This post is going to be a bit of a few things put together. Profound Decisions posted another Wind of War after I had posted the last update, and they have started posting the Ambassador Briefs, aka the Winds of Diplomacy, so I include them all here to keep things a bit tidier.
Steel and Salt
Three Imperial armies gather in Mareave – the Golden Axe, the Seventh Wave and the Winter Sun. The Imperials start in Mareave, but are soon travelling into the unmapped territory of Ayereed, the orcs of Mareave watch them go with relief.
The border between Mareave and Ayereed is covered in a massive petrified forest. The dusty land quickly infects wounds and chokes lungs, so the already valuable fresh water the armies are carrying become even more vital. The only sign of life in this forest is the occasional abandoned “logging” camp and scorpions. Some of the petrified trees appear to have contained valuable materials; they have changed in some ways but are still recognisable as ambergelt, but petrified. But there is no time to figure out what the petrified ambergelt can be used for, the Brine Turtles appear and the fight is on.
The Brine Turtles have resupplied since leaving Mareave last season, they also appear to be under an enchantment which is aiding their tactics. Movement is slow here, both because of the skills of the enemy and because of the difficulty of fighting in such an environment.
The Grendel appear to have taken more casualties and have given more ground.
The Empire is almost halfway to conquering the petrified forest. They are still broadly unaware of the layout of Ayereed, beyond knowing there are two fortifications. The General of the Seventh Wave has taken the Gather Information order and so will receive additional information about the armies and forts in the territory at the event.
The challenges presented by the uncooperative nature of the Mareave septs, coupled with the difficulties of bringing supplies into the territory, mean that the armies operating in Ayereed are at a disadvantage. They require additional food and especially fresh water. Until these challenges are addressed, the armies operating in the territory require additional upkeep. With three regions – Fleisardh, Eoradal and Clisearn – disinclined to support Imperial troops, this means the upkeep of the armies is increased by three tenths. The Imperial Senate has appraised ways to address this problem and hopefully they will be able to find a way to support Imperial advance deeper into the Broken Shore.
Like Mareave, Ayereed is too arid for the Rivers of Life and Rivers Run Red rituals to have their predicted effects.
Winds of Diplomacy
OK, so Profound Decisions have started adding the Ambassador’s briefs to the Winds of Fortune. These are interesting if you are interested, but for most people they are not necessary and a bit too complicated to understand. I am going to summarise them as quickly as possible and then move on to writing up the rest of the Winds of Fortune. Let me know if you would prefer that I do something else, I might be able to do one or two of them more thoroughly but I am not adding another half dozen posts to the work I do every event. I do have other things to be getting on with!
Commonwealth – An ally of the Empire. A member of the Liberty Pact. At war with Jarm over the smaller nation of Lantir. Last season, the Senate did not agree to allow mercenaries to fight for the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth were pretty OK with this, they didn’t expect anything different. They say thank you for the presents you sent, but the mana isn’t going to go far spread between 40 odd armies. If the Empire wants to build the Sternenmetal Tower they asked about before that might be more along the scale they were hoping for. They would also like it if the Empire would stop sticking their nose in the Commonwealth’s back garden, the Viyerda and the Sea of Steel are people and areas that they consider their own, and though there are opportunities for the Empire to explore there they would probably cause a bit of diplomatic tension. Because of the Grendel and Asavaean pirate ships there aren’t as many ships coming to the Empire for trade, this means that that any going to the Commonwealth are making more money from the journey. The magicians trapped at the Lyceum Schloss have sent messages saying that they are fine.
Sarcophan Delves – They are very keen on neutrality so they are not at war with anyone or in either the Liberty Pact or the Freedom Accord. The Sarcophan’s were upset and surprised to be included amongst the ships targeted by the Grendel and Asavaeans. However, anyone who sends ships to them will get more because of the lack of trade. They would also very much like the Empire to deal with the Siakha Cultists who they consider a problem for the Grendel AND the Empire to deal with. They are interested in selling more of their wains of rare materials to the Empire; in particular, there is an opportunity for selling weirwood from the docks in Cargo that will require them being renovated and renamed. There is also an opportunity to send Sacophan workers to go over the ruins of Siroc, though this will have to wait until the nearby Siakha cultists are removed. There are also some opportunities for the herbalists who wish to import from the Delves, including upgrading Meade since the port there is becoming more popular. Hahnmark farmers also have the opportunity to diversify their farms to include herbs popular in the Delves and to receive finished potions. The ambassador to the Delves may also send a letter through the Sarcophan civil service to the Tetrarchs of Elakar, but will need to pay 11 thrones for the privilege and write something that meets the approval of the Sarcophans.
