Flight of birds
Leofric stared at the pair of burning candles, his mind wandering. It was dark in the ruined hall; the windows that had once let light pour into the main dining area were now choked with growth. The marsh was slowly reclaiming this place, in another century or so it would likely be gone if nothing were done to save it. In life the warriors of this Hall would have drunk and celebrated here. Now they were likely interred, in the waters outside, their weaopns and armour lying in the dark mud along with them. It amused Leofric to imagine that soon their mead hall would be joining them.
Of course that was only if nothing was done to shift its skein. There was something here, he could feel it. He hadn't just stumbled on this place, the birds had known where this abandoned nest would be found. They'd led him here, a pair of Whooper Swans, their wings pointing the way as they took flight, their distinctive call beckoning him on. Not their swan song, but an invitation to something just as important. This building was trapped here, caught at the boundary between life and death, like a hero on his death bed drawing his final breath.
The mystic picked up the first candle, taking care not to spill any of the precious wax. Holding it over the bowl, he let the hot melt slowly drip into the cold water below. As soon as the first drop of clear wax touched the water it turned instantly cloudy as it blossomed into shape. A second drop joined the first and then a third. Three drops was enough he decided.
Three wax tears for the three people of Wintermark. Ready to show him a vision of the future. Of what might be.
Overview
For some time now, the mystics of Ishal have been travelling the length and breadth of Wintermark, studying the flights of birds, interpreting dreams, reading the entrails of slaughtered animals - all attempts to see beyond the limits of the mortal world to perceive something about the nation's skein. To date they have been guided in their journey by the messages sent them to by the Raven Seer each season, as a way to try to focus their divinations on the things that matter most to Wintermark.
Last season the Raven Seer asked the mystics to help with the creation of a new Wintermark army, a Kallevsi army to lift up the blade that was laid down when the heroes of the Fist of the Mountain lost their lives in battle in Redoubt. The mystics are not warriors, but they have studied the omens and gathered what information they can and presented it for the nation to consider.
The mystics have done what they can, but it is apparent to everyone that they could have done more, had their remit run wider. If they'd been able to collaborate with the nation's banner-bearers, thanes and runesmiths, they could have achieved more. If it was clear they had the mandate of Wintermark to pursue their divinations they could have worked with people across the nation to accomplish more.
To that effect, the mystics have put foward a proposal for the nation to consider. To work as one, they must be guided by the whole nation - for that they need the Witan to speak...
A hero's skein is like weather... the closer it is to now, the easier it is to read.
Leofric, Mystic of IshalNew Model Army
- The mystics of Ishal have been studying the omens to see how Wintermark might raise a new Kallavesi army
- A new Kallavesi army could be relentless, glorious, resourceful or berserk
Last season, the Raven Seer set the Mystics of Ishal the task of seeing how Wintermark might best inspire and empower a new army. The Fist of the Mountains, the first army of Wintermark, has been destroyed in battle. Their lives were spent defending the people of Urizen against the depredations of the Grendel. That army is gone - the Runebound mystics who served under Emperor Guntherm slain alongside their warrior counterparts. Maybe in years to come, when their souls are reborn, there will come a time when mystics once again march with Wintermark's armies, but that time is far away, beyond even the sight of the seers of Ishal.
While the Fist of the Mountain may be gone, Wintermark endures. The Imperial Senate could pass a motion authorising the raising of a new Imperial army that draws on the Kallevesi people at any time. There are costs involved of course, it requires 200 wains of mithril to outfit a new army, costs 75 thrones and takes a year to complete. There's nothing the mystics can do about these costs, it takes time, resources and money to outfit and train an army.
We mourn the loss of the fist of the mountain, but must look to who will take up their blade. How can we best inspire and empower a new army such that it can become something unique and steeped in the traditions of Kallavesa? Show us opportunities, seeds that we might grow into a Kallavesi force of arms.
Raven SeerThey are able to read the omens enough to predict what quality such an army might possess, if it were indeed raised from the Kallavesi. There are not enough mystics left who are ready to go on campaign with an army, so any new army could never be as far-sighted as the Fist was. However there are Kallevesi warriors who could be recruited; many of them from the "naga-dominated halls that disdain magic", these fighters take joy in battle, often making use of the strange plants that grow in Kallavesa to disarm their fear of dying, allowing them to commit to their skein no matter the cost.
As things stand, any new army that was raised from the Kallevesi could draw on these strengths to become relentless, glorious or beserk. Alternatively it could employ some of the quieter Kallavesi traditions, their expertise as foragers and herb gatherers who know how to live off the land, to become resourceful. In addition to this, the omens have yielded two jealously guarded secrets.
