Empire - User contributions [en]

The moth for the star

2025-09-10T14:24:30Z

Cyph: /* The Bondring - Semmerholm */ corrected image captions to match

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:387YE Autumn]][[Category:Recent History]]
<ic>"You cannot have a constellation that can be seen only from the top of one hill in Hahnmark." Iunius had his arms folded, his face set.

"But it's there! And it's not just this hill." Lucanus pointed at the heavens. "Just... look? Alright?"

"I'm not looking." Iunius sounded petulant, like a child being confronted with an uncomfortable truth about the state of their bedroom. "It's clearly some sort of Night magic rubbish and I refuse to pay any attention to it."

"Fine, yes, it might be night magic rubbish, but the fact remains that this arrangement of stars is constant and that everyone agrees on what it is and what its called, and its clearly having an effect and... honestly Iuni, just ''look'' at it and you'll see what I mean!"

"The constellations are immutable, and fixed." Iunius was quoting again, and it made Lucanus grind his teeth. "They have hung in the night sky since the Creator finished their work, and they will hang there until the end of time..."

"... or until the Creator returns to gather then up. We've all read Aegon, Iuni. But it's ''there''. You can ''see'' it. ''Everyone'' can see it. We're meant to be recording things as they are, not picking and choosing what is and isn't real when people can see things with their own eyes!"

Iunius grunted, and sighed, and opened his mouth to complain, but then just stared up at the night sky where Lucanus had pointed.

"But it doesn't even ''look'' like a crab!" he wailed.</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Serenus Starsong.jpg|caption='''Serenus Starsong''', the Astral Arcanist, has a responsibility to disperse knowledge about the constellations and to guide and advise astronomancers through the Astronomancy Symposium|align=left|width=300}}</div>
==Overview==
The [[constellation|constellations]] have always existed in the night sky - or so most folk believe. Some claim that they are [[Astronomancy#Overview|the tools employed by the creator]], when they forged all of creation. [[Astronomancy]] is the highest form of magic they say, because it mimics the act of the creator themselves, drawing on the power of the stars to reshape reality. Critics of the theory say that would mean the constellations existed ''before'' creation, which they argue can't be right.

Nobody has ever found a way to prove if the constellations cause magical effects or are caused by them. [[Astronomancy#As_Above,_So_Below|As above, so below]] is the one law most astronomancers can agree on - for most practical magicians it is enough that it works.

As above, so below. When the stars come into alignment, so too does the Empire...

==The Names in the Heavens==
* '''The names of the stars in the conjunctions continue to disseminate across the Empire not always by mundane means'''
* '''Astronomancers argue over what any of this means, many believe a more complex understanding of the nature of the stars may be revealed'''

Over the last year or so, there has been a steady flow of information through the [[astronomancy|astronomantic]] community. Specifically, awareness of the names and titles of the individual stars that make up each constellation have become common knowledge among practitioners of this particular [[magical tradition]]. In each case, the font of this knowledge appears to be a ritual performed using the [[Regio#Imperial regio|Imperial regio]] that employs [[Day magic]] to specifically learn these names.

After the ritual is complete, the knowledge gleaned slowly filters through the Empire. For some it can be an unsettling experience; awakening one morning to discover one ''knows'' that one of the [[The_Stork#Stars_of_the_Stork|stars that make up the Stork]] is named ''Thuum, The Feather of the Mountain''. For others the information is learned much more naturally, through reading one of the many pamphlets now circulating thanks initially to the efforts of the [[torchbearer|torchbearers]] and Spider's Vantage Spire in [[Redoubt]]. These first scholarly writings have spawned a series of copies in [[the League]] that present somewhat more sensationalist view of this creeping information.

Experiments show that it is possible to use the names of these stars in the practice of astronomancy, just as one does the names and shapes of the constellations themselves. Beyond that, however, these identities prompt many to question the nature of the constellations themselves and the cosmic laws they represent. What does it mean for example that the stars that make up [[the Three Sisters]] are [[The_Three_Sisters#Stars_of_the_Three_Sisters|apparently named]] ''Who Weeps'', ''Who Sees'', and ''Who Sighs''. Are these titles meant as identities - one who sees - or as questions - "who sees?" And that's just one constellation!
{{CaptionedImage|file=RelativePositionsIllustration.JPG|align=right|width=400}}
For centuries astronomancers have assumed that the Law each constellation represents was clear and definitive, but the [[Day magic#Revelation|revelations]] accompanying these [[divination]] rituals hint that this may not be entirely the case - that there may be more nuance to the aspects of the constellations. There has been circumstantial evidence to support this theory in the past - some [[Astronomancy#Tulpas|tulpas]] behave strangely when encountered in a way that while not at odds with the accepted "law" of the constellation still seem "out of character" in some way.

Not everyone accepts these new names. Tacita of the Twisted Chambers, an old spire in [[Zenith]], argues that the names that have been "discovered" have absolutely nothing to do with the stars at all. She claims that the names are the result of the ritual used to look at the stars - and that if a different ritual had been employed, then different names would be revealed. Tacita, and indeed most of the Twisted Chambers, it must be pointed out are [[Night]] mages who hold a somewhat disdainful view of the value of Day magic. She and her spiremates were challenged to create a test that would prove the validity of her claims and thus far they have not managed to do so, which leads most people to discount their arguments, at least for now.

As the Autumn Equinox approaches, and the names of the stars that make up [[the Key]], [[the Lock]], and [[the Mountain]] spread across the Empire it becomes clear there are only two constellations left the name of whose stars is not clear. One is [[the Wanderer]] - which is after all a single star and perhaps that means its name is the same as that given to the "constellation" as a whole. The other is [[the Drowned Man]] whose "law" is '''things end''' so perhaps it is fitting that it looks like it is going to be the last constellation whose names are learned. Assuming Imperial magicians at [[Anvil]] plan to go ahead with it.

===Climbing the Mountain===
* '''Astronomantic magic has become more difficult to practice'''
One reason they might not is that there seems to have been a subtle but noticeable consequence of the divinatory examination of [[The_Key_and_The_Lock|the Lock, the Key]], and [[the Mountain]]. Since the Summer Solstice, astronomancers have noted that it has become increasingly difficult to work ritual magic using the astronomantic tradition. The magnitude of the ritual has not changed, but those who have experienced the effect say that the power they use proves "resistant" or "difficult to move".

During the Autumn Equinox any coven or ritual magician who uses the practice of [[astronomancy]] to perform a ritual will find that it is more difficult. It requires a greater effort of will, and sometimes it becomes physically difficult to make gestures or speak words used to [[Rituals#Performing_a_Ritual|perform the ritual]]. Voices grow quiet or falter, moving or gesturing seems to encounter resistance as if the air had thickened or a great weight were pressing down.

At the completion of the ritual, contributors experience a roleplaying effect: ''they are tired and drained, exhausted by the effort needed to work their magic; this condition persists for at least an hour unless removed in some fashion. A [[briar]] character can use their [[Briar#Boundless_Vitality|boundless vitality]] to throw off this effect, causing them to instead a burst of renewal and exhilaration.''

There is no obvious explanation for why this is happening. Some astronomancers believe it may be the influence of the Mountain, or the twin resonances of the mystical Lock and Key. Others mutter darkly that it may be the fact that astronomancers now know "too much" about the constellations and that knowledge is the weight that presses on them. Still others wonder if it might be the cumulative effect of so much of the Empire being under the influence of [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil]]. Regardless, the effect shows no signs of fading.

===The Tulpas are Loose===
* '''Magicians performing astronomantic rituals are more likely to be "brushed" by a tulpa
While the actual performance becomes more difficult, it seems to have become much easier for magicians performing astronomantic rituals to be exposed to the influence of the constellation. Astronomancers have always been aware that ''[[Astronomancy#Tulpas|tulpas]]'' who are not physically manifested are able to influence those who work magic using this tradition. Since the Summer Solstice it seems that "brushing by" or "aligning" with a tulpa has become much more common.

Obviously any magician performing an astronomantic ritual may choose to become influenced by the constellation. During the Autumn Equinox however this influence is likely to be much more pronounced. Anyone using an astronomantic ritual is encouraged to review the information about the constellations involved on the wiki; each one has a section on ''alignment'' with those stars. They should use these effects to influence their attitudes and roleplaying for an hour or so after the ritual is complete. For example, any character involved in a ritual that invokes [[the Spider]] to scry may be left with a sense of great clarity and detachment, but during the Equinox this effect is likely to be almost overwhelming leaving the magician distant, emotionally dispassionate, cold, and prone to observing events critically rather than taking action.

The ritualist does not lose control or consciousness; they remain in control of their own actions. There are also no signs that can be noticed with divination rituals, [[detect magic]], or [[insight]]. This is not a full-fledged possession; the effects are purely internal.

===What Counts as Astronomancy?===
* '''Astronomancy is a magical tradition, that you can choose to employ when performing rituals'''
* '''Players casting rituals should decide if their characters have used astronomancy and apply the roleplaying effects if so'''

Astronomancy is a [[magical tradition]], a way of performing rituals, so rituals are ''never'' divided into those that are astronomantic and those that are not. It is always up to the ritualists, what technique they use to perform the ritual, so it is a choice doing the ritual whether their characters are using astronomancy or not. In general mentioning a name or two as part of a larger working alongside [[runes]] or [[dramaturgy]] is unlikely to be affected by these effects. A ritual that specifically invokes a constellation as a key part of the roleplaying, would encounter this difficulty and result in the roleplaying effect.

It is left to the players performing a ritual to determine if they employed the astronomantic tradition, based on the roleplaying they chose to use when casting it.

<div style="width: 400px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''The Eye of the Heavens'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' [[Edifice]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Occursion in Zenith</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 30 mithril, 20 white granite, 10 weirwood and 225 thrones, six months</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 2 seasons</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:'''
* Creates an observatory to enable study of the stars, the conjunctions and astronomancy to rival the proposed school of dramaturgy in Spiral
* Founds a new spire allowing any Urizeni character to take a new resource in that territory for free in the season it is completed</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Special:''' The Architect of the Crucible could redirect the Crucible from the Brilliant Star to the Eyes of the Heavens for two seasons to reduce the labour costs to 180 crowns</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''One-off Benefit:''' 100 crystal mana spread through businesses in the Brass Coast</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' Opportunity ends after the Spring Equinox 388YE</td></tr>
</table></div>

===An Eye on the Heavens===
* '''Plans exist to install the Eye of the Heavens on Mount Polus'''
* '''Doing so would create a centre for the study of astronomancy in the Empire'''
In [[Spiral#Apulian|Apulian]] work has begun on the [[387YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Construct_Barossa_University_of_Dramaturgical_Arts|Barossa University of Dramaturgical Arts]], thanks to an upwelling of [[The_play_that_came_to_Apulian#Something_Dramatic|upwelling of enthusiasm]] in the city and increasing collaboration between Urizen and [[the League|League]] dramaturgists. The news the project has been commissioned has sparked a resurgence in interest in the ''Eye of the Heavens'' project.

Last season a new proposal was put forward, to construct a single observatory in the [[Sound_and_vision#A_Mountain_Rises_(Zenith)|heights of Mount Polus]]. Rivalling the new school of dramaturgy, it would provide a location for astronomancers from across the Empire to meet, study the heavens, and record their lore. It's inevitable that once the work were completed, there would be a renaissance in the study of the stars in the wider Empire to match that underway at Anvil. The magicians of all nations working at the Eye of the Heavens would be able to make a study of the constellations, and perhaps cement Imperial understanding of this often enigmatic [[magical tradition]].
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=ClawIllustrationInk.JPG||align=right|width=200}}</div>

==The Claw Ascendant==
* '''The constellation of the Claw has become clearer and is exerting odd influence'''
* '''Magicians drawing on the Claw in their magic may experience a roleplaying effect'''
* '''Drawing on the Claw to empower the casting of rituals by shedding blood has been interdicted'''
The constellation of [[the Claw]] reaches its zenith in Spring; during Autumn and Winter it is close to the western horizon. However, it seems that as the influence of the constellation has grown, its presence in the night sky is focused in the north-western Empire. The stars have been increasing in brightness, and astronomancers agree that whatever peculiar effects it is causing will reach their height around the Autumn Equinox.

The four stars that make up the constellation of [[the Claw]] remain clear and pronounced despite any amount of obfuscation of the sky. Since the Winter Solstice, those who know where it is find their eyes are drawn to it whenever they see the night sky. The sensation of gazing on the Claw makes sensitive people (especially [[naga]] or [[merrow]]) uncomfortable.

When it is invoked in an [[astronomancy|astronomantic]] ritual, any [[Rituals#Contributors|contributors]] to that ritual feel its power particularly strong and immediate. Anyone participating in such a ritual will experience a [[roleplaying effect]]: ''For at least the next hour you feel an urge to assert your dominance over anyone who challenges you. it is satisfying to confront anyone you feel has wronged you, and violence seems easy and satisfying. Lengthy debate, complex arguments, and intensely cerebral conversation are frustrating and you feel the urge to bring them to an end quickly or move away from them.''

===The Power of the Claw===
<div style="float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 10px; max-width: 500px; width: 40%;">
<box>
<big>'''Affected Rituals'''</big>
<div class='mw-collapsed mw-collapsible'>Magicians may gain benefits from the Claw when performing any of the following rituals.
* [[Blood and Salt]].
* [[Call Down Lightning's Wrath]]
* [[Forest Remains]]
* [[Hammer of Thunder]]
* Heaven's Spear Sunders the Mountain
* [[Hook of the Hoarfrost Guardian]]
* Ironwind's Pride
* [[Loosen the Shackles]]
* [[Merciless Wrath of the Reaver]]
* [[Might of the Myrmidon]]
* [[Swan's Cruel Wing]],
* [[Swift Leaping Hare]],
* [[Talon of the Gryphon]]
* [[Unfettered Anarchy]]
</div>
</box>
</div>
* '''The constellation of the Claw exerts powerful influence over certain kinds of magic
* '''The ability to call on the Claw to cast certain rituals has expanded to make this magic even easier to practice
* '''Drawing on power in this way is illegal
First observed at the Spring Equinox, the Claw seems to be exerting [[Stars_and_sigils#Wyrm_Coils_Around_Mountain|powerful influence]] over certain kinds of magic. Ritual magicians can invoke the Claw to enhance the power of these rituals, but doing so has become increasingly risky. The [[Imperial Conclave]] has chosen to [[387YE_Spring_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Interdiction:_Shedding_Blood_for_Claw_Rituals|outlaw this practice]]. The [[Arbiter of the Rogue Declaration]] '''Lights Aliss''' brought a [[declaration]] of [[Interdiction]] that was upheld by the magicians of the Empire. It is now a crime for any magician to call on the power of the Claw and shed blood instead of mana. Anyone who is caught doing so will face the full force of the law.

Breaking the law could be difficult to get away with. Drawing on the power of the Claw requires the spilling of blood to call on these "boons of the Claw" making it hard to hide the fact it is being done and leaving painful wounds that cannot be healed until the ritual performance ends or is abandoned.

The rituals this peculiar [[blood magic]] will enhance seem to be a selection of those particularly associated with violence and conflict:
* The personal enchantments [[Forest Remains]], [[Call Down Lightning's Wrath]], [[Might of the Myrmidon]], [[Talon of the Gryphon]], [[Swift Leaping Hare]], [[Swan's Cruel Wing]], [[Hammer of Thunder]], and [[Hook of the Hoarfrost Guardian]].
* The curse [[Unfettered Anarchy]]
* The resource enchantments [[Merciless Wrath of the Reaver]] and [[Blood and Salt]].
* The army enchantment [[Loosen the Shackles]].
* And these rituals which are not part of Imperial or Urizen lore ''Heaven's Spear Sunders the Mountain'', and ''Ironwind's Pride''

Once each day a [[Rituals#Contributors|contributor]] to one of these rituals can call on the Claw, and spill their own blood to empower that ritual. They can spend up to three hits by cutting themselves, or other willing contributors, and each hit lost counts as one mana toward the performance of the ritual. The hits lost during the performance of the ritual cannot be restored until the ritual is completed or abandoned.

In addition, any character who loses a body hit in this fashion receives a bonus rank to perform the ritual in question, subject to the [[Realm_Lore#Gaining_additional_ranks|normal rules for effective skill]].

A contributor ''can'' reduce themselves to 0 hits ''at the finale of the ritual'', but they will collapse and begin to [[Combat#Dying|bleed to death]] as the ritual is completed.

Any given magician can only use this ability once each day, and the ''roleplaying effect'' mentioned above that is created by invoking the Claw is be much more pronounced after doing so.

===The People's Claw===
* '''Magicians can perform the Empower spell using their own blood rather than personal mana
In previous seasons the power of the Claw has been restricted to enhancing ritual magic but during the Autumn Equinox it can also be used for certain kinds of [[spellcasting]]. Once each day a magician who knows the [[empower]] spell can invoke the Claw as part of their casting and inflict a wound on themselves. This causes a hit of damage and lets them cast the empower spell without spending any personal mana. For at least an hour after they do so they experience [[#The_Claw_Ascendant|the roleplaying effect mentioned above]] - which might prove quite problematic on the battlefield.

==A Drowning Sailor==
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=GreatWyrmnowingsIllustrationInk.JPG|caption=The Great Wyrm is the emblem of transformation and transfiguration.|align=right|width=300}}</div>
* '''The grand conjunction of the Great Wyrm and the Mountain has ended'''
* '''The Great Wyrm has formed a grand conjunction with the Drowned Man'''
* '''It is currently impossible to create arcane projections that curse an individual'''
* '''Arcane projections that create a personal curse will no longer work after the Autumn Equinox 387YE'''
The Claw is not the only constellation acting in a peculiar fashion. Since the Winter Solstice last year, Imperial [[astronomancy|astronomancers]] had been aware of a rare ''grand conjunction'' of [[the Great Wyrm]] and [[the Mountain]]. The impact of this conjunction coincided with permanent alterations to the way [[Imperial army|armies]], [[military unit|warbands]], and [[fleet|ships]] are [[enchantment|enchanted]], and to how certain divinations work. This conjunction now seems to have come to an end - except for the ongoing [[#Unravelling|unravelling]] of [[arcane projection|arcane projections]].

However, the chaos in the stars is not over. Astronomancers have noted that [[the Drowned Man]] has been [[Stars_and_sigils#The_Drowned_Man|shifting into alignment]] with the Great Wyrm for several months and now another grand conjunction has begin. The Drowned Man is quite a dangerous constellation, often invoked in magic that creates [[curse|curses]] or destruction.

As the Grand Conjunction begins to unfold, it remains impossible to create an [[arcane projection]] that creates a personal [[curse]] - a curse that targets an individual. Furthermore, as magicians of the [[Unfettered Mind]] have been warning for a while, it is becoming increasingly difficult to perform arcane projections that create a personal curse, similar to the effect that struck those arcane projections that dealt with warfare during the earlier Grand Conjunction.

By the end of the Autumn Equinox, it will be impossible to perform any arcane projection that creates a personal curse. These arcane projections are also showing signs of the [[#unravelling|unravelling]] that has been effecting protections related to military magic.
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=DrownedManIllustrationInk.JPG|caption=The Drowned Man is a constellation of curses and the end of things.|align=right|width=200}}</div>

==An Unravelling==
* '''Arcane projections created before the start of 2025 that enchant armies, navies, military units, or fleets no longer work'''
* '''The inability to cast these arcane projections is permanent'''
* '''Arcane projections created before the start of 2025 that enchant armies, navies, military units, or fleets or cause personal curses can be exchanged for crystal mana'''
The [[Unfettered Mind]] were the first people to spot the peculiar phenomenon that coincided with this sequence of grand conjunctions -''the Unravelling''. It initially meant that any [[arcane projection]] issued before Winter 386YE (the start of 2025) that attempts to [[enchantment|enchant]] an [[Imperial army|army]] or [[Imperial navy|navy]] could no longer be cast, nor could arcane projections that involve enchanting a [[military unit]] or [[fleet]]. The grand conjunction appears to have scrambled the magic bound into the projections themselves. This effect is ''permanent''.

Any of these arcane projections that no longer function can be brought to [[GOD]] and exchanged for 10 crystal mana. This either represents someone intentionally speeding the unravelling process along to reclaim the mana invested in the projection, or might mean that in-character a valued projection (that the player no longer wants OOC) has fallen apart despite their best efforts. The ability to exchange defunct arcane projections that deal with warfare in this way will persist until the end of this event.

As the Autumn Equinox dawns, this same effect is being noted on arcane projections that create personal curses. The projections may still be performed, but only until the end of the Equinox after which they become permanently defunct. As with the ability to exchange arcane projections that dealt with warfare, any arcane projection that creates a personal curse - a curse on an individual - may be brought to GOD and exchanged for 10 crystal mana.

'''OOC Note:''' You'll need to hand the arcane projection phys-rep over so we can mark it as inactive on our systems. We don't plan to reprint lost arcane projections for the event; if you have lost an arcane projection in downtime you can e-mail [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk plot@profounddecisions.co.uk] after the event with the details of the missing projection and we'll do our best to replace it in time for the Autumn Equinox.

==A Map of Unknown Skies==
* '''There have been odd 'constellations' spotted in the night sky where the Penumbral Veil has been drawn'''
* '''It's not clear what these constellations are but anyone who peers at them for long gains an inkling of their name and meaning'''
* '''Characters who live in Karov, Hahnmark, Holberg, Spiral, or Semmerholm may ''choose'' to be affected'''

For the last year or so, much of the Empire has had the [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil|penumbral veil]] drawn over it. Most citizens have come to treat the occasional strangely shifting shapes and lights in the night sky as unremarkable oddities.

[[Sound_and_vision#Written_in_the_Stars|Last season]], star watchers began to spot patterns in the odd lights that sometimes appear in a veiled night sky. Members of the ''Spire of Shadowed Glass'' have been travelling across the Empire, cataloguing what they see each night, and referring to them as "pseudo constellations". Less academic individuals have dubbed them "night stars" a term which irritates those Urizen scholars who believe ''all'' stars come out at night.

These pseudo-constellations are only visible in areas enchanted with night magic that hides the stars, and people living within these areas have been having odd dreams associated with them. Even more unusual, people who see these stars seem inclined to draw the same shapes between them and call them by the same names - even if they have never talked about them with anyone else. The Penumbral Veil that hung over the Empire has slowly faded as the Autumn Equinox approaches, and the stars are not seen anywhere the enchantment has faded. It remains to be seen if they will return should the ritual be cast on an Imperial territory again.

Several of the constellations were recorded last season - the Trident in [[Skarsind]], The Serpent Sheds its Skin in [[Mournwold]], the Golden Ferret in [[Tassato]], and the Woven Banner in [[Necropolis]]. These constellations were having peculiar effects on those in the territories, but now it seems that the pseudo-constellations are being seen in other places as well, and their influence over those sleeping beneath them have faded. At the same time, however, a new batch of "night stars" has been spotted in parts of the Empire under the Penumbral Veil.
====The Paired Dancers - Karov====
This pseudo-constellation is seen in the skies over [[Karov]], and seems to have inspired a rash of ill-considered romance that has already resulted in several weddings and one very memorable fight.

Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in the territory may find they are experiencing the following roleplaying effect: ''you find it easy to see the best in others, and find yourself drawn to those who under normal circumstances would annoy you or with whom you would not consider spending time.''
====The Crab - Hahnmark====
Seen in the veiled skies over Hahnmark, this arrangement of night stars seems to have brought with it a burst of ingenuity and creativity that encourages sensitive people to question established beliefs. It has coincidentally coincided with increased criticism of the Imperial Synod thanks to the recent mandate.

Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in the territory may find they experience a roleplaying effect: ''it is easy for you to dwell on decisions you have made and wonder what might have happened had you chosen differently. At the same time, when confronted with a problem, you are inspired to propose solutions that might on first consideration appear entirely unworkable.''
====The Looking Glass - Holberg====
This strange large pseudo constellation has risen in the veiled skies over [[Holberg]]. Those who have paid particular attention to it find themselves pondering who, exactly, they are and why they became the person they have become. A few people have thrown aside established lives and careers to pursue radically different paths - the best known example is a certain previously sober merchant-prince gave all their wealth to the Church of the Little Mother and moved to the [[Sumaah Republic]] to become an artist.

Anyone who has spent a lot of time in Holberg considering the stars may find they experience a roleplaying effect: ''you find it easy to slip into introspection, pondering your own identity and how well you know yourself. If you realise you are not happy, it is easy and exhilarating to simply discard your old life or way of thinking and embrace something new that suits the person you are now better.''
====The Mask - Spiral====
This set of night stars has appeared in the sky over [[Spiral]], and to be honest has pretty much faded into the background compared to everything ''else'' going on in that territory.

Regardless, anyone who has spent a lot of time in Spiral paying attention to the stars may experience a roleplaying effect: ''you feel an urge to create and present a false persona or identity to those around you, concealing your real feelings and opinions and even your history and name. Misdirecting and deceiving others is profoundly satisfying.''
====The Bondring - Semmerholm====
In the skies over [[Semmerholm]], at night, the constellation of the Bondring has appeared. It seems to have had only a limited impact on the people of the territory, and the Urizen visiting couldn't find anything obviously different to what they expected to find.

If you spent time in Semmerholm however, you may choose to experience a roleplaying effect: ''it is easy to dwell on and think about love, both romantic and platonic, and how it shapes you and those around you. While you may feel encouraged to pursue a love you have abandoned or concealed, it is much more satisfying to help other people who you feel have a connection to uncover and strengthen that connection.''

<div style="display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;">
{{CaptionedImage|file=Two Dancers Stars.png|title=A popup title|caption=The Paired Dancers in Karov|align=right|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=The Crab Star.png|title=A popup title|caption=The Crab in Hahnmark|align=right|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Looking Glass Star.png|title=A popup title|caption=The Looking Glass in Holberg|align=right|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=The Mask Star.png|title=A popup title|caption=The Mask in Spiral|align=right|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=The Bondring Star.png|title=A popup title|caption=The Bondring in Semmerholm|align=right|width=300}}
</div>

====Participation====
Any character who lives or has spent time travelling in any of the affected territories, Karov, Hahnmark, Holberg, Spiral or Semmerholm may choose to experience the associated roleplaying effect during the event. The effect may ebb and flow at player discretion, and is entirely opt-in. If you choose not to have been effected by it, you cannot start being effected by it during the event.

==A Pilgrim Flame==
* '''The Pilgrim Flame is returning to Anvil this season
[[Sound_and_vision#Lock_and_Key|Last season]] there was an incident at [[Anvil]] with some unfamiliar spirits that appeared connected to a tulpa of the Wanderer called the ''Pilgrim Flame''. These creatures appeared in both the [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] and [[Highguard|Highborn]] camps and appeared to draw on aspects of the Key and the Lock. Specifically, they seemed to manifest negative aspects of these constellations that were experienced by those who tried to interact with them as [[curse|curses]].

Regardless, the ''Pilgrim Flame'' has not apparently departed the mortal world; it is expected to return to Anvil again during the coming summit, likely bringing more of its peculiar spirits with it. The tulpa itself is capable of communication, although the spirits that accompany it appear more simplistic in attitude. It's likely to appear at night, but where and when is apparently not clear.

Some astronomancers have debated whether they are an example of "ripples" erupting from the act of divining these constellations more closely. Yet these things were also influenced in some way by the Wanderer - and there is some discussion about whether these were ''actually'' Wanderer spirits. The baleful red eye is hard to predict after all, and one of the [[The_Wanderer#The_Law|laws]] associated with it is the concept that "things go awry". What has been noted is that the Wanderer itself has recently passed through both the Claw and [[the Chalice]] over the course of the last few weeks, and there is some speculation that might turn out to be relevant.

==Further Reading==
* [[Astronomancy]]
* [[Astral Arcanist]]
* [[Arcane projection]]

* [[Sound_and_vision#Written_in_the_Stars|Sound and vision]] - 387YE Summer wind of fortune discussing the first "pseudo constellations"

Court Reports

2025-07-19T18:20:30Z

Cyph: Character name sp.

[[Category:The Law]]
[[Category:The Empire]]
==Overview==
This page has the court reports for Anvil in recent years. These are updated with new court reports as time goes on. The most recent court report will also be available to read, pinned up in the Militia tent near the Hub.

==Reports from 387YE==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 40%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" | Notes
|+ Spring Equinox 387YE
|-
| Treason || The accused confessed to paying a ritualist, now deceased, to invoke Yaw'nagrah, an Eternal under enmity, to gain boons in a casting of Blessing of New Spring on her farm. The accused was also identified in a Silent Bell report. || Courgetta i Rincon i Guerra pled guilty with a clemency plea on the Virtues of Ambition, Pride and Prosperity by Emberic Ashsong || Found guilty by Chief Magistrate Karkovich, fined ten thrones. || The punishment was reduced from execution due to the Prosperous nature of the act, and the relatively low level of harm to the Empire.
|-
| Murder <br>(attempted) || The two accused, from Faraden, came to Anvil with a list of targets they admitted intending to kill, and heretical pamphlets on Justice to hand out. They attacked Jared, the Champion of Vigilance. || Zorilgo and Uildel of Faraden pled guilty. || Found guilty by Magistrate de Remourics, executed.
|-
| Murder || Ren Tanner was a captain of a military unit who participated in the illegal attack on the Rahvin at the Fangs one season ago. He was not present at that summit to be tried. The Court Reports from Winter 386YE have details of the attack. || Ren Tanner pled not guilty. || Found guilty by Magistrate Tiller, executed || Tanner claimed at trial that he was coerced by being threatened with Inquisition, and with a thread made against his life if he did not follow through with his oath of Loyalty. He also claimed genuine contrition and good character. The Magistrate judged that these matters, though meriting consideration, didn't justify reducing the sentence in light of the scale of the crime.
|-
| Subverting the Agencies of the State || The accused, who is the Captain of the Senate Guard, had ejected Solomon, Senator for Casinea, from the Senate because of an aura of unidentified origin. The Senator was thus deprived of the right to speak and vote for an entire session. || Arthur Bannerman, known as 'Bam Bam', pled guilty, with a clemency plea on the Virtue of Vigilance made by Vesna Borkovna Prochnost, the Throne, using the Mercy of the Empress. || Found guilty by Magistrate Tiller, fined twenty thrones. || This was judged to be one of the most serious cases of subverting the agencies of the state and thus required a heavy fine. Empress Vesna made a clemency plea citing Bannerman's virtuous motivations and the events leading up to this illegal ejection. It was found that this did not outweigh the crime, but did warrant a reduction of the fine from thirty thrones.
|-
| Subverting the Agencies of the State || In Winter 386YE, the Senators Hal Talbot and Johnny Tailor, as well as Ulrich, the proxy for Senator Bregasland, made several appointments after Mournwold was assigned to the Marches but before a Senator was elected. They incorrectly stated to the Civil Service that their decisions were unanimous. || Hal Talbot - Senator Mitwold, Johnny Tailor - Senator Upwold, and Ulrich all pled guilty. || Found guilty by Magistrate Tiller. Hal Talbot was fined one throne, Johnny Tailor was fined three thrones, Ulrich was fined five thrones. || The defendants claimed genuine error. This was accepted by the Magistrate and relatively low fines were issued in consequence. The accused received fines in proportion to their claimed levels of experience in the Senate.
|-
| Subverting the Agencies of the State || Due to an administrative error, the accused was able to submit a motion to Senate without it going through the proper channels for scrutiny. The error was found before Senate was in session. || Protectorate Thenrik, Legion Engineer, pled guilty. || Found guilty by Magistrate Tiller. Fined one throne. || Due to no significant advantage or disadvantage being given to anybody after the error was discovered, and the Magistrate being satisfied that this was a genuine error, a low fine was levied.
|-
| Subverting the Agencies of the State || At the summit of Winter 386YE, Senator Zenith struck down Pickers Goldleaf, Citizens' Voice, while Pickers was making use of his power in Senate. The title had been legitimately purchased, so this represented a denial of the rights of speaking associated with that title, by use of force. || Herminius of the House of the Wanderer, Senator Zenith, pled guilty with a clemency plea on the Virtue of Vigilance made by Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer. || Found guilty by Magistrate Tiller, fined five thrones. || This was an extremely serious case of Subversion, for which a high fine was warranted. A detailed clemency was given, citing Vigilance, in particular the impression that Goldleaf had claimed that he had not only committed treason but was about to commit further treason on leaving the Senate. The clemency also stated that the accused had reason to believe nobody else was taking the statement seriously, and that if he did not take action Goldleaf would be permitted to leave to conduct the further treason. Taking the clemency and context into account, the Magistrate reduced the fine down from twenty thrones.
|-
| Assault || The accused attacked Mel Bleak and other Spring ritualists for calling on the power of the Claw to enhance their rituals, having heard reports from the Astral Arcanist and Custodian of the Lost that such rituals were empowering a malign entity known as the Falconer. Conclave was at the time debating the interdiction of this practice, but the interdiction had not yet come into effect. || Bernard Dugdale and Artis Greyholm pled guilty, with a clemency plea on the virtue of Vigilance made by Kezandro i Riqueza. || Found guilty by Chief Magistrate i Zuhri i Guerra, fined two crowns each. || The fears of the accused seemed well-founded, and the clemency priest established timeliness, a lack of available legal process, and the proportionality of the action with a minimum of force used. The fine was halved from four crowns each.
|-
| Treason || The accused was alleged to have passed information to the Grendel, which led to a direct threat to the life of an Imperial citizen, Sorcha di Apulian. || Raine Tealeaf pled not guilty. || Found not guilty by Magistrate Tiller. || The evidence available was not strong enough to clearly show that Raine Tealeaf had committed treason, and there were no avenues available to pursue further evidence.
|-
| Assault <br>Resisting arrest || The accused was alleged to have assaulted passers-by on the road between the Wintermark and Navarr camps, fleeing into Navarr when pursued. He fought off Militia attempting to arrest him, and tried to escape many times once captured, amounting to four charges of assault and one of resisting arrest. || Tilla of House Ironclaw pled guilty with a clemency plea. || Found guilty of by Magistrate i Zuhri i Erigo, fined eight thrones and four crowns.<br> Tilla refused to pay the fine, and was executed. || The fine was very high because each time the accused was subdued, he made another effort to attack those around him. The Magistrate chose to compound the assault fines. After the verdict, the accused refused vehemently to pay the fine on principle, and clearly stated that he would never pay the fine, even when warned that this would lead to execution. <br><br> When he continued to refuse the fine, he was executed.
|-
|}
==Reports from 386YE==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 40%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" | Notes
|+ Winter Solstice 386YE
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted with a blade Grud, Egregore of the Imperial Orcs, after the victim correctly predicted the death of the accused’s partner in battle. Bloodcrow Kren witnessed the assault. || Lady Griffinsbain, Egregore of Dawn pled guilty || Found guilty by Magistrate Brutus, fined two crowns || The fine was low because of the victim’s provocations.
|-
| Assault || The accused (a priest), and two other priests, performed an Insight on the victim, Hugh Farrier. They reported finding a strong Aura of Hate. Hugh became aggressive. The accused struck Hugh and ran away, before being cut down by other Marchers, Thomas Oak and Sebastian Shaw. || Stanus Emberclad pled not guilty || Found not guilty by Magistrate Brutus || The accused claimed self-defence based on the victim’s aggressive behaviour. The Magistrate accepted this argument.
|-
| Murder <br>(attempted) || The accused attacked Bernard Dugdale, Imperial Spymaster, in the Hall of Worlds, knocking him to the floor before stabbing him several times. He did not stop his attack until he was pulled away. The accused claimed that the Spymaster struck the first blow, and that he dropped his knife and retreated after downing the Spymaster, but was contradicted by witnesses Jim Cladpole and Linley Weaver. || Watt Lambrook pled not guilty || Found not guilty of an attempt to murder, but found guilty of assault, by Magistrate i Zuhri i Erigo, fined 2th || The Magistrate did not ultimately judge this to be a serious attempt to murder, because the attack happened in front of a number of capable witnesses. The fine was increased because this was the second time that the criminal had committed assault against the victim.
|-
| Murder || The accused, a Thule orc, confessed to murdering at least a dozen Imperial citizens over the last year in Sermersuaq, in order to serve the interests of Blood-on-the-Snow. He was caught because his group of magicians, the Dragon’s Talon, cooperated with members of the Vigilance assembly to investigate and trap him. Investigation allegedly revealed that he bore the Mark of his patron. He made a full confession of his crimes. || Frekki Shardbearer pled guilty || Found guilty of murder by Chief Magistrate i Zuhri i Guerra, executed || The accusers were not willing to name the individual who had detected the Mark of the Howler. However, the confession was full and comprehensive, and there did not appear to be any motive for the accused to invent or fabricate the confession.
|-
| Murder || The first accused, Jade, confronted the victim – Aramis du Froste, Senator Barrens – in the Glory Square. After a short conversation, she stabbed and then attempted to execute Senator Barrens, but was interrupted by the Fool of Glory trying to render assistance to the Senator. The second accused, Arnulf, attacked the Fool and a physick, Isolde, who had also come to help the Senator. This allowed Jade to make a second, successful attempt at slaying the Senator, after which the accused, both yeofolk of House Wolfborne, immediately sought Sanctuary nearby. || Jade and Arnulf both pled guilty with a clemency plea on the Virtue of Loyalty, presented by Pontius Emberclad, Curator of the White City Museum. || Both found guilty of murder by Magistrate Brutus, executed. || The plea for Jade was based on Loyalty to House Wolfborne, but lacked any substantial detail. In Arnulf’s clemency plea, based on Loyalty to Jade, it was argued that Arnulf did not directly attack the Senator, and was trying to defend Jade from those coming to aid the Senator. However, the Magistrate found that it was his efforts that gave Jade the opportunity to finish her murder, which was clearly visible to everyone around, and therefore Arnulf was regarded as a knowing and willing participant.
|-
| Murder || The accused - Archavion Wolfborne, General Gryphon's Pride - at Autumn 386 gave his army orders to attack the Rahvin sept at the Fangs mine in Bitter Strand, the Barrens. The Rahvin are foreigners and protected by Imperial law. Some Rahvin were killed in the attack, and the army orders were clear that Rahvin casualties were acceptable in claiming the mine. || Archavion Wolfborne, General Gryphon's Pride, pled guilty with a clemency plea on the Virtue of Vigilance presented by Kasimir Vukovitch von Temeschwar. || Found guilty of murder by Magistrate Tiller, sentenced to death. || The clemency plea, on Vigilance, had strengths. It was not enough to overcome the seriousness of the crime; it was undercut by the lack of urgency - there was no evidence of an imminent Rahvin attack - and by a failure to exhaust legal remedies, such as by seeking a Senate declaration of war. The condemned was offered immediate execution or death in battle. He chose the latter, and was killed in battle the following day.
|-
| Murder || The accused were all military unit captains who ordered their soldiers to support the Gryphon's Pride army in attacking the Rahvin at the Fangs mine in Bitter Strand, the Barrens. The Rahvin are foreigners and protected by Imperial law; by the time the Gryphon's Pride orders became public there was also an opportunity for Imperial captains to defend the Rahvin - therefore, these military units were also attacking Imperial citizens. Some Rahvin were killed in the attack, and the army orders were clear that Rahvin casualties were acceptable in claiming the mine. || Madoc, Roland, Sir Pelinal, and Ulfius, all of House Medwood, pled guilty with a single clemency plea on the virtue of Loyalty presented by Sir Decimus of House de Bastion. || Found guilty of murder by Magistrate Tiller, sentenced to death. || The clemency plea relied mainly on Loyalty to the nation following the guidance of the Earls' Council. However, there was no clear explanation why they ignored the two-season grace period suggested by the Council. They also argued that the army was already on the way, so they could not stop it - but this did not explain or justify joining in the attack. The condemned were offered immediate execution or death in battle. They chose the latter, and were killed in battle the following day.
|-
| Murder || The facts are as stated previously, in the case of House Medwood, above. || Vincent Larmallevés pled guilty with a clemency plea on the virtue of Prosperity presented by Pontius Emberclad, Curator of the White City Museum. || Found guilty of murder by Magistrate Tiller, sentenced to death. || The clemency plea, founded on Prosperity, was based on ideas of 'stolen' 'Imperial' mithril - although the mine had never been assigned by the Senate to any nation or as an Imperial seat - and on an unexplained precept that waiting would have 'cost Imperial lives'. The condemned was offered immediate execution or death in battle. He chose the latter, and was killed in battle the following day.
|-
| Murder || The facts are as stated previously, in the case of House Medwood, above. || Ancon, of House Wolfborne, pled guilty with a clemency plea on the virtue of Loyalty presented by Pontius Emberclad, Curator of the White City Museum. || Found guilty of murder by Magistrate Tiller, sentenced to death. || The clemency plea rested on personal Loyalty to General Gryphon’s Pride, who saved the accused’s life, after which he always supported the General and his army. However, there was no explanation for how the Rahvin posed a threat to the General for which this was a proportionate response, or why this personal Loyalty specifically justified murder. The condemned was offered immediate execution or death in battle. He chose the latter, and was killed in battle the following day.
|-
| Murder || The facts are as stated previously, in the case of House Medwood, above. || Ollanius Pius, of House Wolfborne, pled guilty with a clemency plea on the virtue of Vigilance presented by Pontius Emberclad, Curator of the White City Museum. || Found guilty of murder by Magistrate Tiller, sentenced to death. || The basis of the plea was that the accused believed the Rahvin had the mithril to equip an army, and there was no time to solve the issue with diplomacy, but could not explain why the army alone was insufficient and his personal military unit support was required. The condemned was offered immediate execution or death in battle. He chose the latter, and was killed in battle the following day.
|-
| Murder || The facts are as stated previously, in the case of House Medwood, above. || Owain, of House Wolfborne, pled guilty with a clemency plea on the virtue of Vigilance presented by Pontius Emberclad, Curator of the White City Museum. || Found guilty of murder by Magistrate Tiller, sentenced to death. || The basis of the plea was that it was necessary to deny resources to the enemy, citing the example of Berechiah, and that taking the mine and the mithril would ultimately save Imperial lives. However, the plea did
not justify the belief that the Rahvin, who were foreigners, were enemies of the Empire, nor that their actions would cause Imperial deaths. The condemned was offered immediate execution or death in battle. He chose the latter, and was killed in battle the following day.
|-
| Murder || The facts are as stated previously, in the case of House Medwood, above. || Dufenal Ash, of the Marches, pled guilty with no clemency. || Found guilty of murder by Magistrate Tiller, sentenced to death. || The condemned was offered immediate execution or death in battle. He chose execution.
|-
| Murder || The facts are as stated previously, in the case of House Medwood, above. || Eric, of House Orzel, pled guilty with a clemency plea on the virtue of Loyalty presented by Veikko Bondforger. || Found guilty of murder by Magistrate Tiller, sentenced to death. || The basis of the plea was personal loyalty to Archavion. The clemency priest noted that the crime was not proportionate to the situation, and that the accused had not attempted to seek legal recourse because he had a low regard for the political process. The condemned was offered immediate execution or death in battle. He chose the latter, and was killed in battle the following day.
|-
| Murder || The facts are as stated previously, in the case of House Medwood, above. || Lucius Pannonicus, of House Asterion, pled guilty with a clemency plea on the virtue of Loyalty presented by Pontius Emberclad, Curator of the White City Museum. || Found guilty of murder by Magistrate Tiller, sentenced to death. || The basis of the plea was personal
loyalty to Archavion. It justified the actions of the accused on the basis that the army was already on its way to attack the Rahvin, but failed to explain why the assistance of the accused’s military unit was necessary or why murder was a proportionate act. The condemned was offered immediate execution or death in battle. He chose the latter, and was killed in battle the following day.
|-
| Murder || The facts are as stated previously, in the case of House Medwood, above. || Lodwick Hardin, of Wintermark, pled guilty with a clemency plea that was subsequently withdrawn by the priest, Pontius Emberclad. || Found guilty of murder by Magistrate Tiller, sentenced to death. || The clemency plea was withdrawn after the accused attempted to flee the trial. He was not given the choice of execution or death in battle like the others tried alongside him; he was executed immediately.
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 40%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" | Notes
|+ Autumn Equinox 386YE
|-
| Criminal damage <br>Theft || The accused handed themselves in having attempted to steal an item hallowed to a false virtue from the Cardinal of Ambition, Viviane Barossa di Tassato Regario. Their aim was to re-hallow this item to replace its aura with a virtuous one. || Lenarius Ankarien, Imperial Inquisitor, pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>No punishment. ||A clemency plea was made by Gaelen Embercast on the grounds of Loyalty. <br>The presiding magistrate accepted that the accused had acted in the Imperial interest, out of Loyalty to their friend and out of concern for her spiritual health and that of other followers of the Way, especially considering the oath made by the Cardinal to the Axou regarding the item.
|-
| Murder <br>(attempted) || Tao of the Marches employed Willem and Janeth Thatch to help him murder Skywise Gralka, Archmage Day. They shadowed Gralka, and in due course donned sackcloth masks, then attacked her, using at least one envenomed weapon. However, Archmage Day had previously noticed she was being followed, and had alerted the Militia, leading to the defeat and capture of the accused. <br>Willem and Janeth claimed in their defence that they were unaware that a crime was about to be committed, despite having put on masks to conceal their identities. || Tao of the Marches pleaded guilty with no clemency. Willem and Janeth Thatch both pleaded not guilty. || Guilty. <br> All were executed. <br> Tao rose up as a husk, and was immediately killed again. || The presiding magistrate discarded the defence offered by the accused, as they had shown clear signs of preparation and premeditation.
|-
| Murder <br>(attempted) || The accused attempted to murder Captain Cassie, Imperial Censor, several times, including (on the final occasion) just outside the Militia offices. When questioned the accused stated that they were under contract to kill the Censor. Furthermore, the accused stated a belief that the Censor was corrupt and deserved to die. They refused to reveal who contracted this assassination and said if given the opportunity they would try to kill her again. || Desbresa, of the Star Bar, pleaded guilty, with no clemency plea. || Guilty. <br>Executed. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted Zadkiel de Coeurdefer with the intent of removing an item hallowed to the malign spiritual presence of Peace, purportedly out of concern for the victim’s spiritual health. Magistrate Sokolov supervised a weregild hearing between the two parties, with the accused, Vitore Von Temeschwar agreeing to pay a weregild of one throne to the victim. || Vittore von Temeschwar pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>One throne paid to the victim as a weregild. ||
|-
| Murder <br>(attempted) || The accused attacked Warrant Officer Orin of the Anvil Militia with an envenomed weapon, in an unprovoked attack, outside the offices of the Anvil Militia. || Jobb of Wintermark pleaded guilty with no clemency plea. || Guilty. <br>Executed. || Although the public nature of the attack meant that the victim was relatively unlikely to die, the use of an envenomed blade and the accused’s subsequent aggressive behaviour delayed timely medical intervention to the envenomed victim thus placing their life in jeopardy; the accused was therefore charged with attempted Murder rather than Assault.
|-
| Assault || The accused, Sulkavaris, the Wintermark Egregore, handed themself in and confessed to assaulting Grud-who-Thinks, the Egregore of the Imperial Orcs. The accused said they had argued with Grud because he had been spreading lies and false prophecies, causing great distress to the accused's sibling. The accused lost his temper and struck Grud with a weapon. || Sulkavaris pleaded guilty with no clemency plea. || Guilty. <br>Fined two crowns. ||
|-
| Murder || The accused, Agni Ashborn, confessed to poisoning Sicaro, Prince of the Crimson Reapers, on the Saturday of the Summer Solstice 386YE. She held a longstanding grudge against him because she held him responsible for the deaths of Gelert and Gaius Ashborn in battle, through his inaction. After killing Sicaro, she took his signet ring and sent a taunting message to the new Prince of the Crimson Reapers. || Agni Ashborn pleaded guilty without a clemency plea. || Guilty. <br>Executed.
|-
| Subverting the Agencies of the State <br>(attempted) <br>Trade of narcotics to the Iron Confederacy <br>(attempted) || The accused, Beauregarthe, attempted to prevent Ambassador Iron Confederacy, Tethros i Zuhri i Erigo, from meeting with two Suranni priests. When arrested, the accused was carrying a narcotic, but there was no evidence of any intent to carry it over the Suranni border. || Beauregarthe, a citizen of the Iron Confederacy, pleaded guilty to subversion, and not guilty to trade of narcotics. <br>A clemency plea for subversion was given on the grounds of Vigilance by Ira Ashes Blaze. || Found guilty of subversion and not guilty of trade in narcotics, by Chief Magistrate Karkovich. <br>Fined five thrones. || The clemency plea argued that the accused was acting to prevent a clear threat to the people they were looking after, which only they knew about, and so was compelled to act. However, it was not made clear how preventing the Ambassador from meeting with the Suranni was for the greater good.
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 40%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" | Notes
|+ Summer Solstice 386YE
|-
| Subverting the Agencies of the State || At the Spring summit Skywise Tulva enlisted Redhand Tutt to impersonate a Priest, Redhand Ikis in order to obtain primacy on [[386YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_210|judgement #210]]. This judgement was to encourage those people based in Pakaanan’s Pass to evacuate from the threat of the Cold Sun. The evidence suggested that a few dozen lives were saved as a result. || Skywise Tulva pleaded guilty.<br> Redhand Tutt pleaded guilty. || Both were found guilty.<br>They were jointly fined thirty thrones and each subjected to a [[Freezing Brand of Irremais]] at their own expense. They were also denounced by the presiding magistrate. || A clemency plea was made on the grounds of Loyalty.<br>Magistrate Sokolov's denunciation was as follows: “I, Magistrate Kasimir Nikovitch Sokolov denounce this dishonest impersonation of a member of Synod, which affected the outcome of a judgement. To allow this to pass without sanction would undermine the bond of trust between the Civil Service and the Synod for it threatens the spiritual health of all followers of the Way. I request the Imperial Inquisitor to investigate the guilty with a view to an appropriate sanction or penance proportionate to the severity of their actions.”
|-
| Treason || The accused left Anvil through the Gate following a lead to obtain a weapon to use against the Deadwood Knight. On arrival they were met by a herald. Once it was ascertained that this was a herald of the Whisper Gallery, Velko and Ivana left immediately without further interaction. The remainder agreed each to share a secret with the Herald, in return for the location of the sword they sought. When they returned they handed themselves in and cooperated fully. At trial the accused agreed to share publicly the secrets they shared with the herald, both to ascertain the danger these secrets represented and to rob them of some of their value to the Whisper Gallery. || The accused all pleaded guilty. They were as follows: Velko Perovitch Razoradze, Twig, and Ivana Petara Vodjavic, all of Varushka; Lord Leonard Gildeson, Hypatia de Cendres, Alistair de Vere, Marigold Campaner, Aubin Gildaryn, Olwyn Pickle, and Oswald Hopper, all of Dawn. || Velko Perovitch Razoradze and Ivana Petara Vodjavic were found not guilty. The remainder were found guilty, and fined one throne each. || A clemency plea was made by Annabelle Cetelle on the grounds of Loyalty and Wisdom.<br>The magistrate found the accused to have acted Loyally and out of a sense of urgency and concern for the current and future victims of the Deadwood Knight.
|-
| Murder || Witnesses testified that the accused led a group to [[Miekarova#Miechernya|Miechernya]] in Winter 384YE, where they murdered a group of Varushkan wardens on a pre-arranged signal. A couple of seasons later, a Thule warlock used [[Whispers_through_the_Black_Gate|the Black Gate]] to summon the shade of one of the victims and questioned it in front of other witnesses, whereupon it reportedly confirmed this version of events. The accused argued both that they thought that these were Vyig rather than wardens, and that this situation had been engineered by the Thule as part of a plot. || Alderei the Fair, General of the Iron Helms, and Vedmid, of Carrion Vale, both pleaded not guilty. || Both were found not guilty. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused, Gideon Rookguard, and the victim, Sina Rookguard, were both out drinking together. The accused became upset when the victim picked him up to show her strength and he spilt his drink. He saw red and attacked her, stabbing her until she fell down in front of many witnesses. || Gideon Rookguard pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined four crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Timor of Ill Tidings on the grounds of Vigilance.
|-
| Treason || At the Autumn 385 summit Sally Thresher was in charge of a conjunction to go to Mitwold where a group of Siakha heralds were harassing locals to try and get them to fight. She received advice from Guildenstern that they would be able to leave unharmed if they did not agree to a fight. However, they were attacked and swiftly dropped despite not agreeing to a fight. Sally was given the choice to either have herself and all those with her devoured by the heralds or give her permission for them to hunt citizens in Mitwold. She gave her permission so that she and those that went with her could live. Immediately afterwards, she did everything she could to warn the Marches of the coming danger, and which undoubtedly saved many who would otherwise have died. The heralds killed 30 members of the Drakes and the entirety of the Wayford Wanderers foot-the-ball team. || Sally Thresher pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>No punishment was given. || A clemency plea was made by John Sawyer on the grounds of Loyalty.
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 40%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 20%;" | Notes
|+ Spring Equinox 386YE
|-
| Blasphemy and heresy || The accused was condemned in Winter 385 ([[385YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_193|judgement #193]]) for publishing poetry and preaching on the subject of freedom in a manner judged to be blasphemous and heretical. The sentence was lenient, because of 1) the direction given by the condemning priest and 2) the evidence of actual harm caused was slight. || Kennett the Mummer pleaded guilty. || Guilty<br> Fined four thrones. || The condemning priest was Sam Wych-Elm. A clemency plea was made by Jedediah Boon on grounds of Pride.
|-
| Slavery || The accused presented an opportunity to the Military Council to purchase slaves for emancipation from the Grendel in Winter 385. This was in clear contravention of the law against purchasing non-imperial slaves. || Atraxes the Imperial War Scout pleaded guilty || Guilty<br> Fined ten thrones. || Atraxes had already stood down as War Scout
|-
| Subverting the Agencies of the State || The accused forced the Sentinel Gate for a minor conjunction without the permission of the person named responsible by the Civil Service, who was Mortarion Carver, Castellan of Spiral Castle. The skirmish in question was to defeat the *Broken Errant* and their warband, who were threatening Weirwater. The crime was witnessed by Algernon Berinore. The accused first asked the permission of the Castellan, and was refused, before passing through the Sentinel Gate regardless. The senator's clemency defence was weakened as he was unable to explain why he thought the defence organised by the Castellan would be insufficient. Given his clearly admitted intent, and the graveness of a senator illegally impinging on the rightful responsibilities of another, the crime was treated very seriously. || Ser Lucan Mortére, Senator Weirwater, pleaded guilty || Guilty<br> Fined fifteen thrones. || A clemency plea by Killian Mortére on grounds of Ambition
|-
| Assault (Leo), Assault and Mayhem (Tongs) || Syrio of la Berta Rossa, formerly of the family Barossa, was attacked by the two accused, when returning through the Sentinel Gate. Gabriel, Marcus and Rodrigo Barossa were also reported to be present. The victim was said to have sent Tongs a cursed necklace, causing her to commit harm to her loved ones. Tongs and Syrio attempted to fight each other; Leo Barossa made an effort to hold back Syrio while Gabriel Barossa tried to restrain Tongs. Leo was more successful, but only by attacking Syrio. Tongs struck down Syrio and carved a message into his arm, which persisted after healing. || Leo Barossa, Samantha 'Tongs' Barossa both pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Leo was fined one crown.<br>Tongs was fined ten thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Alfredo Barossa di Tassato on grounds of Loyalty.
|-
| Treason || The accused approached the proxy for the Grandmaster of the Unfettered Mind and requested a casting of the Spring ritual *Merciless Wrath of the Reaver*, with the Boon of Siakha. This was an offer made by the Maelstrom to grant additional effects to the ritual; however, the Empress of Sharks was under enmity and so the taking-up of such a boon would be treasonous. The accused returned the following day to make the request again, at which time the proxy Grandmaster was accompanied by two militia officers posing as coven members. Once the accused had paid over the mana crystals and tempest jade required for the ritual, he was arrested. He pled guilty, and under questioning at trial established that he had made no effort whatsoever to seek a legal route to perform the ritual; it was also established that he made no effort to seek alternate paths to Prosperity for himself or his military unit. He had clear advance warning from the Civil Service about the illegal nature of the ritual. Between this and his returning on the second day for the ritual, he had clear intent. As a result, he was sentenced to execution. || Whisper pleaded guilty .|| Guilty. <br>Death by execution. || A clemency plea was made by Rhisiart Dancewalker on grounds of Prosperity.
|-
| Murder || The accused were all involved in planning and organising a series of murders of Grendel rivals and subordinates of (then) Salt Lord Kalliact which took place in Spiral in Autumn and Winter 384YE. The purpose of these murders was to clear the way for Kalliact to make a treaty with the Senate for Spiral to rejoin the Empire. Kalliact was the originator of the plan, Lachlan presented the plan to the Imperial conspirators. The imperials all helped to plan or coordinate the two missions, with Andronikos also being present on the missions.<br> At trial the accused all argued that their actions, while illegal, were strongly in the Imperial interest and that it had resulted in the return of Spiral to the Empire. As a matter of law magistrates are required to take into account the Imperial interest as a factor in sentencing and accepted that the Imperial interest had been served in this case. It is to be noted that the leadership of the missions themselves, by Hector of Tropaion Citadel, were subject to significantly more judicial criticism due to the way in which they were actually carried out. || Merchant Prince Kalliact, Lachlan Apulian, Imperial Consul Jarrigk, Warmage Andronikos of the Lighthouse at Nikephoros, and Spyridonakes of the Lighthouse at Nikephoros all pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>They were collectively fined 30 thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Rafael Barossa using the Imperial favour to claim the mercy of the Empress on behalf of Jarrigk, Andronikos and Spyridonakes on the grounds of Ambition.<br>A clemency plea was made by Estella Lucati for Kalliact on the grounds of Ambition.<br>A clemency plea was made by Lepidina for Lachlan on grounds of Prosperity.
|-
|}

==Reports from 385YE==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Winter Solstice 385YE
|-
| Contravening a Declaration of Interdiction || The accused cast the interdicted ritual Whispering Shadow Courtiers at the request of her coven in Summer 385. She was not present at the Autumn summit but came to confess at the Winter summit. She cooperated fully and provided information on her coven. She did not complete any of the tasks set by the Whisper Gallery. || Cordelia Assumpta Cordina di Cello-Gribaldi pleaded guilty with no clemency. || Guilty<br> Fined one throne ||
|-
| Treason || The accused was selling sausages, some of which were poisoned and others which were made with human meat and cursed by Blood on the Snow. The accused confessed to being a cultist of this eternal, by the sobriquet of “Voice in the Pines”. || Alphonse di Sausage of Voice in the Pines pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined all the money in their possession (249 rings) and then executed.||
|-
| Contravening a Declaration of Interdiction || The accused made and used an interdicted item, a Shackle of the Unvirtuous in order to allow him to sleep without nightmares. If he had not done so he would not have been able to function or to serve his people. He had explored many other avenues to avoid this crime. || Konstantin Bolotinikov pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br> Fined two crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Martin Orchard
|-
| Aiding and abetting Slavery || Vuk the Wolfeater was investigated for handing over a child of his vale to his sovereign. Persuasive testimony was heard from the adopted parents of General Ash, a child who returned from the care of this sovereign, having had a strange and magical apprenticeship and upbringing. All accounts were that Ash was strongly raised in virtue – a powerful indication that the arrangement was not one of slavery. || Vuk the Wolfeater attended a witness hearing. || It was determined that there is no case to answer. ||
|-
| Treason || The two accused were variously involved in the planning, facilitating and casting of Bright Eyes Gleam in the Depths. This ritual, as a known and predictable effect, greatly increases the ease with which Day heralds of eternals not under Enmity can enter the Empire. Both accused admitted that at the time of the casting they knew this would permit easier access for the heralds of Cold Sun, which had declared and demonstrated its intent to attack the Empire, but the casting proceeded nevertheless. The accused therefore ‘aided Eternals [...] to act against the interests of the Empire’, in accordance with the definition of Treason. <br>Evidence and expert testimony from multiple sources including Grandmaster Shuttered Lantern, Proxy Archmage Day and Imperial Seer demonstrated that the accused had ample warning of the threat, that the accused Archmage Day passed up opportunities to declare Enmity against the threat, and that the accused pushed ahead without heed to the grave risks. <br> Both accused were fully cooperative with the investigation. The accused Anthemius Netherwatch, the ritual coordinator, had demonstrated contrition through his actions following the casting, most notably in having a Declaration of Sorcery brought forward against himself. This was taken into consideration for his sentencing. <br> large number of other covens and magicians of Urizen participated in the casting. They were also investigated, but they were not tried as the Magistrate determined that due to the assurances of the accused, the participants’ responsibility did not rise above the level of negligence. <br>At the request of Magistrate Tuomisbarn, the presiding Magistrate, a Denunciation was delivered by Magistrate Abraham against the Conclave and its leadership. Under the terms of the Imperial Constitution the Conclave exists to ‘ensure the fit and proper use of magic.’ The Conclave appointed Gralka as Archmage of Day, and passed a declaration encouraging the casting of Omnihedron rituals. After Bright Eyes Gleam in the Depths was cast, the Conclave elected not to endorse the casting of the ritual, but also elected not to replace the Archmage. Abraham highlighted Conclave’s unique constitutional exemption from Synod oversight and the roots of that exemption in the early Empire’s belief that its Magicians could be trusted to regulate their own affairs. Abraham reminded the assembled, speaking as the Head of the Constitutional Court, that this was an exemption that was subject to change should the Senate will it and the Throne approve it. || Skywise Gralka, Archmage of Day, pleaded guilty <br>Anthemius Netherwatch Custodian of the Lost, pleaded guilty || Both were found guilty. <br>Skywise Gralka, was sentenced to a fine of 150 thrones (to be paid by midday Saturday of the Spring Equinox).<br> Anthemius Netherwatch was sentenced to a fine of 30 thrones || A clemency plea was made by Herminius of the House of the Wanderer, Arbiter of the Four Winds, on grounds of Ambition for Skywise Gralka. A clemency plea was made by Rafael Barossa di Apulian, Grandmaster Sevenfold Path, for Anthemius Netherwatch on ground of Pride.
|-
| Appeal against conviction for Subverting the agencies of the State || The conviction of Bohemond De Rondell for Subverting the agencies of the State in Autumn 385 was overturned on appeal. He was prosecuted for refusing to attend his inquisition but in fact this was his second inquisition of that summit and so he was not required in law to attend. || Bohemond De Rondell || The fine of eight thrones returned. ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Autumn Equinox 385YE
|-
| Assault || The accused struck Archibald Flowers of House Castellan leaving him injured and in need of medical attention. The strike was the culmination of a disagreement between them regarding the Iron Helms. || Christafano of House Castellan pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined five crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Decimus Heywood of House De Britia
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted Faewel Novoia after being insighted by him, striking him once with a spear. || Thane Skoll Shieldbane pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined four crowns. ||
|-
| Attempted Murder || The accused attempted to murder Landon Harcomb. His motive was his belief that the victim had been involved in the recent bourse auction in which the prices were fixed. He wanted to send a message to the bourse before their next auction. || Percy Blackleaf pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined twenty five thrones and a Freezing Brand of Irremais at own expense. || A clemency plea was made by Lindeer Thornheart on grounds of Vigilance
|-
| Murder || The accused assassinated Adòn 'The Mithril Man' Martàn in a front of a plethora of witnesses. They then ran to the Marches for sanctuary and assaulted their clemency priest before fleeing and then being arrested. || Winty and Wulf of Varushka both pleaded not guilty. || Guilty.<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Mass murder || The accused organised two missions through the Sentinel Gate to murder a total of thirty five foreigners (Grendel). The first mission was to kill some Grendel slavers and rescue some slaves. The slaves were former urizen children made into child soldiers. When they tried to bring the children back the children resisted and so they executed them. Following the mission Hector concealed what happened and swore the others to secrecy. He then organised a second mission to kill a rival of Salt Lord Kalliact and their associates. They did so, executing them all, including some unknown humans who attempted to run. Note: Investigations to identify and prosecute others who are culpable for these murders are in progress. || Hector of Tropaion pleaded guilty. || Guilty.<br>Death by execution. || A clemency plea was made on grounds of Vigilance, Courage and Loyalty.
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Summer Solstice 385YE
|-
| Murder || The accused led a rescue mission into the Barrens to fight “tortured souls” – foreign humans twisted by the Druj. The accused expected to be able to take these people through the Sentinel Gate and when they could not ordered the execution of at least one foreigner who was under a powerful courage aura. Expert testimony from the High Exorcist confirmed that had the Druj recaptured the victim a dangerous force would have arisen. No punishment was levied because the magistrate judged that the accused had been placed in an impossible position. || Achseh of the Sentinel Tower and Jared of Sentinel Tower both pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>No punishment. || A clemency plea was made by Brother Jared
|-
| Mass murder || The accused was involved in a dispute with a family over a trinket. The accused bargained with a powerful magical entity in a lake in Weirwater to kill the person with the locket. However this deal lead to more and more deaths near the lake, ultimately killing everyone who remained in the town. || Arthur Fisher pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Theft || The first accused was caught by the militia while fleeing from the scene of their crime. They were found with a metallic apple in their possession that had been stolen from Owain Farkas. They implicated the second accused as having asked them to steal it. || (1) Brychan Stormbroke and (2) Trystan Whiteglade. Both pleaded guilty. || Guilty.<br>Brand Thornfang agreed compensation with the victim of one throne and the magistrate accepted this arrangement ||
|-
| Possession and supply of controlled substances or item || The accused and her coven performed the Ephisis' Scale ritual, which returned eight doses of an unknown substance. As is their normal practice, they auctioned the dose on the condition that the buyer identify the substance and report back. The buyer paid one throne and later identified the substance as Bite. Sofia turned herself in at the Summer Solstice and surrendered the remaining seven doses. || Sofia i Del'Toro i Riqueza pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined two thrones. || Sofia’s honesty provided the Militia with valuable information regarding a new source of Bite. The magistrates will provide her with a five throne reward.
|-
| Assault || The accused was bodyguarding Merchant Prince Kaliact when the victim, Ariadne approached too close to his principal. He warned her to step back but she did not (she was attempting issue a pronouncement of doom). He then struck her down by cleaving her leg in order to protect his principal. || Carado di Apulian pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined two crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Valentina Von Temeschwar on grounds of Loyalty
|-
| Murder || A group of Marchers and Highborn went to Bregasland to meet with Bushell Sykes, a known traitor and confidante of Mathilda Fisher. Sykes was expecting a fight but the group instead requested a parley. After speaking at length in an attempt to turn him against Fisher, Sykes motioned towards a weapon at his hip, having stated that either he died there or continued his war against the Empire. Sykes called out to the accused to “do it” and the accused killed him. The presiding magistrate’s view was that there was some uncertainty over the legal status of Sykes and so held a trial to openly examine the evidence. || General Amberlain P. Black pleaded guilty || Found guilty at trial but no punishment was levied. Post script: Sykes was designated as a barbarian prior to the Spring 385YE summit for fighting for the Jotun, so in law General Amberlain is considered not guilty. || A clemency plea was made by Edmund of Barrowby
|-
| Assault || The accused was hired by three unknown Dawnish men to cleave the leg of a citizen whom they had a grudge against. The accused cleaved him in both the torso and chest, and told him not to come back through the labyrinth before leaving him. || Aaron Thornweaver pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined one throne || A clemency plea was made by Neala Blackhawk on grounds of Vigilance
|-
| Treason || The accused contacted the Whisper Gallery in a ritual and consulted with the eternal. Beinon states he did not know what was happening, however a number of witnesses corroborated that he was present during the ritual and knew exactly what was hapenning. || (1) Mila Jellick and (2) Beinon Tanglehorn. <br>Mila pleaded guilty <br>Beinon pleaded not guilty. || Both were found guilty. <br>Mila Jellick was fined six thrones.<br>Beinon was sentenced to death by execution. || A clemency plea was made for Mila Jellick on grounds of Courage
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Spring Equinox 385YE
|-
| (1) Assault (twice) <br>(2) Subverting the agencies of the state, resisting arrest and contempt of court <br>(3) Subverting the agencies of the state, resisting arrest and contempt of court || During Marcher rough music at the Military Council Sam Wych was witnessed striking Constable Maximus of the Crystal Skies and Magistrate Avedon De Remourics with an implement, casting the paralyse spell. Allis Thorne and Sally Baker entered the Military Council and claimed right of witness. Allis is not a Synod member and has no right of witness. Sally and Allis were both excessively noisy, in breach of the legal requirements of witness. They were ordered to leave by the Herald of the Council. They refused to leave and told Magistrate Kuura Tuomisbarn to arrest them. Once they were arrested they were taken to the Militia tent where the rough music continued. They absconded in the confusion and evaded the pursuing militia long enough to claim sanctuary in the Marcher camp. Militia efforts to recover them after this time were rebuffed by the Marchers. Sam presented themself very late that night and the others the next day. || (1) Sam Wych pleaded guilty <br>(2) Allis Thorne pleaded guilty <br>(3) Sally Baker pleaded guilty to the first two charges and not guilty to contempt of court|| (1) Guilty. <br>Sentenced to a year long curse of the Dreamscape of the Endless Hunt (2) Guilty of the first two charges and not guilty of contempt of court <br>Sentenced to a year long curse of the Freezing Brand of Irremais (3) Guilty of the first two charges and not guilty of contempt of court. <br>Sentenced to a year long curse of the Freezing Brand of Irremais <br>They were all also fined 65 thrones for which they were jointly liable. || A clemency plea was made by Friar Rosemary Stamp on behalf of Sam Wych.<br> A clemency plea was made by Duncan Ashhill on behalf of Aliss Thorn.<br> A clemency plea was made by Jebediah Boon on behalf of Sally Baker<br>They were also required to pay the mana cost of their curses.
|-
| Supplying Bite and Treason (dealing with the Druj) || Following a lengthy undercover operation Lukash was arrested for dealing bite. When he was arrested a large amount of extremely incriminating correspondence between Lukash and the Vyig was found on his person. Lukash admitted being the leader of a group dealing bite. During the operation he had been witnessed leading this group and arranging for the purchase of bite. The correspondence showed that he was in League with both the Vyig and the Druj, and that the Vyig were using Drusila's Obelus as part of this arrangement. Lukash claimed that he was in fact working undercover for the militia all along. He claimed his handler was Victor, a former Head of Intelligence. However, Victor died many years ago and when challenged, Lukash admitted that he had not attempted to make contact with the militia during the intervening years. || Lukash Biessek von Temeschwar pleaded guilty to both charges. || Guilty. <br>Death by execution. || A clemency plea was made by Father Drakov on the grounds of Courage.
|-
| Possession of Bite || Nico was witnessed in possession of one dose of bite, given to him by Lukash. || Nico von Temeschwar of the Crimson Reapers pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined one throne ||
|-
| Dealing of Bite || A Cambion was selling bite in the Golden Goat in the League. The militia therefore followed up on this undercover. They purchased bite from the Cambion Aloysius di Sarvos of the league. The suspect revealed their supplier and returned with them for trial. || Aloysius di Sarvos and Julie, (last name not recorded, believed to be the sister of Patches). || Guilty<br>Each were fined two thrones. || A clemency plea was made on behalf of both on the grounds of Vigilance.
|-
| Contempt of Court || The Archmage refused to hand over a Crown of Agramant when ordered to do so. The crown is under interdiction due to the enmity of its maker. The basis of the clemency plea was that the crown was given during a parley with Wise Rangara and previously Rangara had blighted the Marches for spurning a gift, so voluntarily handing it over would risk similar consequences. The crown was removed from the Archmage and destroyed. || Ematius of the Library of Ankarion, Archmage of Winter, pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined one throne || A clemency plea was made by Martin Orchard on the grounds of Vigilance
|-
| Idolatry || The accused, a vate, went on a conjunction to provide advice regarding heralds. There was a herald of Tharim who was holding a number of Marchers. Their release was secured but the life of the herald was in jeopardy and the accused interceded in order to allow the herald to leave. In doing so the accused offered their soul to the herald. This was refused by the herald, but they said they would accept their service instead. || Morwenna Withered Rose pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Sentenced to a year long curse of the Freezing Brand of Irremais || The condemning priest was Silas of the Cenotaph. A clemency plea was made by Brynn Tendfallen on the grounds of Loyalty.
|-
|}

==Reports from 384YE==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Winter Solstice 384YE
|-
| Theft || The accused were contracted by the Di Tutamen family to go to Syrene’s Wisdom and collect magical water from there without leaving any witnesses.They collected a number of vials of water and while they were there rescued some miners who had been injured and trapped. They then reported what they had done to the militia. || Zoraida I Caballo and Corwyn I Cabello pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined three thrones || The fine was paid in compensation to the representative of the holder of Syrene’s Wisdom.
|-
| Murder || The accused executed a downed imperial citizen on the battlefield who was in the process of being arrested by the militia. This unknown citizen had been caught fighting alongside the Druj. There was no immediate threat posed by the victim and the Druj had already been pushed back from the immediate area. Furthermore the accused knew that the victim was an imperial citizen and acted anyway. || Finnan of Meliora in Dawn plead guilty || Guilty.<br> Fined 27 thrones which was paid into the Dawnish war chest via the egregore. || A clemency plea was made by Lady Caudine duLac on grounds of Vigilance
|-
| Sorcery and treason || The accused was caught working alongside the Druj in the Barrens. He said that he made a deal with the Druj to avoid death . In return he provided information of hidden Imperial holdouts in the Barrens and used his Winter magic against the Empire. The accused was declared a sorcerer by the Conclave in Winter 380YE. || Renée de Loire plead guilty. || Guilty.<br>Death by execution. || A clemency plea was made by Anabelle Beaugarden of House Castellan on grounds of Prosperity
|-
| Perverting the course of justice || The accused was witnessed interacting with the Whisper Gallery although it is unknown what was discussed. The accused’s memories relating to the Whisper Gallery were magically hidden or removed by either a Tulpa or ritual. The magistrate drew an adverse inference from the conduct of the accused - namely that they deliberately hid these memories to try to avoid justice. || Alfiar of Carta Noturno plead guilty || Guilty<br> Death by execution || A clemency plea was made by Genoveva Barossa di Tassato
|-
| Murder || The accused murdered a slave trader called Boriggard De Percy at a wedding outside of Anvil. The accused had arrested Boriggard after he admitted to trading slaves to the Druj. However, their position was overrun by Druj before he could be taken to the nearest magistrate. The accused was faced with the snap second decision to either let them go or execute them and chose the latter. || Gabriel Barossa plead guilty || Guilty.<br>Branded for a year with Freezing Brand of Irremais. || A clemency plea was made by Genoveva Barossa di Tassato
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Autumn Equinox 384YE
|-
| Idolatry || The condemned, an Asavean refugee, was accused of worshipping gods and refusing to convert to the way. The Court found that they had been private in their worship – just like the vast majority of foreigners present in the Empire. As no harm to the Empire was established, the punishment followed suit. || Legate Glaucia Heminia plead guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined one ring. || A clemency plea was made by Skywise Rykana on grounds of Wisdom<br>The [[384YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_31|condemnation]] was upheld during the Autumn Equinox 384YE
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted Voidan Silou of Dawn with a weapon, striking him with a powerful blow. This was because the victim told his sister that House Orzell are dickheads. The fine was increased due both to his position and the fact he did it with forethought and knowledge of illegality. || Valentin Orzell pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined one throne. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted Gaspar de Tassato Regario for insulting him, despite being warned not to do so. The fine was increased due both to his position and the fact he did it with forethought and knowledge of illegality. || Veikko Bondforger pleaded guilty. || Guilty.<br>Fined one throne. || A clemency plea was made by Aethelric the Grounded of Sigehold Hall
|-
| Treason || The accused cursed a Faraden citizen, Altin Valtar, after being accused of cheating at cards (See 384 Spring Court Reports). The curse prevented the victim from communicating. Expert witness Ulric Vernof of Winter Spire gave evidence that the curse was consistent with the methodology of the Whisper Gallery and that it is not castable by one person. The accused claimed she won the curse in a card game from a Herald of Lashonar but could not describe the Herald, how the curse was transferred or how she cast it given she claimed to have no magical power. The Court inferred that the accused was attempting to conceal a treasonous interaction with the Whisper Gallery. || Mockingbird the mountebank of Sarvos pleaded not guilty. || Guilty.<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Slavery and assault || The accused, a Faraden citizen transported Mockingbird of Sarvos to Anvil for trial on suspicion of treason. Mockingbird was kept in multiple heavy chains for days and had been extensively beaten while bound. These facts were not disputed. The Court found that their treatment of the prisoner was disproportionate and far exceeded what was reasonable for lawful custody to such a sustained extent that it was deemed slavery. || Altin Valtar pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined twenty thrones ||
|-
| Attempted Murder || The accused attempted to murder Veikko Bondforger both on Saturday night and Sunday morning. He claimed to have done this because he believed the victim to be Ratibor reborn and therefore must be killed. He said that if he were released he would continue his attempts to kill the victim. || Alexander Bentakuv pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Death by execution||
|-
| Murder || Descartese of Urizen was mortally wounded, on the battlefield. His deeply held Ambition was that he should die cleanly by the sword, not a lingering death in his bed. He called for his friend, Aurum, and after gathering further friends and colleagues of Urizen (including Philostrate, his Egregore) to witness that this was done well and without deceit, Aurum solemnly carried out the task.It was clear from the investigation that none had understood the legal implications of such an act – that a citizen cannot consent to their own death and that the law does not concern itself with how many moments that citizen had left to live. || Aurum of the Nightingale Temple of Urizen plead guilty. || Guilty.<br>Fined two thrones || A clemency plea was made by Lenarius Ankarien on grounds of Loyalty<br>One throne of the fine was given to the egregore to spend on something to remember the Ambition of Aurum to the people of Urizen.
|-
| Murder || The two accused, along with Brother Geoffrey Orchard of Pickham Monastery all received identical letters from Jodeya Watiker di Tassato Mestra inviting them to a secret meeting at a bar in Kahraman to discuss “mutual interests”. All three used a conjunction during this summit to take up the offer.They met with Jodeya, who revealed she was working for Blood on the Snow and that she wished to become his Herald. She gave the visitors three choices: To kill Jodeya there and then, to kill her (unnamed) companion, or to leave, in which case more letters would be sent until someone was found who would do it. It didn't seem to matter to Jodeya which murder was committed. Either would make the eternal “happy”. There appeared to be no discussion about any “mutual interests”, Brother Geoffrey withdrew and returned to Anvil, apparently to buy time for the others to learn more. At a moment when the bar was empty both the accused murdered Jodeya and escaped before the barkeep returned. Both handed themselves in to the militia. The court was content that Vigilance had guided them to commit the murder, but was not convinced that it was the correct choice. || Agnes Tapinson of the Woven Saplings of Navarr and Decimus Starchaser of Starchaser Spire of Urizen both pleaded guilty || Guilty, <br>fined 5 thrones each. || A clemency plea was made by Brother Martin Orchard on behalf of Agnes Tapinson on grounds of Vigilance. A clemency plea was made by Lochias of Oblivions Edge on behalf of Decimus Starchaser on grounds of Vigilance.<br>The court further warned them that if they accept any form of boon from Blood on the Snow as reward for their deed then they would face a charge of treason.
|-
| Attempted Murder || On Saturday night of the summit Mathilda Fisher, came to Anvil under a flag of peace to make her demands regarding Bregasland. She met with representatives of the Empire at the Senate building and a large crowd of Marchers gathered to protest.The accused conspired with Tomothy Crowle to break through the security cordon around the meeting and try to kill her. Thanks to the vigilance of the Senate Guard and Militia the attack failed and both were arrested. Tomothy was healed from his wounds and then released to the Marcher mob but later died, having “popped his stitches”. || Jacob Fenner formerly of Bregasland and a citizen of the Marches pleaded guilty. || Guilty.<br>Fined five thrones to be paid via the magistrates to the Marcher warchest and a voluntary Freezing Brand of Irremais. || A clemency plea was made by Sister Meredith of the Boundaryfolk on grounds of Loyalty
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Summer Solstice 384YE
|-
| Subverting the agencies of the State || The accused seconded two senate motions in Winter 383YE by mistake. || Rhisiart Dancewalker pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined five thrones.||
|-
| Blasphemy || The accused was condemned for being dedicated to Hatred on two occasions and for the promotion of the false virtue of hatred. They were previously a member of Santana’s ‘purity’ cult and claimed they were acting alone undercover. || Zaccai of Urizen plead guilty. || Guilty.<br>Death by execution. || A clemency plea was made by Raphael i Zamora i Riqueza did not find virtue in his acts.
|-
| Assault || The accused was acting as Field Marshal on the battlefield. They instructed Clive Feathers Rest to engage the enemy but he collected more arrows instead. An ill-tempered disagreement ensured and the accused struck and wounded the victim. || Sidlore de Gauvin AKA “Captain Charge” pleaded guilty. || Guilty.<br>Fined six crowns || A clemency plea was made by Estienne de Gauvin on grounds of Loyalty<br>Four crowns from the fine were directed to be contributed to Dawn’s warchest
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Spring Equinox 384YE
|-
| Assault || The accused was taunted by Zachary of Enlightenment Spire. He retorted by cleaving Zachary in the torso. || Ezekiel of Adina’s Charge pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined six crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Josephineos of Adina’s Charge on grounds of Loyalty.
|-
| Impersonating a militia officer, attempted assault || The accused used an invalid militia sash to impersonate a militia officer and infiltrate the security cordon around visiting Grendel envoys. In Winter 383 he had been convicted for impersonating a militia officer, assault and theft when he led an attack on the Grendel. It was the view of the Court that his intent was to attack and rob the Grendel. He was identified as being the culprit in multiple other reports of militia impersonation. He claimed that he was forced to commit his crimes by others but he then refused to name them or otherwise cooperate. || Ban Shattersong of Navarr pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death. || A clemency plea was made by Silk Splitterspear on grounds of testing the Vigilance of the militia.<br>The severe punishment was due to the convict’s multiple repeat offences, his contempt for the judicial process and his lies when questioned.
|-
| Contempt of Court || In Winter 383 at Anvil the accused gave an order to invest his army ‘The Bounders’ at Whittle and, among other things, prevent non-marcher magistrates and militia from enacting the trials ordered by the Synod for heresy and blasphemy. In doing so he impeded the proper operation of the legal process. The magistrate was forced to conscript many of the Bounders as there were insufficient militia available fitting Black Jack’s criteria. || General Ciaphas "Black Jack" Decker pleaded guilty. || Guilty.<br> Fined eighteen thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Sam of The Mourn on grounds of Vigilance
|-
| Assault and attempted mayhem (and encouraging thereof) || The first accused assaulted a mountebank known as ‘Mockingbird’ and attempted to cut out their tongue. Concerned citizens nearby prevented this. The victim left Anvil before they could be questioned. The first accused claimed that the victim cheated them in a card game in a Navarr wayhouse two weeks before the winter summit 383. When the accused called out the cheat the wayhouse returned their money but the victim then cursed Altam so that they were unable to communicate. The curse was eventually removed and Altam was advised by Chikoran at the Faraden embassy that they should seek vengeance against Mockingbird by cutting out their tongue. || Seeker Altam Baatan and their Priest Chikoran, both of Faraden, pleaded guilty with no clemency. || Guilty.<br> Fined five thrones. ||
|-
| Theft || The accused stole a bowl of change from the Printers Guild. When caught they confessed to their crime but were unable to return the stolen funds (estimated by them to be about two crowns) as they had already been spent. || Donotevaly de Temeschwar and Journabo de Temeschwar pleaded guilty with no clemency. || Guilty.<br>Fined two thrones || One throne of the fine was returned as compensation to the victims.
|-
| Treason (Dealing with an eternal under enmity||The accused was investigated after warning the Conclave that he had sacrificed his family for winter power. This was a legally and factually complex case involving identity evidence, night magic that can transfer memories, a tent of skin and bone made from the accused’s family members, Sydanjaa and the eternal Blood on the Snow. Ultimately, the court determined that the accused had most likely effected a deal with Blood on the Snow many years ago. The court accepts that they did not realise who they were dealing with and that the exact circumstances were ambiguous and so chose to be lenient. ||Talvekani of the Circle of Zulgan-Tash pleaded not guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined twenty five thrones || A deduction of two thrones was made for expenses incurred.
|-
|}
==Reports from 383YE==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Winter Solstice 383YE
|-
| Attempted Murder, Assault || The accused assaulted the victim with intent to kill in Therunin prior to the winter summit. The victim is believed to have been a member of the Heirs of Terunael and dedicated to the false virtue of vengeance. The accused was stopped in their attack by others and the victim was healed. The victim was killed in a later unrelated incident and a number of their possessions were found to be hallowed to vengeance. The accused handed themselves in. || Georg of Broken Bough pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>No punishment. || A clemency plea was made by Rhishart Dancewalker on grounds of Loyalty
|-
| Assault || The accused, while possessed by the spirit of his ancestor, launched an unprovoked assault against the victim inside the orc camp. Prior to the attack he yelled “You look like a fish I want to eat you”. The victim was of naga lineage. || Grud the unchained pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined four crowns ||
|-
| Treason || The accused, during a skirmish against the Jotun, was asking the fallen Jotun if they thought they had done enough to cross the Abyss. One replied they had not and the accused healed him on his promise that he would not take up arms against the empire again. The others he left. A complaint was raised by General Crolle (who led the skirmish) and who ordered him not to heal the enemy. The main basis of the clemency plea was that it is virtuous to help others to achieve virtue. || Sagramore de Gauvin pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>No punishment. || A clemency plea was made by Skywise Tulva, Cardinal of the Way, on the grounds of Courage<br>Sagramore de Gauvain did say that he had agreed with Skywise Tulva to raise this issue with the Synod and attempt to develop an Imperial policy.
|-
| Murder || The accused murdered the victim, Obadiah, at Upwold before the winter summit. They were searching for missing children, directly implicating Obadiah in the deaths of said children. The remains of children were found, including a bow crafted of human bones and winter magic. Details of the possible rituals used by Obadiah will be passed to the Conclave. || Wyatt Longbrook and Bree Talbot pleaded guilty. || Guilty.<br>No punishment. || A clemency plea was made by Brother Martin Orchard on grounds of Vigilance
|-
| Theft, assault, impersonating a militia officer || The accused were identified among about a dozen Navarr who attacked and robbed the imperial Fleetmaster Esteban I Del Rio Blanco I Guerra who was accompanying a Grendel delegation in Anvil under a flag of peace in order to trade. They also admitted to impersonating a militia officer as part of their line of work in order to gain trust. The amount stolen was of about a dozen thrones in value. Magistrate Cooper will be asking Skywise Fal, the Imperial Consul and Esteban I Guerra if they wish to file civil cases as both citizens recompensed the Grendel for the items stolen. || Three members of the Blackscar of Navarr, including Baniel Whisperoot, pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br> Fined ten crowns||
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted Grud the unchained in the Orc fighting pit following a verbal confrontation following the loss of his compatriot. Grud did not want to press charges. || Irontide Skagg || It was determined that there is no case to answer. ||
|-
| Attempted murder and assault || The victim, Santana, was approached by four Navarr including the two accused. Ravada proclaimed Santana was a heretic. Santana was insighted and found to be dedicated to the false virtue of purity. The accused assaulted Santana and also Finna of the Brass Coast when she tried to defend her. Events then moved to the Hub where Adeaphon attempted to murder Santana. || Ravadi Lonestrider and Adeaphon of Stormbrook Striding of Navarr plead guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined five thrones || A clemency plea was made by Hwyl Summercrow on grounds of Vigilance
|-
| Sale of Bite || The accused sold ten bite to Cynestan of Wintermark when they met in the Boars Head in Navarr. || Tamme von Holberg pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined ten thrones. ||
|-
| Possession of Bite || The accused bought ten doses of bite from Tamme von Holburg. The accused was clearly a severe bite addict and it was accepted that this was for personal use. || Cynestan of Wintermark pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br> Fined four crowns. ||
|-
| Heresy, Abuse of Powers and Blasphemy || The accused was condemned by the Brass Coast National assembly for the religious crimes of heresy, excommunication without a writ, anointing citizens to Hatred, and spreading the false virtues of Purity and Hate. || Santana of the Kohan pleaded guilty. || Guilty.<br> Death by execution. ||
|-
| Assault || A Navarri citizen assaulted a marcher after being antagonised at Kings Stoke before the summit. || The Navarri pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined two crowns ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Autumn Equinox 383YE
|-
| Murder || The accused was identified as the murderer of Celuria Silvertongue by use of Whispers through the black gate on the victim. The accused then confessed to murdering Celuria because of her testimony against the Hallowed Order (of which they were both members). The accused believed that the victim’s actions had resulted in the executions of three members of the order. When the accused met with Celuria to parley about this she claimed to have killed her because she believed that Celuria intended her harm. || Coira i Kemem i Guerra pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Multiple assaults || The accused were arrested after attacking Veikko, Cardinal of Loyalty, and Jerrasto and Raphael of the Gilded Horn Carta. One of these assaults was witnessed in the Hub by the Militia and the attackers were arrested. The accused committed suicide by use of pre-prepared ritual magic before investigations were concluded. However, questioning continued after death by use of magic and their responses indicated that they were followers of vengeance. Symbols of vengeance were also worn on their person). || Two Faraden who refused to supply their names. || The accused committed suicide. ||
|-
| Possession and supply of Bite. || The accused was arrested by the militia in the sewers beneath Cargo in possession of a large quantity of Bite. He confessed to having sold bite on behalf of his mistress. He claimed this was only under duress: threats had been made against his family. He did accept that he profited by doing so. || Ilzio of Temeschwar pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined five thrones and branded with a “B” || A clemency plea was made by Tiana i Zidan i Riqueza on the grounds of Loyalty
|-
| Contempt of Court || The accused both engaged in a conspiracy to deceive: namely they falsely claimed that the Ambassador to the Iron Confederacy had authorised Lord Colwyn de Rondel to act as his proxy. Both accused confessed their crime to the magistrate at an early stage. || Lord Colwyn de Rondell and Ilya Nikovich Volkov both pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined six thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Skywise Gralka on behalf of Lord Colwynn de Rondell. A clemency plea was made by Meris of the Vale of Lost Souls on behalf of Ilya Nikovich Volkov
|-
| Murder || The accused was discovered holding a knife and standing over the body of the victim, Spiteful Dross. He fled the scene upon seeing the militia coming to investigate. At trial he claimed that he ran because he was angry at the death of his friend. || Mr Williams pleaded not guilty. || Guilty. <br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Attempting to subvert the agencies of the state || The accused admitted seconding two motions at the same summit. The speaker of the senate required another second to be found before the motion could be put to the senate. || Baal, Senator for Bastion, pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined five thrones. ||
|-
| Treason || The accused used the ritual “Tribute to the thrice cursed court” to “destroy” a coven stone that he had obtained illegally and that he believed presented a threat to the Empire. He claimed that he was ignorant that enmity had recently been declared against Skathe, thus rendering the use of this ritual treason. The expert evidence from Brother Martin was that the use of this ritual would not guarantee the object’s destruction. Note that the accused could also or alternatively have been charged with contravening a declaration of interdiction. || Warrakine Ashenhide Arch of the Copperhill Monastery pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Death by execution. || A clemency plea was made by Albert Fuggestone Copperhill on grounds of Prosperity
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Summer Solstice 383YE
|-
| Criminal damage and assault (aiding and abetting) || The accused raised a judgement (Spring 383/14) to incite citizens to desecrate the works of Almodin Oktistis. The resultant mobs caused substantial damage to these works. In Tassato the mob broke into the Imperial Mint and engaged with the Mint Guard, causing a number of non-fatal injuries and extensive damage to Lorenzo’s Legacy of Ambition. || Rafael Barossa di Tassato pleaded guilty to both charges. || Guilty of criminal damage<br>No punishment.<br>Guilty of assault. <br>Fined one throne.|| A clemency plea was made by Astrid Fjellrevening Rezia di Tassato, the Cardinal of Pride.<br>No direction was made with regards to any potential civil claims arising from this crime, potential claimants should speak to Magistrate Cooper.
|-
| Mayhem || The accused carried out a skein reading upon Leofric Baerson who then broke their oath not to reveal the results. The accused demanded that Leofric be cut as punishment, and this took the form of destroying Leofric’s left eye, without consent. It was not possible for physicians to save the eye and it is believed that magical methods are now required. || Keston of Wintermark pleaded guilty. || Guilty.<br>The accused is required, at his own expense, to arrange for Leofric’s eye to be healed by the end of the Autumn Summit or face further punishment. || A clemency plea was made by Leofric Baerson on grounds of Wisdom
|-
| Heresy and Abuse of powers || The accused preached heresy against the Imperial Orcs for two hours outside their camp. Evidence was presented that she did so under an aura of hatred, which appeared to have spontaneously manifested. The accused raised the judgement of condemnation against themselves and argued at trial that they should be executed while excommunicated.<br>The abuse of powers related to the accused raising a judgement of inquisition against herself. It was noted by the Court that while priests have done this previously, it is the first occasion that the Synod have chosen to act against the practice since the death of Empress Britta. || Medea Ruth pleaded guilty to both charges. || Guilty of abuse of powers. <br>Fined 25 thrones.<br> Guilty of heresy<br>Death by execution. || The condemning priest for heresy was the accused.<br> The condemning priest for abuse of powers was Solas of the Spire of the Waxing Sun.<br> A clemency plea was made by Ed Watcher.<br> The court requested the removal of the accused’s excommunication prior to execution and this was carried out.
|-
| Murder || The accused was engaged in a power struggle with the victim, Tuirkane Cordraco, over the future direction of their noble house. The accused defeated the victim in the glory square but this did not resolve their disagreement. The accused demanded a rematch or he would ‘impose discipline’. The accused then slew the victim, breaking his back with his mace. At trial the accused claimed he was within his rights to execute a member of his own household. He requested penal military service, which was refused on the grounds that being allowed to die in battle is earned and not a right. || Earl Arthur Cordraco pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution || At his execution the accused compounded his misdeeds by claiming that he was going to the fields of glory, not the labyrinth, as virtues had never been of any use to him.
|-
| Criminal damage || The accused entered into an agreement with the eternal Scathe to undertake a number of tasks. As a result of their final task, all of the mirrors in Sarvos and a garden in Holberg were destroyed. Value of the items destroyed was assessed by the civil service at 30,000 thrones after consultation with the League egregore. Clemency was accepted on the basis of loyalty to the souls of many of their people, whom Scathe was preventing from returning to the Labyrinth. It was confirmed that thousands of Imperial souls were returned to the labyrinth as a result of their actions. || Jaylus, Kerioth and Ephrael, all of Zephaniah's Lament pleaded guilty, Leon died prior to being brought to trial || Guilty. <br>Fined 300 thrones|| A clemency plea was made by Rane Sherarding<br>The fine reflected the substantial damage done to the national hearth magic of the League.
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Spring Equinox 383YE
|-
| Murder || The accused, who was new to Anvil, executed a fellow member of his striding, Caffron Streamwalker, during a skirmish in Winter 382YE. The victim was injured and screaming that everyone was going to die. The accused claimed the victim was harming morale and carried out a so-called “mercy killing”. Note: This case was reviewed and the sentence judged to be inadequate as this was plain murder- “mercy” did not enter into it. Any future cases of this nature will not be dealt with so lightly. || Lizarath Streamwalker pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined one throne.|| A clemency plea was made by Jokell Streamwalker
|-
| Aiding and abetting the murder of Bessie the Bard and attempting to pervert the course of justice || This case relates to the murder of Bessie the Bard (see report for Winter 382 for further detail) by the Hallowed Order, a group dedicated to the assassination of those they deemed to be heretics. While the actual murder was carried out by Rune (who died before he could be brought to trial) he had a number of accomplices in the Hallowed Order, The accused was with Rune in the immediate aftermath of the murder and furthermore his initial account of events changed significantly by the time of trial. Given he was also a member of the same murderous conspiracy it was judged that he had either encouraged, or helped in the perpetration of this murder. || Orren of House De Rondell pleaded not guilty to both charges. || Not guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice.<br>Guilty of murder.<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Mass murder of Surrani Templars near the Feroz border || The accused used the sentinel gate to travel to the Feroz and Iron Confederacy border to assist Jean Valois and his group to escape from the Iron Confederacy (they having converted to The Way). A group of ten templars sent after Valois also found them, and after a brief stand off, the citizens engaged the templars in combat. According to the accounts of the Iron Confederacy officials nine of the templars were killed. At trial two templar survivors were presented by High Templar De Rolo, who could not explain the discrepancy and suggested his masters were incompetent. Both Rolo and the second survivor’s testimony was judged to be untruthful. Brother Jaylus (a healer) did not take part in the engagement. || Mordecai, Animayus, Tobias, Iscah, Gideon, and Nathaniel of Highguard, and Alan Fletcher of Dawn all pleaded guilty. Brother Jaylus of Highguard pleaded not guilty. || Brother Jaylis was found not guilty.<br>Mordecai, Animayus, Tobias, Iscah, Gideon, and Nathaniel of Highguard, and Alan Fletcher of Dawn were found guilty. Fined ninety thrones and branded with a cross upon their cheek. || A clemency plea was made on behalf of Mordecai on grounds of Loyalty. <br>Clemency pleas were made on behalf of the rest on the grounds of Courage
|-
| Subverting the agencies of the State || The accused was the proxy senator for Kallavesa at the Autumn 382 summit. He seconded two motions in contravention of senate procedure. He claimed that this was due to a mistake, and a misunderstanding of the law, The Court recognised that he fully cooperated with the investigation and was inclined to leniency on this occasion. || Tanesh of Dunneth Hall pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>A fine of six mana crystals and two thrones. || The fine of six mana crystals was sent in advance of the trial
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted Medea Ruth while she was ranting hatred against orcs outside the Imperial Orc camp. || Ida Isjant pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined two crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Medea Ruth on grounds of Courage
|-
| Subverting the agencies of the State || The accused discharged an Imperial Wayleave while holding the imperial title “Collector of Prosperity’s Boon”. He claimed that he did not realise that a Wayleave was an Imperial title. The court accepted this was an honest mistake and chose to be very lenient. || Tyr Brennan pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>No punishment levied. ||
|}
==Reports from 382YE==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Winter Solstice 382YE
|-
| Heresy || The accused (while Conscience of the Senate) sent letters to many in the Empire in which they contravened the Doctrine of Human Destiny by claiming that [Orc] thralls reincarnate amongst other things. They went beyond asking questions to teaching false doctrine. No evidence was presented of others being swayed by or spreading these heretical beliefs. || Mel of the Mourn pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>The penance of a Freezing Brand of Irremais was taken into account and they were furthermore fined twenty five thrones. || The condemning priest was Hazel of the Shattered Tower. <br>A clemency plea was made by Martin Orchard on grounds of Vigilance.
|-
| Idolatry || The accused was invited by the Senate to take up a post designing buildings. He proceeded to do so in the Asavean style although it quickly became apparent that these involved grandiose statues to the Asavean gods. Nevertheless for a number of years the accused continued to be employed by the Senate and commissioned by various Senators to continue. Furthermore none of these commissions were vetoed by the Synod. In his defence the accused argued that if the Empire didn't like his buildings why did they keep employing him? Furthermore why did the Synod wait so long before taking action, if the buildings were idolatrous? He claimed that the Empire were crooks who were planning on confiscating his earnings and prosperity and that this was unjust.The Court was concerned that the accused, while clearly guilty, was also a priest of a foreign religion building these imperial commissions the only way he knew how. It appeared that he was being made a scapegoat while the Senate and those who had commissioned his services (all followers of The Way) had faced no condemnation for their actions. || Almodin Oktístis, Priest of the Builder and the Asavean Architect, pleaded not guilty. || Guilty. <br>No punishment was applied as the Court was of the opinion that this would not be just and therefore not in the Imperial interest. || The condemning priest was Veikko Bondforger.<br>Almodin Oktístis was advised to leave the Empire forthwith.
|-
| Murder of Bessie the Bard and Contempt of Court || The accused were members of the Hallowed Order, a group led by Rune who undertook vigilante justice against heretics, including among their number a group of hawks pecifically tasked with assassinations. A witness had also given a statement that she had been approached by Yon (after the murder) and asked to take part in these activities. The accused gave evidence that Rune was out of control and taking things too far before his death. They admitted attempting to interfere with a Whispers Through the Black Gate to obtain testimony from Bessie the Bard. The fact that they were present at the time of the murder, that the witness evidence suggested that Rune had fled the scene in the immediate aftermath of the murder, that they had by their own admission interfered with the investigation into Bessie the Bard's death and that Yon had continued to recruit for the Hallowed Order, an organisation whose purpose was the murder of Imperial citizens all led the court to the conclusion that it was more likely than not that the accused participated in or assisted in the murder of Bessie the Bard. || Yon of the Moon's Owl of Wyvern's Watch and Gren Wyvernson of Wyvern's Watch plead not guilty to murder and not guilty to contempt of court. || Guilty. <br>Death by execution. || Yon requested that the sentence be commuted to penal military service but this had already been considered and rejected, in consideration of the circumstances.
|-
| Murder || On the Saturday night of the Winter Solstice in Anvil a Druj peace delegation came to parley with the leaders of Urizen. As part of that process two of the barbarians forced the third to take a potion against his will. This potion, by some unknown Druj magics, allowed a Druj leader, not present in Anvil, to use the body of the third orc as a vessel for his communications. At the end of the parley the leader left the body of this orc and he fell to the ground, dead. Attempts were made to bring the two remaining Druj to the Magistrates for investigation. One fled, a second was caught. The victim was protected under Imperial Law as a member of a peace delegation and the other Druj were obliged to abide by Imperial Law as members of the same delegation. The orc admitted his involvement but saw nothing wrong with his acts. The victim meant nothing to him and the court was convinced that it was the forcible taking of the potion that resulted in the death. || A Druj orc of unknown name refused to plead and so a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. || Guilty. <br>Sentenced to death by execution. || After sentence was given the orc made a fight of it and was killed by the vigilant citizens of Anvil before a formal execution could be carried out.
|-
| Treason by treating with the Whisper Gallery (First Trial) || Between the Autumn and Winter summits a hospital in Morrow was attacked by Druj orcs. The head of that hospital had made a deal with the Whisper Gallery for them to provide a magic shroud to protect the hospital from the Druj, in return for which secrets were being given to the Whisper Gallery and rare books were being burnt. Those who gave up their secrets then found that they had forgotten them. Eight Imperial Citizens came to the magistrates at Anvil at the Winter Solstice to confess their crimes. Six were tried collectively and a seventh tried separately afterwards, one did not face trial. All of the accused accepted their culpability in that they carried out the ritual required to satisfy the Whisper Gallery, taking part in the giving of secrets and burning of books. The Court was convinced that the accused were not treating with the enemy with treasonous motives, and that their loyalty had saved the lives of several hundred wounded Imperial citizens. However the Court was not convinced that the act was Virtuous enough to totally mitigate their actions. || Aquilllian Effugere, Redhand Gezzar, Ptolemy Ravensfell, Aethelric of Sigehold, Tamar of Enlightenment Spire, Raelyn Holdfast and Sadiq all pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined of fifty thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Sabilla of Highguard on behalf of Redhand Gezzar on grounds of Loyalty. A clemency plea was made by Pan Edgestalker on behalf of Sadiq on grounds of Loyalty. A clemency plea was made by Veikko Bondsforger, Cardinal of Loyalty, on behalf of Aquilllian Effugere, Ptolemy Ravensfell, Aethelric of Sigehold, Tamar of Enlightenment Spire, Raelyn Holdfast on grounds of Loyalty<br>This fine was allocated to Virtuous endeavours of the citizenry. The defendants were encouraged to make suggestions, and decision of Magistrate Reinholz as to how it was allocated was announced at the Spring Equinox
|-
| Treason by treating with the Whisper Gallery (Second Trial) || The facts of the case were identical to the previous case, except that the accused had both led the ritual, and also voted against carrying it out (unlike the other defendants). She did so on the grounds that it was an unvirtuous act. The accused initially plead guilty without clemency but following legal advice from the magistrate the trial was delayed to allow the accused to consult Conclave and priests of the Synod. An accused who pleads guilty has the right to choose whether to request clemency or not. However at trial the question of the Virtue of their acts is determined by the Clemency priest and the Magistrate, not the opinion of the accused. || The accused pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>No additional punishment. The fifty Throne fine from the first trial was considered sufficient for the entire act. || A clemency plea was made by Maarit Suvidottir of Sigehold
|-
| Treason by treating with the Whisper Gallery (this is unrelated to the previous two trials) || The accused did a deal with The Whisper Gallery. This deal was in the form of a letter that the accused had kept for some time. The accused replied to this letter and made a deal with the Whisper Gallery. The accused said that they only did so after coming under the influence of a magical effect. It should be noted that committing crimes while under the influence of magical affects is not a legal defence. In law we are held responsible for our own actions. || Benedict Pacelli Von Holberg pleaded guilty || Guilty. Sentenced to Death by Penal Military Service. ||
|-
| Subverting the agencies of the state || The accused wrote directly onto a Synod Judgement posted in the hub. This judgement belonged to another member of the Synod. Their unauthorised addition to the judgement was intended to change Synod voting behaviour. || Vivianne de Couerdefer, Cardinal of Ambition plead guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined seven thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Irada Von Temeschwar, Cardinal of Vigilance.
|-
| Subverting the agencies of the state (both accused) and assault (Ancel Weaver only) || An aide to the Throne held an Imperial Favour which contained the power to dissolve Conclave. Syn Nighthaven grabbed the Imperial Favour from their hands and ran out of Conclave, allegedly ripping up the document as she did so. She claimed to have burnt the remains, but this is unverified. Ancel magically repelled one citizen who had blocked Syn's way so she could not get past. At trial, when pressed, Syn stated that she would have struggled to get past this final person otherwise. || Syn Nighthaven and Ancel Weaver pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined thirty thrones for subverting the agencies of the state. <br>Guilty of Assault<br>Fined three crowns|| A clemency plea was made by Jared of the Suns of Couros on behalf of Syn Nighthaven. A clemency plea was made by Irada Von Temeschwar, Cardinal of Vigilance, on behalf of Ancel Weaver
|-
| Poisoning || At the Autumn equinox the accused slipped Bite into the drink of Thorn, a friend, with no warning. || Aron of the Levy pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined three crowns. || Aron of the Levy had already been convicted and punished for possession of bite. They voluntarily presented themselves to the militia and cooperated fully.
|-
| Murder || The details of this case are unclear although it appeared to involve a killing on the battlefield among the Navarr this case will now be reviewed and reported upon when the facts are known. || || ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Autumn Equinox 382YE
|-
| Murder and slavery || The accused is a mine owner in Varushka who has been working slaves in the mine and regularly sacrificing them to Bas Celik in exchange for protection. He was identified by Irontide Flax as being the person pointed out by one of his victims while dying. Furthermore during a ritual to summon his grandmother’s shade she revealed both the murderous arrangement with Bas Celik and that the accused had been keeping slaves. || Anfesa of Varushka originally pleaded not guilty but changed his plea following his grandmother’s testimony and pleaded guilty. || Guilty.<br>Death by execution||
|-
| Murder and three counts of perverting the course of justice || The shade of Harry the Book, a murder victim, was summoned and questioned. He accused Tess of stabbing him to death. Other evidence that was eventually gathered suggested that Tess murdered Harry on behalf of Irra Harah, who had ordered his death, along with three other imperial citizens. || Tess, former Head of Constabulary in the Anvil Militia. No plea was entered as the accused was tried in absentia. || Guilty<br>Execution in absentia || Tess fled the to the Spring realm prior to her trial.
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted the victim, Owain Farkas, by striking him with her wand at Conclave and repelling him from the floor. || Empress Lisabetta von Holberg pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined four crowns. || A clemency plea was made on grounds of Prosperity.
|-
| Possession of Bite || The accused bought bite from Maximus, an associate, and then slipped it into the drink of Thorn, a friend, with no warning. || Aron of the Levy pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>
Fined two crowns. || Note further investigations are ongoing with regards to the supply of the drug by Maximus and the poisoning of Thorn.
|-
| Perverting the course of justice and resisting arrest || The accused was questioned about the secret location of the Rookery in connection with the investigations into the murder of Captain Hardfrost and Magistrate Murcello by the Rookwoods. The accused denied knowing where the Rookery was and claimed to have no involvement in the murder or subsequent escape. When the militia subsequently located the Rookery with the help of House Vexille and conducted a raid, the accused was found there. The accused resisted arrest along with the other wanted murderers from the House and was the only one who retained sufficient connection to the empire to be brought back through the gate for trial. The murderers were summarily executed at the scene. || Thomas Rookwood Martel pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Death by execution. ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Summer Solstice 382YE
|-
| Attempted murder and treason || The accused approached the Empress and spoke to her about her poor relations with the Navarr. The accused took offence and slashed at the Empress’s throat with her dagger, injuring her badly. || Hipwyn Ashguard pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution|| A clemency plea was made by Corey Wayfarer that stated the act was unvirtuous.
|-
| Assault || Lord Romand of House Remys of Dawn engaged in an altercation with the senator Bohemond de Rondell. Romand suddenly lunged at Bohemond, cursing him, and the accused stepped in to defend Bohemond and struck down Romand with his dagger. He then called for a magistrate and ensured Romand received medical attention. || Cesare Sanguineo Rezia Di Tassato, Senator for Tassato, pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined two crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Skywise Gralka on grounds of Loyalty
|-
| Possession of Bite || The accused claimed to find two doses of bite on the east road and sought the advice of the Harlequin what to do with it. The Harlequin suggested he sell it to the Crimson Reaper Cartel (knowing their leader to be in the militia). When the accused tried to sell it to them, Prince Tali promptly arrested him. || Lucian, a foreigner of Holberg descent pleaded guilty. || Guilty. Fined four crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Irada von Temeschwar, Cardinal of Vigilance, on grounds of Loyalty.
|-
| Multiple assaults || The accused attacked a series of victims while apparently suffering the effects of the {{Black Plateau}} curse. || Danica of House Vandale pleaded guilty || Guilty. Fined a total of five thrones || A clemency plea was made by Lochias
|-
| Subverting the agencies of the state and assault || While apparently under the effects of a curse from Spiral the accused put up a judgement for consideration by the Synod without it being stamped and approved by the Tribune. He subsequently assaulted someone after arguing with them. || Ozren de Orzel pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined two crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Corwyn Leafstalker
|-
| Assaults || Both the accused had a heated argument while they held drawn weapons. Michaelangelo stepped towards Lupo but did not raise or tense his weapon. Lupo stabbed him with his spear. An independent witness provided evidence as to how events transpired. || Ferosi Lupo pleaded guilty. Michaelangelo Di Sarvos pleaded not guilty. || Lupo was found guilty.<br>Fined four crowns. <br>Michaelangelo was found not guilty. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused was contracted by his husband to assault another imperial citizen. || Eduardo i Erigo pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined one throne. || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Assault || The accused read a pamphlet written by Serjanus of Urizen and then assaulted him. || Katerina Gardener pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined four crowns. ||
|-
| Assault || Enzo di Saverio and Natalia of Carta Stalare faked an assault on Enzo as a distraction for a curse to be delivered to someone in the Urizen camp. The subterfuge was discovered but Enzo would only confirm that they were a distraction for “other acts”. Having refused to answer further questions Enzo attempted to leave the camp. Believing this to be part of a greater crime the accused struck down Enzo. || Aurum of House Nightingale of Urizen pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined one crown || A clemency plea was made by Galene Netherwatch on grounds of Vigilance. <br>The fine was paid in compensation to the victim.
|-
| Manslaughter || The accused killed an Imperial citizen in the Mourn. He claimed that this was in defence of his sister. Conflicting and changing evidence was provided by witnesses Joanna and Roberta in his defence which was deemed contradictory and unreliable. Accordingly the clemency plea was not accepted. || Svoki an orc ex-thrall of the Mourn pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Sentenced to death. || A clemency plea was made on grounds of Loyalty
|-
| Attempting to pervert the course of justice || The accused were beaters in the Mournwold who responded to the sounds of a murder in progress and pursued their suspect, an orc thrall, to Anvil. At trial they gave conflicting evidence which then changed during the investigation. || Joanna pleaded not guilty. Roberta plead guilty || Joanna was found not guilty. Roberta was found guilty.<br>Fined one throne. ||
|-
| Murder || During a battle on the {{Black Plateau}}, Cadar Aurelius of Dawn struck down and killed Gaston’s Earl. In revenge Gaston killed Cadar Aurelius on the battlefield. || Gaston de Courdyer of Dawn pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution || A clemency plea was made by Jared of the Suns of Couros
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Spring Equinox 382YE
|-
| Assault || The accused ordered Cormack Dun out of the Urizen camp when he attempted to sell copies of the Oathwright bearing the headline “Druj outwit heroes and conquer Zenith”. As Cormack was leaving the accused ordered him to run and when he did not, struck him a blow with his sword. The unwelcome guest defence did not apply as it was not a reasonable use of force. || Philostrate Menos, a host of the Urizen egregore, pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined two crowns || A clemency plea was made by Runerathmore of Neverwatch Spire on grounds of Pride.
|-
| Treason and perverting the course of justice || The accused admitted trading secrets of Imperial citizens to the Whisper Gallery in exchange for lost information from the Imperial Archives. Furthermore the accused used magic to erase his memories of his co-conspirators and then came to confess his crimes. || Arne Coerling pleaded guilty to both charges. || Guilty.<br> Fined twenty five thrones for treason<br> Fined five thrones for perverting the course of justice. || A clemency plea was made by Gunnbrand Ironwill on grounds of Pride.<br>The convict declared themselves to be a Justice heretic and committed magical suicide,
|-
| Treason || The accused confessed to being coerced by the Grendel (who held her family hostage) into stealing Imperial charts and secret military information from Anvil and passing them to the Grendel. || Carlita i Osa pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution || A clemency plea was made by Medea Ruth on grounds of Loyalty
|-
| Assault || The accused and the victim, Tanwyn Ankarien, were on the battlefield in Spiral. The accused believed Tanwyn was responsible for the peace treaty failing and headbutted her when the opportunity arose. || Stilicho of the Scarlet Guard pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined four crowns. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted Malchus of Jachin's Legacy over a disagreement about how to treat members of the Iron Helms while through the sentinel gate. || Iscah of Jachin's Legacy pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined four crowns. || A clemency plea was made on grounds of Vigilance
|-
| Assault || Tanwyn Ankarian and Philostrate Menos were suffering from a Spiral related curse. Corvus, the High Exorcist had informed Rhisiart that getting those afflicted into a particular tent (with a magical aura) would cure them. Rhisiart attempted to trick Tanwyn into said tent and failed so resorted to violence. Once her curse was removed, all the accused then repeated the exercise, injuring Philostrate in the process. || Rhisiart Dancewalker, Tanwyn Ankarien, and Phaedra Ankarien all pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Discharged without punishment. || A clemency plea was made by Solas of the Spire of the Waxing Sun on grounds of Wisdom.
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted Arbiter Serjanus of the Scarlet Guard of Urizen after provocation and put him down. She established the victim was being healed before leaving. || Danica Vandale pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined four crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Jared of the Suns of Courous on grounds of Loyalty. <br>A subsequent judicial review indicated that she should have been fined more heavily due to prior convictions for crimes of violence. This will be taken into account if she comes before the magistrates in the future.
|-
| Contravening a declaration of Interdiction || The accused cast the ritual Rivers Run Red upon Therunin on the last day of the summit then handed themselves in. They argued their actions were necessary to counter the Rivers of Life ritual cast on the region by the Great Forest Orcs as this had awoken the Vallorn in the area. Furthermore they argued that the only effect of Rivers Run Red would be to negate the Rivers of Life. They had attempted to convince Conclave to remove the interdiction but failed to do so and felt an urgent need to act immediately to protect the lives of the nearby citizens from the Vallorn. || Kellos Foxden, Celyn Brackensong, Eirwen Brackensong, Trystan Brackensong, Talek Dancewalker, the Navarr egregore, Rhea Pridestalker, Saeros Splitroot, Drow Gedor and Drefa Brackensong being the Voice of the Quiet Forest coven pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Discharged without punishment although the magistrate noted that it is left to Conclave to decide if they wish to react further. || A clemency plea was made by Amris on grounds of Courage.
|}

==Reports from 381YE==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Winter Solstice 381YE
|-
| Attempted Murder and assault || The accused launched an unprovoked assault upon Heretta of the Rangers of Narook while the victim lay injured on the ground receiving medical aid, The accused argued that this was both because Heretta had left him and stolen his boots and also that he intended to heal his former companion with a spoon. The spoon was examined and found mundane, furthermore it had not been seen by any witnesses at the scene. || Andres i Erigo pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and guilty to assault || Guilty.<br>Death by execution || A clemency plea was made on the charge of assault on grounds of Pride
|-
| Assault || The accused saw two children sparring at the Academy and joined in, attacking them with a metal sword without warning or permission. || Mokko of the Printers Guild pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined five crowns. ||
|-
| Attempted Murder || Upon returning to Anvil the accused handed themselves in for a crime committed over two years ago. Elthred had attempted to hire the Greenshields to assassinate Ardeth Sigsdottir. However an ongoing militia sting operation meant that Warrant Officer Nimh made the introduction. Elthred had been attended as bodyguard by Kivari, who Nimh testified was drunk and not paying attention to the conversation. Other witnesses provided evidence that the intended victim was manipulative and dangerous and that this act by Elthred was uncharacteristic. || Elthred of Holt Hyrde pleaded guilty.<br> Kivari of Holt Hyde pleaded not guilty. || Elthred was found guilty.<br>Fined five thrones and marked with the Freezing Brand of Irremais. <br>Kivari was found not guilty. || A clemency plea was made by Beodun Snowlock on behalf of Elthred
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted Sol, egregore of the Brass Coast. Sol was going to turn up and chase the Reaper, thus showing disrespect to League national traditions. || Vitore Van Temeschwar pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined one crown. || A clemency plea was made on grounds of Pride.
|-
| Criminal damage || The accused caused severe damage to the Colossus of Sarvos by ramming it with his ship. He claimed to have been blackmailed by a mysterious masked man and woman who bought up all of his significant gambling debts and threatened his family and crew if he did not ram the Colossus. || Artur di Sarvos pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined twenty thrones, || A clemency plea was made by Cesare Enzo Di Trivento on grounds of Loyalty.<br>The sentence was suspended for two years to reflect the difficulty of a man of such modest means raising such a sum and in recognition that he was acting under duress.
|-
| Murder || The accused brutally murdered Nevyn Bitterbark of the Bitterbark Steading. He claimed that the victim was the murderer of the Dawnish senator, Lady Jocelyn Cordraco. However no plausible explanation for his actions nor evidence to support his claim was forthcoming. || Kadywar of House Tarvey of Dawn pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution. || A clemency plea was made on grounds of Loyalty.
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Autumn Equinox 381YE
|-
| Assault || The accused, a warrant officer in the militia, assaulted Eudaemon of Halcyon Spire in the Hub. This followed an interview during which it became clear that no charges would be laid at this time against the victim for his attempt to perform a curse. || Bronislav Markovitch Wolfguard pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined two thrones. || The fine was higher because the guilty party was an on-duty militia officer.
|-
| Perverting the course of justice || The accused was the prime suspect in the murder of Philgar Rowan. She was the last person to see him alive and her answers to the militia (when she was cooperating at all) were contradictory in several respects. || Jemyma Rookwood of House Martell pleaded not guilty. || Guilty. <br>Death by execution || Jemyma Rookwood committed suicide before the sentence could be carried out
|-
| Murder and resisting arrest || The accused handed himself in to the militia and confessed to his part in the battle of Crow’s Keep, fighting on the side of Dogri Thulebane. He was ordered by the Thulebane to lead his civilian followers to a new settlement and to preserve the traditions of Skarsind. He had taken so long to hand himself in because he had been busy settling these refugees from the keep. || Kali Keen Eye of Clan Saker pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined ten thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Jorma Steelhelm on grounds of Pride.<br> The magistrate directed that the fine should go to aid in the founding of the new settlement.
|-
| Attempted theft and attempting to pervert the course of justice || The accused attempted to steal the notebook of Senator Bridget Eastville at the Summer Solstice 381. She was caught in the act and gave a false name to the militia when she was arraigned for trial (to take place the next day). She then failed to attend her trial. She was hunted down by the militia at the Autumn summit despite having disguised herself as a league citizen. Her identity was confirmed by the Navarr egregore. || Lorwen Splinterkin of Navarr pleaded guilty to both charges. || Guilty on both counts.<br> Fined two crowns for the attempted theft.<br>Fined ten thrones for attempting to pervert the course of justice. ||
|-
| Murder || The accused murdered Earl D’Ossienne many years ago. The Earl had become deranged in his later years. He forced his children to fight each other for his own cruel amusement. The accused became scared that it was only a matter of time before one of them was killed and so they killed the Earl first. || Ser Kay de Ossienne pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined thirty thrones. || A clemency plea was made on grounds of Pride and Loyalty
|-
| Treason || The accused communicated accurate military intelligence to the Grendel barbarians. This intelligence included the movements of Omperial armies and supplies. || Cicero of the Shaping Stars spire pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution ||
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted someone who had just placed a curse upon him. || Galbraith of the Boundaryfolk pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined three crowns. ||
|-
| Murder || Maurice de Gauvain, Archmage of Autumn, was killed by the accused during a battle against husks, some of whom were dressed in Dawnish House colours. Maurice's lower jaw was covered in blood at the time of the battle, and his facial features were obscured. Garavaine was dispatching downed husks to prevent them rising again, and mistook Maurice for one such. Maurice was questioned using Whispers Through the Black Gate, and did not see his killer. He expressed no concern that these actions may have been motivated by foul play. || Garavaine de Rondell pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined thirty five thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Jared of the Suns of Couros on grounds of Vigilance.<br>This plea was only partially accepted by the magistrate as the lack of care for fellow soldiers was arguably not a vigilant act.
|-
| Assault || At the pledge ball, the accused assaulted Silvio de Tassato after the completion of a play he had orchestrated which insulted Ancel’s love. || Ancel Steward pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined one crown. || A clemency plea was made by Rane Jorunsdottir, Inquisitor of Pride.
|-
| Six counts of assault and false imprisonment || The accused had beaten and captured half a dozen local Imperial citizens for their own purposes in Skarsind. || Two orcs of the Thule pleaded not guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined twelve crowns. However, when it became clear they could not pay they were executed. || The names of the Thule were not recorded.
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Summer Solstice 381YE
|-
| Attempted murder and assault || Thomas Bookkeeper of Navarr was assaulted very late at night in the Senate and almost killed by the accused. || Nora of the Green Men pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to assault. || Not guilty of murder. <br>Guilty of assault <br>Fined three thrones. ||
|-
| Assault || Aarne Ceorling of Wintermark was assaulted in the Hub by the accused. || Jorma Steelhail pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined ten crowns. ||
|-
| Heresy || The accused was condemned by a greater majority of the Synod General Assembly for her unrepentant heretical teachings. She claimed to be the First Empress reborn, possessed of a Paragon soul returned from a place beyond the Labyrinth, which she called the "Land Without Tears", a golden land without pain and suffering. || Yael of Highguard pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Contempt of Court || The accused had requested that he be allowed to execute Yael should that be the verdict. Permission was granted provided that he did not use the sword of the Exarch. Later he placed this sword in Yael's hand. He was ordered by the presiding magistrate not to execute her while she was holding this sword but he disobeyed and struck her down regardless. || Cyrus, Exarch of Felix's Watch.|| Summarily fined five thrones for failing to obey the lawful order of a magistrate. ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Spring Equinox 381YE
|-
| Mass Murder || The accused confessed to killing a house full of Dawnish citizens. The circumstances were that he was taken prisoner by the House of Lord Lucien De Loire and tortured, forced to fight other prisoners and starved for six long years. When he and the other prisoners escaped Errol and some others stayed behind to buy time for their wounded to escape by setting fire to the house and killing anyone who got out. Evidence gathered by the Dawnish militia supported many of these facts and it is strongly suspected that this House were followers of vengeance. || Errol, Bailiff of the Grand Market pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Discharged without punishment. || A clemency plea was made by Sister Meredith on grounds of Loyalty.<br>This result reflects the strong clemency plea and the extenuating circumstances.
|-
| Contempt of court || The accused blocked the path of a member of the militia in the performance of her duties and then refused to move. When fined a crown for contempt of court she responded by telling the magistrate to “Fuck off”. || Medea Ruth of Halcyon Spire || Summarily fined one throne. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused grabbed the nearest weapon and stabbed Rane Jorunsdottir. || Ulric Ybasden pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined four crowns. ||
|-
| Attempt to abet the contravention of a declaration of sorcery || In an attempt to rescue the Empress's father from the whisper gallery (who are under enmity) the accused attempted to broker a deal between them and Ancel Steward of House Vexille. Ariana sent the missive not knowing what it contained. The deal did not go through as the Whisper Gallery would only deal directly with Ancel Steward. During questioning, Danica claimed Kaspar had not been involved, leading to an increase in her fine. || Kaspar Yakovich von Holberg, Danica Vandale and Arianna de Tassato pleaded guilty. || Guilty.<br>Kaspar was fined 22 thrones.<br>Danica was fined 25 thrones<br>Arianna was fined ten thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Severin Teyhard von Holberg on behalf of Kaspar Yakovich von Holberg on grounds of Loyalty.<br>A clemency plea was made by Jared of the Suns of Couros on behalf of Danica Vandale on grounds of Loyalty.<br>A clemency plea was made by Corwin Leafstalker on behalf of Arianna de Tassato on grounds of Loyalty.
|-
| Subverting the agencies of the state || The accused attacked a herald of Yaw'nagrah (who is currently under enmity) during a plenipotentiary with the Archmage of Spring. This is in direct contravention of the Conclave's rules on how such parleys are conducted. || Drefa Brackensong pleaded not guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined ten thrones. ||
|-
| Assault and contempt of court || The accused punched the victim, Watt of the Marches, believing (wrongly) that he had kidnapped her sister, Miriam Bard. Furthermore the accused frequently interrupted the magistrate during trial and was summarily tried for contempt of court. || Bessie the Bard pleaded guilty to assault || Guilty<br>Fined two crowns for assault plus two crowns payable in compensation to the victim. <br>Fined one crown for contempt of court. || A clemency plea was made by Lumi Lehtonen
|-
| Dereliction of duty || The accused handed herself in for a crime that occurred several years ago. She had been assigned to a military unit at the Reikos citadel and her new commander ordered her unit to surrender to the Druj. Instead she fled from the field of battle. || Allegra of Navarr pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined ten crowns and subjected to the Freezing Brand of Irremais. || A clemency plea was made by J'zarr i Shartha i Guerra on grounds of Loyalty.
|-
| Murder and resisting arrest || The accused resisted legal arrest with murderous force, leading to the deaths of over 200 Varushkan soldiers and most of the inhabitants of Crows Keep. The court was moved only slightly by the clemency plea for Dogri Thulebane on the grounds of loyalty to the people of Crows Keep and Skarsind. This was on the grounds that his actions had the direct consequence of leading to the deaths of most of his people, and the destruction of Crows Keep. The clemency pleas for the other accused were accepted on the grounds that it was not within their power to legally prevent the battle and their virtue compelled them to act. || Dogri Thulebane, Ranulph six lives and Mhira Valoing plead guilty || Guilty. <br>Dogri Thulebane was sentenced to death. By their request this was to be carried out by Mother Thane of Wintermark by sundown. Subsequently the court acquiesced to a request for him to die in battle, before sundown <br>The other accused were discharged without further punishment. || A clemency plea was made by Jorma Steelhail on behalf of Dogri Thulebane and Ranulph Six Lives on grounds of Loyalty and Courage respectively. A clemency plea was made by Cerwynn Brackensong on grounds of Loyalty.
|}

==Reports from 380YE==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Winter Solstice 380YE
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted Medea Ruth Marshwatch, a former member of his order, with a staff while cursing her. The reason given for this by the accused was that the victim had brought shame to their order by her actions in the Sentinel's Repose bar. || Eudaemon of Halcyon Spire pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined one crown plus one crown compensation paid to victim. || A clemency plea was made by Bonewall Rek on grounds of Pride.
|-
| Murder || The accused was enjoying a celebration away from Anvil when the mood suddenly changed as the unknown victim arrived. A melee ensued in which the accused was not directly involved but which resulted in the victim being struck down. A priest ascertained the victim was dedicated to a freedom cult. The victim begged to be killed and the accused did so, but in law it is not possible to consent to your own murder. || The accused (whose name was not recorded) pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Branded. || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Theft || The accused stole valuable herbs to eat. The accused was also sternly warned against providing a false name to the militia as this is a serious offence. || Will Brakensong pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined one throne. || A clemency plea was made by Corey Wayfarer
|-
| Subverting the agencies of the state || The accused received a message from Barrens orcs near a triage centre behind the front lines of the recent fighting. They were offered a deal to exchange twenty eight Dawnish prisoners in return for five brands on citizens to mark the orc lives lost. The brands were investigated and found to be mundane. This was treated in law as a legitimate ransom demand so no treason charges were levied. || Merry Talbot, Skywise Gralka, Talaith, Jada of Ravensfell, Joshua of Zephaniah's Lament all pleaded not guilty || Not guilty. || All the accused initially pleaded guilty but the plea was later changed on advice of the magistrate
|-
| Blasphemy || The accused was condemned by the Synod and admitted to preaching the false virtue of hate and spreading auras of hate. While a clemency plea was made on grounds of loyalty the court did not accept that his actions were justified in the circumstances. || Friar Robin of Whittle pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution. || A clemency plea was made by James Appleseeder. Martin Orchard spoke for the Marcher National Assembly.
|-
| Treason and Contravening a declaration of interdiction || The accused cursed (or aided and abetted said cursing) Gregor, Head of the Shuttered Lantern. The accused did so using a ritual text called “Quell the Thief of Secrets” created by and traded from the whisper gallery(and with whom a state of enmity currently exists). They argued that this was to try to prevent further harm being perpetrated against Gregor by the Whisper Gallery by making him unable to read or write and thus a “non-combatant” in the war of secrets. || Ancel Steward, Guissart Vexille (not present), Arlen Weaver, Ser Lacons Vexille and Lady Gweniveve Vexille pleaded guilty to all charges || Guilty. <br>Collectively fined forty thrones <br>Sentenced to be branded with the Freezing Brand of Irremais. || A clemency plea was made by Corwyn Leafstalker
|-
| Murder || The accused was investigating the victim, Laudica i Tsaga i Riqueza, for being a follower of the false virtue of vengeance. She was invited to the victim's tent, which was under an aura of vengeance and given a mask that cursed the bearer to take vengeance upon those who threaten their loved ones. An axe was placed near to hand and then the victim threatened harm to the accused's sister in the future while taunting her to take vengeance. The accused struck her with fatal consequences. || Ephrael of Zephaniah's Lament pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined five thrones. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime but also its context. || A clemency plea was made by Jared of the Suns of Couros on grounds of Vigilance and Pride.
|-
| Assault and criminal damage || General Irontide Skar owned an axe which was possessed by the spirit of a Jotun ancestor. The accused believed this to be a detrimental influence on the General and the army. She attempted to seize the axe and nearly strangled the General with it then failing to take it she disenchanted the axe, removing the spirit. Expert witness testimony was accepted from Irontide Lok and Bloodcrow Yargol on the subject of Jotun ancestors in orcish lore. || Bloodcrow Shettehs pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined four crowns for assault<br> Fined seven thrones for criminal damage to be paid in compensation to victim. || A clemency plea was made by Atla on grounds of Wisdom and Loyalty.
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted the victim, Silas of Zephaniah's Lament, because she was “meddling” with her sister. || Amatia i Tsagaan i Erigo plead edguilty || Guilty. <br>Fined one crown. || A clemency plea was made by Maricella i Tsagaan i Guerra on grounds of Loyalty.
|-
| Assault (two counts) || The accused asked the victim, Hazel of the Shattered tower, “if she would like a face like hers” referring to Senator Tanwyn. The accused then struck the victim in the face with a shield and pushed her to the ground. || Rhisiart Tarw pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined three thrones due to the accused being a repeat offender. ||
|-
| Heresy and blasphemy || The accused encouraged Imperial orcs in Hraka Hold to not follow the Way claiming “it is a human religion”. Further he said the Hierro clan failed because “they had too much ambition” and preached against both too much pride and ambition. He also claimed orcs are superior to humans. He has been inquisited for this behaviour before and has said he would mend his ways. During the trial he argued his beliefs were common among imperial orcs. || Bloodcrow Yargol was condemned by the General Assembly. He pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined thirty thrones<br>Sentenced to be branded with the Freezing Brand of Irremais. || The condemning priest was Jorma Steelhail.<br>The heavy fine reflected the serious impact that Yargol's heresy was having on his peers and to act as a deterrent against similar behaviour in the future.<br>
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Autumn Equinox 380YE
|-
| Theft || An Enigmatic Staff belonging to Sovica Kovar was stolen from the academy premises. The accused admitted selling this staff onto a Navarr. || Alexi Gremani pleaded guilty || Guilty.<br> Fined three crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Lucifaro Erigo on grounds of Loyalty and Vigilance
|-
| Murder || The accused had argued with Isca over magical efforts to direct the falling red star. They invited her to their tent with promises of an apology but Dusan paralysed her and Svetlana and Velushka slew her with their weapons. They then disposed of the body with magic. Isca's shade was summoned and her identity verified then she was questioned. Isca testified as to the events as described above and contradicted the claims of the accused to have argued with Isca in the tent prior to killing her. The accused handed themselves in at the start of the next festival. || Dusan, Svetlana and Velushka of the Tangled Thorns pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution || A clemency plea was made by Elka Grimani, Cardinal of Pride.<br>Although some good arguments were made in favour of clemency, the seriousness of the crime, the destruction of evidence, and their failure to justify the necessity of their actions were judged to mean that a sentence of death was appropriate.
|-
| Theft || The accused searched the tent of the Tangled Thorns (while they were under investigation by the militia) and took their coven stone. This stone is permanently enchanted and therefore valuable. They claimed to be acting out of vigilance since it might be cursed and furthermore that they were authorised by a member of the militia to take it. No evidence could be found that this was the case. || Mina of the Howling Pines and her two cousins pleaded not guilty. || Not guilty. ||
|-
| Treason and subverting the agencies of the state || In the winter of 379 the accused had a meeting with the Druj and sent a letter in 380 to confirm their agreement to crush a tribe of Barrens orcs between their armies. Furthermore the Druj would cast Rivers Run Red to maximise casualties. The accused advised the military council of the plan, allowing them to plan the campaign accordingly and with considerable success. However, he failed to engage with either the Senate or Imperial Consul about this scheme. || Ancel Steward pleaded not guilty to treason and guilty to subverting the agencies of the state. || Not guilty of treason. <br>Guilty of subverting the agencies of the state<br>Fined twenty five thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Sir Lacons Vexille with regard to the first charge<br>It is not known why clemency was accepted even though accused pleaded not guilty.
|-
| Treason || The accused and his family were captured by Druj in Edinberg near Holberg. His captors threatened to kill his family unless he led the cadets of the academy into a trap. He lured in twenty cadets and five adults with talk of a boggart infestation and did not attempt to warn them in any way. Even though the cadets were ambushed by orcs they not only escaped with their lives but also saved the accused's captive family. || Antonio Gelani von Holberg pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Blasphemy || The accused came to Anvil and falsely preached that hope was as important as the other Imperial virtues. They were condemned by the Assembly of Nine and repented after the Empress spoke to them. || Christoph and Julieta di Sarvos pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Sentenced to spend the next season removing auras of hope from Sarvos. || A clemency plea was made by Serrusto Caeli Rezia di Tassato, Cardinal of Ambition
|-
| Assault || The accused was threatened by four mercenaries sent from a League Carta to cut down a “sacred” tree in a cemetery in Holfried. He warned them off but when they persisted and tried to cut down the tree he assaulted them. || Friar John Taker of the Marches pleaded not guilty on grounds of defence of the property in question. || Not guilty. ||
|-
| Criminal damage || The accused went on a skirmish with a relative but after they failed to stay close to him he broke their staff. || Uther de Rondell pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined three crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Sir Gaulio Orzel
|-
| Possession and supply of gutwrench (at the Vor'Azi Grimhold) || The accused was hired for ten thrones (five in advance) to poison Karina by someone called “Feldermaus” in the League. The accused gave Karina gutwrench to take instead of a deadly poison. She convinced Karina to take it by claiming it would show her whether her lover truly cared for her or not. || Anya of the League pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined seven thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Amris Merikovich on grounds of Wisdom
|-
| Theft (in the environs of a field hospital near the front lines) || A unit of the army was captured and the accused was let go and told that the orcs would release the rest of his unit if he provided them with some herbs. He proceeded to steal said herbs and was caught. || Kay Fletcher pleaded guilty. || Guilty. <br>Fined four crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Jada of Ravensfell on grounds of Vigilance
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Summer Solstice 380YE
|-
| Assault || The accused punched Nadia Borodina di Sarvos of the Pledge twice in front of many witnesses. || Vaniagh of the Suns of Couros pleaded guilty with no clemency. || Guilty<br>Fined four crowns. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused struck down the victim while apprehending him for investigation by the synod. The victim, Romero di Sarvos, had been witnessed handing out heretical pamphlets. The court ruled that the assault was unlawful since it exceeded reasonable force. || Grace Sanguino Regia di Tassato plead guilty || Guilty<br>Fined one crown. || A clemency plea was made by Irada von Temeschwar
|-
| Heresy and blasphemy || The accused was witnessed handing out heretical and blasphemous pamphlets which he had himself obtained in Faraden. The accused was condemned by the Assembly of Nine and Cardinal Ophelia di Sanguino was their expert witness. || Romero di Sarvos pleaded guilty with no clemency. || Guilty<br>Death by execution. || The accused was both unrepentant and presented a clear risk to the Empire.<br>The convict's assets were sequestered and he was
|-
| Murder || The accused handed herself in and confessed to the murders of both Sister Dorcas and Sister Ana of the Suns of Couros. She said she had no control over her actions but having realised what she had done she did not seek help or treatment. || Sister Aurelia pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused got into an argument with Banwell Rae over the execution of a citizen for heresy. The accused pushed Rae to the floor when Rae stepped towards him. || Kane Frostwalker pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined two crowns. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted the victim, Jera de Luisignon, while he was awaiting trial. The victim had cursed the accused's homeland, then taunted him about it. The accused then assaulted the victim with a knife but saw to it he was healed afterwards. || Magic' Errol of the Marches pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined one crown. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused asked the victim, Jera de Luisignon to lift a curse that he had placed upon his father. Jera proceeded to insult both the accused and his father. The accused then stabbed him. || Robert Greyshanks pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined one throne. ||
|-
| Blasphemy and idolatry || The accused was condemned by the Synod for blasphemy and idolatry for his involvement in the actions of the notorious De Luisignan anarchy cult. || Jera de Luisignon of Dawn pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution. || A clemency plea was made by Lady Josephine Novarion
|-
| Attempted murder and membership of the Vyig || The accused was witnessed stabbing Warrant Officer Hardfrost with a poisoned dagger at his wedding reception. A note indicated orders from the Vyig to carry out the assassination and scars consistent with removed Vyig tattoos were found on his knuckles. || Christoph di Sarvos plead not guilty to all charges. || Guilty<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused tried to stop a Vyig assassin, Christoph di Sarvos, who was fleeing the scene of a crime. She was stabbed and poisoned and received a series of medical treatments that left her in an agitated state. She found the suspect in militia custody and stabbed him in a frenzy which was almost fatal to the victim. || Cora Greyshanks of the Marches plead guilty. || Guilty<br>Fined six crowns. || A clemency plea was made by Robert of Swindale on grounds of Loyalty<br>The court warns the convict and all citizens that the magistrates take a dim view of assaults on suspects in militia custody.
|-
| Assault || The accused was asked by a Warrant officer to guard the prisoner, Christoph di Sarvos. When the prisoner turned somewhat aggressively towards the accused he struck him twice with the butt of his bill. || Hob Culloch of the Marches pleaded not guilty on the grounds that he was keeping him in custody during a lawful arrest. || Not guilty but warned about his use of force. ||
|-
| Heresy || The accused was caught preaching heresy and promoting the false virtue of 'fear'. Examination by the egregore of Highguard found that he was a citizen of Highguard but that he was now nameless. He was condemned by the Assembly of the Way. || A citizen of Reikos who no longer bore any name pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution|| Due to time constraints, caused by the need for condemnation, the accused was tried after the summit
|-
| Contravening a Declaration of Interdiction || The accused cast the ritual Whispering Shadow Courtiers to contact the Whisper Gallery in contravention of the Conclave's declaration of Enmity. It was argued that his intent was to try to find out information on the Whispering Gallery's activities in an effort to save imperial lives. The court was satisfied that there was no evidence of treason. The accused had sought no prior advice from members of the Conclave, but the Cardinal of Vigilance advised him that she would plead clemency for him at trial. || Benedict of the House of Seven Mirrors plead guilty. || Guilty<br>Fined ten thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Irada von Temeschwar, Cardinal of Vigilance. The court reminds citizens that contravening a declaration of interdiction is a serious offence.
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Spring Equinox 380YE
|-
| Manslaughter || Substantial Agramant activity was reported by witnesses in the Vale of Hollow Pines at the time of the offence. During these events the accused shot dead an old draughir woman with a single arrow. The victim (who was not a Varushkan citizen) had recently attacked Grandmother Aria, first paralysing her then biting off her ear. || Boyar Akstis of Eigulys known as “Gully” pleaded guilty || Due to both the circumstances and the clemency plea provided the convict was discharged without punishment. || A clemency plea was made by Rooslin Prochnost
|-
| Murder || The accused admitted the murder of Darius of the Emerald Order by stabbing him to death near the Marcher maypole in Anvil. The accused handed himself in, and claimed that he had lost his wits due to the side effects of potion making. While no witnesses to the crime came forward, and the accused said he had no memory of the murder, blood stains were found on his robes consistent with the events. || Pugilist of the Emerald Order pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Subverting the agencies of the state || The accused claimed right of witness in order to investigate a rumour he had heard of slavery in Anvil. He did not have the legal right to do so as he is not a member of the synod. || Bloodcrow Yargol pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Fined six crowns. ||
|-
| Murder and perverting the course of justice || The accused were all involved in some capacity with the murder of Brady (for which Tarion of the Black Scar has already been executed). Erian aided the murder by luring Brady into an ambush and then lied about it in one of her statements to the militia. Bernie was the one who planned the murder but he did not personally wield a blade. Lleu, their acting Brand, was told by them of the murder after it happened and he asked Erian to lie to the militia. || Erian plead guilty to perverting the course of justice and murder. Bernie plead guilty to murder. Klay plead guilty to perverting the course of justice. || Guilty<br>Erian was sentenced to death by execution.<br>Bernie was sentenced to death by execution. <br>Lleu was fined five thrones. || A clemency plea was made by Aelfin on behalf of Erian but said it was not a virtuous act<br>A clemency plea was made by Rhisiart Tarw on behalf of Llew grounds of Loyalty and Pride
|-
| Assault || The accused all assaulted militia deputy Yaroslav who was guarding an old mine that had until recently been utilised by the Vyig. || Viktor, Boris and Alexi von Temeschwar all pleaded guilty. || Guilty<br>Fined two crowns each. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused (who handed herself in) used her weapon to strike a heavy blow on the arm of a soldier who insulted her after the battle. || Clarice Novarion, General of the Eastern Sky, pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined two crowns. || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Perverting the course of justice || The accused was involved in the formation of the criminal scheme by the Handful of Dust coven in the Brass Coast to give True Liao to an eternal. The accused left this coven and moved to Dawn but because she felt bound by contract to secrecy she only gave very general warnings to Asher (the guide priest who lost his life as a result of their actions). || Catalina de Rondel of Dawn pleaded guilty || Guilty. <br>Sentenced to suffer the curse of the Freezing Brand of Irremais || A clemency plea was made by Frederick Novarion
|-
| Murder (other lesser charges could have also been laid) || The accused were all citizens trapped in Reikos during the occupation. When priests arrived and reconnected them with the Way they came to Anvil to face justice for the terrible crimes they had committed in order to survive and so that others could learn from their experiences. Their crimes included killing others in fights over food, burning a house of flux sufferers to prevent spread of the disease, killing a crying child so they would not be found by a Druj patrol, torture and killing of Druj collaborators, cannibalism, killing to end the suffering of the starving and killing those who became a drain on the group's resources. || Jolen, Ruth, Caliban and Meliphas all pleaded guilty || All were discharged without further punishment but were offered the opportunity to participate in a Highguard cleansing ritual involving a river and weighing down with stones to represent guilt. || A clemency plea was made by four priests<br>The court accepted the necessity of the acts for their survival and the dreadful adversity of their situation, starving and without any hope of outside help. Arguments were made both for and against the virtue of their actions.<br>In considering sentence the court carefully considered whether these citizens were both deserving and capable of rejoining society. Also, whether it is in the Imperial interest to execute those left in such intolerable conditions.
|-
| Manslaughter (the first accused only) and trade of true Liao to foreigners || The accused arranged a past life vision and Asher of Felix Watch, Cardinal of Courage, agreed to accompany her. However, Ysabel had made a pact with the eternal, Sadogua, to pass her share of True Liao to him magically when she pretended to drink her dose.As a result Asher went to the labyrinth alone and the vision collapsed. Asher's mortal body died and then vanished. Barak of Haros, Head of the Attendants of the Gateway and Livia of the Celestial Cascade, Seer of the Gateway, bore witness and confirmed that Ysabel had been given a full safety briefing, that clearly stated that if both participants did not follow the process then the vision would collapse, and that Ysabel had signed her agreement. The defendants agreed the facts, and stated that their intention was to research the effects of True Liao on an eternal. || Ysabel I Ergo of the Handful of Dust pleaded guilty to both charges. Geraile I Erigo, Maite I Erigo, and Evaristo I Erigo pleaded guilty to trade of true liao to foreigners || Ysabel I Ergo was found guilty<br>Death by execution.<br>The other accused were found guilty<br>Fined seventy five thrones.<br> When their fine became due the next day they refused to pay and claimed to have given away all their assets. Consequently they were executed. || A clemency plea was made on behalf of Geraile I Erigo, Maite I Erigo, and Evaristo I Erigo.
|-
| Manslaughter and assault || The accused and others captured some bandits and brought them back through the Sentinel Gate. The victim attempted to flee and was struck down. The victim was kicked in the head by the accused and died in spite of the medical treatment applied at the scene. || Arden of Cantiarch's Hold pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and guilty to assault. || Not guilty of manslaughter<br>Guilty of assault. <br>Fined two crowns. ||
|-
| Assault || The first accused attacked Ursil de Luisignan with his wand after getting into an altercation. The second accused attacked Tremayne de Luisignan with his sword after he got involved. || Selen de Rondel and Robert Greyshanks both pleaded guilty. || Guilty<br> Selen de Rondel was fined four crowns. <br>Robert Greyshanks was required to apologise to the victim. ||
|-
| Attempted Treason || The accused took a conjunction to meet the eternal Jaheris to discuss the (then current) enmity with Eleonaris but, rather than meeting Jaheris arrived at an audience with Eleonaris herself.Some members of this party had already been advised by the Dawnish egregore not to speak with Eleonaris if this happened. The court probed the nature of the meeting to discover if any of the delegation intended to negotiate and deal with Eleonaris but found no evidence of attempted treason." || Duke Orzel of Dawn along with the other members of his delegation all pleaded not guilty. || Not guilty || The accused were given words of warning with regards to talking to enemies of the Empire in the future.
|}
==Reports from 379YE==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Winter Solstice 379YE
|-
| Theft || The accused were witnessed by a member of the militia fleeing a shop in Tassato carrying stolen merchandise. As Kit is a minor, her guardian Catalina faced punishment in her place. || Kit de Tassato (a minor) and Wyl Brackensong both pleaded guilty. || Guilty<br>Jointly fined two thrones, to be paid as compensation to the victim, Umberto. ||
|-
| Murder || The accused murdered Brady of Blackscar striding following an accusation of incompetence by the victim. A thorough investigation by the militia uncovered the accused, who then admitted the crime during an interview. || Tarion of Black Scar pleaded guilty. || Guilty<br>Death by execution ||
|-
| Theft || The accused stole three crowns from the victim's change jar. As Kit is a minor, her guardian Catalina faced punishment in her place. || Kit de Tassato pleaded guilty. || Guilty<br>Fined two crowns and ordered to repay the three crowns stolen from the victim. ||
|-
| Blasphemy || The accused were condemned by the Synod for preaching the false virtue of peace at Anvil at the Autumn summit. The expert witness from the synod was Father Appleseed. || Mother Alice, Calm Roberto, and Mary Bregasland pleaded guilty. || Guilty<br>Branded and recommended to the care of Father Appleseed. || A clemency plea was made by Father Appleseed's brother.<br>The accused were separately excommunicated.
|-
| Treason || The accused made a deal with Agramant in which he was given the means to create fear auras to help in their fight against the Jotun in return for executing Jotun prisoners in the presence of Agramant's herald. Expert advice was taken before the trial from Syrus, the Archmage of Winter who advised that such actions do benefit Agramant. || Aedan of Olwen's stand pleaded guilty. || Guilty<br>Death by execution ||
|-
| Theft || The accused was cursed in the Senate. After the Senate guard struck down the deliverer of the (perfectly legal) curse, the accused rifled through the victim's bag. Afterwards two crowns, twelve rings and a small red puppet were missing. It was unclear whether these items were in fact stolen as the puppet was later found in the mud. || Senator Miroslav offered a weregild of three crowns in compensation for any losses, which was accepted by the victim. || Three crowns weregild was accepted in compensation.<br>No additional punishment levied by magistrates. ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Autumn Equinox 379YE
|-
| Murder (first accused) Manslaughter (second accused) || Five years ago the accused were part of a coven who experimented with a Spring vortex, resulting in an explosion which killed seven citizens. The first accused killed a survivor of the blast in order to keep their experiments secret .Evidence was presented that proved that the second accused was not present at this incident. || Mwfanwy Dray pleaded guilty (first accused)<br>Mertyn Dray pleaded not guilty. || Mwfanwy was found guilty<br>Death by execution<br>Mertyn was found not guilty. ||
|-
| Attempted murder (later reduced to attempted poisoning) || The accused was reported to the militia by Jonah for paying him one and a half thrones to poison Bronislav, a member of the militia involved in the Greenshields case. The accused admitted intent to poison (but not murderous intent) during the trial. || Salviana former fiance of Aelvir of the Greenshields pleaded not guilty. || Guilty of attempted poisoning<br>Fined ten thrones. ||
|-
| Murder and attempted murder || The accused was captured attempting to assassinate the civil servant Helena Raminci di Sarvos. During their trial the accused also admitted the murder of another civil servant. || An unnamed agent of the Whisper Gallery in a porcelain mask pleaded guilty. || Guilty <br>Death by execution || The accused took their mask off and vanished after being sentenced
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Summer Solstice 379YE
|-
| Impersonation of an Imperial official (Meha i Zidan)<br>Subverting the agencies of the state (everyone else)<br>Perverting the course of justice (Pavel) || General Istana discovered that senator Kattalin i Hazama was absent, thus preventing his re-election without involvement from the senate. He took advice from Pavel, the military council civil servant liaison from which he inferred that he should appoint a fake senatorial proxy for the missing senator to fix the problem. Meha i Zidan was the false proxy, but was not aware of the extent of the conspiracy. The other senators were participants in this subversion, although Avisena i Ezmara was unaware that the proxy was false. At trial Pavel denied General Istana's claims but later he came forward to admit that he had in fact implied what the general inferred, Consequently, post-trial the magistrate substantially reduced the fines levied. || Anwar del Torro pleaded guilty<br>Feliciana i Sotero pleaded guilty.<br>Avisena i Ezmara pleaded not guilty<br>General Istana pleaded not guilty<br>Meha i Zidan pleaded guilty. <br>Pavel pleaded guilty || Anwar del Torro was found guilty<br>Fined ten thrones later reduced to five thrones <br>Feliciana i Sotero was found guilty<br>Fined ten thrones later reduced to five thrones<br>Avisena i Ezmara was found not guilty. <br>General Istana was found guilty<br>Fined twenty thrones later reduced to five thrones<br>Meha i Zidan was found guilty<br>Fined four crowns later reduced to two crowns.<br>Pavel was found guilty<br>Fined twenty thrones. || Avisena i Ezmara was advised to change her plea to not guilty on the advice of the court.<br>Pavel resigned from his post as Herald of the Council
|-
| False Imprisonment || Tyrwyn imprisoned his own military unit in a fort when they became afflicted by a curse which made them feral and violent. He came forward and confessed of his own volition, but as no complaints have been made and his behaviour appeared to be virtuous, the case was dismissed. || Tyrwyn Northernbay of Miaren || Case dismissed. ||
|-
| Assault || During the Cathan Canae tourney the suspect entered the arena unannounced and pushed over the Jotun champion, who insisted that charges be brought. || Irontide Bruk pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined three rings. || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Assault, theft, Vyig membership (various)Assault, theft, Vyig membership and murder (various) || A group of nine tattooed Vyig were captured by the Iron Raptors. Various evidence of their crimes was presented, including some statements by suspects implicating other members of the group in crimes. || Five suspects pleaded guilty to assault, theft, and Vyig membership.<br>Four pleaded not guilty to murder, assault, theft, and Vyig membersip. || One of those accused of murder was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the lesser charges.<br>Fined all their assets and tattoos removed<br>Five were found guilty of the lesser charges<br>Fined all their assets and tattoos removed.<br>Three suspects accused of murder were found guilty<br>Senteced to death by execution || The three suspects guilty of murder attempted to escape and were executed
|-
| Murder || The accused killed a fleeing Vyig suspect after they attempted to escape on multiple occasions. || Mercutio pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined four thrones and branded on his hand. || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Attempted murder || The accused cut the throat of Lunetta Sanguino, who was attempting to become a herald. The reason given for the attack was to send her soul to the labyrinth, lest her soul should be prevented from entering the labyrinth by her eternal service. The clemency plea at trial was made by the victim who has reconsidered her choices. || Jared of the Suns of Couros pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined one crown || A clemency plea was made<br>The fine was instructed to be paid into the Synod Virtue fund
|-
| Murder || The accused were tried for the murder of Zedenka of the Ulla Sisterhood, Varushka. The victim described her attackers when summoned back through the Black Gate. Careful investigations confirmed that the summoned shade was in fact Zedenka and that her testimony appeared genuine. Kale refused to answer questions put by the magistrate and Thor's answers were vague and inconsistent with witness testimony that placed both of them at the scene of the crime. Udoxia, testified that Thor came out of a tent following a woman's scream and declared that it was a “false alarm”. || Thor of the Hammer pleaded not guilty.<br>Kale pleaded not guilty. || Thor of the Hammer was found guilty<br>Death by execution<br>Kale was found guilty<br>Death by execution || Kale used magical means to commit suicide and briefly haunt the area before execution
|-
| Slavery and mayhem || The accused were captured during a raid in Reikos to sweep up remaining perpetrators from the Brothers and Sisters of Virtue (many of whom have already been tried for the mutilating and enslaving of hundreds of orc orphans) || Sister Keiiah pleaded not guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution || Sister Keeiah committed suicide using magical means before execution.
|-
| Murder || The accused killed a criminal who had been downed during a raid on the Vyig. || Prospero of the League pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined five thrones || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Vyig membership and contempt of court (Maria)Murder, theft malsanguino, and Vyig membership (Nicolo and Cesare) || The accused were tattooed Vyig captured by concerned Imperial citizens. Nicolo and Cesare escaped custody and committed serious assaults on the presiding magistrate and a warrant officer present following the verdict, before recapture. || Maria pleaded not guilty.<br>Nicolo pleaded not guilty<br>Cesare pleaded not guilty. || Maria was found guilty<br>Tattoos were removed and her left hand was mutilated.<br>Nicolo was found guilty<br>Death by execution<br>Cesare was found guilty<br>Death by execution ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Spring Equinox 379YE
|-
| Manslaughter || The accused killed Auras Dustborn while he was unconscious during a battle with husks. The accused had been ordered to kill all husks on the ground to prevent them arising again and mistook the victim for a husk. || Keridwyn Splitroot pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Weregild agreed that the Splitroot steading to serve the Dustborn steading for two seasons<br>no further judicial punishment || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Murder, membership of Vyig || The accused, a self-confessed enforcer for the Vyig, admitted to murdering Darren Uzo in Temeschwar on the orders of Uncle Uzo || Al Uzo pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution ||
|-
| Assault, theft, membership of Vyig || The accused implicated himself in the aiding and abetting of a Vyig “protection” racket || Robert Uzo pleaded guilty || Guilty <br>Fined one throne<br>Tattoo was removed || A clemency plea was made<br> Property deed to a brickmaker's business was taken in lieu of the fine and sold for one throne
|-
| Handling stolen goods || The accused had no tattoos but admitted to working for the Vyig, carrying their property and so on. || Bobby of Varushka pleaded not guilty || Guilty<br>Branded as a thief ||
|-
| Attempted murder or aiding and abetting of attempted murder either directly or by concealment of their activities || Following intelligence reports that the Greenshields Tavern in Wintermark were carrying out a business of assassins for hire, a sting operation was carried out. An undercover militia deputy introduced a fake client to Aelvir, who arranged for an assassination to be carried out against the victim, another undercover deputy for the fee of ten thrones. Sully went with the client to check out the victim and to kill them if he considered it safe to do so. Sully also offering what the client took to be poison when he did not like the victim's location. A final attempt was made but baulked at the last moment. The clients' monies were then returned. When arrested no explanation was offered for this behaviour. The sister, Lumi was observed to be close to her brother and witnesses placed her nearby in the tavern during these events. Vesha was a new barman and Uri did not belong to the Greenshields group, no evidence was presented implicating them in these crimes. || Aelvir – the landlord and procurer - pleaded guilty<br>Sully – apothecary and assassin - pleaded not guilty<br>Lumi – sister to Aelvir - pleaded not guilty<br>Uri - bar staff- pleaded not guilty<br>Vesha – bar staff - pleaded not guilty || Aelvir was found guilty<br>Death by execution<br>Sully was found guilty<br>Death by execution<br>Lumi was found guilty<br>Death by execution<br>Uri and Vesha were found not guilty || A clemency plea was made on behalf of Aelvir
|}

==Reports from 378YE==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Winter Solstice 378YE
|-
| Theft and assault || The accused were caught attempting to steal a weapon of war in the form of a giant stone head from the Varushkan camp. They assaulted Senator Dushan Otecovna Zlata of Varushka in the process || Kayne and Leopric, both of Wintermark, pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fine of 4 thrones ||
|-
| Perverting the course of justice || The accused incorrectly believed that a murder case (in which the accused was Yanov Tartaklvsky of Varushka) would not be tried. He threatened a number of witnesses to this trial although it was accepted that he was ignorant that they were witnesses in an ongoing case. || Brand Rizzard pleaded not guilty || Guilty.<br>Fined one throne ||
|-
| Assault || The accused assaulted Luke of the Shattered Tower of Highguard and (incidentally to this charge) cursed him. || Aben Newath and two other unnamed heralds of Jaheris pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Returned to the Hall of Worlds without further punishment. ||
|-
| Idolatry and treason || The accused attempted to bargain with Surut (an eternal under enmity) using unborn souls. He was condemned by the Synod. || Thulun of the Silent Step pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Murder, theft, assault || The accused was the leader of a band of murderous brigands who had been preying upon refugees fleeing the Mournwold. || Thomas Hayward pleaded not guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Murder, assault || The accused was charged with murder of a prisoner while on a battlefield and the assault of another marcher, Tilly Stoke who became involved after the fact. || Hob Culloch pleaded not guilty || Not guilty ||
|-
| Treason, contempt of court || The accused were caught attempting to perform a ritual damaging mana production in the Empire and refused to answer the Magistrate. After their trial (as suspected) they admitted to being involved with the Anarchy cult which has been active in Miekerova recently. || Ivan and Sergei of Miekerova pleaded not guilty || Guilty.<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Murder || The accused took responsibility for landing the killing blow on a Navarr after Varushka and Navarr were tricked by ghosts into fighting each other at night. The Navarr attacked the Varushkans first and the presence of the ghosts meant that a number of participants in the battle rose up to fight again. || Yanov Abromovich Tartaklvsky pleaded not guilty || Not guilty. ||
|-
| Heresy || The accused were condemned by the Vigilance assembly for their involvement in the Miekerovan Anarchy cult. They refused to answer questions or give their names. || Four unknown citizens pleaded not guilty || Guilty.<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Heresy || The accused was condemned by the vigilance assembly for contravening the doctrine of Human Destiny by claiming to be greater than any human. There was no evidence presented that anyone was actually swayed by this. || Thelonius Kade pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined two thrones. ||
|-
| Contempt of Court || The accused were two Varushkans who were caught in Anvil at the Imperial Regio attempting to perform a ritual to damage mana production in the Empire. It was suspected that these were members of the Miekerovan anarchy cult. They refused to answer any of the Magistrate's questions. || Svetlana and Yuri of Varushka did not enter a plea || Guilty.<br>Death by execution. ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Autumn Equinox 378YE
|-
| Murder || The accused ordered the murder of militia deputy Gwylyr during the Winter Solstice 377YE. || Cerunnos pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution to be carried out after the battle on Sunday. || The execution was not carried out due to the death of Cerunnos in battle.<br>This was the final trial pertaining to Gwylyr's murder.
|-
| Theft || While wearing a mask of Mazen the accused stole goods from the hub of a value of approximately 5 crowns. She handed herself in the following day and gave a full confession. || Isabel i Erigo pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined five crowns. ||
|-
| Slavery, Mayhem and murder || The accused were part of a conspiracy to enslave hundreds of Orcs by mutilating their brains at an early age. Their labour was subsequently sold to unsuspecting imperial citizens. Orcs who fell ill or who were injured were typically murdered. All belonged to the Brothers and Sisters of Virtue sect of Raeza's Wall Chapter in Casinea.The militia would like to formally commend Senator Ywain of Dawn for his actions in bringing this matter to the attention of the militia and in providing vital assistance to the operation which smashed this criminal organisation and brought these perpetrators to justice. || Ulfric Bouchnack pleaded guilty. <br>Brother Raphael pleaded not guilty. <br>Rannock pleaded not guilty. || All were found guilty.<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Slavery, Mayhem, Murder and resisting arrest. || Relating to the above crimes, the mutilation of the orcs was performed by the Dubcek family in the vale of Wyrmgratz, Varushka. They were named as co-conspirators by the members of the Brothers and Sisters of Virtue. A group of militia, deputised orcs and two magistrates went to Wyrmgratz to arrest them and bring them to trial. They refused to comply with the Magistrate's order to return to Anvil and so were summarily executed. || Yatislav Dubcek and eight other members of the Guardians of Moral Order. || Tried summarily and executed. ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Summer Solstice 378YE
|-
| Assault || The accused headbutted Nathaniel the Unbranded during the fracas in which a number of the Druj envoys were killed. || Irontide Brack pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined one crown. ||
|-
| Murder || The accused murdered Lord Griffinsbane while he was being held in Dawnish custody awaiting probable charges for treason and attempted murder. || Danica d'Orzel pleaded guilty. || Guilty<br>Fined two thrones. ||
|-
| Murder || The accused murdered militia deputy Gwylyr during the winter solstice while at the {{Black Plateau}}, allegedly on the orders of General Cernanos. || Owen Y'Basden pleaded guilty. || Guilty<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Murder || The accused aided and abetted in the murder of Gwylyr described above. || Bors Y'Basden pleaded guilty. || Guilty<br>Fined two thrones and branded. ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Spring Equinox 378YE
|-
| Assault || An assault by the accused upon Mara of Vashti's Penitents, Highguard || Sev of House Degruvain pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined two crowns ||
|-
| Assault || An assault by the accused upon Pavel of The Company of the White Flame || Jael of Vashti's Penitents pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined four crowns ||
|-
| Assault || An assault by the accused upon Jael of Vashti's Penitents || Bedevere of the Crimson Petals and Clarice Novarion both pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined two crowns each. ||
|-
| Attempting to pervert the course of justice || The accused poisoned himself in order to implicate Lorenzo of the Butchers Bank for his attempted murder. || Sandoval of the Gilded Horn Carta pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution ||
|-
| Murder || The accused murdered Tristran Longridge of the Marches in the Marches in 376 in revenge for the slaying of her Feni barbarian master || Hilda Appeby of Dawn pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution ||
|-
| Assault || An assault by the accused upon Magratha Echostorm, a medic at the hospital, while under the influence of a curse || Bloodcrow Martak pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Bloodcrow Martak to serve in the hospital as an orderly instead of receiving a fine ||
|-
| Assault || An assault by the accused upon Jael and Mara of Vashti's Penitents when Mara interfered with a duel between Jael and Terin Realmsreach. || Aife Realmsreach pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined two rings ||
|-
| Murder || Murder of Jael and Mara of Vashti's Penitents while unconscious, following the assault described previously. || Terin Realmsreach pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution ||
|-
| Murder || The accused murdered two League citizens in the city of Temeschwar. || Two members of the Vyig of Temeschwar pleaded guilty ||Guilty<br>Death by execution ||
|-
| Assault || An assault by the accused upon Jael of Vashti's Penitents while defending a herald || Ox the Crazy pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined one crown ||
|-
| Murder || The accused murdered the previous Grand Bailiff of the Market, Martha of Stockland || Two residents of Ashtown pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution ||
|-
| Subverting the agencies of the state || The accused was precipitate in taking action regarding a senate motion (about the non-extension of the armistice with the Jotun) which was later vetoed. || Bridget Eastville (nee Talbot) pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined six thrones ||
|-
| Heresy || The accused used his soul as an asset in a contract with the eternal Zand. || Angelo i Jannat i Riqueza pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined three thrones || The fine was instructed to be paid into the Synod Virtue fund
|}

==Reports from 377YE==
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Winter Solstice 377YE
|-
| Attempted Murder, Subverting Agencies of the State. || The accused is the leader of the Y'Basden Striding. In battle he repeatedly refused the orders of the battlefield commander and when a runner came to repeat the orders he had him cut down. || Ulrich Y'Basden pleaded not guilty to both charges. || Not guilty of attempted murder<br> Guilty of assault. <br>Guilty of subverting the Agencies of the State.<br>Death by military service. ||
|-
| Poisoning || The accused added liao to the drink of Irontide Groff, an Imperial orc, causing him to be made slightly unwell. At the time the accused believed that a mora shapeshifter was present in the company and the act was performed to identify if the orc was in fact a Mora (he was not). || Lazarus pleaded guilty || Guilty<br> Fined one ring.<br>Ordered to pay one ring in compensation to Irontide Groff. || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Poisoning,assault || The accused used a poisoned blade upon her husband Lord Beaumont before the battle to make him too weak to go (as she feared for his safety). She later cured her husband's ailment he went to do his duty on the battle. || Lady Igraine Novarion pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Ordered to hand over her poisons to her husband prior to the next battle. || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Murder, possession of a Scorpion Sting || The accused murdered Guillmero i Marco i Riqueza using a Scorpion Sting || Maria i Androsin i Erigo leaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution. ||
|-
| Aiding and abetting murder, possession of Scorpion Sting || The accused supplied the Scorpion Sting that was used to murder Guillmero i Marco i Riqueza. || Cain of Cassian Chapter pleaded guilty || Guilty<br> Death by execution. ||
|-
| Assault || The accused accepted a boon of vengeance from a herald of Hayaak and then assaulted General Stanislav in the tavern, against whom he bore a grudge. || Mordin of the Rising Sun Spire pleaded guilty || Guilty<br> Fined two crowns<br>Corvus, Archmage of Summer, will provide (magical) compensation to the victim. ||
|-
| Assault || The orc egregore handed himself in to the militia after he broke the leg of a member of the Irontide who repeatedly insulted a guest. || The Imperial Orc egregore pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined six crowns. ||
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Autumn Equinox 377YE
|-
| Murder || Mother killed an assailant who was witnessed attempting to murder her child. The attacker died very swiftly but no evidence of foul play was presented. || Inga Essing || Not guilty || No record of their plea was made
|-
| Attempt to acquire controlled substance (deadly poison) || A citizen was asked to acquire poison by Emil Darkling for murderous purposes. All witnessed by a member of the militia. The evidence also suggested that Krefinar, landlord of the Artisan Arms had asked Emil Darkling to do this on his behalf. || Emil Darkling pleaded guilty<br>Krefinar || Emil Darkling was found guilty<br>Death by military service.<br>Krefinar was found not guilty || No record of Krefinar's plea was made
|-
| Treason || The accused were captured by members of the league fighting on the side of barbarians against the Empire. || Father Olaf and Ragnar Olafson both pleaded guilty || Father Olaf was found guilty<br>Death by execution<br>Ragnar Olafson pleaded guilty <br>Death by military service ||
|-
| Blasphemy || The accused was witnessed preaching the false virtue of unity. || Faelid pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Death by execution ||
|-
| Blasphemy and Heresy || The accused was condemned by the Synod for the production of an allegedly blasphemous and heretical pamphlet. || Xavier of Urizen || Not guilty ||
|-
| Improper placement of an aura on the senate || The accused placed a calming magical aura on the senate building during the festival of the broken wheel. || Catalynd Enigo pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined three crowns ||
|-
| Attempted false imprisonment and theft || The honourable guild of debt collectors in the league were accused of kidnapping the father of Fiona Mudstrider and attempting to extort a ransom from her. || The honourable guild of debt collectors || Guilty<br>Fined ten crowns || No record of their plea was made
|-
| Manslaughter || A unit led by Nicolo Barossa de Tassato Regario of the league arrested a group of citizens who they believed were heretics while on a mission outside Anvil. Excessive use of force resulted in the death of one of these citizens. || Nicolo Barossa de Tassato Regario pleaded guilty || Guilty<br>Fined seven crowns ||
|-
| Heresy || The accused were arrested by a unit led by Nicolo Barossa de Tassato Regario of the league for carrying out heretical activities. || Mario de Sarvos, Silvos de Sarvos and Isabella de Sarvos || Guilty <br>Death by military service. || No record of their plea was made
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Crimes
! scope="col" style="width: 50%;" | Description
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Accused and Plea
! scope="col" style="width: 10%;" | Result
! scope="col" style="width: 15%;" | Notes
|+ Summer Solstice 377YE
|-
| Treason || Seeking to offer weapons to barbarians || Harry Harrold of the Marches || Not guilty ||
|-
| Murder || A citizen taken prisoner in battle || Xavier of Urizen || Guilty<br>Fined twenty crowns || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Murder || In a duel by poison || Solomon of Highguard || Guilty<br>Death by military service || A clemency plea was made
|-
| Murder || In the tavern || Elpidio Floren and Abul Dye || Guilty<br>Death by military service || A clemency plea was made
|}

Bits and bobs

2025-07-15T12:18:23Z

Cyph: Sp.

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:387YE Summer]][[Category:Recent History]]
<ic>
"Have you seen the chart on his wall?" Thomas leaned in so he could whisper conspiratorially to his fellow civil servant. "Every time he gets another letter asking him if something is constitutional, he puts another tick on the chart."

Millicent screwed up her face in obvious disbelief. "Why is he doing that then?" she challenged.

"Apparently he's working out the value of wains. They say he looking into a link between the number of letters he gets from citizens concerned about the state of the Empire's finances and the implied price of wains at auction."

Millicent's withering gaze showed that she remained firmly unconvinced.

