Less welcome tenants

The three humans remained at a polite distance, giving Reedpiper room to work. Lutomysla was struck again with how young he was, to have such an important responsibility. The argument that the Sand Fishers were moving away from their traditional lives of fishing the Semmerlak in favour of harvesting weirwood and clearing forests was belied by the number of serious-faced orcs observing the little ceremony.

Reedpiper lifted up one of his effigies - about the size of a newborn baby - and showed it to the crowd who nodded and murmured. He made them himself, from a mix of lakeshore mud and dragonbone, sealed with a cunning ambergelt glaze. It was a beautiful piece of work, the kind of thing that would not look out of place in a Sarvosan art gallery. With careful reverence, he laid it on a little reed raft, and carefully lit the nine cones of incense that surrounded it.

She glanced over the little harbour. There were more orcs watching from their flat-bottomed boats and rafts they favoured. She'd not seen the quayside so still and quiet in all her time here. Reedpiper was talking now, and Lutosmyla closed her eyes, shutting out the sounds of water and lake-bird to focus on the words, on the cadence. It wasn't a spell, or a ritual, or even a ceremony. Just a short statement making it clear this offering was out of respect, and asking that the inhabitant of the lake take it rather than one of those who fished along its shore.

When she opened her eyes again the little raft - the last of three - was already underway. Reedpiper had presumably given it the same little push he'd used on its siblings which interestingly were still moving away from the shore in defiance of what Lutosmyla understood about the way little reed rafts should perform. There was some magic here, at least. Just not anything she could dissect. But the forms and shapes were familiar enough, and she was already considering how it might be scaled up to something the Empire could use.

She was aware of a light tugging at her sleeve, and looked down to find an orc child smiling up at her a little shyly. Without speaking, they pressed something into her hand - a folded piece of paper. Then held out that same hand, flat, toward her in the universal sign for "I was given too understand there would be payment?" Lutosmyla handed over a ring, and the child ran off happily with their prize.

The ceremony was over. Gawaine and Marie were deep in conversation with Reedpiper. The fisherfolk had turned back to their work. She unfolded the piece of paper, then shook her head and sighed deeply. The paper was embossed with the civil service horse, but the drawing scrawled across it was more enthusiastic than artful. Without the labels she'd have struggled to be sure what it depicted. A massive dam, an empty Semmerlak, and what was clearly intended to be the creature that dwelled in its depths, on it's back with it's legs in the air, dead. Next to it, a big red question mark. Rolling her eyes, Lutosmyla crumpled the paper up and tossed it into the lake, but there was a rueful smile on her face as she went down to join the others by the water.

Behind her, the crumpled piece of paper floated for a few moments then jerked suddenly beneath the surface of the Semmerlak with an almost audible plop. A couple of little bubbles rose up where it had been, and then nothing.

Dho'uala is a sovereign who claims the entire Semmerlak, and the rivers that flow into and from it, as her domain.

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Overview

During the Spring Equinox, the senators for Holberg and Semmerholm - Kaspar Yakovich von Holberg and Amicia of the Semmerlak - proposed an appraisal to explore "solutions to the problem of Dho'uala killing Imperial citizens and interfering with matters on and around the Semmerlak." The Senate concurred, and the Varushkan cabalist Lutomysla Niegoslava was dispatched to the north-west of the Empire to begin assessing the situation there. She visited and spoke with people around the Semmerlak, and put together a set of proposals each of which will deal with the problem of Dho'uala interfering with Imperial citizens.

At the same time, Gaelen Embercast, the Cardinal of Vigilance, requested that the Silent Bell investigate “the threat that the Sovereign Dho'uala poses to Imperial citizens around the Semmerlak, and how it might be countered Virtuously.“ In this particular instance, the efforts of the Vigilant sodality were in parallel to those of the Prognosticator's Office; the actual threat of the Semmerlak is fairly obvious and they concerned themselves primarily with the second part of the Cardinal's request - finding ways for the virtuous to counter the influence of the sovereign.

