Scarlet sands - Revision history

Twiggy at 17:03, 20 April 2026

2026-04-20T17:03:23Z

Matt: /* Battle Opportunity: Rocks Fall */

2026-04-20T15:29:29Z

Battle Opportunity: Rocks Fall

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:29, 20 April 2026
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	==Battle Opportunity: Rocks Fall==		==Battle Opportunity: Rocks Fall==
			Imperial actions in recent months have consolidated gains in southern Mareave, driving the orcs of Attar out of Clisearn and into Fleisardh. The combined effort of armies from Highguard, the League and the Imperial Orcs have been instrumental in stemming the landside advance of Grendel soliders, and forcing the barbarians onto the back foot. Recent victories have had a deep impact on the Brine Turtle army, with the orcs among their ranks becoming increasingly desperate when fighting to save the very lands from which their sept hails.

			Fleisardh holds an important place in the sept's culture - they claim to trace their history back to before the rise of the Grendel. That could be true, certainly the sept are tied to the coastal lands and sandy coves from whence they draw their name and many traditions, centred around the custodianship of the leathery sea beasts that nest along the littoral reaches. These links to the region have offered the military council a previous [[Sea-wood_fed_with_copper#Pots_and_Shells_(Battle)\|opportunity]] to strike against the Brine Turtles.

			Where Fleisardh meets the Bay of Catazar, there are high cliffs, that make coming ashore impossible except in the smallest of ships. [[Mareave#Blood_River_Colossi\|Two huge statues]] are perched precariously on the sea front, they depict two humans facing the sea. The crumbling rock beneath their feet threatens to do more than just topple the statues, the entire cliff face is in danger of giving way. The doom of these two ancient defenders is assured - one day the cliffs will come down and they will topple into the sea. Ever the masters of opportunity, a coven of Grendel salt mages have enacted a plan to make that end happen in weeks, instead of years. The Empire will need to move decisively to stop them, otherwise Fleisardh will be exposed to assaults from the sea.

			A conjunction to ''Capstone Veld'' has been detected on either day of the solstice, just inland from the Blood Red Colossi. Here the coven appears to have drawn on the magical power of a boon they have been gifted. The coven have since departed, but their handiwork remains, accelerating the crumbling of the cliffs.

			===Objective: Shore Up the Coast===
			* '''Destroy the boon of the ''Sunken Rope'''''
			* '''Sever the power of the ''Hawser of the Drowned'' from the Winter realm'''
			* '''Once severed it can either be unbound or destroyed with ritual magic'''
			* '''If the ''Hawswer's'' power is not stopped, then the cliffs will collapse and Fleisardh will become a coastal region'''
			The ''Haulers of the Tide'', a winter coven from Attar, came to Fleisardh to bolster the forces currently opposing the Empire. Little is known of the orcs themselves, but a mage of Beoriadh remarked that ''"They are servants, not of the Salt Lords, but of the Lord of Salt..."''. They carried with them a great twisted and knotted rope, akin to an anchor rope tangled by a writhing storm. The hawser pulses with the fell magic of the Winter realm - a powerful boon from the ''Sunken Rope'' of the Winter realm.

			The Haulers dragged ''Sunken Rope's'' boon to the seaward edge of the territory, less than a mile from the cliff tops. There they have driven wooden stakes deep into the ground, bound the hawser to them and then activated its magic. If left alone, the boon will draw on the power of Winter to hasten the end of the cliffs, causing them to collapse into the waiting sea below. At least one of the Blood Red Colossi will also fall, and much worse, Fleisardh will become exposed to seaborne attacks as the coast becomes easier to disembark troops onto.

			Stopping the magic will not be easy. Imperial magicians will need to bring stakes of their own to perform [[There Is No Welcome Here]] and ward the hawser off from the winter power that sustains it. Only once this is complete will they be able to untangle it from the wooden stakes. That will be enough to stop the magic in it's tracks provided it is completed before midday. The only alternative to unravelling the great coiling mass, is to directly destroy the ''Hawser'' with ritual magic, using a casting of [[Words of Ending]] at a magnitude of 36.

			===Objective: Destroy the Weltsilver Seals===
			* '''Magical seals protect Fleisardh from blood-red waters that rise from the depths'''
			* '''There is a chance to break one of the seals and drive the Brine Turtle sept from Mareave'''
			* '''Opening the seal will allow the exploitation of the ''Crimson Springs'''''
			The Brine Turtles have long considered Fleisardh their ancestral home. Life here is precarious - much of Mareave is is dry and arid and the Brine Turtle settlement of Fioroult is reliant on the nearby lake. The lake is potable, but only due to the presence of powerful magic that prevents the poisons in the ground seeping into the water. Elsewhere in the region, the water is tained with a crimson hue that makes the water thick like blood and dangerous to drink.

			The magic that protects the lake is vulnerable. One of the crucial weltsilver seals that keeps the water fresh is at Capstone Veld, not far from where the Grendel have set their boon. Ritual magic could be used to destroy the seal, either [[Words of Ending]] cast at magnitude 32, or [[Inevitable Collapse into Ruin]], either would have enough power to shatter the metal seal.

			If that happened, the poison in the ground would quickly leech into the waters of the lake, rendering it as foul and besmirched as the river. The loss of the lake waters would be devastating for the Brine Turtles, who could not continue their lives here without it. They would be forced to withdraw south over the border, removing a major threat to the Empire from Mareave. It seems brutal to use magic in such a way, but the Brine Turtles have remained adamantly hostile to Imperial interests since the territory was conquered. The undeniable truth is that the longer they remain in Fleisardh, the more likely it becomes that the current conflict turns deadly. Denying them their ancestral lands will be a bitter blow to the sept, but it may be better than denying them their lives.

			The opportunity could also open up new economic prospects for the Empire in Mareave. If the seals in place over the ''Crimson Springs'' are sundered, then following the successful capture of the region of Fleisardh, the civil service could investigate the underground caverns and ascertain the extent of the mineral wealth that could be extracted there.

			===Objective: Extract Pinerunner Pattar===
			* '''An Imperial Orc reaver has infiltrated Grendel forces and discovered the location of a supply cache'''
			* '''Recovering Pattar from the battlefield will lead to an opportunity to raid the cache'''

			A bold Imperial Orc reaver, Pinerunner Pattar, has managed to infiltrate the Grendel forces, posing a Brine Turtle. Their charade won't last forever, but they've been able to keep it up long enough to discover useful strategic information. He has his identified the location of a supply cache prepared by the Grendel should their lines be cut and is keen to get back with the information before the risk becomes too great.

