Voice of Barbs

Bloody Trees Rhain Winters Vigil commissioned the
House of Barbs while serving as senator for Hercynia.

Overview

Once the House of Barbs is complete, it will create the title Voice of Barbs. This will be an Imperial title in the Synod, and will grant custodianship of a sinecure.

The title was established by a motion of the Imperial Senate during the Spring Equinox 379YE. The motion sommissioned the construction of a gathering place for Navarr guides in Hercynia; the House of Barbs. Once complete, a Navarr citizen would be appoitned to liase with these guides and represent them at Anvil (creating a sinecure.

Responsibilities

The Voice of Barbs is responsible for ensuring the maintainance of the House, and for representing the concerns of the Navarr guides in the Imperial Synod.

Powers

Point of Pilgrimage

The Voice of Barbs receives 6 liao and 12 votes in the Imperial Synod. These votes apply to all appropriate assemblies. If the holder of the title is not already a member of the Synod, it automatically includes membership of all appropriate assemblies (usually the General Assembly, the Assembly of the Way, and the Navarr national assembly).

Selection

The Navarr National assembly appoints the Voice of Barbs. This is a National title, and may be held by any Navarr citizen.

The title is appointed at the Winter Solstice, the anniversary of the completion of the House of Barbs. They serve a term of one year.

Removal

Unlike many titles granted by sinecures, the Voice of Barbs serves for an annual term, or until they die, step down, or are revoked. They can be revoked by a simple majority of the General Assembly, or the Navarr national assembly.

History

Commissioned by Senator Rhain of Hercynia, work on the House of Barbs began shortly after the Spring Equinox 379YE but progress was slow.

The House of Barbs

The house is built after the style of a traditional Navarr wayhouse on the slopes of the Northpines in north-western Hercynia.

It was intended as a place where Navarr guides unable to attend Anvil could raise and discuss issues affecting them, or concerns related to their role as spiritual advisors to the Navarr people. It also serves as a place for stridings travelling through Hercynia to find spiritual guidance in the absence of their own guides. The House also acts as a point for the collection and forwarding of messages throughout Hercynia and beyond.

The House consists of a central meeting hall, communal sleeping area, kitchen, stables for oxen, and extensive wagon-yard. Separate from the main compound is a meditation labyrinth, and a secluded funeral grove. The grove includes a small memorial to the family of Senator Rhain who were laid to rest there long before the House of Barbs was constructed.

The meditation grove is the source of some controversy. It is arranged as a labyrinth with eight distinct circles, one dedicated to each virtue. The walls of the labyrith is made up of plants and bushes known for their wicked barbs and poisonous nature, a constant reminder to those who walk it of the perils of leaving the path of virtue.

At the entrance to each of the eight circles stands a white granite statue of a contemporary figure in a small meditation area. At the base of each statue sits a stone bowl for collections that maybe be freely given and taken by pilgrims, and a copy of an appropriate chapter from "On being a brand, a meditation on the virtues in service" inscribed in stone.

The eight circles, from largest to smallest, and the figures they commemorate are:

• Ambition: The orc Irontide Bruk, depicted as if charging down an enemy, shield raised smashing open an enemies skull, his other hand bound as if wounded.
• Courage: The Highborn Lazarus, former cardinal of courage, shown giving a sermon, his shield and sword at his feet.
• Pride: Dušan Otecovna Zlata of Varushka pointing angrliy, his hand on a wand at his hip, back to back with the Highborn Zephraim of Cantiarchs Hold with his arms crossed.
• Loyalty: The child Izzy Sumercrow grinning holding a towel.
• Prosperity: The Highborn Ruth holding a blade in one hand. The blade is inscribed "Prosperity is sometime knowing when what you have is perfect."
• Vigilance: Ulric Y’basden with his foot planted on a faceless barbarian human, a dagger in one with an expression of innocence. The more vigilant person will spot barbarian coins spilling from the barbarian's hand and horsehead motifs woven into the tattoos carved into Ulrics skin and rod tipped with the imperial throne hidden behind his back.
• Wisdom: Rhiannon Fleetfoot glaring while leaning on a staff as if unhappy about being there.
• The Way: A willow tree under which sits a rock and dagger bound in its roots.