"Look it's true - I'm not making this up - he's got a chart. I've saw him updating it when he got a letter from that Sarvos guy last week asking about sinecures. It's true." he insisted.

Millicent still shook her head but she explained "I'm not disputing your version of events Tom, I'm pouring scorn on the idea of there being a link."

"Economics is a dismal science... " said Tom and spread his hands wide as if that assertion somehow proved his point.
</ic>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Laurencio.png|caption=Laurencio di Sarvos, economic analyst and hammer owner.|align=left|width=300}}
==Overview==
The price of [[Imperial Bourse|Bourse]] seats appears to be dropping. In 386YE, '''Bron Mordssen''' paid 405 thrones for the rights to the [[Canterspire Circle]], a year later it went to '''Arlais of The Silent Tide''' for 260 thrones. It's just one data point, but it's one of many. During the Winter Solstice, the [[Imperial Senate|Senate]] voted to [[386YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Set_the_Imperial_Guerdon|decrease the guerdon to 150 thrones]]. Rumour has it that the prices of [[mithril]], [[weirwood]], and [[white granite]] - which have at times approached five thrones a wain - are dropping. Two seasons ago, large numbers of wains were sold to the [[Realm#Autumn|Autumn realm]], and now they're not buying either... Meanwhile the profiteers from the [[Sarcophan Delves]] are "offering" to underpin the price at the unappealing rate of two thrones a wain.

Fortunately, any suggestion that the Empire might be experiencing economic headwinds haven't dissuaded the Imperial Senate from commissioning five new [[Imperial army|armies]] in the last two seasons. So thus far, rumours of monetary hardship aren't impacting the [[Imperial Military Council|Military Council]], but wise heads are beginning to wonder how much longer the Imperial military can be insulated from these problems. Assuming the the Senate really is struggling to raise funds, of course.

A number of concerned League citizens, such as ''Else Van Temeschwar'' (the accountant responsible for proposing the tolls on the Blood Red Roads) and '''Laurencio di Sarvos''' (an economist who produces analysis of the Imperial economy) have written to the Constitutional Court to enquire about possible legal actions that could be taken to address what they see as the problem. Most recently the Vigilance Assembly has become alert to the problem, [[387YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_62|demanding more information on the matter]] be published.

{{SOPInner|statement=Each season brings news of developments and opportunities across the Empire. Civil Service prognosticators tell us that these will increase/reduce ‘Tax’ and/or ‘Upkeep’. Yet the citizens at Anvil - including Senators and Ambassadors - have NO CONTEXT for these figures. The Master of the Imperial Mint has worked hard to safeguard the public purse but Vigilance is calling for more than one person. We believe the Civil Service should provide more information to all citizens about the state of the Imperial finances, such as what the current total Tax and Upkeep values are for comparison.|by=Brother Geoffrey Orchard, Vigilance Assembly|when=387YE Spring Equinox|vote=426-38 (Greater Majority)}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=MasterMint.jpg|caption='''Tristan Ramson von Holberg''', Master of the Imperial Mint|align=right|width=300}}
==The Master of the Mint==
* '''The Imperial Senate could give the Master of the Mint to publish compiled reports of the information they receive'''
* '''That would increase the upkeep of the title by five thrones a season'''

Each season, the [[Master of the Imperial Mint]] receives [[Master_of_the_Imperial_Mint#Access_to_the_Accounts|detailed information]] from the [[Civil Service]] regarding the state of the Imperial treasury. The reports don't include itemised lists of everything ring coming in and out of the treasury, but it does include a breakdown of all major income and expenditure along with forecasts for the future. The title is offered by [[Auction of the Seats|auction]] to League citizens at the Spring Equinox. Despite the fact that it is the only [[Imperial Bourse|Bourse seat]] which doesn't produce an income, it does sell for a substantial amount, peaking at 86 thrones in 384YE.

Those sums are a reflection of the power the seat wields. Few Masters of the Mint have ever become [[the Throne|Throne]], but there have been few successful Thrones who have not had relied on a close working relationship with the Mint. The information at their disposal is crucial for ensuring good management of the Imperial treasury. The [[judgement]] of '''Brother Geoffrey Orchard''' seems Vigilant - but it might disrupt the delicate relationship between the Throne and the Mint and perhaps more importantly any reduction of their status is likely to diminish the amount League citizens are prepared to pay the Senate for the position.

None-the-less there is one way that a relatively simple change could be made, that might give the Assembly access to the information they desire. The reports produced at the property of the Master of the Mint, but the Imperial Senate could grant the Master the power to instruct the civil service to publish a summary of the reports they receive after each summit. It would increase the upkeep of the position by five thrones, but that might be a small price to pay for [[ambassador|ambassadors]] and senators to have ready access to the information.

Whether they wanted to publish that season's summary or not would be a decision for the Master of the Mint each season. If they chose to disseminate the information then the summary of taxation and expenditure would be widely available across the Empire in the weeks after the summit had concluded.

==The Prognosticators Office==
* '''Any ways to raise taxation identified in an appraisal would be controversial or expensive'''
* '''The choice of prognosticator would be vital in determining the character of any response'''
The [[Imperial Constitution]] guarantees the [[Prosperity]] and Liberty of its citizens and sets the level of taxation that each citizen is subject to if they own their own [[resource|property]]. As a result, it is not possible for the Imperial Senate to raise taxation. They can levy tolls on the use of infrastructure like ports and roads and similar - but they can't do much more than that. [[Tariffs]] on foreign trade are one of the few areas where the Senate can raise taxation if they wish, but in recent times the Senate have removed almost all duties from many of it's important trading partners, trading diplomatic benefits for a loss of tax revenues.

Given these constraints, it would be easy to imagine that there is little the Senate could do to increase tax revenues for the Imperial treasury, but that isn't completely true. Numerous [[opportunity|opportunities]] have been accompanied by increases in the tax revenue for a territory because of the associated boom in trade and commerce in the region, such as the proposal to build a [[Lit_up#Golden_Opportunity|grand lodge for the Golden Pryamid]] in Maraeve.

An [[appraisal]] would be one way to identify more opportunities of this kind. Of course anything the the prognosticators office discover is likely to be either controversial or expensive. If there was an easy, cheap way to raise taxation, the Senate would have done it centuries ago. If the Empire's finances are as parlous as some suggest, then it might be difficult to find the means for long term investments that won't show a return for years.

Still a suitably worded appraisal would be bound to turn up at least one [[opportunity]] to raise taxation. The more focussed an appraisal is, such as the [[Farm,_fur,_and_fish|one carried out on Sermersuaq]], the easier it is to ensure that every possible opportunity has been discovered, which could provide more options. Whatever happened, the choice of prognosticator would be essential. For example [[Appraisal#Lutomysla_Niegoslava|Lutomysla Niegoslava]] would likely look at what deals the Empire might could with the [[Realm#Autumn|Autumn realm]] or how ritual magic might be applied to the problem, while [[Appraisal#Naomi_of_Virtue's_Rest|Naomi of Virtue's Rest]] would focus on what changes to relations with mortal groups might yield more money.

==Legal Changes==
As mentioned, the Imperial Senate can't change the rate of taxation, but there are other measures they could take to increase revenue, especially from the Bourse. Following enquires from Laurencio Di Sarvos, the [[Scrutiny#Constitutional_Court|Constitutional Court]] have confirmed that there are legal steps the Senate could take that might benefit the [[Imperial treasury]]
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=VesnaRatification.jpg|width=300|align=left|caption=Relinquishment requires ratification by Empress Vesna Borkovna Prochnost}}</div>
===Bourse Seats===
* '''The Imperial Senate could use a motion to relinquish every single national Bourse seat'''
* '''The Speaker would raise an administrative Senate motion to re-allocate all available Bourse seats as either Imperial or national'''
* '''If that motion failed, the office of the Speaker would raise an administrative Senate motion for each position in an order determined by the Master of the Mint'''
* '''Any Imperial seat would be auctioned via the Bourse the next time it was appointed'''
* '''The motion could be vetoed by the national assembly of any nation giving up a Bourse seat'''
The Senate could use a single [[Senate motion|motion]] to [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Relinquishment|relinquish]] every single national Bourse seat in the Empire. Those seats would then be raised for [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Allocation|allocation]] by the civil service in a subsequent session. The office of [[Speaker for the Senate|Speaker]] would raise an [[administrative motion]] to reallocate all the the available Bourse seats - as either Imperial or national. If that motion failed, the Speaker would raise individual motions to allocate each seat in turn. The office of Speaker would take advice from the Master of the Mint to determine the running order of these subsequent motions. Any seats that were made Imperial would be [[Auction of the Seats|auctioned]] to the highest bidder the next time they came up for election, and the funds would be given to the Senate.

While it might seem convenient to use a single motion to achieve this, the weakness is that relinquishment can be [[veto|vetoed]] by the national assembly of the nation whose asset is being relinquished. In this case, that would mean any national assembly from an affected nation could veto the motion and the whole thing would be struck down. A more focussed motion - such as one to relinquish all mithril bourse seats - would also be possible but would face the same threat of veto.

Relinquishment is also a [[Senate_motion#Constitutional_Vote|constitutional vote]], meaning that not only would it require a two-thirds majority of the senators (whether or not the individual is present), but it would also require [[The_Throne#Ratification|ratification]] by [[the Throne]].
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Ophelia.png|width=300|align=left|caption=Ophelia Sangianeo di Tassato}}</div>

===Ministries===
* '''The widespread expansion of ministries is likely to have contributed to the drop in Bourse prices'''
* '''The Senate could abrogate every single ministry with a single Senate motion'''
* '''The Senate could instruct the civil service to freeze every ministry with a single Senate motion'''
The Imperial Senate has [[commission|commissioned]] a large number of [[ministry|ministries]] in recent years. These are likely to have contributed to a reduction in the market value of wains, especially the ministries such as the [[Cinderpath Custodian|Cinderpath Exchange]] which allow citizens to purchase white granite and the like. It is easy to imagine that that would cause a fall in the auction prices of Bourse seats.

The Imperial Senate could use a single Senate motion to [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Abrogation|abrogate]] every single ministry. The impact of this would be wide-reaching with the civil service moving quickly to disestablish the relevant commissions. Any unnecessary infrastructure would be removed, so there would be no upkeep, but that means that it would not automatically be possible to restore a ministry later. If the Senate ever decided they wanted to recreate a ministry, they would have to completely rebuild it, assuming such a thing was even possible given that many ministries hinge on [[opportunity|opportunities]] related to foreign powers, special interest groups, or unique magical occurrences.

The alternative would be pausing the operation of all ministries. That would be expensive; the civil service would need to upkeep any facilities that weren't in use (normally such costs are paid for by the regular running of the commission). That would mean an upkeep of 2 thrones per ministry every season they were inoperable. However, it would mean that the Senate could use a single Senate motion to restore all these ministries at a future date if they decided that the price of wains had stabilised.
{{SOP|statement=Coin counts and everything costs. Inspired by the success of the Quartermaster of the Black Sails, Ratibor’s pitiless ambition, and by the bountiful mines of Temeshwar, the priests of the League believe the time is right for similar trading posts to be built across Temeschwar, enabling the ruthless merchants of the League to turn the Empire’s surplus ingots of metal into cold hard coin to empower and enrich our merchants in Anvil in the name of Prosperity.|by=Ophelia Sangianeo Rezia di Tassato, League Assembly|vote=220-0 (Greater Majority)|when=Spring Equinox 378YE}}

One alternative might be to try and build more ministries that the Empire could use to sell resources for cold hard coin, as advocated by '''Ophelia Sangianeo di Tassato''' in [[387YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_104|her recent judgement in the League Assembly]]. That would be difficult however - it's not something that will happen simply because League priests are calling for it - at the very least it would need an appropriately worded appraisal to find any [[opportunity|opportunities]] to do this kind of thing or extensive diplomacy with foreign powers.

===Sinecures===
* '''The Imperial Senate could use a senate motion to change every tenured sinecure to be elected by public auction in the Bourse'''
* '''It would be possible to exclude those sinecures that would be rendered inoperable by this change'''
One estimate provided by Laurencio di Sarvos, claims there are seventy-two [[New_Imperial_titles#Tenure|tenured]] [[sinecure|sinecures]] that bring in approximately four hundred thrones of assorted wealth into [[Anvil]] each season. If these were all appointed by [[Auction of the Seats|Bourse auction]], that would be eighteen ''additional'' auctions each season. If each auction produce two or three thrones - it would be a significant boost to the Imperial treasury.

There are some flaws with this plan - most notably there are some sinecures where the income they provide is dependent on the method of election. Changing the method of appointment would be legal, but would remove the benefits of the title, rendering the change useless. A well-worded Senate motion could exclude these sinecures.

Perhaps a bigger problem is that many sinecures were funded by citizens who regard the resulting commission as their personal asset. There is no legal basis for this assumption - the law is absolutely clear that the commission is the property of the Empire and the title-holder is simply a citizen appointed to be responsible for it. But there is no doubt that citizens who have benefitted from the mistaken belief that a sinecure is their personal property are likely to be vocally opposed to any suggestion that it be allocated in a way that benefits the Empire.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Scrutiny.jpg |caption=Gerard La Salle, Auditor of the Imperial Treasury.|align=right|width=500}}

==Civil Servants==
* '''Gerard La Salle has indicated that he will make himself available to answer questions to citizens in the Senate chamber between 18:30 and 19:00 on Saturday'''
* '''The Senate chamber is booked by Senator Miaren for an economics forum from 18:00 - 19:30 Saturday'''
The [[Senator]] for [[Miaren]] has booked the Senate chamber for an economics forum they are hosting from 6pm to 7:30pm on Saturday evening at the next summit. Gerard La Salle has indicated that he would like to attend the forum for thirty minutes from 6:30 till 7, if the senator would welcome his presence there. His intention is simply to make himself available to the senator and their guests should they have any questions for the Imperial auditor. If the Senator would rather avoid the distraction, or the forum doesn't have any questions or need of the auditors help, then Gerard will depart early.
==Further Reading==
* [[Sinecure]]
* [[Ministry]]
* [[Tally of the Votes]]
* [[Auction of the Seats]]

A little understanding

2025-04-10T22:45:40Z

Cyph: Sp

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:386YE Winter]][[Category:Recent History]]
<ic>
"Magistrate Abraham was apparently present at the time."

Alder stifled an internal groan. He took off his glasses, placed them on the desk in front of them and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was a massive case... the trial of four cardinals condemned for blasphemy and heresy. It was completely unprecedented. Nothing like this has ever happened in the history of the Empire. Concerned citizens across the Empire would be watching to see what happened. Given how momentous it was, surely Abraham would have had the good sense not to say anything intemperate?

"He apparently declaimed loudly about what was happening to everyone present."

This time there was no stifling the groan. "Of course he did. Has anyone complained?"

"Not ''exactly''... There was some concern his opinions might prejudice the case."

Alder resisted the urge to say how unlikely he thought that possibility was. Better to take a more diplomatic tack. "Well if anyone does complain, tell them that ''Chief'' Magistrate Karkovitch and our new ''Chief'' Magistrate, Kuura Tuomisbarn, will choose who is going to try this case. If ''Magistrate'' Abraham is a witness, then I would expect that he is significantly less likely to get chosen."

Alder looked at his assistant and considered his next words carefully. He glanced around and dropped his voice slightly. "And if that doesn't satisfy them, perhaps find some innocuous way to point out that Magistrate Abraham's area of expertise is the ''Bourse'', as he never tires of telling us..."

Jenny looked at her boss for a moment, before realisation dawned on her face. "Got it. Bourse. Will do."

Alder nodded at her, but she'd already turned to go back to her duties. Typical Marcher he mused, always keen to get back to work. "You can take the Marcher out of the field, but you can't take the field out of the Marcher." he thought to himself. Or was that apples? Something like that anyway.
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Gaelen9489.jpg||caption=Gaelen Embercast, Cardinal of Vigilance|align=left|width=600}}</div>
==Overview==
* '''During the Autumn Equinox several Cardinals of the Synod were condemned for heresy and blasphemy by the Vigilance assembly'''
* '''The magistrates are investigating these charges, and trials of the four involved appear inevitable'''
* '''This condemnation, and the acts that apparently prompted it, have significant implications for the Imperial Synod, the Way, and the Empire as a whole'''
At the Autumn Equinox, three of the cardinals of the [[Imperial Synod]], and a citizen who was acting as [[proxy]] to the [[Cardinal of Prosperity]], publicly swore an oath to bear an [[aura]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace|Peace]] for the coming year. They promised to carry the hallowed item, and do nothing to resist its effects. One of the number, '''Zadkiel de Coeurdefer''', immediately resigned his title, presumably a response to what had just taken place. Despite this, all four were quickly [[Sanction#Condemnation|condemned]] as [[Religious_crime#Heresy|heretics]] and [[Religious_crime#Blasphemy|blasphemers]] by the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies|Assembly]] of [[Vigilance]], members of whom apparently bore personal [[Member_of_the_Synod#Witness|witness]] to the ceremony accompanying the bestowal of the [[hallow|hallowed]] items.

Not all fully agree with this decision however. '''Kalina Jadwigowna Piosnkowa Prochnost''' the [[Virtue Inquisitor]] of [[Wisdom]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_58|called]] '''Silas''', [[Cardinal of Wisdom]] to [[inquisition]]. The Wisdom Assembly also passed a [[statement of principle]] stating that they [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_195|supported the cardinal's actions]] to test his knowledge of "understanding" and the [[General Assembly]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_207|passed a judgement]] that some believe [[sanction#vindication|vindicates]] the cardinal of the charges of heresy and blasphemy, although the wording is unclear.

In the history of the Empire, there has never been a successful [[judgement]] of condemnation against a member of the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine|Assembly of the Nine]] elected by the Virtue assemblies. The magistrates are now bound to conduct a trial to investigate the [[religious crime|religious crimes]] these cardinals are accused of. Meanwhile, the General Assembly must wrestle with this growing schism - following so closely on the heels of the [[True faith|recent crisis]] concerning [[Vardas]] - and contemplate what it means for the Way.

<fourpicture>
{{SOPInner|statement=The assembly of Vigilance condemns the cardinal of Ambition, Lady Viviane de Coeurdefer of Dawn for blasphemy and heresy having whole-heartedly taken upon themselves a binding oath to receive an aura of the false virtue, Apathy, and to have created a hallowing of the same, which they agree to bear for one year during which they will not at all counter-act the effects of, in any way. Their position gives a greater graveness to this act of heresy and brings a direct threat to the Empire.|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=(Greater Majority) 380-40|by=Soriah}}

{{SOPInner|statement=We the Vigilance assembly condemn the Cardinal of Pride, Zadkiel de Couerdefer, for the religious crime of taking on willingly and knowingly a hallowed object, dedicated to a false virtue. In addition, for swearing an oath to follow the false whim of the hallowing and make no attempt to counteract its dangerous ways. These are actions of abject heresy and blasphemy. The cardinal has squandered their dedicated virtue in favour of apathy and collaboration with enemies of the Empire. Have they no Pride?|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=280-110|by=Jeroboam of the Sentinels Tower}}

{{SOPInner|statement=The Assembly of Vigilance condemns the Cardinal of Wisdom, Silas of the Cenotaph, for blasphemy and heresy. In agreeing for a hallow of the False Virtue peace to be created and giving a binding oath to bear it wholeheartedly - without use of any source of spiritual strength to resist it. This spits in the face of the Synod who works to eliminate these threats from the Empire. We expect better.|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=286-58|by=Sam Wych}}

{{SOPInner|statement=The assembly of Vigilance seeks to condemn Iniska Ashwood, proxy cardinal of prosperity, under the grounds of heresy and blasphemy. By accepting an aura of a false virtue through hallowing and agreeing to take an oath to Axou, they have tainted their soul. Without any spiritual protection they have put others in extreme danger, as a proxy cardinal they must be held accountable and should know better.|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=154-48|by=Alastair of Esther's Sanctum}}
</fourpicture>
==A Peaceful Invitation==
* '''The roots of this crisis lie with a sect of Axou priests, and a populist movement in Axos'''
* '''A gift of liao and a letter from the Throne themselves were instrumental in arranging the creation of these malign spiritual auras'''

The current crisis has been unfolding for some time. ''Ilarch Kyther Deianeira'' is an ambitious [[Axos|Axou]] who is the [[Victory_and_unity#The_ambitions_of_Kyther_Deianeira|head of a populist political movement]], influential in multiple [[Axos#Axou_Territories|citadels]]. They are known to be allied with ''Theodosia of Ipotavo'', a [[Victory_and_unity#Understanding_and_Unity|religious leader]] who preaches on the "[[Malign spiritual presences|false virtue]]" of [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace|Peace]]. In Summer 386YE, Deianeira responded to the [[Ambassador to Axos|ambassador's missive]] with [[In_the_hills,_the_cities#Unity_and_Understanding|an open offer to the Assembly of the Nine]]. They claimed to have discovered that the Assembly were interested in experiencing the auras of what the Axos call "Understanding" - that is, Peace - and the Ilarch was prepared to send a priest to [[hallow]] one item for each member of the Assembly of the Nine. The catch was that each recipient must swear an oath, before their peers, to bear the hallowed item for a year.

The Empire duly provided the Ilarch with the assistance they required in return, one hundred doses of [[liao]] and a letter from [[the Throne]], thanking the Ilarch and recognising their good will. Kyther has been employing this gift and this communication in pursuit of their goals in Axos, as evidence that the Axou can “punch above their weight” on the world stage. In return an Axou priest, [[dedication|dedicated]] to the false virtue of Peace, [[Victory_and_unity#Problematic_Priest|came to Anvil]], to meet with the Assembly of Nine. They hallowed an item for each of the cardinals who was prepared to publicly make the required vow.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Alikos Helio.jpg|caption=The ''Axou helios'' is an ancient symbol of the Axou people, adopted by the ''Nikitis Axou'' movement.|align=right|width=300}}</div>
===The Axos Agenda===
* '''The priest who came to Anvil was a disciple of Theodosa of Ipotavo'''
* '''The sects of Axos despise the Way and the Imperial Synod'''
* '''Axou religious sects are not united in the way the Assemblies of the Imperial Synod are, but they agree that the Way is a wicked faith that serves a false creator'''
* '''It's not clear whether this disruption is intentional or not, but it cannot help but serve Axou political aims'''
It's not clear the Axou stand to gain from all this is. The [[Shuttered Lantern]] are [[Victory_and_unity#Magicians_Know_Magicians|investigating the situation]] in Axos, but there are clearly complicated political agendas at play. Theodosia of Ipotavo is thought to be a genuine advocate for Peace, though her precise teachings are not well understood. During her recent visit to the Empire, she is not known to have attempted to preach her blasphemy. Ilarch Kyther Deianeira and their supporters are not believed to advocate for Peace, and there is no suggestion that they are particularly religiously motivated at all. Indeed their movement is primarily based in Axou nationalism. It is more likely therefore that Kyther saw this as an opportunistic attempt to curry favour with the Empire by demonstrating that Axos could provide things of value, while taking a stance that would preserve their pride and dignity.

Priests in Axos happily make use of all the true virtues, but they also make use of "[[Axos_religion#Spiritual_Forces|spiritual forces]]" like [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace|Peace]], [[Malign spiritual presences#Vengeance|Vengeance]] or [[Malign spiritual presences#Hatred|Hatred]]. They are known to be implacable opponents of [[the Way]]. They [[Axos_religion|believe in]] a [[Axos_religion#The_Malign_Creator|malign Creator]], and claim the Labyrinth is a [[Axos_religion#The_Eternal_Torture_Chamber|torture chamber]] built by that wicked Creator to hobble humanity and prevent them from achieving their true destiny. As a result, many Axou despise the imperial Synod, which they believe serves the Creator by tricking people into believing that reincarnation is a ''good thing''. Despite this, it does not appear to have been the Ilarch's intention to cause trouble for the Synod through their actions... but if this incident ''does'' cause problems for the Synod that will probably serve their political goals well.

===Vital Evidence===
* '''A copy of the letter sent to the Assembly of Nine by Theodosia appears to be a key piece of evidence related to the condemnations'''
* '''The Magistracy have asked the Civil Service to make their copy of this letter public'''
It is understood that the priest sent to the Empire, a disciple of Theodosia, came with a letter from their teacher. The civil service managed to get hold of a copy before the priest returned to Axos. In light of the condemnations, the letter, which contains the oath the Cardinals swore, may prove a critical piece of evidence at trial. The magistracy, therefore, have asked that it be published to attendees of the upcoming summit at [[Anvil]] so that all parties may have an opportunity to consider the letter and its implications. The letter mentions a pamphlet - copies of this are not available, but presumably some of the parties present at this event may have copies.

<ic>
To the Assembly of Nine of the Imperial Synod,

I regret that I could not meet you in person, though I believe I did meet one or two of your number at the Printer’s Guild Ball last year – in particular I remember meeting the Cardinal of Ambition who struck me as a very interesting individual. In general I was struck by the openness of many of the Synod priests I spoke to during my visit to considering viewpoints I would have thought were considered at best heterodox positions. It seems the composition of your Synod at this time is open to new ideas and ways of thinking, and I think this is to your credit. I have been thinking much about the strengths of your Synod and the ways in which it might provide a pathway toward the unification of my own people through their spiritual beliefs.

I have been asked by Illarch Deianeira to compose the oath we require of you. The text I have come to is as follows:

“I swear to bear this hallowed item in such a manner as to give full effect to the aura that lies upon it. I will not use spiritual strength that comes from within or without to resist it, but will truly respect its effects and experience the world through the lens it offers, and hence come to a more whole understanding of the spiritual power it represents. I will not share it with others, passing it around like some curio, but treat it as a precious thing. This I will do until the power of the hallowing ceases and fades away, in one year’s time.”

Illarch Deianeira sees this as an essential commitment by you to treating Axou beliefs and practices seriously. I know there are people like the New Scions of Atun in your Empire who are extremely concerned with what I might call an experimental approach to theology. While I respect this, our concern is that it would be easy enough to “sample” an aura and then cast it aside.

As a theologian I am a phenomenologist: I believe that our understanding of the world – including the Virtues and other spiritual powers of the world – comes primarily from our experiences of them, but I believe they must be experienced wholly and with an open heart to the experience, rather than with the experimentalist’s sceptical distance. I am hopeful you will commit yourself to this.

I have prepared a pamphlet on the spiritual power of Understanding, a lightly edited version of an earlier work of mine. I have sent copies of this with my disciple Sophia Anacharsis who will be delivering this letter, along with nine of the doses of liao you kindly provided. She will hallow one item for each member of the Assembly (including the Throne) as long as they are prepared to swear the above oath – it is your choice what hallowing she performs, and the pamphlet ought to help you make that decision.

I will not be offended at all if none of you decide to take up the offer. I have asked Sophia to be careful in discussing any details of religion with anyone other than yourselves while she is here – she does like to engage in theological discourse, but I want to respect your laws and traditions as I know you will respect ours. Please also pass along my regards to Ambassador Nighthaven who was of great help to me during my recent visit.

May you have the vigilance and wisdom to avoid the Creator’s evil, in all your days, and I wish the eyes of your ancestors upon you,

Yours faithfully,

Theodosia of Ipotavo
</ic>
<fourpicture>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Viviane de Coeurdefer.jpg|width=250|caption=Viviane de Coeurdefer, Cardinal of Ambition}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Zadkiel de Coerdefer.jpg|width=250|caption=Zadkiel de Coeurdefer, former Cardinal of Pride}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Iniska Ashwood.png|width=250|caption=Iniska Ashwood, proxy for the Cardinal of Prosperity}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=CardWisdom.jpg|width=250|caption=Silas of the Cenotaph, Cardinal of Wisdom}}
</fourpicture>

==The Role of a Cardinal==
* '''Imperial pilgrims of the Way are deeply concerned about the revelation that Cardinals are partaking of malign spiritual auras'''
* '''The outcome of the trial, regardless of which way it goes, will unavoidably send a message to everyone who follows the Way'''
The condemnations have provoked considerable interest across the Empire. The revelation that four members of the Assembly of Nine opted to accept a hallowing of a false virtue, and that they swore an oath to abide by that aura and not attempt to resist it for a year, has surprised and alarmed many. Thus far this alarm has not let to action - people seem eager to know more, but content to wait for the resolution of this matter - but the situation will change once the matter is resolved.

If the cardinals are '''found guilty at trial and receive a harsh sentence''', then that will send an unequivocal message to everyone in the Empire that they should not have anything to do with false virtues or auras thereof. If the cardinals of the Assembly of Nine face punishment for this, then what hope would there be for any ordinary citizen that they might escape punishment for the same? People would exercise more caution in future - with this incident serving as a salutary lesson in the the dangers of foolish or Unvirtuous action.

If the cardinals '''avoid punishment for their actions''', that is likely to have the opposite effect. There are people who claim that the spiritual dedication of the cardinals places them beyond reproach and gives them more leeway than the average citizen for dallying with false virtues. Such arguments carry little or no sway beyond Anvil, where the common citizen's view of a cardinal is that they embody spiritual purity. The legal responsibilities for a cardinal state that
they should ''provide leadership to the priests and pilgrims who follow their virtue and are expected to be well versed in matters of virtue and The Way so that they can speak with authority on matters of doctrine''. There is no responsibility for them to be somehow more Virtuous than other citizens, but none-the-less that is the common expectation of cardinals, gatekeepers, inquisitors and similar.

As a result, the wider population will respond negatively to any statement that urges people to view these matters as fitting for a cardinal but too testing for other mortals. People expect more virtuous behaviour of their cardinals than they do of themselves, they do not give them leeway to engage in activities which would be condemned as blasphemy or heresy if conducted by others.

This is the key reason these condemnations have proved so dramatic - had any "normal" citizen of Anvil been accused of this, most people would have thought that a matter for the Synod and the magistrates and of little importance to them. The fact that it is four of the cardinals of virtue who have done this, is what makes these action so momentous and significant.

The fact that at least one of the accused, '''Iniska Ashwood''', is believed to be a member of the Doctrine Reform Council, [[385YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_99|currently examining]] the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Seven|the Doctrine of Seven]], has only served to further raise the stakes. If that is true, if one of the priests reviewing this Doctrine is now carrying out their work while directly under the influence of a False Virtue, then that only makes this even more significant than it already is.

==The Role of a Proxy==
* '''There are some complex legal issues around the status of the proxy of the Cardinal of Prosperity'''
* '''Regardless of the legal situation, as far as the followers of the Way are concerned, the proxy acted on behalf of, and with the knowledge of, the Cardinal'''
Iniska Ashwood has been identified in the condemnation as the [[proxy]] for the [[Cardinal of Prosperity]], but from a legal standpoint this is imprecise. While it is common parlance to talk about a title having a "proxy" and it is commonly assumed that a citizen who bears a letter indicating they have the power to proxy a title is "their proxy", this is not accurate in a legal sense. Legally speaking, Iniska Ashwood can only be acting as proxy to the Cardinal of Prosperity at the point where they are using one of the legal powers of the title. At that point they are acting as the proxy for the actual Cardinal of Prosperity, and any action they take is legally considered to be an action undertaken by the Cardinal of Prosperity.

In this case, none of the legal powers of the Cardinal were enacted at the moment in question. Iniska Ashwood was being given all the respect due to the Cardinal of Prosperity, citizens were treating them as the Cardinal as is common for a proxy. But the legal situation is very clear, they were not acting as the Cardinal in a legal sense and their actions cannot be considered to be the actions of the Cardinal. As such, it is Iniska Ashwood that is liable for their actions, not the current Cardinal of Prosperity, '''Darian Numbers'''. Whatever actions they have taken, were taken in their capacity as a private citizen, not as the Cardinal of Prosperity.

That is the precise ''legal'' situation, but that has minimal bearing on the way many Imperial citizens ''feel'' about these events. Most folk understand that this offer was made to all the members of the Assembly of Nine. For most followers of the Way it is hard to believe that Iniska Ashwood was not acting on behalf of the Cardinal of Prosperity, with their full endorsement. Iniska's punishment or exoneration will carry the same weight with the faithful as that of the other three accused.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Karkovitch.jpg||caption=Chief Magistrate Karkovitch|align=right|width=300}}</div>
==The Magistrates Try==
* '''A citizen who is condemned by the Imperial Synod will face trial by the Imperial magistrates'''
* '''The priest who raised the judgement will be expected to present their case'''
* '''The magistrates have indicated that they intend to start the trial at 3pm on Saturday in the Senate'''

[[Imperial law]] defines an entire category of offences - [[Religious_crime|religious crimes]] - which are raised by the Imperial Synod but tried by a magistrate. The process begins when the Imperial Synod [[Sanction#Condemnation|condemns]] a citizen because they have determined that the actions they are accused of performing constitute a [[religious crime]].

It is common for the Imperial Synod to conduct an inquisition first, but there is no legal requirement for that to happen. It is wise however, for the priest who raises the judgement to be certain of their facts as the magistrates will expect the priest who raised a condemnation to present their case at the trial in most cases. Priests who are perceived to have acted recklessly may themselves face censure by the Synod, with the risk of being condemned for an [[Religious_crime#Abuse_of_Powers|abuse of powers]].

Conviction is never guaranteed as the magistrates ''must'' conduct a trial to determine guilt. The first stage in that assessment is to investigate the evidence that the accused have done the actions they have been accused of. In this particular case, that stage is unlikely to take long, since the act happened very publicly with many witnesses, including '''Magistrate Abraham''' of the [[Scrutiny#Constitutional_Court|Constitutional Court]]. If the magistrates determine that the four have physically done the action they are condemned for, then the magistrate must determine if that action meets the definition of the religious crime. In this case it is charges of blasphemy and heresy - which are defined as:
* '''Blasphemy:''' The denigration of the paragons and the paths of virtue. This includes promoting false virtues and the teachings, or example, of false exemplars or False Paragons.
* '''Heresy:''' The wilful rejection, or perversion of, the orthodox Doctrines of the Faith as laid down by the Imperial Synod, or actively teaching and promoting false doctrines.
According to legal doctrine, it is for the magistrates to decide whether the actions meet these definitions or not, but in practice it is customary for a magistrate to place great weight on the deliberations on the Imperial Synod. A magistrate must ensure there is no miscarriage of justice taking place, but the Assembly of Vigilance has already been explicit that they consider that the actions of those involved meet these definitions. The Assembly of Vigilance have condemned them, so provided they present a credible case at trial, that condemnation is likely to weight heavily on the magistrates adjudication of this trial.

If the magistrates do find them guilty at trial, they will still look to determine [[intent]]. The Synod are not required to take account of intent when they condemn someone for a religious crime, but it is crucial to the application of Imperial law by the magistrates. The harshest penalty - the death sentence - is usually reserved for cases where the accused intended to carry out the act. If the magistrates conducting the trial do not find that the accused ''intended to commit blasphemy and heresy'' - if they determine that that was not the ''intent'' of their actions - then they are most likely to be given a lesser sentence. That is still likely to be an expensive proposition involving heavy fines for anyone found guilty.

===Clemency===
* '''A citizen who confesses their guilt may ask a priest to plead for clemency on their behalf'''
* '''A priest, even a cardinal, cannot plead for clemency on their own behalf'''
Imperial law allows a citizen to ask a member of the Synod to plead for [[Member_of_the_Synod#Clemency|clemency]] at trial if - and only if - they confess their guilt. If the act was done for virtuous reasons, a priest may speak on their behalf and ask for clemency from the magistrate. They must accompany the recipient to trial and lay out the reasons why their virtuous behaviour should result in a ''reduced'' sentence. Only a priest can plead for clemency and only on behalf of another - a priest, even a cardinal, cannot make their own plea for clemency.

Clemency is only available to those who plead guilty. You cannot plead that there was a virtuous reason for the thing you are accused of and simultaneously claim that you didn't do the thing you are accused of. Clemency does not mitigate a crime - it asks the magistrate to impose a reduced sentence by acknowledging the virtue of the actions. It is not uncommon for citizens to imagine that they will receive no punishment for their actions because a priest claims that they acted in virtue but that is very rarely the case.

The magistrates have provided [[Clemency_guidance|additional guidance]] for clemency, to help citizens understand the process. Of course the cardinals are likely to understand this information already, but it may assist those who are taking an interest in this trial.

==The Synod Judges==
* '''The General Assembly could vindicate one or more of the four accused, by explicitly stating that bearing a false virtue and allowing yourself to be influenced by its power is neither heretical or blasphemous'''
* '''Doing so would have a major impact on this trial'''
* '''It would also send a powerful message to every citizen of the Empire that it was acceptable for them to do this'''
The Assembly of Wisdom has passed a judgement that appears to uphold the Virtue of the actions taken by their cardinal. Silas was called to inquisition, and thus far there has been no direct escalation to [[sanction]] from '''Kalina Jadwigowna Piosnkowa Prochnost''', either a vindication or otherwise. But the General Assembly have passed a judgement that [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_207|publicly backs the Cardinal]] which implies strongly that they believe that there is Wisdom in this course of action. This judgement does not have any specific legal implications at this point, but it is something that the Cardinal of Wisdom might call upon at trial. It may not be easy to demonstrate that their actions do not constitute blasphemy or heresy, since the Vigilance Assembly have already determined that they do - but the backing of the Assembly would provide a powerful basis for a clemency plea, especially given that the Cardinal of Wisdom is the one accused.
{{SOP|statement=This assembly supports Silas of Cenotaph actions to test his knowledge of "understanding".|by=Palladius Ravenspire, Wisdom Assembly|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=Upheld (170-18) }}
{{SOP|statement='''Vindication:''' Breaking an oath is not a religious crime. Swearing an oath one knows they may break my be perilous but is not a religious crime. Silas, Cardinal of Wisdom, states his intent in holding a false hallow, to be grounded in Wisdom. Let us judge him on how he acts rather than words spoken to heretics; we vindicate him in this matter up to this point.|by=Solas of the Spire of the Waxing Sun, General Assembly|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=Upheld (406-42) }}
The General Assembly has vindicated Silas, but they have done so in a very limited and circumspect way stating that ''"Swearing an oath one knows they may break my be perilous but is not a religious crime."'' This is categorically the case - swearing an oath is not a religious crime and any attempt by the Synod to treat that action as a crime would be quickly thrown out by the magistrates. However, Silas was condemned for ''"agreeing for a hallow of the False Virtue peace to be created and giving a binding oath to bear it wholeheartedly..."''.

The ''implication'' of the General Assembly seems to be that the Cardinal of Wisdom fully ''intends'' to violate the public oath to the foreigners - that they do not intend to bear the hallowed item they have been given. If that is the case, that could form the basis of a defence at trial - by demonstrating the Cardinal has ''not'' done all that they are accused of. Of course if that becomes public, it is likely to impact relations with the Axos, or with the Ilarch who facilitated this crisis, at the very least. It may also raise serious questions about how much the promise of an Imperial cardinal can be trusted, and under what circumstances they might decide to break such a promise. If the Cardinal fully intends to keep their vow - then the statement of the General Assembly is unlikely to make a major difference either way - since it calls on others to judge him on how he acts following the vow, not on the basis of the vow itself.
===Vindication Implications===
* '''The General Assembly could vindicate the cardinals involved by explicitly saying that bearing a false virtue is not a religious crime'''
* '''This would have significant implications for the future'''

The General Assembly could chose to conduct an inquisition and/or issue sanctions to any of the four citizens involved for the actions the Vigilance Assembly has condemned them for. They ''might'' vindicate the actions in question - not just swearing a vow, but agreeing to bear the false aura for a year. Such a vindication would need to go further than simply argue the virtue of the case - it would need to explicitly say that bearing a false virtue in this way was not a religious crime - it was not blasphemy and not heresy. But if ''that'' happened, it would have three very dramatic effects.

The first is that it would directly impact on the legal trial of the citizen who was vindicated. It would be significantly harder for any Vigilance priest to present a compelling case that the actions of the accused constitute heresy and blasphemy at the point where the General Assembly of the Imperial Synod has explicitly said that that is not the case. The magistrate is likely to complete the trial process - but the accused would have an exceptionally strong case to make that they were innocent of the accused crimes - namely the General Assembly has just vindicated them for exactly those actions - and explicitly said they were not a crime.

The second consequence would be the legal process of condemnation by Imperial Synod. At the point where a Virtue Assembly has issued a clear condemnation of individuals for their actions - and the General Assembly has effectively over-ruled them - that would raise the question of how much weight to give to a condemnation by a Virtue or national assembly in the future. The chief magistrates have explicitly said that they intend to delay the start of this trial until 3pm on Saturday which will give the General Assembly time to consider the situation. If the Assembly makes use of that time to pass an effective judgement of vindication, then the magistrates are likely to adopt the same procedure with all future condemnations - delaying the resulting trial until the General Assembly has had a chance to pass judgement.

The third consequence would be felt across the Empire. The Imperial Synod would be explicitly saying to every priest in the Empire that it was not blasphemy or heresy to carry an aura of a false virtue. Any attempt to argue that it was acceptable for a cardinal to do this, but not for anyone else to do it, would fall on deaf ears. Citizens of the Empire to look to Anvil for leadership - they broadly follow the statements that the Imperial Synod issues, but they would never accept a "fine for me, but not for thee" edict. Any suggestion that a cardinal might have some special qualities that meant that they could do this, but others should not, would be ignored at best and ridiculed at worst.

If the Imperial Synod choses to say that it is acceptable for the cardinals to bear a false virtue - then they are sending the message to everyone in the Empire that it is acceptable for them to bear a false virtue if they choose.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=TheSpeakersSeat.jpg|caption=The Senate determines the law.|align=right|width=300|}}</div>
==The Senate Moves==
* '''The Imperial Senate could use one or more Senate motions to change Imperial law'''
* '''Doing so will not affect these trials, but would affect future trials'''
The [[Imperial Senate]] is responsible for Imperial law - they set the boundaries of what is and is not legal in the Empire. The magistrates maintain the body of Imperial law and conduct trials, but they make changes to the Law as directed by the Imperial Senate.

Currently Imperial law delegates the authority to initiate a trial for a religious crime to the Imperial Synod. The laws, as written, give the Synod considerable leeway to decide what is a religious crime and what is not. The magistrates don't have to accept the verdict of the Synod in this matter, but they would usually defer to their judgement. This is constitutional, because guarding the Virtue of the Empire is the responsibility of the Synod, but it is not the only possible arrangement.

For example, the Imperial Senate could use a [[senate motion]] to make it illegal to carry an object that was hallowed to a False Virtue or malign spiritual presence. If that motion passed, then it would be illegal for any citizen anywhere in the Empire to bear an item that bore an aura with a False Virtue. That would not directly impact the impending trials of the four citizens who have been condemned for blasphemy and heresy, but it would make a significant difference in the future.

If the Imperial Senate made it illegal to carry an aura of a false virtue, then in future there would be no need for the magistrates to wait for instruction to act from the Synod. At the point where they discovered that the law had been broken, they could deal with it in exactly the same way they might deal with a robbery or a murder. That could impact the actions of the four who have been condemned, especially if they chose to continue carrying the auras in defiance of any new law.

The Senate could use a motion to make changes to the legal process for Condemnation - they could make it so that such a judgement can only be raised in the General Assembly. Or they could change the law so that any condemnation by a a [[Virtue assembly|virtue]] or [[National assembly]] would be automatically escalated to the General Assembly for final consideration so that it proceeded to trial if the General Assembly upheld the decision.

The Imperial Senate could use a set of Senate motions to make sweeping changes to Imperial law in this way. They could make it illegal to create an aura of a false virtue, or be illegal to dedicate someone to one, or illegal to be dedicated to one. It is already illegal to actively teach and promote false virtues, but that law expects the Synod to be the first to judge what constitutes teaching or promoting. Actions that don't require that element of judgement, like creating or destroying auras, dedications, hallows or consecrations could all be the subjects of Imperial law in a way that would ''not'' require any input from the Imperial Synod before magistrates could take action.

The importance of the Synod would inevitably be reduced if one or more motions like this did pass the Senate. The first such motion would definitely be constitutional, requiring a [[Senate_motion#Constitutional_Vote|constitutional vote]] and ratification by the Throne to pass. Subsequent laws might not be considered constitutional votes, if the principle that the Imperial Senate should define religious laws had already been established.

Obviously, any of these motions would be subject to potential [[veto]] by the Imperial Synod.
===Implications===
* '''More information about malign spiritual presences might help the Senate (or the Synod) to make more informed decisions'''
Since the Imperial Synod established the Seven Virtues as the core teachings of the Way, there has been a clear delineation between the true virtues, and the malign spiritual presences that are sometimes termed "false virtues". So thorough has the distancing from malign auras been that the Empire has comparatively little actual information about them. There have been some recent efforts to learn more - a former [[Minister of Historical Research]], Caleb of the Cenotaph, was able to uncover significant amounts of information about the power of [[Malign spiritual presences#Hatred|hatred]] by [[Maude, and the nature of Hatred|commissioning a study]] of a past live vision purportedly experienced by '''Adelina Barossa'''. There is nothing to stop the Minister - or the Senate - commissioning the [[Historical_research#The_Department_of_Historical_Research|Department of Historical Research]] to investigate further. If they did, they would be best served to focus on a single malign spiritual presence at a time, ensuring a stronger focus to the resulting report. The [[Lepidean Librarian]] could also seek further information but might struggle to research a malign spiritual presence; their [[Lepidean Librarian#Historical Research|power is limited]] to investigating the lives of paragons or exemplars, or into the details of past life visions. But, as Caleb demonstrated, investigation of a suitable past life vision might provide valuable insight into a "false virtue".

There are more practical considerations however. There have always been small cults dedicated to the false virtues, but what would happen if one or more them were publicly accepted, as they are in Axos? Working out the answer to that question would required the [[Appraisal#The_Prognosticators_Office|Prognosticators Office]]. The Imperial Senate could instruct one or more of the prognosticators to explore the potential repercussions of one or more "false virtues" gaining a purchase within the Empire. ''[[Appraisal#Eilian_Sweetwater|Eilian Sweetwater]]'' would be the ideal prognosticator to produce such an appraisal, drawing on historical events where malign spiritual presences have been more influential. If the Senate instructed the Prognosticators to look into all the recognised malign spiritual presences - [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Hope|hope]], [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Peace|peace]], [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Anarchy|anarchy]], [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Vengeance|vengeance]], [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Fear|fear]] and [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Hatred|hatred]] - the resulting report would at the very least give some general idea of any potential dangers or benefits from tolerating these "spiritual forces".

Such reports are always made public, of course. This could dramatically increase awareness of and understanding of "false virtues" - but that may ultimately prove to be a two-edged sword depending on the stance of the Imperial Synod to the "false virtues".

==Further Reading==
* [[Cardinal]]
* [[Religious crime]]
* [[Clemency]]
* [[Malign spiritual presences]]
* [[Veto]]
* [[Axos religion]]

A little understanding

2025-04-10T22:38:45Z

Cyph: /* A Peaceful Invitation */ formatting

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:386YE Winter]][[Category:Recent History]]
<ic>
"Magistrate Abraham was apparently present at the time."

Alder stifled an internal groan. He took off his glasses, placed them on the desk in front of them and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was a massive case... the trial of four cardinals condemned for blasphemy and heresy. It was completely unprecedented. Nothing like this has ever happened in the history of the Empire. Concerned citizens across the Empire would be watching to see what happened. Given how momentous it was, surely Abraham would have had the good sense not to say anything intemperate?

"He apparently declaimed loudly about what was happening to everyone present."

This time there was no stifling the groan. "Of course he did. Has anyone complained?"

"Not ''exactly''... There was some concern his opinions might prejudice the case."

Alder resisted the urge to say how unlikely he thought that possibility was. Better to take a more diplomatic tack. "Well if anyone does complain, tell them that ''Chief'' Magistrate Karkovitch and our new ''Chief'' Magistrate, Kuura Tuomisbarn, will choose who is going to try this case. If ''Magistrate'' Abraham is a witness, then I would expect that he is significantly less likely to get chosen."

Alder looked at his assistant and considered his next words carefully. He glanced around and dropped his voice slightly. "And if that doesn't satisfy them, perhaps find some innocuous way to point out that Magistrate Abraham's area of expertise is the ''Bourse'', as he never tires of telling us..."

Jenny looked at her boss for a moment, before realisation dawned on her face. "Got it. Bourse. Will do."

Alder nodded at her, but she'd already turned to go back to her duties. Typical Marcher he mused, always keen to get back to work. "You can take the Marcher out of the field, but you can't take the field out of the Marcher." he thought to himself. Or was that apples? Something like that anyway.
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Gaelen9489.jpg||caption=Gaelen Embercast, Cardinal of Vigilance|align=left|width=600}}</div>
==Overview==
* '''During the Autumn Equinox several Cardinals of the Synod were condemned for heresy and blasphemy by the Vigilance assembly'''
* '''The magistrates are investigating these charges, and trials of the four involved appear inevitable'''
* '''This condemnation, and the acts that apparently prompted it, have significant implications for the Imperial Synod, the Way, and the Empire as a whole'''
At the Autumn Equinox, three of the cardinals of the [[Imperial Synod]], and a citizen who was acting as [[proxy]] to the [[Cardinal of Prosperity]], publicly swore an oath to bear an [[aura]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace|Peace]] for the coming year. They promised to carry the hallowed item, and do nothing to resist its effects. One of the number, '''Zadkiel de Coeurdefer''', immediately resigned his title, presumably a response to what had just taken place. Despite this, all four were quickly [[Sanction#Condemnation|condemned]] as [[Religious_crime#Heresy|heretics]] and [[Religious_crime#Blasphemy|blasphemers]] by the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies|Assembly]] of [[Vigilance]], members of whom apparently bore personal [[Member_of_the_Synod#Witness|witness]] to the ceremony accompanying the bestowal of the [[hallow|hallowed]] items.

Not all fully agree with this decision however. '''Kalina Jadwigowna Piosnkowa Prochnost''' the [[Virtue Inquisitor]] of [[Wisdom]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_58|called]] '''Silas''', [[Cardinal of Wisdom]] to [[inquisition]]. The Wisdom Assembly also passed a [[statement of principle]] stating that they [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_195|supported the cardinal's actions]] to test his knowledge of "understanding" and the [[General Assembly]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_207|passed a judgement]] that some believe [[sanction#vindication|vindicates]] the cardinal of the charges of heresy and blasphemy, although the wording is unclear.

In the history of the Empire, there has never been a successful [[judgement]] of condemnation against a member of the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine|Assembly of the Nine]] elected by the Virtue assemblies. The magistrates are now bound to conduct a trial to investigate the [[religious crime|religious crimes]] these cardinals are accused of. Meanwhile, the General Assembly must wrestle with this growing schism - following so closely on the heels of the [[True faith|recent crisis]] concerning [[Vardas]] - and contemplate what it means for the Way.

<fourpicture>
{{SOPInner|statement=The assembly of Vigilance condemns the cardinal of Ambition, Lady Viviane de Coeurdefer of Dawn for blasphemy and heresy having whole-heartedly taken upon themselves a binding oath to receive an aura of the false virtue, Apathy, and to have created a hallowing of the same, which they agree to bear for one year during which they will not at all counter-act the effects of, in any way. Their position gives a greater graveness to this act of heresy and brings a direct threat to the Empire.|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=(Greater Majority) 380-40|by=Soriah}}

{{SOPInner|statement=We the Vigilance assembly condemn the Cardinal of Pride, Zadkiel de Couerdefer, for the religious crime of taking on willingly and knowingly a hallowed object, dedicated to a false virtue. In addition, for swearing an oath to follow the false whim of the hallowing and make no attempt to counteract its dangerous ways. These are actions of abject heresy and blasphemy. The cardinal has squandered their dedicated virtue in favour of apathy and collaboration with enemies of the Empire. Have they no Pride?|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=280-110|by=Jeroboam of the Sentinels Tower}}

{{SOPInner|statement=The Assembly of Vigilance condemns the Cardinal of Wisdom, Silas of the Cenotaph, for blasphemy and heresy. In agreeing for a hallow of the False Virtue peace to be created and giving a binding oath to bear it wholeheartedly - without use of any source of spiritual strength to resist it. This spits in the face of the Synod who works to eliminate these threats from the Empire. We expect better.|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=286-58|by=Sam Wych}}

{{SOPInner|statement=The assembly of Vigilance seeks to condemn Iniska Ashwood, proxy cardinal of prosperity, under the grounds of heresy and blasphemy. By accepting an aura of a false virtue through hallowing and agreeing to take an oath to Axou, they have tainted their soul. Without any spiritual protection they have put others in extreme danger, as a proxy cardinal they must be held accountable and should know better.|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=154-48|by=Alastair of Esther's Sanctum}}
</fourpicture>
==A Peaceful Invitation==
* '''The roots of this crisis lie with a sect of Axou priests, and a populist movement in Axos'''
* '''A gift of liao and a letter from the Throne themselves were instrumental in arranging the creation of these malign spiritual auras'''

The current crisis has been unfolding for some time. ''Ilarch Kyther Deianeira'' is an ambitious [[Axos|Axou]] who is the [[Victory_and_unity#The_ambitions_of_Kyther_Deianeira|head of a populist political movement]], influential in multiple [[Axos#Axou_Territories|citadels]]. They are known to be allied with ''Theodosia of Ipotavo'', a [[Victory_and_unity#Understanding_and_Unity|religious leader]] who preaches on the "[[Malign spiritual presences|false virtue]]" of [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace|Peace]]. In Summer 386YE, Deianeira responded to the [[Ambassador to Axos|ambassador's missive]] with [[In_the_hills,_the_cities#Unity_and_Understanding|an open offer to the Assembly of the Nine]]. They claimed to have discovered that the Assembly were interested in experiencing the auras of what the Axos call "Understanding" - that is, Peace - and the Ilarch was prepared to send a priest to [[hallow]] one item for each member of the Assembly of the Nine. The catch was that each recipient must swear an oath, before their peers, to bear the hallowed item for a year.

The Empire duly provided the Ilarch with the assistance they required in return, one hundred doses of [[liao]] and a letter from [[the Throne]], thanking the Ilarch and recognising their good will. Kyther has been employing this gift and this communication in pursuit of their goals in Axos, as evidence that the Axou can “punch above their weight” on the world stage. In return an Axou priest, [[dedication|dedicated]] to the false virtue of Peace, [[Victory_and_unity#Problematic_Priest|came to Anvil]], to meet with the Assembly of Nine. They hallowed an item for each of the cardinals who was prepared to publicly make the required vow.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Alikos Helio.jpg|caption=The ''Axou helios'' is an ancient symbol of the Axou people, adopted by the ''Nikitis Axou'' movement.|align=right|width=300}}</div>
===The Axos Agenda===
* '''The priest who came to Anvil was a disciple of Theodosa of Ipotavo'''
* '''The sects of Axos despise the Way and the Imperial Synod'''
* '''Axou religious sects are not united in the way the Assemblies of the Imperial Synod are, but they agree that the Way is a wicked faith that serves a false creator'''
* '''It's not clear whether this disruption is intentional or not, but it cannot help but serve Axou political aims'''
It's not clear the Axou stand to gain from all this is. The [[Shuttered Lantern]] are [[Victory_and_unity#Magicians_Know_Magicians|investigating the situation]] in Axos, but there are clearly complicated political agendas at play. Theodosia of Ipotavo is thought to be a genuine advocate for Peace, though her precise teachings are not well understood. During her recent visit to the Empire, she is not known to have attempted to preach her blasphemy. Ilarch Kyther Deianeira and their supporters are not believed to advocate for Peace, and there is no suggestion that they are particularly religiously motivated at all. Indeed their movement is primarily based in Axou nationalism. It is more likely therefore that Kyther saw this as an opportunistic attempt to curry favour with the Empire by demonstrating that Axos could provide things of value, while taking a stance that would preserve their pride and dignity.

Priests in Axos happily make use of all the true virtues, but they also make use of "[[Axos_religion#Spiritual_Forces|spiritual forces]]" like [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace|Peace]], [[Malign spiritual presences#Vengeance|Vengeance]] or [[Malign spiritual presences#Hatred|Hatred]]. They are known to be implacable opponents of [[the Way]]. They [[Axos_religion|believe in]] a [[Axos_religion#The_Malign_Creator|malign Creator]], and claim the Labyrinth is a [[Axos_religion#The_Eternal_Torture_Chamber|torture chamber]] built by that wicked Creator to hobble humanity and prevent them from achieving their true destiny. As a result, many Axou despise the imperial Synod, which they believe serves the Creator by tricking people into believing that reincarnation is a ''good thing''. Despite this, it does not appear to have been the Ilarch's intention to cause trouble for the Synod through their actions... but if this incident ''does'' cause problems for the Synod that will probably serve their political goals well.

===Vital Evidence===
* '''A copy of the letter sent to the Assembly of Nine by Theodosia appears to be a key piece of evidence related to the condemnations'''
* '''The Magistracy have asked the Civil Service to make their copy of this letter public'''
It is understood that the priest sent to the Empire, a disciple of Theodosia, came with a letter from their teacher. The civil service managed to get hold of a copy before the priest returned to Axos. In light of the condemnations, the letter, which contains the oath the Cardinals swore, may prove a critical piece of evidence at trial. The magistracy, therefore, have asked that it be published to attendees of the upcoming summit at [[Anvil]] so that all parties may have an opportunity to consider the letter and its implications. The letter mentions a pamphlet - copies of this are not available, but presumably some of the parties present at this event may have copies.

<ic>
To the Assembly of Nine of the Imperial Synod,

I regret that I could not meet you in person, though I believe I did meet one or two of your number at the Printer’s Guild Ball last year – in particular I remember meeting the Cardinal of Ambition who struck me as a very interesting individual. In general I was struck by the openness of many of the Synod priests I spoke to during my visit to considering viewpoints I would have thought were considered at best heterodox positions. It seems the composition of your Synod at this time is open to new ideas and ways of thinking, and I think this is to your credit. I have been thinking much about the strengths of your Synod and the ways in which it might provide a pathway toward the unification of my own people through their spiritual beliefs.

I have been asked by Illarch Deianeira to compose the oath we require of you. The text I have come to is as follows:

“I swear to bear this hallowed item in such a manner as to give full effect to the aura that lies upon it. I will not use spiritual strength that comes from within or without to resist it, but will truly respect its effects and experience the world through the lens it offers, and hence come to a more whole understanding of the spiritual power it represents. I will not share it with others, passing it around like some curio, but treat it as a precious thing. This I will do until the power of the hallowing ceases and fades away, in one year’s time.”

Illarch Deianeira sees this as an essential commitment by you to treating Axou beliefs and practices seriously. I know there are people like the New Scions of Atun in your Empire who are extremely concerned with what I might call an experimental approach to theology. While I respect this, our concern is that it would be easy enough to “sample” an aura and then cast it aside.

As a theologian I am a phenomenologist: I believe that our understanding of the world – including the Virtues and other spiritual powers of the world – comes primarily from our experiences of them, but I believe they must be experienced wholly and with an open heart to the experience, rather than with the experimentalist’s sceptical distance. I am hopeful you will commit yourself to this.

I have prepared a pamphlet on the spiritual power of Understanding, a lightly edited version of an earlier work of mine. I have sent copies of this with my disciple Sophia Anacharsis who will be delivering this letter, along with nine of the doses of liao you kindly provided. She will hallow one item for each member of the Assembly (including the Throne) as long as they are prepared to swear the above oath – it is your choice what hallowing she performs, and the pamphlet ought to help you make that decision.

I will not be offended at all if none of you decide to take up the offer. I have asked Sophia to be careful in discussing any details of religion with anyone other than yourselves while she is here – she does like to engage in theological discourse, but I want to respect your laws and traditions as I know you will respect ours. Please also pass along my regards to Ambassador Nighthaven who was of great help to me during my recent visit.

May you have the vigilance and wisdom to avoid the Creator’s evil, in all your days, and I wish the eyes of your ancestors upon you,

Yours faithfully,

Theodosia of Ipotavo
</ic>
<fourpicture>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Viviane de Coeurdefer.jpg|width=250|caption=Viviane de Coeurdefer, Cardinal of Ambition}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Zadkiel de Coerdefer.jpg|width=250|caption=Zadkiel de Coeurdefer, former Cardinal of Pride}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Iniska Ashwood.png|width=250|caption=Iniska Ashwood, proxy for the Cardinal of Prosperity}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=CardWisdom.jpg|width=250|caption=Silas of the Cenotaph, Cardinal of Wisdom}}
</fourpicture>

==The Role of a Cardinal==
* '''Imperial pilgrims of the Way are deeply concerned about the revelation that Cardinals are partaking of malign spiritual auras'''
* '''The outcome of the trial, regardless of which way it goes, will unavoidably send a message to everyone who follows the Way'''
The condemnations have provoked considerable interest across the Empire. The revelation that four members of the Assembly of Nine opted to accept a hallowing of a false virtue, and that they swore an oath to abide by that aura and not attempt to resist it for a year, has surprised and alarmed many. Thus far this alarm has not let to action - people seem eager to know more, but content to wait for the resolution of this matter - but the situation will change once the matter is resolved.

If the cardinals are '''found guilty at trial and receive a harsh sentence''', then that will send an unequivocal message to everyone in the Empire that they should not have anything to do with false virtues or auras thereof. If the cardinals of the Assembly of Nine face punishment for this, then what hope would there be for any ordinary citizen that they might escape punishment for the same? People would exercise more caution in future - with this incident serving as a salutary lesson in the the dangers of foolish or Unvirtuous action.

If the cardinals '''avoid punishment for their actions''', that is likely to have the opposite effect. There are people who claim that the spiritual dedication of the cardinals places them beyond reproach and gives them more leeway than the average citizen for dallying with false virtues. Such arguments carry little or no sway beyond Anvil, where the common citizen's view of a cardinal is that they embody spiritual purity. The legal responsibilities for a cardinal state that
they should ''provide leadership to the priests and pilgrims who follow their virtue and are expected to be well versed in matters of virtue and The Way so that they can speak with authority on matters of doctrine''. There is no responsibility for them to be somehow more Virtuous than other citizens, but none-the-less that is the common expectation of cardinals, gatekeepers, inquisitors and similar.

As a result, the wider population will respond negatively to any statement that urges people to view these matters as fitting for a cardinal but too testing for other mortals. People expect more virtuous behaviour of their cardinals than they do of themselves, they do not give them leeway to engage in activities which would be condemned as blasphemy or heresy if conducted by others.

This is the key reason these condemnations have proved so dramatic - had any "normal" citizen of Anvil been accused of this, most people would have thought that a matter for the Synod and the magistrates and of little importance to them. The fact that it is four of the cardinals of virtue who have done this, is what makes these action so momentous and significant.

The fact that at least one of the accused, '''Iniska Ashwood''', is believed to be a member of the Doctrine Reform Council, [[385YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_99|currently examining]] the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Seven|the Doctrine of Seven]], has only served to further raise the stakes. If that is true, if one of the priests reviewing this Doctrine is now carrying out their work while directly under the influence of a False Virtue, then that only makes this even more significant than it already is.

==The Role of a Proxy==
* '''There are some complex legal issues around the status of the proxy of the Cardinal of Prosperity'''
* '''Regardless of the legal situation, as far as the followers of the Way are concerned, the proxy acted on behalf of, and with the knowledge of, the Cardinal'''
Iniska Ashwood has been identified in the condemnation as the [[proxy]] for the [[Cardinal of Prosperity]], but from a legal standpoint this is imprecise. While it is common parlance to talk about a title having a "proxy" and it is commonly assumed that a citizen who bears a letter indicating they have the power to proxy a title is "their proxy", this is not accurate in a legal sense. Legally speaking, Iniska Ashwood can only be acting as proxy to the Cardinal of Prosperity at the point where they are using one of the legal powers of the title. At that point they are acting as the proxy for the actual Cardinal of Prosperity, and any action they take is legally considered to be an action undertaken by the Cardinal of Prosperity.

In this case, none of the legal powers of the Cardinal were enacted at the moment in question. Iniska Ashwood was being given all the respect due to the Cardinal of Prosperity, citizens were treating them as the Cardinal as is common for a proxy. But the legal situation is very clear, they were not acting as the Cardinal in a legal sense and their actions cannot be considered to be the actions of the Cardinal. As such, it is Iniska Ashwood that is liable for their actions, not the current Cardinal of Prosperity, '''Darian Numbers'''. Whatever actions they have taken, were taken in their capacity as a private citizen, not as the Cardinal of Prosperity.

That is the precise ''legal'' situation, but that has minimal bearing on the way many Imperial citizens ''feel'' about these events. Most folk understand that this offer was made to all the members of the Assembly of Nine. For most followers of the Way it is hard to believe that Iniska Ashwood was not acting on behalf of the Cardinal of Prosperity, with their full endorsement. Iniska's punishment or exoneration will carry the same weight with the faithful as that of the other three accused.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Karkovitch.jpg||caption=Chief Magistrate Karkovitch|align=right|width=300}}</div>
==The Magistrates Try==
* '''A citizen who is condemned by the Imperial Synod will face trial by the Imperial magistrates'''
* '''The priest who raised the judgement will be expected to present their case'''
* '''The magistrates have indicated that they intend to start the trial at 3pm on Saturday in the Senate'''

[[Imperial law]] defines an entire category of offences - [[Religious_crime|religious crimes]] - which are raised by the Imperial Synod but tried by a magistrate. The process begins when the Imperial Synod [[Sanction#Condemnation|condemns]] a citizen because they have determined that the actions they are accused of performing constitute a [[religious crime]].

It is common for the Imperial Synod to conduct an inquisition first, but there is no legal requirement for that to happen. It is wise however, for the priest who raises the judgement to be certain of their facts as the magistrates will expect the priest who raised a condemnation to present their case at the trial in most cases. Priests who are perceived to have acted recklessly may themselves face censure by the Synod, with the risk of being condemned for an [[Religious_crime#Abuse_of_Powers|abuse of powers]].

Conviction is never guaranteed as the magistrates ''must'' conduct a trial to determine guilt. The first stage in that assessment is to investigate the evidence that the accused have done the actions they have been accused of. In this particular case, that stage is unlikely to take long, since the act happened very publicly with many witnesses, including '''Magistrate Abraham''' of the [[Scrutiny#Constitutional_Court|Constitutional Court]]. If the magistrates determine that the four have physically done the action they are condemned for, then the magistrate must determine if that action meets the definition of the religious crime. In this case it is charges of blasphemy and heresy - which are defined as:
* '''Blasphemy:''' The denigration of the paragons and the paths of virtue. This includes promoting false virtues and the teachings, or example, of false exemplars or False Paragons.
* '''Heresy:''' The willful rejection, or perversion of, the orthodox Doctrines of the Faith as laid down by the Imperial Synod, or actively teaching and promoting false doctrines.
According to legal doctrine, it is for the magistrates to decide whether the actions meet these definitions or not, but in practice it is customary for a magistrate to place great weight on the deliberations on the Imperial Synod. A magistrate must ensure there is no miscarriage of justice taking place, but the Assembly of Vigilance has already been explicit that they consider that the actions of those involved meet these definitions. The Assembly of Vigilance have condemned them, so provided they present a credible case at trial, that condemnation is likely to weight heavily on the magistrates adjudication of this trial.

If the magistrates do find them guilty at trial, they will still look to determine [[intent]]. The Synod are not required to take account of intent when they condemn someone for a religious crime, but it is crucial to the application of Imperial law by the magistrates. The harshest penalty - the death sentence - is usually reserved for cases where the accused intended to carry out the act. If the magistrates conducting the trial do not find that the accused ''intended to commit blasphemy and heresy'' - if they determine that that was not the ''intent'' of their actions - then they are most likely to be given a lesser sentence. That is still likely to be an expensive proposition involving heavy fines for anyone found guilty.

===Clemency===
* '''A citizen who confesses their guilt may ask a priest to plead for clemency on their behalf'''
* '''A priest, even a cardinal, cannot plead for clemency on their own behalf'''
Imperial law allows a citizen to ask a member of the Synod to plead for [[Member_of_the_Synod#Clemency|clemency]] at trial if - and only if - they confess their guilt. If the act was done for virtuous reasons, a priest may speak on their behalf and ask for clemency from the magistrate. They must accompany the recipient to trial and lay out the reasons why their virtuous behaviour should result in a ''reduced'' sentence. Only a priest can plead for clemency and only on behalf of another - a priest, even a cardinal, cannot make their own plea for clemency.

Clemency is only available to those who plead guilty. You cannot plead that there was a virtuous reason for the thing you are accused of and simultaneously claim that you didn't do the thing you are accused of. Clemency does not mitigate a crime - it asks the magistrate to impose a reduced sentence by acknowledging the virtue of the actions. It is not uncommon for citizens to imagine that they will receive no punishment for their actions because a priest claims that they acted in virtue but that is very rarely the case.

The magistrates have provided [[Clemency_guidance|additional guidance]] for clemency, to help citizens understand the process. Of course the cardinals are likely to understand this information already, but it may assist those who are taking an interest in this trial.

==The Synod Judges==
* '''The General Assembly could vindicate one or more of the four accused, by explicitly stating that bearing a false virtue and allowing yourself to be influenced by its power is neither heretical or blasphemous'''
* '''Doing so would have a major impact on this trial'''
* '''It would also send a powerful message to every citizen of the Empire that it was acceptable for them to do this'''
The Assembly of Wisdom has passed a judgement that appears to uphold the Virtue of the actions taken by their cardinal. Silas was called to inquisition, and thus far there has been no direct escalation to [[sanction]] from '''Kalina Jadwigowna Piosnkowa Prochnost''', either a vindication or otherwise. But the General Assembly have passed a judgement that [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_207|publicly backs the Cardinal]] which implies strongly that they believe that there is Wisdom in this course of action. This judgement does not have any specific legal implications at this point, but it is something that the Cardinal of Wisdom might call upon at trial. It may not be easy to demonstrate that their actions do not constitute blasphemy or heresy, since the Vigilance Assembly have already determined that they do - but the backing of the Assembly would provide a powerful basis for a clemency plea, especially given that the Cardinal of Wisdom is the one accused.
{{SOP|statement=This assembly supports Silas of Cenotaph actions to test his knowledge of "understanding".|by=Palladius Ravenspire, Wisdom Assembly|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=Upheld (170-18) }}
{{SOP|statement='''Vindication:''' Breaking an oath is not a religious crime. Swearing an oath one knows they may break my be perilous but is not a religious crime. Silas, Cardinal of Wisdom, states his intent in holding a false hallow, to be grounded in Wisdom. Let us judge him on how he acts rather than words spoken to heretics; we vindicate him in this matter up to this point.|by=Solas of the Spire of the Waxing Sun, General Assembly|when=Autumn Equinox 386YE|vote=Upheld (406-42) }}
The General Assembly has vindicated Silas, but they have done so in a very limited and circumspect way stating that ''"Swearing an oath one knows they may break my be perilous but is not a religious crime."'' This is categorically the case - swearing an oath is not a religious crime and any attempt by the Synod to treat that action as a crime would be quickly thrown out by the magistrates. However, Silas was condemned for ''"agreeing for a hallow of the False Virtue peace to be created and giving a binding oath to bear it wholeheartedly..."''.

The ''implication'' of the General Assembly seems to be that the Cardinal of Wisdom fully ''intends'' to violate the public oath to the foreigners - that they do not intend to bear the hallowed item they have been given. If that is the case, that could form the basis of a defence at trial - by demonstrating the Cardinal has ''not'' done all that they are accused of. Of course if that becomes public, it is likely to impact relations with the Axos, or with the Ilarch who facilitated this crisis, at the very least. It may also raise serious questions about how much the promise of an Imperial cardinal can be trusted, and under what circumstances they might decide to break such a promise. If the Cardinal fully intends to keep their vow - then the statement of the General Assembly is unlikely to make a major difference either way - since it calls on others to judge him on how he acts following the vow, not on the basis of the vow itself.
===Vindication Implications===
* '''The General Assembly could vindicate the cardinals involved by explicitly saying that bearing a false virtue is not a religious crime'''
* '''This would have significant implications for the future'''

The General Assembly could chose to conduct an inquisition and/or issue sanctions to any of the four citizens involved for the actions the Vigilance Assembly has condemned them for. They ''might'' vindicate the actions in question - not just swearing a vow, but agreeing to bear the false aura for a year. Such a vindication would need to go further than simply argue the virtue of the case - it would need to explicitly say that bearing a false virtue in this way was not a religious crime - it was not blasphemy and not heresy. But if ''that'' happened, it would have three very dramatic effects.

The first is that it would directly impact on the legal trial of the citizen who was vindicated. It would be significantly harder for any Vigilance priest to present a compelling case that the actions of the accused constitute heresy and blasphemy at the point where the General Assembly of the Imperial Synod has explicitly said that that is not the case. The magistrate is likely to complete the trial process - but the accused would have an exceptionally strong case to make that they were innocent of the accused crimes - namely the General Assembly has just vindicated them for exactly those actions - and explicitly said they were not a crime.

The second consequence would be the legal process of condemnation by Imperial Synod. At the point where a Virtue Assembly has issued a clear condemnation of individuals for their actions - and the General Assembly has effectively over-ruled them - that would raise the question of how much weight to give to a condemnation by a Virtue or national assembly in the future. The chief magistrates have explicitly said that they intend to delay the start of this trial until 3pm on Saturday which will give the General Assembly time to consider the situation. If the Assembly makes use of that time to pass an effective judgement of vindication, then the magistrates are likely to adopt the same procedure with all future condemnations - delaying the resulting trial until the General Assembly has had a chance to pass judgement.

The third consequence would be felt across the Empire. The Imperial Synod would be explicitly saying to every priest in the Empire that it was not blasphemy or heresy to carry an aura of a false virtue. Any attempt to argue that it was acceptable for a cardinal to do this, but not for anyone else to do it, would fall on deaf ears. Citizens of the Empire to look to Anvil for leadership - they broadly follow the statements that the Imperial Synod issues, but they would never accept a "fine for me, but not for thee" edict. Any suggestion that a cardinal might have some special qualities that meant that they could do this, but others should not, would be ignored at best and ridiculed at worst.

If the Imperial Synod choses to say that it is acceptable for the cardinals to bear a false virtue - then they are sending the message to everyone in the Empire that it is acceptable for them to bear a false virtue if they choose.
<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=TheSpeakersSeat.jpg|caption=The Senate determines the law.|align=right|width=300|}}</div>
==The Senate Moves==
* '''The Imperial Senate could use one or more Senate motions to change Imperial law'''
* '''Doing so will not affect these trials, but would affect future trials'''
The [[Imperial Senate]] is responsible for Imperial law - they set the boundaries of what is and is not legal in the Empire. The magistrates maintain the body of Imperial law and conduct trials, but they make changes to the Law as directed by the Imperial Senate.

Currently Imperial law delegates the authority to initiate a trial for a religious crime to the Imperial Synod. The laws, as written, give the Synod considerable leeway to decide what is a religious crime and what is not. The magistrates don't have to accept the verdict of the Synod in this matter, but they would usually defer to their judgement. This is constitutional, because guarding the Virtue of the Empire is the responsibility of the Synod, but it is not the only possible arrangement.

For example, the Imperial Senate could use a [[senate motion]] to make it illegal to carry an object that was hallowed to a False Virtue or malign spiritual presence. If that motion passed, then it would be illegal for any citizen anywhere in the Empire to bear an item that bore an aura with a False Virtue. That would not directly impact the impending trials of the four citizens who have been condemned for blasphemy and heresy, but it would make a significant difference in the future.

If the Imperial Senate made it illegal to carry an aura of a false virtue, then in future there would be no need for the magistrates to wait for instruction to act from the Synod. At the point where they discovered that the law had been broken, they could deal with it in exactly the same way they might deal with a robbery or a murder. That could impact the actions of the four who have been condemned, especially if they chose to continue carrying the auras in defiance of any new law.

The Senate could use a motion to make changes to the legal process for Condemnation - they could make it so that such a judgement can only be raised in the General Assembly. Or they could change the law so that any condemnation by a a [[Virtue assembly|virtue]] or [[National assembly]] would be automatically escalated to the General Assembly for final consideration so that it proceeded to trial if the General Assembly upheld the decision.

The Imperial Senate could use a set of Senate motions to make sweeping changes to Imperial law in this way. They could make it illegal to create an aura of a false virtue, or be illegal to dedicate someone to one, or illegal to be dedicated to one. It is already illegal to actively teach and promote false virtues, but that law expects the Synod to be the first to judge what constitutes teaching or promoting. Actions that don't require that element of judgement, like creating or destroying auras, dedications, hallows or consecrations could all be the subjects of Imperial law in a way that would ''not'' require any input from the Imperial Synod before magistrates could take action.

The importance of the Synod would inevitably be reduced if one or more motions like this did pass the Senate. The first such motion would definitely be constitutional, requiring a [[Senate_motion#Constitutional_Vote|constitutional vote]] and ratification by the Throne to pass. Subsequent laws might not be considered constitutional votes, if the principle that the Imperial Senate should define religious laws had already been established.

Obviously, any of these motions would be subject to potential [[veto]] by the Imperial Synod.
===Implications===
* '''More information about malign spiritual presences might help the Senate (or the Synod) to make more informed decisions'''
Since the Imperial Synod established the Seven Virtues as the core teachings of the Way, there has been a clear delineation between the true virtues, and the malign spiritual presences that are sometimes termed "false virtues". So thorough has the distancing from malign auras been that the Empire has comparatively little actual information about them. There have been some recent efforts to learn more - a former [[Minister of Historical Research]], Caleb of the Cenotaph, was able to uncover significant amounts of information about the power of [[Malign spiritual presences#Hatred|hatred]] by [[Maude, and the nature of Hatred|commissioning a study]] of a past live vision purportedly experienced by '''Adelina Barossa'''. There is nothing to stop the Minister - or the Senate - commissioning the [[Historical_research#The_Department_of_Historical_Research|Department of Historical Research]] to investigate further. If they did, they would be best served to focus on a single malign spiritual presence at a time, ensuring a stronger focus to the resulting report. The [[Lepidean Librarian]] could also seek further infromation but might struggle to research a malign spiritual presence; their [[Lepidean Librarian#Historical Research|power is limited]] to investigating the lives of paragons or exemplars, or into the details of past life visions. But, as Caleb demonstrated, investigation of a suitable past life vision might provide valuable insight into a "false virtue".

There are more practical considerations however. There have always been small cults dedicated to the false virtues, but what would happen if one or more them were publicly accepted, as they are in Axos? Working out the answer to that question would required the [[Appraisal#The_Prognosticators_Office|Prognosticators Office]]. The Imperial Senate could instruct one or more of the prognosticators to explore the potential repercussions of one or more "false virtues" gaining a purchase within the Empire. ''[[Appraisal#Eilian_Sweetwater|Eilian Sweetwater]]'' would be the ideal prognosticator to produce such an appraisal, drawing on historical events where malign spiritual presences have been more influential. If the Senate instructed the Prognosticators to look into all the recognised malign spiritual presences - [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Hope|hope]], [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Peace|peace]], [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Anarchy|anarchy]], [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Vengeance|vengeance]], [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Fear|fear]] and [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Hatred|hatred]] - the resulting report would at the very least give some general idea of any potential dangers or benefits from tolerating these "spiritual forces".

Such reports are always made public, of course. This could dramatically increase awareness of and understanding of "false virtues" - but that may ultimately prove to be a two-edged sword depending on the stance of the Imperial Synod to the "false virtues".

==Further Reading==
* [[Cardinal]]
* [[Religious crime]]
* [[Clemency]]
* [[Malign spiritual presences]]
* [[Veto]]
* [[Axos religion]]

Say her name

2024-06-12T08:09:21Z

Cyph: Spellings across several sections

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:386YE Spring]][[Category:Recent History]]
<ic>
"What did he mean?" Finn asked, kicking at the stone. Rather than wait for his mother to answer he pressed on "I thought the Fule were our enemy. And the Jotun. I thought they were our enemy."

"Thule" she corrected him. "Th-ule. Like Th-ursday".

Finn repeated the word trying to get it right. Twice more and he had it. Then he realised she'd changed the subject, so he quickly changed it back. "So what did Hefi mean?"

"Well I'm sure I don't know, you'd have to ask the stormcrow that. But perhaps if you'd paid more attention when he was preaching..."

Finn crossed his arms over his chest. "Hmff. I did too pay attention. He said our only enemy is ourself. But that's not true because the Jotun and the Cold Soup and the Thule are our enemies so it's not right."

Sanna reached down and swept her youngest son into her arms. Enjoy these moments she thought, they never last. Finn was old enough to walk all the way home, but she hoisted him onto her shoulders anyway.

"Hefi was talking about Courage. It's a very important Virtue. Some say it's the most important Virtue of them all because without the Courage to act, none of the rest of it matters." She paused for a moment to let her son speak, but he said nothing, a sure sign she had his attention so she pressed on.

"Courage is about sticking with what you know is right, even when everyone tells you its wrong. It's about not being afraid to act. People think it's about being brave in battles - and it is. But the real battle isn't fought with swords. It's fought in your heart. You might fall in battle, but that doesn't matter. Heroes die in battle all the time. What stops you being a hero is fear. Fear of failure. Fear of consequences. Fear of standing alone. That's what Hefi was trying to say I think. In the end the only enemy is yourself - because it is your own fears you must overcome to become a hero."

They walked for a while, while Finn kicked his heels and pondered on her answer. It was further than she'd thought but she didn't lift him down. These moments pass so fast. Finally he spoke up again.

"Are you ever afraid Mum?" he asked.

She thought of last summer when she'd heard that dreadful scream and turned to see him falling from the tree. How her heart had stopped beating and her blood run cold. She'd willed her legs to carry her across the glade, but limbs frozen with terror had refused to move.

"Never when I'm with you Finn Mackelson." she finally said. "You will always be my hero."</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 500px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Say her name.png|align=left|caption=Yulia Kasimiova Voronov,and Eska Crowspeaker|width=500}}</div>
==Overview==
Wintermark arranged for the [[Heroism#Chronicle_of_Heroism|Chronicle of Heroes]] to be created in Summer 383YE as a way to identify and record the deeds of the greatest heroes. It is no easy feat to be named a hero - only the names of those who gain the recognition of the [[greater majority]] of the Wintermark Assembly are considered worthy.

Now two names have been put forward have attracted attention from outside of Wintermark itself. And for the first time ever, one of the named heroes whose deeds are to be immortalised is not from Wintermark. And that rather dramatic development has brought interest from unexpected quarters.
==The Dealmaker==
* '''Yulia Kasimiova Voronov has been added to the Chronicle of Heroes'''
* '''The actions of the Wintermarkers have drawn the interest of the Dragons of Otkodov'''
'''Yulia Kasimiova Voronov''' was once one of the most powerful citizens in the Empire. A well-regarded [[senator]] for [[Miekarova]] in [[Varushka]], there was even [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Concord:_Endorse_Yulia_Kasimirova_Voronov|talk]] that she might one day take [[the Throne]]. That talk ended when the [[Thule]] approached the Empire and offered an alliance. In exchange for the return of lands they considered their own, the Thule would send three [[Imperial army|armies]] to help the Empire retake [[Sermersuaq]] from the [[Jotun]]. Yulia demonstrated [[Courage]] and [[Loyalty]], sacrificing part of her homeland to enable Wintermark to reclaim theirs, but the decision was contentious to say the least.
{{SOP|statement=We recognise Yulia Kasimiova Voronov "Hunger's Folly" as a hero <u>to</u> Wintermark, and their name shall be added to the Chronicle of Heroes. As Senator for Miekarova, Yulia acted with loyalty, courageously, sacrificing their homeland to enable Wintermark to take the steps needed to reclaim Sermersuaq. This act was instrumental to the victory of uniting Wintermark once more. As the last outsider to be given the honour, Sulkavaris recognises their Heroes' name "Hunger's Folly" as we shall all remember their heroism.|by=Cynerik, Wintermark Assembly|vote=Greater Majority</span> (269-0)|when=Winter Solstice 385YE}}
Her efforts earned her the respect of Wintermark - but outraged many Varushkans. Their Assembly [[revocation|revoked]] her, [[383YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_113|citing disloyalty]] and called on everyone to refuse her [[Varushka_culture_and_customs#Hospitality|hospitality]]. The Varushkans disowned Yulia, but Wintermark took her to heart. They admired the way she defied her nation to stand with Wintermark even as they called her traitor. The storm blew but Yulia Kasimiova Voronov did not break. And so her deeds pass into legend, immortalised in the Chronicle of Heroes.

And that might have been the end of it, but someone happened to mention the Chronicle to one of the warlocks at the [[Mediator_of_Wreck|Trading Hall at Wreck]]. It soon became clear that the Thule were very interested in the whole affair and their merchants began asking questions about the matter.

The Thule ''also'' have an interest in Yulia. As they see it, when they came to the Empire with an honest offer of an alliance that would benefit both parties, Yulia was one of those who gratefully accepted and helped to steer the deal through the [[Imperial Senate]]. For many years the Thule have considered the Varushkans to be their closest allies in the Empire and have acted accordingly. But it soon became clear that the Varushkans resented the Dragon's offer, fought to oppose it, and have worked tirelessly to see it overturned ever since. Meanwhile Wintermark, with whom the Thule have never enjoyed much mutual respect, worked hand-in-glove with the Thule to the benefit of both parties, accepted the loss of the [[Sermersuaq#Silverpeaks|Silverpeaks]] with good grace, and now immortalise one of those who helped to make the deal happen.

The last straw appears to have been the decision of the Imperial Senate to [[385YE_Winter_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Recognise_Thule_Dominion|pass a carefully worded Senate motion]] that recognises Thule dominion over the regions they have claimed as payment for their alliances with the Empire. That motion seems to have angered the Dragons of [[Otkodov]], rather than placating them as might be expected. Having considered their relationship with the Varushkans over the last few years carefully, it seems the dragons are beginning to re-evaluate who they should extend their hand of friendship towards.

===A Change of Tune===
* '''The Thule have indicated they would welcome a decision by the Imperial Senate to appoint a Wintermark mediator as Ambassador to Otkodov'''
* '''If the Senate appoints a Wintermarker, the Thule will permit Wintermark military units to hunt for Agramant cultists in the Silver Peaks'''
The Thule have '''no power or right''' to choose who the ambassador to the Thule will be. However, when the embassy was constructed on the banks of the [[Miekarova#Mieriada|Coldmere]], they made it clear that they expected a Varushkan to be appointed to the position. That request had no legal weight at all, but the Senate has never appointed a citizen from another nation to the position.

Now it appears that the Thule are singing a different tune. The Thule ambassador to the Empire, ''Rak-Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided'', makes it plain that his masters in Otkodov would warmly welcome any decision by the Imperial Senate to appoint a citizen of Wintermark to the position when the title is re-elected this summit. Moreover, if some wise [[mediator]] does step forward to offer their services and the Senate sees fit to appoint them, then the Thule would be prepared to allow Wintermark warbands to enter the Silver Peaks to hunt for [[Anyone_but_you#Maarik_the_Golden_Tongue|Maarik the Golden Tongue]].

The Thule claim that having a Wintermark mediator in the role will ensure that any problems caused by the nations warriors roaming the Silver Peaks can be quickly dealt with, but the conceit fools few. It is clearly an attempt by the Dragons to put their thumb on the scale of Imperial politics and pick an ambassador who might be more inclined to support their interests than recent incumbents. Those who know about such things point out that the Thule appear to be trying to have their cake and eat it, sticking to the letter of the law of the deal they have apparently made with [[Agramant]], while keeping their hands clean by allowing the Empire to rid them of the threat from Blood-on-the-Snow.

If the Imperial Senate appoint a Wintermarker as Ambassador to Otkodov then it will create an [[Military_unit#Adventures|adventure]] for Wintermark [[military unit|military units]] (and only Wintermark) allowing them to "Hunt for Maarik the Golden Tongue" - travelling to the Silver Peaks to seek out this dangerous Agramant cultist and her followers. The action will generate no loot: the Silver Peaks are rich but there is little opportunity for profit in Thule lands. The Senate could however apply the Guerdon to this military action if they wished, to ensure that those who pursued the Empire's enemies were suitably rewarded. If at least a thousand military force is assigned to the action in any season, then it will lead to an [[opportunity]] for Wintermark heroes to bring Maarik herself to justice.
{{SOP|statement=Know your heart and what commands its devotion above all else. Shacklebreaker Eska Crowspeaker known as Liberty's Song has spent her life championing the causes dear to her heart. From speaking to the plight of the Skarsind Loyalty Congregation and the need to preserve the traditions of Winterfolk in Skarsind to her role in the success of the Liberty Pact and the Empire wide paradigm shift in how we perceive the harm slavery does to the pursuit of Virtue. She is an inspiration to those who choose impassioned words over sharpened steel to win their battles. A Grimnir, a diplomat, and a true friend, Wintermark is proud to add their tale to the Chronicle of Heroes.|by=Hujaani Forgebairn, Wintermark Assembly|vote=Greater Majority</span> (274-0)|when=Winter Solstice 385YE}}

==The Shacklebreaker==
* '''The name of Eska Crowspeaker has been added to the Chronicle of Heroes'''
'''Hujaani Forgebairn''' asked the Wintermark Assembly to consider if the name of '''Eska Crowspeaker''' was worthy to be recorded in the Chronicle of Heroism. The Assembly agreed, voting to acknowledge the virtue and heroism of the Shacklebreaker's actions. Hujaani singled out many deeds for which she has won renown, but the achievement she is most famous for is the creation of the [[Liberty Pact]], along with [[Highguard|Highborn]] '''Ianthe''', of the [[Highguard_groups#The_Suns_of_Couros|Suns of Couros]]. Together they forged an alliance of the great powers of the world, bringing entire nations together in the fight against slavery.

Eska's achievements in creating the Liberty Pact ultimately resulted in the [[Burning|assault on Rachensgrab]], when the Empire worked with their [[Commonwealth]] and [[Sumaah Republic]] allies to smash the power of the slave lords. The attack was a triumph, the fortress destroyed, the slavers killed, and the people freed. Many of those former slaves liberated from Rachensgrab have found new homes in the Commonwealth or the Empire, but ever since that day some have worried that too little has been done to help those the slave lords once preyed upon. At the Winter Solstice, the [[Prosperity]] Assembly supported a judgement [[385YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_162|raised by '''Creighton Blackewater''']] calling ''"for the Empire to help the former slaves of Rachensgrab get even a fraction of their stolen prosperity returned to them"''. This followed a judgement by '''Hembeneth i Guerra''' passed a year earlier which sought to ''"encourage Imperial citizens to investigate how to help those left behind to follow the way and rebuild their futures."''

The sentiments are admirable, but it is far from clear what could be done. To help these people, who live thousands of miles away from the Empire, would be a difficult and expensive undertaking. So exactly the sort of challenge a hero like Eska might approve of! Inspired by Eska's accomplishments being recognised and guided by the Synod's judgement, more than a few stormcrows are suggesting that Wintermark - indeed the whole Empire - could rise to the challenge.
===Far From These Shores===
* '''Any Imperial fleet or military unit can travel to the Sea of Steel to aid those who dwell near Rachensgrab'''
* '''This Provide Prosperity to Rachensgrab adventure is available for two seasons'''
* '''It would require a force with a military strength of at least two thousand to make a meaningful difference'''
After discussion with the civil service it is clear that something could be arranged, but it would be costly. It would require deep sacrifices from those who committed themselves to the endeavour. It would also need significant logistics and an investment of people. Imperial vessels and warbands would need to travel to the [[The_seven_seas#Sea_of_Steel|Sea of Steel]] to see what could be done. There is a burst of fervour to help now that Eska has been recognised, but it will not last long.

For the next two seasons, any [[fleet]] or [[military unit]] can take the action to "Provide Prosperity to Rachensgrab". Those involved will set sail for the Sea of Steel and seek out opportunities to offer their support, providing essential supplies for any who need it. The adventure will be found in the [[Fleet#Trade|trade]] dropdown for fleets, and [[enchantment|enchantments]] that add extra ranks when trading will make a fleet more effective at this adventure. For a military unit, the adventure will be found in the [[Military_unit#Take_Independent_Action|independent action]] dropdown.

Such compassion rewards the soul, but not the purse sadly. There are no returns for those who depart to help in this way, although the Imperial Senate could chose to apply the Guerdon to the endeavour if they wished. The Imperial Synod could also act if they wished; they could use the [[Rewarding|Virtue fund]] to reward those who seek to spread Prosperity in this way.

It is impossible to say what the outcome might be - it is difficult to provide Prosperity to people to an unknown group of disparate people who live on the other side of the world. But if the Empire manages to send a force with a military strength of at least a thousand then that would be enough to get a short report of what was there, and if it was double that then it would make some meaningful impact.

==Cold Winters==
* '''The inspirational influence of the Loyalty Assembly has boosted the heroism of the people of Sermersuaq'''
* '''As a result every resource in Sermersuaq produces 22 extra rings for the next three seasons'''
These inspirational tales of heroism have come at a timely moment for Wintermark. It is been a difficult winter for the people of Sermersuaq. The Empire may be focussed on the threat of Cold Sun, but the dangers posed by [[Agramant|the Hunter in the Wastes.]] and [[Hayaak|the Prince-in-Exile]] have been a constant problem in the far north since the territory was liberated from the Jotun.

Fortunately this season, people are inspired to rally round and help each other by the wise words of their priests, the respected stormcrows Veikko Bondforger and Vauraus "Prosperity's Force" Korppitkotka. All of Wintermark has benefitted as a result, banding together to face the challenges of the harsh weather together. But in Sermersuaq the effects are deep and profound. Inspired by the mandate spread by Sabella of the Silent Tide, Wintermarkers are remind of the great bonds of Loyalty they owe each other. The names of Eska Crowspeaker and Yulia Kasimiova Voronov may be written in the Chronicle of Heroes, but in the Mark anyone can be a hero. As the temperatures drop and the winds bring fresh falls of snow; as the monsters sent by Wintermark's enemies howl outside the doors; the words are on the lips of every Wintermark in Sermersuaq. ''"“The storm can never break us.”''.

And so it proves. People rally round and share what they have - no-one is left to face the storm alone. If Agramant sought to tear Sermersuaq apart and set one Wintermarker against another, then this winter the Howler has failed badly. United by common adversity people work harder than ever to support each other.

The burst of camaraderie is more than sufficient to carry everyone through the cold winter together. People live well, even during the coldest nights, knowing that their neighbours are looking out for them. But what is surprising is that the heroic spirit does not abate when Winter gives up its dominion over the land. As the first signs of Spring emerge from the ice, people are more enthused than ever to work together and ensure that everyone in Sermersuaq is helped and defended. What has kept the wolf from the door during the harsh seasons of winter, is now more than enough to provide for all, and heralds a bounty to come. The Loyalty and Prosperity demonstrated by the heroes of Wintermark will not last forever - but for the next three seasons every resource in Sermersuaq will gain a bounty of 22 rings to reflect the benefits to everyone in the territory.

<div style="display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr; gap: 10px; width: 100%;">
{{SOPInner|statement=This winter will be harsh, and the whole of Wintermark faces terrible threats from the monsters of Blood-on-the-Snow, the beasts of Hayaak, and the scions of Cold Sun. We must remain vigilant, and we must fight these threats wherever we can. We are scions sired by a storm and shall weather whatever winter brings. We send Ironvigil Rikke the Relentless with 75 doses of liao to urge the people of Wintermark to look after each other, and to protect our people, no matter what the Winter brings.|by=Veikko Bondforger, Wintermark Assembly|when=Winter Solstice 385YE|vote=Greater Majority (320-0)}}
{{SOPInner|statement=I use the power of Eyes of Loyalty to send Eevi with 25 liao to support "''This winter will be harsh, and there are monsters in Sermersuaq, both beasts of the wilds and those who walk in human guise. We must remain vigilant, but more importantly we must remain kind. Share with your neighbours, keep each other warm, remind each other that this is not forever. We are scions sired by a storm and shall weather whatever winter brings. We send Isolde Hannasdottir with 25 doses of liao to urge the people of Wintermark to look after each other, no matter what the Winter brings."''|by=Sabella of the Silent Tide, Loyalty Assembly|when=Winter Solstice 385YE|vote=253-0}}
{{SOPInner|statement=This winter will be harsh, and there are monsters in Sermersuaq, both beasts of the wilds and those who walk in human guise. We must remain vigilant, but more importantly we must remain kind. Share with your neighbours, keep each other warm, remind each other that this is not forever. We are scions sired by a storm and shall weather whatever winter brings. We send Isolde Hannasdottir with 25 doses of liao to urge the people of Wintermark to look after each other, no matter what the Winter brings.|by=Vauraus "Prosperity's Force" Korppitkotka, Wintermark Assembly|when=Winter Solstice 385YE|vote=Greater Majority (256-0)}}
</div>

==A Curious Omission==
* '''There is no opportunity to visit with the Mystics of Ishal this season'''
* '''The mystics claim to be pursuing other avenues, in search of a mystery a year ago by Sung'''
In recent seasons the Sentinel Gate has regularly opened to the Kallavesa Marshes, affording the [[mystic|mystics]] of Anvil the chance to ceremonially imbibe [[Infusions_of_Feathers#Goosewhisper_Infusion|goosewhisper infusion]] in their most sacred of sites. This ceremony has been overseen by their fellow Mystics from the Aviary of Ishal, and has produced reports of vivid shared visions that have posed questions, revealed secrets of ancient history, and seemingly shown a strange perspective on current events. But this season the Sentinel Gate offers no such conjunction. This is not surprising – the Sentinel Gate responds to the whims of fate not the wishes of mortals. Perhaps this is a brief pause, perhaps it is the end of a new tradition. The Sentinel Gate does not offer easy answers.

In the mean time, the Mystics of Ishal are acting in a stranger manner than usual. Those who drink Goosewhisper like water are not noted for their mundane and business-like conduct, but this season there seems to be more to it. Deep conversations are being had, and an air of uncertainty pervades the Aviary. Those who ask what is going on get vague responses. Apparently the Raven Seer has said something that has driven the Mystics of Ishal to a period of deep introspection. The current Raven Seer is the enigmatic Naga known only as The Shaman. Perhaps they would know more.

At the same time, shimmering beings of strange light, feathers, and scales, have been seen around the Aviary. While they are hard to pin down by any people currently seeing the world without the aid of potent hallucinogens, many observers believe them to be Heralds of Sung. Could this be something to do with an offer made to the Mystics some time ago? Perhaps. Clear answers are hard to come by from the [[Sung|Feather on the Breeze]].

Weapon checking

2024-04-17T12:35:17Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

==Overview==
All weapons, bows, arrows, shields and armour, must be checked by a member of the Profound Decisions weapon checking team before they are used at our events. They check every item to ensure that the design, construction and condition of it is suitable for use at our events. If they are not satisfied that an item is safe for use then you must secure the item in the OOC area and may not use it at the event. The team use the following guidelines when checking weapons.

Not all weapons that are sold online are suitable for use at Empire LRP events - even if they are sold for LRP. It is always advisable to buy your weapons from a trader on site where possible - to ensure the least possible chance of disappointment.

==Traders==
*'''You must get any item you buy at the event checked before you use it.
Items on sale at all Profound Decisions events have '''not''' been checked by a weapon checker. Please take any item that you purchase to a weapon checker and have it checked.

==All weapons==
Weapons designed for live roleplaying are commonly constructed from a solid core that is surrounded in high-density foam and then covered with latex. Weapons must meet the following guidelines:
*'''The rigidity of the foam must protect the core and must not have degraded and become too soft'''
*'''The layers of foam must be securely bonded to each other and not be delaminating'''
*'''The right kind of foam must be used. High-density foam is the basic material and low-density foam must be used appropriately in collapsible tip weapons or in large hammerheads. This stops weapons being too heavy and having too much momentum'''
*'''The whole length of the core must be held securely in place and must not be moving freely inside the weapon'''
*'''The tip reinforcement must not be protruding through the surface of the foam'''
*'''The core of the weapon must be made of an appropriate material such as fibreglass or carbon fibre - not of aluminium, wood or bamboo'''
*'''There must not be any protruding hard or sharp objects such as gems or studs'''
*'''There must be sufficient padding on the tip, guard, pommel and haft'''
*'''The handle must be securely attached to the rest of the weapon and must not be loose'''
*'''The choice of former must be appropriate to the length of the weapon and must not be too heavy and rigid (especially for thrown weapons) or too light making the weapon ‘whippy’ (long weapons)'''

==Bows and Crossbows==
These are bows and crossbows designed to fire an LRP safe arrow or bolt. There is no bow competency testing at Profound Decisions events. We require any player using a bow to adhere to the same standards of safety and control as players using melee weapons.
*'''The string must be in good condition and must not be fraying'''
*'''The body of the bow or crossbow, whether wood or fibreglass, must not show signs of cracking'''
*'''The string notches must not be worn and must be able to hold the string firmly'''
*'''The draw of a bow must be less than 30 lbs at 28” draw. Crossbows are also limited to 30lbs draw weight'''

==Arrows & Bolts==
As well as checking before the start of the event, we recommend that you check these before and after each combat, as they may have become damaged.

===Arrow Shaft===
*'''The shaft must be made of fibreglass or wood. Carbon fibre, aluminium and dowel are not allowed'''
*'''The shaft must not be cracked or damaged'''
*'''Flights must be adequate to keep the arrow stable in flight and must be properly attached to the shaft'''
*'''The shaft must have a proper nock which is securely attached'''
*'''Arrows must have a maximum draw position of 28” clearly marked if the possible draw length is greater than 28”'''
{{CaptionedImage|file=Arrow2.png|width=500|align=right|caption=Acceptable Arrow Head Design}}
===Arrowhead===
*'''The arrowhead must be securely attached and not move on the shaft'''
*'''The arrowhead must be at least 50mm across and have a circular cross-section'''
*'''The soft foam portion of the arrowhead must open cell foam (often called furniture or upholstery foam), be at least 25mm at the thickest point and must collapse fully under firm pressure (so there must be no latex within 5-10 mm of the face)'''
*'''The arrowhead must have some kind of blocker between the shaft and the foam of the arrowhead to stop the shaft pushing through'''
*'''Domed arrowheads are allowed as long as the width of the widest part of the soft foam dome, and the foam behind it are of the appropriate thickness'''

Empire arrowheads must be made using a three part construction, with a robust blocker between the shaft and the foam of the arrowhead, follow by dense solid foam and then a final layer of softer foam which must be at least 25mm at the thickest point. This foam must be soft enough to collapse under pressure, but firm that it provides some resistance to pressure. This means it must be open cell foam (often called furniture or upholstery foam) - anything less dense/softer risks being failed by our weapon checkers.
{{CaptionedImage|file=IDV.jpg|height=200|align=right|caption=IDV tear-drop arrows are not allowed}}

===Not Acceptable===
* '''IDV tear-drop arrows are not usable at our events'''
* '''Archery Tag screw-on arrowheads are not usable at our events'''

IDV tear-drop arrows and archery tag screw-on arrowheads are not acceptable at any Profound Decisions events.

==Shields==
Please take care when using shields in melee combat. You must not use the shield as a weapon.
For events currently you will able to use shields with a rigid former at Empire. We will be monitoring rigid shields on an ongoing basis and it is possible that they may be removed as an option in future years.
Therefore if you are making or buying new shields we strongly recommend you use a foam and latex shield.
*'''A rigid former may currently be used during Empire events, but shields should preferably be of full-foam construction'''
*'''If you use a rigid former then there must be at least 6mm of high-density foam on the face and no protruding bolts'''
*'''The rim must be padded all round. Note that pipe lagging will quickly degrade will likely be insufficient after a relatively short time'''
*'''Handles must be securely fixed so that they do not cause the shield to “flap” from the arm/ hand'''
*'''Wing nuts must not be used to secure straps and any protruding bolts must be cut short'''

==Armour==
Your armour must also be checked.

* '''The armour should not have any sharp burrs or edges or any sharp protrusions'''
* '''Mail should not include unclosed links that allow sharp edges to be felt'''
* '''The armour should not have any loose studs or rivets'''
* '''The armour must not have any solid steel tower studs'''

The armour must have no sharp edges that could damage other player's weapons. The edges do not have to be rolled, but if they are not then they do have to be filed smooth.

==Thrust safe polearms==
You may only thrust with a weapon that has been passed as ‘thrust-safe’ by a Profound Decisions weapons checker at that event.'''
*'''Construction must combine a low-density foam tip with a high-density spear head'''
*'''Specific construction guidelines will be forthcoming'''

==Props==
Battle props are items that are present in combat, but are not used as weapons. As they do not conform to the regulations that govern weapons and shields they must not be used for offence or active defence. As they are likely to be present in combat they must not have any extremely sharp protrusions. Otherwise they must be removed from the combat preferably in an out of the way area.

All weapons and implements taken onto a battlefield must have been passed by a weapon checker. You cannot use a wooden staff as a mage staff, or a wooden stick as a wand on a battlefield, even if you do not intend to hit anyone with it.

==Banned items==
The following items cannot be used at Empire events, either for reasons of safety or because they are unsuitable for the campaign. The traders are permitted to sell these items but only on the condition that they are collected at the end of the event. You must not carry these items on site in an IC area.
*'''Real weapons, including bayonets, re-enactment weapons and any sort of non-replica firearm'''
*'''Modern or futuristic items such as chainswords or power armour as well as novelty items such as inflatable hammers and bananas, rubber or plastic combat knives, nerf guns etc.'''
*'''No fireworks or pyrotechnics of any sort may be brought onto the site without the prior permission of Profound Decisions'''
*'''Injection-moulded weapons will be treated on a case-by- case basis, as although they tend to soften up with use, some may be too heavy or too hard'''
{{Safety Links}}

Varushka look and feel

2024-04-15T15:43:02Z

Cyph:

{{CaptionedImage|file=A Collective Noun of Varushkans.png|align=left|width=600|caption=Varushkan dress is practical, but made from rich cloth beautifully embroidered.}}
==Overview==
'''Dour, stern, uncompromising, wise, cunning, prosperous, rich, powerful.'''<br>
Varushkans like to display their wealth in their costume. Clothes are usually practical and well made but are made from cloth dyed in bright colours and then intricately embroidered with a dark thread. The use of fur is common, on cloaks, robes and mantles in a range of colours and styles.

Armour and weapons are always solid and well made. For most they are practical pieces made to serve, but the wealthiest Varushkans use ornate designs that serve to strike fear into their enemies. Talismans are widespread, used to help ward off evil.

''Also see [[Varushka costumes]] and [[Varushka culture and customs#Icons and Artistry|icons and artistry]].''

==Breakdown==
<big>'''Influences</big><br>
Rus and Slavic costume.

<big>'''Materials</big><br>
Fabrics are usually a single colour, suitable for embroidery or decoration. Poorer Varushkans use practical and hard wearing materials like wool, felt, heavy cotton, leather - but the fabric is less important than the decoration. Fur is common, but is usually reserved for trim.

<big>'''Colours</big><br>
Bright vibrant colours predominate, with white, decorated with brightly coloured embroidery also common.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Varushka colours.png|width=400align=right}}

==Clothing==
The most common Varushkan costume is a white shirt, tunic or dress, often white or a light colour. This is usually intricately embroidered on the hems, red is traditional but other bright contrasting colours are seen. Garments are sometimes made from wool, but most Varushkans prefer a lighter material. These can be worn in layers for warmth, commonly with different garments in contrasting colours. Warm shawls in bright colours are handed down through families.

Varushkans of all genders frequently wear plain coloured “hero trousers”, baggy down to just past the knee then strapped to the leg. Trousers may be plain or brightly dyed but are usually made from fabric of a single colour; the strapping is another opportunity for a bright contrasting colour, embroidery or both. Coats are more common than cloaks. The traditional coat has an asymmetric overlap across the chest, is nipped in at the waist but flares out below the waist to a full ‘skirt’. The wealthiest wear coats in bright strong colours often with fur trim or embroidered hems. If dresses are worn they tend to have full, layered skirts, often with added aprons.

For jewellery the most common material is amber and silver. Hunters carry amulets and talismans designed to protect them from the monsters that might otherwise hunt them in turn.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Scandal in Skoremujac.png
Troubled in Triosk.jpg
I'd Apologise But I'm Right.jpg
Wand Drum and Eagle.jpg
Kostjya6881.png
This Aunty Brings Agony.jpg
Sitting in Srodkoja.jpg
Dancing in Delev.jpg
Walking in Wieliczka.jpg
Perturbed in Perumaki.jpg
Vladimir in Volodmartz.jpg
Vesna the Vendor.jpg
Yulia's Reaction.jpg
Logging That For Later.jpg
</gallery>

===Decoration and Embroidery===
Fur is used extensively to trim garments of all kinds including armour. When trims are added it tends to be in bands of colour around the upper arms and hems. The most distinctive feature of Varushkan costume is the intricate embroidery that provides a strong contrast. Embroidery stands out as a mark of the wearer’s wealth - and is most commonly seen in bands and hems not across whole garments.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Cheerful Changeling Kalina.jpg
And They Were Roommates.jpg
Double Decoration.jpg
Beautiful Flowery Embroidery.jpg
Fur Trimmed Hat but the Belt is Too High.jpg
Excellently Embellished Embroidery.jpg
</gallery>

===Hats===
Varushkan hats may be simple embroidered round caps trimmed with fur (you can find a simple tutorial for making this kind of hat [[How to - Make a fur hat|here]]), kokoshnik in the appropriate colours, or else pointed caps that fold over the head.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Naga Boyar with an Excellent Kokoshnik.jpg
Decorated Blue Hat with a cheeky collar.jpg
Bee on the Bonnet.jpg
Worthy Woollen Warden.jpg
A Suspected Criminal and a Superlative Hat.jpg
Emerald Hat.jpg
</gallery>

===Wise Ones===
Wise ones have a distinctive look which marks them out from other Varushkans. They receive a lot of gifts from the people they help and many people choose to give hair locks in return for luck and answers. The Wise Ones might braid these into their own hair, or wear them in bunches on belts or tied to staves. Other talismans and totems similarly given are similarly incorporated into hair or clothing or worn as jewellery. Many Wise Ones will know the story of each talisman they wear.

Wise Ones also tend to wear blindfolds when they are conducting official business, and for some their blindfolds become an iconic part of their costume worn as head band or stole. They often make the most traditional of choices - long wrapover coats in the favourite colours of Varushka are common, and many take a ritualised approach to ageing - emphasising crow's feet around the eyes with colours, drawing attention to white streaks in the hair - even clothing is sometimes retained, patched and repatched to show its age.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
I See What You're Doing.jpg
Who Turned Out the Lights?.jpg
Vartansy2.jpg
</gallery>

===Volhovs===
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Venturing Volhov.jpg
Considering Volhov.jpg
</gallery>

==Weapons and Armour==
===Armour===
The traditional Varushkan armour worn by the schlacta, the professional soldiers, is tightly woven scale or lamellar. It is as likely to be leather as metal. Splinted greaves and vambraces are common. Helms usually rise to a point, often with a plume.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Plumed Schlacta.jpg
Something Kliqs.jpg
Patrolling Schlacta.jpg
Something Appears to be Wrong.jpg
Supportive Schlacta.jpg
The Runes Protect.jpg
Briar Schlacta with a nice Hat.jpg
</gallery>

===Boyars===
Warrior Boyars often wear the traditional lamellar armour but with more complete coverage and supplemented with hardened leather or plate on the fore-arms and legs. A few wear plate that has a simple design but is intricately decorated with the tooled plate emphasising the strength and power of the wearer to make them appear darker and more intimidating.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Tooled Up Boyar.jpg
Gleeful Boyar.jpg
Impressed Boyar.jpg
Protective Boyar.jpg
</gallery>

===Shields===
Plain round shields are common. Bucklers are occasionally used but most warriors prefer the superior protection that a shield offers.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Pensive Varushkans.jpg
This Varushkan Doesn't Buckle.jpg
What's That on the Road.jpg
Varushkan Roadblock.jpg
Victorious Varushka.jpg
Readied Schlacta.jpg
</gallery>

===Weapons===
[[Varushka_military_concerns#Schlacta|Schlacta]], [[Varushka_military_concerns#Wagon_Raiders_and_Sell_Swords|wagon raiders and sell-swords]], the Varushkan professional warriors, use heavy weapons of
war such as broad swords, war axes and bardiches. The woodsman’s axe is a common weapon for many other Varushkans.

==Children==
Costume for Varushkan children follows the traditional styles and emphasis on bright colours.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
VarushkanChild1.jpg
VarushkanCostume2.jpg
</gallery>

==Animals and Runes==
Varushkans often use [[Varushka_religious_beliefs#The Virtuous Animals|animal symbols]] and runes to express virtues in their storytelling and artwork.
<gallery heights=150 mode="packed">
VarushkaBear.jpg|The bear represents [[Courage]]
VarushkaBee.jpg|The bee represents [[Prosperity]]
VarushkaBoar.jpg|The boar represents [[Courage]]
VarushkaStag.jpg|The deer represents [[Pride]]
VarushkaEagle.jpg|The eagle represents [[Pride]]
VarushkaFox.jpg|The fox represents [[Ambition]]
VarushkaGoose.jpg|The goose represents [[Vigilance]]
VarushkaHound.jpg|The hound represents [[Loyalty]]
VarushkaSpider.jpg|The spider represents [[Vigilance]] and [[Wisdom]]
VarushkaSquirrel.jpg|The squirrel represents [[Wisdom]]
</gallery>

==Inappropriate Costume==
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]]

*Varushka is not a catch all culture for all things cool and Eastern European/Russian. It would be surprising to find short braided cavalry jackets (eg Hussar's jackets) worn by Varushkans rather than the long swirling coats they favour.
*Similarly big fur hats and tiny waistcoats - Cossack style - are not commonly worn and neither are Cossack dances a common form of Varushkan entertainment.
* It may seem a short step from some of the costume guidance and the cold of Varushkan lands to Vikings and then to Thor's Hammer symbols. As Thor doesn't exist in the world of Empire the iconic symbol (much like the Christian Cross in Highguard) is best avoided where possible.

{{Varushka Links}}

Wintermark look and feel

2024-04-15T15:40:41Z

Cyph: /* Images to avoid */ Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines

{{CaptionedImage|file=Winterfolk.jpg|caption=Most halls in Wintermark have members from all three traditions.|align=left|width=400}}
==Overview==
The Wintermark look is rugged and practical but strives to express the wearer's individuality. Each of the three traditions - [[Kallavesi]], [[Steinr]], and [[Suaq]] - has their own style of dress and way of expressing this unique personality. Sometimes minor elements of one tradition's style will be used by another, especially where a character has embraced an [[archetype]] more often associated with a different tradition (for example, the [[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Runesmiths|runesmith]] magical path is strongly associated with the Steinr, and Suaq or Kallavesi magicians who embrace it often include elements of a more Steinr style in their day-to-day garb). Regardless of these accents, it is generally a matter of pride for the people of Wintermark to demonstrate the style of their chosen tradition as strongly as possible.

Winterfolk art tends to be intricate and detailed. Stone, metal and wood are carved with [[runes]], so crafters can show off their skills. The people of Wintermark use bright scarlet for things like banners because they can be seen for miles through snow and atop mountainsides.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark Warriors.jpg|caption=Wintermark Warriors of all traditions value thick leather armour, often worn over chain.|align=left|width=400}}

==General Breakdown==
'''Feel:''' Iron, hard, firm, strong, unmoving, earnest, well-crafted, perfectionist (Steinr), practical (Suaq), dreamer (Kallavesi), individual, heroic.<br><br>
The look of Wintermark is much more varied than that of some other nations due to the presence of the three traditions. Regardless of which tradition someone follows, however, certain traditional elements remain widespread through the entire nation. The differences between the three traditions are expressed in the way they add to and adorn this basic style.

The traditional costume for Winterfolk of any tradition is either a thigh-length tunic of linen or wool worn over trousers, or a close-fitting dress. In case, trousers are close fitting, often with wrappings ankle to knee.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark Clothing.jpg|caption=Thigh-length tunics, tight or wrapped trousers, and tight<br>fitting dresses are popular regardless of tradition.|align=right|width=275}}
The Viking apron dress exists but is considered slightly old fashioned.

On the battlefield, Winterfolk favour heavy, layered armour with thick leather plates over chain. Only the Steinr make extensive use of shields, generally favouring round shields. Tear-drop shaped kite shields are also popular and provide an acceptable alternative to those who desire more full-body protection. Suaq and Kallavesi warriors tend to eschew shields altogether in favour of two-handed weapons, especially bows (for the Suaq) and spears (for the Kallavesi).

Weapons vary by tradition and individual choice, but are usually marked with [[runes]]. It is also common for Winterfolk - especially those of the Kallavesi tradition - to incorporate bird imagery into their day-to-day garb as [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Birds_and_feathers|birds hold a special place]] in Wintermark culture.

''Also see [[Wintermark Costumes]] and [[Wintermark Culture and Customs#Icons and Artistry|Wintermark Icons and Artistry]].''

==Kallavesi==
* '''Influences:''' The Kallavesi tradition draws on images from Finland, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalevala Kalevala], and the Crannogmen from ''Game of Thrones''. As bog-dwelling shamans, their look is heavily informed by their [[mystic]] customs.
* '''Materials:''' Homespun checked wool, linen, fur, leather, wood and wicker, polished semi-precious stones.
* '''Colours:''' Greys, duns, moss, smoke, with occasional bright flashes of colour. Dark feathers, especially black feathers.
Kallavesi clothing consists of the standard Wintermark thigh-length tunic over tight trousers. Garments use drab colours that would not stand out against the bogs of the [[Kallavesa]] marshlands, and the fabrics used tend to be heavier and coarser than those used by Suaq or Steinr. Their clothing often includes a heavy cloak of wool or fur, often with a hood, designed to offer protection from the elements.

Feathers are a common decoration, especially the feathers of crows and ravens. The Kallavesi are even more likely than the typical Winterfolk to work feathers, avian bones, and bird imagery into their dress, in preference to runes or other animals. Fur - with the fur side facing out - is commonly used as an embellishment.

The Kallavesi are a tradition rooted in deep mysticism, and it is very common for even the most prosaic among them to wear personal totems, fetishes, and amulets with spiritual or magical significance. Masks are very common, usually depicting a favoured animal, especially a bird.
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Savik Summerstorm.jpg|width=245}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=StormcrowEldeen.jpg|title=A traditional tunic, and drab colours, mark this as Kallavesi even without to painting around the eyes and the feathered head dress.|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-130524-3744.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark Bones.jpg|width=250}}
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===Kallavesi Warriors===
Kallavesi warriors favour leather and fur armour (both [[Weapons_%26_armour#Light_Armour|light]] and [[Weapons_%26_armour#Medium_Armour|medium]]). When they want [[Weapons_%26_armour#Heavy_Armour|heavier armour]], they favour leather or fur over mail. As with their clothing, armour is commonly decorated with feathers and beads. An animal headdress is sometimes worn as a helmet, sometimes in addition to more traditional head protection.

For weapons Kallavesi favour axes (especially [[Weapons_%26_armour#Polearms|long axes]]), staves, and fishing spears (often two-handed spears). Many carry an all-purpose gutting knife as a practical tool and for dispatching fallen opponents.

Kallavesi warriors rarely make use of shields. When they do they favour small wicker bucklers over the bulkier round- or tear-drop shields favoured by the Steinr.
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Eska.jpg|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=WinterWarriors.jpg |width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kallavesi Warrior.jpg |width=425}}
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===Kallavesi Images===
This gallery contains images of Kallavesi characters taken from Empire events.
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Winter Stormcrow.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kallavesi Cambion.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kallavesi Axe.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kallavesi Beads.jpg|title=Decorative beads are a fine addition to any Kallavesi costume.|width=278}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Kallavesi Striding.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kallavesi Mystic.jpg|title=The mask worn by the central figure is quite stylised for a Kallavesi (an individual touch appropriate to a mystic), but the mantle of bird feathers is an excellent look.|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Talvi.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kallavesi Naga.jpg|width=250}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140420-6722.jpg|width=200}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kallavesi Hatchet Warrior.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=KallavesiPainting.jpg|width=250}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Woodland Kallavesi.jpg|width=500}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=MysticFeathers.jpg|title=Feathers are wound into the hair to gain mystic insight.|width=500}}
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</div>

==Steinr==
* '''Influences:''' Saxons, Rohirrim, Tolkien’s Dwarves, Beowulf (2005), the Nords of Skyrim.
* '''Materials:''' Metals, furs, leather, stone, woollen cloth; richer fabrics may be appropriate for high status Thanes.
* '''Colours:''' Dark shades of green, blue, red and brown, also dark metals – iron, coppers, bronze.
As with the other traditions, the Steinr favour a thigh-length tunic over tight trousers. While still remaining practical, Steinr clothing is designed to show off the owner’s wealth. It may be dyed a bright colour (espcially bold reds), be intricately embroidered or have decorated hems in a contrasting colour or material. Steinr tunics may be layered to show off hems that are decorated with a contrasting fabric or braid. [http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4255154176/ch0000155 Theoden’s costume from Lord of the Rings] shows the sort of outfit a wealthy or powerful Steinr might wear to display their prosperity - the tunic is made from a rich, intricately embroidered fabric.

Steinr enjoy wearing jewellery as another way to display their prosperity, with torcs and cloak pins being very popular. Silver and bronze are as popular as gold when it comes to Steinr jewellery - it is often the fine craftsmanship that attracts a Steinr rather than the monetary value of a piece.

Almost anything a Steinr owns might be inscribed, embroidered, or painted with one or more [[runes]]. The Steinr consider themselves the originator of the magical runes, and even the most prosaic is likely to trace or evoke one to aid them in a certain task.
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Hooded Steinr.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Well Dressed Steinr.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140418-5800.jpg|width=250}}
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===Steinr Warriors===
The Steinr have a strong warrior culture, and the Rohirrim from ''Lord of the Rings'' epitomise the look of their warriors. Armour is usually layered, with leather (or less commonly plate) worn over mail. The armour is often intricately tooled and embellished, again proudly displaying the wealth of the wearer. Conformity and uniformity are considered slightly distasteful by many Steinr - each considers themselves a heroic champion of their people and displays this individuality through their weapons and armour.

On the battlefield Steinr favour long swords, spears (both [[Weapons_%26_armour#One-handed_Spear|one-]] and [[Weapons_%26_armour#Polearms|two-handed]]), and [[Weapons_%26_armour#Great_weapons|Dane axes]]. Their weapons are heavy and practical, and as with everything else almost invariably decorated with runes.

When fighting with a one-handed weapon, the Steinr favour round shields, although tear-drop shaped kite shields are not uncommon.
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{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140525-7513.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Heavy Steinr Shield Warriors.jpg|width=550}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=WintermarkChangeling.jpg|width=250}}
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===Steinr Images===
This gallery contains images of Steinr characters taken from Empire events.
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Steinr Scop.jpg|title=Steinr Scop|width=230}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=ArmourWintermark.jpg|width=230}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140418-5794.jpg|width=230}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Alethea Dun-Aer.jpg|width=230|title=Steinr Thane at home with her hounds.}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Curse Coin.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Steinr Pair.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Decorated Leather.jpg|title=Leather armour is often tooled or decorated with intricate designs to show the wearer's weatlh.|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Ranulf Six-Lives.jpg|align=left|width=250}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140525-7515.jpg|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140525-7526.jpg|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=WintermarkBannerman.jpg|width=300}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark-3184.jpg|width=225|title=Armour by Idiom Productions, Horse Shield by Skian Mhor}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=WinterSteinr4.jpg|width=250|title=Armour by Idiom Productions}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140525-7512.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Sad Osric.jpg|title=A straightforward "soft kit" look for a Steinr with a rich coloured tunic under leather.|width=250}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Bannerbearer.jpg|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Hadand Dunwulf.jpg|width=425}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Chain Steinr.jpg|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Steinr Archers.jpg|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Steinr Coterie.jpg|width=400}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Fine Helmet.jpg|width=400}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Leather over chain.jpg|width=200}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Steinr Warriors.jpg|width=400}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Furred_Cloak.png|title=Bold colours, and a fur mantled cloak demonstrate prosperity.|width=175}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Thane Thanmir Hrafnar.jpg|title=This wealthy thane can afford expensive dyes and fine embroidery. Note the bird motif.|width=200}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Steinr Changeling.jpg|title=Leather armour over knee-length tunic.|width=200}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Going Somewhere.jpg|width=200}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Dour Steinr.png|title=Steinr wear heavy leather over chain in battle.|width=190}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark3.jpg|width=250|title=Costume by Jo Perridge}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark Draughir.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Winterfolk Briar.jpg|width=250}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark Weaponry.jpg|width=600}}
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</div>

==Suaq==
* '''Influences:''' Think of Sami reindeer herders and Inuit; independent scouts and hunters.
* '''Materials:''' Furs and hides, ivory, scrimshaw carved bone items.
* '''Colours:''' Light, washed out tones of cream, ivory, taupe, pale grey.
In addition to the thigh-length tunic, a Suaq commonly wears a heavy coat - an iconic piece of clothing for this tradition. These heavy coats protect them against the cold and the elements, and have become a symbol of their independence and self-reliance. Commonly made of reindeer and seal skin, they are turned fur side in for warmth. Ideally, the heavy fur coats are richly decorated with important symbols — designs of animals and symbols of enemies a warrior has killed are common as are the ubiquitous [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Birds_and_feathers|bird]] images and [[runes]] common to all Winterfolk.

While the traditional coat is heavy leather and fur-lined, in warmer climates, the coats may be lighter leather. In the imperial heartland in summer, sensible Suaq may choose to wear linen or canvas versions.

Jewelry is not unknown but tends to be more discreet than that favoured by the Steinr or even the Kallavesi. Shiny metal attracts attention and is often seen as at odds with the Suaq's role as hunters. Rather than metal torcs, rings, or bangles Suaq favour more natural materials - intricately tooled leather bracers, ivory or bone ornaments, feathers, and painted or engraved beads.
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Suaq Birds.jpg|title=Suaq often paint animals (in this case birds) onto their clothing.|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Suaq with Flute.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oona Sherarding.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Two Suaq.jpg|width=250}}
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===Suaq Warriors===
Like the Kallavesi, Suaq warriors prefer leather armour for general use, and don mail shirts when they need heavier (and more restrictive) protection. As with their coats, Suaq paint their armour with symbolic designs of animals.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Suaq favour traditional hunting weapons. They are the Winterfolk who make the most use of [[Weapons_%26_armour#Bows|bows]], and they favour both [[Weapons_%26_armour#One-handed_Spear|one-]] and [[Weapons_%26_armour#Polearms|two-handed]]) spears in melee. Some also make use of staves, which serve the dual purpose of being weapons and aiding in crossing treacherous ice or snow.

It is uncommon for a Suaq to carry a shield, but when they do they favour leather stretched over wood frames or practical round wooden shields.
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Suaq Warrior.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark Medium Armour.jpg|title=Richly decorated heavy leather armour worn by a Suaq archer.|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=an Archmage of Spring.jpg|title=Suaq paint their leather coats with images of animals and spirits.|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140420-0913.jpg|width=250}}
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===Suaq Images===
This gallery contains images of Suaq characters taken from Empire events.
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
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{{CaptionedImage|file=KiviuqSnowEagle.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Thane Jag.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Suaq Coat.jpg|title=Acrylic paint used to decorate the base coat with spirit animals.|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Painted Coat.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=SuaqNaga.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Suaq Ensemble.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Suaq Coats.jpg|width=500}}
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</div>
{{CaptionedImage|file=birds.png|align=right|width=200}}

==Icons and Artistry==
There are no official or standard symbols for the Wintermark virtuous birds. Individual crafters are free to create their own sigils to reflect the virtue of a bird they are depicting. However you are welcome to use the beautiful designs created by Susan Cook which are available as [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/resources/downloads/birds.ai a vector file] or as [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/resources/downloads/birds.pdf a .pdf].

==Wintermark Magicians==
Each of the three traditions has their own [[Wintermark magical traditions|magical heritage]]. Any Wintermark magician might embrace any one of these paths, but they tend to be drawn towards the approach that matches their tradition. Where they follow a different path, they often combine elements of their tradition and their magical approach to create a unique look.
<br><br>'''Runesmith'''<br>
[[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Runesmiths|Runesmiths]] are a predominantly Steinr tradition. Even more so than other Winterfolk characters, their possessions will be marked with the powerful magical runes that are the focus of their study.
<br><br>'''Mystic'''<br>
[[Mystic|Mystics]] are primarily drawn from the Kallavesi tradition. Most supplement their tradition's iconic costume with an animal headdress decorated with feathers and fur.
<br><br>'''Icewalker'''<br>
The Suaq make up the majority of the savy [[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Icewalkers|icewalkers]]. They wear clothing appropriate to their tradition but supplemented with jewellery and amulets. Unlike runesmiths, their magical accoutrements are more likely to be adorned with stylised animals or symbols of a person nature with only a scattering of runes. Non-Suaq Icewalkers may adopt the Suaq tradition of painting animals on their mage armour or clothing.
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Suaq at Ease.jpg|title=This Suaq's Runesmith's costume includes accents drawing on Steinr imagery - not the wide belt marked with runes.|caption=Suaq Runesmith|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Mystic with Staff.jpg|caption=Mystic|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark Magician.jpg|caption=Dramaturgist|width=250}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Mystic Mantle.jpg|caption=Kallavesi Mystic|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kallavesi Magicians.jpg|caption=Kallavesi Magicians|width=350}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark Magicians.jpg|title=A Steinr and a Kallavesi, wearing mage armour with staves.|width=350|caption=Steinr and Kallavesi magicians}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Suaq Icemage.jpg|width=350|caption=Suaq Icewalker}}
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==Wintermark Priests==
In general, priests of Wintermark dress like the people they live alongside and counsel.

Those who embrace the path of the [[Wintermark Religious Beliefs|stormcrow]] wear a traditional ragged, heavy cloak and a costume adorned with tatters of material and fetishes. Even stormcrows who are not of the Kallavesi tradition are likely to incorporate some elements of the mystic look into their costume - especially when it comes to feathers and ceremonial masks.
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Masked Winterfolk Priest.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Arhan.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Kallavesi Stormcrow.jpg|width=250}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Beodun Snowlock.png|title=Steinr priest on the battlefield.|width=500}}
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==Wintermark Children==
Children generally dress in the same style as their parents, at least until they are old enough to express a preference for one tradition or another. Even before they have passed their Citizenship tests, some Winterfolk children feel drawn enough to a tradition that differs from that of their parents to favour dressing as if they were already a member.
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Gift_of_Learning.jpg|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Dun-Aer_Family.jpg|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=WintermarkDrummer.jpg|width=350}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Tiny Winterfolk.jpg|width=250}}
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==Camps==
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark Banner.jpg|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Steinr Suaq Suaq.png|title=A Steinr (left) and two Suaq (right) relaxing in camp.|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Two Grimnir.jpg|title=Two Grimnir, a Kallavesi and a Steinr Draughir.|width=350}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Quiet Camp.jpg|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark Open Tent.jpg|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Lumi's Tea House.jpg|width=350}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Steinr and Kallavesis.jpg|title=A Steinr between two Kallavesi.|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Wooden Tree.jpg|width=350|title=The Scop’s Tree - A totem crafted by mystics to inspire the Mark with the stories and names of its heroes}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Friendly Competition.jpg|title=Friendly competition, such as this Steinr spear-wrestling, is common in Wintermark.|width=350}}
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==Inappropriate Costume==
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]]

An LRP setting is defined as much by what you leave out as by what you include. In defining the Wintermark look we have actively chosen to exclude some elements. Please do not use any of the images or looks seen in this section. In particular please note that the Winterfolk were inspired by Saxons rather than Vikings and the setting does not include longships and the associated imagery.
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<span3>===Avoid: Hero pants===
The ideal Wintermark trousers are tight, not baggy. The more Viking or Rus style hero pants are perfect for Varushka. It's perfectly acceptable to wear hero pants in Wintermark, it is simply that they are more suited to [[Varushka]].</span3>
<span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=VarushkanCostume5.jpg|width=200|align=left|title=Costume by Robert Albrecht <br/> Picture taken by Daniel Wolfen}}</span3>
<span3>===Avoid: Thor’s hammer===
Thor’s Hammers have become as evocative and iconic as a crucifix. They are irrevocably associated with Thor, a deity who does not exist in the Empire game setting, so please avoid this specific piece of jewellery.</span3>
<span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=HammerOfThor.jpg|width=200|align=left}}</span3>
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<span4>===Avoid: Horned helmets===
The Steinr draw their inspiration from traditional Saxon imagery as well as the Rohirrim, rather than the Vikings. In particular horned helmets, like the one shown, are completely inappropriate for the nation.</span4>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Horned Helmet.jpg|width=230}}
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{{Wintermark Links}}

Varushka look and feel

2024-04-15T15:39:41Z

Cyph: /* Things you're unlikely to see */ Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines

{{CaptionedImage|file=A Collective Noun of Varushkans.png|align=left|width=600|caption=Varushkan dress is practical, but made from rich cloth beautifully embroidered.}}
==Overview==
'''Dour, stern, uncompromising, wise, cunning, prosperous, rich, powerful.'''<br>
Varushkans like to display their wealth in their costume. Clothes are usually practical and well made but are made from cloth dyed in bright colours and then intricately embroidered with a dark thread. The use of fur is common, on cloaks, robes and mantles in a range of colours and styles.

Armour and weapons are always solid and well made. For most they are practical pieces made to serve, but the wealthiest Varushkans use ornate designs that serve to strike fear into their enemies. Talismans are widespread, used to help ward off evil.

''Also see [[Varushka costumes]] and [[Varushka culture and customs#Icons and Artistry|icons and artistry]].''

==Breakdown==
<big>'''Influences</big><br>
Rus and Slavic costume.

<big>'''Materials</big><br>
Fabrics are usually a single colour, suitable for embroidery or decoration. Poorer Varushkans use practical and hard wearing materials like wool, felt, heavy cotton, leather - but the fabric is less important than the decoration. Fur is common, but is usually reserved for trim.

<big>'''Colours</big><br>
Bright vibrant colours predominate, with white, decorated with brightly coloured embroidery also common.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Varushka colours.png|width=400align=right}}

==Clothing==
The most common Varushkan costume is a white shirt, tunic or dress, often white or a light colour. This is usually intricately embroidered on the hems, red is traditional but other bright contrasting colours are seen. Garments are sometimes made from wool, but most Varushkans prefer a lighter material. These can be worn in layers for warmth, commonly with different garments in contrasting colours. Warm shawls in bright colours are handed down through families.

Varushkans of all genders frequently wear plain coloured “hero trousers”, baggy down to just past the knee then strapped to the leg. Trousers may be plain or brightly dyed but are usually made from fabric of a single colour; the strapping is another opportunity for a bright contrasting colour, embroidery or both. Coats are more common than cloaks. The traditional coat has an asymmetric overlap across the chest, is nipped in at the waist but flares out below the waist to a full ‘skirt’. The wealthiest wear coats in bright strong colours often with fur trim or embroidered hems. If dresses are worn they tend to have full, layered skirts, often with added aprons.

For jewellery the most common material is amber and silver. Hunters carry amulets and talismans designed to protect them from the monsters that might otherwise hunt them in turn.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Scandal in Skoremujac.png
Troubled in Triosk.jpg
I'd Apologise But I'm Right.jpg
Wand Drum and Eagle.jpg
Kostjya6881.png
This Aunty Brings Agony.jpg
Sitting in Srodkoja.jpg
Dancing in Delev.jpg
Walking in Wieliczka.jpg
Perturbed in Perumaki.jpg
Vladimir in Volodmartz.jpg
Vesna the Vendor.jpg
Yulia's Reaction.jpg
Logging That For Later.jpg
</gallery>

===Decoration and Embroidery===
Fur is used extensively to trim garments of all kinds including armour. When trims are added it tends to be in bands of colour around the upper arms and hems. The most distinctive feature of Varushkan costume is the intricate embroidery that provides a strong contrast. Embroidery stands out as a mark of the wearer’s wealth - and is most commonly seen in bands and hems not across whole garments.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Cheerful Changeling Kalina.jpg
And They Were Roommates.jpg
Double Decoration.jpg
Beautiful Flowery Embroidery.jpg
Fur Trimmed Hat but the Belt is Too High.jpg
Excellently Embellished Embroidery.jpg
</gallery>

===Hats===
Varushkan hats may be simple embroidered round caps trimmed with fur (you can find a simple tutorial for making this kind of hat [[How to - Make a fur hat|here]]), kokoshnik in the appropriate colours, or else pointed caps that fold over the head.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Naga Boyar with an Excellent Kokoshnik.jpg
Decorated Blue Hat with a cheeky collar.jpg
Bee on the Bonnet.jpg
Worthy Woollen Warden.jpg
A Suspected Criminal and a Superlative Hat.jpg
Emerald Hat.jpg
</gallery>

===Wise Ones===
Wise ones have a distinctive look which marks them out from other Varushkans. They receive a lot of gifts from the people they help and many people choose to give hair locks in return for luck and answers. The Wise Ones might braid these into their own hair, or wear them in bunches on belts or tied to staves. Other talismans and totems similarly given are similarly incorporated into hair or clothing or worn as jewellery. Many Wise Ones will know the story of each talisman they wear.

Wise Ones also tend to wear blindfolds when they are conducting official business, and for some their blindfolds become an iconic part of their costume worn as head band or stole. They often make the most traditional of choices - long wrapover coats in the favourite colours of Varushka are common, and many take a ritualised approach to ageing - emphasising crow's feet around the eyes with colours, drawing attention to white streaks in the hair - even clothing is sometimes retained, patched and repatched to show its age.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
I See What You're Doing.jpg
Who Turned Out the Lights?.jpg
Vartansy2.jpg
</gallery>

===Volhovs===
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Venturing Volhov.jpg
Considering Volhov.jpg
</gallery>

==Weapons and Armour==
===Armour===
The traditional Varushkan armour worn by the schlacta, the professional soldiers, is tightly woven scale or lamellar. It is as likely to be leather as metal. Splinted greaves and vambraces are common. Helms usually rise to a point, often with a plume.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Plumed Schlacta.jpg
Something Kliqs.jpg
Patrolling Schlacta.jpg
Something Appears to be Wrong.jpg
Supportive Schlacta.jpg
The Runes Protect.jpg
Briar Schlacta with a nice Hat.jpg
</gallery>

===Boyars===
Warrior Boyars often wear the traditional lamellar armour but with more complete coverage and supplemented with hardened leather or plate on the fore-arms and legs. A few wear plate that has a simple design but is intricately decorated with the tooled plate emphasising the strength and power of the wearer to make them appear darker and more intimidating.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Tooled Up Boyar.jpg
Gleeful Boyar.jpg
Impressed Boyar.jpg
Protective Boyar.jpg
</gallery>

===Shields===
Plain round shields are common. Bucklers are occasionally used but most warriors prefer the superior protection that a shield offers.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Pensive Varushkans.jpg
This Varushkan Doesn't Buckle.jpg
What's That on the Road.jpg
Varushkan Roadblock.jpg
Victorious Varushka.jpg
Readied Schlacta.jpg
</gallery>

===Weapons===
[[Varushka_military_concerns#Schlacta|Schlacta]], [[Varushka_military_concerns#Wagon_Raiders_and_Sell_Swords|wagon raiders and sell-swords]], the Varushkan professional warriors, use heavy weapons of
war such as broad swords, war axes and bardiches. The woodsman’s axe is a common weapon for many other Varushkans.

==Children==
Costume for Varushkan children follows the traditional styles and emphasis on bright colours.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
VarushkanChild1.jpg
VarushkanCostume2.jpg
</gallery>

==Animals and Runes==
Varushkans often use [[Varushka_religious_beliefs#The Virtuous Animals|animal symbols]] and runes to express virtues in their storytelling and artwork.
<gallery heights=150 mode="packed">
VarushkaBear.jpg|The bear represents [[Courage]]
VarushkaBee.jpg|The bee represents [[Prosperity]]
VarushkaBoar.jpg|The boar represents [[Courage]]
VarushkaStag.jpg|The deer represents [[Pride]]
VarushkaEagle.jpg|The eagle represents [[Pride]]
VarushkaFox.jpg|The fox represents [[Ambition]]
VarushkaGoose.jpg|The goose represents [[Vigilance]]
VarushkaHound.jpg|The hound represents [[Loyalty]]
VarushkaSpider.jpg|The spider represents [[Vigilance]] and [[Wisdom]]
VarushkaSquirrel.jpg|The squirrel represents [[Wisdom]]
</gallery>

==Things you're unlikely to see==
*Varushka is not a catch all culture for all things cool and Eastern European/Russian. It would be surprising to find short braided cavalry jackets (eg Hussar's jackets) worn by Varushkans rather than the long swirling coats they favour.
*Similarly big fur hats and tiny waistcoats - Cossack style - are not commonly worn and neither are Cossack dances a common form of Varushkan entertainment.
* It may seem a short step from some of the costume guidance and the cold of Varushkan lands to Vikings and then to Thor's Hammer symbols. As Thor doesn't exist in the world of Empire the iconic symbol (much like the Christian Cross in Highguard) is best avoided where possible.

==Inappropriate Costume==
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]]

{{Varushka Links}}

Urizen look and feel

2024-04-15T15:38:32Z

Cyph: /* Less Appropriate */ Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines

{{ReducedTOC}}
==Overview==
<big>'''Elegant, graceful, serene, refined, poised, focused, subtle'''</big>

The Urizen look draws heavily on classic fantasy images of high elves and scholastic wizards. Robes are common, and most folk wear several layers to protect against the cooler environment of their mountain homes. The nation emphasizes control and poise, and citizens of Urizen try to project a calm, serene exterior. Urizen citizens prize beautiful garments, made from the finest materials available, but they eschew the more flamboyant approach of the League and the Brass Coast, preferring clothing that is exquisitely made rather than ostentatiously adorned.

Most outfits employ light or pastel colours with layered garments in similar shades. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complementary_colors Contrasting or complementary colours] are reserved for highlights or decoration. Some spires keep the Urizen style of layered shades of similar hue but adopt a rich, dark shade like a midnight blue or wine red for the base colour.

Decoration is popular on clothing, weapons, implements and armour but tends to be stylised or even abstract, seeking to express the [[Urizen_hearth_magic#Essence|essence]] of something rather than reproduce it. Complex embroidery of looping spirals, or representations of the [[Urizen_culture_and_customs#Icons_and_Artistry|stars and constellations]] are particularly popular. These are usually in metallic shades or subtle shades designed to complement the whole outfit.
<div style="float: left; width: 25%;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Three Urizeni.jpg|width=100%}}</div>

==Garments and Accessories==
'''Layered Robes:''' The iconic look of Urizen is long robes in layers, with the outer robes typically cut to show off the lower layers underneath. This can be achieved by having an open front or leaving the hems progressively shorter on the outer layers, to create a graduated effect. Often the outer layer of robes will have short, split, or voluminous sleeves (or even be sleeveless) in order to show off closer fitting long sleeves underneath. Lower layers are often fastened close to the body with a belt or sash, allowing the outermost robe to hang loose. Outer layers are often cut to swirl elegantly to emphasise poise.

While the archetypal Urizen robes are floor length, the "Anvil cut" of mid-calf length is popular for Urizen attending summits, since the fields of Anvil are often wet and muddy. Cloaks are sometimes worn for warmth, usually coloured to match the wearer's robes. Heavier or waterproof materials are popular at Anvil.

'''Sash:''' Sashes and belts are used alone, or layered together, both to fasten robes and to add detail to outfits. They are often decorated with Urizen designs that depict sigils, constellations, or runes.
{{CaptionedImage|align=right|file=Urizen_Costume_62.jpg|width=20%}}
'''Spire or Stargazers belt:''' Some Urizen have a long vertical decorative pennant, often heavily embroidered, hanging at the centre from their sash or belt. Each pennant is unique but it is usually referred to as a spire belt if decorated with symbols representing a person's spire or a stargazers belt if decorated with stars or [[Astronomancy#Constellations|constellations]].

'''Trousers:''' When worn, trousers are either tight like leggings, or loose and flowing to look as if they were another underlayer of robes.

'''Hood or Hat:''' A hood is a common way to cover the head in Urizen. They are usually part of a robe; a heavy outer robe with a hood is the ideal way to protect against the cold and the rain. You can also use a wide, flat-brimmed hat (such as a traditional [https://www.google.com/search?q=Petasos&client=firefox-b-d&sxsrf=ALeKk012v8ZF5yX9hIzTh5Ine_JTBOXo7A:1624525208921&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjL3YWA9K_xAhUvAmMBHWDWAKEQ_AUoAXoECAEQBA&biw=1536&bih=711 petasos]). These are usually made of felt, but can be other materials and can have additional fabric draped from the brim to tie the hat on or provide additional shade or decoration.

'''Shawl or Scarf:''' Some Urizen wear a shawl or scarf designed to be pulled up on to the head to shelter it from the elements. It is usually draped over the shoulders when not in use rather than wrapped round the neck. Shawls and scarves are often decorated with designs intended invoke the [[Net of the Heavens]]

'''Jewellery:''' Silver and gold jewellery is common, usually worn around the neck, brow or hair. The ideal pieces are long interlocking chains suggestive of a net. Jeweled circlets representing the power of the will or the mind are also common.
<div style="float: right; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen colour palette.jpg|width=450}}</div>

==Colours and Materials==
'''Base Colours:''' Most individual garments use a single colour, either white, a light shade (such as pale green or pastel yellow), or a rich dark shade (like burgundy or ink blue). Urizeni weavers have mastered the art of using [[Materials#Iridescent_Gloaming|iridescent gloaming]] to create [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ombr%C3%A9 ombré] effects in the most desirable and expensive fabrics.

'''Shades:''' The ideal outfit is composed of pieces belonging to the same colour or colour family, for example four shades of blue ranging from sky through to midnight or two purples paired with two pinks. The emphasis is on elegance and simplicity in colour choice, rather than the brash contrasts of nations such as Dawn, Highguard, or the Brass Coast.

'''Lustrous Fabrics:''' Materials in Urizen are usually plain rather than patterned, aiming to show off the fineness of the cloth itself and any decoration on it. Fabrics are often shiny - satins and silks are popular - with cotton sateen providing a good compromise between sheen and durability. Shot fabrics such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_silk shot silk] and shot dupion are favoured for the iridescent effect they create.

'''Damask:''' Damask, patterned silk, and jacquard are also popular but '''always''' using one colour throughout, so that the pattern subtly catches the light, rather than being bold ornamentation.
<div style="float: right; width: 100%; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;" class="imagegrid">
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen satin pastel.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Shot polyester.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Damask1.JPG}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Damask2.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Pattern1.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Pattern2.jpg}}
</div>
'''Patterned Weaves:''' Although less common than plain materials, fabrics with a subtle pattern using pale colours are used, especially those with a regular geometric pattern.

'''Practical Materials:''' The high mountains of Urizen are cold and finely woven wool of any weight is worn whenever warm costume is needed. Thicker cottons and linen under armour are also common when preparing for battle.

==Gallery==
<fourpicture>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Costume 61.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Senator.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Costume 59.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Costume 67.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Dashing Magician.jpg|title=Urizen Costume}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Costume 17.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Composed Door.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Resolute Stallion.jpg|title=A long robe, belted or buttoned at the waist, hanging from the shoulders, in pastel shades.}}
</fourpicture>

==Battle==
The ideal Urizen armaments are inspired by [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lotr/images/3/39/Gli-Galad_y_Elrond.jpg the aesthetics of the Noldor in Lord of the Rings] and [https://www.pcgamesn.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/total_war_warhammer_2_high_elves_strategy_guide.jpg High Elves warriors in Warhammer Fantasy]. Helms tend to cover the head, with curving sections to protect the face and cheeks while shields and armour are shaped and curved in stylised ways to appear more elegant. Armour may be banded or segmented to emphasise flexibility and ease of movement, while Urizen weapons emphasize grace and speed rather than weight and power.

'''Armour:''' A breastplate that is fluted or decorated with subtle filigree and curved vambraces and greaves to match is the ideal for an Urizen dressing for battle. The armour made of overlapping bands worn by Elrond in Lord of the Rings is also ideal. Mail is an excellent way to cover gaps in the armour, but can also be worn alone, especially if sandwiched between layers of robes.

'''Helm:''' A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbute barbute] with either an open or closed face is ideal for Urizen with its distinctive sweeping curves and strengthening ridge. You could also use a traditional hoplite's helm although the heavy plume is better replaced with something more elegant if you can manage it.

'''Shield:''' Urizen shields should have stylized shapes and be curved to remain close to the body in use. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peltast#pelte historical Pelte] but made of metal is a good starting point. Kite shields, heater shields or round shields are all fine, but the more stylised the shape, the better.

'''Weapons: ''' Swords are favoured in place of axes or maces - the ideal weapons are light and designed for swift graceful movements. The blades used by the elves in the various Lord of the Rings films with their slightly curved blades and intricate decoration are perfect for Urizen. Pole-arms such as spears or glaives are favoured over longer or heavier equivalents like pikes or halberds. Bows are preferable to crossbows, because of the emphasis on graceful movements.

<fourpicture>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Warrior Crop.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Elrond Armour.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Adventurous Urizen Crop.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen_Style.jpg}}
</fourpicture>

==Religion==
Urizen priests draw heavily on the hearth magic of [[Urizen_hearth_magic#Essence|Essence]] to demonstrate their calling and most will adopt a symbol that denotes their approach to the Way. Sashes and stoles are often embroidered or decorated with stylised [[symbols of the Way]]. Jewellery incorporating symbols of the Way are employed in nets worn on the head, short-chained pendants, or broaches worn on the chest, to bring the symbol close to the head, the voice, or the heart respectively. Urizen tradition associates each of the seven virtue with one colour, most commonly seen during their [[Urizen_culture_and_customs#Spring_Flower_Festival|Spring festival of flowers]], but some priests might use that colour as the dominant hue for their layered robes.

[[Astronomancy|Astronomantic constellations]] are some of the most popular symbols in Urizen, but there is no simple relationship between the [[Astronomancy#Stars_and_Virtues|stars and the Virtues]]. As a result, Urizen pilgrims often adopt one or more constellations that are relevant to their specific approach to the Way and use them to decorate their robes. It is also common to see pilgrims carrying scrolls containing a [[Urizen_religious_beliefs#soul_net|soul net]], either rolled up and tied to the belt or in a scroll case hanging from the belt.

==Magic==
More than any other nation, an Urizen should not feel they have to be a [[Magical_skills#Magician|magician]] to make use of magical symbols as part of their costume. Magical symbols are often added to garments, using techniques such as embroidery or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appliqu%C3%A9 appliqué]. [[Astronomancy#Constellations|Constellations]] are more popular than [[runes]] or [[aspect magic|aspects]] and are often mapped out with sequins, gems, or beads made of coloured glass or precious stone.

Mage armour and implements are often decorated with precious stones, semi-precious stones, or crystals, or have magical symbols traced out with filigree. [[Weapons_%26_armour#Implements|Rods, staffs, and wands]] are more likely to be made from metal than wood - most often [[mithril]] - and they are often surmounted with a carefully shaped piece of dark coloured crystal or stone.

[[Urizen_hearth_magic#Illumination|Illumination]] is an important hearth magic in Urizen and implements, jewellery, and even robes sometimes have [[Technology#Lightstones|lightstones]] fused into them to create beautiful patterns of light. More than any other nation, the Urizen are likely to carry a light stone or a device with one or more light stones set into it. Urizen magicians often create ornamental light stones that emit light that scintillates or changes colour.

<fourpicture>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Twilight Pauldrons.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Costume 2.jpeg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Urizen Costume 42.jpg}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Aulus-magician.jpg}}
</fourpicture>

==Outside The Brief==
To define the ideal look and feel for Urizen we have deliberately chosen to exclude some themes. This is important because it helps to create a clear visual aesthetic for the nation. The goal is to make members of the nation visually distinct from the other nations in play and to ensure that the costume guidelines don't become diluted by including ideas for costume from similar sources. We explicitly define some costume ideas and inspirations as not part of the brief for Urizen to make what definitely ''does'' fit the brief clearer and more distinct.

Most things that are not part of a nation's brief are considered to be ''less appropriate'' as they are not not strictly part of the costume brief. This means that you can still use them if you need to but they are not something that you should actively aim for when you are creating or buying something for your Urizen character. Creating a costume is always a compromise as time and money are limited, so it is sensible to use a garment or prop that is ''less appropriate'' if you already own it, if that allows you to focus on improving other parts of your costume.

A few things are explicitly defined as ''inappropriate''. These are things that you should not use when you are in-character at an event, because of the real-world connotations or imagery associated with them. We have deliberately omitted these elements because they are so striking and memorable that it is impossible to see them without thinking of the themes associated with them.

===Less Appropriate===
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]].
<p>

The look and feel of Urizen is heavily inspired by the depictions of high elves in films and games. Some of these visuals are themselves influenced by Asian styles, but the key thing to avoid is creating an entire costume that looks unmistakably Asian or East Asian in origin. A plain kimono or a crossover robe is fine, but adding a traditional [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakama#Kamishimo:_kataginu_and_naga-bakama kataginu] with its wide, pleated shoulder flares on top, or carrying a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana katana], makes the whole ensemble look more specifically like a samurai and thus much ''less appropriate''.

The squared/rectangled-off sleeves of kimonos, or the cupped sleeves of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanfu hanfu] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenyi shenyi], are ''less appropriate'' than a western cut. Likewise, garments made with distinctive East Asian brocades, silks and patterns such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C5%ABzen yuzen] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibori shibori] are ''less appropriate'' then plain pastel fabrics. Again, the overall look is the important thing to consider; a traditionally cut Chinese [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenyi shenyi] with wide sleeves is fine if it's made with Urizeni appropriate fabrics and worn with an elven circlet and a sash embroidered with constellations.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Elven swords.jpg|align=left|width=250|caption=The elven swords in Lord of the Rings fit Urizen better than a katana or similar.}}
If you want a weapon that captures some of the graceful style of East Asian weapons but has a more Urizen feel to it, then the curved blades used by the elves in the Lord of the Rings films are closer to the brief. Although these swords are probably inspired by real-world blades like shamshirs and tulwars - the decoration gives them a character that fits better with Urizen.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_armour Japanese armour] made of scales laced together with silk is also best avoided, but if it is the only armour you have, then you can disguise it by wearing robes over the top. Iconic Asian and East Asian weapons like a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana katana] are also ''less appropriate''. If a katana is the only live roleplaying sword you own then it is ok to use one, but more traditional western weapons are better if you have access to them.

The characters from Asian scripts such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji Kanji], don't have an in-character equivalent in the world of Empire, so as with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runes Futhark] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogham Ogham], costumes and props with them on are ''less appropriate'' than those without.

===Inappropriate===
{{CaptionedImage|align=left|file=Obi.jpg|width=200|caption=Avoid a sash tied in a giant bow like this obi.}}
A sash or belt is an important part of Urizen costume, but the ideal sash is tied with a simple knot and secured at the front or side. Sashes tied with a large, decorative bow such as the kind of obi that is worn with a kimono by Japanese women are inappropriate.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Asian conical hat.jpg|width=200|align=right|caption=Please don't wear an Asian conical hat.}}
Asian conical hats are ''inappropriate'' in Empire. They are unmistakably associated with the Asian region and have often been used to present prejudicial depictions of people from the region. All live roleplaying games adopt costume and imagery from real-world sources, but we want to avoid using elements from other cultures in ways that are disrespectful. Because of this, these hats should not be worn at Empire. We recommend a hood or shawl for Urizen characters, or a wide flat-brimmed hat (such as a a petasos), but you could also wear something inspired by a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pileus_(hat) pileus], or even a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrygian_cap Phrygian cap] if you want to create something else.

A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuto Kabuto] is a helmet that is part of the traditional armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. The iconic version that is uniquely associated with that region has a very distinct crescent attached to the brow which is impossible to mistake for anything else. It is difficult to associate these helmets with anything other than Shogunate Japan so they should not be used at Empire. Likewise, outfits that are iconically tied to historical conflicts from the Asian region like [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsengumi Shinsengumi] are also ''inappropriate''.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huabiao Huabiao] are the traditional ceremonial columns found in Chinese architecture. Their distinctive profile and prominent placement make them emblematic of Chinese culture and they are often found outside tombs. Because of the important religious significance of huabiao, they are ''inappropriate'' as camp dressing and props that are decorated in a similar style are ''less appropriate''. Likewise, the same rules apply to Japanese [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torii Torii] which are also found outside Shinto tombs. Iconic Asian animal iconography like [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_guardian_lions Chinese guardian lions] are ''inappropriate''. Western versions of related iconography like dragons and phoenixes are ideal.

{{Urizen Links}}

The Marches look and feel

2024-04-15T15:37:40Z

Cyph: Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines

{{CaptionedImage|file=Joyous Wassail.jpg|align=left|width=550}}
==Overview==
'''Gritty, solid, practical, traditional, mud, blood, green fields, rural, iron.'''<br>
[[The Marches]] draws strongly on English history from the 12th century through to the War of the Roses for costume, weaponry and armour.

The costume of the Marches has a 'solidity' to it, a worn, lived-in look that contrasts with its neighbour [[Dawn]]'s high romance, gleaming plate and vivid hues. The Marches is Kenneth Brannagh’s Henry V rather than Laurence Olivier’s.

==Breakdown==
<big>'''Influences</big><br>
Wars of the Roses England, Rangers of Ithilien (Beaters), Cadfael (Monks and Landskeepers).

<big>'''Materials</big><br>
Wool, calico, linen, leather.

<big>'''Colours</big><br>
Plain flat colours, mostly the soft colours of natural dyes or unbleached cloth. The palette is autumnal suggesting natural dull blues, greys, browns/rusts, mustards and greens, dull reds etc. especially at the lower end of the social scale. Wealthier Marchers may use deeper, brighter shades.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Marches_colour_scheme.png|width=400align=right}}

==Clothing==
Marchers favour plain clothes, tunics, simple hoods, hose and shirts. Wealthier characters might wear finer robes, cotehardies or a simple doublet, but even then plain wool or heavy linen will be more appropriate than fancy patterns or embroidery. Medieval re-enactments are a great source of inspiration for the look and feel of the Marches territories - although unlike history, its worth noting that Marches society is gender neutral. Marcher leg wear is practical and slim fitting. Close fitting trousers are practical and easy to come by or make. Hose, either joined or split, are worn with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braies braies] and a long shirt. An extremely simple untailored cut for shirts fits the Marches very well: Full in the body and sleeve, possibly gathered at neck and wrist. Doublets are popular in the Marches, a snug-fitting buttoned jacket that is shaped and fitted to the body. It can be worn over the shirt or under another layer of clothing. They tend to be short and simple – fancy slash work doesn't really fit the Marchers practical approach.

A woollen or heavy linen overdress such as a [[kirtle]] or [[cotehardie]] over a shirt or shift is be a good alternative to shirts and hose. The look is long, lean and smooth and laced to fit. Back lacing shows higher status and gives a better line. Side lacing is more common. It would be rare to see a gathered skirt (common to Tudor kirtles) in the Marches.

Marchers prefer pouches to pockets – bollock or kidney pouches or leather bags are perfect. Belts are often very long, wrapped round, looped at the front and left to dangle. The [[#Monks and Friars|typical clothing]] of [[The_Marches_religious_beliefs|monks and friars]] consists of a traditional plain monk's habit.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Plain White Shirts.jpg
Spilling the Tea.jpg
Innocence Personified.jpg
Tired Mustard Comfort.jpg
Layers in Kings Stoke.jpg
Guest in the Camp.jpg
Hiking Happistons.jpg
Good Cider Takes Good Apples.jpg
Stroll in the camp.jpg
Undisputed Union.jpg
Glancing Bree.jpg
Over the shoulder thresher.jpg
Cold with a chance of mandowla.jpg
</gallery>

===Hats===
Headwear is frequently worn, from a simple cap or coif, to hats or something like a hood with liripipe or a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaperon_(headgear) chaperon].
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Peak Hat.jpg
Bedecked Hat.jpg
Wassailing Hat.jpg
Ignore the Violence Its About the Hats.jpg
Concerned with Hat.jpg
Selection of Fine Hats.jpg
Always More Hats.jpg
</gallery>

===Stewards===
The head of a household, a [[steward]], may wear richer colours, but most likely in home grown wool not rarer silk. Wealthy Marchers may show their wealth with ornamentation, while maintaining the practical styles favoured by all yeomen. Rich Marchers are often seen in full harness of plate in battle.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Fancy Stewards.jpg
Smart Marchers.jpg
Talbot Reading Paper.jpg
Fine Young Dunlains.jpg
Marius.jpg
Friendly Steward.jpg
</gallery>

===Beaters===
[[The_Marches_military_concerns#Beaters|Beaters]] are skilled trackers and gamekeepers. They watch the borders of the Marches. They are inspired by the classic British archers of the period mixed with the Rangers of Ithilien from Lord of the Rings. Beaters usually wear lighter armour, either just a padded or leather jack or else a leather tunic like the ones worn by the Rangers in Lord of the Rings.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Beater Andrew Daybell.jpg
Morgan Archer.jpg
Wild Man Of The Mourn.jpg
</gallery>

===Alders and Townsfolk===
Many [[alders]] take great pride in their ceremonial chains of office, sometimes referred to as "Chains of Prosperity". Some go so far as to commission them as magical items, such as an [[Alder's Edge]].
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Tea-dious Business.jpg
Householder.jpg
Alderman with Hats.jpg
Canny Businessman.jpg
</gallery>

===Monks and Friars===
[[The Marches religious beliefs|Monks and friars]] of all genders wear traditional plain monk's habit either in dark colours, or white with a dark [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scapular scapular]. A simple brown cassock works well but it might also be seen in black or grey. A more complex arrangement with dark scapular over white undergarments is also a popular choice. A chasuble or cowl may be worn over the habit, in particular during the cold seasons, but monks and friars alike tend toward simple outfits.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Monky Business.jpg
Edward_Watcher.jpg
Friars.jpg
Marcher with Flag.jpg
Multiclass_Monk.jpg
</gallery>

===Landskeepers and Mummers===
Some [[The Marches magical traditions#Landskeepers|landskeepers]] wear robes, similar to the monk, but hose, jerkin, and a shirt with rolled-up sleeves is just as good an alternative. A landskeeper is well used to hard work in the fields and their look reflects that. By contrast, Mummers are more likely to wear flamboyant costumes as suits magicians whose tradition involves performing plays.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Observant Mummer.jpg
Watt Lambrook.jpg
Mummer.jpg
Marcher Musicians.jpg
</gallery>

==Weapons and Armour==
===Weapons===
The classic Marcher fighting unit is a block of bills and other polearms recruited from the yeomanry. Two handed swords are common for richer characters in heavier armour, as well as warhammers, maces or poleaxes. Any historical weapons from the Hundred Years War and the War of the Roses are typical: poleaxes, bills and other polearms are iconic; warhammers, bollock daggers, axes, falchions and mauls.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Field of Arms.jpg
Billy Columny.jpg
Bill Column.jpg
Marcher Halberds.jpg
Unconvinced.jpg
Balston and Talbot.jpg
</gallery>

<big>'''Bows</big><br>
Bows, in particular longbows, are also a common sight among the Marchers units on the battlefield. They are especially popular with [[The Marches military concerns#Beaters|beaters]].
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Aiming Hog.jpg
Armoured Beater.jpg
</gallery>

===Armour===
Poor [[Yeoman of the Marches|Yeomen]] may wear just a plain coloured jack or padded [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambeson gambeson] as their only armour. Wealthier Yeomen usually have livery coats in their household colours and mail or plate over the top if they have it. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigandine Brigandine] is an intermediate option. Households often wear matching livery coats, although simple sashes or badges are also used to denote affiliation
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Fire of the Marches.jpg
Varied Marcher Armour.jpg
Marcher Chain Shot.jpg
Full Plate And Packing Steel.jpg
A helmet is a type of hat.jpg
MarcherThugs.jpg
</gallery>

===Mage Armour===
[[Weapons_%26_armour#Mage_Armour|Mage armour]] is often from similar materials - fabric, leather and possibly pieces of chain mail - in both natural and household colours, but is more likely to be adorned and decorated with elements of no immediately obvious use.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Landskeeper with a Hat.png
Furious Landskeeper.jpg
Rosamund_Mage_Armour.jpg
Coal-Eyed Battlemage.jpg
</gallery>

===Shields===
Large shields are much less common than in other nations; shield-walls are seen as a tactic best left behind in Dawn. Marchers who have a good reason not to use a polearm or a great sword, such as martial Landskeepers fearing arrows, or skirmish groups protecting the flanks will often use a small buckler to go alongside their weapon of choice.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Getting into a Habit.jpg
</gallery>

==Household==
Any Marcher who owns farmland is a member of a [[Marcher_Household|household]], albeit perhaps a household of one, and any Marcher Household can declare a '''livery'''. Members of the household tend to wear the livery colours in some way. Stewards of a household that allies to a more powerful household usually retain their own livery, or combine it with the new households’ colours in some way. Households often wear matching livery coat or jackets, although simple sashes or badges are also effective ways of showing affiliation. Many households own a banner showing their livery.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Coppice Collective.jpg
Household Marching.jpg
Those Damn Dunlains.jpg
Peering Talbots.jpg
Kings Stoke Fighters.jpg
Impish and Sitting.jpg
Balston Household.jpg
Not All Gloom And Doom.jpg
</gallery>

==Camps==
Gates and doors are traditionally decorated with woven bundles of grain on either side, the respect shown to the land prevents evil doers from entering. The hearth is where food taken from the land is prepared. It is the core of a Marcher home and should always be kept clean, ideally decorated with fresh cut flowers to prevent food cooked there causing a poison of the blood. Poor March Folk or those on campaign will make do with bundles of grass or common meadow flowers.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Marcher Camp.jpg
Shanks_Awning.jpg
Herb Business.jpg
Dancing Pole.jpg
Stay Off My Land.jpg
Boundaryman Tarp.jpg
Selection of Hats.jpg
</gallery>

==Children==
[[The Marches children|Children in the Marches]] can be dressed in scaled down versions of their parent's clothes. For toddlers and babies, traditional smocks, or simple t-tunics and drawstring trousers are simple and easy to pull-on garments, that can be made in linen or cotton for easy washing! These types of clothes also have plenty of flexibility in terms of size, meaning you'll get more than one year's use out of them. Small [[coif]]s are great for keeping the sun off a baby's head and simple straw hats can also be used to stop children burning. Older children can either have their own costumes, or be given adult clothes which are then rolled up and belted to fit - the practical Marchers are unlikely to waste any clothing and hand me downs are a cheap (in and out of character!) way to clothe children.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Walking the Boundary.jpg
CM-130726-0034.jpg
MG0690.jpg
MarchesChild4.jpg
MarcherFamily.jpg
</gallery>

General tips for costume for children:
* Robes that stop at knee - mid-calf will be less of a trip hazard
* Headgear that can be very simply retied is great
* Avoiding things that can pull around the neck is wise (strings on cloaks/hats on cords/ tabards that don't secure under the arms
* Wider neck holes, sleeves and armholes will help with getting costume on and off, and leave room for growth

*[https://neheleniapatterns.com/produkt/kinder-des-mittelalters-mae1215/?lang=en Patterns for Medieval children's clothes]
*[https://revivalclothing.com/product-category/all-products/childrens-clothing/ Revival Clothing's Premade items for children]

==Inappropriate Costume==
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]]

{{The Marches Links}}

The League look and feel

2024-04-15T15:35:26Z

Cyph: Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines

==Overview==
{{CaptionedImage|file=LeagueRooftop.jpg|width=300|align=left}}
[[The League]] is urban. The influences come from the Italian city states, the Hanseatic league, and Prague, as well as classic fantasy cities. This is a nation ruled by powerful guilds, and while there are poor people the cities are well maintained and are very different to the shambolic chaos of a Port Blacksand or even a Lankhmar.

The League is rich. Fine fabrics showing the wealth and style of merchant-princes. Rich silks in the south and fur trim for the northern cities of Temeschwar and Holberg. It is opulent not ostentatious, a purposeful show of wealth and power.

''Also see [[League costumes]] and [[League culture and customs#Icons and Artistry|icons and artistry]].''

==Feel==
Flamboyant, rich, urbane, ambitious, loyal, resplendent, flourish.

==Breakdown==
===Influences===
High medieval and renaissance luxury.
===Materials===
Velvet, Cotton, Silk, Fur Trim, Brocade, Damask, Jacquard

===Colours===
The palette is rich and autumnal. Wine reds, golden yellows, supported by rich oranges and deep blues and blacks.
{{CaptionedImage|file=MaesterNiccolo.jpg|width=250|align=right}}
===Clothing===
In the south, short doublets of richly patterned silks are cut to flatter. Sleeves are either tight with the undershirt puffing from beneath or occasionally full, and the effect is somewhat top-heavy, with trousers cut to a slender leg. Slashing is the height of fashion, particularly amongst the military whose taste verges on the gaudy.

In the north the climate is colder, and clothing reflects that. More fur trim, more layers. Perhaps a long sleeveless gown of velvet over the fashionable doublet, which might be made of leather not silk.

Ladies who do not favour doublet-and-trousers wear elaborate high-waisted gowns. The neckline may be lower than in other nations, cut almost to the waistband. An undergown, chemise or kirtle, often of a contrasting colour, is usually visible at the front. A fashionable gown from the northern cities would be long and full, sleeved and high-waisted. To the south, the gown might be sleeveless, or with sleeves slashed like a doublet’s. Ribbons are often used as decoration.
{{CaptionedImage|file=MG0782.jpg|width=450|align=right}}

===Armour===
Armour is usually worn to allow the brightly covered clothing beneath to show through. A full harness is rarely worn, and heavy armour is usually concentrated over the vital areas, particularly the chest and head.

Those Free Companies that can afford it purchase matching armour. Those that must make use of what they can salvage combine it with matching costume to ensure that their group is identifiable as a single unit.

A starting Free Company may equip its members with a bright uniform in two contrasting colours and a quilted jack. Wealthier companies may have matching arming doublets, armour and helmets.

===Weapons===
Professional soldiers tend to prefer crossbows, long spears or halberds. Street fighters usually favour a light sword with a main gauche or stiletto for the off-hand. Shields are not common in either case.

==Costume==
League costume is beautifully tailored with layers of complex cutting and decoration. Gowns are high waisted and may have low necklines, with complicated detailing such as puffed or slashed sleeves.

Doublets are constructed with similarly complex decoration; sleeves are often laced on to the body of the doublet. The look is generally rather top heavy with slim fitting trousers or breeches and high legged boots.
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<span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=PledgeBall.jpg|title=The Pledge Ball 378YE|width=250}}</span3>
<span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=Prideful Sarvos.jpeg|width=250}}</span3>
<span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=TiagoBarossa.jpg|width=250}}</span3>
<span3>{{CaptionedImage|file=Quique.jpg|width=250}}</span3>
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{{CaptionedImage|file=BrokenMirror.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Relaxed Cesare.jpg |width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Emilio di Sarvos.jpg |width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Uncle Pavi.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Masked Cambion.jpg|width=250}}
</row-fluid>

==Bravos==
A [[bravo]] is usually light armoured if at all. They usually wield a rapier, sometimes paired with a short parrying dagger like a main gauche. Many bravos are part of a [[free company]].

