending three tons of roofing tiles over someone's head".

Either, or both, of these edifices could be constructed and ceded so long as the [[Conclave]] does not declare its enmity on either Eternal. Experienced magicians caution that doing so is bound to provide some benefits to the city, but will inevitably attract even more attention from the other night eternals. [[Lashonar]] and [[Janon]] are both under enmity at the moment, preventing their heralds from ''appearing'' in Spiral, even despite the enchantment over the territory, but there are murmurings that they share the desire of their fellow wyrms and serpents to engage.

There are clear risks in ceding anything to an eternal of course, not least what happens if the Empire decides to change its mind. However the heralds attending the [[Map_to_the_City_Below|Chamber of Euphony]] claim that ''Spiral Dancer'' has enfolded her wings around Apulus, protecting its mysteries and its occupants from harm. Now that the battle for Apulus is won, other night eternals seeking a foothold in the city would be bound to acknowledge Sung's ascendency. The protection provided by the ''Rainbow Serpent'' is something of a double-edged sword - it preserves mysteries, making it literally impossible for Sadogua or Azoth to know what the edifices they propose might ultimately do, but it severely restricts the ability of any eternal to act with genuine malice or deceit. It is not impossible that an eternal could circumvent such protection, Sung is not all knowing and is as prone to error as any mortal, but it would make it vastly more difficult.

This is why Spiral Dancer has created the Map to the City Below. Having successfully driven the ''Concilium of the Perjured Throne'' from Spiral, the Map is now "bound" to the City. Sung's heralds don't actually mean bound in the way a magical item is [[create bond|bound]] to its owner, but they clearly mean something similar. It is clear that Sung believes that a map of the city represents the city in a way that goes beyond what a mortal cartographer might assume. Mortals see the map as an image that represents the city - Sung views it the other way round, regarding the city as a reflection of the map. To the eternal, the map is real and concrete while the city is abstract and symbolic.

Which is all a lot of fancy magical bollocks in the minds of many practical League business folk. What it actually ''means'' is that the "Map" will usually be the first to know if the city is threatened by an eternal. Or that the Map will know about any threat as soon as Sung does. Or that Sung will know about any threat as soon as the Map does. At least one of those things is definitely true, possibly all of them. Straight answers are rare with some night eternals, and none more so than the ''Lord of Illusions''.

==The moment prepared for==
<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Seductive and Mysterious.jpg|caption=Dramaturgy is at once bold and obvious, but also subtle and enigmatic. A play is an easy thing to understand, but its effect on the mind and the spirit not quite so straightforward.|align=left|width=400}}</div>
* '''The dramaturgical confluence has largely ceased, though its cause and nature remain an elusive mystery'''
The dramaturgical confluence that began with the streets of Apulus beginning to stretch and tangle seems to have finally ended. Dramaturgists report that the personae and the thrones seem to be behaving more normally, at least for now. To the disappointment of some, the streets of Apulus seem to have largely settled down. Things are finally where they should be. Good news for accountants who are late for important meetings to go through the books with a client, bad news for cicisbeo who discover they can no longer cram a week's entertainment into a single night.

Not everything is back ''exactly'' the way it was. There is a back-alley off Metals Street just behind Lorazo's Smithy that is barely fifty yards long but it still emerges on Bleeker Street despite the fact that Bleeker Street is almost a mile away. There is a bookdealers in Three Corpse Culvert called Newcomers's Books which has five complete floors to it, as well as a basement, despite being housed in a single story building. There is a statue of Salt Lord Kaliact on the dockfront which slowly changes position, but only when someone is looking at it: otherwise, it is perfectly still. For the large part, these magics are muted and minor, at least compared with the torrent that swept the city when the confluence was in effect.

It is not clear what caused the confluence, or what it ended it for that matter. It is easy to imagine that it was the Whisper Gallery, too easy in the minds of many dramaturgists, who are convinced that the tale cannot be that simple. Dramaturgy has certain resonances that lend itself to the Whisper Gallery's games, but it is not solely the province of Night, after all.

Once the Barossa University of the Dramaturgical Arts is complete, they will be in a position to investigate dramaturgical magic more thoroughly. If they can examine the personae, thrones and instruments, and any lingering effects of the confluence, this might give insight into what happened in Apulus. Even if it doesn't, it will certainly leave the Empire much better prepared were ''another'' confluence to form which would be useful given how eager eternals appear to have been to take advantage of this one.

The brightest flame

2026-07-19T17:07:16Z

Hailmur: /* Cooling Off */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:Peerless Kinship]]
<ic>"Look at Chalonsio, look at Rachensgrab!" Diraz's voice was rising as he warmed to his favourite subject.

"A triumph of the Ambitious and the Vigilant, to be sure." replied Anselm calmly.

"So you say, and yet both raids produced scores of spontaneous auras. Many of those auras were neither Ambitious nor Vigilant in nature."

"It is impossible to tell what Virtue a spontaneous aura is formed from. Miriam of the Cobalt Shield argues that spontaneous auras don't distinguish between the Virtues at all."

Anselm's host was in no mood to back down. "It's impossible to tell which Virtue an aura is part of with ''liao''. But it's as plain as your nose if you experience it. Many of those who went experienced auras of Freedom."

"Perhaps," Anselm conceded, "but we freed thousands of slaves. Perhaps it would be surprising if no aura of Freedom arose as a result."

"Right!" Diraz pounced on on the point. "So here is my question. Freeing the slaves of Chalonsio and Rachensgrab was, inarguably, the right thing to do. In that moment we were worthy to stand in Ahraz' shadow. If you had the chance to do it all over again, would you take it?"

"Without a moment's thought", replied Anselm, "slavery is a perversion of Virtue, it violates ''every'' tenet of Prosperity."

"And would you do it again knowing it would create auras of Freedom?" Diraz paused to let his point in sink in. "The Synod has proscribed Freedom. But if you free those people you will knowingly create scores of Freedom auras that the Synod has banned. Would you still do it, knowing your actions were spreading Freedom in their wake?"

Anselm paused for a moment to consider his reply, but Diraz didn't wait.

"You must consider, my learned friend, what is heterodoxy but the cradle of orthodoxy? What was the Revelation of the First Empress but heterodoxy to the Patricians that is now our orthodoxy"</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 240px; clear: left; margin: 10px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Nim of Ebon's Hall.jpg|align=left|caption=Nim of Ebon's Hall has called or Highguard to offer their peerless kinship to the people of the Brass Coast.|width=240}}</div>
==Overview==
In the tradition of the founding nation, the [[Highguard|Highborn]] have once again expressed their [[Highguard_religious_beliefs#Peerless_Kinship|peerless kinship]], this time under the leadership of '''Nim of Ebon's Hall''' to their cousins in [[the Brass Coast]]. More specifically, they have identified the [[On_the_road_ahead#City_of_Passions|ascendant Firebrand movement]] whose embers have been stoked by the [[mandate]] of '''Isario i Riqueza''' and the commissioning of the [[On_the_road_ahead#City_of_Wonders|City of Wonders]] as a potential cause for concern.

The arrival of the Highborn is preceded by the words of '''Lita i Nadir i Riqueza'''. They spread across the nation, calling for unity in the shared pursuit of driving the empire forward in virtue, morality and the ever-changing Way. As a result, the [[The_Brass_Coast_culture_and_customs#Hospitality|famously hospitable Freeborn]] throw open their doors and welcome their guests to [[Segura#Anduz|Anduz]]. The Highborn [[wayfarer|wayfarers]] and pilgrims who engage in peerless kinship have a warm temperament and an open mind. Centuries dedicated to spreading the Way has made them effective interlocutors. Their commitment to the Way is uncompromising but they embrace the idea that if you want to be heard, then first you have to listen. They are skilled at getting others to talk and patient enough to wait for the quiet before they speak their own mind.

Some fear the worst however; Lita suggested the Freeborn look to the example set by [[Guerra]], one of the three founders of the Brass Coast. It is a brave choice! Arguably the first firebrand, Guerra famously turned her back on the Highborn [[chapter|chapters]], accusing them of moral cowardice. She left [[Highguard_history#The_Diaspora|early Highguard]] in part because she wanted nothing to do with the chapters or their beliefs.

Still that was centuries ago and times have changed dramatically since then. Provided people have changed with them, everything should be fine.
<div style="display:grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 10px;">
{{SOPInner|statement=The Freeborn have a great opportunity ahead of them. By building the burning agora, the Firebrands will be revived and vigorous debate will begin in Anduz. This will spell a great era of discovery among the Freeborn, but they must remain Vigilant. The Highborn Assembly are well-posed to support the Firebrands in pushing the Way to excellence. There are no better partners in debate. In this, we provide our Peerless Kinship
|by=Nim, of Ebon's Hall, Highborn National Assembly|vote=250-12|when=Spring 388YE}}

{{SOPInner|statement=As we look to the foundation of the Burning Agora, and the rekindling of the Firebrands of our nation. Look to Guerra as your example. We urge our Firebrands to use their forum to push for social change, build bridges, and speak on how to drive the Coast and the Empire forward together in virtue, morality, and the ever-changing Way. We welcome our Highborn siblings to join our debate in Peerless Kinship |by=Lita i Nadir i Riqueza, Freeborn National Assembly|vote={{GM}} 158-0|when=Spring 388YE}}
</div>
<div style="float:left; width: 350px; clear: left; margin: 15px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=NBBrassCoast.jpg|align=left|caption=Along with Dust and Glass, Fire is one of the three mystical pillars of Freeborn spirituality.|width=500}}</div>
==The Nature of Fire==
{{SOP|statement=We prize freedom and disdain arrogance. We send Isario i Riqueza with 50 doses of liao to encourage the citizens of Segura to create a place to discuss doctrine and encourage free thinkers. Every being deserves to live the life they want in the manner they wish.|by=Isario i Riqueza, Freeborn National Assembly|vote={{GM}} 154-0|when=Spring 388YE}}
<div {{float}}><quote by="Hosea of the Winter's Lament"> ...it is fitting they call themselves firebrands, for I might as well try to influence the fire itself. I could feed this fire and watch the world burn, or smother it and embrace the cold darkness. The one thing I cannot do is change them. The flames will not part for me if I plunge my hands into the fire. These flames will not part for anyone.</quote>
</div>
The visiting Highborn are made welcome throughout Anduz, including at the hearths of the firebrands. Most are charged little for a meal and a seat at a table; it is clear their hosts welcome the opportunity to debate virtue and faith. Their guests are as eager to listen as they are to talk, but even so the talk goes long into the night, with both groups embracing the opportunity to discuss their favourite topics. Conversation flows like [[The_Brass_Coast_culture_and_customs#Syrah|syrah]], with matters of Virtue, faith and doctrine discussed, alongside Imperial politics. In fact, many firebrands are more interested in the declarations of the Conclave and the motions of Senate than they are in [[the Doctrines of the Faith]], more concerned with the actions of the [[Military Council]] and the decisions of [[the Throne]] than [[The_Way#The_Paths_of_Virtue|the paths of Virtue]].

These debates are charged and passionate; the wise would expect nothing less of the Freeborn, but their fervour stands out in a crowded room. The firebrands are as committed to their ideals, as any [[grey pilgrim]] who gave up everything to walk the [[trods]]. As zealous in their beliefs as any [[wayfarer]] risking everything to bring the Way to the world. They are possessed of a surplus of self-belief that provides a bottomless well of confidence and a determination to fight for their cause that would impress any [[cataphract]]. It is clear they agree with their guests on many things - and they disagree on just as many. Without the inspiring words of Lita i Nadir i Riqueza, the debates would have quickly turned to arguments and worse.
<div {{float}}><quote by="Felix of the Far Tower"> ...I fear if they come into their own, they will set the world on fire. Not out of wickedness, but out of righteousness. And woe betide what is wrong, for they will burn it from our Empire, like a surgeon cauterizing the wound. Just like their beloved Ahraz did, they will risk everything in their determination to make the Empire a better place.</quote></div>
The conversations are revealing. The people of the Coast are [[The_Brass_Coast|notoriously candid]], and urged on by their assembly, the firebrands have little reason to hold back. In that way the attempt to express peerless kinship has been a tremendous success - it paints a detailed picture of the firebrands to their Highborn guests and to their neighbours all across the Brass Coast.

What emerges is a group profoundly committed to their ideals. Their principles are as varied as their syrah, but there are some common strands woven into every rug in Anduz. What matters to these descendants of Guerra is not Virtue or doctrine. Most follow the seven Virtues of the Way, but they use Virtue to drive them to action, few of them see it as a goal in itself. There are precious few firebrands interested in encouraging [[Ambition]] or building up [[Pride]]. They appreciate [[Wisdom]], but they don't value it for its own sake. Some of them are likely blasphemers; it's hard to avoid the signs that more than a few firebrands are dedicated to [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Anarchy|Freedom]] or worse, but they are not interested in spreading auras or dedicating others to a false virtue.
<div {{float}}><quote by="Anselm of the Broken Mill"> ...the danger is not that they are committed to Freedom, though some undoubtedly are. But even they don't care about the malign aura of Freedom. What they care about is freedom, and for that they are willing to risk anything to achieve it.</quote></div>

What drives them, what animates most of them is ''politics''. There is no conformity - there are firebrand corsairs outraged by the Asavean and Jarmish practices of slavery who are convinced that the Senate should outlaw any contact with these people. But there are firebrand merchants furious at the decision of the Senate to damage their [[Prosperity]] by restricting their right to trade freely with anyone they meet. There are firebrand [[kohan]] outraged at what they see as the failure of [[Loyalty]] by the [[Military Council]] to protect their lands from the Lasambrians and firebrand [[hakima]] who think the Council should leave the nations of the West to their own [[Vigilance]] against the [[Jotun]] while they concentrate their resources wiping out the wicked [[Druj]].
<div {{float}}><quote by="Aban i Darez i Guerra"> ...just imagine if our leaders had the same fire in their belly as the firebrands? Would a firebrand have allowed Feroz to fall? They would sooner burn it to the ground than see our home in Grendel chains. We will not rise until we put that passion in service to our nation.</quote></div>
If the spirit of the firebrands could be harnessed by the nation without taming it, then it might serve the Brass Coast well. Many firebrands argue that the Coast has lost more than any other nation in recent times, with Feroz languishing under Grendel control for years and Madruga drowned in salt, an easy target for the Wreckers and the Asaveans. It is easy to blame events, but the firebrands blame the decisions of the Military Council and the Senate, arguing that is has been Imperial strategy to sacrifice the Coast to achieve victory elsewhere. [[Emperor Ahraz]] was a firebrand and while he famously didn't put the Freeborn nation first, he definitely did put Freeborn priorities first. Some would claim that it was his refusal to compromise those priorities that ultimately brought him down.

If the Highborn and Freeborn Assemblies had hoped to influence the burgeoning firebrand movement, then the peerless kinship has been an abject failure. The one thing the firebrands are ''not'', is people looking for guidance. They are driven by a passionate commitment to their ideals, they believe that the Empire is deeply imperfect and they are certain that they know how to fix it. They are every bit as utopian as an [[Urizen|Urizeni]] [[architect]], and just as confident that they are right, but they cleave to their ideals with a fervour that is rarely matched anywhere in the Empire. Peerless kinship is subtle and powerful, and together the Highborn and Freeborn assemblies can achieve a lot; but it is helpless in the face of a group whose certainty and conviction armour them against any argument.

Those who talk to the firebrands are at pains to stress there is no wickedness here, not even among those who likely bear false auras. They don't denigrate the Way, but they dislike the idea of being constrained by it. The risks that some see might never come to pass, at least not in the current generation. But sooner or later another Ahraz will emerge... and when that happens, they and their followers would throw caution to the fire in their desire to rid the Empire of wrongdoing. Nobody now denies that the first Freeborn Emperor [[The_Courage_of_Ahraz|changed the Empire for the better]], but he [[The_Orc_Rebellion|brought it to the brink of destruction to do it]]. That legacy is who the firebrands are and ''nothing'' will ever change that.
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right; margin: 15px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Fire_on_Water.png|caption=Most fires can be quenched, at least a little, by the application of water.|align=right|width=500}}</div>

==Cooling Off==
* '''If the Burning Agora is built, the firebrands will be restored to prominence in Freeborn society'''
* '''The Highborn could help build a bathhouse in Anduz to cool the spirits'''

The peerless kinship of the Highborn has shone a light on the views of the firebrands, but it can do nothing to change their nature. These are the heirs of Guerra, who led her people out of Highguard away from the corruption of the Patricians ''and'' the virtue of the chapters because she believed it was the right thing to do. Ahraz and his allies were the first to call themselves firebrands and whatever else he did, Ahraz is the only Throne in Imperial history to march on Anvil with a barbarian army at his back. It is the essential nature of a firebrand to be committed to their cause and there is little in this world that can shake them from it.

Right now the Freeborn are equally committed. Building the City of Wonders means creating the Burning Agora and that means raising the profile of the firebrands and restoring them to prominence in Freeborn society. The influence of the firebrands died with Ahraz and the bitter divisions that his fall from the Throne wrought. Building the City of Wonders means building the Agora and that means welcoming the firebrands back into public life, for better or for worse. The only way to change that now would be to abandon the plans for the new city of Anduz and pursue a different course. Perhaps a strongly worded statement by the General Assembly or the Assembly of the Way might convince the Freeborn to jump ship, but failing that, the outcome is inexorable.

Having talked with them at length, few people believe that the firebrands will be ''"pushing the Way to excellence"''. They will undoubtedly try to push ''the Empire'' to excellence, but few firebrands would be content to restrict their discussions to matters of Virtue and the Way. Frustrated that they are unable to find more ways to help, the Highborn pilgrims who have come to Anduz search for something that ''might'' offer. There is no way to restrain the spirits of the firebrands, but might there be a way to cool their tempers?

<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''The Anduz Pools'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Sinecure</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Anduz, Segura</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 12 white granite and 36 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 1 season</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' Creates the title Keeper of the Anduz Pools</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' Does not require one of the Senate's limited commissions</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' Opportunity ends if not commissioned before the end of Summer Solstice 388YE</td></tr>
</table>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightGreen;">'''Keeper of the Anduz Pools'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Type:''' Freeborn</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Appointment:''' National Assembly</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Powers:''' Receives 7 doses of liao and 7 crowns each season</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Responsibilities:''' To oversee the pools and tend to the spiritual needs of those who visit them</td></tr>
</table></div>
''Felix of the Far Tower'', a modest chapterhouse dedicated to Prosperity and Ambition newly established in [[Reikos]] includes a number of skilled engineers in their ranks. They propose to construct a bathhouse in Anduz, a traditional Highborn affair with steam rooms, heated baths and cold plunge pools. Somewhere to wash off the dust from the road, but also a place to relax and let the heat of the day drain out of you. It won't put out the fire but who knows what good it might do?

The engineers are prepared to oversee the work, so it would not require one of the Senate's limited commissions provided it passed the Senate before the end of the coming Autumn Equinox. After that point, the engineers will have returned to Reikos and it will be too late. If it were built, the Freeborn National Assembly could the Keeper of the Anduz Pools each year. The Keeper would produce an income of 7 doses of liao and 7 crowns each season, from the grateful patrons of the pools.
<quote by="Emperor Vesna Borkovna Prochnost">False virtues must be rejected in all their forms. They bring destruction to our lives, souls and homes. I reject these malign forces, the synod rejects these malign forces, and so should you.</quote>
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Assembly_Highborn.png|align=right|width=200}}</div>

==Participation: Highborn==
Any Highborn character can roleplay that they were part of the group the came to visit and debate with the firebrands. You must decide how you feel about this nascent movement, it is clear that their passion could serve the interests of the Brass Coast well, but the risks are apparent. The firebrands have no commitment to the Doctrines of the Way; they openly question the foundations of the faith and some propose radical changes that could split the Empire apart. They are largely unconcerned with consequences, if something is the right thing to do, then the firebrands believe it should be done and no matter if everything burns as a result. It is easy to enjoy the company of the firebrands, their passion and enthusiasm is infectious, but they are fixated on what could be and have little concerned for what might be lost to achieve it.

In both cases, you will have come away with the impression that the Firebrands are a disparate group of passionate idealists, who are likely to have increasing influence and impact on the Brass Coast in the coming years. Ultimately, those who came expecting a cult of anarchists left disappointed, or pleased, as the case may be. The modern Firebrands are certainly open to discussing the spiritual force of [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Anarchy|Freedom]], but they are more interested in discussing how the Empire might bring freedom to the world. There are many firebrands with novel takes on the seven true paths, their auras and the actual doctrines of the Synod, but in the end, most of them are actually more interested in the politics of the Empire than they are in matters of faith.

<quote by="Isaac di Sarvos">Ahraz shows us the necessity of Courage in facing wickedness and corruption not just in external foes to Humanity, but when it has become entrenched in our own societies ... Courage means to stand without quaking before evil, even when that evil is inside us and our allies.</quote>

==OOC Design Note==
The firebrand is an archetype that ultimately anyone can play. We will add it to the wiki after the burning agora is finished, at which point Freeborn players can officially update their characters if they want to do so. The archetype is intended to appeal to players who enjoy political conflict, who like to play characters that cause trouble, whether that is to fight for a cause or just to set the world on fire and watch it burn. Firebrands will usually find it easy to rally popular support in the Brass Coast, but how much impact that has will be down to the players who choose to play firebrands. We are confident that the more players embrace the ethos of the firebrand - to try to change the world and damn the consequences, the greater impact they will have. Ultimately it will come down to how players portray the archetype, if indeed anyone chooses to do so, and how other players react to them. As such, it is almost entirely beyond the capacity of a wind of fortune to influence that in the slightest.

Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange

2026-07-19T16:55:48Z

Hailmur: /* The Merchant of Rhodes */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:Winds of Magic]]
<ic>"Are you ''sure'' about this, Crown?" Patina asked, their voice laden with concern.

"Of course I'm sure" responded her ever-exuberant boss. "It's a brilliant idea! Provided we get the contracts right. Provided we get the auction right. And provided we get the handover right. Literally nothing can go wrong! All the risk is with the counter-party. The actuaries are delighted with the model!"

"Yeah, it's not that..." Patina tried to interject, but putting words in front of Crown was like trying to put a leaf before a gale.

"And we've already chosen eight contracts already. Now we just need to let the Empire know, and then we can sit back and let the Invisible Hand go to work. It's going to be amazing!"

"Yeah, about those contracts..."

"I know I was surprised how quickly we secured agreement from the other desks too - but if this works this time there's no reason we can't do it again in the future. We're going to be famous Patina. We'll be the heralds that took the work out of work ethic!"

"But I ''like'' hard work..." said Patina quietly, her voice trailing off.

"And this way, you'll have even more time to work your fingers to the bone. But look, if the Imperials get mad about it, we'll just say it was all Abel the Rounder's idea!"

This last was too much for Patina and she raised her voice, determined to be heard at last. "Abel the Rounder is one of our most valuable customers Crown. You should ''not'' be traducing his reputation by involving him in this scheme of yours..."

"What? It's good for us. It's good for Abel. It's good for... where's he from again?"

Patina rolled her eyes... "Sarangrave. He's one of the foremost ''architects'' of Sarangrave. It's a critically important territory in the Empire, with ''major investment needs''." Patina stressed the last in the hope of pointing out the obvious. Crown was great at front of house, but his knowledge of his customer portfolio was excruciating. A mortal she'd met once had had a dog they called a golden retriever, even though it very definitely was not made out of gold. More and more her boss was reminding her of that dog. Including not being made out of gold.

"Right! So he's gonna be delighted by these new arrangements! It's bound to go well."

Patina couldn't take the overbearing optimism a moment longer. She stabbed a blunt metal finger down onto the table spearing one of the pieces of paperwork. "This? He's going to be delighted with this is he?"

To be fair to Crown, he at least had the good grace to look crestfallen. For a moment.

"Caveat Emptor?" he asked plaintively.
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Ephisis001.webp|align=left|width=300|caption=The lifeblood of the City of Gold and Lead and its inhabitants is ''trade'', and not ''profit'' as many seem to believe.}}</div>
==Overview==
The [[Ephisis|Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead]] has become a ubiquitous sight in the Hall of Worlds in recent times, with various heralds from the city attempting to make deals with Imperial citizens who have submitted their goods for potential sale via [[Ephisis' Scale]]. For the most part, trades have been largely successful and have brought Prosperity to both parties.

At least they did until the Spring Equinox. The prices offered by the City can change rapidly, such is the nature of the market place. But a change of personnel on the trading desk compounded issues caused by the fast moving prices to howls of anguish from their Imperial counterparts. ''Crown'', one of the more excitable heralds commonly manning the Imperial trading desks, is never happy about an unhappy customer. Determined to avoid future lost sales, he contacted one of his counterparts in the Empire, '''Abel the Rounder''', to discuss what the brilliant Urizeni [[architect]] felt had gone wrong. Fortunately for Crown, the wealthy and experienced merchant had plenty to say on the subject.

What passed between the two is likely to remain confidential, but it seems that it was sufficient to cause a change in the City's plans for the forthcoming summit. Regular traders and novices alike, would do well to take notice.

==The Great Instrument of Ambition==
* '''Ephisis is making eight contracts available to the Empire'''
* '''These contracts will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning'''
* '''Each contract must be fulfilled in full and before the end of the summit, to receive payment'''
* '''Contracts must be redeemed by delivery to the Hall of Worlds during the balancing of scales'''
* '''Standard settlement terms with the contract holder will be three days after the conclusion of the summit'''

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="text-align:center;">Contracts Available</th></tr>
<tr><th>Goods Required</th><th>Payment Offered</th></tr>
<tr><td>800 measures of dragonbone</td><td>100 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>40 ilium </td><td>20 mithril, 20 white granite, 20 weirwood </td></tr>
<tr><td>400 ingots total of green iron, orichalcum, weltsilver and tempest jade in any ratio</td><td>100 mana crystals and 100 warm ashes</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 thrones</td><td>200 mithril</td></tr>
<tr><td>150 weirwood</td><td>500 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>400 measures of ambergelt</td><td>20 white granite</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 measures total of beggar's lye or iridescent gloaming in any ratio</td><td>[[Pilgrim%27s_Shield|Glistering]]</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

One of the areas that causes the most significant problems for small and large traders is the tendency for bulk sales to flood the Autumn markets. The Invisible Hand will ultimately buy almost anything, but the Empire is one of its biggest customers and merchants who attempt to dispose of huge sums of materials can temporarily distress prices. This causes problems for large volume traders, who find the offers made for boxes fall short of what they hoped to achieve because they have unwittingly depressed the market value of whatever good they are attempting to sell hundreds of to the Empire. But it also impacts merchants offering small volume traders who discover their handful of dragonbone or whatever precious material has flooded the market is now worth considerably less than they were expecting.

Based on an idea that Crown credits to Abel the Rounder, the solution the City is going to implement is to offer eight significant contracts. These contracts are the largest requests for purchase or sales that the City has received in other markets. Most come from the Empire's near neighbours, since that keeps shipping costs down, but the City is open about the fact that they trade all over the world, from the tiny bazaar of Pushkin City in far off Mitovoria to the great temple-market of [[Asavean_gods#Lord_Isso_Mãos_de_Ouro|Mãos de Ouro]] in the capital of [[Asavea]].

Normally the City attempts to settle trades with the resources they have acquired from the Empire and elsewhere. It's when the Empire offers large volumes of goods they can't quickly move on because they don't have a known buyer for them, that the prices they offer drops. To avoid the problems experienced at the previous summit, the City is therefore publishing the details of the eight largest contracts that have come in.

The contracts will be offered for auction in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning. All bids in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial currency]], each contract will go to the highest bidder, who will need to settle the purchase there and then. The right to fulfil that contract is then their legal property (and they may do with it as they will). Anyone bearing the contract (assuming they have acquired it legally) may complete it by bringing the desired goods to the balancing of the scales in the Hall of Wolds the following day. There is no need for any additional expense of sending a box to the Autumn realm first, since the settlement value is already agreed. The City will receive the goods, mark the contract complete, and arrange for delivery of payment three days later.

Crown warns that contracts can only be fulfilled at the summit they are purchased at. Any contract that is not fulfilled at the summit is null and void with no refunds. Merchants should be careful to bid accordingly. Contracts must be completed in full, part payment will not be accepted.

In plain terms, turn up in the Hall of Worlds on Saturday morning, outbid any other buyer for one or more contracts, then return the next day with ''all'' the required goods to get paid.

==The Merchant of Rhodes==
* '''The City has published more general guidance on commodities they are likely to offer good prices'''
* '''The prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices in the Empire but not set by them'''
* '''Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract'''
* '''The City is always happy to be paid in Imperial coin'''

When all is said and done and every grain of salt has been counted, the City of Gold and Lead will always offer a price for something, provided they can find a buyer for it. But some commodities and resources are in high demand in the City and should fetch a good price, while others are not. Some things are nearly worthless - even if the City offers a price for them, it will be a matter of a few rings.

Crown explains that the prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices, but they are not set by them. The City of Gold and Lead takes the goods sold to them in Ephisis boxes and sells them on elsewhere, either to other cities in the Iron Labyrinth or to other locations in the mortal world. Ultimately the price they are prepared to offer is set by what the heralds believe they can get for the resources they acquire and ''not'' by prices in Imperial markets. Offers ''may'' be influenced by the value of goods at Anvil - the heralds may lower their offer if they believe they can offer less and still make a deal.

Some merchants are surprised to discover they are being offered a price for their goods ''below'' what they could get in Anvil, but that is to be expected. If Imperial traders are offering goods from all over the Empire, then it's perfectly normal that the heralds won't always be able to match local prices for everything.

Perfectly normal perhaps, but definitely not desirable! Crown appears genuinely pained anytime a merchant leaves his trading desk without a sale of some kind. He believes that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_asymmetry ignorance of market conditions] is costing his beloved City business and so he has persuaded his fellow heralds to try publicising more information about what the city does or doesn't want to buy.

The City has published guidance for the various resources and commodities they are commonly offered. The sale price column indicates the price a merchant might hope to get when selling the goods from Ephisis. The purchase price column indicates the level of prices the City might offer to sell goods to Imperial merchants at. There is never a guarantee of profit - these ratings are comparative to each other, not comparative to Anvil prices.

The contracts on offer indicate the resources that Ephisis is trying to secure in order to fulfil significant deals with others merchants. They ensure that the city can afford to purchase large volumes of resources without risking a major loss. They allow Imperial merchants to aim to fulfil the contract knowing with some certainty what their profit margins will be. Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract. The City will still make a bid, but it will be a lower offer the more resources are piled into a box.

Finally it should go without saying that the City of Gold and Lead is always happy to trade in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial coin]]. Thrones, crowns, and rings are all ''very'' welcome in any exchange of wealth.

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th>Commodity</th><th>Sale Price</th><th>Purchase Price</th></tr>
<tr><td>Ingots and Measures</td><td>High</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wains</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Food and Drink</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Trade Goods</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Unique Trade Goods</td><td>Very High</td><td>High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Artefacts</td><td>High</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied Artefacts</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied items</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Newly made Magic Items</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exhausted Magic Items</td><td>Zero</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mana Crystals</td><td>Average</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Autumn Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Other Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Herbs and Liao</td><td>Average</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Potions</td><td>Very Low</td><td>High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Drugs and Narcotics</td><td>Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

===Ingots and Measures===
* '''Ingots and measures fetch good prices in the City of Gold and Lead'''

Ingots and measures, including ingots of [[ilium]] are ''always'' valuable in the Autumn realm, because the heralds can sell them to agents of the [[Estavus|Sovereign Lord of the City of Fire and Stone]]. For that reason, it is rare for the City to offer such materials and merchants looking to acquire them from the City should expect to pay handsomely for them.

===Wains===
* '''Wains are on offer for sale or purchase whenever the City believes it can make a profit'''
Wains of Materials, while valuable within the Empire, are harder for the autumn realm to trade to other lands, as the bourse certificates represent large amounts of materials sitting in Imperial warehouses. While the City regards bourse certificates as a wonder of the world, they only function perfectly within the Empire. The further you travel from the Empire's borders, the more value they lose. The city's heralds will buy or sell wains, but only when they believe the price favours them - which usually means they will only buy at a price below the highest sale price in Anvil. Sales are a little easier, since heralds are always looking to dispose of bourse certificates they have acquired in the Empire where they can, so citizens looking to buy wains are encouraged to try their hand.

===Food, Drink and Services===
* '''These goods hold no value to the City'''
Food and drink spoil quickly in the City of Gold and Lead - they cannot be placed in vaults and held until a customer is found without hiring the expensive services of experts from another City. For this reason, they are worthless to the Invisible Hand. Likewise, offers of services are not currently of value, the City trades in ''goods'' - while they appreciate that an offer of services in the future has value, it is not a market they trade in. In all cases, the City requests that Imperial merchants do not put these things into an Ephisis box.

===Common Trade Goods===
* '''Goods readily available for purchase in foreign ports are in low demand in the City'''
Imperial [[fleet|fleets]] often acquire unusual goods in foreign ports, such as [[Foreign_ports#Production_Table|Oilybrag]], which can be bought in Zemeh. The City of Gold and Lead has opportunities to trade in all the major cities of the world, so they can already purchase these common trade goods at the same price Imperial merchants paid for them. As a result heralds rarely offer good prices for these goods - Imperial merchants should be better off disposing of them at Anvil rather than trying to sell them to the Autumn realm. It is only worth sending them to the City of Gold and Lead if you need to dispose of them at any price.

===Unique Trade Goods===
* '''Unique goods produced in the Empire command a high price the first time they are sold'''
* '''Unusual or unique goods from difficult to access ports will fetch a good price the first time they are sold'''

While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.

===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===
* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs and liao, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''
* '''Most potions command a poor price when offered for sale to the City'''
* '''Unusual consumables including drugs and narcotics sell well and offer a chance for a good profit if they are put in a box by themselves'''

Herbs are always in demand in the Autumn realm, since they can make use of them, but they don't grow well in the realm if at all. For this reason they command a good price when offered for sale to the city, though it is expensive to buy them from the City. Likewise, [[liao]] is often in demand; as a refined substance, it keeps well, and the Sumaah - being the only other great power that produces it - only engages in face-to-face deals with the City. Surprisingly, most other potions are not worth offering to the City. It is time-consuming to identify them and most heralds have little interest in trading them on, so they offer only very low prices for them.

Unusual consumables, including drugs and narcotics do sell in the Autumn realm but there are few buyers and that does depress the sale price. The Silent Market, a trading operation in the City can offer a price for them, and will also offer them for sale in the right conditions. Drugs that are illegal in the Empire are usually the most profitable for merchants trading with the City.

The ''Silent Market'', is a trading desk that ''only'' deals in unusual items, drugs, narcotics, and storied items. They handle all this trade that comes from the Empire. As a result, these things are always best put in an Ephisis box by themselves so that the Silent Market can assess them and make an offer. Including 20 ambergelt alongside a thirty doses of Bite is a recipe for disappointment, because the Silent Market will buy the Bite but they don't want the ambergelt. Their rivals in the City want the ambergelt but not the Bite. Thus the best way for Imperial citizens to get the best possible price is to put drugs, narcotics and storied items in a separate box.

===Magical Items===
* '''Permanent magical items with a storied history can fetch an excellent price when sold to the City'''
* '''Storied items with history but no actual magic power rarely do so'''
* '''Magic items with a year's duration to run have a known value, but
* '''Magic items that are close to expiring are worthless to the City'''
* '''Storied items need to be put in a box by themselves to get the best price'''

Permanent magical items are valuable throughout the world and the City will always try to offer a good price for them based on the amount of materials needed to create one. When such items have a storied history - that ''can'' increase the price significantly, assuming the City knows of a buyer who is in the market for such a curio. Items with history but no notable magical properties are obviously less valuable - but could be worth something to the right buyer. In either case, the price offered by the heralds is highly variable, merchants are welcome to offer them for sale but should be prepared for the possibility of a low offer. Regular magic items with a year's duration to run are worth less than what their ingredients are worth as they have already lost a seasons worth of use - the Autumn realm are unlikely to offer more than this, because they can buy most magic items from [[Estavus|the Forgemistress]]. Items that are close to expiring are as worthless to the City as they are to the mortals trying to dispose of them.

===Mana and Vis===
* '''Mana is always in demand all across the world, so crystals fetch reasonable prices in the City'''
* '''Autumn vis is produced in large amounts in the Autumn realm and can be had at a good price from the City's heralds'''
* '''Vis from other realms often spoils if kept too long in the Autumn realm, so the City rarely offer good prices for large quantities'''

Mana is the currency of magic, there are even some desperately primitive societies in the world that actually use it in place of money! Most of the city's heralds are currently offering to buy mana crystals for around 24 rings a crystal and to sell it at 26 rings each. [[Vis]] can spoil if kept in the Autumn realm too long, so the City has little interest in trading it, unless there is a large outstanding contract to be fulfilled, otherwise heralds will be loathe to buy or sell it. Autumn vis is the one exception - huge amounts are produced in the Autumn realm and can usually be bought for a good price from the City's heralds, but of course, they offer low prices to buy it back.

==A Possible Patron==
<div {{Float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Plenipotentiary'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Eternal:''' Ephisis</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Subject:''' Patronage of the Golden Pyramid or their grand lodge</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Necessary Details:''' What form any aid might take</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Limitations:''' Cannot be included with other substantial requests</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Heralds of the City of Gold and Lead were recently asked about the possibility of becoming a patron of the Golden Pyramid'''
* '''They confirm that such a thing is possible, but it would require a plenipotentiary to make the appropriate arrangements'''
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged.jpg|caption='''Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged'''<br>Grandmaster of the Golden Pyramid|align=right|width=250}}</div>
At a recent meeting in Anvil, Crown, one of the heralds of the City, was asked about the possibility of the City of Gold and Lead becoming a patron of the [[Golden Pyramid]], or of the Order's grand lodge. Such an arrangement would be highly unusual - a Conclave order accepting an offer by an eternal to become their patron raises questions about that order's loyalties and their impartiality on matters like [[alignment]]. Still the risks seem relatively low here, the manifesto of the order seems closely aligned with the goals of the eternal and Ephisis has never been under ''enmity'' as far as the records show.

After lengthy discussion between the various markets and independent traders of the City, it appears there is a consensus that most are open to the idea, if there is genuine enthusiasm for it from the Order. However, while eternals of other realms might be content to agree to become a patron without a second thought, the City of Gold and Lead will not contemplate the idea without a thorough discussion of what support they could offer the Order, what support the Order might want and importantly, how the Order might further the City's agenda. Ultimately any agreement would need a contract of some kind.

If the Order are serious about engaging the services of the ''Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead'' as patron of their order - or patron of their lodge, then they would need to arrange for the [[Archmage of Autumn]] to secure a plenipotentiary specifically for that purpose. It could include a single item of other business that was already ongoing, but the City will not seriously engage with a plenipotentiary that incorporates a list of different causes of interest to different groups. But if the Autumn Archmage is prepared to assist the Order and the [[grandmaster]] and his supporters have the backing of the Golden Pyramid to negotiate an agreement for patronage then the City are open to exploring the possibilities.
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrderGoldenPyramid.jpg|align=right|width=241|height=240}}
As with any plenipotentiary, it would be most useful if the Archmage is clear what form any aid they would request might take, then the heralds can assess how possible that would be, before the meeting. The more knowledge the City has about ''how'' they could help the Order, the better.

==Further Reading==
* [[Ephisis]]
* [[Ephisis' Scale]]

Election schedule

2026-07-19T16:24:48Z

Hailmur:

[[Category:Elections]]
==Overview==
Most significant [[Imperial title|Imperial titles]] are [[Imperial elections|reelected]] annually on a specific date, for instance an election for the title of [[Senator]] of [[Madruga]] is held every summit at the Winter Solstice. If the title dies, is revoked or steps down then the title becomes vacant; it is re-elected at the earliest practical opportunity but an election for the title still takes place at the normal date.

Some Imperial titles appointed by the [[Senate]] serve for a year from the summit where they were appointed. Such a title becomes eligible for reappointment at anytime during the summit one year later. The incumbent remains in position until replaced or at the end of the event - whichever comes sooner. If the Senate wish, they can choose to elect a title to serve for less than a year. This must be explicit in the wording of the Senate motion. It is not possible to extend the term beyond a year, nor to make it shorter than a single season, nor to restrict the length served of a tenured position.

The majority of titles appointed by the [[Conclave]] can be re-elected at any time through a [[declaration]] of [[candidacy]].

Some Imperial titles have tenure. The title is held until the citizen dies or steps down.

The schedule below shows the earliest summit at which each Imperial title will become eligible for re-election. A title may become eligible at any point before this if the title holder dies, steps down or is revoked.

