The keys of blood
Overview
Six realms of magic align with the mortal world, whose inhabitants are fundamentally different to the people of the mortal world and yet, to a degree, share some of their concerns. They are both complex and simple at the same time, seeking to change the world to match their perception of how it should work. They bargain and negotiate, threaten and cajole, and while it can be difficult to predict exactly where their gifts or curses might lead, still they have much to offer.
The Empire can reach out to the eternals through the powers of the Archmages and the Conclave, but the creatures of the realms may sometimes take the initiative themselves. The power of alignment allows the Conclave to make it easier or harder for them to touch the world, relationships shaped by the tension between true friends and dire enemies. Some desire that state of amity, some revel in the enmity they have earned, but none can deny the power of the Conclave to guard the borders of the Empire.
It is a rare season that passes without an eternal, or a handful, seeking to influence the Empire. There are other winds of fortune that speak of different situations. The responses to the plenipotentiary missives of the Archmages from this season is covered in the Ambassadors of death wind of fortune, while TBC deals with magic of an astronomantic, mortal, or mysterious provenance.
Autumn
An Unexpected Ally (Basileia)
- A Grendel mercenary company are threatening the Grove of Wittal
- The Grendel leader wishes to defect but can't do it openly
- This skirmish is a combat highly likely encounter
- The Grimnir of Wittal Grove is responsible for defeating the Grendel and potentially rescue the Iontach
- This conjunction is against barbarians; magistrates advise that lethal force is fully justified
Organising and funding Grendel mercenary groups is a challenging market. With the chaotic presence of the wreckers, naval superiority in the Bay of Catazar isn’t a given for fledgling mercenary companies. Enterprising mercenary paymasters have, in recent years and with encouragement from their allies, started to probe other waters for opportunity. The Gullet passes from the Sea of Snow past Jotun shores to the very heart of Kallavesa. One ship has managed to avoid the monsters of the Sea of Snow, the ships of the Fjorknae, and the Winterfolk and Marcher fleets to land close in Wittal Grove. Now, they march on Wittal itself, intent to raid the Healing House of Wittal Grove. However, Iontach Meddool Miniog has something even more audacious planned.
A representative of the Matchmaker's Forum, of the City of Locks travelled to Anvil with a message just a week before the Summer Solstice. It appears that Iontach Miniog wishes to defect, referencing a cousin living in luxury in Apulian. They have arranged for their mercenary band to accompany them into Kallavesa under the understanding that they are going to raid the Healing House of Wittal Grove. From discussion with the herald, Guise believes they would certainly be able to accept the oath of Meddool; if Meddool is able to be rescued they will be able to join the League.
The herald of the City of Locks, therefore, offers the following contract to Theowold Vakarsson, the Grimnir of Wittal Grove:
Escort the Iontach to Anvil a free orc. In exchange, the Iontach will provide a sum of six thrones after the summit.
The mercenary company should be defeated to ease the rescue of Meddool, but the company's continued survival is not a factor.
Failure to secure the Iontach will see the mercenaries go ahead with raiding the Healing House, preventing the great work from providing herbs until after the Autumn Equinox 388YE.
Arratan Surety (Estavus)
| Arratan Surety |
| Commission Type: Edifice |
| Location: Enterio, Tassato |
| Cost: 250 thrones in labour |
| Time: Six months |
Effect:
|
| Availability: Until the start of the Summer Solstice 389YE |
- The Architect of Hammers has used their power to assess the Arratan Gamble
- The Architects of Iron and Stone have investigated and uncovered an opportunity to quarry the largest vein from the other side
The Architects of Iron and Stone were incredibly excited to receive their first assignment from the Architect of Hammers. The newly elected Edmundo of Damakan's forge wasted no time in setting them to work in assessing the Arratan Gamble in Enterio, Tassato. The Arratan Gamble works incredibly well, but there is always room for improvement! Architect Noether calculates that with the amount of wains that have already been quarried, there is enough in the ground for at least another two hundred years! Noether presents a plan for a small quarrying outpost, nothing too fancy, on the other side of the largest vein that will allow workers to come at it from the two best angles.
The "Arratan Surety", a mirthful jest at the name of the quarry, would increase the amount of white granite produced by the Bourse seat by five wains a season. It would have substantial initial costs, and the extra workers and gangers would see the upkeep increased by three thrones a season.
Day
It is a Diamond (Sinokenon)
- A disparate group are travelling to Anvil to speak to the Grandmaster of the Celestial Arch and possibly others
- They do not want to speak to the Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path
- The group aims to arrive just after six on Friday
Last summit, the Eternal Sinokenon declared that it was engaging in an initiative to reach out to the foundation-stones of the Empire, to gauge receptiveness to Sinokenon's ideals and to send its ministers to attempt to combat what it believed to be misunderstandings as to the intentions and nature of the Turning Mirror. They duly arrived, bring with them pamphlets and small gifts for those they met.