Fishers and Burghers

• Lutosmyla has spoken with the Sand Fisher orcs about their odd ceremonies

The Senators requested that "if possible, Lutomysla should ensure as part of the appraisal to speak with the Sand Fisher orcs of Misericorde." As a consequence the first port of call for the prognosticator is Holberg – or more specifically Misericorde, the region ceded to the Sand Fishers when they arrived from Ossium. Along with several League citizens familiar with the orcs, she petitions for and receives an invitation to visit the surprisingly busy little fishing port the orcs have established on the shores of the Semmerlak.

It's been noted that the Sand Fishers maintain a quiet tradition of making “offerings” to the Semmerlak, in which they place beautifully carved wooden images, or carefully shaped clay effigies, on little reed rafts and float them out into the lake for Dou'ala to claim if she wishes. The Sand Fishers waste no time directing Lutomysla to a cheerful young orc named Reedpiper, who is apparently the latest in a long line of orcs entrusted with arranging seasonal “sacrifices” to the lake. An artist with a strong connection to a Sand Fisher ancestor also named Reedpiper, he explains that his people have always shown respect to the lake and the monster that dwells in it's depths. The Druj turned a blind eye to their ceremonies because occasionally they would draw on the Sand Fisher's “expertise” to let them bargain with Undertow. The discussion proves quite illuminating, and Lutosmysla is prevailed upon to spend a not inconsiderable sum on several of Reedpiper's beautifully decorated clay figurines.

Her assessment is that there isn't anything innately special about the effigies or the rafts; it seems that the “magical significance” of the action lies in the ceremony and the offering - it's a hearth magic likely drawing on concepts of worth common to many orc cultures. Dou'ala responds to the implied respect, to the symbolic tribute delivered to it. The single-minded obsession that many of Dou'ala's creatures show with recovering items that have been drowned in the lake, and the sovereigns insistence that things in its depths belong to them (including living humans and orcs), speaks to the creature's desire to receive sacrifices. It is covets and jealously guards both offerings and the bounty of sunken ships.

Reedpiper provides a warning, however. As the Sand Fishers' prosperity has increased, the sovereign is unsatisfied unless the offerings include more valuable materials than mere clay and wood. It's not causing too much trouble for the orcs – everyone knows that if they want to avoid inconvenient flooding and attacks from Dou'ala's creatures they need to pay the price – but it has implications for the Empire.

Tribute to the Lake

The Semmerlak Tollbooth

Commission Type: Folly

Location: Any region of Ossium, Karov, Karsk, Weirwater, Semmerholm, or Holberg bordering the Semmerlak

Cost: 12 weirwood, 36 Crowns, 3 months

Upkeep: 30 Thrones each season

Effect: Propitiates Dou'ala, removing the threat to merchant vessels and reducing attacks on Imperial territories

• The Senate could arrange for regular offerings to be made to Dou'ala to propitiate her covetous nature

It may rankle with the Imperial Synod, but Lutomysla proposes that one way to reduce the threat to citizens would be to adapt – and scale up – the practices of the Sand Fishers. A small jetty and a squat tower would be built on the shores of the Semmerlak – any region that borders the lake would be appropriate. Reedpiper has confirmed that his people are prepared to let the Empire build in Misericorde if they wish - it is the only part of Holberg that borders the lake itself - although the civil service caution that if the Senate choose to do so the Sand Fishers would be able to remove access to the Semmerlak Tollbooth at will.

A couple of local civil servants would work with artists and artisans to acquire suitable offerings each season, ensuring they incorporated amounts of dragonbone, iridescent gloaming, and small pieces of weirwood (fairly easily sourced in the woods of Varushka and Dawn). These objects would then be packed into a small boat, and sent out over the lake for the sovereign to claim as she wishes. Dou'ala would claim this tribute instead of feeling the need to prey on the merchant vessels that ply the waters, or take her tithe of the folk living around the lake.

