Hello everyone, the writers at Profound Decisions seem to have really turned up the heat this week as there are loads and loads of Winds of Fortune coming out nearly every day!
Here are the summaries for those that have come out since I last spoke to you.
Watercolours in the Rain
This first WInd is dealing with some more repercussions of the attacks by the Cold Sun armies, plus what can be done by the people of the Empire to fight back.
The Brilliant Star
The Brilliant Star, a mithril mine, was attacked by the Cold Sun and many of those defending it were killed when the heralds made off with as much mithril as they could carry.
Unfortunately, there have been some changes to the mine due to the attack.
The most obvious change is to the aesthetic of the place, rather than the walls glowing, they now have coal-like walls that have a green-black shine. But the magic created by the shine has also been changed from one that encouraged deep thought into philosophical principles, now it is dangerous. The symptoms worsen with prolonged exposure and include intense headaches, blood-filled blisters, and a change in eye colour to match that of the walls. Tempest Jade wards have been found to be effective in protecting against the light, but it cannot be used to fix the mine merely protect those who work within it.
Currently the mithril production has been decreased by 4 wains a season to 20, but if the Senate votes to pay for more extensive protections for the miners the production will actually increase to 28 per season. The cost of this will be 5 thrones per season.
The tempest jade that is used as protective wards goes under a transformation that makes it useful as a form of crystal mana, but only for Day Rituals and offensive spells. In fact if used to cast Repel and Shatter the caster can attack two people at once. The bourse seat that holds the Brilliant Star can provide the tempest jade in order to get more of these Splinterstars.
There are some negative consequences from using too many of these Splinterstars, but marrowort has been shown to treat it.
Homeward Bound
The Pride Assembly can enact a mandate to call on the Military Council to focus on the threat at home rather than invading barbarian territories, as a mandate it requires a greater majority to affect the armies of Urizen and Varushka.
“The Proud are full-hearted, committed, and sincere. They are not complacent. Emperor James showed us that sometimes you need to focus on your own garden, before worrying about the world beyond your fences. We send {named priest} with 150 doses of liao to encourage the armies of the Empire to draw back from beyond the borders and focus on the threats at home.”
If this mandate is enacted then until the armies of Cold Sun are defeated, any Imperial army that fights in a territory that was not Imperial at the end of the Autumn Equinox 385YE will lose 5% of its maximum fighting strength over the course of the season even if it is not engaged: soldiers deserting to protect their homes rather than as casualties. This would presumably mean that Segura and The Barrens would count as Imperial, but areas where the Empire had pushed beyond that would not count.
What Are We Fighting For
There has been an increase in Pride across the Empire, the Pride Assembly and other Assemblies could work with this through several mandate options.
There is a mandate on offer that could encourage people to create art and celebrate it. This would result in numerous places receiving increased pilgrimage as people visited to look at the art, each congregation in Sarvos, Tassato, and Temeschwar would see an increased production of 36 rings over the following season. Additionally, several sinecures based on the celebration of beauty and culture would gain 108 rings at the Spring event to reflect the increased footfall.
The Pride Assembly can pass a statement of principle at each summit until the start of the Winter Solstice 386YE in support of the construction of a single civilian commission that had been either raised in the Imperial Senate or announced by the holder of an Imperial title. This desire to fill the world with wonder would see labour costs for that commission reduced to just one crown for each wain used in construction. In the case that multiple statements were passed endorsing different civilian commissions then only the judgement with the highest margin would take effect. Military commissions would not be considered for this, except for the opportunity to remodel the Spires of Dusk. The costs of making a lasting memorial to the Hounds of Glory would be reduced by 20 crowns.
The National Assemblies of Dawn, Imperial Orcs, the League, Urizen, and Varushka could raise statements of principle to call on their citizens to present opportunities in a named territory to build a lasting monument to culture and beauty. The minimum this would cost would be 14 wains of White Granite, but it could be made larger, and 42 crowns in labour costs. This would be a Folly with no mechanical abilities. Any National Assembly that called on its citizens in such a way would no longer be able to pledge support towards the construction of the Grand Inspiration, aka the remodel of Bastion.
Despise Treachery
Now to Bregasland.
