Blood will thicken - Revision history

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

2026-01-15T12:34:57Z

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:34, 15 January 2026
Line 78:		Line 78:
	The Highborn chapters are eager to demonstrate the depths of their support for a new holy city in Bastion. Thanks to the [[Pieces missing everywhere#Dare_Do_All\|recent mandate passed by the Highborn Assembly]], the Highborn people are ready and willing to support the creation of new buildings to celebrate the Virtues. The mandate enacted last season means that any Highborn commission that provided votes or liao would benefit from donations from enthusiastic supporters, improving the size and effectiveness of the construction. The holy city proposed by Eilian Sweetwater won't actually provide votes or liao directly, but nobody in Highguard is concerned about that. This is exactly the sort of visionary ideal that the chapters had hoped to see, albeit beyond any scale they could have imagined.		The Highborn chapters are eager to demonstrate the depths of their support for a new holy city in Bastion. Thanks to the [[Pieces missing everywhere#Dare_Do_All\|recent mandate passed by the Highborn Assembly]], the Highborn people are ready and willing to support the creation of new buildings to celebrate the Virtues. The mandate enacted last season means that any Highborn commission that provided votes or liao would benefit from donations from enthusiastic supporters, improving the size and effectiveness of the construction. The holy city proposed by Eilian Sweetwater won't actually provide votes or liao directly, but nobody in Highguard is concerned about that. This is exactly the sort of visionary ideal that the chapters had hoped to see, albeit beyond any scale they could have imagined.

	The Imperial constitution ensures that all the main sources of crucial building materials in the Empire are controlled by the [[~~Imperial~~ Bourse]]. As a result the flows of significant amounts of white granite all go through Anvil, allowing the Empire to direct them to significant works. Individual citizens might possess a wain or two of mithril that they have held onto for many years. Some wealthy groups may even have access to a forest that provides enough weirwood to amount to a wain or two a year perhaps. A ship's captain might grab a chance to buy a wain of white granite while trading in Sumaah. Individually these resources don't amount to much, but across the entire population of four territories they are significant. It is these sources that the new mandate taps into, providing a potential source of additional white granite to support new commissions in the nation.		The Imperial constitution ensures that all the main sources of crucial building materials in the Empire are controlled by the [[Bourse]]. As a result the flows of significant amounts of white granite all go through Anvil, allowing the Empire to direct them to significant works. Individual citizens might possess a wain or two of mithril that they have held onto for many years. Some wealthy groups may even have access to a forest that provides enough weirwood to amount to a wain or two a year perhaps. A ship's captain might grab a chance to buy a wain of white granite while trading in Sumaah. Individually these resources don't amount to much, but across the entire population of four territories they are significant. It is these sources that the new mandate taps into, providing a potential source of additional white granite to support new commissions in the nation.

	Rather than this piecemeal approach, the Highborn Assembly could urge every citizen in the nation to ''instead'' get behind this immensely Ambitious proposal.		Rather than this piecemeal approach, the Highborn Assembly could urge every citizen in the nation to ''instead'' get behind this immensely Ambitious proposal.

