Watched Plot Never Boils

Hello everyone, it’s that time of year again! The first event of the Profound Decisions LARP year is coming up and so I’m here to help out and explain what is going on in the Winds of Fortune.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, Profound Decisions runs a LARP game called Empire. It’s kind of like if improv theatre and Dungeons and Dragons had a very weird baby who spent too much time and effort on making cool costumes. It’s great fun.

Summaries for the Winds of War and the first Wind of Fortune actually went up several months ago here’s the link.

In this post I have written up summaries for the following Winds of Fortune;

• Secret Meeting
• Hammers and Boxes
• Gifts of a Green Mother
• Send For Me
• A Million Miles of Water
• Wasp Nest
• Fake Empire
• A Little Understanding
• A War of Thorns and Roses
• Little Faith
• The Long Road
• Figures From The Past Stand Tall
• Weird Goodbye
• Pride and Paragons

There are several more that focus on international diplomacy, but I will be including them in next week’s batch because I think they work better when they are all together rather than stretched out.

There will also be several more winds published in the days running up to Empire, hopefully with plenty of time to read them before people start leaving to actually go to the event!

Secret Meeting

This is the Plenipotentiary Wind of Fortune. Essentially, this is the wind where the Archmages (and everyone eavesdropping) gets to see what the magical beings they have reached out to have sent. Every Archmage represents a Magical Realm (Day, Night, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) and the powerful magical beings in these realms are Eternals and their Heralds.

There is also a potential change in the offing. Conclave will be able to raise a Declaration that will mean the Archmages will be able to leave a note on their Plenipotentiaries in the future, that will tell the Civil Servants that this should be released to the public. This will, I am sure, only be used for good things and not for shenanigans. It is voluntary, but honestly, that will just make people more curious about the ones that don’t get published!

Also, there are some new graphics to represent the Eternals and they are super cute! Even the mean ones! (Especially the mean ones)

Now onto the answers from the Realms of Magic

Summer – Meraud – It is only thanks to a combination of the power of the plenipotentiary and an enchantment on Dawn that has allowed the servants of Meraud to get the word out, but there is trouble afoot! If anyone has received an item from Meraud, they are asked to return it so that the eternal can use the magic held within to fight back against those who are attacking him. There are several specific pieces listed in the Wind, but anything and everything would be appreciated. During the Summer event heralds of Meraud will return to pick these items up.

Spring – Yaw’Nagrah – Yaw’Nagrah has refused a Parley with the Archmage of Spring. She does offer a series of boons, however, anyone interested should remember that to take a boon from an Eternal under enmity is very illegal. There is more information in the Gifts of a Green Mother Wind of Fortune.

Winter – Sorin – Sorin has accepted a Parley with the Archmage of Winter. The parley will take place at half past nine on the Saturday evening of the Winter Solstice. A series of individuals have been invited to speak, they all have questions they want answered and if they agree to take a test and withstand it they will receive an answer. They must come unarmed and unarmoured. In addition, there is an offer for a fortification in the Empire OR an army to be assessed by heralds of Sorin to be improved by their particular metrics. A Declaration of Acceptance will need to be raised in the Conclave and the person who does so should hand 160 True Vervain into GOD by the end of the event.

Autumn – Estavus – Rather than accepting a Parley, the heralds of Estavus have boons on offer to particular nations. People will be able to look these over in an upcoming Wind of Fortune. This is the Hammers and Boxes Wind, which is included in this list of summaries.

Day – Zakalwe – Zakalwe has turned down the offer of a Parley, but does have some offers for the Empire. First of all, the heralds of Zakalwe have found a way to target Haakon, Jarl of the Mourn, and there is a conjunction that will be brought to the Military Council. Zakalwe is also very pleased with the actions of the Marcher Generals, and is offering boons. Each of the Marcher Generals should pass an item over to the Archmage of Day and Zakalwe will arrange for them to be enchanted. In addition, any Marchers who enchant their mana sites with Carve the Crystal Guardian over the Winter Season, and sends their crystal warriors with a Marcher army, will get two prismatic inks next season.

Night – Whisper Gallery – The Whisper Gallery have agreed to meet with the Archmage, but have turned down the offer of an official Parley. They have not said what the topics of discussion will be about, it is implied that those who need to know, will know. However they are offering an opportunity for Imperial Citizens to help decorate the setting of the talk. Artwork should represent a secret, with especially “succulent” secrets rewarded. Artwork to be submitted to this gallery of secrets should be sent by opening a portal at the Imperial regio before the end of the Friday of the Winter Solstice. This is probably not illegal, as long as it is only a loan and you do not get any gifts in return. Check the Wind of Fortune for more of the technical details.

Hammers and Boxes

This Wind of Fortune focuses recommendations for improvements from various Autumn Realm Heralds that have been travelling the Empire in the last season.

Clearing the Pass

It was requested that the heralds take a look at Pakanaan’s Pass to help figure out a way to reopen it after it was damaged by the Jotun. The House of Fire and Flame are willing to take on the work, and to employ them Conclave needs to issue a Declaration of Acceptance. In payment, they are asking for 250 Beggar’s Lye and rights to any minerals found in the rubble. This offer is on the table until the start of the Summer Solstice.

Leading the Way

There is an offer to help finish Curstag’s Pass between the League and the Imperial Orcs. There are currently 38 wains of white granite, 14 wains of mithril, and 205 crowns worth of labour outstanding on the project, but there are some other ways that these costs could be paid.

Labour – The Coalition of Stone and Struggle will contribute 100 crowns worth of labour to the efforts, if the League Cities give their workers leave to work amongst them. There will be a vote on this after the Senate vote at 3:30 on Saturday. This offer is only available at the upcoming Winter event.

