385YE Summer Solstice winds of fortune

Each word has meaning, each word has weight.

Overview

Over the past three months, events have taken place which are of significance to the Empire and may require a response from her champions. These are the winds of fortune, counterparts to the Winds of War which detail the Empire's military campaigns. They lay out situations, and usually include things that characters can do to take advantage of opportunities or to resolve problems. In almost every case, they start with a piece of flavour text. This fiction helps introduce the wind of fortune, or draws out a particular theme or element. Often, it represents a viewpoint that one or more NPCs might have in-character. In all cases, these pieces are intended to help create an atmosphere and provide a little entertainment. Where they contain opinions, those are the opinions of the fictional people depicted - and where they contain information or rumours the assumption is that the reader will create their own context for that information or gossip if they want to use it in character.

The body of the wind of fortune describes situations and lays out ways players can engage with them. Except where we explicitly talk about something being "rumoured" or use a phrase like "some might say..." the details of a wind of fortune are factual. They represent briefing material presented by the civil service or similar authoritative sources and represents something the average educated citizen would acknowledge as a reliable truth. Unless we specify otherwise, we're also being as thorough as possible. This information doesn't need further checking in-character. It's not opinion, and we're not trying to trick you.

As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of Fortune is to maintain the illusion of the Empire as a living, breathing place where things happen - and to make players aware of things their characters could know based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing for the past three months. It's perfectly acceptable to turn up to Empire having read only a few Winds of Fortune that directly interest your character; part of the fun on the field can come from learning about situations and opportunities in other parts of the game.

In each case, we've tried to tag the Winds of Fortune entry with the nations, or political bodies, to which it is most relevant. We've done this to help people who are interested only in events that are especially relevant to them. In no way are these tags intended to be exhaustive; the Empire is a complex place and very little happens in isolation.

Winds of Fortune

Three and Three (Plenipotentiary)

• Archmages; Imperial Conclave; Advisor on the Vallorn, Penumbral Watcher, Skywise Gralka; Blaze Dunning of Wintermark; an old child, a young upstart, a lost guide, a wealthy beggar, a humble prince, and a silent storyteller

The Empire's six archmages are each able to contact an eternal of their realm with a plenipotentiary message. The eternals they address are bound to respond in some way. They might agree to a formal parley, or a private meeting, or suggest something entirely unexpected, but they will surely do something. During the Spring Equinox, each archmage apparently dispatched a plenipotentiary, and as the Summer Solstice approaches, six eternals send messengers to deliver their replies. Three had agreed to formal parleys, and three have made other arrangements.

You can read about the responses of the eternals, including one whose identity is currently a mystery, in the Three and three wind of fortune.

Fate and Function

• People of Urizen, especially Zenith; Imperial Senate; Prosperity Assembly

The Druj left Zenith in a parlous state; stifled by miasma and bereft of hope. After six months of hard work by magicians, priests, politicians, and warriors, the situation is finally improving. The final step to restore Zenith was the completion of the Crucible of Fate - a profound triumph that is now slowly transforming the territory. With the aid of the Golden Pyramid, the heralds of the eternal Estavus, and even the cheerful support of the Dragon of Stone's koboldi, new spires are built and artisans and architects alike begin to spin a new future for their people on the Loom of Fate.

You can learn about the impact of the Crucible of Fate, and the opportunities it presents to the people of Urizen, in the Fate and function wind of fortune.

Restoration and Renewal (Appraisal)

• Urizen; Urizen Assembly; Lumi of Wintermark, Custodian of the Bleak Tower; Imperial Senate

The Conscience of the Senate has commissioned the Prognosticator's Office to appraise the restoration of the Gardens of Pallas - a sinecure destroyed by the Druj during their invasion of Zenith. Rebuilding the gardens presents no particular challenges, but the appraisal also requests an examination as to whether their splendour might exceed that of the original commission. The Imperial Auditor selected Lutomysla Niegoslava to take charge of the project, and any or all of her suggestions will see a new Gardens of Pallas easily eclipse the achievements of those the orcs ruined.

You can read about the results of the appraisal, and the suggestions of Lutomysla Niegoslava, in the Restoration and renewal wind of fortune.

Concord and Accord

• Imperial Conclave; Imperial Senate; Throne candidates

The Empress should be fully engaged with all bodies of state. So begins the declaration of Concord raised by the Imperial Magus Æsa Sigeling and confirmed by the Conclave. While the actual job of appointing a Throne lies with the Senate, it's clear the Orders are keen to ensure that whoever is appointed has the best interests of Imperial magicians at heart. Many candidates have engaged with the Conclave, and now the eyes of the Empire's wizards look towards the others for some sign they recognise the importance of the Conclave.

You can learn about what this means for aspirant Thrones, and what the Conclave can do to influence the race, in the Concord and accord wind of fortune.