==Winter==
===National Election===
* [[Astolat|Senator for Astolat]]
* [[Hercynia|Senator for Hercynia]]
* [[Kallavesa|Senator for Kallavesa]]
* [[Madruga|Senator for Madruga]]
* [[Miekarova|Senator for Miekarova]]
* [[Necropolis|Senator for Necropolis]]
* [[Ossium|Senator for Ossium]]
* [[Skarsind|Senator for Skarsind]]
* [[Temeschwar|Senator for Temeschwar]]
* [[Zenith|Senator for Zenith]]
===Senate Appointment===
* [[Ambassador to Beoraidh]]
* [[Ambassador to Jarm|Ambassador to Jarm]]
* [[Ambassador to the Iron Confederacy|Ambassador to the Iron Confederacy]]
* [[Stipulator of Stipends|Stipulator of Stipends]]
* [[Argent Sword|General of the Argent Sword]]
* [[Burning Falcon|General of the Burning Falcon]]
* [[Golden Axe|General of the Golden Axe]]
* [[Green Shield|General of the Green Shield]]
* [[Lions of Adelmar|General of the Lions of Adelmar]]
* [[Pilgrim's Defiance|General of the Pilgrim's Defiance]]
* [[Strong Reeds|General of the Strong Reeds]]
* [[Towerjacks|General of the Towerjacks]]
* [[Winter Sun|General of the Winter Sun]]
* [[Apothecary of Orieb|Apothecary of Orieb]]
* [[Bailiff of Meade|Bailiff of Meade]]
* [[Benefactor of Regalia|Benefactor of Regalia]]
* [[Bredavoi Emissary|Bredavoi Emissary]]
* [[Cabalist of the Hollow Stone|Cabalist of the Hollow Stone]]
* [[Captain of the Senate Guard|Captain of the Senate Guard]]
* [[Celesti Lighthouse Keeper|Celesti Lighthouse Keeper]]
* [[Custodian of Living Flame|Custodian of Living Flame]]
* [[Custodian of the Bloody Great Sausage|Custodian of the Bloody Great Sausage]]
* [[Director of Holberg's Melodious Cascade|Director of Holberg's Melodious Cascade]]
* [[Grimnir of Wittal Grove|Grimnir of Wittal Grove]]
* [[Keeper of the Study|Keeper of the Study]]
* [[Master of Sarcombe Metal Market|Master of Sarcombe Metal Market]]
* [[Merchant-Boyar of the Stinking Market|Merchant-boyar of the Stinking Market]]
* [[Tender of the Blood Orchard|Tender of the Blood Orchard]]
* [[Thane of Floerstrand|Thane of Floerstrand]]
* [[Town Clerk of Sarcombe|Town Clerk of Sarcombe]]
===Throne Appointment===
* [[Captain of the Throne Guard|Captain of the Throne Guard]]
===Synod Judgement===
* [[Cardinal of Prosperity|Cardinal of Prosperity]]
* [[Cardinal of the Way|Cardinal of the Way]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of Courage]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of Wisdom]]
* [[Basilisk of the Bourse|Basilisk of the Bourse]]
* [[High Exorcist|High Exorcist]]
* [[Arbiter of the Four Winds|Arbiter of the Four Winds]]
* [[Curator of the Printers' Guild Museum|Curator of the Printers' Guild Museum]]
* [[Grieftender of the Forgotten|Grieftender of the Forgotten]]
* [[Hand of Guerra|Hand of Guerra]]
* [[Keeper of the Orchard|Keeper of the Orchard]]
* [[Lantern Wolf|Lantern Wolf]]
* [[Speaker of the Highborn Assembly|Speaker of the Highborn Assembly]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Ambition]]
* [[Voice of Barbs|Voice of the House of Barbs]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Vigilance]]
* [[Champion of Loyalty|Champion of Loyalty]]
* [[Champion of Pride|Champion of Pride]]
===Cardinal Appointment===
* [[Conscience of the Senate|Conscience of the Senate]]
* [[Gatekeeper|Gatekeeper of Prosperity]]
===Military Council Appointment===
* [[Imperial Master of Works|Imperial Master of Works]]
* [[Keeper of the Last Battle|Keeper of the Last Battle]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of Dawn]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of Highguard]]
* [[Strategos of Navarr|Strategos of Navarr]]
===Conclave Order Vote===
* [[Celestial Arch|Celestial Arch]]
* [[Rod and Shield|Rod and Shield]]
===Bourse Auction===
* [[Canterspire Circle|Canterspire Circle]]
* [[Fingers of the Devourer|Fingers of the Devourer]]
* [[Golden Trees of Seren|Golden Trees of Seren]]
* [[Great Forest at Reikos|Great Forest at Reikos]]
* [[Heartwood of the Great Vale|Heartwood of the Great Vale]]
* [[Hunt of Alderei the Fair|Hunt of Alderei the Fair]]
* [[Flaxen Pillars|Red-Eyed Reaper]]
* [[Weirwater Vales|Weirwater Vales]]
* [[Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration|Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration]]
* [[Citizens' Voice|Citizens' Voice]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|First Imperial Wayleave]]
* [[Patron of the Beurteilung|Patron of the Beurteilung]]
* [[Prime Factor of the deBruin Docks|Prime Factor of the deBruin Docks]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|Second Imperial Wayleave]]
===Bourse Vote===
* [[Broker of Thorns|Broker of Thorns]]
* [[Architect of Illumination|Architect of Illumination]]
* [[Architect of the Conscious River|Architect of the Conscious River]]
* [[Bailiff of the Grand Market|Bailiff of the Grand Market]]
* [[Broker of the Invisible Cord|Broker of the Invisible Cord]]
* [[Chair of the Wolf|Chair of the Wolf]]
* [[Eagle of Triosk|Eagle of Triosk]]
* [[Four Seasons' Boneweaver|Four Seasons' Boneweaver]]
* [[Gloaming Merchant|Gloaming Merchant]]
* [[Harbourmaster of the Semmerlak|Harbourmaster of the Semmerlak]]
* [[Keeper of the Breadbasket|Keeper of the Breadbasket]]
* [[Keeper of the Bronze Bowls|Keeper of the Bronze Bowls]]
* [[Marracossa Sendito|Marracossa Sendito]]
* [[Master of Rings|Master of Rings]]
* [[Overseer of the Westward Road|Overseer of the Westward Road]]
* [[Shepherd of the Southern Herd|Shepherd of the Southern Herd]]
* [[Speaker to the Leshun|Speaker to the Leshun]]
* [[Steward of Good Leaf Gardens|Steward of Good Leaf Gardens]]
* [[Steward of the Mines of Gulhule|Steward of the Mines of Gulhule]]
* [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel|Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]]
* [[Warden_of_the_Trees_and_Hills|Warden of the Trees and Hills]]
===Other===
* [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Winter]]
==Spring==
===National Election===
* [[Holberg|Senator for Holberg]]
* [[Karsk|Senator for Karsk]]
* [[Mareave|Senator for Mareave]]
* [[Mournwold|Senator for Mournwold]]
* [[Reikos|Senator for Reikos]]
* [[Sarangrave|Senator for Sarangrave]]
* [[Segura|Senator for Segura]]
* [[The Barrens|Senator for the Barrens]]
===Senate Appointment===
* [[Advisor on Orc Affairs|Advisor on Orc Affairs]]
* [[Ambassador to Faraden|Ambassador to Faraden]]
* [[Ambassador to Otkodov|Ambassador to Otkodov]]
* [[Ambassador to the Commonwealth|Ambassador to the Commonwealth]]
* [[Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic|Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic]]
* [[Crystal Architect of the Spires|Crystal Architect of the Spires]]
* [[Imperial Spymaster|Imperial Spymaster]]
* [[Bloodcloaks|General of the Bloodcloaks]]
* [[Boyar's Hasta|General of the Boyar's Hasta]]
* [[Gryphon%27s Pride|General of the Gryphons Pride]]
* [[Sparrows Reckoning|General of the Sparrows Reckoning]]
* [[General of the Third Navarr]]
* [[Tusks|General of the Tusks]]
* [[Valiant Pegasus|General of the Valiant Pegasus]]
* [[Bailiff of the Heath|Bailiff of the Heath]]
* [[Magic Butcher|Butcher of the Meat and Mana Market of Temeschwar]]
* [[Custodian of the Kennels|Custodian of the Kennels]]
* [[Greenwatcher|Greenwatcher]]
* [[Guildmaster of the Artisans|Guildmaster of the Artisans]]
* [[Keeper of the Crystal Fruit|Keeper of the Crystal Fruit]]
* [[Keeper of the Stand|Keeper of the Stand]]
* [[Mayor of Caricomare|Mayor of Caricomare]]
* [[Steward of the Sarvos Mana Exchange|Steward of the Sarvos Mana Exchange]]
===Synod Judgement===
* [[Lepidean Librarian|Lepidean Librarian]]
* [[Cardinal of Ambition|Cardinal of Ambition]]
* [[Cardinal of Vigilance|Cardinal of Vigilance]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of Loyalty]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of Pride]]
* [[Auditor of Senatorial Accountability|Auditor of Senatorial Accountability]]
* [[Custodian of the Imperial War Memorial|Custodian of the Imperial War Memorial]]
* [[Custodian of the Omphalos|Custodian of the Omphalos]]
* [[Guardian of Britta's Memorial|Guardian of Britta's Memorial]]
* [[Map to the City Below|Map to the City Below]]
* [[Seeker of the Perfect World|Seeker of the Perfect World]]
* [[Singer of the Silence|Singer of the Silence]]
* [[Speaker of the Crows|Speaker of the Crows]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Courage]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Wisdom]]
* [[Champion of Prosperity|Champion of Prosperity]]
===Cardinal Appointment===
* [[Gatekeeper|Gatekeeper of Ambition]]
* [[Gatekeeper|Gatekeeper of Vigilance]]
* [[Chaplain Consular|Chaplain Consular]]
===Military Council Appointment===
* [[Imperial Fleet Master|Imperial Fleet Master]]
* [[Quartermaster of the Hanuri Garrison|Quartermaster of the Hanuri Garrison]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the Brass Coast]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the Imperial Orcs]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of Urizen]]
===Conclave Order Vote===
* [[Golden Pyramid|Golden Pyramid]]
* [[Sevenfold Path|Sevenfold Path]]
===Bourse Auction===
* [[Master of the Imperial Mint|Master of the Imperial Mint]]
* [[Regario Dossier|Regario Dossier]]
* [[Syrene's Wisdom|Syrene's Wisdom]]
* [[Tassatan Hills|Tassatan Hills]]
* [[Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration|Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration]]
* [[Citizens' Voice|Citizens' Voice]]
* [[Delver of the Depths|Delver of the Depths]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|First Imperial Wayleave]]
* [[Jewel of Anvil|Jewel of Anvil]]
* [[Kruidenkenner Trademaster|Kruidenkenner Trademaster]]
* [[Patron of the Beurteilung|Patron of the Beurteilung]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|Second Imperial Wayleave]]
* [[Seer of the Spiral Sword|Seer of the Spiral Sword]]
* [[Tender of Kleist's Winter Gardens|Tender of Kleist's Winter Gardens]]
===Bourse Vote===
* [[Broken Shore Bounty]]
* [[Cerevado Nets|Cerevado Nets]]
* [[Gift of the Dwindling Star|Gift of the Dwindling Star]]
* [[Steel Fist|Steel Fist]]
* [[Bonesetter of Torfast Trading Post|Bonesetter of Torfast Trading Post]]
* [[Bursar of the House of Spirits|Bursar of the House of Spirits]]
* [[Custodian of Ivarsgard Docks|Custodian of Ivarsgard Docks]]
* [[Custodian of the Assayer's Guild|Custodian of the Assayer's Guild]]
* [[Dhomiro of Afar|Dhomiro of Afar]]
* [[Exarch of Virtue's Rest|Exarch of Virtue's Rest]]
* [[Mediator of Fisk|Mediator of Fisk]]
* [[Mediator of Wreck|Mediator of Wreck]]
* [[Merchant Boyar of the Bittershore|Merchant Boyar of the Bittershore]]
* [[Steward of the Ossuary|Steward of the Ossuary]]
* [[Talon of Kauppahall|Talon of Kauppahall]]
===Other===
* [[Warmage|Warmage]]
* [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Spring]]
===Sodality Vote===
* [[First Thorn of the Vallornguard|First Thorn of the Vallornguard]]
* [[Imperial Apothecaries Guild#Guild_Leader|Guild Leader of the Imperial Apothecaries]]
* [[Stoat of the Sun|Stoat of the Sun]]
* [[Voice of the Twin Roses|Voice of the Twin Roses]]
==Summer==
===National Election===
* [[Bastion|Senator for Bastion]]
* [[Feroz|Senator for Feroz]]
* [[Karov|Senator for Karov]]
* [[Miaren|Senator for Miaren]]
* [[Mitwold|Senator for Mitwold]]
* [[Redoubt|Senator for Redoubt]]
* [[Sarvos|Senator for Sarvos]]
* [[Sermersuaq|Senator for Sermersuaq]]
* [[Spiral|Senator for Spiral]]
* [[Weirwater|Senator for Weirwater]]
===Senate Appointment===
* [[Imperial Consul|Imperial Consul]]
* [[Ambassador to Asavea|Ambassador to Asavea]]
* [[Imperial Advisor for the Feni|Imperial Advisor for the Feni]]
* [[Minister of Historical Research|Minister of Historical Research]]
* [[Black Thorns|General of the Black Thorns]]
* [[Citadel Guard|General of the Citadel Guard]]
* [[Drakes|General of the Drakes]]
* [[Golden Sun|General of the Golden Sun]]
* [[Granite Pillar|General of the Granite Pillar]]
* [[Northern Eagle|General of the Northern Eagle]]
* [[Red Wind Corsairs|General of the Red Wind Corsairs]]
* [[Summer Storm|General of the Summer Storm]]
* [[Blackroot Broker|Blackroot Broker]]
* [[Churnspire Adjutor|Churnspire Adjutor]]
* [[Knight of Dawnguard|Knight of Dawnguard]]
* [[Master of the Clearing House|Master of the Clearing House]]
* [[Mediator of Hyljehal|Mediator of Hyljehal]]
* [[Steward of the Tassato Mana Exchange|Steward of the Tassato Mana Exchange]]
* [[Woundbinder of the Mark|Woundbinder of the Mark]]
===Throne Appointment===
* [[Queen's Rose|Queen's Rose]]
===Synod Judgement===
* [[Cardinal of Courage|Cardinal of Courage]]
* [[Cardinal of Wisdom|Cardinal of Wisdom]]
* [[Imperial Inquisitor|Imperial Inquisitor]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of Prosperity]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of The Way]]
* [[Mistress of Monuments|Mistress of Monuments]]
* [[Marshal of the Faith|Marshal of the Faith]]
* [[Archbishop of Capodomus|Archbishop of Capodomus]]
* [[Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq|Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq]]
* [[Benefactor of High Chalcis|Benefactor of High Chalcis]]
* [[Beneficiary of the Golden Cascade|Beneficiary of the Golden Cascade]]
* [[Bishop of the Navigators|Bishop of the Navigators]]
* [[Guardian of Giselle's Tomb|Bloody Custodian of Pride]]
* [[Herald of the Throne of Glory|Herald of the Throne of Glory]]
* [[Prelate of Adelmar's Shrine|Prelate of Adelmar's Shrine]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Loyalty]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Pride]]
* [[Champion of Ambition|Champion of Ambition]]
* [[Champion of Vigilance|Champion of Vigilance]]
===Cardinal Appointment===
* [[Gatekeeper|Gatekeeper of Courage]]
* [[Gatekeeper|Gatekeeper of Wisdom]]
===Military Council Appointment===
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the League]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the Marches]]
===Conclave Order Vote===
* [[Unfettered Mind|Unfettered Mind]]
===Bourse Auction===
* [[Arratan Gamble|Arratan Gamble]]
* [[Brilliant Shore|Brilliant Shore]]
* [[Damatian Cliffs|Damatian Cliffs]]
* [[Night Quarry|Night Quarry]]
* [[Sutton Stone Quarries|Sutton Stone Quarries]]
* [[Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration|Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration]]
* [[Citizens' Voice|Citizens' Voice]]
* [[Custodian of the Concordium Dock|Custodian of the Concordium Dock]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|First Imperial Wayleave]]
* [[Patron of the Beurteilung|Patron of the Beurteilung]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|Second Imperial Wayleave]]
===Bourse Vote===
* [[Arch of the Sky|Arch of the Sky]]
* [[Granites of Veltsgorsk|Granites of Veltsgorsk]]
* [[Vigilant Swan|Vigilant Swan]]
* [[Architect of the Crucible|Architect of the Crucible]]
* [[Boyar of the Iron Roads|Boyar of the Iron Roads]]
* [[Broker of Treji Wayhouse|Broker of Treji Wayhouse]]
* [[Cinderpath Custodian|Cinderpath Custodian]]
* [[Corsair of Oran|Corsair of Oran]]
* [[Custodian of the Bleak Tower|Custodian of the Bleak Tower]]
* [[Custodian of the Shchaslyvyy Spile|Custodian of the Shchaslyvyy Spile]]
* [[Dean of Runesmith's Caution|Dean of Runesmith's Caution]]
* [[Envoy to the Karass|Envoy to the Karass]]
* [[Hakima of Salt and Sand|Hakima of Salt and Sand]]
* [[Keeper of the Bonehives|Keeper of the Bonehives]]
* [[Keeper of the Tome|Keeper of the Tome]]
* [[Mistress of the Glass Parador|Mistress of the Glass Parador]]
* [[Northbound Trademaster|Northbound Trademaster]]
* [[Quaymaster of the Hesychian Docks|Quaymaster of the Hesychian Docks]]
* [[Reeve of Drycastle|Reeve of Drycastle]]
* [[Reeve of the Happiston Mana Exchange|Reeve of the Happiston Mana Exchange]]
* [[Stone Smith|Stone Smith]]
===Other===
* [[Brock's Toll|Keeper of Brock's Toll]]
* [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Summer]]
===Sodality Vote===
* [[Burgher of Ketsov|Burgher of Ketsov]]
* [[Golden Fleet Salvagemaster|Golden Fleet Salvagemaster]]
* [[High Bard of the Empire|High Bard of the Empire]]
* [[Cat's Graces#Maestro|Maestro of the Cat's Graces]]
* [[Speaker of the Magpies|Speaker of the Magpies]]
* [[Vallornguard#Speaker_of_the_Vallornguard|Speaker of the Vallornguard]]
==Autumn==
===National Election===
* [[Casinea|Senator for Casinea]]
* [[Hahnmark|Senator for Hahnmark]]
* [[Kahraman|Senator for Kahraman]]
* [[Morrow|Senator for Morrow]]
* [[Semmerholm|Senator for Semmerholm]]
* [[Tassato|Senator for Tassato]]
* [[Upwold|Senator for Upwold]]
* [[Volodmartz|Senator for Volodmartz]]
===Senate Appointment===
* [[Ambassador to Axos|Ambassador to Axos]]
* [[Ambassador to the Grendel|Ambassador to the Grendel]]
* [[Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves|Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves]]
* [[Autumn Hammers|General of the Autumn Hammers]]
* [[Bounders|General of the Bounders]]
* [[Eastern Sky|General of the Eastern Sky]]
* [[Fire of the South|General of the Fire of the South]]
* [[Narwhal's Spear|General of the Narwhal's Spear]]
* [[Quiet Step|General of the Quiet Step]]
* [[Seventh Wave|General of the Seventh Wave]]
* [[Wolves of War|General of the Wolves of War]]
* [[Bailiff of the Downs|Bailiff of the Downs]]
* [[Gardener of Pallas|Gardener of Pallas]]
* [[Keeper of Aurelie's Garden|Keeper of Aurelie's Garden]]
* [[Keeper of the Ashen Tears|Keeper of the Ashen Tears]]
* [[Polemarch of Highwatch|Polemarch of Highwatch]]
* [[Raven Seer|Raven Seer]]
* [[Rebeshof Roadwarden|Rebeshof Roadwarden]]
* [[Roost's Reeve|Roost's Reeve]]
* [[Spear of the Seven|Spear of the Seven]]
* [[Steward of the Nabarr|Steward of the Nabarr]]
* [[Tender_of_Tekupala%27s_Hives|Tender of Tekupala's Hives]]
===Synod Judgement===
* [[Cardinal of Loyalty|Cardinal of Loyalty]]
* [[Cardinal of Pride|Cardinal of Pride]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of Ambition]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of Vigilance]]
* [[Arcane Inquisitor|Arcane Inquisitor]]
* [[Archivist of the Echoing Obelisk|Archivist of the Echoing Obelisk]]
* [[Challenger in Waiting|Challenger in Waiting]]
* [[Guardian of the Maze of Zoria|Guardian of the Maze of Zoria]]
* [[Knight of the Greenwood|Knight of the Greenwood]]
* [[Mistress of Ceremonies|Mistress of Ceremonies]]
* [[Reeve of Greenforest Fair|Reeve of Greenforest Fair]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Prosperity]]
* [[Watcher of Ratibor's Torch|Watcher of Ratibor's Torch]]
* [[Watcher of the Semmerlak|Watcher of the Semmerlak]]
* [[Champion_of_Courage|Champion of Courage]]
* [[Champion of Wisdom|Champion of Wisdom]]
===Cardinal Appointment===
* [[Gatekeeper|Gatekeeper of Loyalty]]
* [[Gatekeeper|Gatekeeper of Pride]]
===Military Council Appointment===
* [[Quartermaster General of the Imperial Armies|Quartermaster General of the Imperial Armies]]
* [[Imperial Warcaster|Imperial Warcaster]]
* [[Imperial Huntsmarshall|Imperial Huntsmarshall]]
* [[Legate of the Imperial Auxiliaries|Legate of the Imperial Auxiliaries]]
* [[Oblivion Sentinel|Oblivion Sentinel]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of Varushka]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of Wintermark]]
* [[Wisdom of the Tenebrous Path|Wisdom of the Tenebrous Path]]
===Conclave Order Vote===
* [[Shuttered Lantern|Shuttered Lantern]]
* [[Silver Chalice|Silver Chalice]]
===Bourse Auction===
* [[Fortress of Salt|Fortress of Salt]]
* [[Fundindelve|Fundindelve]]
* [[Great Mine of Briante|Great Mine of Briante]]
* [[Great Pits of Ennerlund|Great Pits of Ennerlund]]
* [[Legacy|Legacy]]
* [[Sunless Depths|Sunless Depths]]
* [[Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration|Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration]]
* [[Citizens' Voice|Citizens' Voice]]
* [[Elosian Architect|Elosian Architect]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|First Imperial Wayleave]]
* [[Patron of the Beurteilung|Patron of the Beurteilung]]
* [[Quaymaster of the Black Sails|Quaymaster of the Black Sails]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|Second Imperial Wayleave]]
===Bourse Vote===
* [[Brilliant Star|Brilliant Star]]
* [[Eternal Shafts of Time|Eternal Shafts of Time]]
* [[Pride of Ikka's Tears|Pride of Ikka's Tears]]
* [[Singing Caves|Singing Caves]]
* [[Sorrowful Tunnels|Sorrowful Tunnels]]
* [[The Red Depths|The Red Depths]]
* [[Castellan of Spiral Castle|Castellan of Spiral Castle]]
* [[Alder of Meade|Alder of Meade]]
* [[Architect of Hammers|Architect of Hammers]]
* [[Bargainer of the Iron Tower|Bargainer of the Iron Tower]]
* [[Bonesetter of the Delving Market|Bonesetter of the Delving Market]]
* [[Dhomiro of the Cinnabar Hills|Dhomiro of the Cinnabar Hills]]
* [[Kalpaheim Tradeholder|Kalpaheim Tradeholder]]
* [[Keeper of the Runegrott|Keeper of the Runegrott]]
* [[Legion Engineer|Legion Engineer]]
* [[Master of the Root and Stem|Master of the Root and Stem]]
* [[Merchant Boyar of the Light Market|Merchant Boyar of the Light Market]]
* [[Merchant of the Fangs|Merchant of the Fangs]]
* [[Mistress_of_the_Dust_Parador|Mistress of the Dust Parador]]
* [[Preceptor of the Skarsind College of Warcasting|Preceptor of the Skarsind College of Warcasting]]
* [[Reeve of Boar's Market|Reeve of Boar's Market]]
* [[Tolvoli Butcher|Tolvoli Butcher]]
* [[Vardstein Vandal|Vardstein Vandal]]
* [[Warden of the Weary|Warden of the Weary]]
===Other===
* [[Emissary to the Celestial Library|Emissary to the Celestial Library]]
* [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Autumn]]
===Sodality Vote===
* [[Advisor on the Vallorn|Advisor on the Vallorn]]
* [[Emerald Arcanist|Emerald Arcanist]]

Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange

2026-07-19T16:21:04Z

Hailmur: /* Food, Drink and Services */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:Winds of Magic]]
<ic>"Are you ''sure'' about this, Crown?" Patina asked, their voice laden with concern.

"Of course I'm sure" responded her ever-exuberant boss. "It's a brilliant idea! Provided we get the contracts right. Provided we get the auction right. And provided we get the handover right. Literally nothing can go wrong! All the risk is with the counter-party. The actuaries are delighted with the model!"

"Yeah, it's not that..." Patina tried to interject, but putting words in front of Crown was like trying to put a leaf before a gale.

"And we've already chosen eight contracts already. Now we just need to let the Empire know, and then we can sit back and let the Invisible Hand go to work. It's going to be amazing!"

"Yeah, about those contracts..."

"I know I was surprised how quickly we secured agreement from the other desks too - but if this works this time there's no reason we can't do it again in the future. We're going to be famous Patina. We'll be the heralds that took the work out of work ethic!"

"But I ''like'' hard work..." said Patina quietly, her voice trailing off.

"And this way, you'll have even more time to work your fingers to the bone. But look, if the Imperials get mad about it, we'll just say it was all Abel the Rounder's idea!"

This last was too much for Patina and she raised her voice, determined to be heard at last. "Abel the Rounder is one of our most valuable customers Crown. You should ''not'' be traducing his reputation by involving him in this scheme of yours..."

"What? It's good for us. It's good for Abel. It's good for... where's he from again?"

Patina rolled her eyes... "Sarangrave. He's one of the foremost ''architects'' of Sarangrave. It's a critically important territory in the Empire, with ''major investment needs''." Patina stressed the last in the hope of pointing out the obvious. Crown was great at front of house, but his knowledge of his customer portfolio was excruciating. A mortal she'd met once had had a dog they called a golden retriever, even though it very definitely was not made out of gold. More and more her boss was reminding her of that dog. Including not being made out of gold.

"Right! So he's gonna be delighted by these new arrangements! It's bound to go well."

Patina couldn't take the overbearing optimism a moment longer. She stabbed a blunt metal finger down onto the table spearing one of the pieces of paperwork. "This? He's going to be delighted with this is he?"

To be fair to Crown, he at least had the good grace to look crestfallen. For a moment.

"Caveat Emptor?" he asked plaintively.
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Ephisis001.webp|align=left|width=300|caption=The lifeblood of the City of Gold and Lead and its inhabitants is ''trade'', and not ''profit'' as many seem to believe.}}</div>
==Overview==
The [[Ephisis|Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead]] has become a ubiquitous sight in the Hall of Worlds in recent times, with various heralds from the city attempting to make deals with Imperial citizens who have submitted their goods for potential sale via [[Ephisis' Scale]]. For the most part, trades have been largely successful and have brought Prosperity to both parties.

At least they did until the Spring Equinox. The prices offered by the City can change rapidly, such is the nature of the market place. But a change of personnel on the trading desk compounded issues caused by the fast moving prices to howls of anguish from their Imperial counterparts. ''Crown'', one of the more excitable heralds commonly manning the Imperial trading desks, is never happy about an unhappy customer. Determined to avoid future lost sales, he contacted one of his counterparts in the Empire, '''Abel the Rounder''', to discuss what the brilliant Urizeni [[architect]] felt had gone wrong. Fortunately for Crown, the wealthy and experienced merchant had plenty to say on the subject.

What passed between the two is likely to remain confidential, but it seems that it was sufficient to cause a change in the City's plans for the forthcoming summit. Regular traders and novices alike, would do well to take notice.

==The Great Instrument of Ambition==
* '''Ephisis is making eight contracts available to the Empire'''
* '''These contracts will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning'''
* '''Each contract must be fulfilled in full and before the end of the summit, to receive payment'''
* '''Contracts must be redeemed by delivery to the Hall of Worlds during the balancing of scales'''
* '''Standard settlement terms with the contract holder will be three days after the conclusion of the summit'''

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="text-align:center;">Contracts Available</th></tr>
<tr><th>Goods Required</th><th>Payment Offered</th></tr>
<tr><td>800 measures of dragonbone</td><td>100 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>40 ilium </td><td>20 mithril, 20 white granite, 20 weirwood </td></tr>
<tr><td>400 ingots total of green iron, orichalcum, weltsilver and tempest jade in any ratio</td><td>100 mana crystals and 100 warm ashes</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 thrones</td><td>200 mithril</td></tr>
<tr><td>150 weirwood</td><td>500 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>400 measures of ambergelt</td><td>20 white granite</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 measures total of beggar's lye or iridescent gloaming in any ratio</td><td>[[Pilgrim%27s_Shield|Glistering]]</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

One of the areas that causes the most significant problems for small and large traders is the tendency for bulk sales to flood the Autumn markets. The Invisible Hand will ultimately buy almost anything, but the Empire is one of its biggest customers and merchants who attempt to dispose of huge sums of materials can temporarily distress prices. This causes problems for large volume traders, who find the offers made for boxes fall short of what they hoped to achieve because they have unwittingly depressed the market value of whatever good they are attempting to sell hundreds of to the Empire. But it also impacts merchants offering small volume traders who discover their handful of dragonbone or whatever precious material has flooded the market is now worth considerably less than they were expecting.

Based on an idea that Crown credits to Abel the Rounder, the solution the City is going to implement is to offer eight significant contracts. These contracts are the largest requests for purchase or sales that the City has received in other markets. Most come from the Empire's near neighbours, since that keeps shipping costs down, but the City is open about the fact that they trade all over the world, from the tiny bazaar of Pushkin City in far off Mitovoria to the great temple-market of [[Asavean_gods#Lord_Isso_Mãos_de_Ouro|Mãos de Ouro]] in the capital of [[Asavea]].

Normally the City attempts to settle trades with the resources they have acquired from the Empire and elsewhere. It's when the Empire offers large volumes of goods they can't quickly move on because they don't have a known buyer for them, that the prices they offer drops. To avoid the problems experienced at the previous summit, the City is therefore publishing the details of the eight largest contracts that have come in.

The contracts will be offered for auction in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning. All bids in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial currency]], each contract will go to the highest bidder, who will need to settle the purchase there and then. The right to fulfil that contract is then their legal property (and they may do with it as they will). Anyone bearing the contract (assuming they have acquired it legally) may complete it by bringing the desired goods to the balancing of the scales in the Hall of Wolds the following day. There is no need for any additional expense of sending a box to the Autumn realm first, since the settlement value is already agreed. The City will receive the goods, mark the contract complete, and arrange for delivery of payment three days later.

Crown warns that contracts can only be fulfilled at the summit they are purchased at. Any contract that is not fulfilled at the summit is null and void with no refunds. Merchants should be careful to bid accordingly. Contracts must be completed in full, part payment will not be accepted.

In plain terms, turn up in the Hall of Worlds on Saturday morning, outbid any other buyer for one or more contracts, then return the next day with ''all'' the required goods to get paid.

==The Merchant of Rhodes==
* '''The City has published more general guidance on commodities they are likely to offer good prices'''
* '''The prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices in the Empire but not set by them'''
* '''Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract'''
* '''The City is always happy to be paid in Imperial coin'''

When all is said and done and every grain of salt has been counted, the City of Gold and Lead will always offer a price for something, provided they can find a buyer for it. But some commodities and resources are in high demand in the City and should fetch a good price, while others are not. Some things are nearly worthless - even if the City offers a price for them, it will be a matter of a few rings.

Crown explains that the prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices, but they are not set by them. The City of Gold and Lead takes the goods sold to them in Ephisis boxes and sells them on elsewhere, either to other cities in the Iron Labyrinth or to other locations in the mortal world. Ultimately the price they are prepared to offer is set by what the heralds believe they can get for the resources they acquire and ''not'' by prices in Imperial markets. Offers ''may'' be influenced by the value of goods at Anvil - the heralds may lower their offer if they believe they can offer less and still make a deal.

Some merchants are surprised to discover they are being offered a price for their goods ''below'' what they could get in Anvil, but that is to be expected. If Imperial traders are offering goods from all over the Empire, then it's perfectly normal that the heralds won't always be able to match local prices for everything.

Perfectly normal perhaps, but definitely not desirable! Crown appears genuinely pained anytime a merchant leaves his trading desk without a sale of some kind. He believes that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_asymmetry ignorance of market conditions] is costing his beloved City business and so he has persuaded his fellow heralds to try publicising more information about what the city does or doesn't want to buy.

The City has published guidance for the various resources and commodities they are commonly offered. The sale price column indicates the price a merchant might hope to get when selling the goods from Ephisis. The purchase price column indicates the level of prices the City might offer to sell goods to Imperial merchants at. There is never a guarantee of profit - these ratings are comparative to each other, not comparative to Anvil prices.

The contracts on offer indicate the resources that Ephisis is trying to secure in order to fulfil significant deals with others merchants. They ensure that the city can afford to purchase large volumes of resources without risking a major loss. They allow Imperial merchants to aim to fulfil the contract knowing with some certainty what their profit margins will be. Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract. The City will still make a bid, but it will be a lower offer the more resources are piled into a box.

Finally it should go without saying that the City of Gold and Lead is always happy to trade in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial coin]]. Thrones, crowns, and rings are all ''very'' welcome in any exchange of wealth.

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th>Commodity</th><th>Sale Price</th><th>Purchase Price</th></tr>
<tr><td>Ingots and Measures</td><td>High</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wains</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Food and Drink</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Trade Goods</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Unique Trade Goods</td><td>Very High</td><td>High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Artefacts</td><td>High</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied Artefacts</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied items</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Newly made Magic Items</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exhausted Magic Items</td><td>Zero</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mana Crystals</td><td>Average</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Autumn Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Other Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Herbs</td><td>Average</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Potions</td><td>Very Low</td><td>High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Drugs and Narcotics</td><td>Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

===Ingots and Measures===
* '''Ingots and measures fetch good prices in the City of Gold and Lead'''

Ingots and measures, including ingots of [[ilium]] are ''always'' valuable in the Autumn realm, because the heralds can sell them to agents of the [[Estavus|Sovereign Lord of the City of Fire and Stone]]. For that reason, it is rare for the City to offer such materials and merchants looking to acquire them from the City should expect to pay handsomely for them.

===Wains===
* '''Wains are on offer for sale or purchase whenever the City believes it can make a profit'''
Wains of Materials, while valuable within the Empire, are harder for the autumn realm to trade to other lands, as the bourse certificates represent large amounts of materials sitting in Imperial warehouses. While the City regards bourse certificates as a wonder of the world, they only function perfectly within the Empire. The further you travel from the Empire's borders, the more value they lose. The city's heralds will buy or sell wains, but only when they believe the price favours them - which usually means they will only buy at a price below the highest sale price in Anvil. Sales are a little easier, since heralds are always looking to dispose of bourse certificates they have acquired in the Empire where they can, so citizens looking to buy wains are encouraged to try their hand.

===Food, Drink and Services===
* '''These goods hold no value to the City'''
Food and drink spoil quickly in the City of Gold and Lead - they cannot be placed in vaults and held until a customer is found without hiring the expensive services of experts from another City. For this reason, they are worthless to the Invisible Hand. Likewise, offers of services are not currently of value, the City trades in ''goods'' - while they appreciate that an offer of services in the future has value, it is not a market they trade in. In all cases, the City requests that Imperial merchants do not put these things into an Ephisis box.

===Common Trade Goods===
* '''Goods readily available for purchase in foreign ports are in low demand in the City'''
Imperial [[fleet|fleets]] often acquire unusual goods in foreign ports, such as [[Foreign_ports#Production_Table|Oilybrag]], which can be bought in Zemeh. The City of Gold and Lead has opportunities to trade in all the major cities of the world, so they can already purchase these common trade goods at the same price Imperial merchants paid for them. As a result heralds rarely offer good prices for these goods - Imperial merchants should be better off disposing of them at Anvil rather than trying to sell them to the Autumn realm. It is only worth sending them to the City of Gold and Lead if you need to dispose of them at any price.

===Unique Trade Goods===
* '''Unique goods produced in the Empire command a high price the first time they are sold'''
* '''Unusual or unique goods from difficult to access ports will fetch a good price the first time they are sold'''

While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.

===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===
* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs and liao, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''
* '''Most potions command a poor price when offered for sale to the City'''
* '''Unusual consumables including drugs and narcotics sell well and offer a chance for a good profit if they are put in a box by themselves'''

Herbs are always in demand in the Autumn realm, since they can make use of them, but they don't grow well in the realm if at all. For this reason they command a good price when offered for sale to the city, though it is expensive to buy them from the City. Likewise, [[liao]] is often in demand; as a refined substance, it keeps well, and the Sumaah - being the only other great power that produces it - only engages in face-to-face deals with the City. Surprisingly, most other potions are not worth offering to the City. It is time-consuming to identify them and most heralds have little interest in trading them on, so they offer only very low prices for them.

Unusual consumables, including drugs and narcotics do sell in the Autumn realm but there are few buyers and that does depress the sale price. The Silent Market, a trading operation in the City can offer a price for them, and will also offer them for sale in the right conditions. Drugs that are illegal in the Empire are usually the most profitable for merchants trading with the City.

The ''Silent Market'', is a trading desk that ''only'' deals in unusual items, drugs, narcotics, and storied items. They handle all this trade that comes from the Empire. As a result, these things are always best put in an Ephisis box by themselves so that the Silent Market can assess them and make an offer. Including 20 ambergelt alongside a thirty doses of Bite is a recipe for disappointment, because the Silent Market will buy the Bite but they don't want the ambergelt. Their rivals in the City want the ambergelt but not the Bite. Thus the best way for Imperial citizens to get the best possible price is to put drugs, narcotics and storied items in a separate box.

===Magical Items===
* '''Permanent magical items with a storied history can fetch an excellent price when sold to the City'''
* '''Storied items with history but no actual magic power rarely do so'''
* '''Magic items with a year's duration to run have a known value, but
* '''Magic items that are close to expiring are worthless to the City'''
* '''Storied items need to be put in a box by themselves to get the best price'''

Permanent magical items are valuable throughout the world and the City will always try to offer a good price for them based on the amount of materials needed to create one. When such items have a storied history - that ''can'' increase the price significantly, assuming the City knows of a buyer who is in the market for such a curio. Items with history but no notable magical properties are obviously less valuable - but could be worth something to the right buyer. In either case, the price offered by the heralds is highly variable, merchants are welcome to offer them for sale but should be prepared for the possibility of a low offer. Regular magic items with a year's duration to run are worth less than what their ingredients are worth as they have already lost a seasons worth of use - the Autumn realm are unlikely to offer more than this, because they can buy most magic items from [[Estavus|the Forgemistress]]. Items that are close to expiring are as worthless to the City as they are to the mortals trying to dispose of them.

===Mana and Vis===
* '''Mana is always in demand all across the world, so crystals fetch reasonable prices in the City'''
* '''Autumn vis is produced in large amounts in the Autumn realm and can be had at a good price from the City's heralds'''
* '''Vis from other realms often spoils if kept too long in the Autumn realm, so the City rarely offer good prices for large quantities'''

Mana is the currency of magic, there are even some desperately primitive societies in the world that actually use it in place of money! Most of the city's heralds are currently offering to buy mana crystals for around 24 rings a crystal and to sell it at 26 rings each. [[Vis]] can spoil if kept in the Autumn realm too long, so the City has little interest in trading it, unless there is a large outstanding contract to be fulfilled, otherwise heralds will be loathe to buy or sell it. Autumn vis is the one exception - huge amounts are produced in the Autumn realm and can usually be bought for a good price from the City's heralds, but of course, they offer low prices to buy it back.

==A Possible Patron==
<div {{Float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Plenipotentiary'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Eternal:''' Ephisis</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Subject:''' Patronage of the Golden Pyramid or their grand lodge</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Necessary Details:''' What form any aid might take</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Limitations:''' Cannot be included with other substantial requests</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Heralds of the City of Gold and Lead were recently asked about the possibility of becoming a patron of the Golden Pyramid'''
* '''They confirm that such a thing is possible, but it would require a plenipotentiary to make the appropriate arrangements'''
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged.jpg|caption='''Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged'''<br>Grandmaster of the Golden Pyramid|align=right|width=250}}</div>
At a recent meeting in Anvil, Crown, one of the heralds of the City, was asked about the possibility of the City of Gold and Lead becoming a patron of the [[Golden Pyramid]], or of the Order's grand lodge. Such an arrangement would be highly unusual - a Conclave order accepting an offer by an eternal to become their patron raises questions about that order's loyalties and their impartiality on matters like [[alignment]]. Still the risks seem relatively low here, the manifesto of the order seems closely aligned with the goals of the eternal and Ephisis has never been under ''enmity'' as far as the records show.

After lengthy discussion between the various markets and independent traders of the City, it appears there is a consensus that most are open to the idea, if there is genuine enthusiasm for it from the Order. However, while eternals of other realms might be content to agree to become a patron without a second thought, the City of Gold and Lead will not contemplate the idea without a thorough discussion of what support they could offer the Order, what support the Order might want and importantly, how the Order might further the City's agenda. Ultimately any agreement would need a contract of some kind.

If the Order are serious about engaging the services of the ''Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead'' as patron of their order - or patron of their lodge, then they would need to arrange for the [[Archmage of Autumn]] to secure a plenipotentiary specifically for that purpose. It could include a single item of other business that was already ongoing, but the City will not seriously engage with a plenipotentiary that incorporates a list of different causes of interest to different groups. But if the Autumn Archmage is prepared to assist the Order and the [[grandmaster]] and his supporters have the backing of the Golden Pyramid to negotiate an agreement for patronage then the City are open to exploring the possibilities.
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrderGoldenPyramid.jpg|align=right|width=241|height=240}}
As with any plenipotentiary, it would be most useful if the Archmage is clear what form any aid they would request might take, then the heralds can assess how possible that would be, before the meeting. The more knowledge the City has about ''how'' they could help the Order, the better.