			The battle in ''Capstone Veld'' is the best chance for the military council to extract the reaver, ensure the orc's safety, and determine where the cache is hidden. Pinerunner Pattar is masquerading as a regular Grendel soldier, albeit one who is not fighting very effectively. Once it's safe to do so, Pattar will try to identify themselves to nearby Imperial heroes. The orc could be discovered at any time, but the most danger will come when they make themselves known, the Grendel will not take lightly to those trying to flee the service of the Salt Lords. Once recovered, the reaver can be returned to Anvil via the Sentinel Gate and will be debriefed by the war scouts and prognosticators. In Patter can be recovered there will be a chance to raid the Grendel's supply cache next summit, gaining valuable materiel, and denying them to the enemy.

			===Battlefield opportunity: Kill Questionner Kester===
			* '''The Adahr has asked the Empire to "send a message" to General Ansleah'''
			* '''They are prepaed to pay seven thrones to the Imperial citizen who kills Kester'''
			* '''Kester has a valuable piece of jewellery that will need to be provided as proof'''

			Clisearn is home to a number of wealthy Grendel families who have remained behind after the Empire conquered the territory. The Adahr, Marr, and Tholdie were hostile to the Imperial Orcs at first, but there have been ongoing efforts to win them over. It seems these efforts have born fruint, at least of a kind. The three families [[Scarlet_sands#Into_Clisearn\|appear to responded badly]] to the attempt by General Ansleah to "liberate" their lands for the Salt Lords.

			A member of the Adahr has discovered that one of Ansleah's people, a questionner named Kester, will be at Capstone Veld. Kester's role is to keep an eye out for troublemakers and similar problems and then report back to the general. Crucially he's someone Ansleah relies on, the general won't be happy if the questioner turns up dead.

			The families of Clisearn want to send a message to General Ansleah that a failure to respect their position will come with a price that he does not want to pay. They are offering seven thrones, via trade with Ephisus, to any Imperial citizen who ensures that Kester meets an untimely end on the battlefield. The questioner wears a peculiar bracelet that should help identify him. If the bracelet is sent via a ritual box to Ephisus by the end of the summit, the sender will receive seven thrones from the ''Lady of the Counting House''. While the offer may seem a little unsavoury, the magistrates note there is nothing illegal about this transaction.

	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==

Matt: /* Game Information */

2026-04-20T15:28:41Z

Game Information

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:28, 20 April 2026
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	Beoraidh remains neutral; there has been no effort to offer support to either side in the ongoing battle here. Both Imperial and Grendel merchants are welcome at the port however; Salt Lord Ehsan is not playing favourites.		Beoraidh remains neutral; there has been no effort to offer support to either side in the ongoing battle here. Both Imperial and Grendel merchants are welcome at the port however; Salt Lord Ehsan is not playing favourites.

			==Battle Opportunity: Rocks Fall==

	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==

Dre at 22:33, 20 March 2026

2026-03-20T22:33:30Z

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	Both sides favour a measured approach to the war; the Highborn and the Imperial Orcs take more risks than the Grendel but even they [[Army orders#Balanced Attack\|balance]] the desire for victory against the lives it will cost to achieve it. All three Imperial armies have [[Sea-wood_fed_with_copper#Storms_Break\|fought here before]], having helped to claim Clisearn from the Grendel during the initial invasion. As Clisearn fell, so fell Mareave, and in a way that remains true. With Beoraidh insisting on neutrality, backed up by the patronage of the [[Sarcophan Delves]], the Grendel cannot threaten the arid northern regions.		Both sides favour a measured approach to the war; the Highborn and the Imperial Orcs take more risks than the Grendel but even they [[Army orders#Balanced Attack\|balance]] the desire for victory against the lives it will cost to achieve it. All three Imperial armies have [[Sea-wood_fed_with_copper#Storms_Break\|fought here before]], having helped to claim Clisearn from the Grendel during the initial invasion. As Clisearn fell, so fell Mareave, and in a way that remains true. With Beoraidh insisting on neutrality, backed up by the patronage of the [[Sarcophan Delves]], the Grendel cannot threaten the arid northern regions.

	At first the battle balances on a knife-edge, but as the day draws on it becomes apparent that the Empire has the upper hand. Between the magical allies conjured from the [[Realms#Summer\|Summer]] and [[Realms#Winter\|Winter]] realms and more than seven thousand troops ~~lead~~ by [[Military unit\|independent captains]], the Broken Shore armies are heavily outnumbered. General Ansleah rages as they are forced to sound the retreat; with the Storm Sharks covering their withdrawal they pull back to the south ceding the Fundindelve. The Empire's soldiers are greeted with a mighty cheer from the miners, and they ride that wave in pursuit of the retreating barbarians.		At first the battle balances on a knife-edge, but as the day draws on it becomes apparent that the Empire has the upper hand. Between the magical allies conjured from the [[Realms#Summer\|Summer]] and [[Realms#Winter\|Winter]] realms and more than seven thousand troops led by [[Military unit\|independent captains]], the Broken Shore armies are heavily outnumbered. General Ansleah rages as they are forced to sound the retreat; with the Storm Sharks covering their withdrawal they pull back to the south ceding the Fundindelve. The Empire's soldiers are greeted with a mighty cheer from the miners, and they ride that wave in pursuit of the retreating barbarians.

	When news comes of the fighting to the north, Wind Lord Ivárruri somewhat regretfully curtails the negotiations with the Golden Pyramid. The Naguerro move to meet the retreating Grendel armies but are careful to leave a contingent behind to ensure the Imperials trapped in the Lodge do not make the mistake of trying to leave just yet. While Ivárruri may have represented the civil, diplomatic, political face of the Broken Shore, the Naguerro warriors themselves are as furious and deadly as ever. Bolstered with [[Night magic]], the former Lasambrians throw themselves into the fray with glee, shouting the name of Naguerro as they try to hold back the Imperial tide.		When news comes of the fighting to the north, Wind Lord Ivárruri somewhat regretfully curtails the negotiations with the Golden Pyramid. The Naguerro move to meet the retreating Grendel armies but are careful to leave a contingent behind to ensure the Imperials trapped in the Lodge do not make the mistake of trying to leave just yet. While Ivárruri may have represented the civil, diplomatic, political face of the Broken Shore, the Naguerro warriors themselves are as furious and deadly as ever. Bolstered with [[Night magic]], the former Lasambrians throw themselves into the fray with glee, shouting the name of Naguerro as they try to hold back the Imperial tide.