Since the Spring Equinox, its heralds have been engaged in a similar campaign in many places across the Empire. While Diamondmind only enjoys neutrality - and hence does not have the unfettered access to the Empire enjoyed by those eternals who have the Conclave's amity - there are many Day regios in the Empire to which its heralds have access, and no small number of individuals happy to assist them in their work. After all - Sinokenon has been on at worst distant and at times even somewhat gregarious terms with the Empire since its foundation! They are particularly prevalent in Urizen, Varushka, and in the northernmost territory of the Unshackled.
The greatest number of Apex Hyperion's heralds are seen across the spires of Urizen. The mountain nation is a particular favourite of That Which Lives In Its Name. It sees their pursuit of a perfect world as most pleasing, and approves of their structured, ordered way of life. The illuminates of Occursion have often enjoyed its favour - reportedly, the people of Tsark, just a short distance across the mountain range, enjoy similar attentions.
In Varushka, it has long been known as Silver Sovereign - a name that befits its status, perhaps, as a powerful and potentially dangerous supernatural entity, but one that can be bargained with. There are a number of vales, especially in the hills of Wieliczka, where Singular Point is sometimes consulted on matters of rulership. It has often expressed an approval of the vale as a unit of societal structure, because of the way the rule of boyars is born from strength but cannot rest on tyranny. A vale is a communal decision by a community to live in a place of order, separating themselves from the wilds.
It has looked with favour on the Imperial Orcs since their nation was formally founded. While the Way of Hierarchy is famously not one to deal with societies in the process of revolutionary change or great reform (and thus somewhat turned its face from the Empire during the years of the orc rebellion), it was in favour of the nascent nation once it was formally founded. Again, the ordered nature of legion life is something Tomorrow And Tomorrow greatly approves of and which it wishes to see prosper. The Unshackled also represent the Empire forgoing what it sees as the "irrationality" of forced slavery, though this is a somewhat abstruse and philosophical perspective which not every Imperial Orc is willing to hear. In recent years, apparently, it has also attempted to build a relationship with some of the Tamazi who dwell in Gildenheim - a relationship founded on a mutual dislike of the Axiou.
Anyone who has spent time in the Empire in the past season, especially in these three nations or in any other part of the Empire where structure and order are prized, may choose to have met one of the heralds of Sinokenon. They will invariably have been polite and friendly, distributing copies of a curious pamphlet entitled Sinokenon and You. Any difficult questions on any topic will have been waved away - the heralds will have been clear that they are there primarily as messengers, and to learn.
It seems that they have indeed learned something - and it is not to their liking. As the Summer Solstice draws near, rumours begin to spread - in part carried by the heralds of Friend Of All - that the Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path nurses a strong animosity to Sinokenon. The eternal grows concerned they are planning to bring the enmity of the Conclave down upon Sinokenon.
Whether this is true or not is hard to say. It is clear, however, that it causes the heralds some distress. They are not alone, however - for the Argent Mantra is not without mortal supporters - allies the eternal has patiently cultivated over the years. Representatives from the illuminates of Zenith, the vales of Wieliczka, and the Tamazi of Gildenheim are seen making their way to Anvil. Apparently they intend to arrive as soon as they can - perhaps a little after the sixth hour of the evening on the Friday - and intend to lobby to ensure that their relationship with That Which Lies Above All is not disrupted.
They particularly want to speak to the Grandmaster of the Celestial Arch, who apparently they are assuming will naturally take their side in this matter, but are happy to speak to any grandmaster except that of the Sevenfold Path, who, if rumour is indeed to believed, has made up her mind already. They will have just a few hours until the Conclave begins, and the truth (or otherwise) of these rumours are known.
Eclectic Eye (Kimus)
- Kimus has announced that with the help of Imperial citizens, it has completed a means to safely scry upon the actions of Cold Sun.
- It informs the Conclave that it shall use this tool, the Corlucis, to provide information on what it perceives.
Robed in purest white, its garb edged in weltsilver thread, a Vizier of the Thousand Eyes of Sun and Moon unfolds at the entrance to the Hall of Worlds like the opening of an eye. Those who are subjected to its stare feel the force of its ruby-coloured gaze as it communicates with language both scant yet heavily freighted with meaning. It explains that through the prescient sacrifice of The Circle of Enduring Wisdom and incisive action of those Imperial heroes that braved the dangers of Terminus Sol the Corlucis has been assembled. This arcane tool now permits She Who Watches to scrutinise and observe the poisoned light of the regio, to understand it and through understanding gain foresight over the machinations of Cold Sun, the entity that poisoned it.
At this last pronouncement, the herald almost appears to express something other than scholarly focus. Whether it is a satisfied twitch of its lips or a slight pursing before it continues, it soon resumes its lecture. As was agreed, the Corlucis shall also be used to provide the Conclave forewarning on the actions of Cold Sun. While at present, the Celestial Eye might only discern the largest of motions within the light it sees that in time that it will achieve a greater degree of acuity in its peering. The herald falls silent with the final assertion that the Empire has opened a new eye towards the future. With a final, appraising glance about the chamber, the herald is gone in a blink of light.