Last Season the Senate and the National Assembly of the Marches were given some options to deal with the traitors and the heroes in Bregasland. None of them were very good, and that is reflected in a lot of the ways that there is a lot of left over upset.
The Senator for Bregasland invited the magistrates to investigate the territory, the fact that it was the Senator for Bregasland did a lot to soothe tempers, but people are still not pleased about it. Luckily, several armies were in the territory, which meant that when the Cold Sun attacked, there was no disruption to the investigation, and it could continue.
House Brawness of the North Fens
House Brawness collaborated with Fisher’s forces and many of them were executed in the investigation. This has left the friends and allies of the house seething and the entire region of the North Fens is now considered Rebellious. Things are quiet for now but if given sufficient encouragement they could rise up against the Empire.
House Droverbill of the Grey Fens
House Droverbill profited from selling supplies to the Jotun, though they state that what they sold was sub par and they were helping the Empire really. They have been fined for their actions, however this has left many in the region feeling that they got off lightly. The region now has the quality Sullen, to reflect the way that the locals feel ill used.
House Clake of Beandown
Half of the house has been executed for their profiteering and collaboration, while the other have been left with stiff fines that leave them deeply in debt. The head of the household, Sammy Clake, managed to get away from the magistrates and has gone to ground. The region has gained the Resentful quality.
Many traitors from other houses have been found and executed or fined depending on the seriousness of their crimes, this has left many people in Bregasland angry.
House Greywater of the North Fens
House Greywater fought against the Jotun and feel that they have not been sufficiently rewarded for their actions. They have become the butt of jokes and are people are implying that they were only acting for themselves, and the lack of imperial reward is the evidence. There was an attempt by the National Assembly to reward them with land, but they do not want land they wanted the rights to the Bregasland Breadbasket and this was refused.
The region has become Embittered and there will be no help from this quarter in the future, no matter what the threat, and any attempt by the Imperial Synod to rally Bregaslanders to support the Empire will founder in the face of the open resentment of House Greywater.
Grudges
The current situation is stable, but it could deteriorate if anything were done by the Empire or their foes to agitate things.
“At present there is nothing the Empire can do to heal these wounds. There is no statement that the Marcher Synod can pass that will help. An appraisal would produce some ideas but it will not provide any way to remove these qualities. Time won’t heal these scars either, but within a generation an opportunity will come along that offers a chance to address one or more of these grievances.”
If the qualities outlined in the above sections on the individual houses and regions spread then they will cause serious problems, especially to military efforts in the region.
And here are some ways things could get worse!
Bushel Sykes
Bushel Sykes was a curmudgeonly poacher who saw Mathilda Fisher as a way to free Bregas from the Empire. When he was eventually caught by citizens of the Empire after helping Fisher flee, he was found to have a spontaneous aura of Loyalty on him. This was announced in the Marcher Assembly, and his Loyalty was praised.
This has caused some problems for the Assembly of Loyalty.
If they acknowledge his Loyalty, as their previous words and action would imply they should, then should there ever be a rebellion in Bregasland it will be significantly stronger. The rebellious mood currently in the North Fens will spread to Ottermire.
If they do not acknowledge his Loyalty then the Cardinal of Loyalty will lose the ability to use the Eyes of Loyalty power to boost other priests’ mandates.
Homecoming Queen
Mathilda Fisher has been brought to the edges of Anvil, she is near deaths door and will definitely die soon.
She will be brought to the Wintermark Camp at 22:00 on Friday, when the Marchers will be expected to retrieve her and visit upon her the Empire’s justice. She has made it clear that she hopes that her body will be conveyed to Bregasland and buried on her lands with seeds in the grave as is traditional.However, to do so would be politically explosive in Bregasland.
If she is buried with what are essentially full Marcher honours, then the entirety of Bregasland will gain the Embittered quality. And it is not clear who should make any of these decisions, which makes deciding even trickier. Also, the Jotun who accompanied her to Anvil has made it clear that they are present to keep an eye on things and report back.
Player Participation
Anyone with links to Bregasland can roleplay that they know someone who was executed or fined, NO ONE INNOCENT WAS EXECUTED, but there are likely to be a lot of feelings and that can be roleplayed with on the field.
