Set my lands in order

It was not the most salubrious of areas. Brokk was not an orc who was easily intimidated, but even he was keeping a wary eye on the ramshackle tavern across the way. There were a trio of orcs there, either having a three-way pit-fight or trying to kill each other, it wasn't clear which. He put his hand on the hilt of his scram defensively, the one he'd got from his First Legion days back in Skarsind in '74. Ah... those were good times he thought.

"Why we've stopped here?" he demand of the guide. This was not the sort of place to stop. To be fair to Beoraidh, every city had a street like this. And every local quickly learned you didn't stop here.

"This is it." announced his guide pointing at the spot between the tavern and what he guessed from the smell was a tannery. In between was a tiny parcel of open land with an old well to one side.

"This is it?" said Brokk trying to keep his voice neutral and failing. It's all very well for the other civil servants to be all po-faced when they were working, they didn't have a voice in their head screaming at them to kick the cheeky fuckers head in. "This is it?" he repeated, letting his tone make his disbelief clear.

"Yes." said the guide innocently. "Is it not big enough?" he asked in a voice that dripped with insouciance.

It was at that moment that the ring dropped and Brokk realised exactly what was going on. "Well it's big enough for me to take a piss in." he said laconically, pointing to the well. "But I think we might need a bit more land than this..."

"Oh" said Ehsan's orc in a voice of mock surprise. "Well how much land do you need?"

Here we go thought Brokk...

The six septs of the orcs finally have a second territory.

Overview

The orcs of Skarsind mark a monumental time in our history, as we claim a second territory in Mareave. Preachers and pilgrims, let us venture forward in virtue to seek better understanding of what challenges we face in this new land.

Skywise Rykana, Imperial Orc Assembly, Spring Equinox 386YE, Vote: Greater Majority (66-0)

During the Spring Equinox 386YE the Imperial Senate voted to assign Mareave to the Imperial Orcs. The first territory of the Broken Shore has been conquered, and this historic motion has doubled the number of territories the Imperial Orcs call their own. A wave of enthusiasm spread across the nation and prompted intense discussion among those orc citizens in Skarsind as to whether they should uproot their lives and journey far to the south to make a life for themselves in the new territory. This trek made much easier by the trods being extended into the territory by the Voice of the Quiet Forest of Navarr.

Of the six septs of the Imperial Orcs, the Sannite have shown the most enthusiasm for relocating to Mareave. The sept originated there, with gladiators and slaves liberated during the initial sack of Beoraidh. Their numbers have been further swelled – friends and families recruited with the aid of the Winter Sun, more former slaves free by battlefield negotiations. All the septs are welcome in Mareave, but for those of the Sannite sept the fact Mareave is now an Imperial Orcs territory has special meaning. Many choose to remain in Skarsind, where they have begun to build new lives far from the arid territory of their birth. Many more spearhead the diaspora from Skarsind to the Broken Shore.

It seems especially fitting perhaps that as the true consecration of the Legion's Rookery in honour of the founder of their nation is completed, the Imperial Orc assembly urges preachers and pilgrims to lead the way in learning more about the challenges presented by this new territory – and the people who live there.

Note: The Golden Pyramid are also in Mareave this season, as detailed in the Digging for fire wind of fortune.

Challenges

Several challenges face the people of Mareave

OOC Note
As with territories such as Ossium and the Barrens, the challenges presented in Mareave are not intended to be solved in a season or two – they're likely to represent a year or more of hard work to integrate the territory successfully into the Empire, and into the Imperial Orcs nation.

Four primary challenges for whichever nation was assigned the territory were detailed by the civil service last summit. They included opposition from the Grendel, the presence of the other orcs who call it home, the challenge of building a home in a dry land with little fresh water and the strategic complexities presented by such a far frontier.

The first challenge to be faced, however, is also one of opportunity. The election of a Senator to lead and represent the territory.

Leadership Challenge

Eligible Mareave Voters

Kroak

The election for the first Senator for Mareave will take place at the Summer Solstice, for a shortened term of nine months
Imperial Orcs citizens can now move to the territory and new Imperial Orcs characters can begin play in the territory
Imperial law means that no citizen can vote for a senator if they were eligible to vote for any other senator in the last twelve months

At the Summer Solstice the Imperial Orcs will decide on a senator for Mareave for the first time. The election for the inaugural Senator for Mareave will start at 14:15 on the Saturday with candidates presenting their items of worth. The Senator for Mareave will serve a shortened term until the Spring Equinox 387YE when the position is due to be re-elected.

