Journeys end in lovers meeting

Journeys end in lovers meeting, every wise man's son doth know.

Overview

It is not just the great and the good of the Empire who come to Anvil each equinox and solstice. The tent-city that springs up around the the Forge attracts visitors from all over the known world, and beyond. Some are drawn by the promise of wealth, some by the need to find the wisest and the bravest to help them resolve their dilemmas, some seek to influence those who wield true power in the Empire, and others come to celebrate and forge new relationships with those drawn to the heart of Imperial power.

Some who plan to visit Anvil are at pains to conceal their arrival, or their intentions. Others, though, make no secret of their intentions - indeed they often choose to send word ahead to ensure that those they hope to make contact with are prepared for them. Here, we talk about some of those who have been most public in their desire to meet those who throng to Anvil.

Friday

Three's Company

A group of Freeborn from the Parador of the Crucible will be turning up to the Brass Coast camp at some point on Friday evening, to celebrate the recent victory over the Children of the Wrecks
They will be bringing some of the water from their magical fountain, which can turn unlineaged humans into naga, briars or draughir unpredictably

In Crucible, Madruga, there is a fountain in the courtyard of an old parador that once stood by the road along the banks of the Scorrero that now flows with rainbow waters; drinking from them by moonlight can prompt a transformation in unlineaged humans. There is a chance that the drinker will unpredictably gain the briar, draughir, or naga lineage over the course of a few days. Normally the freeborn who staff the parador accept visitors from all over the Empire to Madruga to taste the waters, and to relax before the shimmering rainbow waters of the courtyard fountain. After the victory of the Red Wind Corsairs over the Children of the Wrecks and their daring escape from the Grendel, the members of the Parador have decided to make a visit to Anvil to celebrate with anyone who will join them. They will be in the Brass Coast camp on Friday night at...some point.

OOC Note: The choice of which lineage is gained - if any - is down to the player, not the character. Players can either choose secretly themselves, or receive a random choice from the NPCs if they choose to drink the water.

She Knows My Name

Last season, representatives of the Charnel Lord visited Anvil to see whether the people of Varushka still valued their relationship with the Boyar of the Broken Barrow. It seems that Irontooth was well pleased with the tribute offered, and intends to follow through on his word that he would do "something" for the people of Karsk. Taysa of the Black Feathers has invited a number of people to come visit her via conjunction of the Sentinel Gate at 11pm on Friday at the Spring Equinox in the following order:

Sasha of the Sovereigns Head, Neschastya Maksimova Bosko and especially Victor Ostrostan, he who made an interesting offer to the Lord of Crows
Miroslave "XIII" Ruparic, as the Charnel Lord is interested in fostering new talent
Maegruth Bearonovitch Strascovitch to talk about the sinecure and statue they mentioned
Two representatives each of the Vales of Utovshy and Yarizov to discuss what Karsk needs right now

There are other people who Irontooth took note of, yet has chosen not to invite to the gathering. Those people should not take it as an insult, simply that his business with them is not immediate:

He is pleased to hear that the Boyar of Dark hearts wishes to continue cordial relations.
The Winters Guest of Karov has no business intruding on whatever kind of heart the Charnel Lord may or may not have, and should know not to encroach on such things. If it wishes to know what bargain the Charnel Lord may be interested in, it should pay attention to what is being said.
The Charnel Lord is confused as to why any so-called "True Son of Karsk" would now base his military unit out of Ossium, yet would ask for such grand favours without offering any tribute? That said, if he were to return and make good on his claims, then the Charnel Lord would indeed be interested and all would be well between them.
Sketchemi Justicast Mentyevik is thanked for the delicious morsels
The wise and powerful Vladimir Vladirovich Reznikov is recognised for his token tribute

Saturday

By Roads Both Straight and Winding

Marracossans from Trajadoz are travelling to Anvil to meet with their Sendito
They seek to celebrate their ongoing relationship with the Empire and open negotiations about developing it further.
They will arrive in the Brass Coast camp at 11am on Saturday.