Any Marcher beater or member of the Anvil Militia may roleplay that they took part in the investigation.
The Lake and the Deep, Dark Woods
A Lady of the Semmerlak
Dho’uala is the sovereign of the Semmerlak, she has been causing problems for those who live on the massive lake for several seasons now. Fleets that take port in the waters of the Semmerlak receive a -1 penalty to their production. Attempts to calm her have included making it illegal to take anything from the Semmerlak but fish, and while this has calmed her somewhat, it is not enough.
There was a meeting last summit where she was denied the life of someone who had stolen from her waters. She is not pleased about that.
Also, at the last summit, a motion was raised by the Senator for Karov to change the way that criminals are executed in the lands bordering the lake, that they should be given to the waters, but the motion was withdrawn without discussion.
Because of all this, Dho’uala has made the decision that she will not take any further negotiations; she will simply keep taking from the ships that cross her waters as she has always done.
What Options Are There?
An appraisal might be able to figure out ways to work with the lady of the Semmerlak. Some varushkans are very leery of this however, and would prefer only the Varushkan civil servant Lutomysla Niegoslavato do the appraisal, others disagree with this as they believe others would have a more nuanced view.
There is also the option of using one of the Historical Research opportunities, perhaps with a focus on the asking the Sand Fisher Orcs what they know, to find out more.
Some Dawnish voices offer up the idea of arming the villages around the lake and sending heroes and knights to protect them from the monsters which act under Dho’uala’s control.
Another option might be to ask one of the Eternals to sort things out. The Summer Archmage is believed to be the obvious choice for this.
And another group point out that the Lady of the Semmerlak is not taking very much so maybe we should just accept this as a problem for when we don’t have a laundry list of enemies to figth against.
Participation
Any player from Varushka, Dawn or Holberg with a fleet may roleplay having encountered Dho’uala. They may roleplay that they have lost crew or cargo, or that the loss of production represents money beign spent on protective measures like wards or protections.
A Lord of the Dead Woods
It’s not just the Lady of the Semmerlak you have to watch out for, the Deadwood Knight (or the Schlacta of Rot) is also causing problems!
Last season, heroes from Anvil were sent to fight the Deadwood Knight. Usually, when this happens, either Weirwater or Karov wins and gains a boon at the expense of the other. While Weirwater did experience a boon, Karov did not receive the curse that balances that boon. And that’s just the start of the strangeness.
The Deadwood Knight did not go back to sleep after the fight, instead they have started travelling around and slaughtering those they can find to build up a fighting force of the undead. They started with non-imperial targets but have now moved on to attacking Imperial citizens too, most recently a merchant caravan and a group of refugees escaping the Cold Sun.
While both there are both Dawnish and Varushkan warriors protecting travellers the numbers under the command of the Schlacta of Rot are growing and it is known that as they grow they become more dangerous. The warband cannot be targeted by an army just yet; they are able to move magically through the forests, and if they grow large enough to be tracked by an army, then that will mean they are unbelievably powerful and have killed scores of people in the area.
This is another place where the Department for Historical Research might be useful, but really the only way to know what is going on is to find out from the people who went on that skirmish last season.
Out of the Abyss
More spookies out of Varushka!
The Deep Chamber beneath the mountains in the Vale of Void has been completed. The first Bredavoi Emissary will be elected at the Winter Solstice.
There are also further signs that a sovereign, whom some stories refer to as the Night Below, is becoming more active.
The best way to ward off the being, and to mark out where it is becoming more powerful, is with lights. Good lamps and Lightstones from Urizen are particularly effective. However, these are becoming harder to find and there is now an opportunity for businesses in in Varushka and Urizen to diversify for free. They will give up 36 rings and instead gain 2 ingots of metal, and they can choose the metal.
A second proposal is to build a Great Work. A House of Illumination would be established at Cargo in Redoubt that would deal not only in lightstone but in all the other devices the Urizen have developed over the years exploring their fascination with illumination. Transported north via the Blood Red Roads, these materials would be brought to Dupadealuri in Miekarova, and a Light Market established at the walled town.