The senator may be new but the method of appointment remains the same. Imperial Orcs who live in Mareave are eligible to vote, provided they lead a military unit that has supported an Imperial army in the last four seasons. An Imperial Orc receives a number of votes based on the quality of their troops and how often they have supported Imperial armies over the previous year.

The challenge identified by the Civil Service is that, by law, if eligibility to vote in an election is restricted in some way, then you cannot vote if you were eligible to vote in an equivalent but different election in the last twelve months. To vote in the election of the senator for Mareave, an Imperial Orc must have a military unit based in Mareave, must have supported an Imperial army in the last year, and must not have been eligible to vote in for the Senator for Skarsind last winter. They have put together a list of those eligible to vote for the Senator of Mareave, based on those who meet the criteria.

The fact the Imperial Orcs now have two territories finally brings jokes about the “unanimous decision of the Imperial Orcs senator” to an end. It also means that any currently vacant positions - such as the General of the Summer Storm - that are elected by unanimous decision of the senators of the nation cannot be elected until Saturday – when the second senator is elected.

This being the first time the Imperial Orcs have had two senators, there are likely to be questions, which can be directed to Merlot, the overseer of Imperial elections.

Smoothing the Hard Edges

Former Salt-Lord Ehsan and the orcs of Beoraidh have a vested interest in the Senator for Mareave. As a consequence, it's become clear that factions within the city are watching with interest to see who claims the title. They make no secret of the fact that they would be keen to see the Senator of Mareave keep an eye on their own interests, as well as those of the Imperial Orcs in the wider territory.

As a consequence, whoever becomes Senator for Mareave will experience a steady flow of “gifts” and open bribes intended to incline them towards the inhabitants of Beoraidh and Sinfoyard. Each season, the senator will receive an income of 10 crowns. They won't be expected to do anything for this money – at least not immediately – but if the Empire's relationship with Beoraidh collapses there will be no more gifts. The strong implication is that they believe the Senator is in a position to ensure that Salt-Lord Ehsan's interests are appropriately looked after.

The money is going to keep coming in whether the senator likes it or not. They may feel compromised, or they may simply accept it as one of the perks of doing business with former Grendel. There's nothing to stop them donating the money, or returning the gifts (OOC Notes: the additional coins can just be handed in at GOD). Nobody will know one way or the other, unless the senator tells them.

Six Problems

All the regions of Mareave have qualities that represent challenges to the Imperial Orcs
The territory has structural and strategic problems that will have to be overcome.

Much like Ossium, the regions of Mareave have qualities that represent the challenges of settling the territory. In addition to this there are some problems that affect the whole territory.

Under-developed

Icarion has the under-developed quality

The quality of infrastructure in the territory is highly variable. In places where it benefitted the Salt Lords to build roads the provision is excellent - easily the equal of anything the Empire has to offer. But everywhere else has been more or less left to fend for itself. What passes for roads are rutted and full of potholes, barely adequate by Imperial standards. Thus there are problems bringing good quality materials in and challenges finding skilled workers who are worth paying to build things.

There are two obvious ways to tackle this – via the port of Beoraidh, or through the Apulian Way. Unfortunately, neither of these routes is entirely ideal. One faces tariffs from Ehsan; the other the threat of having to pass through Spiral and the Black Plateau. As a consequence, the region of Icarion has the under-developed quality. The League, and especially the Apulian orcs, might be able to help here. They have a lot of experience moving materials, and many of those living in Spiral have first-hand experience with the orcs of the Broken Shore and Ehsan's city-state in particular.

While any region of Mareave has the under-developed quality, all commissions built in the territory have their labour costs increased by a fifth.

Arid

Icarion, Nadir, and Eoradal have the arid quality
All farms in the territory suffer a 1 rank penalty while any region is arid
The curses Rivers Run Red and Rivers of Life are ineffective while any region is arid

Icarion, Nadir, and Eoradal have the arid quality. This means that they have little fresh water, with wells being valuable commodities. They are also sparsely settled, with most of the permanent settlements being mining communities. Building permanent settlements here will be a challenge, as will establishing any fortifications. It is probably no coincidence the Grendel had not built any large-scale defences here on what was for centuries their only land border with the Empire.

The status of these dry regions also impact farms here. While there are farms, they are not especially prosperous. The orcs hunt more than they farm, and there is little left to sell. This same problem will impact the Imperial Orcs' ability to settle the territory. While any region has the arid quality, farms in the territory take a -1 penalty to production. Commissions relating to farms, or whose flavour involves the production of food, cannot be created without an opportunity.