No Half Measures
- Wintermark could commission the Hall of the Soturi in Kallavesi to train heroes in readiness for a new army being raised
- The Hall would allow Wintermark to raise a single new Kallavesi army with the fearless quality
When they die, the greatest heroes of Wintermark are interred in The Sovevann, the ever-shifting haunted marshes. According to the legends, their spirits dwell there still, and will sometimes come forth to welcome one of their own to their final resting place. The Sovevann is a place of mysticism and spirituality, where the veil between life and what comes after, grows thin.
It is also the national bird of Finland.
Leofric, one of the mystics of Ishal, was inspired by the flight of birds, to venture deep into the Sovevann as he sought inspiration to answer the Raven Seer's riddle. There he discovered the dwindling remmants of a once great dwelling, the Hall of the Soturi. Once home to a banner of kallavesi warriors, they marched to war with Empress Aenea and never came back. The walls of the Hall bore the Soturi's oath, "A hero who commits their all never loses, they know only victory or death." The oath epitomised the Soturi's approach to battle - once a course of action was chosen they must commit themselves to it without reservation. They were fierce exponents of the Kallavesi warrior tradition, committing themselves fully to the fight with no half-measures, no looking back.
All the omens agree that it would be auspicious to rebuild the lost hall. Doing so would promote the fighting traditions of the Kallavesi, reminding everyone of why these fierce warriors are so feared. Such an effort would not be cheap - but if the Empire commissioned the Hall of the Soturi as an edifice here in the heart of the Sovevann, it would draw young, aspiring warriors from across the territory. They would come here, to spar and train with each other, surrounded by the ghosts of some of the most legendary figures from Wintermark history. If that happened, it would allow Wintermark to raise a new Kallavesi army with the committed quality.
| Hall of the Soturi |
| Commission Type: Edifice |
| Location: Kallavesa_Marsh, Kallavesa |
| Cost: 20 white granite, 20 weirwood, and 120 crowns in labour |
| Time: 1 season |
| Effect: Allows Wintermark to raise a single new Kallavesi army with the fearless quality |
| Availability: Opportunity ends if not commissioned before the end of Autumn Equinox 387YE or if the Hall of Names is commissioned |
The Hall would require twenty wains of white granite, twenty wains of weirwood, 120 crowns and take a season to complete. Once complete it would allow Wintermark to raise a single new Kallavesi army with the committed quality, drawn from the warriors training here. Once used once, there would be no further benefit.
Fearless
- Can use the no half measures order when attacking
- Other Descriptors: Resolute, Whole-hearted, Fervid
A fearless army throws itself into battle heedless of the consequences, determined to achieve victory no matter the cost. Some Kallavesi warriors employ rare herbs drawn from the marshes of the Soveann that take away your fear of death. Once they are committed in battle they throw themselves into it without reservation fearless of the consequences.
- Casualties inflicted by this army are increased by a fifth
- The ability of this army to conquer territory is increased by a fifth
- Casualties suffered by this army are increased by three tenths
A Hero has a Name
- Wintermark could commission the Hall of Names to gather and record the names of Wintermark's heroes
- The Hall of Names would allow Wintermark to raise a single new Kallavesi army with the 'named quality
After some discussion with various scops, the mystics agree that there is an alternative. Rather than restore the hall as it once was, a monument to the Kallavesi fighting spirit, the Empire could build on the ruins to house a memorial to the achievements of generations of Wintermark heroes. The proposed Hall of Names aims to gather the names of the countless Wintermark heroes and chroncile their deeds. All could be included, the greatest heroes of ages gone like Inga Tarn and Emperor Guntherm, alongside the deeds of the heroes who live today.
| Hall of Names |
| Commission Type: Edifice |
| Location: Kallavesa_Marsh, Kallavesa |
| Cost: 25 white granite, 25 weirwood, and 150 crowns in labour |
| Time: 1 season |
| Effect: Allows Wintermark to raise a single new Kallavesi army with the named quality |
| Availability: Opportunity ends if not commissioned before the end of Autumn Equinox 387YE, or if the Hall of the Soturi is commissioned |
Alongside the names of the original inhabitants of the Hall, would go the names and deeds of countless other Wintermark heroes. When the scops give someone a name it could be added to the records kept in the Hall, creating a living register of those who had proved their worth to their fellow Wintermarkers.
It would take many years to gather the names of all the living Wintermark heroes spread across the nation. Initially most of the names added to the records would be Kallavesi heroes, simply because of the Hall's location near the centre of Kallavesa. Such an effort would be much appreciated by the people of Kallavesa whose individual heroism can be easy to overlook compared with the more martial and cunning traditions of the Steinr and Suaq. It would inspire their Pride and Loyalty and encourage them to further acts of heroism. If that happened, it would allow Wintermark to raise a new Kallavesi army with the named quality.