==Further Reading==
* [[Ephisis]]
* [[Ephisis' Scale]]

This is the end

2026-07-19T14:39:21Z

Hailmur: /* Overview */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
<ic>
SCENE: A COURTYARD IN SHADOW. MUSIC PLAYS FAR AWAY. THEY SPEAK, FILLING THE COURTYARD WITH WHISPERS, THEIR VOICES GLITTERING LIKE GEMSTONES.

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "Quite a shame, quite a shame. We did so like that city. Oh, waily waily, our house in ruins...! What a beautiful game it was, though - and such good sports all."

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "We shall return, perhaps, in a less fervent season? Though now it is under the cursed serpent's aegis... by the void and abyss, how I hate that cursèd songbird!"

'''RUBY VOICE:''' "All the more reason to skulk in secret, my dearest darling confidante. We'll find places, and people will whisper to us once more. The circle turns, and tickets are always on sale."

'''TOPAZ VOICE:''' "And what of the rest? The sloth? The hybrid? The chatterer? The firestorm? All in their tedium. They'll all be clamouring to be there now. Not to even speak of --"

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "-- don't you go on so, beloved. We were the first! First to notice the potential of the place, before the feathered bore stuck in her beak. Art is about getting everyone talking."

'''RUBY VOICE:''' "First to roost, and first to flee. Such is our lot. O, what an ill-fated star for the beloved of cats. Friendless, now, abandoned by our confidantes. Even dearest Teodore... even--"

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "-- you know I heard the Barossa priest is to defend Bela Vicente. Rumour speaks, companions mine, that he does so out of an obligation we created - how exceptionally droll."

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "Ah, Asav. Pleasant, this time of year. Now there's a place that appreciates the value of intrigue. Not like these Catazarri secret-murderers, addicted to truth's dishonesty."

'''TOPAZ VOICE:''' "Or Jarm. Our friends in the Violet Forest have been saying we have been neglecting them. Though they keep busy anyway, I hear. There's always a way where there's a will."

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "So we're agreed. A sojourn onwards to new retreats for this merry band of players and artists. We must prepare for the next debut. Where one curtain falls, after all, another rises."

THE FIGURES RETREAT FROM THE SHADOWS. A SMALL ALBINO KITTEN WANDERS OUT ONTO THE STAGE. IT LOOKS TOWARDS THE AUDIENCE. IT LOOKS AT YOU.

Letitia lowered the pages, trying to keep her face neutral, but Mario saw through her immediately. He jutted his jaw pugnaciously, and she could see him getting angry with her before she had even opened her mouth.

"Well?" He demanded. She tried to plaster a smile on her face but it wouldn't stick and slipped off, possibly because she had started to sweat.

"It's a bit... I mean it's very good obviously." The last bit was spoken very fast indeed because she'd noticed Mario had one hand on the pommel of the rod at his side. The playwright's days of fighting for the Conclave were past, but he kept the rod to remind people that as well as wrangling words he could still crack heads when the situation called for it.

"A bit what," he said, refusing to let it go.

"It's a bit... it's a bit.. <small>over the top?</small>"

Mario ripped the pages from her hands and threw them on the ground. The rest of the company turned to gawk, as actors are wont to do. Two of the stage hands took the opportunity to nip off for a quick break.

"FINE!" Mario shouted in a voice Letitia swore was making the rafter vibrate. He could project when he wanted to. "You ''wanted'' a play about the Whisper Gallery but I ''give'' you a play about the Whisper Gallery and what do you do? You ''criticise''! You throw it back in my face! ''You'' write a play that captures the enigmatic nature of the Lords of the Chiaroscuran Throne then! You clearly know what you want better than I do!" The playwright stormed out.

Letitia squeezed the bridge of her nose. She hated bringing the company to Spiral, because of exactly this kind of thing. What, she wondered - not for the first time - did the Black Plateau have against art?</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sofonisba Amilcara of the City Below.jpg|caption='''Sofonisba Amilcara''' is somehow the map to the City Below. Exactly what that means is... well, a mystery.|align=left|width=350}}</div>
==Overview==
The peculiar dramaturgic confluence that began in the city of Apulus more than a year ago, seems to have reached a crescendo. Against a backdrop of running battles in the Apulus streets between [[This is the end|strangely-coloured cats with mispaired eyes and songbirds with rainbow feathers]], a cadre of military units arrives in the city to help Sofonisba Amilcara "map the city below".

Apparently convinced that there is not enough Night magic running amok in the territory, someone has laid a powerful enchantment over the territory. It brings strange dreams that seem to be linked to ongoing events. Many people suddenly awaken from dreams in which they were part of the ongoing war, fighting as either a cat or a bird against the enemy trying to seize control of the city.

Despite the strangeness, most inhabitants of Spiral find sleep brings renewed optimism and vigour. The city is filled with a feverish energy, and on the lonely mountain slopes those that live there are filled with a new joy after many sorrows. Things live. This is an old place, with a history beyond imagining, and it seems impossible it could ever be abandoned, so tightly and beautifully does it command the heart of those who call it home.

==Talon and claw==
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right; margin: 15px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Great Eared-Nightjar.jpg|align=right|caption=The war between birds and cats is over, and the city echoes with birdsong.|width=450}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Rainbow cat.jpg|caption=The war between birds and cats is over, and the cats have decided they'd actually rather not live in the city any more thank you.|align=left|width=450}}</div>
</div>
* '''The war between the cats and the birds is over'''
* '''The birds have driven the cats out of the city'''
* '''Birdsong is now everywhere in Apulus, drowning out the emanations of the Black Plateau'''
* '''The penalty to League businesses from the Black Plateau will be drowned out for a season after the Summer Solstice'''
As the season wears on, the war for dominion in Apulus intensifies with open fighting on the streets between the two rivals gangs. The first major battle takes place on Mulberry Avenue; a large flock of common blackbirds are deployed to the area, but as soon as they alight on the walls and rooftops, they are set upon by a force of cats that are lying in wait for them. Like soldiers under [[Clarity of the Master Strategist]], the cats are able to strike with perfect coordination, taking the enemy by surprise, killing two and driving the rest away. Days later a group of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightjar nightjars] are attacked in the same way on Bleeker Street with similar results.

Despite this, it soon becomes clear that the cats are ''not'' winning. Eventually, the birds are able to arrange an ambush of their own. A group of cats surround a tiny thrush that appears to have recklessly alighted on a branch on the old yew tree outside the Lone Reveller, a well-regarded eatery on the city's central plaza. Cats converge on the bird from every side-street, but as they do a huge flock of birds of prey plummet from the sky. Amber hawks lancing down to the streets below, plummeting kites with beautiful argent feathers, diving merlins whose feathers bear the rune of wealth.

A battle royale takes place all across the plaza, but the cats are badly outnumbered and outmatched and they are routed in short order. From that point on, no cat is seen in the plaza, thereafter it is the secure demesne of beautiful songbirds. The pattern repeats all across the city and soon the cats are in full retreat. In dribs and drabs they flee the city, seeking refuge in the citadels and spires that still dot the hills and mountains of the territory. By the end of the season, there is not a single cat of any kind left in Apulus.

In their place, the city is filled with birds of every kind and colour imaginable. Most are flighty and wary of people, but the smaller ones come close if fed with seed. Their birdsong fills the city, countless beautiful songs, each one different to the last, are now audible on every street and avenue in the city. Those whose cats have fled mourn the loss of their pets, but the presence of the birds is so beneficial it is hard to be entirely disgruntled. Somehow, the birdsong it entirely drowns out the constant malevolence coming from the Black Plateau, leaving the city well-protected and serene.

The strangely coloured cats with the mispaired eyes have not quit the territory entirely. Every Urizeni spire, every Urizeni magician, has been approached by at least one of the odd cats, seeking adoption and shared cohabitation. Negotiations are opened with offers of dead mice, and the promise of a study completely free of flies and other insects. Despite the obvious concerns, all magical investigation reveals that while the cats are unusually clever and conspiratorial, and clearly touched by night magic, they are not otherwise marked by any connection to the realm or any one of its inhabitants. Any Urizeni magician who wishes, now has at least one cat whose fur is a single primary color, like a bright red or a deep green, with mispaired eyes. The cats are hard working, keeping spires clear of insects and vermin and they are all highly companionable. They clearly welcome human company and like to snuggle close when people are talking or otherwise engaged.

==Never follow me==
<div {{float}}>
<table class='wikitable mw-collapsed mw-collapsible sortable'><tr><th>Citizen</th><th>Banner</th><th>Nation</th></tr>
<tr><td>Alistair de Vere</td><td>House de Vere</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alys de Vere</td><td>House de Vere</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>D'Eon</td><td>Anvil Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Desmond Redbear Steward</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Earl Enchanter Severin De Manticore</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Evrard Taillier</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lady Soleil-Jolie duLac</td><td>House duLac</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lerac Birdkeep</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lord Bors "The Middle" du Merciel</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mirella of the Twisted Rose</td><td>Amber Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Olwyn Pickle</td><td>Amber Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Perrin Syrenus</td><td>House Syrenus</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ser Percival of de Licorne</td><td>House de Licorne</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Adrianna</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Caius</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Quintus</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Renata</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Carmine de Sarvos "Father"</td><td>The Printers' Guild</td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Natalia 'The Falcon' Barossa</td><td>Company of The Red Fox</td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sofonisba Amilcara of the City Below</td><td></td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Aella</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Althaea Sunshaper</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Arephanes of Tropaion Citadel</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Argentus</td><td>The Wise Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Atreus</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cassian Highwind</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Corinthius</td><td>The Wise Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cyrus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cyrus Stillwater</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Donato of the Crucible</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Fausta Ankarien</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Floria Sunshaper</td><td>Sunshaper Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Grakulus</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Halkyon of the Myriad Stream</td><td>The Banner of the Spiral Council</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ignatious</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Linos</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Magnus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Marcus</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sabina</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Shibboleth Tziporah</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Valerius</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Varrus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Vespasian</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Xanthippe Of the Lighthouse-That-Was</td><td>Arete's Promise</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Sofonisba Amilcara has successfully become the Map to the City Below'''
* '''The military units who assisted her have uncovered a lair under the dominion of the Whisper Gallery below the Vicente School and Orphanage'''
* '''The lair has been destroyed but the Whisper Gallery has stolen the Orphanage that was hiding it'''
* '''Sung has rewarded the Map to the City Below for their efforts'''
* '''There is a pack insert for everyone who took part in the venture that contains words that might describe their experience'''
<div style="float: right; max-width: 350px; margin-right: 10px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sung001b.JPG|width=350|align=right}}
{{HoverImage|WhisperGal004.png|width=350|WhisperGal005.png}}</div>
At the request of the [[Sung|Rainbow Serpent]], Sofonisba Amilcara - the magician the League Assembly has appointed to become the "Map to the City Below" - successfully arranged just under forty five military units to support their efforts to explore the the sewers and passageways that lie beneath the old city. Fears that the [[Whisper Gallery]] would find a way to hinder their efforts have proved unfounded and the force was more than enough to achieve the eternal's goals, whatever they might be. They haven't actually managed to produce a physical map that anyone can check - in fact many of the military units didn't actually seem to do anything other than spend long nights in deep slumber - but that's fine because there was already a perfectly practical map of the sewers anyway. And yet, and yet..

There were revelations at the recent summit of a terrible conspiracy at the heart of the Empire. A cult of the Whisper Gallery has been exposed: involving not only the duSesna Guild of Reckoners in Apulus, but, it is said, the ''very'' highest levels of the Conclave itself. A web of lies and deceit has been spun that has left many wondering who they can truly trust. Thus, it is not a complete shock, when Sofonisba and her allies report that they have discovered a lair of the Whisper Gallery here in Apulus.

The Shadow Den of the Adumbral Volution is something akin to a ''fane''. It has been established in the basement of the [[Custodian_of_the_Vicente_School_and_Orphanage|Vicente School and Orphanage]], not by the action of the Senate, but by the action of wicked cultists. Somehow these agents of wickedness have suborned the title-holder's natural authority over the orphanage and used it to grant dominion to the Whisper Gallery, despite the Senate's lack of formal [[Urizen_hearth_magic#Cession|cession]]. In practical terms, the result is not that different to a [[fane]] - its presence here has allowed the eternal to operate freely in the city - only in this case nobody knew it was happening. Sadly it is difficult to discern more, for the Orphanage has been lost in the battle. The allies of Sung claim they didn't destroy the building; if that is true, the most likely alternative is that the Whisper Gallery has chosen to spirit it away somehow. If the eternal can't have the school, neither can the Empire, it would seem.

<div {{float}}><box>
'''Night Marks'''
<p>Apulus has been left permanently marked by the dominion of the Whisper Gallery. Every magician who examines the marks agrees that there is nothing that can be done about them, but they aren't a threat to the city ''right now''. They may become an issue in the future, but if that happens there will be a way to deal with them then.</p>

<p>They might draw the attention of other night eternals seeking to become involved in the City Below, or they might create an [[opportunity]] for the Whisper Gallery to cause trouble for citizens of Spiral. They exist in case we choose to use them for a new plot involving the eternal in the future.</p></box></div>

The Shadow Den has been uprooted, and the baleful influence of the Whisper Gallery on Apulus has been ended. The duSesna Guild have gone to ground, fleeing Apulus. In time most will likely be found and brought to justice by [[Venture#War_of_Whispers|enterprising captains]] - for they no longer have anywhere to hide, here. Sofonisba reports that she and the captains supporting her have overturned the lair and run the Whisper Gallery out of the city. The eternal is defeated... but their presence here has seeped in to the stones of the city. The wound has healed, but the ''scar'' remains. Magicians who cast [[Bright Lantern of Ophis]] while in Apulus can sense ''something'' which most agree are the marks left on the city by the eternal. A parting gift from the Shadow Courtiers: the magical equivalent of graffiti scrawled on the toilet walls.

There is nothing that can be done about this now: not without razing the city to the ground and beginning again. There is little to fear from these marks in and of themselves - they don't have any power over the city or anyone who dwells in it. The only influence they could have would be to make the city a little more secretive and conspiratorial - and really... this is Apulus. Would anyone even notice at this point?

It would be unwise to forget about the marks completely however. The Whisper Gallery has had to expend considerable effort to create the marks. The ''Concilium of the Perjured Throne'' has demonstrated that the Empire can drive it out, but they cannot remove every trace of its influence. The marks show that the eternal had dominion here once and that perhaps, it intends to return one day to reclaim its prize. Perhaps for that reason, Sung has rewarded the Map to the City Below, empowering them to protect the city from the malevolent wickedness of the Whisper Gallery.

==Take a chance with us==
* '''Other Night eternals have inquired if they might themselves receive a berth in the City Below'''
* '''In particular, the Azoth and Sadogua have drawn up some curious proposals'''
* '''The actual effect of building these commissions is a mystery - but Sung guarantees a measure of protection and safety under the shadow of her wings'''

<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''The Delectable Refectory'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Apulus, Spiral</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 10 wains of mithril, 10 wains of white granite, 10 rings of ilium, and 60 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 1 season</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' The Delectable Refectory would need to be ceded to Sadogua</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' All the effects of this edifice are a mystery</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
</table>

<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''The Grand Laboratory'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Apulus, Spiral</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 10 wains of mithril, 10 wains of white granite, 10 weirwood, 10 rings of ilium, and 90 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 1 season</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' The edifice would need to be ceded to Azoth</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' All the effects of this edifice are a mystery</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
As predicted, the completion of Sung's fane has drawn attention from other Night eternals - and the routing of the Cavalcade of Purrs has only heightened that, for there is little love lost between the Shadow Courtiers and the other denizens of the realm. Heralds working for both the [[Azoth]] and [[Sadogua]] have begun seen now regularly in the city this season and have also come to call at spires and citadels across the territory. The two eternals have made no secret of the fact that they would ''dearly'' love a place within the City Below to call their own.
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">[[file:Sadogua001d.webp|align=right|width=250]]</div>
Sadogua, perhaps predictably, has taken a close interest in the [[The_play_that_came_to_Apulian#Curiouser_and_Curiouser|dramaturgical college]]. His heralds have presented his "suggestions" for an annex to the University; specifically, ''Batfather'' feels that the current plans fail to take into account the need to ensure that students and teachers are replete with find food and drink, so that they can indulge themselves when needed or deserved. As such, the ''Brother of Wizards'' suggests the construction of what he calls the Delectable Refectory. This would be an edifice ceded to Sadogua - a fane for all practical terms - at which banquets would be served for those who cared to attend them, "with plenty of extra trimmings and custard for all as wants them, and hammocks provided too to aid in after-dinner digestion". Everyone would be welcome to attend, but the Refectory would be housed inside a Night regio, so they would need to cast [[operate portal]] to enter, or have some other means of ingress and egress.
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Crucible.png|align=right|width=200}}</div>
The Azoth has let it be known that it, too, would like a home in the city of night. They envisage a Grand Laboratory that is attached to the growing University of Apulus, though to what end is unclear. As such, they propose that in lieu of actual plans, a suitable quantity of building materials could be acquired first. Then, once they had been arranged, ''Makeready'' would provide the builders and craftspersons with several dozen of its finest alchemical concoctions. After that, they could be encouraged to "just sort of make what comes to mind - no wrong answers!", as one herald put it. Such an... unconventional... approach would be ''guaranteed'' to produce something original and creative. Whether that is an entirely good idea is open to criticism, as one Holberg professor of civil engineering dryly comments "You can overrate the value of originality when suspending three tons of roofing tiles over someone's head".

Either, or both, of these edifices could be constructed and ceded so long as the [[Conclave]] does not declare its enmity on either Eternal. Experienced magicians caution that doing so is bound to provide some benefits to the city, but will inevitably attract even more attention from the other night eternals. [[Lashonar]] and [[Janon]] are both under enmity at the moment, preventing their heralds from ''appearing'' in Spiral, even despite the enchantment over the territory, but there are murmurings that they share the desire of their fellow wyrms and serpents to engage.

There are clear risks in ceding anything to an eternal of course, not least what happens if the Empire decides to change its mind. However the heralds attending the [[Map_to_the_City_Below|Chamber of Euphony]] claim that ''Spiral Dancer'' has enfolded her wings around Apulus, protecting its mysteries and its occupants from harm. Now that the battle for Apulus is won, other night eternals seeking a foothold in the city would be bound to acknowledge Sung's ascendency. The protection provided by the ''Rainbow Serpent'' is something of a double-edged sword - it preserves mysteries, making it literally impossible for Sadogua or Azoth to know what the edifices they propose might ultimately do, but it severely restricts the ability of any eternal to act with genuine malice or deceit. It is not impossible that an eternal could circumvent such protection, Sung is not all knowing and is as prone to error as any mortal, but it would make it vastly more difficult.

This is why Spiral Dancer has created the Map to the City Below. Having successfully driven the ''Concilium of the Perjured Throne'' from Spiral, the Map is now "bound" to the City. Sung's heralds don't actually mean bound in the way a magical item is [[create bond|bound]] to its owner, but they clearly mean something similar. It is clear that Sung believes that a map of the city represents the city in a way that goes beyond what a mortal cartographer might assume. Mortals see the map as an image that represents the city - Sung views it the other way round, regarding the city as a reflection of the map. To the eternal, the map is real and concrete while the city is abstract and symbolic.

Which is all a lot of fancy magical bollocks in the minds of many practical League business folk. What it actually ''means'' is that the "Map" will usually be the first to know if the city is threatened by an eternal. Or that the Map will know about any threat as soon as Sung does. Or that Sung will know about any threat as soon as the Map does. At least one of those things is definitely true, possibly all of them. Straight answers are rare with some night eternals, and none more so than the ''Lord of Illusions''.

==The moment prepared for==
<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Seductive and Mysterious.jpg|caption=Dramaturgy is at once bold and obvious, but also subtle and enigmatic. A play is an easy thing to understand, but its effect on the mind and the spirit not quite so straightforward.|align=left|width=400}}</div>
* '''The dramaturgical confluence has largely ceased, though its cause and nature remain an elusive mystery'''
The dramaturgical confluence that began with the streets of Apulus beginning to stretch and tangle seems to have finally ended. Dramaturgists report that the personae and the thrones seem to be behaving more normally, at least for now. To the disappointment of some, the streets of Apulus seem to have largely settled down. Things are finally where they should be. Good news for accountants who are late for important meetings to go through the books with a client, bad news for cicisbeo who discover they can no longer cram a week's entertainment into a single night.

Not everything is back ''exactly'' the way it was. There is a back-alley off Metals Street just behind Lorazo's Smithy that is barely fifty yards long but it still emerges on Bleeker Street despite the fact that Bleeker Street is almost a mile away. There is a bookdealers in Three Corpse Culvert called Newcomers's Books which has five complete floors to it, as well as a basement, despite being housed in a single story building. There is a statue of Salt Lord Kaliact on the dockfront which slowly changes position, but only when someone is looking at it: otherwise, it is perfectly still. For the large part, these magics are muted and minor, at least compared with the torrent that swept the city when the confluence was in effect.

It is not clear what caused the confluence, or what it ended it for that matter. It is easy to imagine that it was the Whisper Gallery, too easy in the minds of many dramaturgists, who are convinced that the tale cannot be that simple. Dramaturgy has certain resonances that lend itself to the Whisper Gallery's games, but it is not solely the province of Night, after all.

Once the Barossa University of the Dramaturgical Arts is complete, they will be in a position to investigate dramaturgical magic more thoroughly. If they can examine the personae, thrones and instruments, and any lingering effects of the confluence, this might give insight into what happened in Apulus. Even if it doesn't, it will certainly leave the Empire much better prepared were ''another'' confluence to form which would be useful given how eager eternals appear to have been to take advantage of this one.

Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange

2026-07-19T14:37:49Z

Hailmur: /* Herbs, Potions and Consumables */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:Winds of Magic]]
<ic>"Are you ''sure'' about this, Crown?" Patina asked, their voice laden with concern.

"Of course I'm sure" responded her ever-exuberant boss. "It's a brilliant idea! Provided we get the contracts right. Provided we get the auction right. And provided we get the handover right. Literally nothing can go wrong! All the risk is with the counter-party. The actuaries are delighted with the model!"

"Yeah, it's not that..." Patina tried to interject, but putting words in front of Crown was like trying to put a leaf before a gale.

"And we've already chosen eight contracts already. Now we just need to let the Empire know, and then we can sit back and let the Invisible Hand go to work. It's going to be amazing!"

"Yeah, about those contracts..."

"I know I was surprised how quickly we secured agreement from the other desks too - but if this works this time there's no reason we can't do it again in the future. We're going to be famous Patina. We'll be the heralds that took the work out of work ethic!"

"But I ''like'' hard work..." said Patina quietly, her voice trailing off.

"And this way, you'll have even more time to work your fingers to the bone. But look, if the Imperials get mad about it, we'll just say it was all Abel the Rounder's idea!"

This last was too much for Patina and she raised her voice, determined to be heard at last. "Abel the Rounder is one of our most valuable customers Crown. You should ''not'' be traducing his reputation by involving him in this scheme of yours..."

"What? It's good for us. It's good for Abel. It's good for... where's he from again?"

Patina rolled her eyes... "Sarangrave. He's one of the foremost ''architects'' of Sarangrave. It's a critically important territory in the Empire, with ''major investment needs''." Patina stressed the last in the hope of pointing out the obvious. Crown was great at front of house, but his knowledge of his customer portfolio was excruciating. A mortal she'd met once had had a dog they called a golden retriever, even though it very definitely was not made out of gold. More and more her boss was reminding her of that dog. Including not being made out of gold.

"Right! So he's gonna be delighted by these new arrangements! It's bound to go well."

Patina couldn't take the overbearing optimism a moment longer. She stabbed a blunt metal finger down onto the table spearing one of the pieces of paperwork. "This? He's going to be delighted with this is he?"

To be fair to Crown, he at least had the good grace to look crestfallen. For a moment.

"Caveat Emptor?" he asked plaintively.
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Ephisis001.webp|align=left|width=300|caption=The lifeblood of the City of Gold and Lead and its inhabitants is ''trade'', and not ''profit'' as many seem to believe.}}</div>
==Overview==
The [[Ephisis|Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead]] has become a ubiquitous sight in the Hall of Worlds in recent times, with various heralds from the city attempting to make deals with Imperial citizens who have submitted their goods for potential sale via [[Ephisis' Scale]]. For the most part, trades have been largely successful and have brought Prosperity to both parties.

At least they did until the Spring Equinox. The prices offered by the City can change rapidly, such is the nature of the market place. But a change of personnel on the trading desk compounded issues caused by the fast moving prices to howls of anguish from their Imperial counterparts. ''Crown'', one of the more excitable heralds commonly manning the Imperial trading desks, is never happy about an unhappy customer. Determined to avoid future lost sales, he contacted one of his counterparts in the Empire, '''Abel the Rounder''', to discuss what the brilliant Urizeni [[architect]] felt had gone wrong. Fortunately for Crown, the wealthy and experienced merchant had plenty to say on the subject.

What passed between the two is likely to remain confidential, but it seems that it was sufficient to cause a change in the City's plans for the forthcoming summit. Regular traders and novices alike, would do well to take notice.

==The Great Instrument of Ambition==
* '''Ephisis is making eight contracts available to the Empire'''
* '''These contracts will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning'''
* '''Each contract must be fulfilled in full and before the end of the summit, to receive payment'''
* '''Contracts must be redeemed by delivery to the Hall of Worlds during the balancing of scales'''
* '''Standard settlement terms with the contract holder will be three days after the conclusion of the summit'''

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="text-align:center;">Contracts Available</th></tr>
<tr><th>Goods Required</th><th>Payment Offered</th></tr>
<tr><td>800 measures of dragonbone</td><td>100 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>40 ilium </td><td>20 mithril, 20 white granite, 20 weirwood </td></tr>
<tr><td>400 ingots total of green iron, orichalcum, weltsilver and tempest jade in any ratio</td><td>100 mana crystals and 100 warm ashes</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 thrones</td><td>200 mithril</td></tr>
<tr><td>150 weirwood</td><td>500 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>400 measures of ambergelt</td><td>20 white granite</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 measures total of beggar's lye or iridescent gloaming in any ratio</td><td>[[Pilgrim%27s_Shield|Glistering]]</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

One of the areas that causes the most significant problems for small and large traders is the tendency for bulk sales to flood the Autumn markets. The Invisible Hand will ultimately buy almost anything, but the Empire is one of its biggest customers and merchants who attempt to dispose of huge sums of materials can temporarily distress prices. This causes problems for large volume traders, who find the offers made for boxes fall short of what they hoped to achieve because they have unwittingly depressed the market value of whatever good they are attempting to sell hundreds of to the Empire. But it also impacts merchants offering small volume traders who discover their handful of dragonbone or whatever precious material has flooded the market is now worth considerably less than they were expecting.

Based on an idea that Crown credits to Abel the Rounder, the solution the City is going to implement is to offer eight significant contracts. These contracts are the largest requests for purchase or sales that the City has received in other markets. Most come from the Empire's near neighbours, since that keeps shipping costs down, but the City is open about the fact that they trade all over the world, from the tiny bazaar of Pushkin City in far off Mitovoria to the great temple-market of [[Asavean_gods#Lord_Isso_Mãos_de_Ouro|Mãos de Ouro]] in the capital of [[Asavea]].

Normally the City attempts to settle trades with the resources they have acquired from the Empire and elsewhere. It's when the Empire offers large volumes of goods they can't quickly move on because they don't have a known buyer for them, that the prices they offer drops. To avoid the problems experienced at the previous summit, the City is therefore publishing the details of the eight largest contracts that have come in.

The contracts will be offered for auction in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning. All bids in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial currency]], each contract will go to the highest bidder, who will need to settle the purchase there and then. The right to fulfil that contract is then their legal property (and they may do with it as they will). Anyone bearing the contract (assuming they have acquired it legally) may complete it by bringing the desired goods to the balancing of the scales in the Hall of Wolds the following day. There is no need for any additional expense of sending a box to the Autumn realm first, since the settlement value is already agreed. The City will receive the goods, mark the contract complete, and arrange for delivery of payment three days later.

Crown warns that contracts can only be fulfilled at the summit they are purchased at. Any contract that is not fulfilled at the summit is null and void with no refunds. Merchants should be careful to bid accordingly. Contracts must be completed in full, part payment will not be accepted.

In plain terms, turn up in the Hall of Worlds on Saturday morning, outbid any other buyer for one or more contracts, then return the next day with ''all'' the required goods to get paid.

==The Merchant of Rhodes==
* '''The City has published more general guidance on commodities they are likely to offer good prices'''
* '''The prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices in the Empire but not set by them'''
* '''Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract'''
* '''The City is always happy to be paid in Imperial coin'''

When all is said and done and every grain of salt has been counted, the City of Gold and Lead will always offer a price for something, provided they can find a buyer for it. But some commodities and resources are in high demand in the City and should fetch a good price, while others are not. Some things are nearly worthless - even if the City offers a price for them, it will be a matter of a few rings.

Crown explains that the prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices, but they are not set by them. The City of Gold and Lead takes the goods sold to them in Ephisis boxes and sells them on elsewhere, either to other cities in the Iron Labyrinth or to other locations in the mortal world. Ultimately the price they are prepared to offer is set by what the heralds believe they can get for the resources they acquire and ''not'' by prices in Imperial markets. Offers ''may'' be influenced by the value of goods at Anvil - the heralds may lower their offer if they believe they can offer less and still make a deal.

Some merchants are surprised to discover they are being offered a price for their goods ''below'' what they could get in Anvil, but that is to be expected. If Imperial traders are offering goods from all over the Empire, then it's perfectly normal that the heralds won't always be able to match local prices for everything.

Perfectly normal perhaps, but definitely not desirable! Crown appears genuinely pained anytime a merchant leaves his trading desk without a sale of some kind. He believes that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_asymmetry ignorance of market conditions] is costing his beloved City business and so he has persuaded his fellow heralds to try publicising more information about what the city does or doesn't want to buy.

The City has published guidance for the various resources and commodities they are commonly offered. The sale price column indicates the price a merchant might hope to get when selling the goods from Ephisis. The purchase price column indicates the level of prices the City might offer to sell goods to Imperial merchants at. There is never a guarantee of profit - these ratings are comparative to each other, not comparative to Anvil prices.

The contracts on offer indicate the resources that Ephisis is trying to secure in order to fulfil significant deals with others merchants. They ensure that the city can afford to purchase large volumes of resources without risking a major loss. They allow Imperial merchants to aim to fulfil the contract knowing with some certainty what their profit margins will be. Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract. The City will still make a bid, but it will be a lower offer the more resources are piled into a box.

Finally it should go without saying that the City of Gold and Lead is always happy to trade in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial coin]]. Thrones, crowns, and rings are all ''very'' welcome in any exchange of wealth.

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th>Commodity</th><th>Sale Price</th><th>Purchase Price</th></tr>
<tr><td>Ingots and Measures</td><td>High</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wains</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Food and Drink</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Trade Goods</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Unique Trade Goods</td><td>Very High</td><td>High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Artefacts</td><td>High</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied Artefacts</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied items</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Newly made Magic Items</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exhausted Magic Items</td><td>Zero</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mana Crystals</td><td>Average</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Autumn Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Other Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Herbs</td><td>Average</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Potions</td><td>Very Low</td><td>High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Drugs and Narcotics</td><td>Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

===Ingots and Measures===
* '''Ingots and measures fetch good prices in the City of Gold and Lead'''

Ingots and measures, including ingots of [[ilium]] are ''always'' valuable in the Autumn realm, because the heralds can sell them to agents of the [[Estavus|Sovereign Lord of the City of Fire and Stone]]. For that reason, it is rare for the City to offer such materials and merchants looking to acquire them from the City should expect to pay handsomely for them.

===Wains===
* '''Wains are on offer for sale or purchase whenever the City believes it can make a profit'''
Wains of Materials, while valuable within the Empire, are harder for the autumn realm to trade to other lands, as the bourse certificates represent large amounts of materials sitting in Imperial warehouses. While the City regards bourse certificates as a wonder of the world, they only function perfectly within the Empire. The further you travel from the Empire's borders, the more value they lose. The city's heralds will buy or sell wains, but only when they believe the price favours them - which usually means they will only buy at a price below the highest sale price in Anvil. Sales are a little easier, since heralds are always looking to dispose of bourse certificates they have acquired in the Empire where they can, so citizens looking to buy wains are encouraged to try their hand.

===Food, Drink and Services===
* '''These goods hold no value to the City'''
Food and drink spoil quickly in the Autumn realm - they cannot be placed in vaults and held until a customer is found. For this reason, they are worthless to the Autumn realm. Likewise offers of services are not currently of value, the City trades in ''goods'' - while they appreciate that an offer of services in the future has value, it is not a market they trade in. In all cases the City requests that Imperial merchants do not put these things into an Ephisis box.

===Common Trade Goods===
* '''Goods readily available for purchase in foreign ports are in low demand in the City'''
Imperial [[fleet|fleets]] often acquire unusual goods in foreign ports, such as [[Foreign_ports#Production_Table|Oilybrag]], which can be bought in Zemeh. The City of Gold and Lead has opportunities to trade in all the major cities of the world, so they can already purchase these common trade goods at the same price Imperial merchants paid for them. As a result heralds rarely offer good prices for these goods - Imperial merchants should be better off disposing of them at Anvil rather than trying to sell them to the Autumn realm. It is only worth sending them to the City of Gold and Lead if you need to dispose of them at any price.

===Unique Trade Goods===
* '''Unique goods produced in the Empire command a high price the first time they are sold'''
* '''Unusual or unique goods from difficult to access ports will fetch a good price the first time they are sold'''

While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.

===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===
* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs and liao, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''
* '''Most potions command a poor price when offered for sale to the City'''
* '''Unusual consumables including drugs and narcotics sell well and offer a chance for a good profit if they are put in a box by themselves'''

Herbs are always in demand in the Autumn realm, since they can make use of them, but they don't grow well in the realm if at all. For this reason they command a good price when offered for sale to the city, though it is expensive to buy them from the City. Likewise, [[liao]] is often in demand; as a refined substance, it keeps well, and the Sumaah - being the only other great power that produces it - only engages in face-to-face deals with the City. Surprisingly, most other potions are not worth offering to the City. It is time-consuming to identify them and most heralds have little interest in trading them on, so they offer only very low prices for them.

Unusual consumables, including drugs and narcotics do sell in the Autumn realm but there are few buyers and that does depress the sale price. The Silent Market, a trading operation in the City can offer a price for them, and will also offer them for sale in the right conditions. Drugs that are illegal in the Empire are usually the most profitable for merchants trading with the City.

The ''Silent Market'', is a trading desk that ''only'' deals in unusual items, drugs, narcotics, and storied items. They handle all this trade that comes from the Empire. As a result, these things are always best put in an Ephisis box by themselves so that the Silent Market can assess them and make an offer. Including 20 ambergelt alongside a thirty doses of Bite is a recipe for disappointment, because the Silent Market will buy the Bite but they don't want the ambergelt. Their rivals in the City want the ambergelt but not the Bite. Thus the best way for Imperial citizens to get the best possible price is to put drugs, narcotics and storied items in a separate box.

===Magical Items===
* '''Permanent magical items with a storied history can fetch an excellent price when sold to the City'''
* '''Storied items with history but no actual magic power rarely do so'''
* '''Magic items with a year's duration to run have a known value, but
* '''Magic items that are close to expiring are worthless to the City'''
* '''Storied items need to be put in a box by themselves to get the best price'''

Permanent magical items are valuable throughout the world and the City will always try to offer a good price for them based on the amount of materials needed to create one. When such items have a storied history - that ''can'' increase the price significantly, assuming the City knows of a buyer who is in the market for such a curio. Items with history but no notable magical properties are obviously less valuable - but could be worth something to the right buyer. In either case, the price offered by the heralds is highly variable, merchants are welcome to offer them for sale but should be prepared for the possibility of a low offer. Regular magic items with a year's duration to run are worth less than what their ingredients are worth as they have already lost a seasons worth of use - the Autumn realm are unlikely to offer more than this, because they can buy most magic items from [[Estavus|the Forgemistress]]. Items that are close to expiring are as worthless to the City as they are to the mortals trying to dispose of them.

===Mana and Vis===
* '''Mana is always in demand all across the world, so crystals fetch reasonable prices in the City'''
* '''Autumn vis is produced in large amounts in the Autumn realm and can be had at a good price from the City's heralds'''
* '''Vis from other realms often spoils if kept too long in the Autumn realm, so the City rarely offer good prices for large quantities'''

Mana is the currency of magic, there are even some desperately primitive societies in the world that actually use it in place of money! Most of the city's heralds are currently offering to buy mana crystals for around 24 rings a crystal and to sell it at 26 rings each. [[Vis]] can spoil if kept in the Autumn realm too long, so the City has little interest in trading it, unless there is a large outstanding contract to be fulfilled, otherwise heralds will be loathe to buy or sell it. Autumn vis is the one exception - huge amounts are produced in the Autumn realm and can usually be bought for a good price from the City's heralds, but of course, they offer low prices to buy it back.

==A Possible Patron==
<div {{Float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Plenipotentiary'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Eternal:''' Ephisis</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Subject:''' Patronage of the Golden Pyramid or their grand lodge</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Necessary Details:''' What form any aid might take</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Limitations:''' Cannot be included with other substantial requests</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Heralds of the City of Gold and Lead were recently asked about the possibility of becoming a patron of the Golden Pyramid'''
* '''They confirm that such a thing is possible, but it would require a plenipotentiary to make the appropriate arrangements'''
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged.jpg|caption='''Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged'''<br>Grandmaster of the Golden Pyramid|align=right|width=250}}</div>
At a recent meeting in Anvil, Crown, one of the heralds of the City, was asked about the possibility of the City of Gold and Lead becoming a patron of the [[Golden Pyramid]], or of the Order's grand lodge. Such an arrangement would be highly unusual - a Conclave order accepting an offer by an eternal to become their patron raises questions about that order's loyalties and their impartiality on matters like [[alignment]]. Still the risks seem relatively low here, the manifesto of the order seems closely aligned with the goals of the eternal and Ephisis has never been under ''enmity'' as far as the records show.

After lengthy discussion between the various markets and independent traders of the City, it appears there is a consensus that most are open to the idea, if there is genuine enthusiasm for it from the Order. However, while eternals of other realms might be content to agree to become a patron without a second thought, the City of Gold and Lead will not contemplate the idea without a thorough discussion of what support they could offer the Order, what support the Order might want and importantly, how the Order might further the City's agenda. Ultimately any agreement would need a contract of some kind.

If the Order are serious about engaging the services of the ''Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead'' as patron of their order - or patron of their lodge, then they would need to arrange for the [[Archmage of Autumn]] to secure a plenipotentiary specifically for that purpose. It could include a single item of other business that was already ongoing, but the City will not seriously engage with a plenipotentiary that incorporates a list of different causes of interest to different groups. But if the Autumn Archmage is prepared to assist the Order and the [[grandmaster]] and his supporters have the backing of the Golden Pyramid to negotiate an agreement for patronage then the City are open to exploring the possibilities.
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrderGoldenPyramid.jpg|align=right|width=241|height=240}}
As with any plenipotentiary, it would be most useful if the Archmage is clear what form any aid they would request might take, then the heralds can assess how possible that would be, before the meeting. The more knowledge the City has about ''how'' they could help the Order, the better.

==Further Reading==
* [[Ephisis]]
* [[Ephisis' Scale]]

Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange

2026-07-19T00:06:59Z

Hailmur:

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:Winds of Magic]]
<ic>"Are you ''sure'' about this, Crown?" Patina asked, their voice laden with concern.

"Of course I'm sure" responded her ever-exuberant boss. "It's a brilliant idea! Provided we get the contracts right. Provided we get the auction right. And provided we get the handover right. Literally nothing can go wrong! All the risk is with the counter-party. The actuaries are delighted with the model!"

"Yeah, it's not that..." Patina tried to interject, but putting words in front of Crown was like trying to put a leaf before a gale.

"And we've already chosen eight contracts already. Now we just need to let the Empire know, and then we can sit back and let the Invisible Hand go to work. It's going to be amazing!"

"Yeah, about those contracts..."

"I know I was surprised how quickly we secured agreement from the other desks too - but if this works this time there's no reason we can't do it again in the future. We're going to be famous Patina. We'll be the heralds that took the work out of work ethic!"

"But I ''like'' hard work..." said Patina quietly, her voice trailing off.

"And this way, you'll have even more time to work your fingers to the bone. But look, if the Imperials get mad about it, we'll just say it was all Abel the Rounder's idea!"

This last was too much for Patina and she raised her voice, determined to be heard at last. "Abel the Rounder is one of our most valuable customers Crown. You should ''not'' be traducing his reputation by involving him in this scheme of yours..."

"What? It's good for us. It's good for Abel. It's good for... where's he from again?"

Patina rolled her eyes... "Sarangrave. He's one of the foremost ''architects'' of Sarangrave. It's a critically important territory in the Empire, with ''major investment needs''." Patina stressed the last in the hope of pointing out the obvious. Crown was great at front of house, but his knowledge of his customer portfolio was excruciating. A mortal she'd met once had had a dog they called a golden retriever, even though it very definitely was not made out of gold. More and more her boss was reminding her of that dog. Including not being made out of gold.

