387YE Summer Solstice interlude

Overview

Downtime following the Spring Equinox will soon be open, allowing players to process their character's downtime choices. Not all resources allow a player to make a choice about how they operate between events, but we've provided information about new opportunities for fleet and military unit owners in particular as well as a reminder about existing opportunities created at earlier events.

On this page we'll be outlining, and offering some context for, various effects and events. As always, these include quick summaries, mostly out of character, to explain effects such as large-scale enchantments and curses. In some cases, there may be further developments around these events in the Summer Solstice winds of fortune, or they may be handled with a Resolution entry on the appropriate Wind.

The deadline for Downtime submissions is Midnight on Thursday the 26th of June.

Choices

During the Spring Equinox, there were a number of Senate motions, Conclave declarations, Synod judgements, and Military council orders

Each summit the Imperial Senate raises and votes on motions, the Imperial Conclave debates declarations, the assemblies of the Imperial Synod discuss judgements, and the generals of the Imperial Military Council issue orders to their armies. You can find details of these many decisions here:

The Civil Service is responsible for ensuring that these motions, judgements, declarations, and orders are public knowledge. Not everything is widely distributed across the Empire, but any character who attends Anvil can easily find out details of what went on in the houses of power during the event.

Imperial Guerdon

The Imperial Guerdon is a bursary set up by the Imperial Senate primarily to reward military units that support Imperial armies, spy networks, and fortifications. The value of the Imperial Guerdon is divided between each military unit and fleet that supports an army in proportion to their effective strength. The Quartermaster General of the Imperial Armies has the power to exclude any or all Imperial armies and navies, fortifications, or special projects (such as spy networks) from the Guerdon. If they do so, then a character who supports such an army, fortification, or special project will receive nothing for doing so.

This season, the value of the Guerdon is 150 thrones.

This season, the Quartermaster General of the Imperial Armies has announced that shares of the Guerdon will be shared between military units supporting the following armies:

No other armies, or actions by military units or fleets, will receive shares of the Guerdon.

Military Units

Players who control military units can choose from a number of downtime options
Not every military unit is eligible to participate in every venture
Left to their own devices, a military unit defaults to the mercenary work option

Any player whose character controls a military unit can choose from several downtime options by logging into the downtime system. They may choose to support an army, defend a fortification, or support a spy network. They can also choose one of the many ventures. Left to their own devices, a military unit defaults to mercenary work, guaranteeing an income of money along with a random chance of herbs, more money, mana crystals, ingots or measures.

Players who want to support one of the Imperial armies can also read the orders issued by each general before making their decision. These orders are a matter of public record within the Empire and also available on the 387YE Spring Equinox Military Council orders page. This new page makes it easier for players to read all the orders before making a decision; previously the only way to do this was to painstakingly click every army in turn. It's also possible for players without military units to see the orders, without waiting for the Winds of War (assuming the orders related to an area that produced a full write-up).

As always, the guidelines around discussing military matters online can be found here.

Escort the Drovers

Marcher and Imperial Orc military units can take a guarding action to protect the herd of cattle being driven to Mareave
If at least one thousand strength is assigned to the action then the herd will arrive in Highguard next season
Military units that take this action will receive no production

A grand total of two hundred and seventy-two cattle bonds were gathered for the Southern Herd in Mareave. Now, the difficult task of escorting them across hundreds of miles begins. If at least one thousand strength supports the action, then the first leg of the journey will be completed, and the cattle arrive in Highguard shortly before the Summer Solstice 387YE. For more information see the Million miles of water wind of fortune

Golden Glory

A military unit that supports one of the armies that started the season in Astolat and has been enchanted with Knights of Glory will receive an additional reward
Supporting the Eastern Sky, Gryphon's Pride, Granite Pillar, or the Northern Eagle will gain a piece of Summer vis, in addition to any other rewards

Any military unit that supports an army from Astolat enchanted with Knights of Glory, will gain a boon of a single golden apple that Eleonaris hopes will help encourage the captain to seek an enchantment for themselves or their soldiers. For more information see the Golden magicians fayre wind of fortune

Fleets

Players who control fleets can choose from several downtime options
Left to their own devices, a fleet defaults to the maritime escort option

Any player whose character controls a fleet can choose from several downtime options by logging into the downtime system. They may choose to trade with a foreign port, engage in raiding barbarians, quest in search of glory or renown, scout either to support a smugglers cove or as part of another stealthy option, or commit to guarding a convoy of other ships.

Left to their own devices, a fleet defaults to maritime escort, guaranteeing an income of money along with a random chance of herbs, more money, mana crystals, ingots or measures.

The Empire does not currently have any navies, and there are currently no campaigning actions available, so it is not possible to take campaigning action, but if it were, then details would be included on the Military orders page.

