The hammer and the anvil song

Wulfid found Ellena in the Forge, sipping a glass of lemonade. The place wasn't very busy - it was the middle of the afternoon - so she bought herself an orange juice and joined her friend leaning against the bar.

"What are we doing?" she asked.

"People watching," replied Ellena and inclined her head toward one of the tables where a small group was engaged in animated conversation.

"What have I missed?"

"I'm not entirely sure. It's either a pair of Highborn apothecaries looking to trade healing potions with three corsairs, or it's a trio of corsairs with more weltsilver than they know what to do with who aren't sure what the potions are worth."

The conversation became even more energetic. Voices were raised.

"That's a Sarcophan accent," said Wulfid. "So I think that means your Highborn apothecaries are actually Kruidenkenner narcotics traders."

One of the group stood up and pulled a short blade, and within a moment there were weapons in several hands. The barwoman leant over, furiously gesturing.

"If you're going to do that, take it outside!"

There were muttered apologies, and everyone settled down again, but before the hubbub entirely died away a pair of Dawnish yeofolk carrying a strong box came in accompanied by four nobles of various houses and an obvious Asavean. When they saw the Sarcophan and the corsairs, everyone started shouting at once. Ellena finished her lemonade, put the glass on the bar, and stepped forward with her hands up to try and settle the dispute down. Wulfrid caught the barwoman's eye.

"Does this kind of thing happen often?"

The barwoman sighed, a long suffering sigh.

"Often enough that I think we ought to start charging a percentage of deals done, or at least getting them to set up a roster so this kind of thing doesn't keep happening.

A Concoctions Market

• During the Winter Solstice, apothecaries from Faraden and Axos are visiting Anvil to sell their unique wares
• They plan to arrange a small market outside the Forge starting at 2pm on Saturday

During the Autumn Equinox, a small group of Faraden traders visited Anvil. Representing one of the wealthy merchant families, they brought with them a number of unique concoctions with narcotic properties, and by all accounts did quite well out of the visit. This season, they've apparently returned to see about selling more of their stock and perhaps even arranging something more permanent.

When they arrive at Anvil, a week before the Winter Solstice, they are apparently not alone. It's not clear how it happened, but they've been joined by a small number of Axou traders from the Tunnels of Kaban, who are by all accounts in a similar line of business. Together they've announced that they'll be operating a small "market" outside the Forge on Saturday afternoon, intending to remain until all their stock is sold. The Faraden traders have suggested that anyone who wishes to know more may wish to speak to Sagremar i Zayden, of the New Promise Cartel with whom they apparently did some excellent business during their last trip to Anvil. The Axou, for their part, have been a little standoffish apart from to mention that as well as traders they're also keen to talk to Imperial apothecaries, should any be interested in attending.

An Exchange of Pride

• Leofraed the Deft will facilitate an exchange of crafts over the coming season
• They will be at The Hub from 18:30-19:30 on Friday

Wintermark runesmith Leofraed the Deft proposes an exchange of crafts between citizens as a demonstration of the Empire's Pride in its crafters. They claim that although the Empire readily recognises the skill of its artisans, especially those of a warlike mien, those who labour to create fine crafts and beautiful art sometimes fail to get the fair acknowledgement they deserve. As such they are calling for Imperial citizens who take pride in their crafting abilities to join an exchange of creations over the coming season. At the Spring Equinox, each participant who provides a piece of art, craft, or similar endeavour will in turn receive another participant's creation, and a token of recognition from Leofraed themselves. The runesmith hopes to meet with anyone interested in taking part or learning more about the exchange on the Friday of the Summit at the Hub. They'll be there from half-past six until half past seven. There's no need to bring anything to this meeting - it's as much for Leofraed to explain the details and gauge interest as anything else.

Game Information: Leofraed is looking to arrange an exchange of physical objects - not ribboned items necessarily but examples of arts and crafts made by players themselves in-character.

An Auction of Opportunity

• Basileus Flint offers a chance for Imperials to play a game of cunning and curses during the Spring Equinox
• Invitations to the game are strictly limited, but the eternal plans to make three of them available during the Winter Solstice
• A herald named Brazen is hoping to meet representatives of Anvil's auction houses to discuss the sale of the invitations

Heralds from the City of Locks have announced that the Prince of the Black Vaults intends to run "A Game of Cunning and Curses" during the Spring Equinox. There are only seven places available at the table, and the winner’s prize will include the opportunity to act as Basileus Flint’s representative to the Empire for a year. The details of the game - the contest really - have not been released. The players will not need to be magicians themselves, but they will need to be capable of reaching the Hall of Worlds - either under their own steam or via methods such as Pauper's Key or Ambassadorial Gatekeeper.

Four of the places at the game will be by invitation to contestants hand picked by Basileus Flint themselves. The other three, however, the eternal intends to be "wild cards." As such they have dispatched one of their agents, the herald Brazen to Anvil to find someone (or multiple someones) to handle these invitations on their behalf.

Brazen will apparently arrive at Anvil around seven o'clock in the evening on Friday. They wish to meet representatives of the new auction houses of Anvil, which they understand have risen to prominence in the wake of the announcements about the Bourse Public Auction. They are keen to ensure that the invitations fetch a good price, and wish to see which auction house can promise them the best deal - with the understanding that if all goes well this may lead to further business not only from the City of Locks but potentially from the other cities of the Autumn Realm.