Metal and Stone – For every 17 measures of ambergelt sent via Ephisis’ Scale, the Coalition will provide one wain of white granite for the road. For every 19 ingots of orichalcum sent via Ephisis’ Scale, the Coalition will provide one wain of mithril for the road. These trades should be indicated by only containing the relevant building material, plus a token showing the Mountain. This opportunity remains available until the end of the Spring Equinox 387YE.

Brilliance – There is also an offer to help alleviate the poverty of the Imperial Orcs. If the Empire relinquishes the Brilliant Shore to the nation, the Coalition would work with them to increase the number of wains of white granite a season. They will also help the Imperial Orcs to create businesses and over all the taxable income of the territory would increase by 5 thrones a season and all Imperial Orcs would grow from 18 to 20 rings a season for at least the next year, possibly longer. This offer is open until the next Autumn Equinox.

The Markets

There will be a series of changes to how the ritual Ephisis’ Scales works.

First, the haggling sessions on Sunday will be held in mostly chronological order so that Friday’s rituals are seen to before Saturday’s.

Second, during the Autumn section of the Arcane Colloquium sigils will be auctioned that will give people the chance to get their boxes seen first. There will be three sigils, each one for a different market that specialises in a different product.

Third, Herminius of the House of the Wanderer, has been asked to take care of the auction, and will be given a special, larger than normal, Ephisis’ Box in thanks. There will also be an opportunity to buy a second oversized Ephisis’ Box, which will be done through a silent auction using the ritual as normal. Check the wind for greater detail.

High Value Trade

The City of Lead and Gold wish to negotiate over the control of the enchantment, Bound By Common Cause, which is permanently cast over the Wolves of War. The Herald will visit the Reaper’s Camp at 9pm on Saturday. They have an item which will remove the enchantment, thus allowing other enchantments to be cast on the army. The General of the Wolves of War would have to be present to approve the deal. Check the wind for information on what items the City might be offering in return.

The enchantment has become corrupted due to (game rebalancing) a conjunction of constellations. It now reduces the cost of running the army when it is in a defensive position in an Imperial Territory. It appears that this boon is a way for the game runners to allow the players to remove it given the changes.

Gifts of a Green Mother

A herald of Yaw’Nagrah has brought news of various boons and gifts from Yaw’Nagrah, however people should remember that the Eternal is under enmity so working with her and receiving gifts is very illegal.

Viridian Hallows

Apparently, Yaw’Nagrah has heard that the Empire intends to join the Vallorn Hearts; she wants to help. If the Empire wishes to get that help they must cast Hallow of the Green World on the entire Empire (which is illegal) to and allow her heralds free access to the Empire as well. This second part could only be done if Conclave removed Enmity from the eternal, or if the ritualists casting the Empire-wide enchantment specifically invited her in during their casting.

Yaw’Nagrah will give some of her Glomsbark to those who cast the Madyn’s Gift ritual, simply add drams of realmsroot to the dragonbone in the central container. Glomsbark can be used to empower Spring Enchantments, and in this case could be used to help her servants enter the Empire. If this is done, she will aid the Empire with the attempts to join the Vallorn Hearts, if not she will just ignore it from now on.

Strangling Blight

Yaw’Nagrah also wishes to have the Wither the Seed Curse removed from Brocéliande. She has offered a magical bough, which, if broken during a specific casting of the ritual Thunderous Tread of the Trees, will direct the trees made mobile by that ritual to go to Brocéliande as well, and remove the curse. Unfortunately, the Thunderous Tread of Trees would have to be cast on one of the neighbouring territories. And guess who those belong to? In return for this action, Yaw’Nagrah would help to awaken the Vallorn in the Sarangrave. To get the bough, someone with at least one part of the Spring Archmage’s Regalia should go to the Regio at some point over the weekend and cast Open Portal.

Cauldron of Pale Honey

During the Winter Solstice, any coven that performs Churning Cauldron of Bravash can use their magic to contact the Yaw’Nagrah. The performance of the ritual must include invocations of Yaw’nagrah by at least three of her common names, and each contributor must willingly sacrifice a drop of blood into the container that is the target of the ritual, dripped onto a measure of ambergelt which is placed in the container with any amount of true vervain. The cauldron will churn as usual, but at the completion the herbs and ambergelt placed in the cauldron will have been transformed into a dose of milksap.

Chaos

There are several rituals that Yaw’Nagrah is willing to make changes to so that Imperial magicians will gain mysterious plants known as donahorti. After the ritual has been cast the donahorti will grow on the area under the effects of the ritual. It will be possible for casters of these rituals to use 2 ambergelt for every mana crystal that would otherwise be needed. Three of Yaw’Nagrah’s names should be uttered during the ritual.

All of these rituals, except for Blessing of New Spring, can be made permanent using illium, which also has a reduced cost, the illium amount will be equal to the magnitude, not three times it. These would create permanent footholds in this realm for Yaw’Nagrah and the areas the rituals were cast on would become mutated and weird.

Blessing of New Spring – Farms under this changed ritual will give 26 fewer rings a season, but will produce one random donahorti. This will happen every season for the next year.

Rampant Growth – Forests under this changed ritual will produce two less magical materials, but provide 6 random donahorti. This will only last for one season, but it may have lasting effects on the forest in other ways.

There are also some rituals in the private Urizeni ritual list.

Fountain’s Bounty – Instead of the usual production the enchanted mana site provides one fewer crystal mana, but also provides five donahorti and a measure of milksap.

Woven Strands of Life – Transforms the mana site into a wild, magically infused garden of bushes, creepers, and even trees. Instead of producing herbs, the transformed site provides three milksap and six donahorti to the owner.

Law Amid Chaos

The Silent Bell could be charged to seek out those who had taken Yaw’nagrah’s boons in one or more nations. It would be free for one nation, but for every additional one it would cost 4 thrones. Alternatively, the Imperial Magistrates could be ordered to investigate which sites had taken one of the boons. This would cost 50 thrones.