Axos – They are a member of the Liberty Pact, but things are a bit tense because of the Tsark Debacle. The ambassador asked them to help with fighting against the Freedom Accord, but they have replied that tehy have no way of doing so, they are very much smaller than the nations involved. They do appear to be on good terms with the Principalities of Jarm, however and seem to be getting a lot of building work done by them. Which is not technically against the rules of the Liberty Pact, but is iiiinteresting. The holder of the Regario Dossier could instruct their agents to investigate this, it would cost 9 thrones and be available at the Winter Solstice. The Empire turned down offers to sell wains of white granite to the Axou and the Axou have not explained why they were looking for so many. Academic questions about the Sorcerer Kings and “memory fish” have also not been productive. At 20:45 on the Friday evening of the upcoming summit, a priest from Axos will be visiting the Assembly of Nine to offer hallowings to Peace for the Cardinals. They will be expected to keep these items with them for a year. A popular movement prioritising unity has been growing in strength in Axos, apparently it is being aided by a lot of Imperial Liao. One of the Conclave Orders could investigate this, but only one or else it would be really obvious what the Empire was doing. There is also an opportunity for priests from the Empire to go to the ruined city of Solokha in Axos and help remove malign spiritual presences there. This will need a statement of principle with a greater majority to interest priests and should be done either through the Assembly of the Way or the General Assembly.
Faraden – Not a member of the Pact or the Accord, live on the other side of the Jotun lands from us, very big into magic and trade. They believe in the false virtue of “Justice”, otherwise known as Vengeance. The Asavaean war ships which attacked Meade came from Faraden waters, which is definitely something for the Ambassador to bring up. There are a lot of Asavaeans hanging around in Faraden, actually, quite a lot of the higher ups in the nation think they should throw their lot in with Asavaea, luckily there are also some who say they should ally with us. At the moment they are just doing their best to walk a tightrope and not upset either massive power. Either The Shuttered Lantern or the Celestial Arch could go and investigate things, or the agents of the Rogario Dossier. Sending more than one would make it obvious that something was going on. These options will only be available this season, due to outrage over the attack on Meade. They sell us Mithril in exchange for Iridescent Gloaming, the Imperial ambassador seemed to be trying to get them to change their prices or their route but it is not entirely clear, either way they don’t seem to be tempted to change at the moment. The Tchemetzi family are still keen to purchase Imperial weirwood, they have raised their offer, but it still falls short of the Ambassador’ minimum, so they have offered three ritual texts to sweeten the deal. They are all Spring Rituals; Golden Wellspring, A ritual that provides ambergelt to Lord Rain in return for warm honey; Waters of Bounteous Prosperity, A ritual that uses the power of Lord Rain to enchant a farm so that it produces 10 measures of herbs in addition to its normal production; or Streams of Verdancy, A ritual that enchants a herb garden with the assistance of Lord Rain so that it provides an additional 10 drams of both true vervain and bladeroot in the coming season. They want 25 wains for one of these rituals. If you want to buy one of these rituals, make sure the wains are in your inventory at the end of the E4 and send an email telling PD which you want. There is also a guild looking to buy 100 drams of iridescent gloaming, they have arranged a deal with the city of Ephisis so that any boxes sent their way with only iridescent gloaming and a picture of a moth will get sent to them. They are prepared to go as high as 18 rings a measure, or two crystal mana per five measures. Also, a prominent Faraden citizen was rescued from the Lasambrian Jotun last season, and they have since been talking up the Azure Sutannir. The holder of the title will gain an additional 2 crowns a season, and has an opportunity to upgrade the sinecure with help from the Faraden. This will require a senate motion and a mandate from the Freeborn Assembly. There is also an option on the table for opening a trade enclave in Holberg, with the expectation that the traders will do a lot of work on the roads leading there. The only problem is that they don’t want to be seen as being voerly favoruable to the Empire for fear of retributions from the Asavaeans. Making a port for the Empire is one of those things that they say they would like to do, but they are not willing to risk at the moment. Likewise, they are making it quite clear that if they send any delegations to the Empire, they will also have to send one to Asavaea, so people should consider carefully before asking for one and what should be sent as the brief for the meeting. Basically, they like us but not enough to risk going to war with Asavaea, who they also like. So they are keeping things light and informal with both sides.
Iron Confederacy – They are not a member of the Pact or the Accord. They hate the Imperial religion and magicians, but seem to respect the Throne and the Military Council. Last season they told the Empire to prove the worth of staying friendly and a new treaty was written and approved. It bans the sale of Liao and narcotics to the Iron Confederacy. They mostly trade over land, and have yet to remove the tariffs on their ports for Imperial ships, anyone that goes to Robec will get two drams of a unique consumable, though. It appears to be a tonic that removes weakness. They really hate 90% of magic, and have said that they are more than willing to help the Empire if they ever decide to get rid of the Conclave. They were not being entirely serious about this. There are several groups visiting the Empire from the Iron Confederacy this event. Ser Marquette Lavasse and his bodyguard Ser Guillaume will be arriving for an official chat with the Ambassador at the Imperial Offices at 10:30 on Saturday. Two Suranni priests are also travelling to the Empire to meet with the ambassador to the Iron Confederacy, and fleet owners Sianu and Caesar. They will arrive at the Hub at 13:30 on Saturday. And finally, emissaries of Baron de Bestel are visiting Anvil, they will arrive at the Hub at 17:00 on Saturday.
