An apple that falls - Revision history

Twiggy at 21:26, 4 March 2026

2026-03-04T21:26:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:26, 4 March 2026
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	Crucially the Marchers were able to reign in the Imperial armies, limiting further loss of life on all sides of the conflict. The orders issued to the four Marcher armies all amounted to a steady advance designed to minimise casualties, but it wasn't just the Marchers this time - the Imperial Orcs also took the same approach. If this behaviour continues over the seasons ahead it will have an increasing effect on attitudes on the ground in the Mournwold - blunting the criticism that this was is about killing the Jotun and that the Mourn is just a convenient battlefield for the slaughter.		Crucially the Marchers were able to reign in the Imperial armies, limiting further loss of life on all sides of the conflict. The orders issued to the four Marcher armies all amounted to a steady advance designed to minimise casualties, but it wasn't just the Marchers this time - the Imperial Orcs also took the same approach. If this behaviour continues over the seasons ahead it will have an increasing effect on attitudes on the ground in the Mournwold - blunting the criticism that this was is about killing the Jotun and that the Mourn is just a convenient battlefield for the slaughter.

	Sadly the immediate benefits gained from the Empire's generosity towards the Jotun thralls were largely squandered by the message sent to the Mourn (and the wider Empire) from the Imperial [[Warmage]] in which he appeared to defend the decisions of his predecessor and affirmed that he would repeat them in the future. Following the [[The_Throne#Address_the_Empire\|Imperial Address]], the situation in the Mourn is now so febrile that it is impossible for the Imperial civil service to fully assess the situation, indeed it is increasingly dangerous for anyone who isn't a Marcher to be abroad alone in the Mournwold right now... As a result they are unable to advise on clear solutions that might be implemented - the best they can do is ~~summarize~~ the key problems and identify possible areas where action might be taken to mitigate the situation.		Sadly the immediate benefits gained from the Empire's generosity towards the Jotun thralls were largely squandered by the message sent to the Mourn (and the wider Empire) from the Imperial [[Warmage]] in which he appeared to defend the decisions of his predecessor and affirmed that he would repeat them in the future. Following the [[The_Throne#Address_the_Empire\|Imperial Address]], the situation in the Mourn is now so febrile that it is impossible for the Imperial civil service to fully assess the situation, indeed it is increasingly dangerous for anyone who isn't a Marcher to be abroad alone in the Mournwold right now... As a result they are unable to advise on clear solutions that might be implemented - the best they can do is summarise the key problems and identify possible areas where action might be taken to mitigate the situation.

	What might help is that three of the leaders of the Mourn are intent on attending Anvil this summit. Mel Greenhill, Long Tom, and Edda Counter are all well respected prominent citizens - they are well liked and influential people from across the Mourn. Mel was in Anvil last season, but neither Tom nor Edda have set foot outside the Mourn before now. But the three of them are coming now, bringing the concerns of the friends and families with them. If these three people return home with good news and fair words - it'll sway enough folk to calm the Mourn. If the opposite happens then the Empire had better not remove its armies from the Mourn anytime soon...		What might help is that three of the leaders of the Mourn are intent on attending Anvil this summit. Mel Greenhill, Long Tom, and Edda Counter are all well respected prominent citizens - they are well liked and influential people from across the Mourn. Mel was in Anvil last season, but neither Tom nor Edda have set foot outside the Mourn before now. But the three of them are coming now, bringing the concerns of the friends and families with them. If these three people return home with good news and fair words - it'll sway enough folk to calm the Mourn. If the opposite happens then the Empire had better not remove its armies from the Mourn anytime soon...

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

2026-01-15T16:02:41Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:02, 15 January 2026
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	Sadly most people see a different interpretation. Heilyn agrees, even knowing the death toll and how many innocents would die, with the decision to curse the Mourn. The idea that anyone has been rebuked, that anyone has lost their title as Martin Orchard claims are all irrelevant ''when the replacement indicates that they absolutely agrees with the decision of their predecessor.'' They also state clearly that they cannot promise not to do it again. That last part in particular is taken very badly - with more than a few people arguing that it is intended as a veiled threat... ''The Mourn had better not step out of line... because if it does... then the Warmage stands ready to kill the rest of us if needed...''		Sadly most people see a different interpretation. Heilyn agrees, even knowing the death toll and how many innocents would die, with the decision to curse the Mourn. The idea that anyone has been rebuked, that anyone has lost their title as Martin Orchard claims are all irrelevant ''when the replacement indicates that they absolutely agrees with the decision of their predecessor.'' They also state clearly that they cannot promise not to do it again. That last part in particular is taken very badly - with more than a few people arguing that it is intended as a veiled threat... ''The Mourn had better not step out of line... because if it does... then the Warmage stands ready to kill the rest of us if needed...''
	<div style="float: right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">When a dog barks, you don't bark back.</quote></div>		<div style="float: right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">When a dog barks, you don't bark back.</quote></div>
	As a result of this "threat", the people of Mournwold are looking at what steps might be taken to protect themselves from the Empire - specifically from the Warmage and the [[~~Imperial~~ Conclave]]. Their ideal solution would be to have these rituals removed from Imperial Lore - but they know now that that is unlikely to happen. The [[Senate]] has spoken flatly rejecting any attempt to place these rituals beyond use.		As a result of this "threat", the people of Mournwold are looking at what steps might be taken to protect themselves from the Empire - specifically from the Warmage and the [[Conclave]]. Their ideal solution would be to have these rituals removed from Imperial Lore - but they know now that that is unlikely to happen. The [[Senate]] has spoken flatly rejecting any attempt to place these rituals beyond use.