<row-fluid>
<span12>
{{CaptionedImage|file=HeavyBravo.jpg|title=Heavy armour with small shield, straight sword, mask, hat and excellent cape.|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=CarabellaBarossa.jpg|title=Brigandine chest, spaulders on the shoulders, mask and hat.|width=300}}
</span12>
</row-fluid>
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<span12>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Twilight bravo.jpg|title=Unarmoured, straight sword, duelling cape, and an excellent hat.|width=600}}
</span12>
</row-fluid>

==Bishops==
Bishops are priests who involve themselves in the complex politics of the League. They are often wealthy, and dress to demonstrate their wealth and spiritual authority to others. Bold colours and rich fabrics are common, but the clothing is usually cut to leave an onlooker in no doubt that the person they are looking at is a priest of the Way. Exotic appearing hats and other headgear are extremely common.
<row-fluid>
{{CaptionedImage|file=TemeschwarBishop.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=BishopYnez.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oberon.jpg |width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Bishop Severin.jpg|width=250}}
</row-fluid>

==Free companies==
The riotously bright uniforms of the free companies mostly comprise two colours, with sleeves and trousers in the main colour, slashed to let the contrasting colour show through. A steel breastplate and helm provides the basic armour.
<row-fluid>
<span12>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Grizzled Free Company.jpg|width=650}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=ForwardFreeCompany.jpg|width=650}}
</span12>
</row-fluid>

==Spiral and the Orcs==
{{CaptionedImage|file=It's called fashion.jpg|width=350|align=right|caption=There are many ways to hide the neck join}}
The Apulian Orcs who have joined the League have adoped the fashion of the League with an assured confidence, so all the regular League costume guidance is still relevant. To make a more distinctly Apulian costume, remember that many residents of the territory retain a fondness for bright colours, especially rich purples and wine reds adorned heavily with gold trims, with vibrant oranges often being used as an accessory. Silk is popular; the sumptuous fabric makes for a clear demonstration of the wealth of the wearer and harkens back to the traditional dress of the Broken Shore. The majority of Apulians have embraced the wealth of fabrics readily available in their new nation; wool, velvet, and brocade are all proving popular and serving as excellent compliments to the traditional silk of the Grendel. As always, the goal is that clothing should demonstrate the wealth of the wearer.

If you are playing a League Orc, then gloves are practical, the easiest way to avoid having to constantly repaint your hands. That approach makes [[Rings in the League|rings]] on your fingers less practical, so Apulian orcs are experimenting with different approaches. If you have fine gloves you might be able to wear a bigger ring over them, but you can also wear a ring on a ribbon around the neck or hanging off the belt. When wearing a [[The_League_hearth_magic#Masks|Mask]] most Apulians are adopting something made using soft cloth and loosely tied or else using something rigid which can be held in front of the face with a stick.

An important thing to think about is how to hide the joins where your mask and gloves meet your skin. Plenty of gold jewellery, the gaudier the better, is the ideal. Pieces like chokers or bracelets can be used to demonstrate wealth at the same time as keeping the joins hidden. An alternative accessory is an [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/infinity_scarf infinity scarf], worn up or down, and that can be adorned with garish jewellery to again make an audacious demonstration of wealth. A [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruff_(clothing) ruff] is [[Costume#Less_Appropriate_Costume|less appropriate]], as they are highly evocative of a later period than the ideal for League costume.

==Banners==
An iconic impressive banner makes a bold statement for any free company.

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<span12>
{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140419-6218.jpg|width=600|align=left}}
</span12>
</row-fluid>

==Theatre and masks==
The tradition of masked theatre runs strong in League cities, where it is an important constituent of the magic of a performance. Facemasks are also a common element of fashionable attire for individuals from all walks of life.

This custom sprang partly from the popular ''Facio'' style of masked theatre, where actors and even audience members swap characters as they swap masks, and partly descends from the traditions of cowls and veils in Highguard society. Masks allow an individual to cultivate anonymity and the air of mystery. Some groups – military units and criminals especially – may go so far as to all wear matching masks even in dangerous situations.

==Churches==
The heavily decorated robes of The League priests are in sharp contrast to some of the ascetics of other nations. Lavish embroidery, metallic threads and elaborate headdresses are all used to communicate their importance.
<row-fluid>
<span12>
{{CaptionedImage|file=TemeschwarBishop.jpg|align=left|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=BishopYnez.jpg|align=left|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Oberon.jpg|align=left|width=300|title=Rich decorated fabric, and a particularly League hat with attached Cambion horns}}
</span12>
</row-fluid>

==Inappropriate Costume==
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]]

{{The League Links}}

Imperial Orcs look and feel

2024-04-15T15:33:08Z

Cyph: /* Less Appropriate */ Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines

{{CaptionedImage|file=FlawlessVictory.jpg|width=225|align=left|caption=Hero belt and war skirt by [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Windee-Works/279871375367620 Windee Works]}}
{{stub}}
==Overview==
The Imperial Orc look is a patchwork of second-hand clothing and equipment collected together. Equipment is aged and worn, a reflection of the Orc preference for old items with history and story over things that are new. Imperial Orcs have been free for barely the span of two generations, enough time to learn basic skills but not enough to master them. Moreover most orcs take pride in being able to make and maintain their own clothing and equipment but they have little interest in their appearance. As such Imperial Orc craftwork lacks sophistication - it is simple and practical.

Base colours are dull or dark; brown is seen as a practical colour that hides mud and dirt stains. These will be contrasted with stark colours like blood red or midnight blue. The surface of weapons and armour are often treated, dulling, darkening or painting the metal to protect them against further rust. Clothing and equipment are all marked with symbols of identity, painted, carved or stitched onto the surface.

Imperial Orcs are practical people who like their belongings to reflect their physical lifestyle. As a result clothing tends to be strong and hard wearing, to resist wear. Leather is common, as are linen and wool - practical materials that will wear well and can be patched and repaired. Tailoring is basic; most orcs wear a simple tunic often combined with a war skirt made up of pieces of leather hung from a belt.
{{CaptionedImage|file=ImperialOrcGroup.jpg|width=225|align=right}}
Weapons are heavy and solid, designed to withstand the most brutal impacts without shattering and to pulverize bones rather than cut the flesh. Bows and crossbows are both used occasionally, but most orcs prefer to get close to their enemy.

==General==
* '''Feel:''' Proud, practical, poor, old, worn, independent, physical, fierce.
* '''Influences:''' Costume is heavily influenced by the Dark Ages; weapons and armour by the Lord of the Rings.
* '''Materials:''' Practical and hard wearing materials like wool, hessian, canvas and especially leather. Materials are usually dyed or stained to protect them and to hide mud or dirt. They also use iron reinforcing clothing with plates of iron and patches of chain.
* '''Colours:''' Dull or dark natural shades, particularly brown. Primary colours such as blood red or midnight blue may be used for contrast or to highlight an item.
==Clothing==
The basic Imperial Orc costume is a woolen t-tunic or similar linen tunic with a simple cut. Dark Age fabrics and costume patterns with their simple cuts are ideal for Imperial Orcs. These drawings show some of the art team’s original ideas for Imperial Orcs in the Empire setting based on the ideas that their clothing is simple practical items they have taught themselves to make since winning their freedom.
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Orc Trio.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Skywise Orcs.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Orcs in the Pit.jpg|title=Note the Mage Armour on the figure second from left.|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Family.jpg|width=250}}
</row-fluid>
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Imperial Orc Clothing.jpg|width=150}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Imperial Orc Decoration.jpg|width=150}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Gambling Orcs.jpg|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Grud.jpg|width=300}}
</row-fluid>
Clothing is often supplemented with patches of mail or pieces of plate. Orcs are no more likely than any other Imperial Citizen to wear armour all the time, but armour is considered a mark of status, so small pieces of armour demonstrate the wearer’s right to dress as they please.
<row-fluid>
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrcWarriorWithFalchion.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Sunhammer Rokk.jpg|width=250}}
</row-fluid>
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Legionnaires.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Wagon and Orc.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=DarkAgeOrcCostume.jpg|width=250}}
</row-fluid>
{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140420-6605.jpg|width=550||align=left}}
Many things owned by Imperial Orcs are ripped and torn or pitted with rust, their appearance hopelessly affected by the rigours of age and hard use. Orcs regard these signs of age as a necessary improvement for a thing to gain worth and care little for the aesthetics. As a result their appearance is usually a motley collection of clothing and items that have been worn and used for decades.

Imperial Orc clothing is often heavily patched and repaired. Being independent of others means being able to maintain your own belongings, so most orcs mend their own clothes. Ever pragmatic, the repairs are usually made with whatever materials are readily to hand.
<row-fluid>
<span12>{{CaptionedImage|file=OrcMagician.jpg|width=300|align=left}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Orc-3448.jpg|align=right|width=300}}</span12>
</row-fluid>
===War Skirt===
A war skirt is a common piece of Imperial Orc clothing, fashioned from layers of leather worn over each other and secured to a heavy leather belt or hero belt.
<row-fluid>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Warskirt Detail.jpg|width=150}}
</row-fluid>
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Warskirts.jpg|width=150}}
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===Leg and Arm Wraps===
Almost all Imperial Orcs wear wraps around their ankles, wrists and neck to hide any scars once caused by chains and manacles. Many orcs now use other garments to cover these areas, but almost all orcs cover them in some way. To leave the skin in these areas exposed is considered shameless by most Imperial Orcs - a taboo akin to public nudity. Wraps are less common in battle, but heavy gauntlets and boots cover the ankles and bevors are a common piece of armour worn to protect the neck as well as cover it.

Wraps or similar are not essential, but they are a very effective way to easily hide skin on the wrists ankles and neck. This means you don't have to bother painting it and avoids all the usual complications and problems when make-up runs.
<row-fluid>
{{CaptionedImage|file=ImperialOrcWarrior1.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Orc-3151.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=ImperialWrappings.jpg|width=250}}
</row-fluid>
<row-fluid>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Cooking.jpg|width=300}}
</row-fluid>
==Imperial Orcs Warriors==
Heavy, layered armour, thick leather, mail and plate are common. Imperial Orc armour usually shows signs of wear. Mail and plate is often rusted while the surface of leather armour will usually be cut and notched. It is extremely rare for armour to be made as a complete suit - it is much more common for pieces to be cannibalized from various disparate sources.

They prefer weapons that can endure for generations without shattering or corroding away. As a result they favour oversized weapons with plenty of heft designed to smash through bone rather than to thrust or pierce the flesh. Swords usually have thick heavy blades almost like cleavers. Many continue the blade over the guard of the handle giving the weapon a fierce and brutal demeanour.

Round shields are preferred, usually painted or daubed with crude symbols. [[Imperial Orcs magical traditions#Warcasters|Warcasters]] often use a kite shield rather than a round shield both to have the biggest shield possible and to make up for their lack of heavy armour.

<row-fluid>
{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-130727-8554.jpg|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Orcs Before Battle.jpg|width=350}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Discipline.jpg|width=300}}
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<row-fluid>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Imperial Orc March.jpg|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Imperial Orc Warriors.jpg|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Gaterender.jpg|width=300}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Armoured Warrior.jpg|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Orcs in Battle.jpg|width=300}}
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{{CaptionedImage|file=IrontideRad.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Proud Warrior.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=AxeOrk-72.jpg|width=250}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=BIGORC-72.jpg|width=250}}
</row-fluid>

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{{CaptionedImage|file=ImperialOrcArmour1.jpg|width=180|align=left}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=ImperialOrcArmour2.jpg|width=180||align=left}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=ImperialOrcArmour4.jpg|width=180||align=left}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=OrcWarriorWithPoleArm.jpg|width=300}}
</row-fluid>

==Imperial Orcs Magicians==
Mage armour is often fashioned from thin leather with symbols interwoven with runes and other decorations.

Shamans prefer implements fashioned from or decorated with with bone. Warcasters prefer heavy iron rods that can serve as effective weapons without the aid of magic.
<row-fluid>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Imperial Orc Mage Armour.png|width=150}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Magician Orc.jpg|width=150}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Pale Shaman.jpg|width=150}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Bones.jpg|title=The bones are actually shaped pieces of Fimo modelling clay.|width=150}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Orc Magician.jpg|width=150}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Magician Orc 2.jpg|width=150}}
</row-fluid>
<row-fluid>
{{CaptionedImage|file=Skywise Magician.jpg|width=150}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Skywise Magician 2.jpg|width=150}}
</row-fluid>

==Jewellry==
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Feather of Worth.jpg|width=150}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Skywise Tulva.jpg|width=150}}
</row-fluid>

==Camp==
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{{CaptionedImage|file=Chewing Out.jpg|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Moment of Peace.jpg|width=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Sleepytime.jpg|width=300}}
</row-fluid>

==Children==
{{CaptionedImage|file=Orc Children.jpg|width=150}}

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{{CaptionedImage|file=Imperial Orc Icons.jpg|width=150}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=Irontide Symbol.jpg|width=150}}
</row-fluid>

==Less Appropriate==
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]].
<p>
In defining the ideal look and feel for the Imperial Orcs we have chosen not to include some images. Orcs are a common feature in many settings but we wanted to create our own version of orcs that fit with the story and setting of Empire. For this reason we deliberately omitted elements from other settings that are so striking and memorable that it is impossible to see them without thinking of the game that created them.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Goblin.jpg|width=150|align=right}}
We've listed some of the items we chose not to include in the look and feel below along with a short explanation of why they are not perfect for the Imperial Orcs. It is okay to use these items as part of your kit, creating a costume is always a compromise as time and money are limited. What we want to do is be clear on the suggestions we are making, so that players who are looking to create new kit or add to their existing kit can be confident about what will look great for the nation.

===Warhammer and Warhammer 40K===
The Games Workshop settings are iconic and memorable and have inspired many LRP characters. The imagery is instantly recognizable to anyone who is familiar with the games and conjures up images of the culture and style of Games Workshop orcs. We have deliberately chosen to draw most of our inspiration from the orcs and the Uruk-hai presented in the recent Lord of the Rings movies rather than the Games Workshop setting. For this reason it is much better to avoid iconic Games Workshop symbols like the yellow crescent of the Bad Moon Orcs or the vibrant green of their green skins if humanly possible.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Legosaruman.jpg|width=150|align=left}}
===The Lidless Eye and the White Hand===
Orcs in Empire are far from the bestial creatures presented in the books and films but Tolkien's orcs are one of the inspirations that we have used. However neither Saruman nor Sauron exists in Empire so it is better to avoid their iconic symbols, the lidless eye and the white hand, if possible.

{{Imperial Orcs Links}}

Highguard look and feel

2024-04-15T15:32:17Z

Cyph: Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines

{{CaptionedImage|file=Start of the Procession.jpg|align=left|width=600}}
==Overview==
'''Regal, confident, righteous, stark, traditional, disciplined, militant, uncompromising.'''<br>
The Highborn look is generally practical and restrained. Its beauty is in the small touches – the geometric trim on the robes, the exquisite jewellery. Colours are deliberately stark and contrasting, and outfits in black and white are commonplace. Many members of a chapter choose to adopt similar garb, with the symbol of their chapter displayed prominently on the chest, shoulders, or at the breast. This is particularly true for Highborn warriors who show their solidarity and loyalty with their fellows by marching into battle decked in identical garb. Of all the nations of the Empire, the Highborn are the most inclined to uniformity, a visible display of their inner commitment to their shared faith and destiny.

Rather than displaying impractical frivolity in the cut of their garments, Highborn show their taste and wealth in jewellery, and the decoration of cloth. Jewelled and embellished trims at the hems of garments are popular, as is the intricate braiding of hair and heavy, elaborate jewellery.

''Also see [[Highguard costumes]] and [[Highguard culture and customs#Icons and Artistry|icons and artistry]].''

==Breakdown==
<big>'''Influences</big><br>
Gondor, Crusader Knights

<big>'''Materials</big><br>
Highborn materials are usually processed, such as wool, cotton, silk and velvet. They are typically solid and of the highest quality available as befits the rank of the wearer.

<big>'''Colours</big><br>
Black with a white contrast is most common but where there is colour, it is likely to be dark - bottle green, red, charcoal and midnight blue - and always set against the contrast of white or cream.

==Clothing==
The Highborn dress in simple, practical lines – wearing long, layered robes and tunics in starkly contrasting colours, most often simple layers of black and white or sometimes using black or white as a contrast to different colours. Decorative mosaics and fabrics with complex geometric patterns are popular.

Some Highborn may choose to wear a dress rather than a robe. Highguard dresses are constructed along simple but formal lines in dark fabrics. They often have a high neckline or standing collar; lengthwise they always come at least to the ankle.

Veils are commonly worn by all genders both in funeral rites and on other sombre occasions. They set the wearer apart, offering anonymity and a sense of de-personalisation. They are often worn when distasteful actions, or those associated with a rank or position of authority rather than an individual, have to be undertaken

Some Highborn, particularly those in authority, wear hoods or cowls, usually in the colours of their chapter.

Highborn costume is elegant and flowing, long layered robes and tunics, dark coloured in starkly contrasting colours, most often simple layers of black and white or sometimes using black or white as a contrast to different colours. The Highborn are a militant people and this is often reflected in their dress.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Weighing Judgement.jpg
Scarred Exarch.jpg
Veil, Shawl and Stole.jpg
Hero Stance Hazel.jpg
Cantiarch's Stride.jpg
Seriously Cenotaph.jpg
Proud Exarch.jpg
Jot That One Down.jpg
Ambassador and Senator.jpg
Asenath.jpg
</gallery>

===Cowls & Veils===
Highborn veils are designed to cover the face to conceal the wearers identity and project anonymity. Cowls are a common feature of Highborn costume, especially for the powerful.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Unimpressed and Cowled.jpg
Thoughtful and Cowled.jpg
Morose and Cowled.jpg
Veiled Changeling.jpg
</gallery>

===Jewellery===
The Highborn are a people with a manifest destiny, to unite the human nations and lead them to a virtuous future. Their jewellery reflects their heritage: it is refined, elegant and regal. Gold or silver worn on the brow suggests authority.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
If Looks Could Excommunicate.jpg
Woven Circlet and Runes.jpg
Circlet of Scamp.jpg
Chains of Loyalty.jpg
</gallery>

===Priests===
Highborn priests usually dress in white or dark robes with decoration in a stark colour to stand out.

A common element of Highborn priestly costume is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stole_(vestment) stole] - a band of cloth worn round the neck and shoulders that hangs down over the front of the body. Commonly these are decorated with a Chapter symbol, and a symbol important to the character's personal faith or [[Bands#Sects|sect]].

<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Jared Pointing at Face.jpg
Shattered Sermon.jpg
Overjoyed Olyvar.jpg
Shattered Stole.jpg
</gallery>

===Magisters===
Magisters dress in a similar manner to priests, but they are often marked out by their magical accoutrements.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Suns Opening the Gate.jpg
Magical Magister.jpg
Mulling Magister.jpg
</gallery>

==Weapons and Armour==
===Armour===
Highborn armour tends to be full length and layered or segmented. Heavy black leather is common, sometimes with pieces of plate worn over it. The unconquered usually leave their head uncovered, but cataphracts favour a full helm, ideally decorated with wings. Carved or decorated black vambraces are often worn for additional protection.

Traditional lorica in hard leather or metal can work for Highborn, particularly if the suit is tooled or decorated or the outfit incorporates a Highborn style surcoat or cloak.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Fury of the Storm.jpg
Archer Battlemage Extraordinaire.jpg
You Cyrus-ly Didn't Say That.jpg
Archers Looking At Something.jpg
Highborn Battlemage.jpg
Highborn Mage Gorget.jpg
</gallery>

===Shields===
Large kite or heater shields are common. They are usually decorated in a uniform design with the chapter emblem in stark contrast.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Shield in a Crowd.jpg
A Shattered Tower Shield.jpg
A Tower Shield.jpg
Medium Highborn Shield.jpg
HighbornFour.jpg
Black Shields.jpg
</gallery>

===Surcoats===
Most Highborn warriors cover their armour with a long flowing surcoat. The ideal surcoat is black or white with a design in a stark contrasting colour. The Crusader knights exemplify this tradition in real history, although an original design for a chapter’s emblem is preferable.

Uniforms for some Highborn chapters include cloaks with the chapter’s emblem repeated on each shoulder.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Surcoat and Pauldrons.jpg
Would Woodwych Watch.jpg

Certain with a Surcoat.jpg
Shattered Surcoat Shield.jpg
</gallery>

===Unconquered===
The [[unconquered]] serve as scouts, often operating far behind enemy lines. Most avoid the distinctive high contrast clothing favoured by most Highborn in favour of something more concealing and many wear lighter armour or forego armour altogether.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Vigilant War.jpg
Unconquered_Style.jpg
Green Unconquered.jpg
</gallery>

===Weapons===
Highborn warriors prefer to fight in close formation and prefer weapons suited to this style; short swords, spears, and bows.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Warrior Priest.png
Highborn Weaponry.jpg
Virtuous General.jpg
</gallery>

==Chapters==
Members of the same chapter will often adopt a uniform look using identical or matching items like surcoats. The visual unity emphasizes the unity of purpose and helps a chapter project power. Even without obvious Chapter symbols, a lot can be achieved with matching colour schemes and pieces of costume. Of all the nations, the Highborn have the strongest tendency to form shield walls and fight in close-order formations.

<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Sepulchre of the Red Sun.jpeg
Speaking Sentinels.jpg
Highborn Bears.jpg
The Shattered Tower.jpg
Storm's Fury.jpg
Jachin's Legacy.jpg
</gallery>

==Children==
Clothing for Highborn children is usually sombre and simple but good quality, with more elegant garments reserved until they come of age.

<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
CM-130914-0242.jpg
Young Highguard.jpg
CM-130728-8829.jpg
HighbornYouth.jpg
Highborn Destiny.jpg
</gallery>

==Camp==
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Shattered Tower Shrine.jpg
Jachins 3.jpg
</gallery>

==Inappropriate Costume==
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]].

{{Highguard Links}}

Dawn look and feel

2024-04-15T15:28:28Z

Cyph: Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines

{{CaptionedImage|file=Undying Glory.jpg|title=For glory!|align=left|width=550|caption=Sumptuous materials and vibrant colours secure Dawn's place as the land of [[glory]].}}
==Overview==
'''Arthurian, competitive, gleaming, glorious, romantic, Shakespearean, tragic, triumphant<br>
[[Dawn]] is the land of valour; the classical images of gleaming plate, of brightly coloured banners and traditional heraldic devices provide the imagery for the nation. Where the Marches is gritty and down to earth, Dawn is the opposite in glowing primary colours. There is a sumptuous nature to the materials and tones used, idealistic in design instead of practical. The Arthurian, pre-raphaelite and neo-medievalism movements all provide strong themes and forms to the nation.

There is a touch of tragic flaw to the people here though also, with elements of Shakespeare's tragedies and Tennyson's poems threaded through their lives, leaving shadow in contrast to all the glorious polished armour.

''Also see [[Dawn costumes]] and [[Dawn culture and customs#Icons and Artistry|icons and artistry]].''

==Breakdown==
<big>'''Influences</big><br>
Idealised high medieval, Pre-raphaelite, Arthurian

<big>'''Materials</big><br>
Linen, velvet, silk, damask, brocade, fur linings and trim, butter-soft kid leather and suedes.

<big>'''Colours</big><br>
The palette is summer, a meadow in full bloom. It’s a myriad of bright, floral colours, accented with some darker jewel shades. Gold, emerald green, bright reds, clear sky blues set off against an occasional sumptuous black. Whatever the colour it should be vivid and lush but remain tasteful.

<big>'''Armour</big><br>
Most knights wear the most flamboyant armour they can afford, often covered with a surcoat bearing their personal or house heraldry. Some will wear mail, some with plated reinforcement, and some a full harness. Knights-errant often wear less armour but everyone who is part of a noble house will sport their colours.

High quality leather armour mimics the form of plate – breastplates, gorgets with articulated arms, vambraces etc may all be worn and often bear their owners’ heraldry as a form of rich decoration. Full length ‘coats’ of leather scale or plates may be worn alone or under more leather armour.

The armour is designed not only to protect in war but also to proclaim their glory and make their deeds all the more memorable.

<big>'''Shields</big><br>
Shields are highly popular in Dawn, as much for their decoration as their ability to protect. Heater shields are the favoured shape, decorated with personal or household devices.

<big>'''Weapons</big><br>
The archetypal Dawnish weapon is the medieval broadsword, but ornate warhammers, maces and axes are also used. Missile weapons are rare; archery is seen as a fitting contest of skill, rather than a glorious weapon of war.

==Clothing==
The classic dress for all genders is a long robe with full sleeves or houppelande. The cloth may be silk, velvet, brocade or fine wool and could be subtly patterned. They are often fur trimmed. These are generally worn over a long shirt, well cut trousers and high legged boots. Some Dawnish might choose to wear a dress or bliaut instead, with simple flowing lines and quite a low neck line, possibly revealing a chemise or shift below. Sleeves are again often extravagantly long. Houppelandes may be worn over a long shirt, well cut trousers and high boots.

Headgear for everyone is extravagant, and it is definitely headgear rather than hats. Chaperons are often worn to impress, and the type of headdresses worn by Arthurian women are the stuff of legend and fantasy. Circlets and headbands are also popular for all whether made of gold or simple leather.

Jewellery is exquisite - a jewelled dagger sheath, a filigreed necklace, a pair of combs, even the poorest will have a piece of treasured jewellery handed down.

===Noble costume===
Noble costume should aim to be resplendent. The cut is simple - sleeves may be dagged but are not slashed or puffed - the fabrics are luxurious, the colours are rich and hems are lined with fur or ermine. Often costume is in house colours or embroidered with the house’s device. An emphasis on form over function can mark an outfit as particularly Dawnish. With dresses, cuts are simple, but the materials, the colours, the linings and the trims are rich, detailed and luxurious. Silk, velvet and brocade are ideal. Belts and pouches are best richly dyed leather suggesting wealth, with metal accents.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
GoldenNoble.png
Clarice.jpg
Noble in Blue is Dancing.png
DawnNoble.jpg
PurpleNoble.jpg
Sceptre.jpg
Cup and Crown.jpg
Wounded Dawnish Changeling.png
DawnSillyHats.jpg
BlueNoble.png
GoodSerBadSer.jpg
Willam De Gauvain.jpg
Fan of Dawn.png
Celebration.jpg
</gallery>

===Yeofolk costume===
The costume of [[Yeofolk of Dawn|Dawnish Yeofolk]] echoes that of nobles, and while it often includes vibrant colours it is likely to be a little less ornamented and more practical then the resplendent clothing of their betters, but many are prosperous and most still dream of taking and passing a Test of Mettle. They mix easily with the nobility and richer yeofolk may look similar to nobles from an impoverished house.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
YeofolkAndChild.jpg
ProsperousYeofolk.png
FancyKatra.jpg
GreenGoldMouse.jpg
YeofolkLookingBlue.png
VandaleRetainer.jpg
</gallery>

===Headwear===
Dawnish Headwear encompasses all the more elaborate medieval variety of hats, up to the start of the Renaissance. Headgear for all genders is extravagant, and it is definitely headgear rather than hats. Chaperons are often worn to impress, and the type of headdresses worn by Arthurian women are the stuff of legend - henins, crispinettes etc.
<gallery heights=250 mode="packed">
SplendidHeadwear.png
ResplendentChaperon.png
NoblePointyHat.jpg
Red Flower Crown Changeling.jpg
MugWithHat.jpg
</gallery>

===Jewellery===
Jewellery is an important part of costume for all Dawnish nobility. Ideally it should be ornate and bejewelled to emphasize the status of the wearer. Jewellery is exquisite - a jewelled dagger sheath, a filigreed necklace, a pair of combs, even the poorest will have a piece of treasured jewellery handed down. Crowns and tiaras are common for earls and other nobles who wish to demonstrate their political power. Fillets and headbands are also popular for all whether made of a precious metal or simple leather.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
file:StatementPiece.jpg
file:TwiceCrownedChangeling.jpg
file:HoupeThereItIs.png
file:Dawn Mugs.jpg
file:WilliamDeGauvain.jpg
</gallery>

===Children===
Young children are an opportunity for noble houses to display their wealth and power. [[Squire|Squires]] are dressed in robes decorated with the house symbols. Older children, noble or yeofolk, want the most expensive clothes their parents can afford. Even when it is not ornamented, it is often strikingly coloured.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
file:Squire.jpg
file:TestOfCitizenship.jpg
file:YoungDawn.jpg
file:Owain.jpg
</gallery>

==Armour==
===Plate===
The very wealthiest knights of Dawn possess a harness of plate, but it is more than just armour. The nation, house or personal symbol maybe etched, engraved or decorated on the armour. Alternatively a rich embroidered cloak could be thrown over the plate. A beautiful surcoat or jupon can be used to emphasise the knight’s regal nature . Individual pieces of plate are often worn over mail. Even without a surcoat, a noble can demonstrate their link to a house with a richly dyed padding worn under the harness.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
ArmouredEarl.jpg
Battle Cambion.jpg
DawnishSplendor.jpg
ContemplativeKnight.png
Plate and Flower Crown.jpg
HeavyChangeling.jpg
Bloodied Plate.png
</gallery>

===Mail===
Mail is highly valued, either worn under plate or by itself. Ideally such armour should include a surcoat or a robe decorated with a house symbol, often a [[legendary beasts|fabulous beast]] like a chimera or a dragon.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
QuestingYeoman.jpg
KnightInGreen.png
GreatswordErrant.jpg
Aurum Walking.png
</gallery>

===Leather===
Leather armour is common in Dawn, and is often worn by [[Yeofolk of Dawn|yeofolk]] and [[knights-errant]]. It should range from simple protection to something designed to look as stunning as possible.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Leather and Chain Knight-Errant.jpg
LeatherDraughir.png
Emerald Cambion.jpg
YeomanArcher.jpg
</gallery>

===Mage Armour===
[[Weapons_%26_armour#Mage_Armour|Mage armour]], like other Dawnish armour, is often ornamented and may bear heraldic devices.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
file:Dawn War-Witch.jpg
file:TatyannaOrzel.jpg
Changeling Mage.jpg
file:Dawn Witch.jpg
Enchanting Areloe.jpg
</gallery>

===Shields===
Shields are highly popular in Dawn, as much for their decoration as their ability to protect. Heater shields are the favoured shape, decorated with personal or household devices. The traditional Dawnish shield is a heater or a kite shield. Whatever the shape, a shield is the perfect place for a Dawnish noble to display their personal arms or the insignia of their house.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
ChampionsBastion.png
DawnishHero.jpg
DragonShield.jpg
ShieldsVolley.jpg
</gallery>

==Inappropriate Costume==
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]].

{{Dawn Links}}

The Brass Coast look and feel

2024-04-15T15:25:23Z

Cyph: /* Less Appropriate */ Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines

{{CaptionedImage|file=CrimsonSeguran.jpg|title=Flowing fiery colours.|width=300|align=left}}
==Overview==
'''Free, flowing, headstrong, sumptuous, practical, exuberant, hedonistic, colourful, rich, joyful. '''<br>
The [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] look is one of bright colours, silks, jewels, and sumptuousness. They admire ornate or bejewelled items. To the Freeborn, a brilliant craftsman is one who can make something elegant as well as sturdy. Their weapons and armour are often engraved or adorned, but they are not fatuous and do not compromise utility for the sake of appearance. Jewellery is very common with the best pieces, like necklaces, crowns or tiaras, designed to frame the wearer's hands or face.

The image of the flame is central to the Freeborn culture; they believe it represents their spirit: wild, powerful and unchained.

''Also see [[The Brass Coast costumes]].''

==Breakdown==
<big>'''Influences</big><br>
The traditional looks of Moorish Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia.

<big>'''Colours</big><br>
The Freeborn value bright, vibrant colours, especially the colours of flames: strong bright yellows, brilliant oranges and every conceivable shade of red as well as gold and silver. Peacock blue, Magenta and Turquoise often appear for contrast. Expensive clothing is made in brightly coloured layers to convey the impression of the fire within.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Brass_coast_colours.png|width=|align=none}}
Black is considered severe and used for shrouds to wrap the dead. White is the colour of the poor, those too impoverished to afford exotic dyes.

<big>'''Materials</big><br>
Lightweight fabrics such as voiles and chiffons, either silk or synthetic. Also silks, brocades and other rich fabrics. Leather is considered unappealing for most clothing, it is a heavy material mainly reserved for boots and armour. Gold is prized over silver when available. When working in colder climes, such as at sea, a warmer layer of fleece or wool is worn as a base layer.
Gold, bronze and brass are much-prized, as are carved wooden objects (which are often imported, given the lack of wood on the Coast).

<big>'''Weapons</big><br>
Scimitars are less common than straight swords and axes which are the preferred weapons. The bhuj, a large heavy single-bladed spear, is the ideal polearm. The best quality weapons are intricately etched and engraved with complex designs. The [[hakima]] often have their rods, wands and staves made of finely carved wood. These featuring flame designs and are topped with red, orange or gold crystals.

==Clothing==
Veils, scarves, head-wraps, pantaloons, loose shirts and kaftans, are all part of Freeborn garb. Clothing is usually worn loose with layers of draped material slashed through to show a wealth of colour, and secured with sashes rather than belts. Outfits will often be decorated with shiny jewellery, bells, coins showing wealth in the glint of metal in the sun and the sound of metal as the wearer moves. Scabbards or pouches tend to hang at the waist by a silk cord that goes over the shoulder. Many Freeborn favour sandals as footwear, lacing up over the foot or higher up the leg, but slipper shoes are also common. Leather boots to mid-calf or the knee are favoured particularly on the battlefield.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Safya.jpg
Fancy Freeborn.png
Striding Freeborn.jpg
Fine Red Headscarf.jpg
Sitting Freeborn.jpg
War Scout Tirsa in MC.jpg
Freeborn Cambion.jpg
Metal and Cloth.jpg
Freeborn with Layers.jpg
Seated Freeborn.jpg
</gallery>

===Headscarves===
The ideal headgear is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagelmust tagelmust] (preferably in bright red, orange or yellow rather than blue).
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Disappointed Sutannir.jpg
Dhomiro.jpg
CorsairZanterr.jpg
Raul.jpg
</gallery>

===Corsairs===
[[Corsair|Corsairs]] epitomise Freeborn daring and adventure. Javelins and bows are common but the Catazarri crossbow is also used. Many are lightly armoured decorated with flaming reds and oranges, but the boldest show off their success with ornately gilded plate. They may dress more simply than other Freeborn in trousers and tunic using Bright colours and patterned fabrics, but their flair for wealth tends to show through with jewellery worn at wrist and neck.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Posing Corsair.jpg
KrakenfireCorsair.jpg
Corsairs Planning.jpg
Aiming Corsair.jpg
Cambion_Corsair_Chic.jpg
</gallery>

===Kohan===
As with any Freeborn, [[kohan]] usually dress as extravagantly as possible. What really sets them apart from other Brass Coast warriors however is their use of facepaint. Vivid colours are used, often in threatening designs, the better to unnerve their enemies. There is a wide variety of designs across the faces of the Coast, some kohan groups keeping their masks of war the same over decades of battle with others changing it day by day as their feelings take them.

A kohan band may cultivate a uniform look to their [[costume]] - generally through the use of colour. A given band is likely to pick one or two shades and encourage its members to wear clothing in these colours, leaving it up to the individual to determine the exact cut and style.

Some kohan take valuable trinkets from particularly impressive fallen enemies, generally pieces of jewelry. The more striking these items are, the more opportunities they give to tell stories about how they were acquired. .
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Posing Kohan.jpg
Readied Kohan.jpg
Cambion Kohan.jpg
Glaring Kohan.jpg
Fierce Kohan.jpg
Tempting Kohan.jpg
</gallery>

===Jewellery and Decoration===
Jewellery is commonly used either as part of the clothes themselves or to frame the face or hands to draw attention to them. Veils are fashionable for those who wish to appear mysterious and alluring. Those who go tattooed tend to favour intricate henna-style designs.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
BrassCoastBlingHat.jpg
BrassCoastVeil.jpg
Bejewelled Freeborn.jpg
Sharazhad.jpg
Bejeweled Changeling.jpg
</gallery>

===Children===
Children are an opportunity for parents to show off their wealth, dressing their offspring in traditional Freeborn styles.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Family Freeborn.jpg
Headstrong Freeborn and parent.png
FreebornToddler.jpg
</gallery>

==Armour==
===Scale===
Scale is the armour many Freeborn aspire to, ideally in a bright golden colour, worn like mail or else secured with leather. Where mail is worn, it is usually likewise a bright golden colour, or worn under or over a brightly coloured tunic.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
FreebornScale.jpg
Brass Coast Scale.jpg
Golden Scales.jpg
Burnished Scales.jpg
Scaled and Plated Freeborn.jpg
GeneralElias.jpg
</gallery>

===Mail===
Mail in the janissary style, particularly the chain helmets, is also commonly seen. Small pieces of plate or breastplates are popular especially if ornate and inlaid. Armour, whether metal or leather, usually has embellished edges and rich decoration, with calligraphy and ornate designs.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Freeborn chain.jpg
FreebornHelmet.jpg
Chilly Orange Freeborn.jpg
Freeborn Archers.jpg
FreebornHelmets.jpg
</gallery>

===Shields===
The Freeborn favour round (ideally domed) metal shields, highly decorated if possible. Gold inlay and engraving are both particularly popular.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Triple Comet Shield.jpg
Double Fancy Shield.jpg
FreebornShieldwall.jpg
Peacock Shield.jpg
Kohan.jpg
Freeborn Shield.jpg
FreebornAxeAndBuckler.jpg
</gallery>

===Mage Armour===
Freeborn battlemages favour [[Weapons_%26_armour#Mage_Armour|mage armour]] that elicits the same themes as other armour; scales, brightly dyed leathers, and other materials in rich colours.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
FreebornMageArmour.jpg
Proud Colours.jpg
Red Gold Mage Armour.jpg
</gallery>

==Camp==
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
FreebornCamp.jpg
FreebornShelter.jpg
FreebornScrivener.jpg
</gallery>

==Less Appropriate==
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]].
<p>
In defining the ideal look and feel for the Brass Coast we have chosen not to include some images. Some items were omitted so that the overall range of images avoids becoming too broad - we want each nation to look distinctive. Sometimes items were left out because the real world significance of them is so strong that it would impact the game, we want to avoid players confusing these nations with real world cultures. And some items are not part of the ideal because they come from a different historical period or are more modern in feel. It is common to see costume inspired by a range of historical periods but we wanted to be clear on what the ideal was.

We've listed some of the items we chose not to include in the look and feel below along with a short explanation of why they are not perfect for the Brass Coast. It is okay to use these items as part of your kit, creating a costume is always a compromise as time and money are limited. What we want to do is be clear on the suggestions we are making, so that players who are looking to create new kit or add to their existing kit can be confident about what will look great for the nation.
{{CaptionedImage|file=BrassNoShemagh.jpg|align=right|width=150}}
===Shemagh===
Some of the costume inspiration for the Brass Coast comes from cultures with strong Arabic influences, but the main focus was Moorish Spain and North Africa. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keffiyeh shemagh or keffiyeh], the traditional headscarf that is white or patterned is more typical of the Middle East and more importantly it often looks very modern. We recommend the tagelmust as the ideal head covering for the Brass Coast.
{{CaptionedImage|file=BrassNoHijab1.jpg|align=left|width=150}}
===Sartorial Hijab===
There is no distinction between Freeborn of any gender. The traditional social attitudes towards modesty and women in Islamic societies are nothing to do with the Brass Coast emphasis on freedom and individuality. Because of this, and the strong real world associations, we chose to exclude most elements of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sartorial_hijab sartorial hijab] from the look and feel for the nation.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Bellydancer.jpg|align=right|width=150}}

===Belly dancing costumes===
Although there are no particular modesty taboos, dancers tend to be far more interested in showing off how they can make fabrics flare and move than displaying their own flesh. Wild passionate dancing is a common Freeborn pursuit for people of any gender, but the perfect Freeborn costume features long flowing colourful garments. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xlJMavnO-g Roxanne's dance] from the movie Alexander is a great inspiration for Freeborn dancing and costume.
{{Brass Coast Links}}

The Brass Coast look and feel

2024-04-15T15:24:39Z

Cyph: /* Less Appropriate */ Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines

{{CaptionedImage|file=CrimsonSeguran.jpg|title=Flowing fiery colours.|width=300|align=left}}
==Overview==
'''Free, flowing, headstrong, sumptuous, practical, exuberant, hedonistic, colourful, rich, joyful. '''<br>
The [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] look is one of bright colours, silks, jewels, and sumptuousness. They admire ornate or bejewelled items. To the Freeborn, a brilliant craftsman is one who can make something elegant as well as sturdy. Their weapons and armour are often engraved or adorned, but they are not fatuous and do not compromise utility for the sake of appearance. Jewellery is very common with the best pieces, like necklaces, crowns or tiaras, designed to frame the wearer's hands or face.

The image of the flame is central to the Freeborn culture; they believe it represents their spirit: wild, powerful and unchained.

''Also see [[The Brass Coast costumes]].''

==Breakdown==
<big>'''Influences</big><br>
The traditional looks of Moorish Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia.

<big>'''Colours</big><br>
The Freeborn value bright, vibrant colours, especially the colours of flames: strong bright yellows, brilliant oranges and every conceivable shade of red as well as gold and silver. Peacock blue, Magenta and Turquoise often appear for contrast. Expensive clothing is made in brightly coloured layers to convey the impression of the fire within.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Brass_coast_colours.png|width=|align=none}}
Black is considered severe and used for shrouds to wrap the dead. White is the colour of the poor, those too impoverished to afford exotic dyes.

<big>'''Materials</big><br>
Lightweight fabrics such as voiles and chiffons, either silk or synthetic. Also silks, brocades and other rich fabrics. Leather is considered unappealing for most clothing, it is a heavy material mainly reserved for boots and armour. Gold is prized over silver when available. When working in colder climes, such as at sea, a warmer layer of fleece or wool is worn as a base layer.
Gold, bronze and brass are much-prized, as are carved wooden objects (which are often imported, given the lack of wood on the Coast).

<big>'''Weapons</big><br>
Scimitars are less common than straight swords and axes which are the preferred weapons. The bhuj, a large heavy single-bladed spear, is the ideal polearm. The best quality weapons are intricately etched and engraved with complex designs. The [[hakima]] often have their rods, wands and staves made of finely carved wood. These featuring flame designs and are topped with red, orange or gold crystals.

==Clothing==
Veils, scarves, head-wraps, pantaloons, loose shirts and kaftans, are all part of Freeborn garb. Clothing is usually worn loose with layers of draped material slashed through to show a wealth of colour, and secured with sashes rather than belts. Outfits will often be decorated with shiny jewellery, bells, coins showing wealth in the glint of metal in the sun and the sound of metal as the wearer moves. Scabbards or pouches tend to hang at the waist by a silk cord that goes over the shoulder. Many Freeborn favour sandals as footwear, lacing up over the foot or higher up the leg, but slipper shoes are also common. Leather boots to mid-calf or the knee are favoured particularly on the battlefield.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Safya.jpg
Fancy Freeborn.png
Striding Freeborn.jpg
Fine Red Headscarf.jpg
Sitting Freeborn.jpg
War Scout Tirsa in MC.jpg
Freeborn Cambion.jpg
Metal and Cloth.jpg
Freeborn with Layers.jpg
Seated Freeborn.jpg
</gallery>

===Headscarves===
The ideal headgear is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagelmust tagelmust] (preferably in bright red, orange or yellow rather than blue).
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Disappointed Sutannir.jpg
Dhomiro.jpg
CorsairZanterr.jpg
Raul.jpg
</gallery>

===Corsairs===
[[Corsair|Corsairs]] epitomise Freeborn daring and adventure. Javelins and bows are common but the Catazarri crossbow is also used. Many are lightly armoured decorated with flaming reds and oranges, but the boldest show off their success with ornately gilded plate. They may dress more simply than other Freeborn in trousers and tunic using Bright colours and patterned fabrics, but their flair for wealth tends to show through with jewellery worn at wrist and neck.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Posing Corsair.jpg
KrakenfireCorsair.jpg
Corsairs Planning.jpg
Aiming Corsair.jpg
Cambion_Corsair_Chic.jpg
</gallery>

===Kohan===
As with any Freeborn, [[kohan]] usually dress as extravagantly as possible. What really sets them apart from other Brass Coast warriors however is their use of facepaint. Vivid colours are used, often in threatening designs, the better to unnerve their enemies. There is a wide variety of designs across the faces of the Coast, some kohan groups keeping their masks of war the same over decades of battle with others changing it day by day as their feelings take them.

A kohan band may cultivate a uniform look to their [[costume]] - generally through the use of colour. A given band is likely to pick one or two shades and encourage its members to wear clothing in these colours, leaving it up to the individual to determine the exact cut and style.

Some kohan take valuable trinkets from particularly impressive fallen enemies, generally pieces of jewelry. The more striking these items are, the more opportunities they give to tell stories about how they were acquired. .
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Posing Kohan.jpg
Readied Kohan.jpg
Cambion Kohan.jpg
Glaring Kohan.jpg
Fierce Kohan.jpg
Tempting Kohan.jpg
</gallery>

===Jewellery and Decoration===
Jewellery is commonly used either as part of the clothes themselves or to frame the face or hands to draw attention to them. Veils are fashionable for those who wish to appear mysterious and alluring. Those who go tattooed tend to favour intricate henna-style designs.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
BrassCoastBlingHat.jpg
BrassCoastVeil.jpg
Bejewelled Freeborn.jpg
Sharazhad.jpg
Bejeweled Changeling.jpg
</gallery>

===Children===
Children are an opportunity for parents to show off their wealth, dressing their offspring in traditional Freeborn styles.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Family Freeborn.jpg
Headstrong Freeborn and parent.png
FreebornToddler.jpg
</gallery>

==Armour==
===Scale===
Scale is the armour many Freeborn aspire to, ideally in a bright golden colour, worn like mail or else secured with leather. Where mail is worn, it is usually likewise a bright golden colour, or worn under or over a brightly coloured tunic.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
FreebornScale.jpg
Brass Coast Scale.jpg
Golden Scales.jpg
Burnished Scales.jpg
Scaled and Plated Freeborn.jpg
GeneralElias.jpg
</gallery>

===Mail===
Mail in the janissary style, particularly the chain helmets, is also commonly seen. Small pieces of plate or breastplates are popular especially if ornate and inlaid. Armour, whether metal or leather, usually has embellished edges and rich decoration, with calligraphy and ornate designs.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Freeborn chain.jpg
FreebornHelmet.jpg
Chilly Orange Freeborn.jpg
Freeborn Archers.jpg
FreebornHelmets.jpg
</gallery>

===Shields===
The Freeborn favour round (ideally domed) metal shields, highly decorated if possible. Gold inlay and engraving are both particularly popular.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Triple Comet Shield.jpg
Double Fancy Shield.jpg
FreebornShieldwall.jpg
Peacock Shield.jpg
Kohan.jpg
Freeborn Shield.jpg
FreebornAxeAndBuckler.jpg
</gallery>

===Mage Armour===
Freeborn battlemages favour [[Weapons_%26_armour#Mage_Armour|mage armour]] that elicits the same themes as other armour; scales, brightly dyed leathers, and other materials in rich colours.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
FreebornMageArmour.jpg
Proud Colours.jpg
Red Gold Mage Armour.jpg
</gallery>

==Camp==
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
FreebornCamp.jpg
FreebornShelter.jpg
FreebornScrivener.jpg
</gallery>

==Less Appropriate==
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]].

In defining the ideal look and feel for the Brass Coast we have chosen not to include some images. Some items were omitted so that the overall range of images avoids becoming too broad - we want each nation to look distinctive. Sometimes items were left out because the real world significance of them is so strong that it would impact the game, we want to avoid players confusing these nations with real world cultures. And some items are not part of the ideal because they come from a different historical period or are more modern in feel. It is common to see costume inspired by a range of historical periods but we wanted to be clear on what the ideal was.

We've listed some of the items we chose not to include in the look and feel below along with a short explanation of why they are not perfect for the Brass Coast. It is okay to use these items as part of your kit, creating a costume is always a compromise as time and money are limited. What we want to do is be clear on the suggestions we are making, so that players who are looking to create new kit or add to their existing kit can be confident about what will look great for the nation.
{{CaptionedImage|file=BrassNoShemagh.jpg|align=right|width=150}}
===Shemagh===
Some of the costume inspiration for the Brass Coast comes from cultures with strong Arabic influences, but the main focus was Moorish Spain and North Africa. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keffiyeh shemagh or keffiyeh], the traditional headscarf that is white or patterned is more typical of the Middle East and more importantly it often looks very modern. We recommend the tagelmust as the ideal head covering for the Brass Coast.
{{CaptionedImage|file=BrassNoHijab1.jpg|align=left|width=150}}
===Sartorial Hijab===
There is no distinction between Freeborn of any gender. The traditional social attitudes towards modesty and women in Islamic societies are nothing to do with the Brass Coast emphasis on freedom and individuality. Because of this, and the strong real world associations, we chose to exclude most elements of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sartorial_hijab sartorial hijab] from the look and feel for the nation.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Bellydancer.jpg|align=right|width=150}}

===Belly dancing costumes===
Although there are no particular modesty taboos, dancers tend to be far more interested in showing off how they can make fabrics flare and move than displaying their own flesh. Wild passionate dancing is a common Freeborn pursuit for people of any gender, but the perfect Freeborn costume features long flowing colourful garments. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xlJMavnO-g Roxanne's dance] from the movie Alexander is a great inspiration for Freeborn dancing and costume.
{{Brass Coast Links}}

Navarr look and feel

2024-04-15T15:23:14Z

Cyph: /* Less Appropriate */ Added links to inappropriate costume guidelines

{{CaptionedImage|file=A collective noun of Navarri.jpg|align=left|width=600}}
{{stub}}
==Overview==
'''Wild, unsettling, otherworldly, alert, pragmatic, tattooed, fierce, primal, blood'''<br>
The [[Navarr]] look draws heavily on the forests for its inspiration. The colours are primarily greens and browns with occasional splashes of dark autumnal red or yellow. Materials are practical, primarily those that come from hunting - leather and fur. Face paint, tattoos, and brands are common, especially on the face and around the eyes. Navarr mark oaths and other important commitments with brands, tattoos or scars. Most warriors only apply war paint before they go into battle, but some Navarr choose to wear it every day, a symbol of their constant readiness.

Rather than rich materials or unusual colours the Navarr personalise their appearance by adorning their costume with embroidery, beads, feathers, fetishes, and other accessories. It is also common to weave such items into the hair.

''Also see [[Navarr Costumes]].''
==Breakdown==
<big>'''Influences</big><br>
Wood elves, The Rangers from Lord of the Rings.

<big>'''Materials</big><br>
Primarily leather and fur, with some layers of cotton, linen or wool. Fine fabrics such as velvet or silk are rare.

<big>'''Colours</big><br>
Navarr takes its colour inspiration from the forests and environments in which they live.
From the bright and eye-catching yellows and greens of the forest in spring, to the rich and earthy browns and reds of autumn. If it is found in nature, it is likely to have inspired Navarr in some way. The colours are primarily greens and browns with occasional splashes of autumnal reds or yellows.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Navarrcolours.png‎|width=400}}

==Clothing==
Navarr clothing is layered, serviceable and well-worn, The Navarr are a practical people and their clothes reflect this. Even for civilians, it often features pieces of leather armour, though this is to protect against the environment as much as enemy weapons. Clothes are suitable for people who live their lives in the wild forests. Not just a robust construction but practical designs, for instance, hooded cloaks that give protection against the weather, but can also serve as bedding. Layered clothes are common, so that outfits be easily changed no matter the weather. Belts and straps feature quite heavily – both to secure clothing so it doesn’t snag and to hold a variety of gear securely while moving through woodland. Patched and mended fabrics are frequent, as worn and ripped clothes are mended 'on the go'.

Navarr style of dress varies, depending on how much contact their striding or steading has with the other nations. Those Navarr who trade with their neighbours are more likely to have access to wool and similar materials so their costume reflects their closer contact with fellow members of the Empire. These clothes are given a Navarri slant though, with fur trims, decoration in natural materials and a natural colour palette. Layers of well-worn, practical wool and leather in natural shades often serve as the foundation of Navarr costume. More [[remote Navarr]] may adopt a rougher, more practical or primitive look, primarily comprised of leather, furs and natural materials, suitable for hunters who are used to sleeping rough. In practice, most Navarr fall somewhere between these two extremes. For more formal functions many Navarr wear highly decorated leathers and their most impressive furs, but more importantly, wear their most intricate paints and markings.

Navarr shoes can take many forms, as long as they are practical. For this reason close-fitting leather boots are most common, often coming to or even past the knee, to protect the lower legs while walking. Ankle boots in soft suede and canvas are also seen, often with the addition of puttees and wraps in cloth and leather.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Asymmetrical Excellence.jpg
Decorated Navarr Changeling.jpg
Hooded Navarr Cambion.jpg
Glowering and Glamorous.jpg
Patched and Repaired.jpg
Hooded Farren.jpg
Flowering and Flamorous.jpg
</gallery>

===Jewellery and Decoration===
Navarr favour jewellery that represents the twisting journeys of the Great Dance. Knotted metalwork in either base or precious metals; rings, bracelets, armbands, torcs and brooches are the most common types found. When it comes to decoration, natural materials are drawn from heavily. Feathers and fur may trim clothes, and beads made from seeds, wood and stones will adorn many of their garments. Patterns may also be painted onto clothes, again using natural colours like ochre, red, black and white.
<gallery heights=250 mode="packed">
Ravadi in Finery.jpg
Nim Ambling.jpg
Double Trouble.png
Hiking Harwyn.jpg
Embroidered Eleri.jpg
</gallery>

==Tattoos==
Tattoos are common amongst the [[Navarr]], used to memorialise significant moments in the Navarr’s life. They mark sworn oaths with tattoos, brands and scars, as a visible sign of the commitment they have made. It is not unknown for Thorns and Brands to permanently tattoo their warpaint. Thorn motifs are the most common design.
<gallery heights=250 mode="packed">
Shocked Tattooed Changeling.jpg
Shining Tattooed Naga.jpg
Intricate Navarri Tattoo.jpg
Binding of Thorns tattoo.jpg
Twisting Thorns.jpg
</gallery>

<big>'''Warpaint'''</big><br>
Navarr use less permanent warpaint on their face or hair when preparing for conflict. It can be meticulously applied in intricate entwined patterns or simply daubed with a finger. Donning the paint helps them prepare themselves and commits them to their course. Many Navarr warriors wear warpaint every day as a sign of their readiness to fight.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Warpaint Marching.jpg
Warpaint Smiling.jpg
Warpaint Warriors.jpg
</gallery>

==Arms and Armour==
===Armour===
Thick hardened leather is the most common form of armour for the Navarr, occasionally supplemented with light chain or scale. Navarr armour often has lines and closures that run diagonally across the body rather than vertically. Wintermark styled runes on armour are rare and more often than not Navarri armour is decorated with intricate patterns of the Navarr thorns often tracing out their own journey through the Great Dance.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
A Thorny Issue.jpg
Intricate Armour.jpg
Phenomenal Pauldron.jpg
Brave Battlemage.jpg
Navarri Draughir in Armour.jpg
Scale leather over chain.jpg
</gallery>

===Shields===
Shields are narrow and fluted, barely wider than the wielder. They are often heavily decorated with the thorn motif.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Narrow Navarr Shield.jpg
Many Navarr Shields.jpg
</gallery>

===Weapons===
The iconic Navarr weapon is a spear, often with a barbed shaft and decorated with thorn motifs. This echoes the spear of their legendary hero, Navarr. Navarr particularly favour [[Weapons_%26_armour#One-handed_Spear|one-handed spears]] coupled with a small shield. Otherwise, weapons are light, practical, and good for skirmishing rather than heavy combat.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Ravadi's Final Form.jpg
Ambidextrous Navarri.jpg
Navarri Battleline.jpg
</gallery>
<big>'''Bows</big><br>
Bows are another favoured Navarr weapon. Like the spear they are an effective tool for hunting as well as a weapon of war.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Dryn Nocking.jpg
Bloodamber Hauberk.jpg
Readying a shot.jpg
</gallery>

===Mage Implements===
Navarr Mage implements are normally simple and practical pieces of wood. Sometimes intricate designs are carved down the implement as befits their hearth magics.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
With Vated Breath.png
Readied Vate.jpg
Vate and Embroidery.jpg
</gallery>

==Children==
Navarr children are taught the value of being prepared and ready at all times. They are encouraged to learn to fight with sword, spear and bow from an early age. Their clothing tends to be simplified versions of adult clothing - garments that are practical for play but also easy to keep clean. Older children are often given adult clothing and then belted, tied and strapped to fit.
{{CaptionedImage|file=kilt.jpg|align=right|caption=Modern highland kilts do not fit the setting|height=300}}
{{CaptionedImage|file=plaid.jpg|align=right|caption=Traditional dark age tartan wool is fine|height=300}}
==Less Appropriate==

Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]].

===Celts and Native Americans===
As Navarr are not based on Native Americans, large quantities of turquoise beading, and leather tassels are best avoided. Similarly, Celtic style knot-work isn't suitable as decorative patterns.

===Kilts===
Skirts, especially war-skirts are fine for anyone of any gender in the Navarr (and indeed elsewhere), but players should take care to avoid kilts. The classic highland kilt made of bright tartan, either short or full, is inescapably linked with the 16<sup>th</sup> century Scottish Highlands. The Navarr are not based on the Scottish clans, a kilt - or the associated items like a sporran do not fit with the Navarr brief.

It is fine to include some plaid in your costume if you wish - fabric with a tartan pattern is found throughout the Empire and elsewhere. However the best tartans to use are overwhelmingly the patterns that use a few colours at most, usually in subdued tones. The modern tartans that have bright contrasting colours are best avoided wherever possible.

===Similar nations===
====Wintermark====
Navarr tend to wear light leather armour and simple, earth tone clothes, much like the Steinr. Navarr decorations are more likely to come from nature, in the form of paints, feathers and beads, rather than the woven trims popular with the Steinr. Runes are a lot more common in Wintermark clothing

Kallavesi mystics may also be occasionally mistaken for Navarr Vates; however, the Navarr do not wear animal headdresses and do not believe in evoking animal spirits.

====The Marches====
There are also overlaps between the Marches beaters and the Navarr. The beaters tend towards later medieval period clothing, like jacks rather than the tunics and vests popular with the Navarr. The Navarr also tend to use large amounts of furs, pieces of leather and paints that the Marchers would avoid.

{{Navarr Links}}

Kaela

2024-04-13T22:58:36Z

Cyph: Spelling corrections

{{CaptionedImage|file=Kaela.jpg|caption=Kaela is the Lady of the Grim Host and awaits the end of all things.|align=left|width=400}}
==Eternal of Winter==
===Sobriquets===
Most commonly, Kaela is called the ''Lady of the Grim Host'' after the army of undying warriors she commands.

She is also known as the ''Sorrowful One'', sometimes as ''End-of-Strength'', sometimes as ''The Lady of Oblivion''. Among the [[Wintermark magical traditions#Icewalkers|Icewalkers]] of [[Wintermark]] she is called ''the Cold-Hearted''; the [[Urizen]] [[Urizen magical traditions#Stargazers|stargazers]] refer to her as ''Dark-Between-The-Stars'' and say she despises and fears the [[Urizen culture and customs#The Net of the Heavens|Net of the Heavens]]; the [[Navarr]] call her ''Queen of Silence'' and say that she despises music and dance; and in [[The Marches]] she is called ''The Black Dog''.

Her influence is strong in [[Axos]] and, to a lesser degree, the [[Sarcophan Delves]]. The Axou call her ''Queen Esk'' and seek her favour; there are several covens of magicians who serve as her agents selecting the best and brightest to convey to her presence so she may add them to her Grim Legion. In the [[Sumaah Republic]] she is shunned; magicians who deal with her are likely to face charges of blasphemy, heresy, idolatry or all three. In the [[Asavean Archipelago]] she is worshipped as a goddess - she is referred to as ''la Reine qui siège sur le Trône Noir'' (the Queen on the Black Throne) and it is customary for wealthy Asaveans, especially those of advanced age, to offer a sacrifice of food, wine and blood to her at the Winter Solstice.

===Appearance===
This Winter eternal appears either as a pale-skinned woman dressed in black armour, usually with a helmet crowned with the antlers of an elk and bearing a great axe, or as an ancient crone dressed in dark-green and black with jewellery made from finger-bones. Traditionally she has appeared dressed as a [[Varushka|Varushkan]] wise-one or boyar, but in recent decades she has taken to attire reminiscent of [[The Brass Coast]] or [[The League]].

Kaela is never encountered alone; she is always accompanied by the warriors of her grim legion and by her undying attendants.

===Concerns===
Kaela exemplifies weakness, despair, old-age, senility and desperation. She takes no joy in these things, but presents them as simple, unquestionable facts. Everything fails. Everything dies. Everything falls apart. In the end, entropy wins.

It is not a matter of whether things will collapse, merely a matter of when. She respects those who strive to hold back the end... as long as they accept that the end is inevitable, that there is no hope. Likewise she appreciates those who work to open the eyes of others to the essential futility of existence... as long as they accept that their own actions are largely meaningless as well, in the long term. Optimists and priests alike tend to incur her cold wrath.

Despite her concern with ending and death, she is not especially interested in the undead. Husks, wights, ghosts and the like are said to bore her. At the point where a being becomes undead, they have already died - already ''lost'' - and undead creatures are pitiful shadows of living beings. In some cases, according to scholars, she has referred to them literally as shadows - cast-off by the mortal who created them. Like many Winter eternals her pragmatic nature does not balk at the use of the undead as tools, but she does not consider them people. Her grim legionnaires are sometimes mistakenly referred to as undead, but she prefers to call them "unliving" - they are neither alive, nor dead, and have never actually stopped living.

Unlike beings such as [[Llofir]] however, Kaela does not despise the undead - for the most part she simply ignores them. She rarely, if ever, offers boons that destroy them, and never offers boons that allow them to be created except in the most short-lived circumstances (such as by enhancing the ability of [[Quickening Cold Meat]] to call forth Winter spirits to temporarily ride empty corpses).

Many priests despise Kaela; they fear that she is trapping human souls, removing them from the cycle of reincarnation. The [[Imperial Synod]] has prevailed on the [[Imperial Conclave]] several times to declare her an enemy of the Empire. Some theologians speculate that the undying legions do not have souls at all; that the human dies, and their soul moves on to the Labyrinth, and that the grim warriors are merely memories of themselves, little more than husks animated by a particularly strong animus. Speculation is likely to continue, as Kaela herself has no interest in answering questions about souls; she is generally dismissive when challenged.

In [[Wintermark]] she is strongly associated with the runes [[Kyrop]] and [[Yoorn]]. Recent research in [[Miaren]] has also brought to light a connection between the eternal and [[On_Rhonwen's_Fall#The_Kaela_Connection|Rhonwen's Fall]].
{{CaptionedImage|file=KaelaArt.jpg|title="Frayed". Artist Unknown. Part of the House of Leaves collection.|caption=Kaela is fascinated by the way all things end.|align=right|width=400}}
===Boons===
Kaela's gifts are sorrow, despair and weakness; very few people want them for themselves. She can also offer wisdom, but always at a price - usually blindness or crippling infirmity. Some scholars say this is proof that she is connected to [[The Thrice-cursed Court]]; others point out that what she offers is ''wisdom'', not ''power'' and that while the two appear similar, in the Winter Realm they are poles apart.

Her greatest boon, and the one she is most often approached to provide, is release from the fear of death (for at least as long as Creation endures). She can take someone who is not dead, even if they hover on the very brink of death, and bring them to her hopeless Realm to live on for eternity as one of her undying warriors. Sometimes she allows magicians to [[Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust|invoke her grim legion]] to fight alongside living warriors, but this return to the mortal Realm is always short-lived, and is a cruel reminder of the light, life, colour and joy that can never be experienced in the domain of Kaela.

Kaela prefers to take warriors over civilians, but anyone who has fought and striven in life who wishes to avoid death at any cost may find a place in her sorrowful court. Very rarely, she will bring forth a specific member of her legions to speak to mortals, provided they can be invoked by name and is among the legion. It is entirely at her whim if she chooses to do so. She can even be prevailed upon to allow one of her legion to die, but she will certainly charge a high price for this 'gift'.

Some seek out her ability to grant a painless death - she is said to be able to end ''anything'' that exists. She can kill a willing individual with a gentle caress, and it is said that even an apparently immortal creature such as a [[Volodny]] can be obliterated by her kiss. However, she is not a murderer and has no interest in forcing extinction on anyone. Only those who embrace death willingly will receive the painless death she offers. Her ability to kill is not limited to living beings - she is often evoked when performing [[Words of Ending]], [[Black Iron Blade]] or by those attempting to unravel a permanent [[curse]] or [[enchantment]].

Very rarely, Kaela offers a boon to an artist who has attracted her attention. She is known to appreciate well-crafted lays of lament, tragic poems, sad songs and theatrical events that end in despair, sorrow and bittersweet loss. A musician, playwright or poet who seeks to win her approval must be careful however, as she is known to dismiss those who fail to please her with a curse or a crippling malediction.

====The Gift of Kaela====
During the Autumn Equinox 382YE, the eternal was [[382YE_Autumn_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Amity:_Kaela|granted]] [[amity and enmity|amity]] by the [[Imperial Conclave]]. This allowed her to reach out her cold hand to the Empire and offer them her gift - a gift she has also offered to Imperial citizens outside Imperial borders.

Secured through a bargain with the Winter Archmage, the gift allows any Imperial citizen in the hands of the [[Druj]] to choose to die painlessly. No corpse remains for the Druj to defile, to impale, or to use to taunt the living - the body turns to dust and ashes. This gift extends across the entire eastern Empire, and into the Mallum, [[Zenith]], and [[the Barrens]].

'''OOC Note:''' Using the gift requires thirty seconds of appropriate roleplaying. This ability may be used by player characters captured by the Druj during an event; if you do so you should ensure that you mark your character as dead as soon as you can so that your egregore is aware of your death. There is however one drawback to this as Imperial magicians may soon discover; anyone who takes advantage of this ability cannot be contacted with Whispers through the Black Gate.

This ability is an exception to the normal rules on using abilities while [[Combat#Terminal|terminal]]; a terminal character ''can'' use this ability if they are captured by the Druj.

<ic>"By all means enjoy your life,

"But never forget that it is fleeting.

"Even if you manage to avoid violence, accident, pestilence... even then you will age; you will decline; you will grow weak and infirm; your vision will dim, you will begin to forget; and then you will die. So will everyone you know and so will all your children down through all the ages until Creation itself gutters... and goes out like a candle.

"So by all means, return to your home and raise your family, and strive to build a better world, and fight terrible wars for what you know is right and true; it gives one real hope for the whole future of Creation... except, of course, we '''both''' know it has none."
</ic>

<box>===OOC Note : The Grim Legion===
It is entirely possible for a PC to join the Grim Legion in play, usually though an audience with the eternal. The PC must still be alive when they reach her chamber, and is usually [[Combat#Terminal|terminal]]. A character who is accepted into the Legion feels their infirmity drop away, and is restored to full health but they can ''never'' leave Kaela's realm without her permission. The player may have time for a final farewell to loved ones, but at the end of the audience the character is considered to have died or retired and cannot be played any further.

Requests to speak to specific player characters who have joined the Grim Legion are invariably refused. Joining the Grim Legion exists as a dramatic in-character way for a terminal character to 'die' and once the role-playing is complete, there will be no further chances to play that PC just as there are none when a PC dies by any other means.

Individuals who have joined the Grim Legion are also considered dead by the [[Egregores|egregore]] ability to sense if someone is alive.</box>

[[Category:Eternals]]

385YE Summer Solstice Synod judgements

2023-08-04T18:38:29Z

Cyph: /* Judgement 14 */ word correction

[[Category: Synod]] [[Category:Synod Results]] [[Category: Synod Judgements]] [[Category: 385YE Summer]]
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Synod_Summer_385YE.png|caption=The [[Imperial Synod]] recognises both the virtue, and the wickedness, of Imperial citizens.|align=right|width=500}}</div>
==Overview==
During the Summer Solstice 385YE Summit, the [[Imperial Synod]] raised 217 [[judgement|judgements]].
==Change of Doctrine==
The following [[change of doctrine]] was proposed during the Summer Solstice.
===Judgement 52===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Kennett the Mummer
* '''Judgement:''' In light of historical research indicating that the Doctrine of Human Destiny was born of historical political convenience rather than spiritual truth, the Doctrine of Human Destiny has no place among the Doctrines of the Faith. Remove it.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (539 - 1464)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to both the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Human_Destiny|Doctrine of Human Destiny]] and the recent [[On the Doctrine of Human Destiny]] report compiled by the [[Historical_research#The_Department_of_Historical_Research|Department of Historical Research]].
==Statement of Principle==
===Judgement 3===
__TOC__
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Genoveva Barossa d'Apulian
* '''Judgement:''' The Apulian Orcs' virtue of Audacity says that "Power is a crown, learn to put it on." It teaches about self-belief, about knowing that you have the guts to follow through on your plans and make them manifest as virtuous action. This self-belief is core to the Imperial Virtue of Pride. Pride teaches us to despise the half-hearted, the uncommitted, and the pretender. What is Audacity if not committing yourself fully to your goals and knowing you have what it takes to achieve them? Therefore we recognise that Audacity is Pride by another name and we welcome the Apulian Orcs to the Empire and the Way of Virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (245 - 137)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtue" of [[Chords#Audacity|Audacity]].

===Judgement 4===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alfredo Barossa
* '''Judgement:''' The Freedom Heresy has repeatedly raised its head in the Empire, and I propose we cut that head off. Let us bring together interested parties from across the Assemblies of the Synod, as a special council reporting to the Assembly of Nine, to example: 1) Why Freedom is a Heresy not a Virtue. 2) Whether the actions of the Empire have, or have not, promoted Freedom. 3) Recommend to the Senate, Synod, and Conclave such measures as may be necessary including any clarification of Doctrine that may be needed. Let us publish these findings, teachings, and recommendations across the Empire, for all to see, and without fear or favour within the next year.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1920-255)
* '''Notes:''' Contributes to the discourse around the [[Malign_spiritual_presences|malign spiritual presence]] of [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Anarchy|Anarchy]].
===Judgement 5===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Pickers Blackleaf
* '''Judgement:''' In response to Kimus' challenge the earliest records of people passing through the Labyrinth date back to the fall of Terunael.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (847-401)
===Judgement 9===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Hector of Tropaion
* '''Judgement:''' Medea Ruth of Urizen. Zaccai of Highguard. Friar Robin of Whittle. Santana of the Kohan. No nation is immune to the temptations of Purity. Severus Blinding Sun and his blasphemous ilk are the poison in our fields, the danger within. Reject Purity; thwart these blasphemers before their teachings can take root.
* '''Outcome:'''
* '''Notes:''' Contributes to discussion of the [[Malign_spiritual_presences|malign spiritual presence]] of [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Hatred|hatred]]. The four people mentioned have all faced serious accusations of spreading the "false virtue" under various names. The most recent is the [[Urizen]] priest [[The_deepest_cut#Interred_With_Their_Bones|Severus of the Blinding Sun]] offered to contribute to the proposed [[The_deepest_cut#Interred_With_Their_Bones|creation]] of an [[Inspirational location|inspirational tomb]] for the [[sword scholar]] founder, [[Sulemaine|Sulemaine i Taziel]].
===Judgement 11===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tarquinius Ankarien
* '''Judgement:''' The most basic duty of the Empire is to ensure that the cultures that it consists of are not destroyed. The Spiral Urizeni are a culture formed before the Empire existed and if nothing is done while individuals will survive that culture will no longer exist. The Empire's first instinct upon finding this to be the case was not to ask "How can we prevent this?" but to debase ourselves with "Can we rename their home to erase their history too?" The Empire must correct its course before it makes a terrible mistake. We ask "How can the Spiral Urizeni exist alongside the League without sacrificing or assimilating their culture?" Nothing is off the table: new laws, great works, appraisals, rituals, constitutional change, eternals and more. We should consider any viable solution.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1647-545)
* '''Notes:''' This statement talks about the situation in [[Spiral]], and the status of the [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens [[The fate of the many|still living in]] the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]].

===Judgement 14===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Artis Greyholm
* '''Judgement:''' Hail to you General of the second army. Long has the Green Shields been the proving ground of the Steinr. From spiral to Sermersuaq, from empress to interregnum, heroically have you championed the nations boldest ideals. It is time we proved that heroism is the shield that holds, not just the blade that strikes. A heroes name can be forged in a single moment, or in a hundred seasons the hammer of the West strikes a thousand blows to temper our skein. Iron Osric, you name is called into the Book of Heroes.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (329-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Heroism#Chronicle_of_Heroism|Chronicle of Heroism]] is a list of heroic individuals maintained by the [[Wintermark]] National Assembly.

===Judgement 17===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Solas of the Spire of the Waxing Sun
* '''Judgement:''' We recognise the importance of the work of the High Exorcist in combatting spiritual threats in the Empire and beyond. We call on the Senate to reinstate their stipend at the previous level unless and until a suitable long-term sponsor for regalia for this position comes forward.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1932-219)
* '''Notes:''' The [[High Exorcist]] advises the [[imperial Military Council|Military Council]] on the use of [[Religious skills|liao ceremonies]] on the battlefield. They were one of the titles affected by the Constitutional Court ruling that [[Rings_and_crowns#Virtue_and_Reward|automatic rewarding]] was not constitutional, and that the [[Imperial Senate]] might consider reinstating their seasonal [[Imperial_treasury#Stipends|stipend]].

===Judgement 18===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' The Eyes of Loyalty should be reworked such that any member of the Loyalty Assembly can raise a judgement requesting the Eyes of Loyalty be focused on a mandate. This will allow the entire assembly to be involved in the decision and allow for competing opinions where currently there can only be one option.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld, withdrawn.
* '''Notes:''' The [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]] (in this context) is a unique power wielded by the [[Cardinal of Loyalty]], to encourage the [[Loyalty|Loyal]] to support a specific [[mandate]] should it call to the truth of their hearts.

===Judgement 19===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Herminius House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' Interrogate the world through your blade and your mind. You are in constant dialogue with the world around you, and it is from this dialogue that you improve yourself. By studying the reactions of others in response to the proposal of consecrating Sulemaine's tomb, I have come to question the legacy of her personal beliefs and how she enacted them. Wisdom is finding the right questions. Does Sword Scholar philosophy have value when separated from the woman who inspired it? It is clear to me that the time has come to separate the woman from the teachings. I call on all virtuous Sword Scholars to no longer venerate the actions of Sulemaine. If you love a thing, be prepared to destroy it. Only then can you be truly strong enough to protect it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (374-16)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to the teachings of [[Sulemaine]], the founder of the [[sword scholar]] movement, and the question of whether to [[Consecration|consectrate]] an [[Inspirational location|inspirational tomb]] in [[The deepest cut|her name]].
===Judgement 20===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alessi of the Navigators
* '''Judgement:''' Despise that which threatens what you watch over - there is no virtue in hoarding information that could be used to keep souls from harm. Disseminating information to those who can appropriately use it is important and should be pursued with any means at our disposal.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1446-257)

===Judgement 25===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Sister Julliette of Balthazar's Vineyard
* '''Judgement:''' The vallorn remains a persistent spiritual threat to the souls of the Empire, therefore Vigilance demands that Highguard remain vigilant and watchful of its growth in our lands and beyond. Virtue demands that we construct the Greenwatch to aid in this fight.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (220-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Rain_king#The_Greenwatch|Greenwatch]] is a "watchtower" against the threat of the [[Brocéliande]] [[vallorn]], proposed by the [[eternal]] [[ossegrahn|Lord Rain]] during the Spring Equinox.
===Judgement 26===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orcs
* '''Raised By:''' Skywise Gralka
* '''Judgement:''' We are born of blood and sand the liberated people of Dubtraig and Beoraidh and we are here, witness our pride. See the worth of our sept as we claim a name to represents our people from this day forth known us as the Sannite sept. This word is of our ancestors born in the gladiator's coliseum it represents us all.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (78-13)
* '''Notes:''' This statement addresses the [[orc]] slaves of the [[Grendel]], liberated during the [[382YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_Turning_Tide|raid on Dubhtraig]] following the Autumn Equinox 382YE, and the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Mission|attack on Beoraidh]] following the Winter Solstice 382YE.

===Judgement 30===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Rafael Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' The vallorn is a significant spiritual threat to the Empire. It traps human and orc souls, dooming those who die in battle. The Winter Eternal Kaela has offered her Gift to the Empire, and it has been used to good effect by those captured by the Druj, letting them escape torment through painless death. She offers to extend that boon to those facing the horrors of the vallorn, keeping them from an eternity trapped as a husk. She will not do so unless the General assembly invite her with a greater majority, sending the message that this intervention is welcome. The Archmage of Winter and the Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path have investigated Kaela's Gift, as have many others. It is their firm view, and that of the Conclave, that accepting Kaela's Gift does not prevent one from entering the Labyrinth or crossing the Howling Abyss. We should accept her offer.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1935-249)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Kaela#The_Gift_of_Kaela|Gift of Kaela]] is a power offered by the [[kaela|Lady of the Grim Host]] to any Imperial citizen fighting the [[Druj]], allowing them to choose painless death if they fall into the hands of the [[the Mallum|Mallum]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Winter 383YE, the eternal [[Impossible_landscapes#Kaela|offered to extend her gift]] to those fighting the vallorn in the four territories where it dwells so they could avoid becoming [[vallornspawn husk|vallornspawn husks]].
===Judgement 32===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Mel Bleak
* '''Judgement:''' The whole of the Empire is at war with the Whisper Gallery, and anyone who helps them needs rooting out in <u>any</u> nation. Marcher threshers are experts at finding wrong'uns, but shouldn't stop at the borders of their nation. The General Assembly agrees all righteous folk of the Empire should bring themselves to bear in this virtuous battle. Take example from the inspired Vigilance of the threshers and work with them to hunt down the vermin of the Shadow Courtiers - across the entire Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1024-436)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Whisper Gallery]] are a group of [[eternal|eternals]] from the Night realm who have a [[A_long_December#The_Fucking_Whisper_Gallery|long history of threatening]] Imperial scholars. They are under the [[Alignment#Enmity|enmity]] of the [[Imperial Conclave]], and [[Pruning_shears#Under_Cover_of_Night|recent developments]] in [[the Marches]] have seen the [[thresher|threshers]] of that nation express an interest in dealing with them that goes beyond the current [[Military_unit#War_of_Whispers|war of whispers]].
===Judgement 34===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Corey Wayfinder
* '''Judgement:''' A key part of the Vigilance of all Navarr is to be ever ready to fight the vallorn at any point. Let us strive to be ready and focus on preparing ourselves. We call on Navarr to work to grow the army, Isaella's Dance
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (296-30)
* '''Notes:''' [[Isaella's Dance]] is a [[Navarr]] [[Imperial army|army]] with a [[army qualities|quality]] that (among other things) gives it an advantage to [[Isaella%27s_Dance#Army_Quality_:_Thornbound|fight]] the [[vallorn]].
===Judgement 36===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Lysimachus
* '''Judgement:''' A judgement of rewarding should be to reward Virtuous actions that have been done, not to pay someone for things they haven't yet done, and may never do. It should be used for the purpose intended and not to fund whatever scheme people want Thrones for, often leaving the virtuous unrewarded from an empty fund. The constitutional court has stated title holders can no longer withdraw from it to fund their future actions, we should follow this example and only reward the virtuous actions that have already been accomplished. Or to put it bluntly, the virtue fund is not your sugar daddy, money mommy, prosperity parent, or petty cash fund, so stop treating it as such!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1246-622)
* '''Notes:''' This statement discussed the [[rewarding|virtue fund]], and touches on the [[Rings_and_crowns#Virtue_and_Reward|Constitutional Court ruling]] that the automatic [[rewarding]] previously used by certain titles was not constitutional.
===Judgement 38===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Yevanshka
* '''Judgement:''' The General Assembly endorses the creation and appointment of National Inquisitors to the Inquisitional Court. In Summer 383 the General Assembly concluded that national beliefs and customs that fall outside of, but do not contradict, the Doctrines of the Faith are acceptable expressions of the Way. Where practice of these national customs threatens or enhances a citizen's path on the Way of Virtue, it is the Priests of the National Assembly that are best placed to investigate. The General Assembly thus believes that National Inquisitors should be appointed by National Assemblies to the Inquisitorial Court and tasked with ensuring that inquisitions around national matters are performed with accountability and transparency.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1724-529)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Create Inquisitorial Court|Inquisitorial Court]] is a body established by the [[Imperial Senate|Senate]] consisting of the [[Imperial Inquisitor]] and the eight [[Create Inquisitorial Court|virtue inquisitors]]. The General assembly concluded during the Summer 383YE summit that [[Walk on|certain practices]] in each nation brought into question by [[Grey Pilgrim|Grey Pilgrims]] were not in conflict with the [[Doctrines of the Faith]].
===Judgement 44===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Corrin Arrowsbane
* '''Judgement:''' The Aeslings of Wintermark have the <u>bold</u> ambition of being the first to explore and map the sea of sorrows. I believe this is a great and worthy endeavour of much virtue, that would greatly support the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (258-0)
===Judgement 45===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Aldwyn of House Rondell
* '''Judgement:''' Dawn and the Marches, together we recognise our commonality in our Loyalty. Long have we been allied in the military council. Yeofolk all, be inspired by our bonds to create something great between our nations.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (199-16)
===Judgement 49===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ashborn Atla
* '''Judgement:''' Mana the orc asks that why is the Empire making profit off slavery? Without looking after the newly freed. Spoils of war should fund a named priest to greet and support newly arrived liberated (individuals or groups) in Anvil. Let the Senate know this is the will of the Synod!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1183-392)
===Judgement 50===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Martha i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' Riqueza taught us that living a life in pursuit of decency, integrity, and justice is more important than living a life obsessed with virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (68-134)
* '''Notes:''' [[Riqueza]] is one of the [[The Brass Coast history|historical founders]] of [[the Brass Coast]] whose [[Riqueza#Riqueza.27s_Ideals|ideals]] continue to [[Tribe|inspire Freeborn]] to this day.
===Judgement 53===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Elkiah
* '''Judgement:''' At 385 Spring Solstice, public claims were made that the Shattered Tower is in thrall to eternals. We have always stood against the eternals, and our proud of our history of thwarting their machinations. However, Vigilance and Pride demand we prove it. Therefore, the Tower opens its doors to Synod for inquisition to prove we are free of eternal influence and cleave to the Way and its promise of salvation. The following Tower members submit to scrutiny with Pride: Synnis, Elkiah, Solomon, Nekoda, Rinnah, Dago, Vashti, Gideon, Anaea.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (999-101)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Highguard_groups#The_Shattered_Tower|Shattered Tower]] are a prominent [[Highguard|Highborn]] [[chapter]] from [[Reikos]].
===Judgement 54===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Derwyn Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' The Navarr national assembly recognises the efforts made by Wyl Brackensong, Brocéliande's Broker, to ensure the creation of the artefact 'The Broker's Tear' to be provided as regalia to the General of Isaella's Dance. Let this item serve as an inspiration to the Navarr in the hands of our Generals, and a testament to the virtue and the legacy of the Brokers of Brocéliande.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (246-0)
* '''Notes:''' Both the [[Imperial Senate]] and the [[Imperial Conclave]] can declare an item as ''regalia'' of a specific title via [[Motion_wording#Amendments|amendment]] or [[Endowment#Necessary_Details|endowment]], respectively.
===Judgement 55===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Creighton Blackewater
* '''Judgement:''' The Marches and Dawn, together we recognise our commonality in our Loyalty. Long have we been allied in the military council. Yeofolk all, be inspired by our bonds to create something great between our nations.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (160-0)
===Judgement 58===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Eleanor Novarion
* '''Judgement:''' Dawn admires the Courage, Pride, and Prosperity of the Free Folk. When their pilgrimage across the Empire comes to an end, Dawn would welcome them, should they choose to settle in our nation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (273-0)
* '''Notes:'''The [[:Category:Free Folk|Free Folk]] is the name taken on by a group of refugees from the [[Asavean Archipelago]], who claim to be followers of the Way, but their particular take on the religion, and their peculiar [[paragons and exemplars]], have caused some tension in the Empire. Their [[Folklore|recent pilgrimage]] across the Empire is nearing an end.

===Judgement 60===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Irada von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' The inspiration of Berechiah drives Vigilance pilgrims and priests to actively tear out the poison that threatens the Empire. We the Vigilance assembly encourage the creation of an inspirational monument consecrated with true liao at his Basilica in Bastion so that his inspiration in rooting out threats can be felt across the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (230-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Berechiah]] is a sometimes controversial [[paragons and exemplars|exemplar]] of [[Vigilance]]. A [[greater majority]] is usually needed for there to be any chance of an [[opportunity]] to use [[liao#True Liao|true liao]] to create an [[Inspirational_location#Inspirational_Opportunity|inspirational location]] such as this.
===Judgement 62===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Allana Thurnweaver
* '''Judgement:''' The Navarr national assembly recognises the efforts made by Wyl Brackensong, Brocéliande's Broker, to ensure the creation of the artefact 'The Broker's Tear', to be provided as regalia to the General of Isaella's Dance. Let this item serve as an inspiration to the Navarr in the hands of our Generals, and a testament to the virtue and the legacy of the Brokers of Brocéliande.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
===Judgement 64===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aethelric the Grounded
* '''Judgement:''' Heroism takes many forms and should be acknowledged and celebrated. One such example was during the Spring summit of 385YE, where Henrik Hearts Keeper led multiple covens from multiple nations to undertake a spectacular arcane projection. The prosperity since experienced by the entire Empire is a direct result of this arcane projection, and it is most definitely Heroic to demonstrably practice Virtue as well as encourage it in others (in this case, Ambition, Pride, and Prosperity). The names of the covens and individuals involved are numerous but the Stormcrows and the Priests of Wintermark wish to congratulate them all and encourage them to speak to their Crows and Scops so that their deeds may be skein-woven and toasted in song and story.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (309-0)
* '''Notes:''' This judgement appears to refer to the ''Bounty of the Brilliant Broker'' [[enchantment]] that [[Farewell wanderlust|fell across the entire Empire]] following the Spring Equinox.

===Judgement 65===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Vespasian of Tropaion
* '''Judgement:''' The Virtuous do not demean others, they inspire them to greatness. The current system of military council commendations is unfit for purpose. It demeans the martial achievements of Heroes through the Sentinel Gate by being used by the Military Council for self-congratulatory purposes, and by entire nations being commended at once, rather than highlighting individual acts of battlefield Virtue. It fails to inspire Citizens beyond Anvil as said commendations are not recorded by the Civil Service. We call upon the Empire's Pride Priests, the Civil Service, and the wider Imperial population to strive for excellence in developing a better system of acknowledging martial achievements through the Sentinel Gate on both major and minor Conjunctions, by creating an Imperial title that is responsible for celebrating martial excellence, and ensuring it is properly recorded.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (341-35), Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 339
===Judgement 70===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Josephine of Adina's Charge
* '''Judgement:''' The Highborn Anti-lineage sentiment is based on distrust of the Realms, but there are countless examples of how these attitudes have driven people into the arms of those they claim to protect them from. We have a long tradition of swearing a duty of service. Let us take inspiration from our Navarri friends, and officially add swearing to be vigilant against the threat of the Realms to the Magister's training and trust them in dealing with the realms. This will ensure we keep our vigilance and deal with the actual concerns instead of catching bystanders in the crossfire. Lineaged are Imperial Citizens and treating them as pawns of the Realms is part of the problem.
* '''Outcome:'''
* '''Notes:''' Thanks to the [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Dare_Do_All|actions of the Highborn assembly]], prejudice against the lineages is significantly declining among their people.
===Judgement 77===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Jedediah Boon
* '''Judgement:''' The Jotun raided the Mournwold, sending the ferocious Banner of the Howling Bear to take our Mithril. The miners of the Singing Caves dug in their heels; outnumbered, they fought a vicious and bloody battle in the dark, gruelling tunnels of their home. Miners do not just work the land: they defend it with Pride. Their calls for suffrage have long fallen on deaf ears, but when the Marches calls, they rise! The Marcher National Assembly exalts the miners of the Singing Caves for their Pride, Courage, and Loyalty to the Nation. We are the guts of the Empire, and we have Iron in our Veins!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (150-20), the threshold for a greater majority for this judgement was 157.
* '''Notes:''' The Banner of the Howling Bear [[Shallows_and_miseries#Meanwhile_in_Mournwold|raided the Mournwold]] after the Spring Equinox this year. The question of "miner suffrage" is [[Sense_and_sensibility#Mine_Free|being extensively discussed]] in the [[Mournwold|Mourn]] this season.

===Judgement 78===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Leonarius Ankarien
* '''Judgement:''' The Urizen national assembly reject the offer made by Severus of the Blinding Sun. The false virtue of "inviolate perfection" is just that. False. Ambition is the third pillar of our nation, we seek the perfection of this world and know that we will achieve perfection when we finally ascend. The false virtue of "Purity" is a trap, it restricts the mind turning only inwards for inspiration and rejecting the wisdom of other nations or peoples. It has no place in Urizen. While it is true that in dire circumstances some citizens have found solace in this false virtue, they should be guided back to the Way, not tolerated or venerated.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (188-0)
* '''Notes:''' A rebuttal to the [[Urizen]] priest [[The_deepest_cut#Interred_With_Their_Bones|Severus of the Blinding Sun]], this statement also contributes to discussion of the [[Malign_spiritual_presences|malign spiritual presence]] of [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Hatred|hatred]]
===Judgement 79===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Telyn Stormtree
* '''Judgement:''' The Gardens of Glory in Therunin allows followers of Anarchy a regular supply of liao and creates a potential threat to our Nation and Empire - it should never have been repaired. We call on Vigilant Navarri to follow Berechiah's excample and end this threat before it can harm the Empire. Tear down the Gardens so thoroughly that it may not be repaired again.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (96-222)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Construct Garden of Glory|Garden of Glory]] is a contentious commission overseen by the [[Keeper of the Garden]]. A [[Long_walk_home#Liao_garden|lost garden]] used for creating [[liao]], there are concerns that some of the liao may be going to the [[briar]] [[Great_Forest_Orcs#The_Briars|allies]] of the [[Great Forest Orcs]] in [[Therunin]], open practitioners of the [[Malign spiritual presences|malign spiritual force]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Anarchy|Anarchy]]. The briars have thus far shown little interest in spreading their teachings with the Empire.

===Judgement 80===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Nigel Hornbeam
* '''Judgement:''' You don't pick a patch of dirt and just start digging for ore; you get an experienced miner to guide your hand. The Marcher National Assembly supports Jedediah Boon's undertaking to examine the events of the Ore Hills Rebellion of 326YE - and the Proud Marchers who lead it, with the intent of revealing their names to the Empire. Only then can we know what Signs they may have shows, and perhaps recognise them for their Virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' Both the [[Minister of Historical Research]] and the [[Lepidean Librarian]] have the ability to commission [[historical research]] into past events such as this.
===Judgement 81===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Teleri Thornweaver
* '''Judgement:''' The Navarr national assembly recognises the efforts made by Trystan Brackensong, Brocéliande's Broker, to ensure the creation of the artefact 'Trystan's Lament', to be provided as regalia to the General of the Black Thorns. Let this item serve as inspiration to the Navarr in the hands of our Generals, and a testament to the virtue and the legacy of the Brokers of Brocéliande.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (282-0)
* '''Notes:''' Both the [[Imperial Senate]] and the [[Imperial Conclave]] can declare an item as ''regalia'' of a specific title via [[Motion_wording#Amendments|amendment]] or [[Endowment#Necessary_Details|endowment]], respectively.
===Judgement 83===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Alexei
* '''Judgement:''' The assembly recognises Fidelity is a route to Prosperity. We invite the Apulian Orcs to visit our congregations of Prosperity in the Empire, so that they may further their understanding of Prosperity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (259-60), the greater majority threshold for this judgement was 276.
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtue" of [[Chords#Fidelity|Fidelity]].
===Judgement 85===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Vera
* '''Judgement:''' We call upon the Apulian Orcs to visit prosperity congregations across the Empire. They should use this opportunity to reflect on their understanding of Prosperity and the learn from our understanding which is informed by centuries of evidence and access to liao which has always been unavailable to them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (335-0)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Chords|Apulian Orc understanding ]] of the virtue of [[Prosperity]].
===Judgement 86===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Luca i Taziel i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' A spark, from family hearth and pyre. Carried by voice on wind to kohan's fire. Becoming flame. Burning honest to everything they will ever be. Terrifying, splendid, incandescent, free. A thousand words a thousand thoughts writhing grasping struggle forth to bind an inferno to form it can never take. Until embers. A memory where fires shone. Warmth for those who linger on. Hotter still than what was gone. And finally, ash. Ash a claw for jealous throats, ash a scent to linger with the loved, ash a new voice carried on the wind. Let Janon's true conviction inspire the kohan to burn as Falcons ever brighter Sparks, flames, embers, and ash.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (186-16)
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the eternal [[Janon|Janon's]] [[Four_and_four#Flickers_of_Flame_.28Janon.29|interest]] in the [[Burning Falcon]].

===Judgement 88===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Nathair Autumngale
* '''Judgement:''' Navarr, we are the blood of the Empire. Once more has new territory and new peoples been brought into the fold of the Empire. As with our Varushkan cousins in Ossium, now too with the Barrens should we seek ways to aid our Dawnish allies in exploring new lands and reaching out to the peoples who inhabit them. Consider how we might help people traveling to and living within the Barrens find their place in the Great Dance, in the Empire, and within the way of Virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (308-0)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to the [[A glorious victory|situation]] for the people of [[Dawn]] in [[the Barrens]].
===Judgement 91===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Exarch Luke of the Navigators of Virtue
* '''Judgement:''' We, the Highborn have sent our magisters and wayfarers to aid the Suranni refugees in settling in the Empire, but we know the job is not complete until <u>all</u> are brought into the Empire and the Way. There are many still suffering under the tyranny of the Iron Confederacy. We must seek people and opportunities that allow us to create safe escape routes for these refugees.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (508-12)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Possibility_days|Suranni wizards]] who have escaped the [[Iron Confederacy]] to the Empire have [[Two_minutes#Bats.2C_Bottles.2C_and_Beginnings|begun to set up new homes]] with the aid of the [[Navarr]]. They remain resistant to efforts to encourage them to embrace the Way.

===Judgement 93===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Chaunticleer Words
* '''Judgement:''' In Winter 384YE this assembly unanimously provided a greater majority to Viviane Knotes' request that we seek out ways to spend money to increase the reach of our congregations and strive for greater efforts in salvation. Unfortunately, this was still during the period that sword scholars stifled the ability of virtue assemblies to operate. Now, free from their influence, we once again ask the question of the Prosperity assembly: If foresters and miners can find those willing to work their properties for coin to gather more materials - surely this assembly should be able to find the ways and means to do do the same for efforts to spread the virtues! The Words, Numbers, Figures, and Knotes organisation remains prepared to purchase the salvation of souls.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (307-0)
* '''Notes:''' Seems to refer to a [[statement of principle]] from the [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_27|Winter solstice]], and the [[The price of wisdom|situation]] with [[sword scholar]] and devotees of [[Wisdom]] which was broadly resolved following the Winter Solstice 383YE.

===Judgement 95===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Prince Bishop Jonah von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' We are rightly Proud of our cities and defined by our universities, but it is time to recognise our academics, our curators, our engineers, our philosophers, and our experts. Let us elevate the title of scholar to sit alongside Bishop, Bravo, Mountebank, et al. All with the purpose of promoting this as a route out of the academy that would sit proudly alongside all the arch-typical careers in the League.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (321-61)
===Judgement 96===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Fintan Nighthaven
* '''Judgement:''' Benson's Orchard is now home to an inspirational tomb for Joshua Benson, Exemplar of Vigilance. Navarr know the merits of practical, communcal, Vigilance to protect the Empire; every tarry, striding, wayhouse and steading is testament to this. The Navarr Assembly encourage all Vigilant Navarr to make a pilgrimage to the tomb and be inspired by Major Benson; may our spears of Vigilance respond to his ringing shield of alarm.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (284-16)
* '''Notes:''' The [[inspirational location|inspirational tomb]] of [[Joshua Benson]] - [[Pruning_shears#Benson.27s_Orchard|Benson's Orchard]] - was established near Pickham Monastery during the Summer Solstice.

===Judgement 98===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Eirlys Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' The Gardens of Glory in Therunin allows followers of Anarchy a regular supply of liao and creates a potential threat to our Nation and Empire. We encourage Navarri citizens to be alert to this danger. The promotion of Anarchy is Blasphemous and any auras should be reported, removed, and their creator identified for condemnation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (284-26)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Construct Garden of Glory|Garden of Glory]] is a contentious commission overseen by the [[Keeper of the Garden]]. A [[Long_walk_home#Liao_garden|lost garden]] used for creating [[liao]], there are concerns that some of the liao may be going to the [[briar]] [[Great_Forest_Orcs#The_Briars|allies]] of the [[Great Forest Orcs]] in [[Therunin]], open practitioners of the [[Malign spiritual presences|malign spiritual force]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Anarchy|Anarchy]]. The briars have thus far shown little interest in spreading their teachings to the Empire.

===Judgement 102===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Fenrys Whiteshroud
* '''Judgement:''' Despise that which threatens what you watch over. The construction of the "Gardens of Glory" by the Senate has allowed access for Anarchy cultists to liao. In doing so the Senate are allowing the spread and promotion of anarchy in Therunin and across the Empire. We call upon the Senate and Imperial citizens to tear down these gardens until such tie that none of them follow the blasphemous teachings of Anarchy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (169-20)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Construct Garden of Glory|Garden of Glory]] is a contentious commission overseen by the [[Keeper of the Garden]]. A [[Long_walk_home#Liao_garden|lost garden]] used for creating [[liao]], there are concerns that some of the liao may be going to the [[briar]] [[Great_Forest_Orcs#The_Briars|allies]] of the [[Great Forest Orcs]] in [[Therunin]], open practitioners of the [[Malign spiritual presences|malign spiritual force]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Anarchy|Anarchy]]. The briars have thus far shown little interest in spreading their teachings to the Empire.
===Judgement 103===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Lorelei DuFroste
* '''Judgement:''' A condemnation in the Synod is a powerful tool with serious repercussions, potentially charges by magistrates and excommunication. In judgement number six this summit Genevova in their final paragraph utilises supposition and false deductions to further their agenda. Dawn strongly believes a condemnation should only be presenting facts of an allegation as "might" does not suffice.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (209-0)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to [[#Judgement 6|Judgement 6]].
===Judgement 104===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orcs
* '''Raised By:''' Bloodcrow Knott
* '''Judgement:''' The souls of the Mourn orcs are in danger. While the Marchers' efforts to accept the Mourn orcs as their own are praiseworthy, more has to be done. The Mourn orcs are still suffering under the lies of the Jotun, deceived into throwing their souls into the Abyss. The Mourn orcs do not need to lay down the plough to pick up a sword if this is not in their nature - a Legend soaked in rhubarb is as much a Legend as one soaked in blood. However, a Legend not sought is a Legend not to be. To cross the Abyss we get no second chances. We encourage the Marches to throw away the lies of the Jotun instead of the souls of their orc siblings. We encourage the Mourn orcs to listen to their ancestors for guidance and seize their Legend for themselves in this, their - one life.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (78-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Mournwold Orcs]] are former [[Jotun]] thralls who disagree with the [[Imperial Orcs]] and [[The Doctrines of the Faith|Doctrine]]on the matter of [[Mournwold_Orcs#Religion|reincarnation]].

===Judgement 105===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Kaspar Yakovitch von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' The raising of the walls of Holberg which is currently in progress offers a chance to create as part of the walls spaces for citizens to remember their dead, those who have given their lives for their city, nation or the Empire. We, the Bishops of the League, endorse and support the creation of such memorial spaces as part of Holberg's walls, whether through memorial arches, statues, inscriptions, or plaques.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (481-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Improve Walls of Holberg|improvement]] of the [[Holberg#Holfried|Walls of Holberg]] [[fortification]] is ongoing.
===Judgement 106===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Claus
* '''Judgement:''' The Urizeni in Spiral should be supported and encouraged to live as Urizeni. We recognise and support your past and wish to learn from you learned Magi. Let the League create a clear path for them to pursue their Ambitions, as Urizeni within our borders.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (342-72). The [[Cardinal of Wisdom]] used the ability to require [[Cardinal#Further_Scrutiny|further scrutiny]] on this judgement.
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the [[The fate of the many|questions around]] [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens remaining in the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]] of [[Spiral]].

===Judgement 107===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Sefia von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' The League holds Spiral. It is thought, in the League and in Urizen, that this requires a Reckoning from the League to Urizen and the people of Spiral. Defining and Resolving this Reckoning would be an Ambitious act. This is a fraught state with no quick and no easy solutions. However the greatest forest is felled one tree at a time. Both nations should make it their Ambition to solve this obligation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (204-12)
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the [[The fate of the many|questions around]] [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens remaining in the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]] of [[Spiral]].

===Judgement 109===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Merrari of the Navigators of Virtue
* '''Judgement:''' For one reason or another, lineage has been removed from our stories to focus on the lesson at the centre. In doing so we have unintentionally taught a far different lesson - that Lineage has no place in our history or virtue. I call upon the Stewards of the Dead, Archivists, and chapters to search their journals and histories for virtuous Highborn, who bore their lineage with pride, and restore the Lineage that has been erased from our history to show that the Lineaged have a place in our Empire and the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (451-82)

===Judgement 110===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Caoimha Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' The National Assembly calls on all Navarri heading into Sarangrave to hunt down the vile Druj Het Serra Grubfeast. Any attempt to weaponise the taint of the Vallorn cannot be allowed to stand.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (378-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Two_silhouettes#Objective:_Kill_Sarra_Grubfeast|Serra or (Sarra) Grubfeast]] was the former [[Druj]] governor of [[the Barrens#Dawnguard|Dawnguard]] before the [[Everything_is_broken#Glorious_In_Victory_.28Battle.29|Dawnish rebellion]] drove the [[orc|orcs]] of [[the Mallum]] out the region. Their whereabouts are not commonly known.

===Judgement 113===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Abrham
* '''Judgement:''' The Highborn national assembly appeals to the citizens of Necropolis. We call citizens to come forward to tell the Seventh Wave and accompanying priests what information was given to the Grendel. We need to knowthe level of danger we are in. The National Assembly want to assure the people they will be treated fairly and in accordance to Imperial law. Some Highborn priests will accompany the army to ensure this loyalty to your siblings is worth more than coin in your pocket. There is a path for redemption for unvirtuous deeds though recognising your loyalties.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (695-0)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to the Grendel [[Rings_and_crowns#Eyes_of_the_Basilisk|espionage ring]] uncovered by the [[Seventh Wave]] in [[Necropolis]].
===Judgement 115===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' "Shacklebreaker" Thanmir Hrafnar
* '''Judgement:''' The people of Wintermark are familiar with the pain and challenges associated with the transfer of a territory to another Imperial nation. We recognise and witness the great courage and loyalty shown by the Urizeni and encourage all peoples of Wintermark to use the wisdom they learned in the transfer of Skarsind to support the Urizeni people during the transition of Spiral to the League.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (204-10)
* '''Notes:''' Seems to refer to both the situation in [[Spiral]], and the status of the [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens [[The fate of the many|still living in]] the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]]. and the [[Skarsind#Recent_History|recent history]] of [[Skarsind]]
===Judgement 116===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Levi of the Navigators
* '''Judgement:''' In light of the revelation undergone by Prince Vanja of Votika, of the Principalities of Jarm, we encourage priests of the Empire to work with Ambassador Ariadne to travel to the Principalities of Jarm to further spread the way amongst it's citizens. "The virtuous inspire others to greatness," fourth tenet of Pride.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (189-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Principalities of Jarm]] embrace [[Principalities_of_Jarm#Religion|religious freedom]] but see spiritual matters as highly personal. Diplomatic relations with the Principalities are very strained at this time.

===Judgement 118===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Lucianna Valesi di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' The Pride assembly recognises Audacity as a <u>noble quality</u> that combines elements of both Pride and Ambition. After discussion with the Apulian Orcs, we believe Audacity can be a lens through which they can start to engage with the virtue of Pride.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (304-0)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtue" of [[Chords#Audacity|Audacity]]. See also [[#Judgement 126|Judgement 126]]
===Judgement 119===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Thomas deGauvin
* '''Judgement:''' The conquest of the Barrens was not solely a Dawnish achievement, nor should the celebration be. Dawn wishes to extend our gratitude to all those nations whose armies formed the Steel Causeway and subsequent campaign, as well as those that fought with us in Spring - and in particular our cousins the Marchers who chose to head to battle from Dawn. As long as the Barrens remains Dawnish we ask the households of Dawn to welcome visiting soldiers of those nations; as they rest between campaigns, with a spirit of celebration and extend a welcome to them into our tourneys. They should partake of our festivities and try themselves against us. We hope the experience improves their prowess, and whatever prizes they win assist them in the future. Let them leave Dawn with any advantage we can give them in their next battle, better prepared than if they rested anywhere else.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (227-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Into_the_valley#A_Steel_Causeway|Steel Causeway]] was the path through the middle of the Barrens secured following the Spring Equinox 384YE.

===Judgement 120===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Sister Keziah of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Since promoting false virtues is <u>blasphemy</u> and <u>Anarchy</u>, also known as <u>freedom</u> is a false virtue and potential blasphemy is grounds for <u>inquisition</u> therefore we the Synod affirm the promotion of <u>Anarchy</u> is <u>Blasphemous</u> and therefore those who exult or glorify <u>Freedom</u> should be called to <u>Inquisition</u> to account for their words.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1267-305)
* '''Notes:''' Contributes to discourse around the [[Malign_spiritual_presences|malign spiritual presence]] of [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Anarchy|Anarchy]].
===Judgement 124===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Olyvan of Esther's Sanctum
* '''Judgement:''' Lineaged of the Highborn do not be complacent - ever strive for excellent in that which you are proud. Each day, we walk the paths of Virtue, shining as examples to all of the Empire as we can counter the demands of our blood with virtue and certainty. Lineaged siblings, we were not meant for inaction, apathy, or the idea virtue is easy. We were meant for greatness and that is the path we must choose.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (338-0)

===Judgement 126===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Lia Adelaar von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' The Ambition assembly recognises Audacity as a <u>noble quality</u> that combines elements of both Ambition and Pride. After discussion with the Apulian Orcs, we believe Audacity can be a lens through which they can continue to engage with the virtue of Ambition.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (224-38)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtue" of [[Chords#Audacity|Audacity]]. See also [[#Judgement 118|Judgement 118]].

===Judgement 128===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Raewyn Eternal
* '''Judgement:''' The Loyalty Assembly finds that Fidelity has commonalities with Loyalty. There is no conflict if the expression of that Loyalty is a true reflection of what is in that person's heart. We welcome priests of the Apulian Orcs to our Assembly to deepen our understanding of the virtue of loyalty. Together we are stronger.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (349-26)
* '''Notes:'''Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtue" of [[Chords#Fidelity|Fidelity]].
===Judgement 129===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Eldrid Vestadottir
* '''Judgement:''' The mediators of Wintermark wish to trade at the hall of Wreck to show the Thule the prosperity of a free people. The mediators will trade in good faith and not be maggots, exploiting former slaves. To ensure this is so, the mediators will consult the stormcrows of Wintermark.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (250-18)
* '''Notes:''' The trading hall at [[Sermersuaq#Wreck|Wreck]] was recently constructed to allow the [[Thule]] [[orc|orcs]] of [[Otkodov]] to [[Write_the_lines#Meat_for_Metal|trade valuable star metal for food]], and is overseen by the [[Mediator of Wreck]]
===Judgement 130===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Sofonisba Amilcara du Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' The League owes a debt of reckoning to the Urizeni of Spiral, and we will repay them for their sacrifices.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (485-0)
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the [[The fate of the many|questions around]] [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens remaining in the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]] of [[Spiral]].
===Judgement 131===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Sister Meredith
* '''Judgement:''' The Mourne orcs are our neighbours. At the request of Hap the Soft, this assembly urges Marchers to offer shelter and sanctuary to the Mourne orcs, should the need arise.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (190-0)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to the [[Mournwold Orcs]], the former [[Jotun]] thralls who live in the [[Mournwold]]. Hap the Soft is one of their community leaders who [[Sense_and_sensibility#What.27s_to_be_done.3F_2|recently visited]] [[Anvil]].
===Judgement 132===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Jared of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Recognise the benevolent vigilance of your general of the Seventh Wave, brother Barachiel of Adina's Charge. Without his orders last season in Necropolis we would not be aware of the Grendel spying threat in our lands. As a true servant of our nation he has helped us in Loyalty to prepare for malice. Be inspired by his example!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (399-24)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Seventh Wave]] recently [[Rings_and_crowns#Eyes_of_the_Basilisk|uncovered]] a [[Grendel]] espionage ring in [[Necropolis]].

===Judgement 134===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Serrusto Caeli Rezia di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' The actions that the League takes at this pivotal moment will set a precedent for the future of orcs joining the nations of the Empire. This assembly believes that new citizens of the League join with the political rights and representation that the League prides itself on. Appointing a Senator to Spiral who does not represent and respect the culture and identity of <u>all</u> residents of Spiral risks political <u>slavery</u>. It is virtuous for the League to encourage candidates with a history and connection to the territory.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (156-200)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to the [[Windfall#Senator_for_Spiral|complex political situation]] in the new [[the League|League]] territory of [[Spiral]].

===Judgement 136===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Neala Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' The Navarr national assembly recognises the efforts made by Dan Brackensong, Brocéliande's Broker, to ensure the creation of an artefact to be provided as regalia to the general of the Quiet Step. Let this item serve as an inspiration to the Navarr in the hands of our Generals, and a testament to the virtue and legacy of the Brokers of Brocéliande.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (289-0)
* '''Notes:''' Both the [[Imperial Senate]] and the [[Imperial Conclave]] can declare an item as ''regalia'' of a specific title via [[Motion_wording#Amendments|amendment]] or [[Endowment#Necessary_Details|endowment]], respectively.

===Judgement 140===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Bryce Tanner
* '''Judgement:''' Abbott Thomas was a proud and courageous man, a priest of Pride, who practiced vigilance through "proactive counsel" - he believed that bringing people back to a virtuous path was "easier" than preventing them from straying, and dedicated himself to that more arduous and difficult work with unbridled passion. His death in Spring 385YE is mourned by his house and by his widower, and the Marcher religious community. The Marcher assembly recognises the virtuous life of Abbott Thomas, and the inspiring legacy of chaplaincy he leaves behind.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (146-10), the Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 157.
===Judgement 141===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine duLac
* '''Judgement:''' The assembly calls upon all of the dedicated priests who have liao in their pockets to travel to Spiral and spread auras of vigilance among our new Apulian friends. Let their souls know what true virtuous feel like.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (176-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to relate to the Apulian Orcs' [[Chords#The Grendel Beliefs|spiritual beliefs]], which include the virtue of [[Vigilance]].
===Judgement 142===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Harran Blackwood
* '''Judgement:''' I call upon the vigilant people of the Empire to seek out the poison in your neighbour's fields, lest your own crops be blighted, and to seek out Grendel spies across the southern coast.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (224-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to relate to the [[Rings_and_crowns#Be_Alert_to_Dangers|suspected]] [[Grendel]] espionage rings in the Imperial territories around the [[Bay of Catazar]].
===Judgement 144===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Ilhelm Avercall
* '''Judgement:''' Virtuous mediators should travel to Otkodov and make prosperous trade to help feed the now freed slaves, return goods to Wintermark, and improve our understanding of the Thule.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (256-0), the Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 266.
===Judgement 145===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Hildebrand von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' The League welcomes our new citizens, but acknowledges that they are also players in the Great Game. We encourage them all to stand in the Senatorial elections, but would not wound their pride by refusing them a fight for the role.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (334-110)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to the matter of the [[Senator]] for [[Spiral]] following the [[Windfall#Senator_for_Spiral|Apulian Orcs joining the League]].

===Judgement 146===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Callista of the Dark Shard
* '''Judgement:''' In pride we encourage Urizeni citizens to celebrate the return of Spiral to the Empire by demonstrating and sharing our culture and traditions throughout Spiral, Let Spiral be permeated with the Pride of Urizen, our heartland, and we encourage all those with whom we share loyalty to join us in celebrating that Spiral is Urizen.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (151-32)
* '''Notes:''' This statement talks about the situation in [[Spiral]], and the status of the [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens [[The fate of the many|still living in]] the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]].
===Judgement 147===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Nira of Cantiarch's Hold
* '''Judgement:''' Varushka ask that we send virtuous benefactors to all ceded territories of Otkodov south of the mountain, offering trade and aid. These benefactors will offer their Prosperity and aid to those in need.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (332-25)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to the [[territory#Regions|regions]] of [[Varushka]] ceded to the [[Thule]] - [[Miekarova#Miechernya|Miechernya]], [[Karsk#Krevsaty|Krevsaty]], and [[Ossium#Spiderfell|Spiderfall]], potentially including [[Ossium#Bonewood|Bonewood]] (although that region has never been Varushkan).

===Judgement 150===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Kay Fabler
* '''Judgement:''' Dawn is the land of Love and Glory. Any who strive for these ideals we welcome with open arms. Those who stumble we do not mock, we raise them to glow as we do.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (145-10)
===Judgement 152===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Mazo Freewalker
* '''Judgement:''' Respect between the nations is foundational to the Empire. By casting the culturally significant ritual "The Dance of Navarr and Thorn" without communicating with the Navarr, Viridian and the Verdant Glade Coven have shown a lack of loyalty to these international bonds. The Dance of Navarr and Thorn achieves nothing without the commitment of a large population to walk the trods it creates. With Loyalty and co-operation we call upon the people of Dawn to join us in walking the new trods of the Barrens.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (296-0), the Greater Majority threshold for this statement was 305.
* '''Notes:''' Apparently refers to the ritual [[The Dance of Navarr and Thorn]], performed in [[the Barrens]] by [[Dawn|Dawnish]] magicians to create new [[trod|trods]]. See also [[#Judgement 172|Judgement 172]].

===Judgement 153===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Grey Stone
* '''Judgement:''' On behalf of Quay Stone "Tomorrow's traditions grow from the seeds of today." Quay Stone of House Stone is gathering less-known Marcher maritime traditions. As the Empire's attention turns towards the Sea of Snow, the Marcher Assembly calls for Marchers to seek out and share the learned wisdom of our people, so that these traditions may better serve our nation and the world - whether it be through fishing, making war, or enabling others to march to safer shores.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (154-0), the Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 157.
===Judgement 154===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Aniera Exiles End
* '''Judgement:''' We show our virtue through our deeds and now we have our future to consider, and our own city to build. We the Navarr Assembly urge all Navarr not to assist in the build of the White City Bastion, follies or personal projects until our own city of dreams is built, except through fair trade and their own prosperous endeavours.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (74-128)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to the ongoing project to transform [[Miaren#Seren|Seren]] into the [[Comes_a_time#The_City_of_Dreams|City of Dreams]].
===Judgement 155===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Enfys Larksong
* '''Judgement:''' The Imperial Chaplain Consular provides essential guidance and oversight to Ambassadors of the Empire, while being a focal point for Comparative Theologians. Only the Way Assembly has the breadth of expertise to support such a role - one that must adapt to myriad claims of foreign truths. We call on all virtuous citizens to support the Chaplain Consular to enact these duties any way they can.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (165-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Imperial Chaplain Consular]] provides support to the [[Ambassador|ambassadors]], and studies foreign religions.

===Judgement 156===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Friar Jonathan Piper
* '''Judgement:''' Hue and cry! Marchers be vigilant! Siakha heralds are present in Marcher lands and have started hunting Mitwolders. The Marcher Assembly calls for priests to prepare. Anoint your fellows. Consecrate your spaces. Hallow your weapons. Hue and cry. Hue and cry.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (174-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to the outcome of [[Four_and_four#An_Empty_Road_.28Conjunction.29|recent events]] in [[Mitwold]] involving the [[eternal]] [[Siakha]].
===Judgement 157===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Ails Tamberlaine Keeper of the Arbour of the Twin Roses
* '''Judgement:''' We would submit to the Tale of Yulia and the Heart of Ser Claudia Lovelorn into the Arbour of the Twin Roses. The Eater of Love stole all love from Claudia when Yulia was dying. Claudia gave up her Nobility in order to marry Yulia and love was returned to her. This story should be recorded as an act of Loyalty. She loves her Nation, She knew the cost, She loves her pack.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (143-16)
===Judgement 158===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Lev
* '''Judgement:''' Meltear i Aldea i Tutamen, a descendant of the patricians of old, adherent to rejected spiral religion walks again in Casinea and Highguard. he is not a citizen, he is to be lent no support, shelter, and no ear until priests of virtue speak on his behalf.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (586-0)
===Judgement 159===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Leliel, Daughter of Armisael
* '''Judgement:''' "I call virtuous sword scholars to no longer venerate the actions of Sulemaine." We look to the Mandates of 16 and 19 in the Highguard and Urizen assemblies, we see how the nations conduct themselves with Pride. We seen how they've learnt from the past and strive for excellence into the future. Through this future, with the words and deeds of both nations, let us show our Loyalty to each other to the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (447-0)
* '''Notes:''' Related to [[#Judgement 16|Judgement 16]] and [[#Judgement 19|Judgement 19]], discussing the teachings of [[Sulemaine]] (founder of the [[sword scholar]] movement), and the question of whether to [[Consecration|consecrate]] an [[Inspirational location|inspirational tomb]] in [[The deepest cut|her name]].

===Judgement 160===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Edund of Barrowby
* '''Judgement:''' Those in Bregasland who were turned away from the Empire by Bushel Sykes should be offered Benevolence and embraced without censure. Their devotion to Bregasland is virtuous, as such, let us all work together, through the fire of our words and the steel of our deeds, to re-forge the bonds of Loyalty in Bregasland.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (154-20), the Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 157.
* '''Notes:''' [[Chasing_you_home#Objective:_Deal_with_Bushel_Sykes|Bushel Sykes]] is a [[the Marches|Marcher]] agitator and former supporter of Mathilda Fisher, who has been [[Welly_boots#Pride_In_Small_Things_.28Conjunction.29|preaching]] that [[Bregasland]] should separate from the Empire.

===Judgement 161===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Zivka Mrakovna
* '''Judgement:''' Citizens born in the Empire are granted the benefit of an education through the Academy. Citizens who come to the Empire later in life, whether as refugees, or through newly conquered lands deserve the full benefits that being an Imperial Citizen grants. We the Varushkan national assembly believe that our cousins in Ossium, and all new citizens, deserve a school to share in the collective knowledge of the Empire, and the equal footing in life that brings.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (346-0)
===Judgement 162===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Velko Peronovich Razoradze
* '''Judgement:''' Varushka's strengths lie in its walls and roads. Our roads are iron, our walls must be too. We call upon the Varushkan people to look to their vigilance, and identify opportunities to reinforce our defences.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (346-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Varushkan Road|roads]] of [[Varushka]] are sometimes likened to "[[Varushka_hearth_magic#Wards|walls on their sides]]" and seen as an example of the nation's powerful regard for wards against danger.

===Judgement 164===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' The Boyarina
* '''Judgement:''' We are a nation proud of our resources and mines, used to build the Empire. The national assembly encourages our prospectors and diviners to search our lands and forests for hidden treasures and unexplored opportunities.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (336-0)
===Judgement 165===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Father Drakov
* '''Judgement:''' "At the request of the Imperial Necromancer and due to our shared concerns we ask Father Drakov be given access to the Tomb of the Iron Empress, Varkula." Sovereigns are rising across Varushka. In the name of Vigilance and Wisdom we must check the seals on her tomb and the veracity of rumours that she has risen.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (346-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Burial rites of Empress Varkula|tomb]] of [[Empress Varkula]] stands in [[Necropolis#The_Necropolis|the Necropolis]], in [[Necropolis]], in [[Highguard]]. Despite [[Come back to stay|occasional concerns]] about the tomb, there is no news of any recent disturbance there.
===Judgement 166===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Rooslan Stanvich Prochnost
* '''Judgement:''' The Varushkan national assembly recognise the hard work of all who have toiled to complete the Iron Roads which have brought Prosperity to the Empire. In particular we recognise Vitaly Gregorovich Dukov whose prudent use of white granite from the Granites of Veltsgorsk as well as a substantial number of wains from his personal resources for the building of the roads ensured his prosperity was shared throughout the nation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (346-0)
* '''Notes:''' The Iron Roads were a massive [[Construct Iron Roads|construction project]] intended to reinforce, maintain, and expand the [[Varushkan Road|roads]] of [[Varushka]] throughout the nation. The project [[Deep forests and dark hills|was recently completed]] creating several new [[opportunity|opportunities]] for Varushka and neighbouring nations.

===Judgement 167===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Anatoly Vassian Tatishchev
* '''Judgement:''' Varushka has claimed our dark forest and forbidding mountains. The Semmerlak is rightly forbidden, but the Semmer, other rivers and oceans hold Prosperity in abundance. The Varushkan national assembly, and the Karov Mercers Compact call on Virtuous citizens to seek opportunities in other waters!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (346-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[The Semmerlak]] is not "forbidden" - it is regularly crossed by trading vessels from Varushka, Dawn, and the League - but the [[Imperial Senate]] has recently [[385YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Create_law_criminalising_Semmerlak_items|passed a law]] making it illegal to take things from its depths, presumably in part due to the [[Underwater sunshine|ongoing problems]] there with the [[Varushkan_Monster#Sovereigns|sovereign]] [[Dho'uala]] who claims the waters as her own.

===Judgement 168===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest
* '''Judgement:''' The Prosperity Assembly will watch the actions of the Imperial Bourse white granite seat holders with interest.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (147-0)
* '''Notes:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest is the [[Basilisk of the Bourse]], charged with advising, supporting, and monitoring activity in the [[Imperial Bourse]]. Summer is the season when [[white granite]] Bourse seats are [[Auction of the Seats|auctioned]] or [[Tally of the Votes|assigned]].
===Judgement 169===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Illya Nikovitch Volkov
* '''Judgement:''' The current Guardian of the Maze of Zoria, and the bearer of the Staff of Zoria, intends to pilgrimage to the Cave of Zoria in the Opascari Mountains. We believe the staff was taken by the Thule from this cave. They are returning to the cave to investigate the stone tablet contained within where the staff could yield more information on the paragon of Wisdom to the benefit of all who follow the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (288-0)
* '''Notes:''' the [[Guardian_of_the_Maze_of_Zoria#The_Maze_of_Zoria|Maze of Zoria]] was one of two locations considered for the site of the [[inspirational location]] dedicated to [[Zoria|the paragon]]. The other was a [[Birds#Zoria.27s_Cave|cave]] in the [[Volodmartz#Opascari|Opascari]] mountains of [[Volodmartz]].

===Judgement 170===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Friar Rosemary Stamp
* '''Judgement:''' The Marcher assembly recognises the service of the folk of House Greywater in support of the Strong Reeds in Bregasland as equivalent to two years service in a Marcher army, entitling them to a parcel of Bregas land, as any others who serve would receive.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (176-0)
* '''Notes:''' House Greywater are a [[Marcher household]] from [[Bregasland]] who worked with the [[Strong Reeds]] [[Deep_when_the_river%27s_high#A_Little_Time_.28Conjunction.29|throughout]] the [[Jotun]] occupation of the territory. They have a chequered reputation in the Marches , even by the standards of Bregasland, but their [[385YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_166|contribution was recognised]] by the Marcher assembly during the Spring Equinox. There was [[Welly_boots#Good_Cider_Takes_Good_Apples|a recent proposal]] to grant them custody of the [[The_Marches_economic_interests#The_Imperial_Breadbasket|Imperial Breadbasket]] in Bregasland in recognition of their work. The Marcher assembly has no legal power to declare something equivalent to the two years of soldiery listed in the [[Imperial Constitution]] as entitling a citizen to a [[farm]].
===Judgement 172===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Cecilia
* '''Judgement:''' The Weavers of Dawn have cast the Dance of Navarr and Thorn on the Barrens but the task is not yet done. The people of Dawn will walk these new trods with our Navarri cousins to strengthen the effect against the greatest spiritual threat - the vallorn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (163-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[The Dance of Navarr and Thorn]] is a ritual of [[Spring magic]] that creates [[trods]] in a [[territory]]. It was cast on [[the Barrens]] by Dawnish magicians during the Spring Equinox. See also [[#Judgement 152|Judgement 152]].
===Judgement 173===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Ingrid Seiging
* '''Judgement:''' Wintermark are proud of the way our armies have conducted the war against the Jotun. We will not turn aside from the custom of giving quarter to our enemies when we see fit. When we commit to a course we see it through to the end. Our ambition is to guide the Jotun to the Way of Virtue by inspirational heroism, not to exterminate them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (281-10)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the [[Murder_of_Crows#The_Meaning_of_Honour|discussion about honour]] in [[Wintermark]], this judgement appears to be a support of the [[Wintermark_military_concerns#Army_Orders|heroic strategy]] employed by the armies of the nation when fighting the [[Jotun]].
===Judgement 174===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aamu
* '''Judgement:''' It is time for Wintermark to rebuild Pakanaan's Pass. The opening of the pass restores the ability to trade with the rest of the Empire to bring prosperity to the people who have strived for so long. The opening of Pakanaan's Pass restores pride to the whole of Wintermark - it shall restore the home of the Krampus, connecting us once again to hearth magic lost for so long.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (288-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Skarsind#The_Mountain_Passes|Pakanaan's Pass]] linked [[Sermersuaq]] and [[Skarsind]], and was [[383YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#Battle_of_Clattering_Gulley|collapsed]] by the [[Jotun]] shortly after the Winter Solstice 383YE. The [[Skarsind#Krampushall_.28ruined.29|Krampushall]] was utterly destroyed in the process, although this does not appear to have prevented the Krampus visiting [[Anvil]] in the Winters since. The destruction of the pass causes problems for [[Imperial army|Imperial armies]] passing between the two [[territory|territories]], but while it may make it a little harder for merchants to move between Sermersuaq and Skarsind it has not significantly impeded the ability of Wintermark to trade with the rest of the Empire.

===Judgement 175===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' The Fool of Glory
* '''Judgement:''' The Assembly of the Way welcomes the Apulian Orcs to the way of virtue. We recognise the qualities of Audacity, Cunning, and Fidelity not as virtues butas Love and Glory are to the Dawnish or Heroism to the Winterborn - still valued and perhaps routes to virtue but not of themselves virtuous. We do <u>not</u> recognise Retribution as such a quality, for it is Vengeance by another name, and suggest the Apulians turn to the custom of their new nation - the Dead Reckoning of the League.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (157-20)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtues" of [[Chords#Audacity|Audacity]],[[Chords#Cunning|Cunning]], [[Chords#Fidelity|Fidelity]], and [[Chords#Retribution|Retribution]]. [[The_League_culture_and_customs#Dead_Reckoning|Dead reckoning]] is a [[the League|League]] practice, [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_7|declared acceptable]] by the [[imperial Synod]], that supports a tricky system of recording and enforcing debts and favours.
===Judgement 178===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Vasili, Pride of Ossium
* '''Judgement:''' The works of Agramant are inimical to the virtue of Pride. We recognise and celebrate the efforts of Grandmaster Tyburn Weaver and the Order of the Shuttered Lantern, in driving out the cults of the Wastewalker, and destroying the rock of Bleeding Ice. Let his trinkets rot in the mud, while the virtuous inspire each other to greatness.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (293-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Conclave order]] of the [[Shuttered Lantern]] were among those who [[Anyone_but_you#What_Lies_In_The_Shadow|helped investigate]] the activities of [[Watching_my_mistakes#Voice_of_the_Pines|groups]] in [[Wintermark]] dedicated to the wicked [[eternal]] [[Agramant]]. After the Spring Equinox, they proactively destroyed the [[Two_minutes#Breaking_the_Ice|Bleeding Ice]], a place apparently connected to the eternal.
===Judgement 179===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Paulus Adelaar von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' Bishops of the League! The Apulians are ready and eager to adopt the Way, their former slaves may need further guidance! <u>Priests!</u> Get you to Spiral and show their Questioners the majesty and authority of the Bishop. Plant the seeds of a new generation of League Bishops in its soil and the growth of the Way shall be its fruit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (389-0)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around [[Chords|spirituality]] among the Apulian Orcs of [[Spiral]].
===Judgement 180===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Dinah of Jeremiah's Welcome
* '''Judgement:''' In response to the insulting words of the National Assembly of the League that named our efforts to exalt Bastion to be "whims", we reaffirm our pride in the city whose founding was our first act as a nation of Revelation and Virtue. We exhort our citizens to share the inspirational tales of the White Citys long history as the cornerstone of our virtuous nation, that none may mistake what it means to us and to the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (711-0)
* '''Notes:''' This appears to relate to a [[385YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_68|recent statement]] in [[the League]] national assembly urging its citizens not to support the [[Blood_will_thicken|establishment of a sacred city]] for the Way in [[Bastion#Bastion.2C_the_White_City|Bastion]].
===Judgement 181===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Dayanara i Cabeza i Erigo
* '''Judgement:''' Whilst Riqueza taught us the importance of living up to our personal principles, she would be heartbroken if those principles led an individual down a path to unvirtuousness or heresy. Guidance on ensuring balance should be sought from suttanir.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (72-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Riqueza]] is one of the pre-Imperial [[The Brass Coast history|historical founders]] of [[the Brass Coast]] whose [[Riqueza#Riqueza.27s_Ideals|ideals]] continue to [[Tribe|inspire Freeborn]] to this day.
===Judgement 182===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Lucretius of the Scarlet Guard
* '''Judgement:''' Test what you know; only fools accept hearsay as truth. The path of Wisdom is not travelled at a run. To rush headlong is asking to fall. We should thoroughly examine the virtues of the Apulian Orcs without hastily moving to a conclusion.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (240-0)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the spiritual challenges [[Chords#Fidelity|posed by the Apulian Orcs]].
===Judgement 183===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Lyomna Songbird
* '''Judgement:''' Dawn reiterates that Love nor Glory are not virtues, but serve as Inspiration and Legacy of Virtue. All those with tales of miracles or spiritual auras relevant to Love or Glory should bring them to the Voice of the Twin Roses and the Troubadours of Dawn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (143-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Glory]] and [[Love_in_Dawn|Love]] are of paramount important to the people of [[Dawn]].

===Judgement 185===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Nessetta Constanta
* '''Judgement:''' The League recognises the sacrifice of the Wolves of War by their remaining close to the {{Black Plateau}} and the harrowing experiences it incurs. We encourage priests of the League to preach the Virtue of the Wolves and to offer these souls spiritual solace through liao ceremonies.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (150-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Wolves of War]] have [[A tide in the affairs|recently been campaigning]] in [[Spiral]], and consequently exposed to the [[Spiral#The_Black_Plateau|malign influence]] that covers the territory.
===Judgement 188===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Cato Hypation
* '''Judgement:''' In light of the invitation received from Ser Dindrane de Cantharos of the Cathedral of Laroc in Astolat, Cato and Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer propose to attend the cathedral "to teach, to challenge, to perfect, and perhaps to learn", the better to draw on new Imperial thinking to add to the review of sword scholar thought.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (217-10), the Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 208.
===Judgement 189===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Jules von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' To be ambitious is to strive for success. The rush headlong into a complex matter is asking for failure. We should thoroughly examine the virtues of the Apulian Orcs before hastening to conclusions.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (180-32)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the spiritual challenges [[Chords#Fidelity|posed by the Apulian Orcs]].
===Judgement 191===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Elagabala
* '''Judgement:''' The national assembly has rejected the mandate to undermine Imperial armies. The Wolves of War have bled in our place in the Barrens. An assault on this army would be without virtue. The League have agreed a reckoning is owed, give us time to reach an agreement. Keep the peace in Spiral.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (235-10)
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the [[The fate of the many|questions around]] [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens remaining in the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]] of [[Spiral]].
===Judgement 192===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Pietra di Tassato Regario
* '''Judgement:''' Nicovar may have hidden our histories but his is just as obscure. The Printers' Guild and the League National Assembly invite <u>Urizen</u>, our allies in seeking truth, to partner in unravelling the story of his madness.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (312-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Emperor Nicovar]], the only [[Urizen]] [[the Throne|Throne]], is a controversial figure in [[Imperial history]].
===Judgement 194===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Jericho
* '''Judgement:''' In peerless kinship, Highguard wishes to support our glorious siblings in Dawn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (980-36)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Highguard|Highborn]] assembly has chosen [[Dawn]] to receive their support via [[Full_of_sacred_sound#A_Peerless_Kinship|peerless kinship]] in the coming season. Highguard cannot specify the nature of this support themselves, relying on the nation they aid to give direction. See [[#Judgement 202|Judgement 202]] for more information.

===Judgement 197===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orcs
* '''Raised By:''' Skywise Tulva
* '''Judgement:''' The Imperial Orc nation speaks to the Varushkan nation in this statement. Our peoples together have protected the Palace of Orieb since its capture. Now let us unlock its secrets together. Allow the Imperial Orc Day magicians your hospitality and a chance to cast magic to claim the secrets hidden within.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (78-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to the [[Ossium#The_Palace_of_Orieb|Palace of Orieb]], a former [[Druj]] stronghold now overseen by the [[Apothecary of Orieb]].
===Judgement 199===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' It is vigilant to watch out for your friends. It is vigilant to seek to understand dangers they face to help them. Seeking out their personal business for your own entertainment is not a matter of virtue but a cloak for nastiness.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (482-147)
===Judgement 200===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Sagua i Ezmara
* '''Judgement:''' Honesty is important to the Freeborn. Lying imperils your soul. If a Freeborn makes a claim which seems implausible it is Vigilant to investigate for misunderstandings, including your own, but few things are more implausible than a Freeborn lying lightly. Notable exception is during Broken Wheel while wearing white in or about the head to indicate shenanigans. Reminder to pack said white next summit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (70-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Honesty]] is of profound important to the [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]]. The [[The_Brass_Coast_religious_beliefs#Feast_of_the_Broken_Wheel|Feast of the Broken Wheel]] is a controversial celebration that takes place during the Autumn Equinox. [[384YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_165|Recent developments]] have seen those partaking of the festival to wear undying cloth, indicating that they are engaging in behaviour intended to turn virtue on its head. it may be relevant to note that the General Assembly [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_50|confirmed the Feast is not blasphemous]] and there are no concerns about its celebration.

===Judgement 201===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Eska Crowspeaker
* '''Judgement:''' The substance known as blue lotus or Ocean's Caress, which prevents the user from using liao, is being produce in Asavea. They are using the proceeds from the sale of this drug to fund their war on the Empire and their slaving practices. We call on the virtuous to not purchase it. Do not let our Prosperity fund our enemies.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1200-12)
* '''Notes:''' Apparently references a narcotic, uncommon in the Empire.
===Judgement 202===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Zadkiel de Courdefer
* '''Judgement:''' Dawn asks Highguard to support them in the Barrens in peerless kinship.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (171-0)
* '''Notes:''' This judgement aims to direct the [[Highguard|Highborn]] assembly, who have chosen [[Dawn]] to receive their support via [[Full_of_sacred_sound#A_Peerless_Kinship|peerless kinship]] in the coming season. Highguard cannot specify the nature of this support themselves, relying on the nation they aid to give direction. See [[#Judgement 194|Judgement 194]] for more information.

===Judgement 203===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Ruth of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' The blue and white heralds of Cold Sun are our enemies. Their sole purpose is to exterminate us. Do not approach or parley with them. Defend yourselves with prejudice.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (307-21)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to relate to the [[385YE_Autumn_Equinox_interlude#Against_Cold_Sun|heralds of Cold Sun]] and their existential threat to the Empire.
===Judgement 204===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Hywel Summer Crow
* '''Judgement:''' "The virtuous inspire others to greatness." In light of the recent revelation undergone by Prince Vanja of Votika, in the Principalities of Jarm we urge priests of the Empire to travel to Votika as missionaries to further spread the Way of Virtue among its citizens.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (8-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Principalities of Jarm]] embrace [[Principalities_of_Jarm#Religion|religious freedom]] but see spiritual matters as highly personal. Diplomatic relations with the Principalities are very strained at this time.
===Judgement 205===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Galen Embercast
* '''Judgement:''' The Council of Nine directs the Silent Bell to investigate the whereabouts of the Labyrinth spirit, the "King of the Crossroads."
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (8-0)
* '''Notes:''' Directs the [[Silent Bell (Sodality)|Silent Bell]] to investigate a potential threat to Imperial citizens.
===Judgement 206===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Viviane de Coerdefer
* '''Judgement:''' We the Nine received nineteen entries to design Bastion anew We celebrate all these visions. We instruct architects to use the design of <u>Millward Cowley</u> for the structure of the city, and the art of <u>Skywise Gralka</u> for its beauty and inspiration. We urge the civil service to display the entries received in the civil service records.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (7-1)
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the [[opportunity]] to build a [[empire-wiki/Blood_will_thicken|sacred city]] for the Way in [[Bastion]]. The Assmebly of the Nine was called on to decide on the [[empire-wiki/Blood_will_thicken#A_Contest_of_Imagination|designs]] that would be used to inspire Imperial architects charged with designing the new structure. The art has been received by the civil service and will be displayed shortly.

===Judgement 207===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Hembeneth i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The Freeborn national assembly would like to remind the civil service and the Brass Coast citizens that we do not support the false virtue of Vengeance, and will not endorse it or any other false virtue within any of our mandates.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to [[Questions_of_virtue#Rage_of_the_Corsairs|the mandates]] arising from the Spring Equinox statement of principle [[385YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_169|calling for corsairs to target Asavean ships]]. References the [[Malign_spiritual_presences|malign spiritual presence]] or [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Vengeance|Vengeance]]. See also [[#Judgement 139|Judgement 139]].
===Judgement 208===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Pacheco "Patches" i Shartha i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' We remember the navies of our past and their virtuous actions, we should share their stories and look to how we can rebuild and surpass their legacy. Share your wisdom and follow your ambition. The Freeborn will always have a place at sea.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Freeborn Storm]] was the first [[Imperial navy]] since the time of [[Emperor Barrabas]]. It was [[381YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#To_Fool_The_Crowd|destroyed]] by the [[Grendel]] in Winter 381YE.
===Judgement 209===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Azir i Shartha i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' The Zemress Festival was a fantastic demonstration of the Prosperity of the Brass coast. The Ship of Many Ports and the Dockside Bazaar within our own homes and across the city. The Freeborn assembly endorse its adoption across the nation to endure for years to come.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' This relates to a [[Three_celebrations_and_a_funeral#Broken_Wheels|festival]] celebrating [[Zemress]], presented as an alternative to the [[The_Brass_Coast_religious_beliefs#Feast_of_the_Broken_Wheel|Festival of the Broken Wheel]] and celebrated during the Spring Equinox.

===Judgement 210===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Annalaya i Del Torro
* '''Judgement:''' While we rebuild the roads of Kahraman let us look even higher. There is no height so great that it cannot be reached with preparation, co-operation, and perseverance - with sufficient Ambition even the Gilded Peak may one day be reached!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Time_and_time_again#Restoring_the_roads|Restoration of the roads]] of [[Kahraman]], and establishment of watchtowers modelled after the [[Faraden]] ''[[Time_and_time_again#No_More_Bandits|Bataguin Kamkrag]]'' is [[Rebuild Roads of Kahraman|well underway]]. The [[Kahraman#The_Gilded_Peak|Gilded Peak]] is a famously unscalable mountain peak between [Kahraman#Braydon's Jasse|Braydon's Jasse]] and [[Kahraman#Serra Briante|Serra Briante]].
===Judgement 211===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Soratio i Del Toro
* '''Judgement:''' We have seen evidence of Zemress's miracles, and know that she is a paragon. Next season we shall seek to show the Empire what Freeborn and Sumaah already know.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[paragons and exemplars|exemplar]] [[Zemress]] is believed to be a paragon in the [[Sumaah Republic]].
===Judgement 212===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' Our hakima have spoken. The three tribes are sacrosanct. Yet it is our duty and pride to safeguard the cultural identity of all those who come to exist in our great nation. Freeborn! Should you wish it, you are encouraged to adopt a heritage name between your family and tribe. We are dust! We are flame! We are glass!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to relate to [[Questions_of_virtue#Three_Sisters|discussion]] around the nature of the [[tribe]] in [[the Brass Coast]].

===Judgement 213===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Winifred Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' Heralds of the Cold Sun are travelling the Empire with malicious intent. They are hostile, they are dangerous, they seek to destroy Imperial citizens. Citizens should not engage with them if they are able. Thorns and Vates, assume these entitles are enemies. They have proven ''powerful'' combatants. Be vigilant, <s>do not strike first</s>
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (322-0)
* '''Notes:''' Has created an opportunity for Navarr [[military unit|military units]] to [[385YE_Autumn_Equinox_interlude#Against_Cold_Sun|engage the heralds of Cold Sun]].

===Judgement 215===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Lucille Balladeal
* '''Judgement:''' The Cold Sun promises to extinguish all that makes us Dawn; our Love, our art, our glory. We call on the questing knights of Dawn take up arms against their heralds. These are recognisable as being those and similar that attacked the Harps of Astolat.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (287-0)
* '''Notes:''' Has created an opportunity for Dawnish [[military unit|military units]] to [[385YE_Autumn_Equinox_interlude#Against_Cold_Sun|engage the heralds of Cold Sun]].

===Judgement 216===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Lenochka
* '''Judgement:''' The Cold Sun and its heralds walk among us. The heralds are sashed with blue. Their eyes are pits and they have no mouths. In the hot summer, on the dry ground, cold and ruthless fires are breaking out. They spread the unvirtuous purpose of purity and bring this to our places of great feeling. When they are seen by the Vigilant citizens of the Empire, urge your congregations to run. Do not engage them. Do not let them take one more from us.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (270-0)
===Judgement 217===
* '''Assembly:'''Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Ira
* '''Judgement:''' A patrician walks Casinea, and the "Endless Thirst" lives within him. The danger without has come to the heart of the Empire to sink its teeth in and drain us of our life. This will not happen. Our vigilant citizens will offer the patrician no shelter, no food, no water. Out vigilant citizens will watch over their siblings for signs of the endless thirst. I do not urge our citizens to do this. I inform the Synod that with the guidance of our Vigilant priests, that <u>they will</u> because <u>they must</u> remember Ravadi Founder's Dance!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (270-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to be a warning related to the threat of the [[Not a drop to drink|dessicating blight]] currently consuming the [[Madruga#Great Grasses|Great Grasses]] of [[Madruga]].

==Mandate==
===Judgement 16===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Hazelelponi of the Shattered Tower
* '''Judgement:''' The Highborn Assembly sends Hazelelponi of the Shattered Tower with 50 doses of liao to lead the Wayfarers and Pilgrims to Sulemaine's Tomb. We embrace our past and acknowledge that the Sword Scholars once met Wayfarers with the blade. But now we see the commitment from Urizen in their assurance that "Sulemaine's enemies are not our enemies" (Judgement 47, Winter 383YE). They have not been complacent in their words and met our Grey Pilgrims with spiritual debate. Inspired by Sulemaine's example, we will test what we've learnt and continue inspiring excellence in each other. As such, we have come to bear witness to Urizen's decision and spread word of it through Highguard.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (443-265) this was a margin of 178
* '''Enacted:''' The mandate ensures that everyone in Highguard will be aware that Urizen have been venerating someone who is widely considered to be murderous villain among the Highborn. It will likely result in a strongly negative response from the citizens of Highguard towards Urizen as a whole. As detailed in the [[The_deepest_cut#Many_Steps_on_The_Way|Deepest Cut]] Wind of Fortune.

===Judgement 28===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Isaac of Silent Tide
* '''Judgement:''' Vigilance teaches us to seek out falsehood and reveal the truth. We send Isaac of the Silent Tide with 50 doses of liao to urge the unconquered and the priests of our nation to help the Seventh Wave root out the poison in our fields.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (834-0) this was a margin of 834
* '''Enacted:''' For the next year the [[Seventh Wave]] will be able to root out a [[Grendel]] espionage ring from a [[Highguard|Highborn]] territory by issuing the [[Army qualities#Scouting|Guard the Gates]] order while in that territory. As detailed in the [[Rings_and_crowns#Suck_the_Poison|Rings and Crowns]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 31===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawnish
* '''Raised By:''' Starac Orzel
* '''Judgement:''' We have aimed high and pursued our dreams, now they are within our grasp at last. We send Starac Orzel with 50 doses of liao to urge Dawnish citizens to come to the Barrens and help rebuild this broken land. Cleave to what you know is true, even where others wish you to doubt..
* '''Outcome:''' Failed (66-189)
===Judgement 56===
* '''Assembly:''' Marcher
* '''Raised By:''' Friar John of the Mourn
* '''Judgement:''' Consequences are the price of Ambition. We send Friar John of the Mourn with 50 doses of liao to urge every citizen to contribute what resources they can spare to support the creation of a new Holy City at Bastion. Let our virtue echo through history for a thousand years.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (170-30) this was a margin of 140
*'''Enacted.''' The Marches will find what white granite and funds they can spare and donate them to support the construction of a [[Blood will thicken|sacred city]] in [[Bastion]]. Every Marcher territory that is affected by this mandate will donate 4 wains of white granite and 8 crowns to support the commission each season for the next year. For the same period if it impossible to use a mandate to urge the Marches to support another commission or similar project that needed help. Any mandate in the Imperial Synod that urged Marchers to provide financial support to a different commission or cause will fail to affect the nation. Likewise any statement of principle in their national assembly that asks the nation for their support in this way will fail to produce a mandate. As detailed in the [[Blood_will_thicken#No_Price_Is_Too_High|Blood will thicken]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 57===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Lochias of Oblivion's Edge
* '''Judgement:''' The Virtuous build up their fellows. We send Lochias of Oblivion's Edge with 50 doses of liao to encourage those Urizen magicians who with to stay to embrace a new future in the League. Let us share our values with them and make Apulian a city founded on philosophy, learning, and a vision for a better future.
* '''Outcome:''' Failed (22-171)
===Judgement 59===
* '''Assembly:''' Marcher
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Geoffrey Orchard
* '''Judgement:''' Better seek out the toadstool before it poisons the cattle. We send Brother Geoffrey Orchard with 25 doses of liao to encourage pilgrims of Vigilance who visit the consecrated orchard of Benson the Bellringer at Pickham to seek out the poison in their neighbour's field.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (162-0) this was a margin of 162
* '''Enacted.'''Citizens of [[Upwold]] who are dedicated to [[Vigilance]] will start to proactively seek out blasphemers, desecrators, heretics, idolaters, traitors, and other threats in the territory. Within six months the civil service would be able to compile a report of all active dangers in the territory of Upwold and present it to Martin Orchard or his proxy, at the Winter Solstice 385YE. If a position was created that was responsible for leading and guiding the National Assembly then the report would instead be delivered to them. Assuming there is anything going on. As detailed in the [[Pruning_shears#A_Neighbour.27s_Fields|Pruning shears]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 67===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Lepidina
* '''Judgement:''' All that is worthwhile is shared only with those who deserve it. The League has taken Spiral and even now discusses abandoning it's name and history. We send Lepidina with 50 liao to encourage citizens of Urizen to refuse to share the secrets of the block or provide any other aid to the League until they prove they are more than the pretty opportunists.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (358-0) this was a margin of 358
* '''Enacted.''' The Urizen of Spiral will refuse to share the secrets of [[Spiral#The Block|the Block]] with the other residents of the [[territory]]; any [[commission|construction]] will require blocks of [[mithril]]. The deliberate prevention of aid also sees any taxation gained from the territory dramatically drop as food and other supplies would need to be brought in via ship. As detailed in the [[The_fate_of_the_many#A_Precious_Secret|Fate of the many]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 69===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Tabris, Son of Armisael
* '''Judgement:''' The Suumah are our cousins in Virtue and it behooves us to build up our fellows rather than let them languish under a blockade of idolaters. We send Tabris, Son of Armisael, with 50 doses of liao to urge the sailors and fleet captains of Highguard to journey to Sumaah, in order to aid them against the Asavean blockade .
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (591-31) this was a margin of 560
* '''Uncertain.''' Allows Highborn fleets to take part in the ''Thwart the Blockade'' adventure. As detailed in the [[Questions_of_virtue#Rage_of_the_Corsairs|Questions of virtue]] Wind of Fortune.

===Judgement 74===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawnish
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Dindrane
* '''Judgement:''' Pride exalts and uplifts those who have been laid low by the wicked; we come to the Barrens not to conquer, but to liberate and restore those who have been trod underfoot by the Druj. We send Ser Dindrane with 50 doses of liao to urge Dawnish citizens not to settle beyond Dawnguard, but to rather put their words, steel, and coin to the cause of protecting and aiding the many inhabitants of the Barrens who have thrown of the yoke of the Buruk Tepel.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (233-46) this was a margin of 187
* '''Enacted.''' those who had hoped to return to the lands they lost when they fled [[the Barrens]] will regain their estates in [[The Barrens#Dawnguard|Dawnguard]], but new settlers will hold back. There will be no benefits to Dawnish army support or to those looking to move to the Barrens, but it will ensure that the current hostilities with the septs who live here do not get any worse. It will shift the focus of the Dawnish in the Barrens towards appeasing the septs living there and will create an opportunities for ways the Dawnish might help and support the various factions. As detailed in the [[A_glorious_victory#The_Right_Question|A glorious victory]] Wind of Fortune.

===Judgement 75===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Cynerik
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete. We don't know what fate might befall us if Yulia Kasimiova Voronov enters the Sovevann, but we are not cowed by uncertainty. We send Cynerik with a single dose of liao to inter her body alongside those of Wintermark's greatest heroes.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
===Judgement 76===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Maria i Espiri i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The battle at Braydon's Jasse was hard fought and we honour the courage of those who remained behind to face us. We send Maria i Espiri i Guerra with 25 doses of liao and 5 thrones to urge the people of Kahraman to raise a burial mound over the dead Jotun. Our traditions are what define us, we believe all should be offered the opportunity to follow those traditions, especially in death.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (150-16) this was a margin of 134
* '''Enacted:''' The bodies of the [[orc|orcs]] who fell in the [[Shallows_and_miseries#The_Flames_of_Fort_Braydon|Battle of Fort Braydon]], their weapons, and their armour will be gathered and a burial mound in the Jotun style raised over them not far from the site. It will earn a degree of grudging respect from the Jotun, though it won't completely erase the impact of the deaths inflicted in the recent Winter magic-fuelled rampage carried out by the Freeborn army (the Jotun are known to view ritual war magic that increases casualties as beyond the pale for any civilised foe). In addition in encourages Freeborn to recognise the traditions of all their enemies, within reason. They would be unlikely to try learning and supporting the customs of the Druj but they would endeavour to recognise the traditions of other enemies. As detailed in the [[Questions_of_virtue#Mound|Questions of virtue]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 84===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Clytemnestra
* '''Judgement:''' Despise the thieving bandit and those who take without giving. We send Hector of Tropaion with 50 doses of liao to encourage citizens of Urizen to remain apart from Apulian until a reckoning is agreed upon.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (330-0) this was a margin of 330
* '''Enacted:''' The Urizen who currently reside in Spiral will remain, keeping to themselves in enclaves. Some of the spires and citadels will take up weapons and secede from the Empire, eventually claiming regionsf or themselves. As detailed in the [[The_fate_of_the_many#Victory_in_Defeat|Fate of the many]] Wind of Fortune.
* '''Notes:'' See also [[#Judgement 127|Judgement 127]].
===Judgement 90===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Galene Netherwatch
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous do not fear to act, and face unwelcome truths boldly. We send Galene Netherwatch with 10 doses of liao to provide support to the botanists of the Bleak Tower and help them face their fears.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (358-0) this was a margin of 358
* '''Enacted.''' Helps empower those botanists of the Bleak Tower afraid to return to [[Zenith]]. If the Gardens of Pallas are rebuilt, some of the horticulturalists living at the Bleak Tower would move there, and offer their expertise. If the Gardens of Pallas were not commissioned, it would still offer spiritual support to the Zenith refugees living at the Bleak Tower, but would have no game effect. As detailed in the [[Restoration_and_renewal#From_the_Bleak_Tower|Restoration and renewal]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 92===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Liliana di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' Strive, toil and claim the just rewards of your labours. We send Lia Adelaar von Holberg with 50 thrones to lend to the Sand Fishers with which to buy the resources they need. No one knows what the morrow holds, but in this case it is a little under 8%.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (445-0) this was a margin of 445
* '''Enacted.''' Lia AdelaarvonHolberg has lent 50 Thrones to the Sand Fishers, and will receive loan repayments from the orcs of 351 rings a season for the next ten years. The Sand Fishers will be able to complete their sawmills in Holberg. As detailed in the [[Half-time_score#Holberg|Half-time score]]Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 94===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawnish
* '''Raised By:''' Earl of Fools
* '''Judgement:''' Our long toil to free the Barrens is complete, now we must claim the just rewards of our labours. We send Aramis du Froste with 50 doses of liao to urge our countryfolk to enjoy the fruits of our labour today.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (237-22) this was a margin of 215
* '''Enacted.''' The focus of Dawn will turn inwards. The Dawnish people will relax their long vigil, satisfied that the Druj are beaten for now and the Barrens is freed. They will turn back to home and seek out ways to build up all of Dawn. It will turn the triumph in the Barrens into opportunities to make Dawn more prosperous. As detailed in the [[A_glorious_victory#Sweetest_of_Fruits|A glorious victory]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 101===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Able the Taller
* '''Judgement:''' Strive, toil, and claim the just rewards of your labours. We send Bartimaeus of Zenith Ascendant with one dose of true liao to consecrate the Crucible of Fate to the virtue of Prosperity, to remind all who work there with no reward is beyond our reach if we strive for it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (298-10) this was a margin of 288
* '''Enacted.''' Apermanent stream of architects and crafters will visit the Crucible of Fate in Zenith, as well as merchants who come to trade there. The Architect of the Crucible gains access to additional, themed ministries. As detailed in the [[Fate_and_function#The_Path_of_Prosperity|Fate and function]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 112===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Aemon
* '''Judgement:''' Highborn! Our Marcher siblings have vigilantly raised the cry to defend our great Empire from the malignant operatives of the Whisper Gallery. We send Brother Aemon with 50 doses of liao to urge Highborn inquisitors and magisters to take inspiration of our Marcher siblings. Our nation's bed rock is founded on human destiny, the parasites of the Whisper Gallery will not stop our realisation of the fact!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (700-0) this was a margin of 700
* '''Enacted:''' Inquisitors and magisters work to seek out the cultists of the [[Whisper Gallery]] in Highguard. Every mana site in Highguard will suffer a loss of one crystal mana each season until the start of the Winter Solstice 385YE but at the end of it would see the Highborn magisters and inquisitors have a chance at ensnaring a major agent of the Whisper Gallery in Highguard. As detailed in the [[Pruning_shears#Under_Cover_of_Night|Pruning shears]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 114===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Wildfyre of Balthazar's Vineyard
* '''Judgement:''' Let us build up our fellows. We send Wildfyre of Balthazar's Vineyard with 25 liao to urge Highborn and Varushkan citizens to share what weapons and armour they can to spare the Dreamers of the Dark Forest. All that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (351-164) this was a margin of 187
* '''Enacted.''' Citizens of Highguard will support the defence of [[Ossium]] by providing the Dreamers with any weapons and armour they can spare - as the Highborn once provided weapons and armour to the Imperial Orcs. For the next year, military units from that nation will be able to undertake the action to Train the Dreamers to train them how to use the new arms they have been given. If the Imperial Senate pass a motion declaring it is acceptable to arm the Dreamers and either Varushka or Highborn chose to arm them then the region would no longer be under threat. As detailed in the [[Culling_the_threat#The_Dreamers_of_the_Dark_Forest|Culling the threat]] Wind of Fortune.
* '''Note:''' While the mandate attempted to urge Varushkan citizens to share weapons, it was raised in the Highborn assembly and has no ability to effect them. Even if it had, because it didn't achieve a greater majority, it would have been questioned and ultimately ignored by the Varushkans.
===Judgement 121===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Skywise Rykana
* '''Judgement:''' We are loyal to the core. As other septs to join us, we must never forget our own proud history. We send Skywise Gralka with 10 doses of liao to encourage all Imperial Orcs to embrace a new name as we become the Sunstorm sept.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (74-26) this was a margin of 48
* '''Enacted:''' a new identity will be forged among Imperial Orcs for those who embraced the idea of being part of the Sunstorm Sept, with all the Proud history that that name implies. By next year, the Imperial Orcs will be home to several distinct Septs. It will also beg another question: is now the time for the descendants of Thrace to find a new name for their entire nation? As detailed in the [[A_lost_king#The_Sun_And_The_Spear| A lost king]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 125===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Eli of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' The holy city of Bastion is extraordinary, but nothing is beyond our grasp. We send Eli of the Cenotaph with 75 doses of liao to urge every citizen of Highguard to support this, and only this, until all the materials are provided.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (639-0) this was a margin of 639
* '''Enacted.''' This removes the benefit of [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Dare_Do_All|a previous mandate]], focusing all attention on the [[Blood will thicken|sacred city]]. None of the chapters will have materials to spare to support any other commission. Highguard will donate 25 wains of white granite and 50 crowns every season to pay for the construction of the new holy city, until the work is complete. Such devotion is not without cost however. Everything Highguard can spare will be devoted to this extraordinary project - there would be no resources available for other plans. As detailed in the [[Blood_will_thicken#Better_By_Far|Blood will thicken]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 127===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Veikko Bondforger
* '''Judgement:''' The Loyalty assembly sends Mazo with 25 liao to support the Urizen national assembly in their efforts to aid the Spiral Urizeni with the mandate reading: Despise the thieving bandit and those who take without giving. We send our priest with 50 doses of liao to encourage citizens of Urizen to remain apart from Apulian until a reckoning is agreed upon. The role of the Loyalty assembly in this is to reassure people that the Empire does not intend to endorse their destruction and to keep open the channels of communication necessary for a reckoning to be agreed upon. There is a future in which this results in stronger bonds within the Empire and it is upon those dedicated to Loyalty to achieve this.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (466-0) this was a margin of 466
* '''Enacted:''' The [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]] will support [[#Judgement 84|Judgement 84]].
* '''Notes:''' The second half of the mandate will have no effect. It is not possible to define the role of the Loyalty assembly in this way with this power.

===Judgement 138===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Harwyn Eternal
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous inspire others to greatness. We send Eska Crowspeaker with 75 doses of liao to urge priests to engage with the Hylje to learn their ways to discover if we might bring them to the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (268-0) this was a margin of 268
* '''Enacted.''' Sends Pride assembly priests to visit with the Hylje and learn about their religion. As detailed in the [[Tooth_by_tooth#Pride_and_Prejudice|Tooth by tooth]] Wind of Fortune.

===Judgement 139===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The Sumaah are our allies and we are united by our shared love of Zemress. We send Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra with 50 doses of liao to urge the corsairs to thwart the Asavean blockade of the Sumaah coast. Harass their warships to let the traders reach the port of Zemeh!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (105-0) this was a margin of 105
* '''Enacted.'''Freeborn corsairs will be urged to fight the Asaveans in Sumaah coastal waters, to help break the blockade. This will remove the penalty to trade with Zemeh experienced by Imperial traders. This will also create an adventure for corsairs, called ''Thwart the Blockade''. As detailed in the [[Questions_of_virtue#Rage_of_the_Corsairs|Questions of virtue]] wind of fortune,

===Judgement 148===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Emil Radana von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' All citizens should know the name of those who helped end the Vyig. We send Emil Radana von Temeschwar with 25 doses of liao to encourage citizens who prospered from their actions to reward these people for their work.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (209-0) this was a margin of 209
* '''Enacted.''' The Silver Rook Carta will publish their list of the folk who - in their eyes - have worked to decisively bring an end to the legacy of the vyig. As detailed in the [[Battle_cries#Recognition_of_a_Hard_Job|Battle cries]] Wind of Fortune.

===Judgement 151===
* '''Assembly:''' Marcher
* '''Raised By:''' Aliss Thorn
* '''Judgement:''' The prosperous are not selfish and the proud proclaim their virtue by actions not words. Let every Marcher yeoman and steward welcome to the orcs of the Mournwold, and treat them as they would any other young Marcher seeking hard work and fair pay. We send Aliss Thorn with 75 doses of liao to ensure everyone knows that it is our ambition to make one people out of two, and a job that never gets started never gets finished.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (200-0) this was a margin of 200
* '''Enacted.''' Welcomes the [[Mournwold Orcs]] to visit the northern Marcher territories. As detailed in the [[Sense_and_sensibility#A_Busy_Time_of_Year|Sense and sensibility]] Wind of Fortune,
===Judgement 163===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushkan
* '''Raised By:''' Anatolij Paukov Zorkin
* '''Judgement:''' Let us build up our fellows. We send Anatolij Paukov Zorkin with 25 doses of liao to urge Varushkan citizens to share what weapons and armour they can spare to arm the Dreamers of the Dark Forest. All that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (336-10) this was a margin of 326
* '''Enacted.''' Citizens of Varushka will support the defence of [[Ossium]] by providing the Dreamers with any weapons and armour they can spare. For the next year, military units from that nation will be able to undertake the action to Train the Dreamers to train them how to use the new arms they have been given. If the Imperial Senate pass a motion declaring it is acceptable to arm the Dreamers and either Varushka or Highborn chose to arm them then the region would no longer be under threat. As detailed in the [[Culling_the_threat#The_Dreamers_of_the_Dark_Forest|Culling the threat]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 187===
* '''Assembly:''' Marcher
* '''Raised By:''' Henry Fletcher
* '''Judgement:''' Know your heart and what commands its devotion above all else. We send Henry Fletcher with 25 doses of liao to let everyone in Bregasland know that this is the land of the Strong Reeds, and they will never abandon it.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
===Judgement 190===
* '''Assembly:''' Marcher
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Marcher Orchard
* '''Judgement:''' We are at war with the Whisper Gallery, and anyone who helps them must be rooted out. It falls to the threshers to harvest this field of sorcerers. We send Brother Martin Orchard with 50 liao to urge the threshers to turn their full attention on agents of the Whisper Gallery, and deal with them using whatever tools are necessary. Shriving and clemency will both be available whenever they are needed.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (134-10) this was a margin of 124
* '''Enacted:''' Inquisitors and magisters work to seek out the cultists of the [[Whisper Gallery]] in the Marches. every [[mana site]] and [[farm]] with a [[farm#upgrade|monolith]] in the Marches will lose one crystal mana from its production each season until the start of the Summer Solstice 385YE. It will also hopefully encourage threshers who visit Anvil to turn their attention on their fellow Imperial citizens, scrutinizing them for signs of Whisper Gallery corruption and doing whatever is needed to deal with them once they are identified. As detailed in the [[Pruning_shears#Under_Cover_of_Night|Pruning shears]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 195===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Kish of the Flame Beneath the Earth
* '''Judgement:''' The vigilant prepare for malice, lest malice takes us unawares. We will stand with the Freeborn to defend their homes and march with them as they take back what has been lost. We send Kish of the Flame Beneath the Earth with 75 liao to urge the people of Highguard to support our Freeborn cousins in the coming war.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (590-52) this was a margin of 538
* '''Not Enacted.''' No liao was provided.

==Evaluation==
The Synod made the following judgements of [[excommunication]], [[inquisition]], [[revocation]], and [[sanction]].
===Judgement 6===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Genoveva Barossa d'Apulian
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Condenation)''' At Winter 384 summit. the Earl of Fools excommunicated Jack Canting for leaving the House of Fools, and so breaking their oaths. These oaths included the wording "our very souls be in peril if we betray this." Despite this I do not believe that th breaking of an oath by itself is sufficient grounds for excommunication. Regardless of whether it was justified, the Earl of Fools claimed that they had no time to seek a Judgement of Excommunication from the Synod, yet presented no evidence for urgency other than an oath being broken. Because of this I find that their use of Excommunication was an abuse of their priestly powers. Furthermore, the Earl stated that they would have avoided using excommunication if possible. I find this improbably given that shortly before excommunicating Jack they went to the gatekeepers council asking for a dose of True Liao but refusing to say what it was for.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (1039-1371)
* '''Notes:''' See also [[#Judgement 103|Judgement 103]].
===Judgement 10===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Sufyan i Zurhi i Erigo
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call to inquisition the priest Wildfyre. For two consecutive seasons, they have used their Judgements as members of the Synod to encourage trade with our enemies the Grendel, even as they build their navy on our shores, spy on our lands and laugh at the idea of a continued peace and prosperity. The motives and Virtue of these actions must be examined. I call them to inquisition at this, the Summer Solstice 385YE, on Saturday at 9pm in the Brass Coast camp, as we have already arranged.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (343-25)
===Judgement 21===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' Earl du Maurisol summons Set Claudia Lovelorn, Imperial Necromancer, knight-errant, and former Noble of Dawn to Inquisition to determine whether she still has a noble spirit. This is part of her Test of Mettle, and any who wish to participate should approach the Inquisitor beforehand. Time and place: Saturday 5pm, Glory Square.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (97-0)
===Judgement 22===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine duLac
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Castigation, Escalation)''' I inquisitioned Abel of Zenith Ascendant at Spring Equinox regarding his conduct during the Winter Solstice. As a newly appointed Ambassador to the Grendel I found that Abel failed to understand or acknowledge the threat of a spontaneous aura of Freedom Anarchy on his soul and continued to represent the Empire to foreign nations while under the influence of a false virtue until a direct intervention was made to remove it. While I'm satisfied that he is now willing to improve, I wish for the Synod to clearly rebuke such behaviour from an Ambassador as unvirtuous. I shall continue to monitor his work as chaplain consular, and will advise the Nine if further action is needed.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1062-149)
===Judgement 23===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Witold Stefanovich Petrov
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' Following allegations and concerns regarding his virtue and actions, we call Vuk the Wolfeater to Inquisition at 2pm Sunday at the Summer Solstice YE385. Location - National Tent. Inquisitor - Father Drakov.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (84-0)
* '''Notes:''' When [[Inquisition#Performing_an_Inquisiton|performing an inquisition]], the priest who raised the judgement is expected to lead the questioning at an inquisition, but at their discretion they may choose to invite other priests to assist them in questioning the accused.
===Judgement 29===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Galene Netherwatch
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation):''' I, Galene Netherwatch, vindicate Harwyn Eternal, Cardinal of Pride, in regards to his actions in the election of Cardinal of Pride at the 384YE Autumn Equinox. His actions were to seek what he believed the best outcome for the Assembly of Pride. Synod elections necessitate politics and taking action instead of being complacent.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (273-52)
===Judgement 33===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Olyvar of Esthers Sanctum
* '''Judgement: Inquisition:''' Embrace your past - never be ashamed of it. I call General Stanley of Chalkdown, General of the Tusks, to inquisition over his past as a yegarra of the Mournwold, the virtue of his actions since, and his role within the military council. This will be held at 5pm on the Saturday of the Summer Solstice, in the Black Rat in the Marcher camp.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (195-0)
===Judgement 39===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lenarius Ankarien
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation).''' Per Judgements 48 (and 78) at the Spring Equinox, Claude Videre has been questioned by the Inquisitor of Ambition and Alfredo Barossa, and found to be a worthy candidate for the throne. Concerns were raised about the timing of Claude declaring their candidacy, and her actions as Auditor for Senatorial Accountability but after thorough questioning it was concluded that these actions were not un-virtuous. During the inquisition, she put forward her plans for the Empire with Vigilance and Wisdom, had clear plans for how to deal with the immediate threats facing the empire and clearly demonstrated her ability to inspire loyalty in others. Her virtues make her suitable to be Empress.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1236-154)
===Judgement 40===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Lenarius Ankarien
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call Hector of Tropaion to inquisition, to answer questions regarding his conduct over the past year, and to respond to rumours regarding his actions in Spiral. The Inquisition will be held at 6pm on the Saturday of the Summer Equinox at the Amphoria Bar in Urizen. Priest of Urizen and interested citizens are encouraged to attend.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (221-0)
===Judgement 41===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Sam Wych Elm
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Castigation). ''' Bushell Sykes has proven that he sees Loyalty only as a tool for his own personal gain. A traitor. A traitor. A traitor.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (110-40)
===Judgement 42===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Claude Videre
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation):''' What should we do, if during Inquisition we begin to feel that we are talking to someone who may one day be recognised as an exemplar for the deeds in this lifetime? I came as Auditor to shine a light on Bloodcrow Rasp's financial conduct and his Senatorial achievements for the territory of Skarsind. I left having seen the sparks of four signs that might be fanned into flames. But one most evident: Bloodcrow Rasp has laid block upon block of granite to build up his Nation and welcome in the Septs. He has done this without asking the Senate for a single ring. His deeds prosper his people, this is the road to benevolence. Loyalty calls us to build up our fellows. Bloodcrow Rasp knows this in his heart. And there is my answer. Priests of the Synod, I vindicate Bloodcrow Rasp, With your votes, celebrate him and raise him up as he has raised so many others up - encourage him on his path of Virtue!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1328-128)
===Judgement 43===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Syn Truth-Walker Returned
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call to inquisition Bloodcrow Udoo for his comments regarding the following of the Way and of Virtue. The inquisition is to take place at 15:30 on Saturday this gathering, at the back of the Hub.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (95-0)
===Judgement 48===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Nikolai "The Butcher" Petrovitch
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' Alderai is called to be inquisited as to their orders given to the Iron Helms Spring 385 as required by the will of the General Assembly. 10pm Friday at the Vale of Carrion camp.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (905-58)
===Judgement 87===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Aspar
* '''Judgement: Excommunication.''' Hate is a restrictive, pernicious force that stymies Virtue. hate does not seek questions, wrongly assuming that those in your circle are infallible, and those without are irredeemable. Severus of the Blinding Sun is a fool, his folly infects him and those around him and I will not countenance their reductive view of the world. I will bring them the challenge of Wisdom, if they fail, their soul will be forefeit. I seek a Writ of Excommunication against Severus of the Blinding Sun, to show them and the Empire the worth of Wisdom, and the folly of Hate.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (1488-195), as Excommunication requires a Greater Majority
===Judgement 89===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Galene Netherwatch
* '''Judgementt: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation).''' I vindicate Watt Lambrook for his actions during a meeting with Heralds of the Whisper Gallery. His actions showed Courage and Vigilance, and allowed the Archmage of Night to conduct diplomacy better.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (608-20)
===Judgement 108===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Valentina von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Penance, Escalation).''' Elsha Barton of the Crimson Reapers understands that by being unprepared for her role of Chair of the Wolf, she has failed to uphold of Loyalty of those Leaguers who placed her there. As penance she will understake a learning endeavour speaking to senators, producing a report on development opportunities and their opinion, and will also appoint a proxy to avoid repeat problems.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (329-10)
===Judgement 117===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Iniska Ashwood
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' After his Prosperous work fully funding the Empire-wide Autumn enchantment last summit, I call Gisli "the Provider" of Wintermark to Inquisition at 10pm in the Ashwood Emporium.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (130-40)
===Judgement 122===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Penance, Escalation).''' In his use of the proceeds from Spiral Castle, Maryc has demonstrated his Loyalty to Dawn and his Vigilance in bolstering its military units. However he lacks a clear path ahead in his virtue. After discussion with him and with his agreement, I set the following challenge to him to help him find his path. Build (or be a major part in the building of) a great work improving the quality of military units in Dawn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1151-51)
* '''Notes:''' It is not possible to build a [[great work]] that improves the quality of [[military unit|military units]], as noted under [[Great_work#Limitations|limitations]].
===Judgement 123===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Azreal Cohort of the Winter Bear
* '''Judgement:Inquisition.''' I call to inquisition Levi of Ebon's Hall at 20:00 in the Cohort of the Winter Bear's camp. This is for breaking his oath to Seraphina of the Cohort of the Winter Bear and Ava of the Silent Tide.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (262-10)
===Judgement 133===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Mael Donjeon
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Penance, Escalation).''' Regarding the Earl of Fools inquisition the following alternative sanctions is propose to that in <u>Judgement 6</u> which contains incorrect information. The earl purported their actions were justified by oaths sworn to their house. This indicates a <u>Loyal</u> motive; but a deeply flawed understanding of that virtue. Therefore the Early shall undertake a pilgrimage to better understand Loyalty as it is known outside their house. In one year they shall come before the assembly of Loyalty and report what they have ;earned and how they apply it in their house. The Assembly shall decide if penance has been completed.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1295-157)

===Judgement 133===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Tuuli
* '''Judgement: Revocation.''' We revoke Brienne from her position of Herbalist of the Hearth. This is no reflection on their virtue or heroism. but in order to retain prosperity until their return to Anvil.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (249-0)
===Judgement 137===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Syn Truth-Walker Returned
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation).''' I find that Bloodcrow Udoo shows no malice towards the Way and though his wording can be considered heresy, further discussion will find that this is not the case. It is suggested that Bloodcrow Udoo alter his wording when discussing theological to prevent further confusion.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (148-51)
===Judgement 143===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Elipas of the Saker
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call Akseh of the Sentinel Tower to Inquisition on the Sunday of the Summer Solstice 385YE.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (483-0)
===Judgement 149===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Esker Hazakkadottir
* '''Judgement: Revocation.''' This judgement seeks to revoke Tyr Brenna from the position of Prosperity's Boon. Please note this is not a matter of virtue or honour but to retain prosperity until their return to Anvil.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn, Not Upheld (19-19)
===Judgement 171===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Amris
* '''Judgement: Inquisition''' We call Father Drakov to Inquisition at <u>11am</u> on the <u>Saturday</u> of the Autumn Festival by Inquisiting Priest Amris. At the <u>Vale of Lost Souls</u> in Varushka concerning their role as a priest in a Virtue defence.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (176-10)
===Judgement 176===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Saavi Heroes' Champion
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation).''' 8 Priests and 1 General sat down to discuss the skirmish to Skahllan. Honour, heroism, and their interactions were discussed. The General spoke of Loyalty - of binding together strangers from 4 nations to complete all of the objectives, without a single Imperial death. She spoke of how she commanded Imperial heroes to 'not (sic) make a meal of it but execute them if you have to and move on'. She has again demonstrated her Loyalty to the Empire. She took Pride in her actions and could explain her actions, and the Virtue behind them. She is Vigilant against the influence of Jotun culture on Wintermark culture. General Kinda Surefoot is Vindicated. And we commend her virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (232-0)
===Judgement 177===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Penance, Escalation)''' The noble spirit of Claudia Varkulova Remys was made of the same steel that Dawn is forged from. I see that same steel in the spirit of Ser Claudia Lovelorn. She has failings, as does anyone, but it is clear that even as a knight-errant she is an inspirational figure to those that know her. To address her failings, I charge her to see the Eater of Love destroyed so no one else need suffer from its curse.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (139-0)
===Judgement 184===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Sam Wych
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call Rhaego i Zemress of the House of the Gilded Vine to stand for Inquisition and face judgement for his unvirtuous actions against his sworn Loyalties. By manipulating truth, warping promises, and mistaking Pride for ego. We must see him shine light on his priestly and romantic pursuits. This inquisition will occur on Saturday at the Autumn Equinox in the Black Rat.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (122-0)
===Judgement 186===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Hodwyn Aevardson
* '''Judgement: Revocation''' We revoke Tyr Brenna from their position of Prosperity's Boon. This is no reflection on their virtue of heroism, but in order to retain prosperity until their return to Anvil.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (278-0)
===Judgement 193===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Peregrine Boon
* '''Judgement: Revocation''' We the national assembly revoke Friar John of the Mourn from the position of Friar of Honour's Rest. May all of the Priests of the Marches pursue their ambitions to the fullest.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (100-122)
===Judgement 196===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Sufyan i Zuhri i Erigo
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Penance, Escalation). ''' Following my inquisition of Wildfyre I find his motives to be true, his intention to be virtuous, but to have made serious failings of Wisdom and Vigilance. To make a mistake once and see negative consequences is an opportunity to learn. To refuse to allow the consequences of your actions to affect your decision to repeat those actions and have the same negative outcome is a severe failing of Wisdom. His Vigilance failed to recognise the danger of resupplying a Grendel navy, and inviting spires to our shores. But I am at least relieved his decisions are motivated by his Loyalty and ideas of Prosperity. For Penance, I suggest he donate to the Virtue Fund an amount dictated by his Prosperity, minimum 1 ring.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (873-62)
===Judgement 198===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call Melchior of Adina's Charge Cardinal of Courage to Inquisition Saturday 12:00 Autumn 385 at the Hub. Concerning his courage to date and his goals for propagating this virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (198-0)
===Judgement 214===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' As Basilisk of the Bourse, I call Lumi Wrathbringer of Wintermark to Inquisition.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld Automatically ([[Basilisk of the Bourse]]).