Sumaah Republic – Member of the Liberty Pact with us, though they think it would be better if we pushed Axos out. They follow the Way, but feel that we are doing it wrong, but not wrong enough to get especially angry about. Fleets from the Empire went to support the Sumaah Republic against Asavaea. They will be paying the captains who have done so in money, resources, and a potion new to the Empire that heals and is particularly good for those who are dedicated to a Virtue. Anyone trading with Zemeh will get the profits of a fleet one rank higher. Wintermark raised a mandate to give stuff to Sumaah, they have sent some Liao and potions back in thanks. They got two fortification rituals last season and will be sending Liao to the conclave orders that brought forward the motion. They would quite like rituals that get in the way of spy networks, what would the Empire like in return? Oh and they want us to know that they are not super chummy with Yaw’nagrah, this was probably a mix up with Ossegrahn. They have assessed the reports on the potential paragons and exemplars from the secret Asavaean Way worshippers, they will be making Alberto a paragon and keeping an eye on Amika in the future. This will have a good effect on the spread of the religion in Asavaea. On other religious matters, they don’t know anything about Saul the Cora, but will pass on anything they hear, are open to hearing about the further investigations of Amma the Wanderer, and they are shocked and want to know more about thow Vardas might be a fake. An emissary will be visiting Anvil to drop off a thank you gift to the Ambassador.
Thule – Not a member of the Liberty Pact or the Freedom Accord, though they recently released their slaves so that they would not be under the tariffs for slave owners in the Liberty Pact. They are currently under a 5 year treaty, we are in year 4, and the time has come to make a new one. They seem willing, but only if they charge an arm and a leg for peace. The ambassador has been invited to speak with the Dragons, aka the maybe immortal warlocks who rule over the nation, and a herald of Lashonar will be at the Hall of Worlds on Saturday at 17:00 to pick them up. They have also provided the name of the individual who helped fund their food purchases during their recent crisis. They are Gisli “Provider” Baerson. There is a combat possible skirmish taking place in Thule territory, which appears to be the location of a Thule business venture by the Five Fang Consortium that Imperial citizens helped fund, the Ambassador is responsible for this skirmish.
Skoura – Not a member of either the Pact or the Accord. Last season a treaty was formalised between the Empire and Skoura. They do not want an embassy, preferring to communicate through the Imperial Consul. One of the provisions of the treaty was to return archaeological items to them from their ancestral land in what is now Mareave. A schema has been found and they are sending someone on Friday night to speak to the Imperial Consul to retrieve it. A second group will be arriving at 19:00 on the Friday to speak about the potential for rebuilding a ruined aqueduct. They have asked for Legion Engineer Groza and Gaddak the Senator for Mareave to be present. They have also asked for Friar John of the Mourn to be present, though this seems to be for more personal issues.
Tsark – Tsark is a mysterious land where they apparently imprison anyone who crosses into their territory on an island, and will only allow them to leave if they will allow their memories to be taken. This seems to have been the choice of several Urizeni who have been returned to the Empire, but without memories of their time away. In some cases this is decades. There are still many left in Tsark, but they wish to keep their memories and so have not been returned. A delegation from Tsark will be coming to Anvil on Saturday at 20:00, they wish to learn more about the Empire. They are particularly interested in meeting people of the League, Wintermark mediators, and Navarr guides. Included in this group is an ex-Urizeni who has chosen to join Tsark and wishes to speak to the people of Urizen.
Jarm – Jarm are part of the Freedom Accord. The Empire is at peace with them, but tensions are pretty much always high. Jarm is engaged in a brutal war with the Commonwealth, last event the Senate declined the option to allow mercenaries to take part in this war and Jarm appreciates that. If any Imperial Mercenaries do get caught fighting for the Commonwealth then that will mean war between Jarm and the Empire. The Jarmish have an important artefact, the shield Measure, and have offered to sell it to the Empire for the ritual text of Brotherhood of Tian. They will also give 10 rings of illium to the conclave order that facilitates this and they will give 100 thrones to the Senate to pay for the transport costs. If the Empire does not take this offer, then they are threatening to sell it to someone who will either destroy it or make it impossible for the Empire to ever regain it. Jarmish merchants will be returning this event to speak to the Artisan’s Guild about buying more religious paraphernalia and other magical items.
Grendel – The Grendel are at war with the Empire, but the Ambassador is keen on staying friendly. They aren’t going to bother coming to Anvil though, apparently it isn’t worth their time.
OK that is it, we are now done with the Winds of War and Diplomacy!
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OK that’s the embarrassing bit over.
I hope you have a great time at the upcoming event, I am really looking forward to it! More posts about the other Winds of Fortune will be coming out when time allows,
Stay safe out there,
K
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