"Right! So he's gonna be delighted by these new arrangements! It's bound to go well."

Patina couldn't take the overbearing optimism a moment longer. She stabbed a blunt metal finger down onto the table spearing one of the pieces of paperwork. "This? He's going to be delighted with this is he?"

To be fair to Crown, he at least had the good grace to look crestfallen. For a moment.

"Caveat Emptor?" he asked plaintively.
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Ephisis001.webp|align=left|width=300|caption=The lifeblood of the City of Gold and Lead and its inhabitants is ''trade'', and not ''profit'' as many seem to believe.}}</div>
==Overview==
The [[Ephisis|Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead]] has become a ubiquitous sight in the Hall of Worlds in recent times, with various heralds from the city attempting to make deals with Imperial citizens who have submitted their goods for potential sale via [[Ephisis' Scale]]. For the most part, trades have been largely successful and have brought Prosperity to both parties.

At least they did until the Spring Equinox. The prices offered by the City can change rapidly, such is the nature of the market place. But a change of personnel on the trading desk compounded issues caused by the fast moving prices to howls of anguish from their Imperial counterparts. ''Crown'', one of the more excitable heralds commonly manning the Imperial trading desks, is never happy about an unhappy customer. Determined to avoid future lost sales, he contacted one of his counterparts in the Empire, '''Abel the Rounder''', to discuss what the brilliant Urizeni [[architect]] felt had gone wrong. Fortunately for Crown, the wealthy and experienced merchant had plenty to say on the subject.

What passed between the two is likely to remain confidential, but it seems that it was sufficient to cause a change in the City's plans for the forthcoming summit. Regular traders and novices alike, would do well to take notice.

==The Great Instrument of Ambition==
* '''Ephisis is making eight contracts available to the Empire'''
* '''These contracts will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning'''
* '''Each contract must be fulfilled in full and before the end of the summit, to receive payment'''
* '''Contracts must be redeemed by delivery to the Hall of Worlds during the balancing of scales'''
* '''Standard settlement terms with the contract holder will be three days after the conclusion of the summit'''

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="text-align:center;">Contracts Available</th></tr>
<tr><th>Goods Required</th><th>Payment Offered</th></tr>
<tr><td>800 measures of dragonbone</td><td>100 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>40 ilium </td><td>20 mithril, 20 white granite, 20 weirwood </td></tr>
<tr><td>400 ingots total of green iron, orichalcum, weltsilver and tempest jade in any ratio</td><td>100 mana crystals and 100 warm ashes</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 thrones</td><td>200 mithril</td></tr>
<tr><td>150 weirwood</td><td>500 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>400 measures of ambergelt</td><td>20 white granite</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 measures total of beggar's lye or iridescent gloaming in any ratio</td><td>[[Pilgrim%27s_Shield|Glistering]]</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

One of the areas that causes the most significant problems for small and large traders is the tendency for bulk sales to flood the Autumn markets. The Invisible Hand will ultimately buy almost anything, but the Empire is one of its biggest customers and merchants who attempt to dispose of huge sums of materials can temporarily distress prices. This causes problems for large volume traders, who find the offers made for boxes fall short of what they hoped to achieve because they have unwittingly depressed the market value of whatever good they are attempting to sell hundreds of to the Empire. But it also impacts merchants offering small volume traders who discover their handful of dragonbone or whatever precious material has flooded the market is now worth considerably less than they were expecting.

Based on an idea that Crown credits to Abel the Rounder, the solution the City is going to implement is to offer eight significant contracts. These contracts are the largest requests for purchase or sales that the City has received in other markets. Most come from the Empire's near neighbours, since that keeps shipping costs down, but the City is open about the fact that they trade all over the world, from the tiny bazaar of Pushkin City in far off Mitovoria to the great temple-market of [[Asavean_gods#Lord_Isso_Mãos_de_Ouro|Mãos de Ouro]] in the capital of [[Asavea]].

Normally the City attempts to settle trades with the resources they have acquired from the Empire and elsewhere. It's when the Empire offers large volumes of goods they can't quickly move on because they don't have a known buyer for them, that the prices they offer drops. To avoid the problems experienced at the previous summit, the City is therefore publishing the details of the eight largest contracts that have come in.

The contracts will be offered for auction in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning. All bids in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial currency]], each contract will go to the highest bidder, who will need to settle the purchase there and then. The right to fulfil that contract is then their legal property (and they may do with it as they will). Anyone bearing the contract (assuming they have acquired it legally) may complete it by bringing the desired goods to the balancing of the scales in the Hall of Wolds the following day. There is no need for any additional expense of sending a box to the Autumn realm first, since the settlement value is already agreed. The City will receive the goods, mark the contract complete, and arrange for delivery of payment three days later.

Crown warns that contracts can only be fulfilled at the summit they are purchased at. Any contract that is not fulfilled at the summit is null and void with no refunds. Merchants should be careful to bid accordingly. Contracts must be completed in full, part payment will not be accepted.

In plain terms, turn up in the Hall of Worlds on Saturday morning, outbid any other buyer for one or more contracts, then return the next day with ''all'' the required goods to get paid.

==The Merchant of Rhodes==
* '''The City has published more general guidance on commodities they are likely to offer good prices'''
* '''The prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices in the Empire but not set by them'''
* '''Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract'''
* '''The City is always happy to be paid in Imperial coin'''

When all is said and done and every grain of salt has been counted, the City of Gold and Lead will always offer a price for something, provided they can find a buyer for it. But some commodities and resources are in high demand in the City and should fetch a good price, while others are not. Some things are nearly worthless - even if the City offers a price for them, it will be a matter of a few rings.

Crown explains that the prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices, but they are not set by them. The City of Gold and Lead takes the goods sold to them in Ephisis boxes and sells them on elsewhere, either to other cities in the Iron Labyrinth or to other locations in the mortal world. Ultimately the price they are prepared to offer is set by what the heralds believe they can get for the resources they acquire and ''not'' by prices in Imperial markets. Offers ''may'' be influenced by the value of goods at Anvil - the heralds may lower their offer if they believe they can offer less and still make a deal.

Some merchants are surprised to discover they are being offered a price for their goods ''below'' what they could get in Anvil, but that is to be expected. If Imperial traders are offering goods from all over the Empire, then it's perfectly normal that the heralds won't always be able to match local prices for everything.

Perfectly normal perhaps, but definitely not desirable! Crown appears genuinely pained anytime a merchant leaves his trading desk without a sale of some kind. He believes that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_asymmetry ignorance of market conditions] is costing his beloved City business and so he has persuaded his fellow heralds to try publicising more information about what the city does or doesn't want to buy.

The City has published guidance for the various resources and commodities they are commonly offered. The sale price column indicates the price a merchant might hope to get when selling the goods from Ephisis. The purchase price column indicates the level of prices the City might offer to sell goods to Imperial merchants at. There is never a guarantee of profit - these ratings are comparative to each other, not comparative to Anvil prices.

The contracts on offer indicate the resources that Ephisis is trying to secure in order to fulfil significant deals with others merchants. They ensure that the city can afford to purchase large volumes of resources without risking a major loss. They allow Imperial merchants to aim to fulfil the contract knowing with some certainty what their profit margins will be. Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract. The City will still make a bid, but it will be a lower offer the more resources are piled into a box.

Finally it should go without saying that the City of Gold and Lead is always happy to trade in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial coin]]. Thrones, crowns, and rings are all ''very'' welcome in any exchange of wealth.

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th>Commodity</th><th>Sale Price</th><th>Purchase Price</th></tr>
<tr><td>Ingots and Measures</td><td>High</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wains</td><td>Average</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Food and Drink</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Trade Goods</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Unique Trade Goods</td><td>Very High</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Artifacts</td><td>High</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied Artifacts</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied items</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Newly made Magic Items</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exhausted Magic Items</td><td>Zero</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mana Crystals</td><td>Average</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Autumn Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Other Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Herbs</td><td>Average</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Potions</td><td>Very Low</td><td>High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Drugs and Narcotics</td><td>Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

===Ingots and Measures===
* '''Ingots and measures fetch good prices in the City of Gold and Lead'''

Ingots and measures, including ingots of [[ilium]] are ''always'' valuable in the Autumn realm, because the heralds can sell them to agents of the [[Estavus|Sovereign Lord of the City of Fire and Stone]]. For that reason, it is rare for the City to offer such materials and merchants looking to acquire them from the City should expect to pay handsomely for them.

===Wains===
* '''Wains are on offer for sale or purchase whenever the City believes it can make a profit'''
Wains of Materials, while valuable within the Empire, are harder for the autumn realm to trade to other lands, as the bourse certificates represent large amounts of materials sitting in Imperial warehouses. While the City regards bourse certificates as a wonder of the world, they only function perfectly within the Empire. The further you travel from the Empire's borders, the more value they lose. The city's heralds will buy or sell wains, but only when they believe the price favours them - which usually means they will only buy at a price below the highest sale price in Anvil. Sales are a little easier, since heralds are always looking to dispose of bourse certificates they have acquired in the Empire where they can, so citizens looking to buy wains are encouraged to try their hand.

===Food, Drink and Services===
* '''These goods hold no value to the City'''
Food and drink spoil quickly in the Autumn realm - they cannot be placed in vaults and held until a customer is found. For this reason, they are worthless to the Autumn realm. Likewise offers of services are not currently of value, the City trades in ''goods'' - while they appreciate that an offer of services in the future has value, it is not a market they trade in. In all cases the City requests that Imperial merchants do not put these things into an Ephisis box.

===Common Trade Goods===
* '''Goods readily available for purchase in foreign ports are in low demand in the City'''
Imperial [[fleet|fleets]] often acquire unusual goods in foreign ports, such as [[Foreign_ports#Production_Table|Oilybrag]], which can be bought in Zemeh. The City of Gold and Lead has opportunities to trade in all the major cities of the world, so they can already purchase these common trade goods at the same price Imperial merchants paid for them. As a result heralds rarely offer good prices for these goods - Imperial merchants should be better off disposing of them at Anvil rather than trying to sell them to the Autumn realm. It is only worth sending them to the City of Gold and Lead if you need to dispose of them at any price.

===Unique Trade Goods===
* '''Unique goods produced in the Empire command a high price the first time they are sold'''
* '''Unusual or unique goods from difficult to access ports will fetch a good price the first time they are sold'''

While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.

===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===
* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''
* '''Most potions command a poor price when offered for sale to the City'''
* '''Unusual consumables including drugs and narcotics sell well and offer a chance for a good profit if they are put in a box by themselves'''

Herbs are always in demand in the Autumn realm, since they can make use of them, but they don't grow well in the realm if at all. For this reason they command a good price when offered for sale to the city, though it is expensive to buy them from the City. Surprisingly most other potions are not worth offering to the City. It is time consuming to identify them and most heralds have little interest in trading them on, so they offer only very low prices for them.

Unusual consumables, including drugs and narcotics do sell in the Autumn realm but there are few buyers and that does depress the sale price. The Silent Market, a trading operation in the City can offer a price for them, and will also offer them for sale in the right conditions. Drugs that are illegal in the Empire are usually the most profitable for merchants trading with the City.

The ''Silent Market'', is a trading desk that ''only'' deals in unusual items, drugs, narcotics, and storied items. They handle all this trade that comes from the Empire. As a result, these things are always best put in an Ephisis box by themselves so that the Silent Market can assess them and make an offer. Including 20 ambergelt alongside a thirty doses of Bite is a recipe for disappointment, because the Silent Market will buy the Bite but they don't want the ambergelt. Their rivals in the City want the ambergelt but not the Bite. Thus the best way for Imperial citizens to get the best possible price is to put drugs, narcotics and storied items in a separate box.

===Magical Items===
* '''Permanent magical items with a storied history can fetch an excellent price when sold to the City'''
* '''Storied items with history but no actual magic power rarely do so'''
* '''Magic items with a year's duration to run have a known value, but
* '''Magic items that are close to expiring are worthless to the City'''
* '''Storied items need to be put in a box by themselves to get the best price'''

Permanent magical items are valuable throughout the world and the City will always try to offer a good price for them based on the amount of materials needed to create one. When such items have a storied history - that ''can'' increase the price significantly, assuming the City knows of a buyer who is in the market for such a curio. Items with history but no notable magical properties are obviously less valuable - but could be worth something to the right buyer. In either case, the price offered by the heralds is highly variable, merchants are welcome to offer them for sale but should be prepared for the possibility of a low offer. Regular magic items with a year's duration to run are worth less than what their ingredients are worth as they have already lost a seasons worth of use - the Autumn realm are unlikely to offer more than this, because they can buy most magic items from [[Estavus|the Forgemistress]]. Items that are close to expiring are as worthless to the City as they are to the mortals trying to dispose of them.

===Mana and Vis===
* '''Mana is always in demand all across the world, so crystals fetch reasonable prices in the City'''
* '''Autumn vis is produced in large amounts in the Autumn realm and can be had at a good price from the City's heralds'''
* '''Vis from other realms often spoils if kept too long in the Autumn realm, so the City rarely offer good prices for large quantities'''

Mana is the currency of magic, there are even some desperately primitive societies in the world that actually use it in place of money! Most of the city's heralds are currently offering to buy mana crystals for around 24 rings a crystal and to sell it at 26 rings each. [[Vis]] can spoil if kept in the Autumn realm too long, so the City has little interest in trading it, unless there is a large outstanding contract to be fulfilled, otherwise heralds will be loathe to buy or sell it. Autumn vis is the one exception - huge amounts are produced in the Autumn realm and can usually be bought for a good price from the City's heralds, but of course, they offer low prices to buy it back.
==A Possible Patron==
<div {{Float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Plenipotentiary'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Eternal:''' Ephisis</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Subject:''' Patronage of the Golden Pyramid or their grand lodge</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Necessary Details:''' What form any aid might take</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Limitations:''' Cannot be included with other substantial requests</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Heralds of the City of Gold and Lead were recently asked about the possibility of becoming a patron of the Golden Pyramid'''
* '''They confirm that such a thing is possible, but it would require a plenipotentiary to make the appropriate arrangements'''
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged.jpg|caption='''Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged'''<br>Grandmaster of the Golden Pyramid|align=right|width=250}}</div>
At a recent meeting in Anvil, Crown, one of the heralds of the City, was asked about the possibility of the City of Gold and Lead becoming a patron of the [[Golden Pyramid]], or of the Order's grand lodge. Such an arrangement would be highly unusual - a Conclave order accepting an offer by an eternal to become their patron raises questions about that order's loyalties and their impartiality on matters like [[alignment]]. Still the risks seem relatively low here, the manifesto of the order seems closely aligned with the goals of the eternal and Ephisis has never been under ''enmity'' as far as the records show.

After lengthy discussion between the various markets and independent traders of the City, it appears there is a consensus that most are open to the idea, if there is genuine enthusiasm for it from the Order. However, while eternals of other realms might be content to agree to become a patron without a second thought, the City of Gold and Lead will not contemplate the idea without a thorough discussion of what support they could offer the Order, what support the Order might want and importantly, how the Order might further the City's agenda. Ultimately any agreement would need a contract of some kind.

If the Order are serious about engaging the services of the ''Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead'' as patron of their order - or patron of their lodge, then they would need to arrange for the [[Archmage of Autumn]] to secure a plenipotentiary specifically for that purpose. It could include a single item of other business that was already ongoing, but the City will not seriously engage with a plenipotentiary that incorporates a list of different causes of interest to different groups. But if the Autumn Archmage is prepared to assist the Order and the [[grandmaster]] and his supporters have the backing of the Golden Pyramid to negotiate an agreement for patronage then the City are open to exploring the possibilities.
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrderGoldenPyramid.jpg|align=right|width=241|height=240}}
As with any plenipotentiary, it would be most useful if the Archmage is clear what form any aid they would request might take, then the heralds can assess how possible that would be, before the meeting. The more knowledge the City has about ''how'' they could help the Order, the better.

==Further Reading==
* [[Ephisis]]
* [[Ephisis' Scale]]

The shadows fall behind you

2026-07-18T22:01:09Z

Hailmur:

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
<div style="display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<quote by='The Wind Erodes the Mountain, by Fedelmidd Sydanjaa's Heart Floer'>
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found it's end<br>
On south sands the spires and citadels of Urizen<br>
Bore witness as armadas and the army fought and bled<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Those maggots, marauders, they brought with them Mawrig's intent<br>
Destruction, devastation, the dirge of a Grendel advance<br>
A portent's in the water, see the signs, the runes were read<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Fleet foot flanking, they evade the enemy's gaze<br>
Into Elos harbour, the hero's hammer did raise

And shattered the enchantment of a tempestuous talisman<br>
Ruining the ritual and wrecking the purple clad plan<br>
The Warriors whispered "farewell", fell, then rose up from the dead<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest<br>
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found it's end.
</quote>

<quote by='In Redoubt, by Ethelfrith Sigeling'>
In Redoubt,<br>
The runes fall, fated.<br>
As Ull lies with Yoorn,<br>
As the fleets flow in.

The tide turns, the swords drawn.<br>
Under Wanderer’s eye<br>
Waves wash on southern wharves.

Elos – lost<br>
And no hero hurries to the hopeless fight.<br>
But the skein demands our foe is forced to falter,<br>
The blade blunted, that, sea borne,<br>
Would bleed the mountain mage’s heart.<br>

So our soldiers stand, and,<br>
Step by hard-won step<br>
Break the wave,<br>
Shatter the sea-sphere.

A final blow<br>
Of a far-sighted fist.
</quote></div>
{{CaptionedImage|file=LastFistBanner.jpeg|caption=Great leaders inspire greatness in others|align=left|title=Art by Determination of Ice Kaisa|width=400}}
==Overview==
The ripples of the wave that broke on the shores of [[Redoubt]] continue to wash across the Empire. Last season, an [[opportunity]] was [[Flames_and_the_dark#The_Dream_Master|presented]] to create an [[inspirational location]] at the [[Redoubt#Elos|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 [[Flames and the dark|quickly back in service]], soon to be joined by [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Acceptance:_Phaleron_and_Phoebus_Al-Pulpi|a new guest]] from the [[Realms#Day|day realm]].

None of this would have been possible without the sacrifice of the Fist of the Mountain. The oldest of the [[Wintermark]] [[army|armies]], they [[To ruin|gave everything]] to prevent the Grendel invaders destroying Elos with a weapon seized from the [[Bay_of_Catazar#Temple_of_Tempest_Jade|Temple of Tempest Jade]]. If they had not been in Redoubt, the beautiful port-city would have been destroyed by the unleashed power of ''[[Siakha|Maelstrom]]'', and Urizen does not forget such sacrifice.

The [[Synod]] have indicated that they do intend to [[consecration|consecrate]] the restored docks at the [[Redoubt#Elos|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''.
{{SOP|statement=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.|by=Eldrid 'Phoenix Flame' Vestardottir, Ambition Assembly|vote={{GM}} 332-0|when=Spring 388YE|size=small}}

==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 [[mystic|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 [[liao#True Liao|true liao]] in the coming season, it will have a lasting effect - assuming the General Assembly confirm they wish to proceed.

{{Mandate|mandate=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.|assembly=General Assembly}}

Should this mandate be enacted, the banner will be hung in pride of place and the docks consecrated with the [[Auras_of_Ambition#Dare_Do_All|true consecration]] of Ambition. Like the [[Prelate_of_Adelmar%27s_Shrine#Academy_of_Arms|Academy of Arms]] in neighbouring [[Redoubt#Siluri|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==
<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Fist's Memorial'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Sinecure</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Naris, Redoubt </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 12 wains of [[white granite]], 8 wains of [[mithril]], 60 crowns, three months</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' Until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' Requires Elos Harbour be consecrated with true liao following the Summer Solstice 388YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:'''
* Creates the title Custodian of the Fist's Memorial
* Creates a sinecure producing 9 liao
</td></tr>
</table>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightGreen;">'''Custodian of the Fist's Memorial'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Type:''' Urizen or Wintermark national</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Appointment:''' Ambition Assembly</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Powers:''' Receives an income of 9 [[liao]] each season
<tr><td>'''Responsibilities:'''
* Maintain the site and welcome visiting pilgrims
* Share the stories of the last stand of the Fist
* Encourage Imperial citizens to take a stand against the rapacious Grendel</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
* '''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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relief 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.

{{SOPInner|statement=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.|by=Otso Usvaling, Wintermark National Assembly|vote={{GM}} 188-0|when=Spring 388YE}}

==Visionary==
<div {{float}}>
<box>
'''Dissipating Silks'''<br>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
{{Mage Armour}}
* '''Effect:''' You may ignore the ''roleplaying effects'' of any single [[Combat#Traumatic_Wounds|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.
</div>
</box>
</div>
<div {{float}}>
<box>'''Hero's Journey'''<br>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
'''Night Ritual; Magnitude 22/18;'''<br>
''Grants a character with the hero skill a vision and two additional hero points''<br>
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.
</div>
</box>
</div>
* '''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 [[stargazer|stargazers]] of Urizen and the [[mystic|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 [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Skein|skeins]] interwoven into one great [[Urizen_culture_and_customs#The_Net_of_the_Heavens|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 [[Wintermark_hearth_magic#Crafting|crafting]] and [[Urizen_hearth_magic#Cession|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 [[Zenith#Crucible_of_Fate|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 [[Wintermark_Egregore|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 [[Sung|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|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 [[Siakha|''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 [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] and [[Highguard|Highborn]] figures were their committed enemies. There is an argument that virtue is contagious. The [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Enlightenment|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 [[Grendel_religion#Audacity|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 [[The_League_people#Orcs_and_Humans|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 [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|in competition]] with the more traditional one already written.

{{Mandate|mandate=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.|assembly=Ambition Assembly}}

If the mandate is enacted, it will still allow the creation of the [[#Drive|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.

<ic>
Down they came, the Fist the Fist</br>
And they saw through the mist, the mist</br>
They heard the sound the drums, the drums</br>
The Grendel fleet; it comes it comes</br>
Then Umarth looked he saw he saw</br>
To see their scheme before before</br>
They came to port to fight to fight</br>
But could not dodge his sight his sight</br>
The Maelstroms gift it roared it roared</br>
And crackled on the shore the shore</br>
But none would stop heroes heroes</br>
They came to fight in throes in throes</br>
A crystal brought to seek to seek</br>
Destruction here to wreak to wreak</br>
Yet heroes there stood tall stood tall</br>
Prepared they were to fall to fall</br>
And so they did proclaim, proclaim</br>
A hero has a name, a name</br>
</ic>

File:LastFistBanner.jpeg

2026-07-18T22:00:34Z

Hailmur:

== Summary ==
Taken by Tom G on his bed (with help from Tharim)

Art by Danni Hunt, who plays Determination of Ice Kaisa

Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange

2026-07-18T21:59:48Z

Hailmur:

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:Winds of Magic]]
<ic>"Are you ''sure'' about this, Crown?" Patina asked, their voice laden with concern.

"Of course I'm sure" responded her ever-exuberant boss. "It's a brilliant idea! Provided we get the contracts right. Provided we get the auction right. And provided we get the handover right. Literally nothing can go wrong! All the risk is with the counter-party. The actuaries are delighted with the model!"

"Yeah, it's not that..." Patina tried to interject, but putting words in front of Crown was like trying to put a leaf before a gale.

"And we've already chosen eight contracts already. Now we just need to let the Empire know, and then we can sit back and let the Invisible Hand go to work. It's going to be amazing!"

"Yeah, about those contracts..."

"I know I was surprised too how quickly we secured agreement from the other desks too - but if this works this time there's no reason we can't do it again in the future. We're going to be famous Patina. We'll be the heralds that took the work out of work ethic!"

"But I ''like'' hard work..." said Patina quietly, her voice trailing off.

"And this way, you'll have even more time to work your fingers to the bone. But look, if the Imperials get mad about it, we'll just say it was all Abel the Rounder's idea!"

This last was too much for Patina and she raised her voice, determined to be heard at last. "Abel the Rounder is one of our most valuable customers Crown. You should ''not'' be traducing his reputation by involving him in this scheme of yours..."

"What? It's good for us. It's good for Able. It's good for... where's he from again?"

Patina rolled her eyes... "Sarangrave. He's one of the foremost ''architects'' of Sarangrave. It's a critically important territory in the Empire, with ''major investment needs''." Patina stressed the last in the hope of pointing out the obvious. Crown was great at front of house, but his knowledge of his customer portfolio was excruciating. A mortal she'd met once had had a dog they called a golden retriever, even though it very definitely was not made out of gold. More and more her boss was reminding her of that dog. Including not being made out of gold.

"Right! So he's gonna be delighted by these new arrangements! It's bound to go well."

Patina couldn't take the overbearing optimism a moment longer. She stabbed a blunt metal finger down onto the table spearing one of the pieces of paperwork. "This? He's going to be delighted with this is he?"

To be fair to Crown, he at least had the good grace to look crestfallen. For a moment.

"Caveat Emptor?" he asked plaintively.
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Ephisis001.webp|align=left|width=300|caption=The lifeblood of the City of Gold and Lead and its inhabitants is ''trade'', and not ''profit'' as many seem to believe.}}</div>
==Overview==
The [[Ephisis|Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead]] has become a ubiquitous sight in the Hall of Worlds in recent times, with various heralds from the city attempting to make deals with Imperial citizens who have submitted their goods for potential sale via [[Ephisis' Scale]]. For the most part, trades have been largely successful and have brought Prosperity to both parties.

At least they did until the Spring Equinox. The prices offered by the City can change rapidly, such is the nature of the market place. But a change of personnel on the trading desk compounded issues caused by the fast moving prices to howls of anguish from their Imperial counterparts. ''Crown'', one of the more excitable heralds commonly manning the Imperial trading desks, is never happy about an unhappy customer. Determined to avoid future lost sales, he contacted one of his counterparts in the Empire, '''Ablelthe Rounder''', to discuss what the brilliant Urizeni [[architect]] felt had gone wrong. Fortunately for Crown, the wealthy and experienced merchant had plenty to say on the subject.

What passed between the two is likely to remain confidential, but it seems that it was sufficient to cause a change in the City's plans for the forthcoming summit. Regular traders and novices alike, would do well to take notice.

==The Great Instrument of Ambition==
* '''Ephisis is making eight contracts available to the Empire'''
* '''These contracts will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning'''
* '''Each contract must be fulfilled in full and before the end of the summit, to receive payment'''
* '''Contracts must be redeemed by delivery to the Hall of Worlds during the balancing of scales'''
* '''Standard settlement terms with the contract holder will be three days after the conclusion of the summit'''

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="text-align:center;">Contracts Available</th></tr>
<tr><th>Goods Required</th><th>Payment Offered</th></tr>
<tr><td>800 measures of dragonbone</td><td>100 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>40 ilium </td><td>20 mithril, 20 white granite, 20 weirwood </td></tr>
<tr><td>400 ingots total of green iron, orichalcum, weltsilver and tempest jade in any ratio</td><td>100 mana crystals and 100 warm ashes</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 thrones</td><td>200 mithril</td></tr>
<tr><td>150 weirwood</td><td>500 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>400 measures of ambergelt</td><td>20 white granite</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 measures total of beggar's lye or iridescent gloaming in any ratio</td><td>[[Pilgrim%27s_Shield|Glistering]]</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

One of the areas that causes the most significant problems for small and large traders is the tendency for bulk sales to flood the Autumn markets. The Invisible Hand will ultimately buy almost anything, but the Empire is one of its biggest customers and merchants who attempt to dispose of huge sums of materials can temporarily distress prices. This causes problems for large volume traders, who find the offers made for boxes fall short of what they hoped to achieve because they have unwittingly depressed the market value of whatever good they are attempting to sell hundreds of to the Empire. But it also impacts merchants offering small volume traders who discover their handful of dragonbone or whatever precious material has flooded the market is now worth considerably less than they were expecting.

Based on an idea that Crown credits to Abel the Rounder, the solution the City is going to implement is to offer eight significant contracts. These contracts are the largest requests for purchase or sales that the City has received in other markets. Most come from the Empire's near neighbours, since that keeps shipping costs down, but the City is open about the fact that they trade all over the world, from the tiny bazaar of Pushkin City in far off Mitovoria to the great temple-market of [[Asavean_gods#Lord_Isso_Mãos_de_Ouro|Mãos de Ouro]] in the capital of [[Asavea]].

Normally the City attempts to settle trades with the resources they have acquired from the Empire and elsewhere. It's when the Empire offers large volumes of goods they can't quickly move on because they don't have a known buyer for them, that the prices they offer drops. To avoid the problems experienced at the previous summit, the City is therefore publishing the details of the eight largest contracts that have come in.

The contracts will be offered for auction in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning. All bids in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial currency]], each contract will go to the highest bidder, who will need to settle the purchase there and then. The right to fulfil that contract is then their legal property (and they may do with it as they will). Anyone bearing the contract (assuming they have acquired it legally) may complete it by bringing the desired goods to the balancing of the scales in the Hall of Wolds the following day. There is no need for any additional expense of sending a box to the Autumn realm first, since the settlement value is already agreed. The City will receive the goods, mark the contract complete, and arrange for delivery of payment three days later.

Crown warns that contracts can only be fulfilled at the summit they are purchased at. Any contract that is not fulfilled at the summit is null and void with no refunds. Merchants should be careful to bid accordingly. Contracts must be completed in full, part payment will not be accepted.

In plain terms, turn up in the Hall of Worlds on Saturday morning, outbid any other buyer for one or more contracts, then return the next day with ''all'' the required goods to get paid.

==The Merchant of Rhodes==
* '''The City has published more general guidance on commodities they are likely to offer good prices'''
* '''The prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices in the Empire but not set by them'''
* '''Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract'''
* '''The City is always happy to be paid in Imperial coin'''

When all is said and done and every grain of salt has been counted, the City of Gold and Lead will always offer a price for something, provided they can find a buyer for it. But some commodities and resources are in high demand in the City and should fetch a good price, while others are not. Some things are nearly worthless - even if the City offers a price for them, it will be a matter of a few rings.

Crown explains that the prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices, but they are not set by them. The City of Gold and Lead takes the goods sold to them in Ephisis boxes and sells them on elsewhere, either to other cities in the Iron Labyrinth or to other locations in the mortal world. Ultimately the price they are prepared to offer is set by what the heralds believe they can get for the resources they acquire and ''not'' by prices in Imperial markets. Offers ''may'' be influenced by the value of goods at Anvil - the heralds may lower their offer if they believe they can offer less and still make a deal.

Some merchants are surprised to discover they are being offered a price for their goods ''below'' what they could get in Anvil, but that is to be expected. If Imperial traders are offering goods from all over the Empire, then it's perfectly normal that the heralds won't always be able to match local prices for everything.

Perfectly normal perhaps, but definitely not desirable! Crown appears genuinely pained anytime a merchant leaves his trading desk without a sale of some kind. He believes that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_asymmetry ignorance of market conditions] is costing his beloved City business and so he has persuaded his fellow heralds to try publicising more information about what the city does or doesn't want to buy.

The City has published guidance for the various resources and commodities they are commonly offered. The sale price column indicates the price a merchant might hope to get when selling the goods from Ephisis. The purchase price column indicates the level of prices the City might offer to sell goods to Imperial merchants at. There is never a guarantee of profit - these ratings are comparative to each other, not comparative to Anvil prices.

The contracts on offer indicate the resources that Ephisis is trying to secure in order to fulfil significant deals with others merchants. They ensure that the city can afford to purchase large volumes of resources without risking a major loss. They allow Imperial merchants to aim to fulfil the contract knowing with some certainty what their profit margins will be. Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract. The City will still make a bid, but it will be a lower offer the more resources are piled into a box.

Finally it should go without saying that the City of Gold and Lead is always happy to trade in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial coin]]. Thrones, crowns, and rings are all ''very'' welcome in any exchange of wealth.

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th>Commodity</th><th>Sale Price</th><th>Purchase Price</th></tr>
<tr><td>Ingots and Measures</td><td>High</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wains</td><td>Average</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Food and Drink</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Trade Goods</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Unique Trade Goods</td><td>Very High</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Artifacts</td><td>High</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied Artifacts</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied items</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Newly made Magic Items</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exhausted Magic Items</td><td>Zero</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mana Crystals</td><td>Average</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Autumn Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Other Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Herbs</td><td>Average</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Potions</td><td>Very Low</td><td>High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Drugs and Narcotics</td><td>Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

===Ingots and Measures===
* '''Ingots and measures fetch good prices in the City of Gold and Lead'''

Ingots and measures, including ingots of [[ilium]] are ''always'' valuable in the Autumn realm, because the heralds can sell them to agents of the [[Estavus|Sovereign Lord of the City of Fire and Stone]]. For that reason, it is rare for the City to offer such materials and merchants looking to acquire them from the City should expect to pay handsomely for them.

===Wains===
* '''Wains are on offer for sale or purchase whenever the City believes it can make a profit'''
Wains of Materials, while valuable within the Empire, are harder for the autumn realm to trade to other lands, as the bourse certificates represent large amounts of materials sitting in Imperial warehouses. While the City regards bourse certificates as a wonder of the world, they only function perfectly within the Empire. The further you travel from the Empire's borders, the more value they lose. The city's heralds will buy or sell wains, but only when they believe the price favours them - which usually means they will only buy at a price below the highest sale price in Anvil. Sales are a little easier, since heralds are always looking to dispose of bourse certificates they have acquired in the Empire where they can, so citizens looking to buy wains are encouraged to try their hand.

===Food, Drink and Services===
* '''These goods hold no value to the City'''
Food and drink spoil quickly in the Autumn realm - they cannot be placed in vaults and held until a customer is found. For this reason, they are worthless to the Autumn realm. Likewise offers of services are not currently of value, the City trades in ''goods'' - while they appreciate that an offer of services in the future has value, it is not a market they trade in. In all cases the City requests that Imperial merchants do not put these things into an Ephisis box.

===Common Trade Goods===
* '''Goods readily available for purchase in foreign ports are in low demand in the City'''
Imperial [[fleet|fleets]] often acquire unusual goods in foreign ports, such as [[Foreign_ports#Production_Table|Oilybrag]], which can be bought in Zemeh. The City of Gold and Lead has opportunities to trade in all the major cities of the world, so they can already purchase these common trade goods at the same price Imperial merchants paid for them. As a result heralds rarely offer good prices for these goods - Imperial merchants should be better off disposing of them at Anvil rather than trying to sell them to the Autumn realm. It is only worth sending them to the City of Gold and Lead if you need to dispose of them at any price.

===Unique Trade Goods===
* '''Unique goods produced in the Empire command a high price the first time they are sold'''
* '''Unusual or unique goods from difficult to access ports will fetch a good price the first time they are sold'''

While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.

===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===
* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''
* '''Most potions command a poor price when offered for sale to the City'''
* '''Unusual consumables including drugs and narcotics sell well and offer a chance for a good profit if they are put in a box by themselves'''

Herbs are always in demand in the Autumn realm, since they can make use of them, but they don't grow well in the realm if at all. For this reason they command a good price when offered for sale to the city, though it is expensive to buy them from the City. Surprisingly most other potions are not worth offering to the City. It is time consuming to identify them and most heralds have little interest in trading them on, so they offer only very low prices for them.

Unusual consumables, including drugs and narcotics do sell in the Autumn realm but there are few buyers and that does depress the sale price. The Silent Market, a trading operation in the City can offer a price for them, and will also offer them for sale in the right conditions. Drugs that are illegal in the Empire are usually the most profitable for merchants trading with the City.

The ''Silent Market'', is a trading desk that ''only'' deals in unusual items, drugs, narcotics, and storied items. They handle all this trade that comes from the Empire. As a result, these things are always best put in an Ephisis box by themselves so that the Silent Market can assess them and make an offer. Including 20 ambergelt alongside a thirty doses of Bite is a recipe for disappointment, because the Silent Market will buy the Bite but they don't want the ambergelt. Their rivals in the City want the ambergelt but not the Bite. Thus the best way for Imperial citizens to get the best possible price is to put drugs, narcotics and storied items in a separate box.

===Magical Items===
* '''Permanent magical items with a storied history can fetch an excellent price when sold to the City'''
* '''Storied items with history but no actual magic power rarely do so'''
* '''Magic items with a year's duration to run have a known value, but
* '''Magic items that are close to expiring are worthless to the City'''
* '''Storied items need to be put in a box by themselves to get the best price'''

Permanent magical items are valuable throughout the world and the City will always try to offer a good price for them based on the amount of materials needed to create one. When such items have a storied history - that ''can'' increase the price significantly, assuming the City knows of a buyer who is in the market for such a curio. Items with history but no notable magical properties are obviously less valuable - but could be worth something to the right buyer. In either case, the price offered by the heralds is highly variable, merchants are welcome to offer them for sale but should be prepared for the possibility of a low offer. Regular magic items with a year's duration to run are worth less than what their ingredients are worth as they have already lost a seasons worth of use - the Autumn realm are unlikely to offer more than this, because they can buy most magic items from [[Estavus|the Forgemistress]]. Items that are close to expiring are as worthless to the City as they are to the mortals trying to dispose of them.

===Mana and Vis===
* '''Mana is always in demand all across the world, so crystals fetch reasonable prices in the City'''
* '''Autumn vis is produced in large amounts in the Autumn realm and can be had at a good price from the City's heralds'''
* '''Vis from other realms often spoils if kept too long in the Autumn realm, so the City rarely offer good prices for large quantities'''

Mana is the currency of magic, there are even some desperately primitive societies in the world that actually use it in place of money! Most of the city's heralds are currently offering to buy mana crystals for around 24 rings a crystal and to sell it at 26 rings each. [[Vis]] can spoil if kept in the Autumn realm too long, so the City has little interest in trading it, unless there is a large outstanding contract to be fulfilled, otherwise heralds will be loathe to buy or sell it. Autumn vis is the one exception - huge amounts are produced in the Autumn realm and can usually be bought for a good price from the City's heralds, but of course, they offer low prices to buy it back.
==A Possible Patron==
<div {{Float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Plenipotentiary'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Eternal:''' Ephisis</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Subject:''' Patronage of the Golden Pyramid or their grand lodge</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Necessary Details:''' What form any aid might take</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Limitations:''' Cannot be included with other substantial requests</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Heralds of the City of Gold and Lead were recently asked about the possibility of becoming a patron of the Golden Pyramid'''
* '''They confirm that such a thing is possible, but it would require a plenipotentiary to make the appropriate arrangements'''
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged.jpg|caption='''Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged'''<br>Grandmaster of the Golden Pyramid|align=right|width=250}}</div>
At a recent meeting in Anvil, Crown, one of the heralds of the City, was asked about the possibility of the City of Gold and Lead becoming a patron of the [[Golden Pyramid]], or of the Order's grand lodge. Such an arrangement would be highly unusual - a Conclave order accepting an offer by an eternal to become their patron raises questions about that order's loyalties and their impartiality on matters like [[alignment]]. Still the risks seem relatively low here, the manifesto of the order seems closely aligned with the goals of the eternal and Ephisis has never been under ''enmity'' as far as the records show.

After lengthy discussion between the various markets and independent traders of the City, it appears there is a consensus that most are open to the idea, if there is genuine enthusiasm for it from the Order. However, while eternals of other realms might be content to agree to become a patron without a second thought, the City of Gold and Lead will not contemplate the idea without a thorough discussion of what support they could offer the Order, what support the Order might want and importantly, how the Order might further the City's agenda. Ultimately any agreement would need a contract of some kind.

If the Order are serious about engaging the services of the ''Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead'' as patron of their order - or patron of their lodge, then they would need to arrange for the [[Archmage of Autumn]] to secure a plenipotentiary specifically for that purpose. It could include a single item of other business that was already ongoing, but the City will not seriously engage with a plenipotentiary that incorporates a list of different causes of interest to different groups. But if the Autumn Archmage is prepared to assist the Order and the [[grandmaster]] and his supporters have the backing of the Golden Pyramid to negotiate an agreement for patronage then the City are open to exploring the possibilities.
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrderGoldenPyramid.jpg|align=right|width=241|height=240}}
As with any plenipotentiary, it would be most useful if the Archmage is clear what form any aid they would request might take, then the heralds can assess how possible that would be, before the meeting. The more knowledge the City has about ''how'' they could help the Order, the better.