The main cost of this proposal is the price of the pieces of fine art and valuable materials that would make up the offerings. After some careful divinations and further discussions with magicians and artists from the three nations involved, she believes that 30 Thrones a season would be needed from the Imperial treasury to provide acceptable tribute to the sovereign.

As long as the offerings continued, Dho'uala will cease her attacks on ships traversing the Semmerlak, and their attacks against communities around the lake. Dou'ala would still be a potential problem - but no worse than that presented by any other Sovereign. As long as people are careful, and remain Vigilant, the threat would be contained and the current problems dealt with.

Virtues of Prosperity

• The Silent Bell have secured a promise of aid from prosperous merchants in Holberg
• They seek the guidance of the Assembly of Prosperity

In their pursuit of ways for the virtuous to combat the threat of Dou'ala, the Silent Bell are brought into contact with an informal council made up of half a dozen Holberg guilds that rely on the lake for transporting goods, and their contacts in Dawn and Varushka. Calling themselves the Waterroad Ring, they have suffered significant losses since Dou'ala started preying on ships crossing the Semmerlak. They are very interested in what Lutomysla learns from the Sand Fishers, and keen to support her proposal. However, they are also concerned that doing so might risk leaving them open to accusations of idolatry. Recent statements of principle, including one from Viviane Barossa de Coeurdefer the Cardinal of Ambition, have increased their concern.

They believe that paying tribute to Dho'uala is no different to paying tariffs when a ship visits a foreign port, or the tolls sometimes paid to cross bridges or use roads owned by private individuals. The sovereign claims the Semmerlak, and demands tribute from those who use it and it is not unvirtuous to pay those tolls even though they are demanded by a supernatural creature. They aren't sure if the Synod agrees with them, however. The Silent Bell suggests that the Prosperity assembly could step in and reassure not only the Waterroad Ring but other Imperial citizens that this tribute is not an issue.

All that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it. We send (named priest) with 50 liao to reassure the faithful that is not unvirtuous or idolatrous to pay tolls or tribute, as long as this is payment and not an offering.

Synod Mandate, Prosperity Assembly

If this mandate is passed it will have two effects. The Waterroad Ring and their allies in other nations will contribute to the Semmerlak Tollbooth, helping to source works of art and materials to preserve their own prosperity. This will reduce the upkeep from the Senate treasury to 20 Thrones a season. In the event the Senate chooses not to build the wards, the merchant-princes of the League will still be reassured and work with the Sand Fishers to offer their own tribute, removing the penalty to fleets trading from Holberg (and only Holberg).

Defenders of the Semmerlak

• Knights and wardens from Dawn and Varushka are already doing their best to defy Dho'uala
• The Senate could recognise these groups and support their efforts

There is little appetite for propitiating the sovereign in Dawn. While their statement did not receive a greater majority, it seems that Earl Ailsa Temerlaine spoke for many Dawnish folk when they said "we will not take actions that condemn souls and keep citizens from the Labyrinth. We will not engage in human sacrifice. We will not engage in idolatry. The Dho'uala already takes innocent souls. We do not bow." They are not alone - there has been a lot of concern about the law proposed, but ultimately defeated in the Senate, to drown criminals in the lake to mollify the sovereign. As well as Dawn, there is significant concern among priests in both Highguard and the League. Even some Varushkans balk at the idea of what amounts to widespread human sacrifice when there are still other avenues that might be explored.

With that in mind, Lutomysla liaises with some enchanters from Semmerholm and Weirwater, and speaks with a number of the Dawnish knights who have been trying to deal with Dho'uala. They in turn bring their counterparts in Varushka - some of the warden fellowships in Karov, Karsk, and Ossium - to speak with her. They have a proposal; the Senate could recognise their work and offer their assistance in increasing its effectiveness. To the surprise of Lutomysla, some of these knights and wardens speak of having received supernatural assistance already - the powerful herald of Eleonaris known as the Lady of the Semmerlak has offered small boons and enchantments to help them protect people from Dho'uala.