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

2026-01-15T12:33:08Z

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

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:33, 15 January 2026
Line 16:		Line 16:
	"One day..." he whispered to himself as he went to help with the clearing up. "One day I'll build something so inspiring it will echo through the Labyrinth for a thousand years..."</ic>{{audio\|link= https://youtu.be/OUPlN63GG8U?si=lFK4V6Z0d3d5CfQ6}}		"One day..." he whispered to himself as he went to help with the clearing up. "One day I'll build something so inspiring it will echo through the Labyrinth for a thousand years..."</ic>{{audio\|link= https://youtu.be/OUPlN63GG8U?si=lFK4V6Z0d3d5CfQ6}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	At the Winter Solstice, the [[~~Imperial~~ Senate]] instructed the [[Appraisal#The_Prognosticators_Office\|prognosticators office]] to prepare two [[appraisal\|appraisals]]. They asked ''[[Appraisal#Naomi_of_Virtue.27s_Rest\|Naomi of Virtue's Rest]]'' to appraise how [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Appraise_Kahraman\|the infrastructure of Kahraman might be restored]] and they also requested Naomi to [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Appraise_Pilgrims_of_the_Way\|consider]] ways by which pilgrims of the Way could be encouraged to travel to the Empire and how [[Bastion]] and the territories of the [[Bay of Catazar]] might rise to the challenge of [[Sumaah_Republic#Timoj\|Timoj]].		At the Winter Solstice, the [[Senate]] instructed the [[Appraisal#The_Prognosticators_Office\|prognosticators office]] to prepare two [[appraisal\|appraisals]]. They asked ''[[Appraisal#Naomi_of_Virtue.27s_Rest\|Naomi of Virtue's Rest]]'' to appraise how [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Appraise_Kahraman\|the infrastructure of Kahraman might be restored]] and they also requested Naomi to [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Appraise_Pilgrims_of_the_Way\|consider]] ways by which pilgrims of the Way could be encouraged to travel to the Empire and how [[Bastion]] and the territories of the [[Bay of Catazar]] might rise to the challenge of [[Sumaah_Republic#Timoj\|Timoj]].

	Of course Naomi can't conduct both appraisals, and wherever possible the Auditor of the Imperial Treasury assigns prognosticators in the order the [[Senate motion\|motions]] that [[Appraisal#Commission_an_Appraisal\|commission the appraisal]] are raised. The newest member of the team, ''[[Appraisal#Eilian Sweetwater of Storm's Run Striding\|Eilian Sweetwater of Storm's Run Striding]]'' has successfully petitioned ''Gerard La Salle'' to allow him to carry out the pilgrim appraisal. Officially the reason is that as a member of the [[Navarr]], Eilian is the ideal candidate to understand what might motivate people to move from one end of the earth to the other - and how to make them feel welcome when they get there. Unofficially Eilian is said to be fascinated by an opportunity to have a chance to help ''make'' history for a change rather than simply compiling it.		Of course Naomi can't conduct both appraisals, and wherever possible the Auditor of the Imperial Treasury assigns prognosticators in the order the [[Senate motion\|motions]] that [[Appraisal#Commission_an_Appraisal\|commission the appraisal]] are raised. The newest member of the team, ''[[Appraisal#Eilian Sweetwater of Storm's Run Striding\|Eilian Sweetwater of Storm's Run Striding]]'' has successfully petitioned ''Gerard La Salle'' to allow him to carry out the pilgrim appraisal. Officially the reason is that as a member of the [[Navarr]], Eilian is the ideal candidate to understand what might motivate people to move from one end of the earth to the other - and how to make them feel welcome when they get there. Unofficially Eilian is said to be fascinated by an opportunity to have a chance to help ''make'' history for a change rather than simply compiling it.

Dre at 21:49, 13 May 2024

2024-05-13T21:49:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:49, 13 May 2024
Line 40:		Line 40:
	Eilian proposes that the Empire's artists work with the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine\|Assembly of Nine]] to create sketches, drawings or paintings of some lofty vision, some great edifice that will serve to celebrate the Way and inspire everyone who visits it. It shouldn't be architectural plans, the Empire has scores of skilled architects only too keen to produce the technical drawings needed, once the shape and the form is agreed. Rather, Eilian's hope is that the Empire's artists can imagine something incredible. It could be a great cathedral with a vaulted roof, it could be an obelisk as tall as a mountain, or maybe a great statue of the First Empress. It could be anything - but it needs to be numinous beyond words - and vast enough to transform the White City. A [[statement of principle]] in the Assembly would then be used to determine which design or designs would be used to inspire Imperial architects. If the chosen designs are passed to the civil service then the Empire's architects can use them to guide the final commission.		Eilian proposes that the Empire's artists work with the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine\|Assembly of Nine]] to create sketches, drawings or paintings of some lofty vision, some great edifice that will serve to celebrate the Way and inspire everyone who visits it. It shouldn't be architectural plans, the Empire has scores of skilled architects only too keen to produce the technical drawings needed, once the shape and the form is agreed. Rather, Eilian's hope is that the Empire's artists can imagine something incredible. It could be a great cathedral with a vaulted roof, it could be an obelisk as tall as a mountain, or maybe a great statue of the First Empress. It could be anything - but it needs to be numinous beyond words - and vast enough to transform the White City. A [[statement of principle]] in the Assembly would then be used to determine which design or designs would be used to inspire Imperial architects. If the chosen designs are passed to the civil service then the Empire's architects can use them to guide the final commission.