Farewell Wanderlust

• Imperial citizens visiting Anvil, especially business, mine, farm, and forest owners; cambion; farmers with menhirs

The Spring Equinox saw the first-ever performance of an Imperial enchantment tied to the realm of Autumn. The Net and Vine of Wintermark used consummate mastery of Autumn magic to create the Bounty of the Brilliant Broker, which has spread across the entire Empire like a subtle web. As with all Imperial enchantments, the potent magic inspires a number of unpredictable effects. As well as prompting a rush of trade and exchange, it's had peculiar effects on mines, forests, and farms across the Empire. Not all the effects have been purely beneficial - it seems the power of Autumn does not play well with the resonances of the Hallow of the Green World enchantment placed last season. Fascinating for those studying the concept of the omnihedron, frustrating for those who have to deal with the practical outcomes...

You can learn about the effects on Imperial citizens, and their personal resources, in the Farewell wanderlust wind of fortune.

The Deepest Cut

• Urizen Assembly; Imperial Synod

At the most recent summit, Able of Zenith Ascendant informed the Urizen Assembly of Herminius of the House of the Wanderer's intention to use true liao to consecrate the tomb of Sulemaine, daughter of Taziel to Wisdom. Herminius also raised a statement urging Urizen citizens to attend such a ceremony and indicating where the tomb was found. Recent developments have seen Sulemaine's legacy reconciled with the nation, but as a pre-Imperial historical figure she remains deeply controversial. Yet it seems the liao has been prepared, the tomb located, and the support of the Urizen assembly secured. So if the will is there...

You can learn about the opportunity to use true liao to consecrate the tome of Sulemaine in the The deepest cut wind of fortune.

Inkpot Gods

• Practically everyone, but particularly the Archmage of Autumn; magicians who can cast Ephisis' Scale and Before the Throne of Estavus; the Imperial Synod; people with an interest in colleges of magic especially slightly illicit ones; Winterfolk runesmiths; those in the market for magic items; the Celestial Arch and the Rod and Shield; and the Military Council

As well as those effects created directly by the potent Bounty of the Brilliant Broker enchantment, the magic also attracts the attention of the eternals of the Autumn realm. It causes weak regio aligned to that realm to strengthen and open wide, to disgorge large numbers of both heralds on missions for their masters and boggarts ready to disrupt and cause trouble for anyone unfortunate enough to cross their paths. Here we can learn about schemes and offers from Ephisis, Estavus, Prospero, Callidus, and Basileus Flint, as well as hear scurrilous gossip about Mazen and the Lictors. We can also discover any number of opportunities related to the resonances of wealth, trade, influence, and craftsmanship.

You can read all about these varied opportunities, and catch up on the gossip, in the Inkpot gods wind of fortune.

Culling the Threat (Appraisal)

• Imperial Senate; Varushka; Dawn; Highguard; Order of the Unfettered Mind; Dean of the Lyceum; and the Military Council

The second appraisal from the Imperial Senate is to "appraise an opportunity to remove the under threat quality from Echofell and the Drownbark Forest in Ossium". In the absence of other guidance, the Imperial Auditor, Gerard La Salle selected Naomi of Virtue's Rest to take charge of the project and she has spent the last three months diligently visiting the eastern Varushkan territory and examining the situation there. Her report is finalised and presented to the Empire; she has indeed located opportunities to deal with the threat of the Druj.

You can read about these solutions, each with the trademark diplomatic flavour that Naomi brings to her appraisals, in the Culling the threat wind of fortune.

Deep forests and dark hills

• Varushka, Imperial Senate; Eternal Shafts of Time and Granites of Veltsgorsk seat holders; members of the Northern Trade Network and the Custodian of the Assayer's Guild

Autumn magic isn't the only thing encouraging trade along the roads of Varushka. The completion of the Iron Roads has provided new opportunities for even the more isolated vales to trade with partners across the nation. A statement of principle raised by Witold Stefanovic Petrov and upheld by the National Assembly has encouraged everyone to do just that, and it could not have come at a better time.

You can read about opportunities to capitalize on the trade opportunities available in Varushka in the Deep forests and dark hills wind of fortune.

The horror and the wild

• Varushka; Dawn; Fleets involved with an territories bordering the Semmerlak; the Imperial Senate; Areloe Larmallevés

The Varushkan National Assembly have encouraged people to hunt out the dark powers of Varushka, and seek to make bargains with them. Those who respond positively to this advice generally do so in private as even with the endorsement of the National Assembly, few want to make the details of their dark dealings public knowledge. Even so, a few stories begin to filter out of odd happenings across Varushka, and in northern Dawn, and some of those stories hold within them kernels of opportunity.

You can read about opportunities to deal with dark powers, and more information about the disruption of the Semmerlak, in The horror and the wild wind of fortune.

Pride and prejudice

• Varushka; Highguard, especially unconquered and benefactors; Gift of the Dwindling Star Seat holder; Warden of the Trees and Hills and Apothecary of Orieb; Imperial Conclave, especially the Shuttered Lantern

As well as urging their people to seek out bargains with dark powers, the Varushkan National Assembly also enacted a mandate urging traders, merchants, and volhov to seek to make peaceful contact with orcs living in their nation. Velko Perunovich Razoradze was sent to spread the word, and encourage people to make deals with the orcs, including the Thule. At the same time, the Highborn assembly enacted a mandate of their own, sending Jared of the Suns of Couros to support the Varushkans in their approach to the orcs and make their own assessment of virtue there. This has led to several opportunities, primarily in Varushka but also in Highguard, and in some cases even wider afield. It's also increased the erosion of traditional Varushkan attitudes to the orcs.