The Hall of Names would require twenty five wains of white granite, twenty five wains of weirwood, 150 crowns and take a season to complete. Once complete it would allow Wintermark to raise a single new Kallavesi army with the named quality, recruited from the stories of the heroes recorded at the Hall. Once used once, there would be no further benefit.
Named
- Can use the make the ancestors proud order when attacking
- Other Descriptors: Brave, Valiant, Lofty
A named army contains countless soldiers who have earned themselves a name from the scops of Wintermark for their heroism. These Proud warriors are determined to live up to their name; they accept nothing short of heroism from each other - and from the people they fight alongside. They have no time for those who seek to win by treachery or fight with needless savagery or cruelty. They are able to take the attacking order to Make The Ancestors Proud building on recent Wintermark strategies involving fighting with honour.
- The ability of this army to capture territory is increased by a fifth
- Casualties inflicted by this army are decreased by a tenth
- Any allied force that issues with orders to plunder, cut them down, carry out a merciless assault, do whatever it takes, or employ fire in the blood is changed to a balanced attack
- The presence of an army fighting to make the ancestors proud is always obvious to other armies in the same territory
A named army instructed to make the ancestors proud will seek to demonstrate the heroism that won them their names when fighting the enemy. They will be inspired to give their all in battle, pushing the enemy back but giving quarter where it is asked for. In addition, they will ensure that any forces that fight alongside them are prevented from taking orders designed simply to rob, kill or maim the enemy. This will not inflame tensions between the two forces, the inspiring example set by the heroes of Wintermark will be enough to ensure that others follow their example.
In addition, the army will actively seek to protect innocent civilians on both sides. Settlements will not be looted and the occupants will be protected from harm by either side.
Fighting to make the ancestors proud does not prevent enemy forces from issuing orders to plunder or kill.The Witan
- The mystics of Ishal have asked the Wintermark egregore to host a Witan in Wintermark at the coming summit
- The Witan will take place in the centre of the Wintermark camp on Saturday after the moot is over
- Those assembled will need to decide how best to direct the mystics over wint
- This will allow the Witan to select a single topic for appraisal this season
The Witan is the traditional grand moot held most famously after the people of Wintermark were victorious in the Troll Wars. For centuries the Witan played a key role in Wintermark's leaderhip - it was the Witan that would select who would next wear the crown when the current king or queen died. The Witan would meet whenever the monarch needed to call on the counsel and support of the nation.
Not everyone realises that the design of the Imperial Senate was based on the Wintermark Witan, but the parallels are clear. The Senate elects the Throne, just as the Witan once selected the next monarch. The Throne can only rules effectively with the support of the Senate, just as the Wintermark crown once relied on the support of the Witan to get things done. Even the method of voting used in the Senate - with those present moving to stand on one side or the other, or behind their preferred candidate - traces its roots back to the Witan. There are no hidden ballots in the Witan, no secret votes; a hero stands for the cause they believe in.
The mystics have asked the Witan to decide what subject they should turn their attention to this season. They want the Witan to determine what prolem is most pressing, so that the mystics can use their insight and wisdom to find an opportunity to influence the situation. By gaining the backing of the Witan, the mystics predict they will gain wider support for their goals - instead of just the mystics, it becomes a problem that everyone can work on. Working together the mystics will lead efforts to appraise the single problem named by the Witan. They will do everything possible to find at least one solution, presenting any ideas or possibilities they find to the nation in time for the following summit, just as they did this season when looking to see how Wintermark might best raise a new Kallavesi army.
There are significant limits on what the mystics can achieve even with the help of Wintermark. Any appraisal they perform will likely provide interesting or useful insight into a situation or problem, but it's not likely to produce the sheer volume of opportunities the Prognosticator's Office provides. It will certainly provide at least one opportunity to engage with the matter they have been asked to look into, but it's unlikely to produce an entire wind of fortune the way a full appraisal does each season. Crucially the problem needs to be one that is relevant to Wintermark and which they can investigate within Wintermark's borders. Wintermarkers have neither the time nor the inclination to study a problem outside the nation.
To provide wise counsel, the crucial thing the mystics would need the Witan to provide is a concise outline of the problem that Wintermark wants to address. Anyone who brings an idea for an appraisal for the mystics before the Witan should ensure that they can articulate a clear idea of what the problem is and avoid details like how the problem should be addressed or how it should be solved. If the Witan favours their option, then Wilda will pass those details to the mystics.
The mystics have asked Wilda who is Wintermark_Egregore, to call a Witan at the coming summit. She has indicated that she will do so on Saturday afternoon, at the centre of the Wintermark camp, straight after the moot is completed. The format will be simple. Anyone with a suitble proposal for an appraisal can put it before the Witan. The egregore will give each proposer a minute to make their case, and a chance to answer questions. Once the conversation becomes repetetive, she will ask those assembled to move to stand with their preferred candidate. The one with the most support will be the proposal deemed to have the backing of the Witan.