	Even so there are things that might be done. The Conclave [[Declaration#Declaration_of_Interdiction\|interdicting]] these awful rituals would be the least of them. It won't convince many of the Empire's good intentions - the view is that the Conclave would just remove the interdiction next time it wants to use them. But it would be ''something''. Alternatively the Conclave could choose to replace the Warmage with someone who ''would'' promise not to use such magics again - someone who speak clearly to the mistakes of the past.		Even so there are things that might be done. The Conclave [[Declaration#Declaration_of_Interdiction\|interdicting]] these awful rituals would be the least of them. It won't convince many of the Empire's good intentions - the view is that the Conclave would just remove the interdiction next time it wants to use them. But it would be ''something''. Alternatively the Conclave could choose to replace the Warmage with someone who ''would'' promise not to use such magics again - someone who speak clearly to the mistakes of the past.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Bourse" to "[[Bourse"

2026-01-15T12:32:46Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Bourse" to "[[Bourse"

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:32, 15 January 2026
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	The Marchers of the Mournwold have already expressed their enthusiasm to see the [[Singing Caves]] declared a Marcher national resource. That way it will be run by a Marcher and the mithril it produces can be used for the good of all the Marcher territories. They could use the mithril to protect themselves from the Conclave's magic and help the landskeepers rebuild their mana sites. They could raise military units that would be used to defend the Mourn from any who sought to conquer it. Giving the Caves to the Marchers would blunt the accusation that this war was about more than mithril and murder.		The Marchers of the Mournwold have already expressed their enthusiasm to see the [[Singing Caves]] declared a Marcher national resource. That way it will be run by a Marcher and the mithril it produces can be used for the good of all the Marcher territories. They could use the mithril to protect themselves from the Conclave's magic and help the landskeepers rebuild their mana sites. They could raise military units that would be used to defend the Mourn from any who sought to conquer it. Giving the Caves to the Marchers would blunt the accusation that this war was about more than mithril and murder.

	Indeed, the [[Senator]] for [[Mitwold]] [[Allocate_the_Singing_Caves\|attempted just that]] in Autumn 380YE - but the motion was vetoed by [[The Throne]]. Wise heads point out that [[Empress Lisabetta\|Imperatrix Lisabetta]] has made clear that ''no'' seat will be declared National. But the Marches is the only nation of the Empire that doesn't have its own [[~~Imperial~~ Bourse]] seat - so the argument goes - surely the Empress can see the unfairness of that? Surely she'll see how the Mournwold people have suffered? Surely ''this time'' she'll make an exception...		Indeed, the [[Senator]] for [[Mitwold]] [[Allocate_the_Singing_Caves\|attempted just that]] in Autumn 380YE - but the motion was vetoed by [[The Throne]]. Wise heads point out that [[Empress Lisabetta\|Imperatrix Lisabetta]] has made clear that ''no'' seat will be declared National. But the Marches is the only nation of the Empire that doesn't have its own [[Bourse]] seat - so the argument goes - surely the Empress can see the unfairness of that? Surely she'll see how the Mournwold people have suffered? Surely ''this time'' she'll make an exception...

