Empire - User contributions [en]

Sound and vision

2025-07-23T15:33:54Z

Tea: /* Shadow Empire (Casinea) */

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:387YE Summer]][[Category:Recent History]][[Category:Winds of Magic]]
<ic>"When Holberg and Reikos were held by our Foes, T’was Gabriel Barossa that freed ‘em, Through their army was huge, he baited the Druj, And used their own tactics to bleed ‘em!"

Jonty slammed his tankard down on the table and groaned. "Not that fucking song again. Doesn't that troubadour know anything else?"

"What ya complaining about?" argued Dina. "It's catchy - and at least this Barossa fella's still alive. It's this or that one about the doomed lover who throws themselves in the Barren Sea five hundred years ago. This is topical. And it's about beating up the Druj. Oh, Ho! Gabriel Barossa!" the last part was shouted, as was now traditional, along with half the tavern.

"It's trite is what it is. It doesn't scan properly. It's doggerel."

"Oh right, yeah... This from the man whose only contribution to art is finger painting crude drawings on latrine walls. Going to give up woodcutting and become a troubadour are we?" Dina grinned at her drinking partner enjoying his foul mood.

"Oh, Ho! Gabriel Barossa!" shouted the crowd.

Jonty just scowled and mumbled to himself "Death by the Druj would be better than this... If I ever see this Barossa fella, I'll give him what-for..."
</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Sound and vision.jpg|align=left|width=400}}</div>
==Overview==
There is magic across the Empire. In the weavings of the cabalists. In the lore of the weavers. In the craft of the witches, and the arts of artisans. There is also magic in the world itself, serendipity and spirits, constellations and confluences, in the sky and in the salt. Some magic ripples out from the workings of orcs and humans, some rains from the heavens, some rises from the earth and stone.

This season events that relate specifically to the [[eternal|eternals]] is discussed in more detail in '''[[The prettiest star]]''' wind of fortune.
==Silver Earworms==
* '''Heralds of Jaheris have been paying bards, scops, stenza, sutanir, mountebanks, troubadours, and mummers to perform 'Grinning General Gabriel' across the Empire'''
For reasons known only to the ''[[Jaheris|Unicorn Prince]]'', the Lord of the Forest of Arden has taken it up themselves to promote a new poem extolling the apparently limitless Virtues of the General '''Gabriel Barossa'''. They are apparently determined to ensure that this piece is heard as far and wide as possible, possibly because they want to let everyone know how much they like the general or maybe just because they want his name to life in infamy, it's hard to be sure.

Bards and anyone who might be a regular performer is being asked to consider reciting the poem at any opportunity. [[Scop|scops]], [[stzena]], [[sutannir]], [[mountebank|mountebanks]], [[troubadour|troubadours]] and even [[mummer|mummers]] have been offered a few rings if they will add the piece to their repertoire and given free rein to change the words, set it to music or include it in a play. Provided it is performed far and wide, the servants of the ''Moonsilver Prince'' are content.
====Participation: Performers====
<div style="max-width: 400px; width: 50%; float: right;>
<box>
====Grinning General Gabriel====
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
<pre>
Gabriel Barossa has fashionable clothes,
Two blue eyes that are always a-smoulder,
And a fantastic hat,
but despite all of that,
I assure you he’s really a soldier.

When Holberg and Reikos were held by our Foes,
T’was Gabriel Barossa that freed ‘em,
Through their army was huge,
he baited the Druj,
And used their own tactics to bleed ‘em!

Oh, Ho! Gabriel Barossa,
Jaheris’s contest he swiftly did win,
Beat a Jotun Warlord without touching a sword,
All while wearing a shit-eating grin.

Zakalwe sponsors his tactical college,
Gabriel’s military thinking’s so stellar,
And for various crimes,
he’s been cursed twenty times,
So you know he’s a popular feller.

The Whispering Gallery hated his knowledge,
They sent five Assassins most able.
At his own wedding ball,
Gabriel best them all,
(With the help of a small picnic table.)

Oh, Ho! Gabriel Barossa,
Jaheris says he is the best of the lot,
And considering the rest
that have claimed to be best,
Who are we then to say he is not?

As a dancer he’s graceful, his feet are so swift,
The Grendel did not stand a chance,
A three minute defeat,
while they clapped to the beat,
When he led his League troupes out to Dance

Now he and his wife have a contest of gifts,
A rivalry constant and heated.
So nobody can
(but his dear Viviane),
Say they’ve ever had Gabriel defeated!

Oh, Ho! Gabriel Barossa,
Jaheris says he is the best in the show,
Truly out at the Fore,
both in Love and in War…
Who are we then to say it ain’t so!
</pre>
</div>
</box>
</div>

Anyone who plays a character who regularly performs in anyway will have been approached by servants of the ''Moonsilver Prince'' and asked to perform the poem. If you would have taken the Prince's ring, you can let the crew in GOD know and exchange the eighteen rings income for a crown when you collect your pack '''by visiting the lost property desk before you leave GOD'''. You will have been encouraged to perform the poem far and wide and given license to adapt it however you wished. The words of the poem are shown right.

If you perform the poem at Anvil during the summit in front of a substantial audience of a dozen or more people, you will receive a boon from Jaheris. You will experience a '''roleplaying effect'''. ''You feel joy in the power of poetry and music to entertain, bedevil and cause trouble. You feel an urge to perform disconcerting pieces at any opportunity.''

In addition, you have one additional hero point for the duration of the event. You can only increase your maximum number of hero points by one in this manner, but if you have expended this hero point then it is regained whenever you perform the poem in front of a substantial audience in Anvil.
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Icebarn.png|align=left|caption=The great icy creatures known as artoks emerge from the endless storm to tread fixed paths across Wintermark before they head back into the ice.|width=500}}</div>
==Anchoring An Artok==
* '''Mystics of Wintermark have heeded the call of the Conclave to find a way to bind ''Little Icebarn'''''
* '''Control over the Artok can be extended at the cost of increasing amounts of mana crystals'''
Last season, [[Mystic|Mystics]] from the [[Raven Seer|Aviary of Ishal]] discovered [[Stars_and_sigils#Ravens_and_Giants|previously unknown writings]] regarding the binding of [[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Artok|Artok]]. An opportunity to discover the methods was presented to the Raven Seer, but the decision was made to instead seek the truth behind the animal attacks across Sermersuaq and the north-western Empire. A mystery half-solved? Not if the Empire has anything to do with it. The [[Grandmaster]] of the [[Silver Chalice]] issued a declaration to Conclave calling for interested parties to [[387YE_Spring_Equinox_Conclave_sessions#Concord:_Storm's_Folly_and_Artok|research the writings of Storm's Folly]]. A lateral move, but one that many Mystics speak of approvingly. There are often many routes to the same destination, and the magicians of Anvil have identified one.

It is not a flood of scholars who arrive at the isolated Hall in [[Sermersuaq#Suaq_Fount|Suaq Fount]]. More like a trickle, a thin rivulet of curious people, all Winterfolk. This is not the might of a directed order, but a few interested parties. The people of the Empire know very well the power of a small but determined band of experts with time on their hands. And sure enough, just before the Summer Solstice, the researchers present their findings. They have no formal presentation, no context, no historical research. They have gone through the ancient writings and identified only those parts that related to their goal, ignoring everything else. The story of Storm's Folly and their place in the wider history of the Artok will be for others to research, should they be of a mind. But their methods? Those are now in the Empire's hands.

Artoks are strange and unpredictable beings, guided by some mysterious force that the Empire does not know. The same methods will not work on all of them, and worse they become more difficult over time, as the artok's urge to resume its original path grows stronger. But ''Little Icebarn'', it seems, is susceptible to this control. The researchers are confident that they could use twenty mana crystals to bind the Artok to work at the [[Pride of Ikka's Tears]] for another year. This is not even a one-off thing - the process could be repeated, albeit at greater cost. To bind Little Icebarn for a second year would cost 40 mana crystals, then 80 for a third year, 160 for a fourth, and so on. The required quantity would double every time so Little Icebarn could never be bound forever, but the only limits are the mana crystals available.

All it would take is for the Custodian of the Pride of Ikka's Tears, currently '''Æðelric Dagursson''', to acquire the mana crystals and have them delivered to the mine for use ('''OOC Note:''' The Custodian of the Pride of Ikka's Tears should hand-in mana crystals at the end of the event and email {{plot}} before downtime closes.)
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=Feresh.png|align=left|width=200}}</div>
==A Mountain Rises (Zenith)==
* '''Mount Polus has risen to be the tallest mountain in the Empire'''
* '''Urizen could build an edifice to found a new spire on the mountain'''
Last season, [[Meraud]] [[Eat_like_kings#Obligations|provided the Golden Chalice]] with an arcane projection in recognition of their aid in his restoration. ''The Hands that Shake the Heavens'' was performed during the summit by the '''Ashen Flame''' coven of Urizen, targeting [[Zenith#Occursion|Occursion]] in Zenith. The first of the tremors was felt shortly after the equinox, with subjects of the Lord of the Silver Tower visiting spires to warn them before the earthquake that followed. One of the mountains of Occursion, Mount Polus, began to rise as the tremors continued. Shortly before the summit, the last of the tremors is felt, and the region seems to breathe a sigh of relief. Just one day later, an overwhelming crunch is heard as far away as [[Custodian_of_the_Storm_Vault#The_Storm_Vault|the Storm Vault]]. A crevasse has opened near the base of Mount Polus, which seems to beckon for adventure.
<div style="width: 400px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Mount Polus'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' [[Zenith#Occursion|Occursion]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' '''Minimum:''' 10 white granite, 300 crowns in labour</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 1 season</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' 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 edifice to reduce the costs for the spire to regular costs</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' Opportunity ends in a year's time</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
It is too soon to know for sure what might be found in the crevasse, but local spires and citadels are incredibly interested in what might be uncovered in this new unknown. The ''Citadel of the Empty Sword'', sentinels who maintain a watch over the southern pass into [[Spiral]], have suggested that an army could be used to explore the crevasse... once the Druj are pushed from the territory, of course. The [[Narwhal's Spear]], the [[Seventh Wave]], or the [[Wolves of War]] (hiring the appropriate mercenaries), or an Imperial army enchanted with [[Bound by Common Cause]] could take a defensive order to fully explore the crevasse. The general would likely receive a sample of what might be found in the crevasse, and the civil service would publish a report of what was uncovered, and how best it might be exploited for the Empire.
<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 in a year's time</td></tr>
</table></div>
Of course, impossibly tall mountains whose peak is way above the clouds could be the perfect place to found a new spire. Just as [[Daybreak_in_Spiral|the proposal for the Omphalos in Spiral]], the nation would need to commission an edifice to serve as the focal point of the Dreaming Spire. It would need at least ten white granite, but it could be bigger than that if there was sufficient desire to ensure the new spire had sufficient grandeur to meet the moment.

The problem here would be how on earth to drag the materials all the way up the side of the tallest mountain in the Empire. Regular ushabti are not designed for that work, so the labour costs would be ten times the normal rates, 300 crowns for a ten wain edifice, more if the territory decided to build something bigger. What is needed are specialist ushabti built just for this purpose - with the right constructs, the costs could return to normal (30 crowns for a ten wain edifice).

Fortunately Zenith is the home of the [[Fate_and_function|Crucible of Fate]], the extraordinary foundry, with accompany forges and workshops that allow the [[Architect of the Crucible]] to oversee the creation of specialised Ushabti. Currently the focus of that work is on the specialist ushabti needed to maximise production of mithril for the [[Brilliant Star]] but they could be [[Architect_of_the_Crucible#Miracle_And_Wonder|redirected for a season to support the construction of the new spire by the usual method]]. If that happened then the costs for ''any'' commission on the mountain-top would return to normal.

Of course those are just the technical problems - the spire would need a name - and ideally a purpose. One possible choice might be to study the stars - Zenith was once renowned for its [[astronomancy|astronomancers]]. The Arch of the Sky was a collection of spires on the tallest mountains in Zenith where [[stargazer|stargazers]] and masters of celestial magic would come to observe the night skies. It was destroyed when the Druj invaded Zenith and has never been rebuilt. It could be anything however; if the edifice is commissioned, that is the perfect opportunity to set the name and direction of the new spire.

When the Crucible of Fate it beat out a [[Write_your_own_ending#The_Eye_of_the_Heavens|proposal by ''Delius of the Night Spire'']], to make Zenith the indisputable home of astronomancy throughout the Empire. Her proposal was five separate observatories spaced out across the territory to mirror the positions of [[The Key and The Lock]]. However the opportunity presented by Mount Polus offers the stargazer a chance to shake off those plans and repropose them. It is well known among dedicated astronomers, that the higher an observatory is positioned, the easier it is to read the stars. This is hardly surprising, since you are considerably closer to the stars on top of a tall mountain! So rather than five small observatories, why not create one enormous one, a spire close enough to touch the heavens?

The proposal is hardly cheap, but building the Eye of the Heavens was never going to be easy. It wouldn't change the essential nature of Zenith, it will always be renowned as a territory whose people were masters of their own fate. But it would be the perfect way to restore the legacy of the Arch of the Sky and also create an observatory that would be an unrivalled centre of the study of astronomancy in the Empire. The perfect way to show those [[The_play_that_came_to_Apulian#Curiouser_and_Curiouser|actors in Apulian]] what real magical study looks like!
==A Gate of Mist and Shadow (Lyceum)==
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">[[file:Sadogua001d.webp|align=right|width=250]]</div>
* '''The meeting between the Brother of Wizards and the Unfettered Mind seems to have bourn fruit
* '''Two possible plans for restoring contact between the Empire and the Lyceum are being explored
Last season, a [[Speak_to_me#Father_of_Bats|plenipotentiary meeting]] was arranged between the [[Sadogua|Brother of Wizards]] and members of the [[Unfettered Mind]]. The discussion about how to solve the problem of [[Dean_of_the_Lyceum#The_Lyceum|the Lyceum]] being stuck behind a mostly impenetrable wall of magical mist ranged far and wide but in the end some potential solutions were settled upon.
===A Gate of Mists===
* '''A specialist Night magic ritual designed to enchant a fleet could be developed that would be "recognised" by the wards
* '''The ritual would need to be placed in Imperial Lore
* '''There is a risk that enemies of the Empire might be able to get hold of or duplicate the ritual enchantment
The first apparently involves a scheme to create a specific ritual of [[Night magic]] that, among other things, would allow a [[fleet]] to pass through the wall of mist (and also avoid being eaten by the dangerous [[inhabitants of the realms#Guardians|guardians]] the Father of Bats has apparently unleashed into the area). With the help of the eternal, the wards would be modified to allow any ship bearing that specifically crafted enchantment to pass freely.