You can learn about these opportunities, and about some of the septs that make their homes in the woods and hills of sprawling Varushka, in the Pride and prejudice wind of fortune.

Half-time Score

• The League

In the run up the Winter Solstice, Merchant Prince, Fransesca di Matos worked with the League egregores to propose a grand competition. A challenge to the Ambition, Pride, and Prosperity of the League to see which of the four cities is in fact the greatest. The competition is running for a single year, starting last year and ending in time for the start of the Winter Solstice in 385. The winner will be the city that spends the most Bourse materials to "improve" their territory. It has taken the civil service a little time to catch up with Fransesca's plans, but they are now able to provide some information on how the contest is going. More to the point, there's also been time now for people to propose some projects of their own that they feel will help their city take pride of place as the "greatest in the League."

The details of the competition, along with several proposals for things to build that might help win the competition, can be found in the Half-time score wind of fortune.

Questions of Virtue

• The Brass Coast; Highguard; Imperial Conclave

The Jotun did not fight in Kahraman; they quit the territory leaving only their so-called champions behind them. Yet they could return at any moment - to the Cinnabar Hills or into Segura. At the same time, the Grendel still hold Feroz, and Asavean warships allied with Governor Rahab have devastated the Sanctuary of the Justicars and the corsair town of Shantarim. With the peace treaty ending imminently it seems that the Brass Coast risks being squeezed between enemies to the east and the west. Yet the Freeborn are not alone, not without allies. The Highborn have offered their aid, guided by the priests of the Brass Coast as to where their assistance may prove most valuable. Their peerless kinship, at least, offers some hope to the beleaguered nation, and there are even stranger allies out there prepared to offer their aid to the people of the Brass Coast. The question is whether they want to accept it.

Information about the situation in the Brass Coast, and response to recent events, can be found in the Questions of virtue wind of fortune.

Not a Drop to Drink

• Brass Coast; Grandmaster of the Unfettered Mind; Champion of Loyalty; Senator for Madruga; Marchers, Imperial Orcs, Navarr

A terrible dessicating blight continues to ravage the Great Grasses in Madruga. It is contained for now - thanks to the efforts of Imperial magicians draping a gentle shawl of renewing rain over the entire territory - but the desert it has created is not shrinking. If anything, it seems that the Spring magic being brought to bear is slowly losing ground against the blight and the awful dry horrors that propagate it. For now, the defences are holding, but nobody knows how much longer they will last. The Silver Chalice has learned as much as they can, and now it falls on brave Imperial heroes to risk the Sentinel Gate and perhaps find a way to remove the thirsty blight before it drinks up the whole of Madruga.

You can learn about the situation in the Great Grasses, and about the conjunctions that offer a chance to explore further, in the Not a drop to drink wind of fortune.

A Glorious Victory

• The people of Dawn, especially their national assembly; Imperial Senate

Dawn has achieved a glorious victory, a triumph their people have dreamed of for centuries. With their allies, they have shattered the Druj armies in the Barrens and conquered the territory. The victory has come at great cost. After the final triumph by the heroes at Anvil, the Senate acknowledged the extraordinary heroism and sacrifice of all those involved and granted Dawn dominion over the land they have striven to claim for so long. The fighting is not yet done, and there is a huge amount of work to be done here before the struggle is over. But for now, Dawn can bask in the glory of their accomplishment, and think about how best to secure their legacy.

You can learn a little about how they might do that, and what that legacy might mean for the Empire, in the A glorious victory wind of fortune.

Welly Boots

• The Marches; General Amberlain and General Asenath

The Jotun never seemed entirely pleased to be in Bregasland, telling the Marchers from the start that this was Mathilda Fisher's fight. They came to support their ally and a chance to fight the Empire, the marshes hold no appeal for them. Once it was clear that Mathilda was beaten, they began to execute an orderly retreat, pulling back into Liathaven and Hordalant. Often when the Jotun leave, they make it clear they will be back - there was none of that bravado this time. So what have they left in their wake? What does it mean to live in a territory where people know their neighbours sided with the Fishers and the Jotun? The fenlanders are renowned for holding grudges, even by the standard of the Marches, and that makes everything just that bit more awkward. But for now, victory. The Jotun are gone. Mathilda Fisher and her household are gone. Time to get back to normal. Right?

You can learn about the situation in Breagasland, and the fallout from the Jotun occupation, in the Welly boots wind of fortune.

Battle Cries

• The League, Varushka; people who helped Break the Vyig; Regario Dossier, Gloaming Sentinel, Custodian of the Assayer's Guild; those with an interest in law and order; criminals of all stripes

The vyig are broken. Their leaders have been arrested and executed, their agents intercepted, their illicit business enterprises exposed. The companies of bravos, bands of sell-swords and wagon raiders, the thief-takers, and the militia have spent the last six months rounding up, capturing, putting down hundreds of the criminals. There are a few reports of groups slinking through Ossium into the Forest of Ulnak, of swift ships leaving Sarvos with suspiciously wealthy passengers aboard, but those few are no longer the Empire's problem. That said... there's a little handful that are the Empire's problem, and also the question of what happens next, and who gets the credit, but it wouldn't be the Empire if there weren't continually uncoiling loose ends, would it?