These knights, wardens, and enchanters favour a direct approach to the problem of Dou'ala. The sovereign herself is probably unreachable, existing in the depths of the lake. Her creatures, however, are dangerous but ultimately mortal. Courage, steel, and magic together are a match for their malice. As long as they have sufficient warning, knights and wardens could protect not only the lands around the Semmerlak but the ships that ply its waters. The wardens in particular point out that Dou'ala seems to have little actual affection for her creatures – when they are defeated or driven off there's been no sign of retaliation. Dou'ala just moves on to another scheme. It's very much as if, by proving themselves strong enough to resist her wolves, they encourage the sovereign to look elsewhere for easier prey.

Blades of the Semmerlak

Blades of the Semmerlak

Commission Type: Folly

Location: Sandling in Weirwater or Lacuve in Semmerholm plus Malimorzi in Karov or Bittershore in Ossium

Cost: 24 weirwood, 72 Crowns, 3 months; counts as a single commission

Effect: Removes the threat to ships on the Semmerlak, and establishes adventurers to deal with threats from Dho'uala

• A wardenhouse in Varushka and a knightly estate in Dawn would provide a base of operations for heroes to protect the Semmerlak

After several intense discussions, Lutomysla suggests that the Senate establish a small sodality dedicated to protecting the people around the Semmerlak. A knightly order and a warden fellowship, supported by Imperial heroes, would travel on ships crossing the Semmerlak, and actively seek out the creatures of Dou'ala and fight them. They will need places to operate from - an estate in Dawn for the knights and a wardenhouse in Varushka for the wardens. Lutomysla identifies that the best locations would be either Sandling, in the vicinity of Culwich, or Lacuve in Semmerholm near the bustling port of Lacre for the knights, and the port of Korotny in Malimorzi in Karov and the Kostjyas Respite in Bittershore in Ossium. This would also be an ideal way to divide the responsibilities - the wardens focusing on protecting boats and the knights on defending communities along the lake.

Although they involve work in two regions, the actual project itself requires only a single commission and the building of the wardenhouse and the estates will take place in parallel. Once construction was complete, the penalties to fleets would be removed and any threat to the people who live along the banks of the lake will be met by enthusiastic warriors. It will also create a new adventure available to questing knights, knight-errants, and wardens - Blades in the Semmerlak. This will allow a military unit to spend their time actively defending the Semmerlak and the ships that traverse it.

The commission would also create a title Knight-Warden of the Semmerlak to oversee the small sodality. This martial title could be appointed by unanimous decision of the Varushkan and Dawnish senators - or it could be appointed by test of arms between combatants from both nations. The title-holder would be responsible for protecting the communities around the Semmerlak from threats mundane and magical, and to stand ready to oppose the depredations of Dho'uala whenever they raise their head. In return they would receive an income of 10 crowns each season with which to equip allies and maintain their sodality.

They would also be the beneficiaries of a number of magic items provided by Dawnish, Varushkan, and League donors. A Duelist's Scales weapon from the Varushkan merchant-boyars to weaken corrupt horrors; a set of Goldentide Mail from League merchant-princes to protect them from venom; and a Troubadour's Ring from Dawnish earls to help them support their allies. These items would be received once each year, and while the expectation is that the Knight-Warden of the Semmerlak would use them themselves there is no reason they could not pass them to other warriors fighting against Dho'uala or similar monstrous threats.

Lady of the Golden Harp

• The Archmage of Summer could use a plenipotentiary to request that Eleonris grant an audience with the Lady of the Semmerlak

According to some cabalists and enchanters, the Lady of the Semmerlak is an enemy of Dho'uala. If the Senate commissioned the sodality then once the buildings were complete, it might be possible to gain her favour and support. To do that, the Archmage of Summer would have to send a plenipotentiary to the Lady of Pennants asking her to grant them an audience with her vassal. It's impossible to predict the outcome of any agreement, but a respectful request to her Queen would be enough to get a meeting with the Lady.