For this plan to work, the ritual would need to be codified and then made part of Imperial Lore. Once that were done, Imperial ships would be able to reach the Lyceum again. This is convenient, but also risky. The ''Globbersnotch'' warns that if the wards are attuned to a ritual they allow ''anyone'' through to the Lyceum island. While the Empire might be able to control access to such a ritual, it would still be possible for enemy magicians to work out the details of that ritual and potentially create their own "key" to the lock protecting the college of magic.
<div style="width: 400px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Gates of Shadow'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Siroc Bayou, Madruga or Oranseri, Feroz</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 15 wains of ''either [[white granite]] or [[weirwood]]; 5 rings of ilium; base 45 crowns labour costs</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 3 Monthsr</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability: Open-ended</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effects:'''
* Restores connection between the region where the gates are built and the Lyceum
</table>
</div>
===A Course of Shadows===
* '''A pair of gates based on the Paths of Lan Tuven could allow ships to sail safely back and forth between the mainland and the Lyceum
* '''The risk is that if the region where the gate stood on the mainland were captured by enemies they would be able to access the Lyceum instead
* '''The gate would be built at Siroc Bayou or Oranseri
The other possibility is to draw on the inspiration of the old [[Liathaven#Paths_of_Lan_Thúven_(Gone)|Paths of Lan Tuven]]. Discovered in the depths of the (then) vallorn dominated western Liathaven, the paths were a specific route woven with [[night magic]] that allowed Navarr armies to pass ''through'' vallorn controlled [[Liathaven#West Ranging|West Ranging]]. With the help of the ''Toad King'' a similar structure could be put in place connecting [[the Brass Coast]] mainland to the Lyceum island. This would allow any ship to sail safely through the mists - and also incidentally avoid any ''other'' threat along the route.

There is of course a weakness to this plan as well. The "entrance" to the magical path would need to be built in either [[Madruga#Siroc_Bayou|Siroc Bayou]] (which is not currently part of the Empire, and is also tricky to build in), or in [[Feroz#Oranseri|Oranseri]] (most likely as part of the docks at [[Feroz#Oran|Oran]]). The problem here is that if enemies capture the region where the mainland end of the gate stands they would be able to sail as many ships as they wanted to up to the Lyceum and raid or destroy the college.

Sadogua has provided plans for the required gates however. The eternal says that with his help, the magicians on the island will be more than capable of cannibalising the resources they need to build their end, at least in the short term. Once the gate opens, the first ships will be able to bring the last few resources in to anchor the "course of shadows". The plans the eternal has provided represent an [[edifice]] requiring 15 wains of ''either'' weirwood or mithril (but not both), and 5 rings of [[ilium]]. Construction will require a base 45 crowns (more if they are [[Commission#Marshes|built in the marshes]] of Siroc Bayou). Once complete, Imperial ships will once again be able to reach the Lyceum, allowing the magicians trapped there to leave and new students and faculty to reach the island.

The ''Wyrm-lord'' is always angling for magicians to gain additional power, and points out that the Senate could amend the title of [[Arcane Architect]] to allow them to build edifices, a useful ability that would be of value not only to eternals from all realms but also to Imperial magicians who need something built for magical purposes. He can't do much himself, but he does point out that there are probably forces in the other lesser realms (perhaps the [[Realms#Autumn|Iron Labyrinth]]) that are more focused on material concerns. They might be convinced to support the Arcane Architect if they had a wider remit than just "mana and vis sinecures", perhaps even going so far as to free them from the need to work with the mundane civil service and Senate when commissioning a structure in a similar way to the [[Master of the Koboldi]] (but with fewer koboldi).
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=PhoenixIllustrationInk.JPG|caption=What is written in the firmament can be read from the earth.|align=right|width=250}}</div>

==Shadow Empire (Casinea)==
* '''Residents of Casinea have reported strange dreams'''
* '''Anyone enchanted with ''Ride the Noble Steed'' can request a vision from the Regio or the Referee Access Tent'''
As the Summer Solstice approaches, people across [[Casinea]] awaken having experienced strange dreams with peculiar spires and palatial, shadowed spaces. Often these dreams involve being surrounded by others - some they recognise, most they don't - all in hushed silence. The atmosphere in these dreams is heavy with expectation, tinged with an edge of the unreal - of a brief, discomfiting blurring between the dreamer and the dream at the moment of waking that lingers for hours long beyond the persistence of memory.

Budding oneiromancers dwell upon these somniations at length before [[Clear_Counsel_of_the_Everflowing_River|turning to]] the ''[[Sung|Rainbow Serpent]]'' to decipher its mysteries. Her response is delivered with that eternal's usual mystique: these dreams, it would seem, are a celebration of sorts - a gift formed from the contribution of several Night eternals. The ''Whispering Wind'' goes on to hint at a further invitation for those who seek the mysteries of their dreams that can be found by "''<span style="color:#800080">seeing through the eye of the magpie and taking tack and bridle to ride beyond the veil of sleep</span>''". All other questions on the matter return only silence.

It is soon discovered that those affected by [[Ride the Noble Steed]] within Casinea experience an especially vivid dream of riding far - through foreign lands, blurred by night - making for a distant point of light. When they awaken they are filled with a certainty that they have begun to undertake a journey - though towards what, the dream offers no answers.

<big>'''Participation''':</big><br>
If your character has slept overnight in Casinea in the last season (or indeed after sleeping in Anvil during the event), they may roleplay having experienced this strange dream. Any character who is the target of [[Ride the Noble Steed]] may request to receive additional information about the dream of travel from the Regio or the Ritual Access Tent.

==The Littlest College==
* '''Access to the Loom of Spells will be auctioned at 14:00 on Sunday at the Imperial Regio'''
* '''The Loom of Spells continues to be controlled by the Church of The Little Mother'''
The Church of The Little Mother is continuing the practice of auctioning access to the Loom of Spells. A [[bishop]] of the Church will attend the Imperial regio at 14:00 on Sunday of the summit, where the auction will take place. Bids are to be given in ingots and measures. It does not matter which materials are given, and bids may include a mixture. The only thing that matters is the raw quantity.

They remind potential bidders that the Loom can only codify rituals of up to the tenth magnitude, but have established that the ritual [[Quick Study]], which is part of Urizen lore, will work. The bishop taking the bids has been assigned as head of the work crews on the Loom this season, and may be targeted by this ritual if needed, though they will expect any bidders who require such a thing to have arranged their own casting and to be ready to cast it as soon as their bid is declared successful.

==Lights in the Sky (Feroz)==
* '''A colourful display is in effect in the night sky of Feroz'''
* '''It is clear to anyone in the territory that this is the result of Summer magic'''
After the Spring Equinox, a majestic vision starts appearing in the night skies over [[Feroz]]. The vision repeats each night although the details are sometimes different. As the months roll on the light becomes less pronounced, and several nights may pass between appearances. About a fortnight before the Summer Solstice, the last lights are seen and then the effect ends.

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

The effects are clearly the result of a powerful Summer enchantment. There is a little grumbling from the folk of Feroz about the amount of mana the images must have required and how they might have been better spent.

==Koboldi in the Barrens==
* '''A group of koboldi have appeared in the Barrens looking to build a statue'''
* '''They are apparently waiting for further direction on what they should build'''
Shortly after the Spring Equinox a large group of excitable ''koboldi'' appear in Murderdale in the Barrens. They are apparently here to raise a new statue, something grand and impressive, as part of an agreement with the [[Adamant|''King under the Mountain'']]. They were expecting to meet with Dawnish magicians from the Phoenix Rising coven who could tell them what needed to be built, so they are somewhat non-plussed to find nobody waiting to greet them.
<div style="width: 400px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Palace of the Moon'''</tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' Edifice</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Murderdale, The Barrens</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 500 white granite but no labour costs</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time:''' 3 years</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' Creates the most grandiose personal dwelling in the Empire, rivalling the Castle of Thorns for size and splendour</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Availability:''' Opportunity ends once the koboldi receive instructions for a statue</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

The koboldi are delighted to discover there is nobody here to direct them. They've been sent here by King Adamant to build the state as directed by the Phoenix Rising and while they are eagerly looking forward to the chance to get to work, they're equally delighted to be contractually forced to do nothing. Of course they are all going to be in enormous trouble with the King once he discovers they've spent all season doing nothing when they should have been hard at work building, but that's a problem for tomorrow.

They spend the season causing a minor nuisance in the area by suggesting a series of increasingly ludicrous building endeavours. As an example, they offer to turn the modest wooden dwelling of Hafton, a yeofolk from Drycastle into an enormous palace, "the size of the moon", if he can just find them five hundred wains of white granite. When Hafton explains he doesn't have five wains, let alone five hundred, the disappointed koboldi attempt to hawk the plans around various wealthy nobles in the area.

As much as they are enjoying themselves, Adamant is bound to discover that they have absconded from work eventually, and order them back to it. If they are given direction by a member of the Phoenix Rising coven before the start of the Autumn Equinox ({{plot}}) then they will build a statue as required. Otherwise they will keep making a nuisance of themselves suggesting ridiculous commissions until Adamant notices, at which point they will sculpt a large stone bust depicting the noble demeanour of the most glorious King under the Mountain and depart.
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=ClawIllustrationInk.JPG||align=right|width=200}}</div>
==A Cry in the Night==
* '''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 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]]) feel uncomfortable. If 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 may experience the [[roleplaying effect]]: ''you feel an urge to assert your dominance over anyone who challenges you, or seek a physical confrontation with anyone you feel has wronged you. Violence seems easy and satisfying.'' This effect lasts for at least half an hour if a player chooses to embrace it.

In addition, the Claw continues to exert the [[Stars_and_sigils#Wyrm_Coils_Around_Mountain|powerful influence]] observed at the Spring Equinox. If the Claw is invoked while performing certain ritual enchantments, their power is enhanced. The first time each day that a contributor calls on the Claw, they can choose to spill their own blood to empower the 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. A contributor can reduce themselves to 0 hits during a ritual, but they will be able to complete the performance before collapsing and beginning to [[Combat#Dying|bleed to death]]. Each magician can only use this ability once per day, and the ''roleplaying effect'' invoking the Claw creates will last for at least an hour and be much more pronounced.

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 resource enchantments [[Merciless Wrath of the Reaver]] and [[Blood and Salt]]
* And these rituals which are not part of Imperial or Urizen lore ''Heaven's Spear Sunders the Mountain'', and ''Ironwind's Pride''
However, 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. The ability to use the Claw in this way remains available, but in addition to any physical or magical consequences there are now also legal consequences for drawing on it.

==Wyrm Pulls the Sailor Down==
<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 is drawing to an end'''
* '''The Great Wyrm is moving into a grand conjunction with the Drowned Man'''
Since the Winter Solstice, Imperial [[astronomancy|astronomancers]] have been aware of a rare ''grand conjunction'' of [[the Great Wyrm]] and [[the Mountain]] in the skies above the Empire. The impact of this conjunction has already been felt by magicians, with seismic changes to the way certain types of magic, specifically those associated with warfare, function. This has led to permanent alterations to the way [[Imperial army|armies]], [[military unit|warbands]], and [[fleet|ships]] are [[enchantment|enchanted]], and to how certain divinations work. The power of the conjunction appeared to [[Stars_and_sigils#Wyrm_Coils_Around_Mountain|reach its zenith]] during the Spring Equinox. It is now in decline, the powerful magical effects observed last season having entirely faded.

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 and it appears another grand conjunction is imminent. The Hanged Man is quite a dangerous constellation, often used in magic that creates [[curse|curses]] or destruction, leading some astronomancers to become quite nervous.
<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>

==The Unravelling==
* '''Arcane projections created before Winter 386YE that enchant armies, navies, military units, or fleets no longer work'''
* '''Such arcane projections are unravelling and may be exchanged for crystal mana'''
* '''The ability to exchange an arcane projection lasts until the end of the Autumn Equinox 387YE'''
* '''The inability to cast these arcane projections is permanent'''
* '''It is currently impossible to create arcane projections that curse an individual'''
The Unfettered Mind were also the first people to spot the peculiar phenomenon that coincided with this Grand Conjunction. Dubbed ''the Unravelling'' in some parts of the Empire, it means that any arcane projection issued before E1-2025 that attempts to [[enchantment|enchant]] an [[Imperial army|army]] or [[Imperial navy|navy]] can no longer be cast. Likewise, arcane projections that involve enchanting a [[military unit]] or [[fleet]] no longer function. The Grand Conjunction appears to have scrambled the magic bound into the projections themselves.

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 for mana in this way will persist until the end of the Autumn Equinox 387YE.

While the Drowned Man is not yet part of a Grand Conjunction, astronomancers have indicated that they believe such a thing is imminent. It is still not possible to create an [[arcane projection]] that creates a personal [[curse]] - a curse that targets an individual. Such arcane projections that already exist can still be cast, but magicians of the Unfettered Mind theorise that it is only a matter of time before the same conjunctional effect that has diminished the power of warlike arcane projections will affect arcane projections based around curses.

'''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.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Lock&KeyIllustrationInk.JPG||align=right|width=250}}
==Lock and Key==
* '''A hitherto unknown tulpa of the Wanderer has apparently begun to move towards Anvil
* '''It is expected in both the Highborn and Freeborn camps at 16.00 on Saturday
As well as the conjunctions of the stars involving the Great Wyrm, the Claw, and the Drowned Man there is another peculiar celestial phenomenon that might be worth noting. Since the Spring Equinox [[the Wanderer]] has moved through first [[the Lock]] and then [[the Key]]. In both cases the baleful red star that heralds plans going awry seemed to hang between the existing stars of the constellations making it appear to the uninitiated that they had each spawned an extra star.