An Eye For Chaos

Netweaver’s Eye can be used to determine if a magician suspected of using Yaw’nagrah’s ritual boons has done so. This specifically identifies if a ritualist has taken part in a Blessing of New Spring, Rampant Growth, Fountain’s Bounty, Woven Strands of Life, Hallow of the Green World, or Thunderous Tread of the Trees that invoked a boon of Yaw’nagrah, but does not say which or how many times.

Favoured Children

Briar Boon – The ritual Skin of Bark, Blood of Amber, gives the subject 3 levels of endurance. If the subject takes some vital honey or milksap during the ritual, then the effects will be changed. A non-lineaged human will have the option of becoming a Briar. Someone who is already a Briar will gain 4 levels of endurance and have the option to add thorns or flowers to their lineage effects. If they have hero points they will also have the option to remove Venom from themselves with 10 seconds of appropriate roleplay. However, as long as the enchantment lasts they will be magically marked with “the mark of the Primal Forest” which can be found if someone uses detect magic on them.

Orc Blood – The ritual Unfailing Resilience of the Kudzu can be used by Orcs. After ingesting vital honey or milksap, if they have any of the skills Cleaving Strike, Mortal Blow, Mighty Strikedown, Relentless, or Unstoppable then once per day they can use one of those skills without spending a hero point. Like the human variant, detect magic will be able to detect “the mark of the Primal Forest” on those who use this boon.

It should be noted that these boons are possible because of the magic of the plenipotentiary, in an ordinary situation Imperial Citizens would still have access to Yaw’Nagrah blocked by the Conclave’s Declaration of Enmity.

Send For Me

This is an appraisal, last event the Senate asked the Civil Service to “extend upon the work of the Upwold Seed Exchange to: 1) promise companion planting with other crops in other regions 2) build seed banks which will preserve cultivars that could be lost in devastated regions, and be used in territory resilience and regrowth.”

Graciana i Lòpez i Guerra was chosen to complete the appraisal.

Plants and Seeds

There is an opportunity for the Marches to change how their Breadbasket Great Work, well, works. The Breadbasket would now have an option to provide help to areas that have had their agriculture devastated, though this would mean the Marchers currently given extra money by the Great Work would not have their income increased while this particular use was in place.

There will be a vote from the farmers of Bregasland, Mitwold, and Upwold on Saturday and if it passes the Civil Service will take it as permission to hold a Tally of the Votes over the topic at the next event.

Great Works

Other Great Works could be used to help in the event of disasters, the Senate will be able to bring them to the Civil Service’s attention in a Motion, and these will be assessed for ways they can help. Using them for this additional benefit will take away some of the benefits to the territory they sit in, and because of this they will have to have a title that can be voted on to supervise them.

State of Feroz

Governor Rahab was incompetent, corrupt, and short sighted. Where it was once a thriving trading route, it is now impoverished and lawless. Fixing these problems will not be simple or quick.

Impoverished – Every region is officially Impoverished, whilst a region is officially Impoverished it cannot have the Abandoned quality removed, so this must be done first. Because the locals are more desperate for work, the costs for Civilian Commissions are only 1 crown per wain of materials, so should help. But people are not very keen to come back.

Abandoned – Every region is officially Abandoned, this means that mandates from the Assemblies will not do anything to make people change their minds. They are either incredibly stubborn, not there to be convinced. Because there are so many places empty, there is no cost to move to Feroz.

Lawless – Morajasse and the Cazar Straits have the Lawless quality. While any region is Lawless, taxation cannot be increased across the territory.

Underpopulated – Afarjasse, the Cazar Straits, and Morajasse have the underpopulated quality. These regions will not contribute to Freeborn Army Supply until this is fixed.

Restoring Feroz

Each of these opportunities is available until the end of the Autumn Equinox. If something dramatic happens to change things, then people will be updated.

Fields of Bramar

If the Breadbasket receives the changes that have been recommended, then this region could be helped by the Breadbasket over two seasons, after that it would no longer be Abandoned or Impoverished.

Herds of Afar

The famous Herds of Afarjasse need to be restarted, this will mean a new title could be made to trade the herds with the Iron Confederacy over the border. This title would have an income of 160 rings per season (aka a throne) and would have the responsibility to deal with the Iron Confederacy. It would cost 300 crowns to completely restart the herds, however, if the Shepherd of the Afar title is made (see the Wind, Million Miles of Water) then farm owners of Mitwold and Upwold could drive their cattle there and bonds could be bought and sold on the strength of these herds. Each cattle bond from a Marcher Farm would be the equivalent of 30 rings to the cost. Learn more in the Wind, Million Miles of Water.

Inkworks of Joharra

The great dyeworks of Joharra were destroyed by the Children of Wrecks, if they could be rebuilt then the Impoverished quality would be removed from Oranseri. They could also be commissioned as a Great Work (similar to the Breadbasket) that would create a title, Scrivener of the Inkworks, increase the level of businesses in Feroz, and would increase the seasonal income for Scriveners for a year by 22 rings a season. It would take 60 white granite and 60 crowns.

A group from the Cerevado, the Oath at Sunset, also have an offer to provide a ritual focus for the Scrivener every year.

Wharfage of Oran

The town of Oran was very well kept while under the control of Governor Rahab, there were even some plans drawn up for improving the wharf and turning it into a shipyard. This would be a sinecure, and so would also have a title, the Corsair of Oran. The Corsair would have the opportunity to upgrade a fleet of ships for free every year, would receive 216 rings a season, and their presence on the coast would remove the Lawless quality from the region. The basic wharf would cost 15 weirwood and 15 crowns, the larger shipyard would cost 15 weirwood, 20 white granite, and 105 crowns. This would also need a commission and a yearly Tally of the Votes to assign the title.