Assault the Kongegőr

Fleets in the Marches and Wintermark can support the Red Wind Corsairs in launching on the Gullet
The action is only available in a season when the Red Wind Corsairs have taken the Take to the Sea order in a territory adjacent to the Gullet

During the Spring Equinox the Marcher and Wintermark Assemblies supported judgements raised by Fredegar Bloodmouth and Hadrick Hardin respectively to encourage fleet owners to put their ships to work supporting the Red Wind Corsairs. The mandates enacted, fleets from both nations are now able to take the Assault the Kongegőr action when the Red Wind Corsairs take the Take to the Sea order whilst in a territory adjacent to the Gullet. If five thousand strength in fleets take the action that season, then the Red Wind Corsairs will successfully become a navy at the start of the following season.

More information on the A bridge too far wind of fortune.

OOC Note: We have decided to only have this action available in the season where it has a chance of having an effect. Fleet owners in Wintermark and the Marches who want to roleplay having raided the Jotun along the Gullet are encouraged to take one of the Escort the Fisherfolk of Westerhal, the Raid Kalsea's Coastline, or the Privateering actions.

Trade Summary

Imperial fleets can trade with ports in Axos, the Commonwealth, Faraden, the Iron Confederacy, the Sarcophan Delves, and the Sumaah Republic
Production depends on the port chosen, and can be increased by upgrades and enchantments

Imperial fleets can trade with a number of foreign nations who have chosen to open some of their ports to visitors from the Empire. The assumption is that a ship trading with a foreign nation makes enough from selling their cargo to cover their running costs, crew salaries and the like, but that there is enough profit to provide the character who owns the fleet with valuable goods of interest to the folk who attend Anvil. What goods are received for visiting a port is changeable, and heavily influenced by Imperial diplomacy.

Axos: The port of the Towers of Kantor welcomes Imperial fleets, and its production has been altered. You can find out more about the change made in the What shall we do now? wind of fortune
Commonwealth: The ports of Leerdam and Volkavaar welcome Imperial traders and their production has been significantly altered. You can find out more about the new items on the According to principle wind of fortune.
Faraden: The port of Caitun welcomes Imperial fleets. Fleets from the Marches and Wintermark benefit from a 1 rank bonus due to close proximity. The production of Caitun has shifted to no longer produce ingots of weltsilver. Instead, a starting fleet will produce 54 rings. You can find out more about the situation on the A pillow of winds wind of fortune.
Iron Confederacy: The port of Robec is available for Imperial fleets.
Sarcophan Delves: The ports of Sarcophan and Betovering welcome Imperial traders.
Sumaah Republic: The port of Zemeh welcomes Imperial traders, and its production has been significantly altered. You can find out more about the changes on the Friend of mine wind of fortune.

Congregations

In addition to the standard preaching options taken by owners of congregations, some special lectures may be available

During downtime, the owner of a congregation can choose to take a preaching action. Normally, these actions are used to preach one of the Imperial virtues, or the general teachings of the Way, allowing a Synod member to change which of the virtue assemblies they belong to.

After the Spring Equinox there are several additional preaching options available grouped together as lectures.

Encourage Pilgrimage to Capodomus

Anyone with a congregation can choose to preach Ambition by encouraging pilgrims to visit Capodomus Cathedral
A congregation that takes the Preach Ambition - Encourage Pilgrimage to Capodomus action will receive three less liao but four more Synod votes than usual
A congregation that takes this action will be in the Ambition Assembly at the next summit

Golden light wind of fortune

Fan the Flames in Faraden

Anyone with a congregation can choose to preach Loyalty, Courage, Pride, or Prosperity in Faraden
A congregation that takes a Fan the Flames of {Virtue} in Faraden action will receive no liao
A congregation that takes one of these actions will be in the relevant Virtue Assembly next summit
If 40 congregations in total support this project, the Faraden faith will be bolstered against foreign influence.

A pillow of winds wind of fortune

Protecting the Mystagogues

League congregations in Spiral can take the Preach Loyalty by protecting the mystagogues action
A congregation that takes this action will receive no liao
If at least one congregation takes this action then the mystagogues will be protected

After the Spring Equinox, there is an additional preaching action available to League characters with congregations in Spiral - Preach Loyalty by protecting the mystagogues. This urges members of the congregation to sacrifice their time to help with the bone pilgrimage, recovering the bones of those Imperial Orcs who died at Solen's Doubt.