You can learn about the aftermath of the vyig defeat, and the opportunities it presents, in the Battle cries wind of fortune.

Rings and Crowns

• Highguard; Imperial Conclave, Military Council, Imperial Synod, Imperial Senate, Imperial Conclave; National Assemblies of League, Varushka, and Urizen; General Barachel of Adina's Charge; Seer of the Gateway, the Imperial Chaplain Consular, and the High Exorcist; anyone interested in espionage, spying, or the Bay of Catazar

The people of Highguard, especially their priests, look outward toward the rest of the Empire, ready to offer aid to their younger siblings. Of course not everyone welcomes the Highborn, nor sees the value of their aid and support. Yet the desire to reach out to their neighbours and cousins, allies and friends in the other nations is not diminished. When Highguard puts its mind to a virtuous course of action, very little can dissuade them from the path. It's not as if the nation isn't facing challenges of its own - the Seventh Wave have made a discovery that is cause for some alarm for example. And not everything that is happening in Highguard is necessarily about Highguard as discussions about a beacon for the Way and the Virtue Fund indicate.

You can read about various responses to the Highborn drive to reach out to others, as well as a pressing matter regarding the judgement of rewarding, in the Rings and crowns Wind of Fortune.

Windfall

• The League; Imperial Senate; Urizen

Thanks to the treaty between Salt Lord Kaliact and the Imperial senate, the Wolves of War have been able to take control of Spiral in a single season. In return for this extraordinary gift, Kaliact demanded the right for her and her supporters to join the League. The Imperial Senate agreed to the treaty in principle, but the decision of whether the Apulian Orcs can join the Empire does not lie with the Senate. Legally citizenship can only be granted by an egregore. This coming Senate, the League egregores will determine if it is possible for the orcs of Spiral to become citizens, once they have decided if it is in the interest of the League to accept them. Whatever the outcome, the Empire will have to come to some accommodation with these newest citizens. The wheels of state are turning, and the Imperial Senate will need to decide how to deal with the consequences of regaining Spiral in such an unprecedented way.

You can read about the political situation in the territory of Spiral, at least in the immediate term, in the Windfall wind of fortune.

Chords

• Imperial Synod

During their discussions with the Apulian Orcs, the question of religion, faith, and virtue is raised. The Grendel apparently have their own understanding of virtue, apparently the legacy of Urizen missionaries who spoke with their ancestors centuries ago. .A number of curious priests and bishops have also spoken with these newcomers to find out more about their faith. It soon transpires that while the Grendel follow seven virtues, they do not seem to be the seven virtues that form part of the Doctrines of the Faith. There are important differences - differences that raise some rather important questions for the Imperial Synod. What exactly is the place of audacity, cunning, fidelity, and retribution in the Empire?

You can read about the beliefs of the Apulian Orcs, and the questions they raise for the Imperial Synod. in the Chords wind of fortune.

The Fate of the Many

• Urizen; Imperial Senate; Elyssiathain

The decision to make Spiral a League territory came as a shock to its Urizeni inhabitants, one that even their legendary poise cannot always absorb. The response crosses a whole spectrum: fury, anger, bitterness, relief, sorrow, resignation, acceptance. It is a turbulent time, now, for the Urizen folk of Spiral, and they look to their Assembly for guidance. What is very clear is that things have changed, profoundly, and that to imagine otherwise is to deny reality. Yet there is unexpected aid, here and there, such as that offered by two somewhat unlikely sources.

You can learn about the Urizen side of the Spiral situation, and some of the choices that could be made, in the The fate of the many Wind of Fortune.

Ruin

• Anyone, but especially Imperial Magicians; the Raven Seer, High Bard of the Empire, Dean of the Thorned Rose

From the point of view of mortals, the heavens are mostly immovable, but their influence over (or reflection of) events in the Empire cannot be denied. For some time there has been an ongoing entanglement of esoteric stars - the Lock and the Key, with additional complications from the Web and the Spider It seems that ongoing conjunction is coming to a head, but that approaching crescendo may present its own challenges. Worse, the astronomancers of the Empire have spotted another worrying development. A second conjunction is underway, and will be strongest during the Summer Solstice itself. The Wanderer is moving into alignment part-way between the Claw and the Three Sisters, bringing conflict, sorrow, and potential disaster - especially when one considers the unidentified warriors moving with murder in mind towards three prominent Imperial landmarks.

You can learn about the effects of these magical currents, and the imminent attacks on Imperial landmarks, in the Ruin Wind of Fortune.

Murder of Crows

• Wintermark; Virtue Assemblies and General Assembly; Varushka

At the previous summit, the priests and stormcrows of Wintermark passed a set of three judgements that bear down on what it means to be Winterfolk. The most contentious of these was one by Cynerik calling for a Varushkan senator to be interred in the Kallavesa marshes. Eevi of the Gadrai submitted a judgement citing the inspiration provided by Dogri Thlebane. The final judgement was provided by Ingrid Seiging and called on Wintermark to do everything possible to defeat the Jotun. Each of these judgements raises as many questions as they answer, questions that the Wintermark Assembly now have a chance to try and settle.

