381YE Spring Equinox winds of fortune

Overview

Over the past three months, several events have occurred which are of significance to the Empire and may require a response from her champions. You can also read about the progress of the Empire's military campaigns here.

In each case, we've tried to tag the Winds of Fortune entry with the nations, or political bodies, to which it is most relevant. We've done this to help people who are interested only in events that are especially relevant to them. In no way are these tags intended to be exhaustive; the Empire is a complex place and very little happens in isolation.

As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of Fortune is to maintain the illusion of the Empire as a living, breathing place where things happen - and to make players aware of things their characters 'should' know based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing for the past three months.

Many winds of fortune open with a short section of in-character text. In all cases, these pieces are intended to help create an atmosphere and provide a little entertainment. Where they contain opinions, those are the opinions of the fictional people depicted - and where they contain information or rumours the assumption is that the reader will create their own context for that information or gossip. They're mostly just a bit of fun and they tend not to contain anything vital to the understanding of the wind of Fortune.

Winds of Fortune

Distant Deeps

• Imperial Synod (especially the Freeborn and Prosperity assemblies); fleet captains; Imperial Senate

Finally, after the better part of a year, the Temple of Balo and the Black bull in Oran has opened its doors.The immediate impact has been an influx of merchants and sailors from the Asavean Archipelago, eager to recieve the blasphemous blessings of their peculiar idols. The Imperial Senate has provided material support to build a similar temple, dedicated to the Way in far-distant Nemoria ... but the Freeborn assembly seems less than thrilled ... You can earn about these developments here.

Fearful Symmetry

• Urizen, Military Council

The New year brings with it storms to Urizen- and not just the furious storms that batter the coast. Powerful storms have struck Redoubt, raging as far inland as Cargo in the north, accompanied by flooding and high winds and battering rain that seems guided by a malign intelligence. The mountains of Urizen rely on well maintained roads and bridges, and this sinister storm appears to have swept away several key avenues through the territory. You can learn about what implications this has for Redoubt, and for the movement of armed forces through the territory, here.

Forests of the Night

• Forest owners, Naga, Dreamers, people who like moths

During the Winter solstice, the Coven of Umbral Reflection and the Spire of the Auric Horizon combined their powers to weave the powerful enchantment known as the Wondrous Forests of the Night. Working with consummate magical skill, the Urizen magicians laid a delicate network of mystery and imagination across the entire Empire. As with the Hallow of the Green World performed last year, the ritual has had several significant magical effects beyond what might have been expected. You can learn all about them here.

Immortal Hand

• Imperial Conclave

The six archmagi of the Empire have the power to send a formal message to a single eternal each Summit. During the Winter Solstice, five such plenipotentiary messages were sent - and over the last three months each of the eternals contacted has made a formal response. One of the five has also agreed to a formal parlay with the Empire. You can learn about these responses here.

In the Tents of Prosperity

• Various rich folk and traders including (but not limited to) those of Urizen, Highguard, Wintermark, and Navarr

The Imperial Bourse private auction is no more. Rather, individual citizens with interesting good to sell are encouraged to come to Anvil and try to get the best, most Prosperous deal they can by dealing face-to-face with the leaders of the Empire. Many of them do everything they can to make sure there is a little bit of buzz around their goods, to help ensure they make a good sale. You can learn about several such opportunities at the coming Summit here.

On Wings Aspire (Winds of Magic)

• Technically everyone, but especially Imperial Magicians

The Empire is an Empire of powerful magic, but not all powerful magic is of the Empire. The Winds of Magic collects a grab-bag of interesting or important effects and opportunities, both certain and rumoured, including tales of disruption in the Summer realm; a bounty offered by a Day eternal; a glimmering citadel in the marshes of Bregasland; the details of the ongoing darkest night; and the conjunction of stars visible from those parts of the Empire that can still see the stars. You can learn more about these diverse efects here.

The Price of Experience

• Navarr, Imperial Orcs; Imperial Senate

The orcs of the Great Forest fled south from the Barrens with the Druj at their heels. Invited to come to Therunin six months or so ago, they did just that - but the temporary situation where they squat in the Lower Tarn Valley is proving unsustainable. With spring in bud upon the trees, the orcs of the Great Forest are bringing things to a head. You can learn about the developing situation in Therunin here.

Seize the Fire

• Imperial Synod, Imperial Senate, Imperial Orcs

During the Symposium of Revelation, the Imperial Senate accepted two additional doctrines; the Doctrine of the Howling Abyss and the Doctrine of the Ancestors. With this change of doctrine, the position of the Imperial Orcs has been cemented in the Way ...but there are still some questions to be answered, and not everyone is receptive to these changes. You can learn about this complex situation here.

Sinews of the Heart (Trade Winds)

• Fleet captains; congregation leaders; ambassadors

International trade, like international relations, can be fraught with pitfalls - and rich with opportunities. You can find a quick round up of things related to the current state of affairs, with an emphasis on trading, here.

Some to Misery are Born

• Tassato, the Marches

After the doughty folk of Whittle Hill in the Mournwold were forced to leave their land by the Jotun, they have been exiled to Tassato. Welcomed by the Tassato Chamber of Commerce, they have purchased two streets and created a Marcher enclave there. Unfortunately, the Imperial Synod is still very concerned about their involvement with certain blasphemous powers. You can learn about this season's chapter in the sage of the folk of Whittle here.

Spear of the Stars

• Imperial Orcs, Varushka, Wintermark; the Northern trade network; the Senate and the Synod

Doghri Thulebane has been removed and the northern passes out of Skarsind to Otkodov are now open to the Thule orcs. They appear pleased, and continue to extend the slightly guarded hand of friendship to the Empire. There are opportunities that might be explored, but as the detente between the Empire and Otkodov improves, there are ... obstacles ... that must be overcome. You can learn more about the diplomatic situation here.

Miscellaneous

Detente in Sermersuaq

• Wintermark

The raids by the odd hunters that have been going on for the last six months or so have petered out. It is not obvious if this is a temporary respite, or whether Savik Summerstorm has secured a permanent resolution.

Kramupshall

• Wintermark, Imperial Orcs

During the Winter Solstice, the Imperial Senate gave permission for the construction of the Krampushall - a residence for the supernatural creature known as the Krampus in Pakaanan's Pass overlooking the Clattering Gulley. After nearly a year of very peculiar behaviour, the beast is apparently well pleased with its new home and "looking forward to meeting the neighbours" - presumably it means the Imperial Orcs. Given the creature is strongly associated with bad luck, this may well be something of a double-edged sword.