More information can be found in the Damming the Doubt wind of fortune

Arcane Projections

The deadline for submitting an arcane projection has changed
Going forward arcane projections must be submitted before the close of downtime
It is not possible to submit arcane projections that create personal curses

The deadline for submitting an arcane projection has changed from the late booking deadline, to the close of downtime. This is a significantly shorter window than previously. We've made this change to improve our ability to process arcane projections - an earlier deadline means that the game team have more time to consider each arcane projection, which will allow us to be more detailed and consistent in our responses.

As detailed in the Patterns of fairytales wind of fortune, it is not currently possible to create an arcane projection that involves a curse directed at a character.

Colleges and Forges

We've changed the email address for college of magic and runeforge submissions

It is important for characters responsible for a college of magic or runeforge to remember that the deadline for submitting rituals for codification, or instructions to the runeforge, is also the point that downtime closes. You must use let us know how you plan to use your college or forge by this point, otherwise it will not be possible to submit anything and the season will be lost.

We've also made a small change there; the e-mail address to which such instructions should be sent is now plot@profounddecisions.co.uk rather than rules. The rules decisions about an arcane projection that is being codified, or a new item, have already been made and it is plot that deals with the creation of ritual texts, unique items, or schema.

Miscellaneous Effects

After every event there will be a range of special effects that have an impact on downtime
Each effect is automatically applied to the appropriate personal resources; this provides details of what has caused each effect

Every season sees large-scale effects impact individuals and nations. Some arise as the result of Synod judgements, Senate motions or Conclave declarations. Others are the results of winds of fortune or war, or magical effects such as enchantments or curses. Each such effect is mentioned in your downtime if it affects your personal resource, along with a brief summary of what is going on. This list provides more detail, and is also useful for knowing what is going on in the wider Empire.

Shaking of the Heavens (Zenith)

Minor tremors and small earthquakes occur throughout Occursion
Heralds of Meraud are active in the region and across the territory

The power of the Silver Magician has been called to Occursion. Given freely to the "Grandmaster of the Golden Chalice" in recognition of the gift of almost a thousand tempest jade, the enchantment will dramatically and permanently elevate one of the largest peaks in the region. More information will be available in the winds of fortune released before the next event.

More information can be found in the Eat like kings wind of fortune.

Adventure in Wild Places (Dawn)

Questing knights and knights-errant gain a bonus of two ranks when taking a questing action with a fleet or military unit
This benefit will last until the start of the Autumn Equinox 387YE

Heralds of Swiftwind are spending the next six months encouraging Dawnish questing knights and knights-errant to deeds of Glory. Those undertaking dangerous adventures or journeying into the unknown might be cheered on by the followers of Stormchaser.

More information can be found in the Golden magicians fayre wind of fortune.

Rivers Run Clear (Mournwold)

Rivers of Life has been cast on the Mournwold
As well as reducing casualties to armies in the territory, the magic infuses all water there with life-giving Spring power

The Imperial territory of Mournwold has had Rivers of Life woven over it. This potent magic preserves life, healing all save the most grievous wounds overnight and infusing water across the territory with restorative powers. This powerful effect has been created by the Freeborn coven, The Sails of the First Flame. As well as the typical effect of reducing losses to any armies fighting in the territory, the magic has other more narrative effects. Wounds heal, animals and plants are healthy and fertile, and people find it easier to start or expand their families.

Micah's Stand Wayhouse (Navarr)

Any Navarr character can take a new resource in Reikos for free until the end of downtime
Any Navarr character with a resource in Reikos counts as being in Therunin for voting in senatorial and similar elections

Micah's Stand is a wayhouse built in High Chalcis to support the Navarr who live in Reikos. The wayhouse was completed shortly before the Spring Equinox, and Navarr can move to Reikos without the usual two-crown cost before the end of downtime.

Hammers of Fury (Karov and Redoubt)

Karov and Redoubt have been enchanted with the Hammers of Fury
This speeds the mustering of a new Imperial army
It also reduces the ingots produced by each mine in the territory by 2, but grants a pawn of Autumn vis in their place

Over the coming months, the power of the Autumn realm is focused on the Varushkan territory of Karov and the Urizen territory of Redoubt. The Lyktan coven has invoked the Hammers of Fury to speed the mustering of a new Imperial army in both territories. This magical service provided by the City of Fire and Stone enchants the forges, foundries, and smithies throughout the territory, infusing them with the heat of Shikal's forges to help them forge arms and armour with supernatural speed. It also sends traders from the Fire Mountain to acquire more resources, meaning that mines throughout the territory will see their production of metals reduced by two ingots, but in their place the mine owners each gain one pawn of warm ashes - Autumn vis.