You can learn about the judgements, and the profound implications they have for the people of Wintermark and potentially the entire Empire, in the Murder of Crows wind of fortune.

Sense and Sensibility

• Marchers, especially Jedediah Boon

It seems to be a year for inexplicably magical effects in the Mournwold. Every night after the Spring Equinox the phantasmal image of a giant, shirtless, miner appears above Ore Hills and strikes several dramatic poses. Nobody really knows what it is about, but there's three groups of people who think it might be intended for them. One lot are the mine owners eager to change the way power is distributed in their nation. Another are the Mournwold Orcs, who wonder if maybe it's a message that they aren't welcome. The third are romantics, but most of them are keeping that proclivity private so their opinions aren't presented here.

Any road up, you can read about the mine-owner enfranchisement movement and the Mournwold Orcs in this Sense and sensibility wind of fortune.

Pruning Shears

• Martin Orchard and their fellow Marchers; threshers; the Vigilance assembly

Not much is known about Benson the Bellringer, occasionally known as "Major" Joshua Benson. A pre-Imperial figure who was part of the March from Dawn, his legacy survives in the members of the Pickham Monastery in Upwold. During the Spring Equinox, Brother Martin Orchard called for the creation of an inspirational tomb for the Vigilant watcher. The Marcher assembly agreed - and it seems so does the Sentinel Gate! But it's not just Brother Martin's Vigilance that is inspiring people in the Marches this season; Brother Geoffrey Orchard raised another statement regarding the Whisper Gallery, which also has people talking. It'll be interesting to see where that goes...

You can learn about the impact of these two statements, and a conjunction to visit Benson's Orchard, in the Pruning shears wind of fortune.

Four and Four

• Among a great many others: Aletheia, Daughter of Carmen and Lightning on the Ice; Eadric of house du Froste, Eadric Fjellravening, Percival Tallstag, Silas Falconer, Solomon Locke, Melek GreatHeart and Veridan Silva; Imperial generals; the Freeborn National Assembly; General of the Burning Falcon; Ashborn Pakt, Kahendrin Wordsmith, Vanja Oddsbreaker; anyone with an opinion on death; the thespian-magician Eliza of Sarvos; people who wrote to Lashonar in the Spring; Sally Thresher of House Talbot, and both Sebastian Shaw and John Grindecobbe; Skywise Gralka and a whole host of others

While a great deal of actual diplomacy between the mortal world and the magical realms is overseen by the archmages, sometimes the eternals make their own way to the Empire. These eight eternals all have specific reasons to speak to Imperial citizens, and a number are sending heralds to visit them at Anvil during the coming summit. Their intentions are as varied as their natures might suggest, and on at least two occasions, those intentions lead directly to armed conflict and conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate.

You can learn about these eternal affairs in the Four and four wind of fortune.

Two Minutes (Conclave)

• Imperial Conclave, especially the Celestial Arch and the Shuttered Lantern; Navarr, Loyalty, and Highborn Assemblies

The Imperial Conclave has undergone radical changes, but has quickly adjusted to its new methods of operation, and its new powers. The impact of the declaration of Concord, now it is being shared with all Imperial magicians, is beginning to be felt across the Empire and beyond in the wake of the Spring Equinox. Among the declarations passed by the Conclave were a decision to send a diplomatic envoy to the Faraden; to smash up a rock; to bestow a ritual text on a different magician family; to endow a hospital; and to thank the Brother of Wizards.

You can read about the outcomes of these declarations, and also find out what is going on with the refugee Suranni magicians, in the Two minutes Wind of Fortune,.

A Lost King

• Imperial Orcs

The Imperial Orcs have completed two of the three constructions requested by their new allies, the Ethengraw, the Illarawm, and the Yerende. For the Ethengraw, the Orcs have commissioned a great armoury, consisting of dozens of forges. For the Illarawm they have create a temple, an ossuary for their many bones they carry. Both are now complete. The work on the final commission, a great garden of plants and herbs for the Yerende has begun. The Tamazi are already settled into their new home in Skarsind, but now three entire complete septs of orcs are on the verge of joining the Imperial Orcs. So what does that mean?

You can read about the Ethengraw and Illarawm, and about the question of who the Imperial Orcs even are any more, in the A lost king Wind of Fortune,

Wild Blue Yonder (Trade Winds)

• Ambassadors, fleet captains, the League

The Empire is surrounded by a penumbra of smaller nations, each of whom makes demands or creates challenges for their larger neighbour. The Empire itself is one of six might great powers, spread across the Known World. Each of them is a rival or ally that can competed with the Empire on it's own terms - diplomatic, religious, economic, military, magical - and in some cases may even surpass them in one area. The Empire maintains a cadre of ambassadors who deal with these foreign nations, and sends out fleets of merchants to trade with them. Nothing is entirely stable in the international arena, though, the winds and currents shifting and changing imperceptibly and occasionally erupting into a hurricane or a whirlpool that breaks everything into chaos.