==Recognition==
There was one judgement of [[recognition]] during the Spring Equinox.
===Judgement 12===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Brynn Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' The legacy of Sulemaine i Taziel threatens the future of the Empire and the Way. The Synod recognises Sulemaine i Taziel as a false paragon.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the debate around the nature of [[Sulemaine|Sulemaine i Taziel]], founder of the [[sword scholar|sword scholars]].
==Appointment==
At the Summit, the following [[appointment|appointments]] were proposed by the Assemblies of the Synod. You can find the names of citizens who currently hold Imperial titles in the Synod [[Current Imperial titles|here]].
===Judgement 1===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Cardinal]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Melchior of Adina' Charge''' was appointed with 86 votes. Skywise Tulva received 74 votes. Maarit Suvidottir received 69 votes.
===Judgement 2===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Cardinal]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Aspar''' was appointed with 253 votes. Galene Netherwatch received 186 votes.
===Judgement 15===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Virtue Inquisitor]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Morwenna Withered Rose''' was appointed with 84 votes. Morgan Sweet-Lathe received 41 votes. Syn Truth-Walker Returned received 0 votes.
===Judgement 24===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Imperial Inquisitor]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Lenarius Ankarian''' was appointed with 3 votes. Earl Galeas du Maurisol received 2 votes, Rhaego i Zemress received 2 votes.
===Judgement 27===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Liu Tidgaring''' was appointed with 122 votes.
===Judgement 35===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Curator of the Blood Red River]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Astrid Fellrevening Rezia di Tassato''' was appointed with 250 votes
===Judgement 46===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Keeper of the Garden]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Aerowen Embercast''' was appointed with 106 votes. Allana Thornweaver received 76 votes. Coeden Blackhawk received 58 votes. Aniera Exile's End received 26 votes.
===Judgement 51===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Arbiter of the Four Winds]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Herminius of the House of the Wanderer''' was appointed with 235 votes
===Judgement 61===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Armarius of the Anvil Library]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Richardo Glostari di Sarvos''' was appointed with 247 votes
===Judgement 63===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Prelate of Adelmar's Shrine]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Limonos of the Lighthouse at Nikephros''' was appointed with 130 votes. Aniera Exile's End received 36 votes, Lleu Winters Reach (Tarw) received 18 votes.
===Judgement 66===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Champion of Ambition]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Alfmund "Flame of Tian" Fordwinsson''' was appointed with 122 votes
===Judgement 68===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Bishop of the Navigators]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Tabris, son of Armishael''' was appointed with 420 votes
===Judgement 73===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Champion of Vigilance]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Undir Thornheart''' was appointed with 26 votes. Ravadi Founders Dance received 122 votes, but died before the judgement closed. Blaidd Stormtree received 10 votes, Rinan Jarvi Dunning received 0 votes.
===Judgement 82===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Virtue Inquisitor]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Luca i Taziel i Riqueza''' was appointed with 164 votes. Rhaego i Zemress received 67 votes.
==Rewarding==
The following judgements of [[rewarding]] were proposed during the summit.
===Judgement 7===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Goran Sokdov Zaytsev
* '''Judgement:''' The Varushkan national assembly has been lead with great wisdom and loyalty by the wise one Yevanshka of the Seekers of the Woven Path. Under their leadership we have brought the Way to Ossium and made passing judgements with Primacy a standard in our Assembly. We wish to reward Yevanshka to the sum of 20 crowns for their work in revolutionising our assembly and for their service to the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (867-482), with a margin of 385
* '''Notes:''' TBC
===Judgement 8===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The Justicars were an ancient order of exorcists before an Asavean attack on the Isle of Osseini wiped them out. High Exorcist Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra requests one dose of true liao to hellow the last vestments created by the Justicars of Osseini. We honour their Ambition and Courage in returning to Feroz outside of the protections of the Empire to continue their work. We mourn their untimely deaths at the hands of the Asaveans. We wish to Hallow the last Labyrinthine Vestments made by the Justicars as the "Vestments of the Justicar" so their legacy will never be forgotten. The Justicars of the Freeborn are dead, however their legacy lives on forever.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1171-278), with a margin of 893
* '''Notes:''' TBC.
===Judgement 13===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov
* '''Judgement:''' The story of Kethry's battle to maintain her culture holds a special resonance with the people of Ossium. For generations we have fought to sustain our traditions despite Druj oppression and while now free, the Empire's egregore magic erodes Ossian culture like the sun's light fades once bright dyes. I ask that Vasili Zoryakovich Zverokaz, the priest who first brought Ossium to the Way through the teachings of PRide, be awarded a dose of <u>True Liao</u> to consecrate a monument to the paragon Kethry's inspiration.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (776-553), with a margin of 223
* '''Notes:''' TBC.
===Judgement 37===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lynn
* '''Judgement:''' We request a reward of 10 Thrones to Corwynn Heartsbane to alleviate a portion of the debt accrued in sourcing the required 20 wains and wayleave required to commission the Hall of the Seven in Miaren. The Hall will enable Navarr captains to explore Vallorn hearts adding to our knowledge and furthering the fight against this great spiritual threat. At this time fifty thrones and two crowns are owed to Embercast Striding and ten thrones to House Tallstag. They sold mithril and a wayleave at fair prices in order to support a project they felt strongly about and this rewarding would see their and Corwyn's Prosperity recognised.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (800-294), with a margin of 506
* '''Notes:''' TBC
===Judgement 47===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Eira Larksong
* '''Judgement:''' The war chest of Navarr has helped contribute time and time again to military endeavours of the nation and Empire. Countless ventures through the Sentinel Gate, the adventure into the sinkhole, the assault on Hotter's Mire, and the Adventure into Brocéliande to name a few. We seek a rewarding of 5 Thrones to be given to Eleri Bronwen's Rest, to be distributed among herself and those who help her maintain the war chest, in recognition of their tireless and prosperous work. (And ask that they do not immediately put it into the war chest). Strive, toil, and claim the just rewards of your labours.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (713-296), with a margin of 417.
* '''Notes:''' Only Four Thrones, 4 Crowns, and 15 Rings were available in the virtue fund.
===Judgement 72===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Jenny Arbor
* '''Judgement:''' We recognise the ambition, loyalty, and vigilance of Zephaniah of Felix's Watch. Their work on the magic that allowed the ghosts of the entire Mournwold to communicate freely with the living has sent many of the dead onward on their spiritual journey, allowed the living opportunities for sweet partings, and aided in the righting of historic wrongs. We ask that Zephanian of Felix's Watch is rewarded seven thrones for their virtuous efforts that they might continue to apply their magical talents to the benefit of the Empire and its' spirit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (953-418), with a margin of 535.
* '''Notes:''' TBC
===Judgement 97===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tiana i Zaydan i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' I seek a rewarding of 7 Thrones for our High Exorcist Finna i Fajadoz i Guerra. Every summit she supplies liao and liao ceremonies for our battles and our skirmishes to keep our people sage. Liao doesn't grow on trees, it costs money. Please assign her the money to do her job.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (656-307), with a margin of 349
* '''Notes:''' TBC
===Judgement 99===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Cesare Enzo di Trivento
* '''Judgement:''' Hap the Soft, esteemed leader of the Golden Hoof Farm in the Green March, deserves rewarding and our praise. Through his wise and compassionate guidance, Hap successfully negotiated with the orc thralls of the Marches, facilitating their desire to join the Empire while preserving their beliefs. This effort has fostered harmony between Mournwold Orcs and Marchers, promoting community and prosperity in the region. Hap's charitable work at Golden Hoof Farm has been a beacon of safety and opportunity for orphaned youths, providing a nurturing environment in a troubled world. His generosity has sown seeds of prosperity, instilling virtues while respecting ancestral beliefs. In honouring Hap the Soft, we celebrate the power of empathy and cooperation in bridging divides forging a stronger and more united Empire. We wish to send him 1 Ring.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (581-213), with a margin of 305
* '''Notes:''' TBC. Hap the Soft is an [[orc]], and one of the spiritual leaders of the [[Mournwold Orcs]].
===Judgement 100===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Pascant de Luna
* '''Judgement:''' I seek to reward the Enchantress Azalais de Luna two thrones for leading the four survivors of her house from the ashes of their keep in the Barrens. She has re-established the house under the banner of the minotaur and has dedicated herself to the ambition of restoring her house to its former opulent glory.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (212-419)
===Judgement 111===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Estella Lucati di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' Vigilance demands that we be ready for a Grendel attack! Heeding its call, Shauni di Vergo has made it his Ambition to erect the Steel Rings, a coastal defence against Grendel navies. The Synod supports and rewards this Virtue with Twenty-Eight Thrones from the Virtue Fund.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (385-258), with a margin of 217
* '''Notes:''' TBC

==Alternative Mandates==
Prior to the summit, the following [[Mandate#Alternative Mandates|alternative mandates]] were proposed by members of the Synod.

{|
| '''Member''' || '''Link to mandate''' || '''Notes'''
|-
| Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer || [[The_deepest_cut#Discard_Anything_That_Falls_Short|The deepest cut]] ||
|-
| Aspar || [[The_deepest_cut#Many_Steps_on_The_Way|The deepest cut]] ||
|-
| Lochias Of Oblivion's Edge || [[The_deepest_cut#Many_Steps_on_The_Way|The deepest cut]] ||
|-
| Elagabala || [[The_deepest_cut#Many_Steps_on_The_Way|The deepest cut]] ||
|-
| Hazelelponi || [[The_deepest_cut#Many_Steps_on_The_Way|The deepest cut]] ||
|-
| Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov || [[Pride_and_prejudice#Mission_of_Mercy|Pride and prejudice]] || A use of [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]] for the Varushkan Assembly
|-
| Velko Perunovich Razoradze || [[Pride_and_prejudice#Alternative Access|Pride and prejudice]] ||
|-
| Maria i Espiri i Guerra || [[Questions_of_virtue#Mound|Questions of virtue]] ||
|-
| Luca i Taziel i Riqueza || [[Questions_of_virtue#Mound|Questions of virtue]] ||
|-
| Soratio i Del Toro i Guerra || [[Questions_of_virtue#Rage_of_the_Corsairs|Questions of virtue]] ||
|-
| Tabris, Son of Armisael || [[Questions_of_virtue#Rage_of_the_Corsairs|Questions of virtue]] || A use of [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]] for the Highborn Assembly
|-
| Ser Dindrane || [[A_glorious_victory#The_Right_Question|A glorious victory]] ||
|-
| Sam Wych-Elm || [[Welly_boots#Fair_Words_Won.27t_Bury_Grudges|Welly boots]] ||
|-
| Dinah of Jeremiah's Welcome || [[Rings_and_crowns#A_Sacred_City|Rings and crowns]] || A use of [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]] for the Highborn Assembly
|-
| Able the Taller || [[The_fate_of_the_many#A_Precious_Secret|The fate of the many]] ||
|-
| Hector of Tropaion || [[The_fate_of_the_many#A_Precious_Secret|The fate of the many]] ||
|-
| Martin Orchard || [[Pruning_shears#Under_Cover_of_Night|Pruning shears]] ||
|-
| Aemon of the Suns of Couros || [[Pruning_shears#Under_Cover_of_Night|Pruning shears]] || A use of [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]] for the Highborn Assembly
|}

==The Virtue Fund==
The following represents the Virtue Fund of the Synod:
{|
| ''Starting Value'' || 3 Thrones, 3 Crowns, 15 Rings ||
|-
| ''Income'' || 5 Rings || Donation by Delara i Fijadoz i Guerra.
|-
| ''Income'' || 5 Rings || Donation by Lysimachus.
|-
| ''Income'' || 1 Throne || Donation by Ashborn Atla.
|-
| ''Income'' || 10 Rings || Donation by Sergio i Valiente i Erigo.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 4 Thrones, 4 Crowns, 15 Rings || Rewarding to Eira Larksong following [[#Judgement 47|Judgement 47]] being upheld (insufficient funds for full rewarding).
|-
| ''Income'' || 80 Thrones || The price paid in the Bourse Auction for the dose of True Liao.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 7 Thrones || Rewarding to Jenny Arbour following [[#Judgement 72|Judgement 72]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 10 Thrones || Rewarding to Lynn following [[#Judgement 37|Judgement 37]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 2 Thrones, 4 Crowns || Rewarding to Goran Sokolov Zaytsev following [[#Judgement 7|Judgement 7]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 7 Thrones || Rewarding to Tiana i Zaydan i Riqueza following [[#Judgement 97|Judgement 97]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 28 Thrones || Rewarding to Estella Lucati di Sarvos following [[#Judgement 111|Judgement 111]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Income'' || 4 Crowns || Donation by Präst Tlaloc of the [[Sumaah Republic]].
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 1 Ring || Rewarding to Cesare Enzo di Trivento following [[#Judgement 99|Judgement 99]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Income'' || 3 Rings || Donation by the Secretary General of the Civil Service from the sale of writing implements<sup>[[#1|(1)]]</sup>.
|-
| ''Closing Value'' || 26 Thrones, 2 Rings ||
|}

<small>
#{{anchor|1}} A further four to eight crowns were due to be donated to the Fund, but were stolen from the Hub at some point on Saturday evening.
</small>

==Doses of True Liao==

Six doses of [[Liao#True Liao|True Liao]] were disbursed this summit:
* One dose in connection to the [[Lepidean Librarian|Lepidean University]] to Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra via [[#Judgement 8|Judgement 8]]
* One dose to Naomi of Felix's Watch by purchase in the [[Public auction|Public Auction]]
* One dose to Tiberius Stormspire Cascade by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Dr Tiberius Ankarien of the Hospital by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Bridget Talbot of House de Coeurdefer by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose provided by [[Sumaah Republic|Sumaah]] to the [[Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic|Ambassador]], Jarrigk Orzel, who presented it to Leif Dreambinder

==Considerations==
The following considerations should be borne in mind when bringing judgements before the Imperial Synod during the Summer Solstice.
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that prioritise the greater good over personal loyalties are less effective. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that try to compel Loyalty will fail. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Revocations and Excommunications for disloyalty to the nation or Empire would risk causing dissent. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Any mandate that does not pass with a greater majority will have limited or no effect on Urizen or Varushka. It is not impossible that a mandate might lead to a response in one of the two nations, but it won't lead to any immediate consequences for the people of the nation. This lasts until some new turn of events changes things. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Urizen_Assembly|Urizen Link]]. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Varushkan_Assembly|Varushka Link]].

* '''Partner of Greatness:''' The National Assembly of Highguard can submit alternate mandates to mandates presented in any National Assembly. The National Assemblies of Urizen, The League, and Varushka are able to submit alternate mandates to those presented to the Highborn National Assembly. Lasts until the the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE. [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Link]]
* '''A Peerless Kinship:''' The Highborn National Assembly can pass a statement of principle to call on their nation to support Dawn, Imperial Orcs, the Marches, Wintermark, or Varushka. Lasts until the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE. [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Link]]

385YE Summer Solstice Synod judgements

2023-08-04T18:36:52Z

Cyph: Spelling corrections

[[Category: Synod]] [[Category:Synod Results]] [[Category: Synod Judgements]] [[Category: 385YE Summer]]
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Synod_Summer_385YE.png|caption=The [[Imperial Synod]] recognises both the virtue, and the wickedness, of Imperial citizens.|align=right|width=500}}</div>
==Overview==
During the Summer Solstice 385YE Summit, the [[Imperial Synod]] raised 217 [[judgement|judgements]].
==Change of Doctrine==
The following [[change of doctrine]] was proposed during the Summer Solstice.
===Judgement 52===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Kennett the Mummer
* '''Judgement:''' In light of historical research indicating that the Doctrine of Human Destiny was born of historical political convenience rather than spiritual truth, the Doctrine of Human Destiny has no place among the Doctrines of the Faith. Remove it.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (539 - 1464)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to both the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Human_Destiny|Doctrine of Human Destiny]] and the recent [[On the Doctrine of Human Destiny]] report compiled by the [[Historical_research#The_Department_of_Historical_Research|Department of Historical Research]].
==Statement of Principle==
===Judgement 3===
__TOC__
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Genoveva Barossa d'Apulian
* '''Judgement:''' The Apulian Orcs' virtue of Audacity says that "Power is a crown, learn to put it on." It teaches about self-belief, about knowing that you have the guts to follow through on your plans and make them manifest as virtuous action. This self-belief is core to the Imperial Virtue of Pride. Pride teaches us to despise the half-hearted, the uncommitted, and the pretender. What is Audacity if not committing yourself fully to your goals and knowing you have what it takes to achieve them? Therefore we recognise that Audacity is Pride by another name and we welcome the Apulian Orcs to the Empire and the Way of Virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (245 - 137)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtue" of [[Chords#Audacity|Audacity]].

===Judgement 4===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alfredo Barossa
* '''Judgement:''' The Freedom Heresy has repeatedly raised its head in the Empire, and I propose we cut that head off. Let us bring together interested parties from across the Assemblies of the Synod, as a special council reporting to the Assembly of Nine, to example: 1) Why Freedom is a Heresy not a Virtue. 2) Whether the actions of the Empire have, or have not, promoted Freedom. 3) Recommend to the Senate, Synod, and Conclave such measures as may be necessary including any clarification of Doctrine that may be needed. Let us publish these findings, teachings, and recommendations across the Empire, for all to see, and without fear or favour within the next year.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1920-255)
* '''Notes:''' Contributes to the discourse around the [[Malign_spiritual_presences|malign spiritual presence]] of [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Anarchy|Anarchy]].
===Judgement 5===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Pickers Blackleaf
* '''Judgement:''' In response to Kimus' challenge the earliest records of people passing through the Labyrinth date back to the fall of Terunael.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (847-401)
===Judgement 9===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Hector of Tropaion
* '''Judgement:''' Medea Ruth of Urizen. Zaccai of Highguard. Friar Robin of Whittle. Santana of the Kohan. No nation is immune to the temptations of Purity. Severus Blinding Sun and his blasphemous ilk are the poison in our fields, the danger within. Reject Purity; thwart these blasphemers before their teachings can take root.
* '''Outcome:'''
* '''Notes:''' Contributes to discussion of the [[Malign_spiritual_presences|malign spiritual presence]] of [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Hatred|hatred]]. The four people mentioned have all faced serious accusations of spreading the "false virtue" under various names. The most recent is the [[Urizen]] priest [[The_deepest_cut#Interred_With_Their_Bones|Severus of the Blinding Sun]] offered to contribute to the proposed [[The_deepest_cut#Interred_With_Their_Bones|creation]] of an [[Inspirational location|inspirational tomb]] for the [[sword scholar]] founder, [[Sulemaine|Sulemaine i Taziel]].
===Judgement 11===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tarquinius Ankarien
* '''Judgement:''' The most basic duty of the Empire is to ensure that the cultures that it consists of are not destroyed. The Spiral Urizeni are a culture formed before the Empire existed and if nothing is done while individuals will survive that culture will no longer exist. The Empire's first instinct upon finding this to be the case was not to ask "How can we prevent this?" but to debase ourselves with "Can we rename their home to erase their history too?" The Empire must correct its course before it makes a terrible mistake. We ask "How can the Spiral Urizeni exist alongside the League without sacrificing or assimilating their culture?" Nothing is off the table: new laws, great works, appraisals, rituals, constitutional change, eternals and more. We should consider any viable solution.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1647-545)
* '''Notes:''' This statement talks about the situation in [[Spiral]], and the status of the [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens [[The fate of the many|still living in]] the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]].

===Judgement 14===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Artis Greyholm
* '''Judgement:''' Hail to you General of the second army. Long has the Green Shields been the proving ground of the Steinr. From spiral to Sermersuaq, from empress to interregnum, heroically have you championed the nations boldest ideals. It is time we proved that heroism is the shield that holds, not just the blade that strikes. A heroes name can be forged in a single moment, or in a hundred seasons the hammer of the North (?) strikes a thousand blows to temper our skein. Iron Osric, you name is called into the Book of Heroes.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (329-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Heroism#Chronicle_of_Heroism|Chronicle of Heroism]] is a list of heroic individuals maintained by the [[Wintermark]] National Assembly.

===Judgement 17===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Solas of the Spire of the Waxing Sun
* '''Judgement:''' We recognise the importance of the work of the High Exorcist in combatting spiritual threats in the Empire and beyond. We call on the Senate to reinstate their stipend at the previous level unless and until a suitable long-term sponsor for regalia for this position comes forward.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1932-219)
* '''Notes:''' The [[High Exorcist]] advises the [[imperial Military Council|Military Council]] on the use of [[Religious skills|liao ceremonies]] on the battlefield. They were one of the titles affected by the Constitutional Court ruling that [[Rings_and_crowns#Virtue_and_Reward|automatic rewarding]] was not constitutional, and that the [[Imperial Senate]] might consider reinstating their seasonal [[Imperial_treasury#Stipends|stipend]].

===Judgement 18===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' The Eyes of Loyalty should be reworked such that any member of the Loyalty Assembly can raise a judgement requesting the Eyes of Loyalty be focused on a mandate. This will allow the entire assembly to be involved in the decision and allow for competing opinions where currently there can only be one option.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld, withdrawn.
* '''Notes:''' The [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]] (in this context) is a unique power wielded by the [[Cardinal of Loyalty]], to encourage the [[Loyalty|Loyal]] to support a specific [[mandate]] should it call to the truth of their hearts.

===Judgement 19===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Herminius House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' Interrogate the world through your blade and your mind. You are in constant dialogue with the world around you, and it is from this dialogue that you improve yourself. By studying the reactions of others in response to the proposal of consecrating Sulemaine's tomb, I have come to question the legacy of her personal beliefs and how she enacted them. Wisdom is finding the right questions. Does Sword Scholar philosophy have value when separated from the woman who inspired it? It is clear to me that the time has come to separate the woman from the teachings. I call on all virtuous Sword Scholars to no longer venerate the actions of Sulemaine. If you love a thing, be prepared to destroy it. Only then can you be truly strong enough to protect it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (374-16)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to the teachings of [[Sulemaine]], the founder of the [[sword scholar]] movement, and the question of whether to [[Consecration|consectrate]] an [[Inspirational location|inspirational tomb]] in [[The deepest cut|her name]].
===Judgement 20===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alessi of the Navigators
* '''Judgement:''' Despise that which threatens what you watch over - there is no virtue in hoarding information that could be used to keep souls from harm. Disseminating information to those who can appropriately use it is important and should be pursued with any means at our disposal.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1446-257)

===Judgement 25===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Sister Julliette of Balthazar's Vineyard
* '''Judgement:''' The vallorn remains a persistent spiritual threat to the souls of the Empire, therefore Vigilance demands that Highguard remain vigilant and watchful of its growth in our lands and beyond. Virtue demands that we construct the Greenwatch to aid in this fight.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (220-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Rain_king#The_Greenwatch|Greenwatch]] is a "watchtower" against the threat of the [[Brocéliande]] [[vallorn]], proposed by the [[eternal]] [[ossegrahn|Lord Rain]] during the Spring Equinox.
===Judgement 26===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orcs
* '''Raised By:''' Skywise Gralka
* '''Judgement:''' We are born of blood and sand the liberated people of Dubtraig and Beoraidh and we are here, witness our pride. See the worth of our sept as we claim a name to represents our people from this day forth known us as the Sannite sept. This word is of our ancestors born in the gladiator's coliseum it represents us all.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (78-13)
* '''Notes:''' This statement addresses the [[orc]] slaves of the [[Grendel]], liberated during the [[382YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_Turning_Tide|raid on Dubhtraig]] following the Autumn Equinox 382YE, and the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Mission|attack on Beoraidh]] following the Winter Solstice 382YE.

===Judgement 30===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Rafael Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' The vallorn is a significant spiritual threat to the Empire. It traps human and orc souls, dooming those who die in battle. The Winter Eternal Kaela has offered her Gift to the Empire, and it has been used to good effect by those captured by the Druj, letting them escape torment through painless death. She offers to extend that boon to those facing the horrors of the vallorn, keeping them from an eternity trapped as a husk. She will not do so unless the General assembly invite her with a greater majority, sending the message that this intervention is welcome. The Archmage of Winter and the Grandmaster of the Sevenfold Path have investigated Kaela's Gift, as have many others. It is their firm view, and that of the Conclave, that accepting Kaela's Gift does not prevent one from entering the Labyrinth or crossing the Howling Abyss. We should accept her offer.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1935-249)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Kaela#The_Gift_of_Kaela|Gift of Kaela]] is a power offered by the [[kaela|Lady of the Grim Host]] to any Imperial citizen fighting the [[Druj]], allowing them to choose painless death if they fall into the hands of the [[the Mallum|Mallum]] [[orc|orcs]]. In Winter 383YE, the eternal [[Impossible_landscapes#Kaela|offered to extend her gift]] to those fighting the vallorn in the four territories where it dwells so they could avoid becoming [[vallornspawn husk|vallornspawn husks]].
===Judgement 32===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Mel Bleak
* '''Judgement:''' The whole of the Empire is at war with the Whisper Gallery, and anyone who helps them needs rooting out in <u>any</u> nation. Marcher threshers are experts at finding wrong'uns, but shouldn't stop at the borders of their nation. The General Assembly agrees all righteous folk of the Empire should bring themselves to bear in this virtuous battle. Take example from the inspired Vigilance of the threshers and work with them to hunt down the vermin of the Shadow Courtiers - across the entire Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1024-436)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Whisper Gallery]] are a group of [[eternal|eternals]] from the Night realm who have a [[A_long_December#The_Fucking_Whisper_Gallery|long history of threatening]] Imperial scholars. They are under the [[Alignment#Enmity|enmity]] of the [[Imperial Conclave]], and [[Pruning_shears#Under_Cover_of_Night|recent developments]] in [[the Marches]] have seen the [[thresher|threshers]] of that nation express an interest in dealing with them that goes beyond the current [[Military_unit#War_of_Whispers|war of whispers]].
===Judgement 34===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Corey Wayfinder
* '''Judgement:''' A key part of the Vigilance of all Navarr is to be ever ready to fight the vallorn at any point. Let us strive to be ready and focus on preparing ourselves. We call on Navarr to work to grow the army, Isaella's Dance
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (296-30)
* '''Notes:''' [[Isaella's Dance]] is a [[Navarr]] [[Imperial army|army]] with a [[army qualities|quality]] that (among other things) gives it an advantage to [[Isaella%27s_Dance#Army_Quality_:_Thornbound|fight]] the [[vallorn]].
===Judgement 36===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Lysimachus
* '''Judgement:''' A judgement of rewarding should be to reward Virtuous actions that have been done, not to pay someone for things they haven't yet done, and may never do. It should be used for the purpose intended and not to fund whatever scheme people want Thrones for, often leaving the virtuous unrewarded from an empty fund. The constitutional court has stated title holders can no longer withdraw from it to fund their future actions, we should follow this example and only reward the virtuous actions that have already been accomplished. Or to put it bluntly, the virtue fund is not your sugar daddy, money mommy, prosperity parent, or petty cash fund, so stop treating it as such!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1246-622)
* '''Notes:''' This statement discussed the [[rewarding|virtue fund]], and touches on the [[Rings_and_crowns#Virtue_and_Reward|Constitutional Court ruling]] that the automatic [[rewarding]] previously used by certain titles was not constitutional.
===Judgement 38===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Yevanshka
* '''Judgement:''' The General Assembly endorses the creation and appointment of National Inquisitors to the Inquisitional Court. In Summer 383 the General Assembly concluded that national beliefs and customs that fall outside of, but do not contradict, the Doctrines of the Faith are acceptable expressions of the Way. Where practice of these national customs threatens or enhances a citizen's path on the Way of Virtue, it is the Priests of the National Assembly that are best placed to investigate. The General Assembly thus believes that National Inquisitors should be appointed by National Assemblies to the Inquisitorial Court and tasked with ensuring that inquisitions around national matters are performed with accountability and transparency.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1724-529)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Create Inquisitorial Court|Inquisitorial Court]] is a body established by the [[Imperial Senate|Senate]] consisting of the [[Imperial Inquisitor]] and the eight [[Create Inquisitorial Court|virtue inquisitors]]. The General assembly concluded during the Summer 383YE summit that [[Walk on|certain practices]] in each nation brought into question by [[Grey Pilgrim|Grey Pilgrims]] were not in conflict with the [[Doctrines of the Faith]].
===Judgement 44===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Corrin Arrowsbane
* '''Judgement:''' The Aeslings of Wintermark have the <u>bold</u> ambition of being the first to explore and map the sea of sorrows. I believe this is a great and worthy endeavour of much virtue, that would greatly support the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (258-0)
===Judgement 45===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Aldwyn of House Rondell
* '''Judgement:''' Dawn and the Marches, together we recognise our commonality in our Loyalty. Long have we been allied in the military council. Yeofolk all, be inspired by our bonds to create something great between our nations.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (199-16)
===Judgement 49===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ashborn Atla
* '''Judgement:''' Mana the orc asks that why is the Empire making profit off slavery? Without looking after the newly freed. Spoils of war should fund a named priest to greet and support newly arrived liberated (individuals or groups) in Anvil. Let the Senate know this is the will of the Synod!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1183-392)
===Judgement 50===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Martha i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' Riqueza taught us that living a life in pursuit of decency, integrity, and justice is more important than living a life obsessed with virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (68-134)
* '''Notes:''' [[Riqueza]] is one of the [[The Brass Coast history|historical founders]] of [[the Brass Coast]] whose [[Riqueza#Riqueza.27s_Ideals|ideals]] continue to [[Tribe|inspire Freeborn]] to this day.
===Judgement 53===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Elkiah
* '''Judgement:''' At 385 Spring Solstice, public claims were made that the Shattered Tower is in thrall to eternals. We have always stood against the eternals, and our proud of our history of thwarting their machinations. However, Vigilance and Pride demand we prove it. Therefore, the Tower opens its doors to Synod for inquisition to prove we are free of eternal influence and cleave to the Way and its promise of salvation. The following Tower members submit to scrutiny with Pride: Synnis, Elkiah, Solomon, Nekoda, Rinnah, Dago, Vashti, Gideon, Anaea.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (999-101)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Highguard_groups#The_Shattered_Tower|Shattered Tower]] are a prominent [[Highguard|Highborn]] [[chapter]] from [[Reikos]].
===Judgement 54===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Derwyn Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' The Navarr national assembly recognises the efforts made by Wyl Brackensong, Brocéliande's Broker, to ensure the creation of the artefact 'The Broker's Tear' to be provided as regalia to the General of Isaella's Dance. Let this item serve as an inspiration to the Navarr in the hands of our Generals, and a testament to the virtue and the legacy of the Brokers of Brocéliande.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (246-0)
* '''Notes:''' Both the [[Imperial Senate]] and the [[Imperial Conclave]] can declare an item as ''regalia'' of a specific title via [[Motion_wording#Amendments|amendment]] or [[Endowment#Necessary_Details|endowment]], respectively.
===Judgement 55===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Creighton Blackewater
* '''Judgement:''' The Marches and Dawn, together we recognise our commonality in our Loyalty. Long have we been allied in the military council. Yeofolk all, be inspired by our bonds to create something great between our nations.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (160-0)
===Judgement 58===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Eleanor Novarion
* '''Judgement:''' Dawn admires the Courage, Pride, and Prosperity of the Free Folk. When their pilgrimage across the Empire comes to an end, Dawn would welcome them, should they choose to settle in our nation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (273-0)
* '''Notes:'''The [[:Category:Free Folk|Free Folk]] is the name taken on by a group of refugees from the [[Asavean Archipelago]], who claim to be followers of the Way, but their particular take on the religion, and their peculiar [[paragons and exemplars]], have caused some tension in the Empire. Their [[Folklore|recent pilgrimage]] across the Empire is nearing an end.

===Judgement 60===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Irada von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' The inspiration of Berechiah drives Vigilance pilgrims and priests to actively tear out the poison that threatens the Empire. We the Vigilance assembly encourage the creation of an inspirational monument consecrated with true liao at his Basilica in Bastion so that his inspiration in rooting out threats can be felt across the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (230-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Berechiah]] is a sometimes controversial [[paragons and exemplars|exemplar]] of [[Vigilance]]. A [[greater majority]] is usually needed for there to be any chance of an [[opportunity]] to use [[liao#True Liao|true liao]] to create an [[Inspirational_location#Inspirational_Opportunity|inspirational location]] such as this.
===Judgement 62===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Allana Thurnweaver
* '''Judgement:''' The Navarr national assembly recognises the efforts made by Wyl Brackensong, Brocéliande's Broker, to ensure the creation of the artefact 'The Broker's Tear', to be provided as regalia to the General of Isaella's Dance. Let this item serve as an inspiration to the Navarr in the hands of our Generals, and a testament to the virtue and the legacy of the Brokers of Brocéliande.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
===Judgement 64===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aethelric the Grounded
* '''Judgement:''' Heroism takes many forms and should be acknowledged and celebrated. One such example was during the Spring summit of 385YE, where Henrik Hearts Keeper led multiple covens from multiple nations to undertake a spectacular arcane projection. The prosperity since experienced by the entire Empire is a direct result of this arcane projection, and it is most definitely Heroic to demonstrably practice Virtue as well as encourage it in others (in this case, Ambition, Pride, and Prosperity). The names of the covens and individuals involved are numerous but the Stormcrows and the Priests of Wintermark wish to congratulate them all and encourage them to speak to their Crows and Scops so that their deeds may be skein-woven and toasted in song and story.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (309-0)
* '''Notes:''' This judgement appears to refer to the ''Bounty of the Brilliant Broker'' [[enchantment]] that [[Farewell wanderlust|fell across the entire Empire]] following the Spring Equinox.

===Judgement 65===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Vespasian of Tropaion
* '''Judgement:''' The Virtuous do not demean others, they inspire them to greatness. The current system of military council commendations is unfit for purpose. It demeans the martial achievements of Heroes through the Sentinel Gate by being used by the Military Council for self-congratulatory purposes, and by entire nations being commended at once, rather than highlighting individual acts of battlefield Virtue. It fails to inspire Citizens beyond Anvil as said commendations are not recorded by the Civil Service. We call upon the Empire's Pride Priests, the Civil Service, and the wider Imperial population to strive for excellence in developing a better system of acknowledging martial achievements through the Sentinel Gate on both major and minor Conjunctions, by creating an Imperial title that is responsible for celebrating martial excellence, and ensuring it is properly recorded.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (341-35), Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 339
===Judgement 70===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Josephine of Adina's Charge
* '''Judgement:''' The Highborn Anti-lineage sentiment is based on distrust of the Realms, but there are countless examples of how these attitudes have driven people into the arms of those they claim to protect them from. We have a long tradition of swearing a duty of service. Let us take inspiration from our Navarri friends, and officially add swearing to be vigilant against the threat of the Realms to the Magister's training and trust them in dealing with the realms. This will ensure we keep our vigilance and deal with the actual concerns instead of catching bystanders in the crossfire. Lineaged are Imperial Citizens and treating them as pawns of the Realms is part of the problem.
* '''Outcome:'''
* '''Notes:''' Thanks to the [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Dare_Do_All|actions of the Highborn assembly]], prejudice against the lineages is significantly declining among their people.
===Judgement 77===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Jedediah Boon
* '''Judgement:''' The Jotun raided the Mournwold, sending the ferocious Banner of the Howling Bear to take our Mithril. The miners of the Singing Caves dug in their heels; outnumbered, they fought a vicious and bloody battle in the dark, gruelling tunnels of their home. Miners do not just work the land: they defend it with Pride. Their calls for suffrage have long fallen on deaf ears, but when the Marches calls, they rise! The Marcher National Assembly exalts the miners of the Singing Caves for their Pride, Courage, and Loyalty to the Nation. We are the guts of the Empire, and we have Iron in our Veins!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (150-20), the threshold for a greater majority for this judgement was 157.
* '''Notes:''' The Banner of the Howling Bear [[Shallows_and_miseries#Meanwhile_in_Mournwold|raided the Mournwold]] after the Spring Equinox this year. The question of "miner suffrage" is [[Sense_and_sensibility#Mine_Free|being extensively discussed]] in the [[Mournwold|Mourn]] this season.

===Judgement 78===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Leonarius Ankarien
* '''Judgement:''' The Urizen national assembly reject the offer made by Severus of the Blinding Sun. The false virtue of "inviolate perfection" is just that. False. Ambition is the third pillar of our nation, we seek the perfection of this world and know that we will achieve perfection when we finally ascend. The false virtue of "Purity" is a trap, it restricts the mind turning only inwards for inspiration and rejecting the wisdom of other nations or peoples. It has no place in Urizen. While it is true that in dire circumstances some citizens have found solace in this false virtue, they should be guided back to the Way, not tolerated or venerated.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (188-0)
* '''Notes:''' A rebuttal to the [[Urizen]] priest [[The_deepest_cut#Interred_With_Their_Bones|Severus of the Blinding Sun]], this statement also contributes to discussion of the [[Malign_spiritual_presences|malign spiritual presence]] of [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Hatred|hatred]]
===Judgement 79===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Telyn Stormtree
* '''Judgement:''' The Gardens of Glory in Therunin allows followers of Anarchy a regular supply of liao and creates a potential threat to our Nation and Empire - it should never have been repaired. We call on Vigilant Navarri to follow Berechiah's excample and end this threat before it can harm the Empire. Tear down the Gardens so thoroughly that it may not be repaired again.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (96-222)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Construct Garden of Glory|Garden of Glory]] is a contentious commission overseen by the [[Keeper of the Garden]]. A [[Long_walk_home#Liao_garden|lost garden]] used for creating [[liao]], there are concerns that some of the liao may be going to the [[briar]] [[Great_Forest_Orcs#The_Briars|allies]] of the [[Great Forest Orcs]] in [[Therunin]], open practitioners of the [[Malign spiritual presences|malign spiritual force]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Anarchy|Anarchy]]. The briars have thus far shown little interest in spreading their teachings with the Empire.

===Judgement 80===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Nigel Hornbeam
* '''Judgement:''' You don't pick a patch of dirt and just start digging for ore; you get an experienced miner to guide your hand. The Marcher National Assembly supports Jedediah Boon's undertaking to examine the events of the Ore Hills Rebellion of 326YE - and the Proud Marchers who lead it, with the intent of revealing their names to the Empire. Only then can we know what Signs they may have shows, and perhaps recognise them for their Virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' Both the [[Minister of Historical Research]] and the [[Lepidean Librarian]] have the ability to commission [[historical research]] into past events such as this.
===Judgement 81===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Teleri Thornweaver
* '''Judgement:''' The Navarr national assembly recognises the efforts made by Trystan Brackensong, Brocéliande's Broker, to ensure the creation of the artefact 'Trystan's Lament', to be provided as regalia to the General of the Black Thorns. Let this item serve as inspiration to the Navarr in the hands of our Generals, and a testament to the virtue and the legacy of the Brokers of Brocéliande.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (282-0)
* '''Notes:''' Both the [[Imperial Senate]] and the [[Imperial Conclave]] can declare an item as ''regalia'' of a specific title via [[Motion_wording#Amendments|amendment]] or [[Endowment#Necessary_Details|endowment]], respectively.
===Judgement 83===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Alexei
* '''Judgement:''' The assembly recognises Fidelity is a route to Prosperity. We invite the Apulian Orcs to visit our congregations of Prosperity in the Empire, so that they may further their understanding of Prosperity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (259-60), the greater majority threshold for this judgement was 276.
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtue" of [[Chords#Fidelity|Fidelity]].
===Judgement 85===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Vera
* '''Judgement:''' We call upon the Apulian Orcs to visit prosperity congregations across the Empire. They should use this opportunity to reflect on their understanding of Prosperity and the learn from our understanding which is informed by centuries of evidence and access to liao which has always been unavailable to them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (335-0)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Chords|Apulian Orc understanding ]] of the virtue of [[Prosperity]].
===Judgement 86===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Luca i Taziel i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' A spark, from family hearth and pyre. Carried by voice on wind to kohan's fire. Becoming flame. Burning honest to everything they will ever be. Terrifying, splendid, incandescent, free. A thousand words a thousand thoughts writhing grasping struggle forth to bind an inferno to form it can never take. Until embers. A memory where fires shone. Warmth for those who linger on. Hotter still than what was gone. And finally, ash. Ash a claw for jealous throats, ash a scent to linger with the loved, ash a new voice carried on the wind. Let Janon's true conviction inspire the kohan to burn as Falcons ever brighter Sparks, flames, embers, and ash.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (186-16)
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the eternal [[Janon|Janon's]] [[Four_and_four#Flickers_of_Flame_.28Janon.29|interest]] in the [[Burning Falcon]].

===Judgement 88===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Nathair Autumngale
* '''Judgement:''' Navarr, we are the blood of the Empire. Once more has new territory and new peoples been brought into the fold of the Empire. As with our Varushkan cousins in Ossium, now too with the Barrens should we seek ways to aid our Dawnish allies in exploring new lands and reaching out to the peoples who inhabit them. Consider how we might help people traveling to and living within the Barrens find their place in the Great Dance, in the Empire, and within the way of Virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (308-0)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to the [[A glorious victory|situation]] for the people of [[Dawn]] in [[the Barrens]].
===Judgement 91===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Exarch Luke of the Navigators of Virtue
* '''Judgement:''' We, the Highborn have sent our magisters and wayfarers to aid the Suranni refugees in settling in the Empire, but we know the job is not complete until <u>all</u> are brought into the Empire and the Way. There are many still suffering under the tyranny of the Iron Confederacy. We must seek people and opportunities that allow us to create safe escape routes for these refugees.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (508-12)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Possibility_days|Suranni wizards]] who have escaped the [[Iron Confederacy]] to the Empire have [[Two_minutes#Bats.2C_Bottles.2C_and_Beginnings|begun to set up new homes]] with the aid of the [[Navarr]]. They remain resistant to efforts to encourage them to embrace the Way.

===Judgement 93===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Chaunticleer Words
* '''Judgement:''' In Winter 384YE this assembly unanimously provided a greater majority to Viviane Knotes' request that we seek out ways to spend money to increase the reach of our congregations and strive for greater efforts in salvation. Unfortunately, this was still during the period that sword scholars stifled the ability of virtue assemblies to operate. Now, free from their influence, we once again ask the question of the Prosperity assembly: If foresters and miners can find those willing to work their properties for coin to gather more materials - surely this assembly should be able to find the ways and means to do do the same for efforts to spread the virtues! The Words, Numbers, Figures, and Knotes organisation remains prepared to purchase the salvation of souls.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (307-0)
* '''Notes:''' Seems to refer to a [[statement of principle]] from the [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_27|Winter solstice]], and the [[The price of wisdom|situation]] with [[sword scholar]] and devotees of [[Wisdom]] which was broadly resolved following the Winter Solstice 383YE.

===Judgement 95===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Prince Bishop Jonah von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' We are rightly Proud of our cities and defined by our universities, but it is time to recognise our academics, our curators, our engineers, our philosophers, and our experts. Let us elevate the title of scholar to sit alongside Bishop, Bravo, Mountebank, et al. All with the purpose of promoting this as a route out of the academy that would sit proudly alongside all the arch-typical careers in the League.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (321-61)
===Judgement 96===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Fintan Nighthaven
* '''Judgement:''' Benson's Orchard is now home to an inspirational tomb for Joshua Benson, Exemplar of Vigilance. Navarr know the merits of practical, communcal, Vigilance to protect the Empire; every tarry, striding, wayhouse and steading is testament to this. The Navarr Assembly encourage all Vigilant Navarr to make a pilgrimage to the tomb and be inspired by Major Benson; may our spears of Vigilance respond to his ringing shield of alarm.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (284-16)
* '''Notes:''' The [[inspirational location|inspirational tomb]] of [[Joshua Benson]] - [[Pruning_shears#Benson.27s_Orchard|Benson's Orchard]] - was established near Pickham Monastery during the Summer Solstice.

===Judgement 98===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Eirlys Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' The Gardens of Glory in Therunin allows followers of Anarchy a regular supply of liao and creates a potential threat to our Nation and Empire. We encourage Navarri citizens to be alert to this danger. The promotion of Anarchy is Blasphemous and any auras should be reported, removed, and their creator identified for condemnation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (284-26)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Construct Garden of Glory|Garden of Glory]] is a contentious commission overseen by the [[Keeper of the Garden]]. A [[Long_walk_home#Liao_garden|lost garden]] used for creating [[liao]], there are concerns that some of the liao may be going to the [[briar]] [[Great_Forest_Orcs#The_Briars|allies]] of the [[Great Forest Orcs]] in [[Therunin]], open practitioners of the [[Malign spiritual presences|malign spiritual force]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Anarchy|Anarchy]]. The briars have thus far shown little interest in spreading their teachings to the Empire.

===Judgement 102===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Fenrys Whiteshroud
* '''Judgement:''' Despise that which threatens what you watch over. The construction of the "Gardens of Glory" by the Senate has allowed access for Anarchy cultists to liao. In doing so the Senate are allowing the spread and promotion of anarchy in Therunin and across the Empire. We call upon the Senate and Imperial citizens to tear down these gardens until such tie that none of them follow the blasphemous teachings of Anarchy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (169-20)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Construct Garden of Glory|Garden of Glory]] is a contentious commission overseen by the [[Keeper of the Garden]]. A [[Long_walk_home#Liao_garden|lost garden]] used for creating [[liao]], there are concerns that some of the liao may be going to the [[briar]] [[Great_Forest_Orcs#The_Briars|allies]] of the [[Great Forest Orcs]] in [[Therunin]], open practitioners of the [[Malign spiritual presences|malign spiritual force]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Anarchy|Anarchy]]. The briars have thus far shown little interest in spreading their teachings to the Empire.
===Judgement 103===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Lorelei DuFroste
* '''Judgement:''' A condemnation in the Synod is a powerful tool with serious repercussions, potentially charges by magistrates and excommunication. In judgement number six this summit Genevova in their final paragraph utilises supposition and false deductions to further their agenda. Dawn strongly believes a condemnation should only be presenting facts of an allegation as "might" does not suffice.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (209-0)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to [[#Judgement 6|Judgement 6]].
===Judgement 104===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orcs
* '''Raised By:''' Bloodcrow Knott
* '''Judgement:''' The souls of the Mourn orcs are in danger. While the Marchers' efforts to accept the Mourn orcs as their own are praiseworthy, more has to be done. The Mourn orcs are still suffering under the lies of the Jotun, deceived into throwing their souls into the Abyss. The Mourn orcs do not need to lay down the plough to pick up a sword if this is not in their nature - a Legend soaked in rhubarb is as much a Legend as one soaked in blood. However, a Legend not sought is a Legend not to be. To cross the Abyss we get no second chances. We encourage the Marches to throw away the lies of the Jotun instead of the souls of their orc siblings. We encourage the Mourn orcs to listen to their ancestors for guidance and seize their Legend for themselves in this, their - one life.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (78-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Mournwold Orcs]] are former [[Jotun]] thralls who disagree with the [[Imperial Orcs]] and [[The Doctrines of the Faith|Doctrine]]on the matter of [[Mournwold_Orcs#Religion|reincarnation]].

===Judgement 105===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Kaspar Yakovitch von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' The raising of the walls of Holberg which is currently in progress offers a chance to create as part of the walls spaces for citizens to remember their dead, those who have given their lives for their city, nation or the Empire. We, the Bishops of the League, endorse and support the creation of such memorial spaces as part of Holberg's walls, whether through memorial arches, statues, inscriptions, or plaques.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (481-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Improve Walls of Holberg|improvement]] of the [[Holberg#Holfried|Walls of Holberg]] [[fortification]] is ongoing.
===Judgement 106===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Claus
* '''Judgement:''' The Urizeni in Spiral should be supported and encouraged to live as Urizeni. We recognise and support your past and wish to learn from you learned Magi. Let the League create a clear path for them to pursue their Ambitions, as Urizeni within our borders.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (342-72). The [[Cardinal of Wisdom]] used the ability to require [[Cardinal#Further_Scrutiny|further scrutiny]] on this judgement.
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the [[The fate of the many|questions around]] [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens remaining in the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]] of [[Spiral]].

===Judgement 107===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Sefia von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' The League holds Spiral. It is thought, in the League and in Urizen, that this requires a Reckoning from the League to Urizen and the people of Spiral. Defining and Resolving this Reckoning would be an Ambitious act. This is a fraught state with no quick and no easy solutions. However the greatest forest is felled one tree at a time. Both nations should make it their Ambition to solve this obligation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (204-12)
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the [[The fate of the many|questions around]] [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens remaining in the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]] of [[Spiral]].

===Judgement 109===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Merrari of the Navigators of Virtue
* '''Judgement:''' For one reason or another, lineage has been removed from our stories to focus on the lesson at the centre. In doing so we have unintentionally taught a far different lesson - that Lineage has no place in our history or virtue. I call upon the Stewards of the Dead, Archivists, and chapters to search their journals and histories for virtuous Highborn, who bore their lineage with pride, and restore the Lineage that has been erased from our history to show that the Lineaged have a place in our Empire and the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (451-82)

===Judgement 110===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Caoimha Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' The National Assembly calls on all Navarri heading into Sarangrave to hunt down the vile Druj Het Serra Grubfeast. Any attempt to weaponise the taint of the Vallorn cannot be allowed to stand.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (378-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Two_silhouettes#Objective:_Kill_Sarra_Grubfeast|Serra or (Sarra) Grubfeast]] was the former [[Druj]] governor of [[the Barrens#Dawnguard|Dawnguard]] before the [[Everything_is_broken#Glorious_In_Victory_.28Battle.29|Dawnish rebellion]] drove the [[orc|orcs]] of [[the Mallum]] out the region. Their whereabouts are not commonly known.

===Judgement 113===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Abrham
* '''Judgement:''' The Highborn national assembly appeals to the citizens of Necropolis. We call citizens to come forward to tell the Seventh Wave and accompanying priests what information was given to the Grendel. We need to knowthe level of danger we are in. The National Assembly want to assure the people they will be treated fairly and in accordance to Imperial law. Some Highborn priests will accompany the army to ensure this loyalty to your siblings is worth more than coin in your pocket. There is a path for redemption for unvirtuous deeds though recognising your loyalties.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (695-0)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to the Grendel [[Rings_and_crowns#Eyes_of_the_Basilisk|espionage ring]] uncovered by the [[Seventh Wave]] in [[Necropolis]].
===Judgement 115===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' "Shacklebreaker" Thanmir Hrafnar
* '''Judgement:''' The people of Wintermark are familiar with the pain and challenges associated with the transfer of a territory to another Imperial nation. We recognise and witness the great courage and loyalty shown by the Urizeni and encourage all peoples of Wintermark to use the wisdom they learned in the transfer of Skarsind to support the Urizeni people during the transition of Spiral to the League.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (204-10)
* '''Notes:''' Seems to refer to both the situation in [[Spiral]], and the status of the [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens [[The fate of the many|still living in]] the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]]. and the [[Skarsind#Recent_History|recent history]] of [[Skarsind]]
===Judgement 116===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Levi of the Navigators
* '''Judgement:''' In light of the revelation undergone by Prince Vanja of Votika, of the Principalities of Jarm, we encourage priests of the Empire to work with Ambassador Ariadne to travel to the Principalities of Jarm to further spread the way amongst it's citizens. "The virtuous inspire others to greatness," fourth tenet of Pride.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (189-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Principalities of Jarm]] embrace [[Principalities_of_Jarm#Religion|religious freedom]] but see spiritual matters as highly personal. Diplomatic relations with the Principalities are very strained at this time.

===Judgement 118===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Lucianna Valesi di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' The Pride assembly recognises Audacity as a <u>noble quality</u> that combines elements of both Pride and Ambition. After discussion with the Apulian Orcs, we believe Audacity can be a lens through which they can start to engage with the virtue of Pride.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (304-0)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtue" of [[Chords#Audacity|Audacity]]. See also [[#Judgement 126|Judgement 126]]
===Judgement 119===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Thomas deGauvin
* '''Judgement:''' The conquest of the Barrens was not solely a Dawnish achievement, nor should the celebration be. Dawn wishes to extend our gratitude to all those nations whose armies formed the Steel Causeway and subsequent campaign, as well as those that fought with us in Spring - and in particular our cousins the Marchers who chose to head to battle from Dawn. As long as the Barrens remains Dawnish we ask the households of Dawn to welcome visiting soldiers of those nations; as they rest between campaigns, with a spirit of celebration and extend a welcome to them into our tourneys. They should partake of our festivities and try themselves against us. We hope the experience improves their prowess, and whatever prizes they win assist them in the future. Let them leave Dawn with any advantage we can give them in their next battle, better prepared than if they rested anywhere else.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (227-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Into_the_valley#A_Steel_Causeway|Steel Causeway]] was the path through the middle of the Barrens secured following the Spring Equinox 384YE.

===Judgement 120===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Sister Keziah of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Since promoting false virtues is <u>blasphemy</u> and <u>Anarchy</u>, also known as <u>freedom</u> is a false virtue and potential blasphemy is grounds for <u>inquisition</u> therefore we the Synod affirm the promotion of <u>Anarchy</u> is <u>Blasphemous</u> and therefore those who exult or glorify <u>Freedom</u> should be called to <u>Inquisition</u> to account for their words.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1267-305)
* '''Notes:''' Contributes to discourse around the [[Malign_spiritual_presences|malign spiritual presence]] of [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Anarchy|Anarchy]].
===Judgement 124===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Olyvan of Esther's Sanctum
* '''Judgement:''' Lineaged of the Highborn do not be complacent - ever strive for excellent in that which you are proud. Each day, we walk the paths of Virtue, shining as examples to all of the Empire as we can counter the demands of our blood with virtue and certainty. Lineaged siblings, we were not meant for inaction, apathy, or the idea virtue is easy. We were meant for greatness and that is the path we must choose.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (338-0)

===Judgement 126===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Lia Adelaar von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' The Ambition assembly recognises Audacity as a <u>noble quality</u> that combines elements of both Ambition and Pride. After discussion with the Apulian Orcs, we believe Audacity can be a lens through which they can continue to engage with the virtue of Ambition.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (224-38)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtue" of [[Chords#Audacity|Audacity]]. See also [[#Judgement 118|Judgement 118]].

===Judgement 128===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Raewyn Eternal
* '''Judgement:''' The Loyalty Assembly finds that Fidelity has commonalities with Loyalty. There is no conflict if the expression of that Loyalty is a true reflection of what is in that person's heart. We welcome priests of the Apulian Orcs to our Assembly to deepen our understanding of the virtue of loyalty. Together we are stronger.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (349-26)
* '''Notes:'''Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtue" of [[Chords#Fidelity|Fidelity]].
===Judgement 129===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Eldrid Vestadottir
* '''Judgement:''' The mediators of Wintermark wish to trade at the hall of Wreck to show the Thule the prosperity of a free people. The mediators will trade in good faith and not be maggots, exploiting former slaves. To ensure this is so, the mediators will consult the stormcrows of Wintermark.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (250-18)
* '''Notes:''' The trading hall at [[Sermersuaq#Wreck|Wreck]] was recently constructed to allow the [[Thule]] [[orc|orcs]] of [[Otkodov]] to [[Write_the_lines#Meat_for_Metal|trade valuable star metal for food]], and is overseen by the [[Mediator of Wreck]]
===Judgement 130===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Sofonisba Amilcara du Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' The League owes a debt of reckoning to the Urizeni of Spiral, and we will repay them for their sacrifices.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (485-0)
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the [[The fate of the many|questions around]] [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens remaining in the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]] of [[Spiral]].
===Judgement 131===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Sister Meredith
* '''Judgement:''' The Mourne orcs are our neighbours. At the request of Hap the Soft, this assembly urges Marchers to offer shelter and sanctuary to the Mourne orcs, should the need arise.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (190-0)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to the [[Mournwold Orcs]], the former [[Jotun]] thralls who live in the [[Mournwold]]. Hap the Soft is one of their community leaders who [[Sense_and_sensibility#What.27s_to_be_done.3F_2|recently visited]] [[Anvil]].
===Judgement 132===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Jared of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Recognise the benevolent vigilance of your general of the Seventh Wave, brother Barachiel of Adina's Charge. Without his orders last season in Necropolis we would not be aware of the Grendel spying threat in our lands. As a true servant of our nation he has helped us in Loyalty to prepare for malice. Be inspired by his example!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (399-24)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Seventh Wave]] recently [[Rings_and_crowns#Eyes_of_the_Basilisk|uncovered]] a [[Grendel]] espionage ring in [[Necropolis]].

===Judgement 134===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Serrusto Caeli Rezia di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' The actions that the League takes at this pivotal moment will set a precedent for the future of orcs joining the nations of the Empire. This assembly believes that new citizens of the League join with the political rights and representation that the League prides itself on. Appointing a Senator to Spiral who does not represent and respect the culture and identity of <u>all</u> residents of Spiral risks political <u>slavery</u>. It is virtuous for the League to encourage candidates with a history and connection to the territory.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (156-200)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to the [[Windfall#Senator_for_Spiral|complex political situation]] in the new [[the League|League]] territory of [[Spiral]].

===Judgement 136===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Neala Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' The Navarr national assembly recognises the efforts made by Dan Brackensong, Brocéliande's Broker, to ensure the creation of an artefact to be provided as regalia to the general of the Quiet Step. Let this item serve as an inspiration to the Navarr in the hands of our Generals, and a testament to the virtue and legacy of the Brokers of Brocéliande.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (289-0)
* '''Notes:''' Both the [[Imperial Senate]] and the [[Imperial Conclave]] can declare an item as ''regalia'' of a specific title via [[Motion_wording#Amendments|amendment]] or [[Endowment#Necessary_Details|endowment]], respectively.

===Judgement 140===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Bryce Tanner
* '''Judgement:''' Abbott Thomas was a proud and courageous man, a priest of Pride, who practiced vigilance through "proactive counsel" - he believed that bringing people back to a virtuous path was "easier" than preventing them from straying, and dedicated himself to that more arduous and difficult work with unbridled passion. His death in Spring 385YE is mourned by his house and by his widower, and the Marcher religious community. The Marcher assembly recognises the virtuous life of Abbott Thomas, and the inspiring legacy of chaplaincy he leaves behind.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (146-10), the Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 157.
===Judgement 141===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine duLac
* '''Judgement:''' The assembly calls upon all of the dedicated priests who have liao in their pockets to travel to Spiral and spread auras of vigilance among our new Apulian friends. Let their souls know what true virtuous feel like.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (176-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to relate to the Apulian Orcs' [[Chords#The Grendel Beliefs|spiritual beliefs]], which include the virtue of [[Vigilance]].
===Judgement 142===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Harran Blackwood
* '''Judgement:''' I call upon the vigilant people of the Empire to seek out the poison in your neighbour's fields, lest your own crops be blighted, and to seek out Grendel spies across the southern coast.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (224-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to relate to the [[Rings_and_crowns#Be_Alert_to_Dangers|suspected]] [[Grendel]] espionage rings in the Imperial territories around the [[Bay of Catazar]].
===Judgement 144===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Ilhelm Avercall
* '''Judgement:''' Virtuous mediators should travel to Otkodov and make prosperous trade to help feed the now freed slaves, return goods to Wintermark, and improve our understanding of the Thule.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (256-0), the Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 266.
===Judgement 145===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Hildebrand von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' The League welcomes our new citizens, but acknowledges that they are also players in the Great Game. We encourage them all to stand in the Senatorial elections, but would not wound their pride by refusing them a fight for the role.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (334-110)
* '''Notes:''' Refers to the matter of the [[Senator]] for [[Spiral]] following the [[Windfall#Senator_for_Spiral|Apulian Orcs joining the League]].

===Judgement 146===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Callista of the Dark Shard
* '''Judgement:''' In pride we encourage Urizeni citizens to celebrate the return of Spiral to the Empire by demonstrating and sharing our culture and traditions throughout Spiral, Let Spiral be permeated with the Pride of Urizen, our heartland, and we encourage all those with whom we share loyalty to join us in celebrating that Spiral is Urizen.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (151-32)
* '''Notes:''' This statement talks about the situation in [[Spiral]], and the status of the [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens [[The fate of the many|still living in]] the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]].
===Judgement 147===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Nira of Cantiarch's Hold
* '''Judgement:''' Varushka ask that we send virtuous benefactors to all ceded territories of Otkodov south of the mountain, offering trade and aid. These benefactors will offer their Prosperity and aid to those in need.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (332-25)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to the [[territory#Regions|regions]] of [[Varushka]] ceded to the [[Thule]] - [[Miekarova#Miechernya|Miechernya]], [[Karsk#Krevsaty|Krevsaty]], and [[Ossium#Spiderfell|Spiderfall]], potentially including [[Ossium#Bonewood|Bonewood]] (although that region has never been Varushkan).

===Judgement 150===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Kay Fabler
* '''Judgement:''' Dawn is the land of Love and Glory. Any who strive for these ideals we welcome with open arms. Those who stumble we do not mock, we raise them to glow as we do.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (145-10)
===Judgement 152===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Mazo Freewalker
* '''Judgement:''' Respect between the nations is foundational to the Empire. By casting the culturally significant ritual "The Dance of Navarr and Thorn" without communicating with the Navarr, Viridian and the Verdant Glade Coven have shown a lack of loyalty to these international bonds. The Dance of Navarr and Thorn achieves nothing without the commitment of a large population to walk the trods it creates. With Loyalty and co-operation we call upon the people of Dawn to join us in walking the new trods of the Barrens.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (296-0), the Greater Majority threshold for this statement was 305.
* '''Notes:''' Apparently refers to the ritual [[The Dance of Navarr and Thorn]], performed in [[the Barrens]] by [[Dawn|Dawnish]] magicians to create new [[trod|trods]]. See also [[#Judgement 172|Judgement 172]].

===Judgement 153===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Grey Stone
* '''Judgement:''' On behalf of Quay Stone "Tomorrow's traditions grow from the seeds of today." Quay Stone of House Stone is gathering less-known Marcher maritime traditions. As the Empire's attention turns towards the Sea of Snow, the Marcher Assembly calls for Marchers to seek out and share the learned wisdom of our people, so that these traditions may better serve our nation and the world - whether it be through fishing, making war, or enabling others to march to safer shores.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (154-0), the Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 157.
===Judgement 154===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Aniera Exiles End
* '''Judgement:''' We show our virtue through our deeds and now we have our future to consider, and our own city to build. We the Navarr Assembly urge all Navarr not to assist in the build of the White City Bastion, follies or personal projects until our own city of dreams is built, except through fair trade and their own prosperous endeavours.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (74-128)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to the ongoing project to transform [[Miaren#Seren|Seren]] into the [[Comes_a_time#The_City_of_Dreams|City of Dreams]].
===Judgement 155===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Enfys Larksong
* '''Judgement:''' The Imperial Chaplain Consular provides essential guidance and oversight to Ambassadors of the Empire, while being a focal point for Comparative Theologians. Only the Way Assembly has the breadth of expertise to support such a role - one that must adapt to myriad claims of foreign truths. We call on all virtuous citizens to support the Chaplain Consular to enact these duties any way they can.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (165-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Imperial Chaplain Consular]] provides support to the [[Ambassador|ambassadors]], and studies foreign religions.

===Judgement 156===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Friar Jonathan Piper
* '''Judgement:''' Hue and cry! Marchers be vigilant! Siakha heralds are present in Marcher lands and have started hunting Mitwolders. The Marcher Assembly calls for priests to prepare. Anoint your fellows. Consecrate your spaces. Hallow your weapons. Hue and cry. Hue and cry.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (174-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to the outcome of [[Four_and_four#An_Empty_Road_.28Conjunction.29|recent events]] in [[Mitwold]] involving the [[eternal]] [[Siakha]].
===Judgement 157===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Ails Tamberlaine Keeper of the Arbour of the Twin Roses
* '''Judgement:''' We would submit to the Tale of Yulia and the Heart of Ser Claudia Lovelorn into the Arbour of the Twin Roses. The Eater of Love stole all love from Claudia when Yulia was dying. Claudia gave up her Nobility in order to marry Yulia and love was returned to her. This story should be recorded as an act of Loyalty. She loves her Nation, She knew the cost, She loves her pack.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (143-16)
===Judgement 158===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Lev
* '''Judgement:''' Meltear i Aldea i Tutamen, a descendant of the patricians of old, adherent to rejected spiral religion walks again in Casinea and Highguard. he is not a citizen, he is to be lent no support, shelter, and no ear until priests of virtue speak on his behalf.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (586-0)
===Judgement 159===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Leliel, Daughter of Armisael
* '''Judgement:''' "I call virtuous sword scholars to no longer venerate the actions of Sulemaine." We look to the Mandates of 16 and 19 in the Highguard and Urizen assemblies, we see how the nations conduct themselves with Pride. We seen how they've learnt from the past and strive for excellence into the future. Through this future, with the words and deeds of both nations, let us show our Loyalty to each other to the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (447-0)
* '''Notes:''' Related to [[#Judgement 16|Judgement 16]] and [[#Judgement 19|Judgement 19]], discussing the teachings of [[Sulemaine]] (founder of the [[sword scholar]] movement), and the question of whether to [[Consecration|consecrate]] an [[Inspirational location|inspirational tomb]] in [[The deepest cut|her name]].

===Judgement 160===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Edund of Barrowby
* '''Judgement:''' Those in Bregasland who were turned away from the Empire by Bushel Sykes should be offered Benevolence and embraced without censure. Their devotion to Bregasland is virtuous, as such, let us all work together, through the fire of our words and the steel of our deeds, to re-forge the bonds of Loyalty in Bregasland.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (154-20), the Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 157.
* '''Notes:''' [[Chasing_you_home#Objective:_Deal_with_Bushel_Sykes|Bushel Sykes]] is a [[the Marches|Marcher]] agitator and former supporter of Mathilda Fisher, who has been [[Welly_boots#Pride_In_Small_Things_.28Conjunction.29|preaching]] that [[Bregasland]] should separate from the Empire.

===Judgement 161===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Zivka Mrakovna
* '''Judgement:''' Citizens born in the Empire are granted the benefit of an education through the Academy. Citizens who come to the Empire later in life, whether as refugees, or through newly conquered lands deserve the full benefits that being an Imperial Citizen grants. We the Varushkan national assembly believe that our cousins in Ossium, and all new citizens, deserve a school to share in the collective knowledge of the Empire, and the equal footing in life that brings.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (346-0)
===Judgement 162===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Velko Peronovich Razoradze
* '''Judgement:''' Varushka's strengths lie in its walls and roads. Our roads are iron, our walls must be too. We call upon the Varushkan people to look to their vigilance, and identify opportunities to reinforce our defences.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (346-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Varushkan Road|roads]] of [[Varushka]] are sometimes likened to "[[Varushka_hearth_magic#Wards|walls on their sides]]" and seen as an example of the nation's powerful regard for wards against danger.

===Judgement 164===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' The Boyarina
* '''Judgement:''' We are a nation proud of our resources and mines, used to build the Empire. The national assembly encourages our prospectors and diviners to search our lands and forests for hidden treasures and unexplored opportunities.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (336-0)
===Judgement 165===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Father Drakov
* '''Judgement:''' "At the request of the Imperial Necromancer and due to our shared concerns we ask Father Drakov be given access to the Tomb of the Iron Empress, Varkula." Sovereigns are rising across Varushka. In the name of Vigilance and Wisdom we must check the seals on her tomb and the veracity of rumours that she has risen.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (346-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Burial rites of Empress Varkula|tomb]] of [[Empress Varkula]] stands in [[Necropolis#The_Necropolis|the Necropolis]], in [[Necropolis]], in [[Highguard]]. Despite [[Come back to stay|occasional concerns]] about the tomb, there is no news of any recent disturbance there.
===Judgement 166===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Rooslan Stanvich Prochnost
* '''Judgement:''' The Varushkan national assembly recognise the hard work of all who have toiled to complete the Iron Roads which have brought Prosperity to the Empire. In particular we recognise Vitaly Gregorovich Dukov whose prudent use of white granite from the Granites of Veltsgorsk as well as a substantial number of wains from his personal resources for the building of the roads ensured his prosperity was shared throughout the nation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (346-0)
* '''Notes:''' The Iron Roads were a massive [[Construct Iron Roads|construction project]] intended to reinforce, maintain, and expand the [[Varushkan Road|roads]] of [[Varushka]] throughout the nation. The project [[Deep forests and dark hills|was recently completed]] creating several new [[opportunity|opportunities]] for Varushka and neighbouring nations.

===Judgement 167===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Anatoly Vassian Tatishchev
* '''Judgement:''' Varushka has claimed our dark forest and forbidding mountains. The Semmerlak is rightly forbidden, but the Semmer, other rivers and oceans hold Prosperity in abundance. The Varushkan national assembly, and the Karov Mercers Compact call on Virtuous citizens to seek opportunities in other waters!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (346-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[The Semmerlak]] is not "forbidden" - it is regularly crossed by trading vessels from Varushka, Dawn, and the League - but the [[Imperial Senate]] has recently [[385YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Create_law_criminalising_Semmerlak_items|passed a law]] making it illegal to take things from its depths, presumably in part due to the [[Underwater sunshine|ongoing problems]] there with the [[Varushkan_Monster#Sovereigns|sovereign]] [[Dho'uala]] who claims the waters as her own.

===Judgement 168===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest
* '''Judgement:''' The Prosperity Assembly will watch the actions of the Imperial Bourse white granite seat holders with interest.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (147-0)
* '''Notes:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest is the [[Basilisk of the Bourse]], charged with advising, supporting, and monitoring activity in the [[Imperial Bourse]]. Summer is the season when [[white granite]] Bourse seats are [[Auction of the Seats|auctioned]] or [[Tally of the Votes|assigned]].
===Judgement 169===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Illya Nikovitch Volkov
* '''Judgement:''' The current Guardian of the Maze of Zoria, and the bearer of the Staff of Zoria, intends to pilgrimage to the Cave of Zoria in the Opascari Mountains. We believe the staff was taken by the Thule from this cave. They are returning to the cave to investigate the stone tablet contained within where the staff could yield more information on the paragon of Wisdom to the benefit of all who follow the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (288-0)
* '''Notes:''' the [[Guardian_of_the_Maze_of_Zoria#The_Maze_of_Zoria|Maze of Zoria]] was one of two locations considered for the site of the [[inspirational location]] dedicated to [[Zoria|the paragon]]. The other was a [[Birds#Zoria.27s_Cave|cave]] in the [[Volodmartz#Opascari|Opascari]] mountains of [[Volodmartz]].

===Judgement 170===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Friar Rosemary Stamp
* '''Judgement:''' The Marcher assembly recognises the service of the folk of House Greywater in support of the Strong Reeds in Bregasland as equivalent to two years service in a Marcher army, entitling them to a parcel of Bregas land, as any others who serve would receive.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (176-0)
* '''Notes:''' House Greywater are a [[Marcher household]] from [[Bregasland]] who worked with the [[Strong Reeds]] [[Deep_when_the_river%27s_high#A_Little_Time_.28Conjunction.29|throughout]] the [[Jotun]] occupation of the territory. They have a chequered reputation in the Marches , even by the standards of Bregasland, but their [[385YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_166|contribution was recognised]] by the Marcher assembly during the Spring Equinox. There was [[Welly_boots#Good_Cider_Takes_Good_Apples|a recent proposal]] to grant them custody of the [[The_Marches_economic_interests#The_Imperial_Breadbasket|Imperial Breadbasket]] in Bregasland in recognition of their work. The Marcher assembly has no legal power to declare something equivalent to the two years of soldiery listed in the [[Imperial Constitution]] as entitling a citizen to a [[farm]].
===Judgement 172===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Cecilia
* '''Judgement:''' The Weavers of Dawn have cast the Dance of Navarr and Thorn on the Barrens but the task is not yet done. The people of Dawn will walk these new trods with our Navarri cousins to strengthen the effect against the greatest spiritual threat - the vallorn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (163-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[The Dance of Navarr and Thorn]] is a ritual of [[Spring magic]] that creates [[trods]] in a [[territory]]. It was cast on [[the Barrens]] by Dawnish magicians during the Spring Equinox. See also [[#Judgement 152|Judgement 152]].
===Judgement 173===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Ingrid Seiging
* '''Judgement:''' Wintermark are proud of the way our armies have conducted the war against the Jotun. We will not turn aside from the custom of giving quarter to our enemies when we see fit. When we commit to a course we see it through to the end. Our ambition is to guide the Jotun to the Way of Virtue by inspirational heroism, not to exterminate them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (281-10)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the [[Murder_of_Crows#The_Meaning_of_Honour|discussion about honour]] in [[Wintermark]], this judgement appears to be a support of the [[Wintermark_military_concerns#Army_Orders|heroic strategy]] employed by the armies of the nation when fighting the [[Jotun]].
===Judgement 174===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aamu
* '''Judgement:''' It is time for Wintermark to rebuild Pakanaan's Pass. The opening of the pass restores the ability to trade with the rest of the Empire to bring prosperity to the people who have strived for so long. The opening of Pakanaan's Pass restores pride to the whole of Wintermark - it shall restore the home of the Krampus, connecting us once again to hearth magic lost for so long.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (288-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Skarsind#The_Mountain_Passes|Pakanaan's Pass]] linked [[Sermersuaq]] and [[Skarsind]], and was [[383YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#Battle_of_Clattering_Gulley|collapsed]] by the [[Jotun]] shortly after the Winter Solstice 383YE. The [[Skarsind#Krampushall_.28ruined.29|Krampushall]] was utterly destroyed in the process, although this does not appear to have prevented the Krampus visiting [[Anvil]] in the Winters since. The destruction of the pass causes problems for [[Imperial army|Imperial armies]] passing between the two [[territory|territories]], but while it may make it a little harder for merchants to move between Sermersuaq and Skarsind it has not significantly impeded the ability of Wintermark to trade with the rest of the Empire.

===Judgement 175===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' The Fool of Glory
* '''Judgement:''' The Assembly of the Way welcomes the Apulian Orcs to the way of virtue. We recognise the qualities of Audacity, Cunning, and Fidelity not as virtues butas Love and Glory are to the Dawnish or Heroism to the Winterborn - still valued and perhaps routes to virtue but not of themselves virtuous. We do <u>not</u> recognise Retribution as such a quality, for it is Vengeance by another name, and suggest the Apulians turn to the custom of their new nation - the Dead Reckoning of the League.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (157-20)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the [[Grendel]] "virtues" of [[Chords#Audacity|Audacity]],[[Chords#Cunning|Cunning]], [[Chords#Fidelity|Fidelity]], and [[Chords#Retribution|Retribution]]. [[The_League_culture_and_customs#Dead_Reckoning|Dead reckoning]] is a [[the League|League]] practice, [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_7|declared acceptable]] by the [[imperial Synod]], that supports a tricky system of recording and enforcing debts and favours.
===Judgement 178===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Vasili, Pride of Ossium
* '''Judgement:''' The works of Agramant are inimical to the virtue of Pride. We recognise and celebrate the efforts of Grandmaster Tyburn Weaver and the Order of the Shuttered Lantern, in driving out the cults of the Wastewalker, and destroying the rock of Bleeding Ice. Let his trinkets rot in the mud, while the virtuous inspire each other to greatness.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (293-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Conclave order]] of the [[Shuttered Lantern]] were among those who [[Anyone_but_you#What_Lies_In_The_Shadow|helped investigate]] the activities of [[Watching_my_mistakes#Voice_of_the_Pines|groups]] in [[Wintermark]] dedicated to the wicked [[eternal]] [[Agramant]]. After the Spring Equinox, they proactively destroyed the [[Two_minutes#Breaking_the_Ice|Bleeding Ice]], a place apparently connected to the eternal.
===Judgement 179===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Paulus Adelaar von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' Bishops of the League! The Apulians are ready and eager to adopt the Way, their former slaves may need further guidance! <u>Priests!</u> Get you to Spiral and show their Questioners the majesty and authority of the Bishop. Plant the seeds of a new generation of League Bishops in its soil and the growth of the Way shall be its fruit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (389-0)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around [[Chords|spirituality]] among the Apulian Orcs of [[Spiral]].
===Judgement 180===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Dinah of Jeremiah's Welcome
* '''Judgement:''' In response to the insulting words of the National Assembly of the League that named our efforts to exalt Bastion to be "whims", we reaffirm our pride in the city whose founding was our first act as a nation of Revelation and Virtue. We exhort our citizens to share the inspirational tales of the White Citys long history as the cornerstone of our virtuous nation, that none may mistake what it means to us and to the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (711-0)
* '''Notes:''' This appears to relate to a [[385YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_68|recent statement]] in [[the League]] national assembly urging its citizens not to support the [[Blood_will_thicken|establishment of a sacred city]] for the Way in [[Bastion#Bastion.2C_the_White_City|Bastion]].
===Judgement 181===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Dayanara i Cabeza i Erigo
* '''Judgement:''' Whilst Riqueza taught us the importance of living up to our personal principles, she would be heartbroken if those principles led an individual down a path to unvirtuousness or heresy. Guidance on ensuring balance should be sought from suttanir.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (72-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Riqueza]] is one of the pre-Imperial [[The Brass Coast history|historical founders]] of [[the Brass Coast]] whose [[Riqueza#Riqueza.27s_Ideals|ideals]] continue to [[Tribe|inspire Freeborn]] to this day.
===Judgement 182===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Lucretius of the Scarlet Guard
* '''Judgement:''' Test what you know; only fools accept hearsay as truth. The path of Wisdom is not travelled at a run. To rush headlong is asking to fall. We should thoroughly examine the virtues of the Apulian Orcs without hastily moving to a conclusion.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (240-0)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the spiritual challenges [[Chords#Fidelity|posed by the Apulian Orcs]].
===Judgement 183===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Lyomna Songbird
* '''Judgement:''' Dawn reiterates that Love nor Glory are not virtues, but serve as Inspiration and Legacy of Virtue. All those with tales of miracles or spiritual auras relevant to Love or Glory should bring them to the Voice of the Twin Roses and the Troubadours of Dawn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (143-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Glory]] and [[Love_in_Dawn|Love]] are of paramount important to the people of [[Dawn]].

===Judgement 185===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Nessetta Constanta
* '''Judgement:''' The League recognises the sacrifice of the Wolves of War by their remaining close to the {{Black Plateau}} and the harrowing experiences it incurs. We encourage priests of the League to preach the Virtue of the Wolves and to offer these souls spiritual solace through liao ceremonies.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (150-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Wolves of War]] have [[A tide in the affairs|recently been campaigning]] in [[Spiral]], and consequently exposed to the [[Spiral#The_Black_Plateau|malign influence]] that covers the territory.
===Judgement 188===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Cato Hypation
* '''Judgement:''' In light of the invitation received from Ser Dindrane de Cantharos of the Cathedral of Laroc in Astolat, Cato and Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer propose to attend the cathedral "to teach, to challenge, to perfect, and perhaps to learn", the better to draw on new Imperial thinking to add to the review of sword scholar thought.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (217-10), the Greater Majority threshold for this judgement was 208.
===Judgement 189===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Jules von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' To be ambitious is to strive for success. The rush headlong into a complex matter is asking for failure. We should thoroughly examine the virtues of the Apulian Orcs before hastening to conclusions.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (180-32)
* '''Notes:''' Contributing to the discussion around the spiritual challenges [[Chords#Fidelity|posed by the Apulian Orcs]].
===Judgement 191===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Elagabala
* '''Judgement:''' The national assembly has rejected the mandate to undermine Imperial armies. The Wolves of War have bled in our place in the Barrens. An assault on this army would be without virtue. The League have agreed a reckoning is owed, give us time to reach an agreement. Keep the peace in Spiral.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (235-10)
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the [[The fate of the many|questions around]] [[Urizen|Urizeni]] citizens remaining in the new [[the League|League]] [[territory]] of [[Spiral]].
===Judgement 192===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Pietra di Tassato Regario
* '''Judgement:''' Nicovar may have hidden our histories but his is just as obscure. The Printers' Guild and the League National Assembly invite <u>Urizen</u>, our allies in seeking truth, to partner in unravelling the story of his madness.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (312-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Emperor Nicovar]], the only [[Urizen]] [[the Throne|Throne]], is a controversial figure in [[Imperial history]].
===Judgement 194===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Jericho
* '''Judgement:''' In peerless kinship, Highguard wishes to support our glorious siblings in Dawn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (980-36)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Highguard|Highborn]] assembly has chosen [[Dawn]] to receive their support via [[Full_of_sacred_sound#A_Peerless_Kinship|peerless kinship]] in the coming season. Highguard cannot specify the nature of this support themselves, relying on the nation they aid to give direction. See [[#Judgement 202|Judgement 202]] for more information.

===Judgement 197===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orcs
* '''Raised By:''' Skywise Tulva
* '''Judgement:''' The Imperial Orc nation speaks to the Varushkan nation in this statement. Our peoples together have protected the Palace of Orieb since its capture. Now let us unlock its secrets together. Allow the Imperial Orc Day magicians your hospitality and a chance to cast magic to claim the secrets hidden within.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (78-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to the [[Ossium#The_Palace_of_Orieb|Palace of Orieb]], a former [[Druj]] stronghold now overseen by the [[Apothecary of Orieb]].
===Judgement 199===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' It is vigilant to watch out for your friends. It is vigilant to seek to understand dangers they face to help them. Seeking out their personal business for your own entertainment is not a matter of virtue but a cloak for nastiness.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (482-147)
===Judgement 200===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Sagua i Ezmara
* '''Judgement:''' Honesty is important to the Freeborn. Lying imperils your soul. If a Freeborn makes a claim which seems implausible it is Vigilant to investigate for misunderstandings, including your own, but few things are more implausible than a Freeborn lying lightly. Notable exception is during Broken Wheel while wearing white in or about the head to indicate shenanigans. Reminder to pack said white next summit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (70-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Honesty]] is of profound important to the [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]]. The [[The_Brass_Coast_religious_beliefs#Feast_of_the_Broken_Wheel|Feast of the Broken Wheel]] is a controversial celebration that takes place during the Autumn Equinox. [[384YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_165|Recent developments]] have seen those partaking of the festival to wear undying cloth, indicating that they are engaging in behaviour intended to turn virtue on its head. it may be relevant to note that the General Assembly [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_50|confirmed the Feast is not blasphemous]] and there are no concerns about its celebration.

===Judgement 201===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Eska Crowspeaker
* '''Judgement:''' The substance known as blue lotus or Ocean's Caress, which prevents the user from using liao, is being produce in Asavea. They are using the proceeds from the sale of this drug to fund their war on the Empire and their slaving practices. We call on the virtuous to not purchase it. Do not let our Prosperity fund our enemies.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1200-12)
* '''Notes:''' Apparently references a narcotic, uncommon in the Empire.
===Judgement 202===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Zadkiel de Courdefer
* '''Judgement:''' Dawn asks Highguard to support them in the Barrens in peerless kinship.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (171-0)
* '''Notes:''' This judgement aims to direct the [[Highguard|Highborn]] assembly, who have chosen [[Dawn]] to receive their support via [[Full_of_sacred_sound#A_Peerless_Kinship|peerless kinship]] in the coming season. Highguard cannot specify the nature of this support themselves, relying on the nation they aid to give direction. See [[#Judgement 194|Judgement 194]] for more information.

===Judgement 203===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Ruth of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' The blue and white heralds of Cold Sun are our enemies. Their sole purpose is to exterminate us. Do not approach or parley with them. Defend yourselves with prejudice.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (307-21)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to relate to the [[385YE_Autumn_Equinox_interlude#Against_Cold_Sun|heralds of Cold Sun]] and their existential threat to the Empire.
===Judgement 204===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Hywel Summer Crow
* '''Judgement:''' "The virtuous inspire others to greatness." In light of the recent revelation undergone by Prince Vanja of Votika, in the Principalities of Jarm we urge priests of the Empire to travel to Votika as missionaries to further spread the Way of Virtue among its citizens.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (8-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Principalities of Jarm]] embrace [[Principalities_of_Jarm#Religion|religious freedom]] but see spiritual matters as highly personal. Diplomatic relations with the Principalities are very strained at this time.
===Judgement 205===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Galen Embercast
* '''Judgement:''' The Council of Nine directs the Silent Bell to investigate the whereabouts of the Labyrinth spirit, the "King of the Crossroads."
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (8-0)
* '''Notes:''' Directs the [[Silent Bell (Sodality)|Silent Bell]] to investigate a potential threat to Imperial citizens.
===Judgement 206===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Viviane de Coerdefer
* '''Judgement:''' We the Nine received nineteen entries to design Bastion anew We celebrate all these visions. We instruct architects to use the design of <u>Millward Cowley</u> for the structure of the city, and the art of <u>Skywise Gralka</u> for its beauty and inspiration. We urge the civil service to display the entries received in the civil service records.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (7-1)
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the [[opportunity]] to build a [[empire-wiki/Blood_will_thicken|sacred city]] for the Way in [[Bastion]]. The Assmebly of the Nine was called on to decide on the [[empire-wiki/Blood_will_thicken#A_Contest_of_Imagination|designs]] that would be used to inspire Imperial architects charged with designing the new structure. The art has been received by the civil service and will be displayed shortly.

===Judgement 207===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Hembeneth i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The Freeborn national assembly would like to remind the civil service and the Brass Coast citizens that we do not support the false virtue of Vengeance, and will not endorse it or any other false virtue within any of our mandates.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to refer to [[Questions_of_virtue#Rage_of_the_Corsairs|the mandates]] arising from the Spring Equinox statement of principle [[385YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_169|calling for corsairs to target Asavean ships]]. References the [[Malign_spiritual_presences|malign spiritual presence]] or [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Vengeance|Vengeance]]. See also [[#Judgement 139|Judgement 139]].
===Judgement 208===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Pacheco "Patches" i Shartha i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' We remember the navies of our past and their virtuous actions, we should share their stories and look to how we can rebuild and surpass their legacy. Share your wisdom and follow your ambition. The Freeborn will always have a place at sea.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[Freeborn Storm]] was the first [[Imperial navy]] since the time of [[Emperor Barrabas]]. It was [[381YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#To_Fool_The_Crowd|destroyed]] by the [[Grendel]] in Winter 381YE.
===Judgement 209===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Azir i Shartha i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' The Zemress Festival was a fantastic demonstration of the Prosperity of the Brass coast. The Ship of Many Ports and the Dockside Bazaar within our own homes and across the city. The Freeborn assembly endorse its adoption across the nation to endure for years to come.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' This relates to a [[Three_celebrations_and_a_funeral#Broken_Wheels|festival]] celebrating [[Zemress]], presented as an alternative to the [[The_Brass_Coast_religious_beliefs#Feast_of_the_Broken_Wheel|Festival of the Broken Wheel]] and celebrated during the Spring Equinox.

===Judgement 210===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Annalaya i Del Torro
* '''Judgement:''' While we rebuild the roads of Kahraman let us look even higher. There is no height so great that it cannot be reached with preparation, co-operation, and perseverance - with sufficient Ambition even the Gilded Peak may one day be reached!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' [[Time_and_time_again#Restoring_the_roads|Restoration of the roads]] of [[Kahraman]], and establishment of watchtowers modelled after the [[Faraden]] ''[[Time_and_time_again#No_More_Bandits|Bataguin Kamkrag]]'' is [[Rebuild Roads of Kahraman|well underway]]. The [[Kahraman#The_Gilded_Peak|Gilded Peak]] is a famously unscalable mountain peak between [Kahraman#Braydon's Jasse|Braydon's Jasse]] and [[Kahraman#Serra Briante|Serra Briante]].
===Judgement 211===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Soratio i Del Toro
* '''Judgement:''' We have seen evidence of Zemress's miracles, and know that she is a paragon. Next season we shall seek to show the Empire what Freeborn and Sumaah already know.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' The [[paragons and exemplars|exemplar]] [[Zemress]] is believed to be a paragon in the [[Sumaah Republic]].
===Judgement 212===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' Our hakima have spoken. The three tribes are sacrosanct. Yet it is our duty and pride to safeguard the cultural identity of all those who come to exist in our great nation. Freeborn! Should you wish it, you are encouraged to adopt a heritage name between your family and tribe. We are dust! We are flame! We are glass!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (194-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to relate to [[Questions_of_virtue#Three_Sisters|discussion]] around the nature of the [[tribe]] in [[the Brass Coast]].

===Judgement 213===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Winifred Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' Heralds of the Cold Sun are travelling the Empire with malicious intent. They are hostile, they are dangerous, they seek to destroy Imperial citizens. Citizens should not engage with them if they are able. Thorns and Vates, assume these entitles are enemies. They have proven ''powerful'' combatants. Be vigilant, <s>do not strike first</s>
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (322-0)
* '''Notes:''' Has created an opportunity for Navarr [[military unit|military units]] to [[385YE_Autumn_Equinox_interlude#Against_Cold_Sun|engage the heralds of Cold Sun]].

===Judgement 215===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Lucille Balladeal
* '''Judgement:''' The Cold Sun promises to extinguish all that makes us Dawn; our Love, our art, our glory. We call on the questing knights of Dawn take up arms against their heralds. These are recognisable as being those and similar that attacked the Harps of Astolat.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (287-0)
* '''Notes:''' Has created an opportunity for Dawnish [[military unit|military units]] to [[385YE_Autumn_Equinox_interlude#Against_Cold_Sun|engage the heralds of Cold Sun]].

===Judgement 216===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Lenochka
* '''Judgement:''' The Cold Sun and its heralds walk among us. The heralds are sashed with blue. Their eyes are pits and they have no mouths. In the hot summer, on the dry ground, cold and ruthless fires are breaking out. They spread the unvirtuous purpose of purity and bring this to our places of great feeling. When they are seen by the Vigilant citizens of the Empire, urge your congregations to run. Do not engage them. Do not let them take one more from us.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (270-0)
===Judgement 217===
* '''Assembly:'''Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Ira
* '''Judgement:''' A patrician walks Casinea, and the "Endless Thirst" lives within him. The danger without has come to the heart of the Empire to sink its teeth in and drain us of our life. This will not happen. Our vigilant citizens will offer the patrician no shelter, no food, no water. Out vigilant citizens will watch over their siblings for signs of the endless thirst. I do not urge our citizens to do this. I inform the Synod that with the guidance of our Vigilant priests, that <u>they will</u> because <u>they must</u> remember Ravadi Founder's Dance!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (270-0)
* '''Notes:''' Appears to be a warning related to the threat of the [[Not a drop to drink|dessicating blight]] currently consuming the [[Madruga#Great Grasses|Great Grasses]] of [[Madruga]].

==Mandate==
===Judgement 16===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Hazelelponi of the Shattered Tower
* '''Judgement:''' The Highborn Assembly sends Hazelelponi of the Shattered Tower with 50 doses of liao to lead the Wayfarers and Pilgrims to Sulemaine's Tomb. We embrace our past and acknowledge that the Sword Scholars once met Wayfarers with the blade. But now we see the commitment from Urizen in their assurance that "Sulemaine's enemies are not our enemies" (Judgement 47, Winter 383YE). They have not been complacent in their words and met our Grey Pilgrims with spiritual debate. Inspired by Sulemaine's example, we will test what we've learnt and continue inspiring excellence in each other. As such, we have come to bear witness to Urizen's decision and spread word of it through Highguard.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (443-265) this was a margin of 178
* '''Enacted:''' The mandate ensures that everyone in Highguard will be aware that Urizen have been venerating someone who is widely considered to be murderous villain among the Highborn. It will likely result in a strongly negative response from the citizens of Highguard towards Urizen as a whole. As detailed in the [[The_deepest_cut#Many_Steps_on_The_Way|Deepest Cut]] Wind of Fortune.

===Judgement 28===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Isaac of Silent Tide
* '''Judgement:''' Vigilance teaches us to seek out falsehood and reveal the truth. We send Isaac of the Silent Tide with 50 doses of liao to urge the unconquered and the priests of our nation to help the Seventh Wave root out the poison in our fields.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (834-0) this was a margin of 834
* '''Enacted:''' For the next year the [[Seventh Wave]] will be able to root out a [[Grendel]] espionage ring from a [[Highguard|Highborn]] territory by issuing the [[Army qualities#Scouting|Guard the Gates]] order while in that territory. As detailed in the [[Rings_and_crowns#Suck_the_Poison|Rings and Crowns]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 31===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawnish
* '''Raised By:''' Starac Orzel
* '''Judgement:''' We have aimed high and pursued our dreams, now they are within our grasp at last. We send Starac Orzel with 50 doses of liao to urge Dawnish citizens to come to the Barrens and help rebuild this broken land. Cleave to what you know is true, even where others wish you to doubt..
* '''Outcome:''' Failed (66-189)
===Judgement 56===
* '''Assembly:''' Marcher
* '''Raised By:''' Friar John of the Mourn
* '''Judgement:''' Consequences are the price of Ambition. We send Friar John of the Mourn with 50 doses of liao to urge every citizen to contribute what resources they can spare to support the creation of a new Holy City at Bastion. Let our virtue echo through history for a thousand years.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (170-30) this was a margin of 140
*'''Enacted.''' The Marches will find what white granite and funds they can spare and donate them to support the construction of a [[Blood will thicken|sacred city]] in [[Bastion]]. Every Marcher territory that is affected by this mandate will donate 4 wains of white granite and 8 crowns to support the commission each season for the next year. For the same period if it impossible to use a mandate to urge the Marches to support another commission or similar project that needed help. Any mandate in the Imperial Synod that urged Marchers to provide financial support to a different commission or cause will fail to affect the nation. Likewise any statement of principle in their national assembly that asks the nation for their support in this way will fail to produce a mandate. As detailed in the [[Blood_will_thicken#No_Price_Is_Too_High|Blood will thicken]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 57===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Lochias of Oblivion's Edge
* '''Judgement:''' The Virtuous build up their fellows. We send Lochias of Oblivion's Edge with 50 doses of liao to encourage those Urizen magicians who with to stay to embrace a new future in the League. Let us share our values with them and make Apulian a city founded on philosophy, learning, and a vision for a better future.
* '''Outcome:''' Failed (22-171)
===Judgement 59===
* '''Assembly:''' Marcher
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Geoffrey Orchard
* '''Judgement:''' Better seek out the toadstool before it poisons the cattle. We send Brother Geoffrey Orchard with 25 doses of liao to encourage pilgrims of Vigilance who visit the consecrated orchard of Benson the Bellringer at Pickham to seek out the poison in their neighbour's field.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (162-0) this was a margin of 162
* '''Enacted.'''Citizens of [[Upwold]] who are dedicated to [[Vigilance]] will start to proactively seek out blasphemers, desecrators, heretics, idolaters, traitors, and other threats in the territory. Within six months the civil service would be able to compile a report of all active dangers in the territory of Upwold and present it to Martin Orchard or his proxy, at the Winter Solstice 385YE. If a position was created that was responsible for leading and guiding the National Assembly then the report would instead be delivered to them. Assuming there is anything going on. As detailed in the [[Pruning_shears#A_Neighbour.27s_Fields|Pruning shears]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 67===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Lepidina
* '''Judgement:''' All that is worthwhile is shared only with those who deserve it. The League has taken Spiral and even now discusses abandoning it's name and history. We send Lepidina with 50 liao to encourage citizens of Urizen to refuse to share the secrets of the block or provide any other aid to the League until they prove they are more than the pretty opportunists.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (358-0) this was a margin of 358
* '''Enacted.''' The Urizen of Spiral will refuse to share the secrets of [[Spiral#The Block|the Block]] with the other residents of the [[territory]]; any [[commission|construction]] will require blocks of [[mithril]]. The deliberate prevention of aid also sees any taxation gained from the territory dramatically drop as food and other supplies would need to be brought in via ship. As detailed in the [[The_fate_of_the_many#A_Precious_Secret|Fate of the many]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 69===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Tabris, Son of Armisael
* '''Judgement:''' The Suumah are our cousins in Virtue and it behooves us to build up our fellows rather than let them languish under a blockade of idolaters. We send Tabris, Son of Armisael, with 50 doses of liao to urge the sailors and fleet captains of Highguard to journey to Sumaah, in order to aid them against the Asavean blockade .
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (591-31) this was a margin of 560
* '''Uncertain.''' Allows Highborn fleets to take part in the ''Thwart the Blockade'' adventure. As detailed in the [[Questions_of_virtue#Rage_of_the_Corsairs|Questions of virtue]] Wind of Fortune.

===Judgement 74===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawnish
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Dindrane
* '''Judgement:''' Pride exalts and uplifts those who have been laid low by the wicked; we come to the Barrens not to conquer, but to liberate and restore those who have been trod underfoot by the Druj. We send Ser Dindrane with 50 doses of liao to urge Dawnish citizens not to settle beyond Dawnguard, but to rather put their words, steel, and coin to the cause of protecting and aiding the many inhabitants of the Barrens who have thrown of the yoke of the Buruk Tepel.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (233-46) this was a margin of 187
* '''Enacted.''' those who had hoped to return to the lands they lost when they fled [[the Barrens]] will regain their estates in [[The Barrens#Dawnguard|Dawnguard]], but new settlers will hold back. There will be no benefits to Dawnish army support or to those looking to move to the Barrens, but it will ensure that the current hostilities with the septs who live here do not get any worse. It will shift the focus of the Dawnish in the Barrens towards appeasing the septs living there and will create an opportunities for ways the Dawnish might help and support the various factions. As detailed in the [[A_glorious_victory#The_Right_Question|A glorious victory]] Wind of Fortune.

===Judgement 75===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Cynerik
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete. We don't know what fate might befall us if Yulia Kasimiova Voronov enters the Sovevann, but we are not cowed by uncertainty. We send Cynerik with a single dose of liao to inter her body alongside those of Wintermark's greatest heroes.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
===Judgement 76===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Maria i Espiri i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The battle at Braydon's Jasse was hard fought and we honour the courage of those who remained behind to face us. We send Maria i Espiri i Guerra with 25 doses of liao and 5 thrones to urge the people of Kahraman to raise a burial mound over the dead Jotun. Our traditions are what define us, we believe all should be offered the opportunity to follow those traditions, especially in death.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (150-16) this was a margin of 134
* '''Enacted:''' The bodies of the [[orc|orcs]] who fell in the [[Shallows_and_miseries#The_Flames_of_Fort_Braydon|Battle of Fort Braydon]], their weapons, and their armour will be gathered and a burial mound in the Jotun style raised over them not far from the site. It will earn a degree of grudging respect from the Jotun, though it won't completely erase the impact of the deaths inflicted in the recent Winter magic-fuelled rampage carried out by the Freeborn army (the Jotun are known to view ritual war magic that increases casualties as beyond the pale for any civilised foe). In addition in encourages Freeborn to recognise the traditions of all their enemies, within reason. They would be unlikely to try learning and supporting the customs of the Druj but they would endeavour to recognise the traditions of other enemies. As detailed in the [[Questions_of_virtue#Mound|Questions of virtue]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 84===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Clytemnestra
* '''Judgement:''' Despise the thieving bandit and those who take without giving. We send Hector of Tropaion with 50 doses of liao to encourage citizens of Urizen to remain apart from Apulian until a reckoning is agreed upon.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (330-0) this was a margin of 330
* '''Enacted:''' The Urizen who currently reside in Spiral will remain, keeping to themselves in enclaves. Some of the spires and citadels will take up weapons and secede from the Empire, eventually claiming regionsf or themselves. As detailed in the [[The_fate_of_the_many#Victory_in_Defeat|Fate of the many]] Wind of Fortune.
* '''Notes:'' See also [[#Judgement 127|Judgement 127]].
===Judgement 90===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Galene Netherwatch
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous do not fear to act, and face unwelcome truths boldly. We send Galene Netherwatch with 10 doses of liao to provide support to the botanists of the Bleak Tower and help them face their fears.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (358-0) this was a margin of 358
* '''Enacted.''' Helps empower those botanists of the Bleak Tower afraid to return to [[Zenith]]. If the Gardens of Pallas are rebuilt, some of the horticulturalists living at the Bleak Tower would move there, and offer their expertise. If the Gardens of Pallas were not commissioned, it would still offer spiritual support to the Zenith refugees living at the Bleak Tower, but would have no game effect. As detailed in the [[Restoration_and_renewal#From_the_Bleak_Tower|Restoration and renewal]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 92===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Liliana di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' Strive, toil and claim the just rewards of your labours. We send Lia Adelaar von Holberg with 50 thrones to lend to the Sand Fishers with which to buy the resources they need. No one knows what the morrow holds, but in this case it is a little under 8%.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (445-0) this was a margin of 445
* '''Enacted.''' Lia AdelaarvonHolberg has lent 50 Thrones to the Sand Fishers, and will receive loan repayments from the orcs of 351 rings a season for the next ten years. The Sand Fishers will be able to complete their sawmills in Holberg. As detailed in the [[Half-time_score#Holberg|Half-time score]]Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 94===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawnish
* '''Raised By:''' Earl of Fools
* '''Judgement:''' Our long toil to free the Barrens is complete, now we must claim the just rewards of our labours. We send Aramis du Froste with 50 doses of liao to urge our countryfolk to enjoy the fruits of our labour today.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (237-22) this was a margin of 215
* '''Enacted.''' The focus of Dawn will turn inwards. The Dawnish people will relax their long vigil, satisfied that the Druj are beaten for now and the Barrens is freed. They will turn back to home and seek out ways to build up all of Dawn. It will turn the triumph in the Barrens into opportunities to make Dawn more prosperous. As detailed in the [[A_glorious_victory#Sweetest_of_Fruits|A glorious victory]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 101===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Able the Taller
* '''Judgement:''' Strive, toil, and claim the just rewards of your labours. We send Bartimaeus of Zenith Ascendant with one dose of true liao to consecrate the Crucible of Fate to the virtue of Prosperity, to remind all who work there with no reward is beyond our reach if we strive for it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (298-10) this was a margin of 288
* '''Enacted.''' Apermanent stream of architects and crafters will visit the Crucible of Fate in Zenith, as well as merchants who come to trade there. The Architect of the Crucible gains access to additional, themed ministries. As detailed in the [[Fate_and_function#The_Path_of_Prosperity|Fate and function]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 112===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Aemon
* '''Judgement:''' Highborn! Our Marcher siblings have vigilantly raised the cry to defend our great Empire from the malignant operatives of the Whisper Gallery. We send Brother Aemon with 50 doses of liao to urge Highborn inquisitors and magisters to take inspiration of our Marcher siblings. Our nation's bed rock is founded on human destiny, the parasites of the Whisper Gallery will not stop our realisation of the fact!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (700-0) this was a margin of 700
* '''Enacted:''' Inquisitors and magisters work to seek out the cultists of the [[Whisper Gallery]] in Highguard. Every mana site in Highguard will suffer a loss of one crystal mana each season until the start of the Winter Solstice 385YE but at the end of it would see the Highborn magisters and inquisitors have a chance at ensnaring a major agent of the Whisper Gallery in Highguard. As detailed in the [[Pruning_shears#Under_Cover_of_Night|Pruning shears]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 114===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Wildfyre of Balthazar's Vineyard
* '''Judgement:''' Let us build up our fellows. We send Wildfyre of Balthazar's Vineyard with 25 liao to urge Highborn and Varushkan citizens to share what weapons and armour they can to spare the Dreamers of the Dark Forest. All that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (351-164) this was a margin of 187
* '''Enacted.''' Citizens of Highguard will support the defence of [[Ossium]] by providing the Dreamers with any weapons and armour they can spare - as the Highborn once provided weapons and armour to the Imperial Orcs. For the next year, military units from that nation will be able to undertake the action to Train the Dreamers to train them how to use the new arms they have been given. If the Imperial Senate pass a motion declaring it is acceptable to arm the Dreamers and either Varushka or Highborn chose to arm them then the region would no longer be under threat. As detailed in the [[Culling_the_threat#The_Dreamers_of_the_Dark_Forest|Culling the threat]] Wind of Fortune.
* '''Note:''' While the mandate attempted to urge Varushkan citizens to share weapons, it was raised in the Highborn assembly and has no ability to effect them. Even if it had, because it didn't achieve a greater majority, it would have been questioned and ultimately ignored by the Varushkans.
===Judgement 121===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Skywise Rykana
* '''Judgement:''' We are loyal to the core. As other septs to join us, we must never forget our own proud history. We send Skywise Gralka with 10 doses of liao to encourage all Imperial Orcs to embrace a new name as we become the Sunstorm sept.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (74-26) this was a margin of 48
* '''Enacted:''' a new identity will be forged among Imperial Orcs for those who embraced the idea of being part of the Sunstorm Sept, with all the Proud history that that name implies. By next year, the Imperial Orcs will be home to several distinct Septs. It will also beg another question: is now the time for the descendants of Thrace to find a new name for their entire nation? As detailed in the [[A_lost_king#The_Sun_And_The_Spear| A lost king]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 125===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Eli of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' The holy city of Bastion is extraordinary, but nothing is beyond our grasp. We send Eli of the Cenotaph with 75 doses of liao to urge every citizen of Highguard to support this, and only this, until all the materials are provided.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (639-0) this was a margin of 639
* '''Enacted.''' This removes the benefit of [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Dare_Do_All|a previous mandate]], focusing all attention on the [[Blood will thicken|sacred city]]. None of the chapters will have materials to spare to support any other commission. Highguard will donate 25 wains of white granite and 50 crowns every season to pay for the construction of the new holy city, until the work is complete. Such devotion is not without cost however. Everything Highguard can spare will be devoted to this extraordinary project - there would be no resources available for other plans. As detailed in the [[Blood_will_thicken#Better_By_Far|Blood will thicken]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 127===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Veikko Bondforger
* '''Judgement:''' The Loyalty assembly sends Mazo with 25 liao to support the Urizen national assembly in their efforts to aid the Spiral Urizeni with the mandate reading: Despise the thieving bandit and those who take without giving. We send our priest with 50 doses of liao to encourage citizens of Urizen to remain apart from Apulian until a reckoning is agreed upon. The role of the Loyalty assembly in this is to reassure people that the Empire does not intend to endorse their destruction and to keep open the channels of communication necessary for a reckoning to be agreed upon. There is a future in which this results in stronger bonds within the Empire and it is upon those dedicated to Loyalty to achieve this.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (466-0) this was a margin of 466
* '''Enacted:''' The [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]] will support [[#Judgement 84|Judgement 84]].
* '''Notes:''' The second half of the mandate will have no effect. It is not possible to define the role of the Loyalty assembly in this way with this power.

===Judgement 138===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Harwyn Eternal
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous inspire others to greatness. We send Eska Crowspeaker with 75 doses of liao to urge priests to engage with the Hylje to learn their ways to discover if we might bring them to the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (268-0) this was a margin of 268
* '''Enacted.''' Sends Pride assembly priests to visit with the Hylje and learn about their religion. As detailed in the [[Tooth_by_tooth#Pride_and_Prejudice|Tooth by tooth]] Wind of Fortune.

===Judgement 139===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The Sumaah are our allies and we are united by our shared love of Zemress. We send Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra with 50 doses of liao to urge the corsairs to thwart the Asavean blockade of the Sumaah coast. Harass their warships to let the traders reach the port of Zemeh!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (105-0) this was a margin of 105
* '''Enacted.'''Freeborn corsairs will be urged to fight the Asaveans in Sumaah coastal waters, to help break the blockade. This will remove the penalty to trade with Zemeh experienced by Imperial traders. This will also create an adventure for corsairs, called ''Thwart the Blockade''. As detailed in the [[Questions_of_virtue#Rage_of_the_Corsairs|Questions of virtue]] wind of fortune,

===Judgement 148===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Emil Radana von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' All citizens should know the name of those who helped end the Vyig. We send Emil Radana von Temeschwar with 25 doses of liao to encourage citizens who prospered from their actions to reward these people for their work.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (209-0) this was a margin of 209
* '''Enacted.''' The Silver Rook Carta will publish their list of the folk who - in their eyes - have worked to decisively bring an end to the legacy of the vyig. As detailed in the [[Battle_cries#Recognition_of_a_Hard_Job|Battle cries]] Wind of Fortune.

===Judgement 151===
* '''Assembly:''' Marcher
* '''Raised By:''' Aliss Thorn
* '''Judgement:''' The prosperous are not selfish and the proud proclaim their virtue by actions not words. Let every Marcher yeoman and steward welcome to the orcs of the Mournwold, and treat them as they would any other young Marcher seeking hard work and fair pay. We send Aliss Thorn with 75 doses of liao to ensure everyone knows that it is our ambition to make one people out of two, and a job that never gets started never gets finished.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (200-0) this was a margin of 200
* '''Enacted.''' Welcomes the [[Mournwold Orcs]] to visit the northern Marcher territories. As detailed in the [[Sense_and_sensibility#A_Busy_Time_of_Year|Sense and sensibility]] Wind of Fortune,
===Judgement 163===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushkan
* '''Raised By:''' Anatolij Paukov Zorkin
* '''Judgement:''' Let us build up our fellows. We send Anatolij Paukov Zorkin with 25 doses of liao to urge Varushkan citizens to share what weapons and armour they can spare to arm the Dreamers of the Dark Forest. All that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (336-10) this was a margin of 326
* '''Enacted.''' Citizens of Varushka will support the defence of [[Ossium]] by providing the Dreamers with any weapons and armour they can spare. For the next year, military units from that nation will be able to undertake the action to Train the Dreamers to train them how to use the new arms they have been given. If the Imperial Senate pass a motion declaring it is acceptable to arm the Dreamers and either Varushka or Highborn chose to arm them then the region would no longer be under threat. As detailed in the [[Culling_the_threat#The_Dreamers_of_the_Dark_Forest|Culling the threat]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 187===
* '''Assembly:''' Marcher
* '''Raised By:''' Henry Fletcher
* '''Judgement:''' Know your heart and what commands its devotion above all else. We send Henry Fletcher with 25 doses of liao to let everyone in Bregasland know that this is the land of the Strong Reeds, and they will never abandon it.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
===Judgement 190===
* '''Assembly:''' Marcher
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Marcher Orchard
* '''Judgement:''' We are at war with the Whisper Gallery, and anyone who helps them must be rooted out. It falls to the threshers to harvest this field of sorcerers. We send Brother Martin Orchard with 50 liao to urge the threshers to turn their full attention on agents of the Whisper Gallery, and deal with them using whatever tools are necessary. Shriving and clemency will both be available whenever they are needed.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (134-10) this was a margin of 124
* '''Enacted:''' Inquisitors and magisters work to seek out the cultists of the [[Whisper Gallery]] in the Marches. every [[mana site]] and [[farm]] with a [[farm#upgrade|monolith]] in the Marches will lose one crystal mana from its production each season until the start of the Summer Solstice 385YE. It will also hopefully encourage threshers who visit Anvil to turn their attention on their fellow Imperial citizens, scrutinizing them for signs of Whisper Gallery corruption and doing whatever is needed to deal with them once they are identified. As detailed in the [[Pruning_shears#Under_Cover_of_Night|Pruning shears]] Wind of Fortune.
===Judgement 195===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Kish of the Flame Beneath the Earth
* '''Judgement:''' The vigilant prepare for malice, lest malice takes us unawares. We will stand with the Freeborn to defend their homes and march with them as they take back what has been lost. We send Kish of the Flame Beneath the Earth with 75 liao to urge the people of Highguard to support our Freeborn cousins in the coming war.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (590-52) this was a margin of 538
* '''Not Enacted.''' No liao was provided.

==Evaluation==
The Synod made the following judgements of [[excommunication]], [[inquisition]], [[revocation]], and [[sanction]].
===Judgement 6===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Genoveva Barossa d'Apulian
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Condenation)''' At Winter 384 summit. the Earl of Fools excommunicated Jack Canting for leaving the House of Fools, and so breaking their oaths. These oaths included the wording "our very souls be in peril if we betray this." Despite this I do not believe that th breaking of an oath by itself is sufficient grounds for excommunication. Regardless of whether it was justified, the Earl of Fools claimed that they had no time to seek a Judgement of Excommunication from the Synod, yet presented no evidence for urgency other than an oath being broken. Because of this I find that their use of Excommunication was an abuse of their priestly powers. Furthermore, the Earl stated that they would have avoided using excommunication if possible. I find this improbably given that shortly before excommunicating Jack they went to the gatekeepers council asking for a dose of True Liao but refusing to say what it was for.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (1039-1371)
* '''Notes:''' See also [[#Judgement 103|Judgement 103]].
===Judgement 10===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Sufyan i Zurhi i Erigo
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call to inquisition the priest Wildfyre. For two consecutive seasons, they have used their Judgements as members of the Synod to encourage trade with our enemies the Grendel, even as they build their navy on our shores, spy on our lands and laugh at the idea of a continued peace and prosperity. The motives and Virtue of these actions must be examined. I call them to inquisition at this, the Summer Solstice 385YE, on Saturday at 9pm in the Brass Coast camp, as we have already arranged.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (343-25)
===Judgement 21===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' Earl du Maurisol summons Set Claudia Lovelorn, Imperial Necromancer, knight-errant, and former Noble of Dawn to Inquisition to determine whether she still has a noble spirit. This is part of her Test of Mettle, and any who wish to participate should approach the Inquisitor beforehand. Time and place: Saturday 5pm, Glory Square.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (97-0)
===Judgement 22===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine duLac
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Castigation, Escalation)''' I inquisitioned Abel of Zenith Ascendant at Spring Equinox regarding his conduct during the Winter Solstice. As a newly appointed Ambassador to the Grendel I found that Abel failed to understand or acknowledge the threat of a spontaneous aura of Freedom Anarchy on his soul and continued to represent the Empire to foreign nations while under the influence of a false virtue until a direct intervention was made to remove it. While I'm satisfied that he is now willing to improve, I wish for the Synod to clearly rebuke such behaviour from an Ambassador as unvirtuous. I shall continue to monitor his work as chaplain consular, and will advise the Nine if further action is needed.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1062-149)
===Judgement 23===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Witold Stefanovich Petrov
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' Following allegations and concerns regarding his virtue and actions, we call Vuk the Wolfeater to Inquisition at 2pm Sunday at the Summer Solstice YE385. Location - National Tent. Inquisitor - Father Drakov.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (84-0)
* '''Notes:''' When [[Inquisition#Performing_an_Inquisiton|performing an inquisition]], the priest who raised the judgement is expected to lead the questioning at an inquisition, but at their discretion they may choose to invite other priests to assist them in questioning the accused.
===Judgement 29===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Galene Netherwatch
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation):''' I, Galene Netherwatch, vindicate Harwyn Eternal, Cardinal of Pride, in regards to his actions in the election of Cardinal of Pride at the 384YE Autumn Equinox. His actions were to seek what he believed the best outcome for the Assembly of Pride. Synod elections necessitate politics and taking action instead of being complacent.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (273-52)
===Judgement 33===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Olyvar of Esthers Sanctum
* '''Judgement: Inquisition:''' Embrace your past - never be ashamed of it. I call General Stanley of Chalkdown, General of the Tusks, to inquisition over his past as a yegarra of the Mournwold, the virtue of his actions since, and his role within the military council. This will be held at 5pm on the Saturday of the Summer Solstice, in the Black Rat in the Marcher camp.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (195-0)
===Judgement 39===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lenarius Ankarien
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation).''' Per Judgements 48 (and 78) at the Spring Equinox, Claude Videre has been questioned by the Inquisitor of Ambition and Alfredo Barossa, and found to be a worthy candidate for the throne. Concerns were raised about the timing of Claude declaring their candidacy, and her actions as Auditor for Senatorial Accountability but after thorough questioning it was concluded that these actions were not un-virtuous. During the inquisition, she put forward her plans for the Empire with Vigilance and Wisdom, had clear plans for how to deal with the immediate threats facing the empire and clearly demonstrated her ability to inspire loyalty in others. Her virtues make her suitable to be Empress.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1236-154)
===Judgement 40===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Lenarius Ankarien
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call Hector of Tropaion to inquisition, to answer questions regarding his conduct over the past year, and to respond to rumours regarding his actions in Spiral. The Inquisition will be held at 6pm on the Saturday of the Summer Equinox at the Amphoria Bar in Urizen. Priest of Urizen and interested citizens are encouraged to attend.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (221-0)
===Judgement 41===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Sam Wych Elm
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Castigation). ''' Bushell Sykes has proven that he sees Loyalty only as a tool for his own personal gain. A traitor. A traitor. A traitor.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (110-40)
===Judgement 42===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Claude Videre
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation):''' What should we do, if during Inquisition we begin to feel that we are talking to someone who may one day be recognised as an exemplar for the deeds in this lifetime? I came as Auditor to shine a light on Bloodcrow Rasp's financial conduct and his Senatorial achievements for the territory of Skarsind. I left having seen the sparks of four signs that might be fanned into flames. But one most evident: Bloodcrow Rasp has laid block upon block of granite to build up his Nation and welcome in the Septs. He has done this without asking the Senate for a single ring. His deeds prosper his people, this is the road to benevolence. Loyalty calls us to build up our fellows. Bloodcrow Rasp knows this in his heart. And there is my answer. Priests of the Synod, I vindicate Bloodcrow Rasp, With your votes, celebrate him and raise him up as he has raised so many others up - encourage him on his path of Virtue!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1328-128)
===Judgement 43===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Syn Truth-Walker Returned
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call to inquisition Bloodcrow Udoo for his comments regarding the following of the Way and of Virtue. The inquisition is to take place at 15:30 on Saturday this gathering, at the back of the Hub.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (95-0)
===Judgement 48===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Nikolai "The Butcher" Petrovitch
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' Alderai is called to be inquisited as to their orders given to the Iron Helms Spring 385 as required by the will of the General Assembly. 10pm Friday at the Vale of Carrion camp.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (905-58)
===Judgement 87===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Aspar
* '''Judgement: Excommunication.''' Hate is a restrictive, pernicious force that stymies Virtue. hate does not seek questions, wrongly assuming that those in your circle are infallible, and those without are irredeemable. Severus of the Blinding Sun is a fool, his folly infects him and those around him and I will not countenance their reductive view of the world. I will bring them the challenge of Wisdom, if they fail, their soul will be forefeit. I seek a Writ of Excommunication against Severus of the Blinding Sun, to show them and the Empire the worth of Wisdom, and the folly of Hate.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (1488-195), as Excommunication requires a Greater Majority
===Judgement 89===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Galene Netherwatch
* '''Judgementt: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation).''' I vindicate Watt Lambrook for his actions during a meeting with Heralds of the Whisper Gallery. His actions showed Courage and Vigilance, and allowed the Archmage of Night to conduct diplomacy better.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (608-20)
===Judgement 108===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Valentina von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Penance, Escalation).''' Elsha Barton of the Crimson Reapers understands that by being unprepared for her role of Chair of the Wolf, she has failed to uphold of Loyalty of those Leaguers who placed her there. As penance she will understake a learning endeavour speaking to senators, producing a report on development opportunities and their opinion, and will also appoint a proxy to avoid repeat problems.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (329-10)
===Judgement 117===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Iniska Ashwood
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' After his Prosperous work fully funding the Empire-wide Autumn enchantment last summit, I call Gisli "the Provider" of Wintermark to Inquisition at 10pm in the Ashwood Emporium.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (130-40)
===Judgement 122===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Penance, Escalation).''' In his use of the proceeds from Spiral Castle, Maryc has demonstrated his Loyalty to Dawn and his Vigilance in bolstering its military units. However he lacks a clear path ahead in his virtue. After discussion with him and with his agreement, I set the following challenge to him to help him find his path. Build (or be a major part in the building of) a great work improving the quality of military units in Dawn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1151-51)
* '''Notes:''' It is not possible to build a [[great work]] that improves the quality of [[military unit|military units]], as noted under [[Great_work#Limitations|limitations]].
===Judgement 123===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Azreal Cohort of the Winter Bear
* '''Judgement:Inquisition.''' I call to inquisition Levi of Ebon's Hall at 20:00 in the Cohort of the Winter Bear's camp. This is for breaking his oath to Seraphina of the Cohort of the Winter Bear and Ava of the Silent Tide.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (262-10)
===Judgement 133===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Mael Donjeon
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Penance, Escalation).''' Regarding the Earl of Fools inquisition the following alternative sanctions is propose to that in <u>Judgement 6</u> which contains incorrect information. The earl purported their actions were justified by oaths sworn to their house. This indicates a <u>Loyal</u> motive; but a deeply flawed understanding of that virtue. Therefore the Early shall undertake a pilgrimage to better understand Loyalty as it is known outside their house. In one year they shall come before the assembly of Loyalty and report what they have ;earned and how they apply it in their house. The Assembly shall decide if penance has been completed.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1295-157)

===Judgement 133===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Tuuli
* '''Judgement: Revocation.''' We revoke Brienne from her position of Herbalist of the Hearth. This is no reflection on their virtue or heroism. but in order to retain prosperity until their return to Anvil.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (249-0)
===Judgement 137===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Syn Truth-Walker Returned
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation).''' I find that Bloodcrow Udoo shows no malice towards the Way and though his wording can be considered heresy, further discussion will find that this is not the case. It is suggested that Bloodcrow Udoo alter his wording when discussing theological to prevent further confusion.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (148-51)
===Judgement 143===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Elipas of the Saker
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call Akseh of the Sentinel Tower to Inquisition on the Sunday of the Summer Solstice 385YE.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (483-0)
===Judgement 149===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Esker Hazakkadottir
* '''Judgement: Revocation.''' This judgement seeks to revoke Tyr Brenna from the position of Prosperity's Boon. Please note this is not a matter of virtue or honour but to retain prosperity until their return to Anvil.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn, Not Upheld (19-19)
===Judgement 171===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Amris
* '''Judgement: Inquisition''' We call Father Drakov to Inquisition at <u>11am</u> on the <u>Saturday</u> of the Autumn Festival by Inquisiting Priest Amris. At the <u>Vale of Lost Souls</u> in Varushka concerning their role as a priest in a Virtue defence.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (176-10)
===Judgement 176===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Saavi Heroes' Champion
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Vindication, Escalation).''' 8 Priests and 1 General sat down to discuss the skirmish to Skahllan. Honour, heroism, and their interactions were discussed. The General spoke of Loyalty - of binding together strangers from 4 nations to complete all of the objectives, without a single Imperial death. She spoke of how she commanded Imperial heroes to 'not (sic) make a meal of it but execute them if you have to and move on'. She has again demonstrated her Loyalty to the Empire. She took Pride in her actions and could explain her actions, and the Virtue behind them. She is Vigilant against the influence of Jotun culture on Wintermark culture. General Kinda Surefoot is Vindicated. And we commend her virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (232-0)
===Judgement 177===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Penance, Escalation)''' The noble spirit of Claudia Varkulova Remys was made of the same steel that Dawn is forged from. I see that same steel in the spirit of Ser Claudia Lovelorn. She has failings, as does anyone, but it is clear that even as a knight-errant she is an inspirational figure to those that know her. To address her failings, I charge her to see the Eater of Love destroyed so no one else need suffer from its curse.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (139-0)
===Judgement 184===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Sam Wych
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call Rhaego i Zemress of the House of the Gilded Vine to stand for Inquisition and face judgement for his unvirtuous actions against his sworn Loyalties. By manipulating truth, warping promises, and mistaking Pride for ego. We must see him shine light on his priestly and romantic pursuits. This inquisition will occur on Saturday at the Autumn Equinox in the Black Rat.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (122-0)
===Judgement 186===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Hodwyn Aevardson
* '''Judgement: Revocation''' We revoke Tyr Brenna from their position of Prosperity's Boon. This is no reflection on their virtue of heroism, but in order to retain prosperity until their return to Anvil.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (278-0)
===Judgement 193===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Peregrine Boon
* '''Judgement: Revocation''' We the national assembly revoke Friar John of the Mourn from the position of Friar of Honour's Rest. May all of the Priests of the Marches pursue their ambitions to the fullest.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (100-122)
===Judgement 196===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Sufyan i Zuhri i Erigo
* '''Judgement: Sanction (Penance, Escalation). ''' Following my inquisition of Wildfyre I find his motives to be true, his intention to be virtuous, but to have made serious failings of Wisdom and Vigilance. To make a mistake once and see negative consequences is an opportunity to learn. To refuse to allow the consequences of your actions to affect your decision to repeat those actions and have the same negative outcome is a severe failing of Wisdom. His Vigilance failed to recognise the danger of resupplying a Grendel navy, and inviting spires to our shores. But I am at least relieved his decisions are motivated by his Loyalty and ideas of Prosperity. For Penance, I suggest he donate to the Virtue Fund an amount dictated by his Prosperity, minimum 1 ring.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (873-62)
===Judgement 198===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' I call Melchior of Adina's Charge Cardinal of Courage to Inquisition Saturday 12:00 Autumn 385 at the Hub. Concerning his courage to date and his goals for propagating this virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (198-0)
===Judgement 214===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest
* '''Judgement: Inquisition.''' As Basilisk of the Bourse, I call Lumi Wrathbringer of Wintermark to Inquisition.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld Automatically ([[Basilisk of the Bourse]]).

==Recognition==
There was one judgement of [[recognition]] during the Spring Equinox.
===Judgement 12===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Brynn Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' The legacy of Sulemaine i Taziel threatens the future of the Empire and the Way. The Synod recognises Sulemaine i Taziel as a false paragon.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
* '''Notes:''' Relates to the debate around the nature of [[Sulemaine|Sulemaine i Taziel]], founder of the [[sword scholar|sword scholars]].
==Appointment==
At the Summit, the following [[appointment|appointments]] were proposed by the Assemblies of the Synod. You can find the names of citizens who currently hold Imperial titles in the Synod [[Current Imperial titles|here]].
===Judgement 1===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Cardinal]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Melchior of Adina' Charge''' was appointed with 86 votes. Skywise Tulva received 74 votes. Maarit Suvidottir received 69 votes.
===Judgement 2===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Cardinal]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Aspar''' was appointed with 253 votes. Galene Netherwatch received 186 votes.
===Judgement 15===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Virtue Inquisitor]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Morwenna Withered Rose''' was appointed with 84 votes. Morgan Sweet-Lathe received 41 votes. Syn Truth-Walker Returned received 0 votes.
===Judgement 24===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Imperial Inquisitor]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Lenarius Ankarian''' was appointed with 3 votes. Earl Galeas du Maurisol received 2 votes, Rhaego i Zemress received 2 votes.
===Judgement 27===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Liu Tidgaring''' was appointed with 122 votes.
===Judgement 35===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Curator of the Blood Red River]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Astrid Fellrevening Rezia di Tassato''' was appointed with 250 votes
===Judgement 46===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Keeper of the Garden]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Aerowen Embercast''' was appointed with 106 votes. Allana Thornweaver received 76 votes. Coeden Blackhawk received 58 votes. Aniera Exile's End received 26 votes.
===Judgement 51===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Arbiter of the Four Winds]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Herminius of the House of the Wanderer''' was appointed with 235 votes
===Judgement 61===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Armarius of the Anvil Library]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Richardo Glostari di Sarvos''' was appointed with 247 votes
===Judgement 63===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Prelate of Adelmar's Shrine]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Limonos of the Lighthouse at Nikephros''' was appointed with 130 votes. Aniera Exile's End received 36 votes, Lleu Winters Reach (Tarw) received 18 votes.
===Judgement 66===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Champion of Ambition]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Alfmund "Flame of Tian" Fordwinsson''' was appointed with 122 votes
===Judgement 68===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Bishop of the Navigators]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Tabris, son of Armishael''' was appointed with 420 votes
===Judgement 73===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Champion of Vigilance]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Undir Thornheart''' was appointed with 26 votes. Ravadi Founders Dance received 122 votes, but died before the judgement closed. Blaidd Stormtree received 10 votes, Rinan Jarvi Dunning received 0 votes.
===Judgement 82===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised by:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the [[Virtue Inquisitor]].
* '''Outcome:''' '''Luca i Taziel i Riqueza''' was appointed with 164 votes. Rhaego i Zemress received 67 votes.
==Rewarding==
The following judgements of [[rewarding]] were proposed during the summit.
===Judgement 7===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Goran Sokdov Zaytsev
* '''Judgement:''' The Varushkan national assembly has been lead with great wisdom and loyalty by the wise one Yevanshka of the Seekers of the Woven Path. Under their leadership we have brought the Way to Ossium and made passing judgements with Primacy a standard in our Assembly. We wish to reward Yevanshka to the sum of 20 crowns for their work in revolutionising our assembly and for their service to the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (867-482), with a margin of 385
* '''Notes:''' TBC
===Judgement 8===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The Justicars were an ancient order of exorcists before an Asavean attack on the Isle of Osseini wiped them out. High Exorcist Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra requests one dose of true liao to hellow the last vestments created by the Justicars of Osseini. We honour their Ambition and Courage in returning to Feroz outside of the protections of the Empire to continue their work. We mourn their untimely deaths at the hands of the Asaveans. We wish to Hallow the last Labyrinthine Vestments made by the Justicars as the "Vestments of the Justicar" so their legacy will never be forgotten. The Justicars of the Freeborn are dead, however their legacy lives on forever.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1171-278), with a margin of 893
* '''Notes:''' TBC.
===Judgement 13===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov
* '''Judgement:''' The story of Kethry's battle to maintain her culture holds a special resonance with the people of Ossium. For generations we have fought to sustain our traditions despite Druj oppression and while now free, the Empire's egregore magic erodes Ossian culture like the sun's light fades once bright dyes. I ask that Vasili Zoryakovich Zverokaz, the priest who first brought Ossium to the Way through the teachings of PRide, be awarded a dose of <u>True Liao</u> to consecrate a monument to the paragon Kethry's inspiration.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (776-553), with a margin of 223
* '''Notes:''' TBC.
===Judgement 37===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lynn
* '''Judgement:''' We request a reward of 10 Thrones to Corwynn Heartsbane to alleviate a portion of the debt accrued in sourcing the required 20 wains and wayleave required to commission the Hall of the Seven in Miaren. The Hall will enable Navarr captains to explore Vallorn hearts adding to our knowledge and furthering the fight against this great spiritual threat. At this time fifty thrones and two crowns are owed to Embercast Striding and ten thrones to House Tallstag. They sold mithril and a wayleave at fair prices in order to support a project they felt strongly about and this rewarding would see their and Corwyn's Prosperity recognised.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (800-294), with a margin of 506
* '''Notes:''' TBC
===Judgement 47===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Eira Larksong
* '''Judgement:''' The war chest of Navarr has helped contribute time and time again to military endeavours of the nation and Empire. Countless ventures through the Sentinel Gate, the adventure into the sinkhole, the assault on Hotter's Mire, and the Adventure into Brocéliande to name a few. We seek a rewarding of 5 Thrones to be given to Eleri Bronwen's Rest, to be distributed among herself and those who help her maintain the war chest, in recognition of their tireless and prosperous work. (And ask that they do not immediately put it into the war chest). Strive, toil, and claim the just rewards of your labours.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (713-296), with a margin of 417.
* '''Notes:''' Only Four Thrones, 4 Crowns, and 15 Rings were available in the virtue fund.
===Judgement 72===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Jenny Arbor
* '''Judgement:''' We recognise the ambition, loyalty, and vigilance of Zephaniah of Felix's Watch. Their work on the magic that allowed the ghosts of the entire Mournwold to communicate freely with the living has sent many of the dead onward on their spiritual journey, allowed the living opportunities for sweet partings, and aided in the righting of historic wrongs. We ask that Zephanian of Felix's Watch is rewarded seven thrones for their virtuous efforts that they might continue to apply their magical talents to the benefit of the Empire and its' spirit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (953-418), with a margin of 535.
* '''Notes:''' TBC
===Judgement 97===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tiana i Zaydan i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' I seek a rewarding of 7 Thrones for our High Exorcist Finna i Fajadoz i Guerra. Every summit she supplies liao and liao ceremonies for our battles and our skirmishes to keep our people sage. Liao doesn't grow on trees, it costs money. Please assign her the money to do her job.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (656-307), with a margin of 349
* '''Notes:''' TBC
===Judgement 99===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Cesare Enzo di Trivento
* '''Judgement:''' Hap the Soft, esteemed leader of the Golden Hoof Farm in the Green March, deserves rewarding and our praise. Through his wise and compassionate guidance, Hap successfully negotiated with the orc thralls of the Marches, facilitating their desire to join the Empire while preserving their beliefs. This effort has fostered harmony between Mournwold Orcs and Marchers, promoting community and prosperity in the region. Hap's charitable work at Golden Hoof Farm has been a beacon of safety and opportunity for orphaned youths, providing a nurturing environment in a troubled world. His generosity has sown seeds of prosperity, instilling virtues while respecting ancestral beliefs. In honouring Hap the Soft, we celebrate the power of empathy and cooperation in bridging divides forging a stronger and more united Empire. We wish to send him 1 Ring.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (581-213), with a margin of 305
* '''Notes:''' TBC. Hap the Soft is an [[orc]], and one of the spiritual leaders of the [[Mournwold Orcs]].
===Judgement 100===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Pascant de Luna
* '''Judgement:''' I seek to reward the Enchantress Azalais de Luna two thrones for leading the four survivors of her house from the ashes of their keep in the Barrens. She has re-established the house under the banner of the minotaur and has dedicated herself to the ambition of restoring her house to its former opulent glory.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (212-419)
===Judgement 111===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Estella Lucati di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' Vigilance demands that we be ready for a Grendel attack! Heeding its call, Shauni di Vergo has made it his Ambition to erect the Steel Rings, a coastal defence against Grendel navies. The Synod supports and rewards this Virtue with Twenty-Eight Thrones from the Virtue Fund.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (385-258), with a margin of 217
* '''Notes:''' TBC

==Alternative Mandates==
Prior to the summit, the following [[Mandate#Alternative Mandates|alternative mandates]] were proposed by members of the Synod.

{|
| '''Member''' || '''Link to mandate''' || '''Notes'''
|-
| Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer || [[The_deepest_cut#Discard_Anything_That_Falls_Short|The deepest cut]] ||
|-
| Aspar || [[The_deepest_cut#Many_Steps_on_The_Way|The deepest cut]] ||
|-
| Lochias Of Oblivion's Edge || [[The_deepest_cut#Many_Steps_on_The_Way|The deepest cut]] ||
|-
| Elagabala || [[The_deepest_cut#Many_Steps_on_The_Way|The deepest cut]] ||
|-
| Hazelelponi || [[The_deepest_cut#Many_Steps_on_The_Way|The deepest cut]] ||
|-
| Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov || [[Pride_and_prejudice#Mission_of_Mercy|Pride and prejudice]] || A use of [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]] for the Varushkan Assembly
|-
| Velko Perunovich Razoradze || [[Pride_and_prejudice#Alternative Access|Pride and prejudice]] ||
|-
| Maria i Espiri i Guerra || [[Questions_of_virtue#Mound|Questions of virtue]] ||
|-
| Luca i Taziel i Riqueza || [[Questions_of_virtue#Mound|Questions of virtue]] ||
|-
| Soratio i Del Toro i Guerra || [[Questions_of_virtue#Rage_of_the_Corsairs|Questions of virtue]] ||
|-
| Tabris, Son of Armisael || [[Questions_of_virtue#Rage_of_the_Corsairs|Questions of virtue]] || A use of [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]] for the Highborn Assembly
|-
| Ser Dindrane || [[A_glorious_victory#The_Right_Question|A glorious victory]] ||
|-
| Sam Wych-Elm || [[Welly_boots#Fair_Words_Won.27t_Bury_Grudges|Welly boots]] ||
|-
| Dinah of Jeremiah's Welcome || [[Rings_and_crowns#A_Sacred_City|Rings and crowns]] || A use of [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]] for the Highborn Assembly
|-
| Able the Taller || [[The_fate_of_the_many#A_Precious_Secret|The fate of the many]] ||
|-
| Hector of Tropaion || [[The_fate_of_the_many#A_Precious_Secret|The fate of the many]] ||
|-
| Martin Orchard || [[Pruning_shears#Under_Cover_of_Night|Pruning shears]] ||
|-
| Aemon of the Suns of Couros || [[Pruning_shears#Under_Cover_of_Night|Pruning shears]] || A use of [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]] for the Highborn Assembly
|}

==The Virtue Fund==
The following represents the Virtue Fund of the Synod:
{|
| ''Starting Value'' || 3 Thrones, 3 Crowns, 15 Rings ||
|-
| ''Income'' || 5 Rings || Donation by Delara i Fijadoz i Guerra.
|-
| ''Income'' || 5 Rings || Donation by Lysimachus.
|-
| ''Income'' || 1 Throne || Donation by Ashborn Atla.
|-
| ''Income'' || 10 Rings || Donation by Sergio i Valiente i Erigo.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 4 Thrones, 4 Crowns, 15 Rings || Rewarding to Eira Larksong following [[#Judgement 47|Judgement 47]] being upheld (insufficient funds for full rewarding).
|-
| ''Income'' || 80 Thrones || The price paid in the Bourse Auction for the dose of True Liao.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 7 Thrones || Rewarding to Jenny Arbour following [[#Judgement 72|Judgement 72]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 10 Thrones || Rewarding to Lynn following [[#Judgement 37|Judgement 37]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 2 Thrones, 4 Crowns || Rewarding to Goran Sokolov Zaytsev following [[#Judgement 7|Judgement 7]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 7 Thrones || Rewarding to Tiana i Zaydan i Riqueza following [[#Judgement 97|Judgement 97]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 28 Thrones || Rewarding to Estella Lucati di Sarvos following [[#Judgement 111|Judgement 111]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Income'' || 4 Crowns || Donation by Präst Tlaloc of the [[Sumaah Republic]].
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 1 Ring || Rewarding to Cesare Enzo di Trivento following [[#Judgement 99|Judgement 99]] being upheld.
|-
| ''Income'' || 3 Rings || Donation by the Secretary General of the Civil Service from the sale of writing implements<sup>[[#1|(1)]]</sup>.
|-
| ''Closing Value'' || 26 Thrones, 2 Rings ||
|}

<small>
#{{anchor|1}} A further four to eight crowns were due to be donated to the Fund, but were stolen from the Hub at some point on Saturday evening.
</small>

==Doses of True Liao==

Six doses of [[Liao#True Liao|True Liao]] were disbursed this summit:
* One dose in connection to the [[Lepidean Librarian|Lepidean University]] to Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra via [[#Judgement 8|Judgement 8]]
* One dose to Naomi of Felix's Watch by purchase in the [[Public auction|Public Auction]]
* One dose to Tiberius Stormspire Cascade by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Dr Tiberius Ankarien of the Hospital by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Bridget Talbot of House de Coeurdefer by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose provided by [[Sumaah Republic|Sumaah]] to the [[Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic|Ambassador]], Jarrigk Orzel, who presented it to Leif Dreambinder

==Considerations==
The following considerations should be borne in mind when bringing judgements before the Imperial Synod during the Summer Solstice.
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that prioritise the greater good over personal loyalties are less effective. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that try to compel Loyalty will fail. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Revocations and Excommunications for disloyalty to the nation or Empire would risk causing dissent. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Any mandate that does not pass with a greater majority will have limited or no effect on Urizen or Varushka. It is not impossible that a mandate might lead to a response in one of the two nations, but it won't lead to any immediate consequences for the people of the nation. This lasts until some new turn of events changes things. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Urizen_Assembly|Urizen Link]]. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Varushkan_Assembly|Varushka Link]].

* '''Partner of Greatness:''' The National Assembly of Highguard can submit alternate mandates to mandates presented in any National Assembly. The National Assemblies of Urizen, The League, and Varushka are able to submit alternate mandates to those presented to the Highborn National Assembly. Lasts until the the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE. [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Link]]
* '''A Peerless Kinship:''' The Highborn National Assembly can pass a statement of principle to call on their nation to support Dawn, Imperial Orcs, the Marches, Wintermark, or Varushka. Lasts until the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE. [[Rings_and_crowns#Kinship_and_Greatness|Link]]

The Semmerlak

2023-08-04T17:49:27Z

Cyph: /* Ladies of the Semmerlak */ formatting

<div style="float:left; width: 500px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Semmerlak.png|title=A great freshwater lake with hidden depths|caption=The Semmerlak and environs.|align=left|width=500}}</div>
==Overview==
The Semmerlak is a great freshwater lake bordered by [[Dawn]] ([[Semmerholm]] and [[Weirwater]]), [[Varushka]] ([[Karov]] and [[Karsk]]), [[the League]] territory of [[Holberg]] and by the [[Druj]] lands of [[the Mallum]]. Rivers rise in Varushka, and in Ulvenholm, and flow down into the basin; a navigable river flows south along the borders of Holberg towards the distant Barren Sea in [[the Barrens]]. While it is believed to be navigable, the presence of hostile orc forces means only the bravest captains are prepared to risk the journey. The lake is shallow around the shore, but drops off very sharply. It is surprisingly cold, and in winter it regularly freezes in great chunks - though rarely does it freeze completely and the ice is treacherous and breaks easily under the weight of an armoured human.

Dawnish [[Earl#Enchanters|enchanters]] know that there are several places around the southern and western shores where [[regio]] connected to the Summer realm can be found. They tend to be within a stone's throw of the lake, or even within the water itself - there is at least one regio in Weirwater that exists entirely in shallow water and is said to be inhabited by comely youths who leave their magical realm when the moon is full to frolic in the shallow water. The nymphs are friendly to those who approach them with respect, but are capable of creating armour and weapons of sparkling water to defend themselves from anyone who addresses them rudely.

==Folklore==
It has always been a little more unpredictable than it should be as a lake - prone to storms and odd tides. Islands appear and disappear from time to time. Seabirds avoid crossing it from north to south or east to west. There are several stories of fat fish pulled from the depths that speak in human tongues, promising riches or hidden secrets; stories of poached salmon that when cut open are discovered to contain magical rings or odd metal coins.
===Sedaret===
A legend from Weirwater suggests that the lake has expanded at least once since the foundation of Dawn. it claims that there was once land to the east of [[Weirwater#Culwich|Culwich]], ruled by the [[Earl]] of Sedaret. Long ago the last Earl of Sedaret pursued a crusade against several [[weaver cabal|cabals of weavers]] who refused to recognise her authority. At the height of a great banquet, thrown by the Earl to celebrate her apparent victory over the weavers, a great bell began to toll and the castle and its surrounding village was drowned beneath great waves and unrelenting rain. It is said by the people of Culwich that on Winter nights of the new moon when the sky is clear one can still hear bells ringing in the depths of the great lake, and see lights that are said to be those of the drowned Earl and her noble household, still celebrating in the depths.

===Ladies of the Semmerlak===
The waters of the Semmerlak are deceptively calm, but there is something terrible beneath their surface. The Varushkans call her [[Dho'uala]], as [[Zoria]] did, but she has many names. While the waters teem with fish, sailors in along the shores of the lake in Karov, Karsk, and Ossium say that the lake exacts a dangerous price from any who take its bounty for granted. Dho'Uala is a [[Varushkan_Monster#Sovereigns|sovereign]], who claims the entire lake and the rivers that feed into and flow from it.

Some Dawnish scoff at these tales, claiming no such horror exists in their lake... but even they cannot deny that sailors, fisherfolk, and beachcombers sometimes go missing. They tell their own tales of the Semmerlak, and of the [[Dho%27uala#The_Lady_of_the_Semmerlak|Lady]] they say lives on a mist-shrouded magical island somewhere off the coast of Semmerholm or Weirwater. She is not terrible, but powerful and proud, a golden creature of the Summer Realm who offers boons, especially to those who have been wronged by those they should have been able to trust.

===The Golden Causeway===
Just outside Lacre in [[#Lacuve|Lacuve]] stands the white granite arch of the [[Semmerholm#The_Golden_Causeway|Golden Causeway]]. Completed shortly before the Summer Solstice 382YE, the arch was built as part of an [[opportunity]] provided by the Lady of the Semmerlak (the Summer Lady, not the Lady of the Deeps). A second arch stands on the [[Ossium#Bittershore|Bittershore]] in Ossium. When correctly activated, an impossible golden bridge connects the two arches, wide enough for armies to march across. The causeway has only been used once, to initiate the [[382YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#In_The_End_.28The_Mallum.29|invasion]] of the then Druj-dominated territory.

===Rafts of the Mallum===
To the east of the Semmerlak lies [[Ossium]] - now Varushka, one claimed by the Druj. In the reign of [[Empress Varkula]] they attacked across the Semmerlak in a fleet of weirwood rafts. While they were driven back, they did extensive damage to the Dawnish territory before they were defeated. There has been no repeat of that attack - but from time to time opportunistic Druj will raid the shores of the Semmerlak looking to spread chaos and discord.

The Druj are poor sailors, however - their boats are crude and they seem to have little respect for the lake. It is rare to see more than one or two of these raids in a ten-year period.

==Further Reading==
* [[Dho'uala]]
* [[Underwater sunshine]] - Spring 385YE Wind of Fortune dealing with the wakening of Dho'ula.

[[Category:Dawn]] [[Category:Varushka]] [[Category:The League]]
[[Category:Gazetteer]]

Murder of Crows

2023-07-24T22:43:16Z

Cyph: spelling & link correction

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:385YE Summer]][[Category:Recent History]]
<ic>"Dogri - look out!" Alerted by the warning, Dogri Thulebane spun on his heel, just in time to see the Thule's sword come sweeping towards him. He raised his arm to fend off the blow, but it was too late and the weapon caught him full in the chest. "Aargh" he shouted, and tumbled to the ground.

"You're dead!" proclaimed the jubilant Thule warrior, waving his sword in the air. "We're the winners!"

He stared up at the Thule, his face a mix of anger and resentment, partly fuelled by the wicked bruise he could feel developing on his ribs. Towering over him, the victorious Thule warrior stretched out his other hand towards his defeated rival.

"C'mon" he said "It's my turn to be Dogri now!"

Somewhat reluctantly, Reet took his older brother's hand and let himself be pulled back to his feet. "You're too tall to be Dogri." he groused and went back to his real grumble. "And anyway, you're always Dogri, it's not fair." Around them the other children had stopped fighting, now that they realised Dogri was beaten.

"Well you shouldn't let the Thule sneak up on you!" Ceorl retorted laughing and waving his sword, a short willow stick, around in the air. But he was already turning his back on Reet. The battle was over, Dogri had lost. The rules were the rules.

"I won!" he shouted at the others. "So it's my turn to be Dogri now.... so someone needs to be the Thule Dragon?...."

There was a chorus of moans from the others. It was the same old problem, someone had to be the Thule... you couldn't be the Thulebane without any Thule...</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 500px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Three and One.jpg|align=left|caption=Three people, three questions, three answers.|width=500}}</div>
==Overview==
At the previous summit, the priests and [[stormcrow|stormcrows]] of [[Wintermark]] passed a set of three [[judgement|judgements]] that bear down on what it means to be Winterfolk. The most contentious of these was one by '''Cynerik''' calling for a [[Varushka|Varushkan]] [[senator]] to be interred in the [[Kallavesa#Kallavesa Marshes|Kallavesa marshes]]. '''Eevi of the Gadrai''' submitted a judgement citing the inspiration provided by ''Dogri Thulebane''. 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.

<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{SOPInner|statement=Recognising the loyalty shown to Wintermark, and to her values of building bonds between nations, we, the priests of Wintermark, celebrate the virtue and heroism of Yulia Kasimiova Voronov, named "Hunger's Folly", by allowing her a place to sleep within the sacred marshes of Sovevann. As senator for Miekarova, Yulia courageously sacrificed her homeland, to enable Wintermark to take the steps needed to reclaim Sermersuaq. This act of heroism was instrumental to our victory to once again unify Wintermark. The Varushkan people and egregores recognise our traditions, and have approved of this act. The egregores of Wintermark approved of the naming of Yulia, and welcome her interment into the marshes of Kallavesa. They have made clear that this is not an action that Wintermark takes lightly, and as such something like this will never happen again.|by=Cynerik, Wintermark National Assembly|vote=Greater Majority 369-0|when=Spring Equinox 385YE}}</div>

==Courage==
* '''Yulia Kasimiova Voronov, fought her own nation to support the alliance with the Thule that helped to free Sermersuaq from the Jotun'''
* '''Cynerik has called for her body to be interred in the marshes of Kallavesa, a unique honour that has never been accorded to anyone who is not of the Mark'''
In Winter 383YE, the [[An_unexpected_alignment#The_Offer|Thule approached the Empire with an unusual offer]] - their armies were all full strength and itching for a fight. They were prepared to unleash them against the Jotun in occupied [[Sermersuaq]], but in return they wanted land. They were prepared to match the Empire's numbers, with up to three armies, if the Empire ceded regions in [[Skarsind]] and Varushka to them, one for each army they would send.

It was an expensive trade and a contentious one. It offered the tantalising prospect for Wintermark to free Sermersuaq which laboured under Jotun rule, but it required their neighbours to pay the price. There were many who spoke out in support of Wintermark, including the highly experienced [[Ambassador to Otkodov]], '''Yevgeni Katzev''', but one voice spoke loudest of all - '''Yulia Kasimiova Voronov''', Senator for [[Miekarova]]. On the floor of the [[Imperial Senate|Senate]] she spoke passionately of the need to support Wintermark in its hour of need, and for each nation to sacrifice for the good of the Empire. Her passionate words moved the audience. The vote was carried, the alliance formed, the invasion unleashed and, ultimately, Sermersuaq was freed.

Few could deny that Yulia Kasimiova Voronov [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Skein|forked her skein]] that fateful day. In the view of many the [[mystic|mystics]], her act of extraordinary [[heroism]] saved a nation, and damned herself in the process. Yulia, Yevgeni, '''Vesna "Sparrow" Borkova''', '''Marya Zoranova Doubek''', '''Vuk the Wolfeater''', and others were summoned to answer for their actions before a council of Varushkan [[boyar|boyars]] and [[Wise One|wise ones]]. Words fell like weapons upon them, demanding that they change course. But cold cannot compromise, and Yulia refused to bend to the iron will of her fellow Varushkans.

To Wintermark eyes, the Iron-hearted Varushkans condemned her for aiding them. Their Assembly [[383YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_113|revoked her]], citing disloyalty and blaming her for allowing the Jotun to be enslaved by the [[Thule]]. They lacked the power to drive her from the nation but they called on everyone to refuse her [[Varushka_culture_and_customs#Hospitality|hospitality]], a death sentence in the dangerous wilderness of Varushka. [[Inquisition|Inquisitions]] followed for all those involved, but they could not fault her [[Courage]] or her [[Loyalty]]. She was eventually raised to the Senate as [[Conscience of the Senate|Conscience]], by the [[Cardinal of the Way]], but she never held power in Varushka again. She died, as she lived, still fighting for the Empire on the battlefields of [[Zenith]].

It's abundantly clear to Winterfolk who hear her story that Yulia was an astonishing individual. It's one thing to stand firm in the face of a Jotun war host bearing down on you, that takes huge Courage there is no doubt. But to stand up for what you know is right, when all your kin and countryfolk are baying for your blood, calling you a traitor, and trying to have you driven from your home? That kind of Courage is seen very, very rarely.

But to inter her in the marshes at Kallavesa? That kind of honour has ''never'' been offered to anyone who was not a part of Wintermark. The judgement cites the approval of the [[egregore|egregores]], but they are keen to stress that their actual advice was considerably more nuanced than the terms of the judgement imply. Yulia's singular Courage deserves to be recognised, that much is clear... but the marshes are more than just mud and waist-deep water. Who knows how they would respond to a soul they did not recognise as one of their own? What if the action angers the spirits in [[Kallavesa#The_Sovevann|Sovevann]] in some way?

[[Wisdom]] is not always knowing the answer; Wisdom is finding the right question. Wise old owls urge delay. Rudimentary magic can preserve the body for a little while longer, if it gives the crows a chance to consider if this is definitely the best way to proceed. It may be that it is... and if it is then it is all the better for some consideration. If it isn't then perhaps another way to honour Yulia can be found.
===Write Her Name===
* '''The Wintermark Assembly could add Yulia's name to the [[Heroism#Chronicle_of_Heroism|Chronicle of Heroism]]'''
Even those who argue that Wintermark cannot put a Varushkan soul into the Sovevann are not against the idea of honouring her name. However they point out that Wintermark already has a way to honour Yulia, a mechanism that doesn't involve overturning traditions that have not changed for the best part of five centuries. The Wintermark Assembly could write Yulia's name in the [[Heroism#Chronicle_of_Heroism|Chronicle of Heroism]].

This important text was created precisely for this purpose - to recognise heroism, to record it, and to spread the tale of it across Wintermark. Nobody would question Yulia's right to have her name in that book alongside the other heroes of the Mark. And it could be done simply and easily and without fuss. A statement of principle in the Wintermark Assembly, extolling Yulia's deeds and asking for her name to be added to the book. Given the nature of her personal sacrifice, the mystics are unanimous that taking this route would lead to an [[opportunity]] of some kind, but they caution that any good fortune it throws up is unlikely to please the Varushkans.
===Proceed As Planned===
* '''The Wintermark Assembly could proceed as planned and and use a mandate to instruct a priest to inter Yulia's body in the marshes of the Sovevann'''
* '''It is not clear how the marshes will respond to the arrival of a foreign soul, those who tend the waters advise caution'''
* '''The nation could adopt Yulia Kasimiova Voronov as one of their own'''
When they hear Yulia's story many people are content that she should be interred in the marshes. On the face of it, she appears to have been one of the most extraordinary heroes of the age. What are the marshes for, if not to serve as a fitting resting place for heroes? The Assembly could use a [[mandate]] to proceed as planned.
{{Mandate|mandate=Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete. We don't know what fate might befall us if Yulia Kasimiova Voronov enters the Sovevann, but we are not cowed by that uncertainty. We send {named priest} with a single dose of liao to inter her body alongside those of Wintermark's greatest heroes|assembly=Wintermark National Assembly}}
It is not clear what will happen if the Assembly go ahead with their plans, there are those who openly worry that her spirit will not rest easily there. Or that the other spirits will become restless, their long slumber stirred by this intrusion. If it does go ahead, then naming a priest in the mandate is important they argue. Someone will have to place the body in the marshes, but if this goes badly, then it would be well that everyone knows that that individual acted with the support of the Wintermark Assembly and was not acting alone.

There might be another a way to grant Yulia the honour of the Sovevann without courting disaster. The Varushkan Assembly denounced Yulia and urged the nation to turn her out. Could she not join Wintermark? True she is dead, and that might present a problem, but the mystics, [[icewalker|icewalkers]], and [[runesmith|runesmiths]] could penetrate the barrier between life and death and have her speak to the egregores to learn if they would have accepted her. Or perhaps those who knew her best might speak of whether she would have welcomed such an honour. If the [[scop|scops]] had given her a [[Wintermark_hearth_magic#Names|name]] and the egregores had accepted her into Wintermark, then the Sovevann would surely welcome her spirit home.

===Recognise Her ===
* '''She could be recognised as an exemplar of Courage or Loyalty'''
Interring Yulia's body in the marshes of the Sovevann is the traditional Wintermark way recognise when a hero passes. But it is not the way the Empire recognises the most virtuous among them. Those whose lives are considered to be an inspiration to others are identified as such by the virtue assembly with which they are most associated, who [[recognise]] them as an Exemplar. Doing so would immortalise Yulia's name, not just in Wintermark, but across the Empire. Her deeds would endure as legends to inspire generations to come.

The Wintermark Assembly cannot do this themselves. It is not within the power of the Assembly to recognise an Exemplar - only a virtue assembly or the General Assembly can submit the necessary judgement of [[recognition]]. But they could identify the single Virtue she most exemplified and canvas the relevant virtue assembly to pass a judgement of recognition. It would take a lot of effort on the part of the priests and the stormcrows, It would need a greater majority, but if they were ultimately successful, it would carry her name far and wide.

===Compatible Choices===
* '''All of these choices are compatible, the Wintermark Assembly could pursue, one, two or all three of the options laid out above'''
There is no practical reason why the Wintermark Assembly could not pursue any or all of the options presented. Regardless of what happens to Yulia's body, her name could be written in the Chronicle of Heroism, and neither of those choices would prevent the Assembly seeking to have her recognised as an Exemplar of Virtue.

<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{SOPInner|statement=Thane Dogri Thulebane was a hero of Wintermark and his name shall be in the Chronicles of Heroes. He fought uncompromisingly to drive the Thule out of Skarsind and defended Crows Ridge from them. He died protecting his people, fighting the Grendel in service to the Empire a hero's death. Every action he took was motivated by his unwavering Loyalty to our nation and our people. He inspired many people in the mark and he serves as an example of what Pride, Courage, and Loyalty looks like.|by=Eevi of the Gadrai, Wintermark National Assembly|vote=Greater Majority 276-13|when=Spring Equinox 385YE}}</div>

==Loyal To A Fault==
* '''The legend of Dogri Thulebane has not diminished in the years since his death'''
* '''He is already interred in the Sovevann and written in the Chronicle, but he could be recognised as an exemplar'''
* '''Doing so would ensure his resistance to the Empire became an inspiration to the Wintermark for generations to come'''
In 379YE, the Empire took the unprecedented decision to take [[Skarsind]] from Wintermark and give it to the [[Imperial Orcs]]. It required extraordinary efforts, and ultimately resulted in the creation of [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Relinquishment|new powers]] for the [[Imperial Senate]]. Although many in Wintermark supported the decision in principle, and began the long and painful efforts to relocate, one man - one hero - refused to leave. Dogri Thulebane simply refused to acknowledge the right of the Imperial Senate to give away his home. He [[Falcon_in_winter|collapsed the passes]] and declared that ''"Crows Ridge is part of Wintermark, it is ours, stay out. We will maintain the traditions of Skarsind here''."

The [[381YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Wolf_in_the_Fold_.28Skarsind.29|story]] of what happened next is well known. The Empire refused to accept this act of open rebellion and sent a cruel Varushkan army, the [[Iron Helms]] to drag Dogri to [[Anvil]] to face justice. There was uproar about the choice - the Iron Helms are notorious for their use of dogs to tear their enemies' throats out - and for displaying the bodies of their defeated foes on spikes. But it appears on this occasion they restrained themselves, perhaps realising that if they didn't they might not make it out Skarsind in one piece.

Dogri's trial was a formality, the facts were never in any doubt, and like [[Isaella]] he never denied what he had done. He was condemned to death. Before he could be executed, he travelled with his fellow Wintermarkers on one final journey, going through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to face the Mark's enemies in battle. He found his end there, preferring to [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#The_good_death|die a hero]], and be spared the ignominy of an execution. His body is widely believed to have been interred in the Sovevann, where presumably his spirit rests to this day.

To be an exemplar one's deeds must inspire others. The tale of Dogri Thulebane's life has not been diminished by the years and now his name has been added to the Chronicle of Heroism, where it arguably should have been all along. But like with Yulia, more could be done.

===An Inspiration To The Mark===
* '''The Imperial Synod could declare Dogri Thulebane to be an exemplar'''
* '''It would require a judgement of recognition by the appropriate virtue assembly'''
* '''If this happens, then Wintermarkers will be inspired by Dogri's example and will never again cede their land without a fight'''
As with Yulia, the Empire could recognise the extraordinary life of Dogri Thulebane and recognise him as an exemplar. The Wintermark Assembly cannot do this by themselves - only a virtue assembly or the General Assembly can submit the necessary judgement of [[recognition]]. But they could identify the single Virtue he most exemplified and implore the relevant virtue assembly to pass a judgement of recognition. That requires a [[greater majority]] - it needs overwhelming support to recognise someone as an inspirational figure - and would need to be confirmed by the General Assembly.

If that happened, then it would ensure that Dogri's legend continued to grow and inspire future generations. Although Dogri faced prosecution for his crimes, it would remind every Wintermarker of the founding axiom of the nation - that the storm can never break us. Those who do what they know to be right, risk death and condemnation, but in doing so they become heroes and their names live on forever.

Dogri Thulebane would need to be recognised by a single virtue assembly, but the people most inspired by his deeds will always be the Wintermarkers. They will never forget that the Empire may issue edicts demanding sacrifice, but they cannot compel it. They can take away your lands, but they cannot take away your name. They can send an army to defeat you, but they will never break you if you stay true to what you believe.

If Dogri Thulebane is recognised as an exemplar by the Imperial Synod then the inspiration he brings will ensure that no Wintermark region or [[territory]] could ever be taken or given away by the Empire without a fight. If that happened at any point during the next decade, the Wintermark people would rise up, and defend what was theirs, just as Dogri Thulebane did.
===An Inspiration To The Empire===
* '''If a virtue assembly declare Dogri to be an exemplar they could create an inspirational tomb to his memory in the Sovevann'''
* '''It would require a suitable mandate and a dose of true liao'''

If the Pride, the Courage or the Loyalty Assembly recognise Dogri Thulebane as an exemplar of their virtue then they could go further.. That Assembly could endorse a priest (presumably a Wintermarker) to enact a [[mandate]] creating an [[Inspirational_location#Memorials|Inspirational Tomb]] for Dogri in the Sovevann. There is already one true aura there, but the marshes are vast and it would present no problem to create a second. To do so would require the Assembly to pass a suitable mandate after they had recognised Dogri as an exemplar.
{{Mandate|mandate=Dogri Thulebane knew his heart and what commanded its devotion above all else. We send {named priest} with one dose of true liao to take his inspirational story to every Loyal citizen of the Empire. Let all who hear his story despise treachery and remember that the truly virtuous are loyal even through hardship and misfortune.|assembly=Loyalty Assembly}}
This mandate is for the Loyalty Assembly, but the Pride or Courage (the other virtues Dogri was known for) could submit alternative mandates in keeping with their teachings. If this mandate is enacted, it will ensure a constant stream of visitors to the Sovevann from across the Empire, and even beyond. People will come to experience the aura and gaze on the final resting place of Dogri Thulebane and be inspired by his life. If that happens, then no Imperial region or territory could ever be taken or given away by the Empire without a fight for the next five years. If the Empire tried to give away land claimed by Imperial citizens, then a charismatic figure, just like Dogri, would certainly emerge ready to lead people in armed opposition.

The Synod could only have this effect if they had declared Dogri to be an exemplar first, otherwise the consecration would have no additional effect.

===A Terror To The Thule===
* '''The Wintermark Assembly could create a sacred site in the hills of Crows Ridge'''
* '''It would require a suitable mandate and a dose of true liao'''

There is another, more contentious choice that could be made - even if virtue assemblies refuse to recognise Dogri as an exemplar. Dogri may be interred in Kallavesa, but he gave up his life to fight for his home in Crows Ridge in the mountains of Skarsind. The same mountains that the Empire subsequently gave to Dogri's hated enemies, the Thule. Normally it is not possible for a national assembly to create an inspiring memorial, it needs to be done by a virtue assembly. But like [[Sulemaine]], Dogri Thulebane is a uniquely national figure and his life and legend could be used to inspire Wintermark with this mandate.

{{Mandate|mandate= Do not fear to act; only be shamed by inaction. We send {named priest} with one dose of true liao to consecrate an inspirational Memorial in Crows Ridge. Rise up, take up arms, just as Dogri did - we will all become the bane of the Thule.|assembly=Wintermark National Assembly}}

If this mandate is enacted, it will cause a popular uprising across Wintermark as hot-headed young heroes are inspired by the life of Dogri Thulebane. They will take up weapons, and launch an attack on Crows Ridge in Skarsind and the Silver Peaks in Sermersuaq. These regions are fortified, and the attacks will fail... unless they get the support of Imperial armies or a huge number of military units.

Such an act with shatter good relations with the Thule and provoke war if it is successful and a demand for reparations if it is not. You would have to be sired by a storm itself to consider it.

<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{SOPInner|statement= A hero seeks a worthy cause. We call upon the heroes of Wintermark to bring all their strengths to bear against the Jotun, knowing that true strength comes from virtue, not the endless pursuit of war.|by=Ingrid Seiging, Wintermark National Assembly|vote=Greater Majority 284-13|when=Spring Equinox 385YE}}</div>

==The Meaning of Honour==
* '''Wintermark has deliberately fought the Jotun in ways that minimise casualties on both sides'''
* '''Some have criticised this decision, claiming that fighting honourably, is the Jotun way, not the Wintermark way'''
* '''Wintermark could abandon this approach and bring all their strengths to bear against the Jotun'''

Since 381YE the Wintermark armies have deliberately held back in their war with the Jotun. They have not shied away from the fight, they have taken the conflict to the Jotun at every opportunity. But they fought every battle in ways designed to minimise the casualties on either side. This decisions has saved countless lives on both sides of the war... but arguably it has prolonged the conflict, causing it to stretch from one season to the next. The Jarl of [[Skallahn#Keirheim|Keirheim]] has even been clear that the war between the Jotun and the Empire cannot end, while any Jotun who bear the shame of their failure in [[Mournwold]] still live.

The Jotun cannot fail to have noticed Wintermark's strategy, and there have been some indications that they have responded in kind. However there is no clear sign that it has not yet brought peace between the two people any closer. The war threatens to rumble on forever - the Jotun seem content to fight with the Empire 'til the last of them is gone - but many in Wintermark had hopes that peaceful days might come again.

Part of what may have prevented a wider rapprochement with the Jotun is the fact that many other nations have not been so restrained. The [[Navarr]] have seized every opportunity to slaughter the Jotun and just this last season, the [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] employed powerful [[winter magic|winter magics]] not to take [[territory]], but to maximise the number of Jotun they could kill. To respond to the shortcomings of their allies, the Wintermark Assembly gave their generals the ability to "Fight with Honour". This unique order ensures that any army on campaign with Wintermark is prevented from issuing orders to '''plunder''', '''cut them down''' or carry out a '''merciless assault'''. The controversial order has only been used three times since then, twice by the [[Bloodcloaks]] and one by the [[Fist of the Mountains]]. The first time was after the 382YE Winter Solstice, but it was employed again this season.

It is not clear what Ingrid Seiging intended with her statement. Wintermark is already bringing all their strength against the Jotun - but a number of priests who have read the statement have taken it as an indication that the time has come to stop dancing to the Jotun's tune. The idea of "honour" is a Jotun one they say, Wintermark's ideal is heroism not honour. Wintermark's armies should abandon the approach they have used so far - they should stop fighting with honour, stop letting the Jotun recover their wounded. They should fight to win, just as other Imperial armies do. There is no sign of peace on the horizon, so why not act to bring this conflict to an end quickly? The way to stop this endless war is to kill the Jotun.

Other folk disagree - the Jotun concept of honour is very specific to them, not unlike the Freeborn ideal of [[honesty]]. They argue that heroism encompasses all these ideals, [[Dawn|Dawnish]] notions of love and [[glory]], a Freeborn commitment to honesty, a Jotun determination to act honourably. It makes no sense for the Wintermark to abandon their honour, simply because the Jotun use that word in a certain way. Can you have heroism without honour? What would a dishonourable hero look like?

Perhaps more prosaically, a third group points out that Wintermark have spent years committing themselves to fight in this way. If it has built up any goodwill with the Jotun, as some of the signs suggest, then it would be madness to abandon that now. While it's true that the Jotun show no sign of ending this war, dropping their commitment to oppose their ancient enemies as honourable heroes of the Mark would mean that any goodwill that has been bought would be lost.

If Wintermark has finally decided that it is done with "honourable" fighting, and done with holding back against the Jotun, they could abandon their current commitments with a mandate.