Million Miles of water

This Wind of Fortune is about the newly conquered territory of Mareave, which has been assigned to the Imperial Orcs. It is incredibly dry there, but there are many options for people who wish to make it a home.

The Eoradal Tunnels

There are the ruins of a massive aqueduct and irrigation system that links to the neighbouring Skoran territory. Restoring the Great Aqueduct of Eoradal would require 15 white granite, 5 weirwood and 5 mithril, plus labour costs. This would require a commission for an edifice and 75 crowns normally (increased to 90 crowns while neighbouring Icarion is underdeveloped). It would raise the taxes from the region by 4 thrones a season.

A Fair Trade

However, the water in the aqueduct has to come from somewhere and while the Skourans are willing to offer they are also more than willing to make a hard bargain for it. They want 12 thrones a season OR exclusive rights to the mines in the region. Which would obviously take the opportunity from the Imperial Orcs who live there. There is also the fact that once the Skourans have built their mining works it would be very difficult to get rid of them, and they would have what is effectively a Beachead for military invasion if they chose to do so.

A Healing Pool

Once the aqueduct was restored a Healer’s Pool could be built in Eoradal, this would be a place where the Skouran water-guardians and the Imperial Orc bonesetters could learn from each other. It would also increase the taxation from the area by 2 thrones. The Healer’s Pool would need 12 wains of White Granite and 60 crowns. Once complete, the Imperial Orcs could use Tally of the Votes to appoint the Bonesetter of the Healer’s Pool annually. Provided the Imperial Orcs elected a genuine bonesetter to the role then they would be able to purchase crafted Skouran medical tools each season.

A Long Drift

There is an old mine that was closed because it was coming too close to the underground lakes of the Skourans, understandably the miners didn’t want to knock a whole in the wrong wall and drown themselves. However, this could be used by the Empire to get access to those same waters. Though the Skourans probably wouldn’t be very happy about it.

This work would cost, 20 white granite, 10 weirwood, 5 mithril, and 105 crowns (not factoring in the under-developed nature of Mareave) but it could be reduced if the work was done at the same time as the aqueduct was worked on.

The Nadir Hills

The Nadir Hills are too far and too high for the water from the aqueduct to be useful, so there will have to be alternative plans. Essentially, the Marchers recommend that the Imperial Orcs choose to raise herds here. Since they have some experience in Skarsind it shouldn’t be too hard, right?

The Cattle Markets

The Senate could use a senate motion to allow the Marchers to extend their cattle markets, this would allow them to exchange them for bonds that could then be sold to the Imperial Orcs at Anvil. In out of character terms, the Marcher Farmers would get a new downtime opportunity that would allow them to get Cattle Bonds over the next downtime, and then would have the opportunity to sell their cattle next season. The Marchers would not lose out either way, the minimum cost for one of these bonds would be 18 rings, and could be returned for this and possibly more.

The more cattle sold to the Imperial Orcs the larger the benefit there would be for the Imperial Orcs as they would be able to create a bigger sinecure with it. The title of the Sinecure would be Shepherd of the Southern Herd, and as previously said, the income from it would depend on the amount of cattle bonds bought. The cattle would then have to be driven over to Mareave, and it would take at least 2 seasons. They would have to be accompanied by at least 1000 force of Military Units. This would be a downtime task available to Marchers and Imperial Orcs with Military Units. The drovers would not receive any automatic payment, but the guerdon or volunteers could pay them.

Once the cows arrived they would help create a less arid ecosystem and Nadir would lose the Arid quality.

A Short Cut

One of the Archmages could ask an Eternal for help to find water in Nadir through their Plenipotentiary. Kimus and Ossegrahn could both be a help. Both Eternals would want something in return, though so keep that in mind. If the Empire did manage to find a new water source in Nadir then the Skourans would be very impressed and would buy some of it off the Empire.

The Icarion Streams

In Icarion thigns are a bit trickier, but there is the option of asking for help from the Freeborn to build a new Qanat, aka tunnels that carry the water around the region to where it is needed. It would need 40 wains of weirwood and 120 crowns (increased to 144 crowns while Icarion remains under-developed) and take two seasons to construct. Once complete, the new network of tunnels would remove the arid quality from the region. In return the Imperial Orcs could put forth a mandate from their National Assembly, asking one of the six septs to go to help in Feroz or Madruga. This would mean the Imperial Orcs would lose a chance at exploring their own lands.

The Way Less Taken

Alternatively, the Empire could dam the river Doubt in Spiral and redirect the water to Mareave. However, that opens up a new can of worms, because while Spiral does not have the Arid quality it is extremely haunted and the building would have to take place near parts of the territory worst affected by the Black Plateau. Apparently the Urizeni who recommended the action has some water from Ylenwe to protect them from the Black Plateau, so that could be a route to finding some protection.

The only practical way the dam could be constructed is if the Towerjacks or an Imperial army under the Bound by Common Cause enchantment carried out the work. The Towerjacks include some of the Empire’s most experienced engineers which makes them the natural choice, but any Imperial army that was Bound by Common Cause could work closely with the various groups involved. The army would need to be given appropriate defensive orders that explicitly said to construct a dam and turn the area in Apustrus into a reservoir, then the work could be accomplished. It would require 30 wains of white granite.

But again, this would have a dire effect on the soldiers. There would be a 5% drop in maximum fighting strength every season. It would also be flooding the last resting place and death sites of thousands of soldiers, from numerous armies and nations. The National Assemblies of those armies and nations might have a problem with that.

Back and Forth

Both the dam and the qanat systems could be built, though it would be very expensive and require the use of two separate senate motions to commission. It would be a massive feat of engineering, not only removing the Arid quality but transforming it into an Oasis. The locals would also be massively impressed and so the uncooperative quality would be removed. There would also be a tax increase of 6 thrones a season.