You can learn about significant international events not already covered in the Wild blue yonder winds of fortune.

Drinking Song for the Socially Anxious

• Everybody, put perhaps especially the Quaymaster of the Elosian Docks, Heilyn Bronwen's Rest, and Cecilia De Gauvain

People come to Anvil from all over, and any gathering of important people attracts people who, while no less important in their own lives, need the powerful and the wealthy to provide them with... things. This list barely touches the surface with regard to people visiting Anvil, but you may wish to keep your eyes open in particular for: everyone's favourite Axou narcotics traders; an opportunity for a few connoisseurs to use the epic magic of the Sentinel Gate to visit the scenic docks at Elos on a shopping trip; a little game with a little herald; entrepreneurial orcs; entrepreneurial humans who believe a rising tide lifts all boats; a herald with a grudge maybe; and several more groups of Apulian Orcs with agendas a little more focused that those already camping with the League.

You can read about assorted visitors to Anvil, and the people they want to speak to, in the Drinking song for the socially anxious Wind of Fortune.

Other Events

There are a number of other events and situations which are noteworthy, but which for whatever reason have not led to a full Wind of Fortune in their own right.

Sword Scholars in Holberg

• The controversy around the Scholars of the Sword Academy in Holberg has been resolved, at least for the moment
• The Master of Defence of the Scholars of the Sword Academy stipend has increased by a third
• The full impact of encouraging bravos to study the works of Emperor Frederick alongside the sword has yet to be felt

During the Spring Equinox, two mandates were raised in the League assembly concerning the Scholars of the Sword Academy in Holberg, but only one - that raised by Erasmo di Tassato - was upheld. The mandate encouraged the Bravos of Holberg to debate the sword scholars, seek other rival points of view and draw their own rational conclusions about the teachings of Sulemaine i Taziel and those she had inspired. It also specifically encouraged them to investigate the teachings of Emperor Frederick Ritter van Holberg, who wrote extensively on the differences between liberty, freedom, and Anarchy. Frederick is amongst the most famous people ever to have come from Holberg and many bravos will be even more interested in his life and teachings than they would be with someone like rebellious Alexander von Holberg or Urizen's Sulemaine.

Debate is absolutely what many sword scholars want, so the majority have welcomed this intervention. It has sparked enthusiasm and interest in the Academy, boosting the Master's Stipend by a third. It has also however expanded the influence of the sword scholars in Holberg, and encouraged a number of bravos to take up politics. It has also led to the school employing other teachers alongside the sword scholars. The school is bustling - scandal and rumour attract almost as many students as fine facilities and excellent educators - but the full implications of educated bravos with a taste for philosophy have yet to be felt. At the moment, however, the main topic of conversation is the debate around the announced consecration of Sulemaine's tomb; the outcome is likely to also have an impact on this enclave of excellence within the walls of Holberg.

Aberrant Growth

• Lists of places where chaos fruit and vis-producing vallorn plants are being cultivated have been prepared

During the Spring Equinox two mandates were enacted around concern for the cultivation of chaos fruit in the Empire. One was raised by Vadrian Dace in the Highborn assembly, and one by Enfys Larksong in the Navarr assembly. Thanks to these mandates, Sister Julliette of Balthazars Vineyard and Enfys have been working with Vigilant priests to compile a list of every Imperial citizen who has added chaos fruit to their forest in the last six months. Thanks to the concerted effort by the two assemblies, the reports have gone further and include the details of farms and forests where vis-producing vallorn vegetation has been harnessed following the peculiar events of 379YE. The lists are to be provided to the two named priests, and will be made public following the summit.

Challenge of Wisdom

• The Challenge of Wisdom power is no longer available to the Cardinal of Wisdom

Just over a year ago in Spring 384YE, the burgeoning conflict between the Imperial Synod and its own Virtue Assemblies saw the Wisdom Assembly endorse the mandate submitted by Galene Netherwatch explicitly encouraging their followers to continue their virtuous opposition to the Synod's rule. This granted the Cardinal of Wisdom a unique power; for at least a year they would be able to challenge mandates by other assemblies by using the potent aura "The Challenge of Wisdom" to empower key individuals to question what is being done. The opportunity to resist the General Assembly in this way was be available for at least a year, and if it was used successfully during that time to cause a mandate to fail because it only achieves a lesser majority, then the power would have remained available indefinitely.

The power was invoked during the Spring Equinox for the first time by then-Cardinal Hembeneth i Guerra in an attempt to bring the scrutiny of the Wisdom assembly down on a mandate raised in the Dawn National Assembly by Andwyn of House DeRondell. Andwyn withdrew their mandate before scrutiny closed, however. As a consequence, the Challenge of Wisdom is seen by the majority of those dedicated to that virtue to have failed. As such, this ability is no longer available to the Cardinal of Wisdom.

Navarr and Thorn

Let the truth of the heart of Brocéliande be known to all who hear the call of the trods. The exemplars Navarr and Thorn made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the safety of our Empire and the lands beyond. Their bodies remain at the heart of the largest vallorn in the Empire, both held in it and holding it back. They act as the spike holding open the wound that allows the trods to drain the magic from this foul creation. Spread the word through the stridings, steadings, and wayhouses, tell our Grey Pilgrim cousins and the questing knights of Dawn, recount the stories to all who would listen. The time is upon us, we will bring about the destruction of the twisted blight upon our empire and will release the founders of the nation.