Only one commission would be needed to build both sites. It would require 75 white granite and 225 crowns in labour and take six months to complete. At the end of that time, it would raise the mine investment level in both Miekarova and Volodmartz to 2, and raise the investment level by 1 for businesses in Morrow and Redoubt where much of the nation’s lightstone production is based.
It would also make it harder for the Night Below to take people and consume them.
Each of these parts of the Great Work would also have a title attached, the Architect of Illumination and the Merchant-Boyar of the Light Market.
The Architect of Illumination would be appointed by the mana site owners of Urizen. They would be responsible for protecting the House of Illumination, making decisions regarding it, and maintaining the trade in lightstones and other sources of illumination. They would also be responsible for securing Urizen’s position as the foremost creators of illumination in the Empire. They’d receive an income of 10 crowns each season. They’d also receive two magical items that relate to light and illumination each year; in Spring a Fireglass and in Autumn a Brazier of Benediction. Finally, when each Architect of Illumination is appointed they will receive the ability to make an announcement in the Senate during that summit, to declare whether the traders of Urizen wish to be paid in coin or goods for their lighstone. If they pick coin, the investment will provide every business with 36 extra rings each season; if they pick goods, each business will receive two random ingots instead.
The Merchant-Boyar of the Light Market would be appointed by mine and forest owners in Varushka. They would be responsible for maintaining the trade in lightstone, ensuring that miners across Varushka had access to the lights they need, and keeping an eye on the Night Below and its minions. They’d be expected to liaise with the various other positions such as the Warden of the Trees and Hills to help build Varushkan Prosperity. They’d receive 12 ingots of Tempest Jade in Spring, 12 ingots of Weltsilver in Summer, 12 ingots of Orichalcum in Autumn and 12 ingots of green iron in Winter. They would also have the ability when appointed to announce whether the lights provided should be used to seek out precious metals and jewels for trade, or to seeks deeper veins of ore. This would determine if the investment provided by the Light Market would grant mines 36 rings each season, or 2 additional ingots of base material.
This opportunity is only available at the Winter Solstice.
Blot Out the Sun
The Sovereign, known as the Night Below has learned about the Cold Sun and does not like what they’ve seen. They offer an opportunity to destroy the Shepherds of Ash, one of the Cold Sun Armies.
The idea is relatively simple. If the Empire raises magical fortresses in one area the Cold Sun forces will be herded in the opposite direction, they would not give up the chance to attack certain landmarks. Such as the Star Caverns under Murupa. When the Cold Sun moved in to attack the Star Caverns the Night Below would sweep in and take most of them, at the very least.
To do this, the Senator for Voldmartz must agree to give up the Star Caverns, plus one other site that the entity has its eye on. The mines of Berislav’s Rest. The vale there would survive, but there would be no way that the sinecure there could be maintained. Either the Keeper, Ostrik Vulpe, or if their position is vacant a unanimous decision of the Senators of Varushka, must agree to give up the mines.
Conjunction
There is a conjunction available at 23:30 on Friday night, it is a combat unlikely or contained event, and the conjunction will allow up to 30 people to travel to an area near the Star Caverns in order to hand them over to the Night Below.
The Night Below specifically asks Frayderric Pyanytsyavich Vasiliev to gather the cabalists of Varushka to come and meet it there. They should bring with them Desilav Sergeyevich Jesen the Senator for Volodmartz, and either Ostrik Vulpe the Keeper of Berislav’s Rest, or the other four senators of Varushka if the title is for some reason vacant. It also cordially invites Marzanna Verchernyaya Zorya.
Forwards and Rewards
There are two opportunities for raising the funds that go into the Virtue Fund, which would better the Synod’s ability to reward those they feel have done something virtuous.
The first is a proposal to build Prosperous Counting Houses in each territory in the Empire to gather donations. They would require just 5 wains of white granite, 5 wains of weirwood and 30 crowns to build and could be completed in a single season. While some money would come in no matter which territory these were built in, there is a list on the Wind of Fortune detailing which of the territories of the Empire are likely to bring the most.