If the Lady of the Semmerlak agrees to be a patron for knights and wardens protecting the Semmerlak it could prove a valuable boon providing additional benefits to all the knights and wardens who undertake the efforts to defend the Semmerlak from Dho'uala's threat.

If the archmage uses their plenipotentiary to ask the Lion in Summer to arrange an audience, they would be well advised not to include any other requests. The Queen of the Fields of Glory is notoriously fickle and she will not arrange an audience and deal with other matters. At best, she will pick one or the other.

Virtues of Pride

• There's significant resistance to the idea of sacrificing people - even criminals - the lake's inhabitant
• The guidance of the Assembly of Pride is sought on the matter

The Silent Bell expand on Lutosmyla's mention that there are a lot of people in Dawn in particular that are very much opposed to the idea of sacrificing people to the sovereign. There are real doubts about what happens to the souls of those Dho'uala takes, and the idea of sacrificing people to a sovereign strikes many people as abhorrent. In particular, those who agree with Earl Ailsa would very much like to see the matter amplified. It is, they argue, demeaning to the virtuous to throw people to a monster - not least because it has shades of the way the Asaveans sacrifice captured priests of the Way but more importantly because even criminals, even those who have committed capital crimes, deserve reincarnation, and not to be demeaned.

As such the Silent Bell suggest the Assembly of Pride might pass the following mandate to speak to the virtuous of the Empire.

The virtuous do not demean others, nor sacrifice the lives of thinking beings to monsters. We send (named priest) with 75 doses of liao to remind everyone that we are better than the idolators and blasphemers who practise such sacrifice.

Synod Mandate, Pride Assembly

If this mandate is passed it will have two effects. If the Senate builds the Blades of the Semmerlak, virtuous folk from around the Semmerlak and beyond will contribute. Dawnish and League citizens will contribute 5 wains of weirwood and 15 crowns to the construction of the wardenhouse and knightly estates, and will add additional production to the adventure. If the mandate secures a greater majority, meaning it will affect Varushka - the wealthy nation will contribute a further 4 wains and 12 crowns to the construction. More importantly perhaps, it will send a clear message that the virtuous do not sacrifice people - human, orc, hylje, or other - to monstrous powers. Building on the effect of the mandate urging Imperial citizens to remain Vigilant against the machinations of eternals and dark powers it will mean that any future attempt by the Empire to intentionally offer sacrifices to an inhuman power will cause virtuous citizens to oppose such an order.

Itinerant Meddlers

• The expertise of Varushkas volhovs suggests a more subtle alternative to either of the others
• The Senate could recognise the expertise of the volhovs, and their allies among the guisers and mountebanks

The nations of Varushka knows the monsters like Dho'uala better than anyone else. Their ancestors slew those they could - and made bargains with those too powerful or dangerous to fight directly. Yet they never lost sight of the fact that the people of Varushka themselves are not monsters; the monsters are what the walls and wards exist to keep away from the folk of the nation. Those who make foolish bargains and bring ruin on themselves and others deserve neither pity nor mercy. Those who transgress in pursuit of personal power, rather than protecting their people, or in the name of survival, are little different than the monsters they deal with.

Varushkans can be hard as iron when the situation demands it. The Empire's most notorious army, the Iron Helms, are capable of the most brutal acts of cruelty imaginable - every bit the equal of those propagated by the Druj. But unlike the Druj, they do so when there are no better choices; they're not sadistic or bloodthirsty, they don't pursue cruelty for it's own sake. Varushkans are pragmatic and unforgiving because life in the north is hard, and often the only choice is the lesser of two evils. But there is always a choice.