The conjunction appears relatively minor, but astronomancers have warned that it appears to have spawned an unfamiliar [[tulpa]] of the Wanderer. The entity is in Casinea, and its not clear where it came from. It's also not clear if it is a "pure" tulpa, or a magician who has touched the stars a little too closely and become "ridden" by the power of the stars. It is apparently called the "Pilgrim Flame" and has enough personality to hold conversations reinforcing the idea it might be a magician under the influence of a star (although that said the tulpas of the Wanderer more than most other star-spawn have proved capable of communicating with mortals albeit in unpredictable and often incomprehensible ways). It intends, apparently, to visit [[Highguard]] and [[the Brass Coast]] at four in the afternoon on Saturday.

==Written in the Stars==
* '''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
And on the subject of constellations... much of the Empire has had the [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil|penumbral veil]] drawn over it for several seasons now. With the notable exceptions of [[astronomancy|astronomancers]] and stargazers, most citizens have come to treat the occasional strangely shifting shapes and lights in the night sky as unremarkable oddities.

This past season, however, one [[Urizen]] Spire claims to have spotted a pattern in the odd lights that sometimes appear in the veiled night sky. Members of the ''Spire of Shadowed Glass'' have travelled across the Empire, cataloguing what they see each night. They have found that some areas of the Empire seem to be repeatedly visited by the same odd stars. These pseudo-constellations are not visible elsewhere, and it is notable that 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.

<box> Any character who lives or has spent time travelling in any of the following territories 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. </box>
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: leftt;">{{CaptionedImage|file=The Trident and The Serpent Sheds its Skin.webp.png|align=left|width=250}}</div>
* '''The Trident - Skarsind'''
This is a patterns of stars - or star-like objects - often seen over Skarsind. People in this area seem to be experiencing a boon of creativity, and frequently dream of boat voyages or being caught in a great net and ripped from their home.

Those who spend significant time in the territory may find themselves under the following roleplay effect:

''Roleplay effect: You are drawn to new ideas, concepts and sources of inspiration. When viewing art, you are overcome with an urge to transform it in some way to make something new.''
* '''The Serpent Sheds its Skin - Mournwold'''
The Serpent winds across the skies of the Mourn, seeming to draw the attention of people already feeling an urge to change something about themselves or their life. The territory is not short on people unhappy with their situation, and the serpent is becoming a popular topic of tales, songs and artistry.

Those who spend significant time in the territory may find themselves under the following roleplay effect:

''Roleplay effect: You are keenly aware of how negative experiences have caused you to transform and change. You feel a deep urge to continually reform yourself in new and exciting ways.''
<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=The Golden Ferret.png|align=left|width=250}}</div>
* '''The Golden Ferret - Tassato'''
It's difficult to say how anything about the collection of stars rising over Tassato resembles a ferret, let alone a golden one. And yet somehow Mestra and Regario are in complete agreement that they couldn't be anything else. Unfortunately, those who spend long enough gazing at the stars only seem to become more passionate about the rivalry between the two halves of the city.

Those who spend significant time in the territory may find themselves under the following roleplay effect:

''Roleplay effect: You feel an urge to act on your deepest desires and take what is rightfully yours. Adorning yourself in your achievements and the fruits of your labour gives you an immense sense of satisfaction.''

* '''The Woven Banner - Necropolis'''
In Necropolis, the diamond of stars stretching across the sky is viewed mostly with suspicion. Chapters come together to view it on the tallest hills, debating the risks it may pose. A network of archivists begins to document the movement of the stars, and any possible effects they may be having on the area, but they struggle to come up with any reliable findings.
<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage|file=The woven banner.png|align=left|width=250}}</div>
Those who spend significant time in the territory may find themselves under the following roleplay effect:

''Roleplay effect: You are keenly aware of the power of working together with others. You feel an urge to connect with others to create things greater than the sum of their parts.''

==Never Get Old (Falconer)==
* '''The Cult of the Falconer continues to expand its influence'''
* '''The Assembly of Nine directed the Silent Bell to investigate the Cult of the Falconer'''
* '''The Cardinal of Vigilance will receive a report at the upcoming summit'''
The Cult of the Falconer has expanded even further in the last few months. Across the north-west of the Empire, there are illicit meetings between would-be adherents of the powerful creature, where they boast of what they have done to prove themselves the strongest and worthiest. The [[Cardinal of Vigilance]], '''Gaelen Embercast''', raised a statement of principle in the Assembly of Nine that called on the [[Silent Bell (Sodality)|Silent Bell]] to investigate the cult. There is little word from the members of the sodality before the summit, other than confirmation that the cardinal will receive their report. The Assembly of Nine upheld a statement of principle, raised by '''Skywise Tulva''', [[387YE_Spring_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_181|condemning]] the cult as idolatrous, but it appears to have done nothing to sway those who have pledged themselves to this inhuman entity.

In [[Sermersuaq]], the cult grows. There are rumours from Atalaq to Wreck of pillars being raised in the wilds, though few have seen one and no-one admits to having a hand in their creation.
===Falconer Cultists===
* '''At least two groups of followers of the Falconer are coming to Anvil'''
* '''They are expected to arrive on Friday or perhaps early Saturday'''
* '''It's not clear why they are coming to Anvil'''
In [[Wish_you_were_here#Kaisa's_Invitation|Winter]] and in [[Mistaken_for_strangers#Falcons_and_Roses|Spring]], representatives of the ''Chosen of the Flaconer'' have visited [[Anvil]]. They have spoken to any number of people of many nations and it is widely suspected they are connected to the strange magical influence spreading across the north-western Empire. Perhaps they are taking advantage of the odd conjunction of [[the Claw]]; some more excitable types argue they may actually be ''causing'' it somehow.

At least two groups of these "chosen" are apparently planning to return to Anvil this season. They have been seen travelling along the roads from Wintermark, and most sensible fellow-travellers give them a wide berth. There has been talk of trouble at some wayhouses along their route - brawling and angry words rather than anything more seriously. They are anticipated to arrive either Friday night or perhaps early Saturday morning. They aren't being open about their reasons for attending the summit, so citizens are warned to exercise caution. The magistrates are however at pains to remind anyone who asks that these people are still Imperial citizens, and membership of their group is not illegal. Violence against them will be viewed just as seriously as violence against any other citizen of the Empire.
===Painted (Miekarova)===
* '''Alleged cultists are apparently sacrificing one of their own in the name of the Falconer'''
* '''There are reports of wild beasts in the vicinity'''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Senator for Miekarova'' is [[Sentinel_Gate#Prognostication|responsible]] for defeating the cultists'''
{{NoInnocentsPresent}}
Deep in the wilds of Miekarova, not too far from the [[Night Quarry]], stands the Painted Clearing. The clearing lies in the middle of some of the wild woods of Mieriada, and was created as a place of beauty to represent the importance of the [[Miekarova#The_Painted_Caves|Painted Caves]]. The beauty was shattered over the season with the apparent arrival of the cult of the Falconer. The supposed cult has kept moving in the forests of Miekarova, avoiding the garrison of Grimhold, whilst striking at travellers and threatening outposts.

The woods around the Painted Clearing are not only possibly inhabited by the cult, dangerous and wild beasts also stalk the woodlands. The pervasive feeling of short-temperedness and anger is now common in the woods, and locals have seen a significant increase in attacks from the wildlife.

The alleged cultists are planning ''something''. For the past few days they have been quiet, after a frenzied period of attacks. Rumours abound of what they are planning, with worry that they might be preparing to unleash havoc on Olodny. It is the responsibility of the [[Miekarova|Senator for Miekarova]], '''Vaclav Mladenovich Kosti''', to defeat the alleged cultists and any nearby beasts who might object to the intrusion on their land.

===Herding (Skarsind)===
* '''Cultists are threatening the great herd of Skarsind'''
* '''There are rumours of vicious beasts in the area '''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Shepherd of the Great Herd'' is [[Sentinel_Gate#Prognostication|responsible]] for defeating the cultists'''
{{NoInnocentsPresent}}
In [[Skarsind]], in the woods of eastern [[Skarsind#|Estermark]], rest some of the cattle of the [[Shepherd_of_the_Great_Herd#The_Great_Herd|Great Herd]]. Here, too, are adherents of the Cult of the Falconer. Reports from locals are that the cultists have been launching attacks on travellers - butchering them as they go. Where corpses have been found, they have almost always been missing some limb or another, methodically lopped off with repeated blows of a keen edge.

Whether this has something to do with the rumours of vicious beasts in the area is a matter of some debate, but the trail of corpses does continue towards the Great Herd. The cult may be planning on trying to lead and goad a vicious beast into devouring the cows of the Great Herd. Given the threat it represents, it is the responsibility of the [[Shepherd of the Great Herd]], '''Sand Viper Idra''', to defeat the cultists and any vicious beasts in the surrounding area.

===Corpse (Hahnmark)===
* '''Cultists have tied up a victim to draw in wild beasts'''
* '''There are reports of cultists in the vicinity'''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Senator for Hahnmark'' is [[Sentinel_Gate#Prognostication|responsible]] for defeating the cultists'''
{{InnocentPeoplePresent}}
In Valasmark, south-west [[Hahnmark]], is the Dunhall Copse, rumoured to be named after one of the Great Dun's progeny who turned aside from the rest of their kin and tried to make a home for themselves away from struggle and strife. They failed, and their name has been lost by the generations that have passed. The copse is all that remains of a vast forest that was once their home, and now it is haunted by the wails of the dying. Cultists of the Falconer have been spotted in the area, stringing up their prey and leaving them to bleed out in reverence to their strange, misguided faith.

The [[Hahnmark|Senator for Hahnmark]], '''Runa Whiteoak''', is responsible for freeing the victim, and dealing with any beasts or cultists that might be in the surrounding area.

==Something Stirs (Coral Husks) (Conjunctions)==
* '''The coral husks from the Gullet have continued to be a problem'''

Just before the Winter Solstice, there was a [[Rumblings in the Gullet|small earthquake]] centred on the Gullet but felt all around it. The tremors lasted for a few minutes as the ground shook, but there was little lasting damage and few thought anything of it at the time.

Sadly it now seems that the earthquake was not completely benign. There were sightings of strange creatures in the gullet which have only grown worse with time.

===Sense of Doubt (Kallavesa)===
* '''Coral husks have been attacking travellers along the Pilgrim's Trail'''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Crow Keeper of the Rest'' is [[Sentinel_Gate#Prognostication|responsible]] for defeating the husks'''
{{NoInnocentsPresent}}
There have been increased sightings of the strange coral husks in the marshes of Kallavesa, along [[Kallavesa#The_Pilgrim's_Trail|the Pilgrim's Trail]]. Having moved further east, into the Westmere, packs of them are spreading towards the Sovenann, sacred swamp of the Kallavesi and the rest of the Winterfolk. If the husks are not stopped, then they will continue to attack those walking the trail, potentially creating long-term issues for pilgrims who wish to walk the trail.

The ''Swampcrows'', who provide a [[Crow_Keeper_of_the_Rest#Gift_of_Infusions|gift]] of three doses of [[Goosewhisper Infusion]] each season to the [[Crow Keeper of the Rest]], have called on '''Cynerik''', the incumbent Crow Keeper, to deal with these threats. Reports from the Swampcrows indicate that the husks are somewhat spread out, in two separate groups, and that it might be possible to engage and deal with one group before the other group realises what is happening.

===Fascination===
* '''Imperial magicians are being threatened by coral husks'''
* '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Suitable_For_Cadets|combat suitable for cadets]] encounter'''
* '''The ''Cadet Commander'' is [[Sentinel_Gate#Prognostication|responsible]] for rescuing the magicians and defeating the husks'''
{{InnocentPeoplePresent}}
''Robin Hopper'', a captain of the [[Strong Reeds]] has spent the last year in Bregasland. First, having to contend with the invasion of the Jotun, then the appearance of the strange coral husks, it has been a strange year. ''Robin'' reports that there are a small group of magicians that have been trapped by the coral husks and need rescuing. She has asked the cadets of the Academy to go through the Sentinel Gate and help the magicians, who were trying to uncover the secrets of these strange monsters.

''Robin'' warns that the magicians are spread out, with the husks preventing a simple route to the imperilled Imperials. Whoever is elected as the Cadet Commander is responsible for rescuing the magicians and defeating the husks.

Hierarchs of sea and sky

2023-09-05T18:39:53Z

Tea: /* The Gift of Knowledge */ - add Regio requirement for bonus

[[Category:Winds of Fortune]][[Category:385YE Autumn]][[Category:Recent History]]
<ic>The herald blinked three of its eyes meditatively.

"You ask a difficult question," it said slowly. "You must understand that the hierarchs - the eternals - do not view things the way you do. Your lives are so short. Flicker! Here you are! Flicker! Now you are gone! Flicker! Now everyone who ever knew you is gone!"

They snapped their long, multijointed fingers as they spoke, little sparks dancing in the air for a moment and then vanishing. The creature spoke matter-of-factly, as if discussing the weather.

"To the hierarchs, your cities pulse, growing and receding like living things. So do your nations. Why it was less than forty decades ago that your Empire has barely a handful of quarrelsome nations beset by enemies. Sixty decades before that, and your own ancient forebears ruled here, before they too were gone. Flicker!"

It snapped its fingers, and this time the sparks were dull copper that faded to dark green just before they vanished.

"The hierarchs are not like the others you've told me of. They do not contend against one another. On the rare occasions there are disagreements between them, they are resolved through calm negotiation. Or so it seems to me. They will not fight the creature you call Cold Sun for you. Some of them might offer aid, as appropriate to their nature, but I do not think even the Hierarch Zakal will do battle on your behalf. It is not among the things that happen, I do not think. But what do I know? I am only one creature, and my perspective is limited."

The vizier closed all its eyes at once, looking inwards. When it opened them again, a slightly smile touched its thin, blue lips.

