Beat of your drum - Revision history

Novemberalice at 18:35, 19 July 2025

2025-07-19T18:35:53Z

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	<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Timeless Books.jpg\|caption=In the Commonwealth even a "simple farmer" may be remarkably erudite on matters of philosophy and the Common Good.\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>		<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Timeless Books.jpg\|caption=In the Commonwealth even a "simple farmer" may be remarkably erudite on matters of philosophy and the Common Good.\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>
	==Overview==		==Overview==
			{{audio\|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OliGCzYtms}}
	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.		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.

Twiggy at 11:03, 19 July 2025

2025-07-19T11:03:28Z

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	===Sun and Gold===		===Sun and Gold===
	* '''The University of Volkavaar is interested in acquiring a certain tablet held at the Great Library of Hacynian		* '''The University of Volkavaar is interested in acquiring a certain tablet held at the Great Library of Hacynian
	At the point the news is received, the Commonwealth professors and philosophers are already in transit, travelling between [[Sarvos]] and [[Hercynia]] in the north. Along the way they make a point of visiting the cities of [[Tassato]], [[Miaren#Seren\|Seren]], and [[Temeschwar]] and the bustling town of [[Skarsind#Southpine\|Torfast]] along the way. They are well received at the [[~~Advisor_on_the_Vallorn#The_Great_Library_of_Hacynian\|~~Great Library of Hacynian]] having been invited to visit by '''Nathair Autumngale''', the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]].		At the point the news is received, the Commonwealth professors and philosophers are already in transit, travelling between [[Sarvos]] and [[Hercynia]] in the north. Along the way they make a point of visiting the cities of [[Tassato]], [[Miaren#Seren\|Seren]], and [[Temeschwar]] and the bustling town of [[Skarsind#Southpine\|Torfast]] along the way. They are well received at the [[Great Library of Hacynian]] having been invited to visit by '''Nathair Autumngale''', the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]].

	As well as the opportunity to meet with many of their Imperial peers, some of the more excitable students accompanying the group relish the opportunity to learn more about the [[vallorn]] - something they have previously encountered only through travellers' tales. There is a little concern that the Commonwealth visitors might be offended by the [[Consecration#True_Liao\|true consecration]] of [[Wisdom]] that lies over the great hall of the Library, but it seems they were warned well in advance of its existence. They simply ignore the hall and avoid visiting it - and engage in spirited debate with some of their Navarr hosts about the practice of subsuming the will of mortals to an outside spiritual influence.		As well as the opportunity to meet with many of their Imperial peers, some of the more excitable students accompanying the group relish the opportunity to learn more about the [[vallorn]] - something they have previously encountered only through travellers' tales. There is a little concern that the Commonwealth visitors might be offended by the [[Consecration#True_Liao\|true consecration]] of [[Wisdom]] that lies over the great hall of the Library, but it seems they were warned well in advance of its existence. They simply ignore the hall and avoid visiting it - and engage in spirited debate with some of their Navarr hosts about the practice of subsuming the will of mortals to an outside spiritual influence.

Vsabo: /* Welcome, New Ambassador */

2025-07-18T19:56:13Z

Welcome, New Ambassador

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	* '''They are disappointed in delays completing the diplomatenschloss but understand		* '''They are disappointed in delays completing the diplomatenschloss but understand
	* '''The Militärattache provides prior warning that the Commonwealth will be discontinuing the practice of allowing merchants to offer bribes to ambassadors		* '''The Militärattache provides prior warning that the Commonwealth will be discontinuing the practice of allowing merchants to offer bribes to ambassadors
	The first order of business is for ''Militärattache Schöningen'' to welcome the new [[Ambassador to the Commonwealth\|ambassador]] '''Finn Pridetalker''' of [[Wintermark]]. Schöningen has nothing but praise for the former ambassador '''Lucia Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato''', but understands the Empire's interest in remaining flexible and ensuring a number of viewpoints are represented in international relations. She hopes she will be able to cultivate as good a working relationship with the [[Wintermark\|Winterfolk]] ambassador as with the long-serving [[the League\|League]] predecessor		The first order of business is for ''Militärattache Schöningen'' to welcome the new [[Ambassador to the Commonwealth\|ambassador]] '''Finn Pridetalker''' of [[Wintermark]]. Schöningen has nothing but praise for the former ambassador '''Lucia Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato''', but understands the Empire's interest in remaining flexible and ensuring a number of viewpoints are represented in international relations. She hopes she will be able to cultivate as good a working relationship with the [[Wintermark\|Winterfolk]] ambassador as with the long-serving [[the League\|League]] predecessor.