	If the Empress did choose to allow the Singing Caves to be allocated to the Marchers it would have a significant impact on the situation. They understand that the Empire's coffers are running dry and that a new mithril seat could fill them. Allocating the Caves to the Marches would not remove the grievances that all feel - but it would prove that the Empress was prepared to acknowledge that suffering that the Empire had inflicted on them. It would prove she was on their side and greatly improve her standing there. The wealth that flowed from the Caves would significantly improve the Empire's standing and that alone would be enough to ensure that there was no chance of open rebellion in the future.		If the Empress did choose to allow the Singing Caves to be allocated to the Marchers it would have a significant impact on the situation. They understand that the Empire's coffers are running dry and that a new mithril seat could fill them. Allocating the Caves to the Marches would not remove the grievances that all feel - but it would prove that the Empress was prepared to acknowledge that suffering that the Empire had inflicted on them. It would prove she was on their side and greatly improve her standing there. The wealth that flowed from the Caves would significantly improve the Empire's standing and that alone would be enough to ensure that there was no chance of open rebellion in the future.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

2026-01-15T12:28:02Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Military Council" to "[[Military Council"

2026-01-15T12:24:00Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Military Council" to "[[Military Council"

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:24, 15 January 2026
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	The situation in the [[Mournwold]] remains tense. The [[Jotun]] seem to finally be being routed - the war is almost over - but the anger remains. Those who try to reason with the Mournwolders over the actions of the Empire are met with frank words. People here talk less in terms of liberation... and more of the Imperial conquest of the Mourn. The Jotun are not completely gone but already a few people have begun to talk wistfully of how much better things were when the jarls ruled the Mourn. The Empire has won this war - but it remains close to losing the Mourn.		The situation in the [[Mournwold]] remains tense. The [[Jotun]] seem to finally be being routed - the war is almost over - but the anger remains. Those who try to reason with the Mournwolders over the actions of the Empire are met with frank words. People here talk less in terms of liberation... and more of the Imperial conquest of the Mourn. The Jotun are not completely gone but already a few people have begun to talk wistfully of how much better things were when the jarls ruled the Mourn. The Empire has won this war - but it remains close to losing the Mourn.
	<div style="float: right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">Only a civil tongue buys cheap apples.</quote></div>		<div style="float: right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">Only a civil tongue buys cheap apples.</quote></div>
	The Empire took four significant actions last season to improve the situation in the Mourn. Marchers deployed their [[The_Marches_economic_interests#Granaries_and_Storehouses_-_the_Imperial_Breadbasket\|granaries and storehouses]] to help provide food for their neighbours which wasn't asked for but was all the more welcome for it. The [[Imperial Senate]] also approved a payment of 75 thrones to provide for the [[orc]] thralls through the coming winter, which was the least of the things the Mourn asked for - but still generated some respect. People were disappointed but not surprised that the [[~~Imperial~~ Military Council]] did not support a plan to stop their armies giving ground. More than one Marcher laughs about ''"[[Dawn\|Dawn's]] glorious generals... always ready to give ground at any moment"''. But [[the Marches\|the Marchers]] did the right thing and put a stop to that for their own armies - showing everyone what it meant to be a Marcher and proving themselves in the eyes of many here.		The Empire took four significant actions last season to improve the situation in the Mourn. Marchers deployed their [[The_Marches_economic_interests#Granaries_and_Storehouses_-_the_Imperial_Breadbasket\|granaries and storehouses]] to help provide food for their neighbours which wasn't asked for but was all the more welcome for it. The [[Imperial Senate]] also approved a payment of 75 thrones to provide for the [[orc]] thralls through the coming winter, which was the least of the things the Mourn asked for - but still generated some respect. People were disappointed but not surprised that the [[Military Council]] did not support a plan to stop their armies giving ground. More than one Marcher laughs about ''"[[Dawn\|Dawn's]] glorious generals... always ready to give ground at any moment"''. But [[the Marches\|the Marchers]] did the right thing and put a stop to that for their own armies - showing everyone what it meant to be a Marcher and proving themselves in the eyes of many here.

	Crucially the Marchers were able to reign in the Imperial armies, limiting further loss of life on all sides of the conflict. The orders issued to the four Marcher armies all amounted to a steady advance designed to minimise casualties, but it wasn't just the Marchers this time - the Imperial Orcs also took the same approach. If this behaviour continues over the seasons ahead it will have an increasing effect on attitudes on the ground in the Mournwold - blunting the criticism that this was is about killing the Jotun and that the Mourn is just a convenient battlefield for the slaughter.		Crucially the Marchers were able to reign in the Imperial armies, limiting further loss of life on all sides of the conflict. The orders issued to the four Marcher armies all amounted to a steady advance designed to minimise casualties, but it wasn't just the Marchers this time - the Imperial Orcs also took the same approach. If this behaviour continues over the seasons ahead it will have an increasing effect on attitudes on the ground in the Mournwold - blunting the criticism that this was is about killing the Jotun and that the Mourn is just a convenient battlefield for the slaughter.