Twiggy at 14:36, 3 March 2026

2026-03-03T14:36:14Z

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	<div style="float:left; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Scarlet sands.jpg\|caption=Northern Mareave is hot and arid even in the winter.\|align=left\|width=500}}</div>		<div style="float:left; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Scarlet sands.jpg\|caption=Northern Mareave is hot and arid even in the winter.\|align=left\|width=500}}</div>
	==Gold In The Dust==		==Gold In The Dust==
			{{#ev:youtube\|link={{{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Ea7xuZZNg}}}\|300\|right}}
	The newly completed [[Construct_Grand_Lodge_of_the_Golden_Pyramid\|Grand Lodge]] of the [[Golden Pyramid]] is built in northern Clisearn. It is a wonder - a grand edifice that reflects the wealth, power, and influence of the richest [[Conclave order]]. It is a symbol of the [[Prosperity]] and [[Pride]] not only of the order but of the Conclave as a whole. It is also something of a whispered promise to the recalcitrant inhabitants of Clisearn - those former Grendel who chose to remain when the Imperial Orcs claimed Mareave - that their prestige is recognised and assured.		The newly completed [[Construct_Grand_Lodge_of_the_Golden_Pyramid\|Grand Lodge]] of the [[Golden Pyramid]] is built in northern Clisearn. It is a wonder - a grand edifice that reflects the wealth, power, and influence of the richest [[Conclave order]]. It is a symbol of the [[Prosperity]] and [[Pride]] not only of the order but of the Conclave as a whole. It is also something of a whispered promise to the recalcitrant inhabitants of Clisearn - those former Grendel who chose to remain when the Imperial Orcs claimed Mareave - that their prestige is recognised and assured.

Dre at 09:46, 13 February 2026

2026-02-13T09:46:00Z

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	The answer to the Generals' question is delivered sooner rather than later; news of a significant force of Imperial soldiers entering Mareave through the Apulian Way explodes across the territory. Three armies, with the [[Winter Sun]] in the vanguard, come down through Icarion to Eoradal with their allies, and the fight for Mareave begins.		The answer to the Generals' question is delivered sooner rather than later; news of a significant force of Imperial soldiers entering Mareave through the Apulian Way explodes across the territory. Three armies, with the [[Winter Sun]] in the vanguard, come down through Icarion to Eoradal with their allies, and the fight for Mareave begins.

	The 'Sun are fresh from fighting the [[Druj]] in the [[Sarangrave]]. Having marched south into [[Zenith]], they joined up with the [[Towerjacks]] and together braved passage through madness-haunted [[Spiral]]. No army wishes to spend longer than necessary beneath the oppression hanging over the League territory; they paused briefly at [[Spiral#Ballaghadruh\|Ballaghadruh]] as guests of the castellan, then moved as swiftly as possible through [[Spiral#Apstrus\|Apstrus]] to the [[Mareave#Apulian Way\|Apulian Way]]. Those nights they were forced to spend in the accursed hills and plains have taken an inevitable toll. Night terrors and dark moods are the least of it - the grim power of the {{Black Plateau}} is ever-present. At night [[the League\|League]] and Imperial Orcs musicians are encouraged to try and outdo each other to try to keep the malign influence at bay.		The Sun are fresh from fighting the [[Druj]] in the [[Sarangrave]]. Having marched south into [[Zenith]], they joined up with the [[Towerjacks]] and together braved passage through madness-haunted [[Spiral]]. No army wishes to spend longer than necessary beneath the oppression hanging over the League territory; they paused briefly at [[Spiral#Ballaghadruh\|Ballaghadruh]] as guests of the castellan, then moved as swiftly as possible through [[Spiral#Apstrus\|Apstrus]] to the [[Mareave#Apulian Way\|Apulian Way]]. Those nights they were forced to spend in the accursed hills and plains have taken an inevitable toll. Night terrors and dark moods are the least of it - the grim power of the {{Black Plateau}} is ever-present. At night [[the League\|League]] and Imperial Orcs musicians are encouraged to try and outdo each other to try to keep the malign influence at bay.

	At the mouth of the Apulian Way, they meet with the [[Seventh Wave]] who have made excellent time along [[Spiral#Carstag's Way\|Carstag's Way]], taking advantage of the mithril-woven hostelries along its length to minimize their exposure to the oppressive atmosphere. Together they march through the pass into the arid hills of [[Mareave#Icarion\|Icarion]].		At the mouth of the Apulian Way, they meet with the [[Seventh Wave]] who have made excellent time along [[Spiral#Carstag's Way\|Carstag's Way]], taking advantage of the mithril-woven hostelries along its length to minimize their exposure to the oppressive atmosphere. Together they march through the pass into the arid hills of [[Mareave#Icarion\|Icarion]].
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	With the Empire's soldiers comes the power of Imperial magic. In the foothills of the north-eastern peaks, in [[Mareave#Nadir\|Nadir]], the drake-hunters are startled by the appearance of six squat towers of black basalt, topped with ramparts of silver. They bring with them an unnatural chill that provides welcome relief to Imperial Orcs more familiar with the alpine climate in [[Skarsind]]. From the fortress issues a legion of warriors with the aspect of great white bears, each bound in mithril harness and armed with axe and shield. They are [[Inhabitants of the realms\|soldiers]] from the demesne of the [[Cathan Canae\|Queen of Ice and Darkness]] and they join the marching armies as they pass through Nadir bound for the south.		With the Empire's soldiers comes the power of Imperial magic. In the foothills of the north-eastern peaks, in [[Mareave#Nadir\|Nadir]], the drake-hunters are startled by the appearance of six squat towers of black basalt, topped with ramparts of silver. They bring with them an unnatural chill that provides welcome relief to Imperial Orcs more familiar with the alpine climate in [[Skarsind]]. From the fortress issues a legion of warriors with the aspect of great white bears, each bound in mithril harness and armed with axe and shield. They are [[Inhabitants of the realms\|soldiers]] from the demesne of the [[Cathan Canae\|Queen of Ice and Darkness]] and they join the marching armies as they pass through Nadir bound for the south.