==Further Reading==
* [[Ephisis]]
* [[Ephisis' Scale]]

388YE Summer Solstice Imperial elections

2026-07-18T21:25:09Z

Hailmur: /* Senate Appointment */

===Overview===
The titles below are eligible for re-election at the forthcoming summit. This page will be updated with all the election results after the summit is concluded, and the [[current Imperial titles]] will then be updated.
===National Election===
* [[Bastion|Senator for Bastion]]
* [[Feroz|Senator for Feroz]]
* [[Karov|Senator for Karov]]
* [[Miaren|Senator for Miaren]]
* [[Mitwold|Senator for Mitwold]]
* [[Redoubt|Senator for Redoubt]]
* [[Sarvos|Senator for Sarvos]]
* [[Sermersuaq|Senator for Sermersuaq]]
* [[Spiral|Senator for Spiral]]
* [[Weirwater|Senator for Weirwater]]
===Senate Appointment===
* [[Ambassador to Asavea|Ambassador to Asavea]]
* [[Blackroot Broker|Blackroot Broker]]
* [[Churnspire Adjutor|Churnspire Adjutor]]
* [[Black Thorns|General of the Black Thorns]]
* [[Citadel Guard|General of the Citadel Guard]]
* [[Drakes|General of the Drakes]]
* [[Golden Sun|General of the Golden Sun]]
* [[Granite Pillar|General of the Granite Pillar]]
* [[Northern Eagle|General of the Northern Eagle]]
* [[Red Wind Corsairs|General of the Red Wind Corsairs]]
* [[Sparrows Reckoning|General of the Sparrows Reckoning]]
* [[Summer Storm|General of the Summer Storm]]
* [[General of the Third Navarr]]
* [[Imperial Advisor for the Feni|Imperial Advisor for the Feni]]
* [[Imperial Consul|Imperial Consul]]
* [[Knight of Dawnguard|Knight of Dawnguard]]
* [[Master of the Clearing House|Master of the Clearing House]]
* [[Mediator of Hyljehal|Mediator of Hyljehal]]
* [[Minister of Historical Research|Minister of Historical Research]]
* [[Steward of the Tassato Mana Exchange|Steward of the Tassato Mana Exchange]]
* [[Stipulator of Stipends|Stipulator of Stipends]]
* [[Woundbinder of the Mark|Woundbinder of the Mark]]

===Throne Appointment===
* [[Queen's Rose|Queen's Rose]]
===Synod Judgement===
* [[Archbishop of Capodomus|Archbishop of Capodomus]]
* [[Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq|Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq]]
* [[Benefactor of High Chalcis|Benefactor of High Chalcis]]
* [[Beneficiary of the Golden Cascade|Beneficiary of the Golden Cascade]]
* [[Bishop of the Navigators|Bishop of the Navigators]]
* [[Cardinal of Courage|Cardinal of Courage]]
* [[Cardinal of Pride|Cardinal of Pride]]
* [[Cardinal of Wisdom|Cardinal of Wisdom]]
* [[Champion of Ambition|Champion of Ambition]]
* [[Champion of Vigilance|Champion of Vigilance]]
* [[Friar of Honour's Rest|Friar of Honour's Rest]]
* [[Herald of the Throne of Glory|Herald of the Throne of Glory]]
* [[Herb Tender of the Cerulean Balmhouse|Herb Tender of the Cerulean Balmhouse]]
* [[Imperial Inquisitor|Imperial Inquisitor]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of Prosperity]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of The Way]]
* [[Marshal of the Faith|Marshal of the Faith]]
* [[Mistress of Monuments|Mistress of Monuments]]
* [[Prelate of Adelmar's Shrine|Prelate of Adelmar's Shrine]]
* [[Seeker of Quietitude|Seeker of Quietitude]]
* [[Speaker of the Crows|Speaker of the Crows]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Ambition]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Loyalty]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Pride]]
===Cardinal Appointment===
* [[Gatekeeper|Gatekeeper of Courage]]
* [[Gatekeeper|Gatekeeper of Wisdom]]
===Military Council Appointment===
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the Brass Coast]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the Imperial Orcs]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the League]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the Marches]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of Urizen]]
===Conclave Order Vote===
* [[Rod and Shield|Rod and Shield]]
* [[Unfettered Mind|Unfettered Mind]]
===Declaration Of Candidacy===
* [[Archmage of Night|Archmage of Night]]
* [[Witness of Conclave|Witness of Conclave]]
===Bourse Auction===
* [[Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration|Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration]]
* [[Arratan Gamble|Arratan Gamble]]
* [[Brilliant Shore|Brilliant Shore]]
* [[Citizens' Voice|Citizens' Voice]]
* [[Custodian of the Concordium Dock|Custodian of the Concordium Dock]]
* [[Damatian Cliffs|Damatian Cliffs]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|First Imperial Wayleave]]
* [[Night Quarry|Night Quarry]]
* [[Patron of the Beurteilung|Patron of the Beurteilung]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|Second Imperial Wayleave]]
* [[Sutton Stone Quarries|Sutton Stone Quarries]]
===Bourse Vote===
* [[Arch of the Sky|Arch of the Sky]]
* [[Architect of the Crucible|Architect of the Crucible]]
* [[Boyar of the Iron Roads|Boyar of the Iron Roads]]
* [[Broker of Treji Wayhouse|Broker of Treji Wayhouse]]
* [[Cinderpath Custodian|Cinderpath Custodian]]
* [[Corsair of Oran|Corsair of Oran]]
* [[Custodian of the Bleak Tower|Custodian of the Bleak Tower]]
* [[Custodian of the Shchaslyvyy Spile|Custodian of the Shchaslyvyy Spile]]
* [[Dean of Runesmith's Caution|Dean of Runesmith's Caution]]
* [[Envoy to the Karass|Envoy to the Karass]]
* [[Granites of Veltsgorsk|Granites of Veltsgorsk]]
* [[Hakima of Salt and Sand|Hakima of Salt and Sand]]
* [[Keeper of the Bonehives|Keeper of the Bonehives]]
* [[Keeper of the Tome|Keeper of the Tome]]
* [[Mistress of the Glass Parador|Mistress of the Glass Parador]]
* [[Northbound Trademaster|Northbound Trademaster]]
* [[Quaymaster of the Hesychian Docks|Quaymaster of the Hesychian Docks]]
* [[Reeve of Drycastle|Reeve of Drycastle]]
* [[Reeve of the Happiston Mana Exchange|Reeve of the Happiston Mana Exchange]]
* [[Stone Smith|Stone Smith]]
* [[Vigilant Swan|Vigilant Swan]]
===Other===
* [[Brock's Toll|Keeper of Brock's Toll]]
* [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Summer]]
===Sodality Vote===
* [[Azure Sutannir|Azure Sutannir]]
* [[Burgher of Ketsov|Burgher of Ketsov]]
* [[Counsel of the Sun Chamber|Counsel of the Sun Chamber]]
* [[First Thorn of the Vallornguard|First Thorn of the Vallornguard]]
* [[Golden Fleet Salvagemaster|Golden Fleet Salvagemaster]]
* [[High Bard of the Empire|High Bard of the Empire]]
* [[Cat's Graces#Maestro|Maestro of the Cat's Graces]]
* [[Speaker of the Magpies|Speaker of the Magpies]]
* [[Vallornguard#Speaker_of_the_Vallornguard|Speaker of the Vallornguard]]

[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Recent History]]
[[Category:388YE Summer]]
<div style='font-size: 0.75em;'>Last updated 18/07/2026</div>

Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange

2026-07-18T20:52:33Z

Hailmur: /* The Great Instrument of Ambition */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:Winds of Magic]]
<ic>"Are you ''sure'' about this, Crown?" Patina asked, their voice laden with concern.

"Of course I'm sure" responded her ever-exuberant boss. "It's a brilliant idea! Provided we get the contracts right. Provided we get the auction right. And provided we get the handover right. Literally nothing can go wrong! All the risk is with the counter-party. The actuaries are delighted with the model!"

"Yeah, it's not that..." Patina tried to interject, but putting words in front of Crown was like trying to put a leaf before a gale.

"And we've already chosen eight contracts already. Now we just need to let the Empire know, and then we can sit back and let the Invisible Hand go to work. It's going to be amazing!"

"Yeah, about those contracts..."

"I know I was surprised too how quickly we secured agreement from the other desks too - but if this works this time there's no reason we can't do it again in the future. We're going to be famous Patina. We'll be the heralds that took the work out of work ethic!"

"But I ''like'' hard work..." said Patina quietly, her voice trailing off

"And this way, you'll have even more time to work your fingers to the bone. But look, if the Imperials get mad about it, we'll just say it was all Able the Rounder's idea!"

This last was too much for Patina and she raised her voice, determined to be heard at last. "Able the Rounder is one of our most valuable customers Crown. You should ''not'' be traducing his reputation by involving him in this scheme of yours..."

"What? It's good for us. It's good for Able. It's good for... where's he from again?"

Patina rolled her eyes... "Sarangrave. He's one of the foremost ''architects'' of Sarangrave. It's a critically important territory in the Empire, with ''major investment needs''." Patina stressed the last in the hope of pointing out the obvious. Crown was great at front of house, but his knowledge of his customer portfolio was excruciating. A mortal she'd met once had had a dog they called a golden retriever, even though it very definitely was not made out of gold. More and more her boss was reminding her of that dog. Including not being made out of gold.

"Right! So he's gonna be delighted by these new arrangements! It's bound to go well."

Patina couldn't take the overbearing optimism a moment longer. She stabbed a blunt metal finger down onto the table spearing one of the pieces of paperwork. "This? He's going to be delighted with this is he?"

To be fair to Crown, he at least had the good grace to look crestfallen. For a moment.

"Caveat Emptor?" he asked plaintively.
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Ephisis001.webp|align=left|width=300|caption=The lifeblood of the City of Gold and Lead and its ihabitants is ''trade'', and not ''profit'' as many seem to believe.}}</div>
==Overview==
The [[Ephisis|Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead]] has become a ubiquitous sight in the Hall of Worlds in recent times, with various heralds from the city attempting to make deals with Imperial citizens who have submitted their goods for potential sale via [[Ephisis' Scale]]. For the most part, trades have been largely successful and have brought Prosperity to both parties.

At least they did until the Spring Equinox. The prices offered by the City can change rapidly, such is the nature of the market place. But a change of personnel on the trading desk compounded issues caused by the fast moving prices to howls of anguish from their Imperial counterparts. ''Crown'', one of the more excitable heralds commonly manning the Imperial trading desks, is never happy about an unhappy customer. Determined to avoid future lost sales, he contacted one of his counterparts in the Empire, '''Able the Rounder''', to discuss what the brilliant Urizeni [[architect]] felt had gone wrong. Fortunately for Crown, the wealthy and experienced merchant had plenty to say on the subject.

What passed between the two is likely to remain confidential, but it seems that it was sufficient to cause a change in the City's plans for the forthcoming summit. Regular traders and novices alike, would do well to take notice.

==The Great Instrument of Ambition==
* '''Ephisis is making eight contracts available to the Empire'''
* '''These contracts will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning'''
* '''Each contract must be fulfilled in full and before the end of the summit, to receive payment'''
* '''Contracts must be redeemed by delivery to the Hall of Worlds during the balancing of scales'''
* '''Standard settlement terms with the contract holder will be three days after the conclusion of the summit'''

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="text-align:center;">Contracts Available</th></tr>
<tr><th>Goods Required</th><th>Payment Offered</th></tr>
<tr><td>800 measures of dragonbone</td><td>100 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>40 ilium </td><td>20 mithril, 20 white granite, 20 weirwood </td></tr>
<tr><td>400 ingots total of green iron, orichalcum, weltsilver and tempest jade in any ratio</td><td>100 mana crystals and 100 warm ashes</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 thrones</td><td>200 mithril</td></tr>
<tr><td>150 weirwood</td><td>500 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>400 measures of ambergelt</td><td>20 white granite</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 measures total of beggar's lye or iridescent gloaming in any ratio</td><td>[[Pilgrim%27s_Shield|Glistering]]</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

One of the areas that causes the most significant problems for small and large traders is the tendency for bulk sales to flood the Autumn markets. The Invisible Hand will ultimately buy almost anything, but the Empire is one of it's biggest customers and merchants who attempt to dispose of huge sums of materials can temporarily distress prices. This causes problems for large volume traders, who find the offers made for boxes fall short of what they hoped to achieve because they have unwittingly depressed the market value of whatever good they are attempting to sell hundreds of to the Empire. But it also impacts merchants offering small volume traders who discover their handful of dragonbone or whatever precious material has flooded the market is now worth considerably less than they were expecting.

Based on an idea that Crown credits to Able the Taller, the solution the City is going to implement is to offer eight significant contracts. These contracts are the largest requests for purchase or sales that the City has received in other markets. Most come from the Empire's near neighbours, since that keeps shipping costs down, but the City is open about the fact that they trade all over the world, from the tiny bazaar of Pushkin City in far off Mitovoria to the great temple-market of [[Asavean_gods#Lord_Isso_Mãos_de_Ouro|Mãos de Ouro]] in the capital of [[Asavea]].

Normally the City attempts to settle trades with the resources they have acquired from the Empire and elsewhere. It's when the Empire offers large volumes of goods they can't quickly move on because they don't have a known buyer for them, that the prices they offer drops. To avoid the problems experienced at the previous summit, the City is therefore publishing the details of the eight largest contracts that have come in.

The contracts will be offered for auction in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning. All bids in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial currency]], each contract will go to the highest bidder, who will need to settle the purchase there and then. The right to fulfil that contract is then their legal property (and they may do with it as they will). Anyone bearing the contract (assuming they have acquired it legally) may complete it by bringing the desired goods to the balancing of the scales in the Hall of Wolds the following day. There is no need for any additional expense of sending a box to the Autumn realm first, since the settlement value is already agreed. The City will receive the goods, mark the contract complete, and arrange for delivery of payment three days later.

Crown warns that contracts can only be fulfilled at the summit they are purchased at. Any contract that is not fulfilled at the summit is null and void with no refunds. Merchants should be careful to bid accordingly. Contracts must be completed in full, part payment will not be accepted.

In plain terms, turn up in the Hall of Worlds on Saturday morning, outbid any other buyer for one or more contracts, then return the next day with ''all'' the required goods to get paid.

==The Merchant of Rhodes==
* '''The City has published more general guidance on commodities they are likely to offer good prices'''
* '''The prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices in the Empire but not set by them'''
* '''Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract'''
* '''The City is always happy to be paid in Imperial coin'''

When all is said and done and every grain of salt has been counted, the City of Gold and Lead will always offer a price for something, provided they can find a buyer for it. But some commodities and resources are in high demand in the City and should fetch a good price, while others are not. Some things are nearly worthless - even if the City offers a price for them, it will be a matter of a few rings.

Crown explains that the prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices, but they are not set by them. The City of Gold and Lead takes the goods sold to them in Ephisus boxes and sells them on elsewhere, either to other cities in the Iron Labyrinth or to other locations in the mortal world. Ultimately the price they are prepared to offer is set by what the heralds believe they can get for the resources they acquire and ''not'' by prices in Imperial markets. Offers ''may'' be influenced by the value of goods at Anvil - the heralds may lower their offer if they believe they can offer less and still make a deal.

Some merchants are surprised to discover they are being offered a price for their goods ''below'' what they could get in Anvil, but that is to be expected. If Imperial traders are offering goods from all over the Empire, then it's perfectly normal that the heralds won't always be able to match local prices for everything.

Perfectly normal perhaps, but definitely not desirable! Crown appears genuinely pained anytime a merchant leaves his trading desk without a sale of some kind. He believes that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_asymmetry ignorance of market conditions] is costing his beloved City business and so he has persuaded his fellow heralds to try publicising more information about what the city does or doesn't want to buy.

The City has published guidance for the various resources and commodities they are commonly offered. The sale price column indicates the price a merchant might hope to get when selling the goods from Ephisis. The purchase price column indicates the level of prices the City might offer to sell goods to Imperial merchants at. There is never a guarantee of profit - these ratings are comparative to each other, not comparative to Anvil prices.

The contracts on offer indicate the resources that Ephisis is trying to secure in order to fulfil significant deals with others merchants. They ensure that the city can afford to purchase large volumes of resources without risking a major loss. They allow Imperial merchants to aim to fulfil the contract knowing with some certainty what their profit margins will be. Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract. The City will still make a bid, but it will be a lower offer the more resources are piled into a box.

Finally it should go without saying that the City of Gold and Lead is always happy to trade in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial coin]]. Thrones, crowns and rings are all ''very'' welcome in any exchange of wealth.

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th>Commodity</th><th>Sale Price</th><th>Purchase Price</th></tr>
<tr><td>Ingots and Measures</td><td>High</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wains</td><td>Average</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Food and Drink</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Trade Goods</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Unique Trade Goods</td><td>Very High</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Artifacts</td><td>High</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied Artifacts</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied items</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Newly made Magic Items</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exhausted Magic Items</td><td>Zero</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mana Crystals</td><td>Average</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Autumn Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Other Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Herbs</td><td>Average</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Potions</td><td>Very Low</td><td>High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Drugs and Narcotics</td><td>Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

===Ingots and Measures===
* '''Ingots and measures fetch good prices in the City of Gold and Lead'''

Ingots and measures, including ingots of [[ilium]] are ''always'' valuable in the Autumn realm, because the heralds can sell them to agents of the [[Estavus|Sovereign Lord of the City of Fire and Stone]]. For that reason, it is rare for the City to offer such materials and merchants looking to acquire them from the City should expect to pay handsomely for them.

===Wains===
* '''Wains are on offer for sale or purchase whenever the City believes it can make a profit'''
Wains of Materials, while valuable within the Empire, are harder for the autumn realm to trade to other lands, as the bourse certificates represent large amounts of materials sitting in Imperial warehouses. While the City regards bourse certificates as a wonder of the world, they only function perfectly within the Empire. The further you travel from the Empire's borders, the more value they lose. The city's heralds will buy or sell wains, but only when they believe the price favours them - which usually means they will only buy at a price below the highest sale price in Anvil. Sales are a little easier, since heralds are always looking to dispose of bourse certificates they have acquired in the Empire where they can, so citizens looking to buy wains are encouraged to try their hand.

===Food, Drink and Services===
* '''These goods hold no value to the City'''
Food and drink spoil quickly in the Autumn realm - they cannot be placed in vaults and held until a customer is found. For this reason, they are worthless to the Autumn realm. Likewise offers of services are not currently of value, the City trades in ''goods'' - while they appreciate that an offer of services in the future has value, it is not a market they trade in. In all cases the City requests that Imperial merchants do not put these things into an Ephisis box.

===Common Trade Goods===
* '''Goods readily available for purchase in foreign ports are in low demand in the City'''
Imperial [[fleet|fleets]] often acquire unusual goods in foreign ports, such as [[Foreign_ports#Production_Table|Oilybrag]], which can be bought in Zemeh. The City of Gold and Lead has opportunities to trade in all the major cities of the world, so they can already purchase these common trade goods at the same price Imperial merchants paid for them. As a result heralds rarely offer good prices for these goods - Imperial merchants should be better off disposing of them at Anvil rather than trying to sell them to the Autumn realm. It is only worth sending them to the City of Gold and Lead if you need to dispose of them at any price.

===Unique Trade Goods===
* '''Unique goods produced in the Empire command a high price the first time they are sold'''
* '''Unusual or unique goods from difficult to access ports will fetch a good price the first time they are sold'''

While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.

===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===
* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''
* '''Most potions command a poor price when offered for sale to the City'''
* '''Unusual consumables including drugs and narcotics sell well and offer a chance for a good profit if they are put in a box by themselves'''

Herbs are always in demand in the Autumn realm, since they can make use of them, but they don't grow well in the realm if at all. For this reason they command a good price when offered for sale to the city, though it is expensive to buy them from the City. Surprisingly most other potions are not worth offering to the City. It is time consuming to identify them and most heralds have little interest in trading them on, so they offer only very low prices for them.

Unusual consumables, including drugs and narcotics do sell in the Autumn realm but there are few buyers and that does depress the sale price. The Silent Market, a trading operation in the City can offer a price for them, and will also offer them for sale in the right conditions. Drugs that are illegal in the Empire are usually the most profitable for merchants trading with the City.

The ''Silent Market'', is a trading desk that ''only'' deals in unusual items, drugs, narcotics, and storied items. They handle all this trade that comes from the Empire. As a result, these things are always best put in an Ephisis box by themselves so that the Silent Market can assess them and make an offer. Including 20 ambergelt alongside a thirty doses of Bite is a recipe for disappointment, because the Silent Market will buy the Bite but they don't want the ambergelt. Their rivals in the City want the ambergelt but not the Bite. Thus the best way for Imperial citizens to get the best possible price is to put drugs, narcotics and storied items in a separate box.

===Magical Items===
* '''Permanent magical items with a storied history can fetch an excellent price when sold to the City'''
* '''Storied items with history but no actual magic power rarely do so'''
* '''Magic items with a year's duration to run have a known value, but
* '''Magic items that are close to expiring are worthless to the City'''
* '''Storied items need to be put in a box by themselves to get the best price'''

Permanent magical items are valuable throughout the world and the City will always try to offer a good price for them based on the amount of materials needed to create one. When such items have a storied history - that ''can'' increase the price significantly, assuming the City knows of a buyer who is in the market for such a curio. Items with history but no notable magical properties are obviously less valuable - but could be worth something to the right buyer. In either case, the price offered by the heralds is highly variable, merchants are welcome to offer them for sale but should be prepared for the possibility of a low offer. Regular magic items with a year's duration to run are worth less than what their ingredients are worth as they have already lost a seasons worth of use - the Autumn realm are unlikely to offer more than this, because they can buy most magic items from [[Estavus|the Forgemistress]]. Items that are close to expiring are as worthless to the City as they are to the mortals trying to dispose of them.

===Mana and Vis===
* '''Mana is always in demand all across the world, so crystals fetch reasonable prices in the City'''
* '''Autumn vis is produced in large amounts in the Autumn realm and can be had at a good price from the City's heralds'''
* '''Vis from other realms often spoils if kept too long in the Autumn realm, so the City rarely offer good prices for large quantities'''

Mana is the currency of magic, there are even some desperately primitive societies in the world that actually use it in place of money! Most of the city's heralds are currently offering to buy mana crystals for around 24 rings a crystal and to sell it at 26 rings each. [[Vis]] can spoil if kept in the Autumn realm too long, so the City has little interest in trading it, unless there is a large outstanding contract to be fulfilled, otherwise heralds will be loathe to buy or sell it. Autumn vis is the one exception - huge amounts are produced in the Autumn realm and can usually be bought for a good price from the City's heralds, but of course, they offer low prices to buy it back.
==A Possible Patron==
<div {{Float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Plenipotentiary'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Eternal:''' Ephisis</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Subject:''' Patronage of the Golden Pyramid or their grand lodge</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Necessary Details:''' What form any aid might take</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Limitations:''' Cannot be included with other substantial requests</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Heralds of the City of Gold and Lead were recently asked about the possibility of becoming a patron of the Golden Pyramid'''
* '''They confirm that such a thing is possible, but it would require a plenipotentiary to make the appropriate arrangements'''
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged.jpg|caption='''Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged'''<br>Grandmaster of the Golden Pyramid|align=right|width=250}}</div>
At a recent meeting in Anvil, Crown, one of the heralds of the City, was asked about the possibility of the City of Gold and Lead becoming a patron of the [[Golden Pyramid]], or of the Order's grand lodge. Such an arrangement would be highly unusual - a Conclave order accepting an offer by an eternal to become their patron raises questions about that order's loyalties and their impartiality on matters like [[alignment]]. Still the risks seem relatively low here, the manifesto of the order seems closely aligned with the goals of the eternal and Ephisis has never been under ''enmity'' as far as the records show.

After lengthy discussion between the various markets and independent traders of the City, it appears there is a consensus that most are open to the idea, if there is genuine enthusiasm for it from the Order. However, while eternals of other realms might be content to agree to become a patron without a second thought, the City of Gold and Lead will not contemplate the idea without a thorough discussion of what support they could offer the Order, what support the Order might want and importantly, how the Order might further the City's agenda. Ultimately any agreement would need a contract of some kind.

If the Order are serious about engaging the services of the ''Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead'' as patron of their order - or patron of their lodge, then they would need to arrange for the [[Archmage of Autumn]] to secure a plenipotentiary specifically for that purpose. It could include a single item of other business that was already ongoing, but the City will not seriously engage with a plenipotentiary that incorporates a list of different causes of interest to different groups. But if the Autumn Archmage is prepared to assist the Order and the [[grandmaster]] and his supporters have the backing of the Golden Pyramid to negotiate an agreement for patronage then the City are open to exploring the possibilities.
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrderGoldenPyramid.jpg|align=right|width=241|height=240}}
As with any plenipotentiary, it would be most useful if the Archmage is clear what form any aid they would request might take, then the heralds can assess how possible that would be, before the meeting. The more knowledge the City has about ''how'' they could help the Order, the better.

==Further Reading==
* [[Ephisis]]
* [[Ephisis' Scale]]

Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange

2026-07-18T20:44:23Z

Hailmur: /* The Great Instrument of Ambition */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:Winds of Magic]]
<ic>"Are you ''sure'' about this, Crown?" Patina asked, their voice laden with concern.

"Of course I'm sure" responded her ever-exuberant boss. "It's a brilliant idea! Provided we get the contracts right. Provided we get the auction right. And provided we get the handover right. Literally nothing can go wrong! All the risk is with the counter-party. The actuaries are delighted with the model!"

"Yeah, it's not that..." Patina tried to interject, but putting words in front of Crown was like trying to put a leaf before a gale.

"And we've already chosen eight contracts already. Now we just need to let the Empire know, and then we can sit back and let the Invisible Hand go to work. It's going to be amazing!"

"Yeah, about those contracts..."

"I know I was surprised too how quickly we secured agreement from the other desks too - but if this works this time there's no reason we can't do it again in the future. We're going to be famous Patina. We'll be the heralds that took the work out of work ethic!"

"But I ''like'' hard work..." said Patina quietly, her voice trailing off

"And this way, you'll have even more time to work your fingers to the bone. But look, if the Imperials get mad about it, we'll just say it was all Able the Rounder's idea!"

This last was too much for Patina and she raised her voice, determined to be heard at last. "Able the Rounder is one of our most valuable customers Crown. You should ''not'' be traducing his reputation by involving him in this scheme of yours..."

"What? It's good for us. It's good for Able. It's good for... where's he from again?"

Patina rolled her eyes... "Sarangrave. He's one of the foremost ''architects'' of Sarangrave. It's a critically important territory in the Empire, with ''major investment needs''." Patina stressed the last in the hope of pointing out the obvious. Crown was great at front of house, but his knowledge of his customer portfolio was excruciating. A mortal she'd met once had had a dog they called a golden retriever, even though it very definitely was not made out of gold. More and more her boss was reminding her of that dog. Including not being made out of gold.

"Right! So he's gonna be delighted by these new arrangements! It's bound to go well."

Patina couldn't take the overbearing optimism a moment longer. She stabbed a blunt metal finger down onto the table spearing one of the pieces of paperwork. "This? He's going to be delighted with this is he?"

To be fair to Crown, he at least had the good grace to look crestfallen. For a moment.

"Caveat Emptor?" he asked plaintively.
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Ephisis001.webp|align=left|width=300|caption=The lifeblood of the City of Gold and Lead and its ihabitants is ''trade'', and not ''profit'' as many seem to believe.}}</div>
==Overview==
The [[Ephisis|Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead]] has become a ubiquitous sight in the Hall of Worlds in recent times, with various heralds from the city attempting to make deals with Imperial citizens who have submitted their goods for potential sale via [[Ephisis' Scale]]. For the most part, trades have been largely successful and have brought Prosperity to both parties.

At least they did until the Spring Equinox. The prices offered by the City can change rapidly, such is the nature of the market place. But a change of personnel on the trading desk compounded issues caused by the fast moving prices to howls of anguish from their Imperial counterparts. ''Crown'', one of the more excitable heralds commonly manning the Imperial trading desks, is never happy about an unhappy customer. Determined to avoid future lost sales, he contacted one of his counterparts in the Empire, '''Able the Rounder''', to discuss what the brilliant Urizeni [[architect]] felt had gone wrong. Fortunately for Crown, the wealthy and experienced merchant had plenty to say on the subject.

What passed between the two is likely to remain confidential, but it seems that it was sufficient to cause a change in the City's plans for the forthcoming summit. Regular traders and novices alike, would do well to take notice.

==The Great Instrument of Ambition==
* '''Ephisis is making eight contracts available to the Empire'''
* '''These contracts will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning'''
* '''Each contract must be fulfilled in full and before the end of the summit, to receive payment'''
* '''Contracts must be redeemed by delivery to the Hall of Worlds during the balancing of scales'''
* '''Standard settlement terms with the contract holder will be three days after the conclusion of the summit'''

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="text-align:center;">Contracts Available</th></tr>
<tr><th>Goods Required</th><th>Payment Offered</th></tr>
<tr><td>800 Dragonbone</td><td>100 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>40 ilium </td><td>20 mithril, 20 white granite, 20 weirwood </td></tr>
<tr><td>400 ingots total of Green Iron, Orichalcum, Weltsilver and Tempest Jade in any ratio</td><td>100 mana crystals and 100 warm ashes</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 thrones</td><td>200 mithril</td></tr>
<tr><td>150 weirwood</td><td>500 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>400 ambergelt</td><td>20 white granite</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 measures total of Beggar's Lye or Iridescent Gloaming in any ratio</td><td>[[Pilgrim%27s_Shield|Glistering]]</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

One of the areas that causes the most significant problems for small and large traders is the tendency for bulk sales to flood the Autumn markets. The Invisible Hand will ultimately buy almost anything, but the Empire is one of it's biggest customers and merchants who attempt to dispose of huge sums of materials can temporarily distress prices. This causes problems for large volume traders, who find the offers made for boxes fall short of what they hoped to achieve because they have unwittingly depressed the market value of whatever good they are attempting to sell hundreds of to the Empire. But it also impacts merchants offering small volume traders who discover their handful of dragonbone or whatever precious material has flooded the market is now worth considerably less than they were expecting.

Based on an idea that Crown credits to Able the Taller, the solution the City is going to implement is to offer eight significant contracts. These contracts are the largest requests for purchase or sales that the City has received in other markets. Most come from the Empire's near neighbours, since that keeps shipping costs down, but the City is open about the fact that they trade all over the world, from the tiny bazaar of Pushkin City in far off Mitovoria to the great temple-market of [[Asavean_gods#Lord_Isso_Mãos_de_Ouro|Mãos de Ouro]] in the capital of [[Asavea]].

Normally the City attempts to settle trades with the resources they have acquired from the Empire and elsewhere. It's when the Empire offers large volumes of goods they can't quickly move on because they don't have a known buyer for them, that the prices they offer drops. To avoid the problems experienced at the previous summit, the City is therefore publishing the details of the eight largest contracts that have come in.

The contracts will be offered for auction in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning. All bids in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial currency]], each contract will go to the highest bidder, who will need to settle the purchase there and then. The right to fulfil that contract is then their legal property (and they may do with it as they will). Anyone bearing the contract (assuming they have acquired it legally) may complete it by bringing the desired goods to the balancing of the scales in the Hall of Wolds the following day. There is no need for any additional expense of sending a box to the Autumn realm first, since the settlement value is already agreed. The City will receive the goods, mark the contract complete, and arrange for delivery of payment three days later.

Crown warns that contracts can only be fulfilled at the summit they are purchased at. Any contract that is not fulfilled at the summit is null and void with no refunds. Merchants should be careful to bid accordingly. Contracts must be completed in full, part payment will not be accepted.

In plain terms, turn up in the Hall of Worlds on Saturday morning, outbid any other buyer for one or more contracts, then return the next day with ''all'' the required goods to get paid.

==The Merchant of Rhodes==
* '''The City has published more general guidance on commodities they are likely to offer good prices'''
* '''The prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices in the Empire but not set by them'''
* '''Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract'''
* '''The City is always happy to be paid in Imperial coin'''

When all is said and done and every grain of salt has been counted, the City of Gold and Lead will always offer a price for something, provided they can find a buyer for it. But some commodities and resources are in high demand in the City and should fetch a good price, while others are not. Some things are nearly worthless - even if the City offers a price for them, it will be a matter of a few rings.

Crown explains that the prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices, but they are not set by them. The City of Gold and Lead takes the goods sold to them in Ephisus boxes and sells them on elsewhere, either to other cities in the Iron Labyrinth or to other locations in the mortal world. Ultimately the price they are prepared to offer is set by what the heralds believe they can get for the resources they acquire and ''not'' by prices in Imperial markets. Offers ''may'' be influenced by the value of goods at Anvil - the heralds may lower their offer if they believe they can offer less and still make a deal.

Some merchants are surprised to discover they are being offered a price for their goods ''below'' what they could get in Anvil, but that is to be expected. If Imperial traders are offering goods from all over the Empire, then it's perfectly normal that the heralds won't always be able to match local prices for everything.

Perfectly normal perhaps, but definitely not desirable! Crown appears genuinely pained anytime a merchant leaves his trading desk without a sale of some kind. He believes that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_asymmetry ignorance of market conditions] is costing his beloved City business and so he has persuaded his fellow heralds to try publicising more information about what the city does or doesn't want to buy.

The City has published guidance for the various resources and commodities they are commonly offered. The sale price column indicates the price a merchant might hope to get when selling the goods from Ephisis. The purchase price column indicates the level of prices the City might offer to sell goods to Imperial merchants at. There is never a guarantee of profit - these ratings are comparative to each other, not comparative to Anvil prices.

The contracts on offer indicate the resources that Ephisis is trying to secure in order to fulfil significant deals with others merchants. They ensure that the city can afford to purchase large volumes of resources without risking a major loss. They allow Imperial merchants to aim to fulfil the contract knowing with some certainty what their profit margins will be. Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract. The City will still make a bid, but it will be a lower offer the more resources are piled into a box.

Finally it should go without saying that the City of Gold and Lead is always happy to trade in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial coin]]. Thrones, crowns and rings are all ''very'' welcome in any exchange of wealth.

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th>Commodity</th><th>Sale Price</th><th>Purchase Price</th></tr>
<tr><td>Ingots and Measures</td><td>High</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wains</td><td>Average</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Food and Drink</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Trade Goods</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Unique Trade Goods</td><td>Very High</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Artifacts</td><td>High</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied Artifacts</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied items</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Newly made Magic Items</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exhausted Magic Items</td><td>Zero</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mana Crystals</td><td>Average</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Autumn Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Other Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Herbs</td><td>Average</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Potions</td><td>Very Low</td><td>High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Drugs and Narcotics</td><td>Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

===Ingots and Measures===
* '''Ingots and measures fetch good prices in the City of Gold and Lead'''

Ingots and measures, including ingots of [[ilium]] are ''always'' valuable in the Autumn realm, because the heralds can sell them to agents of the [[Estavus|Sovereign Lord of the City of Fire and Stone]]. For that reason, it is rare for the City to offer such materials and merchants looking to acquire them from the City should expect to pay handsomely for them.

===Wains===
* '''Wains are on offer for sale or purchase whenever the City believes it can make a profit'''
Wains of Materials, while valuable within the Empire, are harder for the autumn realm to trade to other lands, as the bourse certificates represent large amounts of materials sitting in Imperial warehouses. While the City regards bourse certificates as a wonder of the world, they only function perfectly within the Empire. The further you travel from the Empire's borders, the more value they lose. The city's heralds will buy or sell wains, but only when they believe the price favours them - which usually means they will only buy at a price below the highest sale price in Anvil. Sales are a little easier, since heralds are always looking to dispose of bourse certificates they have acquired in the Empire where they can, so citizens looking to buy wains are encouraged to try their hand.

===Food, Drink and Services===
* '''These goods hold no value to the City'''
Food and drink spoil quickly in the Autumn realm - they cannot be placed in vaults and held until a customer is found. For this reason, they are worthless to the Autumn realm. Likewise offers of services are not currently of value, the City trades in ''goods'' - while they appreciate that an offer of services in the future has value, it is not a market they trade in. In all cases the City requests that Imperial merchants do not put these things into an Ephisis box.

===Common Trade Goods===
* '''Goods readily available for purchase in foreign ports are in low demand in the City'''
Imperial [[fleet|fleets]] often acquire unusual goods in foreign ports, such as [[Foreign_ports#Production_Table|Oilybrag]], which can be bought in Zemeh. The City of Gold and Lead has opportunities to trade in all the major cities of the world, so they can already purchase these common trade goods at the same price Imperial merchants paid for them. As a result heralds rarely offer good prices for these goods - Imperial merchants should be better off disposing of them at Anvil rather than trying to sell them to the Autumn realm. It is only worth sending them to the City of Gold and Lead if you need to dispose of them at any price.

===Unique Trade Goods===
* '''Unique goods produced in the Empire command a high price the first time they are sold'''
* '''Unusual or unique goods from difficult to access ports will fetch a good price the first time they are sold'''

While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.

===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===
* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''
* '''Most potions command a poor price when offered for sale to the City'''
* '''Unusual consumables including drugs and narcotics sell well and offer a chance for a good profit if they are put in a box by themselves'''

Herbs are always in demand in the Autumn realm, since they can make use of them, but they don't grow well in the realm if at all. For this reason they command a good price when offered for sale to the city, though it is expensive to buy them from the City. Surprisingly most other potions are not worth offering to the City. It is time consuming to identify them and most heralds have little interest in trading them on, so they offer only very low prices for them.

Unusual consumables, including drugs and narcotics do sell in the Autumn realm but there are few buyers and that does depress the sale price. The Silent Market, a trading operation in the City can offer a price for them, and will also offer them for sale in the right conditions. Drugs that are illegal in the Empire are usually the most profitable for merchants trading with the City.

The ''Silent Market'', is a trading desk that ''only'' deals in unusual items, drugs, narcotics, and storied items. They handle all this trade that comes from the Empire. As a result, these things are always best put in an Ephisis box by themselves so that the Silent Market can assess them and make an offer. Including 20 ambergelt alongside a thirty doses of Bite is a recipe for disappointment, because the Silent Market will buy the Bite but they don't want the ambergelt. Their rivals in the City want the ambergelt but not the Bite. Thus the best way for Imperial citizens to get the best possible price is to put drugs, narcotics and storied items in a separate box.

===Magical Items===
* '''Permanent magical items with a storied history can fetch an excellent price when sold to the City'''
* '''Storied items with history but no actual magic power rarely do so'''
* '''Magic items with a year's duration to run have a known value, but
* '''Magic items that are close to expiring are worthless to the City'''
* '''Storied items need to be put in a box by themselves to get the best price'''

Permanent magical items are valuable throughout the world and the City will always try to offer a good price for them based on the amount of materials needed to create one. When such items have a storied history - that ''can'' increase the price significantly, assuming the City knows of a buyer who is in the market for such a curio. Items with history but no notable magical properties are obviously less valuable - but could be worth something to the right buyer. In either case, the price offered by the heralds is highly variable, merchants are welcome to offer them for sale but should be prepared for the possibility of a low offer. Regular magic items with a year's duration to run are worth less than what their ingredients are worth as they have already lost a seasons worth of use - the Autumn realm are unlikely to offer more than this, because they can buy most magic items from [[Estavus|the Forgemistress]]. Items that are close to expiring are as worthless to the City as they are to the mortals trying to dispose of them.

===Mana and Vis===
* '''Mana is always in demand all across the world, so crystals fetch reasonable prices in the City'''
* '''Autumn vis is produced in large amounts in the Autumn realm and can be had at a good price from the City's heralds'''
* '''Vis from other realms often spoils if kept too long in the Autumn realm, so the City rarely offer good prices for large quantities'''

Mana is the currency of magic, there are even some desperately primitive societies in the world that actually use it in place of money! Most of the city's heralds are currently offering to buy mana crystals for around 24 rings a crystal and to sell it at 26 rings each. [[Vis]] can spoil if kept in the Autumn realm too long, so the City has little interest in trading it, unless there is a large outstanding contract to be fulfilled, otherwise heralds will be loathe to buy or sell it. Autumn vis is the one exception - huge amounts are produced in the Autumn realm and can usually be bought for a good price from the City's heralds, but of course, they offer low prices to buy it back.
==A Possible Patron==
<div {{Float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Plenipotentiary'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Eternal:''' Ephisis</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Subject:''' Patronage of the Golden Pyramid or their grand lodge</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Necessary Details:''' What form any aid might take</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Limitations:''' Cannot be included with other substantial requests</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Heralds of the city of Gold and Lead were recently asked about the possibility of becoming a patron of the Golden Pyramid'''
* '''They confirm that such a thing is possible, but it would require a plenipotentiary to make the appropriate arrangements'''
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged.jpg|caption='''Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged'''<br>Grandmaster of the Golden Pyramid|align=right|width=250}}</div>
At a recent meeting in Anvil, Crown, one of the heralds of the City, was asked about the possibility of the City of Gold and Lead becoming a patron of the [[Golden Pyramid]], or of the Order's grand lodge. Such an arrangement would be highly unusual - a Conclave order accepting an offer by an eternal to become their patron raises questions about that order's loyalties and their impartiality on matters like [[alignment]]. Still the risks seem relatively low here, the manifesto of the order seems closely aligned with the goals of the eternal and Ephisis has never been under ''enmity'' as far as the records show.

After lengthy discussion between the various markets and independent traders of the City, it appears there is a consensus that most are open to the idea, if there is genuine enthusiasm for it from the Order. However, while eternals of other realms might be content to agree to become a patron without a second thought, the City of Gold and Lead will not contemplate the idea a thorough discussion of what support they could offer the Order, what support the Order might want and importantly, how the Order might further the City's agenda. Ultimately any agreement would need a contract of some kind.

If the Order are serious about engaging the services of the ''Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead'' as patron of their order - or patron of their lodge, then they would need to arrange for the [[Archmage of Autumn]] to secure a plenipotentiary specifically for that purpose. It could include a single item of other business that was already ongoing, but the City will not seriously engage with a plenipotentiary that incorporates a list of different causes of interest to different groups. But if the Autumn Archmage is prepared to assist the Order and the [[grandmaster]] and his supporters have the backing of the Golden Pyramid to negotiate an agreement for patronage then the City are open to exploring the possibilities.
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrderGoldenPyramid.jpg|align=right|width=241|height=240}}
As with any plenipotentiary, it would be most useful if the Archmage is clear what form any aid they would request might take, then the heralds can assess how possible that would be, before the meeting. The more knowledge the City has about ''how'' they could help the Order, the better.
==Further Reading==
* [[Ephisis]]
* [[Ephisis' Scale]]

Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange

2026-07-18T20:44:12Z

Hailmur: /* The Great Instrument of Ambition */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:Winds of Magic]]
<ic>"Are you ''sure'' about this, Crown?" Patina asked, their voice laden with concern.