Met along the road from their home in Madruga, travellers garbed in an unusual blend of Asavean and Freeborn styles openly engage fellow travellers in impeccable (if not accented) Imperial. These Marracossans (not Asavean and never Nemorian) are travelling to Anvil to celebrate the recognition a year ago of their joint struggle against the Grendel and their Asavean allies. They proudly produce a transcription of the judgement to anyone who show the slightest interest and introduce those of their number who fought alongside Imperial armies against "The Tyranny of the Plenum". As well as meeting with Karg i Estrico i Ergo (who they refer to as "The Golden-Palmed"), their newly assigned Marracossa Sendito and Hugo i Bamesh they also express an interest in speaking with the senator for Madruga, Eulàlia i Phovas i Riqueza as they wish to seek a renegotiation of their current treaty with the Empire. They are however quick to clarify that such a renegotiation would seek only to "deepen their ties for mutual prosperity" with their neighbours.

Whatever happened to Mendicant Garev (this time)?

Another accident has befallen Mendicant Garev on his way to Anvil to attend Inquisition
The Inquisitor of Prosperity is responsible for going to rescue him

I call to Inquisition Mendicant Garev of Highguard to investigate his claims of Prosperity while refusing to pay those who saved his life. This will occur at the spring summit when he is available (there will be cake)

Iniska Ashwood, Prosperity Assembly, Winter 387YE, Vote: 334-120

Last season, Mendicant Garev had a terrible accident and fell into one of the many fissures that surrounds Casfall. Thankfully, three brave heroes of the Empire ventured through the sentinel gate, managed to recuse him and sent him on his way.

Apparently, Garev was not as polite to his rescuers as he should have been, to the point that the Inquisitor of Prosperity saw it appropriate to call him to inquisition at the coming summit regarding the lack of compensation offered. While not a member of the synod himself, operating as a wayfarer through taking on the lifestyle of a mendicant priest, he feels compelled to answer the call of his inquisitor, even though he's a little confused as to the precise nature of the complaint. He sent message ahead that, as he is less familiar with the formal proceedings of the Synod, more focused on the actual preaching and auras as he is, he'd appreciate if the the Speaker of the Highborn Assembly could arrange for someone to help him through the structures of the process and help advocate on his behalf. Furthermore, while he is very grateful for the offer of cake, he would like it explicitly stated beforehand if he is to receive an invoice after consuming it.

That was the plan at least, until tragedy befell him once again; while passing through Syrene on his way to Anvil, he seems to have been given some poor directions and ended up wandering into the regio there controlled by Kaela. It is generally a place avoided by the locals, as the closer you get to its epicentre, the weaker and more fatigued you become. It is presumed that he was overcome by exhaustion as he has not been seen since entering a few days ago. A herald of the Black Dog caught in the days before Anvil was asked after his wellbeing, who confirmed that he was indeed still alive, but that they weren't sure why it mattered whether he died now or of old age. It all ends up the same, really. If the Empire could retrieve his body (dead or alive) from that important place though, it would be appreciated.

Once again, the Sentinel Gate seems to have taken pity on poor Garev and imperial prognosticators have found a conjunction to the regio near Syrene on Saturday at 12:50. It is likely that a casting of Renewed Strength of the New Day will be required to get him up, and given that Iniska called Garev to inquisition, if they wish it to go ahead they should prepare to send a team in to help him out. It is unclear what the effects of being in that regio for so long might be on a person, both physically and mentally, so they may wish to work with the Grandmaster of the Silver Chalice to ensure he is properly tended to.