"Sometimes the chaos of the future narrows down to a limited range of choices. This is such a time. You will overcome this, or you will be destroyed, or scattered, or changed fundamentally. But if you do burn, if you do fall, then even after you are long gone and everyone else has forgotten you were ever here, the hierarchs will remember you. Perhaps there is some comfort in that?"

There was little comfort in it. The herald reached across cautiously, and laid three fingers on her companion's wrist.

"Here and now," it said earnestly. "You are alive. We are here. Your family are celebrating. Can that, for now, not be enough?"</ic>
<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=LordOfEscapedBalloons.jpg|caption=Kimus, who watches.|align=left|width=400}}</div>
{{audio|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwBsXl7PkIo}}
==Overview==
* '''Bright Eyes Gleam in the Depths has been invoked in the Empire'''
* '''You can learn about the magical effects of the Imperial enchantment in the [[Shining like fire]] wind of fortune'''
As [[Bright Eyes Gleam in the Depths]] sweeps across the Empire, it temporarily empowers weak Day [[regio]], and encourages the [[eternal|eternals]] of that realm to involve themselves in Imperial affairs. These effects combine to cause Day eternals who are not marked as [[Alignment#Enmity|enemies of the Empire]] to send heralds to visit Imperial citizens. All of those eternals save one have also presented offers of boons, or made set forth proposals for ways they might help the Empire, especially those who are considered [[Alignment#Amity|allies of the Empire]] by the [[Imperial Conclave]].

Of course, one eternal of the Day realm - the [[Cold Sun]] - has reacted to the power of the ritual by sending large numbers of its soldiers to kill and destroy(as detailed in the [[To the last syllable]] wind of war).The rest of ''this'' wind of fortune deals with the results of opening the Day regio all over the Empire, and the ways the other eternals have responded.

Unless specifically mentioned otherwise these opportunities are only available during the Autumn Equinox.
==Kimus==
* '''Kimus has used the power of Bright Eyes Gleam in the Depths to send heralds all over the Empire to observe seemingly unconnected events of variable import'''
The eternal Kimus has not always been on good relations with the Empire, but it seems that it holds no grudges. It is the present that it is concerned with, and not the past, after all. During the last three months, ''viziers'' have been encountered in every Imperial territory, simply watching things. They observe events of obvious significance - there are stories of them calmly watching fights between Imperial soldiers and those of [[Cold Sun]] without making any effort to aid either side for example. But they have also been reported at weddings and funerals, standing calmly outside houses where children are being born or people are on their deathbeds noting all the comings and goings. One stands in the corner of a League tavern for two weeks, exchanging polite words with the patrons, and occasionally nodding, before suddenly leaving with nobody any the wiser. Another settles itself on a stile in Segura and watches a flock of sheep for a month, encouraging the shepherds to share their songs and stories with it. There is no threat to them, but the feeling of being watched still makes people uneasy.

Kimus has also dispatched one of its senior viziers- a creature named ''Fidinda Fenestro'' - to make several offers of boons to Imperial magicians. The vizier suggests that Kimus is particularly pleased at the moment because the Empire is, metaphorically, providing it with front-row seats to observe some truly fascinating and important events and it would very much appreciate the opportunity to continue doing so. It's also been very pleased by the reception its viziers have received when they have visited Anvil recently to discuss ethereal matters of death and the soul; its apparently looking forward to seeing if they bear any fruit any time in the next few centuries.
===Eyes on the Empire===
* '''Kimus is focusing its attention on the Imperial regio'''
* '''Imperial magicians can draw on some of its power to perform rituals related to revelation, force, and perfection in return for weltsilver'''
During the Autumn Equinox, Kimus is focusing a significant portion of its attention on the Empire (not ''all'' of its attention obviously; it never focuses ''all'' of its attention on any one thing). Specifically, it is observing the [[Regio#Imperial regio|regio]], fascinated apparently by the rituals Imperial magicians perform during the seasonal summits. ''Fidinda Fenestro '' has made the Empire's magicians aware of one opportunity this attention provides.

During the Autumn Equinox, any magician versed in [[Day magic]] can request that Kimus provides a fraction of its boundless energy and force to the performance of certain [[:Day rituals|Day rituals]]. In return, Kimus will claim a small amount of [[weltsilver]], a material the eternals of Day are well known to value.

To invoke this boon, an Imperial magician can use [[weltsilver]] in place of crystal mana when performing certain rituals. Two ingots of weltsilver substitute for one crystal mana, up to the usual amount of mana the magician can use based on their ranks of Day lore. The weltsilver is presented to Kimus at the beginning of the performance; a formal expression inviting the eternal to witness the ritual and take the weltsilver in return for providing magical energy is required. The weltsilver is consumed at the end of the ritual.

Only certain rituals can be empowered in this way; rituals of revelation, force, and perfection.

* Rituals of Revelation: [[Bright Lantern of Ophis]], [[Clear Lens of the Eternal River]], [[Eye of the High Places]], [[Eyes of the Soul's Past]], [[Eyes of the Sun and Moon]], and [[Hakima's Glass]].
* Rituals of Force: [[Piercing Light of Revelation]], [[Kimus' Glaring Eye]], [[Irresistible Stance of Force and Focus]]
* Rituals of Perfection: [[Sign of Aesh]], [[Crystaline Focus of Aesh]], [[Alignment of Mind and Blade]], [[Transcendent Mastery]], [[Blades of Clear Sight]], [[Arete and the Fields of War]]

The boon can ''only'' be used with formulaic rituals – it can't be used to provide power to an [[arcane projection]]. It's possible that certain other rituals not on the list above, and in neither Imperial nor Urizen lore, might be able to draw on Kimus' power if they deal with the resonances of revelation, force, or perfection. '''OOC Note:''' If in doubt, ask a referee who will be able to check if the ritual should be able to draw on the weltsilver boon.

===Crystal Weapons===
* '''Kimus offers aid against Cold Sun'''
The ''Unblinking Eye'' will not directly oppose [[Cold Sun]] but that does not mean she has no aid to offer. The idea of a world devoid of life is unpalatable to the ''Seer Clad in Veils of Light''. One of the known boons Kimus offers are crystalline rods or staves that grant master of violent energy, such as that used in the [[repel]] incantation. Such implements are considered powerful boons and are often given only in return for a significant gift of weltsilver, a substance which Kimus appears to value very highly.

During the Autumn Equinox, between the hours of sunrise and twilight on Saturday (before 19:30), any Imperial magician may come to the [[Regio#Imperial regio|Imperial regio]] with a mundane rod, staff, piece of mage armour, or a piece of jewellery bearing an eye or sphere. They will also need a bounty of [[weltsilver]] depending on which of Kimus' boons they are seeking. If they present the item, cast [[Hakima's Glass]] on it, and as part of the performance formally request that “''The Unblinking Eye gaze upon this weapon, and grant a fraction of its power so that it may be used to turn aside a world without wonder''” then Kimus will infuse the object with a fragment of the powerful force that roils within it, transforming it into a [[magic items|magic item]].

* A piece of jewellery can be infused with Kimus' power for 5 ingots of weltsilver. The jewellery must be clearly marked with an eye motif, or set with a spherical gem or piece of crystal. Provided it meets this criteria, Kimus will infuse it with power so that the bonded wearer (as long as they are a magician) can use the [[Magic_items#Talismans|talisman]] to cast the repel spell as if they knew it.
* Mage armour can be infused with power for 10 ingots of weltsilver. The resulting mage armour will allow a magician who wears it, and who knows the repel spell, to cast that spell twice each day without expending personal mana.
* Infusing a rod in this way requires 15 ingots of weltsilver. The rod will become the equivalent of a [[Stormweaver]], allowing the bonded wielder to [[repel]] an opponent three times each day without using personal mana, even if they don't know the spell.
* Infusing a staff requires 30 ingots of weltsilver, and the implement will become capable of hurling a foe away four times each day, again without requiring personal mana or knowledge of the spell.

Kimus is only prepared to create nine of each item over the course of the Equinox. After that, the Hakima's Glass will have no effect (but the crystal mana will not be spent). One word of caution is raised by a member of the [[Shuttered Lantern]] in response to this offer. It's well known that Kimus observes the objects it creates and gifts to mortals, and is capable of seeing things that happen around them. If someone were to take up one of these offers, it might be an idea to ensure they are left safely in another room if someone were to be doing something they did not want ''She of the Irresistible Gaze'' to know about.

'''OOC Note:''' Because there is a limited number of ribbons, this opportunity can ''only'' be used at the Imperial regio and the ribbons are available on a first-come first-serve basis. It's also important that the item be ''unribboned'' - this is what Kimus means by "mundane". If an item that already possesses a ribbon is presented, the attempt to empower it will fail.

===A Record of Sins===
* '''Kimus will be aware of every ritual performed using the Imperial regio during the Autumn Equinox'''
The vizier mentions almost off-handedly that by focusing its attention on the regio in this way, Kimus will be aware of every ritual performed there during the Equinox. It will know which magicians were involved, and when the ritual was performed. It is not prepared to share this information willy-nilly, but it does mean that if the Archmage of Day [[Archmage#Plenipotentiary|petitions Kimus for specific information]] about rituals performed during the Equinox, the eternal may be able to provide it.

There is one exception; Kimus is “passively” observing the Imperial regio rather than bringing the full force of her unblinking gaze to bear. As a consequence, the eternal will be unable to see any magician who is shrouded with even the most basic casting of [[Masque of the Blinded Weaver]]. If every magician contributing to such a ritual is shrouded in this manner, the eternal will be aware something has been done but not what it is or who was involved. '''OOC Note:''' If you perform a ritual at the Imperial regio while under the effect of ''Masque of the Blinded Weaver'', you should discreetly let the referee know so they can make a note of it, decreasing the likelihood that we will miss it if it becomes relevant.

After a little discussion with ''Fidinda Finestro'', the vizier has cautiously concurred that if the Imperial Conclave were to request that it did so, Kimus would be prepared to observe the Imperial regio on a more permanent basis. The [[#Eyes on the Empire|special weltsilver boon]] requires more attention than it is willing to spare, but it could pay enough attention that it could answer questions about rituals performed there should the Archmage of Day request it. In return, the eternal requires [[Alignment#Amity|amity]] – indeed the request to watch the Imperial regio could be part of the wording of a Declaration of [[Alignment]] to that effect. It is not so much that Kimus desires “friendship”, explains ''Fidinda Finestro'' as that it finds the restrictions that [[Alignment#Neutrality|neutrality]] places on its ability to observe events “first hand” within Imperial borders to be burdensome and would prefer the freedom that “mutual respect” would provide.

===A Boon of Finding===
* '''Kimus offers a boon of finding to the Conclave'''
The burgeoning power of ''Bright Eyes'' is providing Kimus with plenty of opportunities to look at the Empire, and it seems the eternal is quite pleased with this state of affairs. As a note of thanks, it has instructed its viziers to present a boon to the Imperial Conclave. During the Autumn Equinox, the Conclave may invoke a ''boon of finding''. Kimus will not request anything else in return for this boon.

To invoke it, a suitably worded Declaration of Concord must be presented and agreed on. The Declaration must begin with the words “We ask the Thousand Eyes of the Sun and Moon to find...” and then the name of a specific item or location that they want Kimus to turn its attention toward locating. Kimus will locate the item or place named, provided it exists, and share their findings with the Conclave at the Winter Solstice.

There are a few restrictions on this boon; Kimus will not use it to find a person, only an object or a place. The item or location must be one with a well-known name – it must be clear exactly what it is that is being located. The information about its location will be shared publicly – Kimus has no interest in propagating secrets. In the event that the Conclave upholds more than one such request, Kimus will hunt out the ''last'' item or place named, with respect to the Conclave's right to change its mind.
===An Orrery for the Watcher===
* '''Kimus has offered to help reshape the powers of the Penumbral Watcher'''
Kimus is fascinated by the [[Penumbral_Watcher#Tower_of_Light_and_Shadow|Tower of Light and Shadow]] – the tower overseen by the [[Penumbral Watcher]]. So much so that it has sent several heralds there during the last few months to examine the place, question the [[stargazer|stargazers]] who work there, and peer at every element of its operation and construction. A polite report of the stargazers reports that the heralds have made quite the nuisance of themselves. Now, Kimus presents the Imperial Conclave with a proposal.

The eternal believes the powers of the ''Tilphussian Reach '' are not being used to their fullest potential. It proposes that the focus on [[Night magic]] restricts the effectiveness of the tower too narrowly. With careful construction of an orrery of mithril and [[tempest jade]] the tower could be re-aligned with the Day realm. Kimus has provided the plans, and offered to have its viziers undertake the construction of the orrery if the Imperial Conclave wishes it to do so.

A Declaration of Concord accepting Kimus' offer would be sufficient to set the ball rolling. The [[Penumbral Watcher]] would need to gather the materials required: 5 wains of mithril and 50 ingots of [[tempest jade]] and ensure they are in their inventory after the Autumn Equinox. If both criteria are met, then the servants of Kimus will make the alterations to the tower.

The result would be that the Penumbral Watcher would no longer be able to [[Penumbral_Watcher#Shadow_Myrrh_Refinery|refine shadow myrrh]] and the [[Penumbral_Watcher#Hearthfire_Pools|Hearthfire pools]] would dry up. Instead, they would be able to distil ''Noonlight Sunwater'' and ''Nightdark Moonwater'' – specially infused sea water containing motes of power drawn from the Day realm. The former would significantly strengthen any casting of [[Piercing Light of Revelation]] making it more capable of burning through a shroud, while the latter would empower any [[Crystaline_Focus_of_Aesh#Divination Rituals|Divination ritual]] that needs to overcome the strength of a magical shroud.

The Penumbral Watcher would lose access to the [[Penumbral_Watcher#Shadow_Well|Shadow Well]], but would gain a potent boon instead. Through the magic of the orrery, the stargazers who would continue to support the tower would be able to observe any and all [[Spy network|Imperial spy networks]], provided at least one of the [[military unit|warbands]] assigned to support that network had been enchanted with [[Sharp Eyes of the Corsair]] or a similar [[Day magic]] enchantment. The Penumbral Watcher would thus receive a copy of each spy report that such an enchanted unit had been involved in gathering.