	The Imperials make for the growing town that has sprung up in the shelter of the aqueduct. At Eoradal they prepare for their offensive against the orcs of the Broken Shore. Many of the soldiers are taken aback by what awaits them; walls of black granite have sprung up around the burgeoning town, connecting minarets of bone-white stone and metal. The walking dead - skeletal warriors of human and orc stock - guard the ramparts, wrapped in blackened steel, and the approach of the Imperial armies is heralded by the howling of ox-sized white wolves that stalk the open ground. [[The Basalt Citadel]] of the ''Tomb King'', of the Lord [[Sorin]], has been conjured here out of the ruins of the old Skouran town. ~~It's~~ presence has helped hearten the defenders here, and impressed the independent orc clans that cluster around the place - even the cynical [[Here to stay#Cynicism\|Uthni]] cannot deny that the magical citadel is impressive.		The Imperials make for the growing town that has sprung up in the shelter of the aqueduct. At Eoradal they prepare for their offensive against the orcs of the Broken Shore. Many of the soldiers are taken aback by what awaits them; walls of black granite have sprung up around the burgeoning town, connecting minarets of bone-white stone and metal. The walking dead - skeletal warriors of human and orc stock - guard the ramparts, wrapped in blackened steel, and the approach of the Imperial armies is heralded by the howling of ox-sized white wolves that stalk the open ground. [[The Basalt Citadel]] of the ''Tomb King'', of the Lord [[Sorin]], has been conjured here out of the ruins of the old Skouran town. Its presence has helped hearten the defenders here, and impressed the independent orc clans that cluster around the place - even the cynical [[Here to stay#Cynicism\|Uthni]] cannot deny that the magical citadel is impressive.
	<div style="float: right; max-width: 200px; margin-right: 10px>{{HoverImage\|CathCane001b.webp\|Sorin001.png\|caption=Imperial magicians have conjured two very different citadels from the eternal realms.}}</div>		<div style="float: right; max-width: 200px; margin-right: 10px>{{HoverImage\|CathCane001b.webp\|Sorin001.png\|caption=Imperial magicians have conjured two very different citadels from the eternal realms.}}</div>
	The black citadel has drawn interest from the engineers working on [[Fortify_Ruicraic%27s_Redoubt\|Ruicraic's Redoubt]] as well. The construction proceeds apace, and while the Imperial armies prepare to face the barbarians several of the Towerjacks are invited to inspect the work being done on the eastern castle. Work is nearly complete; the new fortification will be finished in time for the Winter Solstice provided that the Grendel do not manage to push north into Eoradal. Some of the orc builders mention to their League peers that the Uthni are grudgingly coming round to the idea that perhaps the Imperial Orcs are not as full of hot air as they first assumed. If Imperial forces can drive the Iron Gulls and the rest back into Ayereed it can't help but prompt a fundamental shift in the attitude of the Eoradal orcs to the Empire.		The black citadel has drawn interest from the engineers working on [[Fortify_Ruicraic%27s_Redoubt\|Ruicraic's Redoubt]] as well. The construction proceeds apace, and while the Imperial armies prepare to face the barbarians several of the Towerjacks are invited to inspect the work being done on the eastern castle. Work is nearly complete; the new fortification will be finished in time for the Winter Solstice provided that the Grendel do not manage to push north into Eoradal. Some of the orc builders mention to their League peers that the Uthni are grudgingly coming round to the idea that perhaps the Imperial Orcs are not as full of hot air as they first assumed. If Imperial forces can drive the Iron Gulls and the rest back into Ayereed it can't help but prompt a fundamental shift in the attitude of the Eoradal orcs to the Empire.

Hailmur at 19:35, 12 February 2026

2026-02-12T19:35:07Z

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	While his approach to the recalcitrant orcs of Clisearn is misjudged, elsewhere General Ansleah is much more cautious - and not just out of a concern for the mines. The Grendel captains know that the element of surprise only serves an invader so far. The Empire will surely respond to their aggression in Mareave. The main question is whether they will be able to free up sufficient forces from the other theatres they are engaged in this season or not.		While his approach to the recalcitrant orcs of Clisearn is misjudged, elsewhere General Ansleah is much more cautious - and not just out of a concern for the mines. The Grendel captains know that the element of surprise only serves an invader so far. The Empire will surely respond to their aggression in Mareave. The main question is whether they will be able to free up sufficient forces from the other theatres they are engaged in this season or not.
	~~{{CaptionedImage\|file=SeventhWave_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=200}}~~
	~~{{CaptionedImage\|file=TowerJacks_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=200}}~~
	~~{{CaptionedImage\|file=WinterSun_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=200}}~~
	==Flies in the Honey==		==Flies in the Honey==
			<div style="float:right; width: 600px; clear: left;"><quote by="Wildfyre, General of the Seventh Wave">Seventh Wave! Our time has come to finish our long standing work. We return to Mareave with virtue in our hearts and our allies to our sides. We stand as the strongest army in the Empire, we are a beacon in this Empire. Push to Mareave. Let our friends and allies the Imperial orcs know that we will not let invaders take our homes and our lives.</quote>
			<quote by="Gabriel Barossa, General of the Towerjacks">Towerjacks, we will remember when the Imperial Orcs rallied to Holberg to lift the siege. Remember that Reckoning as you armour yourselves and make a steady conquest to drive the Grendel from Imperial Land.</quote>
			<quote by="Skywise Rykana, General of the Winter Sun">Heroes of the Winter Sun, we have fought hard to break the hold of slavery over the Sarangrave but now we march south to defend our own lands. Sweep across Mareave in a balanced attack and ensure the homes we are building and not destroyed before the hearthfires can be lit. We claimed these lands once, now let our virtuous cry ring out again as we drive the Grendel back to their borders and prove that we hold to our bonds and defend the lives we seek to inspire.</quote></div>
			<div style="float:left; width: 200px; clear: left;">
			[[File:SeventhWave_Colour.png\|link=387YE_Autumn_Equinox_Military_Council_orders#Seventh Wave]]
			[[File:TowerJacks_Colour.png\|link=387YE_Autumn_Equinox_Military_Council_orders#Towerjacks]]
			[[File:WinterSun_Colour.png\|link=387YE_Autumn_Equinox_Military_Council_orders#Winter Sun]]
			</div>
	The answer to the Generals' question is delivered sooner rather than later; news of a significant force of Imperial soldiers entering Mareave through the Apulian Way explodes across the territory. Three armies, with the [[Winter Sun]] in the vanguard, come down through Icarion to Eoradal with their allies, and the fight for Mareave begins.		The answer to the Generals' question is delivered sooner rather than later; news of a significant force of Imperial soldiers entering Mareave through the Apulian Way explodes across the territory. Three armies, with the [[Winter Sun]] in the vanguard, come down through Icarion to Eoradal with their allies, and the fight for Mareave begins.
	<div style="float:right; width: 600px; clear: left;"><quote by="Wildfyre, General of the Seventh Wave">Seventh Wave! Our time has come to finish our long standing work. We return to Mareave with virtue in our hearts and our allies to our sides. We stand as the strongest army in the Empire, we are a beacon in this Empire. Push to Mareave. Let our friends and allies the Imperial orcs know that we will not let invaders take our homes and our lives.</quote></div>
	<div style="float:right; width: 600px; clear: left;"><quote by="Gabriel Barossa, General of the Towerjacks">Towerjacks, we will remember when the Imperial Orcs rallied to Holberg to lift the siege. Remember that Reckoning as you armour yourselves and make a steady conquest to drive the Grendel from Imperial Land.</quote></div>
	<div style="float:right; width: 600px; clear: left;"><quote by="Skywise Rykana, General of the Winter Sun">Heroes of the Winter Sun, we have fought hard to break the hold of slavery over the Sarangrave but now we march south to defend our own lands. Sweep across Mareave in a balanced attack and ensure the homes we are building and not destroyed before the hearthfires can be lit. We claimed these lands once, now let our virtuous cry ring out again as we drive the Grendel back to their borders and prove that we hold to our bonds and defend the lives we seek to inspire.</quote></div>
	The 'Sun are fresh from fighting the [[Druj]] in the [[Sarangrave]]. Having marched south into [[Zenith]], they joined up with the [[Towerjacks]] and together braved passage through madness-haunted [[Spiral]]. No army wishes to spend longer than necessary beneath the oppression hanging over the League territory; they paused briefly at [[Spiral#Ballaghadruh\|Ballaghadruh]] as guests of the castellan, then moved as swiftly as possible through [[Spiral#Apstrus\|Apstrus]] to the [[Mareave#Apulian Way\|Apulian Way]]. Those nights they were forced to spend in the accursed hills and plains have taken an inevitable toll. Night terrors and dark moods are the least of it - the grim power of the {{Black Plateau}} is ever-present. At night [[the League\|League]] and Imperial Orcs musicians are encouraged to try and outdo each other to try to keep the malign influence at bay.		The 'Sun are fresh from fighting the [[Druj]] in the [[Sarangrave]]. Having marched south into [[Zenith]], they joined up with the [[Towerjacks]] and together braved passage through madness-haunted [[Spiral]]. No army wishes to spend longer than necessary beneath the oppression hanging over the League territory; they paused briefly at [[Spiral#Ballaghadruh\|Ballaghadruh]] as guests of the castellan, then moved as swiftly as possible through [[Spiral#Apstrus\|Apstrus]] to the [[Mareave#Apulian Way\|Apulian Way]]. Those nights they were forced to spend in the accursed hills and plains have taken an inevitable toll. Night terrors and dark moods are the least of it - the grim power of the {{Black Plateau}} is ever-present. At night [[the League\|League]] and Imperial Orcs musicians are encouraged to try and outdo each other to try to keep the malign influence at bay.