Timing

The Icarion Qanat, the Great Southern Herd and the chance to get help from Skoura are available until the end of the Summer Solstice 387YE. Asking Kimus, Ylenwe or Ossegrahn for help, damming the Doubt or extending the Yellow Fish Adit are available at any time.

Wasp Nest

The Highborn have used their final peerless kinship action to help the Navaar, and in particular, to help the ghosts of Therunin find their way to the Labyrinth. Unfortunately, the most haunted area of Therunin is still under the control of the Druj, so actions there will have to wait until the Empire takes it, but there are still steps that can be taken now to improve things.

Glade of Farewell

A glade that was firmly under Imperial Control and free of the effects of the Druj magics could be consecrated with True Liao, and then be used as an inspirational setting to help the ghosts move on. It would need a commission from the senate, a writ of consecration from the relevant assembly. The consecration could be in Pride, Courage, or Loyalty. The minimum cost would be nine Weirwood and 27 crowns in labour, but the larger it became the more effective it would be for the removal of the ghosts.

A Cleansing Song

Highborn Magisters are bringing samples of the poison currently polluting the Lower Tarn Valley to allow for examination, and hopefully, for a cure to be made. The samples will be brought to the Highborn Camp at 15:00 on Saturday. If an antidote can be found, the Senate can instruct the apothecaries of the Empire to study and recreate it. This would cost 30 thrones per season and take 2 seasons to complete. And of course there would be complications in using it since there are Druj everywhere.

The Benefactor of High Chalcis could choose to give up many of their benefits in order to aid the attempts to remove the poison, this would remove the costs for the Empire.

The Valiant Pegasus, Blood Cloaks, or an army under Bound by Common Cause could help clear the poison, reducing the time needed to a single season. However, any army working in the region would suffer the effects of poison unless protected by the enchantment, Why Sulemaine Walked Away From The Baker.

If the Empire loses control of the Lower Tarn Valley, these options will no longer be available.

Stand For A Dream

A Navaar Wayhouse could be built in High Chalcis. It would require a commission and cost 12 weirwood, 12 white granite, and 72 crowns. It would have two major benefits. The first would be too increase the amount of herbs the Benefactor of High Chalcis receives a season, and give more to the herb gardens of the territory, and it would create a new title, The Keeper of the Stand, who would receive 10 doses of liao and 10 drams of random herbs each season.

The Deathstinger in the Woods

The Highborn recommend that a fortification be built to protect the Apothecary College and Peakedge Song. This would be useful for both the present threat of the Druj AND if the Vallorn are woken and release untold horrors onto the area. There are several routes that could be taken to do this, the Highborn have White Granite, the Navaar are very good builders themselves, and the Great Forest Orcs are very good with Weirwood.

In The Garden

The briars who were previously tending the Garden of Glory have disappeared, leaving the Garden in perfect condition, but completely deserted. The Navaar will take it over and so the Keeper will receive the full bounty of 12 doses of Liao from the garden, rather than 6 as it was before. The Garden is under threat from both the Druj and the Vallorn.

Peerless Future

This was the last season of the Highborn’s Peerless Kinship. However, it has proved so popular that there may be an option to continue it in the future – but doing so would cost the Highborn something considerable. If this risk is worth it the Highborn National Assembly should give a Statement of Principle this season.

Fake Empire

Last season the Civil Service was asked by the Senate to look into ways to cause friction and problems between the various factions of Grendel and their international allies.

The appraisal has been split into two parts, the first part explains the current state of the Grendel government and the second gives ideas for how the Empire could cause problems.

The State of Play

The Council now contains six salt lords, five storm lords and one wind lord. Each salt lord controls at least one bourse resource, while a storm lord controls a Grendel navy and the wind lords are the most powerful mages.

Every member of the Council is out to double cross and back stab the others, but they recognise that they are stronger together and are wise to the Empire’s schemes to split them off from each other. Due to their belief in the Virtue of Fidelity, the Grendel will keep their oaths, but they do not trust the Empire to do likewise and this limits the possibilities. An individual might eb abel to reach out to a Salt Lord and try to make a specific deal, but this is currently treasonous.

Kaliact feels that it is unlikely that any of the other Salt Lords will follow her into joining the Empire. She was in a very weak position and was not expected to have control over Spiral for more than a few years, whilst everyone else is much better off.

Two dossiers on the Salt Lords, their contacts, and their assets will be arriving at the next Empire event from the Autumn Eternal Basileia. The Civil Service expects to publish the details after the summit, but the originals will be delivered to Æsa Sigeing during the event.

Allies of the Grendel

The Iron Confederacy/The Suranni

• Have a truce with the Grendel, but can’t stand them, on the other hand they don’t like the Empire much either.

• They could be persuaded to let the Empire start spying on the Grendel from their lands, but it would be a complicated and delicate manoeuvrer to do so.
• The Grendel used to ask frequently for the opportunity to do the same to the Empire, but they have not done so recently, which implies they have found alternative routes to find things out.

The Sarcophan Delves

• Trade with the Grendel, but pride themselves on their neutrality.
• Could be forced to give up their trade with the Grendel but this would be a tricky needle to thread, any bullying might make the Sarcophans turn to the Grendel instead.

Jarm

• The Empire called in a favour with the Eternal Prospero to keep the Jarmish neutral in this fight.
• Jarm could be angered if the Commonwealth were overly favoured by the Empire, so keep that in mind so they don’t change their minds and help the Grendel.
• It would be nearly impossible to persuade the Jarmish to give up their trade with the Grendel, they don’t like us much.