All characters on this conjunction will be affected by the innate nature of the regio. They will be under the effect of WEAKNESS that cannot be removed whilst there and experience increasing states of lethargy unless they:

Expend a hero point upon entering the area
Are subject to an anointing
Overcome the effect using their briar lineage
Are bonded to a magical item or have a ritual enchantment that mitigates effects like these

The Boggartz Herder

A yeofolk from Spiral Castle is bringing an unknown number of Summer boggarts to Anvil
The boggarts are armed but do not seem to pose an immediate threat
Their cognitive, magical, and martial capabilities seem to be growing from summit to summit
In the past this group of boggarts have demanded mana from any imperial citizen they come near
They are expected to arrive in Anvil at 2pm on Saturday and head straight for the Arena

Over the last few summits, mysterious Summer boggarts have been arriving in Anvil demanding mana to eat. Not just any boggarts - they style themselves as “BOGGARTZ” on a sign, which is unusual both for the poor spelling and the fact that boggarts, cannot typically read or write. The first time they came, they demanded mana and to be named, and the mages of Anvil seemed delighted by them and gave all they asked for. The second time, they interrupted the Astronomancy Symposium led by the Astral Arcanist by taking over the Senate building and demanded more mana, as well as titles to go with their names. Now, a tired-looking and irritable yeofolk from Spiral Castle has been seen herding some more of these “BOGGARTZ” towards Anvil - this time armed. When asked about their business, they just say “Don’t ask. It won’t be my problem soon. Just a few more miles.”

An Artisanal Transformation

Heralds of Azoth are coming to Anvil to offer trials to artisans from the League
Only four will be selected for the final trial
The heralds have already written to some artisans they found particularly promising, but are open to newcomers
The heralds claim those who survive the trials will be "transformed"
They are expected to arrive at 5pm on Saturday and head for the fountain in the centre of the League camp

The Azoth has taken an interest in the artisans of the Empire, and particularly those from the League. The Rebis has been speaking recently about the idea of internal transformation as an under-explored aspect of alchemy. To this end, heralds of The Crucible have been combing the cities of the League looking for the artisans with the most promise, but are unclear as to the actual criteria beyond having "potential". These artisans will be offered trials to - with any luck - undergo an internal transformation.

Rats at Anvil

Something apparently called King Rat is on its way to Anvil.
It is expected at the League Camp on Saturday at around 16.30 on Saturday evening

Travellers on the various roads that lead south from Temeschwar have reported meeting... something on the road. It travels in the company of a group of unwashed and surly bravos, who do not encourage questions. Those who've had a glimpse of the thing, which is travelling in a battered covered wagon drawn by an ox twice as unwashed and surly as the bravos report that it seems to be, variously: a sun-shy draughir; a grotesque herald of the Winter realm; or possible a not-especially-convincing mannequin given life by cunning strings probably as part of some overcomplex plan by a mountebank. Whatever it is, sources agree that it has a reasonably human body, corpse-white features, and an unkempt beard. Its movements are jerky and sudden, and on the rare occasion it is seen outside the wagon, it is described as shuffling or stumbling as if heavily drunk - or drugged. It is also described as being as foul-mouthed and belligerent as any rough and ready Temeschwari street-fighter.

So far, travellers are giving it a wide berth. It is not making particularly speedy progress, though it is clearly coming to Anvil. When pressed on the identity of their travelling companion, the bravos chuckle nastily and the name they give is King Rat. This name is synonymous with the problems Temeschwar has encountered in the last few years with its feral and aggressive rodent population. It is also apparently one of the names used by the legendary entity that allegedly lives in the sewers of the city, who is believed to have been ultimately responsible for the plague of rats and is tied at least circumstantially to certain strange deaths in the city.

There's a lot of speculation about who or what this is. The foolish share wide-eyed horror stories of an actual Varushkan sovereign on its way to either assassinate or offer its services to Emperor Vesna. Wiser heads say that such a thing is really, really unlikely. Whatever other powers sovereigns may have, they do not leave their domains. They certainly don't travel all the way to Casinea. Not in person, at any rate.