Silence in the Library (Phaleron)
- An attendant of Phaleron will be arriving at 18:00 on Saturday to hand an arcane projection to Fiorente Vicente d'Apulian
- They request the presence of the Archmage of Day, the Emissary to the Celestial Library, and/or a Grandmaster
The Conclave has made their decision regarding what to do about the Tilphussian Reach following its ruin at the hands of the Grendel. A deal offered and accepted, the Archives of Silence are bound to fulfil their part of the bargain; provision of the Arcane Projection to Entreat with Al-Pulpi to the raising magician.
This does not mean at all that the Coral Library does not have some concerns. Given recent revelations to the Conclave, it is rather worried about handing over this very special bit of magic to someone with the surname "Vicente". The Whisper Gallery are the natural enemy of the Celestial Library, as they are of all thinking beings. In any case, while Phaleron is definitely going to hand it over, a herald has shown up to the civil service to ask if the Archmage of Day, Emissary to the Celestial Library and/or a Grandmaster might consider being present to the trade off to make sure that everything is done "in the light".
The attendant in charge of the projection is scheduled to arrive in the Hall of Worlds to hand it off to Fiorente Vicente d'Apulian at 18:00 on Saturday of the Summer Solstice.
Night
Fire, Fury, and Flame (Janon)
- Janon has been placed under enmity by the conclave
- Janon seems to be enthused by this change in the Empire's passions
- Armed bands of heralds have entered Ossium and Sarangrave and are promising to curse both territories unless they are stopped
The Shadowed Flame is a mercurial being at the best of times. Embodying fire and passion in all things, zie cares little for the difference between love and hate. As such, conclave's declaration of enmity has not had the chastening effect on him that might have been hoped for. As spring shades into summer, small bands of armed heralds march across the borders of Ossium and Sarangrave. Both of them begin spreading the message to any people that they can find. Tinder-of-Anarchy, who is well pleased with her new titles, is overjoyed that it gets to experience the Empire's rage and hatred. Less than a year ago Blasphemy's Matchmaker asked to be brought tales of beloved rivals, those who are implacably set against one another yet who are bonded closer than any friends might be. Hopefully the Empire will embrace this new relationship just as much as Janon has.
Thus, the heralds issue their challenges. The ones they have called out will bring forces to fight against them, or else to celebrate with them, or perhaps both. They shall match blades and hearts in the eternal contest of passion. Then, if the heralds are alive at the end of it, they will go to the nearest Night regio and immolate themselves. Once that it done, Janon's power will be invoked and the territory will be place under a "blessing", bringing the "blessing" of Unfettered Anarchy to those who dwell there.
Scouts indicate that these heralds, despite being lightly armoured, seem to be possessed of immense reserves of heroic spirit, and that some among them seem to be capable of inflicting Unfettered Anarchy on people with as much ease as any battle mage delivering a spell of their own.
Fire The Forests (Ossium)
- A group of Janon heralds are threatening to curse on Ossium
- This skirmish is a combat highly likely encounter
- The Shadowed Torchbearer is responsible for preventing the curse
- There are no innocents present on this conjunction; magistrates advise that lethal force is fully justified
Upon marching over the border from the Forest of Ulnak, the heralds made their reasons for choosing this place perfectly clear. Ossium is the home territory of the Shadowed Torchbearer, the one who conclave selected to promote passion within the Empire and to stand between them and the Muse of Fire. Let Vellenka Vanyanova come to face them, and show where her passions truly lie! Soldiers from the resupplying Gryphon's Pride attempt to catch the heralds and finish the matter quickly, but the heralds run fast and do not allow themselves to be caught. They will be faced by the one of their choosing, or they will not be caught at all.
Grudgingly accepting that the best thing they can do is inform the proper authorities, the scouts of the Gryphon's Pride pass on that the heralds keep returning to the Burned Glade in Echofell. It is the responsibility of Vellenka Vanyanova, the Shadowed Torchbearer, to resolve the situation before any harm can be caused. If the heralds cannot be stopped, they will curse Ossium with one of Janon's "blessings" that promotes violent emotions run amok.
Boil The Swamps (Sarangrave)
- A group of Janon heralds are threatening to curse on Sarangrave
- This skirmish is a combat highly likely encounter
- The Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path is responsible for preventing the curse
- There are no innocents present on this conjunction; magistrates advise that lethal force is fully justified
The path to Sarangrave is considerably shorter for the heralds of Whirling Chaos, as they emerge from a regio over the border in Axos, where the enmity of the Conclave has no effect. Once in Imperial territory, they begin to call out the Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path. Elegabla brought this declaration against the Voice of Zorech, and they are overjoyed to witness the passion of the Urizeni. "Come fight us, sword scholar," they cry, "as your loathed founder once fought the Highborn!" Nobody bothers trying to explain to them that the sword scholars have splintered. It does not seem likely that they would listen.
The heralds have taken the field around Slow Worm's Hill in Kroll. It is the responsibility of Elagabala, Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path, to prevent any explosions of undirected passion. If the heralds cannot be stopped, they will curse Sarangrave with one of Janon's "blessings" that promotes violent emotions run amok.