	Obviously Ludkhannah is a little disappointed to hear that work on the [[386YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Construct_Diplomatenschloss\|diplomatenschloss]] has had to slow while new construction materials are secured. It is understandable though - the Commonwealth always appreciates the problems that being at war on multiple fronts can cause. She hopes that the work can nonetheless be completed soon, but also shares the concerns raised by ''Ingenieurin Hellebrant'' relating to [[Principalities of Jarm\|Jarmish]] and Commonwealth ships both traversing the river Couros. She looks forward to hearing how the Ambassador intends to address these challenges, and is ''mostly'' joking when she suggests that the simplest solution would be to decommission the Jarmish Embassy in [[Redoubt#Cargo\|Cargo]].		Obviously Ludkhannah is a little disappointed to hear that work on the [[386YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Construct_Diplomatenschloss\|diplomatenschloss]] has had to slow while new construction materials are secured. It is understandable though - the Commonwealth always appreciates the problems that being at war on multiple fronts can cause. She hopes that the work can nonetheless be completed soon, but also shares the concerns raised by ''Ingenieurin Hellebrant'' relating to [[Principalities of Jarm\|Jarmish]] and Commonwealth ships both traversing the river Couros. She looks forward to hearing how the Ambassador intends to address these challenges, and is ''mostly'' joking when she suggests that the simplest solution would be to decommission the Jarmish Embassy in [[Redoubt#Cargo\|Cargo]].

Hailmur: /* Liberty and Liability */

2025-07-16T14:52:59Z

Liberty and Liability

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	* '''The Commonwealth is asking questions about the Empire's association with the Iron Confederacy		* '''The Commonwealth is asking questions about the Empire's association with the Iron Confederacy
	* '''They believe that the Suranni are a slaving nation based on the status of their serfs		* '''They believe that the Suranni are a slaving nation based on the status of their serfs
	The presence of Professor Gelberg and his faculty may turn out to be a slightly mixed blessing. While in Madruga [[Germinating_a_city#Gisli's_Request\|discharging their obligation]] to '''Gisli ~~Bearson~~''', one of the scholars came into contact with merchants from the [[Iron Confederacy]] and struck up a conversation. Since then, some of the visiting Commonwealth experts have been asking questions about who the Suranni are and what the Empire's relationship with them is like. At first it seems this is just simple curiosity... and then Militärattache Ludkhannah Schöningen gets involved.		The presence of Professor Gelberg and his faculty may turn out to be a slightly mixed blessing. While in Madruga [[Germinating_a_city#Gisli's_Request\|discharging their obligation]] to '''Gisli "Provider" Baerson''', one of the scholars came into contact with merchants from the [[Iron Confederacy]] and struck up a conversation. Since then, some of the visiting Commonwealth experts have been asking questions about who the Suranni are and what the Empire's relationship with them is like. At first, it seems this is just simple curiosity... and then Militärattache Ludkhannah Schöningen gets involved.

	As fellow signatories of the [[Liberty Pact]], there is some concern that the Empire has not kept to the spirit of the agreement. The Iron Confederacy appears to be a slave-keeping nation, and yet the Empire seems to be trading freely with them and welcoming their merchants into their lands. The Commonwealth would obviously not ''dream'' of trying to interfere in the Empire's sphere of influence - the Senate respected their wishes over [[A_star_is_born#The_Viyerda\|the Viyerda]] after all - but this is a matter of formal alliance and they are worried that their Imperial friends have inadvertently transgressed the pact.		As fellow signatories of the [[Liberty Pact]], there is some concern that the Empire has not kept to the spirit of the agreement. The Iron Confederacy appears to be a slave-keeping nation, and yet the Empire seems to be trading freely with them and welcoming their merchants into their lands. The Commonwealth would obviously not ''dream'' of trying to interfere in the Empire's sphere of influence - the Senate respected their wishes over [[A_star_is_born#The_Viyerda\|the Viyerda]] after all - but this is a matter of formal alliance, and they are worried that their Imperial friends have inadvertently transgressed the pact.

			Militärattache Schöningen formally requests that either the ambassador, or the [[Voice of Liberty]] (if one were elected at the summit), explain what the state of affairs is, and how it can be that the "serfs" the Iron Confederacy people keep are not slaves.

	Militärattache Schöningen formally requests that either the ambassador, or the [[Voice of Liberty]], explain what the state of affairs is, and how it can be that the "serfs" the Iron Confederacy people keep are not slaves.
	==Spirits and Storms==		==Spirits and Storms==
	* '''The Ambassador has asked about orc spirituality in the Commonwealth		* '''The Ambassador has asked about orc spirituality in the Commonwealth

Hailmur: /* Die Beurteilung */

2025-07-16T14:49:55Z

Die Beurteilung

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	The news that the Imperial Senate has at the last minute changed their mind about inviting Professor Immanuel Gelberg and their colleagues to auction their expertise has been well received. During the Summer Solstice, a public auction will be held after the [[Auction of the Seats]] during which the opportunity to [[commission]] an appraisal from the Commonwealth scholars will be offered. Moneys raised will go to Professor Gelberg and ultimately to support the war against the Principalities of Jarm. It is no secret that the Professor is hoping that the offer of their expert evaluation will fetch a good price.		The news that the Imperial Senate has at the last minute changed their mind about inviting Professor Immanuel Gelberg and their colleagues to auction their expertise has been well received. During the Summer Solstice, a public auction will be held after the [[Auction of the Seats]] during which the opportunity to [[commission]] an appraisal from the Commonwealth scholars will be offered. Moneys raised will go to Professor Gelberg and ultimately to support the war against the Principalities of Jarm. It is no secret that the Professor is hoping that the offer of their expert evaluation will fetch a good price.