To further increase the likelihood of the Penumbral Watcher being able to gain such information, Kimus would provide them with a ''Watchers' Glass'' once each season – a magical focus that supports the casting of Sharp Eyes of the Corsair. Obviously they would wish to keep one of these items for themselves, but the others they could distribute to other magicians as they saw fit.

It's interesting to note that even if Kimus were to be placed under [[Alignment#Enmity|enmity]], these changes would persist. Only the regular gift of the ''Watchers' Glass'' is dependent on the active involvement of the Eternal itself.

===Peering at the Mallum===
* '''Kimus will assist the Empire in gaining a map of the Salt Flats of Sanath'''
The ''Mistress of the Watchers Star'' is aware that the Empire has constructed [[spy network|spy networks]] in the [[Sarangrave]] and the [[Forest of Ulnak]]. Like many of the Day eternals, Kimus dislikes the [[Druj]] – in particular because of their habit of raising shrouds over their territories and otherwise engaging in the worst kinds of skulduggery and secretive behaviour. There is one other territory of [[the Mallum]], and the Empire does not currently have a spy network there. Obviously, it would be a simple matter to build one – but Kimus is aware that the Empire is already engaged with the Druj there. With that in mind, the ''Endless Calulcatrix'' makes an offer to the Imperial Conclave.

If the [[Grandmaster]] of the [[Shuttered Lantern]] uses a Declaration of Concord to encourage the magicians of their order to scour the Salt Flats of Sanath, to gather information about the Druj heartlands, Kimus will send its heralds to support such an endeavour. The result would be a unique [[spy network]], one that would only be available after the Autumn Equinox, but to which Imperial citizens could assign their [[military unit|warband]] like any other such network. The main advantage would be that there would be no need for a Senate motion, no need for weirwood, and crucially no need to wait three months while the spy network were built. On the other hand, while there would be no upkeep costs, there would only be one opportunity to gather all the information needed about the territory. The Grandmaster will also receive a copy of the spy network report.

Kimus is aware that the [[Citadel Guard]] are currently in the Salt Flats and that the general may intend to engage the [[Highest_discipline#Technique_of_the_Celestial_Key|Technique of the Celestial Key]] in the Salt Flats this season. If the Shuttered Lantern accepts her boon, and the General of the Citadel Guard uses their special technique, the two will work in concert with one another. Every military unit assigned to map the Salt Flats of Sanath will operate as if it were two ranks more effective (this will ''not'' stack with a use of shadow tar by the [[Penumbral Watcher]] unfortunately). The General will also receive a copy of the spy network report.

The offer is available only during the Autumn Equinox.
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=LibraryArt.jpg|caption=Phaleron, who gathers.|align=left|width=300}}</div>
==Phaleron==
* '''Phaleron remains a firm ally of the Empire, and has helped protect the Grand Library at Canterspire from Cold Sun'''
Much like Kimus, the Celestial Librarian seems to consider itself on good terms with the Empire. It enjoys its [[Alignment#Akmty|amicable status]] with the [[Imperial Conclave]], and it remains committed to supporting [[Urizen lore]]. As such, the surging power of Bright Eyes Gleam in the Depths has paradoxically had less impact on it than on some of the other eternals of the realm. It has still caused it to propose some boons it might give to its good friends in the Empire, however.
===The Gift of Knowledge===
* '''Magicians who cast Gift of Knowledge at the Imperial Regio during the Autumn Equinox will receive small numbers of facts as well as prismatic ink'''
During the Autumn Equinox, Phaleron plans to show its appreciation for Imperial magicians, albeit in a slightly esoteric way. It has spent the last several months instructing some of its librarians to compile lists of interesting facts drawn from the books in the library, painstakingly copying them out. Things that might be of interest to mortal magicians. Whenever any magician casts [[Gift of Knowledge]] at the Imperial Regio during the Autumn Equinox to contribute something to the Celestial Library, they will receive one of these parchments which contain one or more facts. They might not be ''useful'' facts, but they represent things the librarians of Phaleron consider of potential interest to mortals.

===The Only True Treasure===
* '''Phaleron offers to assign one of its Chief Attendants the task of performing historical research for the Conclave'''
* '''The Conclave must specify which Chief Attendant should undertake the research or the opportunity will fail'''
The Celestial Library contains a quantity of information unmatched anywhere in the mortal world. Thousands upon thousands of tomes, scrolls, books, and pamphlets exist in the library that is Phaleron, carefully categorized and studied by its librarians. In previous years it has carefully hoarded that knowledge, but recent events have led to it altering its attitudes. Especially with regard to those it considers its friends.

During the Autumn Equinox, then, Phaleron offers the Imperial Conclave the opportunity to ask its librarians to perform [[Historical research]] on their behalf. A [[Declaration]] of [[Concord]], supported by the Conclave, will cause Phaleron to instruct its emissaries to scour its own shelves, and those of any Imperial library where it is welcome, to compose a report about the historical matter the Conclave is interested in, delivered to the person who raises the Concord at the Winter Solstice. After the Solstice, it will ensure that information is disseminated to places of learning across the Empire as is traditional with the [[Department of Historical Research]].

The Declaration must also name one of Phaleron's [[Phaleron#The_Chief_Attendants|Chief attendants]] – Elioe, Lioc, Pollaman, Arannia, or Melchiore – and ask that they be assigned to oversee the research. Each of the attendants has their own area of expertise and will bring their own character to the essay that will ultimately be produced.

If the Declaration does not name both a single topic, and the attendant who will oversee the research, it will not be successful. Likewise, if more than one such Concord is raised by the Conclave, Phaleron will ignore all save the last. Of course, being a Concord, the successful Declaration will also be shared with the magicians of the Empire who might have their own insights to offer to the librarians compiling the essay.

The heralds are keen that the Conclave understands this is not a request for a book, or books. A new piece of writing will be created, similar in scope to that produced by the Department, drawing on sources available both to the librarians in the Day realm, and to those in the Empire's libraries.
<box><big>'''Conjured Coastal Citadels'''</big><br>
One topic that comes up regularly with the Day eternals is that of magically summoned fortifications similar to [[Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae]] but created in regions with the ''coastal'' quality. This matter is raised with some of Phaleron's heralds, and they provide the following explanation as to why it is not possible for magic to create such a thing. By its essential nature, a coastline is partway between one thing and another. it is a liminal space neither land nor sea, and defies classification. A fortification or castle, by contrast, has an essential nature of resisting, standing strong, and being immovable and impregnable, which is absolutely at odds with the mutable nature of a coastal area. Ritual magic runs afoul of the [[Ritual_theory#The_Law_of_Essence|Law of Essence]], and so it will never be possible to create a ritual that conjures a magical fortification using the ''coastal'' quality.</box>

===In Defence of Knowledge===
* '''Phaleron has prepared an Arcane Projection detailing a ritual that can transform specific libraries into fortifications'''
* '''It may be codified and entered into lore'''
* '''Phaleron says it will not provide this power again; if the arcane projection is lost or used without being codified then that is the end of the matter'''
A little while ago, the [[Emissary to the Celestial Library]] (via [[proxy]]) requested Phaleron's assistance in defending the [[Morrow#Grand_Library_of_Canterspire|Grand Library of Canterspire]]. The ''Celestial Library'' was at first reticent to do so, but in the light of [[To_the_last_syllable#In_Urizen|recent events]] has reassessed the situation.

As such, it has caused an [[arcane projection]] to be prepared, which will be delivered to the Emissary during the Autumn Equinox. The magic involved calls on Phaleron to protect one of the ''two'' libraries for which it serves as a patron – the Great Library of Canterspire, and the [[Advisor_on_the_Vallorn#The_Great_Library_of_Hacynian|Great Library at Hacynian]] can both be targeted with this ritual. Phaleron has been forced to make some changes to how the rituals work, but their essential nature remains the same.

The arcane projection is explicitly provided with the intention that it be codified at a [[College of Magic]], and ideally entered into either [[Imperial lore]] or [[Urizen lore]] – the Celestial Library is equally happy with either. However, the martial nature of the magic makes the eternal uneasy – and as such it wants to be clear that it will ''not'' offer this enchantment again. If the arcane projection it has provided is not codified, is stolen or lost, or is cast on one of the libraries involved then it will not be replaced.

Unlike most arcane projections, this one also comes with an assurance. It will lose all power if the Empire allows one of its great storehouses of knowledge to be destroyed when it could conceivably have prevented it. This currently means the Great Library at Hacynian, Holberg University, Diora University, the Grand Library at Canterspire, or the Lyceum.

===The Bowl of Phaleron===
* '''Phaleron offers to share copies of every book it has that speaks of the vallorn'''
* '''The Advisor on the Vallorn must use Gift of Knowledge to send a copy of Sian Eternal's book to the eternal along with 49 ingots of weltsilver'''
* '''The tomes Phaleron offers will reduce the time needed to reach a conclusion about how to destroy the vallorn by three months'''
While Phaleron's patronage of the Urizeni is well known, it's perhaps less well known that it also serves as patron for the Grand Library at Hacynian. Thanks to the efforts of '''Siân Eternal''' and her allies, the ''Bowl of Phaleron'' now sits in pride of place in the central hall of the library, and Phaleron has not forgotten that the vates of Navarr chose to honour it, over the ''[[Sung|Mistress of Mysteries]]''. For the last year it has carefully watched the [[expansion of the library]], and now that it is complete it wishes to offer a concrete example of its support for the work done by the [[Advisor on the Vallorn]]. Provided the Advisor wishes to receive its support, it will provide a copy of every major tome in the collection that speaks about the vallorn. Both its creation, and how it might be destroyed. Phaleron cannot vouch for the veracity of all these tomes – but it trusts in the discernment of mortal librarians.

There are a ''lot'' of books however. A ''lot'' of books. To create copies will require a significant amount of [[weltsilver]]. Phaleron has made preparations however. If the Advisor on the Vallorn personally casts [[Gift of Knowledge]] using as a focus Sian Eternal's book on the vallorn, and including 49 ingots of weltsilver, then Phaleron will have the books delivered to the library in Miaren. Phaleron predicts that this will be sufficient to reduce the time needed to research the destruction of the vallorn by another three months (meaning it will be completed in time for the Spring Equinox 386YE).
<div style="float:left; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=zakalweArt.jpg|caption=Zakalwe, who masters|align=left|width=300}}</div>
==Zakalwe==
* '''Some of Zakalwe's emissaries - the ant-like myrmidons - have helped defend Imperial citizens from attacks by Cold Sun'''
* '''Zakalwe considers himself an ally of the Empire but will not fight their battles for them'''
''Tidehunter'' remains an [[Alignment#Amity|ally of the Empire]], and has dispatched numbers of myrmidons to help repel the initial attacks of Cold Sun. It seems that the Master Strategist is most interested in seeing how the Empire deals with the threat posed by the forces of the destructive eternal, however, and so his myrmidons have mostly withdrawn from the Empire for now. Instead, he has focused his attention on what he can do to help the Empire hone its military strength, and encourage it to embrace the philosophies and strategies the ''Strategos'' believes best suit masters of warfare.
===The Key of Preparation===
* '''If the Rod and Shield provide their own expertise, Zakalwe will send heralds to help assess the Empire's defences'''
The key to a good offence, some strategists opine, is a good defence. By defending one's home territory with fortifications, one is free to send ones armies to make war on ones enemies. Zakalwe offers aid to the Empire in strengthening its defences, specifically to the [[Grandmaster]] of the [[Rod and Shield]].

If the Grandmaster raises a Declaration of [[Concord]] declaring that the magicians of their order should work with the ''Master Strategist'' in the coming months, together they will engage in an assessment of the Empire's defences.

Zakalwe is confident that between the first-hand, practical knowledge of the Rod and Shield, and the insight of his heralds, they will be able to identify several opportunities to enhance existing [[fortification|fortifications]], and perhaps even identify a few places where new fortifications could be created. It is clear he is not thinking solely in terms of “thicker walls” - the unique qualities of the [[Redoubt#The_Walls_of_Cargo|Walls of Cargo]] and the [[Madruga#The_Salt_Guard|Salt Guard]], and the indestructible [[Semmerholm#The_Adamant_Gate|Adamant Gate]], are very much the kinds of things the eternal is thinking of when he says “enhance”.
===The Key of Focus===
<div style="width: 300px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Imperial army'''</td><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Quality'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Black Thorns]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Fast|Fast]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Bloodcloaks|Bloodcloaks]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Physick|Physick]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Burning Falcon|Burning Falcon]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Glorious|Glorious]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Drakes|Drakes]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Resourceful|Resourceful]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Fire of the South|Fire of the South]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Fast|Fast]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Golden Sun|Golden Sun]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Resilient|Resilient]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Granite Pillar|Granite Pillar]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Disciplined|Disciplined]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Seventh Wave|Seventh Wave]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Scouting|Scouting]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Summer Storm|Summer Storm]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Relentless|Relentless]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Tusks|Tusks]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Disciplined|Disciplined]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Valiant Pegasus|Valiant Pegasus]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Physick|Physick]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Wolves of War|Wolves of War]]</td><td>[[Army_qualities#Mercenary|Mercenary]]</td></tr></table></div>
* '''The Warmage and Imperial Warcaster can ask Zakalwe to assess an Imperial army each and see how they might be honed'''
* '''The General of the appropriate army will need to welcome Zakalwe's attention in their orders'''
* '''The Master Strategist will ''not'' do this for a Varushkan army, but declines to provide further detail'''
Of course the Empire's strategy cannot depend entirely on walls, whatever those who favour the philosophies of [[Emperor James]] might believe. Where a fortification might represent an immovable object, the [[Imperial army|Imperial armies]] represent an irresistible force. In recent years the Empire has honed and focused several of its armies, but the ''General of Day'' believes that like any weapon, armies must be kept sharp.