Stone, Branch, and Ice

The Basalt Citadel has been cast on one region
Forge the Wooden Fastness has been cast on two regions
Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae has been cast on three regions

Ritual	Region	Coven
Basalt Citadel	Eoradal, Mareave	Wolves of the Pale Raven
Forge the Wooden Fastness	Alderly, Mournwold	The Sails of the First Flame
Forge the Wooden Fastness	Alderly, Mournwold	Goatsbridge Coven
Forge the Wooden Fastness	Nesustak Forest, Sarangrave	Coven of the Horned Hare
Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae	Braydon's Jasse, Kahraman	Ashen Flame
Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae	Clisearn, Mareave	Voices of the Unbound Storm
Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae	Hope's Rest, The Barrens	Phoenix Rising

Guardians of the White Fountain (Redoubt)

Guardian Gate has been cast on Court of the White Fountain
Military units that support the fortification will receive a report on hostile forces in the territory

During the Spring Equinox, the Urizen coven, Storms End, enchanted The Court of the White Fountain with Guardian Gate. Over the season, the fortification will become a beacon for defenders in a territory. The garrison and any assigned military unit become focused on identifying threats to the territory and its people, while empowering them with clarity and focus that allows them to swiftly identify hidden threats.

The captain of any military unit that supports the fortification this downtime will receive a report in their pack detailing the information their soldiers have uncovered. The report contains information about any foreign spy network operating in the territory along with details of any enemy campaign army that undertakes an attacking order in the territory, including their allegiance; an estimation of their strength; information about their special qualities; and possibly the name of generals.

A Grand Penumbral Veil (Everyone)

The Penumbral Veil has been drawn across most of the Empire

The potent shroud laid across most of the Empire during the Autumn Equinox remains. The Drawing the Penumbral Veil ritual creates a potent shroud of Night magic that conceals people, places, and events in a territory from the prying eyes of scryers and seers.

The penumbral veil has been drawn over half the Empire. All five League cities (Sarvos, Tassato, Temeschwar, Holberg, and Spiral). The Brass Coast territory of Segura, and most of Dawn (Astolat, Weirwater, and Semmerholm). Half of Highguard (Bastion, and Reikos). Both Navarr territories (Miaren and Hercynia). Two territories of Wintermark (Hahnmark and Sermersuaq). And all of Varushka bar Karov (Karsk, Miekarova, Ossium, and Volodmartz).

The shrouds do not appear to be particularly difficult to pierce, but the effect is noticeable in every territory once the sun sets and the skies over the Empire appear strange and unfamiliar. The effects are relatively low-key, as the shrouds have not been performed at particularly high magnitude, but occasionally they can be dramatic and exciting. Effects include stars not being where they are expected to be; the moon seeming closer, further away, strangely coloured, absent, or in the wrong phase; odd prismatic lights glittering in or moving across the celestial vault. Very occasionally, even stranger effects might be seen such as vast coloured banks of sparkling light, strange translucent birds and fish of immense size that swoop or skim lazily through the clouds, and similar phantasmagoric images of all kinds.

Obviously, it is beyond the special-effects budget of most sanctioned events to affect the appearance of the night sky, but anyone attending such events should bear the effects in mind. Most of the time being aware that the moon is in the wrong phase, or some of the stars are in odd places, will be sufficient to bring this effect to life. The ritual may sometimes cause consternation in people living in affected territories; any details in this regard will be included in the winds of fortune.

Lights in the Sky (Feroz)

A colourful display is in effect in the night sky of Feroz
It is clear to anyone in the territory that this is the result of Summer magic

A bag bound in chains, set within a cage formed of magnificent light, emerges from what appears to be a hole in the sky. Two figures follow; the first an Urizen changeling, clad in a robe of falling stars. In his hand, he holds a gilded staff topped with a blue crystal. Soon after, a Navarr man follows, adorned in moonlight. The two figures share a glance before they seem to survey the land beneath them. Linking hands, they produce a gilded key, and they walk towards the locked bag. As they unlock the bag, it explodes into a starburst of multiple colours, which settle into the forms of creatures dancing in the sky. After a few minutes, there is a flash of light, and the apparition repeats itself anew.

Any further effects of this ritual will be in the winds of fortune released before the next event.

Magical Lore

Every summit it is possible that new rituals, magic items, or potions may become available to Imperial citizens
Some of these options are only available to characters from certain nations, such as those entered into Urizen Lore or Runesmith's Law

During the Spring Equinox, two rituals were put forward for inclusion in Imperial Lore:

Gardener's Wheel raised and funded by Lucius Ankarien Willstone
Hand of the Dhomiro raised and funded by Arsenio Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato

One schema was added to the Imperial lore for artisans to create:

Ring of the Rainbow Sage raised by Thalia of Netherwatch and funded by Tisserande Griffinsbain

No new rituals became part of Urizen lore, and no new magic items were added to Runesmiths Law.