	Members of the [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[chapter]] of Pharos' Water have proposed that the only virtuous way to choose these designs is to hold an open competition. Let every artist in the Empire submit designs to the Assembly of Nine during the Summer Solstice. If the Senate then authorises the construction of the winning design, the chapter's [[benefactor\|benefactors]] will provide the artist with the ''Wayfarers Guide''. This powerful [[Dragonbone Symbol]] was originally created for [[Emperor James]] but it was never delivered to [[the Throne]] as it was stolen before it could be handed over. The heroes of [[Anvil]], ~~lead~~ by the Exarch of Pharos' Water, used a lucky [[Sentinel_Gate#Conjunctions\|conjunction]] of the [[Sentinel Gate]] to recover the symbol from the thieves at the following summit. In return for their efforts the grateful Emperor gave the [[Magic_items#Artefacts\|artefact]] to the chapter in recognition of their service to the Throne.		Members of the [[Highguard\|Highborn]] [[chapter]] of Pharos' Water have proposed that the only virtuous way to choose these designs is to hold an open competition. Let every artist in the Empire submit designs to the Assembly of Nine during the Summer Solstice. If the Senate then authorises the construction of the winning design, the chapter's [[benefactor\|benefactors]] will provide the artist with the ''Wayfarers Guide''. This powerful [[Dragonbone Symbol]] was originally created for [[Emperor James]] but it was never delivered to [[the Throne]] as it was stolen before it could be handed over. The heroes of [[Anvil]], led by the Exarch of Pharos' Water, used a lucky [[Sentinel_Gate#Conjunctions\|conjunction]] of the [[Sentinel Gate]] to recover the symbol from the thieves at the following summit. In return for their efforts the grateful Emperor gave the [[Magic_items#Artefacts\|artefact]] to the chapter in recognition of their service to the Throne.

	==A Question of Scale==		==A Question of Scale==

Hailmur: /* Better By Far */

2024-05-08T00:06:04Z

Better By Far

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:06, 8 May 2024
Line 92:		Line 92:
	<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">		<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
	<tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Nation'''</td><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Contribution'''</td></tr>		<tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Nation'''</td><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Contribution'''</td></tr>
	<tr><td>Brass Coast</td><td>12 wains, 24 crowns</td></tr>		<tr><td>Brass Coast</td><td>8 wains, 16 crowns</td></tr>
	<tr><td>Dawn</td><td>12 wains, 24 crowns</td></tr>		<tr><td>Dawn</td><td>12 wains, 24 crowns</td></tr>
	<tr><td>Highguard</td><td>25 wains, 50 crowns</td></tr>		<tr><td>Highguard</td><td>25 wains, 50 crowns</td></tr>
	<tr><td>Imperial Orcs</td><td>4 wains, 8 crowns</td></tr>		<tr><td>Imperial Orcs</td><td>4 wains, 8 crowns</td></tr>
	<tr><td>Navarr</td><td>12 wains, 24 crowns</td></tr>		<tr><td>Navarr</td><td>12 wains, 24 crowns</td></tr>
	<tr><td>The League</td><td>16 wains, 32 crowns</td></tr>		<tr><td>The League</td><td>20 wains, 40 crowns</td></tr>
	<tr><td>The Marches</td><td>16 wains, 32 crowns</td></tr>		<tr><td>The Marches</td><td>16 wains, 32 crowns</td></tr>
	<tr><td>Urizen</td><td>12 wains, 24 crowns</td></tr>		<tr><td>Urizen</td><td>12 wains, 24 crowns</td></tr>