Perversely, the lack of water does provide some protection to the territory. The Spring curses Rivers of Life and Rivers Run Red rely on existing groundwaters to flood with the teaming energies of the Spring realm. Those groundwaters are deep here, too deep to have much impact at present. Neither curse will be effective while any region in the territory is arid. There will still be visible effects from the curses, but they won't impact the local populace or armies fighting in the territory to any appreciable degree.

There are two nations that might be able to offer the Imperial Orcs some support in converting these regions, and allowing them to support arms. The Brass Coast has a lot of experience working with dry plains – although even in Segura there is more water than is found in Mareave. The Marches are fertile and wet, but the Marchers are the acknowledged masters of agriculture in the Empire. If anyone can find ways to grow crops in land that is almost desertified, it is them. Their Assemblies might use statements of principle to ask their people to offer their expertise – although both nations have their own problems. Failing that, a suitable appraisal by the Senate might identify ways to help address the aridity of Mareave. In this case it is worth noting that the appraisal would need to be focused on the status of these regions – it wouldn't be as effective if it was just a general “help Mareave” appraisal or statement of principle.

Eoradal suffers due to a lack of access to fresh water, and the settlements scattered across the region are only as large as the wells allow them to be. To the east of the region, among the Skouran ruins, however, stands the remnants of what would have at one point been an immense aqueduct. There are a number of ways of looking into rebuilding the aqueduct, almost certainly smaller and using the remaining structures as much as possible. If the Imperial Orcs wanted to create a wonder - akin in majesty to the Colossus of Sarvos - then either an appraisal or help from the Skourans themselves would be the best course of action. Indeed, speaking to the Skourans might only make sense as the water the aqueduct would draw on would come from their mountains. The last thing anyone wants right now is to be accused of water theft!

Uncooperative

Clisearn, Eoradal, and Fleisardh have the uncooperative quality

While there are orcs scattered across Icarion and Nadir, they are cautiously interested in the Imperial Orcs. Many of them have connections to those of the Sannite sept, while others are simply disinterested in the fact that the “bosses” have changed. They expect the change in “landlord” to have little impact on their lives.

The same cannot be said for the orcs in the southern half of the territory. Many of the orcs fled, either to Beoraidh or south into Ayereed. Those in Clisearn who remain were wealthy Grendel or valued miners and engineers, resentful of the tumble in status they have experienced with Imperial conquest. The Brine Turtles sept of Fleisardh have only recently been conquered, and still support an army in service to the Grendel; they are enthusiastic about the idea that the Empire will soon be removed and the status quo restored. Some of the orcs of Eoradal are Brine Turtles, while others did well out of offering service to the Grendel; they do not welcome the presence of Imperial armies in the territory.

The problems in the south of the territory are perhaps best addressed with either diplomacy or military might. The people here do not welcome the Imperial Orcs, or the Empire, and changing their minds will take time. It might be easier to drive them out with armies – but doing so would send a dismal message to the rest of Mareave that the Imperial Orcs might be cautious about.

Ironically the Imperial Orcs are perhaps best positioned to deal with the people of the territory. The Sannite sept in particular might do well in leading negotiations in the south, although they will need to navigate those who consider them traitors for joining the Empire.

All three of these territories have the uncooperative quality. Any Imperial army stationed here has its upkeep increased by a tenth for every region that has the quality, and as long as any region has that quality the territory cannot support an Imperial army.

Under Threat

Fleisardh has the under-threat quality

The orcs of the Brine Turtle sept don't just despise the Imperial Orcs as lackeys of the Empire, who have made a deal with the widely disliked Ehsan. Many of them actively welcome the day their warriors, and those of the Grendel, return to the territory and drive the Empire out. Fleisardh represents a gateway to the entire territory, and the Grendel will not be shy about taking advantage of it.

The region of Fleisardh has the under-threat quality, reflecting the fundamental disloyalty of the inhabitants here. Winning them over would remove the problem, but that will not be easy.

Far Frontier

The only land route to Mareave is through the Apulian Way to Spiral
The only real port in the territory is in Beoraidh

Some of the issues with routes to the territory have been somewhat resolved given the treaty with Beoraidh guarantees access to the Bay of Catazar, albeit with tariffs. Access to the bay doesn't help with moving armies in and out of Mareave though; that still relies on using the Apulian Way to travel through Spiral.