Twiggy at 01:26, 7 August 2025

2025-08-07T01:26:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:26, 7 August 2025
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	The Empire took four significant actions last season to improve the situation in the Mourn. Marchers deployed their [[The_Marches_economic_interests#Granaries_and_Storehouses_-_the_Imperial_Breadbasket\|granaries and storehouses]] to help provide food for their neighbours which wasn't asked for but was all the more welcome for it. The [[Imperial Senate]] also approved a payment of 75 thrones to provide for the [[orc]] thralls through the coming winter, which was the least of the things the Mourn asked for - but still generated some respect. People were disappointed but not surprised that the [[Imperial Military Council]] did not support a plan to stop their armies giving ground. More than one Marcher laughs about ''"[[Dawn\|Dawn's]] glorious generals... always ready to give ground at any moment"''. But [[the Marches\|the Marchers]] did the right thing and put a stop to that for their own armies - showing everyone what it meant to be a Marcher and proving themselves in the eyes of many here.		The Empire took four significant actions last season to improve the situation in the Mourn. Marchers deployed their [[The_Marches_economic_interests#Granaries_and_Storehouses_-_the_Imperial_Breadbasket\|granaries and storehouses]] to help provide food for their neighbours which wasn't asked for but was all the more welcome for it. The [[Imperial Senate]] also approved a payment of 75 thrones to provide for the [[orc]] thralls through the coming winter, which was the least of the things the Mourn asked for - but still generated some respect. People were disappointed but not surprised that the [[Imperial Military Council]] did not support a plan to stop their armies giving ground. More than one Marcher laughs about ''"[[Dawn\|Dawn's]] glorious generals... always ready to give ground at any moment"''. But [[the Marches\|the Marchers]] did the right thing and put a stop to that for their own armies - showing everyone what it meant to be a Marcher and proving themselves in the eyes of many here.

	Crucially the Marchers were able to reign in the Imperial armies, limiting further loss of life on all sides of the conflict. The orders issued to the four Marcher armies all amounted to a steady advance designed to ~~minimize~~ casualties, but it wasn't just the Marchers this time - the Imperial Orcs also took the same approach. If this behaviour continues over the seasons ahead it will have an increasing effect on attitudes on the ground in the Mournwold - blunting the criticism that this was is about killing the Jotun and that the Mourn is just a convenient battlefield for the slaughter.		Crucially the Marchers were able to reign in the Imperial armies, limiting further loss of life on all sides of the conflict. The orders issued to the four Marcher armies all amounted to a steady advance designed to minimise casualties, but it wasn't just the Marchers this time - the Imperial Orcs also took the same approach. If this behaviour continues over the seasons ahead it will have an increasing effect on attitudes on the ground in the Mournwold - blunting the criticism that this was is about killing the Jotun and that the Mourn is just a convenient battlefield for the slaughter.

	Sadly the immediate benefits gained from the Empire's generosity towards the Jotun thralls were largely squandered by the message sent to the Mourn (and the wider Empire) from the Imperial [[Warmage]] in which he appeared to defend the decisions of his predecessor and affirmed that he would repeat them in the future. Following the [[The_Throne#Address_the_Empire\|Imperial Address]], the situation in the Mourn is now so febrile that it is impossible for the Imperial civil service to fully assess the situation, indeed it is increasingly dangerous for anyone who isn't a Marcher to be abroad alone in the Mournwold right now... As a result they are unable to advise on clear solutions that might be implemented - the best they can do is summarize the key problems and identify possible areas where action might be taken to mitigate the situation.		Sadly the immediate benefits gained from the Empire's generosity towards the Jotun thralls were largely squandered by the message sent to the Mourn (and the wider Empire) from the Imperial [[Warmage]] in which he appeared to defend the decisions of his predecessor and affirmed that he would repeat them in the future. Following the [[The_Throne#Address_the_Empire\|Imperial Address]], the situation in the Mourn is now so febrile that it is impossible for the Imperial civil service to fully assess the situation, indeed it is increasingly dangerous for anyone who isn't a Marcher to be abroad alone in the Mournwold right now... As a result they are unable to advise on clear solutions that might be implemented - the best they can do is summarize the key problems and identify possible areas where action might be taken to mitigate the situation.

Twiggy at 17:50, 1 August 2025

2025-08-01T17:50:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:50, 1 August 2025
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	==Notes==		==Notes==
	We appreciate that this is an exceptionally long and complicated Wind of Fortune. We ~~apologize~~ for the length - but the situation in the Mourn is fevered and complex - a consequence of the various actions taken by players over the last few years of the campaign. What we've tried to do here, rather than lay out a short simple list of things that the players must do to solve the solution is start by identifying what the primary problems are - the key bullet points in each section. There is then a more detailed list of the various things players might do to try and redress the situation. In most cases the most dramatic intervention is listed first, easier (but less effective) interventions are listed later.		We appreciate that this is an exceptionally long and complicated Wind of Fortune. We apologise for the length - but the situation in the Mourn is fevered and complex - a consequence of the various actions taken by players over the last few years of the campaign. What we've tried to do here, rather than lay out a short simple list of things that the players must do to solve the solution is start by identifying what the primary problems are - the key bullet points in each section. There is then a more detailed list of the various things players might do to try and redress the situation. In most cases the most dramatic intervention is listed first, easier (but less effective) interventions are listed later.