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	Any potential Imperial victory brings with it the difficult question of what to do about the Brine Turtles - the sept not the army. They don't seem inclined to flee their holdings in the south of Mareave, but they are clearly going to offer succour and support to any future invasion of the territory. They still send their warriors to fight under the banners of the Salt Lords, and that army at least, will never accept that Fleisardh is in Imperial hands.		Any potential Imperial victory brings with it the difficult question of what to do about the Brine Turtles - the sept not the army. They don't seem inclined to flee their holdings in the south of Mareave, but they are clearly going to offer succour and support to any future invasion of the territory. They still send their warriors to fight under the banners of the Salt Lords, and that army at least, will never accept that Fleisardh is in Imperial hands.

	The tally of the dead indicates that the fighting here has been bloody indeed. Near two thousand Imperial soldiers have been lost in the slow drive through Clisearn into Fleisardh. Estimates suggest that the Broken Shore forces have suffered comparable ~~loses~~. A lot of blood spilled for control of Mareave, and while the Empire has the upper hand at the moment there is many a slip twixt cup and lip as the Marcher miners might contend.		The tally of the dead indicates that the fighting here has been bloody indeed. Near two thousand Imperial soldiers have been lost in the slow drive through Clisearn into Fleisardh. Estimates suggest that the Broken Shore forces have suffered comparable losses. A lot of blood spilled for control of Mareave, and while the Empire has the upper hand at the moment there is many a slip twixt cup and lip as the Marcher miners might contend.
	<div style="float: right; max-width: 400px; margin-left: 10px;">{{HoverImage\|Mareave.png\|400x400px}}</div>		<div style="float: right; max-width: 400px; margin-left: 10px;">{{HoverImage\|Mareave.png\|400x400px}}</div>
	==Game Information==		==Game Information==
	* '''The Empire has driven the Broken Shore forces out of Clisearn and is three-tenths of the way towards securing Fleisardh		* '''The Empire has driven the Broken Shore forces out of Clisearn and is three-tenths of the way towards securing Fleisardh
	* '''Beoraidh remains neutral in the fight between Grendel and Empire		* '''Beoraidh remains neutral in the fight between Grendel and the Empire
	* '''Completion of the Golden Pyramid Grand Lodge has removed the Uncooperative quality from Clisearn		* '''Completion of the Golden Pyramid Grand Lodge has removed the Uncooperative quality from Clisearn
	* '''Completion of Ruicraic's Redoubt has removed the Uncooperative quality from Eoradal		* '''Completion of Ruicraic's Redoubt has removed the Uncooperative quality from Eoradal

Twiggy at 18:40, 12 February 2026

2026-02-12T18:40:44Z

Twiggy: /* Further Reading */

2026-02-12T18:33:51Z

Twiggy: /* Gold In The Dust */

2026-02-12T18:33:37Z

Gold In The Dust

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:33, 12 February 2026
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	It is unfortunate, perhaps, that barely a week after the work is completed, the Lodge is besieged by the Grendel.		It is unfortunate, perhaps, that barely a week after the work is completed, the Lodge is besieged by the Grendel.

	Shortly after the Summer Solstice, the [[orc\|orcs]] of [[Bay_of_Catazar#The_Broken_Shore_and_Attar\|Attar]] sent their land-forces north out of [[Ayereed]] into the lands of the Brine Turtles sept. Welcomed with open arms, they swiftly seized [[Mareave#Fleisardh\|Fleisardh]] and pushed further, toward the [[mithril]] mines of [[Clisearn]]. They continued to push through the Equinox, and the path to their eventual goal, to the [[Mareave#Fundindelve\|Fundindelve]] led them inexorably to the [[weirwood]] gates of the Grand Lodge.		Shortly after the Summer Solstice, the [[orc\|orcs]] of [[Bay_of_Catazar#The_Broken_Shore_and_Attar\|Attar]] sent their land-forces north out of [[Ayereed]] into the lands of the Brine Turtles sept. Welcomed with open arms, they swiftly seized [[Mareave#Fleisardh\|Fleisardh]] and pushed further, toward the [[mithril]] mines of [[Mareave#Clisearn\|Clisearn]]. They continued to push through the Equinox, and the path to their eventual goal, to the [[Mareave#Fundindelve\|Fundindelve]] led them inexorably to the [[weirwood]] gates of the Grand Lodge.