The long experience of the Varushkans in dealing with sovereigns, however, suggests a different way to deal with Dho'uala. While Lutomysla has been speaking to orcs, knights, and wardens, the Silent Bell have been busy with their own investigation. At their urging a loose association of volhov that refer to themselves as "Wavewatchers" send three of their number to visit Lutomysla in Laroc. The meeting is actually hosted by a pair of Dawnish yeofolk in the bright costumes favoured by guisers, and a masked representative of the mountebanks of Holberg also attends. It seems that after the statement of principle Velko Perunovich Razoradze raised in Spring last year, encouraging "citizens of Varushka to teach our Dawnish cousins how to deal with Dho'uala", the Wavewatchers met up with Dawnishfolk and League citizens already working in their own way to address the threat of the sovereign to their people. They pooled their resources and expertise, and for the last year or so have been quietly doing their best to counter Dho'uala's influence.

The volhov are itinerant occult problem solvers. The guisers are likewise travelers who offer their services most often to the yeofolk, and it is the farmers and fisherfolk that have been most impacted by the rampages of Dho'uala's servants. The mountebanks of Holberg, by contrast, have a lot of experience "persuading" people to agree to deals that are not in their best interest, and have been applying these skills to the servants of Dho'uala as well as selling their slightly suspect magical expertise to people in their city desperate for something to protect their ships. The match has not been without it's friction, but it has worked moderately well. The magicians between them have worked hard to reduce the damage the sovereign has caused - with sufficient resources, they could do a lot more.

Wards and Bargains

Journeymage Towers

Commission Type: Folly

Location: Lacre in Semmerholm, Malimorzi in Karov and Bittershore in Ossium

Cost: 24 white granite, 72 crowns, 3 months

Effect: Removes the threat to ships on the Semmerlak, and establishes a small sodality to protect the area

• The Senate could commission a gathering place for the magicians busy protecting the Semmerlak

The ability of the magicians to counter Dho'uala's influence is limited both by their access to resources and their relative disorganisation. After talking with the volhov and their allies about what they need, Lutomysla proposes that the Imperial Senate build a trio of squat towers in three locations around the lake - at Lacre (where the guisers are often drawn to the grand tourneys and fairs regularly held there), at Korotny, and at Kostjyas Respite in Bittershore. Only a single commission would need to be spent for the three towers, and work would proceed in parallel allowing them to built in three months. Once built, they would create places that the itinerant magicians of the Semmerlak could meet, rest, and prepare. They would establish wards around the lake, and on the vessels of ships at port along its banks, as well as being able to both predict and respond quickly to any threat of Dho'uala's creatures arising from the depths.

The Silent Bell have had their own discussion with the Wavewatchers and offer an additional proposal. As part of the commission establishing the Journeymage Towers, the Senate should create a title - Watcher of the Semmerlak. Appointed by the Assembly of Vigilance each year, it would help organise the volhov, guisers, and occasional mountebank. As long as the assembly appointed a magician of that archetype to hold the title, they would enjoy the support of the Varushkans merchants, Dawnish yeofolk, and Holberg sailors who most rely on their efforts. Each season the Watcher of the Semmerlak would receive 7 crystal mana from donations made to the Wavewatchers.

They'd also receive three specific bequests - a Ring of Warding (a magical focus that significantly increases the power of a ritualist to perform warding magic) provided by the volhov of Varushka; an Opaline Coat from the guisers of Dawn to help the magician perform personal magic in pursuit of their goals; and a grab-bag of potions useful to magicians collected and delivered by the mountebanks of Holberg (three potions each season, a Mageblood, a Barren Watchtower and a Decoction of the Hungry Moon or their equivalent for another realm (the title holder could email plot@profounddecisions.co.uk to change the realm).

Lutosmyla queries the suggestion that the Assembly of Vigilance, rather than the Conclave, appoint this title but the Silent Bell point out that the responsibilities of the Watcher of the Semmerlak are about vigilance first, and magic secondly. There's no requirement for the holder of the title to be a magician as long as they uphold the traditions of the volhov, the guiser, or the mountebank.