	The list is accurate but not definitive. Like with the inspirational idea last event by the players to repurpose the Imperial Breadbasket to feed the Mourn, there will be things that players might think of that we have not considered. We are always strive to be as responsive as possible to player actions - but on an occasion such as this where the problem is so complex, we wanted to underline the fact that anything that makes a substantive difference to life in the Mournwold - and which addresses the concerns of the inhabitants as defined in the bullet points - will have some effect on the problem. As with a mandate - we will try to add something to the wiki if you email your idea to us in the next few days (along with an appropriate explanation of how effective it would be). Otherwise you will have to take your chances at the event!		The list is accurate but not definitive. Like with the inspirational idea last event by the players to repurpose the Imperial Breadbasket to feed the Mourn, there will be things that players might think of that we have not considered. We are always strive to be as responsive as possible to player actions - but on an occasion such as this where the problem is so complex, we wanted to underline the fact that anything that makes a substantive difference to life in the Mournwold - and which addresses the concerns of the inhabitants as defined in the bullet points - will have some effect on the problem. As with a mandate - we will try to add something to the wiki if you email your idea to us in the next few days (along with an appropriate explanation of how effective it would be). Otherwise you will have to take your chances at the event!

Noserenda: /* Resolution */

2023-07-23T20:31:28Z

Resolution

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:31, 23 July 2023
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	There will be three characters from the Mournwold at the event, Mel Greenhill, Long Tom and Edda Counter, all representing the people of the Mournwold. The outcome of the current rumblings of sedition will depend on the combination of the reports of these three characters with the actions the Empire takes to redress the situation. Please bear in mind that some of these characters are players, and not members of our NPC crew.		There will be three characters from the Mournwold at the event, Mel Greenhill, Long Tom and Edda Counter, all representing the people of the Mournwold. The outcome of the current rumblings of sedition will depend on the combination of the reports of these three characters with the actions the Empire takes to redress the situation. Please bear in mind that some of these characters are players, and not members of our NPC crew.
	==Resolution==		==Resolution==
	Through the Autumn Equinox, a number of actions were taken to address the problems in the Mournwold. Their outcome will be dealt with in the ~~WInter~~ Solstice 381YE winds of fortune.		Through the Autumn Equinox, a number of actions were taken to address the problems in the Mournwold. Their outcome will be dealt with in the Winter Solstice 381YE winds of fortune.

	The opportunity to expand the Imperial Breadbasket was superseded by the costing in the '''[[Welly_boots#Set_It_In_Stone_And_It_Will_Last_Forever\|Welly boots]]''' wind of fortune.		The opportunity to expand the Imperial Breadbasket was superseded by the costing in the '''[[Welly_boots#Set_It_In_Stone_And_It_Will_Last_Forever\|Welly boots]]''' wind of fortune.

Hailmur: /* Resolution */

2023-07-23T19:37:02Z

Resolution

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:37, 23 July 2023
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	==Resolution==		==Resolution==
	Through the Autumn Equinox, a number of actions were taken to address the problems in the Mournwold. Their outcome will be dealt with in the WInter Solstice 381YE winds of fortune.		Through the Autumn Equinox, a number of actions were taken to address the problems in the Mournwold. Their outcome will be dealt with in the WInter Solstice 381YE winds of fortune.

			The opportunity to expand the Imperial Breadbasket was superseded by the costing in the '''[[Welly_boots#Set_It_In_Stone_And_It_Will_Last_Forever\|Welly boots]]''' wind of fortune.

Emmanovi: inclusive language

2023-05-26T22:35:48Z

inclusive language

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:35, 26 May 2023
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	One step the Empire has taken that has considerably improved sentiment in the Mournwold is the [[Amend_the_use_of_the_Imperial_breadbasket\|allocation of the Breadbasket to feed the Mourn]]. The people here are not starving, they fed themselves during the Jotun occupation and they can feed themselves now. This is Marcher land in its bones and so there are prosperous yeoman farmers here even now. But... there are nowhere near as many of them as are found in [[Upwold]] or [[Mitwold]]. The land there is just so much more fertile - in the Mourn the wealth of the land is in the [[mine\|mines]] dug into the hillsides - not fields of crops. Now they are beginning to see the prospects that this impressive feat of Marcher engineering might provide.		One step the Empire has taken that has considerably improved sentiment in the Mournwold is the [[Amend_the_use_of_the_Imperial_breadbasket\|allocation of the Breadbasket to feed the Mourn]]. The people here are not starving, they fed themselves during the Jotun occupation and they can feed themselves now. This is Marcher land in its bones and so there are prosperous yeoman farmers here even now. But... there are nowhere near as many of them as are found in [[Upwold]] or [[Mitwold]]. The land there is just so much more fertile - in the Mourn the wealth of the land is in the [[mine\|mines]] dug into the hillsides - not fields of crops. Now they are beginning to see the prospects that this impressive feat of Marcher engineering might provide.