{{Mandate|mandate=A hero's tale ends with a good death. We send {named priest} with 75 doses of liao to tell every Wintermark hero that it is long past time we finished this war with the Jotun. Let us put aside notions of honour on the battlefield and give the Jotun the good death they crave as quickly as possible.|assembly=Wintermark National Assembly}}

If this mandate were enacted, Wintermark [[general|generals]] would lose the ability to issue orders to "fight with honour". In addition, Wintermarks' armies would take a more ruthless approach in battle, preventing the Jotun from rescuing their wounded and looking to kill as many of the enemy as possible. They would lose the current benefits that Wintermark armies have that allows them to take extra territory but at the cost of causing far less casualties. The war between Wintermark and the Jotun would shift, their strategy would mirror that of their Imperial allies. They would kill more Jotun in battle and perhaps that might end the war sooner.

The Jotun would be aware of the change. If Wintermark's armies have built any rapport with the Jotun with the current approach, this change of strategy would cast that aside in favour of maximising the cost to the Jotun to keep fighting.

385YE Spring Equinox Synod judgements

2023-06-16T15:53:55Z

Cyph: Spellings across several sections

[[Category: Synod]] [[Category:Synod Results]] [[Category: Synod Judgements]] [[Category: 385YE Spring]]
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Synod_Spring_385.jpg|caption=The [[Imperial Synod]] watches over and represents the concerns of the virtuous citizens of the Empire.|align=right|width=500}}</div>
==Overview==
During the Spring Equinox 385YE Summit, the [[Imperial Synod]] raised 186 [[judgement|judgements]].
==Considerations==
The following considerations should be borne in mind when bringing judgements before the Imperial Synod during the Spring Equinox.
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that prioritise the greater good over personal loyalties are less effective. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that try to compel Loyalty will fail. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Revocations and Excommunications for disloyalty to the nation or Empire would risk causing dissent. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Any mandate that does not pass with a greater majority will have limited or no effect on Urizen or Varushka. It is not impossible that a mandate might lead to a response in one of the two nations, but it won't lead to any immediate consequences for the people of the nation. This lasts until some new turn of events changes things. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Urizen_Assembly|Urizen Link]]. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Varushkan_Assembly|Varushka Link]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' No statement of principle that is about Sulemaine i Taziel will lead to a mandate. Lasts until at least the end of the Winter Solstice 384YE and potentially longer. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Urizen_Assembly|Link]].
* '''Highguard and Navarr Assemblies:''' Statements of principle in either assembly that receive a greater majority may create opportunities in the other assembly. Lasts until the end of the Autumn Equinox 385YE [[The_bones_of_what_you_believe#We_Will_All_Be_There_Tomorrow|Link]].
__TOC__
==Change of Doctrine==
No [[Change of doctrine]] was proposed during the Spring Equinox.
==Veto==
One [[veto]] was sought during the Spring Equinox.
===Judgement 171===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Hywel Summer Crow
* '''Judgement:''' I call upon the General Assembly to veto the "Gardens of Glory" motion proposed by Tassato and seconded by Astolat. The Gardens will provide liao to a group known to contain many dedicated to the false virtue of Anarchy, and I believe the risks of enabling anarchy cultists to spread false virtue outweighs by far the benefits of the Empire; a handful of liao each season.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (1691-305) as it failed to achieve the necessary Greater Majority

==Statement of Principle==
===Judgement 5===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Able, Zenith Ascendant
* '''Judgement:''' In the winter of 384YE our nation demonstrated our dedication to the restoration of Zenith to the Empire by constructing the Crucible of Fate in Iteri in a single season but we can climb higher still. I call upon the faithful of Urizen to Witness the Consecration of the Crucible of Fate to the virtue of Prosperity - to remind all who work there, and all who live in Zenith that no reward is beyond our reach if we strive for it. The Urizen national assembly calls upon the faithful to gather in Morrow and witness the consecration of the tomb of Sulemaine I Taziel to Wisdom by Herminius of the House of the Wanderer before proceeding together to Zenith to Iteri to witness the consecration of the Crucible of Fate to Prosperity by Bartimaeus of Zenith Ascendant.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (353-10)

===Judgement 7===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Father Drakov
* '''Judgement:''' General Assembly reminded us (J82 Winter 384) "No virtuous action should be discarded because you find the consequences inconvenient." Exemplars are usually recognised after their death, however, when discussing Recognition (J14 Winter 384) the Pride Assembly stated "we have nothing to gain by dragging our feet in such matters." Any living exemplar could inspire without the ambiguity of history confusing their words or message. I call on the Synod to set aside its fears of living exemplars. Let us recognise and uplift our virtuous fellows, acknowledging their deeds and virtue when they meet the signs of an Exemplar.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1185-738)
===Judgement 9===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' On behalf of the hakima of the Brass Coast. The statement of the Freeborn National Assembly in Winter 384YE debased the legacy of the Founders of the Brass Coast. We will always welcome newcomers to our shores. But inviting the Freefolk to join our nation without demonstrating alignment with our ideals and taking the name of the Three Sisters disrespects our culture and is a gross oversight by the Assembly. Tradition exists for a reason - the Assembly should respect this and remember to seek the guidance and wisdom of the hakima before making such sweeping statements.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld, Withdrawn (44-92)
===Judgement 12===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Elagabala
* '''Judgement:''' Despite the tireless and virtuous work of Fintan Nighthaven, Hate still flourishes in the Barrens and in our warriors there. Despite a mandate to oppose false virtue, false virtue stands. The Synod's tools are not fit for the modern Anvil or the modern Empire. The Synod has failed, It is sick. It is dying. It must reform or die.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (364-1044)

===Judgement 13===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Cynerik
* '''Judgement:''' Recognising the loyalty shown to Wintermark, and to her values of building bonds between nations, we, the priests of Wintermark, celebrate the virtue and heroism of Yulia Kasimiova Voronov, named "Hunger's Folly", by allowing her a place to sleep within the sacred marshes of Sovevann. As senator for Miekarova, Yulia courageously sacrificed her homeland, to enable Wintermark to take the steps needed to reclaim Sermersuaq. This act of heroism was instrumental to our victory to once again unify Wintermark. The Varushkan people and egregores recognise our traditions, and have approved of this act. The egregores of Wintermark approved of the naming of Yulia, and welcome her interment into the marshes of Kallavesa. They have made clear that this is not an action that Wintermark takes lightly, and as such something like this will never happen again.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (369-0)

===Judgement 14===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Genoveva Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' The Empire was created to allow all souls to live and die under the banner of the Way of Virtue. During Empress Teleri's reign, Cardinals were members of both the Synod and the Imperial Senate. They were able to be present in Senate, have full voting rights, and could both raise, and second a Senate motion. This was in recognition of the fact that, just as Senators represent a number of Imperial citizens in a territory, so the Cardinals represent the virtuous citizens of their assembly. This power was removed during Varkula's reign, and the Conscience of the Senate created as a political compromise. Recently, Senators have often stated that Synod and the Senate need to work more closely, and at present Synod can only react to Senate's decisions after the fact. We call on the Senate to restore the power to function as full voting members of the Senate to the Cardinals, giving full voice to Virtue in the primary legislative body of the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (879-958)

===Judgement 15===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Rafael Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' When the Free Folk learned of the burning of the Blood Red River Museum, they understood it as an attempt to injure the Empire's Pride. They consider the Empire to have given them the Ambition to be free, the Courage to fight, and the Wisdom to survive. So, they gathered the money they had all earned in an entire season and gave it to help rebuild Tassato's Pride, as the Empire has built theirs. They hope one day to visit the Museum when it is restored to its full majesty and glory, in the spirit of the Sun Queen. And so, we invite the Free Folk to the cities of the League, allowing us to repay this Reckoning. We encourage all League citizens, but especially those of Tassato, to welcome the Free Folk and give them the warmest possible welcome to our great nation's cities.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (436-20)
===Judgement 20===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Travid Longest Path
* '''Judgement:''' Thornsong! To celebrate the construction of Thornsong House in Therunin, the Empire's first potion lore college. We encourage anyone with uncodified potions to donate them to Thornsong House so they can be included in the College's opening ceremonies for research and to celebrate the diversity of the herbal arts. Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete... but Thornsong would be a good start!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1703-233)
===Judgement 26===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Eurybia Melampus di Tassata
* '''Judgement:''' We implore the Synod to endorse the construction of "A Chain Against Chains," a fortification embodying the virtues of Courage, Loyalty, Vigilance, Ambition, and Wisdom to safeguard Sarvos. By embracing the virtues of the Way, we instil strength, unwavering loyalty, planning vigilantly for the defence of our pride and, with this ambitious project for the protection of the livelihood of our people and wise strategies into the heart of Sarvos. This project stands as a testament to our commitment to fortify our city against future Grendel or any other naval invasions, fostering a sense of courage, unity, and watchfulness among our citizens. Let the virtues of the Way guide us in fortifying Sarvos, ensuring its resilience and prosperity and in turn the prosperity of the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (290-18)
===Judgement 28===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Solas, Spire of the Waxing Sun
* '''Judgement:''' True Liao visions are a vital tool in furthering our understanding of virtue and the human spirit. We call on the Gatekeepers to prioritise those who they believe will use a dose for a vision; and encourage those seeking True Liao for other purposes to pursue that which available via the Bourse, Virtue Fund, and Throne.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (689-1283)
===Judgement 30===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Sagua i'Ezmara
* '''Judgement:''' Last season Zenith was a territory ravaged by the Druj, this season the priests of Urizen have the opportunity to forge a new future with the Crucible of Fate. There is much to be Proud of in that statement. As Pride uplifts, it is only right to acknowledge those who have made it happen. Zenith Ascendant has a complete list of those who donated money or materials towards the effort, of particular note is Abel the Taller who not only collected the funds but also led a coven in speeding up construction and acquired a True Liao to consecrate the project! We are also grateful for the hard work and attention to detail of the ''koboldi'' and by extension the generosity of their master Adamant. It will be up to the Urizeni to decide how to consecrate the Crucible of Fate, and I am aware of my bias, but I can't help but think Pride appropriate to what could be an Inspiration to Greatness...
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (175-64)

===Judgement 32===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' The Champions' role is to uplift others; the shields are tools to help them inspire. Fighting is not a requirement, nor should it ever be.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1591-488)

===Judgement 37===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Estella the Wandering Wayfinder
* '''Judgement:''' It is thanks to the ambitious efforts of Regina von Temeschwar and their sect, the Church of the Enduring Flame, that Ratibor is now finally recognised for his exemplary deeds. Regina never saw the final results of her labours as she sadly passed fighting the Vyig, the old enemy of both Ratibor and the League. I, Estella the Wandering Artist and Wayfinder, propose we honour both her and her sect by renaming the courtyard of Ratibor's Tomb to "The Court of Enduring Flame."
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (390-0)
===Judgement 38===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Pius Cleymont
* '''Judgement:''' With the vyig gone, we encourage all citizens of the League to extend the hand of loyalty to those abandoned or left behind by expunging of vyig. Orphans, surviving spouses, legitimate business folk and more. those who played no part in their crimes but suffer regardless. The egregores of our nation hear their heartbeats as strongly as any other League citizen, as so should be aided to take their place in League society and not forced to the margins by crime. Let us re-instil the light of pride in their souls and remind them that they are of the League.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (450-0)

===Judgement 40===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Nathair Autumngale
* '''Judgement:''' In the depths of Brocéliande, adventurers discovered Navarr and Thorn, alive and bound to the vallorn heart. They act as a spike, allowing the trods to drain vitality from the vallorn. Every grey pilgrim walking the trods, Dawnish knight questing against the vallorn, Navarri fulfilling their oaths sworn in ink and blood, every citizen of this Empire. When you work to combat or aid the fight against the vallorn, you are not only removing the foul blight from the world, but your actions are working to free two exemplars of virtue from a thousand year sacrifice they still endure to this day. Let it be known across the Empire. ''Supporting evidence document on hub wall''
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1672-40)
===Judgement 42===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Viuane Knotes
* '''Judgement:''' Last Summit the sepulchre of House de Gauvain in Caer Faucon was raided and ransacked by Dawnish, who perpetrated a murder to do so. We can all agree there was no glory in this act. Those villeins who undertook this did so under girding of Black Knights so as to avoid later identification. This is an abomination and corruption of the purpose of such a girding. Black Knights serve to promote glorious deeds, uplift the actions of others and place the glory of the nation above the glory of the self - anonymity serves them to allow Dawnish the leeway to participate in such free from any constraints due to their role, responsibilities, or household politics. Dawn strongly condemns any who would taint this tradition simply to perform criminal and deeply inglorious actions free from recrimination.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (242-12)

===Judgement 44===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Annacaya
* '''Judgement:''' While we rebuild the roads of Kahraman let us look ever higher. There is no height so great that it cannot be reached with preparation, cooperation, and perseverance - with such Ambition even the Gilded Peak may one day be reached!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (152-0); the Greater Majority for this judgement was 161

===Judgement 45===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Sián Eternal
* '''Judgement:''' 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.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (298-0)

===Judgement 46===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Aspar
* '''Judgement:''' "Consequences are the price of Ambition." If the Synod are to foster acts that encourage false virtues in the name of their Ambition, then they must match that Ambition with Vigilance. Blasphemous auras must be sought out and removed. Heretical preaching must be stamped out and silenced. "Seek out the poison in your neighbour's fields, lest your own crops be blighted." If consequences are the price of Ambition then the Synod must pay the cost.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1592-200)
===Judgement 53===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Rosemary Stamp
* '''Judgement:''' Seeks recognition of the loyalty of General Amberlain, the Strong Reeds, and every Army, military unit, and soldier who took part in the return of Bregasland to the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (140-14)
===Judgement 54===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Cecilia
* '''Judgement:''' The Hounds of Glory are dead, and we will never forget them. We are proud of every step they took, every choice they made; and we are proud as well of every General and every army who marched with them through the Barrens to the Towers of Dusk. Virtue does not lay blame, or stoop to pulling others down. We know that as Spring turns to Summer, so will The Barrens come to the Empire, because of what the Hounds have done; and because of what every other army there can now do, in strength and in determination, with perfect arete, in glorious purpose. Where they have sown fear we will make flowers grow. They will come back, and see them bloom.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (208-26)

===Judgement 57===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Geoffrey Orchard
* '''Judgement:''' The Whisper Gallery declare themselves at war against the Empire. Those who assist them are foes for the Vigilant to root out. Threshers, set to and harvest this field of sorcerers and assassins! Your clergy will be ready with shriving, clemency, and recognition once the reaping is done. Let us be as watchful in our vigil as Vardas, as decisive in our action as Berechiah.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (166-0)

===Judgement 58===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Kennett the Mummer
* '''Judgement:''' The Synod has embraced a campaign of Freedom in supporting the Liberty Pact (Jgmt 103 ss384, Jgmt 6 ss 384 Jgmt 20 SE 384). The Synod refuses to acknowledge the truth of this when given the chance (jgmt 3 WE 384). The Synod's hypocrisy on this matter is blatant. If we can't own up to the False Virtue we've committed to and work from there, why should any citizen listen to their priests? We have fought in Freedom's name, we must reckon with that.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (299-1301)

===Judgement 59===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Tiana i Zayden i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' The Highborn assembly are offering their help, through peerless kinship, to the Brass Coast. They may not direct this help, but we can. We ask the people of Highguard to help us save Kahraman from the Jotun. Please don't let it fall, and if it falls, please stand beside us as we take it back.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (184-0)

===Judgement 60===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Martin Orchard
* '''Judgement:''' Next season, I shall consecrate the tomb of the exemplar. Major Benson, using True Liao. The Grave-orchard at Pickham Monastery, Upwold, shall become a lasting memorial. Benson was a sentry who rang a dire warning. He was a father in name and deed to generations of monks. He built his legacy not with legend and miracle, but brick by brick to defend what he loved. We can all be Major Benson. The Exemplars are defined by their capacity to Inspire. Come, pilgrims! Witness his memorial!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1787-20)

===Judgement 67===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Ivana Petara Vodjavic
* '''Judgement:''' From barbarian lands our Corsairs, Wagon Raiders, and Reavers strive to bring wealth back to the Empire through war. The Exemplar Zemress' life tells us it is not the acquisition of raided goods that is virtuous or not, but what you do with this wealth that is Prosperous. We urge these raiders to invest in their communities, like she did, and with this your Virtue shall grow.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (254-0); A greater majority for this judgement was 259

===Judgement 68===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Fabio Costas de Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' We show our virtue through deeds, not folly. The piling of stone in Bastion may suit the whims of Highguard, but we shall not let our own Prosperity or Pride suffer for its execution. We urge citizens of the League not to assist in the aggrandisement of the White City, except when through fair trade their own Prosperity might grow.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (306-61)
===Judgement 69===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Henry Fletcher
* '''Judgement:''' The Marcher National Assembly recognises "The Marcher War-Priests". A group of individual who tasks themselves with...Gathering liao to donate for military endeavours. Helping liaise between the Military and the National Assembly to create battle opportunities. Maintaining a list of exorcists to assist the military (on and off the field). Take the time to anoint soldiers before battle. Attempt to restore hero's strength with various artefacts. Care for the minds of battle weary soldiers. "War-priest" is not a military rank and "War-Priests" are free to pursue their duties at their leisure.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (134-10); A Greater Majority for this judgement was 137

===Judgement 73===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Rikke
* '''Judgement:''' The hylje are Wintermark's family. They are sentient people, not our property. They have bled and sacrificed for us. We remain Loyal to them. We will not bow to demands to "provide" hylje. We do not deal in slavery. Accusing us of heresy for this is a nonsensical claim. Cold cannot compromise.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (343-0)
===Judgement 74===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Lia Adelaar van Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' Citizens of the League, life is a competition, and currently Dawn and Varushka are winning the Semmerlak trade. Let us join forces with our neighbours, the Sand Fishers, to create a dock at Misericorde for our mutual Pride and Prosperity. Our Ambition will be twice rewarded should the Sand Fishers be welcomed as full citizens of the League.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (368-18)

===Judgement 75===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Eevi of the Gadrai
* '''Judgement:''' Thane Dogri Thulebane was a hero of Wintermark and his name shall be in the Chronicles of Heroes. He fought uncompromisingly to drive the Thule out of Skarsind and defended Crows Ridge from them. He died protecting his people, fighting the Grendel in service to the Empire a hero's death. Every action he took was motivated by his unwavering Loyalty to our nation and our people. He inspired many people in the mark and he serves as an example of what Pride, Courage, and Loyalty looks like.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (276-13)

===Judgement 77===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Ingrid Seiging
* '''Judgement:''' A hero seeks a worthy cause. We call upon the heroes of Wintermark to bring all their strengths to bear against the Jotun, knowing that true strength comes from virtue, not the endless pursuit of war.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (284-13)
===Judgement 79===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Chauntecleer Words
* '''Judgement:''' We seek the Assembly's confirmation of a miracle. Specifically at the Winter 384YE summit Pontus Figures of our assembly acted as the guide priest on the second True Liao vision of Landon von Holfried, the vision was successful and shared by them both and corroborated at the time by independent parties that all outward signs occurred. The miraculous nature of this is that Pontus much like all members of the Words, Numbers, Figures, and Knotes organisation has never undergone the training to utilise any form of liao for spiritual effects. Put simply, this should not have worked, and the only apparent explanation is a miracle. However, at this point it is undetermined whose miracle it was - Pontus, Landon, or perhaps as a pair. The Assembly is also therefore asked to pay close attention to both participants in case they manifest further signs of the Exemplars.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (207-38)
===Judgement 82===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Vaukahainen Saltfoot
* '''Judgement:''' The Paragon Kethry kept her people's culture alive throughout oppression. The actions of General Amberlain and her Strong Reeds in resisting their would-be conquerors in Bregasland channelled the spirit of Kethry and inspire us all.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (239-46)

===Judgement 83===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Kirenna i Veruna i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' If the Synod votes against any Statement, the inverse of that Statement is not endorsed by the Synod.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1589-149)
===Judgement 84===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Astrea of the Crystal Skies
* '''Judgement:''' When one nation reaches out to another seeking only to help we should not cut off our own arm to refuse it. Any nation that refuses any and all help from Highguard or any of our Empire's nations has severely misunderstood why Loyalty is so important: collaboration is our greater strength as ten nations under one throne.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (287-0)

===Judgement 85===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Bryce Tanner
* '''Judgement:''' The Marcher National Assembly acknowledges the Loyalty and Prosperity of the Marchers of Alderley Forest to their land the Legacy, heritage and livelihoods it supports. We reject the proposal that it be cleared to support a Marcher army, and suggest that skilled foresters be employed to bring Alderley Forest into productive use instead of being felled.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (149-25)
===Judgement 86===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Appleseed Tom
* '''Judgement:''' Mana the Orc asks why is no money set aside from fleet raids to aid free slaves like myself from the profit of these raids. Rather the profit is all given to the fleet captains and the free slaves receive no share. Whilst some profit is prosperous at the cost of hardship to the freed slaves is not true prosperity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (366-13)

===Judgement 87===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Brynn Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' We know that the Druj use fear and terror as their weapon. When the people of the Empire tell each other over and over that the Druj are uniquely terrible and an enemy like no other, we do their work for them. The Wisdom assembly cautions the followers of the Way against spreading Druj propaganda for them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (273-34)

===Judgement 89===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Lochias
* '''Judgement:''' The Civil Service have said that they can not collate spy reports on the Imperial Spymaster's behalf, with the result that he often does not receive them until late in the summit. We therefore call upon those independent captains whose Vigilance leads them to support our spy networks to pass on what they learn to Imperial title holder who need that information.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (201-0); a Greater Majority for this judgement was 208

===Judgement 92===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Sela of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Highguard we have a very prosperous Benefactor's Council, that work tirelessly to help our nation. These citizens do not have the input of every chapter but continuously work to aid the nation and help all chapters when it is required. Task the nation to help the Benefactors in Prosperity by providing any resources, coin or wains so they see how essential they are for our nation and ensure they are helped by our nation to achieve their Ambition and in our nations projects.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (510-49)

===Judgement 94===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Callista of the Darkshard
* '''Judgement:''' The greatest virtue is found in those who choose to follow a virtuous path. Without choice, our ability to act in virtue is restricted. Therefore, the synod should seek to facilitate autonomy of choice in all people so that everyone may have the opportunity to choose virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (968-495)
===Judgement 95===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Vaurams Korppitkotka
* '''Judgement:''' Through the Ambition and Courage of our fleet captains, we have the opportunity to trade through the Gullet. We should do everything virtuous that we can to seize this opportunity. It will increase the prosperity of our nation and provide a way to spread the Way to Faraden.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (320-0)

===Judgement 97===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Jacob Tanner
* '''Judgement:''' While Emperor Nicovar may have destroyed our libraries, and burned our books, we still have a strong oral tradition, be it music, Marcher tales, alliterative poetry, or heroic Winterfolk saga songs. The virtue of Pride teaches us to "Embrace your past, never be ashamed of it" and so I call upon the folk of the Marches and Wintermark to come forward and share what they know of the stories of the troll known as the Torn Light of Night Falling, the Skinned King, Bloody Jack, Jack in Chains, and Steeple Jack to celebrate their culture and shared history.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1640-42)

===Judgement 98===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Cesare Enzo di Trivento
* '''Judgement:''' Recent opportunities have arisen for the Synod to engage with local groups, seeking to spread the Way. We propose prioritizing the narrative of the Little Mother as a catalyst for founding churches dedicated to her outside the Empire. By spotlighting the inspiring story of the Little Mother, we can captivate hearts and establish a strong foundation for new churches. her tale embodies the virtues of Courage, Loyalty, and of course, Prosperity, transcending cultural boundaries and resonating with individuals seeking spiritual fulfilment. Through these churches, we can foster loyalty, provide spaces for guidance, and promote prosperity in diverse communities.Let us embrace this principle, allocating resources to share the Little Mother's story and expand the reach of the Way globally.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (291-0)
===Judgement 102===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Constanza i Kalamar i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' We, the Freeborn National Assembly, condemn Asavea for their unconscionable slaughter of the Justiciars of the Isle of Osseini, unarmed under contract of the Grendel occupation. The Justiciars predate the Empire in their learning, teaching, and the practice or exorcism, their names shall not be forgotten, and we will not let their legacy face. Let us rally and support what Justiciars yet remain, and rebuild the order elsewhere in the Brass Coast.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (166-0)
===Judgement 103===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Winifred Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' Whilst we welcome the Suranni wizards to find their place in the Great Dance, whether they join our stridings and steadings or not, we must do our utmost to welcome and guide them in the Way and the traditions of Navarr. We should learn of their Ambitions and offer our support in their endeavours. Vigilance is important but breaking bread, sharing a meal, and inviting the Suranni to sit by the fire shares our prosperity and our nation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (264-0)

===Judgement 105===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Isaia Pavone di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' As the liberty pact engages in wars against slavers, we must prepare for the potential surge of orphaned refugees. The college of the liberated, renowned for its commitment to the virtues of Pride, Loyalty, and Prosperity, provides an optimal platform to nurture and empower these orphaned souls. By incorporating the principles upheld by the Church of the Little Mother, we can instil the values of the Way and provide a transformative journey for all those plucked from the hands of evil slavers. We propose integrating orphan training programs with the College of the Liberated, embracing the virtues upheld by the Church of the Little Mother. With this we can foster a sense of belonging among these young individuals, building their pride and loyalty.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (269-46)
===Judgement 106===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Lorelei du Froste
* '''Judgement:''' Winter Eagles of the Gryphon's Pride, you can do more. Be inspired to be the great fortress the Druj break themselves upon, show us the orders to do so. Hold what we have won.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (134-0)
===Judgement 107===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov
* '''Judgement:''' This spring marks the second anniversary of the complete liberation of Ossium. We Ossians understand first-hand how a life in chains denies virtuous action, but now our shackles are re-forged as axe heads and with Varushka preparing to muster a fourth army it is time for us to commit to liberating others in turn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (120-34)

===Judgement 109===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Lev
* '''Judgement:''' Our Freeborn cousins are locked in a struggle to defend their land and their freedom. We ask all Highborn to bend their efforts to help them in a spirit of Peerless Kinship.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (421-10)
===Judgement 111===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Aedig Steadfast
* '''Judgement:''' The Way teaches us that no-one can tell another to whom they should owe Loyalty. Human Destiny is built on the choice to follow our own Virtuous paths. Attempts by the General or Virtue Assemblies to instruct citizens to direct their Loyalty to one cause over another, or Vigilance to a specific enemy, goes against these tenets of the Way. It should be the responsibility of the National Assemblies to reflect the wishes of their congregates in deciding, for example, whether to dedicate their efforts to eradicating the Druj or to face down other threats to the people of their Nations, not the dictate of the General Assembly.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (509-1031)

===Judgement 113===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Ortenzia di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' Liao dreaming furthers personal understanding of the Way, particularly through liao dream pilgrimage. However, Imperial Orcs cannot be included in this blessing. Ravenswing Infusion allows the use of the insight skill for all and provides vivid dreams. I call on their Assembly to support learning about the dreams of Ravenswing Infusion and whether this potion or other substances might be used to facilitate virtuous dreams for orcs.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (241-0)
===Judgement 116===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Herminius, House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' During the Spring Solstice 384YE I funded an excavation of caverns and ruins in Peregro, during our investigation of the site it was revealed that this was the final resting place of Sulemaine i Taziel. People of Urizen I call on you to witness and support my use of True Liao in permanently consecrating this cavern to Wisdom. Let it mark this site and Morrow as a place where dedicants of Wisdom through debate may test what they have learned and take that important next step on their path to Virtue. This is not all. For this season Urizen will be blessed with a second dose of True Liao. From Morrow I ask that you follow me on to Iteri in Zenith, to the site of the newly Constructed Crucible of Fate, to witness its concentration by Bartimeus of Zenith Ascendant.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (293-20)

===Judgement 117===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Kasjay
* '''Judgement:''' We the Urizeni assembly welcome back the members of the Lambent Claw to Anvil. We applaud them for having the discernment to cast off false virtue and return to the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (255-0)
===Judgement 120===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Tuuli
* '''Judgement:''' I, Tuuli, on behalf of the Crows am putting for a judgement on the known "Blood-on-the-Snow" cultist, Kaarina White-Eye, who has subsumed to an inhuman enmity and abandoned the Way. We ask citizens to offer no aid to Kaarina and those who do not renounce him. Remain vigilant and wise to the words offered by Kaarina.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (285-0)

===Judgement 121===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Dag Kinnad
* '''Judgement:''' I, Dag Kinnad, on behalf of the Crows am putting forth a judgement on the known "Blood in the Snow" cultist Wemba the Bloody. Wemba, former Steinr thane who devoured their hall mates, has subsumed to an inhuman will under enmity and abandoned the Way. We ask citizens to offer no aid to Wemba and those who do not renounce them. Remain vigilant and wise to the words offered by Wemba, and those who do not renounce them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (314-0)

===Judgement 122===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' The three peoples of Wintermark know the Jotun from years of conflict and history. They are our most numerous enemies with the strongest armies. They take out people into Thralldom which the Synod has recognised as another name for slavery (J22 Summer 384, J30 Spring 384). Wintermark calls upon the Empire to take that threat seriously. The danger they pose is less apparent than the Druj but they are the greatest cultural and military threat we face.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (262-26)
===Judgement 123===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Alvara i Verena i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' Friendship is a two-way street. As the Highborn seek to help us, we should seek to help them in return. We should show Loyalty to those who have helped us and seek Ambition to achieve greater things together than we could alone.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (142-0)
===Judgement 124===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Jebediah Boon
* '''Judgement:''' Oh behalf of Quay Stone "Tomorrow's traditions grow from the seeds of today." Quay Stone of House Stone is recording little known maritime traditions to spread as the Sea of Snow becomes more important. The Assembly calls for Marchers to celebrate the traditions that have kept them safe at sea.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (128-0); a greater majority for this judgement was 137

===Judgement 126===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Skywise Gralka
* '''Judgement:''' We will always be Imperial Orcs. As those who are welcomed under the banner of the Imperial Orc grow in number we must elect a name to those who came first and made it possible. Our lands are now a place of many tribes and septs and each will be known by their own name. Names carry the worth of our ambitions. The Imperial orc nations moves to recognise the descendants of Thrace, the liberators of our people, as the sept of the Sun and Storm. This is where our legacy began, and for it to continue it must be defined. War is in our souls and should be carried in the worth of our name. Sept of the Sun and Storm, named for the first and second legion that seized our virtue and forged our legacy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (71-0)

===Judgement 128===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Laurente Sepulcre
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom is knowing the blades you have to hand and where to strike. Recognition of Mouse of Dawn for their work to ensure the lances strike true.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (157-0)

===Judgement 130===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Bloodcrow Knott
* '''Judgement:''' The techniques used by the mystics of Wintermark may aid in the spiritual council of Orcs. Whilst they lack the Orcish Shamans guiding words of Worth from our Ancestors, their art has value. This has been witnessed.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (52-0)
===Judgement 132===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Neala Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' The Navarr invite and encourage the Apothecaries' Guild to choose Peakedge Song as the location for their Guild Hall. Let Guild, Nation, and Empire share in the knowledge and prosperity from Thornsong House.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (200-0)
===Judgement 133===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Eirlys Weir
* '''Judgement:''' The Feni of Hercynia and the Great Forest Orcs could be a potential conflict. In order to best welcome and settle our new neighbours, we should be vigilant of any difficulties that might arise.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (210-0)
===Judgement 134===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Rhubarb Ironwood
* '''Judgement:''' The National Assembly calls upon virtuous Marcher folk to shun the generals named who turned their back on Bregasland in Spring 385YE. Until Mathilda Fisher is dead, they shall bear the consequences. Kindra Surefooted, Llofyn Bloodcloak, Berechel of Seventh Wave, Alderei the Fair, Jaromir Kostka, Belekov the Wolf, Natalia Barossa, Jean di Sarvos, Achseh of the Sentinel's Tower, and Nicassia of the Citadel Guard
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (104-30)

===Judgement 135===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Caoimhe Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. No paragon of more than one virtue has been recognised. Doctrine does not prevent this, but Synod rules do. The Way Assembly urges the Senate to lift this restriction and allow recognition of an individual based on signs of multiple virtues if they exist, let us recognise them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (147-36)

===Judgement 137===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Claus
* '''Judgement:''' Citizens of Holberg learn their trades through apprenticeships as well as in our Universities. We encourage citizens of the League to share knowledge and culture with the Sand Fishers. Seek out apprenticeships with them and in turn welcome Sand Fishers as your apprentices!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (339-0)
===Judgement 138===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Galene Netherwatch
* '''Judgement:''' We show as the Wisdom assembly our support for the Hallowing of Artemis' Bible to Wisdom using True Liao. Artemis' Bible is a compendium of the Apothecary Guild's knowledge. The ideal is to make an artefact that will help spread knowledge through the Empire. This will be brought before the Gatekeepers next summit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (170-28)

===Judgement 139===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Dagon
* '''Judgement:''' Ending discrimination against lineage, orcs, and others should be but the first step for Highborn citizens. The Champion of Loyalty declares we must build each other up. Non-lineaged Highborn must not hinder the virtuous actions of their siblings and must work to correct the errors of the past. They must look for and recognise the past virtuous actions of lineaged Highborn citizens that have been brushed aside.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (350-0)
===Judgement 140===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Miroslav Temnavoda
* '''Judgement:''' A mercenary army would not just be a band of sell-swords and wagon-raiders, it would be a flexible, adaptable force drawing on the pragmatic and diverse military traditions of Varushka. We support the founding of a fourth Varushkan army which embodies this principle.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (142-10)
===Judgement 142===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Witold Stefanovic Petrov
* '''Judgement:''' The Karov Mercer's Compact encourage loyal citizens to engage in trade, barter, and exchange with their fellow Varushkans to ensure the growth of Prosperity within the nation. This virtuous endeavour will fill all with pride and encourage further ambitions.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (282-0)

===Judgement 143===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Zinka Mrakovna
* '''Judgement:''' The renaming of the Crawling Depths as the Vale of the Sunless Depths is intended to recognise the community that existed in the mines for generations. We urge the people of Varushka to accept this new name and honour those who strived in the depths for so long prior to liberation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (282-0)

===Judgement 144===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Nikolai "the Butcher" Petrovitch
* '''Judgement:''' We thank Boyar Svetlana Malinov for caring for the axe Golod, weapon of Alderei the Fair. We ask that this weapon be surrendered to Nikolai "the Butcher" Petrovitch as a representative of the Nation Assembly to research it along with the Magpies and decide what will be done with it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (256-16)
===Judgement 149===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Serrusto
* '''Judgement:''' The assembly of Ambition recognises Alfmund Fordwinson for his heroic efforts as Champion of Ambition in retrieving the Cup of Adelmar, and raise him up as a worthy battlefield leader.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (171-0)
===Judgement 150===
* '''Assembly:''' WIntermark
* '''Raised By:''' Sindri
* '''Judgement:''' There are currently many Frayed who walk the Heroic path of the Warrior. We encourage them to both seek out Stormcrows for personal guidance on how best to repair their skein and offer a suggestion to man the Beacons in order that no other citizens of Wintermark need make the hard choices that led to them becoming Frayed. Shielding others from their fate.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (296-0)
===Judgement 151===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Nemi i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' Riqueza taught us that living a life in pursuit of decency, integrity, and justice is more important than living a life obsessed with virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (81-1359)

===Judgement 152===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Rafe
* '''Judgement:''' Wintermark has a proud tradition of electing its leaders and processes by which they can be replaced. Those who would seek to choose the cowardly path of threats and murder, such as the "Firebird" cult, sow nothing but anarchy. All Winterfolk should stand against this.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (275-0)
===Judgement 153===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Lucretius
* '''Judgement:''' The Dawnish National Assembly withdrew their mandate number 96 as it could not withstand the Challenge of Wisdom's scrutiny. Therefore the power which was employed by the Cardinal of Wisdom had the effect intended by this power.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (222-40)
===Judgement 154===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Josephine of Adina's Charge
* '''Judgement:''' The discussions on what the future of Highborn attitudes towards the lineaged, orcs, and other sentient races should be are complex and under discussion. This is not something to be rushed into and needs full scrutiny, so it will be raised next summit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (299-33)
===Judgement 156===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Luca i Taziel i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' In Wisdom and in penance, Chiara i Zaydan i Riqueza has asked the right questions. In the eyes of Luca i Taziel i Riqueza, the inquisiting priest, she has found her answers. Her penance is absolved.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (110-0)
===Judgement 158===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Rowan Harper
* '''Judgement:''' The Exemplar, Major Joshua Benson, is a Marcher hero. Next season his grave orchard at Pickham will be permanently consecrated to Vigilance by Pickham's librarian, Martin Orchard. Come pilgrims, friars, and monks, witness this memorial to a Marcher exemplar.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (155-0)
===Judgement 161===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Hodwyn Aevardson
* '''Judgement:''' The Empire has given sanctuary to Suranni mages. Winterfolk mystics, runesmiths, and icewalkers can show their wisdom, pride, and vigilance by reaching out to these Suranni mages so they can learn of their traditions and demonstrate the virtue of ours. In this way we can stand with the Navarr and do our part to integrate these people with the Empire and guide them to the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (206-0)

===Judgement 163===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Faber Aerarius
* '''Judgement:''' While the repair of the Golden Casacade in Zenith is underway, I Faber Aerarius, Temple gardener and holy beekeeper, Rhode, Architect of the Scarlet Guard, and Kosmas Shepherd of the Sword Scholars wish to lead a small party of experts to investigate the changed flora and fauna. Faber will study Druj alterations and farming methods, and look for specimens of plant and animal stock. Rhose will assay options to create a series of canals and aqueducts to link the clear waters of Zenith to the fertile soil of Morrow. Kosmas will protect the party from all danger.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (291-10)

===Judgement 164===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Dayanara i Cabeza i Erigo
* '''Judgement:''' The Ambition assembly recognises the Ambition of Tancred de Coeurdefer and the soldiers of the Hounds of Glory for which they have paid the ultimate price. Not only did they aspire for Glory on the field of battle, but also to provide Salvation to the people of the Barrens under Druj tyranny. Their Ambition inspires not only the victories of today, but the planting of the seeds of virtue for tomorrow. "Where they have sown fear, we will make flowers grow."
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (172-0)
===Judgement 165===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Agnes Topirison
* '''Judgement:''' In lea of the events of Saturday Conclave, Spring Equinox 385YE. Loyalty to the Empire and its mages does not entail berating those whose voices have been silenced by clique politics. It is not an act of courage to mob and verbally assault those wanting to enact change. Pride should not be taken in such unvirtuous acts.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (649-223)

===Judgement 166===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Friar John of the Mourn
* '''Judgement:''' We, the Marcher National Assembly, recognise the Loyalty, Courage, and Vigilance of House Greywater. Fames for their superior knowledge of Bregasland's hidden paths, which they have put to virtuous use against the Jotun's tools of conquest. We ask their neighbours in Bregasland to support us in this recognition of virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (140-10)

===Judgement 167===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Peregrine Boon
* '''Judgement:''' Miners of the Marches! We call upon you to be vigilant and warn your fellows to do the same. A vision has been experienced by Imperials of impending danger to Marcher mines. Prepare yourselves!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (121-0)
===Judgement 168===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' The Fool of Glory
* '''Judgement:''' The story of the Marches and Mathilda Fisher is not yet at an end, as the story of Dawn and the Barrens is not yet at an end. The troubadours of Dawn see the Marchers strive towards the glorious conclusion of this chapter of the tale of Bregasland, and the end of Mathilda Fisher, and support their efforts to reclaim what is theirs in the west as we strive for what is ours in the east.
* '''Outcome:'''Upheld (194-0)
===Judgement 169===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Mina i Yashum i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' Our corsairs are the wolves of the Bay and our enemies are their prey. When war is declared on Asavea, we encourage our corsairs to prioritise hunting their ships above all others and their supply shipsas first among them. "Foam Follower" the ship supplying the Temple of the Black Bull and Balo alone should be untouched. Remember those who aid us.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (186-10)
===Judgement 170===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Doubravka Nadjaovna Vanek-Vessely
* '''Judgement:''' The Iron Helms have long fought to virtuously defeat our enemies. The soldiers of the Helms have spoken; they are not wolves or monsters. They have used the tools of cruelty to serve the Empire. The time is now to adapt to our strategic needs. The cabalists of the Helms are a most effective weapon in our arsenal. The quality of this army can be bettered to further serve the Empire, by drawing on Varushka's national traditions of magic.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (146-0)

===Judgement 172===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Captain Charge
* '''Judgement:''' We recognise the wisdom of our cousins. Dawn should listen to the advice of Varushka in the business of handling sovereigns. Dho'uala is a sovereign and not a monster to be slain, we should ensure we treat them thusly.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (132-10)

===Judgement 175===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Prince Bishop Jonah Yakovitch
* '''Judgement:''' The League National Assembly welcome the Urizeni in Spiral who wish to remain Urizeni in Spiral.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (175-104)
===Judgement 176===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Edmund of Barrowby
* '''Judgement:''' Thanks to recent historical research and the hard work of many Marchers, particularly William Guildenstern, and Gemma Brightsmith, we have the chance to revitalise the tradition of the Brightsmiths. Let us embrace our Pride and realise this Ambition!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (110-0)
===Judgement 177===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Velko Perunovich Razoradze
* '''Judgement:''' We encourage the citizens of Varushka to teach our Dawnish cousins how to deal with Dho'uala. To be respectful when sailing the waters and claiming bounties from the Semmerlak; thank her with gifts for keeping the waters safe and to not claim anything from the deeps that is no theirs to claim.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (182-0); a Greater Majority for this judgement was 182
===Judgement 178===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Cassia Apulian Silkweaver
* '''Judgement:''' Spiral is Urizeni and will always remain so. However, the Net of the Heavens draws us closer to the League, and we will support them as they build their homes alongside us.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (217-0)
===Judgement 180===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Sister Meredith
* '''Judgement:''' To be a Marcher is to accept Imperial law. The Marcher assembly is working towards accepting the Mourne orcs as Imperial citizens, but feel that we cannot protect them from accusations of heresy. We look forward to discussing our ideas with a ghodi, this would greatly assist our efforts.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (140-0)
===Judgement 181===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Azir i Shartha i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' The Freeborn Assembly remind the Brass Coast that the hakima are the caretakers of the legacy of our Founders and our tribal identity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (172-0)
===Judgement 182===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Ahshen i Fiel i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The Fire of the South take their blades to the Jotun, with Winter Magic at their back. Let true virtue remain in their hearts. Anoint. Hallow. Act in Vigilance.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (184-0)
===Judgement 183===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' The question has been put to the hakima of our nation: "What are the defining qualities of a tribe founder?" Bakar i Riqueza calls the hakima to council to discuss this matter at Anvil at the Summer Solstice. Prosperity provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (184-0)
===Judgement 184===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Clarice Novarion
* '''Judgement:''' The Assembly of Nine recognise and commend the nation of Urizen for their unflinching courage and loyalty in ceding Spiral to the League. This act of inspirational Benevolence must be remembered and rewarded. May it live in legend.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (8-0)
===Judgement 185===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Gaelen Embercast
* '''Judgement:''' The Council of Nine directs the Silent Bell to investigate Imperial forests cultivating "Chaos Fruits" and any farms where plants touched by the vallorn are grown. This information is to be passed to the Cardinal alone.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (8-0)
===Judgement 186===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Darien Numbers
* '''Judgement:''' We the Empire come to the Barrens not to subjugate or oppress, but to raise up our fellows and bring the light of a virtuous Dawn. We seek the opportunity to consecrate the Towers of Dusk with a dose of True Liao that they may stand as a glorious beacon of virtue for the people of the Barrens; to guide, inspire, and exalt their spirits in building a virtuous future. Where they have sown fear, we will make flowers bloom.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (8-0)

==Mandate==
The following [[mandate|mandates]] were passed during the Spring Equinox. Where there are [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|competing mandates]], the one that passes with the largest margin is successful and all other competing mandates are considered to have failed.
===Judgement 4===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Bartimaeus of Zenith Ascendant
* '''Judgement:''' We must strive for excellence in all things. We send Able of Zenith Ascendant with 50 doses of liao to urge everyone who attends the Crucible of Fate to ensure that their work is practical and effective.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (373-10). This represents a margin of 363.
* '''Enacted:''' This mandate urges the people of Zenith to use Spire Calator to make things that are prosperous and powerful. As detailed in [[Where_do_we_go_from_here%3F#Spire_Calator|Where do we go from here?]]
===Judgement 19===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Sofonisba Amilcara di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' The cities of the League fought for our independence, and we will not surrender it easily. We send Sofonisba Amilcara di Sarvos with 50 doses of liao to urge the people of the League to take pride in our history and refuse all aid from the Highborn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (250-180). This represents a margin of 70.
* '''Notes:''' Liao provided. When enacted then Highguard will not be able to direct their Assembly to help the League at any point in the near future, and it will be easier to rouse people to anger in the future, if the efforts of the League Assembly were stifled by opposition to one of their mandates from the Highborn Assembly. As detailed in [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]]

===Judgement 23===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine duLac
* '''Judgement:''' The Druj are a grave spiritual threat to the Empire. No price is too high to stop their campaign of spreading Hate and Fear. We send Lady Laudine duLac with 100 doses of liao to tell all who are Virtuous that the final victory against the Druj is within our grasp if we commit ourselves to it utterly.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (1036 - 1136)
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[You_do_it_to_yourself#Victory_To_The_Empire|You do it to yourself]].

===Judgement 27===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Alessi di Trivento
* '''Judgement:''' Test what you learn; only fools accept hearsay as truth. We send Alessi di Trivento with 25 doses of liao to urge the bravos of Holberg to remember Alexander von Holberg, embrace the philosophy of the sword scholars, and accept no higher authority than their own reason and logic.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld with a Greater Majority (20-462)
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[The_troubled_words#Creating_Yourself|The troubled words]].
===Judgement 43===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Jared of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Highguard wishes Varushka to be our Partner in Greatness this season. In Juha the Cave Spider's example, we wish to support this great nation in building bonds through trading with, and finding out about, their mortal non-Imperial neighbours. We send Jared of the Suns of Couros with 25 liao to convince our benefactors and unconquered to offer their support to their Varushkan siblings so their lands may be tamed and harnessed further.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (407-35). This represents a margin of 372. A Great Majority for this mandate would have been 416.
* '''Enacted:''' As detailed in [[Full_of_sacred_sound#A_Peerless_Kinship|Full of Sacred Sound]]. See also [[#Judgement 145|Judgement 145]].
===Judgement 51===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Exarch Luke of the Navigators of Virtue
* '''Judgement:''' Having been refugee in our past, we Highborn understand the plight of those having fled persecution into a new land, and a new future. Inspired by our Navarri siblings, we send Exarch Luke with 50 doses of liao to urge wayfarers and magisters to help embrace and welcome the Suranni into the Empire and to aid them in settling their bodies and souls for generations to come.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (314-58). This represents a margin of 256.
* '''Enacted:''' The Highborn will reach out to the Suranni magicians in an attempt to welcome them to the Empire. Given the wizards' opinion of priests in general it is unsure what effect this will have. One thing that is certain is that it will not see the Suranni settle in Highguard. As detailed in [[Possibility_days#The_Great_Dance|Possibility days]].
===Judgement 56===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Mael Donjeon
* '''Judgement:''' Never accept defeat; adapt your strategy and try anew. We send Ser Mael Donjeon with 100 doses of liao to remind everyone that the Empire faces many great threats and it is the ambition of our military council to protect us from them. The Imperial Synod exists to safeguard the soul of the Empire and guard its citizens in virtue - not to insult the pride and courage of its generals by dictating military strategy.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld; withdrawn (850-600)
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[You_do_it_to_yourself#Through_Hardship_And_Misfortune|You do it to yourself]].
===Judgement 62===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Erasmo di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' We send Erasmo di Tassato with 25 doses of liao to remind the bravos of Holberg of Emperor Frederick - and encourage them to debate the sword scholars, seek other rival points of view and draw their own rational conclusions. Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete - the sword scholars should be the first of many different teachers at the Sword Academy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (413-0). This represents a margin of 413.
* '''Enaced:''' Sparks enthusiasm and interest in the Sword Academy It will encourage bravos to look at the writings and teachings of Emperor Frederick Ritter van Holberg. As detailed in [[The_troubled_words#The_Sword_Scholars|The troubled words]].
===Judgement 66===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ehmrys i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' Never accept defeat, adapt your strategy and try anew. We send Ehmrys i Guerra with 100 doses of liao to remind everyone that the Empire faces many great threats and it is the ambition of our military council to protect us from them. The Imperial Synod exists to safeguard the soul of the Empire and guard its citizens in virtue - not to insult the pride and courage of its generals by dictating military strategy.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (728 - 938)
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[You_do_it_to_yourself#Through_Hardship_And_Misfortune|You do it to yourself]].

===Judgement 71===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Teleri Thornweaveer
* '''Judgement:''' We believe that everyone should have a chance to find a place they will belong, where their partners in the Great Dance will be right for them. We send Teleri Thornweaver with 50 doses of liao to urge guides, vates, and brands to seek out Suranni wizards and offer them sanctuary in their steadings and stridings, and help them find a true home for their spirits.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (240-0). This represents a margin of 240.
* '''Enacted:''' The majority of the Suranni wizards who do not already have contacts in the Empire will become guests of the Navarr - for good and ill. As detailed in [[Possibility_days#The_Great_Dance|Possibility days]]. See also [[#Judgement 90|Judgement 90]].
===Judgement 76===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Tarquinius
* '''Judgement:''' Highguard have been good neighbours to us, we can trust them not to betray us by using their influence to undermine our goals. We send Tarquinius Ankarien with 50 doses of liao to preach that "How can we prevent Highguard assisting with issues raised by our assembly?" is asking the wrong question when we could be asking "How can we return the favour through assisting with issues raised by their own."
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (343-0). This represents a margin of 343.
* '''Enacted:''' The priests of the Urizen Assembly will will take the same interest in the statements and mandates of the Highborn Assembly as the Highborn Assembly has taken in theirs. As detailed in [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]].
===Judgement 90===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Veikko Bondforger
* '''Judgement:''' The Loyalty assembly sends Raewyn Eternal with 25 liao to support the Navarr national assembly in their efforts to find homes for the Suranni refugees in the mandate that reads: We believe that everyone should have a chance to find a place they will belong, where their partners in the Great Dance will be right for them. We send Teleri Thornweaver with 50 doses of liao to urge guides, vates, and brands to seek out Suranni wizards and offer them sanctuary in their steadings and stridings, and help them find a true home for their spirits.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (456-0). This represents a margin of 456.
* '''Enacted:''' The [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]] supports [[#Judgement 71|Judgement 71]].
===Judgement 96===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Andwyn of House DeRondell
* '''Judgement:''' A great life leaves a legend, and the soul cannot be armoured. When we stand against our enemies, we should do so as an unbreakable wall of ice and adamant. We send Andwyn of House DeRondell with 75 doses of liao to spread tales of glorious defence and urge all those who fight beneath our banners to become as immovable as the mountain.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[You_can%27t_count_on_me#Splendour of the White Bear|You can't count on me]]. See also [[#Judgement 114|Judgement 114]].
===Judgement 104===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Ophelia Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' The Highborn have paid their debts, called us sibling, and shared in our traditions. We send Ophelia Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato with 50 doses of liao to preach that we should ensure our reckonings stay balanced, and where aid has been offered, we should offer out hand in friendship in return, rather than turn our backs on our kin.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (218-147). This represents a margin of 71.
* '''Enacted:''' The priests of the League Assembly will take the same interest in the statements and mandates of the Highborn Assembly as the Highborn Assembly has taken in theirs. As detailed in [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]].
===Judgement 108===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Vadrian Dace
* '''Judgement:''' The fruits of the Vallorn have the potential to be a hidden threat, even though they are also a useful resource. Vigilance guides us, and so we send Sister Julliette of Balthazars Vineyard with 25 doses of liao to seek out all the places where such things thrive.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (473-14). This represents a margin of 459.
* '''Enacted:''' Liao provided by Vadrian Dace. If this mandate is enacted by itself, it will provide the same list of forests where chaos fruit are being cultivated that the Navarr would have received. If both mandates are enacted however, then both characters receive the list, and it will also include details of farms and forests where vis-producing vallorn plants are cultivated in Casinea, Astolat, and Semmerholm. As detailed in [[Children_in_bloom#Probably_Not_Vallorn|Children in bloom]]. See also [[#Judgement 155|Judgement 155]].

===Judgement 112===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Wildfyre
* '''Judgement:''' No one knows what the morrow holds but honest trade with the Grendel demonstrates the virtue of Prosperity. We send Brother Wildfyre with 25 doses of liao to urge every citizen to enjoy the fruits of our labour today so that we may benefit from a fair trade with them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (384-24). This represents a margin of 360.
* '''Enacted:''' Every business in Necropolis will gain 2 crowns additional income for as long as a Grendel navy remains in the territorial waters. As detailed in [[Shallow_days#Visiting_Armadas|Shallow days]].
===Judgement 114===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Hembeneth i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' We call on followers of the Way to test and question what is being done. Mandate 96 in the Dawn assembly raised by Aldwyn of House DeRondell who will "spread tales of glorious defence and urge all those who fight beneath our banners to become as immovable as the mountain." We send Hembeneth i Guerra, with 25 doses of liao, to urge the faithful to test their knowledge and discard anything that falls thought.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (84-0)
* '''Notes:''' The target mandate was withdrawn, and so this mandate has no effect. No liao has been spent. This does not count as a successful use of the Cardinal's power.

===Judgement 118===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Eli of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' Do not fear to act; only be shamed by inaction. We send Isaac of the Silent Tide, speaker of the Highborn National Assembly, with 75 doses of liao to urge Highborn priests to destroy the pillar in Clypion to clear the Druj miasma from Zenith.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (512-0). This represents a margin of 512.
* '''Enacted:''' Highborn priests seek out the last remaining miasma pillars in Clypion and use the liao they have to destroy them and still allow the Granite Pillar to engage in campaign elsewhere. As detailed in [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Fear_Oppresses_Strength|Pieces missing everywhere]].
===Judgement 136===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' Consequences are the price of ambition. We send Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra with 50 doses of liao to urge every citizen to contribute what resources they can spare to support the creation of a new holy city at Bastion. Let out virtue echo through history for a thousand years.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[Blood_will_thicken#No_Price_Is_Too_High|Blood will thicken]].
===Judgement 145===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Vaclav Mladenovich Kosti
* '''Judgement:''' Varushka is very large, and we must acknowledge that we share it with fellow sapient beings - the orcs. We send Velko Perunovich Razoradze with 50 doses of liao to urge any Varushkan who can do so to make peaceful contact with the orcs who share our hills and forests, consider their virtue, and discover what deals might be made with them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (323-0). This represents a margin of 323.
* '''Enacted:''' Varushkan traders, merchants, and volhov will seek to make peaceful contact with any receptive orcs in Varushka, including the Thule, and make deals with them. As detailed in [[Daylight_fading#The_Other_People|Daylight fading]].
===Judgement 146===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Amvis Johan Merikovich
* '''Judgement:''' Humans are the greatest of all beings in creation, and more than a match for inhuman entities. We send Vaclav Mladenovich Kosti with 75 doses of liao to remind every Varushkan that it is not against the doctrines of the faith to bargain with sovereigns and that the virtuous can certainly put their dark boons to virtuous use.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (238-26)
* '''Enacted:''' Those in a position to do so will hunt out the dark powers of Varushka, and seek to make bargains with them. As detailed in [[Daylight_fading#Dark_Powers|Daylight fading]].
===Judgement 147===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Anastasiya Volkov
* '''Judgement:''' All who travel to our hearth will be offered hospitality, while they are also offered council from our wise ones. We send Anastasiya Volkov with 50 doses of liao to encourage Varuhska to accept any aid from Highguard and in return offer aid to their assembly.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Greater Majority (282-0). This represents a margin of 282.
* '''Enacted:''' The priests of the Varushkan Assembly will take the same interest in the statements and mandates of the Highborn Assembly as the Highborn Assembly has taken in theirs. As detailed in [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]].
===Judgement 155===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Enfys Larksong
* '''Judgement:''' The fruits of the vallorn have the potential to be a hidden threat, even thought they are also a useful resource. Vigilance guides us, and so we send Enfys Larksong with 25 doses of liao to seek out all the places where such things thrive.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (112-0). This represents a margin of 112.
* '''Enacted:''' If this mandate is enacted by itself, it will provide the same list of forests where chaos fruit are being cultivated that the Navarr would have received. If both mandates are enacted however, then both characters receive the list, and it will also include details of farms and forests where vis-producing vallorn plants are cultivated in Casinea, Astolat, and Semmerholm. As detailed in [[Children_in_bloom#Probably_Not_Vallorn|Children in bloom]]. See also [[#Judgement 112|Judgement 112]].
===Judgement 162===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Harwyn Eternal
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous inspire others to greatness. We send Ubarius of Tropaion Citadel with 75 doses of liao to urge priests to engage with the Faraden to learn their ways to discover if we might bring them to the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (316-0). This represents a margin of 316. A greater majority for this mandate was 317.
* '''Enacted:''' Provides the Empire with a better understanding of the religious beliefs of the Faraden, and of any possible conflicts with the Way. As detailed in [[Tooth_by_tooth#Pride_and_Prejudice|Tooth by tooth]].
==Evaluation==
The Synod made the following judgements of [[excommunication]], [[inquisition]], [[revocation]], and [[sanction]].
===Judgement 5===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Silas of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' Inquisition of Morwenna Winterbuilt. The virtuous apply what they have learned; Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete. To investigate the self accused for Idolatry and swearing their service to a Winter eternal at the Winter Summit 384YE. To also shed light on the accusation that this action was pre-meditated and put other imperials at risk due to her actions whilst on skirmish, let the Basilisk's eyes judge you at 4:30pm Saturday this summit at the Highborn Chapel. Wisdom questions all. Inquisitor for Wisdom. Silas.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (296-10)
===Judgement 18===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Silas of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' Inquisition of General Aurum, of House Castellan, of the Eastern Sky army. Test what you learn; only fools accept hearsay as truth. To investigate the actions of the General since their election and to gain further insight into their most recent connections, actions, and orders. To allow them to justify their choices. The fight against the Druj is a contentious issue between the Synod and Military Council. It is time for clarity and transparenc. Let the Basilisk's eyes judge you at 7pm Friday of the Summer Equinox 385YE (subject to Autumn's General Duties) Wisdom questions all. Inquisitor for Wisdom. Silas.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1370-10)
===Judgement 22===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine duLac
* '''Judgement:''' As the Imperial Chaplain Consular I call Abel of Zenith Ascendant, Ambassador to the Grendel, to an inquisition on Saturday at 4:30pm in the Hub. it is my imperial duty as chaplain to hold Ambassadors accountable on matters of virtue and I seek to establish why Abel decided to against my advice and my offer to remove a heretical aura of Freedom from their person last summit why they continued to perform imperial duties and took part in rituals at the regio while under the influence of a false virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld Automatically
===Judgement 31===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Kellin Hammer's Ring
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition'''. I call into question the Loyalty of Brennos Brackensong, and summon him for inquisition on Friday evening at 10:30pm, in Navarr's market square. Embercast meeting tent. At the last standing of the Winter summit, Talis Ashborn claimed culpability for the ill-fated retreat from Liaven's Glen. Brennos immediate response was a sudden, violent assault. Regardless of the circumstances, an attack by a General upon a Navarr citizen, in the heart of Anvil, cannot pass without comment. I will interrogate his motivations, in the hope that Navarr's longest-serving General has not fallen to the lure of Vengeance. I invite any interested parties to attend and bear witness.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (120-20)

===Judgement 33===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition'''. The actions of Tancred de Couerdefer, General of the Hounds of Glory for six years, have led to his army's destruction in winning the Spires of the Dusk from the foul pestilence that previously inhabited it. I call Tancred to inquisition to discuss the actions that led to this result and to ascertain his virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (130-0)
===Judgement 34===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction:Castigation. Escalation.''' Having inquisited Veikko Bondforger, Cardinal of Loyalty, I am castigating him for his confessed voting for contradictory statement in the Assembly of Nine Autumn 384YE, out of lingering fears from his past. In this situation he and other members of that assembly brought the highest Synod office into disrepute causing confusion and doubt in the laity. He has spoken of ways he will address his lack of courage and answered to friends who have questioned his loyalties. Now let us see him have the courage to bring those words into action. Let us see his actions repair the bonds that have been strained and broken.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (199-20)
===Judgement 39===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Cassia Apulian Silkweaver
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Castigation''' I find that Sagua i Ezmara, Master of the Koboldi, has acted consistently without consideration for virtue. She has insulted the legacy of Lorenze "la Volpe" and the Proud pursuit of Glory and virtue offered to the Eastern Sky. I recommend she step down from her position immediately, and charge her to carry for one year the Hallowing of the Diplomat, so she may learn to show respect she does not afford to others. A full writeup is available on the Hub noticeboard opposite.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (534-172)
===Judgement 41===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Chauntecleer Words
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Penance. Escalation.''' Inquisition of Hengest Dunn on behalf of Claude Videre Auditor for Senatorial Accountability. The idea that an hour's inquisition can be captured in the space available here is laughable. A summary is available on the General Noticeboard for Citizen Posting. We did not find any credible indications of unvirtuous activity, but did see room to improve in some ares. The currency of the Senate is integrity - Hengest's words. Penance is to be checked in one year for improvements in: a) record keeping toe ensure accurate collective memory in Senate of costs b) Find ways to use existing routes within the Empire to officially recognise the prosperous individuals of Wintermark that have bridged the gap between Senate funding and completion.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1259-10)
===Judgement 47===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lenarius Ankarien
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication.''' During the Autumn Equinox of 384YE Alfmund Fordwinsson called Chiara i Zayden i Riqueza to Inquisition and found them to be "driven, beneficent, and inspiring - a true dedicant of ambition." Of Chiara he said "They are motivated to expand, not just through conquest but also through demonstrating that the Empire is a burning beacon of virtue, to draw others to join our great civilisation. However they are also grounded - aware of their own faults as much as their strengths, and that it is by working together than we uplift the Empire's principles for the world to see. There is no reason that Senator Chiara would not make an excellent Throne." Unfortunately, Alfmund no longer has a congregation and so I raise this judgement so that Chiara's virtue does not go unwitnessed.
* '''Outcome:'''
===Judgement 48===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lenarius Akarien
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' The Ambition Assembly has long taken an interest in those who would declare their Ambition to be Empress. I call Claude Videre to Inquisition, to discuss their understanding of the Virtues and their suitability as a Throne candidate. Inquisition to be held at the Tend of the First Spark Carta in the League Camp, at 11:30 on Sunday Morning of this summit. In the Urizen tradition this is an open inquisition. Priests of any nation and virtue are welcome and encouraged to bring their questions should they wish to put them to the Candidate.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1203-0)
===Judgement 49===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction - Vindication. Escalation.''' (Pertaining to Judgement 168 - raised Autumn Equinox 384YE). (Inquisition conducted on Adón i Martán i Erigo, Brass Coast Winter Solstice 384YE) Adón is a shrewd, sharp tongued and intransigent individual and is eye-wateringly candid even by Freeborn standards. None of this makes him unvirtuous, I am delighted by his pragmatic and no-nonsense approach on politics and economics within the Brass Coast. He has unequivocally supported the Coast with his fair minded distribution of wealth and has sought no recognition for this. Quote: "Everything can have a price, yet not everything is an opportunity for profit." Let these words resonate with all Freeborn. I fully endorse his ambitions for senatorship, Prosperity Provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (122-10)
===Judgement 50===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication. Escalation.''' (Pertaining to Judgement 184 - raisedf Autumn Equinox 384YE)(Inquisition conducted on Bartimeus of Zenith Ascendant, Urizen Winter Solstice 384YE) After meditating carefully on the account given by Bartimaeus and having consulted many of his comrades and former protégés, he exhibits the following signs of exemplarhood. Pilgrimage: emigrated from Highguard to Urizen and conducted virtuous pilgrimage to Anvil, Bastion, and Timoj. Salvation: Worked in the conversion of countless Sand Fisher orcs to the Way. Empowering new converted dedicants with the faith. Benevolence: All who speak of Bartimaeus speak of his generous and honest character. He has mentored and lifted up many enterprising people who all attribute their success to him. He stands out as a teacher amongst all else. He empowers others by giving them the tools they need to create their own prosperity. We extend our full spiritual support to him. Prosperity provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (253-38); a Greater Majority for his judgement was 259
===Judgement 52===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aethelric the Grounded
* '''Judgement:''' I call Cormac Dunn to Inquisition to answer accusations of a lack of Vigilance in one of his recent dealings.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (101-0)
===Judgement 61===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Clytemnestra
* '''Judgement:''' '''Revocation.''' Revocation of the Cardinal of Wisdom Hembeneth i Guerra. This cardinal will not swear to use the Eyes of Wisdom, we will revoke her and elect one who will. The Assembly will not allow the loss of this unique power.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (360-97)
===Judgement 70===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Cesare Enzo di Trivento
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication. Escalation.''' Sofia i del Toro i Riqueza strives in her many acts of benevolence to emulate the Little Mother.She has taught the value and practice of prosperity to every sould she has brought home to the Empire, away from the chains that bound them. She is not yet ready to bear the weight of responsibility of being a living exemplar, but I advise the prosperity assembly to watch her carefully in the years to come. I find virtue in her actions and believe that they should be more widely known. I am submitting an additional report to the Gatekeeper's council for consideration, see Cesare if you want a copy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (278-20)
===Judgement 72===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' I call Darien Numbers, Cardinal of Prosperity, for Inquisition with regards his voting of Autumn 384 in the Assembly of Nine. To occur at 10amSaturday at House de Gauvain in Dawn by agreement with all parties concerned.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (68-0)
===Judgement 78===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alfredo Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' Throne Candidates must be held to the highest possible levels of Virtue, and of scrutiny. Therefore I, Alfredo Barossa de Tassato Regario, Bishop of Loyalty, call Sir Claude Vyse Videre to inquisition at a time and location to be agreed but before 11pm Saturday Spring Equinox YE35.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (525-67)
===Judgement 80===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Telyn Stormtree
* '''Judgement:''' '''Revocation''' We hold our Champions of Virtue to the highest of standards. The Champion of Vigilance, Raavadi Founder's Dance, returned from The Barrens bearing an aura of Peace. What does it mean that our Champion's actions generated the aura of a false virtue? I call upon the Vigilance assembly to consider whether to revoke Raavadi's position as the Champion of Vigilance.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (10-169)
===Judgement 88===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Lochias
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication. Escalation.''' (This is an escalation of Winter Solstice J92) The threat to shot down a spy network in Grendel lands would lack vigilance if it were followed through. However, as the spymaster has not carried out that threat, no penance is due. On the other complaints against his management, I am satisfied that the failure lies not with the virtue of the incumbent, but with the way the position was constructed by the Senate, and with the contradictory "advice" given to him by the civil service at different times.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (132-57)
===Judgement 101===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Penance. Escalation.''' I have inquisited Darian Numbers of Dawn, Cardinal of Prosperity, with regards his voting for seemingly contradictory statements in the Assembly of Nine, Autumn 384. He has justified his voting to me, that he saw virtue in both, judgements celebrating the hard work that had to be done but paying a price perhaps too high. He admitted in hindsight he lapsed in Vigilance what the consequences of how his actions may be perceived and acknowledged the doubt and confusion this caused in the laity. His penance is facing this truth and taking steps to think more on the perception of his words in upcoming Ao9 voting.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (264-10)
===Judgement 110===
* '''Assembly:''' Genearl
* '''Raised By:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction - Penance. Escalation.''' Ezekiel Adina's Charge demonstrates clear Loyalty, Prosperity, and Wisdom. There are also areas in which he could grow, and after discussing with him, he has agreed to the following penance as a challenge to improve. 1) to take an interest in the Prosperity of the League and Holberg in particular as this is the source of his income. 2) to not hold back on pursuing his own prosperity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1062-30)
===Judgement 115===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Valentina von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' The position of Chair of the Wolf was requested and campaigned for by Elsha Bertolf of Temeschwar. Citizens of the League showed her their Loyalty and put her in that role. She then failed to use her awarded power on the Sunday of the Winter Summit 384YE. I call her to answer for her disloyalty at the camp of the Crimson Reapers at 13:30 on Sunday.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (180-30)
===Judgement 125===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Syn Truth-Walker Returned
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Penance''' (As inquisitor of the Way) Following the inquisition of Emmatius Encaran in relation to the murder of Raziel during a Winter plenipotentiary, I find Ematius' actions to have been careless in relation to the murder however virtuous in regards to the maintaining of the rules of the parley. In my opinion his penance should include the casting of a Freezing Brand of Irremais, worded (with mutual agreement) by Raziel's family and Emmatius.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (54-10)
===Judgement 129===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aethelric the Grounded
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication.Escalation.''' Cormac Dun is vindicated. Although his actions were contentious his vigilance - and virtue in general - cannot be faulted.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (135-13)
===Judgement 131===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Kellin Hammer's Ring
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication.''' Although he was at death's door, Brennos Brackensong came willingly to inquisition. We spoke at length about his time as a general, his priorities while in the role, and his approach to Loyalty. We also spoke of the events of the Winter summit. Throughout, he proves himself Loyal - and utterly virtuous overall. I am satisfied in full vindication. His only words on the matter were simple: "no regrets."
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (232-20)
===Judgement 141===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Silas of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Condemnation. Escalation.''' I find Morwena guilty of Idolatry and request the magistrates immediate assistance in proceeding to trial. This inquisition has highlighted what happens when we accept hearsay as fact. I encourage the citizens of the Empire to practice Wisdom and interrogate received knowledge. Wisdom questions all. Silas Inquisitor for Wisdom.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (446-10)
===Judgement 148===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication. Escalation.''' The sacrifice of Tancred de Courdefer and the Hounds of Glory goes beyond numbers and reports. The Loyalty of Tancred to the Hounds and the Hounds to Tancred is beyond question. His actions and orders have led to the salvation of a populace from fear, an inspiration that crosses borders, and a legacy that will be remembered eternally. We also remember the names and stories of those who fell with no one else to remember them: Arya Hunter, Guiflor Florist, Anelisse Lyricist, Morgan Shield, Blase Striker, Asher Painter, Bank Truffler, and Angeline, Ageraint, and Ywaine of Drycastle.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (145-0)
===Judgement 157===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Sabella of the Silent Tide
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' I call Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra to be the subject of inquisition, for their conduct in relation to the Grendel negotiations, to take place on the Saturday of the Summer Summit at 4pm in the Highguard Chapel.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (278-0)
===Judgement 159===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Athenus, House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' '''Challenge.''' The Towers of the fall lie ruined, the current title holder does not have the means to repair it. The current title holder is Elyssian of Endsmeet. I propose the title is given to Sabina of Ankarien Spire who has the means and Ambition to bring it back into order as part of the Profferred Hand network.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (286-10)
* '''Notes:''' This judgement will trigger an election for the title at the next summit. Note that the judgement of [[challenge]] does not allow the raising priest to determine who should gain the title, only that an election should take place. The civil service are examining the status of this title, and will provide guidance.

===Judgement 160===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Saavi Heroes' Champion
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' The general of the Fist of the Mountains led a skirmish against the Jotun and heralds of the eternal Hayaak. The fighting was fierce and many Jotun and heralds fell and were executed by the Navaari. The people of Wintermark heard, and we concerned. The Crows wish to call Kindra Surefoot for Inquisition at 4pm on Saturday at the Summer Solstice o that actions can be explained and their virtue understood at Dunhearth Awning.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (179-0)
===Judgement 173===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' I call Tiserande Griffonsbain ot House Griffonsbain to give account of their acquisition of the only Imperial runeforge through public auction. I invite the Basilisk of the Bourse to assist if willing and able. Time@ 9pmFriday, Summer Solstice 385. Location:Academy. Prosperity provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (155-0)
===Judgement 174===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Galene Netherwatch
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call Watt Lambrook to Inquisition at 9 o'clock Friday at the Summer Solstice about his action at the Whisper Gallery meeting.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld Automatically.

==Recognition==
The following judgements of [[recognition]] were presented during the Spring Equinox.
===Judgement 3===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune; original recognition from Friar John
* '''Judgement:''' The General Assembly recognises the Speaker for the Dead as an Exemplar of PRide with the following signs: ''Legacy:'' Among the slaves of Marricossa they faithfully recited the names and deeds of the dead. This litany has now become their legacy as a yearly celebration. ''Benevolence:'' The Speaker's life stood in opposition to the evils of slavery, and through them we can all be raised in virtue. ''Inspiration:'' The Speaker emboldened those without a voice to speak, to see virtue where they could, and take pride in their shared struggle, which eventually led them to freedom. ''Salvation:'' When missionaries came to Marricossa the virtue of Pride was seen in the Speaker's story, and through them people have found the Way and salvation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1439-265)
* '''Notes:''' The Speaker for the Dead has been added to the lists of [[Known_exemplars#Speaker_for_the_Dead|known exemplars]]

==Appointment==
At the Summit, the following [[appointment|appointments]] were proposed by the Assemblies of the Synod. You can find the names of citizens who currently hold Imperial titles in the Synod [[Current Imperial titles|here]].
===Judgement 1===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Cardinal
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Viviane deCoeurdefer''' received 168 votes. Killian Mortére received 12 votes.
===Judgement 2===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Cardinal
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld '''Vaelen Embercast''' received 100 votes; Bryce Tanner received 30 votes
===Judgement 16===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Virtue Inquisitor
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Olyvar of Esther's Sanctum''' received 184 votes; Genoveva Barossa di Tassato received 104 votes.
===Judgement 21===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of High Bard
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld '''Protectorate Rile''' received 6 votes; Fedelmidd Sydanjaa's Heart Floer received 1 vote; Sofonisba Amilcara di Larvos, Liege Ciagnan Tamerlaine, Luyanna Songbird, Domingo Martim di Tassato, Eipa Larksong, Trindulo de Cantare, Lirielen Starsong, Flambette i Riqueza, Othniel of Balthazar's Vineyard, Fanny Richards of Upwold, and Fion Embercast all received 0 votes.

===Judgement 35===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Voice of the Twin Roses
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Earl Ailsa Tamerlaine''' received 29 votes. Rowan Fletcher received 10 votes.
===Judgement 36===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Virtue Inquisitor
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Earl Galeas du Maurisol''' received 71 votes.
===Judgement 55===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Champion of Prosperity
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Hugh Farrier''' received 168 votes. Wildfyre of Balthasar's Vineyard received 11 votes.
===Judgement 63===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Lepidean Librarian
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Jared of the Suns of Couros''' received 363 votes. Hazelponi of the Shattered Tower received 182 votes.
===Judgement 65===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Guardian of Britta's Memorial
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Neala Blackhawk''' received 78 votes. Rhubarb Ironwood received 43 votes.
===Judgement 93===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Auditor of Senatorial Accountability
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Pickers Blackleaf''' received 5 votes. Ira of Highguard received 2 votes.
===Judgement 99===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Seer of the Gateway
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Alcuin''' received 5 votes
===Judgement 119===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Cardinal
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Aspar''' received 152 votes; Hembeneth received 54 votes; Lucretius received 20 votes.
==Rewarding==
The following judgements of [[rewarding]] were proposed during the Spring Equinox.
===Judgement 6===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Vossk
* '''Judgement:''' Rewarding of Bartimaeous with 30T from the Virtue Fund for recovery of Glistering, the Artefact Pilgrims Shield of Prosperity. Bartimaeus has located the shield in the hands of the Grendel at his own expense and has negotiated a deal to exchange the shield for 15 wains of weirwood. This needs to be done promptly before the likely war with the Grendel. Bartimaeus has pledged his own resources to this but needs assistance in this virtuous mission.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (849-133); Margin 716
===Judgement 8===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' As high exorcist I have the right to withdraw 7 Thrones from the virtue fund to help equip the Empire against spiritual and unvirtuous forces. With this judgement I request those funds, and give a voice to those who lack one. A single dose of liao can save a soul if it is in the hands of the right person. Liao is wasted sat in pockets, pouches, and chests when it could be working to protect citizens of the Empire. In this vain it is unvirtuous to stockpile liao in your houses, chapters, steadings, and families - stop helping our enemies with your selfish greed. Redistribute your liao to people who can use it, and hope that one day they will use it to save your soul.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld automatically
===Judgement 10===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Viviane deCoeurdefer
* '''Judgement:''' The Hounds of Glory are dead, and their name will live forever. Give me the Lepidean Liao. I commit to consecrate the Towers of Dusk eternally to virtue in their names; a blazon shining through the night. The Three Soldiers stand in Morrow's gate, and the Druj flee them. Let us do the same in their Towers, and cleanse the Druj's power in the heart of their halls: the last place the hounds stood. Let their banner fly in Ambition and in Virtue forever. Where they have sown fear we will make flowers grow. Give me the seeds.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1285-260); Margin 1025
===Judgement 11===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Astrid Rezia di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' This is the final push The Cathedral of Pride cruelly destroyed by Faraden vengeance cultists is close to being rebuilt. I ask for 20T for the last few materials to restore it to its rightful place as a Beacon of Pride for the League and the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1204-427); Margin 777
===Judgement 24===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine duLac
* '''Judgement:''' As the Imperial Chaplain Consular I withdraw the 5 Thrones stipend to aid the Ambassadors in their virtuous work.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically upheld
===Judgement 25===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tobias Field
* '''Judgement:''' I ask for 20 Thrones to reward Robert Cutler for this work organising and procuring 100 liao to liberate the souls of 36 tortured souls back into the Labyrinth on the battle in Dawnguard at the Winter Solstice, 384YE.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (468-576)
===Judgement 29===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Corey Brackensong
* '''Judgement:''' To reward Halwynn Splitwoor a dose of True Liao for the purpose of consecrating the tomb of Geralt Brackensong, Exemplar of Pride. The Gatekeepers interviewed him and found him to be virtuous, sadly we did not have sufficient doses to award him one yet.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (519-556)
===Judgement 64===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Creighton Blackwater
* '''Judgement:''' The exemplar Major Joshua Benson is having his grave orchard transformed with true liao into an inspirational tomb. We reward Brother Martin Orchard with 15 Thrones to purchase white granite so that Benson the Bellringer will have the memorial he deserves.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (701-294); margin 407
===Judgement 81===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Pontus Figures
* '''Judgement:''' Remodelling Bastion with a Grand Inspiration of the Way will be the work of ages and a legacy of our Empire. The sizeable resource investment required (1000 wains of white granite) means a collective effort will be required. We propose that the virtue fund is utilised to provide some of this and bring the project to a swifter completion. The project is not yet commissioned, but for something of this scale and obvious virtue Wisdom dictates we start preparing now.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (740-369); margin 371
===Judgement 91===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Luciana Valesi di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' I request 7 Thrones to reward Estella Licati of the First Spark Carta for their work in helping newcomers to Anvil find their virtuous path. Funds will buy more resources to help newcomers follow their virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (891-166); margin 725
===Judgement 100===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Annabelle Boughgarden
* '''Judgement:''' Bertrand Gardener has shown exemplary Loyalty, Ambition, and sheer determination in bolstering the military strength of the Empire in the face of the Druj through single-handedly organising the casting of rituals that have increased our might by the thousands. We commend him for his actions and charge him: do it again. We are seeking 25 Thrones!
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (236-368)
===Judgement 127===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Irada von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' I, Irada von Temeschwar, Gatekeeper of Vigilance, on behalf of the Gatekeepers council, and after interview, seek to reward Claude Vider a dose of True Liao to exorcise the Eater of Love to protect all the souls of humankind (the Eater of Love haunts the Labyrinth and devours souls)
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1075-106); margin 969
===Judgement 179===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alcuin, Seer of the Gateway
* '''Judgement:''' 2T to reimburse Alcuin for procuring the testimony of a past-life visionary.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld automatically

==Alternative Mandates==
Prior to the summit, the following [[Mandate#Alternative Mandates|alternative mandates]] were proposed by members of the Synod.

{|
| '''Member''' || '''Link to mandate''' || '''Notes'''
|-
| Alvaro i Verena i Guerra || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Sofonisba Amilcara di Sarvos || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Astrid Rezia Fjellrevening di Tassato || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Aneira Exiles End || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Fintan Nighthaven || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Tarquinius Ankarien || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Anastasiya Volkov || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Aspar of Urizen || [[Blood_will_thicken#No_Price_Is_Too_High|Blood will thicken]] ||
|-
| Kaspar Yakovitch von Holberg || [[The_troubled_words#Finding_Yourself|The troubled words]] ||
|-
| Erasmo di Tassato || [[The_troubled_words#Finding_Yourself|The troubled words]] ||
|-
| Corey Wayfarer || [[A_murder_of_one#Arhallogen|A murder of one]] ||
|-
| Nathair Autumngale || [[A_murder_of_one#Arhallogen|A murder of one]] ||
|-
| Mael Donjeon || [[You_do_it_to_yourself#Through_Hardship_And_Misfortune|You do it to yourself]] ||
|-
| Exarch Luke || [[Possibility_days#The_Great_Dance|Possibility days]] || A use of [[Full_of_sacred_sound#Partner_of_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]]
|-
| Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov || [[Daylight_fading#Wolves.2C_Crows.2C_and_Rats|Daylight fading]] ||
|-
| Eli of the Cenotaph || [[Shallow_days#Visiting_Armadas|Shallow days]] ||
|-
| Jared || [[Daylight_fading#The_Other_People|Daylight fading]] || A use of [[Full_of_sacred_sound#Partner_of_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]]
|}

==Doses of True Liao==

Five doses of [[Liao#True Liao|True Liao]] were disbursed this summit:
* One dose in connection to the [[Lepidean Librarian|Lepidean University]] to Viviane de Coeurdefer via Judgement 10
* One dose to Tancred de Coeurdefer by purchase in the [[Public auction|Public Auction]]
* One dose to Zadkiel de Coeurdefer by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Friar John of the Mourn by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Jonah Yakovitch von Holberg by decision of the Gatekeepers

385YE Spring Equinox Synod judgements

2023-06-16T15:44:50Z

Cyph: /* Judgement 13 */ spelling

[[Category: Synod]] [[Category:Synod Results]] [[Category: Synod Judgements]] [[Category: 385YE Spring]]
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Synod_Spring_385.jpg|caption=The [[Imperial Synod]] watches over and represents the concerns of the virtuous citizens of the Empire.|align=right|width=500}}</div>
==Overview==
During the Spring Equinox 385YE Summit, the [[Imperial Synod]] raised 186 [[judgement|judgements]].
==Considerations==
The following considerations should be borne in mind when bringing judgements before the Imperial Synod during the Spring Equinox.
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that prioritise the greater good over personal loyalties are less effective. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that try to compel Loyalty will fail. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Revocations and Excommunications for disloyalty to the nation or Empire would risk causing dissent. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Any mandate that does not pass with a greater majority will have limited or no effect on Urizen or Varushka. It is not impossible that a mandate might lead to a response in one of the two nations, but it won't lead to any immediate consequences for the people of the nation. This lasts until some new turn of events changes things. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Urizen_Assembly|Urizen Link]]. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Varushkan_Assembly|Varushka Link]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' No statement of principle that is about Sulemaine i Taziel will lead to a mandate. Lasts until at least the end of the Winter Solstice 384YE and potentially longer. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Urizen_Assembly|Link]].
* '''Highguard and Navarr Assemblies:''' Statements of principle in either assembly that receive a greater majority may create opportunities in the other assembly. Lasts until the end of the Autumn Equinox 385YE [[The_bones_of_what_you_believe#We_Will_All_Be_There_Tomorrow|Link]].
__TOC__
==Change of Doctrine==
No [[Change of doctrine]] was proposed during the Sping Equinox.
==Veto==
One [[veto]] was sought during the Spring Equinox.
===Judgement 171===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Hywel Summer Crow
* '''Judgement:''' I call upon the General Assembly to veto the "Gardens of Glory" motion proposed by Tassato and seconded by Astolat. The Gardens will provide liao to a group known to contain many dedicated to the false virtue of Anarchy, and I believe the risks of enabling anarchy cultists to spread false virtue outweighs by far the benefits of the Empire; a handful of liao each season.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (1691-305) as it failed to achieve the necessary Greater Majority

==Statement of Principle==
===Judgement 5===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Able, Zenith Ascendant
* '''Judgement:''' In the winter of 384YE our nation demonstrated our dedication to the restoration of Zenith to the Empire by constructing the Crucible of Fate in Iteri in a single season but we can climb higher still. I call upon the faithful of Urizen to Witness the Consecration of the Crucible of Fate to the virtue of Prosperity - to remind all who work there, and all who live in Zenith that no reward is beyond our reach if we strive for it. The Urizen national assembly calls upon the faithful to gather in Morrow and witness the consecration of the tomb of Sulemaine I Taziel to Wisdom by Herminius of the House of the Wanderer before proceeding together to Zenith to Iteri to witness the consecration of the Crucible of Fate to Prosperity by Bartimaeus of Zenith Ascendant.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (353-10)

===Judgement 7===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Father Drakov
* '''Judgement:''' General Assembly reminded us (J82 Winter 384) "No virtuous action should be discarded because you find the consequences inconvenient." Exemplars are usually recognised after their death, however, when discussing Recognition (J14 Winter 384) the Pride Assembly stated "we have nothing to gain by dragging our feet in such matters." Any living exemplar could inspire without the ambiguity of history confusing their words or message. I call on the Synod to set aside its fears of living exemplars. Let us recognise and uplift our virtous fellows, acknowledging their deeds and virtue when they meet the signs of an Exemplar.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1185-738)
===Judgement 9===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' On behalf of the hakima of the Brass Coast. The statement of the Freeborn National Assembly in Winter 384YE debased the legacy of the Founders of the Brass Coast. We will always welcome newcomers to our shores. But inviting the Freefolk to join our nation without demonstrating alignment with our ideals and taking the name of the Three Sisters disrespects our culture and is a gross oversight by the Assembly. Tradition exists for a reason - the Assembly should respect this and remember to seek the guidance and wisdom of the hakima before making such sweeping statements.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld, Withdrawn (44-92)
===Judgement 12===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Elagabala
* '''Judgement:''' Despite the tireless and virtuous work of Fintan Nighthaven, Hate still flourishes in the Barrens and in our warriors there. Despite a mandate to oppose false virtue, false virtue stands. The Synod's tools are not fit for the modern Anvil or the modern Empire. The Synod has failed, It is sick. It is dying. It must reform or die.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (364-1044)

===Judgement 13===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Cynerik
* '''Judgement:''' Recognising the loyalty shown to Wintermark, and to her values of building bonds between nations, we, the priests of Wintermark, celebrate the virtue and heroism of Yulia Kasimiova Voronov, named "Hunger's Folly", by allowing her a place to sleep within the sacred marshes of Sovevann. As senator for Miekarova, Yulia courageously sacrificed her homeland, to enable Wintermark to take the steps needed to reclaim Sermersuaq. This act of heroism was instrumental to our victory to once again unify Wintermark. The Varushkan people and egregores recognise our traditions, and have approved of this act. The egregores of Wintermark approved of the naming of Yulia, and welcome her interment into the marshes of Kallavesa. They have made clear that this is not an action that Wintermark takes lightly, and as such something like this will never happen again.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (369-0)

===Judgement 14===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Genoveva Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' The Empire was created to allow all souls to live and die under the banner of the Way of Virtue. During Empress Teleri's reign, Cardinals were members of both the Synod and the Imperial Senate. They were able to be present in Senate, have full voting rights, and could both raise, and second a Senate motion. This was in recognition of the fact that, just as Senators represent a number of Imperial citizens in a territory, so the Cardinals represent the virtuous citizens of their assembly. This power was removed during Varkula's reign, and the Conscience of the Senate created as a political compromise. Recently, Senators have often stated that Synod and the Senate need to work more closely, and at present Synod can only react to Senate's decisions after the fact. We call on the Senate to restore the power to function as full voting members of the Senate to the Cardinals, giving full voice to Virtue in the primary legislative body of the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (879-958)

===Judgement 15===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Rafael Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' When the Free Folk learned of the burning of the Blood Red River Museum, they understood it as an attempt to injure the Empire's Pride. They consider the Empire to have given them the Ambition to be free, the Courage to fight, and the Wisdom to survive. So, they gathered the money they had all earned in an entire season and gave it to help rebuild Tassato's Pride, as the Empire has built theirs. They hope one day to visit the Museum when it is restored to its full majesty and glory, in the spirit of the Sun Queen. And so, we invite the Free Folk to the cities of the League, allowing us to repay this Reckoning. We encourage all League citizens, but especially those of Tassato, to welcome the Free Folk and give them the warmest possible welcome to our great nation's cities.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (436-20)
===Judgement 20===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Travid Longest Path
* '''Judgement:''' Thornsong! To celebrate the construction of Thornsong House in Therunin, the Empire's first potion lore college. We encourage anyone with uncodified potions to donate them to Thornsong House so they can be included in the College's opening ceremonies for research and to celebrate the diversity of the herbal arts. Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete... but Thornsong would be a good start!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1703-233)
===Judgement 26===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Eurybia Melampus di Tassata
* '''Judgement:''' We implore the Synod to endorse the construction of "A Chain Against Chains," a fortification embodying the virtues of Courage, Loyalty, Vigilance, Ambition, and Wisdom to safeguard Sarvos. By embracing the virtues of the Way, we instill strength, unwavering loyalty, planning vigilantly for the defence of our pride and, with this ambitious project for the protection of the livelihood of our people and wise strategies into the heart of Sarvos. This project stands as a testament to our commitment to fortify our city against future Grendel or any other naval invasions, fostering a sense of courage, unity, and watchfulness among our citizens. Let the virtues of the Way guide us in fortifying Sarvos, ensuring its resilience and prosperity and in turn the prosperity of the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (290-18)
===Judgement 28===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Solas, Spire of the Waxing Sun
* '''Judgement:''' True Liao visions are a vital tool in furthering our understanding of virtue and the human spirit. We call on the Gatekeepers to prioritise those who they believe will use a dose for a vision; and encourage those seeking True Liao for other purposes to pursue that which available via the Bourse, Virtue Fund, and Throne.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (689-1283)
===Judgement 30===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Sagua i'Ezmara
* '''Judgement:''' Last season Zenith was a territory ravaged by the Druj, this season the priests of Urizen have the opportunity to forge a new future with the Crucible of Fate. There is much to be Proud of in that statement. As Pride uplifts, it is only right to acknowledge those who have made it happen. Zenith Ascendant has a complete list of those who donated money or materials towards the effort, of particular note is Abel the Taller who not only collected the funds but also led a coven in speeding up construction and acquired a True Liao to consecrate the project! We are also grateful for the hard work and attention to detail of the ''koboldi'' and by extension the generosity of their master Adamant. It will be up to the Urizeni to decide how to consecrate the Crucible of Fate, and I am aware of my bias, but I can't help but think Pride appropriate to what could be an Inspiration to Greatness...
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (175-64)

===Judgement 32===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' The Champions' role is to uplift others; the shields are tools to help them inspire. Fighting is not a requirement, nor should it ever be.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1591-488)

===Judgement 37===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Estella the Wandering Wayfinder
* '''Judgement:''' It is thanks to the ambitious efforts of Regina von Temeschwar and their sect, the Church of the Enduring Flame, that Ratibor is now finally recognised for his exemplary deeds. Regina never saw the final results of her labours as she sadly passed fighting the Vyig, the old enemy of both Ratibor and the League. I, Estella the Wandering Artist and Wayfinder, propose we honour both her and her sect by renaming the courtyard of Ratibor's Tomb to "The Court of Enduring Flame."
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (390-0)
===Judgement 38===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Pius Cleymont
* '''Judgement:''' With the vyig gone, we encourage all citizens of the League to extend the hand of loyalty to those abandoned or left behind by expunging of vyig. Orphans, surviving spouses, legitimate business folk and more. those who played no part in their crimes but suffer regardless. The egregores of our nation hear their heartbeats as strongly as any other League citizen, as so should be aided to take their place in League society and not forced to the margins by crime. Let us reinstill the light of pride in their souls and remind them that they are of the League.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (450-0)

===Judgement 40===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Nathair Autumngale
* '''Judgement:''' In the depths of Brocéliande, adventurers discovered Navarr and Thorn, alive and bound to the vallorn heart. They act as a spike, allowing the trods to drain vitality from the vallorn. Every grey pilgrim walking the trods, Dawnish knight questing against the vallorn, Navarri fulfilling their oaths sworn in ink and blood, every citizen of this Empire. When you work to combat or aid the fight against the vallorn, you are not only removing the foul blight from the world, but your actions are working to free two exemplars of virtue from a thousand year sacrifice they still endure to this day. Let it be known across the Empire. ''Supporting evidence document on hub wall''
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1672-40)
===Judgement 42===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Viuane Knotes
* '''Judgement:''' Last Summit the sepulchre of House de Gauvain in Caer Faucon was raided and ransacked by Dawnish, who perpetrated a murder to do so. We can all agree there was no glory in this act. Those villeins who undertook this did so under girding of Black Knights so as to avoid later identification. This is an abomination and corruption of the purpose of such a girding. Black Knights serve to promote glorious deeds, uplift the actions of others and place the glory of the nation above the glory of the self - anonymity serves them to allow Dawnish the leeway to participate in such free from any constraints due to their role, responsibilities, or household politics. Dawn strongly condemns any who would taint this tradition simply to perform criminal and deeply inglorious actions free from recrimination.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (242-12)

===Judgement 44===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Annacaya
* '''Judgement:''' While we rebuild the roads of Kahraman let us look ever higher. There is no height so great that it cannot be reached with preparation, cooperation, and perseverance - with such Ambition even the Gilded Peak may one day be reached!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (152-0); the Greater Majority for this judgement was 161

===Judgement 45===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Sián Eternal
* '''Judgement:''' 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.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (298-0)

===Judgement 46===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Aspar
* '''Judgement:''' "Consequences are the price of Ambition." If the Synod are to foster acts that encourage false virtues in the name of their Ambition, then they must match that Ambition with Vigilance. Blasphemous auras must be sought out and removed. Heretical preaching must be stamped out and silenced. "Seek out the poison in your neighbour's fields, lest your own crops be blighted." If consequences are the price of Ambition then the Synod must pay the cost.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1592-200)
===Judgement 53===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Rosemary Stamp
* '''Judgement:''' Seeks recognition of the loyalty of General Amberlain, the Strong Reeds, and every Army, military unit, and soldier who took part in the return of Bregasland to the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (140-14)
===Judgement 54===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Cecilia
* '''Judgement:''' The Hounds of Glory are dead, and we will never forget them. We are proud of every step they took, every choice they made; and we are proud as well of every General and every army who marched with them through the Barrens to the Towers of Dusk. Virtue does not lay blame, or stoop to pulling others down. We know that as Spring turns to Summer, so will The Barrens come to the Empire, because of what the Hounds have done; and because of what every other army there can now do, in strength and in determination, with perfect arete, in glorious purpose. Where they have sown fear we will make flowers grow. They will come back, and see them bloom.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (208-26)

===Judgement 57===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Geoffrey Orchard
* '''Judgement:''' The Whisper Gallery declare themselves at war against the Empire. Those who assist them are foes for the Vigilant to root out. Threshers, set to and harvest this field of sorcerers and assassins! Your clergy will be ready with shriving, clemency, and recognition once the reaping is done. Let us be as watchful in our vigil as Vardas, as decisive in our action as Berechiah.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (166-0)

===Judgement 58===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Kennett the Mummer
* '''Judgement:''' The Synod has embraced a campaign of Freedom in supporting the Liberty Pact (Jgmt 103 ss384, Jgmt 6 ss 384 Jgmt 20 SE 384). The Synod refuses to acknowledge the truth of this when given the chance (jgmt 3 WE 384). The Synod's hypocrisy on this matter is blatant. If we can't own up to the False Virtue we've committed to and work from there, why should any citizen listen to their priests? We have fought in Freedom's name, we must reckon with that.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (299-1301)

===Judgement 59===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Tiana i Zayden i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' The Highborn assembly are offering their help, through peerless kinship, to the Brass Coast. They may not direct this help, but we can. We ask the people of Highguard to help us save Kahraman from the Jotun. Please don't let it fall, and if it falls, please stand beside us as we take it back.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (184-0)

===Judgement 60===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Martin Orchard
* '''Judgement:''' Next season, I shall consecrate the tomb of the exemplar. Major Benson, using True Liao. The Grave-orchard at Pickham Monastery, Upwold, shall become a lasting memorial. Benson was a sentry who rang a dire warning. He was a father in name and deed to generations of monks. He built his legacy not with legend and miracle, but brick by brick to defend what he loved. We can all be Major Benson. The Exemplars are defined by their capacity to Inspire. Come, pilgrims! Witness his memorial!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1787-20)

===Judgement 67===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Ivana Petara Vodjavic
* '''Judgement:''' From barbarian lands our Corsairs, Wagon Raiders, and Reavers strive to bring wealth back to the Empire through war. The Exemplar Zemress' life tells us it is not the acquisition of raided goods that is virtuous or not, but what you do with this wealth that is Prosperous. We urge these raiders to invest in their communities, like she did, and with this your Virtue shall grow.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (254-0); A greater majority for this judgement was 259

===Judgement 68===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Fabio Costas de Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' We show our virtue through deeds, not folly. The piling of stone in Bastion may suit the whims of Highguard, but we shall not let our own Prosperity or Pride suffer for its execution. We urge citizens of the League not to assist in the aggrandisement of the White City, except when through fair trade their own Prosperity might grow.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (306-61)
===Judgement 69===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Henry Fletcher
* '''Judgement:''' The Marcher National Assembly recognises "The Marcher War-Priests". A group of individual who tasks themselves with...Gathering liao to donate for military endeavours. Helping liaise between the Military and the National Assembly to create battle opportunities. Maintaining a list of exorcists to assist the military (on and off the field). Take the time to anoint soldiers before battle. Attempt to restore hero's strength with various artefacts. Care for the minds of battle weary soldiers. "War-priest" is not a military rank and "War-Priests" are free to pursue their duties at their leisure.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (134-10); A Greater Majority for this judgement was 137

===Judgement 73===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Rikke
* '''Judgement:''' The hylje are Wintermark's family. They are sentient people, not our property. They have bled and sacrificed for us. We remain Loyal to them. We will not bow to demands to "provide" hylje. We do not deal in slavery. Accusing us of heresy for this is a nonsensical claim. Cold cannot compromise.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (343-0)
===Judgement 74===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Lia Adelaar van Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' Citizens of the League, life is a competition, and currently Dawn and Varushka are winning the Semmerlak trade. Let us join forces with our neighbours, the Sand Fishers, to create a dock at Misericorde for our mutual Pride and Prosperity. Our Ambition will be twice rewarded should the Sand Fishers be welcomed as full citizens of the League.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (368-18)

===Judgement 75===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Eevi of the Gadrai
* '''Judgement:''' Thane Dogri Thulebane was a hero of Wintermark and his name shall be in the Chronicles of Heroes. He fought uncompromisingly to drive the Thule out of Skarsind and defended Crows Ridge from them. He died protecting his people, fighting the Grendel in service to the Empire a hero's death. Every action he took was motivated by his unwavering Loyalty to our nation and our people. He inspired many people in the mark and he serves as an example of what Pride, Courage, and Loyalty looks like.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (276-13)

===Judgement 77===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Ingrid Seiging
* '''Judgement:''' A hero seeks a worthy cause. We call upon the heroes of Wintermark to bring all their strengths to bear against the Jotun, knowing that true strength comes from virtue, not the endless pursuit of war.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (284-13)
===Judgement 79===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Chauntecleer Words
* '''Judgement:''' We seek the Assembly's confirmation of a miracle. Specifically at the Winter 384YE summit Pontus Figures of our assembly acted as the guide priest on the second True Liao vision of Landon von Holfried, the vision was successful and shared by them both and corroborated at the time by independent parties that all outward signs occurred. The miraculous nature of this is that Pontus much like all members of the Words, Numbers, Figures, and Knotes organisation has never undergone the training to utilise any form of liao for spiritual effects. Put simply, this should not have worked, and the only apparent explanation is a miracle. However, at this point it is undetermined whose miracle it was - Pontus, Landon, or perhaps as a pair. The Assembly is also therefore asked to pay close attention to both participants in case they manifest further signs of the Exemplars.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (207-38)
===Judgement 82===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Vaukahainen Saltfoot
* '''Judgement:''' The Paragon Kethry kept her people's culture alive throughout oppression. The actions of General Amberlain and her Strong Reeds in resisting their would-be conquerors in Bregasland channelled the spirit of Kethry and inspire us all.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (239-46)

===Judgement 83===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Kirenna i Veruna i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' If the Synod votes against any Statement, the inverse of that Statement is not endorsed by the Synod.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1589-149)
===Judgement 84===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Astrea of the Crystal Skies
* '''Judgement:''' When one nation reaches out to another seeking only to help we should not cut off our own arm to refuse it. Any nation that refuses any and all help from Highguard or any of our Empire's nations has severely misunderstood why Loyalty is so important: collaboration is our greater strength as ten nations under one throne.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (287-0)

===Judgement 85===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Bryce Tanner
* '''Judgement:''' The Marcher National Assembly acknowledges the Loyalty and Prosperity of the Marchers of Alderley Forest to their land the Legacy, heritage and livelihoods it supports. We reject the proposal that it be cleared to support a Marcher army, and suggest that skilled foresters be employed to bring Alderley Forest into productive use instead of being felled.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (149-25)
===Judgement 86===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Appleseed Tom
* '''Judgement:''' Mana the Orc asks why is no money set aside from fleet raids to aid free slaves like myself from the profit of these raids. Rather the profit is all given to the fleet captains and the free slaves receive no share. Whilst some profit is prosperous at the cost of hardship to the freed slaves is not true prosperity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (366-13)

===Judgement 87===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Brynn Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' We know that the Druj use fear and terror as their weapon. When the people of the Empire tell each other over and over that the Druj are uniquely terrible and an enemy like no other, we do their work for them. The Wisdom assembly cautions the followers of the Way against spreading Druj propaganda for them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (273-34)

===Judgement 89===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Lochias
* '''Judgement:''' The Civil Service have said that they can not collate spy reports on the Imperial Spymaster's behalf, with the result that he often does not receive them until late in the summit. We therefore call upon those independent captains whose Vigilance leads them to support our spy networks to pass on what they learn to Imperial title holder who need that information.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (201-0); a Greater Majority for this judgement was 208

===Judgement 92===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Sela of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Highguard we have a very prosperous Benefactor's Council, that work tirelessly to help our nation. These citizens do not have the input of every chapter but continuously work to aid the nation and help all chapters when it is required. Task the nation to help the Benefactors in Prosperity by providing any resources, coin or wains so they see how essential they are for our nation and ensure they are helped by our nation to achieve their Ambition and in our nations projects.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (510-49)

===Judgement 94===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Callista of the Darkshard
* '''Judgement:''' The greatest virtue is found in those who choose to follow a virtuous path. Without choice, our ability to act in virtue is restricted. Therefore, the synod should seek to facilitate autonomy of choice in all people so that everyone may have the opportunity to choose virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (968-495)
===Judgement 95===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Vaurams Korppitkotka
* '''Judgement:''' Through the Ambition and Courage of our fleet captains, we have the opportunity to trade through the Gullet. We should do everything virtuous that we can to seize this opportunity. It will increase the prosperity of our nation and provide a way to spread the Way to Faraden.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (320-0)

===Judgement 97===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Jacob Tanner
* '''Judgement:''' While Emperor Nicovar may have destroyed our libraries, and burned our books, we still have a strong oral tradition, be it music, Marcher tales, alliterative poetry, or heroic Winterfolk saga songs. The virtue of Pride teaches us to "Embrace your past, never be ashamed of it" and so I call upon the folk of the Marches and Wintermark to come forward and share what they know of the stories of the troll known as the Torn Light of Night Falling, the Skinned King, Bloody Jack, Jack in Chains, and Steeple Jack to celebrate their culture and shared history.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1640-42)

===Judgement 98===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Cesare Enzo di Trivento
* '''Judgement:''' Recent opportunities have arisen for the Synod to engage with local groups, seeking to spread the Way. We propose prioritizing the narrative of the Little Mother as a catalyst for founding churches dedicated to her outside the Empire. By spotlighting the inspiring story of the Little Mother, we can captivate hearts and establish a strong foundation for new churches. her tale embodies the virtues of Courage, Loyalty, and of course, Prosperity, transcending cultural boundaries and resonating with individuals seeking spiritual fulfillment. Through these churches, we can foster loyalty, provide spaces for guidance, and promote prosperity in diverse communities.Let us embrace this principle, allocating resources to share the Little Mother's story and expand the reach of the Way globally.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (291-0)
===Judgement 102===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Constanza i Kalamar i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' We, the Freeborn National Assembly, condemn Asavea for their unconscionable slaughter of the Justicars of the Isle of Osseini, unarmed under contract of the Grendel occupation. The Justicars predate the Empire in their learning, teaching, and the practice or exorcism, their names shall not be forgotten, and we will not let their legacy face. Let us rally and support what Justicars yet remain, and rebuild the order elsewhere in the Brass Coast.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (166-0)
===Judgement 103===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Winifred Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' Whilst we welcome the Suranni wizards to find their place in the Great Dance, whether they join our stridings and steadings or not, we must do our utmost to welcome and guide them in the Way and the traditions of Navarr. We should learn of their Ambitions and offer our support in their endeavours. Vigilance is important but breaking bread, sharing a meal, and inviting the Suranni to sit by the fire shares our prosperity and our nation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (264-0)

===Judgement 105===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Isaia Pavone di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' As the liberty pact engages in wars against slavers, we must prepare for the potential surge of orphaned refugees. The college of the liberated, renowned for its commitment to the virtues of Pride, Loyalty, and Prosperity, provides an optimal platform to nurture and empower these orphaned souls. By incorporating the principles upheld by the Church of the Little Mother, we can instill the values of the Way and provide a transformative journey for all those plucked from the hands of evil slavers. We propose integrating orphan training programs with the College of the Liberated, embracing the virtues upheld by the Church of the Little Mother. With this we can foster a sense of belonging among these young individuals, building their pride and loyalty.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (269-46)
===Judgement 106===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Lorelei du Froste
* '''Judgement:''' Winter Eagles of the Gryphon's Pride, you can do more. Be inspired to be the great fortress the Druj break themselves upon, show us the orders to do so. Hold what we have won.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (134-0)
===Judgement 107===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov
* '''Judgement:''' This spring marks the second anniversary of the complete liberation of Ossium. We Ossians understand first-hand how a life in chains denies virtuous action, but now our shackles are reforged as axeheads and with Varushka preparing to muster a fourth army it is time for us to commit to liberating others in turn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (120-34)

===Judgement 109===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Lev
* '''Judgement:''' Our Freeborn cousins are locked in a struggle to defend their land and their freedom. We ask all Highborn to bend their efforts to help them in a spirit of Peerless Kinship.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (421-10)
===Judgement 111===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Aedig Steadfast
* '''Judgement:''' The Way teaches us that no-one can tell another to whom they should owe Loyalty. Human Destiny is built on the choice to follow our own Virtuous paths. Attempts by the General or Virtue Assemblies to instruct citizens to direct their Loyalty to one cause over another, or Vigilance to a specific enemy, goes against these tenets of the Way. It should be the responsibility of the National Assemblies to reflect the wishes of their congregates in deciding, for example, whether to dedicate their efforts to eradicating the Druj or to face down other threats to the people of their Nations, not the dictate of the General Assembly.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (509-1031)

===Judgement 113===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Ortenzia di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' Liao dreaming furthers personal understanding of the Way, particularly through liao dream pilgimage. However, Imperial Orcs cannot be included in this blessing. Ravenswing Infusion allows the use of the insight skill for all and provides vivid dreams. I call on their Assembly to support learning about the dreams of Ravenswing Infusion and whether this potion or other substances might be used to facilitate virtuous dreams for orcs.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (241-0)
===Judgement 116===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Herminius, House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' During the Spring Solstice 384YE I funded an excavation of caverns and ruins in Peregro, during our investigation of the site it was revealed that this was the final resting place of Sulemaine i Taziel. People of Urizen I call on you to witness and support my use of True Liao in permanently consecrating this cavern to Wisdom. Let it mark this site and Morrow as a place where dedicants of Wisdom through debate may test what they have learned and take that important next step on their path to Virtue. This is not all. For this season Urizen will be blessed with a second dose of True Liao. From Morrow I ask that you follow me on to Iteri in Zenith, to the site of the newly Constructed Crucible of Fate, to witness its concentration by Bartimeus of Zenith Ascendant.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (293-20)

===Judgement 117===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Kasjay
* '''Judgement:''' We the Urizeni assembly welcome back the members of the Lambent Claw to Anvil. We applaud them for having the discernment to cast off false virtue and return to the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (255-0)
===Judgement 120===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Tuuli
* '''Judgement:''' I, Tuuli, on behalf of the Crows am putting for a judgement on the known "Blood-on-the-Snow" cultist, Kaarina White-Eye, who has subsumed to an inhuman enmity and abandoned the Way. We ask citizens to offer no aid to Kaarina and those who do not renounce him. Remain vigilant and wise to the words offered by Kaarina.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (285-0)

===Judgement 121===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Dag Kinnad
* '''Judgement:''' I, Dag Kinnad, on behalf of the Crows am putting forth a judgement on the known "Blood in the Snow" cultist Wemba the Bloody. Wemba, former Steinr thane who devoured their hall mates, has subsumed to an inhuman will under enmity and abandoned the Way. We ask citizens to offer no aid to Wemba and those who do not renounce them. Remain vigilant and wise to the words offered by Wemba, and those who do not renounce them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (314-0)

===Judgement 122===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' The three peoples of Wintermark know the Jotun from years of conflict and history. They are our most numerous enemies with the strongest armies. They take out people into Thralldom which the Synod has recognised as another name for slavery (J22 Summer 384, J30 Spring 384). Wintermark calls upon the Empire to take that threat seriously. The danger they pose is less apparent than the Druj but they are the greatest cultural and military threat we face.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (262-26)
===Judgement 123===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Alvara i Verena i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' Friendship is a two-way street. As the Highborn seek to help us, we should seek to help them in return. We should show Loyalty to those who have helped us and seek Ambition to achieve greater things together than we could alone.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (142-0)
===Judgement 124===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Jebediah Boon
* '''Judgement:''' Oh behalf of Quay Stone "Tomorrow's traditions grow from the seeds of today." Quay Stone of House Stone is recording little known maritime traditions to spread as the Sea of Snow becomes more important. The Assembly calls for Marchers to celebrate the traditions that have kept them safe at sea.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (128-0); a greater majority for this judgement was 137

===Judgement 126===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Skywise Gralka
* '''Judgement:''' We will always be Imperial Orcs. As those who are welcomed under the banner of the Imperial Orc grow in number we must elect a name to those who came first and made it possible. Our lands are now a place of many tribes and septs and each will be known by their own name. Names carry the worth of our ambitions. The Imperial orc nations moves to recognise the descendants of Thrace, the liberators of our people, as the sept of the Sun and Storm. This is where our legacy began, and for it to continue it must be defined. War is in our souls and should be carried in the worth of our name. Sept of the Sun and Storm, named for the first and second legion that seized our virtue and forged our legacy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (71-0)

===Judgement 128===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Laurente Sepulcre
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom is knowing the blades you have to hand and where to strike. Recognition of Mouse of Dawn for their work to ensure the lances strike true.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (157-0)

===Judgement 130===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Bloodcrow Knott
* '''Judgement:''' The techniques used by the mystics of Wintermark may aid in the spiritual council of Orcs. Whilst they lack the Orcish Shamans guiding words of Worth from our Ancestors, their art has value. This has been witnessed.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (52-0)
===Judgement 132===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Neala Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' The Navarr invite and encourage the Apothecaries' Guild to choose Peakedge Song as the location for their Guild Hall. Let Guild, Nation, and Empire share in the knowledge and prosperity from Thornsong House.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (200-0)
===Judgement 133===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Eirlys Weir
* '''Judgement:''' The Feni of Hercynia and the Great Forest Orcs could be a potential conflict. In order to best welcome and settle our new neighbours, we should be vigilant of any difficulties that might arise.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (210-0)
===Judgement 134===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Rhubarb Ironwood
* '''Judgement:''' The National Assembly calls upon virtuous Marcher folk to shun the generals named who turned their back on Bregasland in Spring 385YE. Until Mathilda Fisher is dead, they shall bear the consequences. Kindra Surefooted, Llofyn Bloodcloak, Berechel of Seventh Wave, Alderei the Fair, Jaromir Kostka, Belekov the Wolf, Natalia Barossa, Jean di Sarvos, Achseh of the Sentinel's Tower, and Nicassia of the Citadel Guard
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (104-30)

===Judgement 135===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Caoimhe Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. No paragon of more than one virtue has been recognised. Doctrine does not prevent this, but Synod rules do. The Way Assembly urges the Senate to lift this restriction and allow recognition of an individual based on signs of multiple virtues if they exist, let us recognise them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (147-36)

===Judgement 137===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Claus
* '''Judgement:''' Citizens of Holberg learn their trades through apprenticeships as well as in our Universities.We encourage citizens of the League to share knowledge and culture with the Sand Fishers. Seek out apprenticeships with them and in turn welcome Sand Fishers as your apprentices!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (339-0)
===Judgement 138===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Galene Netherwatch
* '''Judgement:''' We show as the Wisdom assembly our support for the Hallowing of Artemis' Bible to Wisdom using True Liao. Artemis' Bible is a compendium of the Apothecary Guild's knowledge. The ideal is to make an artefact that will help spread knowledge through the Empire. This will be brought before the Gatekeepers next summit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (170-28)

===Judgement 139===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Dagon
* '''Judgement:''' Ending discrimination against lineage, orcs, and others should be but the first step for Highborn citizens. The Champion of Loyalty declares we must build each other up. Non-lineaged Highborn must not hinder the virtuous actions of their siblings and must work to correct the errors of the past. They must look for and recognise the past virtuous actions of lineaged Highborn citizens that have been brushed aside.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (350-0)
===Judgement 140===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Miroslav Temnavoda
* '''Judgement:''' A mercenary army would not just be a band of sell-swords and wagon-raiders, it would be a flexible, adaptable force drawing on the pragmatic and diverse military traditions of Varushka. We support the founding of a fourth Varushkan army which embodies this principle.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (142-10)
===Judgement 142===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Witold Stefanovic Petrov
* '''Judgement:''' The Karov Mercer's Compact encourage loyal citizens to engage in trade, barter, and exchange with their fellow Varushkans to ensure the growth of Prosperity within the nation. This virtuous endeavour will fill all with pride and encourage further ambitions.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (282-0)

===Judgement 143===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Zinka Mrakovna
* '''Judgement:''' The renaming of the Crawling Depths as the Vale of the Sunless Depths is intended to recognise the community that existed in the mines for generations. We urge the people of Varushka to accept this new name and honour those who strived in the depths for so long prior to liberation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (282-0)

===Judgement 144===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Nikolai "the Butcher" Petrovitch
* '''Judgement:''' We thank Boyar Svetlana Malinov for caring for the axe Golod, weapon of Alderei the Fair. We ask that this weapon be surrendered to Nikolai "the Butcher" Petrovitch as a representative of the Nation Assembly to research it along with the Magpies and decide what will be done with it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (256-16)
===Judgement 149===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Serrusto
* '''Judgement:''' The assembly of Ambition recognises Alfmund Fordwinson for his heroic efforts as Champion of Ambition in retrieving the Cup of Adelmar, and raise him up as a worthy battlefield leader.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (171-0)
===Judgement 150===
* '''Assembly:''' WIntermark
* '''Raised By:''' Sindri
* '''Judgement:''' There are currently many Frayed who walk the Heroic path of the Warrior. We encourage them to both seek out Stormcrows for personal guidance on how best to repair their skein and offer a suggestion to man the Beacons in order that no other citizens of Wintermark need make the hard choices that led to them becoming Frayed. Shielding others from their fate.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (296-0)
===Judgement 151===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Nemi i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' Riqueza taught us that living a life in pursuit of decency, integrity, and justice is more important than living a life obsessed with virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (81-1359)

===Judgement 152===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Rafe
* '''Judgement:''' Wintermark has a proud tradition of electing its leaders and processes by which they can be replaced. Those who would seek to choose the cowardly path of threats and murder, such as the "Firebird" cult, sow nothing but anarchy. All Winterfolk should stand against this.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (275-0)
===Judgement 153===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Lucretius
* '''Judgement:''' The Dawnish National Assembly withdrew their mandate number 96 as it could not withstand the Challenge of Wisdom's scrutiny. Therefore the power which was employed by the Cardinal of Wisdom had the effect intended by this power.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (222-40)
===Judgement 154===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Josephine of Adina's Charge
* '''Judgement:''' The discussions on what the future of Highborn attitudes towards the lineaged, orcs, and other sentient races should be are complex and under discussion. This is not something to be rushed into and needs full scrutiny, so it will be raised next summit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (299-33)
===Judgement 156===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Luca i Taziel i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' In Wisdom and in penance, Chiara i Zaydan i Riqueza has asked the right questions. In the eyes of Luca i Taziel i Riqueza, the inquisiting priest, she has found her answers. Her penance is absolved.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (110-0)
===Judgement 158===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Rowan Harper
* '''Judgement:''' The Exemplar, Major Joshua Benson, is a Marcher hero. Next season his grave orchard at Pickham will be permanently consecrated to Vigilance by Pickham's librarian, Martin Orchard. Come pilgrims, friars, and monks, witness this memorial to a Marcher exemplar.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (155-0)
===Judgement 161===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Hodwyn Aevardson
* '''Judgement:''' The Empire has given sanctuary to Suranni mages. Winterfolk mystics, runesmiths, and icewalkers can show their wisdom, pride, and vigilance by reaching out to these Suranni mages so they can learn of their traditions and demonstrate the virtue of ours. In this way we can stand with the Navarr and do our part to integrate these people with the Empire and guide them to the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (206-0)

===Judgement 163===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Faber Aerarius
* '''Judgement:''' While the repair of the Golden Casacade in Zenith is underway, I Faber Aerarius, Temple gardener and holy beekeeper, Rhode, Architect of the Scarlet Guard, and Kosmas Shepherd of the Sword Scholars wish to lead a small party of experts to investigate the changed flora and fauna. Faber will study Druj alterations and farming methods, and look for specimens of plant and animal stock. Rhose will assay options to create a series of canals and aqueducts to link the clear waters of Zenith to the fertile soil of Morrow. Kosmas will protect the party from all danger.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (291-10)

===Judgement 164===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Dayanara i Cabeza i Erigo
* '''Judgement:''' The Ambition assembly recognises the Ambition of Tancred de Coeurdefer and the soldiers of the Hounds of Glory for which they have paid the ultimate price. Not only did they aspire for Glory on the field of battle, but also to provide Salvation to the people of the Barrens under Druj tyranny. Their Ambition inspires not only the victories of today, but the planting of the seeds of virtue for tomorrow. "Where they have sown fear, we will make flowers grow."
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (172-0)
===Judgement 165===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Agnes Topirison
* '''Judgement:''' In lea of the events of Saturday Conclave, Spring Equinox 385YE. Loyalty to the Empire and its mages does not entail berating those whose voices have been silenced by clique politics. It is not an act of courage to mob and verbally assault those wanting to enact change. Pride should not be taken in such unvirtuous acts.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (649-223)

===Judgement 166===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Friar John of the Mourn
* '''Judgement:''' We, the Marcher National Assembly, recognise the Loyalty, Courage, and Vigilance of House Greywater. Fames for their superior knowledge of Bregasland's hidden paths, which they have put to virtuous use against the Jotun's tools of conquest. We ask their neighbours in Bregasland to support us in this recognition of virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (140-10)

===Judgement 167===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Peregrine Boon
* '''Judgement:''' Miners of the Marches! We call upon you to be vigilant and warn your fellows to do the same. A vision has been experienced by Imperials of impending danger to Marcher mines. Prepare yourselves!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (121-0)
===Judgement 168===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' The Fool of Glory
* '''Judgement:''' The story of the Marches and Mathilda Fisher is not yet at an end,as the story of Dawn and the Barrens is not yet at an end. The troubadours of Dawn see the Marchers strive towards the glorious conclusion of this chapter of the tale of Bregasland, and the end of Mathilda Fisher, and support their efforts to reclaim what is theirs in the west as we strive for what is ours in the east.
* '''Outcome:'''Upheld (194-0)
===Judgement 169===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Mina i Yashum i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' Our corsairs are the wolves of the Bay and our enemies are their prey. When war is declared on Asavea, we encourage our corsairs to prioritise hunting their ships above all others and their supply shipsas first among them. "Foam Follower" the ship supplying the Temple of the Black Bull and Balo alone should be untouched. Remember those who aid us.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (186-10)
===Judgement 170===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Doubravka Nadjaovna Vanek-Vessely
* '''Judgement:''' The Iron Helms have long fought to virtuously defeat our enemies. The soldiers of the Helms have spoken; they are not wolves or monsters. They have used the tools of cruelty to serve the Empire. The time is now to adapt to our strategic needs. The cabalists of the Helms are a most effective weapon in our arsenal. The quality of this army can be bettered to further serve the Empire, by drawing on Varushka's national traditions of magic.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (146-0)

===Judgement 172===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Captain Charge
* '''Judgement:''' We recognise the wisdom of our cousins. Dawn should listen to the advice of Varushka in the business of handling sovereigns. Dho'uala is a sovereign and not a monster to be slain, we should ensure we treat them thusly.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (132-10)

===Judgement 175===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Prince Bishop Jonah Yakovitch
* '''Judgement:''' The League National Assembly welcome the Urizeni in Spiral who wish to remain Urizeni in Spiral.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (175-104)
===Judgement 176===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Edmund of Barrowby
* '''Judgement:''' Thanks to recent historical research and the hard work of many Marchers, particularly William Guildenstern, and Gemma Brightsmith, we have the chance to revitalise the tradition of the Brightsmiths. Let us embrace our Pride and realise this Ambition!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (110-0)
===Judgement 177===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Velko Perunovich Razoradze
* '''Judgement:''' We encourage the citizens of Varushka to teach our Dawnish cousins how to deal with Dho'uala. To be respectful when sailing the waters and claiming bounties from the Semmerlak; thank her with gifts for keeping the waters safe and to not claim anything from the deeps that is no theirs to claim.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (182-0); a Greater Majority for this judgement was 182
===Judgement 178===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Cassia Apulian Silkweaver
* '''Judgement:''' Spiral is Urizeni and will always remain so. However, the Net of the Heavens draws us closer to the League, and we will support them as they build their homes alongside us.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (217-0)
===Judgement 180===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Sister Meredith
* '''Judgement:''' To be a Marcher is to accept Imperial law. The Marcher assembly is working towards accepting the Mourne orcs as Imperial citizens, but feel that we cannot protect them from accusations of heresy. We look forward to discussing our ideas with a ghodi, this would greatly assist our efforts.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (140-0)
===Judgement 181===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Azir i Shartha i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' The Freeborn Assembly remind the Brass Coast that the hakima are the caretakers of the legacy of our Founders and our tribal identity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (172-0)
===Judgement 182===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Ahshen i Fiel i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The Fire of the South take their blades to the Jotun, with Winter Magic at their back. Let true virtue remain in their hearts. Anoint. Hallow. Act in Vigilance.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (184-0)
===Judgement 183===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' The question has been put to the hakima of our nation: "What are the defining qualities of a tribe founder?" Bakar i Riqueza calls the hakima to council to discuss this matter at Anvil at the Summer Solstice. Prosperity provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (184-0)
===Judgement 184===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Clarice Novarion
* '''Judgement:''' The Assembly of Nine recognise and commend the nation of Urizen for their unflinching courage and loyalty in ceding Spiral to the League. This act of inspirational Benevolence must be remembered and rewarded. May it live in legend.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (8-0)
===Judgement 185===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Gaelen Embercast
* '''Judgement:''' The Council of Nine directs the SIlent Bell to investigate Imperial forests cultivating "Chaos Fruits" and any farms where plants touched by the vallorn are grown. This information is to be passed to the Cardinal alone.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (8-0)
===Judgement 186===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Darien Numbers
* '''Judgement:''' We the Empire come to the Barrens not to subjugate or oppress, but to raise up our fellows and bring the light of a virtuous Dawn. We seek the opportunity to consecrate the Towers of Dusk with a dose of True Liao that they may stand as a glorious beacon of virtue for the people of the Barrens; to guide, inspire, and exalt their spirits in building a virtuous future. Where they have sown fear, we will make flowers bloom.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (8-0)

==Mandate==
The following [[mandate|mandates]] were passed during the Spring Equinox. Where there are [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|competing mandates]], the one that passes with the largest margin is successful and all other competing mandates are considered to have failed.
===Judgement 4===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Bartimaeus of Zenith Ascendant
* '''Judgement:''' We must strive for excellence in all things. We send Able of Zenith Ascendant with 50 doses of liao to urge everyone who attends the Crucible of Fate to ensure that their work is practical and effective.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (373-10). This represents a margin of 363.
* '''Enacted:''' This mandate urges the people of Zenith to use Spire Calator to make things that are prosperous and powerful. As detailed in [[Where_do_we_go_from_here%3F#Spire_Calator|Where do we go from here?]]
===Judgement 19===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Sofonisba Amilcara di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' The cities of the League fought for our independence, and we will not surrender it easily. We send Sofonisba Amilcara di Sarvos with 50 doses of liao to urge the people of the League to take pride in our history and refuse all aid from the Highborn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (250-180). This represents a margin of 70.
* '''Notes:''' Liao provided. When enacted then Highguard will not be able to direct their Assembly to help the League at any point in the near future, and it will be easier to rouse people to anger in the future, if the efforts of the League Assembly were stifled by opposition to one of their mandates from the Highborn Assembly. As detailed in [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]]

===Judgement 23===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine duLac
* '''Judgement:''' The Druj are a grave spiritual threat to the Empire. No price is too high to stop their campaign of spreading Hate and Fear. We send Lady Laudine duLac with 100 doses of liao to tell all who are Virtuous that the final victory against the Druj is within our grasp if we commit ourselves to it utterly.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (1036 - 1136)
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[You_do_it_to_yourself#Victory_To_The_Empire|You do it to yourself]].

===Judgement 27===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Alessi di Trivento
* '''Judgement:''' Test what you learn; only fools accept hearsay as truth. We send Alessi di Trivento with 25 doses of liao to urge the bravos of Holberg to remember Alexander von Holberg, embrace the philosophy of the sword scholars, and accept no higher authority than their own reason and logic.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld with a Greater Majority (20-462)
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[The_troubled_words#Creating_Yourself|The troubled words]].
===Judgement 43===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Jared of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Highguard wishes Varushka to be our Partner in Greatness this season. In Juha the Cave Spider's example, we wish to support this great nation in building bonds through trading with, and finding out about, their mortal non-Imperial neighbours. We send Jared of the Suns of Couros with 25 liao to convince our benefactors and unconquered to offer their support to their Varushkan siblings so their lands may be tamed and harnessed further.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (407-35). This represents a margin of 372. A Great Majority for this mandate would have been 416.
* '''Enacted:''' As detailed in [[Full_of_sacred_sound#A_Peerless_Kinship|Full of Sacred Sound]]. See also [[#Judgement 145|Judgement 145]].
===Judgement 51===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Exarch Luke of the Navigators of Virtue
* '''Judgement:''' Having been refugee in our past, we Highborn understand the plight of those having fled persecution into a new land, and a new future. Inspired by our Navarri siblings, we send Exarch Luke with 50 doses of liao to urge wayfarers and magisters to help embrace and welcome the Suranni into the Empire and to aid them in settling their bodies and souls for generations to come.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (314-58). This represents a margin of 256.
* '''Enacted:''' The Highborn will reach out to the Suranni magicians in an attempt to welcome them to the Empire. Given the wizards' opinion of priests in general it is unsure what effect this will have. One thing that is certain is that it will not see the Suranni settle in Highguard. As detailed in [[Possibility_days#The_Great_Dance|Possibility days]].
===Judgement 56===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Mael Donjeon
* '''Judgement:''' Never accept defeat; adapt your strategy and try anew. We send Ser Mael Donjeon with 100 doses of liao to remind everyone that the Empire faces many great threats and it is the ambition of our military council to protect us from them. The Imperial Synod exists to safeguard the soul of the Empire and guard its citizens in virtue - not to insult the pride and courage of its generals by dictating military strategy.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld; withdrawn (850-600)
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[You_do_it_to_yourself#Through_Hardship_And_Misfortune|You do it to yourself]].
===Judgement 62===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Erasmo di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' We send Erasmo di Tassato with 25 doses of liao to remind the bravos of Holberg of Emperor Frederick - and encourage them to debate the sword scholars, seek other rival points of view and draw their own rational conclusions. Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete - the sword scholars should be the first of many different teachers at the Sword Academy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a greater majority (413-0). This represents a margin of 413.
* '''Enaced:''' Sparks enthusiasm and interest in the Sword Academy It will encourage bravos to look at the writings and teachings of Emperor Frederick Ritter van Holberg. As detailed in [[The_troubled_words#The_Sword_Scholars|The troubled words]].
===Judgement 66===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ehmrys i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' Never accept defeat, adapt your strategy and try anew. We send Ehmrys i Guerra with 100 doses of liao to remind everyone that the Empire faces many great threats and it is the ambition of our military council to protect us from them. The Imperial Synod exists to safeguard the soul of the Empire and guard its citizens in virtue - not to insult the pride and courage of its generals by dictating military strategy.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (728 - 938)
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[You_do_it_to_yourself#Through_Hardship_And_Misfortune|You do it to yourself]].

===Judgement 71===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Teleri Thornweaveer
* '''Judgement:''' We believe that everyone should have a chance to find a place they will belong, where their partners in the Great Dance will be right for them. We send Teleri Thornweaver with 50 doses of liao to urge guides, vates, and brands to seek out Suranni wizards and offer them sanctuary in their steadings and stridings, and help them find a true home for their spirits.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (240-0). This represents a margin of 240.
* '''Enacted:''' The majority of the Suranni wizards who do not already have contacts in the Empire will become guests of the Navarr - for good and ill. As detailed in [[Possibility_days#The_Great_Dance|Possibility days]]. See also [[#Judgement 90|Judgement 90]].
===Judgement 76===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Tarquinius
* '''Judgement:''' Highguard have been good neighbours to us, we can trust them not to betray us by using their influence to undermine our goals. We send Tarquinius Ankarien with 50 doses of liao to preach that "How can we prevent Highguard assisting with issues raised by our assembly?" is asking the wrong question when we could be asking "How can we return the favour through assisting with issues raised by their own."
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (343-0). This represents a margin of 343.
* '''Enacted:''' The priests of the Urizen Assembly will will take the same interest in the statements and mandates of the Highborn Assembly as the Highborn Assembly has taken in theirs. As detailed in [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]].
===Judgement 90===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Veikko Bondforger
* '''Judgement:''' The Loyalty assembly sends Raewyn Eternal with 25 liao to support the Navarr national assembly in their efforts to find homes for the Suranni refugees in the mandate that reads: We believe that everyone should have a chance to find a place they will belong, where their partners in the Great Dance will be right for them. We send Teleri Thornweaver with 50 doses of liao to urge guides, vates, and brands to seek out Suranni wizards and offer them sanctuary in their steadings and stridings, and help them find a true home for their spirits.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (456-0). This represents a margin of 456.
* '''Enacted:''' The [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]] supports [[#Judgement 71|Judgement 71]].
===Judgement 96===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Andwyn of House DeRondell
* '''Judgement:''' A great life leaves a legend, and the soul cannot be armoured. When we stand against our enemies, we should do so as an unbreakable wall of ice and adamant. We send Andwyn of House DeRondell with 75 doses of liao to spread tales of glorious defence and urge all those who fight beneath our banners to become as immovable as the mountain.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[You_can%27t_count_on_me#Splendour of the White Bear|You can't count on me]]. See also [[#Judgement 114|Judgement 114]].
===Judgement 104===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Ophelia Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' The Highborn have paid their debts, called us sibling, and shared in our traditions. We send Ophelia Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato with 50 doses of liao to preach that we should ensure our reckonings stay balanced, and where aid has been offered, we should offer out hand in friendship in return, rather than turn our backs on our kin.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (218-147). This represents a margin of 71.
* '''Enacted:''' The priests of the League Assembly will take the same interest in the statements and mandates of the Highborn Assembly as the Highborn Assembly has taken in theirs. As detailed in [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]].
===Judgement 108===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Vadrian Dace
* '''Judgement:''' The fruits of the Vallorn have the potential to be a hidden threat, even though they are also a useful resource. Vigilance guides us, and so we send Sister Julliette of Balthazars Vineyard with 25 doses of liao to seek out all the places where such things thrive.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (473-14). This represents a margin of 459.
* '''Enacted:''' Liao provided by Vadrian Dace. If this mandate is enacted by itself, it will provide the same list of forests where chaos fruit are being cultivated that the Navarr would have received. If both mandates are enacted however, then both characters receive the list, and it will also include details of farms and forests where vis-producing vallorn plants are cultivated in Casinea, Astolat, and Semmerholm. As detailed in [[Children_in_bloom#Probably_Not_Vallorn|Children in bloom]]. See also [[#Judgement 155|Judgement 155]].

===Judgement 112===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Wildfyre
* '''Judgement:''' No one knows what the morrow holds but honest trade with the Grendel demonstrates the virtue of Prosperity. We send Brother Wildfyre with 25 doses of liao to urge every citizen to enjoy the fruits of our labour today so that we may benefit from a fair trade with them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (384-24). This represents a margin of 360.
* '''Enacted:''' Every business in Necropolis will gain 2 crowns additional income for as long as a Grendel navy remains in the territorial waters. As detailed in [[Shallow_days#Visiting_Armadas|Shallow days]].
===Judgement 114===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Hembeneth i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' We call on followers of the Way to test and question what is being done. Mandate 96 in the Dawn assembly raised by Aldwyn of House DeRondell who will "spread tales of glorious defence and urge all those who fight beneath our banners to become as immovable as the mountain." We send Hembeneth i Guerra, with 25 doses of liao, to urge the faithful to test their knowledge and discard anything that falls thought.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (84-0)
* '''Notes:''' The target mandate was withdrawn, and so this mandate has no effect. No liao has been spent. This does not count as a successful use of the Cardinal's power.

===Judgement 118===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Eli of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' Do not fear to act; only be shamed by inaction. We send Isaac of the Silent Tide, speaker of the Highborn National Assembly, with 75 doses of liao to urge Highborn priests to destroy the pillar in Clypion to clear the Druj miasma from Zenith.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (512-0). This represents a margin of 512.
* '''Enacted:''' Highborn priests seek out the last remaining miasma pillars in Clypion and use the liao they have to destroy them and still allow the Granite Pillar to engage in campaign elsewhere. As detailed in [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Fear_Oppresses_Strength|Pieces missing everywhere]].
===Judgement 136===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' Consequences are the price of ambition. We send Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra with 50 doses of liao to urge every citizen to contribute what resources they can spare to support the creation of a new holy city at Bastion. Let out virtue echo through history for a thousand years.
* '''Outcome:''' Withdrawn
* '''Notes:''' As detailed in [[Blood_will_thicken#No_Price_Is_Too_High|Blood will thicken]].
===Judgement 145===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Vaclav Mladenovich Kosti
* '''Judgement:''' Varushka is very large, and we must acknowledge that we share it with fellow sapient beings - the orcs. We send Velko Perunovich Razoradze with 50 doses of liao to urge any Varushkan who can do so to make peaceful contact with the orcs who share our hills and forests, consider their virtue, and discover what deals might be made with them.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (323-0). This represents a margin of 323.
* '''Enacted:''' Varushkan traders, merchants, and volhov will seek to make peaceful contact with any receptive orcs in Varushka, including the Thule, and make deals with them. As detailed in [[Daylight_fading#The_Other_People|Daylight fading]].
===Judgement 146===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Amvis Johan Merikovich
* '''Judgement:''' Humans are the greatest of all beings in creation, and more than a match for inhuman entities. We send Vaclav Mladenovich Kosti with 75 doses of liao to remind every Varushkan that it is not against the doctrines of the faith to bargain with sovereigns and that the virtuous can certainly put their dark boons to virtuous use.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (238-26)
* '''Enacted:''' Those in a position to do so will hunt out the dark powers of Varushka, and seek to make bargains with them. As detailed in [[Daylight_fading#Dark_Powers|Daylight fading]].
===Judgement 147===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Anastasiya Volkov
* '''Judgement:''' All who travel to our hearth will be offered hospitality, while they are also offered council from our wise ones. We send Anastasiya Volkov with 50 doses of liao to encourage Varuhska to accept any aid from Highguard and in return offer aid to their assembly.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Greater Majority (282-0). This represents a margin of 282.
* '''Enacted:''' The priests of the Varushkan Assembly will take the same interest in the statements and mandates of the Highborn Assembly as the Highborn Assembly has taken in theirs. As detailed in [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]].
===Judgement 155===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Enfys Larksong
* '''Judgement:''' The fruits of the vallorn have the potential to be a hidden threat, even thought they are also a useful resource. Vigilance guides us, and so we send Enfys Larksong with 25 doses of liao to seek out all the places where such things thrive.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (112-0). This represents a margin of 112.
* '''Enacted:''' If this mandate is enacted by itself, it will provide the same list of forests where chaos fruit are being cultivated that the Navarr would have received. If both mandates are enacted however, then both characters receive the list, and it will also include details of farms and forests where vis-producing vallorn plants are cultivated in Casinea, Astolat, and Semmerholm. As detailed in [[Children_in_bloom#Probably_Not_Vallorn|Children in bloom]]. See also [[#Judgement 112|Judgement 112]].
===Judgement 162===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Harwyn Eternal
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous inspire others to greatness. We send Ubarius of Tropaion Citadel with 75 doses of liao to urge priests to engage with the Faraden to learn their ways to discover if we might bring them to the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (316-0). This represents a margin of 316. A greater majority for this mandate was 317.
* '''Enacted:''' Provides the Empire with a better understanding of the religious beliefs of the Faraden, and of any possible conflicts with the Way. As detailed in [[Tooth_by_tooth#Pride_and_Prejudice|Tooth by tooth]].
==Evaluation==
The Synod made the following judgements of [[excommunication]], [[inquisition]], [[revocation]], and [[sanction]].
===Judgement 5===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Silas of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' Inquisition of Morwenna Winterbuilt. The virtuous apply what they have learned; Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete. To investigate the self accused for Idolatry and swearing their service to a Winter eternal at the Winter Summit 384YE. To also shed light on the accusation that this action was pre-meditated and put other imperials at risk due to her actions whilst on skirmish, let the Basilisk's eyes judge you at 4:30pm Saturday this summit at the Highborn Chapel. Wisdom questions all. Inquisitor for Wisdom. Silas.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (296-10)
===Judgement 18===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Silas of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' Inquisition of General Aurum, of House Castellan, of the Eastern Sky army. Test what you learn; only fools accept hearsay as truth. To investigate the actions of the General since their election and to gain further insight into their most recent connections, actions, and orders. To allow them to justify their choices. The fight against the Druj is a contentious issue between the Synod and Military Council. It is time for clarity and transparenc. Let the Basilisk's eyes judge you at 7pm Friday of the Summer Equinox 385YE (subject to Autumn's General Duties) Wisdom questions all. Inquisitor for Wisdom. Silas.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1370-10)
===Judgement 22===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine duLac
* '''Judgement:''' As the Imperial Chaplain Consular I call Abel of Zenith Ascendant, Ambassador to the Grendel, to an inquisition on Saturday at 4:30pm in the Hub. it is my imperial duty as chaplain to hold Ambassadors accountable on matters of virtue and I seek to establish why Abel decided to against my advice and my offer to remove a heretical aura of Freedom from their person last summit why they continued to perform imperial duties and took part in rituals at the regio while under the influence of a false virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld Automatically
===Judgement 31===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Kellin Hammer's Ring
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition'''. I call into question the Loyalty of Brennos Brackensong, and summon him for inquisition on Friday evening at 10:30pm, in Navarr's market square. Embercast meeting tent. At the last standing of the Winter summit, Talis Ashborn claimed culpability for the ill-fated retreat from Liaven's Glen. Brennos immediate response was a sudden, violent assault. Regardless of the circumstances, an attack by a General upon a Navarr citizen, in the heart of Anvil, cannot pass without comment. I will interrogate his motivations, in the hope that Navarr's longest-serving General has not fallen to the lure of Vengeance. I invite any interested parties to attend and bear witness.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (120-20)

===Judgement 33===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition'''. The actions of Tancred de Couerdefer, General of the Hounds of Glory for six years, have led to his army's destruction in winning the Spires of the Dusk from the foul pestilence that previously inhabited it. I call Tancred to inquisition to discuss the actions that led to this result and to ascertain his virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (130-0)
===Judgement 34===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction:Castigation. Escalation.''' Having inquisited Veikko Bondforger, Cardinal of Loyalty, I am castigating him for his confessed voting for contradictory statement in the Assembly of Nine Autumn 384YE, out of lingering fears from his past. In this situation he and other members of that assembly brought the highest Synod office into disrepute causing confusion and doubt in the laity. He has spoken of ways he will address his lack of courage and answered to friends who have questioned his loyalties. Now let us see him have the courage to bring those words into action. Let us see his actions repair the bonds that have been strained and broken.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (199-20)
===Judgement 39===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Cassia Apulian Silkweaver
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Castigation''' I find that Sagua i Ezmara, Master of the Koboldi, has acted consistently without consideration for virtue. She has insulted the legacy of Lorenze "la Volpe" and the Proud pursuit of Glory and virtue offered to the Eastern Sky. I recommend she step down from her position immediately, and charge her to carry for one year the Hallowing of the Diplomat, so she may learn to show rsspect she does not afford to others. A full writeup is available on the Hub noticeboard opposite.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (534-172)
===Judgement 41===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Chauntecleer Words
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Penance. Escalation.''' Inquisition of Hengest Dunn on behalf of Claude Videre Auditor for Senatorial Accountability. The idea that an hour's inquisition can be captured in the space available here is laughable. A summary is available on the General Noticeboard for Citizen Posting. We did not find any credible indications of unvirtuous activity, but did see room to improve in some ares. The currency of the Senate is integrity - Hengest's words. Pennance is to be checked in one year for improvements in: a) record keeping toe ensure accurate collective memory in Senate of costs b) Find ways to use existing routes within the Empire to officially recognise the prosperous individuals of Wintermark that have bridged the gap between Senate funding and completion.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1259-10)
===Judgement 47===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lenarius Ankarien
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication.''' During the Autumn Equinox of 384YE Alfmund Fordwinsson called Chiara i Zayden i Riqueza to Inquisition and found them to be "deiven, beneficient, and inspiring - a true dedicant of mbition." Of Chiara he said "They are motivated to expand, not just through conquest but also through demonstrating that the Empire is a burning beacon of virtue, to draw others to join our great civilisation. However they are also grounded - aware of their own faults as much as their strengths, and that it is by working together than we uplift the Empire's principles for the world to see. There is no reason that Senator Chiara would not make an excellent Throne." Unfortunately, Alfmund no longer has a congregation and so I raise this judgement so that Chiara's virtue does not go unwitnessed.
* '''Outcome:'''
===Judgement 48===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lenarius Akarien
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' The Ambition Assembly has long taken an interest in those who would declare their Ambition to be Empress. I call Claude Videre to Inquisition, to discuss their understanding of the Virtues and their suitability as a Throne candidate. Inquisition to be held at the Tend of the First Spark Carta in the League Camp, at 11:30 on Sunday Morning of this summit. In the Urizen tradition this is an open inquisition. Priests of any nation and virtue are welcome and encouraged to bring their questions should they wish to put them to the Candidate.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1203-0)
===Judgement 49===
* '''Assembly:''' Freeborn
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction - Vindication. Escalation.''' (Pertaining to Judgement 168 - raised Autumn Equinox 384YE). (Inquisition conducted on Adón i Martán i Erigo, Brass Coast Winter Solstice 384YE) Adón is a shrewd, sharp tongued and intransigent individual and is eye-wateringly candid even by Freeborn standards. None of this makes him unvirtuous, I am delighted by his pragmatic and no-nonsense approach on politics and economics within the Brass Coast. He has unequivocally supported the Coast with his fair minded distribution of wealth and has sought no recognition for this. Quote: "Everything can have a price, yet not everything is an opportunity for profit." Let these words resonate with all Freeborn. I fully endorse his ambitions for senatorship, Prosperity Provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (122-10)
===Judgement 50===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication. Escalation.''' (Pertaining to Judgement 184 - raisedf Autumn Equinox 384YE)(Inquisition conducted on Bartimeus of Zenith Ascendant, Urizen Winter Solstice 384YE) After meditating carefully on the account given by Bartimaeus and having consulted many of his comrades and former protoges, he exhibits the following signs of exemplarhood. Pilgrimage: emigrated from Highguard to Urizen and conducted virtuous pilgrimage to Anvil, Bastion, and Timoj. Salvation: Worked in the conversion of countless Sand Fisher orcs to the Way. Empowering new converted dedficants with the faith. Benevolence: All who speak of Bartimaeus speak of his generous and honest character. He has mentored and lifted up many enterprising people who all attribute their success to him. He stands out as a teacher amongst all else. He empowers others by giving them the tools they need to create their own prosperity. We extend our full spiritual support to him. Prosperity provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (253-38); a Greater Majority for his judgement was 259
===Judgement 52===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aethelric the Grounded
* '''Judgement:''' I call Cormac Dunn to Inquisition to answer accusations of a lack of Vigilance in one of his recent dealings.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (101-0)
===Judgement 61===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Clytemnestra
* '''Judgement:''' '''Revocation.''' Revocation of the Cardinal of Wisdom Hembeneth i Guerra. This cardinal will not swear to use the Eyes of Wisdom, we will revoke her and elect one who will. The Assembly will not allow the loss of this unique power.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (360-97)
===Judgement 70===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Cesare Enzo di Trivento
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication. Escalation.''' Sofia i del Toro i Riqueza strives in her many acts of benevolence to emulate the Little Mother.She has taught the value and practice of prosperity to every sould she has brought home to the Empire, away from the chains that bound them. She is not yet ready to bear the weight of responsibility of being a living exemplar, but I advise the prosperity assembly to watch her carefully in the years to come. I find virtue in her actions and believe that they should be more widely known. I am submitting an additional report to the Gatekeeper's council for consideration, see Cesare if you want a copy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (278-20)
===Judgement 72===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' I call Darien Numbers, Cardinal of Prosperity, for Inquisition with regards his voting of Autumn 384 in the Assembly of Nine. To occur at 10amSaturday at House de Gauvain in Dawn by agreement with all parties concerned.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (68-0)
===Judgement 78===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alfredo Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' Throne Candidates must be held to the highest possible levels of Virtue, and of scrutiny. Therefore I, Alfredo Barossa de Tassato Regario, Bishop of Loyalty,call Sir Claude Vyse Videre to inquisition at a time and location to be agreed but before 11pm Saturday Spring Equinox YE35.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (525-67)
===Judgement 80===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Telyn Stormtree
* '''Judgement:''' '''Revocation''' We hold our Champions of Virtue to the highest of standards. The Champion of Vigilance, Raavadi Founder's Dance, returned from The Barrens bearing an aura of Peace. What does it mean that our Champion's actions generated the aura of a false virtue? Icall upon the Vigilance assembly to consider whether to revoke Raavadi's position as the Champion of Vigilance.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (10-169)
===Judgement 88===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Lochias
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication. Escalation.''' (This is an escalation of Winter Solstice J92) The threat to shot down a spy network in Grendel lands would lack vigilance if it were followed through. However, as the spymaster has not carried out that threat, no penance is due. On the other complaints against his management, I am satisfied that the failure lies not with the virtue of the incumbent, but with the way the position was constructed by the Senate, and with the contradictory "advice" given to him by the civil service at different times.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (132-57)
===Judgement 101===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Penance. Escalation.''' I have inquisited Darian Numbers of Dawn, Cardinal of Prosperity, with regards his voting for seemingly contradictory statements in the Assembly of Nine, Autumn 384. He has justified his voting to me, that he saw virtue in both,judgements celebrating the hard work that had to be done but paying a price perhaps too high. He admitted in hindsight he lapsed in Vigilance what the consequences of how his actions may be perceived and acknowledged the doubt and confusion this caused in the laity. His penance is facing this truth and taking steps to think more on the percpetion of his words in upcoming Ao9 voting.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (264-10)
===Judgement 110===
* '''Assembly:''' Genearl
* '''Raised By:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction - Penance. Escalation.''' Ezekiel Adina's Charge demonstrates clear Loyalty, Prosperity, and Wisdom. There are also areas in which he could grow, and after discussing with him, he has agreed to the following penance as a challenge to improve. 1) to take an interest in the Prosperity of the League and Holberg in particular as this is the source of his income. 2) to not hold back on pursuing his own prosperity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1062-30)
===Judgement 115===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Valentina von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' The position of Chair of the Wolf was requested and campigned for by Elsha Bertolf of Temeschwar Citizens of the League showed her their Loyalty and put her in that role. She then failed to use her awarded power on theSundayof the Winter Summit 384YE. I call her to answer for her disloyalty at the camp of the Crimson Reapers at 13:30 on Sunday.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (180-30)
===Judgement 125===
* '''Assembly:''' The Way
* '''Raised By:''' Syn Truth-Walker Returned
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Penance''' (As inquisitor of the Way) Following the inquisition of Emmatius Encaran in relation to the murder of Raziel during a Winter plenipotentiary, I find Ematius' actions to have been careless in relation to the murder however virtuous in regards to the maintaining of the rules of the parley. In my opinion his penance should include the casting of a Freezing Brand of Irremais, worded (with mutual agreement) by Raziel's family and Emmatius.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (54-10)
===Judgement 129===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aethelric the Grounded
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication.Escalation.''' Cormac Dun is vindicated. Although his actions were contentious his vigilance - and virtue in general - cannot be faulted.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (135-13)
===Judgement 131===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Kellin Hammer's Ring
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication.''' Although he was at death's door, Brennos Brackensong came willingly to inquisition. We spoke at length about his time as a general, his priorities while in the role, and his approach to Loyalty. We also spoke of the events of the Winter summit. Throughout, he proves himself Loyal - and utterly virtuous overall. I am satisfied in full vindication. His only words on the matter were simple: "no regrets."
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (232-20)
===Judgement 141===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Silas of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Condemnation. Escalation.''' I find Morwena guilty of Idolatry and request the magistrates immediate assistance in proceeding to trial. This inquisition has highlighted what happens when we accept hearsay as fact. I encourage the citizens of the Empire to practice Wisdom and interrogate received knowledge. Wisdom questions all. Silas Inquisitor for Wisdom.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (446-10)
===Judgement 148===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction-Vindication. Escalation.''' The sacrifice of Tancred de Courdefer and the Hounds of Glory goes beyond numbers and reports. The Loyalty of Tancred to the Hounds and the Hounds to Tancred is beyond question. His actions and orders have led to the salvation of a populace from fear, an inspiration that crosses borders, and a legacy that will be remembered eternally. We also remember the names and stories of those who fell with no one else to remember them: Arya Hunter, Guiflor Florist, Anelisse Lyricist, Morgan Shield, Blase Striker, Asher Painter, Bank Truffler, and Angeline, Ageraint, and Ywaine of Drycastle.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (145-0)
===Judgement 157===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Sabella of the Silent Tide
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' I call Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra to be the subject of inquisition, for their conduct in relation to the Grendel negotiations, to take place on the Saturday of the Summer Summit at 4pm in the Highguard Chapel.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (278-0)
===Judgement 159===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Athenus, House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' '''Challenge.''' The Towers of the fall lie ruined, thecurrent title holder does not have the means to repair it. The current title holder is Elyssian of Endsmeet. I propose the title is given to Sabina of Ankarien Spire who has the means and Ambition to bring it back into order as part of the Profferred Hand network.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (286-10)
* '''Notes:''' This judgement will trigger an election for the title at the next summit. Note that the judgement of [[challenge]] does not allow the raising priest to determine who should gain the title, only that an election should take place. The civil service are examining the status of this title, and will provide guidance.

===Judgement 160===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Saavi Heroes' Champion
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' The general of the Fist of the Mountains led a skirmish against the Jotun and heralds of the eternal Hayaak. The fighting was fierce and many Jotun and heralds fell and were executed by the Navaari. The people of Wintermark heard, and we concerned. The Crows wish to call Kindra Surefoot for Inquisition at 4pm on Saturday at the Summer Solstice o that actions can be explained and their virtue understood at Dunhearth Awning.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (179-0)
===Judgement 173===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition.''' I call Tiserande Griffonsbain ot House Griffonsbain to give account of their acquisition of the only Imperial runeforge through public auction. I invite the Basilisk of the Bourse to assist if willing and able. Time@ 9pmFriday, Summer Solstice 385. Location:Academy. Prosperity provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (155-0)
===Judgement 174===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Galene Netherwatch
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call Watt Lambrook to Inquisition at 9 o'clock Friday at the Summer Solstice about his action at the Whisper Gallery meeting.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld Automatically.

==Recognition==
The following judgements of [[recognition]] were presented during the Spring Equinox.
===Judgement 3===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune; original recognition from Friar John
* '''Judgement:''' The General Assembly recognises the Speaker for the Dead as an Exemplar of PRide with the following signs: ''Legacy:'' Among the slaves of Marricossa they faithfully recited the names and deeds of the dead. This litany has now become their legacy as a yearly celebration. ''Benevolence:'' The Speaker's life stood in opposition to the evils of slavery, and through them we can all be raised in virtue. ''Inspiration:'' The Speaker emboldened those without a voice to speak, to see virtue where they could, and take pride in their shared struggle, which eventually led them to freedom. ''Salvation:'' When missionaries came to Marricossa the virtue of Pride was seen in the Speaker's story, and through them people have found the Way and salvation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1439-265)
* '''Notes:''' The Speaker for the Dead has been added to the lists of [[Known_exemplars#Speaker_for_the_Dead|known exemplars]]

==Appointment==
At the Summit, the following [[appointment|appointments]] were proposed by the Assemblies of the Synod. You can find the names of citizens who currently hold Imperial titles in the Synod [[Current Imperial titles|here]].
===Judgement 1===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Cardinal
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Viviane deCoeurdefer''' received 168 votes. Killian Mortére received 12 votes.
===Judgement 2===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Cardinal
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld '''Vaelen Embercast''' received 100 votes; Bryce Tanner received 30 votes
===Judgement 16===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Virtue Inquisitor
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Olyvar of Esther's Sanctum''' received 184 votes; Genoveva Barossa di Tassato received 104 votes.
===Judgement 21===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of High Bard
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld '''Protectorate Rile''' received 6 votes; Fedelmidd Sydanjaa's Heart Floer received 1 vote; Sofonisba Amilcara di Larvos, Liege Ciagnan Tamerlaine, Luyanna Songbird, Domingo Martim di Tassato, Eipa Larksong, Trindulo de Cantare, Lirielen Starsong, Flambette i Riqueza, Othniel of Balthazar's Vineyard, Fanny Richards of Upwold, and Fion Embercast all received 0 votes.

===Judgement 35===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Voice of the Twin Roses
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Earl Ailsa Tamerlaine''' received 29 votes. Rowan Fletcher received 10 votes.
===Judgement 36===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Virtue Inquisitor
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Earl Galeas du Maurisol''' received 71 votes.
===Judgement 55===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Champion of Prosperity
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Hugh Farrier''' received 168 votes. Wildfyre of Balthasar's Vineyard received 11 votes.
===Judgement 63===
* '''Assembly:''' Highborn
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Lepidean Librarian
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Jared of the Suns of Couros''' received 363 votes. Hazelponi of the Shattered Tower received 182 votes.
===Judgement 65===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Guardian of Britta's Memorial
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Neala Blackhawk''' received 78 votes. Rhubarb Ironwood received 43 votes.
===Judgement 93===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Auditor of Senatorial Accountability
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Pickers Blackleaf''' received 5 votes. Ira of Highguard received 2 votes.
===Judgement 99===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Seer of the Gateway
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Alcuin''' received 5 votes
===Judgement 119===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Cardinal
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Aspar''' received 152 votes; Hembeneth received 54 votes; Lucretius received 20 votes.
==Rewarding==
The following judgements of [[rewarding]] were proposed during the Spring Equinox.
===Judgement 6===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Vossk
* '''Judgement:''' Rewarding of Bartimaeous with 30T from the Virtue Fund for recovery of Glistering, the Artifact Pilgrims Shield of Prosperity. Bartimaeus has located the shield in the hands of the Grendel at his own expense and has negotiated a deal to exchange the shield for 15 wains of weirwood. This needs to be done promptly before the likely war with the Grendel. Bartimaeus has pledged his own resources to this but needs assistance in this virtuous mission.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (849-133); Margin 716
===Judgement 8===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' As high exorcist I have the right to withdraw 7 Thrones from the virtue fund to help equip the Empire against spiritual and unvirtuous forces. With this judgement I request those funds, and give a voice to those who lack one. A single dose of liao can save a soul if it is in the hands of the right person. Liao is wasted sat in pockets, pouches, and chests when it could be working to protect citizens of the Empire. In this vain it is unvirtuous to stockpile liao in your houses, chapters, steadings, and families - stop helping our enemies with your selfish greed. Redistribute your liao to people who can use it, and hope that one day they will use it to save your soul.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld automatically
===Judgement 10===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Viviane deCoeurdefer
* '''Judgement:''' The Hounds of Glory are dead, and their name will live forever. Give me the Lepidean Liao. I commit to consecrate the Towers of Dusk eternally to virtue in their names; a blazon shining through the night. The Three Soldiers stand in Morrow's gate, and the Druj flee them. Let us do the same in their Towers, and cleanse the Druj's power in the heart of their halls: the last place the hounds stood. Let their banner fly in Ambition and in Virtue forever. Where they have sown fear we will make flowers grow. Give me the seeds.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1285-260); Margin 1025
===Judgement 11===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Astrid Rezia di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' This is the final push The Cathedral of Pride cruelly destroyed by Faraden vengeance cultists is close to being rebuilt. I ask for 20T for the last few materials to restore it to its rightful place as a Beacon of Pride for the League and the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1204-427); Margin 777
===Judgement 24===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine duLac
* '''Judgement:''' As the Imperial Chaplain Consular I withdraw the 5 Thrones stipend to aid the Ambassadors in their virtuous work.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically upheld
===Judgement 25===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tobias Field
* '''Judgement:''' I ask for 20 Thrones to reward Robert Cutler for this work organising and procuring 100 liao to liberate the souls of 36 tortured souls back into the Labyrinth on the battle in Dawnguard at the Winter Solstice, 384YE.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (468-576)
===Judgement 29===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Corey Brackensong
* '''Judgement:''' To reward Halwynn Splitwoor a dose of True Liao for the purpose of consecrating the tomb of Geralt Brackensong, Exemplar of Pride. The Gatekeepers interviewed him and found him to be virtuous, sadly we did not have sufficient doses to award him one yet.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (519-556)
===Judgement 64===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Creighton Blackwater
* '''Judgement:''' The exemplar Major Joshua Benson is having his grave orchard transformed with true liao into an inspirational tomb. We reward Brother Martin Orchard with 15 Thrones to purchase white granite so that Benson the Bellringer will have the memorial he deserves.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (701-294); margin 407
===Judgement 81===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Pontus Figures
* '''Judgement:''' Remodelling Bastion with a Grand Inspiration of the Way will be the work of ages and a legacy of our Empire. The sizeable resource investment required (1000 wains of white granite) means a collective effort will be required. We propose that the virtue fund is utilised to provide some of this and bring the project to a swifter completion. The project is not yet commissioned, but for something of this scale and obvious virtue Wisdom dictates we start preparing now.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (740-369); margin 371
===Judgement 91===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Luciana Valesi di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' I request 7 Thrones to reward Estella Licati of the First Spark Carta for their work in helping newcomers to Anvil find their virtuous path. Funds will buy more resources to help newcomers follow their virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (891-166); margin 725
===Judgement 100===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Annabelle Boughgarden
* '''Judgement:''' Bertrand Gardener has shown exemplary Loyalty, Ambition, and sheer determination in bolstering the military strength of the Empire in the face of the Druj through single-handedly organising the casting of rituals that have increased our might by the thousands. We commend him for his actions and charge him: do it again. We are seeking 25 Thrones!
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (236-368)
===Judgement 127===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Irada von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' I, Irada von Temeschwar, Gatekeeper of Vigilance, on behalf of the Gatekeepers council, and after interview, seek to reward Claude Vider a dose of True Liao to exorcise the Eater of Love to protect all the souls of humankind (the Eater of Love haunts the Labyrinth and devours souls)
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1075-106); margin 969
===Judgement 179===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alcuin, Seer of the Gateway
* '''Judgement:''' 2T to reimburse Alcuin for procuring the testimony of a past-life visionary.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld automatically

==Alternative Mandates==
Prior to the summit, the following [[Mandate#Alternative Mandates|alternative mandates]] were proposed by members of the Synod.

{|
| '''Member''' || '''Link to mandate''' || '''Notes'''
|-
| Alvaro i Verena i Guerra || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Sofonisba Amilcara di Sarvos || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Astrid Rezia Fjellrevening di Tassato || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Aneira Exiles End || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Fintan Nighthaven || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Tarquinius Ankarien || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Anastasiya Volkov || [[Pieces_missing_everywhere#Trust_Your_Instincts|Pieces missing everywhere]] ||
|-
| Aspar of Urizen || [[Blood_will_thicken#No_Price_Is_Too_High|Blood will thicken]] ||
|-
| Kaspar Yakovitch von Holberg || [[The_troubled_words#Finding_Yourself|The troubled words]] ||
|-
| Erasmo di Tassato || [[The_troubled_words#Finding_Yourself|The troubled words]] ||
|-
| Corey Wayfarer || [[A_murder_of_one#Arhallogen|A murder of one]] ||
|-
| Nathair Autumngale || [[A_murder_of_one#Arhallogen|A murder of one]] ||
|-
| Mael Donjeon || [[You_do_it_to_yourself#Through_Hardship_And_Misfortune|You do it to yourself]] ||
|-
| Exarch Luke || [[Possibility_days#The_Great_Dance|Possibility days]] || A use of [[Full_of_sacred_sound#Partner_of_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]]
|-
| Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov || [[Daylight_fading#Wolves.2C_Crows.2C_and_Rats|Daylight fading]] ||
|-
| Eli of the Cenotaph || [[Shallow_days#Visiting_Armadas|Shallow days]] ||
|-
| Jared || [[Daylight_fading#The_Other_People|Daylight fading]] || A use of [[Full_of_sacred_sound#Partner_of_Greatness|Partner of Greatness]]
|}

==Doses of True Liao==

Five doses of [[Liao#True Liao|True Liao]] were disbursed this summit:
* One dose in connection to the [[Lepidean Librarian|Lepidean University]] to Viviane de Coeurdefer via Judgement 10
* One dose to Tancred de Coeurdefer by purchase in the [[Public auction|Public Auction]]
* One dose to Zadkiel de Coeurdefer by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Friar John of the Mourn by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Jonah Yakovitch von Holberg by decision of the Gatekeepers

Wintermark culture and customs

2023-06-05T20:22:38Z

Cyph: /* Scops */ spelling correction

==Skein==
The Winterfolk believe that each individual has a skein, a path down which that individual travels. A person's skein is not predestined at birth, rather it is fixed in places by the significant choices they make as they pass through life. The steps along the way are only the consequences of your skein; the critical moments are the points at which the individual makes a momentous choice - this is when their skein can alter. In the Winterfolk view, what happens in your life, your skein, is a direct consequence of the choices you make, the path you choose through life - the key therefore is to make the right choices.

Obviously not all the choices that a person makes are notable; what is important are the key points when far-reaching decisions are needed. At such points an individual's skein forks with the opportunity for different consequences. The [[Kallavesi]] have handed down various methods to help them identify these moments and more importantly to be able to identify what the consequences might be. Those who can accurately read a person's skein and give them advice to help them make the most auspicious choices, called mystics, are important figures in Winterfolk society.

According to the mystics, once the skein has been forked then it cannot be reversed. A person's skein can only be travelled one way; decisions cannot be undone, so it is foolish to dwell on any decision once the choice has been made. By accepting that your skein is fixed, you can commit yourself to your course and make the best of what has been decided. By travelling forwards along your skein you can hope that the future will bring opportunities to make more auspicious choices.

==Scars==
Scars are important to the Winterfolk. According to tradition a warrior who emerges blooded from a battle has demonstrated heroism by finding a worthy enemy to fight, and is celebrated as a consequence. As a sign of recognition, some Thanes will cut a young warrior who has fought well in their first battle but not been blooded. Others will mark a young warrior before their first battle as a way to encourage them to avoid taking unnecessary risks. Some bands re-open old wounds before a battle begins so that those who face them can mark their courage. All such cuts are little more than a nick, but done with a sharp knife so that they bleed profusely.
{{CaptionedImage|file=CM-140418-5854.jpg|align=right|width=600}}
When a warrior is wounded in a memorable fight, they will often encourage the [[Wintermark military concerns#Grimnir|grimnir]] to treat the wound "''so that it scars well.''" Scars are badges of honour; they serve as a visible mark of the warrior's skill and permit them to boast about the battle later - there is rarely anything to brag about a fight in which you didn't get a scar.
==Hospitality==
Any traveller visiting a hall in Wintermark may claim one drink, one plate of hot food and a bed by a hearth for one night, without any payment or even thanks. This generosity is mandated for one occasion only; beyond this a hall owes a traveller nothing and may turn them out into the night. However, a guest who works for their sustenance and shelter is entitled to hospitality for another night, and it is customarily unacceptable to refuse a traveller who offers to work. Wintermark folktales are filled with stories of unwanted guests who overstay their welcome which usually end when a cunning [[Suaq]] tricks them into taking unmerited food or drink, or into failing to complete their assigned work.

Some thanes choose to follow this tradition when camped with their people in the field, others refuse as tradition only demands they offer hospitality when in their hall.
{{CaptionedImage|file=MysticFeathers.jpg|align=left|caption=Feathers are wound into the hair to gain mystic insight.|width=300}}

==Birds and feathers==
Birds are sacred to the Winterfolk, who believe that they bring a child’s soul at the moment of their birth and carry it away at the moment of death. Some wealthy Winterfolk keep birds of prey, to ensure that the heaviest and most powerful souls are brought to their children when they are born. Birds favour souls of their own nature, so a raptor usually carries the soul of a warrior or great hunter, while an owl or a raven usually brings the soul of a wise mystic or a cunning scout to be reborn.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Suaq Birds.jpg|align=right|caption=Birds are often painted on clothing by the Suaq.|width=250}}
A bird’s wisdom is contained in the feathers that allow it to fly, and birds discard a feather when they are done with an idea or thought. Winterfolk of a particularly spiritual bent, especially [[Wintermark Religious Beliefs|stormcrows]] and Kallavesi mystics, often collect feathers and wear them for a lunar month. They seek to gain mystical insight by absorbing the discarded thoughts of the bird that shed the feather. Killing an animal specifically to collect its feathers is said to bring bad luck.

Birds are often used as symbols of the virtues in Wintermark. The raven symbolises [[Wisdom]], the goose and the jay both symbolise [[Vigilance]], the eagle, heron and swan all symbolise [[Pride]], jackdaws often symbolise [[Courage]], magpies symbolise [[Prosperity]], hawks and falcons symbolise [[Loyalty]], and the rook symbolises [[Ambition]].
{{Anchor|Art and history}}
==Scops==
Scops are professional entertainers, often travellers, moving from hall to hall performing and looking for new material. Some Scops master an instrument, but many are poets; the most ambitious strive to master the high art of the Scop, the traditional Wintermark alliterative verse. Suaq and Steinr Scops traditionally give formal recitations of epic tales, favouring the stories of popular heroes. Kallavesi Scops often prefer to tell symbolic stories with complex imagery that are designed to help their listeners make auspicious decisions.

Scops have an important responsibility in Wintermark, for they are the ones who grant people their [[Wintermark_hearth_magic#Names|names]]. The scops watch the younger heroes of Wintermark, those who have still to make a name for themselves. Once an individual has performed a deed of note, they give them a name, to replace their childhood name. A scop is expected to craft a name that captures a person's greatest heroic achievement, raising them up in the eyes of their peers.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Scops.jpg|caption=Many of the sagas are very long and a wise scop keeps a tankard close by to refresh their voice without breaking their rhythm.|align=left|width=600}}

==Riddles==
Riddles are a national pastime in Wintermark, and some scops make an effort to put the best riddles into rhyming verse and preserve them. The riddling tradition originated with the [[Suaq]], who believe that creating and answering clever riddles helps a person grow more cunning, but is common in all three traditions. The Suaq like clever riddles with hidden meanings, while the Kallavesi prefer riddles whose answer reveals something about the nature of the person trying to solve them. The Steinr enjoy informal riddle-contests, where participants try to compose and answer spontaenous riddles on the spot. More formal riddle-challenges provide popular entertainment, and [[#Scops|Scops]] are often called on to judge the best riddle in a contest, looking for the hardest, the most clever, the most eloquent, or the funniest riddle
{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark.jpg|align=right|width=350}}

==The good death==
The land of Wintermark is harsh but this serves to make the Winterfolk strong. It is the cold forge in which each of them is tempered. They face life unbowed by the ferocity of their land and refuse to acknowledge their own mortality. For this reason, death in their prime while striving to meet a challenge is preferable for many. Warriors seek the good death on the battlefield, but the good death is any ending that comes while pushing yourself to achieve one final act of [[heroism]].

A few choose to walk north into the Heart of Ice, the great ice-storm Sydanjaa, and are never seen again. Legend says that they battle forever against the creatures deep in the storm. When someone chooses to walk into Sydanjaa they do not imagine it will achieve anything, but that it is preferable to a slow decline leading to weakness of mind and body in dotage. There is a widespread acceptance of the idea that those who challenge Sydanjaa find the good death in an attempt to unravel the mysteries and riddles of the endless storm.

== Funerals ==
Heroes are interred in the Kallavesa marshes, their bones lying in the dark waters alongside those of the first king of Wintermark and the great heroes who have come since. As a hero's life fed the nation when they were alive, their body feeds the marsh in death. “''To sleep in Kallavesa''” is a powerful metaphor for the rewards of heroism, and to speak of “''those who sleep in Kallavesa''” is to invoke the very heart of what it means to live in Wintermark.

Wealthy Thanes usually pay for a beautifully crafted wooden boat for their body which is then sunk beneath the waters. Paupers make do with a reed raft. Kallavesi mystics are skilled at preserving bodies for the long journey to Kallavesa.

In the past there has been conflict between the funereal mystics and the priests of the [[Necropolis]] in [[Highguard]]. The Highborn have strong traditions regarding the funerals of heroes and especially Emperors. Several times they have tried to claim that the remains of Winterfolk heroes who have done some great service for the Empire should be honoured by being interred in their cold marble crypts rather than lying in the swamp alongside their ancestors.
==Icons and Artistry==
On the battlefield, and as decoration in their halls, Winterfolk prefer brightly colourful banners with simple, clear symbols that can be seen well from a distance. A banner is a glorious shout or a challenge to the enemies of the Winterfolk. Those who take the battlefield without a banner are sometimes treated with suspicion, due to the risk that they could do something shameful without being easily identified.

The Three Tears is the popular symbol for the nation of Wintermark. Usually white on a red or blue background, it references the gems set into the [[Crown of Three Tears]]. Another iconic symbol that specifically represents the unity of the three people is the Three Rings - a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borromean_rings trio of interlocking rings woven together]. Either of these icons is likely to be decorated with additional [[Runes|runes]] but precisely which runes varies from artist to artist.