With that in mind, Zakalwe reaches out to the [[Warmage]] and the [[Imperial Warcaster]]. These titles represent a link between the soldiers and the wizards of the Empire, and are of particular interest to him. During the Autumn Equinox, then, each of these titles have the option to name a single Imperial army and ask Zakalwe to send heralds to assess it and its capabilities. ''Tidehunter'' and his heralds will explore the history of the army, weigh its resonances, and propose a way that the force might be honed. Zakalwe has provided both the Imperial Warcaster and the Warmage with a sheet of specially prepared parchment. They merely need to write the name of the army they wish Zakalwe to examine on the paper, take it to the Imperial regio, and use [[operate portal]] to deliver it to the eternal; he will do the rest.

There is one other requirement however; the general of the army in question must mention in its orders that the heralds of Zakalwe are welcome to march with their soldiers. The eternal will not go where he is not welcomed.

A caveat exists with this ability. Any army that has recently been the focus of the Empire's attention (that has received an improved quality within the last few years) is less likely to present an opportunity for honing its quality than one which has not been enhanced recently.

One other restriction exists; he will not send his heralds to assess the armies of Varushka. He gives no explanation for this. If the Warmage or Warcaster requests he do so, he will simply decline.

===The Key of Commitment===
* '''Zakalwe has requested that the Imperial Conclave interdict the magical practice of enchanting armies to make soldiers "savage"'''
* '''This specifically related to army enchantments that specifically increase casualties against enemy soldiers caused rather than providing a special order'''
* '''While the practice is interdicted, Zakalwe will provide tokens that empower Clarity of the Master Strategist and Carve the Crystal Guardian'''
The Master Strategist has strong views on the integrity and self-knowledge of the warrior. He believes firmly in concepts of personal honour and that every soldier is ultimately responsible for the actions they take on the battlefield. His commitment to rational thought even in the thick of battle is very appealing to a certain breed of soldier and general, but often puts him at odds with those who embrace the idea that the ends justify the means. While he is generally well disposed towards the Empire, there have been a few recent developments that have unsettled him.

He would like the Empire to place an [[Interdiction]] on the magical practice of enchanting entire armies in such a way that their soldiers become prone to savagery. The recent enchantment on the [[Fire of the South]] would be an example of the kind of thing he is talking about, as might the Night magic used to grant the Navarr armies murderous fervour during the recent campaign in Kahraman. These powers, he opines, are not good for the soldiers subjected to them, and reflect a commitment to bloodshed rather than victory. ('''OOC Note:''' Zakalwe is talking primarily about rituals that enchant an army with an ability that exists only for purposes of increasing casualties against enemy soldiers – not an order or a power that increases casualties only as part of a general increase to fighting strength).

If the Conclave does this, and for as long as they leave the restriction in place, Zakalwe will commit to providing the [[Imperial Warcaster]] with three of his crystalline tokens each season, one-use boons that make it easier to perform [[Clarity of the Master Strategist]] and [[Carve the Crystal Guardian]]. He will also be able to see that he is not mistaken in his belief that the Empire understands that the ends do not always justify the means.
<div style="float:left; width: 275px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=SinokenonArt.jpg|caption=Sinokenon, who surmounts.|align=left|width=275}}</div>

==Sinokenon==
* '''Sinokenon remains a little distant from the Empire, but has sent heralds to evaluate the Empire and in some cases offer advice'''
Sinokenon has always been a little distant from the Empire. Recently, though, the ''Throne of the Sun'' has begun to pay a little more attention to the doings of Imperial citizens, its attention apparently drawn by the [[Loyalty]] of the [[Imperial Orcs]]. Indeed, it took steps to [[Deep_when_the_river%27s_high#Heart_of_Oaths_.28Conjunction.29|help them recover]] the blessed [[Pilgrim%27s_Shield|shield]] ''Oath-Heart'' from the Fishers, and since then has apparently been keeping a closer eye on Imperial affairs. The eternal is fascinated by hierarchies, and by the way civilizations organise themselves. Following the Imperial enchantment of the Day realm, it has dispatched several of its ministers to various parts of the Empire to observe and in some cases offer advice.
===What do you want to do?===
* '''Sinokenon offers a special appraisal to the Imperial Conclave'''
''Turning Mirror'' is very interested in how the Empire organises itself, and how it deals with the challenges and opportunities it encounters. It possesses an unparalleled ability to asses situations and extrapolate likely outcomes from them, one even the best Imperial prognosticators cannot match thanks to their limited lifespans and finite stores of knowledge. During the Autumn Equinox, Sinokenon proposes to put that acumen at the service of the Imperial Conclave if they wish to make use of it.

During the Autumn Equinox, a Declaration of Concord may be raised starting with the words “The Conclave requests Turning Mirror consider the matter of...” and then a problem or situation. Sinokenon will dispatch its agents to the Empire to gather information about the named problem or situation, and then provide advice on how to address it, resolve it, or find opportunities related to it.

The heralds will only visit the Empire, so problems outside its borders may prove difficult to assess. It also makes clear this is about assessment and advice, not information gathering or direct action. It is not going to spy on anyone, nor fight the Empire's enemies or build things for them. The Conclave should think of this in similar terms to an [[appraisal]], but one carried out by the eternal Sinokenon rather than a mortal [[Appraisal#The_Prognosticators_Office|prognosticator]].

If more than one Declaration of Concord requests Sinokenon perform such an appraisal, it will undertake ''none'' of them. If the Conclave cannot organise itself so as to ensure only a single request is made, it will receive nothing.
<div style="float:left; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=YlenrithArt.jpg|Ylenwe, who joins|align=left|width=250}}</div>
==Ylenwe==
* '''Ylenwe is no longer an [[Alignment#Enmity|enemy]] of the Empire'''
* '''Zie has undergone several deep-rooted changes, and now cautiously reconnects with Imperial citizens'''
The Dove is cautiously renewing relations with the Empire following the [[removal of enmity]] by Archmage Gralka at the Summer Solstice. Zie has already made [[Four_and_four#A_Star_at_Twilight_.28Ylenwe.29|several overtures]] to the Imperial Conclave, and they are still outstanding. If the General Assembly or the Highborn Assembly ask, zie will offer support in building the sacred city at [[Bastion]] for example, especially now that it is clear the designs for the structure are intended to incorporate great bells. The matter of the [[Abraxus_Stone#The_Swan.27s_Chalice|Swan's Chalice]] is still under discussion, as is the question of the shield Ajax.
<div style="width: 400px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="float: right; margin-left:10px; width=50%; max-width:400px;">
<tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Canticle Circle'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type: '''[[Folly]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' Spire of the Canticle, Atlis, Morrow</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 30 wains of white granite, 15 wains of mithril, 135 crowns, three months</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' A folly with improved grandeur. It creates a school for mathematics and music, along with an auditorium. that will quickly gain renown as a centre of both disciplines</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time Limit:''' The opportunity is lost at the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Opportunity:''' This commission has required elements; if any are not all fulfilled the commission does nothing</td></tr>
</table></div>
===The Canticle Circle===
* '''Ylenwe will offer support to the construction of a centre for mathematics and music at the Spire of the Canticle'''
* '''The proposed college-cum-auditorium would cost 30 wains of white granite, 15 wains of mithril, 135 Crowns, and take three months to complete'''
There is one other matter where Ylenwe offers direct support. The destruction of the [[Redoubt#Grand_Conservatory_of_Music|Grand Conservatory of Music]] by [[Cold Sun]] apparently caused the eternal some distress. Zie cautiously offers patronage for, and assistance in constructing, a new conservatory celebrating music and mathematics, to be built near the Spire of the Canticle in [[Morrow#Altis|Altis]]. Taking advantage of the unique acoustics at the spire, and with an eye toward producing truly inspirational music, the ''Canticle Circle'' that Ylenwe proposes to help establish is a grand auditorium, with a small school attached for study of both complex mathematics and the science of music.

The proposal requires 30 wains of white granite, 15 wains of mithril, and costs 135 Crowns in labour. This is a [[folly]], which provides no mechanical benefits and does not create an [[Imperial title]], but as an [[opportunity]] its [[Folly#Grandeur|grandeur]] is significantly greater than the materials alone would provide. Once complete, it would establish a centre of excellence for mathematics and music at the Spire of the Canticle, which would attract musicians and academics both from Urizen and across the wider Empire. It would also attract master crafters versed in the art of making beautiful musical instruments, and a small number of heralds of Ylenwe would also take up residence to help defend the location and provide additional inspiration for scholars and artists alike.

The folly is a significant piece of work, and Ylenwe understands that even if people are enthused about creating it gathering support and resources will take time. The opportunity will remain available until the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE.
<div style="float:left; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=LeviathanArt.jpg|caption=Leviathan, who remembers|align=left|width=250}}</div>
==Leviathan==
* '''Leviathan's heralds have used the encouragement provided by the Imperial enchantment to visit museums across the Empire'''
* '''Some have provided messages from the immense eternal'''
The eternal Leviathan is pleasant enough, but most of their interactions with the Empire come through [[Swim Leviathan's Depth|the ritual to which he gives his name]]. He continues to answer questions about the root causes of things, and his heralds are a relatively rare sight in the Empire itself. During the course of the enchantment, a few more are encountered primarily visiting the Empire's museums. Friendly enough, they talk cheerfully about their master, the ''Deep One''. Part of that discussion involves offering some advice on how to deal with him, especially when asking him questions.

Firstly, they think it's important that Imperial magicians accept that their master is ''very poor'' at understanding what motivates humans and orcs and others to do the things they do. The Abyssal Lord follows chains of events - none know better than he why a chain of causality links one event to the next. But the Watcher Beneath the Waters neither knows nor cares why individual people chose to make the decisions they did. While he speaks with authority on things that have happened, and how specific ''events'' relate to each other, his ability to know what motivated the people involved, their personal reasoning, beliefs, or feelings, is very limited and reliant largely on discussions with mortals involved.


Then there is the matter of [[Navarr]] and [[Thorn]]. As Leviathan explained to the ''Sail and Sight'' coven during the Summer Solstice, he has pretty much reached the limit of his knowledge of the storied forebears of the Navarr nation as individuals. He will always do his best to answer questions about them, but has expressed the exasperated opinion that there he's not sure how much there is left to say. The heralds suggest that magicians might be better giving some thought to what it is that they are ''really'' trying to find out when they are tempted to ask questions about the actions of ''any'' individual people, but Navarr and Thorn in particular.
<div style="width: 400px; float: right; clear: right; margin-left:10px;">
<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="float: right; margin-left:10px; width=50%; max-width:400px;">
<tr><td style="background-color: LightBlue;">'''Leviathan Hall'''</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Commission Type: '''[[Folly]]</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Location:''' The city of Tassato, Sarvos, Gildenheim, Miaren, Bastion, Meade, or Kalpaheim</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Cost:''' 20 wains of white granite, 10 wains of mithril, 90 crowns, three months</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Effect:''' Creates a hall where the heralds of the eternal Leviathan will be able to gather</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Time Limit:''' The opportunity is lost at the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE</td></tr>
<tr><td>'''Opportunity:''' This commission has required elements; if any are not all fulfilled the commission does nothing</td></tr>
</table></div>
===On the Matter of Museums===
* '''Leviathan has requested the construction of a hall for the use of his heralds'''
During the Imperial enchantment, Leviathan seems mostly to have dispatched heralds to visit the Empire's museums. They have been spotted at the [[White City Museum]] in [[Bastion]],at the [[Red River Museum]] in [[Tassato]], at the [[Pledge Museum]] (also in Tassato), visiting the [[Weigher of Worth]] in [[Skarsind]], and one apparently visited the [[Reikos#The_Unbound_Steel_Hall_of_Lost_Chapters|Unbound Steel Hall of Lost Chapters]] in [[Reikos]] before its [[To_the_last_syllable#In_Bastion_and_Reikos|untimely destruction]]. The eternal is by all accounts quite miffed about that latter event, at least according to his heralds.
<div style="float:right; width: 500px; clear: right;"><quote by="Afanak, Herald of Leviathan">People who forget their past waste the lessons learned by their forbears. Museums are a place where the truth of what has gone before is remembered, and the foundations of the world we live in today can be seen and explored. They are a public good, and the ''Dragon Whale'' is always pleased to speak to people who appreciate that.</quote></div>
Shortly before the Autumn Equinox, Leviathan sends one of his heralds to speak with the civil service and place a request before the Empire. The eternal would like the Senate to build a ''Leviathan Hall'' - a place for his heralds to gather, rest, and perhaps speak with Imperial citizens. He would like it to be built in one of the "historical cities", places the ''Swimmer in the Twilight Abyss'' says are particularly amenable to history and where he says he can find good [[regio]] for the use of his heralds. He names Tassato, Sarvos, Gildenheim, Miaren, Bastion, Meade, or Kalpaheim as suitable locations. The structure he is proposing is not especially grand, and would be a [[folly]] costing 20 wains of white granite, 10 wains of mithril, and 90 Crowns, and take three months to complete. It would be a nice stone hall designed to mirror the surrounding architecture, with mithril inlays, and with mosaics built into the walls, floors, and ceiling created to the specifications of Leviathan's heralds by local artists. The opportunity is available until the end of the Winter Solstice 385YE, after which Leviathan will turn his attention elsewhere.

The structure wouldn't actually ''do'' anything, beyond making the ''Fish of Why?'' happy that his heralds will be free to visit the Empire's museums and recount what they have seen there to their master, deep in the endless twilight depths.
<div style="float:left; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage|file=RoshanweArt.jpg|caption=Roshanwe, who walks the beach and gazes out to sea.|align=left|width=250}}</div>
==Roshanwe==
Heralds of the ''Navigator'' - the eternal [[Roshanwe]] - have been conspicuously absent from the Empire during the effects of the Imperial ritual. There is absolutely no indication ''why'' this is the case. It's not that she has disappeared, only that there seems to have been no notable increase in her interest in the Empire despite the magic. On the one occasion that one of her servants is queried, it shrugs and says that the quest for knowledge is its own reward, and refuses to elaborate. There's no reason to think the Empire's relationship with the eternal has been damaged, or is in decline. All that has happened is that she has not responded in any noticeable way to the strengthening of Day magic in the Empire.
==Further Reading==
* [[Bright Eyes Gleam in the Depths]]
* [[Day magic]]
* [[Shining like fire]] - 385YE Autumn wind of fortune relating the magical effects of the Imperial enchantment
* [[To the last syllable]] - 385YE Autumn wind of war dealing with the attacks of Cold Sun

Secrets of the Soul's Desire

2022-09-27T22:11:31Z

Tea: /* Effects */ Clarify result if target has not had a PLV at the event

==Rules==
{{Season|Night|10}}
===Performing the Ritual===
{{Casting time|2}} {{Target Character}}

===Effects===
This ritual reveals information about a recent past-life vision, potentially answering the question "What happened as a consequence of these events?"