	When the granaries and storehouses of the [[Construct_the_Imperial_Breadbasket\|breadbasket were built]] the Mournwold was almost totally controlled by the Jotun - so there are only a few links to the breadbasket in place. But if the Empire spent an additional 20 wains of weirwood and 20 wains of white granite then similar silos and stores could be built across the Mourn. But these stores wouldn't be used to hold grain produced here - but rather to bring it here from the Marches. That would allow many more ~~men and women,~~ to work the more prosperous mines rather than herding sheep on the arid hills. It would mean permanently surrendering the ability of the breadbasket to support additional Imperial armies - but it would extend the financial benefits of the old breadbasket to every Marcher territory - and with the flow of wealth from the newly open mines, the returns for everyone would increase by half as much again.		When the granaries and storehouses of the [[Construct_the_Imperial_Breadbasket\|breadbasket were built]] the Mournwold was almost totally controlled by the Jotun - so there are only a few links to the breadbasket in place. But if the Empire spent an additional 20 wains of weirwood and 20 wains of white granite then similar silos and stores could be built across the Mourn. But these stores wouldn't be used to hold grain produced here - but rather to bring it here from the Marches. That would allow many more Marchers to work the more prosperous mines rather than herding sheep on the arid hills. It would mean permanently surrendering the ability of the breadbasket to support additional Imperial armies - but it would extend the financial benefits of the old breadbasket to every Marcher territory - and with the flow of wealth from the newly open mines, the returns for everyone would increase by half as much again.

	If the Empire won't do either of those things (and there is a lot of scepticism that any of that will happen), then there are less impressive things the Empire might do. Sarcombe was once a prosperous mining town, rich off the back of trade in green iron from the Southmoor hills. It's a ruin now, destroyed in the previous invasion of the Mourn, but it could be rebuilt. The more resources the Senate was prepared to commit to the reconstruction of Sarcombe the greater the restoration of Prosperity to the region. Such a move would kill two birds with one stone as well - since it would help raise levels of Prosperity across the territory - which would mean that taxation rose quickly to the level seen before the Jotun took the territory. Sadly the fact that the Empire might well be the biggest beneficiary of such a move would limit any positive improvement in local sentiment if this were all the Empire managed.		If the Empire won't do either of those things (and there is a lot of scepticism that any of that will happen), then there are less impressive things the Empire might do. Sarcombe was once a prosperous mining town, rich off the back of trade in green iron from the Southmoor hills. It's a ruin now, destroyed in the previous invasion of the Mourn, but it could be rebuilt. The more resources the Senate was prepared to commit to the reconstruction of Sarcombe the greater the restoration of Prosperity to the region. Such a move would kill two birds with one stone as well - since it would help raise levels of Prosperity across the territory - which would mean that taxation rose quickly to the level seen before the Jotun took the territory. Sadly the fact that the Empire might well be the biggest beneficiary of such a move would limit any positive improvement in local sentiment if this were all the Empire managed.
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	There were tens of thousands of deaths in the Mourn - even granted that most of them were Jotun - that still leaves thousands of Marcher citizens slain. That is a price that can never be balanced out. Everyone understands that an eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind. But still... there must be a reckoning.		There were tens of thousands of deaths in the Mourn - even granted that most of them were Jotun - that still leaves thousands of Marcher citizens slain. That is a price that can never be balanced out. Everyone understands that an eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind. But still... there must be a reckoning.

	Out on Old Tam Shaffer's farm - under the eaves of Black Hill Wood ~~men and women~~ are leaving piles of straw and wicker. Not a word is said to anyone, but the pile grows ever bigger. Folk who have the time lend the old Landskeeper of the Wood an hour, helping him weave the wicker into a frame. Steadily it takes shape, like a child growing into a man - a wicker man. The tears for the dead have all run dry. Now there must be a reckoning.		Out on Old Tam Shaffer's farm - under the eaves of Black Hill Wood folk are leaving piles of straw and wicker. Not a word is said to anyone, but the pile grows ever bigger. Folk who have the time lend the old Landskeeper of the Wood an hour, helping him weave the wicker into a frame. Steadily it takes shape, like a child growing into a man - a wicker man. The tears for the dead have all run dry. Now there must be a reckoning.