Crafting is second nature to the Winterfolk. Stone, metal and wood are carved with [[runes]], but they are rarely painted, coloured or enamelled, as crafters prefer to show the beauty in the underlying colours of the materials. By contrast fabric and leather are often decorated with carefully painted or embroidered images that complement their colour and texture.
{{Wintermark Links}}

[[Category:Wintermark]]
[[Category:Archetype]]

Isenbrad's Legacy

2023-06-02T14:08:36Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

==Description==
This smith's hammer is traditionally made with a stylised white head as if carved from a block of ice, a clear tribute to the Rime Hammer, the legendary tool that was created by [[Isenbrad]] centuries ago. The power of the Legacy echoes that of the Rime Hammer itself, though it lacks the potency of its forebear. Even so it is a powerful tool in the hands of an artisan allowing them to recreate Isenbrad's feats in which he would create a item of power in hours rather than the days or weeks it would normally take.

It is often assumed that the Legacy was patterned after the Imperial ritual [[Timeless Hammer Rhythm]], a powerful Autumn magic that produces a similar effect. However Runesmiths claim the opposite is true - that the ritual was created by magicians who sought to imitate Isenbrad's hammer. Given how old a figure Isenbrad is, this is certainly possible.

Artisans who craft a Legacy are often divided on the shape and form the hammer should take. Some prefer to construct a blacksmith's hammer, something with the ideal weight and length for working an anvil, so that they can use the hammer in their regular work. Runesmiths who like to take the battlefield often prefer to create a much bigger heavier hammer, so that it has the right heft to be used as weapon on the battlefield.

==Rules==
{{Tool}}
* '''Requirements:''' You must have the [[Surgical_skills#Artisan|Artisan]] skill to bond to this item.
* '''Effect:''' Once per summit you may cast [[Timeless Hammer Rhythm]] on yourself as if you knew it without expending any mana.
* '''Materials:''' Crafting Isenbrad's Legacy requires seven ingots of [[Materials#Green Iron|Green Iron]], seven ingots of [[Materials#Tempest Jade|Tempest Jade]], four ingots of [[Materials#Orichalcum|Orichalcum]], four ingots of [[Materials#Weltsilver|Weltsilver]] and and six measures of [[Materials#Beggar's Lye|beggar's lye]]. It takes one month to make one of these items.
{{Runesmith's Law}}
<ic>
"Do you have one in stock? I need it now!"

Mildryd stared at the Imperial Orcs, the irritation plain to see on her face. She'd been haggling with this woman over the price for what felt like an age. Only to discover at the last that the reaver apparently needed it ''now''.

"Now costs extra." She said folding her arms over her chest. She was through being polite. She liked most of the Imperial Orcs who came this way from Skarsind, but this one appeared to have left her manners at home. It didn't help that she kept stopping with a blank look on her face, and then she'd come back with a complete non-sequitur. The first time she'd done it, it was funny. After she'd done it a dozen times, the act was getting old.

"Extra? What do you mean extra? You either have one to sell or you don't? I can't wait for you to make one!"

"Now costs extra" Mildryd said again. She contemplated explaining the situation to her customer and then decided against it. She didn't owe this orc anything. "I could have made you one in the time you've spent haggling over 3 rings on the price. You want one. I'll make it - but it costs extra. 4 crowns extra."

"Four crowns! For something you've got in stock! That's out..." she trailed off. There was that blank look again. It was really starting to get on Mildryd's nerves. "Are you a child of the Half-Hand?" the orc suddenly asked.

Mildryd stared slack-jawed at the woman. She tried to think of something to say but she had no words.

"They say only a child of the Half-Hand can make this in a day" the orc insisted.

She ground her teeth. "Enough of your nonsense!" she shouted. "I have two hands, as you can plainly see. I've no idea who your Half-hand is - but I'm a Runesmith of Wintermark and I tell you I can make the armour you need. And I can do it in less time than we've spent arguing about the damn price. Enough haggling, enough arguing!" Her hand fell to her blacksmith's hammer hanging from her belt, the cool touch of the metal helping to calm her temper.

"If the price is too steep then get out and leave me to get on with my day." She grinned at the last waving the Legacy under his nose. "But if you want to see real magic, put your coin on the counter, take a seat and watch."
</ic>

Mediators Purse

2023-06-02T14:07:53Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

==Description==
The most common Mediators Purse is a jerkin made of thin leather or robes of thick heavy cloth, sometimes lined with felt or wool for extra protection from attacks and from the harsh Wintermark weather. The most valuable versions are decorated with depictions of animals, but some Suaq runesmiths also make the Purse using a single hide taken from a wolf or bear. The one animal they never use for this purpose is a boar - the pertinacious creatures are legendary for their stubborn temperament - the last thing a mediator needs.

Although the Purse provides valuable protection in battle, what makes it unique is the way it helps the wearer avoid becoming angry or confused. It is much prized prized by mediators for obvious reasons, but as robers they were once in great demand from Highguard and Urizen, a fashion that began during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. Those artisans who make them to sell to the magicians of the mountains usually create a thick cloth robe with stars embroidered onto it in the shape of [[The Great Wyrm]].

It is said that the first Purse was a powerful artefact created from the hide of a majestic white stag that roamed the forests of Southridge and Valasmark in [[Hahnmark]]. The majestic creature stood half again as tall as a full grown man and sported silver antlers that split into a thousand points. It was said to be impossible to catch, for it ran so fast it could outrun an arrow in flight, allowing it to race across open waters without sinking. According to legend It was finally caught by the notorious Suaq hunter, Happa the Black Hound, who shot it with an arrow gifted to him by the [[Sadogua|Wyrm-King]]. The Eater of Secrets has always stubbornly refused to say what became of the White Stag's Purse ever since, saying only that "the Black Hound took it with him when he walked".

==Rules==
{{Light Armour}}
* '''Effect:''' You gain one additional rank of endurance. The armour counts as a source of spiritual strength for overcoming roleplaying effects that would cause you to become angry or confused.
* '''Materials:''' Crafting a Mediator's Purse requires four measures of [[Materials#Ambergelt|ambergelt]], three measures of [[Materials#Dragonbone|Dragonbone]], and four ingots of [[Materials#Orichalcum|orichalcum]]. It takes one month to make one of these items.
{{Runesmith's Law}}

<ic>
Olya stared at the black-hearted creature, disgust rising in his stomach, as he watched it coil itself around the body of the dead shepherd. The young lad had barely been fifteen years of age when he wandered away from the village, seeking one of his father's sheep that had escaped the field. He didn't deserve this fate, no matter how foolish he'd been.

The creature's head swayed towards the Volhov, it's long reptilian tongue darting back and forth in the air. "What do you want?" it hissed eyeing him with eyes filled with hate.

"I want the boy's body, his parents want to bury him." He strained to keep his voice calm and pleasant, determined to keep a check on his feelings. There was a powerful hearth magic at work in the deep cave where this creature laired. As long as he kept calm and civil, as long as he didn't panic, the creature would be forced to be calm in return. But if he lost his temper, he was done for.

"Z'you can't have it. Itsss mine." the thing spat. "What do I care for thisss boy's parentsss?"

The creature was deliberately trying to provoke him, he realised. He knew it's weakness, but it knew that he knew. It was looking for a chink in his armour, a way to make his temper snap, It was working too, he could feel bile rising in his throat. He wanted nothing more than to lash out at this monster with his staff, no matter how fatal that would prove.

Thank goodness he had his armour. He put his hands on his ribs and slid them down the length of his robes. It was working - he could feel the magic pushing his anger away. "Worth every ring I paid for it" he thought to himself, as he looked up calmly, smiling at the wolf.
</ic>

Four Spirit's Mask

2023-06-02T14:07:32Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

==Description==
There are far fewer Kallavesi runesmiths than Steinr or Suaq, but they are not completely unknown, and the Four Spirit's Mask is one of very few magical items that is widely believed to have been originally created by a Kallavesi runesmith. It is usually fashioned in the shape of an animal's head, most commonly an eagle or a bear, but wolves and boars are not uncommon and one particularly beautiful mask is in the form of a peacock's head.

The Kallavesi believe the form the item takes is crucial - since the wearer will take on some of the qualities and Virtues of the animal in question. An eagle makes the bearer majestic and regal, a bear might give the wearer strength and heroic spirit. Each animal has its own distinct characteristics, which will influence the wearer and the choices they make when they fork their skein. The peacock is a powerful choice, since anyone who wears a peacock mask often becomes resplendent and Proud.

Despite the history of the Four Spirit's Mask, it is possible to make it in other forms. The Steinr rarely wear animal masks so some of their Runesmiths who can create this item will make it in the form of jewellery. A brooch in the shape of a wolf or boar's head or a large amulet with the image of a bird engraved into it. Whatever form it takes, it is considered a poor choice to use even a single rune on the mask, due to a superstition that whatever rune the smith chooses it is bound to be dissonant with at least one of the rituals the mask can be used to empower.

==Rules==
{{Foci}}
* '''Effect:''' Gain 1 rank for casting [[Strength of the Bull]], [[Hammer of Thunder]], [[Swan's Cruel Wing]] and [[Swift Leaping Hare]], subject to the [[Realm_Lore#Gaining_additional_ranks|normal rules for effective skill]].
* '''Materials:''' Crafting the Four Spirit's Mask requires five ingots of [[Materials#Orichalcum|orichalcum]], three measures of [[Materials#Dragonbone|dragonbone]], and three measures of [[Materials#Iridescent Gloaming|iridescent gloaming]]. It takes one month to make one of these items.
{{Runesmith's Law}}
<ic>
Ymma put the needle down and stopped to rub her eyes. She'd been working all day, but the light was fading now and her eyes were getting tired. She could barely see the needle in the gloom, let along the sinew-thread she was using. Still the piece was nearly complete and she wanted to press on and have it done before bed, so she rubbed her eyes again and stood up to stretch. She needed a break - and if she was going to continue - she needed her light stone.

She went to the cupboard and retrieved the heavy leather bag that contained her lightstone. Her neighbours thought her mad, but she knew what she was doing. The stone had come all the way from Morrow and it had cost her the best part of a crown. She didn't need it during the day - so she kept it sealed in a bag, so that none of the light would be wasted.

Returning to her table she put the stone down in the centre of her table, but carefully, so as not to damage it. She picked up her tools and resumed her needlework on the mask. A few more hours and and the mask would be finished. She thought of little Joukahainenm, all grown up now and doing his own rituals. She'd watched her young niece grow into a fine figure of a man, but he still lacked confidence in himself and his abilities sometimes.

The mask would help with his work. Not just the enchantments for the hall's warriors, though it would certainly be useful for that. But she'd chosen to make Jouka a fine headpiece in the shape of a hawk. It would help him be tenacious and determined. With this mask, nothing would turn him aside from his goals.

She hummed to herself as she worked, carefully stitching. She'd spent weeks searching the forest for hawk's feathers, but it would all be worth it once the mask was complete.
</ic>

Hero's Hauberk

2023-06-02T13:34:34Z

Cyph: /* Rules */ formatting and item name consistency

==Description==
This heavy armour is usually fashioned from [[mithril]] or steel infused with [[orichalcum]] and [[weltsilver]]. Alloying the base metal with these two materials in the right quantities helps to give the armour its defensive properties, enabling the wearer to keep on fighting even when badly wounded. The [[dragonbone]], although small in volume, is a crucial element of the enchantment, helping to bolster the fortitude and strength of will of the bearer allowing them to endure pain and injury that would stop a bull in its tracks.

After Wintermark joined the Empire it become common for wealth Thanes to present a suit of hero's hauberk to a young warrior who has recently passed their [[Test of Arms]], or when a warrior gains their name from a scop. The gift is a recognition of a person's worth, an indication that that the Thane values their service so much that they want to ensure that the recipient can fight alongside the hall's other warriors even if injured.

[[Runesmith|Runesmiths]] who craft Hero's Hauberk are usually careful to remind whoever acquires it that the armour won't stop them getting wounded, only from feeling the effect of the wound. There are cautionary tales of warriors who dropped dead suddenly after a battle having failed to visit a grimnir because their Hauberk allowed them to ignore the traumatic wound they had received.

==Rules==
{{Heavy Armour}}
* '''Effect:''' You gain one additional rank of endurance. The armour counts as a source of spiritual strength for overcoming roleplaying effects caused by traumatic wounds.
* '''Materials:''' Crafting the Hero's Hauberk requires seven ingots of [[Materials#Orichalcum|orichalcum]] and two measures each of [[Materials#Weltsilver|Weltsilver]] and [[Materials#Dragonbone|Dragonbone]]. It takes one month to make one of these items.
{{Runesmith's Law}}
<ic>
Hufi worked the pestle back and forth around the mortar as he expertly ground the dragonbone into a fine powder. "Watch carefully Sanna, the finer the powder, the stronger the enchantment." He passed the pestle to his apprentice "You need to keep grinding until you cannot feel the grains between your fingers. It should feel like the smoothest dust when you rub it between your fingers. Only then can you be confident that your work will see the year out."

Sanna groaned and her face fell as she looked down at the mortar, and the rough clumps of dragonbone that half-filled it. This was going to take hours. She half regretted not drawing the short straw. She'd been ebullient when Kai was assigned to sweeping the forge. Now she was not so sure.

"The Thule used to mix a drop of the artisan's blood with the dust to form a paste. We'll be using a weltsilver amalgam because we're not barbaric idiots - but you can use a child's tears if you're short of weltsilver."

"Really?" Sanna stopped rotating the pestle and looked up at her teacher in surprise, her jaw half open.

Hufi burst into peals of laughter. "No, not really. Now, stop looking so miserable and get to work."
</ic>

[[Category:Magic Items]]
[[Category:Heavy Armour]]

384YE Winter Solstice Synod judgements

2023-05-01T16:58:40Z

Cyph: /* Judgement 54 */ spelling

[[Category: Synod]] [[Category:Synod Results]] [[Category: Synod Judgements]] [[Category: 384YE Winter]]
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Synod_Winter_384.png|caption=The [[Imperial Synod]] exists to safeguard the soul of the Empire, protecting it from dangers and corrupting influences, whilst nurturing and promoting virtue wherever it flourishes.|align=right|width=500}}</div>
==Overview==
During the Winter Solstice 384YE Summit, the [[Imperial Synod]] raised 168 [[judgement|judgements]].

==Considerations==
The following considerations should be borne in mind when bringing judgements before the Imperial Synod during the Winter Solstice.
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that prioritise the greater good over personal loyalties are less effective. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that try to compel Loyalty will fail. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Revocations and Excommunications for disloyalty to the nation or Empire would risk causing dissent. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Any mandate that does not pass with a greater majority will have limited or no effect on Urizen or Varushka. It is not impossible that a mandate might lead to a response in one of the two nations, but it won't lead to any immediate consequences for the people of the nation. This lasts until some new turn of events changes things. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Urizen_Assembly|Urizen Link]]. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Varushkan_Assembly|Varushka Link]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' No statement of principle that is about Sulemaine i Taziel will lead to a mandate. Lasts until at least the end of the Winter Solstice 384YE and potentially longer. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Urizen_Assembly|Link]].
* '''Virtue Assemblies:''' Any statement of principle in any virtue assembly will not create a mandate for that virtue assembly. If any mandate does arise, then it will need to be passed by the General Assembly. Lasts until the end of the Winter Solstice 384YE. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_General_Assembly|Link]].
* '''Highguard and Navarr Assemblies:''' Statements of principle in either assembly that receive a greater majority may create opportunities in the other assembly. Lasts until the end of the Autumn Equinox 385YE [[The_bones_of_what_you_believe#We_Will_All_Be_There_Tomorrow|Link]].
__TOC__

==Change of Doctrine==
There was one proposed [[Change of doctrine]] during the Winter Solstice.
===Judgement 135===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lord Laurent Sepulchre
* '''Judgement:''' Freedom/Anarchy should be accepted as a virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (18-1485)

==Veto==
No [[veto]] was sought during the Winter Solstice 384YE.

==Statement of Principle==
===Judgement 3===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Aspar
* '''Judgement:''' The liberty pact was signed. A spontaneous aura of freedom manifested through this action. Imperial citizens raided Chalonsio. Spontaneous auras of Freedom manifested through this action, Imperial citizens raided Rachensgrab. Spontaneous auras of Freedom manifested through this action, All of these acts were encouraged and endorsed by the Synod. Some have tried to hide from the truth by replacing auras of Freedom where they are found, but how can the Synod deny tat the actions of the Empire foster the false Virtue of Freedom? If the Synod encourage Freedom in all but name but denounce it when auras arise through actions they endorse then they are hypocrites, not fit to spiritually lead our people. If the Empire is to foster acts of Freedom, then the Synod must reconsider Freedom's place as a false Virtue or take action against those who encourage these acts.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (528 - 929)

===Judgement 4===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Athanus, House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' We the Urizen national assembly urge all people resist the powers granted to Highguard should the Partner of Greatness mandate pass. We will not allow another Assembly who do not undergo the same scrutiny as ours to project its influence upon our people.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (174 - 20)

===Judgement 5===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Herminius, House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' The Druj have fled Zenith, but we must not sit idle whilst their legacy remains. Whilst the Architects set to rebuilding, we must not sit idle. As our Senators call to our neighbours for aid, we must not sit idle. As Magicians work the realms and Sentinels pursue the enemy, we must not sit idle. I encourage all Sword Scholars to test what they have learned and apply themselves to cleanse what remains of the Druj and their legacy of fear and hatred. With sharpened blades and the light of truth and Virtue we will scour what remains of the Druj from Zenith.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (276 - 0)

===Judgement 6===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Clytemnestra, House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' We must defend our Virtue from those who would obscure or diminish it. Truth is the light that illumines our Virtue. Before our intervention, the Military Council said they would not prioritise Zenith. We witnessed that, despite her great Loyalty and Courage, General Asenath could not turn the tide of opinion alone. We, the people of Urizen, turned the tide of opinion. We, the people of Urizen, refused to sacrifice Zenith. Our actions carved the path our armies marched. Without our actions, the Druj would still ravage our lands. Zenith would have been abandoned. I, Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer, held our beloved army to ransom, so that Zenith would not be abandoned. I was criticised, threatened, and ridiculed for what I did. I would do it again. We have sacrificed enough. We will not sacrifice our land, we will not sacrifice our Virtue. We were not saved, we saved ourselves. The people of Urizen are powerful, we are virtuous, and we will continue to save ourselves as we rebuild our home in Zenith.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (216 - 32)

===Judgement 10===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Eurybia "Blue" Melampus de Tassata
* '''Judgement:''' Francesca's proposal encouraged each city to use what it has for its own Pride, whereas prosperity teaches us that it should be shared. Ambition teaches us to strive to excel but not at the expense of our fellows. The League citizens have worked hard to build each city up to be one mighty chain with each city a link to reinforce another. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Rather than create a wealth divide I therefore I propose that each city supports each other funding each project in unison and a book of solidarity with a keeper be created tracking each ring, crown, and throne so every citizen, in every city of the League can have the opportunity to take Pride participating in the improvement and prosperity of their entire nation. Let us strive together as a nation and where one of us fails the others shall raise them up. May the most impressive and inspiring project to win rather than a single city.
* '''Outcome:''' Failed (40 - 195)

===Judgement 11===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Kaywenn de Orzel
* '''Judgement:''' The assemblies have chosen their champions. The seven pilgrims are reformed. Soldiers of the Imperial armies, look to the champions and witness the strength Virtue brings! Take inspiration from their actions as you stand shoulder to shoulder with them, resolute against enemies that would tear down the Empire, its people, and the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 1693 - 56

===Judgement 14===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Constanza i Kalamar i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' Exemplars and paragons are the inspirational figures through which we demonstrate and preach our faith, and bring others into the Way. With so many recently freed from slavery and our increasing relations with people all over the world, exemplars and paragons are needed more than ever. Virtue flourishes everywhere and the Pride assembly calls upon the Synod to find and recognise this virtue even beyond the borders of the Empire so all can be called to virtue. As for paragons, in many ways we have very few, yet our records of pat life visions are numerous and thorough - surely there are some exemplars who could now be considered paragons? After the split from Sumaah we should not be reticent to do our research and raise up those who are deserving. Virtue calls for action - we have nothing to gain by dragging our feet in such matters.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (371 - 0)

===Judgement 18===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised by:''' Rafael Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' The Sevenfold Path's manifesto says that it exists to ensure the powers of the Conclave are deployed in line with the Way of Virtue. The Grandmaster is responsible for supporting the manifesto of the Order. The current Grandmaster is Rafael Barossa di Tassato. Anyone claiming that Conclave acts without, or is lacking in, Virtue should do well to remember this before making public claims or Statements of Principle criticising Conclave. If you believe the Sevenfold Path is failing to ensure that Conclave acts with Virtue, then you should first call its Grandmaster to Inquisition - especially if you do not yourself attend Conclave.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1190 - 190)

===Judgement 27===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised by:''' Yirane Knotes
* '''Judgement:''' Prosperity decries the coin unspent, and surely the salvation of souls is among the most virtuous of uses for spent coin. If places and leaders of worship can be made more appealing through expenditure of coin, then more souls will attend and hear the words of the Way. Not all however can afford the extreme expense of White Granite for permanent additions or access ritualists for enchantments, and so the Prosperity Assembly should exhort the leaders of their congregations to find ways to spend smaller amounts to further spread the message of Virtue; however fleeting the improvement. The Words, Numbers, Figures, and Knotes organisation is prepared to purchase the salvation of souls.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (202 - 0)

===Judgement 29===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Chauntecleer Words
* '''Judgement:''' The telling of tales within Dawn is one of our cherished traditions for the instruction of virtues. Dawn thanks all those who took part in the Autumn Contest of Words for continuing this, in particular our tied winners Arturus the Wandering Healer for their tale of the Un-Un-Sheathable Blade and Chauntecleer for his tale of the Mystic City of Ah-Blanc, as judged by the acclaim of our children.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (228 - 0)

===Judgement 30===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Bartimaeus
* '''Judgement:''' Prosperity teaches us to despise the thieving bandit, the lazy wastrel, and the grasping misers, and those take without giving. Our Empire is besieged by enemies who look to take or destroy all that we have built. This assembly encourages the prosperous of every Imperial nation to seek ways to support the Imperial Warcaster in their work protecting the Empire's borders from the thieving bandits on our western and eastern flanks. By acting together in virtue we can ensure that no magic that could be used to defend our homes goes unused.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (136 - 16)

===Judgement 34===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' The spiritual force known as Freedom or Anarchy bids us unshackle ourselves from all forms of chains, law, and order that might bind us - good or ill, of which slavery is surely the most heinous and restrictive. It should come as no surprise that the massive release of slaves and the ending of the slave trade has resulted in an outpouring of unVirtuous Freedom Auras, despite clearly being a Virtuous action. But all knowledge is incomplete and some question whether Freedom is truly malign. Before this becomes a true movement, I invite those amongst the Imperial Synod and Sumaah Houses of Virtue to join me in discussing whether Freedom's place as a False Virtue should be reconsidered or whether it should rightfully be left to wallow in malignance.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (989 - 500)

===Judgement 35===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Bloodcrow Udoo
* '''Judgement:''' Imperial Orcs, the cornerstone of our spirituality is each other. In each of you, your names and deeds and the fierce bonds forged between our blood. Praise and tell of deeds that cleave to the passions in your souls. Let their worth inspire you and grow the weight of your own. Lift up each other's names before all else, for it is by these bonds between blood that we do cross the Abyss.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (86 - 0)

===Judgement 37===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Darian Numbers
* '''Judgement:''' At present the militia provide their service at Anvil without payment, and this runs counter to the tenets of Prosperity. House de Gauvin through the Words, Numbers, Figures, and Knotes organisation are providing a trial reward system to remunerate them. We seek the assemblies agreement that the militia should be paid, and the trial is a firm first step to encouraging their recompense.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (220 - 23)
===Judgement 38===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tarquinius Ankarien
* '''Judgement:''' Presently if someone wishes to know the Synod's position on Vitalism, Lucidianism, or any number of other beliefs they must manually search hundreds of statements for information that is often out of date, contradictory, or both. Synod would welcome Senate action to introduce a permanent publicly accessible record of which beliefs are and are not compatible with the Way and to create a new type of judgement to allow us to populate and adjust these lists as necessary.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1262 - 205)
===Judgement 42===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Morwenna Winterbuilt
* '''Judgement:''' Thanks to the Vigilance of our Archmage we are assured Kaela's Gift poses no threat to the souls of the Empire. Furthermore, we would encourage its use to spare our bodies from the blight of the Vallorn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1029 - 326)
* '''Notes:''' This judgement referenced a previous [[Impossible_landscapes#Kaela|offer]] from Kaela to extend her gift to those fighting the vallorn. Currently the [[Kaela#The Gift of Kaela|Gift of Kaela]] can only be used by those "''in the hands of the Druj''".

===Judgement 45===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orcs
* '''Raised By:''' Gralka
* '''Judgement:''' The Imperial Orc national assembly encourages those orcs troubled by the echoes of their ancestors to visit the mystagogue Illarawm Ithgarn in the Southpine. They hold insight into methods of sifting through the chaos of disruptive ancestors that are so far unknown to our peoples, share in this wisdom and know respite from the storm. It is also encouraged that shaman and mystagogue alike might record in writings the messages and words they hear, your words carry worth from across the Abyss to those who feel most distant from such voices and we should try to capture what is spoken from far off shore so that it might inform the path forwards.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (97 - 0)
===Judgement 47===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Mael Donjeon of House Remys
* '''Judgement:''' The Lay of Occursion. We shall not see her like again, her flashing eyes, her shining hair now stilled, among the bodies that lie broken in the Glory Square. The colours of a score of houses' weapons, 'cross their comrades lain with heavy oaths and blurry eyes we swore we'd see them all again. I heard someone console his friend say with the dead again he'd walk the friend he wept, and shook his head "I'll see him not - he was an orc..." And in that orc camp, 'cross the way so solemnly they mourned their loss the General of the Summer Storm and half of all their fighting force. And yet - as if the Zenith soil no more would take a drop of blood from Urizen, not one was slain of all that on that battle stood. How easy it would be to blame! in grief to hurl recrimination how easy to forget our oaths the ties that bind us - every nation. I shall not fall to petty grudge instead I'll sing the dead to fame and bear their memory aloft like glorious ravens, wings aflame. Each army that claims victory I'll laud their deeds and cheer them on and well applaud the winner of the Empire's greatest Cathleon. The Barrens once were Dawnish, true we claim them as ancestral lands but 'ere we ever worked those fields that soil was tiled by orcish hands. None in this Empire fights alone none without comrades face their fears and each shall bleed an Empire's blood - and each shall weep an Empire's tears.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (652 - 352)
===Judgement 48===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Dagon
* '''Judgement:''' The new role of Guardian of Britta's Memorial created by the mandate raised by Sister Sarah, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by the Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of history, especially our Imperatrix, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Loyalty assembly, alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each virtue should be represented, to create a pilgrim's trail through the city. To that end, we name Emperor Frederick, and their tomb in Necropolis as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the virtue of Loyalty, especially the tenet that the virtuous build up their fellows; they do not tear them down. Let our history guide our present, to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (317 - 0)
* '''Notes:''' A greater majority for this vote was 328 votes
===Judgement 49===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Creighton Blackewater
* '''Judgement:''' The territories of Redoubt, Therunin, and Astolat have benefitted from the attention of the prosperity assembly and we look forward to seeing Zenith benefit in kind. We salute the hard work thus far and encourage the virtuous to continue to follow the direction of the prosperity assembly to seek opportunities to enrich and improve the territories the assembly names. With such guidance, all the territories of the Empire might benefit from their direction over time.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1158 - 56)

===Judgement 50===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Wildfyre
* '''Judgement:''' Grendel traders looking to stockpile imperial goods that they hope will rise in value if there is a war should be treated with civility but shown the door. Grendel traders who are looking for a long term relationship should be welcomed and treated generously, especially if they invest up front for goods that shall only be delivered if the treaty persists. Every merchant who can convince a Grendel that being our friend is more Prosperous than being our enemy is an extra soldier free to support their fellows across the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (247 - 10)
===Judgement 52===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Sarah of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Tabitha in Summer 383 asked Highguard to show its prosperity to the world, In response, Brother Elkiah raised a mandate that that successfully saw Britta's Tomb revitalised into a place of Pilgrimage in Necropolis. This act further cemented by Sister Sarah and the Courage Assembly last year, resulted in Britta's tomb being rededicated to Courage and becoming a site of Pilgrimage. The Highguard National Assembly now calls on Necropolis to make the tombs of the Imperatrixes a centre for Pilgrimage with six more sites to be dedicated to each of the remaining virtues. Vigilance, Wisdom, Prosperity, Pride, Loyalty, and Ambition. Our Ambition is to see the creation of a pilgrim's trail through the city, with each stop on the path served by an appropriate pre-existing monument or tomb that inspires virtue in the citizens of the Empire through the lessons of the past. Let the virtuous lessons of the past guide the actions of the present, to build amore virtuous future, for all citizens of the Empire willing to make Pilgrimage to Necropolis.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (318 - 0)
===Judgement 53===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Enoch
* '''Judgement:''' The new role of Guardian of Britta's Memorial, created by the Mandate raised by Sister Sarah, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of History, especially our Imperatrixs, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Vigilance assembly alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each virtue should be represented, to create a Pilgrim's Trail through the city. To that end we name Empress Teleri, and their tomb in Necropolis at the centre of the sevenfold labyrinth garden, as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the virtue of Vigilance, especially the tenet that you seek out the poison in your neighbour's fields, lest your own crops be blighted. Let our history guide our present, to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (181 - 10)

===Judgement 55===
* '''Assembly:''' Navaar
* '''Raised By:''' Enfys Larkshong
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom teaches that all knowledge is incomplete, Vigilance teaches us to be alert to all dangers. The "Chaos Fruit" recovered from Brocéliande has the potential to both be a useful resource for the Empire as well as leading to difficulty or issue in the future. We encourage all Imperial citizens who choose to cultivate this fruit to not keep such a decision a secret and let it be known they intend to do so, This way we might learn where and what threat they possess, or what boon and use they might provide.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (270 - 0)
===Judgement 62===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Ubarius
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous do not demean others, they inspire them to greatness. By allowing various foreigner such as the Feni, the Great Forest Orcs or other similar groups to settle in our lands without them adopting the Way as directed by our Synod, we are letting them languish in their own error-strewn beliefs. In doing this we demean them by denying them a chance for greatness by living lives of Virtue. We urge the priests of our Empire to not be complacent, but strive for excellence in missionary work and convert these misguided souls to a true understanding of the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (285 - 26)
* '''Notes:''' Greater Majority for this judgement was 282
===Judgement 64===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lia Adelaar
* '''Judgement:''' The Empire's surest path to spreading the way is to integrate those peoples, orc and human, who wish to join us. The Imperial Orcs are at present working to do just this. Let us demonstrate our Loyalty to the Imperial Orcs, our fellow citizens, and our Pride in our own nations, by seeking out other foreigners and refugees who share our national values, opening our hearts and hearths, and inviting them to share the bond to our land.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1499 - 52)
===Judgement 67===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Kaspar Yakovitch von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' At a time when the territories of the Empire are occupied, under attack, or striving to recover from damage inflicted on them by our enemies, competing to build statues displays wilful blindness to the needs of our fellow citizens. We are the League. We are not frivolous, nor selfish. We see beyond our city walls to the rest of the Empire our founder helped create. Let us remember our tradition of competing to show Prosperity through acts of charity. We call upon Francesca di Matos and the Harlequin to expand their competition to include supporting construction in those nations that desperately need lifting up from the acts of our enemies.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (237 - 22)

===Judgement 68===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Azir i Shartha i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' We the Freeborn recognise the Free Folk of Asavea as kindred spirits, both in their origins and in aspects of their culture. The Empire should stand as a beacon to the virtuous, and we believe we can and should offer them a home here. We invite the Free Folk to join the Brass Coast as a tribe in their own right, to sit alongside the Riqueze, the Guerra, the Erigo and the Zemress, such that they can maintain their Pride in their own identity while forging a place for themselves among the Freeborn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (172 - 20)

===Judgement 70===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Soratio i del Toro
* '''Judgement:''' Not all the auras on those returning from Rachensgrab are "freedom" - many are reflective of Imperial Courage, Pride, and Ambition in destroying their vile edifice. Each aura should be examined and judged - malign auras removed, but virtuous auras, however unorthodox, preserved.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (857 - 89)
===Judgement 71===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Raphael i Zamora
* '''Judgement:''' I, Raphael i Zamora i Riqueza, as Gatekeeper of Wisdom, wish to extend an invitation to the signatories of the Liberty Pact to send individuals who have demonstrated Imperial virtues, particularly those involved in the destruction of Rachensgrab for consideration for true liao. Virtue is not the sole purview of the Empire, all souls can be virtuous and I would see them rewarded.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1118 - 169)

===Judgement 73===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Viviane de Courdefer
* '''Judgement:''' Consequences are the price of Ambition. We the Synod must and should pay the price of our actions. We know that our intent matters. We will grow roses where the Druj miasma lie - but first we must clear the ground. We ask for a mandate to repair the damage committed by false virtue auras such as those from Judgement 72.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1201 - 134)

===Judgement 75===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Callista of the Dark Shard
* '''Judgement:''' Every person bears responsibility for their own virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (951 - 273)
===Judgement 78===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Kasjay
* '''Judgement:''' Ambition is the way we strive for greater virtue. All followers of the Way should seek to define their ambitions so they can better understand their path of Virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (895 - 43)

===Judgement 81===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Aniera Exiles End
* '''Judgement:''' Be alert to all dangers. Test what you learn. This season, the ritual Hallow of the Green World has been cast over the Empire. While this ritual has previously had no effect or influence on the vallorn, the Navarr national assembly encourages all vates within the stridings and steadings to remain vigilant to any changes or reactions following the use of this ritual.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (250 - 0)

===Judgement 82===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Elaydala
* '''Judgement:''' Politics must always cleave to virtue. No virtuous action should be discarded because you find the consequences inconvenient. Only actions can be virtuous.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (824 - 412)
===Judgement 83===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Killian Mortére
* '''Judgement:''' The troubadours of Dawn suggest the appointment of a chaplain to provide spiritual guidance and counsel to our generals, so there can be no doubt that when Dawn marches to war, we march in virtue. We put forward Owain of House Wolfbourne for the role.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (174 - 10)
===Judgement 84===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Sebastiano
* '''Judgement:''' The great chains of Sarvos will protect the finest harbour in the Empire. The Senate now considers their construction to defend Sarvos and the League. As the Empire strikes at overseas foes it is vital these fortifications are constructed. We declare that it is virtuous for citizens to donate to this vital cause and encourage all to do so.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (177 - 0)
===Judgement 85===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Bryce Tanner
* '''Judgement:''' We all know the cruelty and treachery the Druj are famed for and the scars it had left on the people and lands of Zenith as well as the lingering threat of their return. To give the good people of Urizen a chance to rebuild without the shadow of fear at their border and the worry of what treachery the Druj have left behind we call on the vigilant citizens of the territory to be alert to all dangers, within and without. To root out Druj malice and keep watch for their movements. No plot shall escape the lantern-light and no vile machination will outwit the prepared.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (185- 0)
===Judgement 86===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Captain Charge
* '''Judgement:''' The current Dawnish voting system does not promote glorious challenge. We have seen in how it instead promotes secrets, promises yet unkept, and back room dealings. The troubadours and earls of Dawn wish to see this changed to a more open, direct, and glorious challenge.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (152 - 10)
===Judgement 89===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Eira Larksong
* '''Judgement:''' The bandits presently in Therunin include those who have paid a great price and taken a great sacrifice for the good of Navarr and for the Empire, to allow them to fall to banditry and stray from the path of Virtue is our failing. The guides of Navarr should work with citizens of Therunin and thorns who can protect them to endeavour to help these Navarri to find their place in the Great Dance once more and help them find ways to pursue virtue, and the oaths we all have sworn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (240 - 10)
===Judgement 90===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The Prosperity assembly believes that there are common pitfalls on the way to Prosperity. When trading prosperously, bear the following in mind. Resources with a virtuous purpose are not a hoard. Those around you cannot define your own Prosperity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (150 - 0)
===Judgement 93===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Keziah of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' The brave do not look away from uncomfortable truths. It is comfortable to believe that Winter magic - such as Whispers through the Black Gate and Kaela's Gift - cannot harm the soul. This belief, while comforting, is not backed up by hard evidence. We will not risk our immortal souls on the basis of comforting assumptions.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (112 - 90)
===Judgement 94===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Luke
* '''Judgement:''' We recognise the plight of those suffering persecution and execution in the Iron Confederacy. Wilful ignorance is neither virtuous nor morally just. We, as a Proud and Courageous people cannot and will not stand idly by while the Suranni people suffer under state-mandated genocide. The Empire will offer aid and support to any and all who seek to relieve the Suranni people's suffering.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (892 - 135)
===Judgement 95===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Edmund of Barrowby
* '''Judgement:''' Reckless violence and lack of Vigilance have led to disaster in Whittle and Mournwold before, lending credence to the poisonous words that Mathilda Fisher sows in Bregasland. Let us turn to the Vigilant path, and root out Fisher's falsehoods as we prove her wrong through our virtuous action to free Bregasland.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (121 - 0)
===Judgement 96===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Teleri Thornweaver
* '''Judgement:''' This season, the Imperial conclave has made efforts to aid Suranni refugees escape into the Empire. They have expressed interest in settling within Wintermark, Varushka, or amongst our own numbers, we encourage any Stridings who are able to accompany them, and steadings who are able to shelter them as they partake in this journey and seek to help them find their place within this Empire and the Great Dance.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (220 - 0)
===Judgement 98===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Valentin von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' The Vyig hold each other down. The League build each other up. As we dismantle the institution of the Vyig, we the national assembly urge our citizens to welcome back those who lost their Way with the Vyig, and are willing to balance their ledgers.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (261 - 0)
===Judgement 99===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Hadvar
* '''Judgement:''' We the national assembly would encourage cultural exchange with the Thule, to get a better understanding of our trade partner as an act of Prosperity. We urge priests to attend the trade hall built in Wreck to facilitate the trades from a cultural perspective between the Thule and the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld, Withdrawn (70 - 12)
===Judgement 100===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Rikke
* '''Judgement:''' The Wintermark assembly recognises the value of a hero's death. We would encourage the opportunity for a death befitting the culture and traditions of the Nations of those condemned to die. The citizens of the Empire should have the right to death deemed worthy of their nation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (307 - 0)
===Judgement 101===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Tyr Brenna
* '''Judgement:''' Under the request of Ashborn Trosk - virtue does not require honesty. Just as Kethry covertly undermined the efforts of Malm the Red to protect her culture, she subverted the warlord's orders with Pride to conquer the raiders people as Tian the exemplar of Ambition used guile and intrigue to steal fire from the heavens espionage and treachery are the tools of the Ambitious as the Empire has wielded espionage and political might to create opportunities to strike at the heart of the abominable practice of slavery it has acted with Courage, Ambition, and Pride to free the oppressed while doing so we encourage citizens who practice such methods for virtuous aims such as espionage subterfuge for virtuous aims.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (200 - 47)

===Judgement 102===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Paulus von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' Citizens of the League, let us reach out to the Grendel, and strike a deal with them. With the current diplomatic mission and the continuing truce we have an unrivalled opportunity; recall Holberg's ascension to the League! In Ambition, and with national Pride, we call on all priests to preach to their congregations. Let us challenge our Grendel visitors in debate and display to explore our deeply shared values.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (299 - 12)

===Judgement 106===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Ingrid Seiging
* '''Judgement:''' Beodun Snowlock - Warcrow. He who gave his hero's life for many. He whose story inspired, his name the rallying cry for the retaking of Ataloq. He whose legacy lingers, and is keenly felt within the heart of the Mark and beyond. His name shall be entered into the Chronicle of Heroes. The Mark remembers.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (324 - 0)

===Judgement 108===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Shacklebreaker Thanmir Hrafnar
* '''Judgement:''' If we as a nation are to welcome orcs into our nation, then we as Crows must prepare ourselves to administer to their spiritual needs as has been done for humans of the Mark such that no orc is deprived from crossing the Howling Abyss with Virtue. We encourage all crows to learn from the Imperial Orc preachers and shamans.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (299 - 12)
===Judgement 109===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Hildred Auarillys
* '''Judgement:''' Now the slavers of Rachensgrab have fallen our slaving neighbours cannot look to them to restock their pens, only to our borders. Citizens, prepare for Malice, and seek ways to thwart the malice before it strikes.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (804 - 36)

===Judgement 110===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Prince-Bishop Jonah Yakovitch
* '''Judgement:''' With the Druj purged from Zenith the task of rebuilding must now be undertaken. As Prince Bishop of the Printers' Guild who include in its members Landon von Holfried business owner of Wunderkind, I call for all business owners of the League to open their ledgers and offer their most favourable rates to support the engineering efforts titled the Crucible of Fate within Zenith.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (185 - 10)

===Judgement 111===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Neriah of the Vineyard
* '''Judgement:''' The new role of Guardian of Britta's Memorial, created by the Mandate raised by Sister Sarach, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by the Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of History, especially our Imperatrixs, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Ambition assembly, alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each virtue should be represented, to create a Pilgrim's Trail through the city. To that end we name Empress Varkula, and their tomb in Necropolis as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the virtue of Ambition, especially its tenet that consequence is the natural price of Ambition. Let our history guide our present to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (141 - 32)
===Judgement 112===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Estella the Wandering Artist
* '''Judgement:''' Our Towerjacks and Wolves of War have repeatedly demonstrated the League's mastery of the art of warfare and we take great pride in their achievements. However, our pride must not lead to complacency. We must continuously strive for excellence and improve our military capabilities to maintain our position. Vigilance is essential to our success, and we must be prepared to thwart any attempts against us. As bishops of the League, we call upon our fellow citizens to lay the groundworks and foundations for a strong navy. By being ever ready to launch this navy will be able to protect our nation and uphold the virtues we hold dear.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (139 - 46)

===Judgement 113===
* '''Assembly:''' Genearl
* '''Raised By:''' Mazo Freewalker
* '''Judgement:''' Remember the Lasambrians! The Great Forest Orcs have been invaluable allies in the recent successful campaign to Terunael. However, they have their own spiritual beliefs about which the Empire knows very little. In our enthusiasm to spread the Way we must remain Vigilant in our welcome to those who wish to become Imperial citizens.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1126 - 104)
===Judgement 115===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Palladout
* '''Judgement:''' We believe if the eradication of slavery is to be pursued, military action alone will not suffice and we must pursue all other avenues including diplomacy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1241 - 21)
===Judgement 118===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Goran-Sokolov Xaytsev
* '''Judgement:''' Varushka welcomes the refugees from the Iron Confederacy. We encourage people to welcome them to our hearths and allow them to grow in virtue and the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (140 - 0)
===Judgement 119===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Lenochka Zabotovna Vypalse
* '''Judgement:''' Following Judgement 54 (Autumn 374YE) and 13 (382 Winter). I call upon Varushkans to renew their support to nationalise the Hunt of Alderai the Fair. The offer of honey still stands so let us enjoy the rewards of our labour and have Pride in our Prosperity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (150 - 0)

===Judgement 121===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Withold Steganovic Pretrov
* '''Judgement:''' Every Varushkan understands how to deal with threats: you bargain, you endure, or you overcome. The Mallum orcs are oath-breakers, they cannot be bargained with. They twist virtuous spirits into abominations and corrupt the land with malign auras - they cannot be endured. The Druj must be destroyed.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (96 - 0)
===Judgement 122===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Geoffrey Orchard
* '''Judgement:''' We rejoice that orcs of the Mournwold wish to join the Empire. Vigilance demands that they must understand our Way, and the religious laws to which we are subject before they join. Let us resolve to teach them, especially our understanding of the orcish soul.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (111 - 0)
* '''Notes:''' Greater Majority for this judgement was 112

===Judgement 123===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Jedediah Boon
* '''Judgement:''' Marchers take Pride in their own, in those who have bolstered our nation in times of hardship and been an inspiration to our kin. William Guildenstern created the Fortified Raiding House in Overton to protect his fellow Marchers prior to the Liberation, which became the Sheriff's position our nation now enjoys; he was elected Senator of a territory not his own, during the tenure of which he took the Troll Curse of Doom upon himself voluntarily to spare the Marches from it; he fought in the Valiant Hurricane Battle, which pitted 12 Marchers against 50 Jotun and 12 ogres, wearing no armour as mages were in short supply. The Marches is his Pride - and always will be. And, to celebrate his enduring legacy, he has been immortalised in song. As such we recognise William Guildenstern as a Marcher folk hero.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (80- 26)

===Judgement 124===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Atushah i Fijadoz i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' The new roll of Guardian of Britta's Memorial created by the Mandate raised by Sister Sarah, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by the Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of History, especially out Imperatrixs, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Prosperity assembly, alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each Virtue should be represented, to create a Pilgrim's Trail through the city. To that end we name Empress Mariika, and their memorial in Necropolis, the three white granite pillars, as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the Virtue of Prosperity, especially the tenet to strive, toil, and claim the just rewards for your labours. Let our history guide our present, to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (156 - 0)

===Judgement 125===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Aemon
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous build up their fellows. The benefactor council of Highguard have shorn great virtue in funding construction and distribution of ten staves of Imperial Mastery. These staves wielded by the Highborn mage block has put to flight the enemies of the Empire. Highborn, aspire to be like your benefactor!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (320 - 0)

===Judgement 126===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Telyn Stormtree
* '''Judgement:''' Strive, toil, and claim the just rewards of our labours. We have reached further into the depths of Brocéliande then ever before. With the rediscovery of Emrys in Otkodov, Cavan in Axos, and Beantol Dol in the Sarangrave, we once again have the location of all cities of Terunael. We are working to expand the Library of Hacynian and compile all information on the Vallorn within the Empire. Our nation has taken a tremendous step in the Great Dance to fulfilling the oaths we have all sworn. When the Winter passes, we should celebrate our achievement with a festival of Welcoming so great the whole Empire hears of our joy. "It's Spring!"
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (124 - 16)
===Judgement 128===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Vaclav Mladenovich Kosti
* '''Judgement:''' The sentient creatures with whom we share our land have already proven themselves through service and sacrifice with our armies. The Varushkan national assembly encourages the people of Varushka to consider the capacity for virtue in those sapient creatures.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (134 - 0)
===Judgement 129===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Sofonisba Amilcara di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' Central to founding of the Empire was the preservation of the character of each nation. We of the League believe we are solely responsible for our nation's virtue, and refute and reject any assumption by Highguard of a mandate to interfere.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (192 - 32)
===Judgement 130===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alcuin
* '''Judgement:''' DEATH TO THE DRUJ is an exhortation of hate and has no place in army orders, even as those deaths necessary to ambition and other virtues may occur.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (584 - 455)
===Judgement 131===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ashborn Pakt
* '''Judgement:''' The Empire exists to spread the Way not its own territory. When the banners of the Empire are seen on the horizon by oppressed peoples under the Druj do they see liberators or conquerors? When the Empire routs a barbarian army we move their slaves, integrate their culture, and reallocate the prosperity of their land as our own. Are we not just their new masters? Let us be liberators not conquerors.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1252 - 283)
===Judgement 134===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Tiana i Zayden i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' Pride instructs us to lift others up. The Freeborn national assembly wish to extend our thanks to the Highborn chapter of Reumah's Redoubt for their loyalty to our nation in assisting us in achieving our great ambition of raising the Burning Falcons. Let their sharing of their prosperity be recognised.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (128 - 0)
===Judgement 136===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Cate Hypation
* '''Judgement:''' In line with the letter from the Holberg college of the Scholars of the Sword (provided to civil service) the sword scholars Cato Hypation and Clytemnestra accept the invitation to teach the ways of the sword scholars at the university and acknowledge it going forward as a centre of sword scholarship teaching.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (178 - 0)
===Judgement 138===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Dindrane
* '''Judgement:''' The new role of Guardian of Britta's Memorial created by the mandate raised by Sister Sarah, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by the Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of history, especially our Imperatrixs, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Pride assembly, alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each virtue should be represented, to create a pilgrim's trail through the city. To that end, we name Empress Richilde, and their tomb in Necropolis which rests at the centre of the Ring of Champions, as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the virtue of Pride. Richilde is the first paragon of Pride in the modern era, and no tomb would be more appropriate as a place of pilgrimage than hers. let our history guide our present, to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (254 - 0)
===Judgement 139===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Rosemary Stamp
* '''Judgement:''' To seek to conquer new territories whilst Imperial citizens are under threat in territories that were Imperial but have been occupied by barbarian nations is unvirtuous. Disloyal, unwise, vainglorious, and selfish.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (301 - 689)

===Judgement 140===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Saqqui Heroes' Champion
* '''Judgement:''' We, the Wintermark national assembly, believe that we should welcome former slaves, both orc and human, into our halls for hospitality. These people are at a fork in their skein, the mystics of Wintermark are skilled at helping people to find their path through life. We urge the mystics to seek out these new citizens and offer them their insight as wisdom so they can find their feet.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (145 - 13)

===Judgement 142===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Rinnah of the Shattered Tower
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom says we should challenge our beliefs. Recent statements have asked us to revisit our views on lineage. The Highguard national assembly believes that we should extend our vigilance and loyalty to all of those who interact with the realms and may fall under their influence. Regardless of their status as lineaged or otherwise.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (254 - 18)

===Judgement 144===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orcs
* '''Raised By:''' Atla
* '''Judgement:''' Further to the mandate to challenge Stonecliff Brakkalo. Your concerns are valid but we will face our challenges as an Empire. The smithy and the ossuary are already fully funded with the aid of many others, notably Rumaah's Redoubt and Dawn. Both commission slots passed by the Senate. The Academy and no doubt many others will help to do the same for the Yerende with the greatest haste. We look forward to fully integrating our allies to mutual benefit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (75 - 0)

===Judgement 146===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Ira of the Flame Beneath the Earth
* '''Judgement:''' The Vigilance assembly calls on priests to take to the trods and investigate criminal activity among those displaced in East Ashes, Therunin. Vigilance teaches to thwart malice before it strikes, and inaction here may lead to worse than petty criminality without the Synod's guidance.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (153 - 0)
===Judgement 148===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' Let it be known that the power of our paragon the Good Walder extends even beyond death! This miraculous inheritance of power has been bestowed eight times! Prosperity provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (153 - 13)
===Judgement 150===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Aristeia Starchaser
* '''Judgement:''' We invite those Suranni persecuted by the laws of the Iron Confederacy forbidding the use of magic and liao ceremonies to journey and make their new home in the Imperial controlled territories of Urizen. We encourage them to embrace the Way of Virtue as well as the culture and customs of Urizen.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (224 - 0)
===Judgement 152===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Alfmund Fordwinsson
* '''Judgement:''' The champions stand united in their shared Ambition to re-establish the legacy of the original legacy of their predecessors. We commend their ambition to save the tortured souls of those soldiers who fell to the Druj. it is better - by far - to try and to fail than to fail to try! They have shown they are prepared to put their lives on the line for the defence of the Empire! We encourage people to follow their military example and act in virtue and pay any price to realise the Empire's destiny.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (100 - 10)
===Judgement 154===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Brynell Thornweaver
* '''Judgement:''' The new role of Guardian of Britta's Memorial created by the mandate raised by Sister Sarah, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by the Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of history, especially our Imperatrixs, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Wisdom assembly, alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each virtue should be represented, to create a pilgrim's trail through the city. To that end, we name Empress Aenea, and their tomb in Necropolis, located at the central plaza, as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the virtue of Wisdom. Her focus on building infrastructure and internal development of the Empire speaks to the tenet of Wisdom, Apply your knowledge. Let our history guide our present, to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (165 - 10)
===Judgement 155===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Luca i Taziel i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' We the Freeborn assembly wish to exalt the virtue of the Sails of the First Flame for the casting of over 100 rituals on Freeborn fleets at cost. They did so with Pride in their skill and the Ambition to liberate the most desperate.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (118 - 0)
===Judgement 157===
* '''Assembly:''' Way
* '''Raised By:''' Yosephus Morningson
* '''Judgement:''' An imperfect Throne is better than no Throne at all. Virtue demands that Senators compromise on an acceptable candidate rather than holding back for perfection.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (74 - 6)
===Judgement 159===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Bryna Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' Food is not a virtue. Water is not a virtue. Shelter is not a virtue. Freedom is not a virtue. All these things remain necessary for the attainment and exercise of virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (506 - 235)
===Judgement 161===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov
* '''Judgement:''' Without the Thule, I and many others would still be in chains in Ossium. Now they look to us, struggling to face a harsh winter having chosen to end "the most pernicious, vile, and despicable practice in existence." I will be giving what I can spare to support the children of the dragons and encourage those who share these loyalties to do the same, without fear of what our cousins in wider Varushka may think.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (56 - 20)
===Judgement 162===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ivana Petara Vodjavic
* '''Judgement:''' We call upon the champions of virtue to fight alongside our armies in the Barrens this coming season. They are beacons of virtue in a military context and shall show our armies how to avoid the lure of false virtues as we continue our fight against the Druj.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (635 - 157)
===Judgement 163===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Skywise Tulva
* '''Judgement:''' The Winter Sun goes to the Barrens this season. We go to break shackles, following our Ambition to see a world where no thinking being languishes in chains. We seek to inspire with our virtue, and show those shackled a life away from the cruelty of the Druj. Show your Courage, show your loyalty. Prove to them that they can live as we do. Virtue will inspire all!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Primacy (76 - 0)
===Judgement 164===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Gaelen Embercast
* '''Judgement:''' The Council of Nine directs the Silent Bell to investigate the spread of Blood-on-the-Snow cults in Sermersuaq.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Primacy (7 - 0)
===Judgement 165===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Hembeneth i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' After defeating the slave lords of Rachensgrab, we have left Rachensgrab in disarray. We encourage Imperial citizens to investigate how to help those left behind to follow the way and rebuild their futures.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Primacy (7 - 0)
===Judgement 166===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Hywel Summercrow
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete. The Assembly of Nine has appointed a committee of ten priests to consider the Doctrines of the Way in light of the available evidence. We call upon priests of the Synod to bring their thoughts to this committee, to support them in asking the right questions, and to allow them the time to test what we have learned, before they bring their recommendations for the General Assembly's consideration.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Primacy (7 - 0)
===Judgement 167===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Clarice Novarion
* '''Judgement:''' It is virtuous to free slaves, for liberty to act is essential for the pursuit of virtue. yet the spiritual force of Anarchy is a false virtue, for it lends no aid to the spirit's passage. We must learn from the consequences of careless wording: calling for freedom for freedom's sake leads to auras of Anarchy. Future liberations must be inspired in the name of the Seven True Virtues, and pursued with them foremost in our hearts.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Primacy (7 - 0)

==Mandate==
The following [[mandate|mandates]] were passed during the Winter Solstice. Where there are [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|competing mandates]], the one that passes with the largest margin is successful and all other competing mandates are considered to have failed.
===Judgement 7===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Josephine of Adina's Charge
* '''Judgement:''' Pride inspires others, it does not demean them. Virtue is based on deeds and it is only actions that we should judge. We send Olyvar of Esther's Sanctum with 50 doses of liao to urge every Highborn citizen to put aside the prejudice of the past. Let us make the pursuit of Virtue the one unifying principle of this glorious Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority, 328 to 111
* '''Enacted''' The effects of this mandate are unpredictable but it will lead to subtle but profound changes in the way the Highborn view the lineaged, the Imperial Orcs, and other sentient creatures. As detailed in [[Full_of_sacred_sound#Dagger_of_the_Mind|Full of sacred sound]].

===Judgement 8===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Silas of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' Let us protect and raise up the things we truly care for. We send Silas of the Cenotaph with 50 doses of liao to remind every Highborn congregant that their decisions are crucial to their safety. Let benefactors and priests work together to show the world that the Way was born here in Highguard.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority, 320-0
* '''Enacted''' Highborn congregations will look for ways to restore the pre-eminence of Virtue in Highguard itself. As detailed in [[Full_of_sacred_sound#In_Deepest_Consequence|Full of sacred sound]].

===Judgement 15===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Fintan Nighthaven
* '''Judgement:''' When Virtue falls silent it allows Blasphemy to speak. When Virtue falls silent, we head "Death to the Druj". Complacency has allowed malign forces to take root in the spirit of our citizens. In Deepest Consequence we bring the Bell, the Unconquered, and the Arbiter - they know the truth, We send Fintan Nighthaven with 150 doses of liao to inspire every Imperial soldier in Virtue, to question what motivates them - and root out any corruption within. The Empire will defeat our enemies, but we must not sacrifice the Way to achieve this. Let Virtue speak - Victory to the Empire!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 1594 to 367 (margin 1227)
* '''Enacted''' Encourages soldiers in the Imperial armies to question orders that encourage them to slaughter the Druj As detailed in [[The_silent_page#The_Fate_of_the_Wicked|the silent page]].

===Judgement 17===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Genoveva Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' Ambition drives the people of the League to reach for the impossible, to seize it, and to make it real. Ratibor ignored those who told him he could not reclaim his city, and showed them what raw ambition can achieve. We send Genoveva Barossa di Tassato with 25 doses of liao to remind the people of the League that there is nothing that they cannot achieve if they are prepared to reach for it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority, 287 to 68
* '''Enacted''': Every congregation run by a League citizen [[Congregation#Downtime_Options|preaching]] Ambition will receive an additional [[liao]] and two additional votes in the Imperial Synod until the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE. As detailed in [[Don%27t_blame_me#The_Price_of_Dreams|Don't blame me]].

===Judgement 20===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine of House duLac
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete. We sent Lady Laudine of House duLac with 75 doses of liao to encourage the priests of the Empire to engage with the Free Folk pilgrimage in good faith and help them to find the path of virtue. Bu sharing our understanding we will navigate the Way together.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority, 2188 to 35
* '''Enacted''' Every [[congregation]] in the Empire will benefit from the Free Folk visits gaining a bonus of 36 rings. As detailed in [[Folklore#Study_and_Spirituality|Folklore]].

===Judgement 28===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Olyvar of Esther's Sanctum
* '''Judgement:''' Pride inspires others - it does not demean them. Virtue is based on deeds and it is only actions we should judge. We send Olyvar of Esther's Sanctum with 50 doses of liao to urge every Highborn citizen to put aside the prejudice of the past.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld; withdrawn
===Judgement 29===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Jared of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Nothing is beyond our reach if we strive for it. We send Jared of the Suns of Couros with 50 doses of liao to remind every Highborn congregant that the virtuous build up their fellows. Let us loyally support each one of our siblings in our hour of need.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 371 to 0
* '''Enacted''' The Highborn Assembly will gain two different abilities, for the coming year. The opportunity to identify a single Imperial nation to throw their support behind [[Full of sacred sound#A Peerless Kinship|A Peerless Kinship]]), and an opportunity to support the religious goals of other nations [[Full of sacred sound#Partner of Greatness|Partner of Greatness]]. Ade detailed in [[Full of sacred sound#Dare Do All|A peerless kinship]].

===Judgement 31===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Eleanor Novarion
* '''Judgement:''' Although the Synod does not yet agree that the Divine Family meet the criteria to be judged and paragons, it is clear that they provide virtuous inspiration to the Free Folk. As such they cannot be regarded as false paragons. We send Lady Eleanor Novarion with 75 doses of Liao to remind the faithful that it is acceptable to call for any virtuous human to be recognised as a paragon and to draw inspiration from their virtuous example.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 1417 to 157
* '''Enacted''' This mandate removes the final bar to them Free Folk joining an Imperial nation with the exceptions of Varushka and Urizen (given it did not achieve a greater majority). As detailed in [[Folklore#One_More_Thing...|Folklore]].

===Judgement 36===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Nekoda of the Shattered Tower
* '''Judgement:''' The Free Folk wish to learn how to use liao to express their faith. We send Nekoda of the Shattered Tower with 50 doses of liao to encourage our people to help the Free Folk find the Way. All that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 316 to 0 (Scrutiny extended by Cardinal of Loyalty)
* '''Enacted''' Provides tutelage to the Free Folk in the use of liao. Every [[business]] in Highguard suffers a -1 rank to production for the rest of the year, the money going to fund scholarships, purchase liao, and provide access to tutors for the Free Folk who want to become priests. As detailed in [[Folklore#Finding_the_Way|Folklore]].

===Judgement 51===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Balenn Splitroot
* '''Judgement:''' Be alert to dangers; within and without. We send Balenn Splitroot with 25 doses of liao to urge the Navarr to be civil to the Great Forest Orcs but encourage them to move on when the time comes. Let us not give them false hope of a future we cannot share with them.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld, with a Greater Majority 16 to 254
===Judgement 56===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Neala Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' We welcome the Great Forest Orcs to all our territories, following the example of Zemress to share in our combined Prosperity, work hard and defend what we have. We send Neala Blackhawk with 50 doses of liao to encourage all Navarr to welcome the Great Forest Orcs and encourage them to settle. All that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 260 to 10 (Scrutiny extended by Cardinal of Vigilance)
* '''Enacted''' Welcome the Great Forest Orcs to create steadings in Miaren and Hercynia; provides an immediate benefit to the holder of the Golden Trees of Seren and the Heartwood of the Great Vale. As detailed in [[You_belong_with_me#A_Home_in_the_Empire|You belong with me]].

===Judgement 58===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Fenrys Whiteshroud
* '''Judgement:''' We, the Navarr national assembly, swear in the name of the Marked and their first bonds of ancient kinship that none who would join our cause will go without a proper welcoming! We send Fenrys Whiteshroud with 100 doses of liao to encourage Navarri across the Empire to show the Great Forest Orcs a spring festival they will never forget. Throw wide the gates of the Thorned Rose. Let the forges of Treji roar. Let our songs resound from root to golden boughs.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld, 20 to 162

===Judgement 61===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Fabio Costas de Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' Ratibor would not tolerate magical creatures infesting his realm, and neither shall we. We must take immediate action no matter how convincing the reasons to delay appear. We send Fabio Costas de Sarvos with 50 liao to burn away the horror of Metri with Ratibor's fire.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld 219 to 54, withdrawn
===Judgement 65===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Corrado Filiarchi de Regario
* '''Judgement:''' The driving force of the League is our Ambition to achieve the impossible. Ratibor's ambition forges a city of beggars and thieves into one of the most powerful in the world, just as the three founders of the League bound cities together into a nation. We send Corrado Filiarchi de Regario with 50 doses of liao to urge every citizen of the League that no price is too high to realise your dreams. This is uniquely virtuous opportunity that ambition demands who do not pass up.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld 40 to 202
===Judgement 72===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lenarius Ankarien
* '''Judgement:''' The Druj enslave any peoples they can subjugate and despoil any land they cannot hold. While they exist the Empire's dreams of a world without slavery cannot be achieved, and Ambition teaches us that obstacles to our goals must be removed, one way or another. Consequences are the price of Ambition. We send Lenarius Ankarien with 200 doses of liao to encourage all citizens to focus their efforts on supporting the extermination of the Druj, wherever they may be found and by any means necessary, until no trace of them is left upon the world.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld 739 to 793
===Judgement 76===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Veikko Bondforger
* '''Judgement:''' The Loyalty assembly sends Tarquinius Ankarien with 25 liao to support the Wintermark national assembly in their efforts to oppose Blood-on-the-Snow. The effort must be Wintermark led and Loyal pilgrims should seek to support them rather than starting their own investigations. The mandate reads: We urge the faithful of Wintermark to seek out the poison in your neighbour's fields. We send our priest with 50 doses of liao to remind everyone that cold cannot compromise. Those who have made dark bargains must be rooted out.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (243- 0)
* '''Enacted:''' The [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]] supports [[#Judgement 88|Judgement 88]].

===Judgement 87===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Sindr of Hraefnhall
* '''Judgement:''' The knowledge of the runes is the legacy of Isenbrad, paragon of Wisdom, and inspires our people to this day. All knowledge is incomplete, but with the Runemaster's Law we commit Wintermark once more to the mastery of the Crafter's Art. We send Isolde with one dose of True Liao and 4 crowns to consecrate the caves beneath Runegrott as an inspirational tomb for the first runesmith.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 397 to 0
* '''Enacted''' The caves beneath Runegrott have been consecrated, the runesmiths will work to create ''Runesmith's Law'' as detailed in [[Snow_might_fall#Heirs_to_Isenbrad|Snow might fall]]

===Judgement 88===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvisdottir
* '''Judgement:''' We urge the faithful of Wintermark to seek out the poison in our neighbours fields. We send Averil Olsen (Warsmith) with 50 doses of liao to remind everyone that cold cannot compromise. Those who have made dark bargains must be rooted out.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Greater Majority 387 to 0
* '''Enacted''' Wintermark priests in Sermersuaq will work to try and identify who has accepted [[Agramant|Blood-on-the-Snow's]] aid. As detailed in [[Watching_my_mistakes#Murder_the_Crows|Watching my mistakes]]. See also [[#Judgement 76|Judgement 76]]

===Judgement 91===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Irada von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' The Vyig are an insidious corruption within the Empire. It may seem there is no answer to their wickedness, between the most impenetrable forest may fall one tree at a time. We send Irada von Temeschwar with 75 doses of liao to light a torch, use it to find the places where the Vyig lair, and finally finish what Ratibor started.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 285 to 10
* '''Enacted'''. Rouses the people of the League to bring an end to the Vyig once and for all. As detailed in [[Don%27t_blame_me#Light_the_Torches|Don't blame me]].

===Judgement 97===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Hazelelponi of the Shattered Tower
* '''Judgement:''' Let every word you speak carry meaning. We send Hazelelponi of the Shattered Tower with 25 liao to urge the virtuous of the Seventh Wave to reach out to the Vendarri to show them that we are not their enemy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 368 to 0
* '''Enacted''' Creates an opportunity for the generals of the Highborn armies to meet with [[The_silent_page#The_Vendarri|the Vendarri]] at the Spring Equinox. As detailed in [[The_silent_page#The_Torch_of_Freedom|The silent page]].

===Judgement 103===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lucanus of the Ashen Tower
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete. We send Lucanus of the Ashen Tower with 75 doses of liao to encourage the priests of the Empire to engage with the Free Folk pilgrimage in good faith and help them to find the path of virtue. By sharing our understanding, we will navigate the Way together.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 1100 to 57. This mandate was in competition with [[#Judgement 20|Judgement 20]], which received a higher margin.

===Judgement 105===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' The Fool of Glory
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous inspire others to greatness. We send Pelleas Montrose with 25 liao to urge the glorious soldiers of the Dawnish host to reach out to the Dawnish in the Barrens and inspire them with talk of liberation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 152 to 10
* '''Enacted''' Creates an opportunity for the generals of the Dawnish armies to meet with [[The_silent_page#The_Dawnish|the Dawnish resistance]] in the Barrens at the Spring Equinox. As detailed in [[The_silent_page#The_Torch_of_Freedom|The silent page]].

===Judgement 107===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Ahraz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The fundamental right of any being is to live freely in the manner that they wish, and the former Thule slaves are no exception. We send Ahraz i Guerra to Otkodov with 50 doses of liao to let everyone know that they do not need to live under the thumbs of their former masters. Let them come to the Empire - there is a place for them there.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld, 20 to 32; withdrawn

===Judgement 120===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Velko Perunovich Razoradze
* '''Judgement:''' The Vyig are an insidious corruption within the Empire. It may seem that there is no answer to their wickedness, but even the most impenetrable forest may fall one tree at a time. We send Vaclav Mladenovich Kosti with 100 doses of liao to light a torch, use it to find the places where the Vyig lair, and finally finish what Ratibor started.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 150 to 0
* '''Enacted'''. Rouses the people of Varushka to bring an end to the Vyig once and for all. As detailed in [[Don%27t_blame_me#Light_the_Torches|Don't blame me]].

===Judgement 143===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Bloodcrow Knott
* '''Judgement:''' Stonecliff Brakkalo demands the aid of the Empire, but if we are to keep our Pride we must stand on our own feet. We will face the challenge presented by the septs of Ossium, and whatever other orcs seek new homes within the Empire, and when we triumph we will do so with virtue. We send Bloodcrow Knott with 50 doses of liao to challenge Brakkalo's anger with Wisdom and Vigilance, and urge her to find another cause.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 75 to 0
* '''Awaiting Liao''' Only 45 liao have been made available. As detailed in the [[All_too_well#Answer_Courage_with_Wisdom|All too well]] wind of fortune.
==Evaluation==
The Synod made the following judgements of [[excommunication]], [[inquisition]], [[revocation]], and [[sanction]].
===Judgement 22===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine du Lac
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' I have questioned Accalon of Felix's Watch to determine whether they have acted unvirtuously and have a conflict of interest as an Ambassador to Sumaah. Their brother, Asher, who was a former Cardinal of Courage has been declared an exemplar by Sumaah recently, but they are not recognised by the Empire. Asher died during a true liao vision where he was a guiding priest, but the visionary made a deal with an eternal to give away their true liao as they consumed it. This has resulted in Asher's death, and while he lay ready for a funeral, his body disappeared, which was then witnessed by the Empress Bita, and one other. Later an attempt was made to call back his soul to speak with him, but there was no response, and all the participants received a rank 7 courage anointing. Since Asher has helped in setting up the Embassy, Sumaah sent delegates to investigate his fate, and has declared him an Exemplar of Courage, based on the facts. They wished to name him a paragon but they will not do so until the Empire does. Accalon was inspired by Asher to become an Ambassador, but he hasn't encouraged Sumaah at all regarding Asher since he has been an ambassador. Given the facts I vindicate Accalon to have not acted without virtue, and I believe the has the best interests of the Empire in mind. It is however not virtuous for the Synod to not recognise a paragon of the Way who has shown clear signs.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 680-232

===Judgement 26===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Cassia Apulian
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition'''. I call Sagua i Ezmara, Master of the Koboldi, to inquisition regarding virtue in her role and dealings with eternals. The hub, 12 noon, Saturday of this summit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 282-10
===Judgement 32===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition'''. The Right of Witness is enshrined in the Imperial Constitution: "The Synod shall ensure the virtuous behaviour of the Empire." Yet members of the Synod were barred from observing an audience between the Imperial Consul and Matilda Fisher in the Senate building by members of the militia who were apparently empowered by the Magistrates to refuse entry to a legitimate audience. In no body of law are the Magistrates or Militia empowered to refuse entry to a formal audience to a non-disruptive priest exercising Right of Witness. We call Magistrate Grimmr Reinholt to Inquisition regarding this matter at the Hub/Magistrates tent at Saturday 11am.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 350-26.

===Judgement 33===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Penance''' (escalation of [[384YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_75|this judgement]]. After questioning him and those concerned about his actions, I both condemn and vindicate the actions of the Ambassador to Otkodov, Yevgeni Katsev. He obviously acted in line with his renowned self-interest but this did align with the interests of the Empire. It is clear his primary motivations is to keep the Dragons from deciding Varushka would be better in their hands, and it is equally clear that some representatives of the Varushkan people are happy with paying the price for peace with the Thule as long as it is not theirs to bear. I recognise Virtue in his deeds, but I also recognise the Miserly nature in paying the price last; the Shame in not proclaiming what had been done for all to know - good or ill; and the Foolishness that comes from trusting what you are told without validation - in contrast with his obvious intelligence. In penance, Yevgeni Katsev should put a Throne to the Virtue Fund for each season he has held the position of Ambassador, lessened by one for each Cardinal to whom he can satisfy with a demonstration of his understanding of Virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 903-126.

===Judgement 41===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Sir Claude Videre
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' As Auditor for Senatorial Accountability, I carried out the inquisition of Senator Miaren, Llewellyn Leafstalker. The Senator was accompanied by his proxy, Gwyndolyn y Caim. In this matter, concerning a motion for military resupply, I am pleased to vindicate the senator. I am satisfied that his decision-making balanced Loyalty and Prosperity on the scales, and he is a dedicant of Loyalty. In addition, I praise this Senator's Loyalty in his life and work in the highest terms, commending him to the Loyalty assembly and the Cardinal. Llewelyn lifts up others, and none more so than the proxy he supports- nurturing Gwyndolyn's future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 442-31.

===Judgement 46===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Sam Wych-Elm
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' Let's have a talk, Blackjack. "There are no weeds that a hatchet cannot fix." 11:59pm under the hobs awning, Saturday, Winter solstice.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 40-0
===Judgement 74===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call Veikko Bondforger to Inquisition with regards judgements raised in the Assembly of Nine last summit (autumn 384) and his voting behaviour.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 121-0
===Judgement 77===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Jenny Arbor
* '''Judgement:''' '''Revocation''' To revoke Cardinal Harwen Eternal from their post. Reasoning: he and others went against a key teaching of Pride with actions that directly impacted the result, pulling another down rather than elevating another. Part of these actions involved making a key decision by a coin toss - leaving the result to chance/fate.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (122 - 214)
===Judgement 80===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Galen du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' Having spoken to Magistrate Reinholz on the matter of militia blocking access to a legitimate audience, I find that the Magistrates acted correctly in accordance with our constitutional right of Witness. The militia did form a cordon to block rioters from assaulting those in the Senate building, but the meeting itself was suspended until the riot was quelled, meaning there was nothing to witness. Magistrate Reinholz personally ensured priests were given access once the meeting restarted. Further training will be given to the militia to prevent future miscommunication and misunderstandings.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 895-43.

===Judgement 92===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Lochias
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call the Imperial Spymaster, Bernard Dugdale, to answer questioning regarding his management of spy networks in Grendel territories. To be held at 8pm on the Friday of the Spring Equinox at Merrick's.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 128-0
===Judgement 114===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Mazo Freewalker
* '''Judgement:''' '''Penance''' Morwenna Winterbuilt was inquisited in Autumn 384YE, and found not to be unvirtuous, However, we feel that she needs further spiritual guidance and Brodie Brackensong has agreed to be her spiritual guide for the next year.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 190-0
* '''Note:'''Greater Majority for this judgement was 200.
===Judgement 116===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Annabelle Boughgarden
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' Etienne de laChasse knowingly sought dealings with Irra Harrah at the previous summit. I hereby call him to the Camp of House Tallstag in Dawn to establish the virtue of these actions at 9:30pm on the Saturday of the Winter Summit 384YE.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 30-0
===Judgement 117===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aethelric the Grounded
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction : Vindication''' (Escalation) General Kindra Edasdottir is vindicated of accusations regarding a lack of virtue in redeploying from the Fist of the Mountains from Kallavesa to Zenith Spring 384YE. Upon examination it is clear that she acted with great Loyalty, Courage, and Pride, and encouraged the same in others. She has acted as a hero of the Mark should and is to be commended.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 239-0
===Judgement 127===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Cesare Enzo Di Trivento
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call Sofia i Del Toro i Riqueze to inquisition at 1pm on Sunday of the Winter Solstice, in regards to their potentially presenting signs of exemplar-hood. The inquisition will take place at the Del Toro camp in the Brass Coast.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 10-0

===Judgement 132===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Olyvar of Esthers Sanctum
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Penance''' Following inquisition, it is found that Ser Guy Wooder of Dawn acted unvirtuously with his dedication to a false virtue following the Imperial actions in the Bones. However they have taken themselves on virtuous pilgrimage upon the path of Pride, and has embraced the mistakes of their past, to learn from it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 54-26
===Judgement 133===
* '''Assembly:''' Way
* '''Raised By:''' Syn Truthwalker Returned
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call Emmatius Ankarien to the space behind the Senate at 19:00 on Friday of the Spring Gathering to answers questions in relation to the murder of Raziel of the Saker by Tuktu of the Saker during the temporary suspension of parley at the plenipotentiary with the heralds of the winter eternal Sorin.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 104-0
===Judgement 145===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' Through a life of service, hard work, and honest toil he has found prosperity and redemption. This assembly needs no more proof that the spontaneous permanent testimony of "Walder's Oath." Henceforth may the eighth heir of the Good Walder be known as Tom Appleseed! Prosperity provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 173-13.
* '''Note:''' A greater majority for this judgement was 183.

===Judgement 147===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Tisserande Griffinsbain
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' The excommunication of Jack Canting, formerly the face of the Herald of Fools, was a matter of hearth magic and oath, thrice sworn and then thrice broken, and willingly entered, they were fully aware of the consequences and fully accepted them - they were heard to say "I knew this was the cost." If the cost was not paid then the whole house would suffer. We should not pass the consequences of our choices to those we are loyal to, Our actions are our own and Jack did not force those left to deal with their choices.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 184-10.

===Judgement 149===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' Inquisitor Galeas du Maurisol finds Iron Osric to have a keen an insightful mind, able to quickly and ably answer questions with conviction. The fire in his heart rages but his iron will allows him to channel his fervour for the betterment of the Empire. He strongly believes in his vision of an Empire united in saving people and will fight for that cause even if others step back. He is willing to make difficult decisions and accept the consequences - unyielding even in the face of hindsight. I name him Unyielding Shield and commend his Courage in all things, including the Thule treaty.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 149-0.

===Judgement 151===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aethelric the Grounded
* '''Judgement:''' '''Revocation''' Pendraed the Maker is Revoked of his title of "Gatekeeper of Fallen Snow" (the sinecure of the Garden of Fallen Snows). This is not due to this lack of virtue or heroism, but rather because, as he no longer attends Anvil, he is no longer able to execute the responsibilities the position demands.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 186-0.
* '''Notes:''' Pendraed the Maker has been revoked from the title ''Gatekeeper of Fallen Snow''.

===Judgement 153===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Rafe
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' On questioning Lofyn Bloodcloak was able to give an account of the virtue behind each of their actions regarding the Thule treaty. Loyalty to those in bondage in Sermersuaq. Ambition to see as many slaves freed as possible. Courage to make unpopular choices and act rather than let fear of disapproval rule them, and allow an opportunity to pass them by. As such I vindicate them in this matter.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 177-0.

===Judgement 156===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Genoveva Barossa
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call the Earl of Fools to inquisition regarding their actions in excommunicating the Herald of Fools at 1pm on Saturday of the Spring Equinox 384 in the Hub.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 954-22.
===Judgement 158===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Annabelle Boughgarden
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' Elienne de la Chasse, "Rebellion Elienne" has been found to have acted with the utmost Wisdom, Vigilance, and superlative Loyalty in his dealings to aid Imperial actions in the Barrens. He is found to be clear of wrongdoing and deserves commendation. Any priests in dispute of this judgement should meet Annabelle Boughgarden in the Glory Square.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 116-0.
===Judgement 160===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Sir Claude Videre
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' The Auditor for Senatorial Accountability calls Senator Skarsind, Bloodcrow Rasp, to inquisition at the Spring Equinox, 5pm or as soon as Senate is done), in the orc camp tent of the first legion. To demonstrate his virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically upheld.
===Judgement 168===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' As the Basilisk of the Bourse, I call Marys, Castellan of Spiral Castle, to inquisition at his camp at 21:00 on Saturday of the Spring Summit 385.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically Upheld

==Recognition==
The following judgements of [[recognition]] were presented during the Autumn Equinox.
===Judgement 59===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Friar John of the Mourn
* '''Judgement:''' The Pride assembly recognises the Speaker for the Dead as an exemplar of Pride with the following signs: ''Legacy:'' Among the slaves of Marricossa they faithfully recited the names and deeds of the dead. This litany has now become their legacy as a yearly celebration. ''Benevolence:'' The Speaker's life stood in opposition to the evils of slavery, and through them we can all be raised in virtue. ''Inspiration:'' The Speaker emboldened those without a voice to speak, to see virtue where they could, and take pride in their shared struggle, which eventually led them to freedom. ''Salvation:'' When missionaries came to Marricossa the virtue of Pride was seen in the Speaker's story, and through them people have found the Way and salvation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (339 - 16)
* '''Note:''' The judgement will be escalated to the general assembly.

==Appointment==
At the Summit, the following [[appointment|appointments]] were proposed by the Assemblies of the Synod. You can find the names of citizens who currently hold Imperial titles in the Synod [[Current Imperial titles|here]].
===Judgement 1===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Cardinal
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Darian Numbers''' received 253 votes; Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra received 10 votes.

===Judgement 2===
* '''Assembly:''' Way
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Cardinal
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Hywel Summercrow''' received 86 votes; Bloodcrow Udoo received 32 votes; Maximillian of Ankarien received 32 votes; Josephus Morningsun received 20 votes

===Judgement 12===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of High Exorcist
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra''' received 5 votes; Solas of the Spire of the Waxing Sun received 0 votes; Riverlen of House Remys received 0 votes.

===Judgement 16===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Voice of Barbs
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Teleri Thornweaver''' received 142 votes; Aneira Exiles End received 86 votes; Meredith Nighthaven received 20 votes; Neala Blackhawk received 0 votes.

===Judgement 23===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Basilisk of the Bourse
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Heilyn Bronwen's Rest''' received 5 votes

===Judgement 25===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Champion of Pride
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Kali Keen-Eye''' received 86 votes; Lady Kaywenn de Orzel received 80 votes; Artis Greyholm received 13 votes

===Judgement 54===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Speaker for the Highborn Assembly
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Isaac of the Silent Tide''' received 261 votes; Hazelelponi of the Shattered Tower received 32 votes; Dagon of the Shattered Tower received 0 votes.

===Judgement 57===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Courage Virtue Inquisitor
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Maarit Suvidottir''' received 192 votes.

===Judgement 60===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Champion of Loyalty
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Dagon of the Shattered Tower''' received 125 votes; Asher of the Silent Tide received 119 votes; Mouse of Dawn received 61 votes.

===Judgement 63===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Wisdom Virtue Inquisitor
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Silas of the Cenotaph''' received 74 votes; Palladius of Raven's Spire received 10 votes.

===Judgement 66===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Prelate of the Little Mother
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Cesare Enzio di Trivento''' received 142 votes.

===Judgement 104===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Hand of Guerra
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Ahshen i Fiel i Guerra''' received 102 votes.

===Judgement 137===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Keeper of the Orchard
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Bastard Tom''' received 80 votes.
==Rewarding==
The following judgements of [[rewarding]] were proposed during the Winter Solstice.
===Judgement 9===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Finna i Fijadoz
* '''Judgement:''' 7T 4 H Ex plz xxx.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically upheld
===Judgement 13===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Astrid Fjellrevening Rezia di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' I ask for 20 Thrones to reward Lord Colwynn de Rondell for standing firm in the face of death threats, assassins, and arson from Faraden Justice cultists who demanded he recant his account of his past life vision. He wishes to put these funds towards the rebuilding of the Pride cathedral in Tassato the cultists destroyed.
* '''Outcome:''' upheld 664 - 445

===Judgement 19===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tabris, son of Armisael
* '''Judgement:''' Only by continuing to introduce and induct people from all over the world to the Way can we help them achieve their destiny of ascension. I ask for 5 Thrones from the virtue fund to provide continued support to the Cathedral of the Navigators, as they continue to bring citizens of the Sarcophan Delves under the auspices of the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 278 - 46

===Judgement 21===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Elkiah
* '''Judgement:''' Zenith has been reclaimed but it has been left bereft of hope. Everything that made the territory noteworthy now lies in ruins. The Architects of Urizen will rebuild and restore. They will create a new spirit for the territory and heal its wounds. To ensure that their work is build on a foundation of virtue, the general assembly awards Able the Taller of Zenith Ascendant one dose of True Liao for the consecration of either: the Eye of the Heavens, the Crucible of Fate, or the Radix of Truth, whichever is embraced by the Urizen national assembly.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 542 - 122, Scrutiny extended by the Cardinal of Ambition; Margin:420
* '''Notes:''' In competition with [[#Judgement 43|Judgement 43]], this received the higher margin and this the dose of true liao was rewarded to Elkiah.

===Judgement 24===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine du Lac
* '''Judgement:''' Withdrawing 5 Thrones from the virtue fund for the purpose of helping Ambassadors prepare for promoting the virtues, outside of the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically upheld

===Judgement 39===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Anastasiya Volkov
* '''Judgement:''' I request a dose of True Liao to consecrate a cenotaph in memory of Juha the Cave Spider, Exemplar of Loyalty. Juha was confirmed by conclave as an inspirational mage and his memory will inspire future generations of magicians to practice magic through dedication to Virtue. Please see more information on the Synod notice board for details of the shrine and the impact it will have.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (465 - 537)
===Judgement 40===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alcuin, proxy Seer of the Gateway
* '''Judgement:''' 5 Thrones to the duties of the Seer.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically upheld

===Judgement 43===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lev
* '''Judgement:''' Now is the time of miracles and inspiration. I ask for a dose of true liao to consecrate the heart of the way in Bastion and inspire a great pilgrimage for all faithful across the world.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 715 - 333, a margin of 382
* '''Notes:'' [[#Judgement 21|Judgement 21]] received a higher margin than this judgement, and so it did not receive the dose of true liao.

===Judgement 44===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Vossk of the Ashen Tower
* '''Judgement:''' The General Assembly awards Abel Bursar the Conclave, admiral of the Rachensgrab raid 30 thrones to support the architects of Urizen's efforts to rebuild Zenith and cleanse the taint left by the Druj.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (833-164), with a margin of 669
===Judgement 69===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Pontus Figures
* '''Judgement:''' The opportunity to bring new societies into the Empire and the Way is rare and virtuous. Salvation is a mark of the exemplar. We propose to use the virtue fund to purchase 2 wains of Mithril in order to construct the Ethengraw Armoury in part. Further Mithril will be required but once complete the Ethengraw sept will join the Imperial Orc nation. We ask for 11 thrones. We recommend those interested in the progress of integrating the Ossium Septs into the Imperial Orcs discuss with the Cardinal of the Way, Tulva.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (874-158), margin 766

==Alternative Mandates==
Prior to the summit, the following [[Mandate#Alternative Mandates|alternative mandates]] were proposed by members of the Synod.

{|
| '''Member''' || '''Link to mandate''' ||
|-
| Azir i Shartha i Riqueza || [[Chime_the_sound#Tales_of_Liberty|Chime the sound]]
|-
| Lady Josephine of Adina's Charge || [[Full_of_sacred_sound#Dagger_of_the_Mind|Full of sacred sound]]
|-
| Fintan Nighthaven || [[The_silent_page#The_Fate_of_the_Wicked|The silent page]]
|-
| Lenarius Ankarien || [[The_silent_page#The_Fate_of_the_Wicked|The silent page]]
|-
| Morwenna Winterbuilt || [[You_belong_with_me#A_Home_in_the_Empire|You belong with me]]
|-
| Corey Wayfarer || [[You_belong_with_me#A_Home_in_the_Empire|You belong with me]]
|}

==The Virtue Fund==
The following represents the Virtue Fund of the Synod:
{|
| ''Starting Value'' || 12 Thrones, 6 Crowns, 11 Rings ||
|-
| ''Income'' || 13 Thrones, 7 Crowns || Donation by Azir i Shartha i Riqueza before the start of the summit.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 7 Thrones || Rewarding to Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra following Judgement 9 being automatically upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 5 Thrones || Rewarding to Lady Laudine duLac following Judgement 24 being automatically upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 5 Thrones || Rewarding to Alcuin following Judgement 40 being automatically upheld.
|-
| ''Income'' || 2 Crowns, 1 Ring || Donation by Mael Donjeon on behalf of an anonymous citizen.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 5 Thrones || Rewarding to Tabris, Son of Armisael following Judgement 19 being upheld.
|-
| ''Income'' || 1 Throne || Donation by the Tribune, from a coin found in the mud of the Hub.
|-
| ''Income'' || 75 Thrones || The price paid in the Bourse Auction for the dose of True Liao.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 20 Thrones || Rewarding to Astrid Fjellrevening Rezia di Tassato following Judgement 13 being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 11 Thrones || Rewarding to Pontus Figures following Judgement 69 being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 30 Thrones || Rewarding to Vossk following Judgement 44 being upheld.
|-
| ''Income'' || 15 Rings || Donation by the Tribune, from the sale of writing implements.
|-
| ''Income'' || 1 Crown || Donation by Fintan Nighthaven.
|-
| ''Closing Value'' || 20 Thrones, 1 Crown, 7 Rings ||
|}

==Doses of True Liao==

Five doses of [[Liao#True Liao|True Liao]] were disbursed this summit:
* One dose in connection to the [[Lepidean Librarian|Lepidean University]] to Elkiah via Judgement 21
* One dose to Herminius of the House of the Wanderer by purchase in the [[Public auction|Public Auction]]
* One dose to Derowen of Sigehold by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Martin Orchard by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Estella of the First Spark by decision of the Gatekeepers

384YE Winter Solstice Synod judgements

2023-05-01T16:50:17Z

Cyph: Spelling corrections

[[Category: Synod]] [[Category:Synod Results]] [[Category: Synod Judgements]] [[Category: 384YE Winter]]
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Synod_Winter_384.png|caption=The [[Imperial Synod]] exists to safeguard the soul of the Empire, protecting it from dangers and corrupting influences, whilst nurturing and promoting virtue wherever it flourishes.|align=right|width=500}}</div>
==Overview==
During the Winter Solstice 384YE Summit, the [[Imperial Synod]] raised 168 [[judgement|judgements]].

==Considerations==
The following considerations should be borne in mind when bringing judgements before the Imperial Synod during the Winter Solstice.
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that prioritise the greater good over personal loyalties are less effective. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Statements that try to compel Loyalty will fail. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Revocations and Excommunications for disloyalty to the nation or Empire would risk causing dissent. This is permanent effect of the [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' Any mandate that does not pass with a greater majority will have limited or no effect on Urizen or Varushka. It is not impossible that a mandate might lead to a response in one of the two nations, but it won't lead to any immediate consequences for the people of the nation. This lasts until some new turn of events changes things. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Urizen_Assembly|Urizen Link]]. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Varushkan_Assembly|Varushka Link]].
* '''All Assemblies:''' No statement of principle that is about Sulemaine i Taziel will lead to a mandate. Lasts until at least the end of the Winter Solstice 384YE and potentially longer. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_Urizen_Assembly|Link]].
* '''Virtue Assemblies:''' Any statement of principle in any virtue assembly will not create a mandate for that virtue assembly. If any mandate does arise, then it will need to be passed by the General Assembly. Lasts until the end of the Winter Solstice 384YE. [[Hard_and_suspecting#The_General_Assembly|Link]].
* '''Highguard and Navarr Assemblies:''' Statements of principle in either assembly that receive a greater majority may create opportunities in the other assembly. Lasts until the end of the Autumn Equinox 385YE [[The_bones_of_what_you_believe#We_Will_All_Be_There_Tomorrow|Link]].
__TOC__

==Change of Doctrine==
There was one proposed [[Change of doctrine]] during the Winter Solstice.
===Judgement 135===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lord Laurent Sepulchre
* '''Judgement:''' Freedom/Anarchy should be accepted as a virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (18-1485)

==Veto==
No [[veto]] was sought during the Winter Solstice 384YE.

==Statement of Principle==
===Judgement 3===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Aspar
* '''Judgement:''' The liberty pact was signed. A spontaneous aura of freedom manifested through this action. Imperial citizens raided Chalonsio. Spontaneous auras of Freedom manifested through this action, Imperial citizens raided Rachensgrab. Spontaneous auras of Freedom manifested through this action, All of these acts were encouraged and endorsed by the Synod. Some have tried to hide from the truth by replacing auras of Freedom where they are found, but how can the Synod deny tat the actions of the Empire foster the false Virtue of Freedom? If the Synod encourage Freedom in all but name but denounce it when auras arise through actions they endorse then they are hypocrites, not fit to spiritually lead our people. If the Empire is to foster acts of Freedom, then the Synod must reconsider Freedom's place as a false Virtue or take action against those who encourage these acts.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (528 - 929)

===Judgement 4===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Athanus, House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' We the Urizen national assembly urge all people resist the powers granted to Highguard should the Partner of Greatness mandate pass. We will not allow another Assembly who do not undergo the same scrutiny as ours to project its influence upon our people.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (174 - 20)

===Judgement 5===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Herminius, House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' The Druj have fled Zenith, but we must not sit idle whilst their legacy remains. Whilst the Architects set to rebuilding, we must not sit idle. As our Senators call to our neighbours for aid, we must not sit idle. As Magicians work the realms and Sentinels pursue the enemy, we must not sit idle. I encourage all Sword Scholars to test what they have learned and apply themselves to cleanse what remains of the Druj and their legacy of fear and hatred. With sharpened blades and the light of truth and Virtue we will scour what remains of the Druj from Zenith.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (276 - 0)

===Judgement 6===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Clytemnestra, House of the Wanderer
* '''Judgement:''' We must defend our Virtue from those who would obscure or diminish it. Truth is the light that illumines our Virtue. Before our intervention, the Military Council said they would not prioritise Zenith. We witnessed that, despite her great Loyalty and Courage, General Asenath could not turn the tide of opinion alone. We, the people of Urizen, turned the tide of opinion. We, the people of Urizen, refused to sacrifice Zenith. Our actions carved the path our armies marched. Without our actions, the Druj would still ravage our lands. Zenith would have been abandoned. I, Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer, held our beloved army to ransom, so that Zenith would not be abandoned. I was criticised, threatened, and ridiculed for what I did. I would do it again. We have sacrificed enough. We will not sacrifice our land, we will not sacrifice our Virtue. We were not saved, we saved ourselves. The people of Urizen are powerful, we are virtuous, and we will continue to save ourselves as we rebuild our home in Zenith.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (216 - 32)

===Judgement 10===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Eurybia "Blue" Melampus de Tassata
* '''Judgement:''' Francesca's proposal encouraged each city to use what it has for its own Pride, whereas prosperity teaches us that it should be shared. Ambition teaches us to strive to excel but not at the expense of our fellows. The League citizens have worked hard to build each city up to be one mighty chain with each city a link to reinforce another. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Rather than create a wealth divide I therefore I propose that each city supports each other funding each project in unison and a book of solidarity with a keeper be created tracking each ring, crown, and throne so every citizen, in every city of the League can have the opportunity to take Pride participating in the improvement and prosperity of their entire nation. Let us strive together as a nation and where one of us fails the others shall raise them up. May the most impressive and inspiring project to win rather than a single city.
* '''Outcome:''' Failed (40 - 195)

===Judgement 11===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Kaywenn de Orzel
* '''Judgement:''' The assemblies have chosen their champions. The seven pilgrims are reformed. Soldiers of the Imperial armies, look to the champions and witness the strength Virtue brings! Take inspiration from their actions as you stand shoulder to shoulder with them, resolute against enemies that would tear down the Empire, its people, and the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 1693 - 56

===Judgement 14===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Constanza i Kalamar i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' Exemplars and paragons are the inspirational figures through which we demonstrate and preach our faith, and bring others into the Way. With so many recently freed from slavery and our increasing relations with people all over the world, exemplars and paragons are needed more than ever. Virtue flourishes everywhere and the Pride assembly calls upon the Synod to find and recognise this virtue even beyond the borders of the Empire so all can be called to virtue. As for paragons, in many ways we have very few, yet our records of pat life visions are numerous and thorough - surely there are some exemplars who could now be considered paragons? After the split from Sumaah we should not be reticent to do our research and raise up those who are deserving. Virtue calls for action - we have nothing to gain by dragging our feet in such matters.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (371 - 0)

===Judgement 18===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised by:''' Rafael Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' The Sevenfold Path's manifesto says that it exists to ensure the powers of the Conclave are deployed in line with the Way of Virtue. The Grandmaster is responsible for supporting the manifesto of the Order. The current Grandmaster is Rafael Barossa di Tassato. Anyone claiming that Conclave acts without, or is lacking in, Virtue should do well to remember this before making public claims or Statements of Principle criticising Conclave. If you believe the Sevenfold Path is failing to ensure that Conclave acts with Virtue, then you should first call its Grandmaster to Inquisition - especially if you do not yourself attend Conclave.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1190 - 190)

===Judgement 27===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised by:''' Yirane Knotes
* '''Judgement:''' Prosperity decries the coin unspent, and surely the salvation of souls is among the most virtuous of uses for spent coin. If places and leaders of worship can be made more appealing through expenditure of coin, then more souls will attend and hear the words of the Way. Not all however can afford the extreme expense of White Granite for permanent additions or access ritualists for enchantments, and so the Prosperity Assembly should exhort the leaders of their congregations to find ways to spend smaller amounts to further spread the message of Virtue; however fleeting the improvement. The Words, Numbers, Figures, and Knotes organisation is prepared to purchase the salvation of souls.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (202 - 0)

===Judgement 29===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Chauntecleer Words
* '''Judgement:''' The telling of tales within Dawn is one of our cherished traditions for the instruction of virtues. Dawn thanks all those who took part in the Autumn Contest of Words for continuing this, in particular our tied winners Arturus the Wandering Healer for their tale of the Un-Un-Sheathable Blade and Chauntecleer for his tale of the Mystic City of Ah-Blanc, as judged by the acclaim of our children.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (228 - 0)

===Judgement 30===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Bartimaeus
* '''Judgement:''' Prosperity teaches us to despise the thieving bandit, the lazy wastrel, and the grasping misers, and those take without giving. Our Empire is besieged by enemies who look to take or destroy all that we have built. This assembly encourages the prosperous of every Imperial nation to seek ways to support the Imperial Warcaster in their work protecting the Empire's borders from the thieving bandits on our western and eastern flanks. By acting together in virtue we can ensure that no magic that could be used to defend our homes goes unused.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (136 - 16)

===Judgement 34===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' The spiritual force known as Freedom or Anarchy bids us unshackle ourselves from all forms of chains, law, and order that might bind us - good or ill, of which slavery is surely the most heinous and restrictive. It should come as no surprise that the massive release of slaves and the ending of the slave trade has resulted in an outpouring of unVirtuous Freedom Auras, despite clearly being a Virtuous action. But all knowledge is incomplete and some question whether Freedom is truly malign. Before this becomes a true movement, I invite those amongst the Imperial Synod and Sumaah Houses of Virtue to join me in discussing whether Freedom's place as a False Virtue should be reconsidered or whether it should rightfully be left to wallow in malignance.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (989 - 500)

===Judgement 35===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Bloodcrow Udoo
* '''Judgement:''' Imperial Orcs, the cornerstone of our spirituality is each other. In each of you, your names and deeds and the fierce bonds forged between our blood. Praise and tell of deeds that cleave to the passions in your souls. Let their worth inspire you and grow the weight of your own. Lift up each other's names before all else, for it is by these bonds between blood that we do cross the Abyss.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (86 - 0)

===Judgement 37===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Darian Numbers
* '''Judgement:''' At present the militia provide their service at Anvil without payment, and this runs counter to the tenets of Prosperity. House de Gauvin through the Words, Numbers, Figures, and Knotes organisation are providing a trial reward system to remunerate them. We seek the assemblies agreement that the militia should be paid, and the trial is a firm first step to encouraging their recompense.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (220 - 23)
===Judgement 38===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tarquinius Ankarien
* '''Judgement:''' Presently if someone wishes to know the Synod's position on Vitalism, Lucidianism, or any number of other beliefs they must manually search hundreds of statements for information that is often out of date, contradictory, or both. Synod would welcome Senate action to introduce a permanent publicly accessible record of which beliefs are and are not compatible with the Way and to create a new type of judgement to allow us to populate and adjust these lists as necessary.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1262 - 205)
===Judgement 42===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Morwenna Winterbuilt
* '''Judgement:''' Thanks to the Vigilance of our Archmage we are assured Kaela's Gift poses no threat to the souls of the Empire. Furthermore, we would encourage its use to spare our bodies from the blight of the Vallorn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1029 - 326)
* '''Notes:''' This judgement referenced a previous [[Impossible_landscapes#Kaela|offer]] from Kaela to extend her gift to those fighting the vallorn. Currently the [[Kaela#The Gift of Kaela|Gift of Kaela]] can only be used by those "''in the hands of the Druj''".

===Judgement 45===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orcs
* '''Raised By:''' Gralka
* '''Judgement:''' The Imperial Orc national assembly encourages those orcs troubled by the echoes of their ancestors to visit the mystagogue Illarawm Ithgarn in the Southpine. They hold insight into methods of sifting through the chaos of disruptive ancestors that are so far unknown to our peoples, share in this wisdom and know respite from the storm. It is also encouraged that shaman and mystagogue alike might record in writings the messages and words they hear, your words carry worth from across the Abyss to those who feel most distant from such voices and we should try to capture what is spoken from far off shore so that it might inform the path forwards.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (97 - 0)
===Judgement 47===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Mael Donjeon of House Remys
* '''Judgement:''' The Lay of Occursion. We shall not see her like again, her flashing eyes, her shining hair now stilled, among the bodies that lie broken in the Glory Square. The colours of a score of houses' weapons, 'cross their comrades lain with heavy oaths and blurry eyes we swore we'd see them all again. I heard someone console his friend say with the dead again he'd walk the friend he wept, and shook his head "I'll see him not - he was an orc..." And in that orc camp, 'cross the way so solemnly they mourned their loss the General of the Summer Storm and half of all their fighting force. And yet - as if the Zenith soil no more would take a drop of blood from Urizen, not one was slain of all that on that battle stood. How easy it would be to blame! in grief to hurl recrimination how easy to forget our oaths the ties that bind us - every nation. I shall not fall to petty grudge instead I'll sing the dead to fame and bear their memory aloft like glorious ravens, wings aflame. Each army that claims victory I'll laud their deeds and cheer them on and well applaud the winner of the Empire's greatest Cathleon. The Barrens once were Dawnish, true we claim them as ancestral lands but 'ere we ever worked those fields that soil was tiled by orcish hands. None in this Empire fights alone none without comrades face their fears and each shall bleed an Empire's blood - and each shall weep an Empire's tears.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (652 - 352)
===Judgement 48===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Dagon
* '''Judgement:''' The new role of Guardian of Britta's Memorial created by the mandate raised by Sister Sarah, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by the Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of history, especially our Imperatrix, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Loyalty assembly, alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each virtue should be represented, to create a pilgrim's trail through the city. To that end, we name Emperor Frederick, and their tomb in Necropolis as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the virtue of Loyalty, especially the tenet that the virtuous build up their fellows; they do not tear them down. Let our history guide our present, to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (317 - 0)
* '''Notes:''' A greater majority for this vote was 328 votes
===Judgement 49===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Creighton Blackewater
* '''Judgement:''' The territories of Redoubt, Therunin, and Astolat have benefitted from the attention of the prosperity assembly and we look forward to seeing Zenith benefit in kind. We salute the hard work thus far and encourage the virtuous to continue to follow the direction of the prosperity assembly to seek opportunities to enrich and improve the territories the assembly names. With such guidance, all the territories of the Empire might benefit from their direction over time.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1158 - 56)

===Judgement 50===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Wildfyre
* '''Judgement:''' Grendel traders looking to stockpile imperial goods that they hope will rise in value if there is a war should be treated with civility but shown the door. Grendel traders who are looking for a long term relationship should be welcomed and treated generously, especially if they invest up front for goods that shall only be delivered if the treaty persists. Every merchant who can convince a Grendel that being our friend is more Prosperous than being our enemy is an extra soldier free to support their fellows across the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (247 - 10)
===Judgement 52===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Sarah of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Tabitha in Summer 383 asked Highguard to show its prosperity to the world, In response, Brother Elkiah raised a mandate that that successfully saw Britta's Tomb revitalised into a place of Pilgrimage in Necropolis. This act further cemented by Sister Sarah and the Courage Assembly last year, resulted in Britta's tomb being rededicated to Courage and becoming a site of Pilgrimage. The Highguard National Assembly now calls on Necropolis to make the tombs of the Imperatrixes a centre for Pilgrimage with six more sites to be dedicated to each of the remaining virtues. Vigilance, Wisdom, Prosperity, Pride, Loyalty, and Ambition. Our Ambition is to see the creation of a pilgrim's trail through the city, with each stop on the path served by an appropriate pre-existing monument or tomb that inspires virtue in the citizens of the Empire through the lessons of the past. Let the virtuous lessons of the past guide the actions of the present, to build amore virtuous future, for all citizens of the Empire willing to make Pilgrimage to Necropolis.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (318 - 0)
===Judgement 53===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Enoch
* '''Judgement:''' The new role of Guardian of Britta's Memorial, created by the Mandate raised by Sister Sarah, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of History, especially our Imperatrixs, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Vigilance assembly alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each virtue should be represented, to create a Pilgrim's Trail through the city. To that end we name Empress Teleri, and their tomb in Necropolis at the centre of the sevenfold labyrinth garden, as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the virtue of Vigilance, especially the tenet that you seek out the poison in your neighbour's fields, lest your own crops be blighted. Let our history guide our present, to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (181 - 10)

===Judgement 55===
* '''Assembly:''' Navaar
* '''Raised By:''' Enfys Larkshong
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom teaches that all knowledge is incomplete, Vigilance teaches us to be alert to all dangers. The "Chaos Fruit" recovered from Brocéliande has the potential to both be a useful resource for the Empire as well as leading to difficulty or issue in the future. We encourage all Imperial citizens who choose to cultivate this fruit to not keep such a decision a secret and let it be known they intend to do so, This way we might learn where and what threat they possess, or what boon and use they might provide.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (270 - 0)
===Judgement 62===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Ubarius
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous do not demean others, they inspire them to greatness. By allowing various foreigner such as the Feni, the Great Forest Orcs or other similar groups to settle in our lands without them adopting the Way as directed by our Synod, we are letting them languish in their own error-strewn beliefs. In doing this we demean them by denying them a chance for greatness by living lives of Virtue. We urge the priests of our Empire to not be complacent, but strive for excellence in missionary work and convert these misguided souls to a true understanding of the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (285 - 26)
* '''Notes:''' Greater Majority for this judgement was 282
===Judgement 64===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lia Adelaar
* '''Judgement:''' The Empire's surest path to spreading the way is to integrate those peoples, orc and human, who wish to join us. The Imperial Orcs are at present working to do just this. Let us demonstrate our Loyalty to the Imperial Orcs, our fellow citizens, and our Pride in our own nations, by seeking out other foreigners and refugees who share our national values, opening our hearts and hearths, and inviting them to share the bond to our land.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1499 - 52)
===Judgement 67===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Kaspar Yakovitch von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' At a time when the territories of the Empire are occupied, under attack, or striving to recover from damage inflicted on them by our enemies, competing to build statues displays wilful blindness to the needs of our fellow citizens. We are the League. We are not frivolous, nor selfish. We see beyond our city walls to the rest of the Empire our founder helped create. Let us remember our tradition of competing to show Prosperity through acts of charity. We call upon Francesca di Matos and the Harlequin to expand their competition to include supporting construction in those nations that desperately need lifting up from the acts of our enemies.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (237 - 22)

===Judgement 68===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Azir i Shartha i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' We the Freeborn recognise the Free Folk of Asavea as kindred spirits, both in their origins and in aspects of their culture. The Empire should stand as a beacon to the virtuous, and we believe we can and should offer them a home here. We invite the Free Folk to join the Brass Coast as a tribe in their own right, to sit alongside the Riqueze, the Guerra, the Erigo and the Zemress, such that they can maintain their Pride in their own identity while forging a place for themselves among the Freeborn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (172 - 20)

===Judgement 70===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Soratio i del Toro
* '''Judgement:''' Not all the auras on those returning from Rachensgrab are "freedom" - many are reflective of Imperial Courage, Pride, and Ambition in destroying their vile edifice. Each aura should be examined and judged - malign auras removed, but virtuous auras, however unorthodox, preserved.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (857 - 89)
===Judgement 71===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Raphael i Zamora
* '''Judgement:''' I, Raphael i Zamora i Riqueza, as Gatekeeper of Wisdom, wish to extend an invitation to the signatories of the Liberty Pact to send individuals who have demonstrated Imperial virtues, particularly those involved in the destruction of Rachensgrab for consideration for true liao. Virtue is not the sole purview of the Empire, all souls can be virtuous and I would see them rewarded.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1118 - 169)

===Judgement 73===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Viviane de Courdefer
* '''Judgement:''' Consequences are the price of Ambition. We the Synod must and should pay the price of our actions. We know that our intent matters. We will grow roses where the Druj miasma lie - but first we must clear the ground. We ask for a mandate to repair the damage committed by false virtue auras such as those from Judgement 72.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1201 - 134)

===Judgement 75===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Callista of the Dark Shard
* '''Judgement:''' Every person bears responsibility for their own virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (951 - 273)
===Judgement 78===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Kasjay
* '''Judgement:''' Ambition is the way we strive for greater virtue. All followers of the Way should seek to define their ambitions so they can better understand their path of Virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (895 - 43)

===Judgement 81===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Aniera Exiles End
* '''Judgement:''' Be alert to all dangers. Test what you learn. This season, the ritual Hallow of the Green World has been cast over the Empire. While this ritual has previously had no effect or influence on the vallorn, the Navarr national assembly encourages all vates within the stridings and steadings to remain vigilant to any changes or reactions following the use of this ritual.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (250 - 0)

===Judgement 82===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Elaydala
* '''Judgement:''' Politics must always cleave to virtue. No virtuous action should be discarded because you find the consequences inconvenient. Only actions can be virtuous.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (824 - 412)
===Judgement 83===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Killian Mortére
* '''Judgement:''' The troubadours of Dawn suggest the appointment of a chaplain to provide spiritual guidance and counsel to our generals, so there can be no doubt that when Dawn marches to war, we march in virtue. We put forward Owain of House Wolfbourne for the role.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (174 - 10)
===Judgement 84===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Sebastiano
* '''Judgement:''' The great chains of Sarvos will protect the finest harbour in the Empire. The Senate now considers their construction to defend Sarvos and the League. As the Empire strikes at overseas foes it is vital these fortifications are constructed. We declare that it is virtuous for citizens to donate to this vital cause and encourage all to do so.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (177 - 0)
===Judgement 85===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Bryce Tanner
* '''Judgement:''' We all know the cruelty and treachery the Druj are famed for and the scars it had left on the people and lands of Zenith as well as the lingering threat of their return. To give the good people of Urizen a chance to rebuild without the shadow of fear at their border and the worry of what treachery the Druj have left behind we call on the vigilant citizens of the territory to be alert to all dangers, within and without. To root out Druj malice and keep watch for their movements. No plot shall escape the lantern-light and no vile machination will outwit the prepared.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (185- 0)
===Judgement 86===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Captain Charge
* '''Judgement:''' The current Dawnish voting system does not promote glorious challenge. We have seen in how it instead promotes secrets, promises yet unkept, and back room dealings. The troubadours and earls of Dawn wish to see this changed to a more open, direct, and glorious challenge.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (152 - 10)
===Judgement 89===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Eira Larksong
* '''Judgement:''' The bandits presently in Therunin include those who have paid a great price and taken a great sacrifice for the good of Navarr and for the Empire, to allow them to fall to banditry and stray from the path of Virtue is our failing. The guides of Navarr should work with citizens of Therunin and thorns who can protect them to endeavour to help these Navarri to find their place in the Great Dance once more and help them find ways to pursue virtue, and the oaths we all have sworn.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (240 - 10)
===Judgement 90===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The Prosperity assembly believes that there are common pitfalls on the way to Prosperity. When trading prosperously, bear the following in mind. Resources with a virtuous purpose are not a hoard. Those around you cannot define your own Prosperity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (150 - 0)
===Judgement 93===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Keziah of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' The brave do not look away from uncomfortable truths. It is comfortable to believe that Winter magic - such as Whispers through the Black Gate and Kaela's Gift - cannot harm the soul. This belief, while comforting, is not backed up by hard evidence. We will not risk our immortal souls on the basis of comforting assumptions.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (112 - 90)
===Judgement 94===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Luke
* '''Judgement:''' We recognise the plight of those suffering persecution and execution in the Iron Confederacy. Wilful ignorance is neither virtuous nor morally just. We, as a Proud and Courageous people cannot and will not stand idly by while the Suranni people suffer under state-mandated genocide. The Empire will offer aid and support to any and all who seek to relieve the Suranni people's suffering.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (892 - 135)
===Judgement 95===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Edmund of Barrowby
* '''Judgement:''' Reckless violence and lack of Vigilance have led to disaster in Whittle and Mournwold before, lending credence to the poisonous words that Mathilda Fisher sows in Bregasland. Let us turn to the Vigilant path, and root out Fisher's falsehoods as we prove her wrong through our virtuous action to free Bregasland.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (121 - 0)
===Judgement 96===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Teleri Thornweaver
* '''Judgement:''' This season, the Imperial conclave has made efforts to aid Suranni refugees escape into the Empire. They have expressed interest in settling within Wintermark, Varushka, or amongst our own numbers, we encourage any Stridings who are able to accompany them, and steadings who are able to shelter them as they partake in this journey and seek to help them find their place within this Empire and the Great Dance.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (220 - 0)
===Judgement 98===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Valentin von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' The Vyig hold each other down. The League build each other up. As we dismantle the institution of the Vyig, we the national assembly urge our citizens to welcome back those who lost their Way with the Vyig, and are willing to balance their ledgers.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (261 - 0)
===Judgement 99===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Hadvar
* '''Judgement:''' We the national assembly would encourage cultural exchange with the Thule, to get a better understanding of our trade partner as an act of Prosperity. We urge priests to attend the trade hall built in Wreck to facilitate the trades from a cultural perspective between the Thule and the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld, Withdrawn (70 - 12)
===Judgement 100===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Rikke
* '''Judgement:''' The Wintermark assembly recognises the value of a hero's death. We would encourage the opportunity for a death befitting the culture and traditions of the Nations of those condemned to die. The citizens of the Empire should have the right to death deemed worthy of their nation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (307 - 0)
===Judgement 101===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Tyr Brenna
* '''Judgement:''' Under the request of Ashborn Trosk - virtue does not require honesty. Just as Kethry covertly undermined the efforts of Malm the Red to protect her culture, she subverted the warlord's orders with Pride to conquer the raiders people as Tian the exemplar of Ambition used guile and intrigue to steal fire from the heavens espionage and treachery are the tools of the Ambitious as the Empire has wielded espionage and political might to create opportunities to strike at the heart of the abominable practice of slavery it has acted with Courage, Ambition, and Pride to free the oppressed while doing so we encourage citizens who practice such methods for virtuous aims such as espionage subterfuge for virtuous aims.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (200 - 47)

===Judgement 102===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Paulus von Holberg
* '''Judgement:''' Citizens of the League, let us reach out to the Grendel, and strike a deal with them. With the current diplomatic mission and the continuing truce we have an unrivalled opportunity; recall Holberg's ascension to the League! In Ambition, and with national Pride, we call on all priests to preach to their congregations. Let us challenge our Grendel visitors in debate and display to explore our deeply shared values.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (299 - 12)

===Judgement 106===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Ingrid Seiging
* '''Judgement:''' Beodun Snowlock - Warcrow. He who gave his hero's life for many. He whose story inspired, his name the rallying cry for the retaking of Ataloq. He whose legacy lingers, and is keenly felt within the heart of the Mark and beyond. His name shall be entered into the Chronicle of Heroes. The Mark remembers.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (324 - 0)

===Judgement 108===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Shacklebreaker Thanmir Hrafnar
* '''Judgement:''' If we as a nation are to welcome orcs into our nation, then we as Crows must prepare ourselves to administer to their spiritual needs as has been done for humans of the Mark such that no orc is deprived from crossing the Howling Abyss with Virtue. We encourage all crows to learn from the Imperial Orc preachers and shamans.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (299 - 12)
===Judgement 109===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Hildred Auarillys
* '''Judgement:''' Now the slavers of Rachensgrab have fallen our slaving neighbours cannot look to them to restock their pens, only to our borders. Citizens, prepare for Malice, and seek ways to thwart the malice before it strikes.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (804 - 36)

===Judgement 110===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Prince-Bishop Jonah Yakovitch
* '''Judgement:''' With the Druj purged from Zenith the task of rebuilding must now be undertaken. As Prince Bishop of the Printers' Guild who include in its members Landon von Holfried business owner of Wunderkind, I call for all business owners of the League to open their ledgers and offer their most favourable rates to support the engineering efforts titled the Crucible of Fate within Zenith.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (185 - 10)

===Judgement 111===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Neriah of the Vineyard
* '''Judgement:''' The new role of Guardian of Britta's Memorial, created by the Mandate raised by Sister Sarach, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by the Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of History, especially our Imperatrixs, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Ambition assembly, alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each virtue should be represented, to create a Pilgrim's Trail through the city. To that end we name Empress Varkula, and their tomb in Necropolis as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the virtue of Ambition, especially its tenet that consequence is the natural price of Ambition. Let our history guide our present to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (141 - 32)
===Judgement 112===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Estella the Wandering Artist
* '''Judgement:''' Our Towerjacks and Wolves of War have repeatedly demonstrated the League's mastery of the art of warfare and we take great pride in their achievements. However, our pride must not lead to complacency. We must continuously strive for excellence and improve our military capabilities to maintain our position. Vigilance is essential to our success, and we must be prepared to thwart any attempts against us. As bishops of the League, we call upon our fellow citizens to lay the groundworks and foundations for a strong navy. By being ever ready to launch this navy will be able to protect our nation and uphold the virtues we hold dear.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (139 - 46)

===Judgement 113===
* '''Assembly:''' Genearl
* '''Raised By:''' Mazo Freewalker
* '''Judgement:''' Remember the Lasambrians! The Great Forest Orcs have been invaluable allies in the recent successful campaign to Terunael. However, they have their own spiritual beliefs about which the Empire knows very little. In our enthusiasm to spread the Way we must remain Vigilant in our welcome to those who wish to become Imperial citizens.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1126 - 104)
===Judgement 115===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Palladout
* '''Judgement:''' We believe if the eradication of slavery is to be pursued, military action alone will not suffice and we must pursue all other avenues including diplomacy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1241 - 21)
===Judgement 118===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Goran-Sokolov Xaytsev
* '''Judgement:''' Varushka welcomes the refugees from the Iron Confederacy. We encourage people to welcome them to our hearths and allow them to grow in virtue and the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (140 - 0)
===Judgement 119===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Lenochka Zabotovna Vypalse
* '''Judgement:''' Following Judgement 54 (Autumn 374YE) and 13 (382 Winter). I call upon Varushkans to renew their support to nationalise the Hunt of Alderai the Fair. The offer of honey still stands so let us enjoy the rewards of our labour and have Pride in our Prosperity.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (150 - 0)

===Judgement 121===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Withold Steganovic Pretrov
* '''Judgement:''' Every Varushkan understands how to deal with threats: you bargain, you endure, or you overcome. The Mallum orcs are oath-breakers, they cannot be bargained with. They twist virtuous spirits into abominations and corrupt the land with malign auras - they cannot be endured. The Druj must be destroyed.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (96 - 0)
===Judgement 122===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Geoffrey Orchard
* '''Judgement:''' We rejoice that orcs of the Mournwold wish to join the Empire. Vigilance demands that they must understand our Way, and the religious laws to which we are subject before they join. Let us resolve to teach them, especially our understanding of the orcish soul.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (111 - 0)
* '''Notes:''' Greater Majority for this judgement was 112

===Judgement 123===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Jedediah Boon
* '''Judgement:''' Marchers take Pride in their own, in those who have bolstered our nation in times of hardship and been an inspiration to our kin. William Guildenstern created the Fortified Raiding House in Overton to protect his fellow Marchers prior to the Liberation, which became the Sheriff's position our nation now enjoys; he was elected Senator of a territory not his own, during the tenure of which he took the Troll Curse of Doom upon himself voluntarily to spare the Marches from it; he fought in the Valiant Hurricane Battle, which pitted 12 Marchers against 50 Jotun and 12 ogres, wearing no armour as mages were in short supply. The Marches is his Pride - and always will be. And, to celebrate his enduring legacy, he has been immortalised in song. As such we recognise William Guildenstern as a Marcher folk hero.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (80- 26)

===Judgement 124===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Atushah i Fijadoz i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' The new roll of Guardian of Britta's Memorial created by the Mandate raised by Sister Sarah, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by the Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of History, especially out Imperatrixs, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Prosperity assembly, alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each Virtue should be represented, to create a Pilgrim's Trail through the city. To that end we name Empress Mariika, and their memorial in Necropolis, the three white granite pillars, as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the Virtue of Prosperity, especially the tenet to strive, toil, and claim the just rewards for your labours. Let our history guide our present, to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (156 - 0)

===Judgement 125===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Brother Aemon
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous build up their fellows. The benefactor council of Highguard have shorn great virtue in funding construction and distribution of ten staves of Imperial Mastery. These staves wielded by the Highborn mage block has put to flight the enemies of the Empire. Highborn, aspire to be like your benefactor!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (320 - 0)

===Judgement 126===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Telyn Stormtree
* '''Judgement:''' Strive, toil, and claim the just rewards of our labours. We have reached further into the depths of Brocéliande then ever before. With the rediscovery of Emrys in Otkodov, Cavan in Axos, and Beantol Dol in the Sarangrave, we once again have the location of all cities of Terunael. We are working to expand the Library of Hacynian and compile all information on the Vallorn within the Empire. Our nation has taken a tremendous step in the Great Dance to fulfilling the oaths we have all sworn. When the Winter passes, we should celebrate our achievement with a festival of Welcoming so great the whole Empire hears of our joy. "It's Spring!"
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (124 - 16)
===Judgement 128===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Vaclav Mladenovich Kosti
* '''Judgement:''' The sentient creatures with whom we share our land have already proven themselves through service and sacrifice with our armies. The Varushkan national assembly encourages the people of Varushka to consider the capacity for virtue in those sapient creatures.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (134 - 0)
===Judgement 129===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Sofonisba Amilcara di Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' Central to founding of the Empire was the preservation of the character of each nation. We of the League believe we are solely responsible for our nation's virtue, and refute and reject any assumption by Highguard of a mandate to interfere.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (192 - 32)
===Judgement 130===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alcuin
* '''Judgement:''' DEATH TO THE DRUJ is an exhortation of hate and has no place in army orders, even as those deaths necessary to ambition and other virtues may occur.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (584 - 455)
===Judgement 131===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ashborn Pakt
* '''Judgement:''' The Empire exists to spread the Way not its own territory. When the banners of the Empire are seen on the horizon by oppressed peoples under the Druj do they see liberators or conquerors? When the Empire routs a barbarian army we move their slaves, integrate their culture, and reallocate the prosperity of their land as our own. Are we not just their new masters? Let us be liberators not conquerors.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (1252 - 283)
===Judgement 134===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Tiana i Zayden i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' Pride instructs us to lift others up. The Freeborn national assembly wish to extend our thanks to the Highborn chapter of Reumah's Redoubt for their loyalty to our nation in assisting us in achieving our great ambition of raising the Burning Falcons. Let their sharing of their prosperity be recognised.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (128 - 0)
===Judgement 136===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Cate Hypation
* '''Judgement:''' In line with the letter from the Holberg college of the Scholars of the Sword (provided to civil service) the sword scholars Cato Hypation and Clytemnestra accept the invitation to teach the ways of the sword scholars at the university and acknowledge it going forward as a centre of sword scholarship teaching.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (178 - 0)
===Judgement 138===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Dindrane
* '''Judgement:''' The new role of Guardian of Britta's Memorial created by the mandate raised by Sister Sarah, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by the Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of history, especially our Imperatrixs, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Pride assembly, alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each virtue should be represented, to create a pilgrim's trail through the city. To that end, we name Empress Richilde, and their tomb in Necropolis which rests at the centre of the Ring of Champions, as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the virtue of Pride. Richilde is the first paragon of Pride in the modern era, and no tomb would be more appropriate as a place of pilgrimage than hers. let our history guide our present, to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (254 - 0)
===Judgement 139===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Rosemary Stamp
* '''Judgement:''' To seek to conquer new territories whilst Imperial citizens are under threat in territories that were Imperial but have been occupied by barbarian nations is unvirtuous. Disloyal, unwise, vainglorious, and selfish.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld (301 - 689)

===Judgement 140===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Saqqui Heroes' Champion
* '''Judgement:''' We, the Wintermark national assembly, believe that we should welcome former slaves, both orc and human, into our halls for hospitality. These people are at a fork in their skein, the mystics of Wintermark are skilled at helping people to find their path through life. We urge the mystics to seek out these new citizens and offer them their insight as wisdom so they can find their feet.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (145 - 13)

===Judgement 142===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Rinnah of the Shattered Tower
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom says we should challenge our beliefs. Recent statements have asked us to revisit our views on lineage. The Highguard national assembly believes that we should extend our vigilance and loyalty to all of those who interact with the realms and may fall under their influence. Regardless of their status as lineaged or otherwise.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (254 - 18)

===Judgement 144===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orcs
* '''Raised By:''' Atla
* '''Judgement:''' Further to the mandate to challenge Stonecliff Brakkalo. Your concerns are valid but we will face our challenges as an Empire. The smithy and the ossuary are already fully funded with the aid of many others, notably Rumaah's Redoubt and Dawn. Both commission slots passed by the Senate. The Academy and no doubt many others will help to do the same for the Yerende with the greatest haste. We look forward to fully integrating our allies to mutual benefit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (75 - 0)

===Judgement 146===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Ira of the Flame Beneath the Earth
* '''Judgement:''' The Vigilance assembly calls on priests to take to the trods and investigate criminal activity among those displaced in East Ashes, Therunin. Vigilance teaches to thwart malice before it strikes, and inaction here may lead to worse than petty criminality without the Synod's guidance.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (153 - 0)
===Judgement 148===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' Let it be known that the power of our paragon the Good Walder extends even beyond death! This miraculous inheritance of power has been bestowed eight times! Prosperity provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (153 - 13)
===Judgement 150===
* '''Assembly:''' Urizen
* '''Raised By:''' Aristeia Starchaser
* '''Judgement:''' We invite those Suranni persecuted by the laws of the Iron Confederacy forbidding the use of magic and liao ceremonies to journey and make their new home in the Imperial controlled territories of Urizen. We encourage them to embrace the Way of Virtue as well as the culture and customs of Urizen.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (224 - 0)
===Judgement 152===
* '''Assembly:''' Ambition
* '''Raised By:''' Alfmund Fordwinsson
* '''Judgement:''' The champions stand united in their shared Ambition to re-establish the legacy of the original legacy of their predecessors. We commend their ambition to save the tortured souls of those soldiers who fell to the Druj. it is better - by far - to try and to fail than to fail to try! They have shown they are prepared to put their lives on the line for the defence of the Empire! We encourage people to follow their military example and act in virtue and pay any price to realise the Empire's destiny.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (100 - 10)
===Judgement 154===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Brynell Thornweaver
* '''Judgement:''' The new role of Guardian of Britta's Memorial created by the mandate raised by Sister Sarah, inspired by the mandate raised by Brother Elkiah, with works done by the Prosperous chapters of Highguard, speaks to the way figures of history, especially our Imperatrixs, can inspire virtue today. It is the belief of the Wisdom assembly, alongside our siblings in the other virtue assemblies, that more figures of history should be identified, and actively memorialised in Necropolis, to encourage the virtuous pilgrims to travel to a city tied to our history, and reflect on the virtues they inspire. Further, we believe that each virtue should be represented, to create a pilgrim's trail through the city. To that end, we name Empress Aenea, and their tomb in Necropolis, located at the central plaza, as a site of pilgrimage for those that follow the tenets of the virtue of Wisdom. Her focus on building infrastructure and internal development of the Empire speaks to the tenet of Wisdom, Apply your knowledge. Let our history guide our present, to build a more virtuous future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (165 - 10)
===Judgement 155===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Luca i Taziel i Riqueza
* '''Judgement:''' We the Freeborn assembly wish to exalt the virtue of the Sails of the First Flame for the casting of over 100 rituals on Freeborn fleets at cost. They did so with Pride in their skill and the Ambition to liberate the most desperate.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (118 - 0)
===Judgement 157===
* '''Assembly:''' Way
* '''Raised By:''' Yosephus Morningson
* '''Judgement:''' An imperfect Throne is better than no Throne at all. Virtue demands that Senators compromise on an acceptable candidate rather than holding back for perfection.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (74 - 6)
===Judgement 159===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Bryna Tendfallen
* '''Judgement:''' Food is not a virtue. Water is not a virtue. Shelter is not a virtue. Freedom is not a virtue. All these things remain necessary for the attainment and exercise of virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (506 - 235)
===Judgement 161===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov
* '''Judgement:''' Without the Thule, I and many others would still be in chains in Ossium. Now they look to us, struggling to face a harsh winter having chosen to end "the most pernicious, vile, and despicable practice in existence." I will be giving what I can spare to support the children of the dragons and encourage those who share these loyalties to do the same, without fear of what our cousins in wider Varushka may think.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (56 - 20)
===Judgement 162===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ivana Petara Vodjavic
* '''Judgement:''' We call upon the champions of virtue to fight alongside our armies in the Barrens this coming season. They are beacons of virtue in a military context and shall show our armies how to avoid the lure of false virtues as we continue our fight against the Druj.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (635 - 157)
===Judgement 163===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Skywise Tulva
* '''Judgement:''' The Winter Sun goes to the Barrens this season. We go to break shackles, following our Ambition to see a world where no thinking being languishes in chains. We seek to inspire with our virtue, and show those shackled a life away from the cruelty of the Druj. Show your Courage, show your loyalty. Prove to them that they can live as we do. Virtue will inspire all!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Primacy (76 - 0)
===Judgement 164===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Gaelen Embercast
* '''Judgement:''' The Council of Nine directs the Silent Bell to investigate the spread of Blood-on-the-Snow cults in Sermersuaq.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Primacy (7 - 0)
===Judgement 165===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Hembeneth i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' After defeating the slave lords of Rachensgrab, we have left Rachensgrab in disarray. We encourage Imperial citizens to investigate how to help those left behind to follow the way and rebuild their futures.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Primacy (7 - 0)
===Judgement 166===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Hywel Summercrow
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete. The Assembly of Nine has appointed a committee of ten priests to consider the Doctrines of the Way in light of the available evidence. We call upon priests of the Synod to bring their thoughts to this committee, to support them in asking the right questions, and to allow them the time to test what we have learned, before they bring their recommendations for the General Assembly's consideration.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Primacy (7 - 0)
===Judgement 167===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Clarice Novarion
* '''Judgement:''' It is virtuous to free slaves, for liberty to act is essential for the pursuit of virtue. yet the spiritual force of Anarchy is a false virtue, for it lends no aid to the spirit's passage. We must learn from the consequences of careless wording: calling for freedom for freedom's sake leads to auras of Anarchy. Future liberations must be inspired in the name of the Seven True Virtues, and pursued with them foremost in our hearts.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Primacy (7 - 0)

==Mandate==
The following [[mandate|mandates]] were passed during the Winter Solstice. Where there are [[Mandate#Competing_Mandates|competing mandates]], the one that passes with the largest margin is successful and all other competing mandates are considered to have failed.
===Judgement 7===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Josephine of Adina's Charge
* '''Judgement:''' Pride inspires others, it does not demean them. Virtue is based on deeds and it is only actions that we should judge. We send Olyvar of Esther's Sanctum with 50 doses of liao to urge every Highborn citizen to put aside the prejudice of the past. Let us make the pursuit of Virtue the one unifying principle of this glorious Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority, 328 to 111
* '''Enacted''' The effects of this mandate are unpredictable but it will lead to subtle but profound changes in the way the Highborn view the lineaged, the Imperial Orcs, and other sentient creatures. As detailed in [[Full_of_sacred_sound#Dagger_of_the_Mind|Full of sacred sound]].

===Judgement 8===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Silas of the Cenotaph
* '''Judgement:''' Let us protect and raise up the things we truly care for. We send Silas of the Cenotaph with 50 doses of liao to remind every Highborn congregant that their decisions are crucial to their safety. Let benefactors and priests work together to show the world that the Way was born here in Highguard.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority, 320-0
* '''Enacted''' Highborn congregations will look for ways to restore the pre-eminence of Virtue in Highguard itself. As detailed in [[Full_of_sacred_sound#In_Deepest_Consequence|Full of sacred sound]].

===Judgement 15===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Fintan Nighthaven
* '''Judgement:''' When Virtue falls silent it allows Blasphemy to speak. When Virtue falls silent, we head "Death to the Druj". Complacency has allowed malign forces to take root in the spirit of our citizens. In Deepest Consequence we bring the Bell, the Unconquered, and the Arbiter - they know the truth, We send Fintan Nighthaven with 150 doses of liao to inspire every Imperial soldier in Virtue, to question what motivates them - and root out any corruption within. The Empire will defeat our enemies, but we must not sacrifice the Way to achieve this. Let Virtue speak - Victory to the Empire!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 1594 to 367 (margin 1227)
* '''Enacted''' Encourages soldiers in the Imperial armies to question orders that encourage them to slaughter the Druj As detailed in [[The_silent_page#The_Fate_of_the_Wicked|the silent page]].

===Judgement 17===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Genoveva Barossa di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' Ambition drives the people of the League to reach for the impossible, to seize it, and to make it real. Ratibor ignored those who told him he could not reclaim his city, and showed them what raw ambition can achieve. We send Genoveva Barossa di Tassato with 25 doses of liao to remind the people of the League that there is nothing that they cannot achieve if they are prepared to reach for it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority, 287 to 68
* '''Enacted''': Every congregation run by a League citizen [[Congregation#Downtime_Options|preaching]] Ambition will receive an additional [[liao]] and two additional votes in the Imperial Synod until the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE. As detailed in [[Don%27t_blame_me#The_Price_of_Dreams|Don't blame me]].

===Judgement 20===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine of House duLac
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete. We sent Lady Laudine of House duLac with 75 doses of liao to encourage the priests of the Empire to engage with the Free Folk pilgrimage in good faith and help them to find the path of virtue. Bu sharing our understanding we will navigate the Way together.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority, 2188 to 35
* '''Enacted''' Every [[congregation]] in the Empire will benefit from the Free Folk visits gaining a bonus of 36 rings. As detailed in [[Folklore#Study_and_Spirituality|Folklore]].

===Judgement 28===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Olyvar of Esther's Sanctum
* '''Judgement:''' Pride inspires others - it does not demean them. Virtue is based on deeds and it is only actions we should judge. We send Olyvar of Esther's Sanctum with 50 doses of liao to urge every Highborn citizen to put aside the prejudice of the past.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld; withdrawn
===Judgement 29===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Jared of the Suns of Couros
* '''Judgement:''' Nothing is beyond our reach if we strive for it. We send Jared of the Suns of Couros with 50 doses of liao to remind every Highborn congregant that the virtuous build up their fellows. Let us loyally support each one of our siblings in our hour of need.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 371 to 0
* '''Enacted''' The Highborn Assembly will gain two different abilities, for the coming year. The opportunity to identify a single Imperial nation to throw their support behind [[Full of sacred sound#A Peerless Kinship|A Peerless Kinship]]), and an opportunity to support the religious goals of other nations [[Full of sacred sound#Partner of Greatness|Partner of Greatness]]. Ade detailed in [[Full of sacred sound#Dare Do All|A peerless kinship]].

===Judgement 31===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Eleanor Novarion
* '''Judgement:''' Although the Synod does not yet agree that the Divine Family meet the criteria to be judged and paragons, it is clear that they provide virtuous inspiration to the Free Folk. As such they cannot be regarded as false paragons. We send Lady Eleanor Novarion with 75 doses of Liao to remind the faithful that it is acceptable to call for any virtuous human to be recognised as a paragon and to draw inspiration from their virtuous example.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 1417 to 157
* '''Enacted''' This mandate removes the final bar to them Free Folk joining an Imperial nation with the exceptions of Varushka and Urizen (given it did not achieve a greater majority). As detailed in [[Folklore#One_More_Thing...|Folklore]].

===Judgement 36===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Nekoda of the Shattered Tower
* '''Judgement:''' The Free Folk wish to learn how to use liao to express their faith. We send Nekoda of the Shattered Tower with 50 doses of liao to encourage our people to help the Free Folk find the Way. All that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 316 to 0 (Scrutiny extended by Cardinal of Loyalty)
* '''Enacted''' Provides tutelage to the Free Folk in the use of liao. Every [[business]] in Highguard suffers a -1 rank to production for the rest of the year, the money going to fund scholarships, purchase liao, and provide access to tutors for the Free Folk who want to become priests. As detailed in [[Folklore#Finding_the_Way|Folklore]].

===Judgement 51===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Balenn Splitroot
* '''Judgement:''' Be alert to dangers; within and without. We send Balenn Splitroot with 25 doses of liao to urge the Navarr to be civil to the Great Forest Orcs but encourage them to move on when the time comes. Let us not give them false hope of a future we cannot share with them.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld, with a Greater Majority 16 to 254
===Judgement 56===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Neala Blackhawk
* '''Judgement:''' We welcome the Great Forest Orcs to all our territories, following the example of Zemress to share in our combined Prosperity, work hard and defend what we have. We send Neala Blackhawk with 50 doses of liao to encourage all Navarr to welcome the Great Forest Orcs and encourage them to settle. All that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 260 to 10 (Scrutiny extended by Cardinal of Vigilance)
* '''Enacted''' Welcome the Great Forest Orcs to create steadings in Miaren and Hercynia; provides an immediate benefit to the holder of the Golden Trees of Seren and the Heartwood of the Great Vale. As detailed in [[You_belong_with_me#A_Home_in_the_Empire|You belong with me]].

===Judgement 58===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Fenrys Whiteshroud
* '''Judgement:''' We, the Navarr national assembly, swear in the name of the Marked and their first bonds of ancient kinship that none who would join our cause will go without a proper welcoming! We send Fenrys Whiteshroud with 100 doses of liao to encourage Navarri across the Empire to show the Great Forest Orcs a spring festival they will never forget. Throw wide the gates of the Thorned Rose. Let the forges of Treji roar. Let our songs resound from root to golden boughs.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld, 20 to 162

===Judgement 61===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Fabio Costas de Sarvos
* '''Judgement:''' Ratibor would not tolerate magical creatures infesting his realm, and neither shall we. We must take immediate action no matter how convincing the reasons to delay appear. We send Fabio Costas de Sarvos with 50 liao to burn away the horror of Metri with Ratibor's fire.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld 219 to 54, withdrawn
===Judgement 65===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Corrado Filiarchi de Regario
* '''Judgement:''' The driving force of the League is our Ambition to achieve the impossible. Ratibor's ambition forges a city of beggars and thieves into one of the most powerful in the world, just as the three founders of the League bound cities together into a nation. We send Corrado Filiarchi de Regario with 50 doses of liao to urge every citizen of the League that no price is too high to realise your dreams. This is uniquely virtuous opportunity that ambition demands who do not pass up.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld 40 to 202
===Judgement 72===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lenarius Ankarien
* '''Judgement:''' The Druj enslave any peoples they can subjugate and despoil any land they cannot hold. While they exist the Empire's dreams of a world without slavery cannot be achieved, and Ambition teaches us that obstacles to our goals must be removed, one way or another. Consequences are the price of Ambition. We send Lenarius Ankarien with 200 doses of liao to encourage all citizens to focus their efforts on supporting the extermination of the Druj, wherever they may be found and by any means necessary, until no trace of them is left upon the world.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld 739 to 793
===Judgement 76===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Veikko Bondforger
* '''Judgement:''' The Loyalty assembly sends Tarquinius Ankarien with 25 liao to support the Wintermark national assembly in their efforts to oppose Blood-on-the-Snow. The effort must be Wintermark led and Loyal pilgrims should seek to support them rather than starting their own investigations. The mandate reads: We urge the faithful of Wintermark to seek out the poison in your neighbour's fields. We send our priest with 50 doses of liao to remind everyone that cold cannot compromise. Those who have made dark bargains must be rooted out.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (243- 0)
* '''Enacted:''' The [[Cardinal_of_Loyalty#Additional_Powers_-_The_Eyes_of_Loyalty|Eyes of Loyalty]] supports [[#Judgement 88|Judgement 88]].

===Judgement 87===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Sindr of Hraefnhall
* '''Judgement:''' The knowledge of the runes is the legacy of Isenbrad, paragon of Wisdom, and inspires our people to this day. All knowledge is incomplete, but with the Runemaster's Law we commit Wintermark once more to the mastery of the Crafter's Art. We send Isolde with one dose of True Liao and 4 crowns to consecrate the caves beneath Runegrott as an inspirational tomb for the first runesmith.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 397 to 0
* '''Enacted''' The caves beneath Runegrott have been consecrated, the runesmiths will work to create ''Runesmith's Law'' as detailed in [[Snow_might_fall#Heirs_to_Isenbrad|Snow might fall]]

===Judgement 88===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvisdottir
* '''Judgement:''' We urge the faithful of Wintermark to seek out the poison in our neighbours fields. We send Averil Olsen (Warsmith) with 50 doses of liao to remind everyone that cold cannot compromise. Those who have made dark bargains must be rooted out.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with Greater Majority 387 to 0
* '''Enacted''' Wintermark priests in Sermersuaq will work to try and identify who has accepted [[Agramant|Blood-on-the-Snow's]] aid. As detailed in [[Watching_my_mistakes#Murder_the_Crows|Watching my mistakes]]. See also [[#Judgement 76|Judgement 76]]

===Judgement 91===
* '''Assembly:''' League
* '''Raised By:''' Irada von Temeschwar
* '''Judgement:''' The Vyig are an insidious corruption within the Empire. It may seem there is no answer to their wickedness, between the most impenetrable forest may fall one tree at a time. We send Irada von Temeschwar with 75 doses of liao to light a torch, use it to find the places where the Vyig lair, and finally finish what Ratibor started.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 285 to 10
* '''Enacted'''. Rouses the people of the League to bring an end to the Vyig once and for all. As detailed in [[Don%27t_blame_me#Light_the_Torches|Don't blame me]].

===Judgement 97===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Hazelelponi of the Shattered Tower
* '''Judgement:''' Let every word you speak carry meaning. We send Hazelelponi of the Shattered Tower with 25 liao to urge the virtuous of the Seventh Wave to reach out to the Vendarri to show them that we are not their enemy.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 368 to 0
* '''Enacted''' Creates an opportunity for the generals of the Highborn armies to meet with [[The_silent_page#The_Vendarri|the Vendarri]] at the Spring Equinox. As detailed in [[The_silent_page#The_Torch_of_Freedom|The silent page]].

===Judgement 103===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lucanus of the Ashen Tower
* '''Judgement:''' Wisdom knows all knowledge is incomplete. We send Lucanus of the Ashen Tower with 75 doses of liao to encourage the priests of the Empire to engage with the Free Folk pilgrimage in good faith and help them to find the path of virtue. By sharing our understanding, we will navigate the Way together.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 1100 to 57. This mandate was in competition with [[#Judgement 20|Judgement 20]], which received a higher margin.

===Judgement 105===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' The Fool of Glory
* '''Judgement:''' The virtuous inspire others to greatness. We send Pelleas Montrose with 25 liao to urge the glorious soldiers of the Dawnish host to reach out to the Dawnish in the Barrens and inspire them with talk of liberation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 152 to 10
* '''Enacted''' Creates an opportunity for the generals of the Dawnish armies to meet with [[The_silent_page#The_Dawnish|the Dawnish resistance]] in the Barrens at the Spring Equinox. As detailed in [[The_silent_page#The_Torch_of_Freedom|The silent page]].

===Judgement 107===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Ahraz i Guerra
* '''Judgement:''' The fundamental right of any being is to live freely in the manner that they wish, and the former Thule slaves are no exception. We send Ahraz i Guerra to Otkodov with 50 doses of liao to let everyone know that they do not need to live under the thumbs of their former masters. Let them come to the Empire - there is a place for them there.
* '''Outcome:''' Not upheld, 20 to 32; withdrawn

===Judgement 120===
* '''Assembly:''' Varushka
* '''Raised By:''' Velko Perunovich Razoradze
* '''Judgement:''' The Vyig are an insidious corruption within the Empire. It may seem that there is no answer to their wickedness, but even the most impenetrable forest may fall one tree at a time. We send Vaclav Mladenovich Kosti with 100 doses of liao to light a torch, use it to find the places where the Vyig lair, and finally finish what Ratibor started.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 150 to 0
* '''Enacted'''. Rouses the people of Varushka to bring an end to the Vyig once and for all. As detailed in [[Don%27t_blame_me#Light_the_Torches|Don't blame me]].

===Judgement 143===
* '''Assembly:''' Imperial Orc
* '''Raised By:''' Bloodcrow Knott
* '''Judgement:''' Stonecliff Brakkalo demands the aid of the Empire, but if we are to keep our Pride we must stand on our own feet. We will face the challenge presented by the septs of Ossium, and whatever other orcs seek new homes within the Empire, and when we triumph we will do so with virtue. We send Bloodcrow Knott with 50 doses of liao to challenge Brakkalo's anger with Wisdom and Vigilance, and urge her to find another cause.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority 75 to 0
* '''Awaiting Liao''' Only 45 liao have been made available. As detailed in the [[All_too_well#Answer_Courage_with_Wisdom|All too well]] wind of fortune.
==Evaluation==
The Synod made the following judgements of [[excommunication]], [[inquisition]], [[revocation]], and [[sanction]].
===Judgement 22===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine du Lac
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' I have questioned Accalon of Felix's Watch to determine whether they have acted unvirtuously and have a conflict of interest as an Ambassador to Sumaah. Their brother, Asher, who was a former Cardinal of Courage has been declared an exemplar by Sumaah recently, but they are not recognised by the Empire. Asher died during a true liao vision where he was a guiding priest, but the visionary made a deal with an eternal to give away their true liao as they consumed it. This has resulted in Asher's death, and while he lay ready for a funeral, his body disappeared, which was then witnessed by the Empress Bita, and one other. Later an attempt was made to call back his soul to speak with him, but there was no response, and all the participants received a rank 7 courage anointing. Since Asher has helped in setting up the Embassy, Sumaah sent delegates to investigate his fate, and has declared him an Exemplar of Courage, based on the facts. They wished to name him a paragon but they will not do so until the Empire does. Accalon was inspired by Asher to become an Ambassador, but he hasn't encouraged Sumaah at all regarding Asher since he has been an ambassador. Given the facts I vindicate Accalon to have not acted without virtue, and I believe the has the best interests of the Empire in mind. It is however not virtuous for the Synod to not recognise a paragon of the Way who has shown clear signs.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 680-232

===Judgement 26===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Cassia Apulian
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition'''. I call Sagua i Ezmara, Master of the Koboldi, to inquisition regarding virtue in her role and dealings with eternals. The hub, 12 noon, Saturday of this summit.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 282-10
===Judgement 32===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition'''. The Right of Witness is enshrined in the Imperial Constitution: "The Synod shall ensure the virtuous behaviour of the Empire." Yet members of the Synod were barred from observing an audience between the Imperial Consul and Matilda Fisher in the Senate building by members of the militia who were apparently empowered by the Magistrates to refuse entry to a legitimate audience. In no body of law are the Magistrates or Militia empowered to refuse entry to a formal audience to a non-disruptive priest exercising Right of Witness. We call Magistrate Grimmr Reinholt to Inquisition regarding this matter at the Hub/Magistrates tent at Saturday 11am.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 350-26.

===Judgement 33===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Earl Galeas du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Penance''' (escalation of [[384YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_75|this judgement]]. After questioning him and those concerned about his actions, I both condemn and vindicate the actions of the Ambassador to Otkodov, Yevgeni Katsev. He obviously acted in line with his renowned self-interest but this did align with the interests of the Empire. It is clear his primary motivations is to keep the Dragons from deciding Varushka would be better in their hands, and it is equally clear that some representatives of the Varushkan people are happy with paying the price for peace with the Thule as long as it is not theirs to bear. I recognise Virtue in his deeds, but I also recognise the Miserly nature in paying the price last; the Shame in not proclaiming what had been done for all to know - good or ill; and the Foolishness that comes from trusting what you are told without validation - in contrast with his obvious intelligence. In penance, Yevgeni Katsev should put a Throne to the Virtue Fund for each season he has held the position of Ambassador, lessened by one for each Cardinal to whom he can satisfy with a demonstration of his understanding of Virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 903-126.

===Judgement 41===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Sir Claude Videre
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' As Auditor for Senatorial Accountability, I carried out the inquisition of Senator Miaren, Llewellyn Leafstalker. The Senator was accompanied by his proxy, Gwyndolyn y Caim. In this matter, concerning a motion for military resupply, I am pleased to vindicate the senator. I am satisfied that his decision-making balanced Loyalty and Prosperity on the scales, and he is a dedicant of Loyalty. In addition, I praise this Senator's Loyalty in his life and work in the highest terms, commending him to the Loyalty assembly and the Cardinal. Llewelyn lifts up others, and none more so than the proxy he supports- nurturing Gwyndolyn's future.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 442-31.

===Judgement 46===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Sam Wych-Elm
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' Let's have a talk, Blackjack. "There are no weeds that a hatchet cannot fix." 11:59pm under the hobs awning, Saturday, Winter solstice.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 40-0
===Judgement 74===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call Veikko Bondforger to Inquisition with regards judgements raised in the Assembly of Nine last summit (autumn 384) and his voting behaviour.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 121-0
===Judgement 77===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Jenny Arbor
* '''Judgement:''' '''Revocation''' To revoke Cardinal Harwen Eternal from their post. Reasoning: he and others went against a key teaching of Pride with actions that directly impacted the result, pulling another down rather than elevating another. Part of these actions involved making a key decision by a coin toss - leaving the result to chance/fate.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (122 - 214)
===Judgement 80===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Ser Galen du Maurisol
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' Having spoken to Magistrate Reinholz on the matter of militia blocking access to a legitimate audience, I find that the Magistrates acted correctly in accordance with our constitutional right of Witness. The militia did form a cordon to block rioters from assaulting those in the Senate building, but the meeting itself was suspended until the riot was quelled, meaning there was nothing to witness. Magistrate Reinholz personally ensured priests were given access once the meeting restarted. Further training will be given to the militia to prevent future miscommunication and misunderstandings.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 895-43.

===Judgement 92===
* '''Assembly:''' Vigilance
* '''Raised By:''' Lochias
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call the Imperial Spymaster, Bernard Dugdale, to answer questioning regarding his management of spy networks in Grendel territories. To be held at 8pm on the Friday of the Spring Equinox at Merrick's.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 128-0
===Judgement 114===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Mazo Freewalker
* '''Judgement:''' '''Penance''' Morwenna Winterbuilt was inquisited in Autumn 384YE, and found not to be unvirtuous, However, we feel that she needs further spiritual guidance and Brodie Brackensong has agreed to be her spiritual guide for the next year.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 190-0
* '''Note:'''Greater Majority for this judgement was 200.
===Judgement 116===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Annabelle Boughgarden
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' Etienne de laChasse knowingly sought dealings with Irra Harrah at the previous summit. I hereby call him to the Camp of House Tallstag in Dawn to establish the virtue of these actions at 9:30pm on the Saturday of the Winter Summit 384YE.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 30-0
===Judgement 117===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aethelric the Grounded
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction : Vindication''' (Escalation) General Kindra Edasdottir is vindicated of accusations regarding a lack of virtue in redeploying from the Fist of the Mountains from Kallavesa to Zenith Spring 384YE. Upon examination it is clear that she acted with great Loyalty, Courage, and Pride, and encouraged the same in others. She has acted as a hero of the Mark should and is to be commended.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 239-0
===Judgement 127===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Cesare Enzo Di Trivento
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call Sofia i Del Toro i Riqueze to inquisition at 1pm on Sunday of the Winter Solstice, in regards to their potentially presenting signs of exemplar-hood. The inquisition will take place at the Del Toro camp in the Brass Coast.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 10-0

===Judgement 132===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Olyvar of Esthers Sanctum
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Penance''' Following inquisition, it is found that Ser Guy Wooder of Dawn acted unvirtuously with his dedication to a false virtue following the Imperial actions in the Bones. However they have taken themselves on virtuous pilgrimage upon the path of Pride, and has embraced the mistakes of their past, to learn from it.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 54-26
===Judgement 133===
* '''Assembly:''' Way
* '''Raised By:''' Syn Truthwalker Returned
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call Emmatius Ankarien to the space behind the Senate at 19:00 on Friday of the Spring Gathering to answers questions in relation to the murder of Raziel of the Saker by Tuktu of the Saker during the temporary suspension of parley at the plenipotentiary with the heralds of the winter eternal Sorin.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 104-0
===Judgement 145===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Rhaego i Zemress
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' Through a life of service, hard work, and honest toil he has found prosperity and redemption. This assembly needs no more proof that the spontaneous permanent testimony of "Walder's Oath." Henceforth may the eighth heir of the Good Walder be known as Tom Appleseed! Prosperity provides!
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 173-13.
* '''Note:''' A greater majority for this judgement was 183.

===Judgement 147===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Tisserande Griffinsbain
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' The excommunication of Jack Canting, formerly the face of the Herald of Fools, was a matter of hearth magic and oath, thrice sworn and then thrice broken, and willingly entered, they were fully aware of the consequences and fully accepted them - they were heard to say "I knew this was the cost." If the cost was not paid then the whole house would suffer. We should not pass the consequences of our choices to those we are loyal to, Our actions are our own and Jack did not force those left to deal with their choices.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 184-10.

===Judgement 149===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Maarit Suvidottir
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' Inquisitor Galeas du Maurisol finds Iron Osric to have a keen an insightful mind, able to quickly and ably answer questions with conviction. The fire in his heart rages but his iron will allows him to channel his fervour for the betterment of the Empire. He strongly believes in his vision of an Empire united in saving people and will fight for that cause even if others step back. He is willing to make difficult decisions and accept the consequences - unyielding even in the face of hindsight. I name him Unyielding Shield and commend his Courage in all things, including the Thule treaty.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 149-0.

===Judgement 151===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Aethelric the Grounded
* '''Judgement:''' '''Revocation''' Pendraed the Maker is Revoked of his title of "Gatekeeper of Fallen Snow" (the sinecure of the Garden of Fallen Snows). This is not due to this lack of virtue or heroism, but rather because, as he no longer attends Anvil, he is no longer able to execute the responsibilities the position demands.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 186-0.
* '''Notes:''' Pendraed the Maker has been revoked from the title ''Gatekeeper of Fallen Snow''.

===Judgement 153===
* '''Assembly:''' Wintermark
* '''Raised By:''' Rafe
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' On questioning Lofyn Bloodcloak was able to give an account of the virtue behind each of their actions regarding the Thule treaty. Loyalty to those in bondage in Sermersuaq. Ambition to see as many slaves freed as possible. Courage to make unpopular choices and act rather than let fear of disapproval rule them, and allow an opportunity to pass them by. As such I vindicate them in this matter.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 177-0.

===Judgement 156===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Genoveva Barossa
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' I call the Earl of Fools to inquisition regarding their actions in excommunicating the Herald of Fools at 1pm on Saturday of the Spring Equinox 384 in the Hub.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 954-22.
===Judgement 158===
* '''Assembly:''' Dawn
* '''Raised By:''' Annabelle Boughgarden
* '''Judgement:''' '''Sanction: Vindication''' Elienne de la Chasse, "Rebellion Elienne" has been found to have acted with the utmost Wisdom, Vigilance, and superlative Loyalty in his dealings to aid Imperial actions in the Barrens. He is found to be clear of wrongdoing and deserves commendation. Any priests in dispute of this judgement should meet Annabelle Boughgarden in the Glory Square.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. 116-0.
===Judgement 160===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Sir Claude Videre
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' The Auditor for Senatorial Accountability calls Senator Skarsind, Bloodcrow Rasp, to inquisition at the Spring Equinox, 5pm or as soon as Senate is done), in the orc camp tent of the first legion. To demonstrate his virtue.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically upheld.
===Judgement 168===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Heilyn Bronwen's Rest
* '''Judgement:''' '''Inquisition''' As the Basilisk of the Bourse, I call Marys, Castellan of Spiral Castle, to inquisition at his camp at 21:00 on Saturday of the Spring Summit 385.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically Upheld

==Recognition==
The following judgements of [[recognition]] were presented during the Autumn Equinox.
===Judgement 59===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Friar John of the Mourn
* '''Judgement:''' The Pride assembly recognises the Speaker for the Dead as an exemplar of Pride with the following signs: ''Legacy:'' Among the slaves of Marricossa they faithfully recited the names and deeds of the dead. This litany has now become their legacy as a yearly celebration. ''Benevolence:'' The Speaker's life stood in opposition to the evils of slavery, and through them we can all be raised in virtue. ''Inspiration:'' The Speaker emboldened those without a voice to speak, to see virtue where they could, and take pride in their shared struggle, which eventually led them to freedom. ''Salvation:'' When missionaries came to Marricossa the virtue of Pride was seen in the Speaker's story, and through them people have found the Way and salvation.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld with a Greater Majority (339 - 16)
* '''Note:''' The judgement will be escalated to the general assembly.

==Appointment==
At the Summit, the following [[appointment|appointments]] were proposed by the Assemblies of the Synod. You can find the names of citizens who currently hold Imperial titles in the Synod [[Current Imperial titles|here]].
===Judgement 1===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Cardinal
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Darian Numbers''' received 253 votes; Rocio i Fijadoz i Guerra received 10 votes.

===Judgement 2===
* '''Assembly:''' Way
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Cardinal
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Hywel Summercrow''' received 86 votes; Bloodcrow Udoo received 32 votes; Maximillian of Ankarien received 32 votes; Josephus Morningsun received 20 votes

===Judgement 12===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of High Exorcist
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra''' received 5 votes; Solas of the Spire of the Waxing Sun received 0 votes; Riverlen of House Remys received 0 votes.

===Judgement 16===
* '''Assembly:''' Navarr
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Voice of Barbs
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Teleri Thornweaver''' received 142 votes; Aneira Exiles End received 86 votes; Meredith Nighthaven received 20 votes; Neala Blackhawk received 0 votes.

===Judgement 23===
* '''Assembly:''' Nine
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Basilisk of the Bourse
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Heilyn Bronwen's Rest''' received 5 votes

===Judgement 25===
* '''Assembly:''' Pride
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Champion of Pride
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Kali Keen-Eye''' received 86 votes; Lady Kaywenn de Orzel received 80 votes; Artis Greyholm received 13 votes

===Judgement 54===
* '''Assembly:''' Highguard
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of he Speaker for the Highborn Assembly
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Isaac of the Silent Tide''' received 261 votes; Hazelelponi of the Shattered Tower received 32 votes; Dagon of the Shattered Tower received 0 votes.

===Judgement 57===
* '''Assembly:''' Courage
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Courage Virtue Inquisitor
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Maarit Suvidottir''' received 192 votes.

===Judgement 60===
* '''Assembly:''' Loyalty
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Champion of Loyalty
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Dagon of the Shattered Tower''' received 125 votes; Asher of the Silent Tide received 119 votes; Mouse of Dawn received 61 votes.

===Judgement 63===
* '''Assembly:''' Wisdom
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Wisdom Virtue Inquisitor
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Silas of the Cenotaph''' received 74 votes; Palladius of Raven's Spire received 10 votes.

===Judgement 66===
* '''Assembly:''' Prosperity
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Prelate of the Little Mother
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Cesare Enzio di Trivento''' received 142 votes.

===Judgement 104===
* '''Assembly:''' Brass Coast
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of the Hand of Guerra
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Ahshen i Fiel i Guerra''' received 102 votes.

===Judgement 137===
* '''Assembly:''' Marches
* '''Raised By:''' Tribune
* '''Judgement:''' Appointment of Keeper of the Orchard
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld. '''Bastard Tom''' received 80 votes.
==Rewarding==
The following judgements of [[rewarding]] were proposed during the Winter Solstice.
===Judgement 9===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Finna i Fijadoz
* '''Judgement:''' 7T 4 H Ex plz xxx.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically upheld
===Judgement 13===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Astrid Fjellrevening Rezia di Tassato
* '''Judgement:''' I ask for 20 Thrones to reward Lord Colwynn de Rondell for standing firm in the face of death threats, assassins, and arson from Faraden Justice cultists who demanded he recant his account of his past life vision. He wishes to put these funds towards the rebuilding of the Pride cathedral in Tassato the cultists destroyed.
* '''Outcome:''' upheld 664 - 445

===Judgement 19===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Tabris, son of Armisael
* '''Judgement:''' Only by continuing to introduce and induct people from all over the world to the Way can we help them achieve their destiny of ascension. I ask for 5 Thrones from the virtue fund to provide continued support to the Cathedral of the Navigators, as they continue to bring citizens of the Sarcophan Delves under the auspices of the Way.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 278 - 46

===Judgement 21===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Elkiah
* '''Judgement:''' Zenith has been reclaimed but it has been left bereft of hope. Everything that made the territory noteworthy now lies in ruins. The Architects of Urizen will rebuild and restore. They will create a new spirit for the territory and heal its wounds. To ensure that their work is build on a foundation of virtue, the general assembly awards Able the Taller of Zenith Ascendant one dose of True Liao for the consecration of either: the Eye of the Heavens, the Crucible of Fate, or the Radix of Truth, whichever is embraced by the Urizen national assembly.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 542 - 122, Scrutiny extended by the Cardinal of Ambition; Margin:420
* '''Notes:''' In competition with [[#Judgement 43|Judgement 43]], this received the higher margin and this the dose of true liao was rewarded to Elkiah.

===Judgement 24===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lady Laudine du Lac
* '''Judgement:''' Withdrawing 5 Thrones from the virtue fund for the purpose of helping Ambassadors prepare for promoting the virtues, outside of the Empire.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically upheld

===Judgement 39===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Anastasiya Volkov
* '''Judgement:''' I request a dose of True Liao to consecrate a cenotaph in memory of Juha the Cave Spider, Exemplar of Loyalty. Juha was confirmed by conclave as an inspirational mage and his memory will inspire future generations of magicians to practice magic through dedication to Virtue. Please see more information on the Synod notice board for details of the shrine and the impact it will have.
* '''Outcome:''' Not Upheld (465 - 537)
===Judgement 40===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Alcuin, proxy Seer of the Gateway
* '''Judgement:''' 5 Thrones to the duties of the Seer.
* '''Outcome:''' Automatically upheld

===Judgement 43===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Lev
* '''Judgement:''' Now is the time of miracles and inspiration. I ask for a dose of true liao to consecrate the heart of the way in Bastion and inspire a great pilgrimage for all faithful across the world.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld 715 - 333, a margin of 382
* '''Notes:'' [[#Judgement 21|Judgement 21]] received a higher margin than this judgement, and so it did not receive the dose of true liao.

===Judgement 44===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Vossk of the Ashen Tower
* '''Judgement:''' The General Assembly awards Abel Bursar the Conclave, admiral of the Rachensgrab raid 30 thrones to support the architects of Urizen's efforts to rebuild Zenith and cleanse the taint left by the Druj.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (833-164), with a margin of 669
===Judgement 69===
* '''Assembly:''' General
* '''Raised By:''' Pontus Figures
* '''Judgement:''' The opportunity to bring new societies into the Empire and the Way is rare and virtuous. Salvation is a mark of the exemplar. We propose to use the virtue fund to purchase 2 wains of Mithril in order to construct the Ethengraw Armoury in part. Further Mithril will be required but once complete the Ethengraw sept will join the Imperial Orc nation. We ask for 11 thrones. We recommend those interested in the progress of integrating the Ossium Septs into the Imperial Orcs discuss with the Cardinal of the Way, Tulva.
* '''Outcome:''' Upheld (874-158), margin 766

==Alternative Mandates==
Prior to the summit, the following [[Mandate#Alternative Mandates|alternative mandates]] were proposed by members of the Synod.

{|
| '''Member''' || '''Link to mandate''' ||
|-
| Azir i Shartha i Riqueza || [[Chime_the_sound#Tales_of_Liberty|Chime the sound]]
|-
| Lady Josephine of Adina's Charge || [[Full_of_sacred_sound#Dagger_of_the_Mind|Full of sacred sound]]
|-
| Fintan Nighthaven || [[The_silent_page#The_Fate_of_the_Wicked|The silent page]]
|-
| Lenarius Ankarien || [[The_silent_page#The_Fate_of_the_Wicked|The silent page]]
|-
| Morwenna Winterbuilt || [[You_belong_with_me#A_Home_in_the_Empire|You belong with me]]
|-
| Corey Wayfarer || [[You_belong_with_me#A_Home_in_the_Empire|You belong with me]]
|}

==The Virtue Fund==
The following represents the Virtue Fund of the Synod:
{|
| ''Starting Value'' || 12 Thrones, 6 Crowns, 11 Rings ||
|-
| ''Income'' || 13 Thrones, 7 Crowns || Donation by Azir i Shartha i Riqueza before the start of the summit.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 7 Thrones || Rewarding to Finna i Fijadoz i Guerra following Judgement 9 being automatically upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 5 Thrones || Rewarding to Lady Laudine duLac following Judgement 24 being automatically upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 5 Thrones || Rewarding to Alcuin following Judgement 40 being automatically upheld.
|-
| ''Income'' || 2 Crowns, 1 Ring || Donation by Mael Donjeon on behalf of an anonymous citizen.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 5 Thrones || Rewarding to Tabris, Son of Armisael following Judgement 19 being upheld.
|-
| ''Income'' || 1 Throne || Donation by the Tribune, from a coin found in the mud of the Hub.
|-
| ''Income'' || 75 Thrones || The price paid in the Bourse Auction for the dose of True Liao.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 20 Thrones || Rewarding to Astrid Fjellrevening Rezia di Tassato following Judgement 13 being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 11 Thrones || Rewarding to Pontus Figures following Judgement 69 being upheld.
|-
| ''Rewarding'' || 30 Thrones || Rewarding to Vossk following Judgement 44 being upheld.
|-
| ''Income'' || 15 Rings || Donation by the Tribune, from the sale of writing implements.
|-
| ''Income'' || 1 Crown || Donation by Fintan Nighthaven.
|-
| ''Closing Value'' || 20 Thrones, 1 Crown, 7 Rings ||
|}

==Doses of True Liao==

Five doses of [[Liao#True Liao|True Liao]] were disbursed this summit:
* One dose in connection to the [[Lepidean Librarian|Lepidean University]] to Elkiah via Judgement 21
* One dose to Herminius of the House of the Wanderer by purchase in the [[Public auction|Public Auction]]
* One dose to Derowen of Sigehold by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Martin Orchard by decision of the Gatekeepers
* One dose to Estella of the First Spark by decision of the Gatekeepers

All too well

2023-04-13T22:43:47Z

Cyph: Spelling corrections

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:384YE Winter]][[Category:Recent History]]
<ic>Jek eyed the preacher warily. He'd been keen originally to hear this new preacher speak, what with everyone talking about her. It'd taken a week to convince Darad to make the long march down to Gildenheim. Now all he could think about was leaving, but Darad was hanging on the preacher's every word. At this rate he was gonna be stuck here til she ran out of words.

"The Empire have done nothing for the septs. Not for the Illarawm, not the Yerende, not the Ethengraw." the preacher bellowed.

"They freed them from the Druj!" shouted an orc from somewhere off to Jek's left.

"Did they?!" the preacher shouted back. "They freed Ossium from the Druj, and gave it to the Varushkans. The septs were just baggage. Baggage we had to pick up!"

Jek rolled his eyes. He was pretty sure it was a Freeborn army that "picked up" the baggage, but this Brakkalo didn't seem interested in anything other than where they ended up. "Come on," he said to Darad, "lets head into the city and get something to eat." His friend only shook his hand away, not even taking his eyes off the preacher who was still ranting on.

"They come running to us whenever there's wars to be fought. And there's always white granite for fancy roads in the League and canals in the Marches. But when we want something? When we ''need'' something? We know all too well that the treasury is empty!"

"We're at war! We have to put the Empire first." Jek was surprised to discover it was him shouting at the preacher. He hadn't realised how much she'd got under his skin.

"That's what they always say! Put the Empire first. Do you know what ''actually'' happens to nations that put the Empire first?" The preacher paused dramatically to draw breath before roaring back "They get ''fucked''!"

There was an audible gasp from the crowd - the preacher had gone too far for many. A few people started walking away, clearly disgusted.

"What are you saying?" demanded one one of the crowd angrily. "What can we do about it?" asked another who seemed more sceptical than outraged.

"Stop fighting... " the preacher had finally stopped shouting, perhaps exhausted by their efforts to date. "Think about what Rykana and Wessek did. Maybe the Empire has taken our willingness to fight for granted for a little bit too long. One season in which our armies weren't champing at the bit to die like Druj slaves for the Empire and look what happened! Think about it. We've got the two largest, strongest armies in the Empire. That's leverage that is. And with enough leverage...."</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 500px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Know All Too Well.jpg|align=left|caption=The air was cold, but something about it felt like home somehow.|width=500}}</div>
{{audio|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbtJktkDeRw}}
==Overview==
A year ago, [[Hard_times_come_again_no_more|a host of Ossium orcs arrived in Skarsind]], guided by [[Fire of the South|the Freeborn]] to new homes far away from the Druj who once ruled them. A number of the orcs had already become Imperial Orcs by the time they reached [[Skarsind]], arriving not as people fleeing the horrors of the east, but as people coming home at last to a homeland they have never known. In the seasons since, more of them have found a place not only in Skarsind, but as part of the nation. There are three very obvious exceptions, however. Three of the largest ''septs'' of Ossium - the [[Hard_times_come_again_no_more#The_Ethengraw|Ethengraw]], the [[Hard_times_come_again_no_more#The_Illarawm|Illarawm]], and the [[Hard_times_come_again_no_more#The_Yerende|Yerende]] - maintain their own cultures and traditions in the face of ruthless Druj oppression. They have a strong identity of their own, one that they are not keen to abandon now that they are "free" once again.

Unlike the [[Liberated|freed Jarmish slaves]], the [[Lost_in_translation#The_Dubhtraig_Refugees|Dubhtraig refugees]], the former [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Mission|gladiators of Beoraidh]], or even the much more recent arrivals the [[Tired_of_sleeping#The_Tamazi|Tamazi]], the three septs still remain apart from the nation. Urged by their ancestors, they have no intention of giving up the traditions that helped them survive the Druj without giving into despair. Before they left Ossium, they heard the [[preachers]] promise that their [[Pride]] would carry them to new lives and a new future free from fear. This same Pride, however, makes them want to make sure that their traditions and culture are respected by their new neighbours. They are friendly with their new neighbours; but they require reassurance before they will be open to joining the Imperial Orcs nation and becoming Imperial citizens.
<div style="width: 500px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Ethengraw Armoury-Smithies'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' [[Folly]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Skarsind. Gildermark. Gildenheim</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 60 mithril, 120 crowns, six months, must be [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|conceded]] to the Ethengraw</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' The Ethengraw will join the Imperial Orcs. They would form the core of any new Imperial Orc [[Imperial_army|army]], provide opportunities to muster such an army and present the option of a unique quality reflecting their fighting arts.</td></tr>
</table></div>
<div style="width: 500px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Illarawm Ossuary'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' [[Folly]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Skarsind, Southpine, Illarawm lands</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 60 white granite, 120 crowns, six months, must be [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|conceded]] to the Illarawm</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' The Illarawm will join the Imperial Orcs. They will share knowledge of their ancestors with the Imperial Orcs, and offer their expertise to the rest of the nation helping them to better hear the voices of their own ancestors.</td></tr>
</table></div>
<div style="width: 500px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Yerende Gardens'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' [[Runeforge]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Skarsind, Solvihill, Yerende lands, Runegrott</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 60 weirwood, 120 crowns, six months, must be [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|conceded]] to the Yerende</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' The Yerende join the Imperial Orcs. They will share details of their herbal lore, the key part of which is a set of potion recipes using realmsroot to create potions useful to orc magicians.</td></tr>
</table></div>

==Metal, Bone, and Soil==
* '''For each of the three Ossium septs there is a structure that will help them integrate with the Imperial Orcs'''
* '''Each of the ''septs'' has their own lore that could strengthen the Imperial Orcs'''
* '''Each of the ''septs'' have their own traditions that would change the Imperial Orcs nation'''
Each of the Ossean septs has a request that, once fulfilled, with give them the reassurance they want that they would be welcome among the Imperial Orcs without compromising their identity. The Ethengraw - proud warriors bereft of their warrior traditions - would be reassured by a grand armoury. The mystic shamans of the Ilarawm request a grand ossuary within which the bones of their honoured ancestors could be laid - perhaps alongside those of the Imperial orcs. The herb masters and magicians of the Yerende ask for a garden where they could cultivate cuttings of the plants they smuggled out of Ossium.