Hailmur: /* No Price Is Too High */

2024-04-23T21:59:29Z

No Price Is Too High

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:59, 23 April 2024
Line 123:		Line 123:
	{{Mandate\|mandate=Pride conveyed by words alone is vain boasting; we must proclaim it by how we conduct every part of our lives. Other nations are contributing white granite and coin to the efforts to build the Grand Inspiration of the Way and we are being left behind! "Now Fransesca di Matos's competition is over, we must rise to this challenge from the rest of the Empire and win. We send {Named Priest} with 50 doses of liao to inspire League citizens to show the rest of the Empire how to build amazing things...and how to fund them, too.\|assembly=League Assembly}}		{{Mandate\|mandate=Pride conveyed by words alone is vain boasting; we must proclaim it by how we conduct every part of our lives. Other nations are contributing white granite and coin to the efforts to build the Grand Inspiration of the Way and we are being left behind! "Now Fransesca di Matos's competition is over, we must rise to this challenge from the rest of the Empire and win. We send {Named Priest} with 50 doses of liao to inspire League citizens to show the rest of the Empire how to build amazing things...and how to fund them, too.\|assembly=League Assembly}}

	If enacted this mandate would have the same effect as the ~~one above~~ - though drawing on the Virtue of Pride rather than Ambition. The same amount of white granite and money would go towards the Grand Inspiration of the Way.		If enacted this mandate would have the same effect as the original - though drawing on the Virtue of Pride rather than Ambition. The same amount of white granite and money would go towards the Grand Inspiration of the Way.

			'''Vasilmir Radovanovna Esskivic''' has proposed an alternative mandate for the Varushka National Assembly to consider.

			{{Mandate\|mandate=Seek out the poison in your neighbour’s fields, lest your own crops be blighted. The Grand Inspiration of the way will be an incredible and Virtuous Beacon to innumerable Pilgrims. Varushkans can Vigilantly help protect it against malice, from outside or within. We send {Named Priest} with 50 doses of Liao to urge Varushkans to contribute our resources and expertise to pave the Grand Inspiration of the Way's roads with Varushkan Stone and line their walls with our wards. May malice find no welcome there.
			\|assembly=Varushkan Assembly}}

			If enacted this mandate would have the same effect as the original. The same amount of white granite and money would go towards the Grand Inspiration of the Way.


	'''Aspar''' of Urizen has asked the Urizen Assembly to consider the possibility of a more emphatic refusal of the request for help.		'''Aspar''' of Urizen has asked the Urizen Assembly to consider the possibility of a more emphatic refusal of the request for help.

Novemberalice at 11:24, 23 April 2024

2024-04-23T11:24:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:24, 23 April 2024
Line 14:		Line 14:
	"Faran!" his mother shouted, pulling him out of his reverie. The family had moved on, going back to the blankets where the remains of dinner were still spread out. He sighed as he looked around, realising that the tide was coming in. Within an hour it would be gone. His beautiful sandcastle that he'd spent all morning creating would be taken by the waves, just like all the others.		"Faran!" his mother shouted, pulling him out of his reverie. The family had moved on, going back to the blankets where the remains of dinner were still spread out. He sighed as he looked around, realising that the tide was coming in. Within an hour it would be gone. His beautiful sandcastle that he'd spent all morning creating would be taken by the waves, just like all the others.

	"One day..." he whispered to himself as he went to help with the clearing up. "One day I'll build something so inspiring it will echo through the Labyrinth for a thousand years..."</ic>		"One day..." he whispered to himself as he went to help with the clearing up. "One day I'll build something so inspiring it will echo through the Labyrinth for a thousand years..."</ic>{{audio\|link= https://youtu.be/OUPlN63GG8U?si=lFK4V6Z0d3d5CfQ6}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	At the Winter Solstice, the [[Imperial Senate]] instructed the [[Appraisal#The_Prognosticators_Office\|prognosticators office]] to prepare two [[appraisal\|appraisals]]. They asked ''[[Appraisal#Naomi_of_Virtue.27s_Rest\|Naomi of Virtue's Rest]]'' to appraise how [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Appraise_Kahraman\|the infrastructure of Kahraman might be restored]] and they also requested Naomi to [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Appraise_Pilgrims_of_the_Way\|consider]] ways by which pilgrims of the Way could be encouraged to travel to the Empire and how [[Bastion]] and the territories of the [[Bay of Catazar]] might rise to the challenge of [[Sumaah_Republic#Timoj\|Timoj]].		At the Winter Solstice, the [[Imperial Senate]] instructed the [[Appraisal#The_Prognosticators_Office\|prognosticators office]] to prepare two [[appraisal\|appraisals]]. They asked ''[[Appraisal#Naomi_of_Virtue.27s_Rest\|Naomi of Virtue's Rest]]'' to appraise how [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Appraise_Kahraman\|the infrastructure of Kahraman might be restored]] and they also requested Naomi to [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Appraise_Pilgrims_of_the_Way\|consider]] ways by which pilgrims of the Way could be encouraged to travel to the Empire and how [[Bastion]] and the territories of the [[Bay of Catazar]] might rise to the challenge of [[Sumaah_Republic#Timoj\|Timoj]].