	~~Somewhat like~~ an [[Bearer_of_an_Imperial_Wayleave\|Imperial Wayleave]], whoever wins the auction will ~~be granted~~ the ~~ability~~ to make a single [[Senate announcement\|announcement in the Senate]] at that summit. This announcement is delivered as normal - an arrangement must be made with the office of the [[Speaker for the Senate]] during the normal window and the nature of the appraisal must be as clear as possible as that will be the information that is passed to Professor Gelberg.		Similar to an [[Bearer_of_an_Imperial_Wayleave\|Imperial Wayleave]], whoever wins the auction will gain the title of [[Patron of the Beurteilung]], which has the power to make a single [[Senate announcement\|announcement in the Senate]] at that summit. This announcement is delivered as normal - an arrangement must be made with the office of the [[Speaker for the Senate]] during the normal window, and the nature of the appraisal must be as clear as possible, as that will be the information that is passed to Professor Gelberg.

	This auction will be repeated in Autumn and Spring, after which it will be at the discretion of the Commonwealth professors whether they wish to extend their stay or not. As with any appraisal, it will be much more useful for the one who is commissioning it to identify a problem and ask for a solution, than to attempt to define a solution they want to see. In this event, it's likely Professor Gelberg - who is by all accounts a very ''self possessed'' man - will likely ignore the proposed solution and just find the "best" way to resolve the problem.		This auction will be repeated in Autumn and Spring, after which it will be at the discretion of the Commonwealth professors whether they wish to extend their stay or not. As with any appraisal, it will be much more useful for the one who is commissioning it to identify a problem and ask for a solution, than to attempt to define a solution they want to see. In this event, it's likely Professor Gelberg - who is by all accounts a very ''self-possessed'' man - will likely ignore the proposed solution and just find the "best" way to resolve the problem.
	<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Nathair9261.jpg\|\|caption=Nathair Autumngale, Advisor on the Vallorn, has been hosting Professor Gelberg and colleagues at the Great Library of Hacynian\|align=right\|width=300}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Nathair9261.jpg\|\|caption=Nathair Autumngale, Advisor on the Vallorn, has been hosting Professor Gelberg and colleagues at the Great Library of Hacynian\|align=right\|width=300}}</div>
	===Sun and Gold===		===Sun and Gold===
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	Regardless, the Commonwealth Ambassador passes along an official request from the University of [[Foreign_ports#Volkavaar\|Volkavaar]] asking what kind of price the Great Library might consider to allow them to acquire the tablet - and to formally thank the Advisor on the Vallorn and their colleagues for making the faculty so welcome.		Regardless, the Commonwealth Ambassador passes along an official request from the University of [[Foreign_ports#Volkavaar\|Volkavaar]] asking what kind of price the Great Library might consider to allow them to acquire the tablet - and to formally thank the Advisor on the Vallorn and their colleagues for making the faculty so welcome.
	<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Eska Crowspeaker.jpg\|align=left\|caption=Eska Crowspeaker, one of the Imperial signatories to the original Liberty Pact, ~~bears the title of~~ [[Voice of Liberty]]\|width=300}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Eska Crowspeaker.jpg\|align=left\|caption='''Eska Crowspeaker''', one of the Imperial signatories to the original Liberty Pact, and first [[Voice of Liberty]]\|width=300}}</div>