Whatever it is, it is coming to Anvil and the bravos joke that it is looking forward to taking in the sights when it arrives on the Saturday evening at around half past four.

Aspiring Cicisbeo Siblings

Two siblings are coming to Anvil to talk to cicisbeo looking for information, tips, and advice
They will be looking for established cicisbeo and those who patronise them
They are expected to arrive in Anvil at 7pm on Saturday and head for the fountain in the centre of the League camp

Portia and Fabian de Castnet Spire are newly League Citizens in Spiral who wish for nothing more than to become successful cicisbeo. However, all attempts thus far have met with polite disinterest at best and a small fire at worst. Therefore, they intend to come to Anvil for an hour or two hoping to learn what they can from successful cicisbeo.

Hahnmark Ghosts

A group of stormcrows from Hahnmark have been burdened by a host of ghosts
Unable to be exorcised, the ghosts reach out for someone to possess
The stormcrows seek volunteers to become possessed, to allow these spirits to deal with their unfinished business and move on
Grey Aleks will come bearing ghosts around 7:30pm on Saturday, to the Tree of Names in the Wintermark camp

The recent casting of Regrow the Land's Heart in Hahnmark, empowered by Llofir, has had an unforeseen side-effect. Areas scarred by war and disaster, now overgrown with mushrooms, have been found to also bear the bones of the restless dead. Unhappy spirits have risen up in places, and though they pose no significant threat to anyone they are a troubling sight.

Some thanes begin to complain of them as a nuisance, but a group of stormcrows led by Grey Aleks argue that this presents an opportunity. These spirits are souls which are held back form returning to the labyrinth, another scar or war that the ritual intended to heal. The stormcrows have gathered the ghosts around them, hoping to lay them to rest.

There is no apparent way to exorcise the ghosts, but each appears to have some piece of "unfinished business," which someone could resolve by allowing the ghost to possess them for the evening. But who? The stormcrows have come to Anvil hoping to find many willing volunteers to take on this task.

These possessions will take the form of a short curse card handed out by a marshal, who will be able to answer any questions about the roleplaying effect. The cards will be 11-point, sans-serif font, with some larger 18-point versions available too.
The effect will last until time out on Saturday, but it will be possible to decide to end the effect at any time if it has ceased to be enjoyable.
It will be up to each individual player how far they want to lean into the possession - completely changing their personality, or letting it guide them subtly, or something in between.

Victim of the Falconer Cult

Kiara Last-Lantern is coming to Anvil to learn about the Falconer Cult
She wants to speak to anyone who interacted with Kaisa the Sewn Tongue
She is especially interested in Kaisa's victims
She is expected to arrive in Anvil at 8:30pm on Saturday and head to Sigehold Hall in the Wintermark camp.

Over the last year and a half, a blood-obsessed cult arose in Wintermark dedicated to a tulpa of The Claw calling itself The Falconer. At the height of their power, the influence of this tulpa and cult caused issues across the northern parts of the Empire. While many were brought under its magical influence against their will, some went willingly and truly believed the cult's insipid ideology of "might makes right" and "the strong should rule". Those who willingly went to the cult were called The Chosen, and were sent out into the wider Empire - including Anvil - to spread their propaganda and heresy.

They were finally brought low and now only a remnant of the Claw's influence remains. The most influential and dangerous of the cult was a woman from Sermersuaq called Kaisa the Sewn Tongue. She was called to inquisition by the Inquisitor of Loyalty, Eevi of the Gadrai. Before the verdict was given, she was arrested for belonging the cult and, when Inquisitor Eevi did not agree to plead clemency on her behalf, was put to death.

Now, Kaisa's sister, Kiara Last-Lantern, is coming to Anvil to speak to those involved, and to learn more about the cult which took in her sister and turned her into what she became. She is keen to speak with anyone who interacted with Kaisa.