	With the Iron Gulls leading the Storm Sharks and the Brine Turtles north toward the [[mithril]] mine, it falls to the Naguerro to seize the wealth of the Golden Pyramid. Former Lasambrian orcs, the Naguerro were once known as furious warriors led by their witches and [[shamans\|shaman]]. Rescued from certain death at the hands of the [[Iron Confederacy]] in what is now [[Bay_of_Catazar#Kalino_(or_“Arbonne”)\|Arbonne]], the Salt Lords have nurtured a fierce [[Grendel religion#Fidelity\|Fidelity]] among this sept, showering them with gifts of land and wealth. They have repaid Fidelity in kind, and it is hard to imagine that this disciplined army that surrounds the approaches to the Grand Lodge is the same band of rough bandits that fled the western Bay. It is easy to forget that [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Exodus_from_Highguard\|once upon a time]] the Naguerro were fierce sailors, a major thorn in the side of the people of [[Sarvos]]. Under the careful cultivation of the Salt Lords, it seems that they are reclaiming their heritage just as their cousins in Hierro and Corazón have rebuilt their own pride with the aid of the Jotun.		With the Iron Gulls leading the Storm Sharks and the Brine Turtles north toward the [[mithril]] mine, it falls to the Naguerro to seize the wealth of the Golden Pyramid. Former Lasambrian orcs, the Naguerro were once known as furious warriors led by their witches and [[shamans\|shaman]]. Rescued from certain death at the hands of the [[Iron Confederacy]] in what is now [[Bay_of_Catazar#Kalino_(or_“Arbonne”)\|Arbonne]], the Salt Lords have nurtured a fierce [[Grendel religion#Fidelity\|Fidelity]] among this sept, showering them with gifts of land and wealth. They have repaid Fidelity in kind, and it is hard to imagine that this disciplined army that surrounds the approaches to the Grand Lodge is the same band of rough bandits that fled the western Bay. It is easy to forget that [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Exodus_from_Highguard\|once upon a time]] the Naguerro were fierce sailors, a major thorn in the side of the people of [[Sarvos]]. Under the careful cultivation of the Salt Lords, it seems that they are reclaiming their heritage just as their cousins in Hierro and Corazón have rebuilt their own pride with the aid of the Jotun.

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:46, 13 February 2026
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	The answer to the Generals' question is delivered sooner rather than later; news of a significant force of Imperial soldiers entering Mareave through the Apulian Way explodes across the territory. Three armies, with the [[Winter Sun]] in the vanguard, come down through Icarion to Eoradal with their allies, and the fight for Mareave begins.		The answer to the Generals' question is delivered sooner rather than later; news of a significant force of Imperial soldiers entering Mareave through the Apulian Way explodes across the territory. Three armies, with the [[Winter Sun]] in the vanguard, come down through Icarion to Eoradal with their allies, and the fight for Mareave begins.

	The 'Sun are fresh from fighting the [[Druj]] in the [[Sarangrave]]. Having marched south into [[Zenith]], they joined up with the [[Towerjacks]] and together braved passage through madness-haunted [[Spiral]]. No army wishes to spend longer than necessary beneath the oppression hanging over the League territory; they paused briefly at [[Spiral#Ballaghadruh\|Ballaghadruh]] as guests of the castellan, then moved as swiftly as possible through [[Spiral#Apstrus\|Apstrus]] to the [[Mareave#Apulian Way\|Apulian Way]]. Those nights they were forced to spend in the accursed hills and plains have taken an inevitable toll. Night terrors and dark moods are the least of it - the grim power of the {{Black Plateau}} is ever-present. At night [[the League\|League]] and Imperial Orcs musicians are encouraged to try and outdo each other to try to keep the malign influence at bay.		The Sun are fresh from fighting the [[Druj]] in the [[Sarangrave]]. Having marched south into [[Zenith]], they joined up with the [[Towerjacks]] and together braved passage through madness-haunted [[Spiral]]. No army wishes to spend longer than necessary beneath the oppression hanging over the League territory; they paused briefly at [[Spiral#Ballaghadruh\|Ballaghadruh]] as guests of the castellan, then moved as swiftly as possible through [[Spiral#Apstrus\|Apstrus]] to the [[Mareave#Apulian Way\|Apulian Way]]. Those nights they were forced to spend in the accursed hills and plains have taken an inevitable toll. Night terrors and dark moods are the least of it - the grim power of the {{Black Plateau}} is ever-present. At night [[the League\|League]] and Imperial Orcs musicians are encouraged to try and outdo each other to try to keep the malign influence at bay.

	At the mouth of the Apulian Way, they meet with the [[Seventh Wave]] who have made excellent time along [[Spiral#Carstag's Way\|Carstag's Way]], taking advantage of the mithril-woven hostelries along its length to minimize their exposure to the oppressive atmosphere. Together they march through the pass into the arid hills of [[Mareave#Icarion\|Icarion]].		At the mouth of the Apulian Way, they meet with the [[Seventh Wave]] who have made excellent time along [[Spiral#Carstag's Way\|Carstag's Way]], taking advantage of the mithril-woven hostelries along its length to minimize their exposure to the oppressive atmosphere. Together they march through the pass into the arid hills of [[Mareave#Icarion\|Icarion]].
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	With the Empire's soldiers comes the power of Imperial magic. In the foothills of the north-eastern peaks, in [[Mareave#Nadir\|Nadir]], the drake-hunters are startled by the appearance of six squat towers of black basalt, topped with ramparts of silver. They bring with them an unnatural chill that provides welcome relief to Imperial Orcs more familiar with the alpine climate in [[Skarsind]]. From the fortress issues a legion of warriors with the aspect of great white bears, each bound in mithril harness and armed with axe and shield. They are [[Inhabitants of the realms\|soldiers]] from the demesne of the [[Cathan Canae\|Queen of Ice and Darkness]] and they join the marching armies as they pass through Nadir bound for the south.		With the Empire's soldiers comes the power of Imperial magic. In the foothills of the north-eastern peaks, in [[Mareave#Nadir\|Nadir]], the drake-hunters are startled by the appearance of six squat towers of black basalt, topped with ramparts of silver. They bring with them an unnatural chill that provides welcome relief to Imperial Orcs more familiar with the alpine climate in [[Skarsind]]. From the fortress issues a legion of warriors with the aspect of great white bears, each bound in mithril harness and armed with axe and shield. They are [[Inhabitants of the realms\|soldiers]] from the demesne of the [[Cathan Canae\|Queen of Ice and Darkness]] and they join the marching armies as they pass through Nadir bound for the south.