	==Liberty and Liability==		==Liberty and Liability==

Twiggy at 11:30, 16 July 2025

2025-07-16T11:30:14Z

Show changes

Noserenda at 11:19, 16 July 2025

2025-07-16T11:19:25Z

GuiltyConscience: /* Spirits and Storms */

2025-07-16T10:53:34Z

Spirits and Storms

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	Ambassador Pridetalker has made enquiries, apparently on behalf of some [[Imperial Orcs]], about the spiritual belief of the [[orc\|orcs]] of the Commonwealth. Not an expert herself, ''Ludkhannah'' asks one of the orcs that work at die Stahlhalle with her to answer the question. ''Teo Freid'' pens a short article in response, providing a very broad overview of what he understands of orc beliefs in the nation. He is very clear from the start that the orcs of the Commonwealth share the [[Commonwealth#Religion\|ultimate belief]] of their human and daeva neighbours; that it is vital to secure the greatest good for the greatest number of people. By doing this they make the world better, until ultimately all people of all kinds are united in common service to the cause. Until then, everyone who accepts the Common Good must be prepared to fight to build the future where there is no more need for war. He also stresses that, just as with humans, different communities of orcs believe different things. The Commonwealth as a whole is happy to let people believe whatever spiritual truths they wish as long as it does not interfere with their commitment to the Common Good.		Ambassador Pridetalker has made enquiries, apparently on behalf of some [[Imperial Orcs]], about the spiritual belief of the [[orc\|orcs]] of the Commonwealth. Not an expert herself, ''Ludkhannah'' asks one of the orcs that work at die Stahlhalle with her to answer the question. ''Teo Freid'' pens a short article in response, providing a very broad overview of what he understands of orc beliefs in the nation. He is very clear from the start that the orcs of the Commonwealth share the [[Commonwealth#Religion\|ultimate belief]] of their human and daeva neighbours; that it is vital to secure the greatest good for the greatest number of people. By doing this they make the world better, until ultimately all people of all kinds are united in common service to the cause. Until then, everyone who accepts the Common Good must be prepared to fight to build the future where there is no more need for war. He also stresses that, just as with humans, different communities of orcs believe different things. The Commonwealth as a whole is happy to let people believe whatever spiritual truths they wish as long as it does not interfere with their commitment to the Common Good.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Howling Abyss Symbol.png\|caption=It is possible that the ''Raging Storm'' is another name for the [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#The_Howling_Abyss\|Howling Abyss]].\|align=right\|width=300}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Howling Abyss Symbol.png\|caption=It is possible that the ''Raging Storm'' is another name for the [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#The_Howling_Abyss\|Howling Abyss]].\|align=right\|width=300}}
	They share the belief of many orcs in the existence of what he translates into Imperial as the "Raging Storm", and that it waits for all orcs after death. Where Herr Freid's ~~believes~~ depart radically is that he believes that orcs, like humans, reincarnate after death provided they avoid the lure of the Storm. The best way to do that is to strengthen oneself through commitment to improving the world, to the Common Good, and to pursuing a disciplined life of duty, restraint, sincerity, pride, fellowship, and self-knowledge. This path involves learning to quiet or ignore the dangerous voice of the Storm which sometimes seeks to influence the behaviour of an orc, to urge them to commit violent, foolish, self-destructive acts that strengthen its hold on the orc and through them the world. If they are unsuccessful they will be devoured by the Storm, and while different sects disagree on precisely what that means, the group Teo belongs to teaches that an orc soul that is torn apart is eventually molded together with other such fragmented spirits and eventually reborn as a new spirit although that may take many decades. An orc who resists the Storm will likely be born into the next generation. There is a heated argument about whether an orc that serves their community well is more likely to be reborn into that community or not, but that debate has been bubbling along for fifty years or so and there's little sign of it being resolved any time soon.		They share the belief of many orcs in the existence of what he translates into Imperial as the "Raging Storm", and that it waits for all orcs after death. Where Herr Freid's beliefs depart radically is that he believes that orcs, like humans, reincarnate after death provided they avoid the lure of the Storm. The best way to do that is to strengthen oneself through commitment to improving the world, to the Common Good, and to pursuing a disciplined life of duty, restraint, sincerity, pride, fellowship, and self-knowledge. This path involves learning to quiet or ignore the dangerous voice of the Storm which sometimes seeks to influence the behaviour of an orc, to urge them to commit violent, foolish, self-destructive acts that strengthen its hold on the orc and through them the world. If they are unsuccessful they will be devoured by the Storm, and while different sects disagree on precisely what that means, the group Teo belongs to teaches that an orc soul that is torn apart is eventually molded together with other such fragmented spirits and eventually reborn as a new spirit although that may take many decades. An orc who resists the Storm will likely be born into the next generation. There is a heated argument about whether an orc that serves their community well is more likely to be reborn into that community or not, but that debate has been bubbling along for fifty years or so and there's little sign of it being resolved any time soon.

	Teo finished on a hopeful note. As long as an orc resists the Raging Storm, he believes, their spirit will still exist when the perfect future is secured. Their commitment to the Greater Good is anchored in the knowledge that it is ''their'' future they are striving to secure, and that of all their friends, family, and neighbours, and that is the most wonderful thing of all.		Teo finished on a hopeful note. As long as an orc resists the Raging Storm, he believes, their spirit will still exist when the perfect future is secured. Their commitment to the Greater Good is anchored in the knowledge that it is ''their'' future they are striving to secure, and that of all their friends, family, and neighbours, and that is the most wonderful thing of all.

GuiltyConscience: /* Alliance and Favour */

2025-07-16T10:50:07Z

Alliance and Favour

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	To the surprise of magicians from both great nations, the researchers have discovered there is no actual requirement to draw on the strength of the many at all! The ritual works just fine if the support granted by the rest of the band is moral or inspirational. It is as effective to embrace, or show respect and support with words or symbols, as it is to actually transfer strength from one to another. Those involved are still left feeling tired or lethargic, but crucially the magic does not harm them.		To the surprise of magicians from both great nations, the researchers have discovered there is no actual requirement to draw on the strength of the many at all! The ritual works just fine if the support granted by the rest of the band is moral or inspirational. It is as effective to embrace, or show respect and support with words or symbols, as it is to actually transfer strength from one to another. Those involved are still left feeling tired or lethargic, but crucially the magic does not harm them.