Virtues of Wisdom

• The joint effort between magicians of Varushka, Dawn, and Holberg intrigues several wise ones
• They seek the guidance of the Assembly of Wisdom

While the Silent Bell are talking to Lutosmyla, they're also meeting with vigilant wise ones who are particularly keen to see the Journeymage Towers built. There are a number of arguments raised, but they boil down to the fact that several of them favour an approach to the Semmerlak that builds on the traditions of Varushka. Making offerings smacks of idolatry and risks Dho'uala simply deciding she wants more. The warden and the knight are courageous, but they are also a blunt instrument. Much better, argue these wise ones, to take a subtle, reactive approach that is more likely to be able to adapt to anything Dho'uala throws at the people of the Semmerlak. They also seem to approve of the way the volhov are working with their counterparts in other nations to address the threat. They'd like to see that element encouraged by the Imperial Synod - that kind of adaptability is key to what many of them consider to be the virtue of Wisdom.

The Wise know that there knowledge is incomplete and there is always more to learn. We send (named priest) with 50 liao to support the volhov of Varushka working with guisers and mountebanks to protect the people of the Semmerlak from Dho'uala, both to teach and to learn.

Synod Mandate, Wisdom Assembly

If this mandate is passed it will have two effects. If the Senate builds the Journeymage Towers, virtuous folk from around the Semmerlak and beyond will contribute. Dawnish and League citizens will contribute 5 wains and 15 crowns to the construction of the towers, and an additional 2 mana crystals each season to the Watcher. If the mandate secures a greater majority, meaning it will have full effect in Varushka as well, the wealthy nation will contribute a further 4 wains and 12 crowns to the construction and another 2 mana crystals each season.

More importantly perhaps, it will send a clear message that the Wise approve of this coming-together of nations. It will recognise that while guisers and mountebanks are not often trusted by their people, their skills are nonetheless important. It will encourage more communication between the three traditions of magic, and in the future may lead to further opportunities for guisers, mountebanks, and volhov to pool their resources to achieve their ambitions.

Star Metal and Fishes

• Ludosmyla suggests that one of the Archmages could use a plenipotentiary to ask an eternal of their realm to arrange a meeting with Dho'uala to negotiate for access to the contents of the lake

The Senate has made it illegal to take things from the Semmerlak – meaning a reduction in taxation and also preventing ilium being recovered from the depths. It's also had implications for the new ports built in Varushka.

None of the proposals here address these issues – in fact they all assume that the law preventing things being removed from the lake stay in place. Removing the law would likely anger Dho'uala again and create a new set of problems that these proposals are not designed to entirely contain. Most of the damage Dho'uala is currently doing is based around her creatures, but as mentioned previously the sovereign is very jealous of the things that lie in her depths. Going back to taking fish and ilium out of the lake requires diplomacy. Magical diplomacy.

There are four eternals that might be prevailed on to arrange a meeting with Dho'uala. Lashonar of the Night realm is always eager to arrange situations where creatures speak to one another; Prospero of the Autumn realm loves situations where beings attempt to influence one another; Ephisis, also of the Autumn realm is obsessed with trade in all it's forms and Jaheris, for all his dark reputation, has a vested interest in the idea of parleys, formal diplomacy between courts, and dark magic.

Lutomysla suggests that after the main problem of Dho'uala is dealt with, one of the Archmages could use their plenipotentiary ability to petition one of these four eternals to arrange a meeting with the sovereign to talk about the ilium and the fishing industry along the Semmerlak. There's no real point doing it now – the Empire would be approaching the creature from a position of weakness. Once they have taken decisive steps to deal with the main problem – the beasts attacking ships and seeking to drown lands – then would be time to talk to her about more specific matters. She proposes that as long as the eternal is amenable, it would be important to have representatives of each of the territories bordering the Semmerlak – enchanters from Semmerholm and Weirwater, magicians from Holberg, and volhov or cabalists from Karov, Karsk, and Ossium, as well as the title holders effected. If the archmage words their plenipotentiary specifically, Lutomysla is confident that it would be possible to open negotiations with Netripper.