	The Imperials make for the growing town that has sprung up in the shelter of the aqueduct. At Eoradal they prepare for their offensive against the orcs of the Broken Shore. Many of the soldiers are taken aback by what awaits them; walls of black granite have sprung up around the burgeoning town, connecting minarets of bone-white stone and metal. The walking dead - skeletal warriors of human and orc stock - guard the ramparts, wrapped in blackened steel, and the approach of the Imperial armies is heralded by the howling of ox-sized white wolves that stalk the open ground. [[The Basalt Citadel]] of the ''Tomb King'', of the Lord [[Sorin]], has been conjured here out of the ruins of the old Skouran town. ~~It's~~ presence has helped hearten the defenders here, and impressed the independent orc clans that cluster around the place - even the cynical [[Here to stay#Cynicism\|Uthni]] cannot deny that the magical citadel is impressive.		The Imperials make for the growing town that has sprung up in the shelter of the aqueduct. At Eoradal they prepare for their offensive against the orcs of the Broken Shore. Many of the soldiers are taken aback by what awaits them; walls of black granite have sprung up around the burgeoning town, connecting minarets of bone-white stone and metal. The walking dead - skeletal warriors of human and orc stock - guard the ramparts, wrapped in blackened steel, and the approach of the Imperial armies is heralded by the howling of ox-sized white wolves that stalk the open ground. [[The Basalt Citadel]] of the ''Tomb King'', of the Lord [[Sorin]], has been conjured here out of the ruins of the old Skouran town. Its presence has helped hearten the defenders here, and impressed the independent orc clans that cluster around the place - even the cynical [[Here to stay#Cynicism\|Uthni]] cannot deny that the magical citadel is impressive.
	<div style="float: right; max-width: 200px; margin-right: 10px>{{HoverImage\|CathCane001b.webp\|Sorin001.png\|caption=Imperial magicians have conjured two very different citadels from the eternal realms.}}</div>		<div style="float: right; max-width: 200px; margin-right: 10px>{{HoverImage\|CathCane001b.webp\|Sorin001.png\|caption=Imperial magicians have conjured two very different citadels from the eternal realms.}}</div>
	The black citadel has drawn interest from the engineers working on [[Fortify_Ruicraic%27s_Redoubt\|Ruicraic's Redoubt]] as well. The construction proceeds apace, and while the Imperial armies prepare to face the barbarians several of the Towerjacks are invited to inspect the work being done on the eastern castle. Work is nearly complete; the new fortification will be finished in time for the Winter Solstice provided that the Grendel do not manage to push north into Eoradal. Some of the orc builders mention to their League peers that the Uthni are grudgingly coming round to the idea that perhaps the Imperial Orcs are not as full of hot air as they first assumed. If Imperial forces can drive the Iron Gulls and the rest back into Ayereed it can't help but prompt a fundamental shift in the attitude of the Eoradal orcs to the Empire.		The black citadel has drawn interest from the engineers working on [[Fortify_Ruicraic%27s_Redoubt\|Ruicraic's Redoubt]] as well. The construction proceeds apace, and while the Imperial armies prepare to face the barbarians several of the Towerjacks are invited to inspect the work being done on the eastern castle. Work is nearly complete; the new fortification will be finished in time for the Winter Solstice provided that the Grendel do not manage to push north into Eoradal. Some of the orc builders mention to their League peers that the Uthni are grudgingly coming round to the idea that perhaps the Imperial Orcs are not as full of hot air as they first assumed. If Imperial forces can drive the Iron Gulls and the rest back into Ayereed it can't help but prompt a fundamental shift in the attitude of the Eoradal orcs to the Empire.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:33, 12 February 2026
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	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==
	* [[Mareave]]		* [[Mareave]]
	* [[Lines of care and sorrow]] - ~~387~~ Autumn Wind of War detailing the Grendel invasion of Mareave		* [[Lines of care and sorrow]] - 387YE Autumn Wind of War detailing the Grendel invasion of Mareave
	* [[386YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Ratify_Treaty_with_Beoraidh\|Treaty with Beoraidh]]		* [[386YE_Spring_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Ratify_Treaty_with_Beoraidh\|Treaty with Beoraidh]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:03, 20 April 2026
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	==Battle Opportunity: Rocks Fall==		==Battle Opportunity: Rocks Fall==
	Imperial actions in recent months have consolidated gains in southern Mareave, driving the orcs of Attar out of Clisearn and into Fleisardh. The combined effort of armies from Highguard, the League and the Imperial Orcs have been instrumental in stemming the landside advance of Grendel ~~soliders~~, and forcing the barbarians onto the back foot. Recent victories have had a deep impact on the Brine Turtle army, with the orcs among their ranks becoming increasingly desperate when fighting to save the very lands from which their sept hails.		Imperial actions in recent months have consolidated gains in southern Mareave, driving the orcs of Attar out of Clisearn and into Fleisardh. The combined effort of armies from Highguard, the League and the Imperial Orcs have been instrumental in stemming the landside advance of Grendel soldiers, and forcing the barbarians onto the back foot. Recent victories have had a deep impact on the Brine Turtle army, with the orcs among their ranks becoming increasingly desperate when fighting to save the very lands from which their sept hails.

	Fleisardh holds an important place in the sept's culture - they claim to trace their history back to before the rise of the Grendel. That could be true, certainly the sept are tied to the coastal lands and sandy coves from whence they draw their name and many traditions, centred around the custodianship of the leathery sea beasts that nest along the littoral reaches. These links to the region have offered the military council a previous [[Sea-wood_fed_with_copper#Pots_and_Shells_(Battle)\|opportunity]] to strike against the Brine Turtles.		Fleisardh holds an important place in the sept's culture - they claim to trace their history back to before the rise of the Grendel. That could be true, certainly the sept are tied to the coastal lands and sandy coves from whence they draw their name and many traditions, centred around the custodianship of the leathery sea beasts that nest along the littoral reaches. These links to the region have offered the military council a previous [[Sea-wood_fed_with_copper#Pots_and_Shells_(Battle)\|opportunity]] to strike against the Brine Turtles.
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	* '''Once severed it can either be unbound or destroyed with ritual magic'''		* '''Once severed it can either be unbound or destroyed with ritual magic'''
	* '''If the ''Hawswer's'' power is not stopped, then the cliffs will collapse and Fleisardh will become a coastal region'''		* '''If the ''Hawswer's'' power is not stopped, then the cliffs will collapse and Fleisardh will become a coastal region'''
	The ''Haulers of the Tide'', a winter coven from Attar, came to Fleisardh to bolster the forces currently opposing the Empire. Little is known of the orcs themselves, but a mage of ~~Beoriadh~~ remarked that ''"They are servants, not of the Salt Lords, but of the Lord of Salt..."''. They carried with them a great twisted and knotted rope, akin to an anchor rope tangled by a writhing storm. The hawser pulses with the fell magic of the Winter realm - a powerful boon from the ''Sunken Rope'' of the Winter realm.		The ''Haulers of the Tide'', a winter coven from Attar, came to Fleisardh to bolster the forces currently opposing the Empire. Little is known of the orcs themselves, but a mage of Beoraidh remarked that ''"They are servants, not of the Salt Lords, but of the Lord of Salt..."''. They carried with them a great twisted and knotted rope, akin to an anchor rope tangled by a writhing storm. The hawser pulses with the fell magic of the Winter realm - a powerful boon from the ''Sunken Rope'' of the Winter realm.