Asavaea

• Asavaea are royally pissed off with the Empire, so they allied with the Grendel. Unfortunately, they also allied with the Siakha cultists who betrayed them and now they are pissy about that too.
• If the head of the Siakha Priestess was delivered to the Plenum with a grovelling apology, there is a possibility that they might be persuaded to withdraw from the war.

The Jotun and the Druj

• The Jotun and the Druj do not work with the Grendle on a regular basis, but they do occasionally share information. All sides are usually trying to use this info sharing to their own ends, and there is much mutual distrust and dislike.
• They may ally if they were close to being completely overcome by the Empire, but this is unlikely.

Other Leads

Lord Ehsan

• Current leader of the tiny nation, Beoraidh, in Mareave
• The title best suited to diplomacy with them is the Cardinal of Prosperity
• They do not wish to anger the Salt Lords in case they are re-conquered, but with sufficient bribery anything is possible!

Black Sand Circle

• The remnants of a coven left in Beoraidh, they are likely the best bet for the Empire to learn more about the Wind Lords, the most powerful of the Grendel Mages.
• The Golden Pyramid or the Celestial Arch could begin negotiations with them. But the best title to do so would probably be the Archmage of Autumn.
• In return for any information they might give, they would probably wish for access to Imperial Ritual Texts, an ongoing endowment from Conclave, or help to build a magical college.

North Mareave Trading Consortium

• A collective of traders in Beoraidh and northern Mareave
• The Celestial Arch or the Golden Pyramid could be guided to begin negotiations with the consortium
• Anyone with a title that gives them a seat on the Bourse would be well suited to initiate discussion
• They would have information on the trade deals and assets of the Grendel, and in return, would likely seek an ongoing trade deal with the Empire, preferential trade rights, or possibly a specific commission built and ceded to them.

Gallum Fiersach

• The general in charge of the fortification at Mora’s Rock. Is currently under siege by the Empire.
• Any of the Freeborn Generals or the Quartermaster would be the best titles to try to negotiate.

Children of Wrecks

• A cult who worship the Eternal Siakha, have claimed land in Feroz, Madruga, and Raineach.
• The Shuttered Lantern, the Celestial Arch, or the Spring Archmage would be the appropriate people to speak to them. Or a new ambassador position could be made to speak to them.

Paid Informants

• Spies, this is talking about spies.
• An Office of the Regario Dossier could be started in Vorlach.
• It would cost 20 thrones to start, and cost 8 thrones per season to maintain.
• The Shuttered Lantern could help start the Office and the starting costs would be removed.

A Little Understanding

A Peaceful Invitation

Last season, several of the Cardinals (and a proxy of one) apparently chose to make an oath to carry an object imbued with a heretical Peace aura for a year. The Assembly of Vigilance was quick to declare them blasphemers and heretics, but in the time since there has been more nuance amongst the priests of the Empire.

The items were consecrated to the False Virtue, Peace, by an Axos Priest, a disciple of Theodosia of Ipotavo. Overall the priests of Axou despise the Empire, believing it to be worship a hateful creator who wishes to torture people through the Labyrinth. However, this does not appear to be part of an organised plot. The priests of Axos don’t have the organisation available for that sort of thing.

A copy of the letter sent with the priest has been made public so that anyone coming to Anvil may read it.

The Role of a Cardinal

The Cardinals involved will be going on trial this coming event. Whatever happens this is going to have repercussions on the Empire and the Imperial Faith.

If the Cardinals face punishment then it will be made clear that no one can escape the law on this, and that everyone should stay clear of heretical forces and false virtues.

If the Cardinals do not face punishment then the people of the Empire will believe that it is allowable to dabble and explore in false virtues.

There is also the fact that at least two of these individuals are part of the group studying whether there should be changes to the Doctrine of Seven, which means they have been doing so under the influence of False Virtues. That is a big deal.

The Role of a Proxy

One of the people accused was standing as Proxy to the Cardinal of Prosperity, however, this is not technically correct as they would only have been a Proxy if they were fulfilling the Cardinal’s duties. Getting items consecrated to Peace is not part of a Cardinal’s duty, so they were a private citizen at the time.

The Magistrates Try

This section outlines how the trials will go down, including the various laws that may have been broken and how the accused can apply for clemency. If you are interested in the Empire’s Legal System I recommend reading this section, but it might be a bit heavy for casual readers.

The Synod Judges

Whatever the Synod chooses to do, it will have long lasting ramifications on the Empire. For one thing, if the Vigilance Assembly tried to bring a similar case against anyone else then their case would be damaged by previous allowances made for the Cardinals in this case. Since various assemblies have had differing opinions it will also raise the question of how powerful an individual assembly is compared to another. And finally if the assemblies allows the Cardinals to carry these False Virtues then the people of the Empire will assume that it is allowable for anyone.

The trials will start at 3pm on Saturday, in order to give everyone time to discuss these issues and learn as much as they need to.

The Senate Moves

The Senate could make laws that more clearly define the law, either to approve or disapprove of carrying items consecrated to False Virtues. This would not have an affect on the current trials, but it would change things for future ones.

Implications

The Senate could ask for more information to be made available through the Department of Historical Research or the Lepidean Librarian. The Civil Service could also run an appraisal to see how things work when a cult for one of these False Virtues is allowed to flourish.

The War of Thorns and Flowers

This Wind of Fortune is about the Vallorn, and how the different nations are preparing for the fight against it.

Highguard

The Fourth Army

After five years of walking the trods the Grey Pilgrims are returning. This means that Highguard has the opportunity to create a new Army, though it cannot be called the Thundering Tide because there are rumours of malign spiritual influences being involved.

You Get a Banner

If True Liao was used to hallow the banner of the new army it would reduce the cost of the army by 30 wains of Mithril.