Alternatively, the Senate could be forced to give up the money they get from fines to the Virtue Fund. If the Senate refuses to do this the various virtue assemblies could pass mandates telling the people of the Empire to go on strike until this is achieved. For every assembly that does this, the Senate will lose a commission slot.
Golden Windfalls
There is also an opportunity to create a new title that will have the responsibility to use some of the money coming from the Golden Cascades’ improvements to farms and gardens in Zenith, to give back to individuals across the Empire. Thus building stronger ties between Urizen and the other nations of the Empire. The proposed Prosperous Counting House in Zenith could be expanded to a cost of 8 wains of white granite and 8 wains of weirwood and 48 crowns and it would house the offices for this title.
The title would have to be a national appointment by the Urizeni National Assembly, and it would have the responsibility to hand out herbs collected by the title to those who needed them in the hopes of building better ties between Urizen and the rest of the Empire. If the title is not given those responsibilities it will only gain half the herbs it might have otherwise.
High Benefits
There is also an opportunity to create a new Sinecure in Highguard. It would once again be based out of the Counting House, this time the Reikos one, and it would provide herbs from the Gardens of High Chalcis to an individual who could then ensure that they got where they needed to go. The Counting House would be expanded, using 7 wains of white granite, 7 wains of weirwood and 42 crowns, then it could be large enough to house the offices of a new Imperial title – the Benefactor of High Chalcis. If the Benefactor were given the responsibility to use the bounty of the Gardens to heal the virtuous throughout the Empire, then the people of Reikos would support the title with a bounty of herbs, 7 each of True Vervain, Cerulean Mazzarine, Imperial Roseweald, Marrowort and Bladeroot.
This would be very useful if in the future the Gardens were needed to supply some group or site with herbs, as it would not have to be put through the Senate and use up a Senator’s motion.
Small Monuments
This is a two part opportunity, the first is to build a statue commemorating the actions of Jonathan Cockscroft who warned the people of Mitwold about Siakha’s attack last year. This statue would cost 5 white granite and 15 crowns and if the sculptor chosen to make it were a player they could be involved in describing what it looked like.
The second opportunity is because there have been quite a few people who probably deserve a statue, and maybe it is about time to make a title that plans these things out. Each statue would be a folly, aka have no mechanical benefit, and would have a maximum white granite cost of 9 wains. This position would be given through the Synod.
The Best Soil
Marcher Orcs!
The Mournwold Orcs, who were previously the thralls of the Jotun, are officially joining the Marches and the Empire.
They are also choosing to expand beyond the Mourn and are starting to set up homes in the other Marcher territories.
They still believe that they reincarnate, which is not what the Way says, but with the evidence that the Way has recently changed some of its doctrine there is hope in the community that it will once again change to align with what the Marcher Orcs believe. On the other side of the coin there is some hope in the Imperial Orc nation that the Marcher Orcs will change to align with their beliefs. However, over all there is a view that people should be patient and things will probably work out.
Of course, all this means that the Marcher Orcs are heretics, however, with the Marcher and Imperial Orc National Assemblies behind them it would take a very strongly worded statement from either the General Assembly or the Assembly of Nine for things to go bad.
There are two mandates that could be passed from the Marcher and Imperial Orc National Assemblies to underline this.
There is no indication that the Marcher Orcs will give up their beliefs in Reincarnation any time soon. However, they are choosing to follow the Virtues as strongly as anyone else, so maybe we can put a pin in that for now.
The Black Canal
The Black Canal is nearing completion, but still requires 3 crowns, 20 weirwood and 22 white granite to complete. It was a large part of why the Marcher Orcs were integrated so swiftly, and it is largely felt that leaving it now would be a bit of a waste. Especially since it raises the level of investment in farms in Mitwold by 1, in businesses in Mitwold and Mournwold by 1 and in mines in Mournwold by 2.
It has also had the pleasant side effect of showing many of the Marcher Orcs how respected farming is in their new nation, far more than it ever was by the Jotuns.
The Fruit of the Tree
The Marcher Nation could raise a fifth army. Because the Marcher Orcs are joining the nation their farms and mines will add to the wealth of the nation allowing it to raise a fifth army, without going to the costly extremes of clearing the woodland at Alderly.