Hailmur: /* No Price Is Too High */

2024-04-23T09:38:25Z

No Price Is Too High

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:38, 23 April 2024
Line 121:		Line 121:
	'''Rafael Barossa d'Apulian''' has proposed an alternative mandate for the League National Assembly to consider.		'''Rafael Barossa d'Apulian''' has proposed an alternative mandate for the League National Assembly to consider.

	{{Mandate\|mandate=Pride conveyed by words alone is vain boasting; we must proclaim it by how we conduct every part of our lives. Other nations are contributing white granite and coin to the efforts to build the Grand Inspiration of the Way and we are being left behind! "Now Fransesca di Matos's competition is over, we must rise to this challenge from the rest of the Empire and win. We send {Named Priest} with 25 doses of liao to inspire League citizens to show the rest of the Empire how to build amazing things...and how to fund them, too.\|assembly=League Assembly}}		{{Mandate\|mandate=Pride conveyed by words alone is vain boasting; we must proclaim it by how we conduct every part of our lives. Other nations are contributing white granite and coin to the efforts to build the Grand Inspiration of the Way and we are being left behind! "Now Fransesca di Matos's competition is over, we must rise to this challenge from the rest of the Empire and win. We send {Named Priest} with 50 doses of liao to inspire League citizens to show the rest of the Empire how to build amazing things...and how to fund them, too.\|assembly=League Assembly}}

	If enacted this mandate would have the same effect as the one above - though drawing on the Virtue of Pride rather than Ambition. The same amount of white granite and money would go towards the Grand Inspiration of the Way.		If enacted this mandate would have the same effect as the one above - though drawing on the Virtue of Pride rather than Ambition. The same amount of white granite and money would go towards the Grand Inspiration of the Way.

Hailmur: /* No Price Is Too High */

2024-04-23T08:51:23Z

No Price Is Too High

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:51, 23 April 2024
Line 119:		Line 119:
	Like the Highborn, it would be impossible for a nation to support the creation of the new Holy City in this way without exhausting their capacity to support other important causes. As a result it would be impossible to use a mandate to urge a nation contributing to the Holy City to support another commission or similar project that needed help. Any mandate in the Imperial Synod that urged citizens to provide financial support to a different commission or cause would fail to affect the nation until the year is up. Any statement of principle in their national assembly that asked the nation for their support in this way would fail to produce a mandate.		Like the Highborn, it would be impossible for a nation to support the creation of the new Holy City in this way without exhausting their capacity to support other important causes. As a result it would be impossible to use a mandate to urge a nation contributing to the Holy City to support another commission or similar project that needed help. Any mandate in the Imperial Synod that urged citizens to provide financial support to a different commission or cause would fail to affect the nation until the year is up. Any statement of principle in their national assembly that asked the nation for their support in this way would fail to produce a mandate.

	Aspar of Urizen has asked the Urizen Assembly to consider the possibility of a more emphatic refusal of the request for help.		'''Rafael Barossa d'Apulian''' has proposed an alternative mandate for the League National Assembly to consider.