	This resolves one of the concerns the ''zauberer'' had with this ritual, and they're glad that working with the two [[Conclave order\|Conclave orders]] they were able to clean the magic up a little. ('''OOC Note:''' We've updated the ritual on the wiki and in the system to remove the damage it does to those supporting the target - this never ~~effected~~ the magnitude of the effect but was being referenced regularly in arcane projections as a way to empower magic and so we decided to remove the in-character sacrifice element to try to reduce the number of players thinking this would be useful in their own arcane projections).		This resolves one of the concerns the ''zauberer'' had with this ritual, and they're glad that working with the two [[Conclave order\|Conclave orders]] they were able to clean the magic up a little. ('''OOC Note:''' We've updated the ritual on the wiki and in the system to remove the damage it does to those supporting the target - this never affected the magnitude of the effect but was being referenced regularly in arcane projections as a way to empower magic and so we decided to remove the in-character sacrifice element to try to reduce the number of players thinking this would be useful in their own arcane projections).

	===Participation===		===Participation===

Twiggy: /* Sun and Gold */

2025-07-16T10:30:49Z

Sun and Gold

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:30, 16 July 2025
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	At the point the news is received, the Commonwealth professors and philosophers are already in transit, travelling between [[Sarvos]] and [[Hercynia]] in the north. Along the way they make a point of visiting the cities of [[Tassato]], [[Miaren#Seren\|Seren]], and [[Temeschwar]] and the bustling town of [[Skarsind#Southpine\|Torfast]] along the way. They are well received at the [[Advisor_on_the_Vallorn#The_Great_Library_of_Hacynian\|Great Library of Hacynian]] having been invited to visit by '''Nathair Autumngale''', the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]].		At the point the news is received, the Commonwealth professors and philosophers are already in transit, travelling between [[Sarvos]] and [[Hercynia]] in the north. Along the way they make a point of visiting the cities of [[Tassato]], [[Miaren#Seren\|Seren]], and [[Temeschwar]] and the bustling town of [[Skarsind#Southpine\|Torfast]] along the way. They are well received at the [[Advisor_on_the_Vallorn#The_Great_Library_of_Hacynian\|Great Library of Hacynian]] having been invited to visit by '''Nathair Autumngale''', the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]].

	As well as the opportunity to meet with many of their Imperial peers, some of the more excitable students accompanying the group relish the opportunity to learn more about the [[vallorn]] - something they have previously encountered only through travellers' tales. There is a little concern that the Commonwealth visitors might be offended by the [[Consecration#True_Liao\|true consecration]] of [[Wisdom]] that lies over the great hall of the Library, but it seems they were warned well in advance of its ~~existance~~. They simple ignore the hall and avoid visiting it - and engage in spirited debate with some of their Navarr hosts about the practice of subsuming the will of mortals to an outside spiritual influence.		As well as the opportunity to meet with many of their Imperial peers, some of the more excitable students accompanying the group relish the opportunity to learn more about the [[vallorn]] - something they have previously encountered only through travellers' tales. There is a little concern that the Commonwealth visitors might be offended by the [[Consecration#True_Liao\|true consecration]] of [[Wisdom]] that lies over the great hall of the Library, but it seems they were warned well in advance of its existence. They simple ignore the hall and avoid visiting it - and engage in spirited debate with some of their Navarr hosts about the practice of subsuming the will of mortals to an outside spiritual influence.

	Of particular interest to the engineers and professors of practical subjects visiting Hacynian is a [[Report_on_Terunael_mineworkings\|certain cracked tablet]], recovered from the depths of the [[Brightness long ago\|northern sinkhole]], which details the practice of fashioning sungold - an alloy of orichalcum and mithril that has remarkable properties to store and transfer heat and warmth. At the invitation of the ~~Adisor~~, they are able to make a cursory study of it and are delighted by the techniques it presents. Doktor Lola Kunz, a respected academic fascinated by the material sciences, in particular is interested to know if the Great Library would be prepared to part with the tablet, and if so what would they require in return? This prompts a little disagreement between the "nomad faculty" as Professor Gelberg attempts to restrain his colleague's enthusiasm pointing out they are here to raise support of the war in the east not to buy relics no matter how potentially valuable the material they describe might be.		Of particular interest to the engineers and professors of practical subjects visiting Hacynian is a [[Report_on_Terunael_mineworkings\|certain cracked tablet]], recovered from the depths of the [[Brightness long ago\|northern sinkhole]], which details the practice of fashioning sungold - an alloy of orichalcum and mithril that has remarkable properties to store and transfer heat and warmth. At the invitation of the Advisor, they are able to make a cursory study of it and are delighted by the techniques it presents. Doktor Lola Kunz, a respected academic fascinated by the material sciences, in particular is interested to know if the Great Library would be prepared to part with the tablet, and if so what would they require in return? This prompts a little disagreement between the "nomad faculty" as Professor Gelberg attempts to restrain his colleague's enthusiasm pointing out they are here to raise support of the war in the east not to buy relics no matter how potentially valuable the material they describe might be.