If the target has not experienced a past-life vision (such as that caused by a [[liao#True Liao|true liao]]) within the last few days, the ritual reveals that they have not and gives no other information.

If the subject has experienced a past-life vision within the last few days, they experience a [[roleplaying effect]] that lasts until the next sunrise: ''The sensations of your past life vision linger. You experience short periods of dislocation during which you may imagine you are back in the vision. You are easily distracted, and may find it difficult to recognise people even if you know them well.''

In addition to the roleplaying effect, the target receives a short vision about the events that happened after those they experienced during past-life vision. Usually the information comes immediately, but sometimes it takes a little while (potentially even overnight). Rarely, this information may unfold through the day, but regardless at the end of the process the visionary is left with an awareness of what happened as a consequence of the events they experienced.

This information is provided to the target of the ritual, not the ritualists.

===Additional Magnitude===
You may increase the magnitude of the ritual to penetrate shrouds or masks.

==Description==
Along with [[Eyes of the Soul's Past]], this ritual was [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_Conclave_sessions#Imperial_Lore_.E2.80.93_Secrets_of_the_Soul.27s_Desires|proposed]] for inclusion in [[Imperial lore]] during the Summer Solstice 383YE by Tanus of the Auric Horizon. The ritual's provenance is not entirely clear - the text is very bare-bones and what detail there is focuses more on the structure of the ritual than its history. It is apparently associated with a group called the "Seers of the Throne", a political group in Urizen interested in gaining influence over the Throne and the Empire "for the betterment of both".

According to the accompanying notes, the ritual was created to help the subject of a [[Liao#True_Liao|True liao vision]] to place the actions they participated in or observed in some kind of context. The ritual relies on the resonance of [[Night magic#Intuition|intuition]] and [[Night magic#Inspiration|inspiration]] to expand the understanding of the visionary. By heightening their unconscious awareness of themselves as being the person they envisioned, the magic brings to the surface additional memories or details of things they might have failed to consciously absorb during the often confusing visionary experience. In this way, the ritual attempts to help the visionary to better understand the consequence of the events they have witnessed.

Like its sibling ritual, Secrets of the Soul's Desires is a highly introspective ritual. It provides no information to the magicians who perform it; rather it helps the visionary themselves to expand their understanding of their recent experience. It is useless if it is applied after too much time has passed, or if the target has not actually experienced a past-life vision. It is difficult to predict exactly how the information will be imparted - it may come immediately. Alternatively, the power of the ritual may trigger next time the target sleeps. It may create an awareness of new information in the mind of the target, but in rare cases it triggers a supplemental visionary experience in which the target perceives additional scenes from their vision - albeit in a distant manner very different to the full impact of a true past-life vision.

==Common Elements==
As with many rituals that draw on the power of [[Night magic]], the ritual consumption of food or drink may form an important part of this ritual. By giving the subject a soothing drink, or something with mildly narcotic qualities, the mind can be freed to explore the recent visionary experience more freely. Likewise, marking the target with a rune or symbol associated with understanding, or that resonates with the details of the vision that the visionary can remember, may also help.

Some ritualists will ask leading questions as part of the ritual, helping to guide the subject in exploring the nuances of their vision. Others may perform the ritual in relative silence, or use music (especially the [[music of the spheres]]) to weave the magic rather than risk distracting the visionary.

The rules [[Aesh]], [[Sular]], and [[Diras]] resonate well with this ritual. A [[Dramaturgy|dramaturgist]] is likely to call on the [[Dramaturgy#The_Personae|persona]] of [[the Witch]] with her aspect of exploring mysteries, often in a scene that simulates a [[The_Library|Library]]. [[The Lantern]] may play a key role as well - perhaps as a focus for the meditations of the rituals target. Both [[the Spider and The Web]] are of use to the [[Astronomancy|astronomancer]] seeking to work this ritual, while a [[Blood magic|blood mage]] might favour either shallow cuts on the back of the hands or forehead, or the painting of designs using blood from a donor who bears some metaphorical connection to the person the liao vision revolved around.

<box>
===OOC Note===
This is an very specialist ritual, which relies on a target who has recently experienced a past-life vision. There are never more than a handful of such visions during each Empire event. It is important to be aware of the limited scope for using this ritual before choosing to master it.</box>

[[Category:Night Ritual]]
[[Category:Rituals]]

Eyes of the Soul's Past

2022-09-27T22:11:16Z

Tea: /* Effects */ Clarify result if target has not had a PLV at the event

==Rules==
{{Season|Day|10}}
===Performing the Ritual===
{{Casting time|2}} {{Target Character}}

===Effects===
This ritual reveals information about a recent past-life vision, potentially answering the question "Who was I during this vision?".

If the target has not experienced a past-life vision (such as that caused by [[liao#True Liao|true liao]]) within the last few days, the ritual reveals that they have not and gives no other information.

If the subject has experienced a past-life vision within the last few days, they experience a [[roleplaying effect]] that lasts until the next sunrise: ''you become calm and focused, and the experiences of your recent past life vision becomes clearer and more immediate.''

In addition to the roleplaying effect, the target receives a clear sense of the role they played in that vision. They receive an answer to the question "What was my identity during my recent vision?"

The ritual reveals a name that the target would have called themselves at the point of the vision - "I am Eduard de Vexille", "I am Ivana Ivanova, the Butcher of Delev", "I am Atticus Visius Tarquinius" - regardless of whether that name was verbalised during the course of the vision. It will also provide ''some'' information about their role, or wider identity - for example "I am the earl of House Vexille of Dawn", "I am the boyar of my vale in Karsk", "I am the guard of the Tarquinius family tomb in Asavea"

In addition the target gains a sense of roughly when the events in the past life vision took place. This will be a historical period, like the basic information provided by [[Skein of Years]].

This information is provided to the target of the ritual, not the ritualists.

===Additional Magnitude===
You may increase the magnitude of the ritual to penetrate shrouds or masks.

==Description==
Along with [[Secrets of the Soul's Desire]], this ritual was [[383YE_Summer_Solstice_Conclave_sessions#Imperial_Lore_.E2.80.93_Secrets_of_the_Soul.27s_Desire|proposed]] for inclusion in [[Imperial lore]] during the Summer Solstice 383YE by Tanus of the Auric Horizon. The ritual's provenance is not entirely clear - the text is very bare-bones and what detail there is focuses more on the structure of the ritual than its history. It is apparently associated with a group called the "Seers of the Throne", a political group in Urizen interested in gaining influence over the Throne and the Empire "for the betterment of both".

According to the accompanying notes, the ritual was created to help the subject of a [[Liao#True_Liao|True liao vision]] to place the actions they participated in or observed in some kind of context. The ritual relies on the resonance of [[Day magic#Revelation|revelation]] and [[Night magic#Focus|focus]] to allow the target to order their experiences and expand their understanding of their recent vision. By helping them to examine or focus on details they may have missed, or that may have seemed less important at the time, they can gain additional understanding of the identity they assumed during the course of an often confusing visionary experience. In this way, the ritual attempts to help the visionary to better understand the consequence of the events they have witnessed.

Like its sibling ritual, Eyes of the Soul's Past is a highly introspective ritual. It provides no information to the magicians who perform it; rather it helps the visionary themselves to expand their understanding of their recent experience. It is useless if it is applied after too much time has passed, or if the target has not actually experienced a past-life vision. It is difficult to predict exactly how the information will be imparted - it may come immediately. Alternatively, the power of the ritual may trigger next time the target sleeps. It may create an awareness of new information in the mind of the target, but in rare cases it triggers a supplemental visionary experience in which the target perceives additional scenes from their vision - albeit in a distant manner very different to the full impact of a true past-life vision.

==Common Elements==
This ritual works well with a meditative atmosphere in which the subject is made comfortable and attempts to achieve a balanced, calm state of mind shutting out all external distractions. Providing a rhythmic sound on which the target may concentrate, or using incense to further stimulate a calm environment may make the working easier. Marking the target with a rune or symbol associated with understanding, or that resonates with the details of the vision that the visionary can remember, may also help.

The ritual may be performed in relative silence, or use music (especially the [[music of the spheres]]) to weave the magic rather than risk distracting the visionary. A mask or mirror may help with the performance - the target meditates with their eyes closed until they feel that they are ready to receive the insight the ritual provides, or else they perform their meditation gazing into the depths of the mirror allowing them to see their visionary identity in their reflection.

The rules [[Ophis]], [[Sular]], and [[Aesh]] resonate well with this ritual. A [[Dramaturgy|dramaturgist]] is likely to call on the [[Dramaturgy#The_Personae|persona]] of [[the Bishop]] with her aspect of revelation and spiritual matters, often in a scene that simulates a [[The_Library|Library]]. [[The Lantern]] may play a key role as well - perhaps as a focus for the meditations of the rituals target. Both [[the Key and The Lock]] are of use to the [[Astronomancy|astronomancer]] seeking to work this ritual, while a [[Blood magic|blood mage]] might favour either shallow cuts on the back of the hands or forehead, or the painting of designs using blood from a donor who bears some metaphorical connection to the person the liao vision revolved around.
<box>
===OOC Note===
This is an very specialist ritual, which relies on a target who has recently experienced a past-life vision. There are never more than a handful of such visions during each Empire event. It is important to be aware of the limited scope for using this ritual before choosing to master it.</box>
[[Category:Day Ritual]]
[[Category:Rituals]]

Wiki Updates

2016-06-23T13:06:21Z

Tea: /* Enchanted fortifications */

This is a list of significant updates to the wiki which we will try and keep as up to date as possible. Hopefully this will be a more useful document than the recent changes page which lists every spelling correction and formatting change.

By its nature this page will be regularly updated so when you visit the wiki try checking here first. However please keep in mind this is a manually updated page so at times maybe a little behind the actual updates.

==Enchanted fortifications==
* '''Updated 23/06/2016'''
The three enchantments in Imperial lore that create magical fortifications - [[Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae]], [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]], and [[Dripping Echoes of the Fen]] - have all had their magnitude increase to 80 from 64. When these rituals were initially designed fortifications were less effective tools; solidifying the rules on how fortifications work made these rituals significantly more effective.

Any similar ritual enchantment that is not currently in [[Imperial_lore#Imperial_Lore_and_the_Ritual_List|Imperial lore]] will likewise require a higher magnitude to cast going forward - if you have a source for such a ritual you should contact empire.refs@profounddecisions.co.uk.

==Update to the Throne==
* '''Updated 23/06/2016'''
The powers of [[the Throne]] have been clarified and amended. We have added a summary of the changes to the [[Rules_update_2016#The_Throne|2016 rules update page]].

==Ritual Lore Enchantments==
* '''Updated 23/06/2016'''
Enchantments that grant additional ranks of ritual lore require the target to already possess the appropriate [[Magical skills#Realm Lore|Realm Lore]] skill. This effects [[Sift the Dreamscape's Sands]], [[Noble Mien of the Hawk Lords]], [[Balanced Scales of Lann]], [[Fire in the Blood]], [[Sorin's Rite of Agony]], and any similar ritual enchantment that is not currently in [[Imperial_lore#Imperial_Lore_and_the_Ritual_List|Imperial lore]].

In addition, we have increased the duration of Sift the Dreamscape's Sands to match that of the other enchantments.

==Great Works==
* '''Updated 09/09/2016'''
Liao removed from top row of [[Great work|great works]], was included in error.

==Changes to Arrows for 2017==
* '''Updated 25/05/2016'''
As the incidence of Archery related injuries is still too high at PD events, we will be [[Bow_safety#Forthcoming_Changes|making changes to the types of arrows (and bolts) allowed]] at events from 2017 onwards. Arrows that are currently legal will remain legal at all PD events in 2016. These changes will come into effect from the first PD event next year.

==Colleges of Magic and Arcane Projections==
* '''Updated 23/05/2016'''
We have amended the powers of [[College of Magic]], [[Dean of the Lyceum]], and [[Provost of the Halls of Knowledge]] to remove the ability to create a free [[Spontaneous_magic#Arcane_Projection|arcane projection]].

==Commission Rules Updated==
* '''Updated 23/05/2016'''
We have amended the [[Commission#Implementing_a_Commission|rules for implementing a commission]] described on the wiki to reflect the actual rules we are using in practice. This means that any player can email PD to provide materials for a commission, you do not need to pass them to the player of the senator who raised the motion to have them email us.

==Battle Conjunction Rules Updated==
* '''Updated 23/05/2016'''
We have amended the [[Rules_update_2016#Conjunctions|rule change for nations on battles]] using the Sentinel Gate. The new amendment makes the options for the battle as flexible as humanly possible - preserving as many IC choices as are fun - while preserving the goal of having roughly equal forces on both battles.

==IC Camp layout==
* '''Updated 23/05/2016'''
We have updated the wiki with the [[Spring_Equinox_2016#Site_Map|layout of the camps at Anvil]] for the next event.

==Shroud of Mist and Shadow==
* '''Updated 27/04/2016'''
After much discussion we have reverted the change to [[Shroud of Mist and Shadow]]. Our initial change was necessitated because of the way a [[military unit]] works in downtime. Rather than expand the remit of Shroud - which was a little unsatisfying - we've agreed to look at changing the way a military unit operates on our system to allow for a bonus only to [[Military_unit#Supporting_an_Army|campaign army support]] and [[Military_unit#Paid_Work|paid work]].