An Ancient Treasure

A delegation from the Circle of Black Sand are coming to the Night of Worth
They were apparently invited there to conclude a transaction of some sort, relating to an old artefact.
They have contacted the new Ambassador to Beoraidh to request their presence.
They will arrive at the Imperial Orc camp around 9pm on Saturday.

The civil service have received a somewhat cryptic missive for the new ambassador to Beoraidh. It is from Daragh, of the Circle of Black Sand and explains that the Circle is willing to accept the offer made by the Weigher of Worth last season. They will bring the artefact with them to the Night of Worth at nine o'clock on Saturday to the Unshackled camp. They would be grateful if the new Ambassador, or their appointed representative, could be present to ensure all the formalities are observed. If the Empire has managed to do its part to complete the deal, then the Circle will hand over the goods.

It does not appear that the writer intends to be so cryptic, they seem to be writing a polite invitation on the assumption that the Ambassador will already know what is happening. If, for whatever reason, that is not the case then perhaps the Weigher of Worth, Bloodcrow Kren, will know more.

Flame on the pinnacle

The Tribunal of the Silver Flame's attempts to trade magics with the Empire, brokered by Sinokenon, has been emphatically rejected.
The Tribunal are sending a small delegation to Urizen's camp at 22:00 on the Saturday of the Equinox to discuss next steps.

Last summit, the small enclave of erstwhile rebels now calling themselves the Tribunal of the Silver Flame made formal diplomatic overtures to the Empire. They had previously asked more-or-less politely for access to Imperial Lore - having been ignored, and told by their friends at Anvil that this was a hard sell, they returned with large, impactful offers backed by their patron, Sinokenon. They desperately need access to Imperial lore and were prepared to barter for it with the offer of powerful rituals backed by the Eternal. Success relied on a declaration from the Conclave granting them access. Instead the Grandmaster of the Unfettered Mind raised a declaration of concord stating "Consequences are the price of ambition. Conclave condemns the notion of disseminating Imperial lore to the Silver Flame" - which passed.

If the intention was to communicate the Conclave's contempt for the Silver Flame, then it was successful. The fact that there was no further communications through any official channels only served to underline how withering the response was. The reaction from the Tribunal seems to have been one of stunned shock. They were prepared for the prospect that their offer might not be good enough: they fully understand the importance of what they're asking for. What they cannot fathom is the condemnation they have received from the Conclave.

We have given our assurances to the Urizen "rebels" of Spiral - who have courageously chosen to leave the Empire rather than cede their ancestral homes to the League - such as the Silver Flame - that we hold them to be Urizen. Invoking the Chalice that rejoins us, we encourage our Wise magicians with Imperial lore mastery to assist them with their research, as well as our vigilant priests to advise and aid them in their dealings with pernicious eternals.

Callista of the Dark Shard, Urizen National Assembly, Winter 388YE, Vote: 192-0

The Tribunal express gratitude towards those magicians who did express their support. They intend to send representatives to Anvil to speak with some of their supporters. In particular they are seeking to speak with Callista of the Dark Shard, who raised a successful statement of principle supporting them and also wrote privately, Leyna Sunshaper and Letho Southshore, as well as the Urizeni National Assembly, and, if they have been appointed, the Custodian of the Omphalos. They are planning to arrive around 22:00 on the Saturday of the Solstice. This is not a formal diplomatic meeting - indeed, their representative Alexius is very clear that they don't really have any better offer for the Empire at this time and so have nothing to say to the office of the Imperial Consul.

Despite presenting a relatively composed front in their letters, they are clearly still in shock in the way that their offers and their alliance with Sinokenon have been received. The representatives of the Silver Flame seem to mainly wish to work out what was so objectionable about their proposals - and how they can best present a united front along with their cousins in Imperial Urizen who so clearly want to support them. After all - the heart of Urizen is in Spiral. They too are inspired by the resonances of Oak, Chalice and Fountain imbued in that doughty structure.