If the archmage uses their plenipotentiary to ask the eternal to arrange an audience, they would be well advised not to include any other requests. Whoever they speak to will not arrange an audience and deal with other matters, they will pick one or the other.

Destroy the Semmerlak

• The Empire could appraise a way to destroy the Semmerlak and presumably destroy Dho'uala in the process

There is one final proposal that almost doesn't make it into the appraisal, but is added at the last minute. One of Lutomysla's colleagues – she won't say exactly who – had a slightly more radical proposal and one that would almost certainly destroy Dho'uala. The creature lives in the Semmerlak so one way to deal with her threat would be to remove the Semmerlak. Immense dams could be built to drain the lake and redirect the waters that flow into it. Once the lake was drained dry, Dho'uala would either die or be rendered vulnerable to attack.

Obviously, this would be an astronomically expensive project and would require an appraisal all its own. It would cause massive disruption, ruin what remains of the fishing industry, wreck the territories in unpredictable ways, and perhaps more importantly ruin existing Varushkan, Dawnish, and Holberg ports and docks.

But it would end the threat of Dho'uala... for as long as the lake remained dry.

Ringing Louder

• The Silent Bell has prepared a report for the Cardinal
• They plan to make both this report and that about the Tutamen public with the assistance of the Department of Historical Research
• The Assembly of Nine may tell them not to do this

While they have been treading the same path as Lutosmyla in several places, the Silent Bell have also been performing their own investigations in the Semmerlak. They've prepared a report on their findings, and will deliver it at the Summer Solstice to the Cardinal of Vigilance. They're also intending to provide their delayed report on the Tutamen for the Throne.

One of the things that has delayed their report has been an argument among a number of well-known members of the sodality about the practice of providing secret letters. It smacks for some of the Urizen and Marcher members in particular of conspiracy, and underhand behaviour, and they are uncomfortable with it. While the Cardinals who direct their interest can clearly be trusted, they see little value in hiding the things they uncover about threats from the virtuous. They point specifically to successes around the Heirs of Terunael, and the recent report they made about the cults of Agramant.

With that in mind, they intend to provide copies of the letters they are sending to the Council of Nine, shorn of any personal elements, to the Department of Historical Research. Leontes the Scribe, the Imperial Archivist, is prepared to make copies available alongside traditional historical research. There's a rumour that he is wooing the sodality with an eye towards attempting to co-opt them into the department, although there's no sign any of the vigilant are interested in his offers.

If the Nine does not want one or both of these reports to be shared with those citizens of the Empire who are interested in such things, a statement of principle to that effect raised in their assembly would discourage the members of the Silent Bell from doing so. It's likely to exacerbate the conflict within the sodality between secrecy and sharing what they uncover, however.

A Little Bit of Overkill

• None of the appraisals or mandates on this page are competing

Any one of the three proposals - the Semmerlak Tollbooth, the Blades of the Semmerlak, or the Journeymage Towers - will resolve the immediate threat of Dho'uala to fleets and the regions abutting the lake. Should the Senate wish, however, it could enact any or all of them - the titles and commissions will have their other effects.

Likewise, the three mandates are not competing - while they will only provide construction benefits to specific commissions their other effects will occur regardless. For example, the Prosperity assembly could enact the mandate to reassure people that it is not idolatry to pay tithes and tolls regardless of whether the Senate commissions the Tollbooth. Bear in mind however that the mandates are only available during the Summer Solstice, as with any other mandate.

Further Reading

• Dho'uala
• The Semmerlak
• The lake and the deep, dark woods - 385YE Winter Wind of Fortune
• The horror and the wild - 385YE Summer wind of fortune
• Underwater sunshine - 385YE Spring wind of fortune introducing the threat of Dho'uala