In each case the civil service assessed a [[commission]] that would satisfy their needs and smooth the way toward the sept in question joining the Imperial Orcs nation as citizens. None of the three was precisely cheap. In the year since, there has been no movement on any of the three [[folly|follies]]. The Imperial Orcs assembly did enact a [[mandate]] [[383YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_71|requested by the Illarawm]] that confirmed their beliefs "''do not clash with either the Doctrine of Ancestors or the Doctrine of the Howling Abyss''", reassuring the ''sept'' that there would be no spiritual issue with their neighbours, but that is all. In the months since, the three ''septs'' have settled into their new homes, happy to trade with their Imperial Orcs neighbours, but have kept themselves to themselves.

This situation looks like it could easily become the new status quo, but not everybody is of a mind to accept that.
===Fury on the Mountain===
* '''A fiery orc preacher has denounced the Empire's attitude to the Imperial Orcs'''
* '''They have only a small following, but their words strike a chord with some of their neighbours'''
During the Summer Solstice the Imperial Orcs [[general|generals]] took the unprecedented move of withdrawing their armies to Skarsind and refusing to fight for the Empire while they remained allies with the slave-owning nation of [[Otkodov]]. The matter appears resolved - the Thule Dragons have decreed an end to the practice in the north. The move received extensive support in the orcs of the nation; it also offered inspiration to a fiery young preacher named ''Stonecliff Brakkalo'' who has spent the last six months or so speaking passionately on the streets of [[Skarsind#Gildenheim|Gildenheim]]. Her concern is that the Empire tells the Imperial Orcs they must take in all orcs that come to the Empire, but they offer little actual aid to deal with the realities of the situation.
{{SOP|statement=This Empire has a legacy of slavery, but your spirits do not. Take pride in this Empire that we have forged together free from chains. The Imperial Orcs undertake a great endeavour, to build an Ossuary, worthy of pilgrimage. To lay to rest the bones of those orcs who died in chains and fall in battle and welcome those of the Illarawm. We call upon the nations of the Empire to summon their pride and aid the Imperial Orcs in this endeavour. Let us forge an ossuary built with the immense Pride we all share in what this Empire has become, free from chains..|by=Bloodcrow Udoo|vote=Upheld,1675-90|when=Spring Equinox 384YE}}
The Empire has multiple titles whose responsibilities involve helping new citizens find their place in the Empire such as the [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] [[Hand of Guerra]], the [[Dawn|Dawnish]] [[Lady of the Proffered Hand]], and the new [[Hearthtender of the Unbroken|Hall of the Unbroken]] in [[Sermersuaq]]. But where are those nations when there is practical work to be done? The Synod talks a lot about freeing people from slavery, but how does it actually help those people when they are in the Empire? Who other than perhaps '''Pontus Figures''' has actually done [[384YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_18|anything ''practical'']] to help the ''septs'' and the orcs of Skarsind?

When '''Bloodcrow Udoo''' raised their [[384YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_23|statement of principle]] in the [[General Assembly]] in Spring, it received plenty of support - but that support didn't ''lead'' to anything. And it doesn't escape Stonecliff Brakkalo that the Empire didn't support Bloodcrow Udoo sufficiently to provide a Greater Majority in what should in theory have been a straightforward expression of solidarity.

It seems, says Stonecliff Brakkalo bitterly, that the Empire is happy to ''rescue'' people and claim the rewards that come with it, but reticent to do anything ''after'' that. Where is the Senate - the very body that ratifies treaties with slavers - while all this is going on? Where are the holders of Bourse seats? It is clear from the commissions announced each season that there is no shortage of wains in the Empire, no shortage of money. It also seems clear that statements of principle have no influence over the people with the power to actually help integrate the ''septs'' in Skarsind. It seems that the only thing they will listen to is action.

If it is clear that the Imperial Orcs will need to rely on themselves, says Stonecliff Brakkalo, then the first thing to do is to get all three commissions started as soon as possible, by whatever means. Doing so will require [[Senate motion|Senate motions]] - the [[Legion Engineer]] can't commission a folly, and even if they could only the Senate has the power to concede one to a ''sept''. Perhaps those nations who talk about freeing slaves, and embracing orcs, could be called on to put their money where their mouth is and raise the motions needed. Then, any Imperial citizen, orc or otherwise, can put their hands in their pockets and ''prove'' their commitment to the ideals they espouse so easily when it doesn't ''cost'' them anything. Once a commission is started, ''anyone'' can contribute to it. And right now? Stonecliff Brakkalo points out that ''right now'' there are an ''awful'' lot of wains of white granite, weirwood, and mithril in the Empire. Wains taken from the vaults of the most wicked slavers in the Known World, the slave lords of Rachensgrab. Maybe some of ''those'' wains could be contributed to helping the Illarawn, the Ethengraw, and the Yerende ''actually'' find new homes in Skarsind?

For some Imperial Orcs, Stonecliff Brakkalo's anger is infectious and her dissent compelling. Her voice has been getting louder since the Autumn Equinox, but it is when she suggests a practical solution that her support begins to grow significantly. She urges all Imperial Orcs to consider using the one weapon the orcs have that the Empire seems to actually respect. Following the example of [[general]] '''Rykana''' and general '''Wessek''', the people of Skarsind should withdraw from the Empire's wars. The armies should return to Skarsind and stay there; and the [[military unit|legions]] should either spend their time garrisoning [[Skarsind#The_Will|The Will]] or pursuing [[Military_unit#Take_Independent_Action|well paying opportunities]]. Better yet, they could put aside their swords permanently and make new lives. After all, if the Imperial Orcs are to find the money for 180 wains and 50 Thrones by themselves they will need [[farm|farmers]] and [[business|merchants]] to fight on their behalf.

===Answer Courage with Wisdom===
Nobody who has heard her speak can doubt Brakkalo's sincerity. She invokes the virtues of Courage, Pride, and Prosperity, and openly declares that her heart's Loyalty is to the people of Skarsind, rather than the Empire as a whole. This is one of the reasons she does not come to [[Anvil]], she says. Her interest is focused on her own people. Regardless of her sincerity, however, her impassioned speeches are having a disruptive effect on the people of Skarsind. She has not broken any laws; she isn't even urging people to break laws on his behalf. It is entirely legal for generals to choose what their armies do, or for a leader to determine what their warband does. Perhaps answering Brakkalo falls to the Synod - it is in the arena of faith that she has chosen to challenge the Empire.

There are two potential mandates that the Imperial Orcs national assembly could enact.

{{Mandate|mandate=Stonecliff Brakkalo demands the aid of the Empire, but if we are to keep our Pride we must stand on our own feet. We will face the challenge presented by the ''septs'' of Ossium, and whatever other orcs seek new homes within the Empire, and when we triumph we will do so with virtue. We send (named priest) with 50 doses of liao to challenge Brakkalo's anger with Wisdom and Vigilance, and urge her to find another cause.|assembly=Imperial Orcs National Assembly}}

If this mandate were enacted, it would stop Stonecliff Brakallo in her tracks. She would still have a small following, but her legs would be cut out from underneath her. She would have no further effect on the nation.

{{Mandate|mandate=Stonecliff Brakkalo shows Courage, and we recognise her Loyalty to our nation. The Empire cannot simply send every orc who wishes to live in the Empire to Skarsind and expect us to deal with the challenges they represent. We send (named priest) with 50 doses of liao to urge the warlords to return to Skarsind or take up the mantle of the reaver until the other nine nations show their own Courage and Loyalty.|assembly=Imperial Orcs National Assembly}}

If this mandate were enacted, it shows support from Brakkalo's arguments. For the next year, every Imperial Orc [[military unit]] would suffer a -1 rank penalty to their effective strength if they take [[Military_unit#Support_Army|support an army]], [[Military_unit#Scout_an_Area|scout an area]], or [[Military_unit#Defend_Fortification|defend a fortification]] anywhere other than Skarsind. At the same time they would receive a +2 rank bonus to any [[Military_unit#Take_Independent_Action|independent action]] they undertook, representing the focus on gathering wealth for their nation. This will also prompt other opportunities to encourage other nations to help with the commissions needed to reassure the ''septs'', or support the various orc refugees that have come to the nation.

If the Imperial Orc assembly does not enact a mandate, then Stonecliff Brakkalo will continue to gather supporters, amplifying dissent in Skarsind.

==A Sound of Silence (Illarawm)==
* '''The leaders of the Illarawm are called mystagogues, and they are primarily shaman'''
* '''While they are not ready to join the Imperial Orcs, they are offering their aid in a specific matter relating to the Imperial Orcs ancestors'''
Stonecrow Brakkalo and her supporters are not the only visitors to Gildenheim between Autumn and Winter, but the others are considerably quieter. The Illarawm are the only one of the three ''septs'' who have seen any kind of reassurance from the Imperial Orcs. Their concern that their spiritual beliefs might not be accepted was addressed by '''Stormcrow Skred''', and as a consequence they have been the most outwardly friendly of the Ossium orcs - not that that says too much. They don't have a huge amount to do with anyone more than a day's walk from their settlements in [[Skarsind#Southpine|Southpine]], but they do engage in a little trade. In the lead-up to the Winter Solstice it becomes clear that they have also been ''paying attention''. One of their shaman - a middle-aged orc named ''Mystagogue Illarawm Ithgarn'' - leads a small group of her fellows north to Gildenheim. They want to visit the [[Skarsind#Legion.27s_Rookery|Legion's Rookery]], and speak with the priests and shaman there.

Illarawm Ithgarn is soft-spoken, but occasionally cocks her head as if listening to a voice only she can hear. She explains that the Illarawm have been deeply impressed to hear of the Imperial Orcs' stand against the Imperial alliance with the Thule. It's clear she doesn't know exactly who everyone involved ''is'' - she's no expert on the Empire or its politics. Coming from [[the Mallum]], however, her people have ''very'' strong views on anyone who enslaves others, and those who justify cooperation with them to themselves. It seems that she's also aware of the efforts '''Bloodcrow Udoo''' is making to [[Tired_of_sleeping#Bones_in_the_Earth|gather the bones of Imperial Orc ancestors]] from Imperial territories (apparently some of the Illarawm spoke with a Varushkan trader passing through Southpine on their way to the [[Bonesetter_of_Torfast_Trading_Post|Torfast Trading Post]]). The mystagogue clearly approves of this - at least in theory. The Illarawm revere the physical bones of their ancestors, whether they hear their voices or not. They appear to believe that the living serve to anchor the spirits of the dead to the world, forming one side of the bridge across the Howling Abyss that allows ''any'' orc to cross to the lands beyond. It is the memory of the dead that forms the foundation of that bridge. If they did join the Imperial Orcs, then including the bones of the Skarsind dead alongside the bones of the Illarawm dead would be a vital step.

But most importantly right now, after a year of cautiously getting to know the orcs of Skarsind, they have become aware that the Imperial Orcs have a problem. Not a problem of their own making, a problem created by the Empire in centuries past. Specifically, they have a problem with their [[Imperial_Orcs_religious_beliefs#Imperial_Orc_ancestors|ancestors]]. And the Illarawm want to offer a little help, if they can. This is not to say that they are ready to share their lore with the Imperial Orcs, or join their nation, but compassion and sympathy mean they don't want to stand by and watch the Imperial Orcs - especially their shaman - suffering.

The problem they're referring to is that of the three "types" of ancestor the Imperial Orcs can hear, two of them are either constantly angry and incoherent, or afraid and incoherent. It seems the Illarawm sometimes have to deal with this kind of ancestor voice themselves - nobody who lives under the Druj is unfamiliar with them. One of the reasons they hate the Druj is that they ''twist'' people, filling them with fear, and that because orcs hear the voices of their dead, that fear becomes almost impossible to avoid. Over the centuries however, they have developed a form of meditation that allows them not to ''silence'' these voices - because the Illarawm think it is a bad idea to ignore any ancestor no matter how frustrating they may be - but to ''distance'' them. To quiet them, and in some cases to ''calm'' them. They're prepared to teach this technique to any orc shaman who wants to come study with their mystagogues for a season or so. The principles can be taught reasonably easily, but they can take quite a while to master.
{{WingedMessenger|address=Mystagogue Illarawn Ithgarn is open to communication from Imperial citizens. A [[Call Winged Messenger|Winged Messenger]] can be sent to them at ''Mystagogue Illarawm Ithgarn, Ithgarn's House, Southpine, Skarsind''}}
===An Offer of Peace===
After speaking with the shaman at the Legion's Rookery, mystagogue Illarawm Ithgarn believes that helping the Imperial Orcs to ''quiet'' the voices of their intrusive ancestors will help them to hear the voices of their more recent ancestors - the actual Imperial Orc ancestors - more easily. It's not going to be perfect - but it will help the Imperial Orcs to build a new relationship with their dead. They don't want anything in return; they just want the Imperial Orcs to decide if they want to work with their mystagogues or not.

All that would be required would be a [[statement of principle]] in the Imperial Orcs National Assembly, with a [[greater majority]], that makes the Illarawm offer known to the nation and urges those troubled by their ancestors to visit them in Southpine. Exactly what effect this would have is unclear but the Illarawm believe it will make it easier for the shaman of the Imperial Orcs to deal with the disruptive ancestors that sometimes plague them.

==Cold Alpine Soil (Yerende)==
* '''The Yerende are having a little difficulty adapting to the conditions in their new alpine homes'''
* '''They have approached the Guardian of the Broken Shield for assistance, offering ''orcsroot'' in return'''
{{WingedMessenger|address=''Greenmaster Yerende Thufar'' is a prominent member of the Yerende sept who is open to receiving [[Call Winged Messenger|Winged Messengers]] from Imperial citizens. They can be reached by using the address ''Greenmaster Yerende Thufar, Tendershal, Solbihill, Skarsind''}}
The smallest of the three ''septs'', the Yerende believe that the Druj conquest of Ossium was caused by jealously - that the Druj sought to strip their ancestors of their secrets and force them into slavery. It's known that in the recent past they were forbidden from learning the herbal arts, but they kept their knowledge alive in secret. Now they don't need to hide any more, they are beginning to cultivate new gardens. The Yerende also seem to be the most curious of the septs about their neighbours. They are known to trade fine herbs - both the magical healing herbs and mundane but unfamiliar medicinal or narcotic herbs brought from Ossium - for crystal mana which they apparently use to enchant their herb gardens.

Living in [[Skarsind#Solvihill|Solvihill]], they've also begun to reach out to a [[bonesetter]] or two who are visiting the [[Broken_Shield_Guardian#House_of_the_Broken_Shield|House of the Broken Shield]]; they seem most interested in learning techniques to help their gardens prosper in the alpine territory that is now their home, so different to the warmer, marshy ground they are used to. Their enthusiasm for a proper garden has not been dampened; if anything they are even more eager to gain assistance in overcoming the problems of the mountain soil. They're ''especially'' keen to find ways to cultivate [[Cerulean Mazzarine]] - something the old soldiers who work at the House of the Broken Shield are familiar with.

Six weeks after the Autumn Equinox, a small delegation of Yerende visit the House of the Broken Shield, with an offer. If the [[Broken Shield Guardian]] will have the House share their understanding of cultivating Cerulean Mazzarine in the mountains, the Yerende will provide them with some of their precious [[realmsroot|orcsroot]] harvest. It would be a simple exchange; a [[Call Winged Messenger|Winged Messenger]] sent to the Yerende indicating that the instruction has been given, and then at the Spring Equinox the Guardian would receive 8 doses of ''orcsroot''. The Yerende aren't prepared to share their secret lore for actually brewing orcsroot - not until they are part of the nation should that ever happen - but they believe that the herb is valuable enough it might be of use to the Guardian.
===Roots Twined Together===
* '''There is a tenuous connection between the Yerende and the Great Forest Orcs'''
In the past year, a few [[Navarr]] [[striding|stridings]] passing through Skarsind have had a handful of [[Great Forest Orcs]] among their number. The Yerende have spoken in the past of "''studying the lore of herbs and plants in peace in the Great Forest''", and there is some evidence that they descend from an offshoot of that [[the Barrens|Barrens]] sept. They are clearly separate however - but both septs apparently believe in the idea of the "Great Forest" - a single vast woodland that in the time before history stretched across most of what is now the Empire and the Mallum. The Yerende don't show any signs of sharing the Great Forest Orcs' peculiar belief in guardian tree spirits, however, nor their affinity for weirwood. yet it cannot be denied both septs have a way with plants - the one with trees and the other with humbler plants.

Both septs seem surprised to encounter the other. By all accounts the orcs of each group treat the others akin to very distant cousins who live too far away to visit. But when the stridings leave Skarsind, a few Yerende go with them. Apparently, [[the Barrens]] orcs have suggested to the Ossium orcs that they may be happier in the south, in Therunin, and then eventually beneath the boughs of the [[The_Barrens#Heart_of_Peytaht|Heart of Peytaht]]. For now, there's no sign the Yerende as a whole are interested in moving ''yet again'', with the prospect of a ''third'' move at some point in the future. As time passes, however, the offer of the Great Forest Orcs - who they understand and who ask very little of them - might become more appealing.

==Shacklebreakers Guests (Ethengraw)==
{{SOP|assembly=Wintermark|by="Shacklebreaker" Thanmir Hrafnar|statement=Since seizing their own liberation, orc citizens have been formed together into a nation based on a shared history of oppression, liberation, and loyalty. But as with their human counterparts not all orcs share this same history and culture. Whilst preserving the Imperial Orc nation and homeland we should offer all persons that wish it, whether Imperial or otherwise, the opportunity to join any Imperial nation. Wintermark is home to three traditions bound in heroism and resilience. No hero should find themselves unwelcome, whether human, orc, hylje, or daeva. All who share and reflect our nations beliefs and culture are welcome to find their place in the Mark.|vote=326 to 0 (Greater Majority)|when=Autumn Equinox 384YE}}
* '''The Wintermark Assembly welcomes heroes regardless of their origin'''
* '''News of their statement of principle, and the creation of the runeforge, has reached the ears of the Ethengraw orcs in Skarsind'''
Wintermark has enjoyed close relations with many Imperial Orcs in recent years, that began when some of the [[Imperial_Orcs_leadership#The_Legion|legions]] returned the [[Crown of Three Tears]] to the people of the Mark. At the time there was a great deal of jubilation, and some even shouted "''Four people, one nation''" - a reference to the traditional Wintermark celebration of the unity of the three traditions. The return of the Crown ultimately led to many deep and profound consequences, not least of which was the extraordinary decision by Wintermark to [[Relinquish_Skarsind|give up Skarsind]] so that the Imperial Orcs might at long last have a home - a [[Senate motion|motion]] pushed in the [[Imperial Senate]] by the elder statesman '''Thanmir Hrafnar'''.

At the recent summit, Thanmir presented a [[statement of principle]] to the Wintermark Assembly saying that ''"No hero should find themselves unwelcome, whether human, orc, hylje, or daeva. All who share and reflect our nations beliefs and culture are welcome to find their place in the Mark."''. It was passed unanimously with a [[Judgement#Greater_Majority|greater majority]] and has met with widespread approval by most of the people of Wintermark. Winterfolk understand that what unites them is their desire never to bend before the storm, to follow the hero's tale to its end without fear, and never to compromise, even with themselves. If any living being can make such a claim, why shouldn't they stand and be counted with the Mark?

Beyond broad agreement, the message seems to stir few leaves. The Wintermark Assembly say many things and most folk agree with them, but there is little the individual can do about it. Hylje joining the Mark sounds a fine idea in theory, but it seems like a problem for other people, the egregore maybe. Not that any of the hylje show the slightest interest in becoming Imperial citizens. Nobody really has the slightest what a daeva is or where to find one, they apparently live overseas somewhere very far away. And of course the Imperial Orcs are well liked in Wintermark, but they have their own nation so that doesn't really amount to much. There are more and more Thule about these days, and nobody really likes them very much, but that's not a problem either because the one word nobody ever used to describe the Thule was "heroic".

But little pebbles bouncing can bring a whole mountainside down; and while the impact of the statement takes a little time to materialize, materialize it does. Albeit not from any expected direction.
===The Forges of Pride===
* '''The Ethengraw wish to rebuild their pride by regaining their martial might'''
Exactly how the Ethengraw ''sept'' heard of Thranmir's statement isn't clear - most likely from a trader passing through Gildenheim. Regardless, they heard of it, and by all accounts asked a few questions about who the Winterfolk were and what they were about. Then they sent some of their number to find out more. Travelling with a Navarr striding passing through Hercynia, they made their way to [[Hahnmark#Kalpaheim|Kalpaheim]] in [[Hahnmark]], and asked to speak to someone in charge.
{{WingedMessenger|address=''Amadi Thunderstone'' is an emissary of the Ethengraw king who is open to receiving [[Call Winged Messenger|Winged Messengers]] from Imperial citizens. They can be reached by using the address ''Amadi Thunderstone, High Hall, Glidermark, Skarsind''}}
Less than a dozen in number, the Ethengraw emissaries certainly looked like they knew how to handle themselves, but they're armed only with stout staves. Their leader introduces themselves as ''Amadi Thunderstone, Third of his line'', and says that he is a representative of the Ethengraw king. They want to know more about this offer to come to the ''Sept of the Tears'', this welcome that is being extended to any with the heart of a hero. What do the words of "Thanmir the Shacklebreaker" mean? The Ethengraw are by all accounts a proud people, who once ruled the whole of Ossium until they were brought low by Druj treachery. Their King wants to build a future for his people, but not if it requires them to compromise their pride, their knowledge of who they are. The Imperial Orcs are fine hosts, but if the Ethengraw are ever to stand on their own two feet, they need allies who can help the do that.

They are ''very'' interested in what they see in Kalpaheim, however. When they learn by chance of the plans to build a [[runeforge]] in the northern mountains, that interest intensifies dramatically. The Ethengraw are mostly settled in [[Skarsind#Gildermark|Gildermark]], and they watched with interest as the [[Excavate Gildenheim Runeforge|ruins of the Gildenheim runeforge]] were excavated and sent west. Perhaps it was this that first sparked their interest in the neighbouring nation. As soon as the import of the runeforge is explained, they become extremely excited and over the next few weeks there is further communication between the orcs and the humans of the Mark. Because if the Winterfolk are genuine in their desire to welcome orcs among their number... then the Ethengraw are interested in testing that desire.

===A Significant Ask===
* '''Adding mundane forges and workshops to the runeforge would increase the cost to construct it by 45 wains of mithril'''
* '''The Ethengraw support for the runeforge would mean it would not count toward the upkeep of the Empire's runeforges (essentially it would have no upkeep cost)'''
* '''If the runeforge were built with the additions suggested then the opportunity to build the Ethengraw Armoury-Smithies would be lost'''
What has held the Ethengraw back from joining the Imperial Orcs is a determination that they will not join their ancestors with those of any Imperial sept or nation until they can stand as equals with weapons in their hands and armour on their backs. What is more, it is not enough to be ''given'' weapons, the Ethengraw are too proud to accept gifts. They are determined that they will not take up arms until they are able to fashion their own. The Imperial Orcs have been kind but the Ethengraw need more than kindness. They need forges, and armouries, and metal, and fire. There are apparently thousands of Ethengraw living in Skarsind, all eager to take back for themselves the warrior legacy of their ancestors, before the Druj drove them to their knees.

The Ethengraw know a little about the skills of the weaponsmith and the armourer. They have not had a chance to put such skills into practice in generations but they understand what is involved. If the Winterfolk are prepared to build them the forges they need, their people will leave Skarsind and come to Hahnmark. They'll work the forges, and arm themselves, and study with the smiths and crafters of Wintermark, and when the time is right they'll ask the Winterfolk to judge them as equals.

Alternatively, if the Winterfolk are prepared to trust the Ethengraw, they could build additional forges for their use connected to the runeforge at Runegrott. If this were done, then the Ethengraw would come to Hahnmark. They would work at the runeforge - as equals alongside the Winterfolk smiths. They would tend the fires, and smelt metal, and beat iron into steel, and learn the secrets of the runes and then, again, in time, they'd stand alongside the Winterfolk and see if they were worthy to fight together against the darkness.

The civil service estimate that these additions to the runeforge would increase the costs of that commission by 45 wains of mithril, 90 crowns of labour costs, but not noticeably increase the time taken to complete the project. They could be commissioned alongside the runeforge itself. However, the enthusiastic support of several thousand would-be smiths would mean that the forge at Runegrott would not count for calculating the upkeep of the Empire's runeforges. It would require no money from the [[Imperial treasury]] to run, nor would it make other runeforges more expensive.

===A First Step===
* '''The Ethengraw could not become part of Wintermark at the moment'''
Once they have armed their people with weapons of their own construction - once their Pride is restored to them - the Ethengraw would be interested in determining if their sept could stand alongside the three traditions of the Wintermark, just as the Shacklebreaker invited them to do. They do ''not'' wish to become Steinr, or Kallavesi or Suaq - but they are open to the idea that their sept might join the nation, standing and fighting alongside their new cousins if such a thing were possible.

Emene and their people are clearly only vaguely aware of the problems of [[orc|orcs]] joining Imperial nations. While there seems to be little doubt that the Ethengraw have their own concept of [[heroism]], not much is known about their beliefs or how their culture might mesh with that of Wintermark. They are known to have a strong warrior tradition, but its also clear that centuries under the domination of the Druj have left them with a limited ability to follow those traditions. For all their talk of Pride, there's not much evidence they have a strong grasp of the Way - they are much closer to their ancestors than they are to any of the virtues. At the very least, people of all three traditions must be able to see the eastern ''sept'' as fellow Winterfolk before they could even consider becoming part of the nation.

When similar questions were raised in the [[Mournwold]], it took a Senate [[appraisal]] to make clear the obstacles that would need to be faced, and there were few useful suggestions about how the challenges could be overcome. But providing the orcs with the means to arm themselves is the first step towards their sept becoming part of Wintermark - assuming that they agree with the sentiment expressed by Thanmir Hrafnar.

==Further Reading==
* [[Snow might fall]] - 384YE Winter Wind of Fortune relating to the Wintermark runeforge
* [[Hard times come again no more]] - 383YE Winter Wind of Fortune introducing the septs to Skarsind

Construct Dunfrith

2023-04-13T22:40:33Z

Cyph: Spelling corrections

[[Category:Senate Motion]][[Category:380YE Autumn]]
__NOTOC__
<ic>Ham, son of Brigantia, son of Frecki and of Bruin, lead apothecary of Dunhearth and descendant of the Great Dun, apprentice of Wise Rangara and Saviour of Holburg, with the authority of the Great Thane, Tobrytan Dunning, called Spooner, has instructed the foresters of Woodhall in the southernmost reaches of Hahnmark, close by their home of Dunhearth Hall, to fell trees in such a way as to create glades. These glades are positioned most carefully and plantings and experimentations have shown that conditions are such that, in the most exposed and Northern facing areas, Bladeroot grows vigorously, as it does in many areas of Wintermark, in the Southern facing and most sheltered glades, Cerulean Mazzarine grows strongly and well, in the glades carefully placed upon sites of skirmishes with the Feni, Marrowort does flourish, and True Vervain and Imperial Roseweald will both grow well in this area, even without careful tending.

As such, and as a legacy to future generations, a balanced herb sinecure is proposed, funded by the family of Ham, and to be overseen by him, for as long as he does live, that he may provide potions for the benefit of the Empire.

It shall be called Dunfrith, meaning in the old tongue “forest of Dun” and the custodian shall always be known as the Guardian of Dunfrith.
<i>Approved by the Civilian Commissioner of Wintermark</i></ic>
__NOTOC__
===Overview===
* A [[sinecure]] in Wood Heath, [[Hahnmark]]
* This motion was approved by the [[Civilian Commissioner]] of [[Wintermark]] using the legal power to commission constructions delegated to them by the Senate

===Date===
* Autumn 380YE

===Cost===
* Unknown, but [[Sinecure#Costs|standard costs]] apply

===Progress===
* 12 wains of weirwood and 24 crowns supplied by Thanmir Hrafnar after Autumn Equinox 380YE.

===Campaign Outcome===
* This sinecure, once completed, will create [[Wintermark]] national position of [[Guardian of Dunfrith]]

===Constitution===
* Although the announcement states that that the sinecure is to be overseen by Ham, son of Brigantia, the Senators of Wintermark are in no way bound to elect Ham to the position.

Provide siege training to new Highborn army

2023-04-13T22:39:29Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

<ic>Provide additional specialist siege training to army being levied, such that it enters the field fully trained in Spring.<br><br>Proposed by Necropolis, seconded by Hahnmark.</ic>

===Overview===
* Provide siege training to the new Highborn army currently being raised
* Passed at 60 Thrones

===Date===
* Winter 377YE

===Cost===
* 50 Mithril

===Progress===
* 50 Wains of Mithril supplied by Adamah, Senator for Necropolis, after Winter Solstice 377

===Campaign Outcome===
* Once complete - the new Imperial army will gain the [[Army qualities#Siege|siege quality]].

===Voting===
{| class="wikitable senatevotes"
|-
! State !! Votes For !! Votes Against !! Result
|-
| In Principle || 19 || 5 || Passed
|-
| At 50 Thrones || 19 || 5 || Passed
|-
| At 60 Thrones || 12 + Conscience || 12 || Passed
|-
| At 100 Thrones || 0 || 24 || Failed
|}
[[Category:Senate Motion]]
[[Category: 377YE Winter]]
__NOTOC__

382YE Winter Solstice winds of war

2023-04-13T22:38:30Z

Cyph: Spelling corrections

[[Category:Recent History]] [[Category:382YE Winter]] [[Category:Military Council]]
==Overview==

{{CaptionedImage|file=Triumph.jpg |caption=Red sky at night; city's alight.|width=500|align=right}}
==The Turning Tide==
===On the Waterfront===
Almost immediately after the Autumn equinox, the word goes out and people begin to gather. Ships first, at ports all along the [[Bay of Catazar]], from [[Madruga#Siroc|Siroc]] and [[Feroz#Cazar_Straits|Shantarim]] in the west to [[Necropolis#Longbeach|Crown's Quay]] and [[Redoubt#Optarion|Visten]] in the east. Then over the next few weeks, soldiers and warriors flood into the coastal towns ready to take the fight to the Grendel. From across the entire Empire they come, soldiers and ships alike. Every Imperial nation is represented, from [[the Brass Coast]] to [[Varushka]], from [[Urizen]] to [[Wintermark]].

Only in [[Sarvos]] is it business as usual: with the [[382YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Castle_of_Glass_.28Sarvos.29|armada]] anchored within sight of the docks, it is deemed wiser not to draw too much attention to the gathering storm. The Senate has paid the ransom demanded by the Salt Lords, and their vast fleet of warships simply idles in the waters off the Jewelled City. Yet many of the ships leaving Sarvos hug the coast, joining the fleets being gathered at other ports along the Bay of Catazar.

It takes time, of course, to gather a great fleet. Just shy of two-hundred-and-fifty fleet captains answered the call to take the fight to the [[Grendel]] - their ships needed to ensure berths for the thousands of soldiers flooding south to join the bold endeavour. The civil service does what it can but even their traditionally efficient bureaucracy is tasked near to the limit. Arranging for over three hundred individual warbands to find ships capable of transporting them to the far side of the Bay of Catazar is a herculean task, but with the enthusiastic aid of port officials across the southern Empire, it is managed in a little over a month.

One consideration that makes the entire process more difficult is the sheer amount of magic that has been brought to bear. Hundreds of soldiers enchanted with [[Spring magic]] that not only [[Merciless Wrath of the Reaver|grants them increased vigour and savage strength]], but also heightens their aggression. Remaining patient in the face of weeks-long delays as the full force of the armada gathers is more than some soldiers can take. Violence erupts more than once between soldiers filled with unaccustomed levels of potent sorcery. Keeping the peace between gangs of armed and armoured soldiers, their blood-lust heightened by the touch of Spring, is a challenge that tasks the resources of militia, magistrates, and local peace-keeping forces.

Not that the soldiers are the only problem - many of the ships' crews are themselves girded with [[Blood_and_Salt|enchantments of Spring]] that exacerbate their own frustration at having to wait for warriors to be ready before they can unleash their fury against the Grendel. The situation is made even more tense where Imperial Orcs have received these boons - the magic kindles each [[orc|orcs]] [[Orc#Revel_in_Battle|natural instincts]] to seek out battle and conflict, in some cases to dangerous levels. Some of the coastal towns become nervous powder kegs, waiting for a single flame in the wrong place to cause them to explode well before they reach Grendel territory.

In contrast, those ships graced with the power of [[Night magic]] become eerie oases of calm. Yet even this magic is not without drawbacks; the presence of so many warbands [[Shroud of Mist and Shadow|enshrouded in mist and shadow]] inadvertently helps to deliver one of the dampest, most dismal autumns in recent Imperial history. Banks of fog hang over the docks of the southern Empire, and in some places bring unsettling dreams to haunt the citizen's sleep.

Not all the soldiers who come to aid the attack on Dubhtraig are mortal. Alongside the humans and orcs, stranger figures are spotted. From [[Navarr]], [[Highguard]], Varushka and Urizen come [[Conclave of Trees and Shadow|preternatural warriors of living shadow]]. Some are armed with wicked pole-arms of black wood and unfamiliar metal, wearing heavy dark robes embroidered with richly coloured mystic symbols over scaled armour. Some are wrapped in pale yellow furs and glide soundlessly through the twilight with massive double-handed golden axes over their shoulders. Despite their exotic nature, they are preternaturally adept at fading into the background, and there are several humorous incidents where inebriated sailors discover to their surprise that they are being observed with interest by a dozen heavily armed coal-skinned warriors.

At the other end of the scale come a half-dozen coteries of [[Carve the Crystal Guardian|living crystal soldiers]] raised by their magician captains from mana sites in Urizen and [[the League]]. Beautiful, multifaceted creatures wielding long spears and clad in gemstone armour that closely echoes the style of the nation where they were created, they remain aloof from the hustle and bustle of the docks. Indeed, those who interact with them find that they are nonplussed by the excitement - confused by the barely ordered chaos that surrounds them. They are polite enough, but to the surprise of many seem a little out-of-their-depth, hungry for a level of discipline that simply does not exist in the scrabble to prepare for the raid against the Grendel.

Perhaps the strangest magical "warriors" are found on certain Highborn ships flying the black and maroon torch-banners of [[Prominent_chapters#Jachin.27s_Legacy|Jachin's Legacy]]. At the prow of each ship stands a great beast - bears, rams, and bulls of red stone wreathed in an ever-burning aura of flame. Each night , they serve as silent, living beacons like great mobile lighthouses on the docks of Sanctuary Sands. Many sailors are deeply concerned about their presence - barrels of additional sand and water are loaded onto the vessels they travel on, but this does not prevent several small fires breaking out on the [[Necropolis]] quayside in their vicinity.

Truly, we live in an age of wonders.

Finally, a little over six weeks after the Autumn Equinox, the word goes out. It sweeps from one end of the Bay to the other in the course of five days and nights carried by Navarr runners, by feathered messengers, by pulsing beacons: it is time to set sail. The target of the raid will be the great Grendel city of [[Ports_of_the_Broken_Shore#Dubhtraig_.28Northern_Broken_Shore.29|Dubhtraig]] itself, throne of the Salt Lord Suriad.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Tathar.png |caption=[[Bay of Catazar#Tathar|Tathar]] in [[Bay of Catazar#Attar|Attar]]|width=300|align=right}}

===To Tathar===
Once the order is given, the difficulty of actually coordinating the attack begins to increase exponentially. For the most part the Imperial vessels travel together. Not every unit of soldiers is prepared for the reality of travelling across the turbulent sea of the Bay of Catazar; for every band of Freeborn [[corsair]] marines there are a dozen warriors who have never really set foot on the deck of a sailing ship before.

By their nature some ships are faster and more manoeuvrable than others; some pull ahead while others fall behind. This is not a disciplined [[Imperial navy|navy]], but an armada of hundreds of individual vessels. Communication is very difficult indeed, especially as the ships hail from ports across the southern coast of the Empire. Yet the captains are experienced enough to account for these obstacles; once night falls lanterns are used to send messages using the Urizen heliopticon cipher from ship to ship. Civil service observers - assigned to every Imperial vessel by the Senate several years ago - help immeasurably in this regard. For that matter, a navy could never hope to brave the waters at the heart of the Bay, out of sight of land; could not hope to cross the trackless watery wastes while maintaining any sense of cohesion. For the fleets of the Imperial captains, however, this is simply business as usual.

Now the ships are moving, the first engagements begin to take place. Individual orc pirates encounter Imperial fleets, invariably to the detriment of the Grendel. Those ships that are not destroyed or captured are forced to flee - but here the scattered nature of the Empire's strategy is in their favour. Grendel sailors are used to engaging Imperial fleets in the wide waters of the Bay - they have little reason to believe there is anything more going on than the usual dance of captain against captain. If some wonder at the strange flags, or the presence of marines aboard the vessels they see... well what will they report? That the Empire is taking steps to protect its ships?

Then the first ships begin to reach the coast of [[Bay of Catazar#Tathar|Tathar]]. [[Bay of Catazar#Fort Salann|Fort Salann]] in the west, and [[Bay of Catazar#Fort Fuil|Fort Fuil]] in the east, provide a measure of protection to the settlements that cluster around them but beyond their immediate shadow the Empire's ships and warriors are able to launch lightning-fast attacks against ports and trading ships alike with relative impunity. Some Imperial soldiers go ashore, and press inland a little, arranging to rendezvous with their transport later. They draw the attention of the orc garrisons at the twin forts inland, away from the sea. Engaging in a brief campaign of guerilla warfare against the people of the Broken Shore, they rarely stay in one place for long. They raid villages, burn supplies, loot mines... and free slaves. Those shielded by shifting shrouds of Night magic are particularly adept at striking without warning, while those infused with the fury of Spring devastate any who dare to try and stand against them.

Chaos spreads. As more and more ships reach the shore, as more and more troops disembark, the Grendel belatedly begin to realise the scale of the attack. The Empire begins to encounter stiff resistance. While the armies of the Broken Shore are elsewhere, while their navy sits complacently in the waters south of Sarvos, the orcs of Tathar are not slow to take up arms against these unexpected invaders. These are orcs after all, and orcs revel in violence and confrontation.

A fleet of [[Dawn|Dawnish]] and [[Wintermark|Winterfolk]] ships attack the vessels that transport weirwood from the forested [[Bay of Catazar#Isle of Balsagoth|Isle of Balsagoth]] to Dubhtraig, which are burnt and scuttled, but the warships that patrol the island are able - just - to prevent any sizeable landing force getting a foothold on the island itself. [[the League|League]] privateers and [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] corsairs throw up a blockade between the islands of Dubhtraig, plundering any orc ship that tries to reach - or flee - the Grendel city. Within a week, the Empire dominates the waters along the coast of Tathar. No Grendel ship can move between the ports along the northern Broken Shore. No doubt calls for aid are issued, but the other Salt Lords are slow to respond.

Contributing to the chaos is the fact that a significant number of the ships raiding Dubhtraig are [[Golden Voyage|marked with Summer magic]] and touched by the hand of the [[eternal]] [[Rhianos]], the Regent of the Eternal Sea. The magic warps the skein of fate to ensure that the enchanted ships encounter obstacles they might otherwise have missed. They - and the soldiers they carry - find themselves blown off course, trapped in mats of predatory seaweed, attacked by gryphons or sea-going drakes, encountering rafts of escaped slaves with tempting stories of rich estates on secluded islands. The opportunities for excitement, wealth, and disaster are impossible to avoid and difficult for the enchanted crews to ignore.

It is a fine balance between disorder and strategy, between the will of the individual champions and the ultimate ambitious goal of raiding the seat of Salt Lord Suriad. Everything relies on the timing of the final raid. Strike too quickly, and insufficient strength will be brought to bear; wait too long and with each passing day the risk grows that the Grendel might be able to move warships or armies into position to defend Dubhtraig.

With the Empire's full force finally gathered, the last ships in position, those captains who have taken the war to the Grendel on land marching overland from the east and west towards the outskirts of Dubhtraig... the final movement of the campaign begins.

===The Sack of Dubhtraig===
As the sun rises on the appointed day, the Grendel lords of Dubhtraig are made finally, horribly aware that this is not simply a raid against the coast - that the city itself is the Empire's goal. Imperial soldiers - among them a significant contingent of Navarr and Varushkans - seize the towers that guard the approach to the sprawling docklands. With the arrow towers neutralised, the Imperial armada drives down into the heart of the city, a savage strike aimed at the [[Shipyard|shipyards]] where the Grendel lovingly raise and tend to their fleet of warships.

Dubhtraig is not undefended of course. Dozens of Grendel privateers and traders raise their sails and come to face the Imperials in the waters of the bay. Ships on both sides are damaged, sunk to the bottom. Fire spreads across the waters. Blood turns the waters of the cove pale crimson. As the day wears on, terrible sharks maddened by the scent of blood are lured into the waters of Dubhtraig, frenziedly attacking any human or orc who falls into the water.

Not every ship on the sprawling docks of Dubhtraig belongs to an orc, however. There are merchant vessels here flying the flags of the [[Asavean Archipelago]], of the [[Principalities of Jarm]], of the [[Sarcophan Delves]], and even a few from the [[Axos|Citadels of Axos]]. There is panic among these human traders; they loudly proclaim their neutrality in this conflict pointing to the fact that the Empire is not at war with them to secure their ships, their crews, and their cargoes. Where possible their vessels are left alone. Inevitably there are a few unfortunate incidents in the bloody fog of war but for the most part the vessels belonging to foreign nations are spared.

Disciplined [[the Marches|Marcher]] and [[Highguard|Highborn]] soldiers capture and hold a portion of the western docks providing essential cover to allow more troops to disembark - but also to allow ships to take on the slaves liberated from the domination of the Grendel. Those slaves who realise that the Empire represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for freedom take the chance to turn on their masters and make their own way to the docks if they can. Dozens of desperate humans and orcs fight their way to freedom - in some cases joining the fighting alongside the raiders. The great numbers of [[Imperial Orcs|Imperial Orc]] warbands prove particularly effective at rallying their enslaved cousins to their banners, while others flock to the [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] vessels eager to escape lives of endless brutality and cruel suffering.

The fighting begins on the quaysides, then spills into the narrow streets of the city proper. Unsurprisingly, the League excels here; bravos raised on hundreds of brawls in the alleys of [[Tassato]] and [[Sarvos]], on the walls of [[Holberg]], in the backstreets of [[Temeschwar]] use the terrain to their advantage, engaging in close-quarters fighting and daring smash-and-grab raids against the wealth of the Grendel. And everywhere through the fray there are the Urizen; wielding their strength with preternatural calm, striking with relentless surgical precision where they can best turn the tide of a fight then moving quickly to a new location. Sentinels and battle-mages bring succour to the injured, help to free warbands that have been pinned down, guide stragglers back to their allies, and direct the terrified slaves to the safety of the docks.

Dubhtraig is city of wealth and poverty, where hovels cluster against the walls of garishly decorated palaces. Vicious fighting spreads through the urban landscape as the nobles and the lower classes alike seek to defend what they have from the imperial assailants. Rich estate after rich estate falls to the Empire's soldiers; orc lords and ladies sent fleeing to the great walled palace of Salt Lord Suriad. A legion of disciplined purple-and-gold clad orc warriors defends the walls of the palace, holding it against all Imperial attackers. The walls seem impenetrable...

... and then the first of the [[Lions_of_Phoenix_Reach|enchanted beasts conjured by the Highborn]] arrive. Three great burning bulls, a pair of massive rams, and a single behemoth bear roar across the docks one after another, unleashing their devastating power. The walls weather the first three strikes... then one of the towers begins to crumble... then as the final great burning oxen strikes the weirwood gates, with a terrible rumbling moan the gatehouse of Lady Suriad's sanctuary collapses allowing Imperial soldiers - lead by a triumphantly bellowing vanguard of heavily-armoured Dawnish knights and Wintermark warriors - to pour through the breach into the heart of the Salt Lords court.

The explosions also serve to set fire to the shambolic shanty town that sprawls beneath the towers of the Salt Lord. The flames leap joyfully between the pitch and tar soaked wooden buildings - meeting another fire coming in the opposite direction.

History will probably never know who fired the shipyards. Perhaps it was a vengeful Freeborn corsair, the memory of the [[381YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#To_Fool_The_Crowd|destruction of the 'Storm]] and the burning of the Atalaya. Perhaps it was a Sarvosan, cold fury burning in their heart as they recalled the [[The_sack_of_Sarvos|occupation of their home]]. Perhaps an Urizen veteran of the invasion of [[Spiral]], methodically anointing a warehouse with oil before expertly hurling a burning brand through the door. Perhaps it was just an accident - a lantern knocked over in the wrong place as the fighting spread.

Regardless of how it started, the fires surrounding Suriad's Palace are soon dwarfed by the conflagration that begins to spread across the docks. Some of the Grendel break off the fight against the Imperial invaders, desperate to stop the fire consuming their beloved shipyard.

At the same time that the main force is attacking the city proper, a secondary force strikes south of the city into the mines that are the source of so much of Dubhtraig's wealth. They smash the defences in short order, slaughter the guards, and begin to break chains - and help themselves to the precious metals, the pure salt... the mithril. They do not have long - this part of the raid is perhaps the riskiest element of the entire plan The fighting is brutal - Imperial Orc [[Imperial_Orcs_economic_interests#Reavers|reavers]] and the Varushkan [[Varushka_economic_interests|wagon raiders]] in particular are adept at fighting in the close confines of the underground tunnels and galleries - and here more than the rest of the city they receive the aid of the slaves the Grendel have chained in the dark.

As the sun begins to sink in the west - the crimson sky echoing the scarlet waters of the bay, the rivulets of blood that run through the streets - the horns begin to blow. Drums beat, sounding the withdrawal. Some warbands make an orderly retreat to the docks; others break into a ramshackle charge for the edges of the city burdened down with sacks of loot and stolen art treasures. Dour Marchers and grim-faced Highborn are the last to leave, a cordon of steel around the western docks ensuring that no Imperial is left behind that can be saved, helping the last few desperate slaves find a place on the dock of an Imperial ship heading north.

A great black cloud of smoke hangs low over Dubhtraig as the Imperial armada retreats from the city. The shipyard still stands but more than half of it has been gutted with fire. Salt Lord Suriad's palace is in ruins - flames lapping at its minarets and towers - and the rumour begins to spread that the Lady herself has fallen in battle with the Imperials. A fifth of the city is on fire.

===Triumph===
Over the next week, Imperial forces withdraw from Tathar. Those captains who fought a guerrilla war against the Grendel on land reach their rendezvous points, and embark onto the waiting vessels. In almost every case, they are accompanied by freed slaves liberated from mines and fields. Exhausted, desperate, they huddle on the decks and in the holds as the Imperial ships arrow through the waters northwards.

Some ships remain behind to harry the vessels of the other Salt Lords, belatedly coming to the aid of Lady Suriad. A few, blown astray by Summer magic, are unaccounted for. The rest reach Imperial ports with perhaps three weeks to spare before the Winter Solstice. Treasures are unloaded, the injured tended to, the fallen honoured, damaged ships raised into drydock. As the scale of the success becomes clearer, a wave of triumph washes from one side of the southern coast to the other.

There is still the question of what to do with the slaves, of course. In total somewhere between fifteen hundred and two thousand slaves managed to reach an Imperial ship. Perhaps a third of that number came from Dubhtraig itself - household slaves, dockworkers and the like. The remainder were freed from the mines, or from villages during guerrilla raids. While perhaps two hundred are humans, many of them have never been Imperial citizens - and the remainder are all orcs. The civil service is already drawing up some proposals as to how to deal with them - for now they are bedded down in makeshift tent villages, on the floors of churches, in empty warehouses - wherever there is space.

Excited observers on the docks of Sarvos - those who have been keeping their spyglasses on the Grendel armada - are able to spot the very moment that news of the attack reaches the commanders of the orc navies. They mark the confusion that spreads - and with some trepidation the sudden raising of sails, the movement of ships, recognising with sudden horror the signs of imminent counterattack. Yet after a few tense minutes, the flurry of activity subsides. A handful of swift vessels peel off from the main armada, arrowing swiftly southward... and then nothing. The forest of red, and yellow, and gold, and blue sails remains off the coast of Sarvos but it seems that whatever else has happened the Grendel admirals will abide by the agreement they made with the Empire - for now at least.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Fire Dances.jpg|width=750|align=left}}

===Game Information - Dubhtraig===
To achieve the best outcome, the raid against Dubhtraig required an effective fleet strength of 20,000 supported by military units with an effective strength of 30,000. In the end the Empire brought to bear almost 37,000 force of fleets, and just shy of 40,000 force of military units. A list of the fleets and military units involved are in the table below (expand the table to see the details). Each fleet and military unit receives the normal production for a privateering or paid work action, plus an additional 132 rings representing booty, treasure, and art objects taken from the Grendel. In addition the [[Imperial Fleet Master]] receives 10 wains of weirwood, and 30 wains of mithril captured from the Isle of Balsagoth and the city of Dubhtraig.

The city itself is badly damaged; the grand shipyard and the docks alike were on fire when the Imperial armada withdrew. Even if they have not both been destroyed they will require significant repair - which will likely require large amounts of weirwood - of which the Grendel are known to have a limited supply. The Grendel will not be able to [[commission]] another navy at Dubhtraig for at least a year. Furthermore, any plans the southern orcs may have had to raise a new [[Imperial army|army]] will be delayed for at least a year as the other Salt Lords look first to the defence of their own strongholds.

{{Archive:Dubhtraig Raid Roll of Honour}}

Finally, the garrisons of Fort Fuil and Fort Salann have been seriously impacted by the raid. The structures themselves are undamaged, but the soldiers and ships associated with the two fortifications have both seen significant losses that will need replacing before those castles can operate at full strength - placing a further drain on the coffers of the Salt Lords.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Dried grassland on the banks of the river Leven - geograph.org.uk - 612862.jpg |caption=Clouds gather over the western hills.|width=500|align=right}}

==Dry Grass Singing==
Last Winter, the Jotun attempted to [[381YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#Resentment_Rides_High|smooth the passage]] from [[Reinos]] into [[Segura]]. Using the magic of the [[Sentinel Gate]], a band of Imperial heroes from Wintermark, Dawn, Urizen, the League, and the Brass Coast traveled to the Madera Viejo, in [[Segura#Yellow Chase|Yellow Chase]]. Their efforts - which would have made it easier for the Empire to move armies into the Lasambrian Hills as well as giving the Jotun an advantage in conquering Segura - were halted. Peace returned to the arid grasslands of the western Brass Coast.

Shortly after the Spring Equinox, the armies of the western orcs crossed the border into [[382YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#Devil_Take_the_Hindmost_.28Brass_Coast.29|Kahraman]]. They seized the town of [[Kahraman#Serra_Damata|Damata]], and only the vigilance of the garrison at [[Kahraman#Fort_Braydon|Fort Braydon]] prevented them from conquering the whole of [[Kahraman#Serra_Damata|Serra Damata]] and pushing forward into [[Kahraman#Serra_Briante|Serra Briante]]. They were met by Imperial forces - the Drakes, the Strong Reeds, and the Quiet Step - and following a series of close-fought battles, pushed back west into the Lasambrian Hills again.

During each of these engagements, orcs marching under the banner of the firebird - the banner of the Lasambrian orcs - have played a key role. The hill orcs have long coveted [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] territory, even more so than the rest of the southern Jotun. Once, they came as bandits looking to steal the wealth of their human neighbours. Now, their will to conquer seems to have been strengthened by their belief in the [[The_Way#The_Paths_of_Virtue|seven virtues]]. No longer cowardly brigands, they fight with the fervour of the convert. Their [[Ambition]], [[Courage]], and [[Pride]] seem to drive them on, fueling their passion to conquer land they claim was stolen from them long ago by the first Freeborn settlers.

A month after the Jotun are driven out of Kahraman, a small band of orcs under the firebird banner arrive outside the gates of the town of [[Segura#Anduz|Anduz]]. The citizens close their gates, watching the orcs suspiciously. These orcs wear orange mantles over crimson tunics; the people of Anduz remember the Lasambrians. They remember how, for a decade or more, they ruled over the conquered people of [[Segura#Anduzjasse|Anduzjasse]] before the might of the Empire sent them scurrying back into their dry hills. They remember how they came crawling back, fleeing the Jotun they now seem to serve, living as exiles and demanding charity from their Freeborn hosts. They remember the Lasambrians fleeing - again - when it was clear the Empire had tired of their demands. They've heard of the Lasambrians fighting in the north, in Kahraman, but few of them have actually seen it.

An orc in dusty leather armour approaches the walls of Anduz - still under a flag of truce - and shouts up to the people on the walls. He demands their surrender. He is met with laughter, derision, thrown rocks. He demands their surrender again, and again is met with mockery. "Away with you, bandit!" they cry, secure behind their walls. The orc shrugs, returns to his little band, and retreats westward. The people of Anduz congratulate themselves, still laughing, at having seen off this terrible threat. If some, a little wiser and more vigilant, wonder why they have not heard anything from the soldiers stations at the [[Segura#The_Towers_of_Anduz|Towers of Anduz]] in the last week or so, their concerns are largely ignored.

Three days later, several thousand orcs march out of the west. The citizens of the wealthy town of Anduz close their gate again. The siege lasts less than three hours. By the next morning, the firebird banner hangs from the walls of Anduz. The orcs - call them Lasambrians because while they wear the red tunics of the Jotun they also wear the orange mantles and hoods of the Hierro and the Corazón - establish a command post within the walls, and set to conquering the entire territory in earnest.

Fragmentary reports out of Anduzjasse suggest that the Lasambrian orcs are not only interested in the town of Anduz. They also take pains to establish controls not only of Old Anduz - the rest of the ruins on which Anduz is built - but also the Longing Circle to the south. The ruins, and the potent [[regio]] are known to predate the Freeborn arrival in the Brass Coast; some say they are Terunael in origin others suggest they were raised by the ancestors of the Faraden. Regardless they are now under control of the Lasambrian Jotun once more. When they held Anduzjasse previously, the Lasambrians largely ignored the ruins and the Longing Circle. This time, according to refugees fleeing east, they have established a circle of drummers at the southern regio, and small bands of orcs lead by white-robed ghodi are scouring the ruins of Old Anduz for ... something.
{{CaptionedImage|file=JotunPose.jpg|caption=Even the most impenetrable forest may fall one tree at a time.|width=500|align=right}}
While some of the orc force remains to secure the town and its environs, the rest continue their slow advance north and east, bringing the rest of Anduzjasse under their control. Regrouping, they begin to press further east into the sweeping, fertile plains of [[Segura#Anozeseri|Anozeseri]]. There are no organised defenders in Segura to slow their conquest and it seems likely that soon they will control the entire southern region of Segura.

While the majority of their forces are focused on claiming territory, the Corazón employ the same strategy they used in Kahraman; raiding extensively across the entire territory. They focus their attacks on rich farms and settlements - using their knowledge of the territory they once controlled to strike at the richest targets. While their fellows capture the [[Segura_spoils_of_war#Kabalai_Palace|Kabalai Palace]] and the [[Segura_spoils_of_war#The_Garden_of_Sighs|Garden of Sighs]], the Corazón assault the [[Segura_spoils_of_war#The_Golden_Terraces|Golden Terraces]] in Anozserrai. The orange groves quickly fall to the fast-moving raiders but they do not remain there long. Once the leading edge of the orc advance washes over the orchards the Corazón head north to attack the [[Segura_spoils_of_war#The_Red_Fields|Red Fields]] on the [[Segura#Iron_Plains|Iron Plains]] and [[Segura_spoils_of_war#Sunsong_Ranch|Sunsong Ranch]] in eastern [[Segura#Burnish|Burnish]].

These raids bring them into direct conflict with the refugees from [[Zemress islander|Zemress island]], who now occupy much of [[Segura#Yellow Chase|Yellow Chase]] and the [[Segura#Sorbal Grasses|Sorbal Grasses]]. The exiles are taken as much by surprise as their neighbours; they have few defenders among their number and their farms suffer the same depredations as the rest of the Seguran Freeborn. Perhaps if the [[Construct_Iron_Qanat|Iron Qanat]] had been constructed the story would have been different - but even had that project not be cursed with delays and misfortune it could not have been built in time to stem the orc invasion without [[Hammers_of_the_Brilliant_Shore|potent magic]].

As the Winter Solstice approaches, the western orcs are in complete control of Anduzjasse, and have made significant progress toward capturing Anozeseri. Yet... there is something different about this invasion of the Brass Coast. While it is not the bloody conquest that saw the Lasambrians take the entire territory in 363YE, it is also not the traditional Jotun invasion the Empire has seen most recently in Kahraman.

Firstly, while individual Jotun champions fight under their own clan banners, the armies here all march under the standard of the firebird. There are differences, of course, but it seems in many ways that more than being a Jotun force, the army seeking to conquer Segura is a ''Lasambrian'' force.

Second, while the orcs offer a choice to the humans who survive their attacks, the details are subtly different. The familiar Jotun choice is straightforward - become warrior-Jotun, or become thralls. Some Freeborn are clearly facing this traditional decision - but only those who are overcome by the independent champions. Those whose settlements in Anduzjasse and Anozeseri are captured by the armies are given a different choice. On one hand, they may join the Lasambrians; keep their land and their possessions but agree to accept the conquerors as their rulers. They must swear an oath of loyalty, and to offer a portion of their wealth to the Lasambrians.

If they refuse, however, rather than being reduced to the status of thralls they are simply told to ''leave''. They are allowed to take nothing that they own - save the clothes on their backs, a few sentimental keepsakes, and as much food as they can carry - and driven out. Their wealth, their homes, their weapons - all that the orcs claim as their just rewards. But the people, they simply exile.

Those who refuse to join, and refuse to leave, are commended for their Courage, and then executed. Their bodies are cremated, and the orcs move on.

The news spreads quickly. The Lasambrian orcs, it seems, will ''kill'' you, and will ''rob'' you, but they will not ''enslave'' you. Few Freeborn are prepared to bend their knees to the western orcs, of course. But some do. They likely have a variety of reasons. A desire to keep their lands, perhaps. A belief that the Empire will liberate them soon enough. It seems that they are expected to pay taxes - at a rate much higher than the Empire demands - and they are watched but otherwise they are left to get on with their lives.

There is, however, one additional wrinkle. Those who choose to stay are forced to confirm their acceptance of the seven Virtues, and their rejection of false virtue, which causes significant problems for the Faraden and [[Iron Confederacy|Suranni]] merchants passing through southern Segura. There is, it is understood, a peace treaty between the Jotun and the human traders to the south and west of the Empire. The details are not clear, but Faraden traders at least are granted free passage through Jotun lands. The Lasambrian orcs are apparently not yet prepared to endanger that peace, but they are clearly unhappy with Faraden in the lands they have claimed. According to those who pass through Anduz to peddle their wares in the Empire, no Faraden merchant is permitted to trade in Anduzjasse, on pain of death. They are not even permitted to purchase food or drink, visit a parador, or stay at an inn. They must camp by the road at sunset and move on at sunrise. The Faraden are not amused. For now, they are barred from the markets of Anduz - but they are asking what will happen if the Jotun-Lasambrians capture more territory.

The Suranni, by contrast, appear to have no such agreement with the Jotun; the nature of their alliance offers little protection to their merchants and they are forced to abandon Anduzjasse altogether. The eastern trade route through [[Feroz#Fontargenta|Bramar]] in [[Feroz]] is still open but Segura is effectively closed to merchants from the south. According to some rumours, a number of Suranni traders may even have been executed by the Lasambrians...

In the fortnight before the Winter Solstice, there is one further development. A small party of orcs travelling under a flag of truce arrive at [[Segura#Anozel|Anozel]]. They remain outside the walls of the settlement, but demand to speak to someone in authority. The [[The_Brass_Coast_leadership#Dhomiro|dhomiro]] of Anozel have an emergency council and one of their number is sent out to speak with the orcs. She returns grim-faced.

The invading orcs wish to deliver a message to the people of the Brass Coast. They make no secret of their intention to conquer the whole of Segura, but their ambitions stretch even further. Once they have reclaimed Segura, they will seek to conquer Feroz to the east. These lands, they claim, were taken from their ancestors by the [[The_Brass_Coast_history#The_Conquest_of_the_Coast|ancestors of the Freeborn]]. Once they have achieved their ambitions, however, they intend to stop. At that point, they are prepared to negotiate a ceasefire with the Empire, and to use whatever influence they may have to encourage the rest of the southern Jotun to do the same. Any Freeborn who wish to leave will be allowed to do so, but those who remain behind will not be treated as thralls - the Lasambrians have no interest in stealing their [[Prosperity]]. Instead, they and their descendants will be offered the chance to become part of the new Lasambrian nation.

Alternatively, if the Empire wishes, they may end the invasion of the Brass Coast now. If the Empire cedes Segura and Feroz to the Lasambrians, they can ensure that the Jotun attempt no further invasion of the southern territories. In return for a show of good faith - such as the ceding of the remaining regions of Segura - they will arrange a summit between the southern Jotun and the Empire at the Spring Equinox to discuss a more long-lasting arrangement.

Should the Empire choose to ignore this offer, then the Hierro, the Corazón, and their newfound cousins among the Escuta - the clan formerly known as the Deep Bloods - will take back what was stolen from them, and offer their allies among the orcs of Narkyst all the assistance they need to take back ''their'' ancestral lands in [[Kahraman]], [[Madruga]], and [[the Marches]].
===Game Information - Segura===
Anduzjasse has been conquered by the Lasambrian Jotun, and the armies here have made some progress toward conquering Anozserei.

The Kabalai Palace, the Garden of Sighs, and the Golden Terraces have likewise been seized by the orcs; the civil service can assist the citizens who previously controlled these resources in acquiring a new one without the usual 2 crowns handling fee. The raids against the Red Fields and Sunsong Ranch have resulted in the loss of all the produce that would have been produced by those resources.

The civil service predicts that if the raids by the Corazón continue for another season, every farm and business in Segura risks losing half of its production. A ritual such as [[Vale of Shadows]] would be enough to protect the resource, but otherwise the only thing that can prevent it would be the Corazón changing their tactics - which they have shown little interest in doing.

Furthermore, with the fall of Anduzjasse, seven of the [[Segura#The_Towers_of_Anduz|Towers of Anduz]] are now in Lasambrian hands. Coupled with the hostile environment the orcs are creating for foreign traders coming into Segura, the benefits of this [[great work]] have been halved going forward. If the orcs take any more towers - if they conquer any of the towers in Anozeseri, Yellow Chase, or Burnish - the entire benefit of the [[great work]] will be lost until the regions where they stand are liberated.

Finally, the Freeborn who have been exiled from Anduzjasse and Anozeseri are heading east toward Anozel and Cerevado. Unlike previous exiles, many of these refugees are unable to bring ''any'' of their wealth with them. With the best will in the world, the Freeborn are not ''good'' at looking after people who cannot look after themselves. If the Lasambrians continue to drive penniless exiles out of western and southern Segura, the situation may turn into a significant economic crisis.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Jack Flint, General of the Strong Reeds>Soldiers of the Strong Reeds, having kicked the Jotun our of Kahraman it is time to repair our armour and weapon in preparations for our next offensive. The Drakes will deal with the Feni, we leave them alone.</quote></div>

==The Rattle of the Bones==
There are three armies in the Mournwold, marched up from Segura past Fort Braydon to deal with the Feni problem. While the Quiet Step and the Strong Reeds concern themselves with ushering the Feni of the Woods-that-Fell south and west, out of the Mourn into the shadowed forest of Liathaven, the Drakes have and altogether more difficult task ahead of them.

The 'Step and the 'Reeds have an uneventful three months. Whatever fight the Feni exiles once had was consumed by the seemingly bottomless sinkhole that swallowed their homes. Under the watchful eyes of the two Imperial armies, they move quickly, with little fuss, down from the [[Mournwold#Chalkdowns|Chalkdowns]] through [[Mournwold#Southmoor|Southmoor]] and out of [[the Marches]] into the wilderness of [[Liathaven#Liaven's Glen|Liaven's Glen]].

Meanwhile, the Drakes raise a camp on the western edge of the Chalkdowns, barely a stones throw from eaves of the forest of [[Mournwold#Alderly|Alderly]]. A few hundred additional yeomen under the command of independent Marcher captains join them there. Once they have had a few days to catch their breath, they advance into the dark wood.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Brennos Brackensong, General of the Quiet Step> We have thrown the Jotun out of Kahraman yet again. The day of our assault on Westwood draws closer. We travel to the Mournwold to rest and resupply in preparation.</quote></div>
There are Marchers in Alderly of course - dour folk with a poor reputation. Charcoal burners, woodcutters, hunters and the like. There have been rumours for centuries that many of these yeomen have Feni blood running in their veins. The Drakes find little welcome among them; sullen faces turn to watch them pass deeper into the woods. The further from the edge of the forest they travel, the fewer faces there are. The soldiers begin to encounter empty cottages, even small hamlets that have been abandoned - and all the signs say this abandonment has taken place recently. All the indications are that some of the Marcher folk have chosen to side with the Feni against the invaders from the north.

The passage through the woods is complicated by the need to adhere to the peculiar instructions captured from the Feni of the Woods-that-Fell. Walk a certain distance in this direction; turn aside; pass beneath the shadow of a certain tree; speak a certain rhyme. There is a path, but it is clearly designed for a small band of people to walk not for the four-thousand soldiers more used to fighting out in the open. The deeper they press toward the heart of the wood, the wilder it becomes. The trees rise higher and higher - ancient oaks that have stood since before the ancestors of these marchers left Dawn. There is an oppressive atmosphere - as if the trees themselves do not want the soldiers here. The shadows beneath their boughs seem particularly dense, heavy almost. The sensation of being watched intensifies.
{{CaptionedImage|file=We Are Definitely Not Lost.jpg|caption=The deed is nothing. It is the thought that breeds fear.|align=right|width=500}}
Yet nothing concrete is seen at all. The suggestion of movement, the sound of twigs breaking, a disturbance in a bush. That's all. No attack, no sign of any living thing larger than a robin. For the most part, there is simply an unnatural silence that grows more pronounced as the distant sun rises through the sky and begins to set.

It would be easy to become separated, here in the depths of Alderly Wood. It is perhaps fortunate that the army is bound together - to a degree - by [[Autumn magic]]. The [[Brotherhood of Tian]] is intended to improve logistics, to help quartermasters and victuallers. Yet it also helps to keep the army together, focused on its goals, more able to quickly communicate information between officer and soldier. Every little helps.

After a long day marching through the woods, the yeomen start to become restless. A murmur runs through the ranks. Are there ''really'' Feni here? Surely they should have encountered some by now? How large are these woods anyway? Could this all be a wild goose chase?

Then, with the shadows deepening among the trunks of the ancient trees, everything changes. Between one breath and the next, it becomes light. The trees are still ancient oaks, but they are massive - reaching up to scrape the suddenly overcast, pale sky. There is no sign of the sun through the slate-grey clouds. The leading soldiers falter, come to a stop, mouths gaping. Looking back, their comrades are barely visible through a thick fog that coils unpleasantly between the trees - but the farther ranks march on seemingly unaware of the mist.

Some of the landskeepers are able to provide an explanation after a few moments. The Drakes are, unbelievably, no longer in the Empire. No longer in the mortal realm, in fact. They have passed across the boundary of a powerful [[regio]] - or rather they have passed ''through'' the boundary of a regio, into the chamber that lies beyond. They are now somewhere part-way between the world of mortals and one of the eternal Realms. The Winter realm, if the signs are being read correctly.

More and more soldiers press through, slowing to a halt and looking around in confusion. This is unexpected. The assumption seems to have been that the Feni were simply good at camouflaging their camp in the heart of Alderly - or at the absolute outside were using Night magic to confuse the approach. It is quickly becoming clear that this is not the case - that the Feni stronghold must actually be built here, in the environs of a supernatural place outside the normal world. The directions captured by the Marcher heroes are clearly a secret way of travelling through the woods that allow a group of mundane folk to attune themselves to the boundaries without needing to rely on [[operate portal|magical means]] to enter - and hopefully leave - the regio.

There is some quick talk of turning back, but the captains will have none of it. They are here to do a job - and while the Feni might live in a magical place, they are still mortal people. The soldiers rally, regroup, and resume their march.

''Now'' there is sign of habitation. Eerie curling designs carved into the boles of massive trees. Unsettling arrangements of sticks, feathers, bones, and rope hang from their branches turning this way and that in the breeze. Circles of black stone and white granite dolmen in clearings, surrounding patches of ground covered with healthy [[bladeroot]] and [[True Vervain]] plants. And, increasingly, peculiar spindly effigies with bodies of tattered leather, cloth, and bracken and fleshless skeletal heads of large birds, bears, oxen, and even horses. These last - these unnatural scarecrows - are especially unsettling. Where they can. the soldiers pull them down and trample them underfoot.

Then the first Feni are encountered, moving quickly between the trees. They are stealthy ambushers blending into the undergrowth as they launch volleys of arrows and barbed javelins against the flanks of the Marcher army. Quick skirmishers emerge from hiding, striking quickly and then retreating back into the shadows beneath the trees, leaving an unlucky few down and bleeding.

The forest itself seems to conspire to aid the Feni defenders. Any yeomen who stray too far from the main column - who lose track of their comrades - are quickly lost among the trees. Few make it back - those who do will not speak of what they have encountered in the dark. Here and there, fresh bloodstains begin to appear on the boles of the great oaks. Many are handprints - human hands covered in fresh blood pressed against the bark - but here and there are splashes and pools that suggest more murderous activity.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Will Talbot, General of the Drakes> Now then my merry Marchers, we've thrown the Jotun out of Kahraman and we now travel north. There is Marcher business to be done in Alderly. For the first time in a generation we will take the secret paths into those dark woods, and reclaim them for honest Marcher folk from the Feni. No longer will Marchers fear to tread beneath the boughs when we are done.

We must strike quickly to surround, overwhelm and capture their settlement and these that dwell within. But remember merry Marchers this is about land and not blood. We are here to take back the forests and not drown them in Feni blood.

As we pass through the Mourn, encourage any beaters we meet to accompany us. There are Marcher folk with close ties to these barbarians, and they should be reminded that their loyalties lie with Marcher kin and kith. Do not attack any of the Feni from the Woods that Fell, unless they threaten Marcher folk."</quote></div>
There are a few [[draughir]] soldiers among the Drakes. Pale skinned and bloody eyed. The longer they spend in the sorcerous woods, the weaker their grasp on their humanity becomes, the stronger the call of their blood. It is as if the regio itself is intentionally attacking them, strengthening their connection to the Winter realm. Perhaps it is unintentional - the stronger their blood the more protective of their fellow soldiers they become, the more focused on the idea of destroying the prey they have come here to hunt.

After another few hours or so of marching and skirmishing, the trees begin to thin a little. The sky, which has remained a uniform pale grey throughout, suddenly darkens as if the unseen sun has precipitously fallen below the horizon. Lanterns and torches are lit, and the Drakes emerge into a large clearing containing dozens of simple wooden huts. A village, surrounding an oak tree of truly immense size. Thousands of stick-and-bone-and-feather effigies hang from the tree, twisting and turning this way and that in the wind, and the bark of the tree has been scored over centuries with swirling white lines that curve and weave from the thick roots up to the highest branches giving the tree an unreal, unnatural appearance.

The Feni, it seems, trusting that their location inside a Winter regio would protect them from outsiders, have prepared few defences. Certainly nothing that will present much of an obstacle to five thousand Imperial soldiers! The village is surrounded by a simple palisade, and a ditch lined with wooden spikes.

As the Drakes line up, an ultimatum is given to the Feni barely visible in the trees and among the huts. Surrender, or face the wrath of the Marches. Any who lay down their weapons voluntarily will not be harmed. Any who resist will be shown no mercy. In answer, a single voice cries back "We will never be slaves again!" and then nothing further. None move to lay down their weapons; they seem committed to the futile defence of their settlement.

The yeomanry spread out, and begin a well disciplined assault against the Feni settlement. The fighting is savage, but the outcome is never in doubt. The Feni are outnumbered, and outclassed on every level. Few of them even have metal weapons - their spears and arrows are mostly of sharpened flint, their shields of leather stretched across wicker frames. A few have steel blades - which when examined after the battle prove to have been forged by Jotun smiths or in Marcher armouries, most likely stolen from corpses. Or possibly they acquired the blades from different places.

For, tragically, among the defenders of the Feni village there are also Marcher folk. Inhabitants of Alderly who have chosen for whatever reason to throw their lot in with the Feni even though it is hopeless, even though there is no chance for this battle to end any other way than how it inevitable does. Charcoal cutters, bounders, hunters, and tree cutters from the Marcher villages on the outskirts of Alderly fighting with Marcher weapons and Marcher bullheaded obstinacy against their own people. They bleed, and die, just as easily as the Feni do.

The Feni have other allies as well. More unnatural ones. As the battle is joined, a line of horrific beasts comes marching through the trees all around the village. They look much like the strange scarecrows but much larger - some are as tall as twenty feet or more - striding on spindly wooden legs. Constructs of bone, leather, fur, and feather with the skeletal heads of immense birds surmounted with antlers. They possess terrible long wooden arms, equipped with scything talons that rip through armour and inflict terrible bleeding wounds that will not stop bleeding. Unfortunately - for the Feni - these creatures are quickly discovered to be dry as kindling the slightest flame setting them alight. Of course, then they become massive ''burning'' constructs and for a short time become even ''more'' dangerous. Quickly the soldiers discover that hurling torches, then keeping the things at bay with a line of pole-arms, neutralises their threat.

As the battle continues to its inevitable end, birds begin to alight in the branches of the oak tree at the heart of the village. First a few, then over the course of the battle several hundred, cloaking the tree in leaves of black feathers. They do not attack, merely watch, silently, as the Feni are surrounded and killed. It seems that for each village defender killed - for each life ended - another bird alights on the tree. Then, without warning, as if their numbers have passed a certain threshold, they launch themselves up into the air, crying and cawing, an indescribable cacophony in which many of the Marcher soldiers fancy they hear mocking words. A pall falls across the soldiers, a terrible chill that sets their hair on end and for a long moment quells the fighting. Then, as the last of the birds disappears into the dark sky, the Autumn leaves begin to fall from the trees - a few at first, and then in an avalanche. It begins to snow.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Come To Me.jpg|caption="'''<span style="color:#b32425">COME TO ME, AND I WILL GIVE YOU VENGEANCE!</span>'''"|align=left|width=600}}
The surviving Feni rally at the far end of the village. There cannot be more than fifty of them left. The Drakes regroup again, rallying for the final push. One last chance is given to surrender, but again the Feni ignore it. The snow begins to fall more thickly from the black, starless sky. Just above the tops of the trees, behind the Feni group, a peculiar aurora begins to dance - like the northern lights that are sometimes seen in Sermersuaq, in Skarsind, in Volodmartz, in Karsk.

Then, something terrible appears. With an awful tearing noise, it is as if a door opens behind the last of the Feni defenders. A great portal thirty feet high through which dancing red firelight pours, washing over the Feni like blood. Outlined in the doorway is an immense furred beast like a terrible hybrid of man and bear, but with the head of a wolf surmounted with the antlers of a stag. It throws back its head and howls, once, unspeakably loud, a sound to freeze the heart, to weigh down a warriors limbs with fear and [[Calls#WEAKNESS|exhaustion]]. In a rumbling, guttural voice it calls out to the Feni.

"'''<span style="color:#b32425">COME!</span>'''" it bellows. "'''<span style="color:#b32425">COME TO ME, AND I WILL GIVE YOU VENGEANCE!</span>'''"

The last Feni warriors - force to choose between this beast and the army arrayed against them - run to the door. A hail of arrows falls upon them, upon the beast that shields itself with one great furred arm... and then the door slams shut with a noise like thunder. The fight is over. The Drakes have won, the Feni settlement has been destroyed, the Feni put to the sword. Victory.

The village is quickly looted, then put to the torch along with the tree at the centre of the village. The Drakes retreat back towards the boundary of the regio that leads back to the natural world . Behind them, through the thickening curtain of snow, the fire spreads quickly. There is some momentary concern that the army may not be able to leave the place as easily as they entered but such fears prove unfounded. The Drakes and their supporters stumble, exhausted, out into the Autumn woods. The sky is lightening in the east; in some fashion they have spent an entire night in the Winter regio.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Exhausted_Drakes.jpg|caption=Dry bones can harm no one.|align=right|width=600}}
Over the next few days it becomes clear that not all the Feni were present for the attack on their village. Around the same time the Drakes entered Alderly, a band of perhaps a hundred noncombatants fled from the eastern borders of the forest, accompanied by a handful of warriors and Alderly Marchers and lead by a tall figure variously described as having "a feathered cloak and the mask of a raven" or "the head of a great black bird" depending. The ragged group made their way across the [[Mournwold#Green_March|Green March]] and, according to the few who saw them, disappeared into the green depths of Liaven's Glen.

Whatever else has happened, the Feni settlement in Alderly has been destroyed for good, with no survivors.
===Game Information - Mournwold===
The Drakes has suffered 120 casualties at the hands of the Feni defenders. The settlement has been destroyed. William Talbot, the General of the Drakes, will receive a large share of the [[herbs]] and [[potion|potions]] taken from the Feni settlement by the victorious Drakes.

However, General Talbot and any player whose [[military unit]] supported the Drakes in their attack on the Alderly Feni will discover over the next few nights that they have acquired a [[curse]]. They will receive a card detailing the effect in their character packs. If your military unit supported the Drakes this season, you may choose to acquire the [[draughir]] lineage in the months following the engagement in Alderly.

Finally, the Drakes army is now suffering a curse following its invasion of the Feni woods. Details of the curse will be provided in Winds of Fortune. Thanks to the Law of Dominion, it will be possible to gain more information about the curse on the army by using [[Wisdom of the Balanced Blade]] on the [[general]] of that army which, as per the ritual description, will provide additional information about its effects and potential methods of removing it.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Orcs and Bravos.jpg|caption=I had not thought death had undone so many.|width=500|align=right}}

==Pool Among the Rock==
Since they first launched their [[381YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#Valley_of_Darkness_.28Zenith.29|surprise attack]] against [[Urizen]], the [[Druj]] have been pushing westward. Pell mell they raced through Zenith, leaving devastation in their wake, extinguishing spire after spire, driving the [[Highguard|Highborn]] defenders before them. Once darkness had settled over north-eastern Urizen, it seemed for a few moments that their thirst for blood might be quenched. But it was not.

After a season to regroup, resupply, and reconnoitre, the Druj continued to pursue the three armies of Highguard, pouring down into eastern [[Morrow]] in an unstoppable flood, devouring everything in their path. The Highborn did their best, laid down their lives to staunch the flow of orcs, to protect the defenceless civilians - but it was barely enough. The [[Morrow#The_Halls_of_Knowledge_.28ruined.29|Halls of Knowledge]] burned; the Temple of the Winds returned to ruin; the [[Morrow#Gardens_of_Morrow|Gardens of Morrow]] rent asunder; the heart of the [[Urizen_culture_and_customs#The_Heliopticon|Heliopticon]] broken. By the Autumn Equinox, the Druj were practically banging at the gates of [[Morrow#Canterspire|Canterspire]]. Yet at the same time, the armies of [[Dawn]] and [[Varushka]] were banging at the gates of [[382YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Lomaa_and_the_Crawling_Depths|Lomaa]] in [[Ossium]]. The Druj advance began to slow...

On the last night of the Autumn Equinox, as the Druj gather in their camps in [[Morrow#Peregro|Peregro]] and [[Morrow#Caeli|Caeli]], the sky turns dark. Heavy black clouds sweep across the magically [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil|occluded skies]], accompanied by cold winds blowing from the west that neither shake the trees, nor ripple the water, nor billow the curtains in the high windows of the remaining spires. Every mortal in Morrow awakens suddenly, one minute after midnight and, as the rain begins to fall, knows something has changed.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="General Nicassia, of the Citadel Guard">Sentinels of Urizen, we fight! We are fighting for our homes and our families. We are fighting for our futures. We are supported by armies of other nations, by eternals, by the breadbasket of the Marches, Makes the Druj pay, but not at your expense. Make me Proud.</quote></div>
The rain brings with it the touch of [[Spring magic]], and it might be possible to imagine that this is the only effect. The rain [[Rivers of Life|shimmers with life]], quickly transferred to the streams and high, cool mountain lakes. It is something of a mixed blessing, of course. In a battle where anything short of death can be survived it is so much easier to fall into the clutches of the Druj. A fate, in many ways, that can be worse than death.

Shortly after that first rainfall, the Druj begin to move again. They come more cautiously than before, solidifying their presence in [[Morrow#Operus|Operus]], maneuvering carefully through the valleys toward Canterspire. They encounter little resistance. The Highborn armies, savaged by months of battling the Druj advance, have been forced to withdraw westward to [[Astolat]] and to [[Casinea]].
{{CaptionedImage|file=General of the Citadel.jpg|caption=When I look ahead up the white road, there is always another one walking beside you.|width=500|align=right}}
Worse, a grim sickness settles over the entire territory. First, animals become ill. Cattle provide no milk, birds stop laying eggs. Next, the crops begin to rot in the fields. Finally, people begin to fall ill. The weak are the first to fall prey to the [[curse]] - the old, the young, those who have given in to despair - but at least the Spring magic that courses through the water is sufficient to ensure that the injured, at least, are able to recover swiftly before the malediction can take hold. The magicians of Urizen quickly determine that [[Naeve's Twisting Blight]] has been laid over the territory - and news from the south suggests it has been brought to bear in [[Spiral]] and [[Redoubt]] as well. One more burden for the people of Urizen to face.

A little less than a month after the Autumn Equinox, the Druj army draws within sight of the citadel of Canterspire, forming up at one end of the valley. Observers in the high towers of the great library mark their approach, while below the last few defenders prepare for the battle that is to come.

The Druj chant as they come, confident that nothing can stand against them. At the head of their column they drag a dozen captured [[sentinel|sentinels]] and once they draw within sight of the citadel, they begin to raise vicious wooden spikes...

As the defenders of Canterspire watch in horror, the first sentinel is dragged forward. He does not scream, facing his death with poise and... at the last moment... with a visible sigh he closes his eyes and collapses into dust. A ripple of uncertainty runs through the Druj. The second sentinel is seized... and the same thing happens. Between one breath and the next, the remaining prisoners each close their eyes and are gone, dust and ash on the wind. Murmurs of uncertainty swell and roll across the Druj army - their cheers and jeers fall silent - but only for a moment. Denied their sport, their thoughts turn quickly to overrunning Canterpsire, sating their hunger for torment on the Urizen within.

At this moment as the Druj begin to pour down the valley toward the great spire, the first rays of the rising sun touch the highest point of the tallest tower. The ramparts glitter, like frost at dawn, like crystal. A rumbling bass note rings out - like thunder - but instead of dying away it continues becoming louder and louder. The shimmering light flows down the tower, quickening and spreading as races down, coating the towers and walls, the libraries and auditoriums of Canterspire in a sheath of beautiful pale-pink and gold crystal. It swirls and eddies in places, creating baroque curlicues and protrusions somewhat reminiscent of deep-sea coral. Within the span of a handful of minutes, the entire great citadel is a blazing tower of luminous crystal and glass.

Clinging to the side of the crystal walls are a dozen great beasts. Larger than oxen, roughly lizard-like in outline, they are composed of translucent, prismatic crystal. They move effortlessly across the crystal walls on eight massively-taloned legs, snapping prehensile tails tipped with vicious arrow-head spikes, opening wide crocodilian jaws to reveal row after tow of razor-sharp weltsilver teeth. Turning their great saurian heads left and right, they begin to sing out a warning - terrible musical calls that rise and fall like waves on the shore. Light spills from them, illuminating whatever they turn their gaze upon, stripping away deception and obfuscation, banishing the early morning mist and leaving the Druj nowhere to hide.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="General Natalia Barossa, the Falcon of the Towerjacks">Towerjacks, we turn our attentions to the Druj. Our long term goal is their destruction so they never threaten the empire again. But for now we advance steadily preserving our strength for the longer campaign to come.</quote></div>
At the same time, horns begin to blow. The gates of Canterspire, rather than being kept tight shut against the Druj, are flung wide. Marching out from the courtyards and the halls of Canterspire come the Citadel Guard; nearly five thousand sentinels and battlemages of Urizen accompanied by a cohort of [[Knights of Glory|elfin war witches]]. Spire-and-moon standards snap viciously in the early morning wind, alongside the crimson and gold banners of the [[Eleonaris|Queen of the Fields of Glory]].

They are not alone. From the valley behind, surging around the sides of the crystalline Canterspire, march the armies of the Empire. To the east, the Iron Helms and the Northern Eagle, grim-faced [[Varushka|Varushkans]]. Alongside them marches an entire third army of Summer warriors, golden hawks and eagles mingling with the flock of black carrion birds that hangs above them like a cloud. To the west, the Towerjacks and the Wolves of War, splendid soldiers of the League reinforced by a contingent of Temeschwari [[army qualities#Mercenary|mercenaries]] and deadly [[Army qualities#Resilient|wagon raiders]] from [[Karov]] and [[Volodmartz]], and supported by potent enchantments of [[Day magic]] and [[Autumn magic]].
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="General Gabriel Barossa, of the Wolves of War">The Druj have had it their own way for far too long. You drove the Grendel from Spiral and now we drive our old foe from the land of our allies. Armour yourselves in steel and courage, then drive east.</quote></div>
The Druj charge falters.

The leaders of the eastern orcs are quick to reappraise their situation, changing their orders as the two great forces move together in the rocky valley below the Canterspire. As the two waves of soldiers break against one another, though, it is clear the Druj were expecting to face a defensive force, not a half dozen Imperial armies on the offensive. Their tactics rely on outmaneuvering and surrounding their enemy, and that is not what they have found.

Yet while the Empire may have the element of surprise, the Druj outnumber them. There are nearly half-again as many orcs as humans fighting at the Battle of Canterspire; but the presence of the knights of Eleonaris and the crystal guardians that protect the citadel help to even the odds.

The Empire fights conservatively, providing as few openings for the Druj as possible, withdrawing rather than risk losing soldiers to risky charges. Injured soldiers fall back to the crystal halls to be healed and to rest for a few moments before rejoining the fray. There are few chances taken here. The Druj strategy is savage, but not as much as it has been in previous seasons - they are more cautious for the most part - perhaps news of the attack in the north has undermined their confidence?

Shortly after noon, as exhaustion begins to drape itself like a dusty cloak over both sides, it begins to rain. Not a heavy downpour, but a light misty drizzle that focuses the refreshing power of the Spring magic that provides a gentle blessing to all of Morrow. Both sides rally, regroup, and press their attack again. While it is refreshing, it is still rain - the dry river valley is quickly churned up into a field of treacherous mud that endangers human and orc alike. All it takes is a single misstep, and it is all over.

As the sun begins to vanish behind the western peaks, a ragged cheer goes up from the Imperial side. A small force of sentinels have managed to skirt around the Druj force, using the high passes to maneuver themselves beyond the sight of the orcs, and launch a daring rescue. Three dozens prisoners are freed from the Druj baggage train, escorted to the safety of the Canterspire. The crystal guardians raise their heads in a great triumphant chorus as the ragged band reaches the gate. Thirty prisoners is nothing the grand scheme of things - barely a fraction of the Imperial and orc bodies that litter the muddy gorges around the citadel - but it is a powerful symbol. A promise of what is to come.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="General Akstis Eigulys, of the Northern Eagle">Proceed with a Steady Advance into Morrow.</quote></div>
Night falls... but not darkness. The crystal citadel begins to glow, as if its walls are infused with pure sunlight. Beams of light, focused by the crystal guardians, sweep back and forth across the valley, illuminating the Druj as they attempt to fall back. The saurian protectors continue their song of triumph as the orcs withdraw. Here and there across the battlefield, peculiar pale figures in dusty black armour move hither and yon, pausing for a moment to speak to the fallen. At first they are mistaken for healers, but it shortly becomes clear that they are servants of the eternal [[Kaela]], harvesting those close to death for the Grim Legion of their mistress. Thanks to the magic of Spring there are few enough on either side, and the Lady of the Silent Hosts gains few new converts to her side.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="General Magnus Anatolyvich Prochnost, of the Iron Helms">A Steady Advance into Morrow to bring Varushkan Steel on the Druj.</quote></div>
Over the next month, Imperial and Druj forces clash again and again in the cold mountains of Morrow - but not in the valley before the Canterspire. Inch by inch the orcs of the Mallum are forced back out of Operus by Imperial armies. No quarter is asked for or offered on either side. The Spring benediction helps preserve life, but still the war still claims over a thousand human lives, and as many orcs fall as Imperials.

The Canterspire remains a beacon in the heart of Morrow, offering sanctuary to any who can reach it. While the armies strike at the Druj, smaller groups of sentinels and mages move quickly among the high places that the Druj are unaware of. Accompanied by brave heralds of [[Phaleron]], they seek out citadels and spires behind enemy lines helping to evacuate the people - and their valuable libraries - to the crystal sanctuary. While the saurian protectors will not leave the castle, they possess supernatural senses that allow them to mark the approach of any enemy, no matter how stealthy, and raise a warning. The gates of Canterspire do not close again, remaining open - another symbol, another promise.

The Druj lose their foothold in Operus, and are harried in both Peregro and Caeli. As the Winter solstice draws near, the Empire pushes into Caeli. Again and again the Mallum orcs are forced to fall back. The victory does not come without grief, however. The Spire of the Arbiter's Seat is liberated, but its halls are discovered to be empty of human life. The captured citizens, facing torment and enslavement at the hands of the Druj, with no hope that the Empire would turn back the orcs, chose to accept Kaela's gift. The entire populace passed from life into death in a single night. The Druj left their ashes where they fell.

The broken crater where the heart of the Heliopticon once stood is reclaimed; the devastation wrought by the defenders leaves no sign of what was one the grandest tower of the network. The burnt ruins of the Gardens of Morrow are liberated; but not a single plant remains.

Yet for all that loss, the Empire is winning. The Druj are in retreat across the territory; they are not broken but for the first time since they invaded Zenith they have not been victorious. Perhaps, just perhaps, this is the end of the Druj invasion of Urizen.

Perhaps.

===Game Information - Morrow===
The Druj advance has been stalled, and turned back. They have lost their fingerhold in Operus, and Imperial armies have made significant gains in Caeli.

With the assistance of the eternal [[Phaleron]], the Canterspire has been transformed into a potent magical citadel. Heralds of the Celestial Library accompany Urizen scouts throughout Morrow, helping to transport refugees to safety along with the contents of their libraries. Any citizen of Morrow is free to roleplay that they have taken advantage of the safety offered by this combined effort.

Morrow, Redoubt, and Spiral have each been subjected to [[Naeve's Twisting Blight]]. Even without the [[curse]], the gains the Empire has made are still insufficient to allow the Urizen to directly support the Citadel Guard; but for the moment the aid of the [[Keeper of the Breadbasket]] is sufficient to reduce losses to the army from [[Commission#Maximum_numbers_of_Imperial_Forces|lack of supply]].
{{CaptionedImage|file=Opening the Gate.jpg |caption=This is not to hold, not to stand fast and simply fend them off, the Mark goes to war to defeat our foes,<br>drive them before us! Drive them out.|width=500|align=right}}
The gift of Kaela, secured through a bargain with the Winter Archmage, allows any Imperial citizen in the hands of the Druj to engage in thirty seconds of appropriate roleplaying after which they experience a painless death. This ability extends across the entire eastern Empire, the Mallum, Zenith, and the Barrens. No corpse remains - it is reduced to dust and ashes. This ability may be used by player characters capture by the Druj during an event; if you do so you should ensure that you mark your character as dead as soon as you can so that your egregore is aware of your death. There is however one drawback to this as Imperial magicians may soon discover; anyone who takes advantage of this ability ''cannot'' be contacted with [[Whispers through the Black Gate]].

==My Heart Under My Feet==
===Clouds Gather===
The three armies of Wintermark - the Fist of the Mountains, the Green Shields, and the Blood Cloaks - gathered before the Autumn Equinox in the marshes of [[Kallavesa]]. Many soldiers availed themselves of the opportunity to visit the shrines of the ancestors that lie along the banks of the great lakes, to honour the heroes who have gone before, to contemplate the spiritual power at the heart of the Wintermark nation. To be anchored, at least for a short time, in the [[Auras_of_Pride#Partner_of_Greatness|profound knowledge]] of who they are and where they have come from, and of their role in building the future for their people.

In the weeks following the Equinox, the soldiers of the three armies are joined by some six thousand or so warriors under the banners of heroic Winterfolk champions. Some sixty captains come to the marshes on pilgrimage of their own, joining their warbands to one or other of the armies. The great majority choose to stand with the Green Shield, but there are also heroes who choose to knot their [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Skein|skein]] with the other two armies.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px;"><quote by="Osric, General of the Green Shields">Heroes of the Green Shields, hail to thee! Hail to the Mark! Does and death are at our homes and hearths, and now we do to face them. This is not to hold, not to stand fast and simply fend them off, the Mark goes to war to defeat our foes, drive them before us! Drive them out. It falls to you to lead this great charge, to slow your heroism to both friend and foe, to bring the wrath of the Wintermark, the wrath of the Empire down upon the Jotun with this Triumphant Charge! Forth Wintermark - Forth the Greenshield Army.</quote></div>
In addition, at noon on the seventh day after the Equinox, three cohorts of elfin knights stride from out of the west to join the Winterfolk camped around the ancient town of [[Kallavesa#Rundhal|Rundhal]]. Almost ten thousand warriors from the [[Eleonaris|Fields of Glory]]. Rumour quickly spreads that they have come from somewhere deep in the marshes around the [[Kallavesa#The_Sovevann|Sovevann]] - or perhaps from beneath the waters themselves. Their splendid golden chain and the orichaclum blades of their spears, axes, and swords gleam in the bright sunlight. At the head of each cohort marches a crimson-and-gold general, a favoured warrior leading the hosts of the Commander of the Golden Armies. They have come to fight with the people of Wintermark swelling the numbers camped around Rundhal to nearly thirty thousand warriors.

Shortly after their arrival, news reaches the Winterfolk commanders that the rest of the Empire is on the move. The Fire of the South, encamped for the last three months on the eges of the [[Kallavesa#Wittal Grove|Wittal Grove]] are moving overland towards Rundhal. They expect to be joined shortly by the Navarr Black Thorns, already on the move from distant Upwold, racing the Red Wind Corsairs and seeking to beat the Fire of the South to the rendezvous with the three armies of Wintermark despite their head start.

Yet the Three Peoples are in little mood to wait. As soon as confirmation that their allies are on the way reach them, the Green Shields start to break camp swiftly followed by the Blood Cloaks and the Fist of the Mountain, and their allies from the Summer realm. They begin the march north through [[Kallavesa#Skymark|Skymark]], and along the eastern shores of the Rikkivesi, through [[Hahnmark#Bruckland|Bruckland]] and ultimately into Sermersuaq.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px;"><quote by="Aedric Dunning, General of the Fist of the Mountains">Soldiers of the Fist of the Mountain, it is time to strike back at the Jotun. March for Sermersuaq and strike at our foe. Go in fast, go in strong, and overwhelm their forces. You will be supported by the heralds of the summer realm. Fight hard and fight with honour, remember you are of the mark and we are heroes and this is our land.</quote></div>
Ahead of them range heroic captains and scouts; almost immediately they encounter Jotun warbands probing the defences of the Kallavesa marshes. There are bloody clashes, but as soon as it becomes clear that the Winterfolk champions are the front-runners of an immense force the orc champions fall back across the border into Sermersuaq.

Three weeks after the Autumn Equinox, the Fire of the South catches up with the armies of Wintermark. They cross into [[Sermersuaq#Sealtoq|Sealtoq]] together.

===Lightning Strikes===
While the Jotun have been sending out warbands to raid northern Kallavesa and western Skarsind, the armies themselves have been consolidating their hold over the land they have conquered. Fortified camps have been raised along the southern and eastern borders; many located around beacon towers built long ago by the people of Wintermark. The alarm is raised almost immediately.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px;"><quote by="Lofyn Blood-cloak, General of the Bloodcloaks">Children of the Mark, Warriors, Heroes, the hour of grief, the hour of patience is over. Now comes the hour of The Sword and Axe. We march for The North. The Bloodcloak is no meek army, no gentle hand. We will not go softly into the North, We seek nothing less than an overwhelming assault. Take back the homeland of our people in heroic conquest. Fight as the heroes I know you to be. For Blood! For Virtue! For the Mark! </quote></div>
Four Imperial armies are matched by four Jotun armies waiting in Sealtoq. Yrsa Jansdottir, the Queen of Kalsea, has established a makeshift court in Atalaq, the spiritual heart of the Suaq people. The banners of the Lion of the North, the Howling Night, and the Skjalderborn flutter over the walls - broken during the [[382YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#A_Light_in_the_Darkness_.28Sermersuaq.29|fall of Atalaq]] but quickly rebuilt by thralls under the command of the occupation force. Somewhat farther north, in [[Sermersuaq#East Floes|East Floes]], the heavily armoured warriors of the Shield of the Mountain have positioned themselves along the eastern borders, near Wreck on the [[Sermersuaq#East_Floes|East Floes]], perhaps eager to engage the Imperial Orcs. As soon as word reaches their commander, they begin to march south to engage the Imperial armies.

It takes only a short time for the Jotun queen to bring her forces into position, and as the orcs take up defensive formations across Sealtoq the beacons are lit, spreading news of the Imperial invasion across the territory. The Lion of the North is adept at working alongside other orc forces, and it seems that this season they have taken special care to keep a watch over the borders of Sermersuaq - perhaps anticipating the Imperial strategy. Or perhaps Yrsa Jansdottir had her jarls searching for something else across the cold plains.

It hardly matters. Nearly thirty-five thousand Imperial soldiers and their allies clash with a significantly smaller Jotun force along the outskirts of Sealtoq. The Wintermark strategy is as direct as it is offensive; engage the orcs directly and drive them out of Sealtoq. The orcs for their part fight cautiously, defensively but their hastily constructed fortifications are quickly overrun by the fury of the Wintermark advance. Blood is spilled on the tundra... but significantly less blood than might have been expected.

As in the previous season, the waters of Sermersuaq - the many lakes, and streams, and rivers - thrum with life. [[Spring magic]] infuses every drop with [[Rivers of Life|healing power]], ensuring that any wound that is not fatal swiftly heals. As always with this potent [[curse]] - although its effects are seen as beneficial by the individual - it protects both orc and human, defender and aggressor, in equal measure.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Aracelis, General of the Fire of the South">Steady Conquest. Sealtoq, Eastflow, Stark.</quote></div>
But despite its power, it cannot stop the Imperial fist driving the Jotun defenders back. Even the Shield of the Mountain, focused on making the empire pay for every inch of territory they gain, can do little more than slow the folk of Wintermark and their allies.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Lleu Tarw, General of the Black Thorns">Navarr, the Black Thorns will join the war in Sermersuaq. We will move in a Steady Conquest through Sealtoq, to East Loes, and then Stark. This is a war in Wintermark Lands. We will respect their traditions. NO ATROCITIES. The time will come.</quote></div>
As news reaches the commanders of Wintermark of the approach of the Black Thorns, however, the Jotun also receive reinforcement. The swift-footed Navarr army, their cunning honed to [[Clarity of the Master Strategist|supernatural acuity]], arrive hours after another fifteen thousand Jotun arrive to support the Queen of Kalsea, including the Fist of Ulven who march under the command of King of the South. The southern armies roar out the war songs of their people as they come, eager for the opportunity to again face Imperial warriors in battle. The Imperial advance toward Atalaq slows, although it does not reverse.

Next to arrive are the Red Wind Corsairs, supported by their own warband of Summer warriors - this time in scarlet tagelmust with bloodgold bhuj and vicious blood-red hunting cats. While the orcs seek to contain the Imperial forces in Sealtoq, with the aid of the Black Thorns and the Fire of the South, the Corsairs break through the enemy defences and push through into northern Sermersuaq. Their aim is simple enough - raid the Jotun defences, take as many prisoners as they can, and if possible reach the [[Pride of Ikka's Tears]] and unburden the Jotun of their stolen mithril.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Vrael i Sol-Devorador i Erigo, General of the Red Wind Corsairs">Corsairs! Comrades! We make for Sermersuaq. We will advance into Sealtoq, East Floe and Stark. I need Jackals searching for their captains. This war will be a long one and we will need their mithril and white granite to win it. We do this for our friends from Wintermark, it is time to turn the tide!</quote></div>
Finally, the Winter Sun, the Bounders, and the Tusks join the invasion. The former two armies, like the Black Thorns, have been granted supernatural clarity, and join forces swiftly with the Navarr to survey the battlefield and devise a responsive, effective strategy for overwhelming the Jotun. Where the armies of Wintermark seek out the Jotun at every opportunity, seeking to overwhelm them entirely; where the Corsairs raid deep into enemy territory; the rest of the Imperial force has chosen a more [[Army_orders#Steady_Conquest|conservative strategy]], looking to minimize casualties - something made easier by the Spring magic that sparkles in the waters of Sermersuaq.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Morgor, General of the Winter Sun">We are so close to Skarsind my legionaires, one day we shall go home but it's time to gather your blades. We charge to meet the Jotun scum. But they will not see us coming. Use the terrain, attack from the shadows, show them no marcy. We shall make a beach head by any means in our steady conquest of Sealtoq.</quote></div>

Not so the Tusks. The [[Army qualities#Discipline|disciplined]] soldiers of the fourth Marcher army join with their northern neighbours in seeking out every opportunity to overwhelm the Jotun. With them fight fifteen hundred hulking ogre-like beasts in lions-head tabards bearing great iron-shod hammers, each one more than a match for any two orc warriors. For all their size and rough features they are no wild beasts - rather they are courageous warriors lead by a gigantic knight commander nearly three times the height of the stoutest soldier among the Tusks. On the long trek from Astolat they have learned a number of marching songs, and join their booming voices to those of their smaller allies as the battle rages.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Ciaphas Dekar, General of the Bounders">Marcher folk, the time has come to give the Jotun a taste of Marcher Steel once more. We advance with our kith and kin in the Tusks. While they are infused with Summer magic, we shall maintain our composure. We will secure the flanks of both the Black Thorns and Tusks as we push our foe ever back. Bounders WE GO TO WAR!</quote></div>
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Marius Woodville-Talbot, General of the Tusks">Now is our time Tusks. We march to the cold north again to finally reap the harvest sewn in blood two seasons ago. We march with succour and support from the Summer Realm. We will overwhelming assault the Jotun Invader and scour them from our land. Havoc! Havoc! Smytefast and give good knocks!!</quote></div>
Yet for each Imperial army that fights in Sermersuaq, it seems the Jotun have an army of their own - perhaps more. Back and forth the battle-lines, ebbing and flowing like waves beating against the shore. At one point it seems the Jotun will manage to hold the Imperial advance, but over the course of three days of almost continuous fighting, the orcs are forced to withdraw. Step by agonising step they are forced to retreat north and west, toward Atalaq.

===The Storm Breaks===
The fighting is brutal, fierce, bloody. In spite of healing magic, three thousand Imperial soldiers fall and do not rise again, or are left unable to continue to fight. In contrast, the defensive strategy of the Jotun means they have lost perhaps two thousand warriors - but in the process they have lost almost all of Atalaq.

With the Winterfolk leading the way the fighting is at least less savage than it might have been. Quarter is given. As night falls, the dead and the dying are removed from the field of battle rather than being left to rot in the sun. Even the Navarr of the Black Thorns fight with something recognisable as honour. This respect to the enemy is noted, and reciprocated.

Three significant factors have made all the difference here. Without the bold strategies and honourable tactics of the Wintermark generals (and the fury of the Tusks); without the support of the Winterfolk heroes; without the aid of the Summer knights and the clear sight granted by [[Day magic]], the Empire would not have been victorious. Without any one of those three critical factors, the Empire would have made significantly fewer gains here.

But with the Winter Solstice rapidly approaching, the Jotun defenders of Sermersuaq have been driven back to the walls of Atalaq itself. Perhaps as much as nine-tenths of Sealtoq is under Imperial control. An almost negligible fraction of the great swathes of land that stretch out towards the wasteland of Tsirku; but it is a start, at least.
===Echoes of Thunder===
There are three other factors that might influence the campaign in Sermersuaq. The scouts of the Red Wind Corsairs are no match for the unconquered of the Seventh Wave when it comes to learning the plans of their enemies, but their [[Army qualities#Daring|daring]] strategy of capturing the enemy rather than simply killing them does provide some additional intelligence of interest to the commanders of the Imperial armies.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Returning.jpg |caption=The Winter Sun began with a core of orcs who had been slaves in [[Varushka]], [[Temeschwar]], and [[Wintermark]].|width=500|align=right}}
Last season, after the Empire abandoned Sermersuaq, the dead rose to attack the living. The Jotun, and many of the Suaq left behind, believe the Empire withdrew specifically so that they could unleash unholy curses on the territory - and on their own people. It is not so much that this has further soured the orcs opinion of the Empire, as that it has left several halls in Sermersuaq questioning whether they still wish to be part of the Empire at all.

Perhaps this goes some way to explain how, among the scouts of the Queen of Kalsea, there are a handful of Suaq who have taken the Choice, and chosen to be Jotun. It is easy to paint them as traitors to their people, their nation, their Empire. When one is captured alive, however, in the hours before her execution, she speaks in stoically about her decision, about the decision of her comrades. She has lost faith in the Empire, and she is not the only one. She would rather be Jotun than continue to live among people who use withering curses against the weak and defenceless, then try to justify their actions with sophistry, who would place expediency about the heroic ideals of the people of Wintermark. She is tried, and executed, and goes to her death without flinching. She does not fear the Labyrinth, nor the judgement of her ancestors.

These turncoats are not plentiful - surely no more than a few score or so across the entire territory - but they perhaps provide a warning of the real threat the Jotun pose. Given three decades - thirty years ruling Sermersuaq such as they had in the Mournwold - who can say how many young Winterfolk might grow up feeling they have more in common with their orc conquerors than their cousins to the south?

But the use of dark and indiscriminate magic - something the Jotun have perhaps come to expect from the Empire - is as nothing next to the fury the Queen of Kalsea and her Jarls feel about an unforgivable crime that has been committed by Imperial agents. To the west of Sermersuaq, outside the borders of the territories, there once stood a low stone worn by the elements. It stood by itself in a wooded glade, weather-beaten and relatively unremarkable. It represented a place of truce where the northern Jotun and the Winterfolk could meet without fear of violence - neutral ground, claimed by neither human nor orc as part of their nation.

During the Autumn Equinox, cowardly assassins struck at the stone, destroying it and slaughtered the orcs camped nearby. This, more than any disrespect shown to the heroic dead, has left Yrsa Jansdottir in the grip of cold fury. Now, when King of Narkyst speaks to her of the treacherous spirit of Imperial humans, she does not contradict him. The greatest symbol of the possibility of understanding between Jotun and Wintermark is no more, and there is no doubt in the mind of any of the western orcs who is to blame.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Rage.jpg |caption=The joy of triumph, and the pain of loss, are felt more keenly by those with Summer blood.|width=500|align=right}}

===Game Information - Sermersuaq===
The Empire has conquered most of Sealtoq, but the Jotun still control the settlement of Atalaq.
===Participation - Sermersuaq===
The experience of fighting in close proximity with the [[Knights of Glory]] can be particularly inspirational, especially if one already has a trace of [[Summer magic]] in their blood. Any character whose [[military unit]] supported one of the four armies that engaged in an overwhelming assault or triumphant charge alongside the heralds - that is the Bloodcloaks, the Fist of the Mountains, the Green Shields, or the Tusks - may choose to begin the next event experiencing a [[Roleplaying effects|roleplaying effect]]: ''You are filled with confidence; nothing is beyond you if you put your mind to it. Now is the time to act, to pursue goals you have been neglecting. Anyone who questions your prowess must be taught a quick lesson about the foolishness of doubting you.''

Furthermore, if you are a [[changeling]] whose military unit supported one of these armies, the roleplaying effect is much more pronounced. In you are a changeling and also have the [[Heroic skills#hero|hero]] skill you have an ''additional'' hero point for the duration of the event. Such characters may also use their experience of fighting alongside the knights of glory to permanently increase the strength of their [[lineage]].

Please bear in mind that these opportunities are ''only'' available to characters whose military unit supported one of the four armies this downtime. You are free to roleplay you were present, as always, but you do not qualify for the additional hero point or the ability to increase your changeling lineage trappings.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Through the Breach.jpg |caption=Aim high; pursue your dreams; nothing is beyond your grasp.|width=750|align=right}}

==Stirring Dull Roots With Spring Rain==
===Darkness and Light===
A [[Druj miasma|grim miasma of fear]] still hangs over Ossium. It is weakened in the vicinity of the [[Semmerholm#The_Golden_Causeway|Golden Causeway]], but elsewhere in the territory it erodes the mortal spirit. The presence of the [[Knights of Glory]] helps a little, but it is a constant numbing assault on the will-to-fight of the Imperial troops here. The land itself seems to contribute to the sense of hopelessness - the muddy fields, the twisted overgrown forests, the beaten-down faces of the Druj serfs all serve as a constant reminder that this is the world as the Druj see it. Hopeless, fearful, treacherous, when death might come at any moment without warning. Some are able to overcome the uncertainty it causes with the [[Anointing|aid]] of [[liao]], others through the [[Changeling|blood of Summer]], but primarily its effects are fought with constant [[Vigilance]]. Comrades watch one another for signs that despair is taking hold, ensuring that those whose defences are crumbling receive the aid they need to help them fight off the spiritual rot that presses down on the Druj territory.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Vincent Vexille, General of the Eastern Sky">We have extinguished the fear the Druj once had over this Empire. We will break the Druj fort under the weight of our armies. The Eastern Sky will raise our banners in Victory as we march with Knights of Glory to crush our enemies. We will honour our agreement with the Thule and make sure not to engage their forces and avoid Bonewood. </quote></div>
Into this sea of darkness and dread march the armies of Dawn. Between them, the Eastern Sky, Golden Sun, Gryphon's Pride, and Hounds of Glory number some eighteen thousand Dawnish nobles and yeofolk. For all the mud, for all the omnipresent threat of ambush, sickness, and death, their banners remain bright - gold and azure, crimson and emerald, sable and argent. Their armour may have a few more dents, but it still shines under the mud. Their horns still greet the dawn and the dusk, heralding the new day and offering comfort as the night creeps in.

At their side, twelve thousand knights from the tourney fields of [[Eleonaris]]. Ossium, the mud, the Druj, the darkness, the threat - all of these seem irrelevant to the heralds of the Summer realm. Their spirits seem unquenchable - infectiously so. They seem almost unaware of the constant thrumming undercurrents of fear, seem deaf to the brittle voices that whisper "you cannot succeed; you are weak; you are worthless". Crimson and gold, the bottom hems of their surcotes may be just as mud-spattered as those of their mortal allies but their thirst for victory remains undiminished. In a way, their presence helps those who might otherwise succumb to the horrors of Ossium - their rock hard certainty that they cannot help but accrue glory simply by taking the fight to the Druj. At night, their encampments are well-lit and welcoming, and it seems the knights of the Summer Realm are never short of good cheer and echoing laughter.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Tancred, General of the Hounds of Glory"> Last Season was very much a good start. Now we march in greater number, heralds of Summer and allies from the North now come. We aim first for the Echo Fell to bring down the symbol of Druj oppression then drive before us any armies the Druj try to push back to save their treacherous skins. Death to the Druj!</quote></div>
Perhaps more than anyone else in the northern Empire, the five thousand [[Varushka|Varushkan]] soldiers with the Golden Axe are familiar with fear. Some joke that Ossium is a home-away-from home; the Druj ambushers no different to the threat of being eaten by a Wolf, or a seemingly innocuous mora robed in another's skin. Some of them eye the eastern forests with a glint in their eye - ancient hardwoods that seem never to have known thee bite of an axe are a treasure all-too-easily overlooked by their allies, focused as they are on conquest and glory. Where the Dawnish and their supernatural friends face the miasma with stout hearts and shows of bravado, the Golden Axe turns to strong drink, black humour, and stories about how much worse Varushka is than Ossium.

That said, the Golden Axe are not without their own magical allies. They arrive three days after the Autumn Equinox - Summer soldiers in heavy armour attired as ''shlacta'' with great axes. Rather than being dour, they are ebullient and effusive in character, establishing a quick camaraderie with their new Varushkan allies. They bring with them barrels of mead brewed in the Summer realm which they share freely, and a mouthful of this fine liquor helps to steady the nerves of those most afflicted with the miasma. Alongside them travel several warbands of slight humanoids with the heads of eagles. They carry bows, and wear light leather armour and hooded jerkins. Their manner is much quieter - messengers and scouts from the armies of the Lady of the Fields of Red and Gold. Their keen sight and stout hearts complement the cynicism and woodcraft of many in the Golden Axe.

Shortly after the Autumn Equinox, a [[Call Winged Messenger|magical messenger]] from the north confirms that the [[Thule]] - allied now with the [[Imperial Military Council|Military Council]] - are ready to move. The orders are given, the banners raised, the horns blown. In some ways, the northern orcs are likely to face more significant obstacles than the Imperials - the Dawnish and Varushkan armies established a foothold in Ossium before the Autumn Equinox that allows them to more readily supply their troops.

They are not the only force entering Ossium from the west - the three families of Moresvah have secured the aid of a dozen bands of wagon raiders to bring valuable mining supplies to Lormaa, hungry to begin extracting precious ores from the [[Chilled_to_the_bone#The_Crawling_Depths|mithril mine]] beneath the town. With the enthusiastic aid of the [[Chilled_to_the_bone#The_Ketsov|Ketsov]] humans, the Varushkan representatives bargain with the former Druj mine-slaves, eager to secure a workforce used to labouring in poor conditions in return for Imperial coinage.

As the Thule cross the border from [[Karsk]], from [[Karsk#Krevsaty|Krevsaty]] into the northern Bonewood, all five Imperial armies march directly east out of the Galath Fields, and into the woods of Echofell. The Hounds of Glory are off the leash. They lead the way - their hunger for battle with the Druj, for the glory that waits in the shadow of the eastern woods can barely be contained as they quickly pull ahead of the other four armies. The Eastern Sky and the Gryphons Pride - a little more restrained but not by much. The two Golden armies, Axe and Sun, bring up the rear constantly alert for Druj ambushers.

The conquest of the first new Imperial territory since the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]] begins in earnest.
{{CaptionedImage|file=The Bees.jpg |caption=The forests of Echo Fell are rich with untapped resources|width=350|align=right}}

===The Echofell===
As the armies begin to march, though, it becomes clear that the Druj - caught by surprise by the attack across the Golden Causeway - have begun to take steps to slow the Imperial invasion. There were already reports that the forests along the edges of the Galath Fields and the Bittershore were being infused with malign sorceries - roused to hateful, deadly awareness by the magicians of the Druj - although not the Echofell itself, interestingly.

In the aftermath of the Autumn Equinox there are other signs of powerful magics at work in Ossium. The weather begins to worsen - black clouds spill across the sky and torrential rain begins. Within six hours of the rain beginning, the rivers of Ossium are swollen to the extent of breaking their banks. Tents are washed away. The makeshift roads, barely maintained by the orcs of the Mallum, become little more than muddy runnels. Movement slows to a crawl; every mile of advance is a test of human endurance made even worse by the omnipresent atmosphere of despair. Soldiers begin to catch colds - some quite serious. Fires become difficult to light, and hot food a luxury. Everything becomes waterlogged. Yet even this is not enough to entirely dampen the Dawnish spirit, the enthusiasm for the battles to come; and the grim Varushkans of the Golden Axe simply become even more given to mordant, black humour and drink.

The rain slows the armies of the Empire, but it does not stop them. What it does do, however, is buy the defenders of Ossium some time. Time for reinforcements to arrive from elsewhere in the Mallum.

The forest environment makes it difficult to determine precisely how many defenders are in the Echofell. The first troops the massed forces of the Empire encounter bear familiar symbols - marks and tattoos of amber scorpions and twisted leering orc faces. They have the advantage of the terrain - they know the woods well. They attack from ambush, inflict as much injury as they can, and then retreat. Wounds fester quickly in the sodden woods of the Echofell, even without the aid of the poisons that the Druj guerillas take so much delight in. It is near impossible to keep dressings dry. Sickness becomes a constant threat - even without the presence of more malignant Spring magic such as the eastern orcs are wont to use.

The Empire knows there is a Druj [[Fortification|fortress]] in the Echofell, but locating it proves to be a challenge. The Druj know the woods and are at great pains not to leave a trail for Imperial scouts to follow back to their nest. The Empire is forced to scour the woods, and they are deep and dark and dangerous. Trees that have never known the touch of an axe loom overhead, while twisted roots would make footing precarious even without the omnipresent rain.

The Golden Axe are the first to discover one of the Druj secrets. A chance encounter that leaves a dozen dead Varushkans and half that number of dead orcs uncovers a series of camouflaged rope bridges hung between the trees, concealed by leaves and branches. Investigation indicates that the bridges are only a tiny part of a vast network of similar structures that seem to spread across most of the Echofell. Useless for an army, they allow the Amber Scorpion garrison to move quickly and stealthily wherever they wish, launching their attack and then fading into the darkness again.

Here and there through the Echofell there are orc settlements. While a number resemble the tragic clusters of hovels the Imperial conquerors have encountered in Bittershore and Galath Fields, the further east they push the fewer of these ramshackle villages are encountered. Rather, they begin to come across walled and camouflaged settlements protected by spike-filled ditches and devious, crippling traps. There are significantly fewer humans here than were encountered in Bittershore and Galath Fields, and none have a status anywhere close to that of the Ketsov.

The orcs who populate the villages here wear their Amber Scorpion marks with something approaching pride. They are quick to take up arms when they encounter Imperial troops, and quick to withdraw when it is clear they are outnumbered. Some surrender - and while a few settlements remain docile others simply bide their time until the armies of the Empire have pushed on and turn on any garrison left behind to secure their village. After the third time this happens, soldiers of the Golden Axe in particular begin to question the wisdom of accepting ''any'' surrender from the Druj. Safer to simply kill everyone, than to leave a treacherous enemy behind. Their fellows in the Golden Sun - who likewise are responsible for consolidating territorial gains made by the Imperial advance initially resist any such suggestions but as the campaign draws on such expedient atrocity perhaps becomes more appealing...
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Garravaine De Rondell, General of the Gryphon's Pride">Soldiers of the Pride, this season sees us march with the hosts of the Summer realm and with the Thule, who have pledged to fight with us until the Druj are no more! They will take the Bonewood, so we will avoid this region. We attack the Fortress in Echo Fell as a priority and we will take or destroy it before taking the remaining regions. For Glory! For Dawn! For the Empire!</quote></div>
There is also surprising wealth amidst the trees of the Echofell. Every Druj settlement it seems tends to a stretch of woodlands rich in [[Materials#ambergelt|ambergelt]] and [[materials#Beggar's Lye|beggarwood]], with less common but equally rich desposits of [[materials#Dragonbone|dragonbone]] encountered here or there. Almost every settlement maintains a fertile [[herb garden]], burgeoning with exotic plants of a mundane nature as well as magical [[herbs]] of almost every variety (only [[Cerulean Mazzarine]] seems in short supply, favouring as it does a warmer, drier environment in which to grow). While there is little in the way of mineral wealth, the orcs here are experts at working with wood, and rope, and leather, and bone.

===The Tower of the Scorpion===
Within a month, with half the Echofell fallen to the Empire the leading edge of the Eastern Sky finally locate the stronghold of the Amber Scorpion clan. A great tower of white granite, surrounded by a wall topped with twisted metal razors, stands in a great open churned-mud killing field littered with shallow pools - now significantly deeper from a month of rain. A web of rope bridges extends from wooden towers under the shadow of the walls.

There is no likelihood of surprise attack. The Golden Axe and the Golden Sun swiftly begin to construct siege ladders from the plentiful wood, while the Eastern Sky and the Gryphon's Pride prepare to attack the two ironbound gates to the north and south of the great tower. Three days later they are ready to move. Shield raised to protect from arrows, the siege begins.
{{CaptionedImage|file=In the Woods.jpg |caption=It is not enough to be successful; the [[glory|glorious]] individual must prove the act was noteworthy by accomplishing it in an impressive, dramatic way.|width=750|align=right}}
The killing ground between the edge of the forest and the Tower of the Scorpion lives up to its name. Withering hails of arrow fire from the orc defenders are only the start. It soon becomes clear that the muddy ground is crisscrossed with hidden ditches and tunnels, lined with spikes. Under the torrential rain, many have become flooded death traps - those who avoid being impaled on spikes risk drowning under the weight of their armour. Climbing out of the pits alone proves almost impossible, but freeing trapped comrades before they die exposes allies to attack from the orcs.

One advantage the torrential rains have offered however is that it has prevented the Druj lying in ambush - some of the subterranean constructions are clearly boltholes intended to allow numbers of defenders to attack from hiding. There are even some signs closer to the walls that suggest the existence of tunnels under the ground - tunnels that have collapsed due to the water rushing through them.

The orc defenders are desperate, but they are outnumbered ten to one. Despite their efforts, the first siege ladders are secured, the first Imperials crest the walls. A battering ram is brought to bear on each of the gates... and with the Imperial focussed entirely on taking the fortification, the rest of the Druj attack from the woods.

Ten thousand or more Druj soldiers, many bearing scorpion motif banners, or with stylised scorpion claws painted on their armour, attack the Imperial flanks. They strive to be the hammer, crushing as many of their enemy as possible against the stone anvil of the Tower of the Scorpion. They strike quickly, withdraw, and strike again. The mud works against them, however, just as it works against the Empire. Their armour is generally lighter, and they are clearly more familiar with operating in the quagmire that the killing field has become, but it slows them down. The Imperial commanders are forced to split their attention between taking the fortification and fighting off the Druj ambushers.

The Hounds of Glory rally first - horns blaring they regroup and turn their attention on the newcomers. "DEATH TO THE DRUJ!" - the cry goes up from a thousand throats at once. At the same time the Eastern Sky, finally seeing the opportunity to engage the hated Mallum orcs on something approaching an even footing, raise their banners and charge back across the killing field towards the woods. Turning their backs entirely on the fortress, trusting to the other armies to protect their rears, they move to engage the orc armies and leave their allies to take the castle.

With the time bought by the Hounds and the Sky, the Gryphons Pride and Golden Axe are able to make short work of the gates; the Golden Sun siege ladders have allowed them to capture the western ramparts, giving them the sudden advantage of the high ground. As the Dawnish and Varushkan forces break across the courtyard, the Golden Sun manage to capture two of the collapsible bridges that allow access to the tower proper. Following vicious close-quarters fighting in which many brave soldiers fall to poisoned Druj daggers, they take control of one of the mechanisms that open the iron gates into the Tower of the Scorpion, and allow the other two armies access to the keep itself.

As soon as it is clear the tower has fallen, the Druj forces outside the castle break and flee. They have little interest in fighting a losing battle it seems, and withdraw quickly. Over the next several days a running battle ranges across the Echofell as the Imperial forces harry, and are in turn harried by, the Druj defenders. With the Tower of the Scorpion in Imperial hands, the conquest of the Echofell proceeds more swiftly. At the same time, however, it becomes clear that there is a significant force of Druj now in the forests of Ossium. They strike without warning, as is the Druj way, and it is almost impossible to predict where the next attack will come from.

===Webwood===
Between Echofell and the Bonewood stretches an area of forest the local orcs refer to as the Webwood. It is here that the Imperial forces turn next. The Druj continue their ambushes as the Imperials press north, and as they continue to consolidate their hold on the Echofell. News is that the Thule have encountered resistance of their own in their conquest of the Bonewood, and it becomes clear that the Druj are being forced to split their attention between the two forces, unable to focus on one side of the alliance or the other.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Belakov Zakharovich Prochnost, General of the Golden Axe">Golden Axes, I am to ask you once more to get the job done, we have shown the Druj our strength, we have taken their land, now we must Drive them under our grinding advance. We show the Empire, our allies and the while empire, that they are not alone. Into Echofell and take their fort and follow the Dawnish line, and avoid the bone wood. Let's get this done! </quote></div>
It is easy to see how the forest gets its name - the ancient trees are draped in moss and shrouded in vines - yet it is not solely the vegetation that is responsible for its dark reputation. The trees are home to several particularly unpleasant breeds of large venomous spiders, some as large as a small dog. They seem to have little actual fear of human or orc, and in fact seem to be drawn to warm, dry places - such as the insides of tents.

Yet these spiders are a purely natural problem - the Webwood is home to something else. In addition to the orcs of the Mallum, the Empire begins to face attacks from creatures that appear to be nothing so much as a hybrid of orc and predatory arachnid. At first the creatures strike fear into the hearts of the Imperial soldiers, but eventually a priest with the Eastern Sky is able to identify them as heralds - almost certainly servants of the Spider-King [[Arhallogen]]. Regardless of what they are, they prove to be tenacious opponents - their every strike delivers agonising [[Calls#VENOM|venom]]. Some possess the ability to [[Calls#PARALYSIS|paralyse]] with a touch, while a very few - the largest and most twisted variety - are able to spew [[Calls#MASS|great gouts]] of venom that burns their foes or leaves them [[Calls#WEAKNESS|weakened]] and barely able to fight. They do not attack in numbers, but fight alongside the Druj who seek to slow Imperial progress through the woods.

Interrogation of local orcs reveals that somewhere in the depths of the Webwood is a hidden temple, a monster-haunted shrine that has stood since before the first Druj came to Ossium. It is from this nest, sacred to the Scorpion Lord, that the heralds come. A circle of Druj magicians and tepel make offerings there, securing the aid of the sinister [[eternal]]. Few will speak of it above a whisper, and its location is not known to the common orcs of Ossium.

The spider-beasts and the orcs are not the only threat. The forest itself seems possessed of a malignant awareness, and a desire to harm the Imperial invaders. Trees, bushes, and vines weave together into defensive structures, easily exploited by the orcs yet providing no shelter to Imperial soldiers. Great thickets of thorn and briar twist between the trees, and in several places masses of branches and roots mesh together to create massive, thick walls of living vegetation. The forest actively aids the Druj and their allies, hindering the invaders yet parting to allow the swift passage of the orcs.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Zoran De Orzel, General of the Golden Sun">We have struck a blow against the vile Druj, their farms are flooded and their grain stores ruined. We have their attention, the trap is laid, now we spring it. Grind across Ossium, take their homeland and draw their fangs. Vigilence will be required to tell Druj doe from Thule Ally. They kill the Druj as we do, the Bonewood will be their base and no concern of ours.</quote></div>
Druj forests are always dangerous proposition, but the magic conspires to exacerbate the natural threats. In places the air becomes thick with poisonous spores, drifting clouds that cause terrifying visions or threaten to strangle those exposed to them. Open wounds caused by briars or thorns quickly become infected, potentially leading to fever and even death. Insects become larger and more hostile, and any wasp or bee-sting is likely to result in painful swelling rather than a mere nuisance. While vegetation does not move when anyone is looking, trails and clearings often seem to vanish overnight. Several bands of scouts are simply swallowed up in the wilderness, their disappearance marked only by a few bloodstains, a few scraps of cloth or a solitary boot half-sunk in some stinking quagmire. Witches agree with volhov that the Druj have raised an enchantment similar to [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]] over the Webwood - but like all their magic it is particularly malignant in character compared to the rituals of Imperial lore.

There are fewer settlements here than in Echofell, but they tend to be larger. Reasonably well fortified - palisades and walls of spikes - it is not uncommon to encounter great walls surrounding acres of land with more than one smaller village. Most of these settlements are proudly marked as the property of the Amber Scorpion - but not all. Most fight viciously against the Imperial advance but some are inclined to negotiate. The pounding, relentless rain is slowly taking its toll on the orcs of Ossium it seems . Food supplies are beginning to run a little low and it seems a hungry Druj easily yields to the temptation to look after their own family first - Loyalty is in short supply in the forests of Ossium.

===On a Winter Evening ===
Yet despite the obstacles, the Empire slowly dominates the Webwood as it has dominated Bittershore, Galath Fields, and the Echofell. As the Winter Solstice draws closer, the frequency of encounters with orc warbands begins to slacken off. The Druj, it seems, are withdrawing south out of Webwood, and out of the Bonewood. There is renewed violence in the Echo Fell, as Druj warriors rally and attempt one last assault, but with the Empire now controlling the only fortification that counter-attack is short lived.

After three months of horror, it becomes clear that the Druj have largely retreated into the southern forests to regroup. The rain begins to slacken. The commanders of the Imperial armies receive word from the north that the Thule have completed the pacification of the Bonewood, and are declaring complete dominance of the woods. The tone of the message is congratulatory - the Thule commanders are well pleased not only with their own success but with the victories of their Imperial allies.

There have been significant losses on both sides. The Empire has lost around a thousand soldiers - the exact numbers are still being calculated. Many of those lost warriors fell under Druj blades, but perhaps two hundred or more are simply unaccounted for. Sentries who disappeared in the night, scouts and bands of knights who simply never returned from the woods. It is impossible to know how many the Thule have lost - they are closed lipped on the matter - but rumours circulating among the Varushkans is that they brought thirty thousand orcs into Ossium out of Karsk and there are whispered reports that they have lost at least as many as the Empire.

Some of those rumours come from human slaves; three weeks before the Solstice, a Thule warband marches south from Krevsaty and unceremoniously delivers nearly a hundred-and-fifty terrified humans into the hands of the surprised people of [[Karsk#Ivarsgard|Iversgard]]. These, apparently, represent Imperials enslaved by the Druj over the last thirty years, forced to labour in the weirwood forest of Bonewood. The Thule offer no further explanation and return to their holdings in the north.

As to the Druj ... it is hard to say for certain but it certainly appears that the former orc rulers of Ossium have been slaughtered. Their Tower of the Scorpion has been taken, and while an exact tally of their losses will probably never be made, there are ''thousands'' of orc corpses littering the western forests of Ossium.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Thule General.jpg |caption=The Thule have had their own victory in Ossium.<br>Glory to the Dragons!|width=250|align=right}}
And so a fortnight before the Winter Solstice, the conquest of Webwood and Echofell is complete. Along with the Galath Fields and the Bittershore, the Empire now controls four regions of Ossium. The Thule control the Bonewood, and the Druj still cling to their fingerhold in the southern forests... but there is no doubt that the Empire now controls the majority of the territory.

Ossium becomes the first new territory to be added to the Empire in two hundred years.

===Game Information - Ossium===
The Empire has conquered four [[territory#regions|regions]] of Ossium - Bittershore, Galath Fields, Echo Fell, and the Webwood. They now control the majority of the territory. As a consequence, the Imperial Senate may [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Assignment|assign]] Ossium to an Imperial nation during the Winter Solstice. The magnitude of this achievement cannot be understated - this is the first new territory added to the Empire since the conquest of [[Segura]] in 183YE.

The civil service are currently preparing a report on the territory which will be delivered shortly before the Winter Solstice (as part of the Winds of Fortune). Right now, the Empire does not even have a map of the area it now controls much less the rest of the territory. It is believed that representatives of the Ketsov humans, and several of the conquered orc settlements, are being escorted to Anvil to meet with Imperial negotiators; again more information will be available closer to the time.

The Empire has also captured the Tower of the Scorpion. It has been significantly damaged, but is still intact enough to function as a [[fortification]] under Imperial control. Imperial forces have been unable to locate the rumoured Temple of Arhallogen in the Webwood however - although in the absence of a Druj army to support it seems the threat posed by the heralds there is much diminished.

At the same time, the Thule have conquered the [[territory#regions|region]] of Bonewood in the north, although this does not immediately impact Imperial control of the territory. They are believed to have a significant military force in that area. While it is not easy to see the impact the Thule forces had on the battle, along with the support of the Knight of Glory, these two allied groups helped secure the Imperial victory. In their absence, the Empire would not only not have claimed the territory but the campaign would have ended in defeat and they would have failed to claim any territory at all. The influence of the [[Druj miasma]] continues to present a significant challenge toward claiming territory in Ossium.

Ossium has been conquered, but two regions are still in Druj hands and the regions the Empire ''has'' captured remain dangerous. The orcs of the Mallum are bitter, cruel, and experts at stealth and infiltration. Any Imperial settler looking to make a home in Ossium will surely have to bear these facts in mind.

===Participation - Ossium===
As in [[Sermersuaq]] [[382YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#My_Heart_Under_My_Feet|above]], the experience of fighting in close proximity with the [[Knights of Glory]] can be particularly inspirational, especially if one already has a trace of [[Summer magic]] in their blood. The [[general]] of any of the five armies here - the Hounds, the Sun, the Pride, the Sky or the Axe - may choose to begin the next event experiencing a [[Roleplaying effects|roleplaying effect]]: ''You are filled with confidence; nothing is beyond you if you put your mind to it. Now is the time to act, to pursue goals you have been neglecting. Anyone who questions your prowess must be taught a quick lesson about the foolishness of doubting you.''

Furthermore, if any of those generals possess the [[changeling]] [[lineage]], they will find that the roleplaying effect is much more pronounced. A changeling general who also has the [[Heroic skills#hero|hero]] skill will discover they have an ''additional'' hero point for the duration of the event. Such characters may also use their experience of fighting alongside the knights of glory to permanently increase the strength of their [[lineage]].

Finally, if the general of one of the five armies does not possess any [[lineage]] at all - that is they are a vanilla human - they may choose to [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk email us] and begin manifesting the changeling lineage, gaining the same benefits outlined above as well. This will be a ''permanent'' change however - if the general later wishes to remove that lineage they will need to do so through the normal (difficult) channels.

Please bear in mind that these opportunities are ''only'' available to these specific characters. You are free to roleplay you were present, as always, but you do not qualify for the additional hero point, the ability to increase your changeling lineage trappings, not the ability to develop changeling lineage.

==Held Up By Standards (Major Conjunctions)==
Diligent reporting by the Imperial war scouts and ritual divinations by the prognosticators have yielded insights into four [[Sentinel_Gate#Major_Conjunctions|major conjunctions]] of the [[Sentinel Gate]] at the forthcoming Winter Solstice. The Military Council will be able to take advantage of two of these opportunities.

The first conjunction will allow passage to the '''Splinterthorn Woods''' in Near Weald, [[Ossium]]. This tangled expanse of forest lies at the heart of the Near Weald; and, according to reports gathered by the Civil Service, could prove to be of vital significance in the continued conquest of the territory. The heroes of Anvil will be able to travel to this location on the Saturday or Sunday of the solstice.

The second conjunction opens to the fields of '''Arbiter's Green''' in [[Morrow#Caeli|Caeli]], [[Morrow]]. Nestled among the towering peaks the farms, orchards and stores in the surrounding area have contributed vital supplies to the [[Citadel Guard]] over the centuries. A military force can access this conjunction on the Saturday or Sunday of the solstice.

The third conjunction enables passage to the '''Sobral Stand''' forest that lies on the [[Segura#Sobral Grasses|Sobral Grasses]], [[Segura]]. These remote woodland have recently been occupied by a force of [[Jotun|Lasmbrian Jotun]] warriors and raiders. It will be possible to travel via this conjunction on the Saturday or Sunday of the solstice.

The fourth conjunction opens to '''Atalaq Tasanko''' in [[Sermersuaq#Saltoq|Sealtoq]], [[Sermersuaq]]. This open expanse of hardy grasses lies before the great gates of the Suaq's capital, currently held by the Jotun Queen of the North, Yrsa Jansdottir. This conjunction will ''only'' allow travel on the Sunday of the solstice.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px;"><table>
<tr><th colspan="4" style="text-align:center">Conjunctions</th></tr>
<tr><th>Where</th><th>When</th><th>Size</th><th>Time</th></tr>
<tr><td>Atalaq Tasanko, Sealtoq, Sermersuaq</td><td>21:00 Saturday</td><td>40 people</td><td>50 minutes</td></tr>
</table></div>
In addition to the above major conjunction, another portal to '''Atalaq Tasanko''' has also been detected on the Saturday evening. Prognosticators have advised that such an occurrence - where additional opportunities exist for the same location as a major conjunction - has not happened in several decades. At this time, further details relating to this minor conjunction, and how it relates to the main battle opportunity, are still to being ascertained. Even if the opportunity to engage the Jotun in Sermersuaq is not taken the civil service believe the portal on the Saturday will still be traversable.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:300px; float: right; margin: 10px;"
|-
! Nation !! Force Weight
|-
| Brass Coast || 7
|-
| Dawn || 19
|-
| Highguard || 15
|-
| Imperial Orcs|| 7
|-
| League || 9
|-
| Marches || 11
|-
| Navarr || 25
|-
| Urizen || 8
|-
| Varushka || 6
|-
| Wintermark || 37
|}

By the time of the Winter Solstice summit, the Civil Service will have completed reports for each of these conjunctions, which will be presented to the generals during the Muster. The final decision about which major conjunctions to exploit, and who will take part in the battles, is the heavy responsibility of the Imperial Military Council alone.

At this event, the best estimate of the fighting strength of each nation provided by the civil service is as follows. of their options, which nations could take the battlefield together. Each of the two battles must have at least 70 and at most 74 force weight sent on it.

==Other Media==
The folk from [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvb6XQB4jNOwd6hn0plMpIw/featured The Orcs Planet] recorded audio versions of these winds of war which are available to watch on YouTube: [https://youtu.be/ENADmuyCSrI The Turning Tide],[https://youtu.be/gEDYa-tsROM Dry Grass Singing], [https://youtu.be/UpNghdxzNXw The Rattle of the Bones], and [https://youtu.be/IDVa4b-ajNY Pool Among the Rock], [https://youtu.be/rYj5IKkx7Ws My Heart Under My Feet], and [https://youtu.be/oZGOf2lDB1E Stirring Dull Roots With Spring Rain].

We've also got versions of the same text recorded by Autumn Bailey: The Turning Tide ([https://youtu.be/3suZJi4iRUg Part I], [https://youtu.be/omOqWNRJrPk Part II], [https://youtu.be/8XrLD8XsUEQ Part III], [https://youtu.be/jKgU0sFWD3Y Part IV]), [https://youtu.be/iqhRogj0tQo Dry Grass Singing], [https://youtu.be/X0ZAloNovjA Pool among the Rock], and [https://youtu.be/NlzbAhLpoCA Stirring Dull Roots With Spring Rain].

A wandering fire

2023-04-13T22:33:26Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

[[Category:Recent History]] [[Category:384YE Autumn]] [[Category:Military Council]]
<div style="float:left; width: 700px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=A Wandering Fire.jpg|caption=The last push, to drive the Jotun invaders out of Sermersuaq, has begun.|align=left|width=700}}</div>
{{Audio|link=https://youtu.be/m9-Mm3fmodI}}
==Alliance==
Dark clouds gather overhead as the [[Summer Storm]] withdraw east to [[Skarsind]] - forced to travel through the rugged forests of [[Hercynia]] since the [[Jotun]] [[In_good_company|collapsed]] the western end of [[Skarsind#Pakanaan's Pass|Pakanaan's Pass]]. As the first rain falls from the [[Thunderous Deluge|magical storms]] that beset the entire Empire in the wake of Summer Storm, the [[Bloodcloaks]], the [[Green Shield]], and the [[Drakes]] are joined by the [[Bounders]] and the [[Tusks]]. The [[the Marches|Marcher]] armies have barely stamped the mud of [[Bregasland]] from their boots before they are swept up in the campaign to drive the western orcs out of [[Sermersuaq]]. The Imperial forces are again accompanied by more than twenty thousand orc warriors out of [[Otkodov]] - the Jaws of Winter's Lightning, the Shard of Winter, and the White Mountain Fire, supported by the garrison of the Citadel of Silver and Bone that dominates the [[Sermersuaq#Silver Peaks|Silver Peaks]].

As well as the gathering storm, there is a great deal of Imperial magic at work in Sermersuaq this season. The soldiers of the Green Shield, the Bounders, the Tusks, and the Drakes each bear [[enchantment|enchantments]] that allow them to work closely together, coordinating their strategy with [[Clarity of the Master Strategist|supernatural clarity]]. The [[Rivers of Life]] continue to flow across Sermersuaq, even with the presence of so many armies it seems impossible for the Suaq hunters and fisherfolk to put much of a dint in the sheer number of fish, fowl, seals, and larger beasts that churn up the lake waters or roam across the trackless tundra. There is plenty for everyone, and everywhere the spark of life is kindled to a flame. Every drop of water shimmers with healing power, and all save the most mortal of wounds - or those inflicted by wilful executioners - heal overnight.
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><quote by="Lofyn Blood-cloak, General of the Bloodcloaks">Soldiers of the cloaks, our season has been one of bloody conquest. Our allies in the Marches and Dawn have come to ease our strain and fight our people. Honour them! Welcome them. Our work is not yet done, grind forth and tend the wounds of our kith and Imperial kin as we drive the Jotun from Stark</quote></div>
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><Quote by="Iron Osric, General of the Green Shield">Heroes of the Green Shield army, hail to thee! For too long have the Winterfolk suffered under the Jotun yoke, they have been denied their freedom and this will not stand. No matter the hardship we will not cease until they are free. We fight in memory of our heroic dead, like Dagmar of the lewd Parchment, a Suaq refugee who gave her life for our home.</quote></div>
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><quote by="Ciaphas 'Black Jack' Dekar, General of the Bounders">Marcher folk, Bounders all. We march North this season as the Strong Reeds will secure Bregasland. We do this to close the Northern Front with our Winter-born allies, who will then come south to take back our home. This starts the reconquest of what we have lost.</quote></div>
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><quote by="Hal Talbot, General of the Drakes">Drakes, the largest Dawnish army is coming to help in Sermersuaq. Lets take the forts before they get here. Overwhelming assault onwards Tom Drake's finest.</quote></div>
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><quote by="Zoran De Orzel, General of the Golden Sun"> Citizens of our glorious nation our strength is needed, Wintermark calls for aid. With the enchantments of Autumn Realm we can cross the breadth of the Empire on a forced march. The Jotun will not expect us and It will be glorious.</quote></div>
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><quote by="Tomothy Crowle, General of the Tusks">Tusks, we're lockin the grapple with the bastards now. The next punch will fall in Sermersuaq. We shall conduct a Steady conquest, and bring the Jotun to their knees alongside our allies. In turn, they will repay us in Bregasland. Let us go forward together, and drive the Jotun from Emperor James' borders!</quote></div>
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><quote by="Tomoreh Galdramathur, General of the Jaws of Winter's Lightning">We will fight with the armies of the south to drive the Jotun from Tanikipari, and from Stark. We will be careful neither to lead nor to fall behind in the fight against stone and steel. We will trust to the design of the Five-Who-Are-One.</quote></div>
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><quote by="Keya Prityanka, General of the Shard of Winter">The castles of Tanikipari and Stark are where the Jotun gather their wealth. We shall take it all. We will serve the purpose of the Dragons, and we will strike once again with the grasping hand rather than the jagged shard.</quote></div>
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><quote by="Stürmherra, General of the White Mountain Fire">Kalant and Olgafsdottirshal stand between us and the absolute victory the Dragons demand. Find the weakness of the Jotun, and break them.</quote></div>
There is also aid from an unexpected source. During the Solstice, Imperial heroes [[In_good_company#Second_Skin_.28Conjunction.29|rescued the hostage]] taken by the Jotun, so the ''hylje'' - the mysterious shapeshifters that dwell in the lakes of Sermersuaq - offer their aid to the armies of the alliance. The martial aid they offer is barely notable beside the sheer force of armies arrayed here, but their scouts are keen eyed and know hidden ways to move through the lakes, and they possess subtle magic that hides their friends and makes it easier for their Suaq cousins to locate and ambush the champions of the Jotun. It is notable that the Thule warlocks who come into contact with the hylje treat them cautiously, with a respect they often fail to show to their Imperial allies. Warlock and warrior alike seem taken aback by the easy familiarity and camaraderie with which many Winterfolk great them. When a certain scarred Thule warlock - the eyes and ears of the Dragons in Sermersuaq - is asked for an explanation she merely replies that the Thule have their own tales of the lakeshifters, and so are always careful to treat them with courtesy.

The hylje keep their own counsel, commenting only that their people do not live only in Sermersuaq. They refuse to be drawn more on this topic - and after all, are there not ''much'' more pressing matters at hand?
===Before Olgafsdottirshal===
Pressing indeed. During the Summer Solstice, the heroes of the Empire ventured through the [[Sentinel Gate]] to tray and [[In_good_company#Push_and_Shove_.28Battle.29|rouse the earth itself]] against the Jotun [[fortification]] in [[Sermersuaq#Tanikipari|Tanikipari]]. They were unfortunately unsuccessful in their attempt to trigger a series of tremors that would have delayed the completion of the great fortification of ''Olgafsdottirshal''. Consequently, the alliance must face not one but ''two'' great bastions of Jotun stonework if they are to drive the western orcs out of Sermersuaq completely.

During their domination of Sermersuaq, the Jotun have not been idle. Under the guidance of Igya Olgafsdottir - champion, eldest child of the powerful Jarl of Tromsa, and respected advisor of the Queen of Kalsea - two immense bastions of [[white granite]] have been built. Finally completed in the first days after the Summer Solstice, Olgafsdottirshal in [[Sermersuaq#Tanikipari|Tanikipari]] now matches the majesty of the Fortress of Kalant in [[Sermersuaq#Stark|Stark]]. The orc armies rally around these great citadels, ready for the final defence of the last land they still control in Wintermark. Each citadel is easily a match for two entire Imperial armies when it comes to defending the Jotun claim, even without their garrisons being supplemented by warriors and champions. As the Marchers say, though, "''the job that never gets started takes forever to finish''." The alliance armies gather, regroup on the cold plains of Tanikipari, and begin the assault against Olgafsdottirshal.

The Green Shield lead the way, they know that the hero's tale ends with a good death and they are ready to pay with their lives if they must. Famed throughout Wintermark for their heroic deeds, their presence alone has turned the tide of battle more than once. Their spirit remains undiminished in the face of the great stone walls of Olgafsdottirshal; their hearts sing with the opportunity to attempt impossible deeds in the name of driving their enemy from Sermersuaq. The Winterfolk warriors seek out every opportunity to face the strongest enemy troops, and the most defended positions. They issue challenges to the Jotun champions and meet them in furious battle, seeking to break their will and rout them through force of will as much as might of arms. Their risky tactics are effective at pushing the Jotun defenders, but they pay a heavy price for their [[Army qualities#Glorius|triumphant charge]].

The Drakes are barely a step behind the Green Shield. They, too, seek victory at any price. Where the Jotun are at their strongest, there too are the Drakes, attempting to smash through their positions and scatter the orc warriors. As with the Green Shield, they pay a great price for their courage. Yet it also pays off - it is the Drakes who finally breach the gates of Olgafsdottirshal, in the second week of the siege. Alongside the Green Shield, the two armies are the first to fight the orcs inside the great citadel, holding the gate against the Jotun attempts to close it again, and allowing their allies - Imperial and Thule alike - to overwhelm the defenders.

Olgafsdottirshal falls. The garrison fights until the bitter end, holding the Imperials for as long as possible. There are great deeds of heroism on both sides - and not only from the orcs themselves. Fifty yegarra under the banner of Eisa Winterborn hold the warriors of the Bloodcloaks and the Bounders at bay for four hours during the height of the siege, defending a narrow hall against everything thrown against them. They are overwhelmed in the end, but in the time they hold that passage several hundred thralls and injured Jotun are able to escape through an underground passage to the safety of the Fortress of Kalant.

Not all the thralls escape. As before the Thule warriors of the Shard of Winter hang back a little from the fighting, and make it clear that their focus is less on fighting the Jotun and more on taking their wealth - white granite used to reinforce Olgafsdottirshal, orichalcum and weltsilver... and nearly a hundred thrall masons brought in to complete the citadel. Once it is clear what the Thule are doing, there are angry rumblings among the Imperial soldiers. The orcs make no apology for what they are doing. Keya Prityanka, General of the Shard of Winter, sneers at those who dare to question her, and point out that even if her warriors are not engaging the Jotun to the fullest, that is more than made up for by those fighters brought from the Citadel of Ice and Bone who fight alongside the other Thule armies. Her words do little to quell Imperial anger as the thralls are lead away by blue-cloaked Thule.

===At the Fortress of Kalant===
There is little time for recrimination however. There is still a ''second'' fortification to conquer. Even with the [[Spring magic]] flowing through the territory, there are hundreds of alliance soldiers who will not fight again. Nearly a thousand Jotun bodies are left in the battlefield that is Olgafsdottirshal - but the fortification itself still stands. It will take several weeks of work, but the great castle is now in the hands of the Empire, and will provide significant defence against any future Jotun attempt to claim Tanikipari.

Little time for recrimination, and no time for rest. Tired soldiers have a single night to regroup and mourn the fallen, before the alliance breaks camp. As thunder rolls, and lightning flashes, and the wind whips the freezing rain into a furor, the armies march south to Stark, and the Fortress of Kalant. They are hot on the heels of the survivors of Olgafsdottirshal - they make only a token effort to slow the alliance armies as they head for the safety of the fortress in Stark. Built practically on the shores of lake Lansipari, the Fort of Kalant stands almost on the very border with [[Skallahn]]. The approach is marked by scattered engagements, but the Jotun are always falling back, making it difficult to pin them down. That does not mean there are not furious fights however. Yanya Uranduln, champion and leader of the Howling Bears, launches a surprise twilight attack alongside a cohort of warriors from the Bear Who Swims army that seeks to scatter the Bounders and destroy their supplies, but thanks to warning from the ''hylje'' the attack is turned back with minimal casualties on the Imperial side - but with Yanya Uranduln seriously injured. Spring magic will save their life, but they will never forget the sharp-eyed Marcher beater who shot out their eye with an arrow just as the sun was setting.

The next morning, the Fortress of Kalant comes into sight and there is more than one soldier who balks at the challenge ahead... but as the dawn breaks it brings with it a second, brighter sun. A rare break in the thunder clouds that have darkened the sky for the last month lets the sun shine through, and creates the illusion of a wall of golden light rising to meet the alliance forces.

The knights and yeofolk of Dawn have arrived.

Crossing the entire breadth of the Empire, the [[Golden Sun]] are here to fight alongside the Winterfolk, and the Marchers and the orcs of Otkodov. They are no less tired than the soldiers who brought down Tanikipari, but their appearance alone raises the spirits of the Imperial warriors. Thanks to [[Autumn magic]], the great host of the Golden Sun will help to bring down the final refuge of the Jotun invaders. The cheer that greets their arrival drowns out the first thunder of the day as the tempest resumes, and the torrential rain does little to dampen the spirits of the Imperial warriors as they begin the approach to the Fortress of Kalant.

All the remaining Jotun forces in Sermersuaq are gathered here. Even with the garrison of Stark it seems that they are greatly outnumbered by the alliance forces arrayed against them. Barely ten thousand Jotun warriors remain in Sermersuaq, and even with almost the same again in champions and their warbands, the alliance still outnumbers them two to one. But the Jotun have a castle, and the alliance is fatigued, and that may be enough to make a difference. For three days the siege continues, with the alliance unable to breach the walls of Kalant, and the Jotun unable to decisively break the spirit of their attackers.

On the fourth day, though, everything changes and the end begins. The Jaw of Winter's Lightning propose a strategy, and the commanders of the Green Shield and the Drakes concur. A daring push allows the Imperial armies to capture the ground in front of the immense white granite gatehouse, and to hold it for long enough for three Thule warlocks to unleash [[Rising Roots that Rend Stone|devastating magic]] against the doors. They are torn apart by the [[Spring magic|power of Spring]], the Jotun defending the walls are taken by surprise, and the fall of Kalant begins.

Within an hour of the gates being opened, the Jotun know it is over. They retreat, abandoning the castle to the Empire, giving ground in an effort to preserve as many of their own troops as possible. The garrison fights to secure their escape, but it is a lost cause. As the sun drops behind the mountains to the west, the last of the defenders falls and Kalant belongs to the alliance. The Shard of Winter again have been at pains to claim the wealth of the Fortress - along with several score more thralls unfortunately left behind in the chaos of the Jotun retreat.

By next morning, the Jotun forces have retreated into [[Skallahn#Iron_Stand|Iron Stand]] in Skallahn. There will no doubt be a handful of warbands who have not yet managed to get across the border, but there is now no significant Jotun force left in the territory; the last region of Sermersuaq under Jotun control has been retaken by the Empire. That just leaves one last region of Sermersuaq not under Imperial control...

===Aftermath===
As the magical tempest besetting the Empire slackens, the alliance takes stock. Sermersuaq is fully Imperial again. Both Olgafsdottirshal and the Fortress of Kalant are under Imperial control. Despite the ever present Spring magic, the alliance has lost perhaps fifteen hundred warriors. The Jotun lost many more than that, although a full accounting of the butcher's bill is impossible to tally. The alliance proposed by the Thule in Winter last year to drive the Jotun out of Sermersuaq seems to have ended in triumph.

But there is one final noteworthy incident, news of which reaches Anvil barely a week before the Autumn Equinox. The unnamed diplomat - she of the blue-and-blue pavilion - invites several of the Imperial commanders to accompany her to a particular ceremony. She reassures them they will be quite safe, and several choose to attend out of curiosity as much as anything else. The Thule armies are camped outside the Fortress of Kalant, still under its shadow but not within its walls. To the anger of several of the commanders, the Shard of Winter have gathered together all the thralls they captured during the fall of the two citadels. The frightened orcs huddle together, surrounded by warlocks in dark blue robes. Before anyone can ask any questions, a horn blows in the west and a group of fifty Jotun lead by a one-eyed godhi are spotted on the outskirts of the Thule encampment. The general of the Shard of Winter strides out to toward the Jotun, a single lone figure. The warlock and the godhi meet. There is a short discussion. Two Jotun warriors lay down a heavy looking ironbound chest before the warlock. The general does not bother to check it, merely raising their hand.

At that point, the thralls are roused by their captors and pushed through the Thule camp. They are unceremoniously released, and with many a fearful backward glance make their way over to where the Jotun force is camped. Then, all the orcs depart. The scarred diplomat watches all of this in impassive silence, and when she is done turns to the commanders who have come with her. "''The same thing will happen with the other thralls that we have taken in Sermersuaq,''" she says calmly, her eyes glinting. "''Be sure to tell the Ambassador what you have seen here, and your Senator for Ossium, and the General of the Bloodcloaks.''"

And then she thanks them for their time and returns to her sky-blue palanquin as the clouds break apart and the sun begins to shine in earnest on the plains of Sermersuaq for the first time in three months.

==Game Information==
As ever, the Wintermark armies fought in a manner that [[Wintermark_military_concerns#Army_Orders|encourages heroism rather than slaughter]], and everyone present in the campaign knows this to have been the case.

The Jotun have been driven entirely out of Sermersuaq, and the Empire now controls two additional rank two fortifications - Olgafsdottirshal in Tanikipari and the Fortress of Kalant in Stark.

==Lions and Song (Battle)==
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><box><big>'''Request for Volunteers'''</big><br>This event, we are seeking a group of volunteers to help monster for the Saturday battle who would not normally participate in playing and monstering battles. In this battle, they would be playing Thule warlocks, and you can find out more about the request on the [[384YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Request_for_Volunteers|Winds of War page]].</box></div>
* '''A desperate plea for assistance has been received from Rak Who-Speaks-For-The-Dragons-Undivided'''
* '''The Thule have outlawed slavery and released all their slaves to forestall any arguments against offering them aid on this basis'''
* '''A major conjunction has been identified to ''Jaelwif's Mound'' in Tanikipari, Sermersuaq'''

Shortly before the summit begins, several members of the civil service and the [[Ambassador to Otkodov]] receive hastily written [[Call Winged Messenger|winged messengers]] containing a plea for help from the Thule. It appears that the Jotun have gained the assistance of [[Hayaak]] and are intent on unleashing a warhost of heralds in service to [[Hayaak]], the Gryphon-King of the Summer against the Thule in Sermersuaq. Scores of warlocks, the dragons most prized servants, will be slaughtered if the Jotun succeed, mauling the Thule armies.

The Thule believe that the Jotun are seeking to punish them for allying with the Empire. Rak claims to detect the hand of the canny Jarl of Kierheim behind the maneuver - the Jotun are not angry that the Thule have allied with the Empire, but Ustigar is determined to raise the cost of that alliance so high that the Thule will be loathe to ever contemplate such a thing again. How the Jotun have gained the aid of Hayaak is a mystery to the Thule, but there is no question that it has happened.

In light of the residual political hostility towards the Thule, and to forestall any possibility of it being an issue, the Dragons have issued a decree outlawing slavery throughout Thule lands. All slaves have been released, and all remaining Imperial citizens, including any remaining Wintermark artisans, are being herded back over the border and will arrive within weeks. Rak's letters make it clear that this decree has already happened - it is not conditional on the Empire finding a way to save the Thule warlocks. He is blunt however, that having made such a magnanimous gesture, the Thule ''expect their allies to respond appropriately.''

According to the intelligence supplied by the Thule, the Jotun are making for a Summer regio close to the Hot Springs in Tanikipari. Unless they are stopped they will invoke the power of Hayaak to unleash the Hawk Lord's vengeance on the Thule. Imperial prognosticators have confirmed that there is a [[Sentinel_Gate#Major_Conjunctions|major conjunction]] of the [[Sentinel Gate]] during the Autumn Equinox that will allow Imperial heroes to travel to this location. Stopping the Jotun is an option... if the Empire want to save the Thule.

===Key Objective===
* '''Stop the Jotun from performing their ritual to save the Thule warlocks from being slaughtered by Hayaak's heralds'''
* '''If the ritual is performed, a thousand casualties will be inflicted on each of the Thule armies in the territory'''

The Imperial victory in Sermersuaq this season has been emphatic and decisive. The western orcs are falling back to [[Skallahn]]. With the Empire now holding all the regions in the territory as well as the newly expanded fortifications of Olgafsdottirshal and Kalant the war in the frozen wastes has reached an end. The Jotun have been decisively defeated and are falling back.

Even as they retreat however, they have found a way to carry out one last daring strike but not against the Empire. According to the intelligence, a veteran force of Jotun kirkja and hundreds of human yegarra are making swift progress towards the huge Thule encampment at Vankileiri south of the Hot Springs in Tanikipari. Spurred on by roaring heralds of the Gryphon King, the Jotun are attempting to perform a ritual to allow a host of Hayaak's warlike heralds to issue forth to bring retribution down upon the Thule.

The camp contains a significant number of warlocks, along with healers, surgeons and other important figures. They are well behind the front lines and there are not enough guards to defeat the Hawk Lords' forces. If Hayaak's heralds are released, they will slaughter everyone they catch there slaughtering hundreds and reducing the military strength of each Thule army in Sermersuaq by a thousand. All the warlocks, the favoured servants of the Thule dragons, will be butchered.

If the Empire wishes to prevent their new ally from being massacred by Hayaak's heralds, they will need to stop the ritual being performed for an hour to allow the Thule to bring up enough troops to protect their camp. Any method that prevents the Jotun using the ritual during that time will work; holding the regio, [[Wind_of_Mundane_Silence|destroying it]], killing the Jotun ritualists, or simply taking all their ritual paraphernalia off them. However [[Align_the_Celestial_Net|realigning the regio]] won't be sufficient by itself to stop the Jotun as they will have enough magicians to turn it back.

===Battlefield Opportunities===

====Recover the Spear of Bounty from Allok Surefoot====
* '''Defeat Allok Surefoot and capturing the Spear of Bounty will create an opportunity to improve relations with Hayaak if the Spear is returned to him'''

Allok Surefoot is a renowned ghodi who has already defeated the Empire once to claim the Spear of Bounty. The ceremonial weapon is needed for the ritual, so Allok is sure to be on the battlefield somewhere. Defeating the ghodi will remove a charismatic leader from the Jotun's ranks, but will also provide an opportunity to claim the weapon. Capturing the Spear won't now prevent Hayaak's support for the Jotun but if the Empire is able to return the Spear to the Hawk Lord then it will lay the ground-work for improving their own relations with the testy eternal.

====Kill Eisa Winterborn or Yanya Uranduln====
* '''Killing Eisa Winterborn or Yanya Uranduln's will cause their elite unit to withdraw to Skallahn. They will not return to fighting the Empire for two seasons'''

Eisa Winterborn and Yanya Uranduln have been a thorn in the Empire's side throughout the campaign in Sermersuaq helping [[382YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Pyre_.28Sermersuaq.29|to conquer the hot springs of Taniki]] and [[383YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#Hidden_Turnings|destroying the western end of Pakanaan's Pass]]. The Empire has had opportunities [[In_good_company#Champions_of_the_West|to kill the Jotun heroes before]] but they are experienced warriors who have proved too much for the Empire's heroes in the past. It is no suprise that Allok Surefoot has requested these two groups escort him and his ritual team to the regio.

Both are renowned heroes of the Jotun and each leads a sizeable warband, under the Walrus Banner and the Banner of the Howling Bear respectively. These warbands are akin to Imperial military units, able to move quickly to support Jotun armies, fighting wherever they are needed most. Between them, the two champions command a force with with an effective strength equivalent to nearly half an Imperial army. If either of them were slain, their warband would withdraw from the campaign. They are held together by the heroic charisma of their - they will be absent from the war with the Empire for at least six months while they find a new leader.

If either of the pair make it back alive they will regroup in Skallahn and look to recruit new warriors. If they are successful in supporting Alok and taking revenge on the Thule, then their names will be etched into legend and the ranks of their warbands will swell in size, making them even more dangerous in the coming seasons.

====Rescue the Thule Warlocks====
* '''Rescue a group of Thule Warlocks'''
* '''Treat their injuries before moving them to safety'''

A group of Thule warlocks were performing rituals at the regio, casting Summer enchantments on the Dragon's champions when the Jotun's advanced scouts arrived. They have been taken prisoner by the Jotun, and some of them have been badly wounded in the fighting. If the Empire has the time and the inclination, they may be able to mount a rescue to recover the prisoners and help them make their way to safety. Any rescue party will need to include some skilled surgeons - the Thule will need their wounds binding before they can flee. The Empire would need to escort them to the edge of the battlefield near the Sentinel Gate for them to get safely away.

==To Find Again (Conjunction)==
* '''There is a conjunction to Avointaivas in Stark that presents an opportunity to recover a lost relic of Wintermark'''
* '''The Mystics of Ishal have tasked the ''Champion of Wintermark'' with arranging a group to recover the lost relic'''

At midnight, precisely one week before the gathering in Anvil, several of the Seers of Ishal are awoken by a vision that speaks of the return of Tuuli's Eye to Wintermark. The simple piece of jewellery was commissioned at the behest of Emperor Guntherm for the honoured mystic Tuuli Tomorroweye in preparation for the ill-fated advance into Skallahn. Tales say that it was possessed of magical qualities that gave [[Circlet_of_Falling_Snow| clarity of mind and clear thought]], such that Tuuli's gift of foresight could be drawn upon, even in the most pressing of times. According to old skops in Skymark, Tuuli fell during the retreat from the Jotun's lands, and presumably, the brooch was lost there.

The Seers of Ishal have called on the [[Crown_of_Three_Tears#As_the_Crown_of_Wintermark|Champion of Wintermark]], to arrange a group of heroes to try to recover the relic. The mystics say all the signs point to Avointaivas in Stark and it must be fated for a conjunction to the site is soon located. Avointaivas is one of the few areas of woodland in western Stark and a potential place to which the warbands of the Jotun have fled as they return west following their defeat this season. As such, precautions must be taken for any orcs discovered there might well be predisposed to escaping with their lives.

==Borderline (Conjunction)==
* '''The raid on Skallahn was a triumph, but one group of Wintermark raiders are being pursued back to the border by a dread creature'''
* '''A conjunction to the Flat Hills in Stark, provides an opportunity to intercept the pursuers before they can catch up with the raiders'''
* '''The civil service suggest that the ''Senator for Sermersuaq'' is best placed to arrange a party to intercept the creature before it can wreak havoc'''

The [[Under_heaven|raid on Skallahn]] was a resounding success with the most of those who went returning laden with wealth taken from the Jotun. One group have not yet returned however, Yanti of Storm Runner's Hall and the dozen who went with him were counted among the missing, presumed fallen to a Jotun axe or spear. Few shed a tear for Yanti, some of those from his hall had a bad reputation for having maggot's fingers on the battlefield...

Now it seems that the Thane at least has somehow survived. There are claims he is being pursued, chased by angry Jotun... and by something more... ominous. The rumours are strange, but it seems that whatever is chasing the Thane is tracking him unerringly across the tundra and the ice, neither deviating or pausing from its cause. Wild gossip abounds, of a man as tall as an ogre but dressed in a harness of plate that covers him from head to toe. There are whispers of trolls, those ancient people who once ruled the north, but who are surely long gone. Whatever is pursuing Yanti, it has certainly got tongues wagging.

The Thane was last sighted running towards the Flat Hills in Stark. While not everyone will feel they have to risk their own life to safe Yanti, there is the obvious question of whatever is pursuing him. Whatever this strange creature is, it bodes ill for Sermersuaq for something to be coming out of the West accompanied by a full warband of Jotun warriors, so soon after the Jotun have been driven out. Thus the civil service have asked the [[Senator]] for [[Sermersuaq]] to arrange for a group of heroes to travel to the Flat Hills, to rescue Yanti from whatever is pursuing him and to force this creature and its Jotun companions to turn back.

==Sore Point for a Sick Man (Conjunction)==
* '''One of the Jotun leaders, Jarl Snekmar, has remained in Sermersuaq, attacking any settlements he can find'''
* '''He has issued a challenge to the ''General of the Bloodcloaks'' to send warriors to fight him'''
* '''He has asked her to include a score of Imperial Orcs among the ranks of her warband'''
* '''There is a conjunction to Kilpailuala Bay, in Tanikipari, close to where he was last sighted'''

The victory of the Empire over the Western orcs this season comes with both elation and deep sorrow. Joy for the three peoples of Wintermark in freeing their folk and recovering their lost land, a great sadness for those who can no longer gather round the fire to share tales and daring deeds. For those Jotun who survive there is only sadness, a stark reality that they have fought the Empire and lost. Those who have made the journey to meet Ulven, Skjaldi and the other great ancestors are the lucky ones. When the orders come through to pull back, those who survived are forced to swallow their defeat, and dream of battles tomorrow.

One Jotun warrior, Jarl Snekmar, Roarer of Ulven, has refused to accept that his attempt to cross the Howling Abyss is over. Some of his warband have already passed from this life but the Jarl and those who survive are bitter not to have found the end they were hoping for. Rather than return to Skallahn as ordered, the Jarl has halted the westward march of his host and made a camp on the open headlands above ''Kilpailuala Bay'' in Tanikipari. From there his warband have launched daring raids on nearby halls, attacking anyone they can find who will take up arms against them. While the Jarl now broods, a message has been sent to the victorious Wintermark forces.

<ic>I, Jarl Snekmar, Roarer of Ulven, call on the General of the Bloodcloaks to honour me! I Jarl Snekmar, Brother of Sjöfn, call on the Orcs of the Scar to honour your ancestors! Face me in a final battle. Our forces shall clash under the stars, the skies will drink in our blood! Let Ulven witness the end of this war! May the ancestors take heed of our actions, and welcome all who perish on this field. May the ravens of Raðljóst feast on the dead! May Sjöfn drown our enemies in our blood!</ic>

Clarifications on what the Jarl means are quick to come. The Jarl and his warriors are determined to die, if they cannot have their lands in Sermersuaq back, they will join the ancestors over the Howling Abyss. They accept the war is over, but they are determined that it must end with blood on the ice, so that the ancestors can be pleased and see that the Jotun have fought well.

It seems Jarl Snekmar and his warriors will accept nothing less than death. Oddly, the Jarl is also "demanding" that the General send Imperial Orcs ("Orcs of the Scar") to fight him - though why he would request them is unknown. It seems to be important to him that they are there to witness his death in some way. Either way someone must go out to face them - to honour them with a final battle - otherwise it seems the Jarl and his warband will kill every Wintermarker they can find in Sermersuaq until ''someone'' gives him the release from life he craves.

Given and denied

2023-04-13T22:29:53Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

[[Category:Recent History]] [[Category:384YE Spring]] [[Category:Military Council]]
<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Wintermark Shout.jpg|caption=The heroes of Wintermark are eager to engage the Jotun and take back Sermersuaq.|align=left|width=600}}</div>
==Locking Up the Sun==
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Lofyn Blood-cloak, General of the Bloodcloaks">Blood Cloaks, Bold and Loyal heroes of the Empire. An Oath I swore for you. An Oath I keep. March with me, fight beside me again on Sermersuaq's glittering field. The long campaign to retake our home is underway at last. You have shown loyalty to our allies, courage to our foes, pride to one another. Virtue is true and strong in the Empire and your is rewarded with Imperial Arms.</quote></div>
{{Audio|link=https://youtu.be/xV_sNy7LR5E}}
It's been the best part of a year since Imperial armies fought in Sermersuaq. In the weeks following the Winter Solstice, four generals direct their forces to gather at Atalaq, in Sealtoq. The [[Imperial Orcs]] of the [[Summer Storm]], the [[The Marches|Marcher]] [[Drakes]], the [[Bloodcloaks]], and the [[Green Shield]] of [[Wintermark]]. There's a kind of grim determination in the air as the armies come together, especially from the Winterfolk.

Along with the armies themselves come nearly fourteen thousand warriors from warbands lead by [[military unit|independent captains]], the majority of them fighting alongside the Bloodcloaks. This season, the newest Wintermark army is entwined with the power of [[Autumn magic]] - while the lion's share of the heroes fighting alongside the physicks and healers are Winterfolk themselves there are representatives of many other Imperial nations especially Dawn, Navarr, and the Brass Coast. [[Bound by Common Cause|Bound by a common cause]], the enchantment that infuses the army makes it easier for these soldiers to fight alongside the Winterfolk, and makes it easier for them to adopt the customs they need to survive in the cold of Sermersuaq. It becomes common to see a flash of bright tabard beneath a warm fur-and-leather coat, or the spark of a vibrant tagelmust peeking out from beneath a heavy Suaq hat.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Tomoreh Galdramathur, General of the Jaws of Winter's Lightning">We are the blessed of the Five-Who-Are-One. We are their talons as they strike against the Jotun, alongside the warriors of the south. We shall turn the thunderous breath of the Terrible Gyre against the foe, and deafen our enemies with the incantations of storm and fury.</quote></div>
There's another presence here that raises a few eyebrows, quite apart from the visitors from the distant south. Even those familiar with the recent [[Ratify_treaty_with_Thule_Winter_383YE|treaty]] are a little taken aback when a scarred Thule warlock and her attendants appear and set up camp just out of bow's reach of the walls of Atalaq. There's no suggestion they fear attack; the placement of their tents simply seems to be a manifestation of peculiar Thule politeness. She meets with the generals and captains in her blue-and-blue pavilion, and when the armies begin to move she accompanies them in a leather-and-fur palanquin carried by two burly orcs in cobalt masks who seem unaffected by the Winter chill. Before the Imperial armies leave Atalaq, she conjures three irrigo lizard-owls that spiral up into the cold grey skies, and then arrow off to the north-east.