			{{Mandate\|mandate=Pride conveyed by words alone is vain boasting; we must proclaim it by how we conduct every part of our lives. Other nations are contributing white granite and coin to the efforts to build the Grand Inspiration of the Way and we are being left behind! "Now Fransesca di Matos's competition is over, we must rise to this challenge from the rest of the Empire and win. We send {Named Priest} with 25 doses of liao to inspire League citizens to show the rest of the Empire how to build amazing things...and how to fund them, too.\|assembly=League Assembly}}

			If enacted this mandate would have the same effect as the one above - though drawing on the Virtue of Pride rather than Ambition. The same amount of white granite and money would go towards the Grand Inspiration of the Way.

			'''Aspar''' of Urizen has asked the Urizen Assembly to consider the possibility of a more emphatic refusal of the request for help.

	{{Mandate\|mandate=Despise that which threatens what you watch over, whether by malice, lies, ''folly'' or ''carelessness''. We send {named priest} with 25 Liao to encourage all Urizen to look to their homes before pledging support to Bastion. The rebuilding of Zenith and the repatriation of Spiral must be our priority. Let Highguard build monuments to Virtue after the Empire proves worthy of them.\|assembly=Urizen Assembly}}		{{Mandate\|mandate=Despise that which threatens what you watch over, whether by malice, lies, ''folly'' or ''carelessness''. We send {named priest} with 25 Liao to encourage all Urizen to look to their homes before pledging support to Bastion. The rebuilding of Zenith and the repatriation of Spiral must be our priority. Let Highguard build monuments to Virtue after the Empire proves worthy of them.\|assembly=Urizen Assembly}}

Matt: /* No Price Is Too High */

2023-06-03T21:45:45Z

No Price Is Too High

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:45, 3 June 2023
Line 118:		Line 118:

	Like the Highborn, it would be impossible for a nation to support the creation of the new Holy City in this way without exhausting their capacity to support other important causes. As a result it would be impossible to use a mandate to urge a nation contributing to the Holy City to support another commission or similar project that needed help. Any mandate in the Imperial Synod that urged citizens to provide financial support to a different commission or cause would fail to affect the nation until the year is up. Any statement of principle in their national assembly that asked the nation for their support in this way would fail to produce a mandate.		Like the Highborn, it would be impossible for a nation to support the creation of the new Holy City in this way without exhausting their capacity to support other important causes. As a result it would be impossible to use a mandate to urge a nation contributing to the Holy City to support another commission or similar project that needed help. Any mandate in the Imperial Synod that urged citizens to provide financial support to a different commission or cause would fail to affect the nation until the year is up. Any statement of principle in their national assembly that asked the nation for their support in this way would fail to produce a mandate.

			Aspar of Urizen has asked the Urizen Assembly to consider the possibility of a more emphatic refusal of the request for help.

			{{Mandate\|mandate=Despise that which threatens what you watch over, whether by malice, lies, ''folly'' or ''carelessness''. We send {named priest} with 25 Liao to encourage all Urizen to look to their homes before pledging support to Bastion. The rebuilding of Zenith and the repatriation of Spiral must be our priority. Let Highguard build monuments to Virtue after the Empire proves worthy of them.\|assembly=Urizen Assembly}}

			If this mandate were enacted, it would prevent any aid going towards the holy city in Bastion. Furthermore no statements of principle calling on Urizen to support efforts outside of Zenith and Spiral would result in an opportunity for at least a year.