Salvation of Souls

An Imperial Comission could be used to remodel the hostels of Vurtue’s Rest so that they can resupply those armies dedicated to fighting the Vallorn, rather than acting as a Great Work to benefit the congregations in that territory. It would create a new title, the exarch of Virtue’s Rest, which would give one individual 12 doses of Liao. It would cost 120 crowns in labour.

The National Assembly could veto this request if they do not approve.

The League

For the next year, because the League has committed to fighting the Vallorn, no other statement of principle will have an effect on the people outside of Anvil.

For Whom the Road Tolls

This is a big one and likely to be very contentious. There is an opportunity to raise money for the Empire by adding tolls to the majority of the largest roads in the Empire. These would be the Blood Red Roads, the Sunset Roads, the White Roads, the Iron Roads, and the Crow Roads. This would raise 130 thrones per season for the Imperial coffers, but it would remove any benefits or boons that those roads bring to their regions.

An expected area of pushback is the fact that roads are an important part of the Hearth Magic for the Varushkans, so there has been an option devised to cut them out of the deal. This would reduce the toll income to 100 thrones a season, but it would need every road system to be put through the senate separately. So instead of it being put through in one senate motion, it would need three.

The National Assemblies of the nations involved could Veto these relinquishments, and the General Assembly could Veto the Blood Red Roads.

All Along the Watchtower

There is a new type of building that the Empire can make. It is a Citadel, which is similar to a fortification. I’ll be honest the intricacies of Empire’s building and fortification rules mostly go over my head, but it seems like this new kind of building would be very useful when standing up to the might of the Vallorn. However, it only protects the region it is found in and resupply cannot be used to rebuild its strength.

It would cost 80 wains of white granite, 240 crowns, and take 1 year to complete. And would have an upkeep of 10 Thrones.

If you are interested in finding out more check out the Wind because I do not know enough about this part of the game to give good answers on it.

Varushka

For the next year, because Varushka has committed to fighting the Vallorn, no other statement of principle will have an effect on the people outside of Anvil.

The Heart of Darkness

Varushka is capable of supporting 4 armies, however they currently only have 2. Check the most recent Winds of War for reasons why.

One way that the Varushkan people might be able to get another army, or even two more armies, is by reaching out to one of the dark powers that live (if that is the right word) in their lands. The Charnel Lord was the Patron of the Iron Helms, so maybe someone/something else would be willing to be a patron of a new army?

There are, of course, many issues that might be found with this track. What would a sovereign ask for something as mighty as aid in making an army? And how would their patronage effect the army? Lots of questions, but the answers are only going to appear if someone goes looking for them.

The Threat from Skuld

Skuld is a region under the twin threats of the Vallorn and the Thule. A citadel could help defend against both of those threats very nicely if people want to be proactive. There have been plans for Irontooth Keep there for a very long time, these could be updated. Even better, with the help of the Master of the Koboldi and magical rituals used elsewhere in the Empire this building project could go from two years down to less than one. It would still cost the same, however, 150 white granite and 30 weirwood to construct, with labour costs of 540 crowns.

The Dark Nights of Winter

There is the potential to change the dedication of the Icy Crag of the Eternal Sun Magical College from Summer to Winter. This would take a commission from the senate, and cost 540 crowns – though a local cabal are willing to pay half of that sum, taking it down to 270 crowns. Alternatively, Conclave could change it, with the cabal again volunteering to pay half the cost. It would be 360 mana crystals (180 with the cabal’s help).

It does not appear that the Summer Eternals would be upset by this change, they are more bothered by internal issues so once it was no longer a Summer issue they wouldn’t care.

Ending

The Varushkan Army, the Iron Helms, was lost in the fighting over the last season. This has had the effect of diluting the other nations’ dislike of the army’s Cruel quality. As such, Varushkan armies will no longer take a penalty when fighting alongside Wintermark or the Freeborn. However if the Assemblies of these nations raised another statement of principle about the tendencies of the Varushkan Armies then this penalty could be extended even after the loss of the Iron Helms.

Any assembly could raise a statement denouncing the use of Cruelty, this would mean that this nation would have a similar penalty to Varushkan Armies. If the General Assembly took up this statement and passed it, then the Empire would no longer be able to raise armies with the Cruel quality.

Dawn, Wintermark, and Urizen

Dawn and Urizen raised statements telling their people to focus on the dangers represented by the Vallorn, but they did not receive Greater Majorities so they have had less effect. On the other hand, Wintermark raised a statement and did achieve a Greater Majority, but it lacked focus so there Wintermark’s people will not be concentrating fully on the Vallorn.

Little Faith

The Assembly of Wisdom has called for a true consecration of the Great Library of Hacynian.

This is to create a holy site, to recognise that it was here that the research was done to find a way to end the Vallorn.

There are three proposals, but only one can be chosen.

Apply What You Have Learned

Make the Great Library a place where the researchers may expland on what they already know.

There are three options for future study;

1. Study the history of the Vates
2. Probe the mystery of Empress Giselle’s death
3. Learn more about the volodny

Test What You Have Learned

Use the Library to convert Arcane Projections into rituals at a rate of 25 magnitude per season.

Find the Right Question

A new title could be made which would allow a citizen to speak with the Eternals, Phaleron the Celestial Library, and Sung, they would be called the Singer of Silence. Their powers would be unclear, but similar in some ways to that of the Guardian of the Maze of Zoria.

These three options are in competition with each other, so the Mandate that gets the most votes in the General Assembly will prevail.

Vines

There is a new archetype in the Navaar, the Vine.

There is the option to create a new sinecure and title in any Navaar held region. The Vinery and the Keeper thereof, would receive 15 herbs a season and a Bloodcloak every year. It would cost 7 white granite, 7 weirwood, and 42 crowns in labour to build.