Sian Eternalt, Spring Equinox 385YE, Upheld (Greater Majority 288-0)

• The priests of Navarr are spreading the story of what lies at the heart of Brocéliande

It's common knowledge that prior to the Winter Solstice a number of heroes penetrated the heart of Brocéliande, to the city of Terunael itself. During the Spring Equinox, the Navarr National Assembly upheld a statement of principle by Sian Eternal telling the people of Navarr what was found there. According to the Assembly, the exemplars Navarr and Thorn themselves still live within the twisted madness at the heart of the vallorn. Their sacrifice keeps the Empire safe, and they urge the virtuous to spread the story to any who will listen. It would be easy to dismiss the tale as fancy, but there are Navarr prepared to swear to what they themselves saw with their own eyes - and they aren't the only ones. Adventurers of many nations looked on the heart of the Brocéliande vallorn, and enough of them are prepared to attest to the truth of the Navarr claims that the story cannot be doubted.

What it means is hard to say, and raises more questions than it answers. How are Navarr and Thorn still alive, more than a thousand years after the vallorn was created? What is the nature of their sacrifice and how is it helping protect the Empire? Why are more people not talking about this? For now though it is perhaps the final part of the statement that has the greater impact. The time is upon us, say the Navarr assembly. "We will bring about the destruction of the twisted blight upon our empire and will release the founders of the nation."

Work is nearly complete on the expansion of the Great Library of Hacynian. It will be finished shortly before the Autumn Equinox, and then the work of collecting a collating every piece of information about the vallorn will begin, and when that research is also complete... it will certainly reveal a way to destroy the vallorn once and for all.

Powerful Rituals

• A number of powerful rituals were cast in the Empire last season

Several powerful enchantments were cast last season:

• Dripping Echoes of the Fen were summoned in Grey Fens in Bregasland and Proceris in Zenith
• Forge the Wooden Fastness was cast in Echofell in Ossium and Wittal Grove in Kallavesa
• Ramparts of Ashlar was cast on the Spires of Dusk in the The Plains of Teeth in the Barrens
• Shrouds hang over the territories of Sarvos, Necropolis, Madruga, and Segura

Covid Restrictions
We often have players come to the make up department for help with wounds and lineage trappings when they're being the subject of Whispers Through the Black Gate. Due to covid restrictions around providing make up for players at this event we will not be able to assist with this. Players will have to do any make up themselves using their own supplies, in a space that is not our make up area.

Whispering Gate

• During the Summer Solstice it will be possible to perform Whispers through the Black Gate between 21:00 - 22:00
• The current Imperial Necromancer is Ser Claudia Lovelorn

The Black Gate can be opened to allow masters of Winter magic to commune with the spirits of the dead. For reasons that have never adequately been explained, the Gate can only be opened at twilight when it is neither quite day nor quite night. Imperial magicians prognosticate that this means that during the Summer Solstice the ritual can be performed between 21:00 and 22:00. This information is, of course, of particular relevance to the Imperial Necromancer given their powers and responsibilities.

Trade Summary

Rather than spread this information out around the various foreign nations, we've collected it here for ease of reference.

• Free Trade: Imperial ships trading with Commonwealth, Axos, Sumaah, or Sarcophan Delves receive a +1 rank bonus until the start of the Autumn Equinox 385YE.
• Asavean Archipelago: The port of Nemoria is closed to Imperial trading vessels.
• Axos: The Axos are continue to be furious about revelations relating to Imperial involvement in the failure of their joint venture with the Grendel into the Mountains of the Moon. Consequently Imperial fleets suffer significant penalties to trade with Axos. A fleet captain trading at the Towers of Kantor suffers a -3 rank penalty..
• Commonwealth: The ports of Leerdam and Volkavaar welcome Imperial traders.
• Principalities of Jarm: The ports of Kavor and Vezak remain closed to Imperial fleets.
• Sarcophan Delves: Imperial captains continue to be welcomed in the Delves. Fleets trading with the great port-city of Sarcophan receive an additional dose of Marrowort and an additional dose of Imperial Roseweald on top of their normal production. The new port of Betovering is newly open to Imperial fleets.
• Sumaah Republic: Fleets visiting Zemeh suffer a -2 rank penalty due to an Asavean blockade. Thanks to the actions of the Freeborn assembly, the Asavean blockade has been thwarted - for the time being - and there is no penalty to trade with Zemeh.
• Grendel: The port of Oran is closed to Imperial fleets.
• Iron Confederacy: The port of Robec is available for Imperial fleets but suffers a -2 rank penalty due to sanctions.

Mandates

• You can find details of the mandates, along with the rest of the Synod judgements, here.

A number of mandates were successfully upheld in the Imperial Synod last season. As long as the named priest provided sufficient liao, all mandates have been automatically enacted.