There is no clear way that the Imperial Orcs or the greater Empire could resolve this issue. It is a geographical fact that the territory is in an awkward position related to the rest of the Empire. Moving troops there will be difficult, and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

Looming Threats

The threat of the Grendel returning is high
Fortifications could be built in any of the regions that the Imperial Orcs own
There is prime ground for calling on Cathan Canae's citadels
Mareave contains a mithril mine and is considered by the Grendel to be part of the Broken Shore

The risk of the Grendel returning is high. There is no ritual that could be performed, no eternal that could be entreated, and no appraisal to be commissioned that would stop them from wanting to reclaim Mareave.

At the moment, the sullen resistance of the populace and the difficulties of feeding large numbers of troops mean that stationing Imperial armies here might be challenging. An alternative might be to establish fortifications and armies in the territory to defend it from a Grendel invasion.

The treaty with Beoraidh means that the coast at least is safe, but that still leaves Clisearn and Fleisardh open to assault from the south and southwest.

Six Septs

The Imperial Orcs assembly could ask one of the septs to apply their expertise each season

While any Imperial nation would have faced challenges in Mareave, the Imperial Orcs have some advantages in dealing with the people and the harsh land. One of their strengths lies in their six septs - the Tamazi, the Ethengraw, the Illarawm, the Sannites, the Sunstorm and the Yerende. They represent a number of different approaches and attitudes that might bear dividends if they were brought to bear in Mareave.

For the next year, the Imperial Orcs Assembly can pass the following mandate once each summit starting at the Summer Solstice, but they must name a different sept each time.

We are one nation, woven from six strong strands. Each of the septs has its own expertise, that will help us show the people of Mareave we are not their enemies. We send (named priest) with 25 doses of liao to urge the (sept) to seek ways we may make Mareave a home for our people by (specific guidance).

Synod Mandate, Imperial Orcs National Assembly

When this mandate is passed, members of the named sept will make a point of travelling to Mareave to explore the opportunities there. It will help some who were uncertain about whether to move there permanently to make up their minds. The event after it is enacted it will present an opportunity to the Imperial Orcs in Mareave, in line with the particular expertise of the sept named, and potentially benefits specifically for that sept. The Assembly can offer guidance as to the thing they think will help - for example they might urge the Yerende to find ways to grow herbs or to identify problems that need pruning, or the Illarawm to speak to the orcs about their relationship with their ancestors, or the Tamazi to seek out magicians and magical places that might aid in the settling of the territory.

Unlike a normal mandate, this mandate remains available to the Imperial Orcs until the end of the Spring Equinox 387YE, assuming the situation in Mareave does not substantially change.

Trade Goods

Any Imperial Orc or member of the Golden Pyramid can send a winged messenger to Lord Ehsan to trade dragonbone for cerulean mazzarine

At the same summit the territory was assigned to the Imperial Orcs, the sibling of Lord Ehsan met with Finna, the Ambassador to the Grendel, and Jarrigk Orzel, the Imperial Consul, to negotiate a treaty that saw the city-state of Beoraidh retain the regions of Beoraidh and Sinfoyard amongst other things. The reaction from the folk of Beoraidh has been lukewarm at the idea of priests of the Way showing virtue to them. They have their own virtues and trying to bring religion into it would just make it messy. What they are interested in however is trade.

It is possible to send a winged messenger to Lord Ehsan, the Palace of Chains, Beoraidh, Mareave.

No citizens of Beoraidh are attending the upcoming summit at Anvil but Lord Ehsan is willing to accept missives with opening offers, along with any other reasonable trade pitches. Xavier of the Spire of the Astral Torrent, an architect of the Golden Pyramid, spent weeks in conversation with the people of Beoraidh and has some advice for any Imperial citizens interested in trade with the city-state. For a starter they appear to have a keen interest in acquiring dragonbone and are willing to exchange cerulean mazzarine from the herb gardens that dot Sinfoyard, for it at a rate of three drams for every two measures.

Any Imperial Orc or member of the Golden Pyramid who is interested in making the exchange should sent a winged messenger to Ehsan indicating how many measures they wish to sell. (OOC note: You must have this many measures in your inventory at the start of downtime).