	Regardless, the Commonwealth Ambassador passes along an official request from the University of [[Foreign_ports#Volkavaar\|Volkavaar]] asking what kind of price the Great Library might consider to allow them to acquire the tablet - and to formally thank the Advisor on the Vallorn and their colleagues for making the faculty so welcome.		Regardless, the Commonwealth Ambassador passes along an official request from the University of [[Foreign_ports#Volkavaar\|Volkavaar]] asking what kind of price the Great Library might consider to allow them to acquire the tablet - and to formally thank the Advisor on the Vallorn and their colleagues for making the faculty so welcome.
	<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Eska Crowspeaker.jpg\|align=left\|caption=Eska Crowspeaker, one of the Imperial signatories to the original Liberty Pact, bears the title of [[Voice of Liberty]]\|width=300}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Eska Crowspeaker.jpg\|align=left\|caption=Eska Crowspeaker, one of the Imperial signatories to the original Liberty Pact, bears the title of [[Voice of Liberty]]\|width=300}}</div>

	==Liberty and Liability==		==Liberty and Liability==
	* '''The Commonwealth is asking questions about the Empire's association with the Iron Confederacy		* '''The Commonwealth is asking questions about the Empire's association with the Iron Confederacy

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	At the point the news is received, the Commonwealth professors and philosophers are already in transit, travelling between [[Sarvos]] and [[Hercynia]] in the north. Along the way they make a point of visiting the cities of [[Tassato]], [[Miaren#Seren\|Seren]], and [[Temeschwar]] and the bustling town of [[Skarsind#Southpine\|Torfast]] along the way. They are well received at the [[Advisor_on_the_Vallorn#The_Great_Library_of_Hacynian\|Great Library of Hacynian]] having been invited to visit by '''Nathair Autumngale''', the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]].		At the point the news is received, the Commonwealth professors and philosophers are already in transit, travelling between [[Sarvos]] and [[Hercynia]] in the north. Along the way they make a point of visiting the cities of [[Tassato]], [[Miaren#Seren\|Seren]], and [[Temeschwar]] and the bustling town of [[Skarsind#Southpine\|Torfast]] along the way. They are well received at the [[Advisor_on_the_Vallorn#The_Great_Library_of_Hacynian\|Great Library of Hacynian]] having been invited to visit by '''Nathair Autumngale''', the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]].

	As well as the opportunity to meet with many of their Imperial peers, some of the more excitable students accompanying the group relish the opportunity to learn more about the [[vallorn]] - something they have previously encountered only through travellers' tales. There is a little concern that the Commonwealth visitors might be offended by the [[Consecration#True_Liao\|true consecration]] of [[Wisdom]] that lies over the great hall of the Library, but it seems they were warned well in advance of its ~~existance~~. They simple ignore the hall and avoid visiting it - and engage in spirited debate with some of their Navarr hosts about the practice of subsuming the will of mortals to an outside spiritual influence.		As well as the opportunity to meet with many of their Imperial peers, some of the more excitable students accompanying the group relish the opportunity to learn more about the [[vallorn]] - something they have previously encountered only through travellers' tales. There is a little concern that the Commonwealth visitors might be offended by the [[Consecration#True_Liao\|true consecration]] of [[Wisdom]] that lies over the great hall of the Library, but it seems they were warned well in advance of its existence. They simple ignore the hall and avoid visiting it - and engage in spirited debate with some of their Navarr hosts about the practice of subsuming the will of mortals to an outside spiritual influence.

	Of particular interest to the engineers and professors of practical subjects visiting Hacynian is a [[Report_on_Terunael_mineworkings\|certain cracked tablet]], recovered from the depths of the [[Brightness long ago\|northern sinkhole]], which details the practice of fashioning sungold - an alloy of orichalcum and mithril that has remarkable properties to store and transfer heat and warmth. At the invitation of the ~~Adisor~~, they are able to make a cursory study of it and are delighted by the techniques it presents. Doktor Lola Kunz, a respected academic fascinated by the material sciences, in particular is interested to know if the Great Library would be prepared to part with the tablet, and if so what would they require in return? This prompts a little disagreement between the "nomad faculty" as Professor Gelberg attempts to restrain his colleague's enthusiasm pointing out they are here to raise support of the war in the east not to buy relics no matter how potentially valuable the material they describe might be.		Of particular interest to the engineers and professors of practical subjects visiting Hacynian is a [[Report_on_Terunael_mineworkings\|certain cracked tablet]], recovered from the depths of the [[Brightness long ago\|northern sinkhole]], which details the practice of fashioning sungold - an alloy of orichalcum and mithril that has remarkable properties to store and transfer heat and warmth. At the invitation of the Advisor, they are able to make a cursory study of it and are delighted by the techniques it presents. Doktor Lola Kunz, a respected academic fascinated by the material sciences, in particular is interested to know if the Great Library would be prepared to part with the tablet, and if so what would they require in return? This prompts a little disagreement between the "nomad faculty" as Professor Gelberg attempts to restrain his colleague's enthusiasm pointing out they are here to raise support of the war in the east not to buy relics no matter how potentially valuable the material they describe might be.

