382YE Spring Equinox winds of fortune
Overview
Over the past three months, several events have occurred which are of significance to the Empire and may require a response from her champions. You can also read about the progress of the Empire's military campaigns here.
In each case, we've tried to tag the Winds of Fortune entry with the nations, or political bodies, to which it is most relevant. We've done this to help people who are interested only in events that are especially relevant to them. In no way are these tags intended to be exhaustive; the Empire is a complex place and very little happens in isolation.
As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of Fortune is to maintain the illusion of the Empire as a living, breathing place where things happen - and to make players aware of things their characters 'should' know based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing for the past three months.
Many winds of fortune open with a short section of in-character text. In all cases, these pieces are intended to help create an atmosphere and provide a little entertainment. Where they contain opinions, those are the opinions of the fictional people depicted - and where they contain information or rumours the assumption is that the reader will create their own context for that information or gossip. They're mostly just a bit of fun and they tend not to contain anything vital to the understanding of the wind of Fortune.
Winds of Fortune
Benevolence, Inspiration, and Legacy
- Imperial Synod, Imperial Senate, all Imperial followers of the Way
In resolving a dispute between several Synod factions, the General Assembly has passed a mandate that opposes further spiritual or religious conflict in the Empire. As part of the mandate, Severin von Holberg was empowered to present a sermon which was distributed throughout the Empire. The sermon examines what it means to be a virtuous citizen, and lays out a series of questions that can be used to help choose the correct course of action when faced with almost any dilemma. You can read his words - and learn about some of the sometimes radical responses - here.
United in Law (Imperial Address)
- All Imperial citizens
The Throne, Imperatrix Lisabetta, has used her power to address the Empire to present a personal message to all Imperial citizens. You can read her message here.
Roundup
Arcane Projections
As of this event, the changes to the way arcane projections work that we announced before the first event are now in full effect. Magicians contribute arcane projections while downtime is open, rather than being done at events.
Limited Opportunities
Last event there were a number of time-limited opportunities to commission unique structures. In each case we've updated the resolution section of the Winds of Fortune to clarify which are still available and which are not. The key commissions that remain available to the Empire at this time are the opportunities in varushka following the epic storm, and the magical structures designed by Richard of Holberg for the Imperial Conclave.
Mandates
Seven mandates were successfully upheld in the Imperial Synod. You can find the details of all the mandates, along with the rest of the Synod judgements, here.
| Assembly | Mandate | Priest | Outcome | |
| General | We have learned to our bitter cost, the effects of national religious divisions upon the ability of Imperial armies to fight together. At a time when the Empire faces many foes, let us not rush to create another schism. It is the seven Virtues than unite us, not divide us. We send Severin von Holberg with 100 doses of liao to remind Imperial citizens of our common belief in the seven Virtues, at the heart of belief in every Imperial Nation. 100 liao received from Severin von Holberg after the Winter Solstice. |
Severin von Holberg | Severin may write an address to the Empire; any attempt to incite people to confront religious differences or spiritual conflicts would be strongly inhibited for the following year. | Link |
| Marcher | The Marcher Assembly sends Sister Meredith with 50 doses of liao to the orcs of the Mournwold to bring them to the Way of Virtue. We encourage the Virtuous folks of the Mourn to support these preachers and ensure their voices are heard. 50 doses of liao provided by Sister Meredith Stellamaris |
Bethany | Begins the process of enlightening the ex-Jotun thralls as to the teachings of the Way | Link |
| General | The Synod recognises the actions of Magician-Prince Barbara Radz in moving to improve the condition of slaves in her eastern alliance in Jarm. We send Jared of the Suns of Couros with 25 doses of liao to urge every Imperial captain intending to visit Jarm to trade with the enlightened people of Rigia, rather than the corrupt slavemasters of Vezak and Kavor. 25 liao recevied from Jared of the Suns of Couros after the Winter solstice |
Jared of the Sons of Couros | Imperial captains trading with Vezak and Kavor receive significantly reduced production for the next year. | Link |
| Dawn | The triumphant defence of Semmerholm is an INSPIRATION to GLORY for every true DAWNISH. We send Lady Caewyn of the Gryphon’s Quill with 25 doses of liao to carry the inspiring songs of our VICTORY to every corner of the NATION so that all may hear the GOOD NEWS. We implore the YEOFOLK of this land to work the HERB GARDENS of DAWN to produce the herbs we need to achieve glorious VICTORY! 25 doses of liao provided by Dread Princess Orlene Ossiene |
Dread Princess Orlene Ossiene | Every herb garden in Dawn receives bonus production for the season; Lady Caewyn can submit a song that will improve this bonus | Link |
| Imperial Orc | The Imperial Orc Assembly sends Bloodcrow Losak with 50 doses of liao to preach to the orcs of the Mournwold and bring them to the Way of Virtue. We encourage the Virtuous people of the Mourn, orc and human, to support these preachers and those of the Marcher Assembly. 50 doses of liao provided by Bloodcrow Losak after Winter Solstice. |
Bloodcrow Losak | Begins the process of enlightening the ex-Jotun thralls as to the teachings of the Way. | Link |
| Varushka | Every established nation of the Empire has traditions that go back to the founding and before. Let all our people look to their past, and let our soldiers remember who they are and where they came from. We send Bogdan Bogdanovich with 50 liao to encourage all Varushkan soldiers to embrace our rich heritage. 50 Liao received from Bogdan Bogdanovich after the Winter Solstice. |
Bogdan Bogdanovich | All Varushkan armies are affected by the penalties for fighting alongside Wintermark, and the Brass Coast, rather than just the Iron Helms. There will be opportunities to update the quality of their armies. | Link |
| General | The General Assembly recognises again the lessons to be learned from stories of the Sentinel, and the importance of the virtue of Vigilance. Let Imperial citizens be alert for all dangers, and prepared for malice. Further, let the Silent Sentinel in Casinea be consecrated as a site of pilgrimage and recognised as the likely resting place of that paragon whose inspiration and legacy has endured so many centuries. We send Rhesa, Exarch of the Scions of Ravensfell with a dose of true liao and 4 crowns to consecrate the Silent Sentinel in the name of Vigilance. One dose of true liao and 4 crowns received from Rhesa after the Winter Solstice. |
Rhesa | Fortifications will be easier to build and a place of pilgrimage can be built. | Link |
Imperial Lore
The ritual Infant Starts with a Blank Slate has been added to Imperial lore by the Conclave and any Imperial magician may master them following the normal rules.
During the Autumn Equinox, the Imperial Senate announced that the schema for the Bloodcloak would be added to Imperial lore, allowing any artisan to master the creation of these items. So far, the civil service has not received the 10 Thrones required to make this happen.