Spring Conjunctions

• Last event there were a number of conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate; their known outcomes are listed here

During the Spring Equinox, there were a number of conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate identified by the Imperial prognosticators. In each case a band of Imperial heroes used that conjunction to travel to a location far from Anvil and intervene in a ongoing situation. These are the known outcomes of those conjunctions. In the case of battles, it is important to remember that the Military Council can only make use of two of the major conjunctions each summit, choosing which to take advantage of during the Muster.

Major Conjunctions

Location	Opportunity	Day	Link	Outcome
Kahraman	Discover more about the gathering of champions	Saturday	Braydon's Jasse	Imperial heroes were driven back. Champion warbands have raided neighbouring territories, and servants of Hayaak reaved across Kahraman
The Barrens	Break the forces of Serra Grubfeast and claim Dawnguard	Sunday	Glorious In Victory	The Druj were routed, Dawnish rebels were successful, and the Barrens became Imperial
Bregasland	End the threat posed by Mathilda Fisher and her supporters	Saturday	Graven's Rock	Not taken; the Fishers have retreated back to their holdings in Hordalant while Bushel Sykes continues to spread secessionist rhetoric.

Normal Conjunctions

Time	Location	Responsibility	Overview	Result
1	Liathaven, Liath's Ring, The Shattered Glade	Imperial Spymaster	Rescue the Navarri and kill the Jotun	The Navarr were rescued and Jarl Iduna was killed
2	Kahraman, Jade Range, Path of the Liscano family	Mistress of the Dust Parador	Stop the Jotun	The Jotun were defeated
3	The Barrens, Saltmarsh, Hadrienne's Lament	Champion of Ambition	Recover the relic of Adelmar	The relic was recovered
4	Bregasland, North Fens, Greywater Estates	General of the Strong Reeds	Force the Jotun to retreat	The Jotun were all killed but no letter was recovered
5	The Barrens, Plains of Teeth, Bloodrun Dell	Dean of Laroc Cathedral	Put the dead knights to rest	The dead were given succour
6	The Barrens, Plains of Teeth, Shrike's Grove	Castellan of Spiral Castle	Recover the Gyre's Edge	The sword was recovered
7	The Barrens, The Bleaks, The Blooming Grove	Polemarch of Highwatch	Kill tepel Zortog Ashtouch	The tepel Zortog Ashtouch was killed and the list acquired
8	The Barrens, Saltmarsh, The Steadfast Pines	Four Seasons' Boneweaver	Recover the stockpile	The Druj were driven off and the stockpile claimed
9	Sermersuaq, Stark, Nestori's Lament	Grandmaster of the Shuttered Lantern	Recover relic from Ender of Virtue	The Ender of Virtue was defeated and the relic recovered and destroyed
10	The Barrens, The Untrod Groves, Jagged Stream	Bargainer of the Iron Tower	Drive off the Druj	The Druj were able to drive off the heroes and reclaim the mithril
11	Temeschwar, Metri, Agnieszka's Grove	Grandmaster of the Rod and Shield	Clear out the heralds	The Grand Enchantrix and her Spites were defeated
12	Mournwold, Greensward, Overton Ruins	Friar of Honour's Rest	Lay the ghosts to rest	The ghosts were laid to rest
13	The Barrens, Saltmarsh, Greenstone Isle	General of the Seventh Wave	Meet with the Vendarri	Negotiations took place with the Vendarri
14	Kahraman, Jade Range, The Sylvan Track	Reeve of Boar's Market	Slay Venator, herald of Hayaak	Venator was stopped and the yeofolk of house Perigord have continued supplying the Boar's Market
15	Sermersuaq, Suaq Wastes, Ymma's Howe	Custodian of the Pride of Ikka's Tears	Stop the Jotun	The Jotun were stopped before they could reach the Pride of Ikka's Tears
16	The Barrens, Bitter Strand, Spinner's Retreat	Medical Officer of the Pegasus Respite	Slay Venomclaw, herald of Arhallogen	Venomclaw was slain as well as the majority of the Druj
17	Sarangrave, Bloodwater Marsh, Ormthak's Path	Dredgemaster of Feverwater	Kill the Druj	The ambush was triggered and the Druj warband killed
18	The Barrens, Plains of Teeth, Meredith's Stand	General of the Winter Sun	Intercept the Druj	The Druj were intercepted and the Rahvin were not attacked
19	Madruga, The Great Grasses, the Dry Patch	Grandmaster of the Silver Chalice	Destroy the Dry Patricians	The Dry Patricians were not destroyed and remain a threat
20	Holberg, Utterlund, Elsbeth's Well	Merchant Prince of Misericorde Market	Recover Misericorde's Blade	Misericorde's Blade was recovered and the Vyig slain
21	Sermersuaq, Suaq Wastes, Ardith's Rest	Averil Olsen, the Warsmith	Kill Theodric Irontongue	Theodric Irontongue and the Walkers of the Wastes were killed
22	Semmerholm, Axmure, Melusine's Field	Knight-protector of Winter	Slay the Amaranthine Devourer, herald of Agramant	The Amaranthine Devourer was slain
23	Holberg, The Morass, Drusilla's Farm	Irada von Temeschwar	Kill the Vyig	The Vyig were all killed