	Regardless, the Commonwealth Ambassador passes along an official request from the University of [[Foreign_ports#Volkavaar\|Volkavaar]] asking what kind of price the Great Library might consider to allow them to acquire the tablet - and to formally thank the Advisor on the Vallorn and their colleagues for making the faculty so welcome.		Regardless, the Commonwealth Ambassador passes along an official request from the University of [[Foreign_ports#Volkavaar\|Volkavaar]] asking what kind of price the Great Library might consider to allow them to acquire the tablet - and to formally thank the Advisor on the Vallorn and their colleagues for making the faculty so welcome.
	<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Eska Crowspeaker.jpg\|align=left\|caption=Eska Crowspeaker, one of the Imperial signatories to the original Liberty Pact, bears the title of [[Voice of Liberty]]\|width=300}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Eska Crowspeaker.jpg\|align=left\|caption=Eska Crowspeaker, one of the Imperial signatories to the original Liberty Pact, bears the title of [[Voice of Liberty]]\|width=300}}</div>

	==Liberty and Liability==		==Liberty and Liability==
	* '''The Commonwealth is asking questions about the Empire's association with the Iron Confederacy		* '''The Commonwealth is asking questions about the Empire's association with the Iron Confederacy

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:19, 16 July 2025
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	The orc nodded enthusiastically.		The orc nodded enthusiastically.

	"Yes. Exactly! If the ends you seek are a perfect world where nobody need ever suffer again, what does it mean if you decide some action is too terrible for you to take it? Are you not ~~selifshly~~ putting your own good - your own feeling - ahead of the good of the world? Pushing the perfect future further away meaning more people suffer before it is achieved? You see?"		"Yes. Exactly! If the ends you seek are a perfect world where nobody need ever suffer again, what does it mean if you decide some action is too terrible for you to take it? Are you not selfishly putting your own good - your own feeling - ahead of the good of the world? Pushing the perfect future further away meaning more people suffer before it is achieved? You see?"

	"Yes, quite," said Roget, just a little nervous at the orc's ~~fervor~~. "And what did Hinzel say was the answer?"		"Yes, quite," said Roget, just a little nervous at the orc's fervour. "And what did Hinzel say was the answer?"

	The orc barked a short laugh and subsided back into his seat. "He had no idea. Wrote six volumes debating it with himself and died halfway through the seventh. People have been arguing about it ever since. I'm just a simple farmer, mind. It's possible an actual philosopher might have a good answer for you but... I wonder sometimes. What I would sacrifice if I knew I could bring the perfect world a little closer, if I might cut even a day of suffering off of the long march to the Greatest Good?"		The orc barked a short laugh and subsided back into his seat. "He had no idea. Wrote six volumes debating it with himself and died halfway through the seventh. People have been arguing about it ever since. I'm just a simple farmer, mind. It's possible an actual philosopher might have a good answer for you but... I wonder sometimes. What I would sacrifice if I knew I could bring the perfect world a little closer, if I might cut even a day of suffering off of the long march to the Greatest Good?"
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	For more than a year now there have been a number of Commonwealth magicians trapped on the island of [[Dean_of_the_Lyceum#The_Lyceum\|the Lyceum]]. Ambassador Pridetalker has passed along the assurances of the [[Grandmaster]] of the [[Unfettered Mind]], '''Zlata Ruznikova Perenel''', that their work with the unreliable [[eternal]] [[Sadogua]] would soon bear fruit. Obviously, the Commonwealth knows better than to talk about these plans openly but both seem to have potential. Assuming the untrustworthy "''Spell Glutton''" does not betray his Imperial "friends" of course.		For more than a year now there have been a number of Commonwealth magicians trapped on the island of [[Dean_of_the_Lyceum#The_Lyceum\|the Lyceum]]. Ambassador Pridetalker has passed along the assurances of the [[Grandmaster]] of the [[Unfettered Mind]], '''Zlata Ruznikova Perenel''', that their work with the unreliable [[eternal]] [[Sadogua]] would soon bear fruit. Obviously, the Commonwealth knows better than to talk about these plans openly but both seem to have potential. Assuming the untrustworthy "''Spell Glutton''" does not betray his Imperial "friends" of course.