"Of course I'm sure" responded her ever-exuberant boss. "It's a brilliant idea! Provided we get the contracts right. Provided we get the auction right. And provided we get the handover right. Literally nothing can go wrong! All the risk is with the counter-party. The actuaries are delighted with the model!"

"Yeah, it's not that..." Patina tried to interject, but putting words in front of Crown was like trying to put a leaf before a gale.

"And we've already chosen eight contracts already. Now we just need to let the Empire know, and then we can sit back and let the Invisible Hand go to work. It's going to be amazing!"

"Yeah, about those contracts..."

"I know I was surprised too how quickly we secured agreement from the other desks too - but if this works this time there's no reason we can't do it again in the future. We're going to be famous Patina. We'll be the heralds that took the work out of work ethic!"

"But I ''like'' hard work..." said Patina quietly, her voice trailing off

"And this way, you'll have even more time to work your fingers to the bone. But look, if the Imperials get mad about it, we'll just say it was all Able the Rounder's idea!"

This last was too much for Patina and she raised her voice, determined to be heard at last. "Able the Rounder is one of our most valuable customers Crown. You should ''not'' be traducing his reputation by involving him in this scheme of yours..."

"What? It's good for us. It's good for Able. It's good for... where's he from again?"

Patina rolled her eyes... "Sarangrave. He's one of the foremost ''architects'' of Sarangrave. It's a critically important territory in the Empire, with ''major investment needs''." Patina stressed the last in the hope of pointing out the obvious. Crown was great at front of house, but his knowledge of his customer portfolio was excruciating. A mortal she'd met once had had a dog they called a golden retriever, even though it very definitely was not made out of gold. More and more her boss was reminding her of that dog. Including not being made out of gold.

"Right! So he's gonna be delighted by these new arrangements! It's bound to go well."

Patina couldn't take the overbearing optimism a moment longer. She stabbed a blunt metal finger down onto the table spearing one of the pieces of paperwork. "This? He's going to be delighted with this is he?"

To be fair to Crown, he at least had the good grace to look crestfallen. For a moment.

"Caveat Emptor?" he asked plaintively.
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Ephisis001.webp|align=left|width=300|caption=The lifeblood of the City of Gold and Lead and its ihabitants is ''trade'', and not ''profit'' as many seem to believe.}}</div>
==Overview==
The [[Ephisis|Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead]] has become a ubiquitous sight in the Hall of Worlds in recent times, with various heralds from the city attempting to make deals with Imperial citizens who have submitted their goods for potential sale via [[Ephisis' Scale]]. For the most part, trades have been largely successful and have brought Prosperity to both parties.

At least they did until the Spring Equinox. The prices offered by the City can change rapidly, such is the nature of the market place. But a change of personnel on the trading desk compounded issues caused by the fast moving prices to howls of anguish from their Imperial counterparts. ''Crown'', one of the more excitable heralds commonly manning the Imperial trading desks, is never happy about an unhappy customer. Determined to avoid future lost sales, he contacted one of his counterparts in the Empire, '''Able the Rounder''', to discuss what the brilliant Urizeni [[architect]] felt had gone wrong. Fortunately for Crown, the wealthy and experienced merchant had plenty to say on the subject.

What passed between the two is likely to remain confidential, but it seems that it was sufficient to cause a change in the City's plans for the forthcoming summit. Regular traders and novices alike, would do well to take notice.

==The Great Instrument of Ambition==
* '''Ephisis is making eight contracts available to the Empire'''
* '''These contracts will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning'''
* '''Each contract must be fulfilled in full and before the end of the summit, to receive payment'''
* '''Contracts must be redeemed by delivery to the Hall of Worlds during the balancing of scales'''
* '''Standard settlement terms with the contract holder will be three days after the conclusion of the summit'''

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="text-align:center;">Contracts Available</th></tr>
<tr><th>Goods Required</th><th>Payment Offered</th></tr>
<tr><td>800 Dragonbone</td><td>100 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>40 Illium</td><td>20 mithril, 20 white granite, 20 weirwood </td></tr>
<tr><td>400 ingots total of Green Iron, Orichalcum, Weltsilver and Tempest Jade in any ratio</td><td>100 mana crystals and 100 warm ashes</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 thrones</td><td>200 mithril</td></tr>
<tr><td>150 weirwood</td><td>500 thrones</td></tr>
<tr><td>400 ambergelt</td><td>20 white granite</td></tr>
<tr><td>500 measures total of Beggar's Lye or Iridescent Gloaming in any ratio</td><td>[[Pilgrim%27s_Shield|Glistering]]</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

One of the areas that causes the most significant problems for small and large traders is the tendency for bulk sales to flood the Autumn markets. The Invisible Hand will ultimately buy almost anything, but the Empire is one of it's biggest customers and merchants who attempt to dispose of huge sums of materials can temporarily distress prices. This causes problems for large volume traders, who find the offers made for boxes fall short of what they hoped to achieve because they have unwittingly depressed the market value of whatever good they are attempting to sell hundreds of to the Empire. But it also impacts merchants offering small volume traders who discover their handful of dragonbone or whatever precious material has flooded the market is now worth considerably less than they were expecting.

Based on an idea that Crown credits to Able the Taller, the solution the City is going to implement is to offer eight significant contracts. These contracts are the largest requests for purchase or sales that the City has received in other markets. Most come from the Empire's near neighbours, since that keeps shipping costs down, but the City is open about the fact that they trade all over the world, from the tiny bazaar of Pushkin City in far off Mitovoria to the great temple-market of [[Asavean_gods#Lord_Isso_Mãos_de_Ouro|Mãos de Ouro]] in the capital of [[Asavea]].

Normally the City attempts to settle trades with the resources they have acquired from the Empire and elsewhere. It's when the Empire offers large volumes of goods they can't quickly move on because they don't have a known buyer for them, that the prices they offer drops. To avoid the problems experienced at the previous summit, the City is therefore publishing the details of the eight largest contracts that have come in.

The contracts will be offered for auction in the Hall of Worlds at 10:30 on Saturday morning. All bids in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial currency]], each contract will go to the highest bidder, who will need to settle the purchase there and then. The right to fulfil that contract is then their legal property (and they may do with it as they will). Anyone bearing the contract (assuming they have acquired it legally) may complete it by bringing the desired goods to the balancing of the scales in the Hall of Wolds the following day. There is no need for any additional expense of sending a box to the Autumn realm first, since the settlement value is already agreed. The City will receive the goods, mark the contract complete, and arrange for delivery of payment three days later.

Crown warns that contracts can only be fulfilled at the summit they are purchased at. Any contract that is not fulfilled at the summit is null and void with no refunds. Merchants should be careful to bid accordingly. Contracts must be completed in full, part payment will not be accepted.

In plain terms, turn up in the Hall of Worlds on Saturday morning, outbid any other buyer for one or more contracts, then return the next day with ''all'' the required goods to get paid.

==The Merchant of Rhodes==
* '''The City has published more general guidance on commodities they are likely to offer good prices'''
* '''The prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices in the Empire but not set by them'''
* '''Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract'''
* '''The City is always happy to be paid in Imperial coin'''

When all is said and done and every grain of salt has been counted, the City of Gold and Lead will always offer a price for something, provided they can find a buyer for it. But some commodities and resources are in high demand in the City and should fetch a good price, while others are not. Some things are nearly worthless - even if the City offers a price for them, it will be a matter of a few rings.

Crown explains that the prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices, but they are not set by them. The City of Gold and Lead takes the goods sold to them in Ephisus boxes and sells them on elsewhere, either to other cities in the Iron Labyrinth or to other locations in the mortal world. Ultimately the price they are prepared to offer is set by what the heralds believe they can get for the resources they acquire and ''not'' by prices in Imperial markets. Offers ''may'' be influenced by the value of goods at Anvil - the heralds may lower their offer if they believe they can offer less and still make a deal.

Some merchants are surprised to discover they are being offered a price for their goods ''below'' what they could get in Anvil, but that is to be expected. If Imperial traders are offering goods from all over the Empire, then it's perfectly normal that the heralds won't always be able to match local prices for everything.

Perfectly normal perhaps, but definitely not desirable! Crown appears genuinely pained anytime a merchant leaves his trading desk without a sale of some kind. He believes that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_asymmetry ignorance of market conditions] is costing his beloved City business and so he has persuaded his fellow heralds to try publicising more information about what the city does or doesn't want to buy.

The City has published guidance for the various resources and commodities they are commonly offered. The sale price column indicates the price a merchant might hope to get when selling the goods from Ephisis. The purchase price column indicates the level of prices the City might offer to sell goods to Imperial merchants at. There is never a guarantee of profit - these ratings are comparative to each other, not comparative to Anvil prices.

The contracts on offer indicate the resources that Ephisis is trying to secure in order to fulfil significant deals with others merchants. They ensure that the city can afford to purchase large volumes of resources without risking a major loss. They allow Imperial merchants to aim to fulfil the contract knowing with some certainty what their profit margins will be. Prices offered for large volumes of goods will be lower, outside of an advertised contract. The City will still make a bid, but it will be a lower offer the more resources are piled into a box.

Finally it should go without saying that the City of Gold and Lead is always happy to trade in [[Game_items#Coins|Imperial coin]]. Thrones, crowns and rings are all ''very'' welcome in any exchange of wealth.

<div {{float}}>
<table>
<tr><th>Commodity</th><th>Sale Price</th><th>Purchase Price</th></tr>
<tr><td>Ingots and Measures</td><td>High</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wains</td><td>Average</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Food and Drink</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Trade Goods</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Unique Trade Goods</td><td>Very High</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Artifacts</td><td>High</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied Artifacts</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Storied items</td><td>Variable</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Newly made Magic Items</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exhausted Magic Items</td><td>Zero</td><td>Not Available</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mana Crystals</td><td>Average</td><td>Average</td></tr>
<tr><td>Autumn Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
<tr><td>Other Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Herbs</td><td>Average</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Common Potions</td><td>Very Low</td><td>High</td></tr>
<tr><td>Drugs and Narcotics</td><td>Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

===Ingots and Measures===
* '''Ingots and measures fetch good prices in the City of Gold and Lead'''

Ingots and measures, including ingots of [[ilium]] are ''always'' valuable in the Autumn realm, because the heralds can sell them to agents of the [[Estavus|Sovereign Lord of the City of Fire and Stone]]. For that reason, it is rare for the City to offer such materials and merchants looking to acquire them from the City should expect to pay handsomely for them.

===Wains===
* '''Wains are on offer for sale or purchase whenever the City believes it can make a profit'''
Wains of Materials, while valuable within the Empire, are harder for the autumn realm to trade to other lands, as the bourse certificates represent large amounts of materials sitting in Imperial warehouses. While the City regards bourse certificates as a wonder of the world, they only function perfectly within the Empire. The further you travel from the Empire's borders, the more value they lose. The city's heralds will buy or sell wains, but only when they believe the price favours them - which usually means they will only buy at a price below the highest sale price in Anvil. Sales are a little easier, since heralds are always looking to dispose of bourse certificates they have acquired in the Empire where they can, so citizens looking to buy wains are encouraged to try their hand.

===Food, Drink and Services===
* '''These goods hold no value to the City'''
Food and drink spoil quickly in the Autumn realm - they cannot be placed in vaults and held until a customer is found. For this reason, they are worthless to the Autumn realm. Likewise offers of services are not currently of value, the City trades in ''goods'' - while they appreciate that an offer of services in the future has value, it is not a market they trade in. In all cases the City requests that Imperial merchants do not put these things into an Ephisis box.

===Common Trade Goods===
* '''Goods readily available for purchase in foreign ports are in low demand in the City'''
Imperial [[fleet|fleets]] often acquire unusual goods in foreign ports, such as [[Foreign_ports#Production_Table|Oilybrag]], which can be bought in Zemeh. The City of Gold and Lead has opportunities to trade in all the major cities of the world, so they can already purchase these common trade goods at the same price Imperial merchants paid for them. As a result heralds rarely offer good prices for these goods - Imperial merchants should be better off disposing of them at Anvil rather than trying to sell them to the Autumn realm. It is only worth sending them to the City of Gold and Lead if you need to dispose of them at any price.

===Unique Trade Goods===
* '''Unique goods produced in the Empire command a high price the first time they are sold'''
* '''Unusual or unique goods from difficult to access ports will fetch a good price the first time they are sold'''

While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.

===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===
* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''
* '''Most potions command a poor price when offered for sale to the City'''
* '''Unusual consumables including drugs and narcotics sell well and offer a chance for a good profit if they are put in a box by themselves'''

Herbs are always in demand in the Autumn realm, since they can make use of them, but they don't grow well in the realm if at all. For this reason they command a good price when offered for sale to the city, though it is expensive to buy them from the City. Surprisingly most other potions are not worth offering to the City. It is time consuming to identify them and most heralds have little interest in trading them on, so they offer only very low prices for them.

Unusual consumables, including drugs and narcotics do sell in the Autumn realm but there are few buyers and that does depress the sale price. The Silent Market, a trading operation in the City can offer a price for them, and will also offer them for sale in the right conditions. Drugs that are illegal in the Empire are usually the most profitable for merchants trading with the City.

The ''Silent Market'', is a trading desk that ''only'' deals in unusual items, drugs, narcotics, and storied items. They handle all this trade that comes from the Empire. As a result, these things are always best put in an Ephisis box by themselves so that the Silent Market can assess them and make an offer. Including 20 ambergelt alongside a thirty doses of Bite is a recipe for disappointment, because the Silent Market will buy the Bite but they don't want the ambergelt. Their rivals in the City want the ambergelt but not the Bite. Thus the best way for Imperial citizens to get the best possible price is to put drugs, narcotics and storied items in a separate box.

===Magical Items===
* '''Permanent magical items with a storied history can fetch an excellent price when sold to the City'''
* '''Storied items with history but no actual magic power rarely do so'''
* '''Magic items with a year's duration to run have a known value, but
* '''Magic items that are close to expiring are worthless to the City'''
* '''Storied items need to be put in a box by themselves to get the best price'''

Permanent magical items are valuable throughout the world and the City will always try to offer a good price for them based on the amount of materials needed to create one. When such items have a storied history - that ''can'' increase the price significantly, assuming the City knows of a buyer who is in the market for such a curio. Items with history but no notable magical properties are obviously less valuable - but could be worth something to the right buyer. In either case, the price offered by the heralds is highly variable, merchants are welcome to offer them for sale but should be prepared for the possibility of a low offer. Regular magic items with a year's duration to run are worth less than what their ingredients are worth as they have already lost a seasons worth of use - the Autumn realm are unlikely to offer more than this, because they can buy most magic items from [[Estavus|the Forgemistress]]. Items that are close to expiring are as worthless to the City as they are to the mortals trying to dispose of them.

===Mana and Vis===
* '''Mana is always in demand all across the world, so crystals fetch reasonable prices in the City'''
* '''Autumn vis is produced in large amounts in the Autumn realm and can be had at a good price from the City's heralds'''
* '''Vis from other realms often spoils if kept too long in the Autumn realm, so the City rarely offer good prices for large quantities'''

Mana is the currency of magic, there are even some desperately primitive societies in the world that actually use it in place of money! Most of the city's heralds are currently offering to buy mana crystals for around 24 rings a crystal and to sell it at 26 rings each. [[Vis]] can spoil if kept in the Autumn realm too long, so the City has little interest in trading it, unless there is a large outstanding contract to be fulfilled, otherwise heralds will be loathe to buy or sell it. Autumn vis is the one exception - huge amounts are produced in the Autumn realm and can usually be bought for a good price from the City's heralds, but of course, they offer low prices to buy it back.
==A Possible Patron==
<div {{Float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Plenipotentiary'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Eternal:''' Ephisis</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Subject:''' Patronage of the Golden Pyramid or their grand lodge</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Necessary Details:''' What form any aid might take</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Limitations:''' Cannot be included with other substantial requests</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Heralds of the city of Gold and Lead were recently asked about the possibility of becoming a patron of the Golden Pyramid'''
* '''They confirm that such a thing is possible, but it would require a plenipotentiary to make the appropriate arrangements'''
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged.jpg|caption='''Terentia of Sarangrave Reforged'''<br>Grandmaster of the Golden Pyramid|align=right|width=250}}</div>
At a recent meeting in Anvil, Crown, one of the heralds of the City, was asked about the possibility of the City of Gold and Lead becoming a patron of the [[Golden Pyramid]], or of the Order's grand lodge. Such an arrangement would be highly unusual - a Conclave order accepting an offer by an eternal to become their patron raises questions about that order's loyalties and their impartiality on matters like [[alignment]]. Still the risks seem relatively low here, the manifesto of the order seems closely aligned with the goals of the eternal and Ephisis has never been under ''enmity'' as far as the records show.

After lengthy discussion between the various markets and independent traders of the City, it appears there is a consensus that most are open to the idea, if there is genuine enthusiasm for it from the Order. However, while eternals of other realms might be content to agree to become a patron without a second thought, the City of Gold and Lead will not contemplate the idea a thorough discussion of what support they could offer the Order, what support the Order might want and importantly, how the Order might further the City's agenda. Ultimately any agreement would need a contract of some kind.

If the Order are serious about engaging the services of the ''Sovereign Lady of the City of Gold and Lead'' as patron of their order - or patron of their lodge, then they would need to arrange for the [[Archmage of Autumn]] to secure a plenipotentiary specifically for that purpose. It could include a single item of other business that was already ongoing, but the City will not seriously engage with a plenipotentiary that incorporates a list of different causes of interest to different groups. But if the Autumn Archmage is prepared to assist the Order and the [[grandmaster]] and his supporters have the backing of the Golden Pyramid to negotiate an agreement for patronage then the City are open to exploring the possibilities.
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrderGoldenPyramid.jpg|align=right|width=241|height=240}}
As with any plenipotentiary, it would be most useful if the Archmage is clear what form any aid they would request might take, then the heralds can assess how possible that would be, before the meeting. The more knowledge the City has about ''how'' they could help the Order, the better.
==Further Reading==
* [[Ephisis]]
* [[Ephisis' Scale]]

Concord

2026-07-18T19:46:54Z

Hailmur: /* Necessary Details */

[[Category:Conclave]]
==Overview==
{{CaptionedImage|file=Medea_Ruth.jpg|align=right|caption=''Concord'' can have far-reaching implications.|width=250}}
A Declaration of Concord allows the [[Conclave]] to agree a statement of belief, intent or support. It communicates the will of the Conclave as a body not only to the magicians of the Empire, but to eternals and mortal factions alike. The wording of any successful Declaration of Concord is communicated across the Empire by the Civil Service once the summit has ended.

The Declaration has no binding legal consequences in itself, but it clearly expresses the intent of the Conclave, so it is often used when the Conclave wish to demonstrate their collective will to another Imperial political house such as the [[Senate]]. It can also be used to accept, or reject, offers and proposals from outside sources such as eternals, factions within the Empire, and foreign nations. Indeed, such offers often come with the requirement that a suitably worded Declaration of Concord be passed to indicate that the Conclave is in favour of the proposal.

The [[Imperial Magus]] is empowered to raise a Declaration of Concord, once each summit. This declaration, takes [[Imperial_Magus#The_Magus.27_Precedence|precedence]] over most other declarations. It is deliberated first during a conclave session, or second if [[the Throne]] has [[The_Throne#The_First_and_the_Last|nominated a prime declaration]].

==Necessary Details==
* '''The wording of a Declaration of Concord must explicitly state the assertion that the Conclave is upholding'''

The Declaration must clearly state what it is that the Conclave agrees on in the wording of the text. It is common to have wording such as "the Conclave believes..." or "The magicians of the Empire support...". The declaration should be a clear simple expression of what it is the Conclave wishes or are doing (or that they reject). In general, more is less - the longer and the more complex the wording, the less clear the resulting declaration will be. Civil Service guidelines suggest that a few concise sentences are the best way for the Conclave to communicate their intentions to others.
__TOC__
It is important to remember that the wording of a Declaration of Concord cannot be amended after it is submitted, and is recorded verbatim. If the declaration passes, it is the wording on the original declaration that is distributed to the magicians of the Empire regardless of what was said during the debate.

Examples
* This Conclave requests that the Senate not construct a fane without a suitably worded declaration passing in Conclave.

* The magicians of the Empire should guard against the machinations of Agramant, working with the magistrates to expose and destroy cults dedicated to that wicked eternal.
* This Conclave shares Imperial lore with the people of the Sixth Dominion

===Guiding an Order===
{{:Grandmaster}}

==Resolution==
* '''The wording of any successful Declaration of Concord is disseminated to magicians across the Empire by the Civil Service'''
Any Declaration of Concord that passes is noted by the Civil Service, and the text of the declaration is disseminated to every Imperial magician. In practice, this means that the wording of a Declaration of Concord will generally reach the ears of interested outsiders as well - representatives of eternals, Imperial factions, or foreign interests - with a specific interest in the matter of the declaration.

A declaration that fails is noted in the official Conclave records, but no effort is made to distribute the details. The assumption is that there are many reasons to reject a proposed Declaration of Concord and it is folly to read too much into that decision.

Note that the Conclave can only vote to uphold, or reject, a Declaration of Concord. They cannot vote to change the wording, for example. As such it is very important to ensure the wording is as concise and clear as possible.

If the Declaration of Concord addresses an offer by an outside force, a successful Declaration of Concord indicates the Conclave's decision with regard to that proposal.

==OOC Design==
* '''NPCs that are looking for the Conclave to take a stance on an issue will respond to a successful Declaration of Concord'''
* '''Profound Decisions will note any response by NPCs on the history page for that Conclave Session'''
* '''A Declaration of Concord ''may'' lead to further campaign developments if it provokes a strong response in the NPC magicians who hear it'''
The precise wording of a Declaration of Concord that passes is disseminated to Imperial magicians. First and foremost, this means that it is recorded on the wiki for any player character to read. Like the [[Statement of Principle]] [[judgement]] used by the [[Synod]], however, a Declaration of Concord may lead to a response from plot. Unlike a Statement of Principle there is no hard-and-fast measure for whether a declaration will provoke a response from the magicians of the Empire. ''Any'' successful Declaration of Concord could influence an ongoing situation, or even prompt a Wind of Fortune.

Wherever possible, Profound Decisions will note the general response to a Declaration of Concord. Often this will simply be polite interest, or a note that the magicians of a certain nation or archetype are discussing the implications. Other times, it may prompt a strong response from NPC magicians that leads to a full Wind of Fortune in its own right. Most things do not lead to a strong response - for example a Declaration of Concord urging magicians to support efforts to repel the Druj in Tassato is unlikely to have a significant impact, because most people are already doing what they can to help the Imperial war effort. But a Declaration of Concord asking magicians to root out traitors and Druj sympathisers in the city is more likely to provoke a significant response.

The Declaration of Concord is primarily aimed at Imperial magicians, and is no substitute for a [[Archmage#Plenipotentiary|plenipotentiary]] or [[Ambassador|ambassadorial communique]]. A Declaration of Concord intended to address outside faction is much less likely to prompt any kind of response, except where that outside faction is already paying attention to Conclave politics. For example, the decision to allow the ''Zauberer'' of the [[Commonwealth]] unfettered access to Imperial Lore, and the subsequent establishment of the [[Dean_of_the_Lyceum#The_Lyceum_Schloss|Lyceum Schloss]] means that many magicians of that nation are following Imperial Conclave declarations with interest. A Declaration of Concord dealing with relations between Imperial magicians and the Commonwealth Zauberer is more likely to produce a response than if the Commonwealth were not involved in Conclave politics.

If a Declaration of Concord does ''not'' pass, it is not considered to be the same as the Conclave saying they do ''not'' believe something - it is generally accepted by Imperial citizens, eternals, and foreigners alike that there are a number of reasons why the precise wording of a concord may not be upheld.
{{Conclave further reading}}

Concord

2026-07-18T19:43:52Z

Hailmur:

[[Category:Conclave]]
==Overview==
{{CaptionedImage|file=Medea_Ruth.jpg|align=right|caption=''Concord'' can have far-reaching implications.|width=250}}
A Declaration of Concord allows the [[Conclave]] to agree a statement of belief, intent or support. It communicates the will of the Conclave as a body not only to the magicians of the Empire, but to eternals and mortal factions alike. The wording of any successful Declaration of Concord is communicated across the Empire by the Civil Service once the summit has ended.

The Declaration has no binding legal consequences in itself, but it clearly expresses the intent of the Conclave, so it is often used when the Conclave wish to demonstrate their collective will to another Imperial political house such as the [[Senate]]. It can also be used to accept, or reject, offers and proposals from outside sources such as eternals, factions within the Empire, and foreign nations. Indeed, such offers often come with the requirement that a suitably worded Declaration of Concord be passed to indicate that the Conclave is in favour of the proposal.

The [[Imperial Magus]] is empowered to raise a Declaration of Concord, once each summit. This declaration, takes [[Imperial_Magus#The_Magus.27_Precedence|precedence]] over most other declarations. It is deliberated first during a conclave session, or second if [[the Throne]] has [[The_Throne#The_First_and_the_Last|nominated a prime declaration]].

==Necessary Details==
* '''The wording of a Declaration of Concord must explicitly state the assertion that the Conclave is upholding'''

The Declaration must clearly state what it is that the Conclave agrees on in the wording of the text. It is common to have wording such as "the Conclave believes..." or "The magicians of the Empire support...". The declaration should be a clear simple expression of what it is the Conclave wishes or are doing (or that they reject). In general, more is less - the longer and the more complex the wording, the less clear the resulting declaration will be. Civil Service guidelines suggest that a few concise sentences are the best way for the Conclave to communicate their intentions to others.
__TOC__
It is important to remember that the wording of a Declaration of Concord cannot be amended after it is submitted, and is recorded verbatim. If the declaration passes, it is the wording on the original declaration that is distributed to the magicians of the Empire regardless of what was said during the debate.

Examples
* This Conclave requests that the Senate not construct a fane without a suitably worded declaration passing in Conclave.
* The Conclave accepts Lashonar's gracious boon
* The magicians of the Empire should guard against the machinations of Agramant, working with the magistrates to expose and destroy cults dedicated to that wicked eternal.

===Guiding an Order===
{{:Grandmaster}}
==Resolution==
* '''The wording of any successful Declaration of Concord is disseminated to magicians across the Empire by the Civil Service'''
Any Declaration of Concord that passes is noted by the Civil Service, and the text of the declaration is disseminated to every Imperial magician. In practice, this means that the wording of a Declaration of Concord will generally reach the ears of interested outsiders as well - representatives of eternals, Imperial factions, or foreign interests - with a specific interest in the matter of the declaration.

A declaration that fails is noted in the official Conclave records, but no effort is made to distribute the details. The assumption is that there are many reasons to reject a proposed Declaration of Concord and it is folly to read too much into that decision.

Note that the Conclave can only vote to uphold, or reject, a Declaration of Concord. They cannot vote to change the wording, for example. As such it is very important to ensure the wording is as concise and clear as possible.

If the Declaration of Concord addresses an offer by an outside force, a successful Declaration of Concord indicates the Conclave's decision with regard to that proposal.

==OOC Design==
* '''NPCs that are looking for the Conclave to take a stance on an issue will respond to a successful Declaration of Concord'''
* '''Profound Decisions will note any response by NPCs on the history page for that Conclave Session'''
* '''A Declaration of Concord ''may'' lead to further campaign developments if it provokes a strong response in the NPC magicians who hear it'''
The precise wording of a Declaration of Concord that passes is disseminated to Imperial magicians. First and foremost, this means that it is recorded on the wiki for any player character to read. Like the [[Statement of Principle]] [[judgement]] used by the [[Synod]], however, a Declaration of Concord may lead to a response from plot. Unlike a Statement of Principle there is no hard-and-fast measure for whether a declaration will provoke a response from the magicians of the Empire. ''Any'' successful Declaration of Concord could influence an ongoing situation, or even prompt a Wind of Fortune.

Wherever possible, Profound Decisions will note the general response to a Declaration of Concord. Often this will simply be polite interest, or a note that the magicians of a certain nation or archetype are discussing the implications. Other times, it may prompt a strong response from NPC magicians that leads to a full Wind of Fortune in its own right. Most things do not lead to a strong response - for example a Declaration of Concord urging magicians to support efforts to repel the Druj in Tassato is unlikely to have a significant impact, because most people are already doing what they can to help the Imperial war effort. But a Declaration of Concord asking magicians to root out traitors and Druj sympathisers in the city is more likely to provoke a significant response.

The Declaration of Concord is primarily aimed at Imperial magicians, and is no substitute for a [[Archmage#Plenipotentiary|plenipotentiary]] or [[Ambassador|ambassadorial communique]]. A Declaration of Concord intended to address outside faction is much less likely to prompt any kind of response, except where that outside faction is already paying attention to Conclave politics. For example, the decision to allow the ''Zauberer'' of the [[Commonwealth]] unfettered access to Imperial Lore, and the subsequent establishment of the [[Dean_of_the_Lyceum#The_Lyceum_Schloss|Lyceum Schloss]] means that many magicians of that nation are following Imperial Conclave declarations with interest. A Declaration of Concord dealing with relations between Imperial magicians and the Commonwealth Zauberer is more likely to produce a response than if the Commonwealth were not involved in Conclave politics.

If a Declaration of Concord does ''not'' pass, it is not considered to be the same as the Conclave saying they do ''not'' believe something - it is generally accepted by Imperial citizens, eternals, and foreigners alike that there are a number of reasons why the precise wording of a concord may not be upheld.
{{Conclave further reading}}

This is the end

2026-07-18T16:44:39Z

Hailmur: /* Talon and claw */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
<ic>
SCENE: A COURTYARD IN SHADOW. MUSIC PLAYS FAR AWAY. THEY SPEAK, FILLING THE COURTYARD WITH WHISPERS, THEIR VOICES GLITTERING LIKE GEMSTONES.

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "Quite a shame, quite a shame. We did so like that city. Oh, waily waily, our house in ruins...! What a beautiful game it was, though - and such good sports all."

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "We shall return, perhaps, in a less fervent season? Though now it is under the cursed serpent's aegis... by the void and abyss, how I hate that cursèd songbird!"

'''RUBY VOICE:''' "All the more reason to skulk in secret, my dearest darling confidante. We'll find places, and people will whisper to us once more. The circle turns, and tickets are always on sale."

'''TOPAZ VOICE:''' "And what of the rest? The sloth? The hybrid? The chatterer? The firestorm? All in their tedium. They'll all be clamouring to be there now. Not to even speak of --"

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "-- don't you go on so, beloved. We were the first! First to notice the potential of the place, before the feathered bore stuck in her beak. Art is about getting everyone talking."

'''RUBY VOICE:''' "First to roost, and first to flee. Such is our lot. O, what an ill-fated star for the beloved of cats. Friendless, now, abandoned by our confidantes. Even dearest Teodore... even--"

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "-- you know I heard the Barossa priest is to defend Bela Vicente. Rumour speaks, companions mine, that he does so out of an obligation we created - how exceptionally droll."

'''SAPPHIRE VOICE:''' "Ah, Asav. Pleasant, this time of year. Now there's a place that appreciates the value of intrigue. Not like these Catazarri secret-murderers, addicted to truth's dishonesty."

'''TOPAZ VOICE:''' "Or Jarm. Our friends in the Violet Forest have been saying we have been neglecting them. Though they keep busy anyway, I hear. There's always a way where there's a will."

'''EMERALD VOICE:''' "So we're agreed. A sojourn onwards to new retreats for this merry band of players and artists. We must prepare for the next debut. Where one curtain falls, after all, another rises."

THE FIGURES RETREAT FROM THE SHADOWS. A SMALL ALBINO KITTEN WANDERS OUT ONTO THE STAGE. IT LOOKS TOWARDS THE AUDIENCE. IT LOOKS AT YOU.

Letitia lowered the pages, trying to keep her face neutral, but Mario saw through her immediately. He jutted his jaw pugnaciously, and she could see him getting angry with her before she had even opened her mouth.

"Well?" He demanded. She tried to plaster a smile on her face but it wouldn't stick and slipped off, possibly because she had started to sweat.

"It's a bit... I mean it's very good obviously." The last bit was spoken very fast indeed because she'd noticed Mario had one hand on the pommel of the rod at his side. The playwright's days of fighting for the Conclave were past, but he kept the rod to remind people that as well as wrangling words he could still crack heads when the situation called for it.

"A bit what," he said, refusing to let it go.

"It's a bit... it's a bit.. <small>over the top?</small>"

Mario ripped the pages from her hands and threw them on the ground. The rest of the company turned to gawk, as actors are wont to do. Two of the stage hands took the opportunity to nip off for a quick break.

"FINE!" Mario shouted in a voice Letitia swore was making the rafter vibrate. He could project when he wanted to. "You ''wanted'' a play about the Whisper Gallery but I ''give'' you a play about the Whisper Gallery and what do you do? You ''criticise''! You throw it back in my face! ''You'' write a play that captures the enigmatic nature of the Lords of the Chiaroscuran Throne then! You clearly know what you want better than I do!" The playwright stormed out.

Letitia squeezed the bridge of her nose. She hated bringing the company to Spiral, because of exactly this kind of thing. What, she wondered - not for the first time - did the Black Plateau have against art?</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sofonisba Amilcara of the City Below.jpg|caption='''Sofonisba Amilcara''' is somehow the map to the City Below. Exactly what that means is... well, a mystery.|align=left|width=350}}</div>
==Overview==
The peculiar dramaturgic confluence that began in the city of Apulus more than a year ago, seems to have a reached a crescendo. Against a backdrop of running battles in the Apulus streets between [[This is the end|strangely-coloured cats with mispaired eyes and songbirds with rainbow feathers]], a cadre of military units arrives in the city to help Sofonisba Amilcara "map the city below".

Apparently convinced that there is not enough night magic running amok in the territory, someone has laid a powerful enchantment over the territory. It brings strange dreams that seemed to be linked to ongoing events. Many people suddenly awaken from dreams in which they were part of the ongoing war, fighting as either a cat or a bird against the enemy trying to seize control of the city.

Despite the strangeness, most inhabitants of Spiral find sleep brings renewed optimism and vigour. The city is filled with a feverish energy, and on the lonely mountain slopes those that live there are filled with a new joy after many sorrows. Things live. This is an old place, with a history beyond imagining, and it seems impossible it could ever be abandoned, so tightly and beautifully does it command the heart of those who call it home.

==Talon and claw==
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right; margin: 15px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Great Eared-Nightjar.jpg|align=right|caption=The war between birds and cats is over, and the city echoes with birdsong.|width=450}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Rainbow cat.jpg|caption=The war between birds and cats is over, and the cats have decided they'd actually rather not live in the city any more thank you.|align=left|width=450}}</div>
</div>
* '''The war between the cats and the birds is over'''
* '''The birds have driven the cats out of the city'''
* '''Birdsong is now everywhere in Apulus, drowning out the emanations of the Black Plateau'''
* '''The penalty to League businesses from the Black Plateau will be drowned out for a season after the Summer Solstice'''
As the season wears on, the war for dominion in Apulus intensifies with open fighting on the streets between the two rivals gangs. The first major battle takes place on Mulberry Avenue; a large flock of common blackbirds are deployed to the area, but as soon as they alight on the walls and rooftops, they are set upon by a force of cats that are lying in wait for them. Like soldiers under [[Clarity of the Master Strategist]], the cats are able to strike with perfect coordination, taking the enemy by surprise, killing two and driving the rest away. Days later a group of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightjar nightjars] are attacked in the same way on Bleeker Street with similar results.

Despite this, it soon becomes clear that the cats are ''not'' winning. Eventually, the birds are able to arrange an ambush of their own. A group of cats surround a tiny thrush that appears to have recklessly alighted on a branch on the old yew tree outside the Lone Reveller, a well-regarded eatery on the city's central plaza. Cats converge on the bird from every side-street, but as they do a huge flock of birds of prey plummet from the sky. Amber hawks lancing down to the streets below, plummeting kites with beautiful argent feathers, diving merlins whose feathers bear the rune of wealth.

A battle royale takes place all across the plaza, but the cats are badly outnumbered and outmatched and they are routed in short order. From that point on, no cat is seen in the plaza, thereafter it is the secure demesne of beautiful songbirds. The pattern repeats all across the city and soon the cats are in full retreat. In dribs and drabs they flee the city, seeking refuge in the citadels and spires that still dot the hills and mountains of the territory. By the end of the season, there is not a single cat of any kind left in Apulus.

In their place, the city is filled with birds of every kind and colour imaginable. Most are flighty and wary of people, but the smaller ones come close if fed with seed. Their birdsong fills the city, countless beautiful songs, each one different to the last, are now audible on every street and avenue in the city. Those whose cats have fled mourn the loss of their pets, but the presence of the birds is so beneficial it is hard to be entirely disgruntled. Somehow, the birdsong it entirely drowns out the constant malevolence coming from the Black Plateau, leaving the city well-protected and serene.

The strangely coloured cats with the mispaired eyes have not quit the territory entirely. Every Urizeni spire, every Urizeni magician, has been approached by at least one of the odd cats, seeking adoption and shared cohabitation. Negotiations are opened with offers of dead mice, and the promise of a study completely free of flies and other insects. Despite the obvious concerns, all magical investigation reveals that while the cats are unusually clever and conspiratorial, and clearly touched by night magic, they are not otherwise marked by any connection to the realm or any one of its inhabitants. Any Urizeni magician who wishes, now has at least one cat whose fur is a single primary color, like a bright red or a deep green, with mispaired eyes. The cats are hard working, keeping spires clear of insects and vermin and they are all highly companionable. They clearly welcome human company and like to snuggle close when people are talking or otherwise engaged.

==Never follow me==
<div {{float}}>
<table class='wikitable mw-collapsed mw-collapsible sortable'><tr><th>Citizen</th><th>Banner</th><th>Nation</th></tr>
<tr><td>Alistair de Vere</td><td>House de Vere</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Alys de Vere</td><td>House de Vere</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>D'Eon</td><td>Anvil Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Desmond Redbear Steward</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Earl Enchanter Severin De Manticore</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Evrard Taillier</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lady Soleil-Jolie duLac</td><td>House duLac</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lerac Birdkeep</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lord Bors "The Middle" du Merciel</td><td></td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mirella of the Twisted Rose</td><td>Amber Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Olwyn Pickle</td><td>Amber Lance</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Perrin Syrenus</td><td>House Syrenus</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ser Percival of de Licorne</td><td>House de Licorne</td><td>Dawn</td></tr>
<tr><td>Adrianna</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Caius</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Quintus</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Renata</td><td>Fellowship of the Cinion Dawn</td><td>Silver Flame</td></tr>
<tr><td>Carmine de Sarvos "Father"</td><td>The Printers' Guild</td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Natalia 'The Falcon' Barossa</td><td>Company of The Red Fox</td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sofonisba Amilcara of the City Below</td><td></td><td>The League</td></tr>
<tr><td>Aella</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Althaea Sunshaper</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Arephanes of Tropaion Citadel</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Argentus</td><td>The Wise Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Atreus</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cassian Highwind</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Corinthius</td><td>The Wise Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cyrus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Cyrus Stillwater</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Donato of the Crucible</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Fausta Ankarien</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Floria Sunshaper</td><td>Sunshaper Citadel</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Grakulus</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Halkyon of the Myriad Stream</td><td>The Banner of the Spiral Council</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ignatious</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Linos</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Magnus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Marcus</td><td>The Citadel of the Still Waters</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Sabina</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Shibboleth Tziporah</td><td></td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Valerius</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Varrus</td><td>Urizen, Whole</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Vespasian</td><td>Tropaion</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
<tr><td>Xanthippe Of the Lighthouse-That-Was</td><td>Arete's Promise</td><td>Urizen</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''Sofonisba Amilcara has successfully become the Map to the City Below'''
* '''The military units who assisted her have uncovered a lair under the dominion of the Whisper Gallery below the Vicente School and Orphanage'''
* '''The lair has been destroyed but the Whisper Gallery has stolen the Orphanage that was hiding it'''
* '''Sung has rewarded the Map to the City Below for their efforts'''
* '''There is a pack insert for everyone who took part in the venture that contains words that might describe their experience'''
<div style="float: right; max-width: 350px; margin-right: 10px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sung001b.JPG|width=350|align=right}}
{{HoverImage|WhisperGal004.png|width=350|WhisperGal005.png}}</div>
At the request of the [[Sung|Rainbow Serpent]], Sofonisba Amilcara - the magician the League Assembly has appointed to become the "Map to the City Below" - successfully arranged just under forty five military units to support their efforts to explore the the sewers and passageways that lie beneath the old city. Fears that the [[Whisper Gallery]] would find a way to hinder their efforts have proved unfounded and the force was more than enough to achieve the eternal's goals, whatever they might be. They haven't actually managed to produce a physical map that anyone can check - in fact many of the military units didn't actually seem to do anything other than spend long nights in deep slumber - but that's fine because there was already a perfectly practical map of the sewers anyway. And yet, and yet..