A Blade from the Past

• Vesela Lechovic is coming to Anvil to sell a sword apparently used during the Freedom Heresy
• The Varushkan trader will be arriving at the summit on Friday at 10 in the evening

Vesela Lechovic is a Varushkan warden recently returned from the Forest of Ulnak, having finally completed their two years of service with the Golden Axe. Whilst fighting in the Druj territory she came into possession of a sword that she describes as possessing a distinct spiritual aura on it - perhaps even a hitherto unknown hallow. For various reason the warden believes that the sword was a weapon used during the Freedom Heresy and is attending the upcoming summit to find someone who wants to own a piece of history. If she is correct, then it seems likely the spiritual aura is unlikely to be a mere hallow - the result of such a ceremony would have faded long ago unless of course it was created with True Liao

Vesela expected to arrive at Anvil around ten o'clock on Friday evening, heading for the Hub. She will first want to secure a practitioner of Day magic capable of performing the Skein of Years on the sword who is prepared to confirm it's provenance, and perhaps an adept of Autumn magic as well to divine any unique circumstances surround the item's creation. Once she has secured signed provenances from such individuals, she intends to discuss the auction of the sword with representatives of the independent auction houses. She's in no doubt that a relic of such a significant part of Imperial history will certainly attract attention that should prove invaluable in establishing the reputation of such an endeavour.

An Enchanter of Lye

• A noble and their yeofolk will be visiting Anvil to offer goods and services in exchange for beggar's lye
• They will be arriving at the Imperial regio at 17:00 on Saturday

Displaced from Dawnguard by the Druj, the de Coyne fortunes are very much on the wane it seems - although few would be rude enough to point that out. What remains of the house is apparently sheltering in Ulvenholm, essentially camping out in pavilions and tents halfway between Arnet and the Pits of Brychel. A noble of the house, the witch Ser Sevelan de Coyne, has announced that they intend to attend Anvil during the Winter Solstice. Not for politics, but for an opportunity to take in some of the sights, meet their fellows, catch up on current events and the like.

Coincidentally, they will be accompanied by a couple of yeofolk, including one of the de Coyne sensechal's, Robin Counter. Counter has let it be known that they are bringing certain treasures that may be of interest to practitioners of Summer magic . Specifically, Counter wishes to trade three talismans - magical foci that empower ritual magicians who are performing Raise the Standard of War and Clad in Golden Raiment. The foci are reasonably unique, but rather than money Counter is interested in trading them for a significant amount of beggar's lye. Indeed, so rare are these talismans that Counter expects at least 20 lye for each one - more if there is sufficient interest. In addition to the foci, Counter says they will provide three performances of Raise the Standard of War on the first three military captains who can pay the asking price of 15 measures of Beggar's Lye. The de Coyne witches will provide all the mana; the captains need merely turn up with their resources.

Given Ser Sevelan has expressed an interest in observing some rituals at the Imperial regio, Counter has proposed killing two birds with one arrow. The party will be at the regio at five in the afternoon on Saturday, with the party retiring to the Forge after their business is concluded, and thence perhaps to the Dawnish camp for an hour or so. Ser Sevelan is particularly interested in meeting Lady Izett, the Mournful.

Robin Counter reminds anyone interested in securing the foci or the rituals that under no circumstances should they bother Ser Sevelan about them; they are to deal with the seneschal only.

At the Bourse

• During the Winter Solstice, the Empire's weirwood seats are available for appointment

During the Winter Solstice, the Empire's weirwood Bourse seats are available for appointment. There are seven such seats under Imperial control at the moment; six of them are Imperial in nature and one belongs to the Navarr nation.

Imperial Auction

• The Public Auction takes place at three in the afternoon on Saturday at the Senate Building

The six Imperial seats - Canterspire Circle, the Great Forest at Reikos, the Golden Trees of Seren, the Heartwood of the Great Vale, the Hunt of Alderei the Fair, and the Weirwater Vales - will be auctioned. Any Imperial citizen can hold such a title, if they can raise sufficient capital. (OOC Note: Each seat has a page on the wiki that includes details of how much they were auctioned for during previous events).

In addition to the weirwood seats, the Prime Factor of the Pallas Docks (a ministry that imports weirwood from the Principalities of Jarm) is also due to be auctioned to the highest bidder.

Both Bearer of an Imperial Wayleave titles - special Imperial titles that allow the holder to commission a sinecure, ministry, or great work before the end of the Solstice - will be offered for auction.

Finally, the public auction will also see the Prosperity dose of True Liao auctioned, with all funds raised going to the Imperial Synod virtue fund.

Tally of the Votes

• The tally of the votes begins on Saturday morning and closes on Saturday afternoon
• Any eligible citizen can cast their vote by finding an Agent of the Bourse in the civil service Hub near the centre of the Anvil

In addition to the Imperial positions offered for public auction, there are a number of national positions that are available to be appointed during the coming Summit. In each case, any citizen who controls an appropriate personal resource is eligible to cast their vote for their preferred candidate. Voting opens on Saturday morning and closes Saturday afternoon around 4pm, shortly after the Auction of the Seats is completed.

One national Bourse seat is due to be appointed this season: Navarr herb garden owners have the opportunity to determine who will control the Thimble for the coming year.

In addition to the weirwood seat, this winter will see the appointment of the Bailiff of the Grand Market and the Steward of Good Leaf Gardens by Marcher citizens who hold farm resources; both Warden of the Trees and Hills and Overseer of the Westward Road by Varushkan citizens who own either mines or forests; and Four Seasons' Boneweaver elected by Imperial Orc citizens. In the latter case, the Imperial Orc must control a military unit, and the number of votes they receive depends not only on the size of the unit but on how many times it has supported an Imperial army in the last year.

In each case, any Imperial citizen of the appropriate nation can be appointed to hold the title - not just those eligible to vote.

Further Reading

• Prosperity and the Public Auction
• Scaling back the public auction
• Event schedule