	Despite the obvious dislike Militärattache Ludkhannah bears towards the [[eternal]] ''Father of Bats'' however, she is forced to admit that so far the beast has been true to its word in keeping magicians within the mists in touch with those without. Specifically, she mentions that some of the correspondence from the Lyceum ''zauberer'' has indicated that with nothing better to do they have spent time with their Imperial neighbours likewise trapped refining some rituals - especially the [[Rod and Shield]] and of course the Unfettered Mind. It is a rather roundabout way of doing it, but this shared research has ~~bourne~~ surprising fruit.		Despite the obvious dislike Militärattache Ludkhannah bears towards the [[eternal]] ''Father of Bats'' however, she is forced to admit that so far the beast has been true to its word in keeping magicians within the mists in touch with those without. Specifically, she mentions that some of the correspondence from the Lyceum ''zauberer'' has indicated that with nothing better to do they have spent time with their Imperial neighbours likewise trapped refining some rituals - especially the [[Rod and Shield]] and of course the Unfettered Mind. It is a rather roundabout way of doing it, but this shared research has borne surprising fruit.
	===Risk and Reward===		===Risk and Reward===
	* '''Rule of Risk and Reward now has an "additional targets" option		* '''Rule of Risk and Reward now has an "additional targets" option
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	Ambassador Pridetalker has made enquiries, apparently on behalf of some [[Imperial Orcs]], about the spiritual belief of the [[orc\|orcs]] of the Commonwealth. Not an expert herself, ''Ludkhannah'' asks one of the orcs that work at die Stahlhalle with her to answer the question. ''Teo Freid'' pens a short article in response, providing a very broad overview of what he understands of orc beliefs in the nation. He is very clear from the start that the orcs of the Commonwealth share the [[Commonwealth#Religion\|ultimate belief]] of their human and daeva neighbours; that it is vital to secure the greatest good for the greatest number of people. By doing this they make the world better, until ultimately all people of all kinds are united in common service to the cause. Until then, everyone who accepts the Common Good must be prepared to fight to build the future where there is no more need for war. He also stresses that, just as with humans, different communities of orcs believe different things. The Commonwealth as a whole is happy to let people believe whatever spiritual truths they wish as long as it does not interfere with their commitment to the Common Good.		Ambassador Pridetalker has made enquiries, apparently on behalf of some [[Imperial Orcs]], about the spiritual belief of the [[orc\|orcs]] of the Commonwealth. Not an expert herself, ''Ludkhannah'' asks one of the orcs that work at die Stahlhalle with her to answer the question. ''Teo Freid'' pens a short article in response, providing a very broad overview of what he understands of orc beliefs in the nation. He is very clear from the start that the orcs of the Commonwealth share the [[Commonwealth#Religion\|ultimate belief]] of their human and daeva neighbours; that it is vital to secure the greatest good for the greatest number of people. By doing this they make the world better, until ultimately all people of all kinds are united in common service to the cause. Until then, everyone who accepts the Common Good must be prepared to fight to build the future where there is no more need for war. He also stresses that, just as with humans, different communities of orcs believe different things. The Commonwealth as a whole is happy to let people believe whatever spiritual truths they wish as long as it does not interfere with their commitment to the Common Good.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Howling Abyss Symbol.png\|caption=It is possible that the ''Raging Storm'' is another name for the [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#The_Howling_Abyss\|Howling Abyss]].\|align=right\|width=300}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Howling Abyss Symbol.png\|caption=It is possible that the ''Raging Storm'' is another name for the [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#The_Howling_Abyss\|Howling Abyss]].\|align=right\|width=300}}
	They share the belief of many orcs in the existence of what he translates into Imperial as the "Raging Storm", and that it waits for all orcs after death. Where Herr Freid's beliefs depart radically is that he believes that orcs, like humans, reincarnate after death provided they avoid the lure of the Storm. The best way to do that is to strengthen oneself through commitment to improving the world, to the Common Good, and to pursuing a disciplined life of duty, restraint, sincerity, pride, fellowship, and self-knowledge. This path involves learning to quiet or ignore the dangerous voice of the Storm which sometimes seeks to influence the behaviour of an orc, to urge them to commit violent, foolish, self-destructive acts that strengthen its hold on the orc and through them the world. If they are unsuccessful they will be devoured by the Storm, and while different sects disagree on precisely what that means, the group Teo belongs to teaches that an orc soul that is torn apart is eventually ~~molded~~ together with other such fragmented spirits and eventually reborn as a new spirit although that may take many decades. An orc who resists the Storm will likely be born into the next generation. There is a heated argument about whether an orc that serves their community well is more likely to be reborn into that community or not, but that debate has been bubbling along for fifty years or so and there's little sign of it being resolved any time soon.		They share the belief of many orcs in the existence of what he translates into Imperial as the "Raging Storm", and that it waits for all orcs after death. Where Herr Freid's beliefs depart radically is that he believes that orcs, like humans, reincarnate after death provided they avoid the lure of the Storm. The best way to do that is to strengthen oneself through commitment to improving the world, to the Common Good, and to pursuing a disciplined life of duty, restraint, sincerity, pride, fellowship, and self-knowledge. This path involves learning to quiet or ignore the dangerous voice of the Storm which sometimes seeks to influence the behaviour of an orc, to urge them to commit violent, foolish, self-destructive acts that strengthen its hold on the orc and through them the world. If they are unsuccessful they will be devoured by the Storm, and while different sects disagree on precisely what that means, the group Teo belongs to teaches that an orc soul that is torn apart is eventually moulded together with other such fragmented spirits and eventually reborn as a new spirit although that may take many decades. An orc who resists the Storm will likely be born into the next generation. There is a heated argument about whether an orc that serves their community well is more likely to be reborn into that community or not, but that debate has been bubbling along for fifty years or so and there's little sign of it being resolved any time soon.

	Teo finished on a hopeful note. As long as an orc resists the Raging Storm, he believes, their spirit will still exist when the perfect future is secured. Their commitment to the Greater Good is anchored in the knowledge that it is ''their'' future they are striving to secure, and that of all their friends, family, and neighbours, and that is the most wonderful thing of all.		Teo finished on a hopeful note. As long as an orc resists the Raging Storm, he believes, their spirit will still exist when the perfect future is secured. Their commitment to the Greater Good is anchored in the knowledge that it is ''their'' future they are striving to secure, and that of all their friends, family, and neighbours, and that is the most wonderful thing of all.