There were revelations at the recent summit of a terrible conspiracy at the heart of the Empire. A cult of the Whisper Gallery has been exposed: involving not only the duSesna Guild of Reckoners in Apulus, but, it is said, the ''very'' highest levels of the Conclave itself. A web of lies and deceit has been spun that has left many wondering who they can truly trust. Thus, it is not a complete shock, when Sofonisba and her allies report that they have discovered a lair of the Whisper Gallery here in Apulus.

The Shadow Den of the Adumbral Volution is something akin to a ''fane''. It has been established in the basement of the [[Custodian_of_the_Vicente_School_and_Orphanage|Vicente School and Orphanage]], not by the action of the Senate, but by the action of wicked cultists. Somehow these agents of wickedness have suborned the title-holder's natural authority over the orphanage and used it to grant dominion to the Whisper Gallery, despite the Senate's lack of formal [[Urizen_hearth_magic#Cession|cession]]. In practical terms, the result is not that different to a [[fane]] - its presence here has allowed the eternal to operate freely in the city - only in this case nobody knew it was happening. Sadly it is difficult to discern more, for the Orphanage has been lost in the battle. The allies of Sung claim they didn't destroy the building; if that is true, the most likely alternative is that the Whisper Gallery has chosen to spirit it away somehow. If the eternal can't have the school, neither can the Empire, it would seem.

<div {{float}}><box>
'''Night Marks'''
<p>Apulus has been left permanently marked by the dominion of the Whisper Gallery. Every magician who examines the marks agrees that there is nothing that can be done about them, but they aren't a threat to the city ''right now''. They may become an issue in the future, but if that happens there will be a way to deal with them then.</p>

<p>They might draw the attention of other night eternals seeking to become involved in the City Below, or they might create an [[opportunity]] for the Whisper Gallery to cause trouble for citizens of Spiral. They exist in case we choose to use them for a new plot involving the eternal in the future.</p></box></div>

The Shadow Den has been uprooted, and the baleful influence of the Whisper Gallery on Apulus has been ended. The duSesna Guild have gone to ground, fleeing Apulus. In time most will likely be found and brought to justice by [[Venture#War_of_Whispers|enterprising captains]] - for they no longer have anywhere to hide, here. Sofonisba reports that she and the captains supporting her have overturned the lair and run the Whisper Gallery out of the city. The eternal is defeated... but their presence here has seeped in to the stones of the city. The wound has healed, but the ''scar'' remains. Magicians who cast [[Bright Lantern of Ophis]] while in Apulus can sense ''something'' which most agree are the marks left on the city by the eternal. A parting gift from the Shadow Courtiers: the magical equivalent of graffiti scrawled on the toilet walls.

There is nothing that can be done about this now: not without razing the city to the ground and beginning again. There is little to fear from these marks in and of themselves - they don't have any power over the city or anyone who dwells in it. The only influence they could have would be to make the city a little more secretive and conspiratorial - and really... this is Apulus. Would anyone even notice at this point?

It would be unwise to forget about the marks completely however. The Whisper Gallery has had to expend considerable effort to create the marks. The ''Concilium of the Perjured Throne'' has demonstrated that the Empire can drive it out, but they cannot remove every trace of its influence. The marks show that the eternal had dominion here once and that perhaps, it intends to return one day to reclaim its prize. Perhaps for that reason, Sung has rewarded the Map to the City Below, empowering them to protect the city from the malevolent wickedness of the Whisper Gallery.

==Take a chance with us==
* '''Other Night eternals have inquired if they might themselves receive a berth in the City Below'''
* '''In particular, the Azoth and Sadogua have drawn up some curious proposals'''
* '''The actual effect of building these commissions is a mystery - but Sung guarantees a measure of protection and safety under the shadow of her wings'''

<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''The Delectable Refectory'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Apulus, Spiral</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 10 wains of mithril, 10 wains of white granite, 10 rings of ilium, and 60 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 1 season</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' The Delectable Refectory would need to be ceded to Sadogua</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' All the effects of this edifice are a mystery</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
</table>

<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''The Grand Laboratory'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Apulus, Spiral</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 10 wains of mithril, 10 wains of white granite, 10 weirwood, 10 rings of ilium, and 90 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 1 season</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' The edifice would need to be ceded to Azoth</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' All the effects of this edifice are a mystery</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year, until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
As predicted, the completion of Sung's fane has drawn attention from other Night eternals - and the routing of the Cavalcade of Purrs has only heightened that, for there is little love lost between the Shadow Courtiers and the other denizens of the realm. Heralds working for both the [[Azoth]] and [[Sadogua]] have begun seen now regularly in the city this season and have also come to call at spires and citadels across the territory. The two eternals have made no secret of the fact that they would ''dearly'' love a place within the City Below to call their own.
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">[[file:Sadogua001d.webp|align=right|width=250]]</div>
Sadogua, perhaps predictably, has taken a close interest in the [[The_play_that_came_to_Apulian#Curiouser_and_Curiouser|dramaturgical college]]. His heralds have presented his "suggestions" for an annex to the University; specifically, ''Batfather'' feels that the current plans fail to take into account the need to ensure that students and teachers are replete with find food and drink, so that they can indulge themselves when needed or deserved. As such, the ''Brother of Wizards'' suggests the construction of what he calls the Delectable Refectory. This would be an edifice ceded to Sadogua - a fane for all practical terms - at which banquets would be served for those who cared to attend them, "with plenty of extra trimmings and custard for all as wants them, and hammocks provided too to aid in after-dinner digestion". Everyone would be welcome to attend, but the Refectory would be housed inside a Night regio, so they would need to cast [[operate portal]] to enter, or have some other means of ingress and egress.
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Crucible.png|align=right|width=200}}</div>
The Azoth has let it be known that it, too, would like a home in the city of night. They envisage a Grand Laboratory that is attached to the growing University of Apulus, though to what end is unclear. As such, they propose that in lieu of actual plans, a suitable quantity of building materials could be acquired first. Then, once they had been arranged, ''Makeready'' would provide the builders and craftspersons with several dozen of its finest alchemical concoctions. After that, they could be encouraged to "just sort of make what comes to mind - no wrong answers!", as one herald put it. Such an... unconventional... approach would be ''guaranteed'' to produce something original and creative. Whether that is an entirely good idea is open to criticism, as one Holberg professor of civil engineering dryly comments "You can overrate the value of originality when suspending three tons of roofing tiles over someone's head".

Either, or both, of these edifices could be constructed and ceded so long as the [[Conclave]] does not declare its enmity on either Eternal. Experienced magicians caution that doing so is bound to provide some benefits to the city, but will inevitably attract even more attention from the other night eternals. [[Lashonar]] and [[Janon]] are both under enmity at the moment, preventing their heralds from ''appearing'' in Spiral, even despite the enchantment over the territory, but there are murmurings that they share the desire of their fellow wyrms and serpents to engage.

There are clear risks in ceding anything to an eternal of course, not least what happens if the Empire decides to change its mind. However the heralds attending the [[Map_to_the_City_Below|Chamber of Euphony]] claim that ''Spiral Dancer'' has enfolded her wings around Apulus, protecting its mysteries and its occupants from harm. Now that the battle for Apulus is won, other night eternals seeking a foothold in the city would be bound to acknowledge Sung's ascendency. The protection provided by the ''Rainbow Serpent'' is something of a double-edged sword - it preserves mysteries, making it literally impossible for Sadogua or Azoth to know what the edifices they propose might ultimately do, but it severely restricts the ability of any eternal to act with genuine malice or deceit. It is not impossible that an eternal could circumvent such protection, Sung is not all knowing and is as prone to error as any mortal, but it would make it vastly more difficult.

This is why Spiral Dancer has created the Map to the City Below. Having successfully driven the ''Concilium of the Perjured Throne'' from Spiral, the Map is now "bound" to the City. Sung's heralds don't actually mean bound in the way a magical item is [[create bond|bound]] to its owner, but they clearly mean something similar. It is clear that Sung believes that a map of the city represents the city in a way that goes beyond what a mortal cartographer might assume. Mortals see the map as an image that represents the city - Sung views it the other way round, regarding the city as a reflection of the map. To the eternal, the map is real and concrete while the city is abstract and symbolic.

Which is all a lot of fancy magical bollocks in the minds of many practical League business folk. What it actually ''means'' is that the "Map" will usually be the first to know if the city is threatened by an eternal. Or that the Map will know about any threat as soon as Sung does. Or that Sung will know about any threat as soon as the Map does. At least one of those things is definitely true, possibly all of them. Straight answers are rare with some night eternals, and none more so than the ''Lord of Illusions''.

==The moment prepared for==
<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Seductive and Mysterious.jpg|caption=Dramaturgy is at once bold and obvious, but also subtle and enigmatic. A play is an easy thing to understand, but its effect on the mind and the spirit not quite so straightforward.|align=left|width=400}}</div>
* '''The dramaturgical confluence has largely ceased, though its cause and nature remain an elusive mystery'''
The dramaturgical confluence that began with the streets of Apulus beginning to stretch and tangle seems to have finally ended. Dramaturgists report that the personae and the thrones seem to be behaving more normally, at least for now. To the disappointment of some, the streets of Apulus seem to have largely settled down. Things are finally where they should be. Good news for accountants who are late for important meetings to go through the books with a client, bad news for cicisbeo who discover they can no longer cram a week's entertainment into a single night.

Not everything is back ''exactly'' the way it was. There is a back-alley off Metals Street just behind Lorazo's Smithy that is barely fifty yards long but it still emerges on Bleeker Street despite the fact that Bleeker Street is almost a mile away. There is a bookdealers in Three Corpse Culvert called Newcomers's Books which has five complete floors to it, as well as a basement, despite being housed in a single story building. There is a statue of Salt Lord Kaliact on the dockfront which slowly changes position, but only when someone is looking at it: otherwise, it is perfectly still. For the large part, these magics are muted and minor, at least compared with the torrent that swept the city when the confluence was in effect.

It is not clear what caused the confluence, or what it ended it for that matter. It is easy to imagine that it was the Whisper Gallery, too easy in the minds of many dramaturgists, who are convinced that the tale cannot be that simple. Dramaturgy has certain resonances that lend itself to the Whisper Gallery's games, but it is not solely the province of Night, after all.

Once the Barossa University of the Dramaturgical Arts is complete, they will be in a position to investigate dramaturgical magic more thoroughly. If they can examine the personae, thrones and instruments, and any lingering effects of the confluence, this might give insight into what happened in Apulus. Even if it doesn't, it will certainly leave the Empire much better prepared were ''another'' confluence to form which would be useful given how eager eternals appear to have been to take advantage of this one.

388YE Summer Solstice event schedule

2026-07-18T16:21:53Z

Hailmur: /* Tally of the Votes */

==New Player Schedule==
For a list of all Player Support and New Player Meetings, please see [[New player schedule|this page]].
__NOTOC__



==Tally of the Votes==
Each summit, a number of national titles are elected via [[Tally of the Votes]]. At the Summer Solstice 388YE, elections for such titles will take place at the following times for the nations listed, in the order shown:
<table class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible">
<tr><th>Time</th><th>Nation</th><th>Location</th><th>Titles in order of election</th></tr>
<tr><td>3:30pm</td><td>Highguard</td><td>Chapel</td><td>[[Vigilant Swan]]<br>[[Cinderpath Custodian]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>3:30pm</td><td>Navarr</td><td>Standing Circle</td><td>[[Broker of Treji Wayhouse]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>4:00pm</td><td>Brass Coast</td><td>Waypoint</td><td>[[Hakima of Salt and Sand]]<br>[[Corsair of Oran]]<br>[[Mistress of the Glass Parador]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>4:00pm</td><td>Urizen</td><td>Near Net of Heaven</td><td>[[Arch of the Sky]]<br>[[Quaymaster of the Hesychian Docks]]<br>[[Architect of the Crucible]]<br>[[Custodian of the Bleak Tower]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>4:30pm</td><td>Marches</td><td>Community Hall</td><td>[[Stone Smith]]<br>[[Reeve of the Happiston Mana Exchange]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>5:00pm</td><td>Dawn</td><td>Glory Square</td><td>[[Reeve of Drycastle]]<br>[[Envoy to the Karass]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>5:00pm</td><td>League</td><td>The Plaza</td><td>[[Keeper of the Tome]]<br>[[Northbound Trademaster]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>5:30pm</td><td>Varushka</td><td>Central Hearth</td><td>[[Granites of Veltsgorsk]]<br>[[Boyar of the Iron Roads]]<br>[[Keeper of the Bonehives]]<br>[[Custodian of the Shchaslyvyy Spile]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>5:30pm</td><td>Wintermark</td><td>Tree of Names</td><td>[[Dean of Runesmith's Caution]]</td></tr>
</table>


==Timetable==
This timetable and much more information can be seen on the notices that get pinned up all around the Hub after time-in. <br />
For any queries regarding the IC timetabling at events you can talk to the civil service staff in the Hub.

=== Citizen Bookings ===
Citizens can request to book Civil Service spaces, as detailed [[Anvil#Booking_Civil_Service_Spaces|here]]. Official meetings organised by the Civil Service are listed in darker shading, whilst such citizen-organised meetings are shown in a lighter colour, as below.

The names of individuals responsible for each booking are published on an in-character version of the timetable which will be available in the Hub throughout the event.

<table>
<tr><td style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Official Meeting</td><td style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Official Meeting</td></tr>
<td style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Citizen-Organised Meeting</td><td style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Citizen-Organised Meeting</td>
</table>

===Friday===
<table>
<tr><th style="width: 4%;">Friday</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Senate Chamber</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Military Council Tent</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Hall of Worlds</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Sodality Chamber</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Civil Service Hub</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Academy</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Arena</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Other</th></tr>
<tr><td>6pm</td><td></td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Imperial Seer]] Scrying</td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="7" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Synod open for [[Judgement]]</td><td rowspan="6" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Parent's evening (including classes sign up)</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>6.30pm</td><td></td><td></td><td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>7pm</td><td></td><td></td><td style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Apothecaries Guild]] meeting</td><td style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Imperial Way Seminary</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>7.30pm</td><td style= "text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-bottom: 6pt solid #b48fb4;">Deadline for Senate motions: 8pm</td><td></td><td style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-bottom: 6pt solid #b48fb4;"> Urizen Magician's Meeting<br />Deadline for Conclave [[Declaration|Declarations]]: 8pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>8pm</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Pride]] Assembly meeting</td><td rowspan="4" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Muster]]</td><td></td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Sun Chamber]] session</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>8.30pm</td><td style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Grandmaster [[Grandmaster#Appointment|hustings]]</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>9pm</td><td style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Ambassador]] Meeting</td><td rowspan="4" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Conclave]] session</td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Symposium</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>9.30pm</td><td></td><td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-bottom: 6pt solid #b48fb4;">Deadline for voting in Synod Judgements: 10pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>10pm</td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Senate session]]</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>10.30pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>11pm</td><td style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Field Marshal Briefing</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>
</td></tr>
<tr><td>11.30pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>12 midnight</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>12.30am</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
</table>

===Saturday===
<table>
<tr><th style="width: 4%;">Saturday</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Senate Chamber</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Military Council Tent</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Hall of Worlds</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Sodality Chamber</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Civil Service Hub</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Academy</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Arena</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Other</th></tr>
<tr><td>10am</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="7" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Synod open for [[Judgement]]</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>10.30am</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>11am</td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Shuttered Lantern]] meeting</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Battles|Battle]]<br />Off Anvil</td></tr>
<tr><td>11.30am</td><td></td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Academy [[The_Academy#Academy_Cadets|Cadets]] Council</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>12 midday</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>12.30pm</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Commission]]s and [[Appraisal]]s discussion</td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Sun Chamber]] session</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>1pm</td><td style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Dawnish [[Fleet]] Captains' Meeting</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Hall of Worlds reserved</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>1.30pm</td><td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom; border-bottom: 6pt solid #b48fb4;">Deadline for Senate motions: 2pm</td><td></td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Symposium</td><td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-bottom: 6pt solid #b48fb4;">Deadline for voting in Synod Judgements: 2pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>2pm</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Auction of the Seats|Auction of the Seats]] for Imperial [[Bourse]] positions</td><td rowspan="4" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Council session]]</td><td style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Rod and Shield]] meeting</td><td></td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Arena reserved</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>2.30pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>3pm</td><td></td><td rowspan="4" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Arcane Colloquium]]</td><td style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Apothecaries Guild]] session</td><td rowspan="5" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Synod open for [[Judgement]]</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>3.30pm</td><td></td><td rowspan=2" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Cat's Graces]] session</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>4pm</td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Senate session]]</td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Six_sheets_to_the_wind#Challenge_of_the_Domination_Sands|Challenge of the Domination Sands]]</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>4.30pm</td><td></td><td rowspan=2" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Magpies]] session</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>5pm</td><td style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Symposium on Love</td><td style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Sevenfold Path]] and [[Silver Chalice]] meetings</td><td></td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Casinean Games</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>5.30pm</td><td></td><td></td></td><td style= "text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-bottom: 6pt solid #b48fb4;">Deadline for Conclave [[Declaration|Declarations]]: 6pm</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Vallornguard]] session</td><td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-bottom: 6pt solid #b48fb4;">Deadline for voting in Synod Judgements: 6pm</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>6pm</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #d4afd4; border-bottom: 6pt solid #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Speed Dating <br>Deadline for Senate motions: 7pm</td></td><td style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Field Marshal Briefing</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[The_Marches_culture_and_customs#Sports_and_Games|Foot-the-Ball]]</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>6.30pm</td><td></td><td style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Grandmaster [[Grandmaster#Appointment|hustings]]</td><td rowspan=2" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Cat's Graces]] session: Election of the [[High Bard of the Empire|High Bard]]</td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Arena reserved</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>7pm</td><td></td></td><td rowspan="6" style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Unofficial Generals' Meeting</td><td rowspan="4" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Conclave]] session</td><td rowspan="5" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Synod open for [[Judgement]]</td><td></td><td></td></td></tr>
<tr><td>7.30pm</td><td></td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Symposium</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>8pm</td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Torchbearer: The [[Emperor Nicovar|Nicovar]] Musical</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>8.30pm</td><td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>9pm</td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Senate session]]</td><td></td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[In_the_Court_of_Far_Horizons|Court of Far Horizons]] meeting</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>9.30pm</td><td></td><td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-bottom: 6pt solid #b48fb4;">Deadline for voting in Synod Judgements: 10pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>10pm</td><td rowspan="4" style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Atun#The_New_Scions_of_Atun|New Scions of Atun]] meeting</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>10.30pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>11pm</td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Senate Motions]] dance</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>11.30pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>12 midnight</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>12.30am</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
</table>

===Sunday===
<table>
<tr><th style="width: 4%;">Sunday</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Senate Chamber</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Military Council Tent</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Hall of Worlds</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Sodality Chamber</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Civil Service Hub</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Academy</th><th style="background-color: #b48fb4; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Arena</th><th style="background-color: #85ae85; width: 12%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Other</th></tr>
<tr><td>10am</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="7" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Synod open for [[Judgement]]</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>10.30am</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #aaddaa; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Symposium</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>11am</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Battles|Battle]]<br />Off Anvil</td></tr>
<tr><td>11.30am</td><td style= "text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-bottom: 6pt solid #b48fb4;">Deadline for Senate motions: 12pm</td><td></td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #d4afd4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Mage's Forum</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>12 midday</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Student Council</td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>12.30pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Sun Chamber]] session</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>1pm</td><td></td><td rowspan="4" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Council session]]</td><td rowspan="4" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Balancing of [[Ephisis' Scale]]</td><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: #85ae85; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Graduation</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>1.30pm</td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: #b48fb4; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">[[Senate session]]</td><td></td><td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; border-bottom: 6pt solid #b48fb4;">Deadline for voting in Synod Judgements: 2pm</td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>2pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>2.30pm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
</table>

388YE Summer Solstice Imperial elections

2026-07-18T16:21:17Z

Hailmur:

===Overview===
The titles below are eligible for re-election at the forthcoming summit. This page will be updated with all the election results after the summit is concluded, and the [[current Imperial titles]] will then be updated.
===National Election===
* [[Bastion|Senator for Bastion]]
* [[Feroz|Senator for Feroz]]
* [[Karov|Senator for Karov]]
* [[Miaren|Senator for Miaren]]
* [[Mitwold|Senator for Mitwold]]
* [[Redoubt|Senator for Redoubt]]
* [[Sarvos|Senator for Sarvos]]
* [[Sermersuaq|Senator for Sermersuaq]]
* [[Spiral|Senator for Spiral]]
* [[Weirwater|Senator for Weirwater]]
===Senate Appointment===
* [[Ambassador to Asavea|Ambassador to Asavea]]
* [[Blackroot Broker|Blackroot Broker]]
* [[Churnspire Adjutor|Churnspire Adjutor]]
* [[Black Thorns|General of the Black Thorns]]
* [[Citadel Guard|General of the Citadel Guard]]
* [[Drakes|General of the Drakes]]
* [[Golden Sun|General of the Golden Sun]]
* [[Granite Pillar|General of the Granite Pillar]]
* [[Northern Eagle|General of the Northern Eagle]]
* [[Red Wind Corsairs|General of the Red Wind Corsairs]]
* [[Sparrows Reckoning|General of the Sparrows Reckoning]]
* [[Summer Storm|General of the Summer Storm]]
* [[General of the Third Navarr]]
* [[Imperial Advisor for the Feni|Imperial Advisor for the Feni]]
* [[Imperial Consul|Imperial Consul]]
* [[Knight of Dawnguard|Knight of Dawnguard]]
* [[Master of the Clearing House|Master of the Clearing House]]
* [[Mediator of Hyljehal|Mediator of Hyljehal]]
* [[Minister of Historical Research|Minister of Historical Research]]
* [[Steward of the Tassato Mana Exchange|Steward of the Tassato Mana Exchange]]
* [[Stipulator of Stipends|Stipulator of Stipends]]
* [[Woundbinder of the Mark|Woundbinder of the Mark]]
===Throne Appointment===
* [[Queen's Rose|Queen's Rose]]
===Synod Judgement===
* [[Archbishop of Capodomus|Archbishop of Capodomus]]
* [[Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq|Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq]]
* [[Benefactor of High Chalcis|Benefactor of High Chalcis]]
* [[Beneficiary of the Golden Cascade|Beneficiary of the Golden Cascade]]
* [[Bishop of the Navigators|Bishop of the Navigators]]
* [[Cardinal of Courage|Cardinal of Courage]]
* [[Cardinal of Pride|Cardinal of Pride]]
* [[Cardinal of Wisdom|Cardinal of Wisdom]]
* [[Champion of Ambition|Champion of Ambition]]
* [[Champion of Vigilance|Champion of Vigilance]]
* [[Friar of Honour's Rest|Friar of Honour's Rest]]
* [[Herald of the Throne of Glory|Herald of the Throne of Glory]]
* [[Herb Tender of the Cerulean Balmhouse|Herb Tender of the Cerulean Balmhouse]]
* [[Imperial Inquisitor|Imperial Inquisitor]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of Prosperity]]
* [[Virtue inquisitor|Inquisitor of The Way]]
* [[Marshal of the Faith|Marshal of the Faith]]
* [[Mistress of Monuments|Mistress of Monuments]]
* [[Prelate of Adelmar's Shrine|Prelate of Adelmar's Shrine]]
* [[Seeker of Quietitude|Seeker of Quietitude]]
* [[Speaker of the Crows|Speaker of the Crows]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Ambition]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Loyalty]]
* [[Voice of Virtue|Voice of Pride]]
===Cardinal Appointment===
* [[Gatekeeper|Gatekeeper of Courage]]
* [[Gatekeeper|Gatekeeper of Wisdom]]
===Military Council Appointment===
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the Brass Coast]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the Imperial Orcs]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the League]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of the Marches]]
* [[Strategos|Strategos of Urizen]]
===Conclave Order Vote===
* [[Rod and Shield|Rod and Shield]]
* [[Unfettered Mind|Unfettered Mind]]
===Declaration Of Candidacy===
* [[Archmage of Night|Archmage of Night]]
* [[Witness of Conclave|Witness of Conclave]]
===Bourse Auction===
* [[Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration|Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration]]
* [[Arratan Gamble|Arratan Gamble]]
* [[Brilliant Shore|Brilliant Shore]]
* [[Citizens' Voice|Citizens' Voice]]
* [[Custodian of the Concordium Dock|Custodian of the Concordium Dock]]
* [[Damatian Cliffs|Damatian Cliffs]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|First Imperial Wayleave]]
* [[Night Quarry|Night Quarry]]
* [[Patron of the Beurteilung|Patron of the Beurteilung]]
* [[Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave|Second Imperial Wayleave]]
* [[Sutton Stone Quarries|Sutton Stone Quarries]]
===Bourse Vote===
* [[Arch of the Sky|Arch of the Sky]]
* [[Architect of the Crucible|Architect of the Crucible]]
* [[Boyar of the Iron Roads|Boyar of the Iron Roads]]
* [[Broker of Treji Wayhouse|Broker of Treji Wayhouse]]
* [[Cinderpath Custodian|Cinderpath Custodian]]
* [[Corsair of Oran|Corsair of Oran]]
* [[Custodian of the Bleak Tower|Custodian of the Bleak Tower]]
* [[Custodian of the Shchaslyvyy Spile|Custodian of the Shchaslyvyy Spile]]
* [[Dean of Runesmith's Caution|Dean of Runesmith's Caution]]
* [[Envoy to the Karass|Envoy to the Karass]]
* [[Granites of Veltsgorsk|Granites of Veltsgorsk]]
* [[Hakima of Salt and Sand|Hakima of Salt and Sand]]
* [[Keeper of the Bonehives|Keeper of the Bonehives]]
* [[Keeper of the Tome|Keeper of the Tome]]
* [[Mistress of the Glass Parador|Mistress of the Glass Parador]]
* [[Northbound Trademaster|Northbound Trademaster]]
* [[Quaymaster of the Hesychian Docks|Quaymaster of the Hesychian Docks]]
* [[Reeve of Drycastle|Reeve of Drycastle]]
* [[Reeve of the Happiston Mana Exchange|Reeve of the Happiston Mana Exchange]]
* [[Stone Smith|Stone Smith]]
* [[Vigilant Swan|Vigilant Swan]]
===Other===
* [[Brock's Toll|Keeper of Brock's Toll]]
* [[Knight-protector|Knight-protector of Summer]]
===Sodality Vote===
* [[Azure Sutannir|Azure Sutannir]]
* [[Burgher of Ketsov|Burgher of Ketsov]]
* [[Counsel of the Sun Chamber|Counsel of the Sun Chamber]]
* [[First Thorn of the Vallornguard|First Thorn of the Vallornguard]]
* [[Golden Fleet Salvagemaster|Golden Fleet Salvagemaster]]
* [[High Bard of the Empire|High Bard of the Empire]]
* [[Cat's Graces#Maestro|Maestro of the Cat's Graces]]
* [[Speaker of the Magpies|Speaker of the Magpies]]
* [[Vallornguard#Speaker_of_the_Vallornguard|Speaker of the Vallornguard]]

[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Recent History]]
[[Category:388YE Summer]]
<div style='font-size: 0.75em;'>Last updated 18/07/2026</div>

The shadows fall behind you

2026-07-18T16:09:51Z

Hailmur: /* Drive */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
<div style="display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<quote by='The Wind Erodes the Mountain, by Fedelmidd Sydanjaa's Heart Floer'>
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found it's end<br>
On south sands the spires and citadels of Urizen<br>
Bore witness as armadas and the army fought and bled<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Those maggots, marauders, they brought with them Mawrig's intent<br>
Destruction, devastation, the dirge of a Grendel advance<br>
A portent's in the water, see the signs, the runes were read<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Fleet foot flanking, they evade the enemy's gaze<br>
Into Elos harbour, the hero's hammer did raise

And shattered the enchantment of a tempestuous talisman<br>
Ruining the ritual and wrecking the purple clad plan<br>
The Warriors whispered "farewell", fell, then rose up from the dead<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest<br>
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found it's end.
</quote>

<quote by='In Redoubt, by Ethelfrith Sigeling'>
In Redoubt,<br>
The runes fall, fated.<br>
As Ull lies with Yoorn,<br>
As the fleets flow in.

The tide turns, the swords drawn.<br>
Under Wanderer’s eye<br>
Waves wash on southern wharves.

Elos – lost<br>
And no hero hurries to the hopeless fight.<br>
But the skein demands our foe is forced to falter,<br>
The blade blunted, that, sea borne,<br>
Would bleed the mountain mage’s heart.<br>

So our soldiers stand, and,<br>
Step by hard-won step<br>
Break the wave,<br>
Shatter the sea-sphere.

A final blow<br>
Of a far-sighted fist.
</quote></div>
{{CaptionedImage|file=LastFistBanner.jpeg|caption=Great leaders inspire greatness in others|align=left|width=400}}
==Overview==
The ripples of the wave that broke on the shores of [[Redoubt]] continue to wash across the Empire. Last season, an [[opportunity]] was [[Flames_and_the_dark#The_Dream_Master|presented]] to create an [[inspirational location]] at the [[Redoubt#Elos|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 [[Flames and the dark|quickly back in service]], soon to be joined by [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Acceptance:_Phaleron_and_Phoebus_Al-Pulpi|a new guest]] from the [[Realms#Day|day realm]].

None of this would have been possible without the sacrifice of the Fist of the Mountain. The oldest of the [[Wintermark]] [[army|armies]], they [[To ruin|gave everything]] to prevent the Grendel invaders destroying Elos with a weapon seized from the [[Bay_of_Catazar#Temple_of_Tempest_Jade|Temple of Tempest Jade]]. If they had not been in Redoubt, the beautiful port-city would have been destroyed by the unleashed power of ''[[Siakha|Maelstrom]]'', and Urizen does not forget such sacrifice.

The [[Synod]] have indicated that they do intend to [[consecration|consecrate]] the restored docks at the [[Redoubt#Elos|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''.
{{SOP|statement=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.|by=Eldrid 'Phoenix Flame' Vestardottir, Ambition Assembly|vote={{GM}} 332-0|when=Spring 388YE|size=small}}

==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 [[mystic|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 [[liao#True Liao|true liao]] in the coming season, it will have a lasting effect - assuming the General Assembly confirm they wish to proceed.

{{Mandate|mandate=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.|assembly=General Assembly}}

Should this mandate be enacted, the banner will be hung in pride of place and the docks consecrated with the [[Auras_of_Ambition#Dare_Do_All|true consecration]] of Ambition. Like the [[Prelate_of_Adelmar%27s_Shrine#Academy_of_Arms|Academy of Arms]] in neighbouring [[Redoubt#Siluri|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==
<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Fist's Memorial'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Sinecure</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Naris, Redoubt </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 12 wains of [[white granite]], 8 wains of [[mithril]], 60 crowns, three months</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' Until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' Requires Elos Harbour be consecrated with true liao following the Summer Solstice 388YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:'''
* Creates the title Custodian of the Fist's Memorial
* Creates a sinecure producing 9 liao
</td></tr>
</table>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightGreen;">'''Custodian of the Fist's Memorial'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Type:''' Urizen or Wintermark national</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Appointment:''' Ambition Assembly</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Powers:''' Receives an income of 9 [[liao]] each season
<tr><td>'''Responsibilities:'''
* Maintain the site and welcome visiting pilgrims
* Share the stories of the last stand of the Fist
* Encourage Imperial citizens to take a stand against the rapacious Grendel</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
* '''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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relief 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.

{{SOPInner|statement=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.|by=Otso Usvaling, Wintermark National Assembly|vote={{GM}} 188-0|when=Spring 388YE}}

==Visionary==
<div {{float}}>
<box>
'''Dissipating Silks'''<br>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
{{Mage Armour}}
* '''Effect:''' You may ignore the ''roleplaying effects'' of any single [[Combat#Traumatic_Wounds|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.
</div>
</box>
</div>
<div {{float}}>
<box>'''Hero's Journey'''<br>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
'''Night Ritual; Magnitude 22/18;'''<br>
''Grants a character with the hero skill a vision and two additional hero points''<br>
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.
</div>
</box>
</div>
* '''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 Urizeni law'''

The [[stargazer|stargazers]] of Urizen and the [[mystic|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 [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Skein|skeins]] interwoven into one great [[Urizen_culture_and_customs#The_Net_of_the_Heavens|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 [[Wintermark_hearth_magic#Crafting|crafting]] and [[Urizen_hearth_magic#Cession|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 [[Zenith#Crucible_of_Fate|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 [[Wintermark_Egregore|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 [[Sung|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|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 [[Siakha|''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 [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] and [[Highguard|Highborn]] figures were their committed enemies. There is an argument that virtue is contagious. The [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Enlightenment|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 [[Grendel_religion#Audacity|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 [[The_League_people#Orcs_and_Humans|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 [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|in competition]] with the more traditional one already written.

{{Mandate|mandate=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.|assembly=Ambition Assembly}}

If the mandate is enacted, it will still allow the creation of the [[#Drive|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.

<ic>
Down they came, the Fist the Fist</br>
And they saw through the mist, the mist</br>
They heard the sound the drums, the drums</br>
The Grendel fleet; it comes it comes</br>
Then Umarth looked he saw he saw</br>
To see their scheme before before</br>
They came to port to fight to fight</br>
But could not dodge his sight his sight</br>
The Maelstroms gift it roared it roared</br>
And crackled on the shore the shore</br>
But none would stop heroes heroes</br>
They came to fight in throes in throes</br>
A crystal brought to seek to seek</br>
Destruction here to wreak to wreak</br>
Yet heroes there stood tall stood tall</br>
Prepared they were to fall to fall</br>
And so they did proclaim, proclaim</br>
A hero has a name, a name</br>
</ic>

The shadows fall behind you

2026-07-18T16:05:55Z

Hailmur: /* Calling */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
<div style="display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<quote by='The Wind Erodes the Mountain, by Fedelmidd Sydanjaa's Heart Floer'>
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found it's end<br>
On south sands the spires and citadels of Urizen<br>
Bore witness as armadas and the army fought and bled<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Those maggots, marauders, they brought with them Mawrig's intent<br>
Destruction, devastation, the dirge of a Grendel advance<br>
A portent's in the water, see the signs, the runes were read<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Fleet foot flanking, they evade the enemy's gaze<br>
Into Elos harbour, the hero's hammer did raise

And shattered the enchantment of a tempestuous talisman<br>
Ruining the ritual and wrecking the purple clad plan<br>
The Warriors whispered "farewell", fell, then rose up from the dead<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest<br>
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found it's end.
</quote>

<quote by='In Redoubt, by Ethelfrith Sigeling'>
In Redoubt,<br>
The runes fall, fated.<br>
As Ull lies with Yoorn,<br>
As the fleets flow in.

The tide turns, the swords drawn.<br>
Under Wanderer’s eye<br>
Waves wash on southern wharves.

Elos – lost<br>
And no hero hurries to the hopeless fight.<br>
But the skein demands our foe is forced to falter,<br>
The blade blunted, that, sea borne,<br>
Would bleed the mountain mage’s heart.<br>

So our soldiers stand, and,<br>
Step by hard-won step<br>
Break the wave,<br>
Shatter the sea-sphere.

A final blow<br>
Of a far-sighted fist.
</quote></div>
{{CaptionedImage|file=LastFistBanner.jpeg|caption=Great leaders inspire greatness in others|align=left|width=400}}
==Overview==
The ripples of the wave that broke on the shores of [[Redoubt]] continue to wash across the Empire. Last season, an [[opportunity]] was [[Flames_and_the_dark#The_Dream_Master|presented]] to create an [[inspirational location]] at the [[Redoubt#Elos|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 [[Flames and the dark|quickly back in service]], soon to be joined by [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Acceptance:_Phaleron_and_Phoebus_Al-Pulpi|a new guest]] from the [[Realms#Day|day realm]].

None of this would have been possible without the sacrifice of the Fist of the Mountain. The oldest of the [[Wintermark]] [[army|armies]], they [[To ruin|gave everything]] to prevent the Grendel invaders destroying Elos with a weapon seized from the [[Bay_of_Catazar#Temple_of_Tempest_Jade|Temple of Tempest Jade]]. If they had not been in Redoubt, the beautiful port-city would have been destroyed by the unleashed power of ''[[Siakha|Maelstrom]]'', and Urizen does not forget such sacrifice.

The [[Synod]] have indicated that they do intend to [[consecration|consecrate]] the restored docks at the [[Redoubt#Elos|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''.
{{SOP|statement=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.|by=Eldrid 'Phoenix Flame' Vestardottir, Ambition Assembly|vote={{GM}} 332-0|when=Spring 388YE|size=small}}

==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 [[mystic|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 [[liao#True Liao|true liao]] in the coming season, it will have a lasting effect - assuming the General Assembly confirm they wish to proceed.

{{Mandate|mandate=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.|assembly=General Assembly}}

Should this mandate be enacted, the banner will be hung in pride of place and the docks consecrated with the [[Auras_of_Ambition#Dare_Do_All|true consecration]] of Ambition. Like the [[Prelate_of_Adelmar%27s_Shrine#Academy_of_Arms|Academy of Arms]] in neighbouring [[Redoubt#Siluri|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==
<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Fist's Memorial'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Sinecure</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Naris, Redoubt </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 12 wains of [[white granite]], 8 wains of [[mithril]], 60 crowns, three months</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' Until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' Requires Elos Harbour be consecrated with true liao following the Summer Solstice 388YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:'''
* Creates the title Custodian of the Fist's Memorial
* Creates a sinecure producing 9 liao
</td></tr>
</table>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightGreen;">'''Custodian of the Fist's Memorial'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Type:''' Urizen or Wintermark national</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Appointment:''' Ambition Assembly</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Powers:''' Receives an income of 9 [[liao]] each season
<tr><td>'''Responsibilities:'''
* Maintain the site and welcome visiting pilgrims
* Share the stories of the last stand of the Fist
* Encourage Imperial citizens to take a stand against the rapacious Grendel</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
* '''If Elos harbour is consecrated this season, then 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'''
* '''The memorial would improve natural resupply for mortal armies and navies from Wintermark and Urizen that were 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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relief 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]].

{{SOPInner|statement=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.|by=Otso Usvaling, Wintermark National Assembly|vote={{GM}} 188-0|when=Spring 388YE}}

==Visionary==
<div {{float}}>
<box>
'''Dissipating Silks'''<br>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
{{Mage Armour}}
* '''Effect:''' You may ignore the ''roleplaying effects'' of any single [[Combat#Traumatic_Wounds|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.
</div>
</box>
</div>
<div {{float}}>
<box>'''Hero's Journey'''<br>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
'''Night Ritual; Magnitude 22/18;'''<br>
''Grants a character with the hero skill a vision and two additional hero points''<br>
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.
</div>
</box>
</div>
* '''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 Urizeni law'''

The [[stargazer|stargazers]] of Urizen and the [[mystic|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 [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Skein|skeins]] interwoven into one great [[Urizen_culture_and_customs#The_Net_of_the_Heavens|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 [[Wintermark_hearth_magic#Crafting|crafting]] and [[Urizen_hearth_magic#Cession|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 [[Zenith#Crucible_of_Fate|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 [[Wintermark_Egregore|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 [[Sung|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|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 [[Siakha|''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 [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] and [[Highguard|Highborn]] figures were their committed enemies. There is an argument that virtue is contagious. The [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Enlightenment|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 [[Grendel_religion#Audacity|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 [[The_League_people#Orcs_and_Humans|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 [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|in competition]] with the more traditional one already written.

{{Mandate|mandate=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.|assembly=Ambition Assembly}}

If the mandate is enacted, it will still allow the creation of the [[#Drive|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.

<ic>
Down they came, the Fist the Fist</br>
And they saw through the mist, the mist</br>
They heard the sound the drums, the drums</br>
The Grendel fleet; it comes it comes</br>
Then Umarth looked he saw he saw</br>
To see their scheme before before</br>
They came to port to fight to fight</br>
But could not dodge his sight his sight</br>
The Maelstroms gift it roared it roared</br>
And crackled on the shore the shore</br>
But none would stop heroes heroes</br>
They came to fight in throes in throes</br>
A crystal brought to seek to seek</br>
Destruction here to wreak to wreak</br>
Yet heroes there stood tall stood tall</br>
Prepared they were to fall to fall</br>
And so they did proclaim, proclaim</br>
A hero has a name, a name</br>
</ic>

The shadows fall behind you

2026-07-18T15:54:39Z

Hailmur: /* Calling */

[[Category:388YE Summer]][[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
<div style="display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<quote by='The Wind Erodes the Mountain, by Fedelmidd Sydanjaa's Heart Floer'>
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found it's end<br>
On south sands the spires and citadels of Urizen<br>
Bore witness as armadas and the army fought and bled<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Those maggots, marauders, they brought with them Mawrig's intent<br>
Destruction, devastation, the dirge of a Grendel advance<br>
A portent's in the water, see the signs, the runes were read<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Fleet foot flanking, they evade the enemy's gaze<br>
Into Elos harbour, the hero's hammer did raise

And shattered the enchantment of a tempestuous talisman<br>
Ruining the ritual and wrecking the purple clad plan<br>
The Warriors whispered "farewell", fell, then rose up from the dead<br>
Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest

Stand against storm and sea as sagas are laid to rest<br>
The wind erodes the Mountain, the First finally found it's end.
</quote>

<quote by='In Redoubt, by Ethelfrith Sigeling'>
In Redoubt,<br>
The runes fall, fated.<br>
As Ull lies with Yoorn,<br>
As the fleets flow in.