	It remains to be seen who among the Marchers has the strength to be counted. Whose death will bury this grudge? Whose end will be their beginning? The wicker man will burn at the eleventh hour on the night of the Solstice. All Marchers are called to bear witness... There must be a reckoning.		It remains to be seen who among the Marchers has the strength to be counted. Whose death will bury this grudge? Whose end will be their beginning? The wicker man will burn at the eleventh hour on the night of the Solstice. All Marchers are called to bear witness... There must be a reckoning.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:28, 15 January 2026
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	The situation in the [[Mournwold]] remains tense. The [[Jotun]] seem to finally be being routed - the war is almost over - but the anger remains. Those who try to reason with the Mournwolders over the actions of the Empire are met with frank words. People here talk less in terms of liberation... and more of the Imperial conquest of the Mourn. The Jotun are not completely gone but already a few people have begun to talk wistfully of how much better things were when the jarls ruled the Mourn. The Empire has won this war - but it remains close to losing the Mourn.		The situation in the [[Mournwold]] remains tense. The [[Jotun]] seem to finally be being routed - the war is almost over - but the anger remains. Those who try to reason with the Mournwolders over the actions of the Empire are met with frank words. People here talk less in terms of liberation... and more of the Imperial conquest of the Mourn. The Jotun are not completely gone but already a few people have begun to talk wistfully of how much better things were when the jarls ruled the Mourn. The Empire has won this war - but it remains close to losing the Mourn.
	<div style="float: right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">Only a civil tongue buys cheap apples.</quote></div>		<div style="float: right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">Only a civil tongue buys cheap apples.</quote></div>
	The Empire took four significant actions last season to improve the situation in the Mourn. Marchers deployed their [[The_Marches_economic_interests#Granaries_and_Storehouses_-_the_Imperial_Breadbasket\|granaries and storehouses]] to help provide food for their neighbours which wasn't asked for but was all the more welcome for it. The [[~~Imperial~~ Senate]] also approved a payment of 75 thrones to provide for the [[orc]] thralls through the coming winter, which was the least of the things the Mourn asked for - but still generated some respect. People were disappointed but not surprised that the [[Military Council]] did not support a plan to stop their armies giving ground. More than one Marcher laughs about ''"[[Dawn\|Dawn's]] glorious generals... always ready to give ground at any moment"''. But [[the Marches\|the Marchers]] did the right thing and put a stop to that for their own armies - showing everyone what it meant to be a Marcher and proving themselves in the eyes of many here.		The Empire took four significant actions last season to improve the situation in the Mourn. Marchers deployed their [[The_Marches_economic_interests#Granaries_and_Storehouses_-_the_Imperial_Breadbasket\|granaries and storehouses]] to help provide food for their neighbours which wasn't asked for but was all the more welcome for it. The [[Senate]] also approved a payment of 75 thrones to provide for the [[orc]] thralls through the coming winter, which was the least of the things the Mourn asked for - but still generated some respect. People were disappointed but not surprised that the [[Military Council]] did not support a plan to stop their armies giving ground. More than one Marcher laughs about ''"[[Dawn\|Dawn's]] glorious generals... always ready to give ground at any moment"''. But [[the Marches\|the Marchers]] did the right thing and put a stop to that for their own armies - showing everyone what it meant to be a Marcher and proving themselves in the eyes of many here.