The Long Road

The ritual, Challenge the Iron Duke, is back in play. Players can now cast it on themselves (or have it cast) to take part in a new series of challenges brought about by the Summer Eternal Barien.

This season there are two challenges available.

Challenge of the Endless Sea

This is a real time strategy game where teams of players try to navigate a ship across the seas of the Summer Realm and defeat a metal skinned squid. Access to the challenge will be via the Hall of Worlds. A herald of Barien will be present at 14:30 to give further instructions. The challenge will take place between 15:00 and 16:00 on the Saturday.

Challenge of the Frayed Pennants

A mock battle in which the players will be trying to capture the pennant of the opposing team more times than the other.

There will be ten players on each side, the Imperials versus the Jotun.

A herald of Barien will be at the Sentinel Gate on Saturday at 14:30 to give more information. This is also the time when volunteers should start congregating with an intention to travel through the Sentinel Gate to Hahnmark for the challenge at 14:45, with the challenge taking place between 15:00 and 1600.

There will be strict rules on conduct, no executing, and anyone who yields must be allowed to retreat off the field. Spectators may heal players, but only when they are off the field.

Dragonforge

The winners of these challenges will have the chance to pick items from the Dragonforge. A full list has been given and is available on the Wind for those who wish to know more.

Figures From the Past Stand Tall

There are too many ghosts haunting the Territory of Reikos for the local Stewards of the Dead to handle. Something has called not just the dead who lost their lives fighting in the territory, but from those all over the Empire who fought against the Druj. There are also many angry Druj ghosts.

There is a conjunction for a hundred Imperial citizens to visit the High Arboretum in Chalcis Mount at 23:30 on Saturday, the High Exorcist is in charge and will be expected to lead 100 citizens through the Sentinel Gate. If you have the exorcism skill now is the time to use it!

Anyone who spent time in Reikos this past season should have encountered more ghosts than is normal.

Volunteers

You are welcome to volunteer to NPC for this encounter if you wish to portray one of the restless spirits in Reikos. If you played a character who died in battle against the Druj who did not take Kaela’s Gift or been summoned by Whispers through the Black Gate, and has not already appeared as a ghost and passed on, you can play your ghost in this encounter.

If you have a complete Druj costume, including mask, you can volunteer to play one of the angry Druj ghosts

You must email plot@profounddecisions.co.uk by 18:00 on Friday 18th of April if you wish to volunteer

Weird Goodbye

Last season adventurers travelled through the Sentinel Gate to find the strange magical creatures, or Artoks, known as Big Icebarn and Little Icebarn. They were then marked with various runes that mean the Empire has control over them, to a degree.

Big Icebarn

Big Icebarn can either be sent to fight the Jotun or the creatures of Hayaak or Agramant. 1000 military power will need to be assigned to go along with Big Icebarn. If there is sufficient support from Wintermark Military Units then Big Icebarn will return to take up more duties next season. Otherwise, they will go back to the Endless Storm in the Far North.

Little Icebarn

Little Icebarn can either be sent to aid building in the territory of Semersuaq, or be sent to dig in the depths of the Pride of Ikka’s Tears Mine. If sent to build then they would remove the need for a Senate commission, and would pay for all the labour costs. If sent to the mines then Ikka’s Tears would produce an additional 4 wains of mithril a season for a year.

Pride and Paragons

Last summer it was revealed by the Lepidean Librarian that the well known Paragon, Vardas, was not in fact a real person and had been made up wholesale – except for the parts that were stolen from the life stories of real people who should have been getting the credit.

This is causing some problems in the faith.

False Paragons

There will be no schism over Vardas being denounced, the General Assembly moved quickly and emphatically and so everyone is on the same page as it were. There is also no push to investigate the stories of the other Paragons, but there has been some fall out that needs to be addressed.

1. What are the signs of a Paragon and what makes them important enough to indicate someone is especially inspirational?
2. What are Exemplars and what are they for?
3. Why are Paragons important to only one Virtue, and what’s going on with the First Empress and why hasn’t she been made a Paragon of one of the Virtues yet?

Final Question

This situation has deeply upset many of the researchers of the Lepidean Library. Many of them now wish to retire, so that they cannot be forced to find out something tawdry about a beloved icon.

For the next year the Library must not research the life of an exemplar or a paragon for the next year or they will quit en masse.

They will however continue doing research on the past life visions of citizens and will even do further research on the above questions. These cannot happen at the same time, however, and the questions will take 6 months of study to answer. The Librarian will be able to direct the Library through announcements in the Senate.

Outstanding Work

There is still some research that needs to be finished. It is on legendary Marcher General, Tom Drake. Some of the Library researchers wish for information from the Marcher Assembly to know whether, in light of the recent revelations about Vardas, this should be continued and if the final report should be worded in a particular way. The Marcher Assembly don’t have the power to halt it, but they will be able to influence a lot of how it is said and done.

The Grand Inspiration

Over the last few years Highguard has been drawing in as much White Granite and money as possible in order to build Bastion into an inspirational city that will show everyone that it is the true birth place of the Way.

Unfortunately, the current religious strife has stopped many of the donations to the effort. What I have been referring to as Mega!Bastion requires 1000 wains of white granite and 250 thrones. To date the project has received 583 wains of white granite and 167 thrones.

There are still donations from Highguard itself coming, but they have been slowed to 10 wains a season and so the completion of the project will stretch far longer than expected.

However, some believe this to be a good thing. It will give Highguard and the Empire a better chance to make decisions over what the Way actually means and how the newly improved city will reflect that can be considered over the longer time frame.

And there we have it, folks. Until more Winds drop, or I get started on the Diplomatic Winds, that’s what you’re getting!

I hope you find something in this mammoth post that interests you!

If you notice anything that I have written up incorrectly feel free to leave a comment and I will try to fix it as soon as possible.

See you next week for more!

K