	The Haulers dragged ''Sunken Rope's'' boon to the seaward edge of the territory, less than a mile from the cliff tops. There they have driven wooden stakes deep into the ground, bound the hawser to them and then activated its magic. If left alone, the boon will draw on the power of Winter to hasten the end of the cliffs, causing them to collapse into the waiting sea below. At least one of the Blood Red Colossi will also fall, and much worse, Fleisardh will become exposed to seaborne attacks as the coast becomes easier to disembark troops onto.		The Haulers dragged ''Sunken Rope's'' boon to the seaward edge of the territory, less than a mile from the cliff tops. There they have driven wooden stakes deep into the ground, bound the hawser to them and then activated its magic. If left alone, the boon will draw on the power of Winter to hasten the end of the cliffs, causing them to collapse into the waiting sea below. At least one of the Blood Red Colossi will also fall, and much worse, Fleisardh will become exposed to seaborne attacks as the coast becomes easier to disembark troops onto.
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	* '''There is a chance to break one of the seals and drive the Brine Turtle sept from Mareave'''		* '''There is a chance to break one of the seals and drive the Brine Turtle sept from Mareave'''
	* '''Opening the seal will allow the exploitation of the ''Crimson Springs'''''		* '''Opening the seal will allow the exploitation of the ''Crimson Springs'''''
	The Brine Turtles have long considered Fleisardh their ancestral home. Life here is precarious - much of Mareave is is dry and arid and the Brine Turtle settlement of Fioroult is reliant on the nearby lake. The lake is potable, but only due to the presence of powerful magic that prevents the poisons in the ground seeping into the water. Elsewhere in the region, the water is ~~tained~~ with a crimson hue that makes the water thick like blood and dangerous to drink.		The Brine Turtles have long considered Fleisardh their ancestral home. Life here is precarious - much of Mareave is is dry and arid and the Brine Turtle settlement of Fioroult is reliant on the nearby lake. The lake is potable, but only due to the presence of powerful magic that prevents the poisons in the ground seeping into the water. Elsewhere in the region, the water is tainted with a crimson hue that makes the water thick like blood and dangerous to drink.

	The magic that protects the lake is vulnerable. One of the crucial weltsilver seals that keeps the water fresh is at Capstone Veld, not far from where the Grendel have set their boon. Ritual magic could be used to destroy the seal, either [[Words of Ending]] cast at magnitude 32, or [[Inevitable Collapse into Ruin]], either would have enough power to shatter the metal seal.		The magic that protects the lake is vulnerable. One of the crucial weltsilver seals that keeps the water fresh is at Capstone Veld, not far from where the Grendel have set their boon. Ritual magic could be used to destroy the seal, either [[Words of Ending]] cast at magnitude 32, or [[Inevitable Collapse into Ruin]], either would have enough power to shatter the metal seal.
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	===Battlefield opportunity: Kill Questionner Kester===		===Battlefield opportunity: Kill Questionner Kester===
	* '''The Adahr has asked the Empire to "send a message" to General Ansleah'''		* '''The Adahr has asked the Empire to "send a message" to General Ansleah'''
	* '''They are ~~prepaed~~ to pay seven thrones to the Imperial citizen who kills Kester'''		* '''They are prepared to pay seven thrones to the Imperial citizen who kills Kester'''
	* '''Kester has a valuable piece of jewellery that will need to be provided as proof'''		* '''Kester has a valuable piece of jewellery that will need to be provided as proof'''

	Clisearn is home to a number of wealthy Grendel families who have remained behind after the Empire conquered the territory. The Adahr, Marr, and Tholdie were hostile to the Imperial Orcs at first, but there have been ongoing efforts to win them over. It seems these efforts have born ~~fruint~~, at least of a kind. The three families [[Scarlet_sands#Into_Clisearn\|appear to responded badly]] to the attempt by General Ansleah to "liberate" their lands for the Salt Lords.		Clisearn is home to a number of wealthy Grendel families who have remained behind after the Empire conquered the territory. The Adahr, Marr, and Tholdie were hostile to the Imperial Orcs at first, but there have been ongoing efforts to win them over. It seems these efforts have born fruit, at least of a kind. The three families [[Scarlet_sands#Into_Clisearn\|appear to responded badly]] to the attempt by General Ansleah to "liberate" their lands for the Salt Lords.

	A member of the Adahr has discovered that one of Ansleah's people, a questionner named Kester, will be at Capstone Veld. Kester's role is to keep an eye out for troublemakers and similar problems and then report back to the general. Crucially he's someone Ansleah relies on, the general won't be happy if the questioner turns up dead.		A member of the Adahr has discovered that one of Ansleah's people, a questionner named Kester, will be at Capstone Veld. Kester's role is to keep an eye out for troublemakers and similar problems and then report back to the general. Crucially he's someone Ansleah relies on, the general won't be happy if the questioner turns up dead.

	The families of Clisearn want to send a message to General Ansleah that a failure to respect their position will come with a price that he does not want to pay. They are offering seven thrones, via trade with ~~Ephisus~~, to any Imperial citizen who ensures that Kester meets an untimely end on the battlefield. The questioner wears a peculiar bracelet that should help identify him. If the bracelet is sent via a ritual box to ~~Ephisus~~ by the end of the summit, the sender will receive seven thrones from the ''Lady of the Counting House''. While the offer may seem a little unsavoury, the magistrates note there is nothing illegal about this transaction.		The families of Clisearn want to send a message to General Ansleah that a failure to respect their position will come with a price that he does not want to pay. They are offering seven thrones, via trade with Ephisis, to any Imperial citizen who ensures that Kester meets an untimely end on the battlefield. The questioner wears a peculiar bracelet that should help identify him. If the bracelet is sent via a ritual box to Ephisis by the end of the summit, the sender will receive seven thrones from the ''Lady of the Counting House''. While the offer may seem a little unsavoury, the magistrates note there is nothing illegal about this transaction.

	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==