There is some risk that if Bregasland were to revolt the Marches would not be able to support a fifth army, but with the Breadbasket that problem could be alleviated.
This opportunity will not disappear any time soon, so there is time to sort things out properly.
Marcher Orcs in Play
Player characters cannot play Marcher Orcs nor can Orcs from other nations move to the Marches.
Part of This Together
At the last summit, a major part of the Imperial Religious Doctrine was changed!
Virtue lies in choice and action. Virtue’s power to exalt transcends the boundaries of soul, spirit, and species, guiding and inspiring both orcs and humans to their highest destiny. Through the practice of Virtue, orcs and humans develop the strength, knowledge and enlightenment which marks their highest potential as thinking beings.
The Doctrine of Enlightenment
This change has been widely accepted by those within the Empire, it helps that the wording is considered poetic and elegant, and above all else, inspiring to those who hear it.
Normally this would have created an opportunity for the Assemblies to put out mandates to spread the news, but it is so popular that there is no need for this.
It has three very obvious effects;
- There is a surge in Pride in the Way and the Empire
- More interest in the Assembly of the Way
- A greater acceptance of orcs.
Renewal of the Faith
For the next year, Statements of Principle that urge people to support Virtuous causes are more likely to result in a mandate, and Statements of Principle that call out unvirtuous decisions are also more likely to result in a mandate.
Look to the Way
Priests with congregations who preach the Way this downtime, and until the start of the Autumn Equinox 386YE, receive 2 additional Synod votes and Statements of Principle passed by the Assembly of the Way at this summit will have an enhanced impact.
A Different Time
The change of Doctrine has increased acceptance of orcs, notably those of Apulus, Mournwold and the Great Forest.
The Wider Way
There are lots of other places in the world beside the Empire, of course, here are some of their reactions to this change.
The Sumaah Republic
They follow their own version of the Way, and have chosen not to take up the new doctrine immediately. However, they are not angered or disgusted by the idea, it will just need to be discussed and investigated for a few decades before they make up their mind on it.
The Commonwealth
There are few practitioners of the Way here, but generally, everyone is very enthusiastic about the change. Even better, those who do not follow the Way also think it is a good change, and the Empire is being looked at positively.
The Sarcophan Delves
The people of the Delves who do not follow the Way think this was a good tactical idea that will make trading easier for the Empire.
The people of the Delves who DO follow the Way are generally positive about it, but due to them also getting a lot of missionaries from Sumaah, they will not take it up overnight. There is a mandate that the General Assembly, the Assembly of the Way, or the Assembly of Nine could put out that would help to encourage people of the Delves to accept it. It would, however, cause some friction with the Sumaah.
There is also a reference to the Elekar approving of the change, but no one seems to know who or what the Elekar are.
The Asavaeans
The only followers of the Way in Asavaea are slaves, and they are forced to hide their religion. It is difficult to get any news to and from them, and they appear to get most of their religious information from the Sumaah anyway. There is an opportunity for a mandate to be put out by the General Assembly, the Assembly of the Way, the Assembly of Nine, or the Highborn Assembly to urge missionaries to spread this new message
This is a massively risky choice since the Empire and Asavaea are at war with one another and there are rumours that the Priesthood there have started executing any followers of the Way that they find.
The Iron Confederacy
Their reaction is not positive and is apparently rather vulgar.
The Grendel
Apparently, they are smug about it, but they are smug about a lot of things, so it is hard to know what this means.
The Principalities of Jarm
Don’t really seem very bothered by it.
The Axou
The Axou think this is a great change as it shows the Empire is thinking less about how great reincarnation is, something that they believe is the act of a cruel and violent creator god.
“They regard this change as a profound decision, one that moves the Empire to a more enlightened state, better able to perceive the evil that the Creator works on the world.”
Future Questions
The change to this bit of Doctrine has made people wonder about the possibility of changing other parts of the Doctrine, for example, those that relate to Orcs and those that speak only about Human Destiny rather than a wider description.
And that’s it for now!
I’m posting this before there are any more, there’s like 8 Winds of Fortune in this one and we are close to 5500 words!
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We’ve only got a few more days until E1 starts! Looking forward to seeing what happens next!
Stay safe out there,
K
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