	Crucially the Marchers were able to reign in the Imperial armies, limiting further loss of life on all sides of the conflict. The orders issued to the four Marcher armies all amounted to a steady advance designed to minimise casualties, but it wasn't just the Marchers this time - the Imperial Orcs also took the same approach. If this behaviour continues over the seasons ahead it will have an increasing effect on attitudes on the ground in the Mournwold - blunting the criticism that this was is about killing the Jotun and that the Mourn is just a convenient battlefield for the slaughter.		Crucially the Marchers were able to reign in the Imperial armies, limiting further loss of life on all sides of the conflict. The orders issued to the four Marcher armies all amounted to a steady advance designed to minimise casualties, but it wasn't just the Marchers this time - the Imperial Orcs also took the same approach. If this behaviour continues over the seasons ahead it will have an increasing effect on attitudes on the ground in the Mournwold - blunting the criticism that this was is about killing the Jotun and that the Mourn is just a convenient battlefield for the slaughter.
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	Sadly most people see a different interpretation. Heilyn agrees, even knowing the death toll and how many innocents would die, with the decision to curse the Mourn. The idea that anyone has been rebuked, that anyone has lost their title as Martin Orchard claims are all irrelevant ''when the replacement indicates that they absolutely agrees with the decision of their predecessor.'' They also state clearly that they cannot promise not to do it again. That last part in particular is taken very badly - with more than a few people arguing that it is intended as a veiled threat... ''The Mourn had better not step out of line... because if it does... then the Warmage stands ready to kill the rest of us if needed...''		Sadly most people see a different interpretation. Heilyn agrees, even knowing the death toll and how many innocents would die, with the decision to curse the Mourn. The idea that anyone has been rebuked, that anyone has lost their title as Martin Orchard claims are all irrelevant ''when the replacement indicates that they absolutely agrees with the decision of their predecessor.'' They also state clearly that they cannot promise not to do it again. That last part in particular is taken very badly - with more than a few people arguing that it is intended as a veiled threat... ''The Mourn had better not step out of line... because if it does... then the Warmage stands ready to kill the rest of us if needed...''
	<div style="float: right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">When a dog barks, you don't bark back.</quote></div>		<div style="float: right;"><quote by="Marcher Proverb">When a dog barks, you don't bark back.</quote></div>
	As a result of this "threat", the people of Mournwold are looking at what steps might be taken to protect themselves from the Empire - specifically from the Warmage and the [[Imperial Conclave]]. Their ideal solution would be to have these rituals removed from Imperial Lore - but they know now that that is unlikely to happen. The [[~~Imperial~~ Senate]] has spoken flatly rejecting any attempt to place these rituals beyond use.		As a result of this "threat", the people of Mournwold are looking at what steps might be taken to protect themselves from the Empire - specifically from the Warmage and the [[Imperial Conclave]]. Their ideal solution would be to have these rituals removed from Imperial Lore - but they know now that that is unlikely to happen. The [[Senate]] has spoken flatly rejecting any attempt to place these rituals beyond use.

	Even so there are things that might be done. The Conclave [[Declaration#Declaration_of_Interdiction\|interdicting]] these awful rituals would be the least of them. It won't convince many of the Empire's good intentions - the view is that the Conclave would just remove the interdiction next time it wants to use them. But it would be ''something''. Alternatively the Conclave could choose to replace the Warmage with someone who ''would'' promise not to use such magics again - someone who speak clearly to the mistakes of the past.		Even so there are things that might be done. The Conclave [[Declaration#Declaration_of_Interdiction\|interdicting]] these awful rituals would be the least of them. It won't convince many of the Empire's good intentions - the view is that the Conclave would just remove the interdiction next time it wants to use them. But it would be ''something''. Alternatively the Conclave could choose to replace the Warmage with someone who ''would'' promise not to use such magics again - someone who speak clearly to the mistakes of the past.
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	Even those who sympathetic to the plight of the Whittle folk accept there is a clear danger in allowing the return of a group of unrepentant blasphemers - a people deeply proud of their Hatred - to a territory where passions are inflamed with raw wounds and fresh grievances.		Even those who sympathetic to the plight of the Whittle folk accept there is a clear danger in allowing the return of a group of unrepentant blasphemers - a people deeply proud of their Hatred - to a territory where passions are inflamed with raw wounds and fresh grievances.

	The [[~~Imperial~~ Senate]] could theoretically deal with this problem once and for all - if they passed a law making it a capital offence to be dedicated to Hatred, then the magistrates could purge the Whittle folk using similar methods to the ones used to root out the Vyig in recent years. Such a move would categorically end the risk of Hatred spreading through the Whittle folk - but it would be taken extremely badly by the other inhabitants of the Mourn. Head Magistrate Stanislav Karkovich has, however, expressed his opposition to such a move, and warns that at the very least such a motion would be subject to extensive [[scrutiny]] and would certainly be [[Senate_motion#Constitutional_Vote\|constitutional]] in nature. He has invited lawmakers to speak with him on this thorny subject during the Autumn Equinox at Anvil		The [[Senate]] could theoretically deal with this problem once and for all - if they passed a law making it a capital offence to be dedicated to Hatred, then the magistrates could purge the Whittle folk using similar methods to the ones used to root out the Vyig in recent years. Such a move would categorically end the risk of Hatred spreading through the Whittle folk - but it would be taken extremely badly by the other inhabitants of the Mourn. Head Magistrate Stanislav Karkovich has, however, expressed his opposition to such a move, and warns that at the very least such a motion would be subject to extensive [[scrutiny]] and would certainly be [[Senate_motion#Constitutional_Vote\|constitutional]] in nature. He has invited lawmakers to speak with him on this thorny subject during the Autumn Equinox at Anvil
	<quote by="General Assembly or League Assembly Mandate">We send named priest with 25 liao to urge Tassatans to come forwards with any evidence of blasphemous acts by the Whittle folk.</quote>		<quote by="General Assembly or League Assembly Mandate">We send named priest with 25 liao to urge Tassatans to come forwards with any evidence of blasphemous acts by the Whittle folk.</quote>