The tide turns, the swords drawn.<br>
Under Wanderer’s eye<br>
Waves wash on southern wharves.

Elos – lost<br>
And no hero hurries to the hopeless fight.<br>
But the skein demands our foe is forced to falter,<br>
The blade blunted, that, sea borne,<br>
Would bleed the mountain mage’s heart.<br>

So our soldiers stand, and,<br>
Step by hard-won step<br>
Break the wave,<br>
Shatter the sea-sphere.

A final blow<br>
Of a far-sighted fist.
</quote></div>
{{CaptionedImage|file=LastFistBanner.jpeg|caption=Great leaders inspire greatness in others|align=left|width=400}}
==Overview==
The ripples of the wave that broke on the shores of [[Redoubt]] continue to wash across the Empire. Last season, an [[opportunity]] was [[Flames_and_the_dark#The_Dream_Master|presented]] to create an [[inspirational location]] at the [[Redoubt#Elos|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 [[Flames and the dark|quickly back in service]], soon to be joined by [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Acceptance:_Phaleron_and_Phoebus_Al-Pulpi|a new guest]] from the [[Realms#Day|day realm]].

None of this would have been possible without the sacrifice of the Fist of the Mountain. The oldest of the [[Wintermark]] [[army|armies]], they [[To ruin|gave everything]] to prevent the Grendel invaders destroying Elos with a weapon seized from the [[Bay_of_Catazar#Temple_of_Tempest_Jade|Temple of Tempest Jade]]. If they had not been in Redoubt, the beautiful port-city would have been destroyed by the unleashed power of ''[[Siakha|Maelstrom]]'', and Urizen does not forget such sacrifice.

The [[Synod]] have indicated that they do intend to [[consecration|consecrate]] the restored docks at the [[Redoubt#Elos|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''.
{{SOP|statement=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.|by=Eldrid 'Phoenix Flame' Vestardottir, Ambition Assembly|vote={{GM}} 332-0|when=Spring 388YE|size=small}}

==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 [[mystic|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 [[liao#True Liao|true liao]] in the coming season, it will have a lasting effect - assuming the General Assembly confirm they wish to proceed.

{{Mandate|mandate=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.|assembly=General Assembly}}

Should this mandate be passed, the banner will be hung in pride of place and the docks consecrated with the [[Auras_of_Ambition#Dare_Do_All|true consecration]] of Ambition. Like the [[Prelate_of_Adelmar%27s_Shrine#Academy_of_Arms|Academy of Arms]] in neighbouring [[Redoubt#Siluri|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==
<div {{float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Fist's Memorial'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Sinecure</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Naris, Redoubt </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 12 wains of [[white granite]], 8 wains of [[mithril]] 60 crowns, three months</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' Until the start of Summer Solstice 389YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' Requires Elos Harbour be consecrated with true liao following the Summer Solstice 388YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:'''
* Creates the title Custodian of the Fist's Memorial
* Creates a sinecure producing 9 liao
</td></tr>
</table>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightGreen;">'''Custodian of the Fist's Memorial'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Type:''' Urizen or Wintermark national</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Appointment:''' Ambition Assembly</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Powers:''' Receives an income of 9 [[liao]] each season
<tr><td>'''Responsibilities:'''
* Maintain the the site and welcome visiting pilgrims
* Share the stories of the last stand of the Fist
* Encourage Imperial citizens to take a stand against the rapacious Grendel</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
* '''If Elos harbour is consecrated this season, then 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'''
* '''The memorial would improve natural resupply for mortal armies and navies from Wintermark and Urizen that were 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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relief 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]].

{{SOPInner|statement=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.|by=Otso Usvaling, Wintermark National Assembly|vote={{GM}} 188-0|when=Spring 388YE}}

==Visionary==
<div {{float}}>
<box>
'''Dissipating Silks'''<br>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
{{Mage Armour}}
* '''Effect:''' You may ignore the ''roleplaying effects'' of any single [[Combat#Traumatic_Wounds|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.
</div>
</box>
</div>
<div {{float}}>
<box>'''Hero's Journey'''<br>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
'''Night Ritual; Magnitude 22/18;'''<br>
''Grants a character with the hero skill a vision and two additional hero points''<br>
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.
</div>
</box>
</div>
* '''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 Urizeni law'''

The [[stargazer|stargazers]] of Urizen and the [[mystic|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 [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Skein|skeins]] interwoven into one great [[Urizen_culture_and_customs#The_Net_of_the_Heavens|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 [[Wintermark_hearth_magic#Crafting|crafting]] and [[Urizen_hearth_magic#Cession|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 [[Zenith#Crucible_of_Fate|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 [[Wintermark_Egregore|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 [[Sung|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|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 [[Siakha|''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 [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] and [[Highguard|Highborn]] figures were their committed enemies. There is an argument that virtue is contagious. The [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Enlightenment|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 [[Grendel_religion#Audacity|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 [[The_League_people#Orcs_and_Humans|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 [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|in competition]] with the more traditional one already written.

{{Mandate|mandate=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.|assembly=Ambition Assembly}}

If the mandate is enacted, it will still allow the creation of the [[#Drive|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.

<ic>
Down they came, the Fist the Fist</br>
And they saw through the mist, the mist</br>
They heard the sound the drums, the drums</br>
The Grendel fleet; it comes it comes</br>
Then Umarth looked he saw he saw</br>
To see their scheme before before</br>
They came to port to fight to fight</br>
But could not dodge his sight his sight</br>
The Maelstroms gift it roared it roared</br>
And crackled on the shore the shore</br>
But none would stop heroes heroes</br>
They came to fight in throes in throes</br>
A crystal brought to seek to seek</br>
Destruction here to wreak to wreak</br>
Yet heroes there stood tall stood tall</br>
Prepared they were to fall to fall</br>
And so they did proclaim, proclaim</br>
A hero has a name, a name</br>
</ic>

Full circles

2026-07-18T15:52:03Z

Hailmur: /* Vasilisa the Pilgrim */

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:388YE Summer]]
<ic>The servant - Marinus had been at pains to explain that they were definitely no slaves in his household and everyone working for him was fairly rewarded for their labours - placed a glazed clay bowl in front of Nevyn. It was three-quarters filled with clear water, and there were leaves floating in it. A tiny mote of panic began to grow in the Navarr vate. He had no idea what he was meant to do with it. Was it soup? It was cold - but there were cold soups, he knew. Should he use a spoon, or pick it up in his hands? Was he meant to eat the leaves? He'd accepted Marinus' invitation expecting another rough meal round a campfire such as they'd enjoyed while campaigning against Oblivion, not this sit-down meal with tables, and chairs, and bowls of... whatever this was.

Not for the first time he imagined that his brother in the Celestial Arch would have already looked up everything about Jarmish meal etiquette and know exactly what to do. He could feel Marinus' eyes on him, feel the amused expression on his face as the naga watched to see what he would do.

Someone kicked him in the ankle. It was the young woman sat across the table from him, and she had an exasperated expression on her face. When he looked over, she pointedly dipped her hands into the bowl in front of her and washed them. He shot her a quick smile, and she rolled her eyes at him before admonishing Marinus.

"Father, this is not how we treat guests in this house. You're being rude."

Marinus had the good grace to blush slightly, although it was barely visible on a face already speckled with cherry-red scales.

"You're right, Mirandir my sweet. I was just interested to see if our guest would recognise the custom."

Things clicked quickly into place for Nevyn then.

"Oh, it's like the Highborn tradition then," he said, laving his own hands in the cool water. There was an odd tingle, by no means unpleasant, presumably from the thick fleshy leaves. He looked around for something to dry his hands on that wasn't his trousers, but before he could find anything his neighbour handed him a little towel without really looking at him, still in conversation with the fellow to this left.

"It is indeed," Marinus agreed. "Although I think we have improved on it a little bit. The ''harilik aaloe'' secretes a sap that soothes the skin. My forbears were given to heavy work, and used the juice regularly to treat inflammation and blisters. Today it reminds us of their Prosperity and Ambition, and by sharing our towels as Calibir just did, it helps build the bonds of friendship and Loyalty. Every ceremony has a meaning if you pick away at it long enough. This one I have a particular fondness for - we took a tradition of the Highborn wayfarers, and made it our own without disrespecting its origin, and that should be a source of Pride for anyone."

Marinus' brow crinkled in mock outrage suddenly.

"However, my nephew is being unforgivably rude by not acknowledging you at our table, and he has been raised better than that."

The young man jumped, and spoke quickly in a Jarmish dialect, words falling over themselves in his haste. The Navarr picked out a few words - welcome, unity, words and deeds. The rest was a mishmash of syllables he would have struggled to untangle even if the lad had been speaking more slowly. Calibir looked to his uncle, who nodded, and then he went back to his conversation. Mirandir rolled her eyes again, as only a teenager can.

"So now you are welcome to my table and our fellowship," said Marinus, beaming. "Again mostly ceremonial, but it means that if anyone tries to kill you before we've finished eating I have to defend you even at the cost of my own life. And after the week we have had, fighting those murderous -" he said a word Nevyn hadn't learned yet that made Mirandir blush in her turn " - anyone who ''is'' unwise enough to interrupt our meal by trying to kill you is not going to live long enough to regret it."

Nevyn assumed his host was joking, but then realised he was deadly serious. He glanced quickly around the table, and while most of the rest of the family were busy talking and washing their hands, he saw steel in the gaze of Mirandir and a few of the others he knew were fluent in Imperial.

"Its the kind of thing my forbears took very seriously even before they knew words like ''Truduus'' or ''Julgus'' - Loyalty or Courage as you would say." Marinus chuckled self-deprecatingly. "But also my ancestors would never forgive me if I let a guest at our table be stabbed between the hand-washing and the coffee."

"Ancestors?" said Nevyn, furrowing his own brows slightly.

"A turn of phrase," said the Jarmish magician airily, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. "But come, it is time for food. I've had my cook prepare any number of traditional dishes for you to try and while we're eating, you can tell me all about this new 'proscription' business you mentioned the other day before the ambush."

Three more servants began distributing bowls and plates groaning under the weight of brightly coloured foodstuffs Nevyn had never encountered before, and he silently hoped that he'd be too busy putting food in his mouth to fit his foot in it.</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=OrderSevenfoldPath.jpg|caption=The magicians of the Sevenfold Path build a bridge between the Conclave and the priests of the Synod - and now perhaps with priests even further afield.|align=left|width=300}}</div>
==Overview==
* '''The Sevenfold Path continue to support the fight against Cold Sun in Jarm
* '''They have made a major donation of liao to the Wayist priests of the Jarmish Convocation of Virtue
The situation in the [[Commonwealth]] and [[Principalities of Jarm|Jarm]] is tense, to say the least. Accusations fly back and forth about who precisely instigated the [[Cold war|incursion]] of [[Cold Sun]] in Lantir. The Empire is caught up in them, and Imperial magicians are being treated with additional suspicion in both nations.

Or rather, most of them are. The [[Sevenfold Path]] are in Jarm, helping to resist the advance of Cold Sun. As magicians known for their religious connections, they prompt a number of reactions from their peers. Many simply ignore their commitment to the Way - religion is after all considered a private matter for Jarmish folk. Others take every opportunity to challenge them, often motivated by bitterness about perceived insults or past attempts to overturn society. A small number enthusiastically welcome them and their aid, either because they have seen first hand what the ''[[Cold Sun#Heralds|scions]]'' can do or because they are already adherents of the Way.

It is this latter group that the Sevenfold Path magicians in Jarm made contact with [[Weaving_tangled_nets|last season]], and with whom some have continued to cultivate closer ties while around them the chaos of Cold Sun is matched by the chaos of international diplomacy.

there is some controversy closer to home. Magicians of the [[Sevenfold Path]] have been [[Weaving_tangled_nets#Sevenfold Path|active in Jarm]], offering support against Cold Sun and in the process

==Virtuous Friendship==
* '''The Sevenfold Path have made a significant donation of liao to the Convocation of Virtue
<div style="float:right; width: 175px; clear: right;">
[[File:Assembly Ambition.png]]
[[File:Assembly Courage.png]]
[[File:Assembly Loyalty.png]]
[[File:Assembly Pride.png]]
[[File:Assembly Prosperity.png]]
[[File:Assembly Vigilance.png]]
[[File:Assembly Wisdom.png]]
</div>
In the process of fighting Cold Sun, magicians of the Sevenfold Path have made friendly contact with the ''Convocation of Virtue''. They are a loose, informal fellowship of scholars from across Jarm dedicated to study of the seven virtues. Some of them trace their roots back to [[Highguard|Highborn]] [[wayfarer|wayfarers]] and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] [[illuminate|illuminates]] while others have more recent origins as converts of the Sumaah or in some cases the Sarcophan Delves. A wryly admit to having converted ''themselves'' - a handful cite the influence of poorly translated copies of the ''[[Seer_of_the_Gateway#Publication_2|Echoes of the Labyrinth]]'' as instrumental in leading them to their faith. While they came to the Way by disparate paths, and members regularly disagree with each other, they are drawn together by a fundamental belief in the power of the virtues, and the exaltation of the human spirit.

In pursuit of securing closer ties, a dramatic gift of liao was arranged by the Sevenfold Path during the Spring Equinox. The [[Conclave]] agreed that the [[Conclave order|order]] should [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Concord:_Sevenfold_Path_and_Convocation_of_Virtue|continue to provide their good example in Jarm]]. Unfortunately, there was a little controversy around the declaration itself. It was brought by '''Damiàn i Martàn i Erigo''' on behalf of the Sevenfold Path, rather than being raised by the Grandmaster '''Elagabala'''. The declaration still stands however, and has still had its effect, but the magistrates are investigating the situation as a potential [[List_of_Criminal_Offences#Crimes_against_the_Processes_of_the_State|subversion of the agencies of the state]].

Regardless, the liao was still collected and provided to the Convocation, and the Sevenfold Path remain engaged in Jarm despite the current political hullabaloo. Some of the liao will go towards creating virtuous auras to help in the fight against Cold Sun, but perhaps more importantly it will also allow the Convocation to [[consecration|consecrate]] their meeting houses, [[dedication|dedicate]] more priests, and spread the inspirational touch of the Way to their fellow pilgrims.
===Regarding the Convocation===
* '''The Sevenfold Path has learned more about the Convocation and its practices
Fighting alongside them against Cold Sun has given members of the Sevenfold Path more insight into the Convocation of Virtue. They certainly appear to represent the most organised and widespread followers of the Way in Jarm. They number both magicians and mundane citizens among their number, who view the virtues as a path toward not only enlightenment but also as guides to help them pursue their personal ambitions.

There are other notionally individual followers of the Way or even small sects spread across Jarm, but the Convocation regretfully describes them as closer to "cultists" than actual pilgrims. It's not uncommon for a group to adopt one or two of the virtues, for example, in a manner similar to the sects of the Axou, or to create their own garbled version of the [[Doctrines of the Faith]] that serve their particular agenda. There are other actual sects who follow the Way, but they are at odds with the Convocation as a whole, often insisting on a form of "ideological purity of faith" that the Convocation cannot embrace. There are even, apparently, a few cells of zealots drunk on the tents of [[Courage]] and [[Ambition]] who use criminal methods to attack the interests of the Princes, invariably leading to them meeting the same kind of end such groups would meet in the Empire. While their commitment to their interpretation of virtue is clear, they nonetheless cause real problems for those who don't share them but who look like them in the eyes of some of the suspicious Magician-Princes.

The Convocation is somewhat conservative in its beliefs, but has wholeheartedly embraced the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Enlightenment|Doctrine of Enlightenment]]. They have extensively discussed the other Doctrinal changes the Empire has undertaken - but find that those relating to [[orc|orcs]] are broadly irrelevant to them. There are factions within the Convocation who are staunch abolitionists, wishing to see slavery ended in the Principalities for numerous reasons relating to [[Pride]], [[Prosperity]], and [[Ambition]]. Others see it as a necessary part of the Jarmish traditions, and point to the tenets of [[Pride]], [[Prosperity]], and [[Ambition]] as supporting the institution.

Unlike the Synods of the Empire and [[Sumaah Republic]], there are no formal ranks within the Convocation - nothing like a [[Cardinal]] for example. Individual sects may be a little more structured, particularly the larger ones, but even there their leaders more closely resemble [[the League|League]] [[bishop|bishops]] than any Synod title. When decisions need to be made, priests reach an agreement via debate, extensive letter-writing, and an annual meeting that takes place during the Winter Solstice each year. It's also interestingly rare for members of the Convocation to prioritise one virtue over the other six, and is often viewed as a sign that someone is straying from the path. One Sevenfold Path magician notes that if the Convocation of Virtue were to join the Imperial Synod, they would be solidly placed in the Assembly of the Way.

While the Convocation tends towards the scholarly, they are by no means passive. The level of proselytising varies from sect to sect, but many are committed to the ambition of sharing the virtues with anyone who will listen. Most Princes generally tolerate them - but by no means all. The Jarmish attitude to religion and faith as a purely personal matter protects them from censure, but some Princes closely identify the Convocation with the Imperial Synod and treat it with a significant degree of suspicion. There is always a threat of ''some'' kind of clampdown on the Convocation by the House of Princes - every time the Empire or Sumaah does something that annoys the Jarmish government concerns are raised about the pilgrims in the Principalities. Ultimately, though, it is the relaxed attitude to matters of faith that means nothing ever comes of this. To crack down on someone for their spiritual beliefs would not only set dangerous precedents, it would broadly be viewed as ''gauche'' by most of the people of Jarm.

It is however hard for the Sevenfold Path to shake the suspicion that the Convocation represents a specifically ''Jarmish'' approach to the Way. Its members don't deny that they share a religion with the Empire, but they don't look to either the Imperial Synod or the Sumaah Houses of the Way as their "leaders". They see themselves more as equals to the Synod and the Houses, laughable as that might appear. They are certainly keen to cultivate ties with the Sevenfold Path - who are after all magicians - and accept their aid in strengthening the faith in Jarm.

==Vasilia the Pilgrim==
* '''The Convocation does not recognise paragons and exemplars
* '''They honour a figure called Vasilia the Pilgrim as their spiritual progenitor
* '''There is an opportunity to learn more about Vasilia using historical research
One figure who is referenced several times in discussion with the Convocation of Virtue is that of ''Vasilia the Pilgrim''. Vasilia is viewed as an inspirational figure by the Convocation of the Way. While the Convocation does not formally recognise any paragons or exemplars, they still honour inspirational figures. Stories of these figures are used as parables, as part of sermons or religious instruction, or sometimes to hide the teachings of the virtues in "plain sight" for a wider audience unaware of their religious underpinnings. Vasilia is pretty universally respected by the priests of the Convocation, many of whom speak of her with a degree of actual affection.

According to the stories told to the Sevenfold Path, Vasilia was a magician from northern Jarm who travelled across the early Principalities and beyond in a quest to understand the unknowable. She weighed and examined the many spiritual truths she encountered through the lens of her own beloved traditions, and took every opportunity to encourage others to do the same.

To the priests of Jarm, she is closely tied to their understanding of Pride - that shame is an anchor that drags one down; that the virtuous inspire others with their words and deeds so that they can see how to change their own lives; that every individual is fundamentally shaped by where they come from no matter how far they may travel from their homes; and that while one should never be ashamed to change one's mind, neither should one throw away the traditions and beliefs that makes someone who they are. She is also seen as a figure of great Wisdom - knowing that she did not know everything; embracing doubt over convenient certainty; carefully testing the claims of priests and spiritualists; listening sincerely to others with different experiences and opinions but never taking their words as gospel; putting together the building blocks of thought to create her own understanding of the world.

It all gets a little esoteric in places, but fundamentally Vasilia is seen by the Convocation as ultimately being their founder, even though she apparently lived and died long before the first missionaries brought the early inkling of the Way to Jarm. When challenged on this, they explain that she created a blueprint whereby Jarmish folk interested in matters of faith and spirit could engage with it without surrendering their identity as people of the Principalities. It was through her example that the original Convocation came together, and so they view her as their spiritual progenitor.
<div {{Float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Vasilia the Pilgrim and Jarmish inspiration'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Motion Type:''' Historical Research</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Necessary Details:''' Should clearly indicate it is an invitation to the Convocation of Virtue to share stories of Vasilia the pilgrim, and their approach to inspirations</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' None additional</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' Produces a historical research document relating to Vasilia the Pilgrim and Jarmish attitudes to paragons and exemplars</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' One year; until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' Dependant on the Convocation of Virtue remaining well-inclined to the Sevenfold Path</td></tr>
</table></div>
A polite enquiry by one of the Sevenfold Path members indicates that the Convocation is absolutely open to . After some discussion, the proposal is that if either the [[Lepidean_Librarian#Lepidean_University|Lepidean University]] or the [[Historical_research#The_Department_of_Historical_Research|Department of Historical Research]] offer a formal invitation to members of the Convocation to visit the Empire to share their stories, they would happily share more about Vasilia the Pilgrim, and about their attitude to inspirational figures in general. Obviously, this would require either the [[Lepidean Librarian]] or the [[Minister of Historical Research]] (or the [[Senate]]) to commission the appropriate [[historical research]].
===Path of the Spirits===
<div {{Float}}>
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''House of the Pilgrim'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Coastal region on the Bay of Catazar</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 12 white granite, and 36 crowns in labour</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 3 months</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' Provides hospitality to Jarmish pilgrims of the Way visiting the Empire</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' Until the end of the Spring Equinox 389YE </td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' The commission must clearly indicate it is a place for Jarmish pilgrims of the Way to find hospitality</td></tr>
</table></div>
* '''The Convocation of Virtue proposes an edifice in the Empire to offer hospitality to visiting Jarmish pilgrims
The initial gift of liao is valuable, but it is only a start. After discussion, a proposal is put forward. It's currently... challenging... for Jarmish merchants to visit the Empire. There's some talk of arranging trade via Zemelslo but that doesn't feel especially efficient, given that it would be dependant on the winds of politics (which seem to be blowing in a distinctly unpredictable way at the moment). Likewise, any attempt to re-establish something along the lines of the Limitu Principality House of the Way would be utterly dependant on the patience of one Magician-Prince or another - and more importantly their entire families and all their successors.

What they would like is for the Sevenfold Path to arrange the creation of a pilgrim's shrine in the Empire - the ''House of the Pilgrim''. It would need to be constructed in a coastal region on the Bay of Catazar, with a clear mandate to welcome and offer hospitality to Jarmish pilgrims who wish to visit the various [[Inspirational_location|sites of virtue]] across the Empire, and to discuss the Way with their Imperial peers (by which they mostly mean the Sevenfold Path, but also enlightened members of the Synod). It needn't be anything especially [[Edifice#Grandeur|grandiose]] - the Convocation is talking about an [[edifice]] using at least 12 wains of [[white granite]], that would take three months to build, and have a basic cost of 36 crowns in labour costs.

Ensuring Jarmish pilgrims were welcomed, free to meet with followers of the Way in the Empire, and perhaps most crucially, free to purchase liao, then it would create an avenue for the Sevenfold Path to strengthen ties with the Convocation. In return, the Convocation would provide the [[Sevenfold_Path#Conclave_vault|vault]] of the Sevenfold Path with a number of Jarmish "star jewels" - one each of the ''Jewel of the Celestial Bowl'', the ''Jewel of the Celestial Eagle'', the ''Jewel of the Celestial Tower'', and the ''Jewel of the Celestial Spring''. These [[Magic_items#Talismans|talismans]] empower magicians to use their spells more frequently, and presumably would be useful to the members of the Order or their friends.

The edifice presents other opportunities, although not ones that are proposed by the Convocation directly. While the Jarmish priests don't request anything of significant grandeur, a larger edifice than the minimum suggested, especially one that incorporated either beautiful gardens (representing the inclusion of at least 5 wains of [[weirwood]]), or a library combining religious and magical ropics (representing the inclusion of at least 5 wains of [[mithril]]), or that was simply larger and more beautiful (representing more wains in general) could not help but impress the pilgrims.

==Blossoms of Virtue==
* '''The Sevenfold Path or the Empire could pursue closer ties with the Convocation
* '''The Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path could guide their order to engage in discussion with the Convocation
* '''Some methods have been identified; others doubtless exist
Other ways to further impress the Convocation, and increase their enthusiasm for the Empire, would be if the finished edifice were to be [[Consecration#True_Liao|consecrated]] with [[liao#true liao|true liao]] by the [[Pride]] assembly, or if the [[Synod]] were to [[recognition|recognise]] ''Vasilisa the Pilgrim'' as an exemplar or paragon. It's impossible to predict what the outcome would be, but any of these approaches would certainly encourage friendship between the Convocation of Virtue and the Sevenfold Path - and potentially, ultimately, the Synod.

What doesn't seem to be on the cards at the moment is any personal contact with the Convocation. Their lack of titles and structure means that there is nobody "in charge" and while there are a number of respected scholars among them, none have so far put themselves forward. Some of the Sevenfold Path magicians believe this might be a form of precaution against censure; the more organised the Convocation becomes the easier it is to see it as a threat. Likewise, proof of "secret missives" flying back and forth between Imperial citizens and Jarmish followers of the Way risk providing grounds for the more xenophobic Princes to take action against the Convocation. For now, then, any approaches to the Convocation will need to be made with care, likely using tools such as Synod [[judgement|judgements]] and Conclave [[declaration|declarations]].
{{CaptionedImage|file=Elagabala Preaching.jpg|caption='''Elagabala ''', Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path|align=right|width=450}}
The Sevenfold Path currently remains in Jarm, helping to fight Cold Sun. If the [[Grandmaster]] of the Sevenfold Path wished, they could use a [[Declaration]] to [[Concord#Guiding_an_Order|guide the order]] to further engage with the Convocation. As well as continuing to battle the ''scions'', magicians of the [[Conclave order|order]] would spend time with their Jarmish fellows and further explore their connection to the Way. The Grandmaster could name a specific question about the Convocations approach to spiritual matters, their opinion on specific doctrinal issues, the specific challenges facing them as followers of the Way in Jarm, or their attitude to touchy subjects such as slavery, orcs, or the ''magocracy''. This would have the usual costs, but would provide an entry in the Winds of Fortune for the Autumn Equinox detailing more about the chosen topic. Even if Jarm chose to eject the Conclave Orders, the information would still be gleaned before the order was forced to leave. Guiding the order in this way would incur the usual costs.

The civil service also urge caution. Drawing attention to the growing relationship between the Sevenfold Path and the Convocation - via discussing them in an [[Ambassador|Ambassadorial]] letter for example - could prove detrimental to the fragile ties being established. It could also cause problems for the Convocation, especially given the current situation in Jarm.
{{Jarm Links}}

Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic

2026-07-18T15:40:54Z

Hailmur: /* Powers */

==Overview==
The Ambassador to the [[Sumaah Republic]] is an [[Imperial title]]. It is an Imperial position appointed by the Imperial Senate.

After a [[Construct Sumaah embassy|false start]] in Winter 378YE, the [[Senate]] eventually [[commission|commissioned]] an [[embassy]] for the Sumaah Republic in [[Construct Sumaah embassy II|Spring 379YE]]. The project was been dogged by problems, and not completed until shortly before the Spring equinox 380YE. This delay exacerbated [[Trade_winds#The_Sumaah_Republic|the growing fury of the Sumaah Republic]] towards the Empire, which culminated in a [[Price_of_prosperity#War_with_Sumaah|declaration of war]] by the Republic in late 379YE.

That declaration was rescinded during the Summer Solstice 382YE, but at the same time the Sumaah declared themselves the custodians of the Way and denounced Imperial claims to authority over the religion.
{{WingedMessenger|address=Oxtitocszin, Censor of wood, metal and stone, of the High House of Pride, Sumaah Republic}}
Prior to the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Ambassador was able to purchase goods from merchants and those seeking favour. This was changed, along with the rest of the ambassadors, when the Senate voted to [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Amend_Imperial_Embassies|amend]] the embassies to end the practice, removing mercantile support and the upkeep costs at the same time.
==Responsibilities==
The [[ambassador]] is expected to represent the Empire in relations with the [[Sumaah Republic]]. They have all the responsibilities [[Ambassador#Responsibilities|common]] to an Imperial ambassador.

==Powers==
===Imperial Ambassador===
The title has all the [[Ambassador#Powers|common powers]] of an ambassador: they can receive a formal [[Ambassador#Delegation|delegation]], and may prepare a [[Ambassador#Treaty|treaty]].

</table></div>

===Stipend===
The Ambassador receives a [[Imperial_treasury#Stipends|stipend]] of four thrones each season.

==Appointment==
The Ambassador to Sumaah is an Imperial position [[Appointments_by_the_Senate#Imperial_Position|appointed by the Senate]]. Any Imperial citizen can hold this title, and the ambassador serves for a year. They can be [[Revocation|revoked]] by the [[Assembly#General_Assembly|General Assembly]] and by the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine|Assembly of the Nine]].
{{CaptionedImage|file=Accalon5901.jpg||caption=Accalon of Felix's Watch, Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic|align=left|width=350}}
{{RecentElections|Ambassador_to_the_Sumaah_Republic}}
{{Responsibilities Expectation}}
[[Category:Title]][[Category:Foreign Nations]][[Category:Senate]][[Category:Ambassador]]
{{Sumaah Links}}

Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves

2026-07-18T15:40:48Z

Hailmur: /* Powers */

<div style="display:inline-block; float: left; width: 300px; margin-right: 10px;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Thane Thanmir Hrafnar.jpg|caption=The first ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves was appointed in Autumn 380YE|title=Thanmir Hrafnar|align=left|width=300}}</div>
==Overview==
The [[embassy]] to the merchants of the [[Sarcophan Delves]] was [[commission|commissioned]] by the [[Senate]] during the [[Construct_Sarcophan Delves_Embassy|Summer Solstice 380YE]], and work began almost immediately in [[Urizen]]. Built in the port-town of [[Redoubt#Cargo|Cargo]], in [[Redoubt]], construction was completed in a timely fashion and a small group of ambassadors took residence shortly before the Autumn Equinox. Unlike other nations, there does not appear to be a single ambassador - instead representatives of five of the ''Bedelaar Huisbaas'' seem to share the residence and the responsibilities of diplomacy with the Empire. Each of these ambassadors has brought their own staff, meaning the embassy is almost certainly quite crowded - which has led to the embassy spilling over into, and dominating, the nearby neighbourhood.

The Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves is an [[Imperial title]]. It is an Imperial position appointed by the Imperial Senate.
{{WingedMessenger|address=Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike, The Tower of Crows, Sarcophan, Sarcophan Delves}}
Prior to the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Ambassador was able to purchase goods from merchants and those seeking favour. This was changed, along with the rest of the ambassadors, when the Senate voted to [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Amend_Imperial_Embassies|amend]] the embassies to end the practice, removing mercantile support and the upkeep costs at the same time.
==Responsibilities==
The [[ambassador]] is expected to represent the Empire in relations with the [[Sarcophan Delves]]. They have all the responsibilities [[Ambassador#Responsibilities|common]] to an Imperial ambassador.
==Powers==
===Imperial Ambassador===
The title has all the [[Ambassador#Powers|common powers]] of an ambassador: they can receive a formal [[Ambassador#Delegation|delegation]], and may prepare a [[Ambassador#Treaty|treaty]].

===Stipend===
The Ambassador receives a [[Imperial_treasury#Stipends|stipend]] of four thrones each season.

==Appointment==
The Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves is an Imperial position [[Appointments_by_the_Senate#Imperial_Position|appointed by the Senate]]. Any Imperial citizen can hold this title, and the ambassador serves for a year as standard. They can be [[Revocation|revoked]] by the [[Assembly#General_Assembly|General Assembly]] and by the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine|Assembly of the Nine]].
{{CaptionedImage|file=AmbassadorSarcophanDelves.jpg|caption='''Dino i Riqueza''', Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves|align=left|width=300}}
{{RecentElections|Ambassador_to_the_Sarcophan_Delves}}
{{Responsibilities Expectation}}
{{Sarcophan Links}}
[[Category:Title]][[Category:Foreign Nations]][[Category:Senate]][[Category:Ambassador]]

Ambassador to the Iron Confederacy

2026-07-18T15:40:35Z

Hailmur: /* Powers */

{{CaptionedImage|file=LukashBiessekvonTemeschwar.jpg|caption=The first ambassador to the Suranni was appointed in Summer 379YE|title=Lukash Biessek von Temeschwar.|align=left|width=300}}
==Overview==
The Ambassador to the Iron Confederacy is an [[Imperial title]] It is an Imperial position appointed by the [[Senate]]. The Senate commissioned the [[Construct_Iron_Confederacy_embassy|construction]] in [[Sarvos]] of an embassy with the Iron Confederacy during the Spring Equinox 379YE. The embassy was completed shortly before the Summer Solstice 379YE, and Lukash Biessek von Temeschwar was appointed as the first ambassador. Rumour suggests that the Iron Confederacy expressed a preference for Lukash specifically.
{{WingedMessenger|address=Baroness Katerine Lavasse of Meore, Tour Lavasse, Chaubrette, Iron Confederacy}}
Prior to the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Ambassador was able to purchase goods from merchants and those seeking favour. This was changed, along with the rest of the ambassadors, when the Senate voted to [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Amend_Imperial_Embassies|amend]] the embassies to end the practice, removing mercantile support and the upkeep costs at the same time.
==Responsibilities==
The [[ambassador]] is expected to represent the Empire in relations with the [[Iron Confederacy]]. They have all the responsibilities [[Ambassador#Responsibilities|common]] to an Imperial ambassador.
==Powers==
===Imperial Ambassador===
The title has all the [[Ambassador#Powers|common powers]] of an ambassador: they can receive a formal [[Ambassador#Delegation|delegation]], and may prepare a [[Ambassador#Treaty|treaty]].



===Stipend===
The Ambassador receives a [[Imperial_treasury#Stipends|stipend]] of four thrones each season.

==Appointment==
The Ambassador to the Iron Confederacy is an Imperial position [[Appointments_by_the_Senate#Imperial_Position|appointed by the Senate]]. Any Imperial citizen can hold this title, and the ambassador serves for a year. They can be [[Revocation|revoked]] by the [[Assembly#General_Assembly|General Assembly]] and by the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine|Assembly of the Nine]].
{{CaptionedImage|file=AmbassadorIronConfederacy.png|caption='''Tethros i Zuhri i Erigo''', Ambassador to the Iron Confederacy|align=left|width=300}}
{{RecentElections|Ambassador_to_the_Iron_Confederacy}}
{{Responsibilities Expectation}}
[[Category:Title]][[Category:Foreign Nations]][[Category:Senate]][[Category:Ambassador]]
{{Suranni Links}}

Ambassador to Otkodov

2026-07-18T15:40:28Z

Hailmur: /* Powers */

{{CaptionedImage|file=Juha the Cave Spider.jpg|width=400|align=left|caption=The first Ambassador to Otkodov was appointed by the Imperial Senate in Spring 381YE.|title=Juha the Cave Spider}}
==Overview==
The Ambassador to the Thule orcs of [[Otkodov]] is an [[Imperial title]] It is an Imperial position appointed by the [[Senate]].

Work on an embassy for the [[Thule]] [[orc|orcs]] was [[commission|commissioned]] in Summer 381YE by [[Construct_Embassy_to_the_Thule|order]] of the [[Senate]], and completed just before the Autumn Equinox that year. This followed on from some disagreements with the northern orcs about [[Spear_of_the_stars#Ambassador_to_the_Thule|how an ambassador might be appointed]] - they made clear that a uniquely [[Varushka|Varushkan]] [[ambassador]] would be particularly appealing to them, to the point where a physical embassy would be unnecessary. The Imperial Senate declined their offer.

The embassy itself stands in [[Miekarova]], just across the lake from Wendell's Hope in [[Miekarova#Mieriada|Mieriada]]. Isolated, snowed under for nearly half the year, the embassy is already seen as a poor posting for civil servants. By the time the embassy was completed the [[Varushka|Varushkan]] '''Juha the Cave Spider''' of the Circle of Zulgan Tash was [[Appoint_Thule_Ambassador|already serving]] as ambassador for several seasons.
{{WingedMessenger|address=Runa Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided, Embassy to Otkodov, Mieriada, Miekarova}}
Prior to the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Ambassador was able to purchase goods from merchants and those seeking favour. This was changed, along with the rest of the ambassadors, when the Senate voted to [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Amend_Imperial_Embassies|amend]] the embassies to end the practice, removing mercantile support and the upkeep costs at the same time.
==Responsibilities==
The [[ambassador]] is expected to represent the Empire in relations with the [[Thule]] of [[Otkodov]]. They have all the responsibilities [[Ambassador#Responsibilities|common]] to an Imperial ambassador.
==Powers==
===Imperial Ambassador===
The title has all the [[Ambassador#Powers|common powers]] of an ambassador: they can receive a formal [[Ambassador#Delegation|delegation]], and may prepare a [[Ambassador#Treaty|treaty]].

===Stipend===
The Ambassador receives a [[Imperial_treasury#Stipends|stipend]] of four thrones each season.

===Heating Provision===
During Spring 383YE, the ambassador of the time, '''Yevgeni Katzev''', liaised with the civil service to arrange additional supplies for the embassy. This allows the ambassador to spend 1 crown to provide firewood to the Thule who live there. Apart from possibly improving the mood of Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided in the colder months (which for Wendell's Hope is essentially every month except the very height of Summer), there is no tangible benefit for doing this.

==Appointment==
The Ambassador to Otkodov is an Imperial position [[Appointments_by_the_Senate#Imperial_Position|appointed by the Senate]]. Any Imperial citizen can hold this title, and the ambassador serves for a year. They can be [[Revocation|revoked]] by the [[Assembly#General_Assembly|General Assembly]] and by the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine|Assembly of the Nine]].
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kindra Surefoot.jpg|caption='''Kindra Surefoot''', Ambassador to Otkodov|align=left|width=300}}
{{RecentElections|Ambassador_to_Otkodov}}
{{Responsibilities Expectation}}
[[Category:Title]][[Category:Foreign Nations]][[Category:Senate]][[Category:Ambassador]]

Ambassador to Otkodov

2026-07-18T15:40:13Z

Hailmur: /* Powers */

{{CaptionedImage|file=Juha the Cave Spider.jpg|width=400|align=left|caption=The first Ambassador to Otkodov was appointed by the Imperial Senate in Spring 381YE.|title=Juha the Cave Spider}}
==Overview==
The Ambassador to the Thule orcs of [[Otkodov]] is an [[Imperial title]] It is an Imperial position appointed by the [[Senate]].

Work on an embassy for the [[Thule]] [[orc|orcs]] was [[commission|commissioned]] in Summer 381YE by [[Construct_Embassy_to_the_Thule|order]] of the [[Senate]], and completed just before the Autumn Equinox that year. This followed on from some disagreements with the northern orcs about [[Spear_of_the_stars#Ambassador_to_the_Thule|how an ambassador might be appointed]] - they made clear that a uniquely [[Varushka|Varushkan]] [[ambassador]] would be particularly appealing to them, to the point where a physical embassy would be unnecessary. The Imperial Senate declined their offer.

The embassy itself stands in [[Miekarova]], just across the lake from Wendell's Hope in [[Miekarova#Mieriada|Mieriada]]. Isolated, snowed under for nearly half the year, the embassy is already seen as a poor posting for civil servants. By the time the embassy was completed the [[Varushka|Varushkan]] '''Juha the Cave Spider''' of the Circle of Zulgan Tash was [[Appoint_Thule_Ambassador|already serving]] as ambassador for several seasons.
{{WingedMessenger|address=Runa Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided, Embassy to Otkodov, Mieriada, Miekarova}}
Prior to the Winter Solstice 387YE, the Ambassador was able to purchase goods from merchants and those seeking favour. This was changed, along with the rest of the ambassadors, when the Senate voted to [[387YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Amend_Imperial_Embassies|amend]] the embassies to end the practice, removing mercantile support and the upkeep costs at the same time.
==Responsibilities==
The [[ambassador]] is expected to represent the Empire in relations with the [[Thule]] of [[Otkodov]]. They have all the responsibilities [[Ambassador#Responsibilities|common]] to an Imperial ambassador.
==Powers==
===Imperial Ambassador===
The title has all the [[Ambassador#Powers|common powers]] of an ambassador: they can receive a formal [[Ambassador#Delegation|delegation]], and may prepare a [[Ambassador#Treaty|treaty]].

===Heating Provision===
During Spring 383YE, the ambassador of the time, '''Yevgeni Katzev''', liaised with the civil service to arrange additional supplies for the embassy. This allows the ambassador to spend 1 crown to provide firewood to the Thule who live there. Apart from possibly improving the mood of Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided in the colder months (which for Wendell's Hope is essentially every month except the very height of Summer), there is no tangible benefit for doing this.
===Stipend===
The Ambassador receives a [[Imperial_treasury#Stipends|stipend]] of four thrones each season

==Appointment==
The Ambassador to Otkodov is an Imperial position [[Appointments_by_the_Senate#Imperial_Position|appointed by the Senate]]. Any Imperial citizen can hold this title, and the ambassador serves for a year. They can be [[Revocation|revoked]] by the [[Assembly#General_Assembly|General Assembly]] and by the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine|Assembly of the Nine]].
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kindra Surefoot.jpg|caption='''Kindra Surefoot''', Ambassador to Otkodov|align=left|width=300}}
{{RecentElections|Ambassador_to_Otkodov}}
{{Responsibilities Expectation}}
[[Category:Title]][[Category:Foreign Nations]][[Category:Senate]][[Category:Ambassador]]