The Empire's armies cross into East Floes. The Jotun defenders are ready for them, putting up a spirited defence of the halls they have conquered and the walled camps they have established across the tundra. As the Winterfolk armies sweep east between the lakes, the Drakes and the Summer Storm press south. There is particularly fierce fighting on the shores of the lake around Wreck, where the Jotun have forced Suaq thralls to begin laying the foundations for another fortification. On the same day that the armed camp falls, a Navarr messenger reaches the Summer Storm that the Jotun have made good on their promise, and sealed the western end of Pakaanan's Pass. Passage between Sermersuaq and Skarsind is now closed.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Zerk, General of the Summer Storm">An Imperial Orc's life is Sacrifice; For legion, For Home, For the Empire. We go now to lay down our lives to help the Nation who gave us our home retake theirs. Shoulder to Shoulder, Shields overlapped. We face the enemy as one.</quote></div>

Suaq scouts report that the two armies responsible for the destruction - Torrfyr Blood-drunk's armoured warriors of the Shield of the Mountain and the Skjalderborn lead by the Queen of Kalsea's favoured champion Jorgan Hylasson - have come down out of the mountains and are cautiously making their way north-east. They are sticking to the shores of the lake, giving as wide a berth as possible to the foothills of the Silver Peaks. As well they might. As the two Imperial forces meet up, the Thule finally strike.

As the sun rises, the waters of ''Big Sister'' and ''Little Brother'' sparkle and dance. Everyone can feel the magic taking hold as a wave of enchantment flows down from the mountains and spreads across the plains of Sermersuaq faster than the wind. Everyone feels a burst of vitality, as the [[Rivers of Life]] begin to flow. At the same time, a thunderous brazen horn rings out from the north, louder than thunder, clearly not the work of any mundane horn, and the Thule join the battle for Sermersuaq, crashing down on the Skjalderborn and the Shield of the Mountain from the north as the Imperials surge forward to attack them from the rear.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Myrcerud Ferdied, General of the Chasm of Thunder">We fight again alongside the Imperial humans, and this time the orcs of Skarsind are our allies also. In the name of the Five, we shall create an iron net and allow none of the red fish to slip through it.</quote></div>
The fighting is brutal; the Empire may be more interested in conquest than killing but the Shield of the Mountain at least intend to make their enemies pay for every foot they are forced to retreat. The Thule move a little cautiously, testing out not only the Jotun resolve but also the strength of their alliance with the Imperial forces beside which they fight. For three days there are running battles along the shores of the northernmost lake, as Torrfyr Blood-drunk and Jorgan Hylasson try desperately to get to their rendezvous with the main Jotun force.

The retreat sees heavy engagement with the warbands lead by independent Jotun champions, including the Yegarra under the walrus banner of Eisa WInterborn, and the aggressive warriors of the Howling Bears. While the main armies keep to the flat land south of the peaks, the champions are more manoeuvrable and able to flank Imperial and Thule forces - but they are matched by the independent Imperial captains bound by common cause with the Bloodcloaks.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Iron Osric, General of the Green Shield">Heroes of the Green Shield army. For many seasons now we have fought to defend the homes of our fellow citizens. Now we return to Sermersuaq to liberate our kin from the yoke of the Jotun, and in time return their home to them. We face a fierce and numerous enemy for this cause, and that makes us heroes. For now our business is North. Forth the Green Shield Army!</quote></div>
At the end of the third day, along the northern borders of East Floes where the lakes give way to the endless tundra of Suaq Fount, the Skjalderborn and the Shield of the Mountain turn and plant their feet. Behind them rises a crimson wall of roaring Jotun their voices raised in a hymn of battle - the rest of Sermersuaq's defenders have arrived.

==Battle of the Three Armies==
The Jotun are in a difficult position. They cannot easily defend East Floes in the face of the Thule alliance with the Imperials, and they must know it. But their honour demands that they at least try to hold against the forces arrayed against them. The two sides are almost matched, but the presence of the Imperial captains massively shifts the odds in favour of the Empire. The two largest armies on the Imperial side - the Summer Storm and the Banner of the Rime Hound - form the solid core of the Imperial push and they are met by the equally massive force of the Fell Hammers and the Skjalderborn, the latter's ranks still swollen by the champions of the western orcs.
<div style="float:right; width: 450px; clear: right;"><quote by="Hoosfa Mek, General of the Banner of the Rime Hound">Gather the hounds, for at last we hunt! We shall test our fangs and our claws against the steel hearts of the Jotun, as our ancestors did! Let their red cloaks lie in pools of blood, crimson against the snow!</quote></div>

As the two massive forces clash, the Banner of the Rime Hound unleash a trio of war rhinos from within their ranks. These living siege engines crush everything in their path, guided by warlocks empowered with echoing roars that bind their enemies in inescapable chains, leaving them unable to escape the thundering charge of the great furred beasts. The Thule army does not rely solely on the rhinos; packs of lean white-blue furred wolf-hounds battle alongside the orc soldiers, their razor-sharp jaws rending arms and legs whenever they find a loose chink in the armour of their Jotun prey.

The Western orcs are outnumbered; the large number of independent captains fighting alongside the Bloodcloaks alone are by themselves essentially a match for any two of the Jotun armies. The orcs are not suicidal; after it becomes clear they cannot hold East Floes they slowly cede ground. They have rescued the forces of Jorgan Hylasson and Torrfyr Blood-Drunk and must be satisfied with that slightly hollow victory. The slow Imperial advance soon gathers momentum; while the Jotun never break they are forced to retreat again and again until they are finally driven away from the lakes and out onto the open plains.
<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Imperial Heroes.jpg|caption=The Imperial Orcs are fighting alongside the orcs of Otkodov for the first time.|align=left|width=400}}</div>
Neither the Empire nor the Thule rest on their laurels; they continue to harry the Jotun, pushing towards the grand glacier of Ikka's Tears.

==No End, No Beginning==
The Empire's liberation of Suaq Fount is slow, but steady. The Chasm of Thunder drops behind, consolidating gains in East Floes and then following the main advance out onto the tundra. Their grinding advance allows the Imperial soldiers and the other two Thule armies to focus on pushing the Jotun, rather than dealing with the scattered garrisons of en-thralled settlements.

As the campaign grinds on, it becomes clear that some of the Jotun seem to be focusing their attention in turn - on the Thule and on the Imperial Orcs. The orcs of the Shield of the Mountain in particular seem to relish every opportunity to face their fellow orcs in battle. The tenor of these encounters are subtly different. Against the Imperial Orcs they seem to revel in the sheer physicality of battle, treating the orcs of Skarsind almost like respected rivals rather than hated enemies. There is much mention of Sjöfn of the Bittenblade by those who fight the Summer Storm, and many of those who were with the legion when [[380YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#Game_Information|they first heard the voice of the Jotun ancestor]] report hearing her voice echoing triumphantly in their heads urging them to conquer their foes and, if they cannot, to embrace a glorious death in battle. The Thule receive no such respect, however. In the clash there are shouted accusations of dishonourable behaviour. The Shield of the Mountain see the Thule's decision to side with the Empire against the Jotun as a strategy driven by greed. A greed they will neither forget nor forgive any time soon. For their part, the Thule seem untroubled by the anger of the Jotun.

Another notable conflict quickly develops between those who fight beneath the walrus banner of Eisa Winterborn, the human champion, and the heroes among the Winterfolk. She and her fellow Yegarra seek every chance to face Winterfolk warriors away from the main clash of battle, warband to warband, and seem to take particular pride in beating the Suaq. There are some signs that those under the walrus banner might be the descendants of Suaq taken as thralls by the Jotun long ago - raised among the western orcs in Tromsa and Skallahn and choosing to fight alongside them rather than live as hunters and fisherfolk. Eisa herself is nearly caught by the Suaq but manages to escape; even after this near brush with death she seems almost foolhardy in her drive to challenge the people of Wintermark.
==Diamonds for Tears==
As the campaign grinds on it becomes clearer and clearer that the Jotun cannot hold against the Imperials and their allies. A group of dour Marcher beaters among the Drakes capture a Jotun messenger who reveals that the expected support from the garrisons of Olgafsdottirshal and the Fastness of Kalant - the fortifications in Tanikipari and Stark - are long overdue. With their aid, the Jotun might have been able to hold their enemies in the southern part of the Fount. Without them...

As the Spring Equinox approaches, the Jotun armies pull back to the foot of the great glacier and the Pride of Ikka's Tears. it seems that it is here they will make their stand. There are signs that the mine is operating again - the Jotun having cleared the destruction caused by the [[383YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Iron|daring raid]] launched after the Summer Solstice 383YE, and dealt with the disruption the Imperial heroes left in their wake. There are again signs that the Jotun are in the early stages of attempting to fortify the mine - land cleared and foundations in the process of being laid - but for the time being there are only simple palisades supplemented by a small number of stone walls. Yet, with their backs metaphorically against the wall, the Jotun make another stand and this time they are able to hold the Empire. They cannot reverse their gains, but they can prevent them taking back the westernmost parts of the tundra - and reclaiming the mithril mine. Keen-eyed Kallavesi warriors report that the Jotun are moving the mithril by well-guarded caravan into the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Wastes|Suaq Wastes]] while their armies hold the mine itself.

The two great armies regroup, seeing two armed camps pitched in the shadow of the vast glacier. Roughly two thousand soldiers fighting to free Sermersuaq - both Imperial and Thule - are dead, or lost, or wounded badly enough they will never fight again. Estimates suggest around the same number of Jotun warriors are likewise casualties of the campaign into Sermersuaq. Without the enchantment laid over the territory by the Thule, the loss of life would have been significantly higher. The Empire has liberated East Floes, and the Jotun are hanging on to Suaq Fount only by their fingertips... but hanging on they are. The relief of Sermersuaq has begun... but it is only the beginning. There is still a great deal more work to be done.
<div style="float:right; width: 600px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sermersuaq Region Map.png|caption=A very rough region map of Sermersuaq|align=right|width=600}}</div>

==Game Information==
The Empire has liberated East Floes, and is four-fifths of the way toward conquering Suaq Fount. As always when facing the Jotun, the Wintermark armies have fought in a way that [[Wintermark_military_concerns#Army_Orders|encourages heroism rather than slaughter]]. Their ability to conquer territory was increased, and the casualties they inflicted were reduced as were those of the military units fighting alongside them.

Due to an admin error, we left the presence of the two fortifications mentioned in the Wind of War - Olgafsdottirshal and the Fortress of Kalant - off the report that is used for [[Eyes of the Sun and Moon]]. As such, we decided not to include the strength of those two castles in the calculations to determine the outcome of the campaign. We've provided an in-character explanation in the form of powerful blizzards. Sometimes the Jotun players have a bad event and their Winds of Fortune cause ''them'' trouble for a change ;)

Following the Winter Solstice, the Jotun completed their plan to collapse the western end of Pakaanan's Pass. As such it is no longer possible to move armies through the pass between Sermersuaq and Skarsind. We've updated the ''Strategic Considerations'' sections of the territories to reflect this. This also caused the destruction of the [[Skarsind_spoils_of_war#The_Clattering_Gulley|Clattering Gulley]] and the [[Skarsind#Krampushall|Krampushal]]. What this will mean for the Krampus is unclear; the Wintermark egregores may have a better idea.

==Earthquake Weather (Battle Opportunity)==
In the last quiet days before the Spring Equinox, a small group of warlocks from the Jaws of Winter's Lightning invite several of their Imperial peers to meet with them. Their leader - a female orc in red mage armour with a staff topped with a fist-sized crimson jewel - has a proposal for the Imperials. For the Military Council really. A proposal that concerns the Fastness of Kalant and Olgafsdottirshal.

One of the reasons the campaign against the Jotun has been so successful has been that the allied forces were able to avoid their fortifications. Some of the Suaq hunters come from the western regions have already confirmed that Stark, Tanikipari, and the Suaq Wastes have been gripped in a terrible blizzard for several months, no doubt explaining the lack of support by the garrisons there. The blizzard is over now; together the two castles represent strength at least comparable to another Jotun army in Sermersuaq. The Thule believe that these fortifications could also serve as the perfect "anchor points" from which the unpredictable ''[[Cathan Canae|Ice Dragon]]'' could provide her powerful boons to the Jotun.

With the problem of these forts in mind, the warlock reveals that the Empire is truly honoured. The Destroyer - Tathenon the Gyre - has focused their attention on Sermersuaq. They have proposed a scheme which might help to deal with one or both of the fortifications if the Empire is interested. During the Spring Equinox, the warlocks of the Jaws of Winter's Lightning can channel the power of the Five-Who-Are-One, using a suitable regio. All the Empire will need to do is provide an escort to such a ''regio'', one aligned with the power of Summer. Once in position, the Five Themselves would rouse the bones of the earth and inflict catastrophic damage on the fortification chosen by the Military Council. The Thule themselves do not care if it is the Fastness of Kalant or Olgafsdottirshal that is destroyed.

In a calm voice, as if discussing the weather, the crimson warlock declares that with a single ritual the Five will annihilate one of the fortifications completely, depending on which one would suit the Imperial plan in Sermersuaq best. She seems particularly keen to make the Imperial magicians understand the implications of this - she barely bothers to conceal her subtext. That the Thule have sufficient ritual magic to annihilate an entire fortification should they so wish. The clear implication is that what the Thule can wield against the Jotun...

Either way. The Thule have even located a suitable regio at '''Pyhatunturi''' in the Suaq Wastes. The only problems being that it is not going to be possible for Thule warriors to get close enough in anything like sufficient force to provide their own escort, and that the Jotun are already ''using'' that regio. The ''Yegarra'' under the walrus banner of Eisa Winterborn are garrisoned near the regio, and will no doubt provide fierce resistance to Imperial attempts to tamper with it. It also seems that it is one of the main resources being used by the Ice Dragon to provide support to the Jotun in Sermersuaq; there are likely to be heralds of the Summer realm there and perhaps even some Summerborn orcs.
<div style="float:left; width: 750px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Army of Wintermark.jpg|caption=Now we return to Sermersuaq to liberate our kin from the yoke of the Jotun!|align=left|width=750}}</div>
Imperial forces will need to provide an escort to the location, defend it while the Five-Who-Are-One raise and direct their magic, and then make sure everyone gets off the battle safely. Or not, as the Imperial generals decide.

The Civil Service have confirmed the presence of a major conjunction of the Sentinel Gate to the vicinity of Pyhatunturi and communicated the location to General Tomoreh Galdramathu. They have also provided an assurance that they will also inform the general if the Military Council have declined the opportunity so that the Thule can get their small force to safety should the Empire choose to go elsewhere.
==On Ikka's Trail (Conjunction)==
* '''The opportunity to intercept orcs carrying mithril from Pride of Ikka's Tears has been identified'''
* '''Rakner Ravenstorm of Stormspire, the Warden of the Great Raid, has been asked to intercept the Jotun'''
The actions of Wintermark military captains in the summer of 383YE saw the Jotun's mine workings under the great glacier attacked and pillaged. The surprise action left the western barbarians in disarray and disrupted the mining operations there for two seasons. It now appears the Jotun have repaired the damage and further reinforced the approaches to the mine, preventing any such repeat of the great raid. Yet, the undertaking by brave Wintermarkers has evidently resonated with at least a small number of thralls still working the mine, inspiring them to commit small acts of sabotage and slow down the effective working of the mine. Civil servants have received word from Ikka's Tears that last week a group of Suaq thralls engineered a small rockfall in one of the drift mine access tunnels, dropping the floor out and plunging a shipment of ore down into an icy crevasse. Unbeknownst to the orcs overseeing the mine, other thralls were ready in the crevasse below and were able to spirit away the ore into the network of caves beneath the foot of the glacier. Now all that is needed is a distraction to lure a Jotun force further down the '''Ikka's Trail''', buying the thralls time to move the ore out of the caves and away across the tundra.

'''Success and Failure:''' Should a successful intervention be staged on the moraine trail below the tongue of Ikka's Tears then four wains of mithril will be spirited out of the mines from under the noses of the Jotun and to the advancing Imperial armies. This production would have been claimed by the Jotun operating the mine and would likely have gone to supporting their armies, instead it will be provided to Raknar Ravenstorm of Stormspire, the Warden of the Great Raid.

'''Note:''' Whilst Raknar has been identified as the most appropriate choice to hold responsibility for ensuring this follow-up raid goes ahead, they do not hold an official Imperial title.

==Further Reading==
* [[384YE Spring Equinox winds of war|Winds of War]] for Spring 384YE
* [[Ratify_treaty_with_Thule_Winter_383YE|Thule peace treaty]] - The Winter 383YE treaty of alliance with the Thule

Construct the market town of New Dunhall

2023-04-13T22:28:36Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

[[Category:Senate Motion]][[Category:381YE Summer]]
__NOTOC__
<ic> To build a market town, New Dunhall, which will be a sinecure generating coin. This is to begin to rebuild after the catastrophic loss of Dunhearth Hall into the recent collapse.To be built near the ruins of Dunhall in Hahnmark, and to be looked over by the Caretaker of New Dunhall. Requires funds.<br><br>
<i>Proposed by Sermersuaq, Seconded by the Conscience. </i></ic>

===Overview===
* Passed at 30 Thrones.

===Date===
* Summer 381YE

===Progress===
* 20 wains of white granite and 40 crowns provided by Atte Arrow-Tongue Metsastajason after the Summer Solstice 381YE.

===Campaign Outcome===
* The market town will be complete by the time of the Autumn Equinox 381YE.
* The senator who raised the motion has indicated that the [[Caretaker of New Dunhall]] will be a Wintermark national appointment.

Research Apaayuqiu King

2023-04-13T22:27:39Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

[[Category:Senate Motion]][[Category:380YE Winter]]
__NOTOC__
<ic>I, Ioseph, the Minister for Historical Research authorise research into Apaayuqiu King Pre-Wintermark history in Sermersuaq area.

Particularly interested in a chain of bronze that marked her position as chief of chiefs.

This was apparently a follow on from Asenath of Felix Watch past life vision.

<br><i>Announced by the Minister for Historical Research</i></ic>
__NOTOC__
===Overview===
* Historical Research concerning this topic has been commissioned through the civil service
* Historical Research request approved by the [[Minister of Historical Research]] using the legal power to approve [[Historical research|historical research]] delegated to them by the Senate.

===Date===
* Winter 380YE

===Cost===
* 5 Thrones

===Progress===
* 5 Thrones provided by Ioseph of Phoenix Reach after Winter Solstice 380YE

===Campaign Outcome===
* Research reports will be compiled and presented to the Minister for Historical Research

Sermersuaq

2023-04-13T22:27:19Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

{{CaptionedImage|file=RegionsofSermersuaq.png|title=Rich forests, cold lakes and windswept tundra feed the people of Wintermark|caption=Regions of Sermersuaq|align=left|width=600}}
== Overview ==
Sermersuaq is the ancestral home of the [[Suaq]] people, taking its name from the legendary figure of the same name. The forests and tundra of this territory are rich with animal life that sustains the Winterfolk, ranging from great furred beasts to small game and hunting birds. The northern waters are home to seals and penguins, and full of fish and whales. As one travels further north, the land becomes colder and colder until a traveller comes to transient ice floes that mark the farthest extent of the land claimed by the Winterfolk. This fertile territory is under constant threat from both the [[Thule]] and the [[Jotun]] whose hunting parties also seek to exploit the profusion of life here, regularly engaging in skirmishes with the Winterfolk who live here.

Sermersuaq is notable for the interconnected freshwater lakes of Lansipari, Ittanpari, Atkonaroq, Sarda, Rikkivesi and the Eastern Floes. Deep and frigid, often dotted with chunks of floating ice in the coldest winters, perhaps half the area of Sermersuaq is made up of these frigid "inland seas." these massive waterways teem with fish and are said to be connected to each other by flooded underground passages and the lakes on [[Kallavesa]] and [[Hahnmark]]. Old stories speak of the lakes being "''carved by mountains''" in some fashion. There are many halls built along the shores of the lake who prosper through fishing and occasionally trading across the cool waters.

Beyond the ice floes is the wasteland of Tsirku, where the ground is permanently covered in snow. The landscape is far from flat, there are ice plateaus pock-marked with crevasses and areas where the ice is rent apart giving way to cold salty lakes. Here rages the eternal ice-storm Sydanjaa, a roaring blizzard that blows all year round and from whose depths no traveller has ever returned.

The [[Senator]] for Sermersuaq is appointed by the Suaq during the Summer solstice, and is almost invariably from Suaq stock.

==Recent History==
In the Winter of 370YE the [[Jotun]] invaded in force, taking [[#Stark|Stark]] and [[#Tanikipari|Tanikipari]]. Before they could consolidate their hold, however a joint campaign by Wintermark and [[The Marches|Marcher]] armies drove them out under the leadership of a young Skarsind general named [[Empress Britta|Britta]]. Without her excellent leadership and inspirational presence is it widely believed that both Sermersuaq and Kallavesa would have been lost to the orcs. Further attempts at invasion were stymied by the re-vitalised and re-equipped armies left behind to guard against another attack.

With their eyes focused on the western and eastern borders, however, the Empire was unprepared for the invasion of [[Skarsind]] in 373YE. Following that invasion however, the intensity of Thule raids actually declined a little as their forces focused on stripping the fallen Wintermark lands. Now that the easternmost of the Winterfolk territories is back in Imperial hands, it is assumed that the frequency of raiding bands coming through the mountains will begin to increase again. By contrast, the [[Accept Jotun_ceasefire|Jotun ceasefire]] has lead to ''more'' Jotun raids from the west, as barbarian warriors denied the opportunity to face Winterfolk in battle have sought other outlets.

In 378YE, the [[Thule]] sent armies from [[Otkodov]] to [[378YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#Thunder_in_the_Silver_Peaks|invade the Silver Peaks]], in an attempt to create a beachhead into Sermersuaq. Barbarian and Imperial forces were well matched, but the advantage appeared to lie with the Thule as they [[378YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Blood_on_the_Stonefields|slowly pushed the defenders back]].

During the Autumn Equinox 378YE, the '''Battle of Ikka's Tears''' took place on the cold plains east of the glacier. The Thule had sent a large force of elite warriors, accompanied by a massive warbeast, to steal an artefact of unknown power from the [[#Face_of_Ikka|Face of Ikka]]. They were intercepted by a warband of the Empire's heroes using the [[Sentinel Gate]]. This powerful barbarian army inflicted a painful defeat on the Imperial heroes, perhaps the most significant since the death of [[Empress Britta]] two years previously.

In Summer 379YE a delegation of Thule attended the Anvil summit and brokered a peace treaty with the Empire which the Senate [[Accept Thule peace treaty|later accepted]]. This required the Silver Peaks be ceded to the Thule, in return for [[Karsk#Recent History|land surrendered to the Empire elsewhere]]. With heavy hearts, the defenders of the northern mountains withdrew and allowed the Thule to take the Stonefield Ice Caves.

The territory was relatively peaceful until Winter 381YE, when a major force of Jotun champions lead by the Ice Fishers of Ldansk moved into [[#Stark|Stark]] and began [[381YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#Nothing_Will_Hold|making preparations for a major invasion]]. Shortly after the Solstice, the Jotun [[382YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Pyre_.28Sermersuaq.29|made use of the preparations to invade]] seizing control of Stark and a significant part of [[Sermersuaq#Tanikipari|Tanikipari]]. They went on over the next three months to [[382YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#A_Light_in_the_Darkness_.28Sermersuaq.29|conquer]] the whole of Tanikipari, and to take [[#Sealtoq|Sealtoq]] as well, winning three decisive battles along the shores of the Atkonartoq culminating in the [[382YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#Battle of Atalaq|conquest of Atalaq]]. By the start of the Autumn Equinox, the [[382YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Keys_to_the_Kingdom_.28Sermersuaq.29|entire territory]] was in the hands of the Jotun.
{{anchor|Northern lights}}
<div style="float:right; width: 500px;"><quote>'''The Northern Lights'''

The northern lights are a mystery. They shimmer brightest in the Winter months, visible from the northernmost territories of Wintermark, and Varushka, and from the new demesne of the Imperial Orcs. Beautiful, terrible. They dance like fire, gold, and green, and blue, and red.

During the coldest winters, they may be seen further south. Coiling, dancing. On nights when they are bright, wise Suaq know not to sleep outside; to lace the tent and urge their Kallavesi and Steinr friends to shutter their windows. Those who sleep under their illumination suffer unsettling dreams; stories say that in time they come to crave the touch of these dancing lights. When Spring comes, denied the light, they are maddened. They turn on themselves, or their brothers and sisters, or they disappear – last seen walking north, into Sydanjaa or Otkodov seeking some communion with the lights in the night sky.

Perhaps these are only stories.

Some Suaq say that their light reveals hidden messages and secret places to those who know how to look. Some Suaq starwatchers say that these nameless lights can be evoked to work magic. They are the law “things are unknown” - Wyr, or that rune that is nameless, serpentine in the night sky. The dark counterpart of the Key, and the Lock, of the Spider, and the Web. The answer to the riddle “who hides the stars?”

Of course other stories suggest that starwatchers who try to evoke the dancing lights of the north can do so only be determining their name, by understanding what by its nature must remain unknown. They say that Barsai the Sealspeaker learnt the unknown name, and in his moment of understanding was drawn into the night sky and known no more by the Suaq, encompassed ultimately by that which he thought to encompass.</quote></div>

== Major Features ==
=== Sydanjaa ===
To the north of Sermersuaq is the great ice-storm that never abates. No one has ever entered and returned to tell what might lie on the other side. Occasionally the [[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Artok|Artok]] are found emerging from the storm, and if not tamed, return again.
===Olgafsdottirshal===
Built during the occupation of Sermersuaq by the Jotun, this grand fortification dominates the land around the [[#Tanikipari|hot springs of Tanikipari]]. One of two great castles built by Igya Olgafsdottir, and bears her name. [[In_good_company#The_Siege_of_Olgafsdottirshal|Besieged]] by Imperial and Thule forces in the Summer of 384YE, the Jotun were forced to abandon it [[A_wandering_fire#Before_Olgafsdottirshal|shortly after the Solstice]]. Like the fortress of Kalant, the castle is very much built in the Jotun style - a hulking citadel of white granite carved with depictions of the orc ancestors, especially the tenacious [[Elite_Jotun_troops#Skjaldir|Skjaldi]]. Even with the crimson banners of the Jotun removed, it remains an unmistakable reminder of the Jotun defeat of the people of Wintermark and their domination of Sermersuaq. '''OOC Note:''' Olgafsdottirshal is a rank 2 [[fortification]].

===Fortress of Kalant===
The other great fortification in western Sermersuaq stands in [[Sermersuaq#Stark|Stark]]. Apparently built by Igya Olgafsdottir for the Jarl of [[Skallahn#Keirheim|Keirheim]], it is in some ways even more splendid that Olgafsdottirshal. Here Skjaldi is joined by statues of wise and wily [[Elite_Jotun_troops#Ra.C3.B0lj.C3.B3st|Raðljóst]] - something that makes those Winterfolk who know the legends of the Jotun uneasy. Their tales claim that their ancestor tricked the trolls out of their mastery of the [[Rune overview|runes]] - and not the clever heroes of Wintermark. Few [[runesmith|runesmiths]] appreciate the reminder that, in the eyes of the Jotun, they are little more than thieves. '''OOC Note:''' The Fortress of Kalant is a rank 2 [[fortification]].
===The [[Pride of Ikka's Tears]]===
The Pride of Ikka's Tears is a new Bourse resource located in [[#Suaq Fount|Suaq Fount]] - the first discovered in Imperial territory in over a century. Discovered by Peter of Hintown and his companions in 380YE, the newly established mine cuts into the lower parts of the great glacier known as the [[#Face of Ikka|Face of Ikka]]. Custodianship of the Pits is an [[Imperial Title]] that brings with it a Seat on the [[Imperial Bourse]]. It produces 15 Imperial wains of mithril every season. Control is allocated to any Wintermark citizen by private ballot of the [[military unit|military captains]] of the nation, during the Autumn Equinox.
=== The [[Stonefield Ice Caves]]===
The Stonefield Ice Caves were a Bourse resource located in the [[#Silverpeaks|Silverpeaks]]. Custodianship of the Caves was an [[Imperial Title]] that brought with it a Seat on the [[Imperial Bourse]]. It produced 5 rings of [[ilium]] every season. Control was allocated during the Spring Equinox to whichever Wintermark [[military unit]] performed the biggest raid. The Stonefield Ice Caves are no longer in Imperial hands, having been ceded to the Thule as part of the ceasefire agreement.
===The Ford of Berusen===
To enter [[#Stark|Stark]] from [[#Sealtoq|Sealtoq]] means traversing the thick corridor of land between the Atkonartoq to the north and the Rikkivesi to the south. In recent years, the land bridge has been the site of two furious engagements between Imperial troops and the conquering Jotun,. The first was in [[382YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#Ford_of_Berusen|Summer 382YE]] where three days of fierce battle saw the Empire fight desperately to prevent the forces of King Gudmundur of Narkyst from pushing through to assail Atalaq. Imperial troops were forced to fall back, and the Jotun raised a great burial mound at the western end of the Ford before advancing into Sealtoq. Nine months later, there was a [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#Return_to_the_Ford_of_Berusen|second battle]] that nearly ended in catastrophe when the fighting spread out onto the [[383YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_war#The_Battle_on_the_Atkonartoq|surface of the Arkonartoq]]. Only the intervention of the ''hylje'' prevented significant loss of life by the Imperial forces. In the end they were triumphant, and the Empire managed to secure both ends of the land bridge.
=== The Grave of the Giants ===
In Tsirku a great ice-cavern lies by the edge of the waters of Nutjuitoq. The way to it is through a treacherous, shifting maze of icebergs. The cave is where great sea-creatures go to die – whales, [[Mundane_beasts#Kraken|kraken]] and the like struggle up out of the sea from under the ice. No-one knows why. The ivory from this place is plentiful, and particularly prized.
=== Face of Ikka ===
In the [[#Suaq Fount|Suaq Fount]] a great glacier grinds into the water on the borders between Tsirku and Sermersuaq; the Face of Ikka. The salvage rights to the face of the glacier is a much-prized thing, for – hanging perilously from ropes and using snow-axes – prospectors often find ruined artefacts from the troll nation that’s said to lie under the glacier. Also, from time to time, they find other things – creatures entombed in the ice, or intact pieces of lore.
===The Meeting Place===
To the west of Sermersuaq, outside the borders of the territories, there once stood a low stone worn by the elements. It stood by itself in a wooded glade and is relatively unremarkable. This stone however represented a place of truce where [[Jotun]] and Winterfolk representatives could meet together without fear of violence. Such meetings were irregular, but did take place - when [[Emperor Guntherm]] negotiated a ceasefire with the Jotun leaders, this is where he did it. This place was considered neutral ground, and neither human nor orc claimed it as part of their nation.

In late 382YE, however, the stone at the Meeting Place was destroyed. The Jotun were [[Between_peace_and_hate#Jotun|extremely angry]] about this, and blamed the Empire. While the culprit was ultimately identified and executed, the Jotun refused to be mollified. The Meeting Place remains empty, and its diplomatic legacy appears permanently tarnished.

===The Mountain Passes===
[[Imperial army|Armies]] cannot pass freely through the mountains that bound Sermersuaq to the east; there are only two passes large enough to permit free movement of troops. The first - '''Crow's Path''' - is in the north, and connects [[#Silver Peaks|Silver Peaks]] with [[#Crow's Ridge|Crow's Ridge]] in [[Skarsind]]. Both [[Territory#regions|regions]] are controlled by the [[Thule]], so for an Imperial army to use the Path would require dealing with the northern orcs. The second path through the mountains lay in the south, but following the Winter of 383YE a Jotun Yegarra force under the walrus banner of the human champion Eisa Winterborn [[383YE_Winter_Solstice_winds_of_war#Battle of Clattering Gulley|sealed the western end]] of '''[[Skarsind#Pakanaan's Pass|Pakanaan's Pass]]'''. Unless the Pass is cleared, it is unusable by Imperial armies. Smaller [[military unit|military units]] can still risk the higher and less-accessible paths through the mountains, but for the time being Imperial (and for that matter Jotun) armies cannot move directly between Sermersuaq and Skarsind without permission from the Thule.

==Regions==
===East Floes===
The two freshwater lakes of the East Floes are called "''Big Sister''" and "''Little Brother''" by the Suaq - but there is little agreement which lake is which. This is the source of some humour among outsiders, and there are several jokes and long stories told around campfires whose punchline is the inability of a traveller to tell the difference between two things so obviously unalike. The lakes are the spawning ground of the Sermer Salmon, a particularly hardy breed of fish favoured in the Empire for its rich taste, and sometimes used as a symbol of [[Courage]].

On the edge of the southernmost lake lies '''Wreck'''. The rib-bones of a gigantic ship of an ancient make jut from the ice here and lie part-submerged under the water. These rib-bones have been covered to make a shelter, and a small settlement has existed around it for as long as anyone can remember. The ship is sometimes credited as being the creation of [[Ogre|giants]], or trolls, while others point to the idea that it is not a ship at all - it is too wide and too deep to have travelled down any of the waterways linking the ice floes with the sea.

===Sealtoq===
The most temperate of the Sermersuaq regions, Sealtoq is the site of '''Atalaq''', the largest permanent settlement in Sermersuaq. It lies on the waters of Atkonartoq, and is gathering and resting place for the scattered hunters who follow the Suaq traditions. Built on the shores of the cold lake, there are a large number of long piers and jetties with buildings on them and occasional stilt-homes in the Kallavesi style. It is rich in oils and pelts, a place of cunning and craft, where whale-followers, walrus-herders, [[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Icewalkers|Icewalkers]] and painted hunters return after long treks over the ice.

===Silver Peaks===
'''Quality:''' Hills, [[Otkodov]]<br>
The [[mine|mines]] of the silver peaks are known for silver, iron, [[Materials#Weltsilver|weltsilver]], [[Materials#Tempest Jade|tempest jade]] and even [[#The Stonefield Ice Caves|ilium]]. At the foot of the silver peaks are the '''Stonefields''', a cratered plain covered in fragments of rock. It is known for a number of rich veins of tempest jade, quite near the surface, but it is also the location of a number of [[mana site|mana sites]] built amongst the rocks. These mana sites are regularly scavenged by packs of [[trogoni]]; no matter how many caves the defenders block up, the ravenous beasts always find a way to come back.

Following the invasion of 378YE and the peace treaty of 379YE, the Silver Peaks were conquered by the Thule.

===Stark===
On the southern border of Stark is '''Rest''', built at the meeting point of two [[trods]] out in the far West, where enterprising souls have erected a hall specifically to welcome far-travelling Navarr - the fare is simple but wholesome, and welcome warm. The settlement is also a small garrison of Suaq scouts, who keep a careful eye to the west. Some Winterfolk and Navarr refer to the hall here as the "''Last Lantern''", referring to its position as the furthest wayside inn from the heart of the Empire. A partially ruined tower near the settlement called ''The Sentinel's Rest'' serves as both a place of pilgrimage for followers of [[The Way]] dedicated to [[Vigilance]], and as the site of a beacon that can be used to warn the rest of Wintermark about barbarian orc invasions from the [[Jotun]] lands.

After the Winter Solstice 381YE, the Jotun invasion saw Rest captured and converted to a base of operations for the western orcs.

===Suaq Fount===
The wastes of Suaq Fount are among the most desolate parts of the Empire - but only with regards to permanent human habitation. Animal life is common here, but the wastes are also known to be dotted with rich fields of [[bladeroot]]. Suaq hunters claim that the animals that live here and often graze on the bitter herb are particularly wily quarry - and that the predators that prey on them have less fear of humans and are more prone to hunt the hunters in their turn. Mystics point to the [[#Face of Ikka|Face of Ikka]] as explanation, and sketch the rune [[Feresh]] in the air to ward off evil.
<div style="float:right; width: 600px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sermersuaq Region Map.png|caption=A very rough region map of Sermersuaq|align=right|width=600}}</div>

===Suaq Wastes===
The wastes, like the Suaq Fount, are fairly desolate - there are few permanent settlements here but the tundra is littered with well known camping sites used by travellers and hunters. The [[#Grave of the Giants|Grave of the Giants]] lies on the western coast of the Suaq Wastes.

===Tanikipari===
In the middle of the cold wastes of Sermersuaq are '''The Hot Springs of Taniki''' a lagoon filled by hot springs, full of mineral goodness. Bathing in its waters is rumoured to cure any sort of ill. The springs are said to be the centre of a strong [[regio]] aligned with the realm of day and (allegedly) the [[eternal]] [[Ylenrith]]. Since time immemorial Icewalkers have used water from the springs as a focus for scrying rituals, and many [[Kallavesi]] mystics make a point of travelling there at least once in their lives to bathe in the hot springs. Travellers who have chosen to walk into [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Age.2C_infirmity_and_the_good_death|Sydanjaa]] follow the example of [[Empress Mariika]] and spend three days ritually cleansing themselves here before continuing their long trek into Tsirku.
==Strategic Considerations==
{{Strategic Considerations|Sermersuaq}} The Atkonartoq lake means that [[Imperial army|armies]] cannot move between [[#Suaq Wastes|Suaq Wastes]] and [[#Sealtoq|Sealtoq]], or between [[#Tanikipari|Tanikipari]] and Sealtoq (and vice versa). The collapse of [[Skarsind#Parkanaan's Pass|Parkanaan's Pass]] by the Jotun following the Winter Solstice 383YE prevents movement between East floes and [[Skarsind]]. The only remaining pass large enough to allow a campaign army to move between Sermersuaq and Skarsind lies between [[#Silver Peaks|Silver Peaks]] and [[Skarsind#Crow's Ridge|Crow's Ridge]], and both regions are controlled by the [[Thule]] orcs rather than the Empire.
{{Senate Elections|Senator_for_Sermersuaq|Territory=Sermersuaq|Season=Summer|Controlled=was}}

==OOC Notes==
* As of the start of the Winter Solstice 384YE, the Silver Peaks are under the control of the Thule. Every other region is controlled by Wintermark (and by extension the Empire) making this an Imperial territory.
* The Citadel of Bone and Silver in the [[#Silver Peaks|Silver Peaks]] is a rank 2 fortification.
* Olgafsdottirshal in [[#Tanikipari|Tanikipari]] is a rank 2 fortification.
* Fortress of Kalant in [[#Stark|Stark]] is a rank 2 fortification.
* Some of the prominent halls of Sermersuaq are detailed [[Prominent_halls#Halls_of_Sermersuaq|here]].
* A [[historical research]] essay touching on the pre-Wintermark chief [[Apaay Ukiuking]] includes some notes about the early history of Sermersuaq has been made public by the civil service.
<box>'''The farms of Sermersuaq'''<br>Sermersuaq is a fine example of a territory where [[farm|farms]] are more likely to represent herds of animals than fields or orchards. A character from Sermersuaq could easily role-play making their money from hunting, fishing or whaling, rather than more traditional agricultural activities. [[Farm#Diversification|Diversifying]] the "farm" to include herbs and measures of [[Materials#Natural_Materials|rare natural materials]] could be a good way to support this theme.<br><br>The rarest "farmers" in Sermersuaq would be those that follow the mammoth herds, carefully picking off the weakest and oldest members of the herds and selling the meat, hide, hair and ivory produced - only a few mammoths every season would be enough to provide a character with a regular income.<br><br>Rituals such as [[Blessing of New Spring]] work equally well on herds of deer or sheep, schools of fish or colonies of seals as they do on farms or orchards, but represent a great opportunity to rename and reflavour the performances to reflect their target being animals, rather than plants.</box>

[[Category:Wintermark]]
[[Category:Gazetteer]]
[[Category:Imperial_Territory]]

384YE Winter Solstice winds of fortune

2023-04-13T22:24:54Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:384YE Winter]][[Category:Recent History]]
<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Welcoming Fire.jpg|align=left|caption=The night is cold, but that makes the fire even more welcoming|width=600}}</div>
==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 [[384YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war|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 [[opportunity|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.
__TOC__
==Winds of Fortune==
===I Knew You Were Trouble (Plenipotentiary)===
* '''Archmages and the Imperial Conclave; specifically invited guests including: whoever is in charge of the [[Anvil#The_Anvil_Library|Anvil Library]], [[Minister of Historical Research]], [[Imperial Advisor for the Feni]], [[Seer of the Gateway]], [[Imperial Seer]], [[Scrutiny#Constitutional_Court|Imperial Archivist]], Loom-Master Borys, Boyar Vasiliy Strascovich, Enchantress Remys, Lutobor Branislavovich Glinka, and both Tuktu and Raziel of the Saker'''
Each archmage can each communicate with a single [[eternal]] each season by sending a [[Archmage#Plenipotentiary|plenipotentiary]] message to their magical realm every season. The eternal is bound to respond - perhaps with a formal [[Archmage#Parely|parley]], perhaps with something unexpected. As the Winter Solstice approaches there are replies to each of the messages sent the previous summit. Not every eternal has agreed to a formal parley, and one eternal has refused point blank to speak with the archmage directly.

You can find the details of this season's plenipotentiaries in '''[[I knew you were trouble]]'''.
===Write Your Own Ending===
* '''Urizen, especially citizens of Zenith; Imperial Senate; Imperial Synod; General of the Seventh Wave; Imperial Consul; citizens of Highguard, the League, the Brass Coast; Architect of the Echoing Obelisk and Urizeni Senators'''
The Empire has finally regained complete control of [[Zenith]]. The armies of the Empire have [[Fire_on_fire|forced the orcs of the Mallum out of Lustri]] and sent them fleeing into [[Sarangrave]]. With the land liberated, the territory is again [[384YE_Autumn_Equinox_Senate_sessions#Assign_Zenith|part of Urizen]]. Now the Empire seeks a way to restore it. The [[Druj]] have left a bitter legacy, destroyed everything that could not be stolen, and left the once beautiful territory in ruins. Now every sinew of the Empire's body strains to the challenge of restoring Zenith. An [[appraisal]] has been commissioned; the [[Prosperity]] assembly has asked the virtuous to turn their eyes on the territory; a potent [[enchantment]] has enfolded the mountains; and the Imperial armies have devoted their efforts to gathering information and uprooting the Druj's poison. The war for Zenith is won, now the Empire must make something of the victory.

You can read about the situation in Zenith, and the opportunities to recover it from ruination, in '''[[Write your own ending]]'''.

===You Belong With Me===
* '''Navarr, especially the National Assembly; holders of the Golden Trees of Seren and Heartwood of the Great Vale bourse seats'''
For some years now, there have been Great Forest Orcs living among the [[Navarr]] in [[Therunin]] and travelling the [[trods]] with the [[striding|stridings]]. Both sides have benefited. At the Summer Solstice, the Senate [[384YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_sessions#Reassure_Great_Forest_Orcs|reiterated its intent]] intent to [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence|concede]] the [[The Barrens#Heart of Peytaht|Heart of Peytaht]] to the Great Forest ''sept'' (and by extension the [[The_Barrens#Eaves_of_Peytaht|weirwood grove]]) one [[the Barrens]] was conquered. This approach has already paid dividends, as Navarr herbalists can attest. Now it is leading to an evolution in attitudes among the Great Forest Orcs, some of whom want to establish new homes in [[Miaren]] and [[Hercynia]]. Yet it seems there's more going on here than just a desire to live near the [[weirwood]] groves... and the Navarr may be travelling towards a fork in the road whose repercussions could see a fundamental change to the nation.

You can learn more about this request by some of the Great Forest Orcs, and its implications for the nation, in '''[[You belong with me]]'''.

===Bad Blood===
* '''Threshers, Vates, and Magisters; the Imperial Conclave and Synod; Ibiss of Netherwatch, Thalia of Netherwatch, Galene of Netherwatch, Mercurio Ankarien, Aquillian of Urizen, Aspasia of Netherwatch, Fabienne de Miel, Arsenio Sanguineo Rezia di Tassato, Laelius of the Waxing Sun of Urizen, and Rafael Barossa di Tassato'''
The worst of the damage caused by the terrible storms that battered Imperial territories following the Summer Solstice has been addressed. The waters are receding everywhere, although in some places the floods have permanently reshaped the face of the Empire. They've also stirred up a discussion about [[sorcery|sorcerers]], and responsibility, and the role of the Imperial Conclave - especially in light of the new [[Declaration]] of [[Endorsement]], and the fact that the Marcher assembly has provided a list of the names of those people they feel were most responsible for it. Two major points are discussed; what an endorsement actually mean for the Empire, and whether the Conclave needs someone to keep an eye on Imperial magicians to make sure none of them turn out to be rats.

You can find out about endorsement, responsibility for magical storms, and the Conclave Rat-Catcher, in '''[[Bad blood]]'''.
===Scuppernong===
* '''Navarr, especially the ''vines'''''
At the Summer Solstice 381, the Navarri physick Timinion Splitroot died on the battlefield. His partner Gawain believed that there was no organisation of the healers within the nation, and elected to address that. He asked the healers to come and see him and proposed forming a new community of those dedicated to healing others. Slowly the idea spread to create an ideal that healers of the nation might aspire to emulate, not dissimilar to a [[guide]] or a [[brand]]. Now, the ''vines'' (as they call themselves) are beginning to find their feet - but before they can decide where they want to go, they need to decide ''who they are''. With the aid of the egregore ''Avery'', they need to answer some pretty serious questions about what it means to be a vine.

You can read about the vines, and the questions facing them, in '''[[Scuppernong]]'''.
===The Money Goes Round===
* '''The League; the Imperial Senate'''
One year ago, the faculty at Holberg university proposed the establishment of the [[A_health_to_the_company#The_Chair_of_the_Wolf|Chair of the Wolf]]. As part of the challenge presented by the engineers, the Imperial Senate needed to commission four "worthy" construction enterprises one in each of the League cities. The challenge was completed and the title [[Create Chair of the Wolf|established]] during the Autumn Equinox. It is due to be appointed by [[Tally of the Votes]] at Solstice. It's also lead to a suggestion of an entirely different competition - one to determine just which of the four great cities of the League, of the Empire is the greatest. Which is the most Ambitious? Whose citizens have the greatest Prosperity? Whose Pride runs deepest?

You can learn about potential answers to the questions posed in '''[[The money goes round]]'''.

===At the Dog and Eel Show===
* '''The Marches especially beaters; Urizen; those with an interest in the Mournwold orcs'''
For the best part of two years the [[The_Marches_economic_interests#The_Imperial_Breadbasket|Marcher Breadbasket]] has supported the [[Citadel Guard|Urizen army]]. None have begrudged them, there's an abiding respect for folks willing to fight to defend their own. Now though, with Urizen mostly whole again, the pressing need is gone and folks are hoping to start putting a few stores of their own by. Now's the time every farm in the Marchers ought to be planning for the year ahead. At the same time though there's calls to support the people of Zenith, or the beaters protecting the borders. There's some kind of trouble with the orcs in the Mournwold as well, and that can't be good with the Jotun in Liathaven again. Something ought to be done, and if it's to ''be'' done then it's best it be done together.

You can read a bout a choice facing the Marcher [[Yeomen of the Marches|yeomen]], and unsettling news from Mournwold, in '''[[At the dog and eel show]]'''.
===Let the Day Die===
* '''The Marches, especially the Friar of Honour's Rest; visitors to the Mournwold; those with an interest in ghosts'''
Tens of thousands of humans and orcs died in the battles to reclaim the Mournwold, especially during awful battles of Spring 381YE. The fighting Overton and Orchard's Watch was some of the worst in the campaign, and blood shed there soured the earth itself, leaving the Greensward permanently haunted. There were successful attempts to deal with many of the ghosts, but this season a powerful necromantic enchantment settles over the Mourn, bringing together mortals and lingering ghosts. This has lead to a season of ghost stories, and also provided an opportunity to alleviate the worst of the hauntings on the Greensward

You can learn more about the enchantment, the ghosts, and the opportunity in '''[[Let the day die]]'''.
===Watching My Mistakes===
* '''Wintermark, especially Stormcrows and those from Sermersuaq; Imperial Senate, Conclave, and Synod; Dawnish Glory hounds; monster hunters'''
The Jotun are gone from [[Sermersuaq]], and [[Wintermark]] is whole once more. The triumph of victory soon gives way to a more tempered celebration, however. The brief rule of the western [[orc|orcs]] has left a scar in the heart of the people that will not quickly fade. Some bent their knee to the invaders, and took the Choice, and they have questions that will need [[stormcrow]] answers. Others took a more terrible decision, however. They took to the snows to fight, vowing to defeat the invaders whatever it took. And as Tekupala (probably) said, "''No hero should ever say they will triumph at any cost lest you dare fate to take you at your word''." Fate may not heard the Wintermarkers vow, but someone was listening...

You can learn about the lingering problem in Sermersuaq, and some possible solutions to the worst of them, in '''[[Watching my mistakes]]'''.
===Write the Lines===
* '''Wintermark, especially the people of Sermersuaq and the National Assembly; Imperial Senate; holder of the Pride of Ikka's Tears Bourse seat; Ambassador to Otkodov'''
With the [[Jotun]] gone from [[Sermersuaq]], there is a chance for the people of Wintermark to take stock. Those who've seen the devastation the [[Druj]] leave in their wake fear the worst, but the Jotun came to conquer not destroy. Their rule was hard for those forced to toil for them as thralls, but there has been no wanton destruction nor murderous cruelty. They were more interested in building a legacy, it seems. That legacy is now for the people of Wintermark to build on; great fortifications; the mark of orc ownership of Ikka's Tears; a chance to turn the Jotun's schemes against them; and a pair of surprising offers from an unexpected direction...

You can find out more about the Jotun legacy, and the unexpected offers, in '''[[Write the lines]]'''.
===Snow Might Fall===
* '''Wintermark, especially runesmiths, artisans, and the National Assembly'''
Some say that the art of crafting magical items was invented in the north, long before [[Isenbrad]] found the [[rune|runes]]. When the [[Thule]] took [[Skarsind]] they enslaved many of the greatest runesmiths in Wintermark, dragging them back to [[Otkodov]] in chains. Now those stolen smiths have returned, and many of them have congregated at [[Hahnmark#Runegrott|Runegrott]] in [[hahnmark]]. For the last two years the people of Wintermark have been [[Conduit_to_destiny|facing and overcoming challenges]], preparing to build a [[runeforge]] in the north. Only one challenge remains - the [[consecration]] of an [[inspirational tomb]] for the paragon [[Isenbrad]]. The confluence of the master runesmiths and the chance to consecrate a tome for Isenbrad presents a unique opportunity, one that might change Wintermark forever.

You can learn about the status of the runeforge project, and the creation of ''the Runesmith's Law'', in '''[[Snow might fall]]'''.
===Wildest Dreams===
* '''The Marches, especially those from Mournwold; Aldermen and Market Town folk; the [[Imperial Military Council]]; the holder of the [[Singing Caves]] Bourse seat; the [[Bailiff of the Downs]] and the [[Master of Sarcombe Metal Market]]'''
As [[Empress Lisabetta]] [[United_in_law|noted]] three years ago <em>"The town of Sarcombe in Southmoor has a long history as a centre of rich commerce."</em> Located in [[Mournwold#Southmoor|Southmoor]], a rich mining region in the south of [[Mournwold]], since [[Charter Sarcombe market town|receiving their charter]] the [[prosperity]] of the town and the [[Mournwold]] as a whole has gone from strength to strength. The boom benefits everyone, farmers can be assured of getting the best possible prices for livestock and grain that are sold in Sarcombe, while merchants who buy here can pick and choose from the best victuals produced in the Mournwold, or find hungry markets for the fine goods produced by the cities of the League or imported from far-off lands. Sarcombe's good fortune is a rising tide that lifts all ships. People are beginning to speak of Sarcombe as a rival for Meade and the Mournwold as the equal in prosperity and importance to [[Mitwold]]. Perhaps the time has come to realise some of that potential?

You can learn about some opportunities to further increase the prosperity of the Mournwold in '''[[Wildest dreams]]'''.
===Drums Beat in My Head===
* '''The Brass Coast; Ambassador to the Grendel perhaps; maybe the Imperial Senate'''
The territory of [[Feroz]] languishes in the control of the [[Grendel]], suffering under the rule of the despotic Governor Rahab. It was a price the Empire reluctantly paid to [[Ratify_treaty_with_the_Grendel_Autumn_383YE|buy peace]] with the Grendel, buying victory for other nations with [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] and [[Urizen|Urizeni]] land. Since then, the Freeborn have become skilled at finding ways to thwart the Grendel, repeatedly tweaking Rahab's nose to snatch one victory after another from his vicious jaws. This plan, however, just might be the most audacious scheme yet. It's an astonishing idea, a plan so brilliant, so brazen it might have come from the mind of [[Erigo]] herself, yet so simple a child could conceive of it. Ottilie i Malune i Erigo proposes that the Brass Coast steal the [[Scorrero Nets]].
'
You can learn about this scheme to heist the ilium of the Scorrero from under Rahab's very nose in '''[[Drums beat in my head]]'''.
===All Too Well===
* '''Imperial Orcs; Wintermark; Imperial Senate; Imperial Military Council; possibly Hand of Guerra, Lady of the Proffered Hand, Hearthtender of the Unbroken'''
A year ago, a host of [[orc|orcs]] arrived in [[Skarsind]] from [[Ossium]]. Three of the largest ''septs'' - the Ethengraw, the Illarawm, and the Yerende - maintain their own cultures and traditions despite centuries of ruthless Druj oppression. They have a strong identity of their own, one that they are not keen to abandon now that they are "free" once again. While friendly with their new neighbours, they require reassurance before they will be open to joining the Imperial Orcs nation and becoming Imperial citizens. Reassurance that is not forthcoming... and that rankles a little.

You can learn about the situation with the three septs, and how a Wintermark statement of principle and the anger of a young orc preacher might be about to shake up the status quo, in '''[[All too well]]'''.
===Folklore===
* '''Imperial Synod; Highguard; Imperial citizens with an interest in farms, faith, or the Free Folk'''
The Free Folk are former slaves who came to the Empire after the short-lived civil war in [[Asavean Archipelago|Asavea]]. Welcomed in [[Dawn]], they seem eager to become part of the Empire. Their faith, however, has proved to be an obstacle. While ''they'' claim they follow the Way, some Imperial priests have expressed concerns about [[Religious_crime#Idolatry|idolatrous undercurrents]]. Individual nations had reached out to the Free Folk, but until last season the Synod remained divided on whether they presented a threat or not. The General Assembly now seems to have laid many of those concerns to rest and the Free Folk are relieved. They plan to continue their grand pilgrimage across the Empire, visiting as many of the Imperial Nations as possible, and finding out if those nations will accept them as citizens. The Imperial Synod has an opportunity to encourage their pilgrimage - and also to answer their request for tutelage in the [[religious skills|liao ceremonies]] practiced by many priests of the Way.

You can find out about these opportunities, and the situation with the Free Folk in general, in '''[[Folklore]]'''.
===Chime the Sound===
* '''Imperial Orcs; Shepherd of the Great Herd; Brass Coast, especially the National Assembly; Hand of Guerra, Voice of Liberty, and similar titles; Imperial Senate'''
In response to the decision of the [[Thule]] Dragons to outlaw slavery, the Senate elected to remove the [[tariffs|tarrifs and taxes]] on Thule trade. This has resulted in an increase in trade over the northern border, leading to a number of overtures to the Empire intended to take advantage of this new situation. First they made [[Write_the_lines#Fishing_for_Stars|two offers to Wintermark]] - now they have more offers, this time for the [[Imperial Orcs]]. At the same time, the priests of [[the Brass Coast]] celebrate the liberty of the Thule slaves, and seek ways to recognise and build on this development.

You can learn about the offers for the Imperial Orcs, and the opportunities inspired by the Freeborn Assembly, in '''[[Chime the sound]]'''.

==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.

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



==Mandates==
* '''You can find details of the mandates, along with the rest of the Synod judgements, [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Mandate|here]].'''
Nine mandates were successfully upheld in the Imperial Synod. All mandates have been [[Mandate#Implementing_a_Mandate|automatically enacted]] as long as the named priest has sufficient [[liao]] in their inventory before Downtime opens. Some mandates were upheld by their respective assemblies but not enacted.
==Autumn Conjunctions==
* '''Last event there were a number of conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate; their known outcomes are listed here'''
During the Autumn Equinox, there were a number of [[Sentinel_Gate#Conjunctions|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.
{|table class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! # !! Location !! Responsibility !! Overview || Result
|-
| 1 || Kahraman, Gambit, Talaeiros || [[Dhomiro of the Cinnabar Hills]] || [[Of_earth_and_sky#Wish_On_a_Tide_.28Conjunction.29|Rescue the Damatian Cliffs forewoman]] || Catalina i Burna i Riqueza was rescued, and has returned to work at the Damatian Cliffs. Her grateful colleagues have arranged for a reward to be delivered to the ''Dhomiro''
|-
| 2 ||Sermersuaq, Stark, Avointaivas || [[Crown_of_Three_Tears#As_the_Crown_of_Wintermark|Champion of Wintermark]] || [[A_wandering_fire#To_Find_Again_.28Conjunction.29|Recover the relic Tuuli's Eye]] || The Jotun were unfortunately able to escape into Skallahn still in possession of the stolen relic
|-
| 3 || Zenith, Occursion, Tower of the Fall || [[Medical_Officer_of_the_Pegasus_Respite| Medical Officer of the Pegasus Respite]] || [[The_darkest_road#The_Tower_of_the_Fall_.28Conjunction.29|Intercept Druj supplies, exorcise tortured souls]]|| The heroes of the Empire were unable to significantly disrupt the Druj preparations
|-
| 4 || Karsk, Lestazny, Pyotr's Square || [[Burgher of Ketsov]] || [[The_long_bench#Who_Goes_There.3F_.28Conjunction.29|Investigate why the Ketsov of the Mir Mozga are acting a little strange]] || A small group of Varushkans visited the Mir Mozga; the outcome is not common knowledge
|-
| 5 || Zenith, Iteri, Pallasian Steps || Captain of the [[Prominent_guilds#The_Sea_Wolves|Sea Wolves]] || [[The_darkest_road#The_Pallasian_Steps_.28Conjunction.29|Destroy miasma pillars, exorcise tortured souls]] || The pillar still stands in Iteri, and continues to anchor the Druj miasma
|-
| 6 || Zenith, Lustri, Rift in the Veil || [[Knight-protector| Knight Protector of Winter]] || [[The_darkest_road#Rift_in_the_Veil_.28Conjunction.29|Slay the Endless Stalker, exorcise tortured souls]] || The Endless Stalker has ravaged the Imperial armies and remains a threat to the people of Lustri
|-
| 7 || Madruga, Calvos Sound, Calvos || [[the Brass Coast|Freeborn]] [[Sutannir]]|| [[The_long_bench#Confusion_in_Calvos_.28Conjunction.29|Lift spirits and investigate]] || Imperial heroes freed the Sumaah pilgrims from the machinations of a malicious creature, and drove it off
|-
| 8 || Ossium, Drownbark Forest, Petka's Path || [[General]] of the [[Northern Eagle]] || [[Beyond_this_dark_house#This_Fragmented_Total_.28Conjunction.29|Protect vital roads and bridges in Ossium]] || The Druj were unfortunately able to dig in; the Winter Sun moved to Ossium to deal with the growing threat
|-
| 9 || The Barrens, Dawnguard, Aurelius Estates || Member of House Aurelius || [[Throw_back_the_echoes#Aurelius_Victorious_.28Conjunction.29|Summon Sorin's hungry wolves to the Barrens]] || Sorin unleashed his hounds to aid the Imperial armies, and some remain to protect the lands of House Aurelius
|-
| 10 || Zenith, Lustri, Spire of Twisting Shadow || Raewyn Eternal || [[The_darkest_road#Spire_of_Twisting_Shadow_.28Conjunction.29|Destroy miasma pillars]] || The Lustri pillars still stand, continuing to anchor the Druj miasma
|-
| 11 || Zenith, Proceris, Plantation of Tall Ferns || Aurum of Nightingale Temple || [[The_darkest_road#Plantation_of_Tall_Ferns_.28Conjunction.29|Destroy miasma pillars, intercept marshlings]] || The pillar still stands continuing to anchor the Druj miasma in Proceris
|-
| 12 || Sarangrave, Whisperwood, Karliss || [[Dredgemaster of Feverwater]] || [[The_bones_of_what_you_believe#Take_in_the_Forest_Stirring_.28Conjunction.29|Rescue Navarri vates from Sarangrave]] || The Navarri vates remain at the mercy of their Druj captors
|-
| 13 || Spiral, Screed, Kephalos' Delve || [[Archmage of Night]] || [[A_yellow_star_hung#Ash_and_Dust_.28Conjunction.29|Ash and Dust]] || The outcome is not public knowledge; the Archmage of Night surely knows more
|-
| 14 || Zenith, Occursion, Field of Celestial Mist || [[Warmage]] || [[The_darkest_road#Field_of_Celestial_Mist_.28Conjunction.29|Destroy miasma pillar, stop weapons reaching the battle]] || The heroes of the Empire were able to destroy the miasma pillar, but unable to stop weapons reaching the battlefield
|-
| 15 || Bregasland, Grey Fens, Jayne's Top Copse || [[General]] of the [[Strong Reeds]] || [[Summer_tree#See_My_Face_Here_.28Conjunction.29|Eliminate a Jotun outpost in Bregasland]] || The attack against the Jotun was a success and the overconfident general of the Mandowla's Roar has paid a heavy price
|-
| 16 || Sermersuaq, Stark, Broken Rock Plain || [[Senator]] for [[Sermersuaq]] || [[A_wandering_fire#Borderline_.28Conjunction.29|Rescue Yanti the Storm Runner]] || Yantl the Storm Runner was intercepted and whatever was pursing them presumably dealt with
|-
| 17 || Volodmartz, Brez, Urodli's Fall || Vladimir Sasha Volkov || [[A_yellow_star_hung#All_is_Fair.2C_All_is_Permitted_.28Conjunction.29|All is Fair, All is Permitted]] || Unclear; some kind of fighting took place but the exact outcome is not common knowledge beyond those who participated
|-
| 18 || Sermersuaq, Tanikipari, Kilpailuala Bay || [[General]] of the [[Bloodcloaks]] || [[A_wandering_fire#Sore_Point_for_a_Sick_Man_.28Conjunction.29|Send Jarl Snekmar to the Howling Abyss]] || Jarl Snekmar and his warriors are no longer a threat to the people of Sermersuaq
|-
|}

Current crewing opportunities

2023-04-13T22:23:16Z

Cyph: Spelling corrections

==Overview==
Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our crew manager [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Kate Rogers] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.

'''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 300 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.

The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}
==GOD Team==
The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.

There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday.

===How much of the event will you see?===
* '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&R'''

===Requirements===
* '''Good customer service skills'''
* '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''
* '''If you have an R&R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''

While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.

==Referees==
Our referees are one of the most visible roles we have, helping players engage with and enjoy the game, throughout time in. They offer friendly advice, carry out functional tasks recording in-game actions using our tablets, and step in to ask questions when it seems that someone might not be playing by the rules. These are full-time volunteer roles and whilst you will be able to take breaks when you need them, you will not be able to play a character taking part in the game alongside your role as a ref.

Many of our refs specialise either as a field ref - who build up an in-depth knowledge of the most commonly cast rituals, or commonly used items, particularly those that interact with plots in order to answer queries quickly and efficiently - or as a skirmish ref - who are experts in watching combat and being able to see whether players are abiding by the rules; make judgements about how hard they are hitting; decide whether they are fighting in a safe location, and know to de-escalate conflict between players (rather than characters) if it arises. You may either request to join the team as one or the other type of ref, or join as non-specialised and try out both. You will be given the opportunity to spend a good deal of your first event shadowing other referees to get used to reffing Profound Decisions style.

===How much of the event will you see?===
* '''You will be unlikely to play a character, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''

===Requirements===
* '''Excellent customer service skills'''
* '''Have either a year's experience as an Empire player OR significant experience of reffing other systems and be prepared to learn the core Empire rules thoroughly before your first event'''
* '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''
* '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''
* '''Be comfortable walking long distances over the course of the event to reach the players who need a referee in all different areas of the field'''
* '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''

If you would love to ref, but can't meet the walking requirement do let us know. We may be able to find a place for you to referee from a static spot like the Imperial Regio.

==Crew Welfare Deputy Head==
The crew welfare team is responsible for making sure the crew is fed and looked after. This includes curating and arranging Morrisons deliveries for the event.
Empty the hut and comprehensively clean it in preparation for the week ahead. This includes sweeping, mopping and evicting spiders. Check previous stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find.
Take delivery of Booker order and redistribute. This can involve long hours of carrying, counting, and arranging. Take in Morrisons' delivery and put away.
Ensure the hut and tent are clean, tidy and well-stocked during the event. This includes heavy lifting and carrying, food preparation, and providing information on which foods are gluten free, vegan, etc. Put out a lunch buffet and keep stocked up. Liaise with other teams and travel to local Booker to replenish stock.
Edit Morrisons order to reflect stock requirements. At the end of the event pack down any leftover stock and put away for use at the next event.

You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.

===How much of the event will you see?===
*'''As deputy head you will be working for the full week and be kept very busy most days. There is the chance to socialize and play your character after 4pm.'''

===Requirements===
* '''Be confident managing people'''
* '''Be on-site on Tuesday morning until Monday'''
* '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''
* '''A standard driving license'''

==NPC==
The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.

You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.

All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialize in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.

===How much of the event will you see?===
'''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''

===Requirements===
* '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''
* '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''
* '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''
* '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''

==Tavern==
We have a dedicated team to work the Empire tavern - serving drinks to our thirsty players! Ideally you'll be on site on Thursday, as shifts start Thursday evening. You must be available for a shift on Friday evening and another one on Saturday as a minimum. The job involves being in-character and chatting with players who are roleplaying in the bar while you are serving drinks.

===How much of the event will you see?===
'''As a member of the tavern team you'll be working shifts throughout the event. You'll be in-character and have opportunities to roleplay with other players throughout, and you'll also get time-off from your shifts, when you can enjoy playing the game as a player.'''

===Requirements===
* '''Be available from Thursday evening if possible – we need to staff the bar and get ready to open on Thursday evening'''
* '''Be available for a shifts throughout the weekend on a rota, allowing for time off'''
* '''Enjoy working in a bar environment and be comfortable chatting with players while serving drinks'''

==Traffic Team==
The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.

The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable.

You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.

===How much of the event will you see?===
* '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''

===Requirements===
* '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''
* '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''
* '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''
* '''Be polite when directing players around site'''

{{Crewing Links}}

Everything has rhythm

2023-04-09T23:10:33Z

Cyph: /* Ravens Return to Roost */ spelling

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:382YE Spring]][[Category:Recent History]][[Category:Conjunction]]
==Overview==
Before each summit, the Imperial war scouts and the prognosticators produce lists of every conjunction that they have been able to identify. These are not all the conjunctions, these are simply all the conjunctions that they have been able to find. Because of their focus, these conjunctions are usually very military-orientated; they are focused on the movement of the Empire's armies and the barbarian forces arrayed against them. Smaller conjunctions that allow groups to purse their own personal agendas are only rarely discovered by the Imperial civil service.

It is important to note that the details of a conjunction is not fixed - in theory new conjunctions can appear and the destination or size of a conjunction are know to be mutable. The civil service strongly recommend that you check the size and timing of any conjunctions that interest you after you arrive at Anvil.
===OOC Note===
Depending on the number of skirmish crew available, the size of the conjunctions might be increased between now and the event. They will be fixed Friday afternoon at time-in. '''Please check the conjunctions early Friday evening to confirm the gate size.'''

==Friday==
===Murders Most Malicious===
The Black Plateau has awoken.

Soldiers from the Imperial armies in Spiral are forced to endure the presence of the Night Magic that flows out from Screed. It has driven people to madness. It is still driving them to madness. Explosive passions, intense paranoia, the deepest of violent rages. An outpouring of emotion from deep inside the mind.

Several groups of soldiers from the Iron Helms, numbering no more than a hundred, have fully succumbed to the intrusion of the Black Plateau and have entered into a wild frenzy that they claim drives them to kill. They have fled into the mountains and forested valleys of Ossuary to which the forces of the Empire have withdrawn, becoming roving monsters intent on sating their violent urges to spill blood and inflict cruel suffering on anyone they encounter. They are no longer proud infantry from the dark lands of Varushka, stoic against the darkness of their homelands; they have come to embodied the darkness of their distant land and the creatures that dwell there. Few in Spiral have the strength of mind to endure the power that radiates from Screed, let alone face down these terrors that now hunt the passes of Ossuary. Someone needs to do something.
<div style="width:550px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 10px;" >
<table class="wikitext">
<tr><th colspan="4" style="text-align:center">Conjunctions</th></tr>
<tr><th>Where</th><th>When</th><th>Size</th><th>Time</th></tr>
<tr><td>Nephan Heights, Ossuary</td><td>18:30 Friday</td><td>30 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
<tr><td>Nephan Canyon, Ossuary</td><td>19:00 Friday</td><td>30 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
<tr><td>Nephan Steps, Ossuary</td><td>19:30 Friday</td><td>30 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
A few days before the Spring Equinox the prognosticators report a series of three conjunctions early on the first night of the Equinox. All three lead to the '''Nephan Traps''' an area of twisting canyons and basalt pillars in Ossuary, Spiral. There is a chance that these portals can be used to intercept the bands of soldiers that are closing in on the camps of the Winter Sun, Towerjacks, and the Citadel Guard.

At this time the War Scouts cannot provide guidance on which armies will be targeted by each group so the generals of these armies, or their adjutants, will have to coordinate between themselves who will be sent through the Sentinel Gate and likely negotiate with the Varushkans who may also wish to be involved. Several theories have been suggested to help deal with these killers - handing out magical items to quell the rage in their minds, leading them into calming [[aura|auras]] such as those created by the Day ritual [[Solace of Chimes]], or quite simply executing them. There are certainly legal repercussions should the last action be taken for as of yet these soldiers have not yet become murderers. However, it is certain that if they are not stopped by the forces of Anvil then they will reap a bloody toll on the Imperial Armies that may number into the hundreds of dead. A tough decision, a hard decision; one that can display wise compassion of the heart, another that is simply a pragmatic logic that is arrived at from basic mathematics. Kill a hundred, or lose several times that number.
===Fallen Falcon Found===
<table class="wikitext" style="width:500px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 10px" >
<tr><th colspan="3" style="text-align:center">Conjunction</th></tr>
<tr><th>Where</th><th>When</th><th>Size</th></tr>
<tr><td>The Bluehaven, in Apulus</td><td>18:15 Friday</td><td>15 people</td></tr>
</table>
At the Autumn Equinox 381YE, the people of [[Wintermark]] concluded arrangements with a representative of the [[Grendel]] to return the body of the dead thane [[Falcon_in_winter|Dogri Thulebane]]. It has taken quite a while, but Speaker Morna has sent word that the remains and accoutrements of the controversial lord of Crow's Keep have been transported to the borders of [[Spiral]] and arrangements made for a hand-over assuming the Winterfolk can reach them. The funeral escort is waiting at the Blue Haven, a sheltered cove in south-eastern [[Spiral#Apulus|Apulus]], not far from the border with [[Mareave]].

The Wintermark and Urizen egregores have each identified a conjunction of the Sentinel Gate that will open to Blue Haven on Friday evening and allow a small number of Imperial citizens to travel to the rendezvous point. While the Grendel are unlikely to be arranging a trap, given how seriously they take arrangments where money has changed hands, it is not impossible that they might try something. Furthermore, the entire territory of Spiral is filled with dangers and wracked with supernatural power, and consequently no part of it should be considered "''safe''". Any party that passes through the gate should ensure that they have prepared for the worst.

===Ravens Return to Roost===
<div style="width:550px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 10px;" >
<table class="wikitext">
<tr><th colspan="4" style="text-align:center">Conjunctions</th></tr>
<tr><th>Where</th><th>When</th><th>Size</th><th>Time</th></tr>
<tr><td>West Bay, Suaq Wastes</td><td>20:30 Friday</td><td>30 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
<tr><td>Bitter Tundra, Suaq Wastes</td><td>21:00 Friday</td><td>30 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
Imperial war scouts have been tracking bands of Jotun pathfinders across the vast reaches of Sermersuaq since their armies crossed the border into Stark. Several war parties of the western barbarians's elite Raðljóst warriors were spotted in the vicinity of the Pride of Ikka's Tears, the recently constructed mithril mine at the foot of the great glacier. It is evident that these orcs have now discovered the existence of the Imperial Bourse workings and are returning back to their Jarls to inform them of this new finding. Prognosticators suggest that the mithril bounty might influence the Jotun's wider strategic interests in the future, diverting their invasion north to claim Suaq Wastes and Suaq Fount, away from the more populated region of Sealtoq next to neighbouring Kallavesa.

The Jotun have split into two separate groups, each taking different routes back towards the armies in Stark and Tanikipari, evidently in an attempt to provide redundancy should one band be intercepted. The first group has reached '''West Bay''' on the shores of Sarda; whilst the second group has chosen an easterly path round that lake and are currently passing through '''Bitter Tundra''', an expanse once given over to the collection of bladeroot that grew abundantly in the area.

Whilst of interest to all Suaq and Wintermarkers, as well as those engaged in the Imperial Bourse, the ultimate responsibility for the seat's safety lies with the seat holder, Algar of Ashenhall. The civil service report conjunctions to these two locales on the first evening of the Spring Equinox. Scout reports the Jotun will be preparing to camp, but given the fighting style of the Raðljóst they will be quick to rally and be aggressive towards any force against them. To prevent the Jarls in Sermersuaq discovering of the mithril mine, none of the Jotun should be left alive.

==Saturday==
===Stone Born Stand Solid===
<div style="width:550px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 10px;" >
<table class="wikitext" >
<tr><th colspan="4" style="text-align:center">Conjunctions</th></tr>
<tr><th>Where</th><th>When</th><th>Size</th><th>Time</th></tr>
<tr><td>Summer's Stone at Halcorim</td><td>14:00 Saturday</td><td>30 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
<tr><td>Estavia's Key</td><td>14:30 Saturday</td><td>25 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
<tr><td>Isle of Seven Goats</td><td>15:00 Saturday</td><td>25 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
The liberation of Lightsea and the coastal settlements of Free Landing from the Grendel has been swift and decisive. The Grendel's strategic forces, the army and the navies that briefly held parts of Madruga, have withdrawn, leaving only scattered raiders and pirate crews. As the Equinox draws close these small bands are reinforced by elite moridun forces who set about organising the fractious seadogs and preparing defensive positions. The Freeborn corsairs and Imperial War Scouts that have assisted the Marcher soldiers this past season now report that small redoubts, stockades, and barriers have been erected to protect key approaches onto the islands. It is uncertain what the Grendel are planning, but as the vessels that brought these mercenaries ashore have now departed it appears that the barbarians are digging in for the coming season.

Three conjunctions have been divined by the civil service prognosticators that offer opportunities for the heroes of Anvil to strike against these minor defences. Portals to the Summer's Stone Regio at Halcorim, Estavia's Key and the Isle of Seven Goats all offer a chance for forces to be sent in to drive back the Grendel troops from their defences and permit any Imperial forces committed in the coming campaign season to swiftly recapture the Free Landing islands.

===Feni Fight Ferociously===
<div style="width:550px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 10px;" >
<table class="wikitext" >
<tr><th colspan="4" style="text-align:center">Conjunctions</th></tr>
<tr><th>Where</th><th>When</th><th>Size</th><th>Time</th></tr>
<tr><td>Connor's Rock, Chalkdowns</td><td>14:15 Saturday</td><td>15 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
At the Winter Equinox there were two opportunities for Imperial Heroes to travel through the Sentinel Gate to attempt to strike at raiding Feni warbands - one in Wood Heath, Hahnmark, and one in Birchland, Upwold. Unfortunately, it seems that those attempts both ended in failure, as more reports of Feni raids have continued to emerge.

As of the Spring Equinox, however, more recent reports indicate what appears to be a change of behaviour for the Feni. Firstly, the attacks in Hahnmark began to cross over into the hills of Southridge around a month after the Winter Equinox, but have since abated significantly. Whether this is due to that warband meeting a sticky end at the hands of Winterfolk warriors, or whether something more nefarious is afoot, is currently unclear.

By contrast, the Feni warband that was active in Birchland has only become more active. Reports seem to indicate that it has swelled in size, and now represents the equivalent of two or three military units - and not only that, but the raids the Feni are making appear to be more and more widespread. Homesteads, monasteries and market towns in Ashbrook and Tower March have been targeted, and the latest reports - from up to three weeks before the Solstice - indicate attacks have crossed the border into the Mournwold, where the thralls appear to receive just as much trouble as Marcher citizens - perhaps more, as they are by nature indisposed to fighting, and several of their farms in Freemoor have been thoroughly sacked.

The prognosticators have noted that there will be a conjunction on the Saturday afternoon of the coming summit to the area around the menhir known as '''Connor's Rock''', in the Chalkdowns, Mournwold. It is clear this conjunction is something to do with the Feni - a troubling omen, as it indicates that their attacks are pushing westwards into the Chalkdowns. However, this opportunity to strike back at the Feni would at least hamper their raiding activity, likely reducing or entirely preventing any impact on farms and other resources in the Mourn. If the Feni are not stopped them all farms and businesses in the Mournwold will lose 36 rings and all herb gardens will lose 2 random herbs in the coming season.

===Frozen Floes Foes===
<div style="width:550px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 10px;" >
<table class="wikitext" >
<tr><th colspan="4" style="text-align:center">Conjunctions</th></tr>
<tr><th>Where</th><th>When</th><th>Size</th><th>Time</th></tr>
<tr><td>Iqaluit Rise, East Floes</td><td>17:00 Saturday</td><td>75 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
<tr><td>Pangnirtung Station, East Floes</td><td>17:30 Saturday</td><td>75 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
As the Equinox draws closer and the grip of winter weakens upon the pack ice of the great lakes of Sermersuaq the surfaces of ''Big Sister'' and ''Little Brother'' are broken by clawing hands that reach up from the freezing depths. Despite the timely intervention of the Heroes of the Mark at the Winter Solstice, saving several Suaq settlements from hordes of the restless dead, the undead have once again risen to plague the open tundra and iceways of eastern Sermersuaq.

Local trackers, icewalkers and Imperial War Scouts are quick to track the frozen corpses as they march inland. Eagle-eyed rangers are quick to spot a number of living merrow mages among the drowned corpses. Clad in the warm layers of the Suaq, these humans are most certainly alive, yet not troubled by the dead that surround them. Who these triton are, or what their goals are is at this time unknown.

Two conjunctions off chances for the heroes of Wintermark to engage the husks as they move across the East Floes. The first conjunction opens to '''Iqaluit Rise''' through which several hundred husks have been tracked during the past week. '''Pangnirtung Station''', an old mammoth hunter and trading outpost, is the location of the second conjunction. Two large hosts will need to be assembled to battle the undead, comprising of all manner of warriors, mages and healers; those who fought these horrors from the briney deep last season will be aware of the dangers faced when combating this type of foe. The Wintermark egregores and the Imperial war scout representative will be able to provide further information.
<box>'''Note:''' The battle team invite anyone who wishes to monster these two skirmishes to arrive at Monster by '''16:30''' to get into kit and be briefed ready for the 17:00 start. We will need you to monster both 20 minute skirmishes. It is not possible to turn up late and join in after 17:00.

You will be playing husks of dead humans that have crawled from the icy waters of the East Floes. Simple LRP base layers will be sufficient, but Wintermark kit you have will make for a better looking encounter. We have a limited number of small latex domino masks to wear, along with shredded shrouds. A simple effect can also be achieved with face paint and our makeup team can help apply it at Monster.

Husks are predominantly shambling corpses animated by Winter spirits, there will be little need to run about but combat is highly-likely. We do not require water carriers or low-combatant support forces. Please do not bring the following equipment:
* Bows and Crossbows
* Throwing weapons</box>

===Fire in the Forlorn Forests===
<div style="width:550px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 10px;" >
<table class="wikitext">
<tr><th colspan="4" style="text-align:center">Conjunctions</th></tr>
<tr><th>Where</th><th>When</th><th>Size</th><th>Time</th></tr>
<tr><td>Silent Stand, West Ranging</td><td>18:00 Saturday</td><td>75 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
<tr><td>Far Steading, West Ranging</td><td>18:30 Saturday</td><td>75 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
Shortly before the Spring Equinox two heralds of the Winter Realm appear at the Imperial Regio. They speak on behalf of Surut of the Thrice Cursed Court and have come to provide information to the civil service relating to the Imperial campaign in West Ranging, Liathaven. The heralds, clad in forge-black Marcher harness and burned gambeson, describe at length Surut's wish that the Navarr continue to lead his fires against the Vallorn. Two Spring Regio remain in the region, lone islands of verdant foliage to which the horrors of Yaw-nagrah, Jotun husks and twisted fauna of the deep woods have retreated. Surut desires these founts of fecundity to be put to his burning flame, and requests that the Navarr, along with their Marcher allies sally forth as emissaries for his consuming flames.

Two conjunctions have been detected by the civil service, allowing access to '''Silent Stand''' and '''Far Steading''', and the locations of the two Spring Regio. The prognosticators note that both of these locations are sites of engagements over the past several years between the Empire and the Jotun. Surut's heralds request that the Navarr general of the Quiet Step - currently Brennos Brackensong - travel to both of these locations to act a focus for the power of Winter's Flame, allowing Surut to destroy these regio and wither the forest around them.

Forces close to these regio report that despite the devastation already wrought in the area, a Vallorn miasma still hangs in the air. Entering the miasma will cause the blood to become venomed and feel like a burning fire. It is also likely that those who remain in the miasma too long will become infected with Green Lung. Scouts have sent reports of husks, both human and orc in origin, twisted chitin clad humanoids, giant mutated insects and striding masses of bark and vegetation here.

It is understood that engaging the Vallorn in these areas, along with the destruction of the regio by Surut's boon, should be sufficient to reduce the strength of the Vallorn remaining in the region. If both opportunities are successful then Imperial forces will be able to control the entire West Ranging region, secure a beachhead in Liathaven, and allow them to push into West Wood without worry of their supply lines being at risk from attack.
<box>'''Note:''' The battle team invite anyone who wishes to monster these two skirmishes to arrive at Monster by '''17:30''' to get into kit and be briefed ready for the 18:00 start. We need you to monster both 20 minute skirmishes. It is not possible to turn up late and join in after 18:00.

You will be playing [[Vallornspawn_husk|Vallorn Husks]] of either dead humans or orcs. Simple LRP base layers will be sufficient, but any Navarr, Marcher, Wintermark or Jotun kit you have will make for a better looking encounter. We have a limited number of small latex domino masks to wear, along with shredded shrouds. A simple effect can also be achieved with face paint and our makeup team can help apply it at Monster. We also have plastic vines that you can accessorise your costume with.

Husks are predominantly shambling corpses animated by vegetation, and there will be limited need to run about but combat is highly-likely. We do not require water carriers or low-combatant support forces. Please do not bring the following equipment:
* Shields
* Bows and Crossbows
* Throwing weapons</box>
===Verminous Villain at Veltsgorsk===
<table class="wikitext" style="width:500px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 10px" >
<tr><th colspan="3" style="text-align:center">Conjunction</th></tr>
<tr><th>Where</th><th>When</th><th>Size</th></tr>
<tr><td>The road near the Granites of Veltsgorsk, Opascari, Volodmartz</td><td>20:15 Saturday</td><td>15 people</td></tr>
</table>
Scant days before the summit is due to begin worrying news comes south of a warband of orc warriors active in the northern mountains of Volodmartz. According to the reports, the force consist of a mixture of orcs and husks and are led by an orc warlock. The evidence, the location, the leadership, the nature of the forces all strongly suggest that this group are Thule, but Imperial scouts have not yet had time to check. The orcs have raided the carts and caravans of a number of small mines, stealing what gold, gems and orichalcum they can - which is common practice for Thule, but they are not taking slaves which definitely isn't like the Thule.

There are some confused reports that the force may be flying their own banners. Those who escape these attacks say their leader is a fearful magician whose staff stings like a snake’s bite.

So far, they have only attacked a few sites, and made away with relatively little. They were last seen heading north-west – toward the huge White Granite mine at Veltsgorsk, in Brez. Imperial prognosticators have done some hasty checking and managed to identity a conjunction to the area which may prove decisive.

===Unto the Utique===
<div style="width:550px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 10px;" >
<table class="wikitext" >
<tr><th colspan="4" style="text-align:center">Conjunctions</th></tr>
<tr><th>Where</th><th>When</th><th>Size</th><th>Time</th></tr>
<tr><td>Ceramic Meander Slave Camp, Iteri</td><td>20:30 Saturday</td><td>25 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ceramic Meadows, Iteri</td><td>21:00 Saturday</td><td>25 people</td><td>20 minutes</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
Reports from Zenith have identified a Druj encampment, at '''Ceramic Meander''', Iteri, where prisoners captured during the Highguard retreat out of the territory are being held. A month before the Spring equinox several Druj warbands have arrived at the camp and taken away selected prisoners, these slave parties have since been tracked heading east and then north, likely taking a circuitous route around Therunin to the Barrens. The camp itself is well guarded by Chikad warriors, smart and cunning skirmishers who are alert to any attempts to escape. Despite the risk, Imperial war scouts have managed to infiltrate the camp and speak with a number of the Highborn soldiers. Morale is strong, but conditions are brutal with frequent lashings and public excoriation by their captors. A particularly vile Tepel apothecary has selected a single prisoner each day to be paraded in front of their fellow soldiers and forced to drink a noxious brew that swiftly burns their insides like acid, causing a horrific death.

Two opportunities exist to use conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate to assist in a rescue attempt at the camp. A force of Imperial war scouts and volunteer unconquered are ready to escort any escapees away to safety across the Utique river. All that is required is a distraction to draw the guards away from the '''Ceramic Meander Slave Camp''', then a second force that can hold against the Chikad at '''Ceramic Meadows''' to delay their return to the camp. The civil service war scout representative - Orn Eidrmutr - will be available near the Sentinel Gate should the heroes of Anvil wish to discuss plans further.

These opportunities are a risky proposition and will require great skill and courage to effect a successful rescue. At this stage it is uncertain how many can be rescued, but there are at least two hundred soldiers that can be quickly returned to the ranks of the Granite Pillar, Valiant Pegasus and Seventh Wave. If the escape goes to plan, the civil service will be able to inform the Highborn generals of the numbers that have been rescued by the final meeting of the Military Council on Sunday of the Equinox.

Watching my mistakes

2023-04-09T23:10:02Z

Cyph: /* A Question of Skeins */ spelling

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:384YE Winter]][[Category:Recent History]]
<ic>The dog snarled, his jaws pulling back to reveal a mouthful of canines that would terrify most folk. He was big for his breed, and full grown now, he must be at least a hundred fifty pounds of muscle and sinew. All coming together in a pair of jaws strong enough to rip your face clean off your skull. Good job he was Thilda's best friend then.

She'd bought him from a shop in Holberg that trained dogs. Apparently he'd been a stray or something, or so the shopkeeper claimed. They probably gave the same story to every Wintermark hunter who turned up looking for a wolf-hound. These city types were all the same - he probably had a litter of them out of the back.

Or maybe not. She like to imagine there wasn't another hound in the whole Empire like Wolf's Bane. She didn't know if dogs did Virtue, but she knew what commanded her heart's devotion above all else. Her dog would fight off Voice of the Pines himself to save Maethilda Fulesdottir and dammit if she didn't feel the same.

"Focus on the job" Thilda she urged herself. This was serious. If she didn't play her part they'd both end up dead and being puked up into the guts of this bastard creature's offspring. Bane was doing his bit, it was time to do hers.

The monster screamed in rage at them, as they circled around it. The beast was big, that was for sure, six, maybe seven feet tall, its sleek black feathers looked oily in the cold winter light, its beady malevolent red eyes filled with fury as it glared at them. Its terrible beak kept opening and snapping closed, giving off a thunderous crack that served as a chilling warning of how easily it might shatter bones if given half a chance.

Bane was snarling and snapping, crouched ready to pounce at any moment; but he knew better than to get too close. Keep the monster on its toes, keep it agitated, it would grow weary and then it would make a mistake. The monster kept rising up into the air, hopping madly towards her or Bane, wings flapping wildly before it crashed back to the ground. It was tiring now though, she could tell, the moment to strike was at hand.

She gripped her spear and readied for the thrust. Maybe this monster was one of Whisperers, maybe it was one sent by the King of Wroth. Either way the bastard thing was going back where it came from this night...
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Watching My Mistakes.jpg|align=left|caption="No hero should ever say they will triumph at any cost lest you dare fate to take you at your word."|width=700}}</div>
==Overview==
[[Wintermark]] is whole once more. The [[Jotun]] are gone and the territory of [[Sermersuaq]] is firmly under Imperial control. The [[fortification|castles]] the western [[orc|orcs]] built to stamp their dominion over the tundra and ice floes now stand as silent sentinels, guarding the West against their return.

The triumph of victory soon gives way to a more tempered celebration. The Jotun are gone, but their brief rule has left a scar in the heart of the people that will not quickly fade. Some of those who took the Choice, and bowed the knee to the Jotun now struggle to stand as [[heroism|heroes]] in the eyes of their fellow Winterfolk. Others took to the snows to fight the invaders at any cost. But there is an old quote the mystics say, usually ascribed to fabled Tekupala though there's no evidence they ever said it. ''"No hero should ever say they will triumph at any cost lest you dare fate to take you at your word."'' Fate may not have heard the Wintermarkers vow, but ''someone'' was listening...
==A Question of Skeins==
<div style="max-width: 50%; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;"><quote by="Usko Argonning, Wintermark Assembly, Spring 383YE, Upheld (206 - 22 Greater Majority).">The stormcrows of Wintermark recognise that for Winterfolk, accepting the "choice" to become a Jotun thrall is not heroic. Those who become thralls are torn from our egregore and subsequently Frayed. We urge those fighting the thralls to spare their lives, so that they may come home.</quote></div>
<div style="max-width: 50%; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;"><quote by="Ursa, Wintermark Assembly, Autumn 383YE, Upheld (201 - 0 Greater Majority).">The priests of Wintermark encourage ex-thralls of the Jotun to return to the nation and re-affirm their bond with Sulkavaris. We assure them that Wintermark has not forgotten them and that for those who feel that their skein has frayed, there will be a stormcrow waiting to guide them back to the way of Virtue and heroism.</quote></div>
<div style="max-width: 50%; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;"><quote by="Ilhelm Avercall, Wintermark Assembly, Winter 383YE, Upheld (228 - 13 Greater Majority).">
A previous statement of principle (383YE Spring Equinox), regarding the skeins of citizens in Sermersuaq who became thralls misrepresented our traditions. Becoming frayed is not like a curse you can put on someone. It is a personal matter you should be guided to decide for yourself, in consultation with crows, mystics, and other Wintermark traditions. The stormcrows are there to guide the skeins of Wintermarkers, not dictate them.</quote></div>
<div style="max-width: 50%; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;"><quote by="Maarit Suvidottir, Wintermark Assembly, Autumn 384YE, Upheld (386- 0 Greater Majority).">We the national assembly recognise the series of tragedies that have befallen Sermersuaq. War, destruction, meddling eternals, questions of their virtues, and the challenging of their skeins. In loyalty to our fellows we call upon the scops, mystics, and stormcrows of the Mark to help them reweave their skeins with the nation. The Suaq are one of the three people.</quote></div>

When the Jotun armies conquered Sermersuaq, many Wintermarkers took the choice. While there are more Suaq living in Sermersuaq than the other territories, there are plenty of Steinr and Kallavesa dwelling in most halls here. Members of all the traditions accepted life as a thrall.

Not all by far. Some fought to the bitter end in countless dramatic final stands that all ended the same way. They earned the respect of the Jotun, who then cut them down and buried them in one of the thousands of cairns that now dot the landscape.

Those who escaped to Kallavesa and Hahnmark were the lucky ones. Able to start a new life, or else join those heroes fighting to retake their homeland. Those who fled into the wilderness, hiding out on ice floes, were less fortune. Many survived by paying a different price.

But most chose to live. They chose a life of toil and servitude to the Jotun over certain death at the hands of their conquerors. A statement by Usko Argonning clearly condemning those who accepted the choice, denouncing them as Frayed and outcasts was backed by the greater majority of the Wintermark Assembly. But then Usko appeared to change their mind, withdrawing a follow-up mandate that would have urged every Wintermarker who took the choice to consider the damage to their skein. Instead, the Assembly chose to pass a different statement in Autumn 383YE, extending the hand of forgiveness to those who took the choice and making clear that Wintermark stood ready to welcome them back.

Finally Maarit Suvidottir's judgement was upheld with a resounding greater majority. It recognised the multiple tragedies that have befallen Sermersuaq and called on scops, mystics and stormcrows to help the people reweave their skeins.

Maarit's judgement seems to settle the matter in the minds of many. Wintermarkers welcome a good death, but where the Jotun throw their lives away, because they believe any death in battle is their only chance to cross the Abyss, a Wintermarker knows that heroism is about striving to succeed in the face of adversity, not embracing a doomed gesture. A good death is one that happens in pursuit of heroic goals - that might be a battle that offered a chance of victory, but it's not embracing certain death because you don't have the courage to bend the knee until the time comes when victory is a real possibility.

Of course there are many who feel shame for their actions. There will be work for the crows in Sermersuaq for years to come, helping the Frayed come to terms with what they have done. But as Ilhelm Avercall promised, the crows will be ''"there to guide the skeins of Wintermarkers, not dictate them"''.

==Voice of the Pines==
However, not all can be reconciled so readily. Some Wintermarkers - of every tradition it should be noted - chose to fight the Jotun with whatever weapons they could find. Sermersuaq is one of the largest territories in the Empire, and perhaps half of it is a vast desolate tundra broken up by ice-covered mountains and impassable snow-drifts. It is easy to flee into the wastes, easy to hide there. What is hard is surviving.

Most who took to the wastes were hoping to fight a guerrilla war - what they found instead was starvation. And without the [[Alignment#Enmity|impenetrable shield of the Conclave]] to protect them, something more. The Voice of the Pines. the Wastewalker, the Whisperer. According to the scops he takes his name from the fact that you will first hear him if you listen to the howling of the wind when the storm is at its highest. Or, call him by the name the Suaq know him by. ''[[Agramant|Blood-on-the-Snow]]''.

Scores of Wintermarkers made pacts with the Whisperer. Some acted from raw desperation, the only way to fend of starvation was to eat that which is forbidden. Some acted from fury, the only way to strike back at the Jotun was to accept the weapons the Dream of Famine offered. The Wintermark Assembly condemned them for it - and that stemmed the tide, ensuring that countless more stopped up their ears and refused to listen to the Cold North Wind.

But it can't be denied that many of those who fought hardest against the Jotun did so with the active encouragement and support of the Voice of the Pines. The facts are incontrovertible - the question is what to do about it.
<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=AgramantArt.jpg|caption=""Say my name, and everything just stops."|align=right|width=400}}</div>
==Choices==
* '''There are several steps the Empire could take to deal with the threat of dangerous cults growing in northern Wintermark'''
* '''None of these options are exclusive, and are only available during the Winter Solstice'''
Wintermark and the Empire could chose to ignore the problem. The Jotun conquest of Sermersuaq was arduous for everyone and people made difficult choices. Some of the people who resisted the hardest did so by employing methods outside Imperial law, outside Imperial conscience. But the Jotun are gone, and all of that is now history. Maybe it is best to let sleeping dogs lie?

That would be the easiest option certainly, but it might not be the wisest. Blood-on-the-Snow for one, is unlikely to leave the matter there. How many cults has the Dream of Famine established in the frozen tundra? And worse... if the Empire turns a blind eye to the actions of those who accepted the aid of the Abominable One, then you can be certain that it will be quick to point that out next time an opportunity like this presents itself again. Many of those who refused to succumb to the Horned Manticore's blandishments no matter how bad things got did so because they knew they would face a worse punishment in due course. What happens if that is no longer true?

The alternative then is to act; to investigate every Wintermarker who resisted the Jotun and discover who wielded the weapons ''Heartcrack'' offered. That won't be easy or cheap, but there are a number of different ways the Empire might attempt it, none of which are exclusive.

===Send in the Magistrates===
There is a tried and tested way to deal with those who have treated with eternals under enmity. The [[Imperial Senate]] could pass a motion ordering the magistrates to investigate the heroes of Sermersuaq, and try and execute those who accepted the aid of Blood-on-the-snow. It is a long way from a good death, but it might be the most effective way to rip up any cults before they put down long roots.

Such actions are not without costs. The ''Everhowl'' and their agents are careful to hide from prying eyes so any attempt by the militia to identify them would need to be intrusive if it was to be effective. The civil service estimate that the overall impact would be a loss of two ranks from every [[military unit]] based in Sermersuaq for the next two seasons, while the investigation was carried out.

The magistrates will never find every Wintermarker who owes a favour to the Whisperer, but they could identify the worst offenders and execute them. Such an action would ensure that there was no possibility of any dedicated cult forming in Sermersuaq in the years ahead. The fact that it would please Blood-on-the-Snow enormously (there is nothing the treacherous eternal apparently loves more than to see his own followers cut down by the Empire) would be a price that would just have to be borne.

===Ring the Silent Bell===
The [[Imperial Synod]] could choose to get involved if they wish. The [[Silent Bell (Sodality)|Silent Bell]] exists to investigate internal threats to the Empire in pursuit of [[Vigilance]]. [[Assembly#The Assembly of the Nine|The Assembly of the Nine]] could instruct them to head to the far north and seek out those who listened to the Cold North Wind.

Such an approach would have advantages of subtlety, there would be no disruption to the military units based in Sermersuaq that the magistrates might cause. The Silent Bell would provide a report to the Cardinal who raised the judgement, detailing the evidence they had uncovered of any wrong-doing. It would be down to the Cardinal to do with that information as they saw best. Provided everyone can accept that outcome, this might be the last intrusive way to root out the Howler's allies.

===Shutter the Lantern===
The [[Imperial Conclave]] could take a different approach. A [[Declaration]] of [[Concord]] from anyone empowered to raise one could be used to ask the members of the Order of the Shuttered Lantern to investigate the agents of the Howler in Sermersuaq.

The manifesto of the Shuttered Lantern states that ''"Acquiring the knowledge and secrets of the Empire's enemies strengthens us."'' Blood-on-the-Snow will have offered boons of various kinds to those who were prepared to accept them. Not just rituals, but boons, curses, magical items or strange relics birthed in the bloodiest depths of the Winter Realm. There is power in such things - that is a truth that nobody should deny - people don't throw in their lot with Blood-on-the-Snow due to his charming disposition.

Such an action would provide the Grandmaster of the Shuttered Lantern with more information on the ''Voice of the Pines'' and the boons he offers. There might be ways to wrest such power from the Howler's grasp and use it to benefit the Empire. The only risk would be that any such option might just be another of the Howler's games.

===Murder the Crows===
The Wintermark Assembly could use a mandate to urge the stormcrows and the other Wintermark priests to head to Sermersuaq and to seek out those whose decisions have twisted their skein.

{{Mandate|assembly=Wintermark Assembly|mandate=We urge the faithful of Wintermark to seek out the poison in your neighbour’s fields. We send {named priest} with 50 doses of liao to remind everyone that cold cannot compromise. Those who have made dark bargains must be rooted out}}

If this mandate is endorsed, then Wintermark priests in Sermersuaq will work to try and identify who has accepted Blood-on-the-Snow's aid. They can work with the Imperial law; there is a well-respected softly-spoken Kallavesi magistrate based in Sealtoq called Heorl Thunderspeaker who could conduct any trials that were needed.

Such an approach would be insufficient to root out every ally of ''Meat Tearer'' in the area, the assembly lacks the skills or the powers to carry out a more thorough or invasive search. It would ''not'' ensure that no cult of Blood-on-the-Snow formed in the territory. But it would catch the most well-known as well as those prepared to confess their crimes to a priest. That would be enough to stop Blood-on-the-Snow claiming that the Empire turns a blind eye to those who side with him when times are hard - the eternal wouldn't be able to use the example of Sermersuaq to make their case the next time they have a chance to tempt the downfallen.
===Time and Tests===
To reiterate, these four opportunities are ''not'' mutually exclusive and any or all of them could be brought to bear in Sermersuaq. In the event more than one of them are implemented, however, they may potentially be unexpected consequences that mean the outcomes differ from what the civil service expects.

Timing, however, is paramount. These four options are only available during the Winter Solstice. After that the situation will have changed, and the outcomes listed here would no longer be guaranteed.

==A Beacon in the North==
* '''Monsters now roam Sermersuaq; some from the Winter realm and some from the Summer realm'''
* '''The ''Hall of the Hunters'' would provide a base from which to hunt the beasts and prevent them becoming a larger threat'''
* '''In addition to functioning as a sinecure. the ''Hall'' would create a new paid work option for Wintermark and Dawnish military units'''
The mortal allies of the Whisperer are not his only legacy in Sermersuaq. The enmity of the Imperial Conclave is enough to keep the ''Dream of Famine'' and his heralds locked out of the Empire - they cannot slip from a regio into the mortal world anywhere the Empire's dominion holds. They can walk over the borders, but that is a long and uncertain journey that few of Blood-on-the-Snow's heralds seem to have the patience for.

Unfortunately the Conclave's power in Sermersuaq faltered when the Empire's rule there ended. To keep the Howler at bay, the Jotun erected blood-red stone markers around the main settlements, carved with runes and decorated with [[weltsilver]] and [[ambergelt]]. Either they don't work at all, or there weren't enough of them, but whatever the case, the wastes of Sermersuaq are now plagued with all manner of beasts and monsters that have slipped from the Winter realm into the mortal world. Most of these cruel monsters are servants of Wastewalker in some way - but they are a very different threat to his cultists. They are not concealing themselves, rather than they are hunting the lone and the unwary, bringing danger wherever people travel or venture out after dark.

Sadly, these horrors are not alone. ''[[Hayaak]]'', the Griffon-King, [[A_wandering_fire#Lions_and_Song_.28Battle.29|unleashed his vengeance]] on the [[Thule]] warlocks gathered at [[Sermersuaq#Tanikipari|Tanikipari]] in Autumn 384YE. The Empire tried to prevent the massacre, but they were too late to stop an army of Hayaak's followers from descending on the warlocks and ripping them limb from limb. Bad news for the Thule maybe... but not just for them. After the Thule were dealt with, Hayaak's monsters did not return to the Summer realm. Instead they scattered across the land, bringing more threat and danger to the many wild places of Sermersuaq.

Fortunately such threats are meat and drink to the heroes of Wintermark. If they had somewhere suitable to stay and base themselves out of, then the heroes of the Empire could hunt down these monsters and curtail the danger they pose indefinitely. The slavering beasts that Blood-on-the-Snow and Hayaak have set on Sermersuaq will be a danger for years to come, threatening individual lives and posing a risk to travellers. But this approach would ensure that they never become a coherent force, that could threaten the safety and security of the territory. Imperial heroes might have to travel by sentinel gate to deal with an individual monster, but they wouldn't become a danger that needed the attention of the Senate or the Military Council.

<div style="width: 400px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Hall of the Hunters'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' [[Sinecure]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Sermersuaq, Suaq Wastes, Lake Atkonaroq</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 12 white granite, 3 thrones, three months</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:'''Produces 9 mana a season and creates a paid work option for Wintermark and Dawnish military units</td></tr></table>
</div>

The best way to enable that would be to create a new hall in a central location that could serve as a welcoming area for bands of heroes venturing into Sermersuaq to hunt down the beasts of ''Icesnap'' and Hayaak. The ''Hall of the Hunters'' could be built on the edge of Lake Atkonaroq in the [[Sermersuaq#Suaq Wastes|Suaq Wastes]]. It would need 12 white granite and three thrones, and take three months to construct. Once built, it would create a new Wintermark title, the ''Banner-Bearer of Atkonaroq'', which would need to be appointed by the Wintermark [[National Assembly]] each year. The title holder would be responsible for the safety of the hall, and for ensuring that the heroes who came there were adequately provisioned to brave the dangers of the Suaq wastes. In return they would gain an income of 9 mana crystals a season drawn from the waters of the lake.

Crucially, if the hall were constructed and a Banner-Bearer appointed by the Wintermark Assembly, then Wintermark heroes and their military units could base themselves here when hunting down Hayaak and Blood-on-the-Snow's monsters. This would create a [[Military_unit#Adventures|special paid work option]] for all Wintermark military units to "Hunt the Suaq Wastes". In place of the normal [[Military unit#production|production]] for paid work, this would produce a mixture of coin, and small amounts of both winter and summer [[vis]] taken from the bodies of monsters.

Inevitably some [[Dawn|Dawnish]] [[Glory]] hounds would likely turn up as well from time-to-time - drawn by the promise of desperate battles against terrible monsters - but the more heroes that came the better. The existence of the Hall, and the presence of the heroes who used it as a base for their adventures, would be enough to keep the monstrous heralds of Winter and Summer at bay indefinitely.

Dawn monarchy update

2023-04-09T21:12:34Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

{{CaptionedImage|file=Imperatrix and Throneguard.jpg|align=right|title=The Imperatrix with her Throne Guard|caption=During the Spring Equinox 381YE, [[Empress Lisabetta|the Imperatrix]] was crowned [[Dawn monarchy|monarch of Dawn]].|width=500}}
==Overview==
We've had a number of emails with questions regarding the traditions of the [[Dawn monarchy]], the mechanisms for interacting with those traditions and what the consequences might be. Rather than answer those emails individually, we've done a single wiki page to try and cover all the details relevant to this.

Most of what is outlined on this page represents the cultural traditions and assumptions of the rank and file Dawnish NPCs - the people who do not normally attend the summits at Anvil. In effect an extension of the [[Dawn]] brief as it applies to the hundreds of thousands of citizens who live in Dawn. Although we expect Dawnish players to follow the overall tenor of the Dawnish brief when creating their character, they are not bound by specific elements on the brief - but equally the brief is not affected by individual or collective departures from it.

==Cultural not Legal==
The monarch of Dawn is primarily a cultural tradition. The title doesn't have any legal powers and as such, the election of the title is not directly governed by [[Imperial law]]. Imperial law is the only law valid in the Empire - so that means that the title does not fall within any legal jurisdiction. When Dawn was an independent sovereign nation then the monarchy would be bound and governed by Dawnish laws - but those laws ceased to be binding when Dawn joined the Empire. An individual might argue that the original Dawnish law represents the most authoritative source for ruling what is appropriate, but few records of that era remain and it would need significant research to recover them if that were even possible.

Instead the rules governing the Dawn monarch are primarily traditional - a reflection of the longstanding [[Pride]] that the Dawnish people feel in their monarch and the importance they attach to the position. It is possible to change these traditions - they have been changed before on a number of important occasions - but doing so takes considerable effort if people are to be convinced of the legitimacy of the changes.
{{CaptionedImage|file=ImperialCrown.png|align=left|caption=[[The Throne]] leads the Empire.|width=250}}
__TOC__
==Sovereignty==
Since the foundation of the Empire, there has never been a Dawnish monarch who wasn't also [[the Throne|the reigning Throne]]. According to the Dawnish history, the nation joined the nascent Empire at the point where the [[First Empress]] became the Queen of Dawn. Such membership was more de facto than legal however, with the tourney to elect the First Empress serving as a rallying ground for noble houses on either side of the argument. However arguable just as significant was the decision not to elect a monarch after the death of the First Empress. Had the Dawnish nobility not taken that decision, the course of history might be very different.

By general acclaim the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch monarch] is the head of state for the Dawnish nation. There is no legal standing for such an arrangement - Imperial law is very clear that the Throne is the head of the Imperial state. But the existence of a separate head of state for Dawn does not cause any legal or constitutional conflicts, ''provided the title is combined with the Throne''.
<div style="width:400px; float: right;"><quote by="Imperial Constitution">The Throne shall lead the Empire and represent her in all things.</quote></div>
If that were not the case - if the nobility of Dawn chose to elect a monarch who was not The Throne - it would have wide-ranging implications for Dawnish membership of the Empire. It would bring into question the [[Loyalty]] of every Dawnish citizen - do they consider The Throne to be the ruler of Dawn or the monarch? The only clear constitutional way that Dawn can have both a monarch and an emperor is if they are the same person, otherwise they would have to choose between one or the other.

Over the centuries since the Empire was formed there have been a few moments when Dawn has contemplated the restoration of an independent ruling monarchy. The most notable incident took place in 137YE during the reign of [[Empress Varkula]]. Dawnish unhappiness with the political outcome of the [[Holberg]] campaign was widespread and a dozen prominent Dawnish nobles were discovered to be gathering support for a plan to make Marthe of House Edwillion, Queen of Dawn. Marthe was a great bull-necked woman, widely considered the most successful [[general]] from the Holberg campaign and beloved in Dawn as much for her awesome fighting demeanour on the tourney field as her military genius.

Had they taken any action, the plotters would have faced charges of subverting the agencies of state, but the Empress was disinclined to leave the matter to the magistrates. Instead she made a public address in the [[Imperial Senate|Senate]] spelling out in no uncertain terms the unique role of The Throne as the head of the Empire. In her inimitable acerbic style she explicitly threatened Dawn, but made it clear that she would use the full powers of The Throne against ''any'' nation that sought to divide and undermine the Empire in this way. At the very least, she would ensure that such a nation immediately lost all military support, and would be left to face the [[Druj|barbarians]] alone. There are no records of what follows, so it appears that Varkula's threat appears to have been sufficient to cow the rebellious nobles.

There are some clear alternatives that would avert the crisis of having two heads of state. One is the [[Wintermark_history|route taken by Wintermark]], when they joined the Empire. The Mark retains the traditional regalia of their monarch, the [[Crown of Three Tears]], but when they joined the Empire the last King gave the crown to the Kallavesi mystics and they granted it the champion best able to inspire the nation. There would be considerable resistance to such an approach in Dawn - the monarchical tradition is seen by many as the natural corollary to the nobility of the houses. But it ''might'' be possible to persuade people to rename and re-purpose the title to something that held less status - for Dawn to cease to be a monarchy.

The obvious alternative route involves a very different change. The constitutional conflict presented by having two different heads of state would also be avoided if Dawn chose to leave the Empire. If Dawn were once again a sovereign nation, then they would be free to chose their own law and could elect a ruling monarch. Disgruntled nations have contemplated independence from the Empire before - but have usually been put off by the potential costs. Few nations are confident of being able to face the barbarians alone. Just losing access to the power of the Sentinel gate alone could damage their military capabilities - assuming that such a nation still found it worthwhile to continue to meet with the other nations at Anvil.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Banners of War.jpg|align=right|caption=The nobles of Dawn are the leaders of their nation.|width=550}}

==Nationality==
Since the foundation of the Empire there has only been one monarch of Dawn who was actually born Dawnish. [[Empress Richilde]], called the Sun Queen, best exemplified the
glorious tradition and spirit of the Dawnish people. The tourney to elect her Queen was appropriately glorious but the outcome was never in any doubt. The only other Dawnish Throne, [[Emperor Hugh]], was urged by some Dawnish nobles to seek the title but he refused for reasons of his own.

Many Dawnish folk claim the First Empress as one of their own however. Before the foundation of the Empire there were no egregores - and hence no definitive test of nationality as there is now - so there is some basis for acclaiming her as Dawnish. While she was clearly Highborn by birth - when she arrived in Dawn she came arrayed as a [[knight-errant]] carrying the Sun banner. She was clearly well-versed in Dawnish traditions and followed them easily. She was extensively tested by the nobility of the time, joined House De Cervise as a noble of their house, and chose to set a [[Dawn_culture_and_customs#The_Test_of_Ardour|Test of Ardour]] for King Rodric when he swore his love for her. By the standards of modern times most scholars accept that such acts would likely be sufficient for the individual to become Dawnish - ''if they so chose''.

However when Dawn opted to become part of the Empire - and to subsume the monarch to the Imperial Throne - they accepted the reign of numerous monarchs that were not Dawnish. This essential contradiction is resolved for most Dawnish people by the fact that while they don't require their monarch to be Dawnish, they do require them to be ''glorious''. Glory is far from the only criteria that defines the Dawnish spirit - but their elevation of that criteria above all others is arguably the most significant. Thus, in the minds of the more Imperial-minded Dawnish citizens, the glorious nature of their monarch is ''more'' important the candidate's nationality.

Not all occupants of The Throne have been truly glorious - but Nicovar's lack of glory was likely the key reason that saw him defeated on the tourney field. In contrast [[Emperor Guntherm]] achieved a resounding victory on the field. Ever-after he expressed a great pride in the title of King of Dawn and was considered to be a close friend of the nation. Some claim his decision to sign a peace treaty with the Jotun and turn his attention on the Druj (rather than the other way round as many [[Wintermark|Winterfolk]] might have preferred) reflected his close relationship with Dawn. But no matter how glorious he might have been - or how proud he was of the title - nobody would ever have been confused about his nationality... Guntherm was a quintessential warrior of the Mark and it showed in everything he did.

The current Imperatrix is every bit the [[the League|League]] citizen no less than Guntherm was a Wintermark warrior. She was accepted by the Dawnish nobility on the tourney field but she is no more Dawnish than Marcher poppets or Highborn veils. No matter what tests she took, there is no possibility of any kind that the Dawnish egregore would accept her into the nation while she so perfectly embodies the very spirit of the League. The right test can reveal whether or not someone is glorious - but that is far from sufficient to make them Dawnish.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Apple.png|align=left|caption=Testing people is a profoundly Dawnish tradition.|width=350}}

==Nobility==
In Dawnish society, a noble is any Dawnish citizen who has successfully completed a [[Dawn_culture_and_customs#The_Test_of_Mettle|Test of Mettle]] and thereby been recognized as a member of a noble house. Nobility confers certain legal rights - most significantly the right to partake in the tourney to elect a senator - but it also brings significant prestige in Dawn where it is widely regarded as the first step on the path to a glorious life. Inherent in the very nature of a Test of Mettle is the fundamental idea that the citizen who takes it is Dawnish - and will join the house as a member of their nobility if they are successful. Anyone might set a test for someone - but if they are not the [[earl]] of a noble house setting the test for a Dawnish citizen seeking to become a member of their house then by definition the test is not a Test of Mettle.

Testing people to see their worth is a profoundly Dawnish tradition. The Imperial [[Test of Citizenship]] and [[Test of Arms]] both derive from Dawnish traditions of testing young citizens to see if they are ready to pursue a path to glory. Key points in Dawnish life are punctuated by tests - the [[Dawn_culture_and_customs|Tests of Mettle, Ardour, and Resolve]] are the best known of these. Testing someone is far more than just a mechanism to demonstrate whether or not a candidate is worthy - by its very nature a challenging test encourages the errant yeoman to glorious ends in pursuit of triumph. A good test stretches the one who attempts it, driving them to achieve more, pushing them to attain glory and granting them an opportunity to demonstrate it. And a great test can also bring glory to the house that sets it.

How Dawnish nobles regard citizens of other nations tends to vary from house to house. A few noble houses maintain that Dawnish nobility is the pinnacle of Imperial civilisation, beyond the reach of members of other nations. However most nobles are prepared to accept that a citizen of another nation is capable of pursuing and achieving glory and there are many and varied circumstances where a Dawnish earl or noble might deem it appropriate to set a test for such a citizen. They might wish the citizen to prove themselves for some reason - or they may use a test to encourage them - helping them to achieve glory. In rare cases passing such a test might be the precondition a house sets to treat another Imperial as their social equal - such a thing would be the nearest equivalent to a Test of Mettle that a house might set for a member of another nation.

Passing such a test doesn't make you Dawnish, and by definition it doesn't make you a Dawnish noble. You can't be part of a Dawnish noble house if you're not Dawnish and you can't be a Dawnish noble if you're not a member of a noble house. Taking such a test may prove your worth, it may be a precondition for aid, support, or merely respect - testing can be used for many things. But in the eyes of Dawnish folk, the tradition of glorious Dawnish nobility is reserved for those who chose to be Dawnish.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Discussion.jpg|align=right|title=A member of the Imperatrix's guild speaks with two nobles of House Ossienne|caption=Political tensions are growing between The Throne and the nobles of Dawn.|width=500}}

==Suitability==
The primary demand that the Dawnish people have for their monarch is that the individual should be glorious. When the Dawnish armies march they want to do so in the knowledge that the serve a glorious King or Queen. The Senate may at times provide effective government to the Empire, but even its most staunch supporters are unlikely to describe the horse-trading of votes that regularly takes place there as ''[[glory|glorious]]''. The Throne is a more inspiring symbol by far - partly by design - but the occupant is chosen by the Senate and may struggle to be more glorious than the house that raised them up. But nobody can become monarch of Dawn without the approval of the Dawnish nobility - as such the position holds a unique role in Dawnish hearts - a figure that can reflect the glory they all aspire to.

To ensure that the monarch is worthy of the title - worthy of the love of the Dawnish people, they are first judged by the nobles. The selection of the Dawnish monarch stretches back to the earliest histories when the first King's heir - Circe the Swan ordained that rather than inherit the title, the new monarch would be chosen by tourney. Arwaine the Bold won the first tourney setting in place a tradition that has stood for centuries. After Dawn joined the Empire, the tradition was adapted with the understanding that only The Throne might stand in the tourney, but that any noble could take the field against them if they felt them to be unworthy of the honour. In effect the tourney to elect the monarch became a ''test'' for the new throne, judged by the nobility of Dawn to see if they were worthy to bear the title.

The people of Dawn expect the nobility of Dawn who attend Anvil to take this weighty responsibility seriously. The overwhelming view of the Dawnish people is that the decision cannot be changed; the expectation is that the monarch will serve for life. There is no historical precedent for the decision to elect The Throne to be reversed. This is in keeping with other Dawnish tests - an earl cannot change their mind and decide a noble has in fact failed their Test of Mettle. If a noble has passed a Test of Ardour and married someone - there are no grounds to annul the marriage because the test was in error. The nobility of Dawn are required to judge the suitability of The Throne to become monarch of Dawn and take a side accordingly - if their support is conditional - then the expectation is that such matters are decided before the tourney is complete and the monarch is chosen - not after.

Only one monarch, [[Empress Brannan]], has ever come close to being removed. According to some accounts the Empress was somewhat reluctant to stake a claim the title but was eventually persuaded to do so. Despite this initial reticence she was surprisingly popular among the Dawnish many of whom admired her to the end. Brannan may have failed in her attempts to expand the Empire's borders but she held nothing back from the attempt. When she was revoked by the Imperial Synod a crisis loomed, as many Dawnish nobles refused to acknowledge the right of the Imperial Synod to remove their monarch. Some sought a way for her to abdicate, but a few were intent on her remaining as the reigning monarch. These questions were never fully resolved as the Empress died on the first night of the following summit.

Although there is no historical precedent for it, it is difficult to see how the Dawnish nobility could have refused to accept Empress Brannan's decision had she chosen to abdicate. Imperial citizens may step down from any Imperial position simply by informing an appropriate magistrate or civil servant that they have done so. As mentioned though, the monarch of Dawn is not an Imperial title, so it does not automatically follow that the position can be abdicated. Any attempt to do so by a sitting Throne might well prove contentious; depending on the circumstances that provoked it, such a step might be seen as a rejection by Dawnish citizens.

There is no predefined way for the monarch to abdicate - any suitable mechanism would be expected to involve a formal announcement at a formal meeting. For example, a formal address to the Earl's Council, an [[Senate address|address to the Senate]] or an [[The_Throne#Address_the_Empire|an address to the Empire]] could all be used by a reigning monarch to announce their abdication. The advantages of a formal mechanism of this kind, particularly the latter two, is that if done properly it removes any possible doubt over whether a monarch has abdicated or not. As recent events show, a heated argument on the steps of the Senate demonstrably does not provide the same clarity; precisely why most constitutional and legal scholars would regard it as utterly inadequate for the purpose of delivering a formal notification of abdication.

As the rules governing the monarchy are traditional rather than legal, troubadours and priests might make attempt to sway sentiment in favour of a change in those traditions by passing an appropriate [[statement of principle]] or [[mandate]] in the Dawnish Assembly. Such an attempt would not be easy or without cost. The monarch of Dawn has reigned for life for longer than the Empire has existed - changing those expectations would be challenging. It would also involve inevitable compromises that diminished the respect and prestige accorded to the position in the hearts of many. It challenges the essential nature of a monarch if the position must be reaffirmed yearly. There is a fundamental difference between a monarch that is elected and rules for life and one that serves only at the whim of the Earl's Council.

Forcibly removing the monarch, deposing them, would also be challenging. At least one Dawnish monarch, Penni the White, was assassinated. Such an act remains a possibility - though ''obviously'' it would not be legal under Imperial law. In pre-Imperial times it might theoretically have been possible for an earl to raise sufficient support to rebel or over-throw an unpopular monarch. There are no records of such a thing - but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. But again it seems difficult to envisage how anyone might attempt that and stay within the bounds of Imperial law. Any successful attempt to forcibly depose the monarch would diminish the title in the same way as changing the tenure of the role, depending on the degree of popular support for such an action.

<div style="width: 600px; float: right;">
<quote by="Dawn National Assembly, Tamain Sepulchre, 381YE, Greater Majority, 158 - 20">
The Dawnish National Assembly recognises the Empress Lisabetta as Queen of Dawn. She is the ultimate authority in this life and her words should be followed above all others
</quote>
</div>

==The Dawnish Assembly==
Much of the assumptions about the position of the monarch of Dawn are a consequence of centuries of tradition that have built up since Dawn was founded - and then adapted at the point where Dawn joined the Empire. Traditions are important in the Empire, adherence to them is regarded as a virtuous act of [[Pride]], so most people do not surrender them lightly. The Dawnish are not pig-headed though - they will adapt their traditions where there is a clear need to do so - if they are given effective leadership.

The [[Imperial Synod]] and even more importantly, the Dawnish Assembly, are the primary source of such leadership. The Dawnish characters who attend Anvil for the summits do not control the views of the Dawnish people - but they can directly influence them via the judgements passed by their [[Assembly#The_National_Assemblies|Assembly]]. An appropriately worded [[statement of principle]] can begin this process, especially one passed with a [[Judgement#Greater_Majority|greater majority]]. If it creates an [[opportunity]] for a [[mandate]], then that may bring about significant lasting change if it is passed and spread across the nation.

There are crucial limitations on what any assembly can achieve however. The [[Highguard|Highborn]] Assembly is ''never'' going to convince the Highborn people that they should stop bothering to [[Highguard_culture_and_customs#Washing_and_cleanliness|wash]] no matter how many votes such a statement of principle attracts. A greater majority in favour would not convince people of the virtue of a lack of cleanliness; rather any judgement that ran counter to the central traditions of a nation would simply convince people that their assembly had taken leave of its senses.

Even if the Assembly does successfully influence the prevailing mood - it ''cannot'' dictate what the outcome of such a change will be. A statement of principle calling for Dawn to have their own independent monarch drawn from the Dawnish nobility might succeed, but it is exceptionally difficult to do so without creating support for the idea of an independent Dawn. A statement seeking to change the tenure of the monarch of Dawn would only succeed if it changed views on the nature and status of the title.

It is not possible to be certain in advance what the impact of a statement of principle will be. Any statement may influence the way people think and feel about a subject - the greater the majority the more emphatic any influence is likely to be. However the impact will always be limited to the way people view the issue - creating change that produces direct game effects requires a [[mandate]]. These may come in response to a statement passed by the assembly or they may arise spontaneously reflecting the moods of the people. With any mandate we will always ''try'' to make transparently clear what the outcome of passing that mandate would be - so player-characters know the effects before they decide whether or not to support it.

It is important to be aware that it is difficult and expensive for the [[Imperial Synod]] to change their mind. NPCs in the Empire setting experience a powerful [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_position_effect#Primacy_effect primacy effect]. If a greater majority of the Dawnish Assembly pass a statement of principle lauding the Imperatrix as the rightful Queen of Dawn then that has a significant lasting effect on how people view the Imperatrix in Dawn. If they later pass a judgement saying that Empress Lisabetta is insufficiently glorious then that is less effective than it would otherwise have been. This directly flows from core game design elements that decisions are expensive and difficult to reverse. The Assembly can't explain that new facts have come to light and claim that they were all wrong the first time, without undermining confidence in their ability to make wise judgements.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Yael.jpg|Caption=Yael of Felix's Watch, First Empress Reborn|align=left|width=300}}

==Yael==
In Winter 380YE, the Dawnish Assembly passed a statement of principle drawing the attention of all Dawnish citizens to the claims by Yael of Highguard that she was the First Empress reborn. Because of the unique position of the First Empress in Imperial history, and especially in Dawnish history, this led to an unusual situation where people questioned whether Yael's claim to the Throne of Dawn was not the equal - if not superior to that of the Imperatrix.

There is no traditional or constitutional support for this idea; the tradition is that the current Throne is entitled to stake a claim to the position of monarch of Dawn. Citizens who have had past life visions of being an emperor or empress are not unknown - but none ever merited such an offer. But in the four hundred years since the Empire was founded no-one else has ever reported a true liao vision of being the First Empress. Yael's claims were more significant because of their magnitude - not just that she was the First Empress reborn - but that she was a paragon returned from the beyond the Labyrinth.

Had the Dawnish nobility opted to recognize Yael's right and [[A_spiritual_prism#Exultation|declared her Queen of Dawn]] on the tourney field, then it would have created a constitutional conflict between The Throne and the monarch. We should have called this out in the text of the original wind of fortune that followed the Synod judgement. We failed to do so because we didn't adequately map out the consequences of such an action so we didn't notice at the time. As part of the Empire, Dawn cannot have two different heads of state to whom people give their [[Loyalty]]. The consequences of such an action - and the different ways it might have been resolved are no longer relevant since Dawn took a different route.
<div style="width: 600px; float: right;">
<quote by="Dawn National Assembly, Ser Criseyde, 380YE Winter Solstice, Upheld 102 - 50">
The Troubadours of Dawn hold up the following song as proclamation: <br><br>
Some folk must walk the Labyrinth. To atone for their wrongs.<br>
Four thousand winters: Think it not too long.<br>
But others through the Labyrinth pass. To a land without tears.<br>
As true liao scholarship. Discovered through the years.<br>
Dawn's first Empress returned to us. From that happy vale.<br>
Reincarnate in the person of Highborn Yael.<br>
Blessed be this paragon. Returned from beyond.<br>
Raise your voices. And praise her in Song.
</quote>
</div>
The potential for Yael to be proclaimed the monarch of Dawn shows clearly that such a thing ''is possible'' - but to have any credibility with the Dawnish people the candidate would have to recognized by the Dawnish Assembly as truly extraordinary. The Imperatrix had the right by dint of being the single person selected by the Empire from the millions of living citizens to sit on the Throne. Yael's entitlement was based on her claim to be not just a living paragon, but the greatest human being that ever lived reborn, the individual whose glorious deeds brought Dawn into the Empire and created the modern monarchy. Yael demonstrates that ''any citizen whose deeds were similarly glorious'' might be recognized to have a similar entitlement - but that shouldn't be confused with the idea that the Dawnish people will accept anyone as their king or queen, nor does it remove the dramatic consequences such a decision might have.
[[Category:Dawn]] [[Category:Game Design]]

Crafted from torment

2023-04-09T21:12:18Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:382YE Winter]][[Category:Recent History]]

<ic>Three Hands carefully checked the last of his traps, but it was empty much like the others. Ever since the humans had come here, food was hard to come by. They were like a plague of insects, scouring the land, consuming everything they could find.

Some people had done well from it. The Imperials paid well for any food brought to their quartermasters, they didn't just take it like the Druj. They paid with their coins - not silver or gold like the Druj ones but iron. They wouldn't give enough to make anything of any use out of but apparently the best thing to do was sell them back to the humans for other things. Red Eyes had acquired a spear point made of steel and a straight oak stave to mount it on. His daughter had two new hemp fishing nets. All from the humans in exchange for supplies, which the humans could have just taken off them anyway.

It didn't make any sense at all to Three Hands - it certainly wasn't the Druj way. Nothing the humans did made any sense. They were apparently going to decide which human tribe was going to own the Sand Fishers and the lands which was just another thing that made no sense. It was the sun worshipers who had conquered the place - with their Ushkan allies. Why wouldn't they claim it for their own?

And then they had conquered Lomaa and released all the slaves. Which made no sense. Why would you risk your life trying to steal the Druj slaves and then let them all go? Apparently they weren't allowed to keep slaves because their gods forbade it. That was what Red Eyes said, but Red Eyes talked like a Druj when he thought he could get away with it.

His traps were all reset, but he had nowhere near enough food for the day, so he set off further down the coast, to see if he could find any wading birds or their nests. If he got luck and managed to catch two or three birds... he might have enough to exchange with the humans for some of those iron points they had for their arrows. They would be so much better than the flint heads the other Sand Fishers used...</ic>

==Overview==
The Empire has successful completed the conquest of Ossium, the first successful conquest of a new territory in decades. Now that the Druj have defeated, the Senate is faced with the vital decision of which Imperial nation to assign the territory to. [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Assignment|Assignment]] requires only a majority vote of members of the Senate. In the past the results have often been predictable, the Senate choosing to assign a territory to whatever Imperial people predominantly lived there, but there have been notable conflicts, such as when [[Holberg]] was [[The_League_history|added to the Empire]].

In the case of Ossium, the situation is considerably more complex, since there are virtually no Imperial citizens currently native to the territory. As such, the territory might legitimately be assigned to any of the ten Imperial nations. To help the [[Imperial Senate]] with this crucial decision, the civil service have created a short summary of the relevant considerations.

==Contiguity==
The first point to be made is that the territory need not be contiguous with the nation it is assigned to. Traditionally, the territories of most nations are contiguous, they all adjoin each other, but this is more an accident of history than anything fundamental. Before the Empire was created, before the egregores were created, there was no mechanism for the members of a nation to be spread easily across a disparate land. The Navarr managed it, by dint of their stridings, but other than the Navarr a group of people would all live in one geographic area.

The Empire, and specifically the egregores, changed that. The magic of the egregore bond allows a nation to maintain a cultural cohesion that enables them to easily see each other as members of the same nation, even when they live vast distances apart. The League have been the clear beneficiaries of this magic, the cities lie hundreds of miles apart in some cases, yet every League citizen is in no doubt about where their loyalties lie.

As a result, it is perfectly possible to assign Ossium to any of the ten nations of the Empire. The geographic location of the territory is arguably one of the least important considerations that must be weighed by the Senate, if it really matters at all.

==Known Inhabitants==
The know population of Ossium includes a large population of orcs, [[Chilled_to_the_bone#The_Sand_Fishers|the Sand Fishers]], as well as a smaller group of humans who appear to have Varushkan ancestry called the [[Chilled_to_the_bone#The_Ketsov|The Ketsov]]. There is also a significant Druj presence here, members of the Bone Serpent Clan.

Unfortunately the Empire does not have a map of the territory, which puts significant limits on what is known about it and about the people who live here. There are likely to other groups of people living here - who may be large or small in nature and whose culture or politics may be significant or notable in some way. Sadly the Empire has no way to know the first thing about these people unless the Imperial Senate [[commission]] a [[spy network]] here or the [[Military Council]] ask a general to move a [[Army_qualities#Scouting|scouting army]] to gather intelligence in the territory.

In some ways you could argue that this makes the decision of who to assign Ossium to ''easier''. While it is possible to point to the Ketsov and point out their apparent links to Varushka, it is possible to argue that ''anyone'' could be living here and right now the Empire just doesn't know who they are.

==Consequences==
After the Imperial Senate have assigned the territory to a nation, the egregores of that nation will devote the months ahead to travelling across the land looking to identify individuals, families, and groups who have the potential to join their nation and who want to do so. The egregore will work with these people and when they are ready they will bond to the egregore. At that point they become legal citizens of the Empire and inhabitants of that nation with the rights and privileges that follow.

In addition to that, it can be expected that existing ambitious, prosperous individuals of the nation will want to move to a new territory. Ossium appears to only sparsely inhabited and there are likely to be a great many opportunities for such people to prosper and do well here. People will be attracted by those prospects, and the potential for political and economic advancement.

People that cannot join the nation the territory is assigned to will face a difficult choice. Some will chose to emigrate - leaving for other lands. The Druj may well flee East - taking sanctuary with their kin. Of course they may not - as the experience with the Jotun thralls in the Mournwold shows. In theory they might emigrate elsewhere in the Empire. If Ossium is assigned to another nation, the Varushkan Assembly might pass a statement of principle inviting the Ketsov to move to a named territory in Varushka where they might feel more welcome.

Some groups may choose to remain in the territory. They could become foreigners, like the Jotun Thralls. There is no intrinsic reason why foreigners cannot prosper in the Empire, just like the Thule have done in the Silver Peaks. Historically small groups of foreigners have not prospered in the Empire, they have tended to dwindle and either been assimilated or eventually moved elsewhere, a consequence of the power of the egregore magic perhaps. But with the Ossium that could take years and would be a slow process unless the [[Imperial Synod]] took the lead to change sentiments on the ground.

The final options is that they could remain a difficult and dangerous barbarian population, like the Druj and their subjects that the Dawnish have fought over the Barrens with for centuries. In that case it might be wise to try and drive them out using Imperial armies - for the safety of everyone else.

==Choices==

===The Brass Coast===
Ossium is nothing like the Brass Coast. The people are nothing like the Freeborn, the land is completely different. There is at least some coast, if you count the Semmerlak, and there is a river that runs down to the sea, albeit the route is extraordinarily dangerous running as it does through Druj lands. It would be expensive and dangerous but not impossible to make Ossium part of the Brass Coast. Parts of the marsh could be drained, great jettys and docks could be built over the Semmerlak. If the territory were made Freeborn it might even be possible to build a [[shipyard]] here - once enough land was recovered from the marshes.

The presence of the Sand Fishers might present the best reason to assign Ossium to the Brass Coast. The Freeborn have recent experience of reaching out to an orc nation with a view to bringing them to the way. That approach was technically successful if not exactly triumphant, but some Freeborn citizens claim they have learned from those mistakes. Crucially what the Sand Fishers lack more than anything else is a joie de vivre, they are an utterly morose people who seemed to have simply given in to despair. Proximity to the wild spirits and passions of the Brass Coast might just be the best way to help restore their spirit.

===Dawn===
Ossium is joined to Dawn by a [[382YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#Across_the_Bridge|Magical Golden Bridge]] that links the marshland to the town of Lacre. That would make it easy for Dawnish citizens to travel to Ossium with a view to settle the territory. Some of those displaced from the Barrens in particular, would jump at the opportunity to make a new home here. Ossium also has an important coastline on the Semmerlak, an ancient lake often linked to the Summer realm that plays an important role in Dawnish life. In addition it is clear that the forests to the north are infested with creatures from the realms - Dawn might be one of the nations best able to face that problem either with its [[enchanters]]... or with its knights [[knight errant|errant]] and [[questing knights|questing]].

Ossium is not a rich land, the marshes yield little food, the forests are inhospitable, and the plans are sparse and not that fertile. Dawn is the only nation whose population are so martial in temperament that adding Ossium by itself would be sufficient to eventually raise the number of armies the nation could support.

===Highguard===
The Ketsov have little in common with the Highborn, and they do not follow the virtues, but neither did any human citizen before Highguard brought the Way to humanity. The fact that they don't possess the virtues, might be one of the strongest arguments to make Ossium Highborn. Doing so would, without doubt, be the fastest and most effective way to bring any people living here to the Imperial faith. It might not be trouble free, but the conversions would be quicker and more profound. Some of the land here is also geographically similar to the isolated parts of Highguard - the territory might well suit those chapters that prefer a more secluded monastic life. Indeed there are more than a few similarities between Ossium and Reikos before it was fully civilised by the Highborn in the early years of the Empire.

The existence of the new Highborn pilgrimage would complicate any attempt to settle the territory. Highguard can ill afford to lose more citizens from its territory at the moment - on the other hand the presence of so many Highborn pilgrims traveling through the new territory might make it easier and quicker to bring it into the fold than some other nations.

===The Imperial Orcs===
It is easy for human citizens to think that the presence of the Sand Fishers and similar Druj subjects creates a compelling argument for the assignment of Ossium to the Imperial Orcs. In practice the Empire has never conquered a territory that didn't have a significant orc population at the time it was settled. The presence of the Sand Fishers does not prevent Ossium being allocated to a human nation. Moreover, a number of civil servants have noted that the Sand Fishers are about as different from the Imperial Orcs as it is possible to be. Brutalized by centuries of Druj tyranny, they are thoroughly cowed and subjugated. To be fair, there's nothing about the Sand Fishers that resonates with ''any'' Imperial nation.

One advantage might be that Ossium would provide a valuable additional territory for those Imperial Orcs who prefer not to live in the frigid north or who find the secrets in the deep forests attractive. The weather is warmer here and some Imperial Orcs would want to settle. Perhaps if they do they might discover people living here who are more like the Imperial Orcs in nature - perhaps they might find a way to restore some sense of Pride to the Sand Fishers.

===The League===
There is no city in Ossium, even without a map of the territory, that much is clear. However the territory is both theoretically contiguous with Holberg (on the other side of the river), and has two large towns, Ketsov and Lomaa. Lomaa is currently inhabited mostly by orcs, but the people of Ketsov are human and they have clear similarities with the people of the League. They are relatively urbane, at least for townsfolk, and they have a strong emphasis on trade and artisanry which is redolent of the biggest Imperial cities. In particular, it has been noted that the Ketsov are clearly ambitious people - once they are convinced that the Druj are not coming back, it is likely that many of them would be happy to join the League and become League citizens. Their Varushkan heritage would be no more a bar to this than it was when Temeschwar joined the League. Citizens from the more crowded parts of Holberg are also likely to react positively to such a decision. Some will travel here, settling either Lomaa or Ketsov.

It will be expensive to assimilate Ossium into the League. There will be teething troubles, as the population of either Ketsov or Lomaa begins to swell as it grows into a great city as it inevitably will if the territory joins the League. However the Senate and other branches of government could deal with these problems and once successful another League territory might provide the largest boost to the Imperial treasury.

===Marches===
Ossium is surprisingly similar to parts of the Marches, [[Bregasland]] specifically. A number of Bregasland citizens might well be keen to settle here as a result; some would see its distance from the nosy folk of [[Upwold]] and [[Mitwold]] as an advantage. The Marchers who live in Mournwold are also the only Imperial humans with a positive experience of living alongside orc neighbours that they cooperate with. That might prove useful if the Sane Fishers choose to remain in significant numbers. Perhaps they might even be persuaded to join the Mournwold Thralls maybe? The Empire has never tried to facilitate one group of foreigners assimilating another, but it could be attempted.

Away from the Semmerlak, the barren ground would prove a challenge to anyone attempting to farm it. But the Marchers love a challenge almost as much as they love land. If anyone can make these plains fertile it is them. The Marches would be second only to Dawn in their ability to make Ossium capable of supporting additional Imperial armies. It would seem difficult to link the territory to the Bread Basket, but perhaps another smaller structure might be built here for the people of Ossium if the Marchers settled it.

===Navarr===
There has never been a Navarr territory that has not had a vallorn in it - but the vallorn is long cleared from [[Miaren]] which has become a settled forest haven. The woods of Ossium are a long way from that - but the Navarr are the finest woodsfolk in the Empire. Nobody is better equipped to deal with the dark things in the forest than them. Assuming they do not all end up under the control of the Thule of course - who seem to have a particular interest in them. While it has never held a vallorn - the forests do appear to adjoin Sküld in the north and that territory ''does'' contain a vallorn. As a result any trods here are likely to be important.

Assigning Ossium to the Navarr would have one other useful outcome. The Navarr are adept at helping people find their place in the Empire. Whichever nation ends up with the territory, it is clear that some people here are likely to want to settle elsewhere. If the territory were Navarr that process would be civilised, painless, and trouble-free.

===Urizen===
The landscape of Ossium is little like the traditional Urizen homelands and none of the people that have been discovered thus far have much in common with them. However the Ketsov are clearly highly literate and have a philosophical nature that might be incorporated into Urizen culture. The territory isn't contiguous with Urizen, which would make it more difficult to connect the land to the Heliopticon network, but it might be possible if the Barrens were conquered and settled.

It would be difficult for the Urizen to settle and develop the territory economically or militarily. The Urizen have few farmers or fishermen and the population of Ossium might well go down rather than up if it is assigned to Urizen. However the territory clearly has some powerful magical sites and Urizeni inhabitants would undoubtedly be best placed to take advantage of those on the Empire's behalf. Crucially the territory would provide just enough support to help support the Citadel Guard once it was fully settled - assuming that were still necessary.

===Varushka===
The civil service have identified a number of potential benefits of assigning Ossium to Varushka. Quite apart from the fact that the territory is adjacent to the existing Varushkan territories, the inhabitants of the town of Ketsov appear to be Varushkan in origin. There is a great mithril mine here, something that could be readily exploited by the Varushkans who are the best miners in the Empire bar none - and indeed the miners of Moresvah have taken the lead on exploiting this new Imperial resource. In addition the territory shares a border with the Thule. While they are currently allies of the Empire, they may not remain so forever. However the Varushkans have experience of dealing with them and seem on relatively good terms, so may make the best neighbours.

It is clear that there are fell powers at work in the dark forests in the north part of the territory. If those areas are not to be completely abandoned to the Thule, a nation like Varushka who has skill bargaining with dark powers might be best placed to deal with the issues arising there.

===Wintermark===
Much of Ossium is a marsh and of all the people of the Empire, none have more experience of life in a wetland than the Kallavesi. They would be prepared to settle the territory in numbers once the Sand Fishers dispersed. Some of the people displaced from Sermersuaq when that territory was conquered by the Jotun might also be keen to move here, as might some of those who left Skarsind when it was given over to the Imperial Orcs. The Ketsov appear very different to the Wintermarkers on the face of it, but their skill as artisans belies that. Some of the finest artisans in the Empire are from Wintermark, the land that discovered the runes might have much to offer the Ketsov and some would adapt to life and become Steinr and Suaq in time (they Ketsov appear to consider living in a marsh to be the worst fate imaginable).

The challenges posed by the dark forests in the north of the territory might tempt brave Wintermark citizens to settle here, keen for a chance to prove their [[heroism]]. The border with the Thule would be a challenge - the northern orcs have never enjoyed good relations with the people of the Mark. On the other hand that might prove a benefit if the Empire is keen for the nation that lays claim to Ossium to ensure that the Thule are kept in their place.

==Relinquishment==
Since its foundation, the assignment of a territory has been irreversible. The only way a territory might change nation, even theoretically, was if it was conquered and then later recaptured by the Empire. In theory that would have created the opportunity to assign it to a different nation, but in practice that option was never exercised.

The likely reason for that was the enormous costs involved in settling a territory. It is one thing to assign a territory for the first time, but once the people of that territory become part of a nation, they form bonds with the egregore and quickly adopt the cultural identity of that nation. Once that happens, it becomes significantly more difficult, more expensive, and more controversial to change a territory's assigned nation.

Now that the Imperial Senate has formally adopted the power of [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Relinquishment|relinquishment]] it is now possible to assign the territory to one nation and then to change that status at a later summit. The civil service advise great caution if the Senate is considering this approach however. While it is legally possible, it is important to appreciate that doing so will have deep and unpredictable consequences. Once the inhabitants of the territory have been formally adopted by a nation, they are as likely to respond favourably to being told that they ''must'' now all change nation having as the assembled host of Marcher heroes at Anvil would take to being told that they must all stop being Marchers and become Dawnish.

It is not that it couldn't be done - Skarsind proved it can be done. But it would be expensive and difficult and cause great unhappiness if the people who lived there were not fully persuaded of the merits of the decision. Otherwise the most likely outcome would be a revolt or rebellion of some kind.

==Economics and Logistics==
Assigning the territory to the League, Varushka, the Marches or the Brass Coast would have the best long term economic prospects - in terms of increased taxation - in roughly that order. However the League, the Marches and the Brass Coast would all need extensive development to reach that potential - especially the League.

The Imperial Orcs, Urizen and Dawn would present the least potential gain in taxation for the Imperial Senate, significantly less than the other nations. There is little to separate Navarr, Highguard, and Wintermark, any differences between them would be less important than the decisions the Empire took when developing the nation.

The territory would provide the most military support to Dawn, and the least to Urizen, but Dawn, the Marches, and Varushka would all be able to support an additional Imperial army relatively quickly if the territory were assigned to them. The Imperial Orcs, Highguard, the League, Navarr, the Brass Coast and Wintermark might eventually be able to support an additional army with the benefits gained from Ossium after extensive suitable development of the territory. In the case of the Imperial Orcs, they would still need to resolve their population problems. Ossium could provide only small logistical benefits to Urizen at best.
==Resolution==
The [[Imperial Senate]] chose to [[Assignment_of_Ossium|assign Ossium]] to the [[Varushka|Varushkan]] people. The new [[territory]] is now part of that nation, and has elected its first Imperial [[senator]].

The Senate further chose to [[Recognise_Sand_Fishers_as_foreigners|recognise]] the Sand Fisher [[orc|orcs]] as foreigners - giving them the protection of Imperial law as long as they abide by it. The status of the Ketsov humans, and any other former Druj subjects, are still a little uncertain.

Wintermark hearth magic

2023-04-09T21:12:01Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

{{CaptionedImage|file=TreeOfNames.jpg|align=left|width=600}}
==Overview==
In the world of Empire, formal magic is the application of learning and willpower to create supernatural effects. There is another form of magic, however which does not require the user to be a magician. Hearth magic employs the innate natural magic of the world to produce subtle but significant effects in much the same way that a compass needle always points true north. The magic is not based on the abilities of a magician, but relies on the innate mystical properties of the world. Hearth magic is usually subtle rather than potent, and where formal magic is predictable and reliable, hearth magic is none of these things.

While the principles that underlie hearth magic are common throughout the world, in Wintermark there are certain specific practices, customs, or traditions that draw on the power of the world's innate magic. Often these proud customs are nothing more than traditions - but sometimes their practice taps into some facet of the world resulting in a truly magical effect.

You can learn more about hearth magic, what it is and how it works, [[hearth magic|here]].
==Runes==
The Winterfolk discovered the use of [[runes]], and shared that knowledge with the Empire when they joined. The runes represent a potent [[magical tradition]], but their use is by no means restricted to magicians. Beyond their immediate use in magic, they are also powerful symbols in their own right and are employed by people across Wintermark for countless purposes.

A baker might bake the [[Pallas|rune of wealth]] into the crust of a loaf of bread, while a farmer might scratch the [[Bravash|rune of fertility]] onto the handle of their plow. A tailor will think nothing of working the runes of wisdom and revelation into the hem of a garment he is sewing, while a woodcutter may quickly carve the rune of weakness into the trunk of a tree before taking her rune-marked axe to it. As a consequence, the baker's loaf might last a little longer before becoming stale, the farmer's field more fruitful, the thane wearing the tailor's tunic might find unlooked for moments of inspiration, and the woodcutter may find that it takes a little less effort to fell her tree.

One reasonably well-known method of harnessing the hearth magic represented by the runes is the creation of [[Technology#Runeboxes_and_Runebound_Chains|runeboxes]]. These weirwood or mithril alloy boxes are marked with the [[Verys|Rune of Might]] and the [[Diras|Rune of Secrecy]] to produce containers that are practically indestructible.

<p style="font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: bold; margin: 10px 0 0 0;">Runes in Play</p>
While the use of runes in mundane crafting won't have any mechanical game effect, you can roleplay that a loaf of bread with a rune on it stays fresh for longer; that a rune-carved axe is particularly sturdy or never needs sharpening or cleaning, or that a tunic embroidered with runes means that you experience occasional flashes of inspiration or increased confidence. The effects of runes are subtle, but very real in the world, and you can choose how that affects your roleplaying.

Runes can also directly influence your roleplaying when you interact with them. Having a personal [[Irremais|rune of wisdom]], perhaps on an amulet, that you study for a few moments before making decisions can provide a cool character moment as well as buying you time to think things through.

Fortune telling with runestones is a simple activity that any [[mystic]] or similar character can use to add mysticism to a scene. It can also be used as a way to give someone advice that is backed up in-character with the power of hearth magic. Combining a little cold-reading with suitably mysterious pronouncements is a tried-and-true method of providing often eerily prescient-appearing in-character divinations.

==Animals and Birds==
The Winterfolk seek to draw on the laudable spiritual qualities that some animals symbolise. The three Wintermark traditions each have different ways of invoking this hearth magic. The Kallavesi create cunning animal masks that they wear when they want to draw on the animal's positive qualities. A magician might wear a bird mask to draw on the animals' wisdom, while a warrior might wear a bear or boar mask to draw on the creature's courage. The Suaq paint images of the animals on their clothing and equipment, or decorate their homes with icons and images of particularly favoured beasts. The Steinr work the images of animals into jewellery, and give people nicknames that draw on the symbolism of the animals they respect.

Birds are especially well-regarded in Wintermark; the Kallavesi in particular regard them as astute and powerful creatures. In addition to their spiritual qualities, every part of a bird contains magic. Their feathers help provide inspiration while their bones bring good health. Winterfolk often carry the hollow bones of a bird in a pouch. These are stroked with crossed fingers for luck at times of stress or when a wish is made.
<p style="font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: bold; margin: 10px 0 0 0;">Animals and birds in Play</p>
The virtuous associations of birds are described [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Birds_and_feathers|here]], while some of the qualities symbolised by animals are listed as part of [[Totem_magic#Spirit_Animals|spirit magic]]. Adding feathers, bones, or painted animals to your costume is the common way to evoke this hearth magic, and working them into ritual magic even if you are not a practitioner of totem magic can make any ritual feel more Wintermark.

This hearth magic explicitly gives you an in-character reason to change how you play your character. When you want to roleplay in a certain way, studying or touching an animal symbol, or donning the mask of an animal, can be used as a prompt to adopt the quality it represents. Masks in particular can create a profound change in your characterisation if you wish - effectively allowing you to play a pleasant or mild-mannered character most of the time except when you don your boar mask and become a confident and resolute warrior.

When you're describing someone, comparing them to an animal or bird can make your description more evocative.

==Coins==
In pre-Imperial times, the silver and gold coins minted by the kings and queens of Wintermark were stamped with the rune [[Gralm|Rune of Destiny]] on one side and the [[Ull|Rune of Chance]] on the other, in recognition of their role as bearers of good fortune. Even if it is only a matter of a few rings, one or more coins given as a gift can bring fortune to the recipient. There is no particular hearth magic around paying someone what they are owed, only a coin that is unexpected or unlooked for brings good luck. One way some Winterfolk achieve this is by slipping in an extra coin when paying someone as a show of support for a job well done. This promotes a custom in Wintermark where some folk avoid counting coins paid to them by someone they trust in the hope of gaining good fortune.... Of course, if someone ''does'' count coins you have given them it implies they don't trust you and think it more likely you will have short-changed them than hidden a gift of good fortune in your payment.

The people of the Mark use coins to [[Wintermark_political_leadership#Leading_a_territory|choose their leaders]]. Anyone may vote with a single ring, but those who want to show particular support use a coin of higher denomination. The more valuable the coin, the more good fortune it brings to the candidate. After the election, the coins themselves are given to the [[Wintermark_religious_beliefs#Stormcrow|stormcrows]] to be distributed to the poorest. The good fortune accrued stays with the chosen candidate, however, even if they don't become Senator.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Curse Coin.jpg|align=right|title=This coin was one of several bound up with the power of the Krampus. It bore a particular curse.|caption=Curse coins bring bad luck to the recipient.|width=250}}
When folk in Wintermark wish a person ill, they may give them or pay them in curse coins, which bring bad luck to the recipient. The more numerous or valuable the cursed coins, the worse the luck. Curse coins are normal coins that have been blackened with soot, so they are readily visible to anyone who is paying attention, but one is easily overlooked in a pouch. Once the coin has been accepted, the curse cannot be removed by cleaning the soot off - the coin must be given to another to move the curse to them or else washed clean in the blood of an enemy, otherwise the curse remains. Wintermark folklore contains many stories of Suaq Icewalkers tricking people into accepting cursed coins or planting them on an enemy unawares.

<p style="font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: bold; margin: 10px 0 0 0;">Coins in Play</p>
Not counting coins you are handed is a great way to demonstrate your trust for the person giving them to you, while pointedly counting them all out and double-checking your sums is a way for any Wintermark character to pointedly insult someone. Slipping someone a few extra coins without drawing attention to it may not have an immediate payoff, but can result in a moment of drama when the recipient realises what you've done.

Curse coins are a straightforward way to let someone know you're unhappy with them. A recipient might be tricked into accepting a curse coin in a pouch given in payment, but they work best when given openly.

A true Wintermark hero might choose to accept a curse coin, knowing they have wronged the giver and hoping thereby to find some way to mend their skein. Whether you trick another into taking the coin from you, or attempt to wash the coin in blood, lifting the curse can be a great part of any hero's story. Leaning in to the roleplaying around curse coins is a great way to create drama for yourself and others, even if that just means roleplaying that any misfortune that falls on your head is a result of the cursed coin.

==Names==
Naming something can imbue that person or object with power - provided it is done judiciously and truthfully. Parents often pick a name for a child that they hope will guide their path in life, naming them for a hero they particularly identify with. More important than a personal name, though, is the heroic name granted by the [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Scops|scops]]. This is a name that commemorates a great deed or expresses the recipients [[heroism|heroic]] nature, and it is always delivered in front of an audience of as many Winterfolk as possible so that they may witness the naming and grant it even more significance.

It is not just people who receive names - giving an identity to an object or place can also help to shape it. Steinr runesmiths in particular often name the items they craft in the understanding that doing so may imbue the item with a special power. Imperial techniques for creating [[Magic_items#Artefacts|artefacts]] are still based on the methods claimed by the Steinr, such that it is impossible to create an artefact without naming the item fashioned as part of the process. Likewise, it is impossible to [[hallow]] an item without naming it in some way. Traditionally the Steinr will give an item an evocative personal name such as "Foe-Smasher" or "Shieldbreaker" while the Suaq and Kallavesi usually avour more descriptive titles like "The Cup of Dreams" or "The Crown of Three Tears".

Another powerful example of the importance of names lies with [[eternal|eternals]] - most of whom have more than one name. [[Eleonaris]] is known as the Sovereign in Scarlet and Gold, but also as the Lion of Summer and the Lady of Pennants and many other names. [[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Icewalkers|Icewalkers]] and others who deal with such beings are advised to proceed with caution. That the Lion of Summer is the same being as the Lady of Pennants is a fact that is long established and well understood - but the name an eternal chooses to use at any given moment may be important and significant - and it is imprudent to fail to acknowledge that fact.

Some [[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Mystics|mystics]] claim that just as a citizen of [[the League]] may take on another identity by [[The_League_hearth_magic#Masks|donning a mask]], so an eternal may take on another identity by donning a name. Those same magicians claim that most mortals are actually no different to eternals in this respect - just less careful.

<p style="font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: bold; margin: 10px 0 0 0;">Names in Play</p>
Names are serious business for Winterfolk. You can learn more about Wintermark names [[Wintermark_people#Names|here]], and more about the heroic names given by scops [[Wintermark culture and customs#Scops|here]]. Naming objects is also a significant action - [[Ilium#Creating_Artefacts|artefacts]] and [[hallow|hallowed items]] always have names but it is entirely appropriate for your character to name objects that have great significance to them.

That is not to say that Winterfolk name every little item they own - only the most significant and important objects deserve names and once you give an item a name, it is rare and dangerous to change it. But as with runes, it is perfectly acceptable to roleplay that your named sword keeps an edge better than an unnamed sword, or that anything drunk from the named goblet that represents your love of your family tastes a little sweeter.

==Crafting==
If Urizen is the home of scholastic magic in the Empire, then Wintermark is the original home of the artisan. Isenbrad, one of the most renowned scions of the nation was famous for his skill as a smith. Inga Tarn, the nations favourite hero was noted as the child of a blacksmith. The art of the crafter, whatever their calling is known to encompass a powerful hearth magic. The longer an artisan labours over their work, the more intricate the designs, the more beautiful the piece, the greater the effect. The people of Wintermark prize such artistry, knowing that beautiful things can be potent in unexpected and unlooked for ways.

Wintermark artisans often name the things they create, for [[#names|names]] are known to carry power and purpose. In fashioning of an item, and giving it a name, some Winterfolk believe that something of the artisan becomes part of the item. More common is the view that the choices that are made in creating and naming an important piece, are crucial and represent vital forks in the craftsperson's skein. It is not just the making of an item that is significant, but who it is intended for. All of these things are profound acts that carry great weight. A sword named ''Trollslayer'' that is gifted to a promising young warrior doesn't just affect the skein of the craftsman who forged it, it also sets the chosen bearer on a new path.

The provenance of the materials used is important. The ideal components are those a crafter has gathered themselves, but just as good are those gifted for the purpose by an ally. Some will seek out the rarest materials for their work, emphasising the heroism with which they are acquired. A Suaq hunter might chase a mythical red narwhal across the floes for years to capture its horn. Kallavesi mystics seek the perfect moment to cut the heartwood from a weirwood tree. A nugget of gold taken by trickery from a trolls hoard is more valuable than one simply dug from the earth.

Ultimately though, it is the artistry itself that is crucial for this forking of the skein. The more detailed the piece, the more elegant the work, the more the personality of the artist is reflected in their work - the more potent the resulting hearth magic.

<p style="font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: bold; margin: 10px 0 0 0;">Crafting in Play</p>
While a [[magic items|magic item]] has simple rules for the materials needed to craft it, artisans are encouraged to roleplay how they made their item in ways that evoke more magical methods. Talking about how you mined the iron to make the steel for a blade by hand in a haunted mine, or how your sister hunted an albino deer across the tundra of Sermersuaq to get the hide for a suit of leather armour, can help turn an otherwise mundane magic item into something special. These tales don't need to be grandiose but it took your character a month or two to fashion that item - you're encouraged to make up a story about that.

Giving a magic item a name is a commonplace idea, but in Wintermark tradition it is the artisan who names the item. By giving a magic item an evocative name, especially an item you are making for someone else, you create a story around it. Telling someone "this is the sword Foecutter, if you take it up you will be called on to fight the enemies of Wintermark" is immediately a more memorable interaction than just handing over a [[Blacksmith's Wage]]. This works just as well if you are making magic items to sell - spelling out the name and the provenance of the item, and the way you hope it will influence the skein of the person who bonds to it, can make an otherwise straightforward transaction into a roleplaying moment. Use the name of your magic item if you [[create bond|bond]] it to someone, and encourage them to use that name when referring to the item.

With the assistance of someone with the [[hallow]] skill, you can further reinforce the naming element of Wintermark hearth magic. Any item that is hallowed not only gains an [[aura]] that helps to make it unique, but you must give the item a name that is recorded on the accompanying ribbon.

If you are acquiring an item, then ask the crafter how they made it, where they got the materials, and so on. If a Wintermark crafter gives you a named item, then it's up to you to work that name into your character's actions. Saying something like "Thanks to my sword Foecutter, which helps me fight the enemies of Wintermark, I ended up going toe-to-toe with the Jotun champion" is a great way to bring out this element of your nation's hearth magic.

Finally, if you're playing a Wintermark character, always remember that items fashioned by Wintermark artisans are just that little bit better than the items other nations churn out. They might have the same rules effects... but an [[Apprentice%27s_Blade|apprentice's blade]] made by a Wintermark smith especially for your character will never rust or lose its edge. It will never turn in your hand or stick in the scabbard when you need it most. You're wielding a weapon forged by one of the finest smiths in the mortal world, so treat it with appropriate respect!

==Witnessing==
Everyone knows that promises have power, but the Winterfolk know that ''real'' power lies in vows that are ''witnessed''. Speaking an oath may be powerful, but when one speaks that oath in front of a group, or when a promise is witnessed, the power of that declaration may become something more profound. Only a fool would break such an oath lightly.

Words can carry meaning even where none was intended. Empty boasts are dangerous if they fork your skein onto a path of action to which you later do not commit. Such boasting can bring ruin down on a would-be hero, even if they knew their words were false when they spoke them. The power of witnessing is such that it compels a person to make good on their boasts - or to suffer the consequences. [[Wintermark_religious_beliefs#Stormcrow|Stormcrows]] have a particular calling to serve as witnesses to what their people say and do, and to remind them not to claim they will do things they have no intention of doing.

<p style="font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: bold; margin: 10px 0 0 0;">Witnessing in Play</p>
Doing things in public is a strong way to create drama. Taking the opportunity to swear oaths, declare intentions, or demand recompense somewhere public not only draws out this hearth magic but creates opportunities for other people to get involved in what is going on. Bear in mind that you're asking for other peoples attention with this kind of roleplaying so aim to keep things short and sweet rather than let these scenes drag on.

Another way this hearth magic works out in play is through commemorating or marking significant deeds. While the scop has a specific role around witnessing and celebrating heroism, any Wintermark character can make up a story or pen a short poem lauding someone for what they've done in play and perform those pieces when the opportunity presents itself.

If you do say you are going to do something - and somebody calls you on it - then embracing your own words creates a better story for everyone then recanting them. It doesn't matter if you regret what you've said - indeed the more you regret it, the more dramatic the roleplaying is likely to be.
[[Category:Hearth Magic]]
{{Wintermark Links}}

Apaay Ukiuking

2023-04-09T21:11:14Z

Cyph: Spelling correction

[[Category:History]][[Category:Wintermark]]
==Overview==
This document was prepared at the request of the [[Minister of Historical Research]] during the Winter Solstice 380YE. The text was compiled by the Suaq scholar Laurie Jokiranta, an opinionated civil servant who traditionally spends her winters in [[Hahnmark#Kalpaheim|Kalpaheim]] and the rest of the year scouring the northern Empire with her [[Assign_guards_to_historical_researchers|Senate mandated]] entourage.
==Early Suaq History==
Recording history has never been a great priority for the [[Suaq]]. They hand their stories down from one generation to another, but actual written records of the time before the Empire are few and far between – and documents pre-dating the coming of the [[Steinr]] are almost non-existent.

Some work has been done on the origins of the Suaq, and their pre-[[Wintermark history]], but it is an area of scholarship where there are still a great many unanswered questions. As detailed in the document “[[People of the North]]”, compiled from the work of Heléne de Coyne, the Suaq and the [[Kallavesi]] both were in the north-west of what is now the Empire since long before the rise of Terunael. Many sources list them as contemporaries of the forerunners of the [[Navarr]], and perhaps alongside the [[Feni]], the [[Urizen]], the [[Axos|Axou]], and other people whose names have been forgotten long since.

==The Folk of Sermersuaq==
The stories suggest that the ancient Suaq lived lives very similar to those of their distant descendants alive today – as clever hunters, and cunning artisans who roamed the cold plains and ice-floes of [[Sermersuaq]].

Were the first Suaq truly the children of a single woman, so powerful she could balance a kayak on the tips of three fingers and kill a seal just by rapping it on the head? Are the seals they hunt each Spring really their brothers and sisters who chose the form of animals so their siblings would not starve? Was Sermersuaq herself an [[eternal]], whose blood flowed in the veins of the Suaq people and now sings in the hearts of the people of Wintermark? We will probably never know.

An alternative suggestion, which many historians believe, is that the first Suaq and Kallavesi came down out of the north-east with the Ushka, or were part of some forgotten fore-runner nation that birthed all three peoples. Other theories abound, as is the way of historians. Were they perhaps an offshoot of the Terunael who abandoned the fertile fields and orchards of the central Empire for the cold and privacy of the north? Were they perhaps driven from homes to the west by the [[Jotun]]? Or were they forced east by the trolls, who some historians claim created the Jotun to punish the Suaq and drive them from the rich lands in the west? There are many theories but few solid facts to recount.

There are a few certainties however – the Suaq are always mentioned in the same breath as the Kallavesi. That the two were contemporaries is without doubt – while one people lived in the northern plains, the other lived in the marshes. They were sometimes allies, sometimes cooly distant acquaintances, and sometimes enemies who fought bitter wars with one another.

They certainly had some contact with the Terunael, although the nature of that contact appears to have been more distant. There is talk of trade, and of occasional altercations, but the hills and mountains meant that even the rulers of Hacynian – the city that stood where [[Hercynia]] is today – did not make war on them. Some of these tales raise questions about the belief that the trolls always were at war with the Suaq and the Kallavesi. While it is possible that the Suaq made the long trek south through [[Kallavesa]] to treat with the people of Hacynian there are a very few fragments that suggest a road once ran through [[Hahnmark]] to [[Skarsind]] and down to the Terunael city that was “rich with metal and flesh.” If this were true, then either the stories that the trolls always ruled Hahnmark and constantly made war with the Suaq are untrue, or the situation is more complicated than it first appears.

Indeed, a few sources claim that parts of modern-day Hahnmark – [[Hahnmark#Brucklan|Bruckland]] and [[Hahnmark#Kronemark|Kronemark]] in particular – were regularly contested between the Suaq and the Kallavesi. These same tales concur that the rest of that rugged territory “belonged to the trollfolk” there is no talk of the trolls being involved in this struggle over lowland territory.

Still, the fact of the trollwar is uncontested. At some point relations between Suaq and Kallavesi, and with the trollfolk of the mountains and hills, soured and turned to outright bloodshed. While ancient sagas place a brave face on it, it is clear even from poems and songs that the hunters and the mystics, even fighting together, were outmatched by the trolls. They were driven from the places the trolls claimed for themselves and pushed south and west out of their traditional hunting grounds by the ire of the mountain folk.

These initial conflicts were only a shadow of the war to come, the great [[Wintermark_history#The_Troll_Wars|Troll Wars]] that lead to the foundation of Wintermark, but it was into the early rumblings of this war that Apaay Ukuking was born.

==Apaay Ukuking, Chief of Chiefs==
This semi-legendary figure was the leader of the Suaq in the time immediately preceding the coming of the Steinr and the troll war. Most of what we know about her comes from a book called “Tobban’s Annuls: A collection of stories of the people of the ice” written in 24YE,

Apaay Ukiuking is described as the chief-of-chiefs of the Suaq. This title has long since been abandoned, forgotten since the creation of the Winterfolk. She was a hunter who was said to have great prowess in finding and slaughtering great beasts – whales, [[Mundane_beasts#Mammoths|mammoths]], and [[Mundane_beasts#Dire_Beasts|dire creatures]] of the north both to feed her people and to protect them. All accounts agree that while she was a leader, she was a woman of simple tastes who loved nothing more than to spend long nights singing and talking with her people.

She is described as being short for her people, with long dark hair, a face “shaped by wind, rain, and sun” and the body of a warrior rather than a ranger. As with all the chief-of-chiefs she wore a bronze medallion around her neck as her symbol of office, handed down generation to generation from the first elders of the Suaq, which appears several times in the stories from before the coming of the Steinr and never again afterward.

According to Toban's Annuls, Apaay lead the Suaq during a time of conflict and change when the [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Skein|skeins]] of many twisted and found new paths. The trolls were pressing the people of Sermersuaq from their fastness in the [[Sermersuaq#Silver Peaks|Silver Peaks]] and from their fancifully named “Citadel of Ancient Ice” and each year the hunting along the ice floes became more perilous,

At the same time, old conflicts with the Kallavesi in the marshes to the south long since believed resolved had ignited again. The two people contended against each other, quarrelling over land and old grudges, while the trolls tightened their iron noose around the human folk of the north.

Meeting at great risk with the elders of [[Kallavesa#Rundhal|Rundhal]], Apaay Ukiking forged a treaty, sworn in “blood and ice”, that stopped the conflict and helped the two people focus their attention on the real enemy – the troll folk of the mountains.

According to Tobban the stories also claim that Apaay Ukiuking was the first of the Suaq to greet the Steinr when they first came across the mountains into Hahnmark, and her wisdom and careful words helped to ensure that first meeting between the three peoples ended in peace and common cause rather than the shedding of blood.

Her clever counsel helped the new-forged alliance remain strong in its earliest days. A great reservoir of calm lay in her heart, and when the anger of the Steinr or the suspicion of the Kallavesi became too strong, she would soothe the storm with common sense and practical solutions.

Apaay did not live to see the formation of Wintermark; she was slain at the start of the troll wars. According to Tobban, she sought a peaceful meeting with an ancient troll to find a path that would end the war early. Killed by treachery, she was succeeded by Ulmo Appaysson who would in time be crowned the first king of Wintermark.

==Apaay Ukiuking and the Finfolk==
Apaay Ukiuking is also mentioned in regard to creatures called the Finfolk. The Finfolk are mentioned in Tobban’s Annuls as a “mysterious people of the merrow blood who live in caves deep in the waters of Sermersuaq”.

Often confused in stories with the Hyljie, the Finfolk were seemingly masters of magic who lived along the shores of the lakes, allied with but distinct from the Suaq. They were apparently skilled in magic, and over time shared their understanding with their Suaq allies; in return the Suaq shared their great skill at hunting bringing meat to a people who otherwise would feast only upon fish.

While they were friends to the Suaq, the Finfolk had no love for the Hyljie, nor people of other lands - including the Kallavesi. When the Steinr came, and the troll war was beginning, stories say that the leaders of the Finfolk approached Apaay and asked her not to ally with the other nations of the Winterfolk. They urged Apaay to think of the safety of her people alone, and leave the crazed Kallavesi and the uncouth Steinr to be destroyed by the trolls. Through magic and cunning, the Suaq would hide from the trolls and be safe.

Indeed, said the Finfolk, when the war is at its most terrible and everything rests on the knife edge of chance and fate, the Suaq should strike against the other two people and cast them down, and claim their lands and their secrets for themselves. The trolls would surely see the Suaq – and their Finfolk allies – as friends and an accord could be reached that left the trolls in the mountains and the One People to command the plains and the marshes as it had been in the time before.

The conversation is said to have been long but wise Apaay knew that a war with these nations could destroy their nation, even with the magics and strength of the Finfolk. Where others might have feared that the Kallavesi and the Steinr would prevail against their people, Apaay knew better – if the hunters of her people struck against the other two with cunning, without warning, and with the magic of the Finfolk, they would surely prevail. What she realised, though, was that despite their victory they would cease to be the Suaq and would become something else, something bitter and cold, like the Finfolk.

So Apaay refused the Finfolk, and they were filled with anger, and struck against the Suaq people. The Finfolk had dominion against all those who had ever drowned in the waters of Sermersuaq, be they fresh or salt, and called them up to fight against the Suaq and to protect the sunken temples where they kept their hidden lore.
Yet they were full of hubris; the dead were terrible but they fell before the spears and arrows of the Suaq. The magic of the Finfolk was mighty, but it was nothing before that of the Icewalkers – who had learned much from the lake dwellers but had much lore of their own as well. The Finfolk were bitter, but their numbers could not match those of the Suaq. Even with the troll war brewing, even though trouble with the Kallavesi beat at their doors, the Suaq met the Finfolk wrath and blunted it, and turned it back.

In the end a peace was sworn between the two people. The Finfolk would not stand beside the Suaq any more as their allies; that day had ended. They would diminish, and return to their temples, and let the foolishness of the Suaq destroy them when the day came inevitably that the Crowborn and the Starborn turned on the Sealborn. In return Apaay swore oaths that no others would ever get hold of the secrets of the Finfolk, and they would be safe to live out their bitter lives in their sunken temples, until such time that the merrow of the deep lakes were ready to live among the people of the sun and the wind again.

Tobban tells that the Finfolk listened to Appay’s words but took many of their scrolls with them, casting rituals to curse what they left behind so any who took them would drown in their sleep.

==Future Research==
I see no merit in continuing to dredge through fragments of deerhide scrolls pondering the doings of chiefs and thanes long since reborn. What fires my imagination though are the trolls, and the mystery they present. There is no good modern study of them anywhere, just scraps of tales taken as truth. They were the anvil on which our nation was forged, and their legacy is all around us and threatens to intrude into our lives today.

The Thule have not been shy about expressing their interest in the trolls, and the ruins and tools they left behind – and it may well be that they remember more than we do about the trollfolk. I worry that this puts us at a disadvantage.

Either way, I think this is rich quarry to be hunted, although I do not think it will be a short hunt. Say the word though, and I will round up some companions and we will start to seek out the truth of the trolls, and the Troll Wars. It will not be quick, but the soft-stepped hunter claims the finest buck.
==Further Reading==
* [[Wintermark History]]
* [[Suaq]]
* [[People of the North]]