	==Grand Opportunity==		==Grand Opportunity==

Matt: /* A Contest of Imagination */

2023-06-02T11:41:36Z

A Contest of Imagination

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:41, 2 June 2023
Line 37:		Line 37:
	<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Starcathedral.jpg\|caption=The majestic [[Bishop_of_the_Navigators#Cathedral_of_the_Navigators\|Cathedral of the Navigators]] dominates the ''Buitenlandsewijk'' - the foreign quarter of the [[Sarcophan Delves]].\|align=right\|width=600}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Starcathedral.jpg\|caption=The majestic [[Bishop_of_the_Navigators#Cathedral_of_the_Navigators\|Cathedral of the Navigators]] dominates the ''Buitenlandsewijk'' - the foreign quarter of the [[Sarcophan Delves]].\|align=right\|width=600}}</div>
	After giving the matter some thought, Eilian and his team conclude that it would be a mistake for them to propose a specific shape and form for the great commission. Eilian Sweetwater is an experienced historian but he's not an architect or an artist. A commission like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - the best way to ensure success is to find the best artist the Empire has, someone who can imagine something truly historic, something august and sublime that will fire the imagination of everyone who views it. He points to the [[Bishop_of_the_Navigators#Cathedral_of_the_Navigators\|Cathedral of the Navigators]] in the [[Sarcophan Delves]] as an example of what Imperial art can achieve, transforming mere [[white granite]] and [[mithril]] into something possessed of sublime majesty.		After giving the matter some thought, Eilian and his team conclude that it would be a mistake for them to propose a specific shape and form for the great commission. Eilian Sweetwater is an experienced historian but he's not an architect or an artist. A commission like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - the best way to ensure success is to find the best artist the Empire has, someone who can imagine something truly historic, something august and sublime that will fire the imagination of everyone who views it. He points to the [[Bishop_of_the_Navigators#Cathedral_of_the_Navigators\|Cathedral of the Navigators]] in the [[Sarcophan Delves]] as an example of what Imperial art can achieve, transforming mere [[white granite]] and [[mithril]] into something possessed of sublime majesty.
	<div style="float:right; width: 500px; margin-left: 10px; clear: right;"><box>'''OOC Note'''<br>Empire includes a large element of hard skills - the success and triumphs that your character has on the field are often down to your abilities as a player, whether that's fighting in battle, trading in the Bourse or giving a speech in the Senate. For that reason we would politely ask participants to only submit original compositions ~~they have~~ created ~~themselves~~. This competition is a chance for the many fantastic artists in the Empire community to achieve glory. ~~Submitting~~ a piece of art created by someone who isn't an active participant in Empire or using AI to create a submission is outside of the spirit of this contest.</box></div>		<div style="float:right; width: 500px; margin-left: 10px; clear: right;"><box>'''OOC Note'''<br>Empire includes a large element of hard skills - the success and triumphs that your character has on the field are often down to your abilities as a player, whether that's fighting in battle, trading in the Bourse or giving a speech in the Senate. For that reason we would politely ask participants to only submit original compositions created by participants in the game. This competition is a chance for the many fantastic artists in the Empire community to achieve glory. It's fine for a player-character to hire another player-character if they pay them with in-character funds, but submitting a piece of art that was purchased out-of-character, created by someone who isn't an active participant in Empire or using AI to create a submission is outside of the spirit of this contest.</box></div>
	Eilian proposes that the Empire's artists work with the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine\|Assembly of Nine]] to create sketches, drawings or paintings of some lofty vision, some great edifice that will serve to celebrate the Way and inspire everyone who visits it. It shouldn't be architectural plans, the Empire has scores of skilled architects only too keen to produce the technical drawings needed, once the shape and the form is agreed. Rather, Eilian's hope is that the Empire's artists can imagine something incredible. It could be a great cathedral with a vaulted roof, it could be an obelisk as tall as a mountain, or maybe a great statue of the First Empress. It could be anything - but it needs to be numinous beyond words - and vast enough to transform the White City. A [[statement of principle]] in the Assembly would then be used to determine which design or designs would be used to inspire Imperial architects. If the chosen designs are passed to the civil service then the Empire's architects can use them to guide the final commission.		Eilian proposes that the Empire's artists work with the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine\|Assembly of Nine]] to create sketches, drawings or paintings of some lofty vision, some great edifice that will serve to celebrate the Way and inspire everyone who visits it. It shouldn't be architectural plans, the Empire has scores of skilled architects only too keen to produce the technical drawings needed, once the shape and the form is agreed. Rather, Eilian's hope is that the Empire's artists can imagine something incredible. It could be a great cathedral with a vaulted roof, it could be an obelisk as tall as a mountain, or maybe a great statue of the First Empress. It could be anything - but it needs to be numinous beyond words - and vast enough to transform the White City. A [[statement of principle]] in the Assembly would then be used to determine which design or designs would be used to inspire Imperial architects. If the chosen designs are passed to the civil service then the Empire's architects can use them to guide the final commission.