Shrine of the Way

Shrine of the Way in Beoraidh

Commission Type: Folly

Location: Beoraidh, Mareave

Cost: 6 white granite, and 18 crowns (modified by underdeveloped)

Effects: Creates a modest shrine of the Way that can be used by a lone Imperial priest to preach to orcs of Beoraidh and Sinfoyard

Special: Requires the Empire to agree a price for the land and to pay Salt Lord Ehsan for it

Salt Lord Ehsan has offered enough land to build a modest shrine
If the Empire wants more land for a bigger church they will need to ask for it
However much land the Empire agrees on, they will then have to negotiate to agree a price for it

One of the terms of the treaty is that "Negotiations will occur in respect to buying land for construction of a building to the Way". In true Grendel style, and in a move the League no doubt recognise, Lord Ehsan puts his initial offer on the table. If the Empire wishes, they can simply take advantage of the opportunity presented. Otherwise, they can use it as the basis for a negotiation.

Ehsan offers a plot of land in the absolute worst section of Beoraidh. There is an old well there, and very little else. The land will not support a grand temple, but would be enough for a shrine with a few books and a small stage to preach from. It would not be enough land to build a large church or temple such as would warrant a title to look after it - this would effectively be a folly.

If the Empire want to build a bigger, more impressive church they will need to negotiate for more land. The more wains required for the commission, the bigger the plot of land will need to be. Whatever happens, the Empire will have to make Ehsan an offer for the land, since they promised to buy it from him. The traditional Grendel way to open negotiations would be for the ambassador to provide a sealed letter with their offer on it, while Ehsan does likewise. The ambassadorial civil service will facilitate the receipt of Ehsan's offer if the Imperial Consul includes details of their offer in any winged message sent to the Salt Lord.

Fundindelve

The mithril mine is available to allocate by the Imperial Senate
If it is allocated this season then it will be appointed at the Autumn Equinox 386YE

One final matter concerns the mine of Fundindelve. While a lot of the rest of the territory was a little under-developed, the mine is extremely well built and maintained. Former Salt Lord Ehsan took his responsibilities very seriously – the Prosperity of the mine was a source not only of his power as a Salt Lord but of his own personal Ambition.

The mine lies deep in the mountains of Clisearn and produces 22 wains of mithril each season. While the territory was assigned last season, the mine was not allocated at the same time. The civil service have been hard at work here ensuring it is operational and negotiating on the Empire's behalf with those who previously worked the mine. Fundindelve is now operational, and producing mithril for the Empire.

The Imperial Senate can choose to allocate the mine as either an Imperial seat or a national seat. If it is allocated as an Imperial seat then it will be available on the open auction along with the other mithril seats. If it is allocated as a national seat then only an Imperial Orc citizen will be eligible to stand for the position, and it will be appointed by Tally of the Votes. Assuming they allocate it during the Summer Solstice, it will be available as a seat for the first time at the Autumn Equinox 386YE.

Appraisal

Any appraisal of Mareave will need to be focussed on a specific issue or problem facing the territory

There are many challenges facing the Imperial Orcs in Mareave. One tool the Empire has at its disposal that might help them is that of appraisal. There is a lot to do in Mareave, however. Too much for a single appraisal to provide all the answers. The prognosticators would do their best – and any one of the current roster would have things to offer here – but the Senate should take care. The more general the request the Senate makes the harder it will be for the prognosticators to address specific problems. It would be better for the Senate to identify key issues – the sullen population, the difficulty of moving materials around the territory, the arid plains, the need for fortifications, the challenges of diplomacy with Ehsan and so on – rather than use a general “help the prosperity of Mareave” appraisal and hoping for the best.

Rain in Mareave

Regrow the Lands Heart has been cast in Mareave; it has minimal effect

In the months following the Spring Equinox, a magical aura settles over Mareave, unnoticed by all save the most perceptive magicians. Several times as the seasons change there is a smattering of unseasonal rain. Where the rain touches, flowers briefly flourish, lilacs breeding in the dead lands. Sadly those plants die quickly once the rain stops, at least in the arid northern regions. They last a little longer in the south, but even there they fail to flourish. The Spring magic - Regrow the Land's Heart - struggles to find purchase in Mareave, but it does have some effect. Some of the marks of war in the territory are soothed away. Some of those angered by the betrayal of Ehsan, or the flight of the Brine Turtles, adopt a more pragmatic view. Yet these are Broken Shore orcs - not prone to sentimentality, and inclined towards a kind of chill practicality in matters of war.

But in the end... neither the Imperial nor Grendel armies went out of their way to cause uneccessary destruction. They didn't slaughter or tyrannise, didn't burn or ruin. Even the attack on Rucraic's Aerie was comparatively tame - people died but the castle itself was mostly untouched. It isn't the lack of rain here that causes the ritual to have less impact - it's the fact that the kinds of scars it was created to address simply aren't present in sufficient quantity for its effects to be noticeable.