385YE Winter Solstice interlude
Interlude
Downtime will be open shortly, allowing players to process their character's downtime choices. The Winter Solstice winds of fortune will come out shortly before the next event. However, there are a number of significant events happening in the wake of the Autumn Equinox that may affect some players' Downtime actions - primarily effects on personal resources or options for characters with military unit or fleet personal resources.
On this page we'll be outlining, and offering some context for, these various effects. In most cases, there will be further information in the Winter Solstice winds of fortune. As always, these are quick OOC summaries to explain effects such as large-scale enchantments and curses. We'll cover all these and more when we start to present the winds of fortune for next event.
Downtime is due to close at midnight on TBC.
Warfare
Any player whose character controls a military unit can choose from a number of downtime options. Left to their own devices, a military unit defaults to paid work guaranteeing an income of herbs, ingots or measures, money, or mana crystals. Otherwise, they may log into the downtime system and choose to support an army or fortification, or assign to a special project such as a spy network or an adventure. Players who want to support one of the Imperial armies can also read the orders issued by each general before making their decision.
As always, the guidelines around discussing military matters online can be found here.
Imperial Guerdon
The Imperial Guerdon is a bursary set up by the Imperial Senate primarily to reward military units that support Imperial armies, spy networks, and fortifications. The value of the Imperial Guerdon is divided between each military unit and fleet that supports an army in proportion to their effective strength. The Quartermaster General of the Imperial Armies has the power to exclude any or all Imperial armies and navies, fortifications, or special projects (such as spy networks) from the Guerdon. If they do so, then a character who supports such an army, fortification, or special project will receive nothing for doing so.
The Guerdon stands at 350 thrones.
This season, the Quartermaster General of the Imperial Armies has announced that shares of the Guerdon will be shared between military units supporting the following armies or opportunities:
Fleets
- Imperial fleets can trade with foreign ports and receive valuable goods
- Some ports give special bonuses or suffer special penalties
- They can also take special actions such as engaging in independent action, or embarking on an adventure
Certain trading destinations apply special effects if a fleet visits them, summarized on the Autumn Equinox wind of fortune page. You can also read more about the Empire's foreign relations in the recent Ship to wreck wind of fortune.
Some fleets also have the opportunity to take part in special adventures that provide specific rewards. These options are found in the downtime menu as dropdowns. If you don't want to do something specific, your fleet will automatically participate in privateering - the default independent action available to every fleet captain.
Other Effects
Every season sees large-scale effects impact individuals and nations. Where possible we've summarised these effects here.
Broken Blades
- Congregations in Urizen receive two fewer votes and one fewer liao
- The effect lasts until the start of the Autumn Equinox 386YE
Following the repudiation of Sulemaine by the Urizen national assembly, in the light of their prior endorsement of the so-called "Paragon of Blades", their moral authority has been significantly undermined. For the next year, every congregation in Urizen receives two fewer votes and one fewer liao. As detailed in the A Wisdom of Questions wind of fortune.
The Grendel Unleashed
- All fleets in the Brass Coast, Highguard, Urizen, Feroz, Sarvos, Spiral, and Tassato will suffer a -1 rank penalty following the Autumn Equinox 385YE
Following the end of the peace treaty the Grendel every Imperial fleet in the Brass Coast, Highguard, Urizen, Feroz, Sarvos, Spiral, and Tassato will suffer a 1-rank penalty to production as independent Grendel attack their ships. This might represent lost cargo, missed opportunities, the additional costs required to hire marines, or the need to travel more slowly as part of a heavily-protected group of trading ships. There's no way to say how long this state of affairs will continue.
Hunt the Whisper Gallery
- Every mana site in Highguard produces 1 fewer mana crystal until the start of the Winter Solstice 385YE
Thanks to the mandate enacted by the Highborn Assembly at the Summer Solstice 385YE there is a hunt for agents of the Whisper Gallery underway. The disruption this causes means mana sites in Highguard produce one fewer mana crystal.
Power of Faith
- Highborn congregations receive an additional liao, 2 extra votes, and a crown of additional income
- League congregations preaching Ambition receive an additional liao and two additional votes in the synod
This season there are several circumstances that affect the production of congregations in the Empire. The Birthplace of the Way means that Highguard congregations gain an additional dose of liao, two additional votes in the Synod, and a crown of income until the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE as detailed in Full of sacred sound.
At the same time, congregations run by a League citizen preaching Ambition receive an additional liao and two additional votes in the Imperial Synod until the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE. This is explored in more depth in the Don't blame me wind of fortune.
Free Folk Tutelage
- Every business in Highguard experiences a -1 rank penalty to production for the rest of the year
The Free Folk seek tutelage in the use of liao to perform the ceremonies Imperial priests take for granted. The national assembly of Highguard has urged the benefactors of their nation to help support these would-be priests, providing scholarships and bursaries. Every business in Highguard takes a -1 penalty to production until the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE. This situation is discussed in more detail in the Folklore wind of fortune.
Everything Costs
- Businesses in the League cost one less wain to upgrade until the start of the Winter Solstice 385YE
Upgrading a business personal resource costs one less wain of white granite than usual as part of a grand competition. This effect is detailed in the The money goes round wind of fortune.
Atalaya Harbour
- Fleets in Madruga cost one less wain to upgrade
Upgrading a fleet personal resource costs one less wain of weirwood for as long as the Atalaya Harbour remains and the Freeborn do not control Feroz. This effect is detailed in the The power behind our moves wind of fortune.