==Gnawing, Endless Hunger==
* '''Updated from 20/04/2016'''
We have updated [[Gnawing, Endless Hunger]] to make explicit the interaction between this curse and the herbal poisons created by [[the Assassin's Gate]] and [[the Winter Moon]].

==Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae==
* '''Updated 19/4/2016'''
[[Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae#Performing_the_Ritual|Targeting restrictions]] corrected.

==Corsets==
* '''Updated 18/4/2016'''
We have rewritten the tone of the page on [[corset|corsets]] to remove editorial elements and focus on the facts and suggestions that are relevant for the Empire setting.

==Military Unit and Fleet Enchantments==
* '''Updated 16/04/2016'''
We've streamlined some of the ritual [[enchantment|enchantments]] that target fleets and resources. [[Clad in Golden Raiment]], [[Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust]], [[Raise the Standard of War]] works specifically when supporting campaign armies.<s> [[Shroud of Mist and Shadow]] now explicitly adds its bonus when the target [[military unit]] is supporting a [[spy network]].</s>

We are also discussing changing [[Conclave of Trees and Shadow]] to receive its enhancement when supporting a spy network rather than when performing paid work.

==Labyrinth's Gate==
* '''Updated 14/04/2016'''
We have corrected the page on [[Labyrinth's Gate|Labyrinth's Gate]] so that the description matches the item's cost.

==Upgrading Fortifications==
* '''Updated 04/04/2016'''
We have updated the pages on [[Fortification#Improvement|improving]] a [[fortification]] in line with the changes we made to the price for a basic fortification.

==Accessibility==
* '''Updated 17/3/2016'''
We have updated the pages on [[assistance]], [[Dadford Road Campsite]] and the [[Winter Solstice 2016]] to include a section for players with disability or mobility needs.

==The Three Refrains==
* '''Updated 17/3/2016'''
We have reformulated our former team of national bards to create a new bardic sodality - [[The Three Refrains]]. Members of the sodality are tasked with bringing performance of all kind to Empire, music, plays, dance, songs, poems, just as the bards before them did. However they now have a new remit - to help players poke the plot and bits of the setting they are interested in. If you're following up a piece of lore, looking to find out what happened to something, seeking out a mystery or anything of that kind - then The Three Refrains may be able to help you.

==Site Details==
* '''Updated 16/3/2016'''
We have added a page to [[Assistance|explain how our mules will operate on site]] to enable players get help quickly.

==Event Details==
* '''Updated 15/3/16'''
We have updated the wiki with more details for [[Dadford Road Campsite]] as well as the IC field layout for [[Winter Solstice 2016]].

==Boxes==
* '''Updated 13/3/16'''
We have clarified the rules on [[Playing_the_game#Stealing_Items|stealing items]] from locked boxes and chains in Empire. These things are considered to be made of weirwood, mithril and similar resources and to have been strengthened magically to the point where they are virtually unbreakable. This means that you must have the key or another mundane way to open the lock if you are to access any of the contents. A full description of the update along with an explanation for the clarification has been added to the [[Rules_update_2016|rules update page for 2016]].

==Conjunctions==
* '''Updated 13/3/16'''
We have made [[Rules_update_2016#Conjunctions|a significant update to the way major conjunctions work in Empire]]. This will affect the way the Military Council pick the battles they wish to fight and crucially who can fight together on them. A full description of the update along with an explanation for the change has been added to the [[Rules_update_2016|rules update page for 2016]].

==Like Water Through Your Fingers==
* '''Updated 10/3/16'''
We have removed the erroneous reference to campaign resources and imperial titles from the effect of this curse.

==Shatter==
* '''Updated 10/3/16'''
We have clarified that you cannot use a spear, pole-arm, or quarter-staff with the Shattering Blow skill. You can learn more about this change [[Rules update 2016|here]].

==Shrouds==
* '''Update 10/03/2016'''
We have changed [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil]], [[Incantation's Mystic Mask]], [[Masque of the Blinded Weaver]], and [[Secrets for the Shadow Courier]] from being [[enchantment|enchantments]] or a [[curse|curses]] to being '''shrouds'''. This fits their intended purpose more closely. The only difference is that they count as neither enchantments nor curses.

==Freeborn Matrilineality==
* '''Update 3/3/2016'''
We have updated the [[Matrilineality|Freeborn brief]] to make clear that men and women who join the nation (instead of being born into it) would not formally take a tribal name. Men or women who marry into a Freeborn family (or are adopted) are encouraged to use the family name, but any progeny always take the tribal name that their mother was born with. We have made this change to preserve the essential idea that Freeborn society is matrilineal - because it traces a line back to the three founders - but keep the experience of playing a character who joins the Freeborn nation as free of gender bias as is possible.

==Broken Shore Bounty and Privateering==
* '''Update 1/3/2016'''
Following feedback from several players and crew we have changed the piracy action to be [[Fleet#Privateering|privateering]] as that best reflects what is actually happening. We have also updated the [[Broken Shore Bounty]] in parallel with this, clarifying the allocation process of the seat and the benefits of committing privateering in the Bay of Catazar.

==Barbarians==
* '''Update 1/3/2016'''
We have updated the page on [[monstering]] at Empire events, including a new emphasis on players having the chance to [[playing a barbarian|play elite barbarian units on the battlefield]]. This is an idea we have been developing over winter to improve the battles for people playing and volunteering them. We have also substantially updated the [[Grendel]] pages and will hopefully update the [[Jotun]] pages at the end of the week.

==Elections in Absentia==
* '''Update 25/02/2016'''
We have clarified that it is perfectly legal to [[Imperial elections|elect a citizen to a position in absentia]]. You must be present to vote - but you don't have to be present to be elected!

==Artisan's Oil==
* '''Update 15/02/2016'''
From 2016 onwards, artisans can expend one month of downtime and 1 crown to make three doses of [[Artisan's Oil]].

==Ties that Bind==
* '''Update 03/02/16'''
The ritual [[Ties that Bind]] has been updated to remove the requirement for the target to be a contributor; we also clarified some of the information the ritual may provide. This should improve the utility of the ritual, especially in terms of locating stolen items.

==Before the Throne of Estavus==
* '''Update 03/02/16'''
The ritual [[Before the Throne of Estavus]] has been adjusted to reduce the basic magnitude, but remove the ability to trade any amount of material with the eternal. The ritual now has a base magnitude of 4 (down from 6), but this allows only one lot of ingots to be transferred. Every additional group of five ingots now increases the magnitude of the ritual by 2.

==Fortifications==
* '''Update 03/02/16'''
Due to an oversight, we forgot to apply the standard 2 crowns per wain labour cost to the [[Fortification#Emergency_Repair|emergency repair]] of a [[fortification]]. We have corrected this oversight and brought it into line with the resupply of armies and navies..

==Rituals that cause MASS effects==
* '''Updates 03/02/16'''
We have changed how rituals that create a [[Calls#MASS|MASS]] call work ([[Fetid Breath of Teeming Plague]], [[Howling Despite of the Yawning Maw]], [[Inescapable Chains of Bitter Glass]], [[Revelatory Light of the Empyrean Spheres]][[The Grave's Treacherous Edge]], and [[Thundering Roar of the Lion-bound Horn]]).

Rather than imbuing an implement, the rituals now create an [[enchantment]] on one of the [[Rituals#Contributors|contributors]], and the option for additional uses has been altered to additional targets to reflect this. In addition, we have removed the fifteen minute restriction on their use, allowing covens to perform the ritual in a safe location, or drawing on the power of the [[Regio#The_Imperial_Regio|Imperial regio]], to be unleashed at a later date.

Several of the rituals have also had [[Roleplaying_effect|roleplaying effects]] added. We have removed the ability to reduce the magnitues of the MASS VENOM and MASS WEAKNESS rituals, replacing them with the ability to substitute [[Materials#Beggar's Lye|beggar's lye]] for crystal mana common to the other MASS effects.

We also removed the sympathetic element from several of these rituals, and clarified the "backlash" of Revalatory Light, as well as making it clear that the character making the call must be capable of casting spells (so, they cannot be wearing armour for example).

There is still some minor tweaking going on in relationship to some of the options the rituals provide with regard to including materials to empower the ritual.

The only ritual that has not been edited at this time is [[Devastating Scythe of Anguish and Loss]]; we are still reviewing the changes we plan to make to this ritual.

==Appointment of Senators==
* '''Updates 02/02/16'''
We've added short sections in out-of-character language to the [[The League leadership#Tallying the votes|League]], [[Highguard leadership#Tallying the votes|Highguard]], [[The Marches leadership#Tallying the votes|Marcher]], and [[Urizen leadership#Tallying the votes|Urizen]] pages to make explicit how votes are calculated. Of particular note is that we think the votes for the Urizen elections have previously been calculated incorrectly, and the new section should make it clear how they will be calculated from here on in.

==Senate Announcement==
* '''Updated 29/1/16'''
We have updated the guidelines for raising a [[senate announcement]] to emphasize that the title-holder must present the civil service with the equivalent of a senate motion paper, summarizing their plans. We have made this change to make it possible for our crew to track and record senate announcements, which is almost impossible when announcements are verbal only.

==Pakaanan's Iron Shutters==
* '''Updated 27/1/16'''
We have clarified the use of [[Pakaanan's Iron Shutters]] ritual to close the portal at the back of the Hall of the Worlds, and explained what happens if someone is in transit when the ritual is performed.

==Shatter==
* '''Updated 15/1/16'''
We have increased the minimum weapon length required to use the shattering blow skill from 42" to 48". You can learn more about this change [[Rules update 2016|here]].

==Navy Updates==
* ''' Updated 15/1/16'''
We have added a page to the wiki on [[navy orders]] as well as updating the information on a [[commission]] to include a [[shipyard]].

==Magical Traditions==
* '''Updated 15/1/16'''
There is now some additional content on the [[magical tradition]] page, giving a broad outline of the use of traditions in Imperial magic. We also included a description of the [[blood magic]] tradition, expanding on elements in the [[navarr]] brief.

==Army and Navy Resupply==
* ''' Updated 22/12/15'''
We've streamlined the explanation of how an [[Imperial army]] or [[Imperial navy]] recovers from [[casualties]]. We've also introduced a 2 crowns per wain labour cost onto [[Casualties#Emergency Resupply|emergency resupply]] bringing it into line with other Senate [[commission|commissions]].

==Military Units==
* '''Updated 20/12/15'''
We have changed the downtime options available to [[military unit]] owners. Military units no longer take the raiding action, but rather engage in [[Military unit#Paid Work|paid work]]. While mechanically the actions are similar, the game context for the paid work action is very different. You can read more about this change [[Rules update 2016|here]].

We also adjusted the description of [[Merciless Wrath of the Reaver]] and [[Shroud of Mist and Shadow]] to reflect the changes.

==Fleets==
* '''Updated 17/21/15''' and '''20/12/15'''
We have changed the downtime options available to [[fleet]] owners. Fleets can now be assigned to [[Fleet#Supporting_a_Navy|assist an Imperial navy]] in the same way a [[military unit]] can support a [[Imperial army|campaign army]]. We have also made some significant changes to the way that [[Fleet#Trade|trade]] and [[Fleet#Piracy|piracy]] work.

We later adjusted how piracy works, making it an option similar to the [[Military unit#Paid work|paid work]] option for military units. You can learn more about this change [[Rules update 2016|here]].

==Army Attacks==
* '''Updated 16/12/15'''
We have amended the [[Army_orders#Attacking|rules on the wiki for armies attacking a region]] to make clear that the targetted region must be adjacent to a region which is under Imperial control - or to a region which will fall under Imperial control in the subsequent campaign.

==Raising an Army==
* '''Updated 16/12/15'''
We have amended the costs to [[Imperial_army#Costs|raise an army]] to bring them into line with the standard costs for Imperial commissions.

==Large Armies==
* '''Updated 15/12/15'''
We've added a labour component to the cost to enlarge an [[Imperial army]], to bring it in to line with other Senate [[commission|commissions]]. We have reduced the mithril cost and removed the requirement for the army to sit out for a year while its size is increased.

==Fast Casting Effects==
* ''' Updated 05/12/15'''
Since the changes to spellcasting, rituals and items that allowed the fast-casting of [[Spellcasting#Regular Spells|regular spells]] were lagging behind in effectiveness. We've now adjusted these effects to allow a magician to cast spells with a few second of appropriate roleplaying, rather than 5 seconds of roleplaying. Furthermore, this means that (as with [[Spellcasting#Offensive Spell|offensive spells]] the caster is not interrupted if they or their target are struck, or if the target is making an attack. All other restrictions of casting regular spells apply, especially the requirement that you must be capable of touching the target with your casting hand as you cast the spell. These changes effect the [[Hands of the Healer]], [[Smooth Hands Shape the World]], and [[Thought Becomes Action]] rituals, as well as the [[Forge of Isenbrad]] and [[Trollsweave Vest]].
===Healer's Harness===
* ''' Updated 02/12/15'''
At the same time, we've altered, the [[Healer's Harness]] ability to prevent loss of mana when interrupted while casting a healing spell. The change to spellcasting meant that ''nobody'' loses mana when a spell is interrupted; they simply have to begin the casting again, We have changed the effect, and slightly increased the cost in materials to create the item, which now provides reciprocal healing for the wearer when they use certain healing spells.
===Warcaster's Oath===
* '''Updated 05/12/15'''
Likewise, the [[Warcaster's Oath]] effect has also changed. This shield is thematically intended to be useful for magicians who fight on the front lines, and the new power - to gain a burst of personal emergency healing in return for personal mana - is intended to reflect that.
==Spy Network==
* '''Updated 04/12/15'''
We've added a labour component to the cost to create a [[spy network]], to bring it in to line with other Senate [[commission|commissions]].

==Navy Resupply==
* '''Updated 04/12/15'''
We clarified how an [[Imperial navy]] [[Casualties#Navy_Resupply|resupplies]], removing the requirement for a navy to be in a friendly dockyard before it can benefit from natural resupply. Instead, the navy merely needs to be in a friendly territory that includes a region with the ''Coastal'' quality, and not engaged in a campaign.

==Senate Update==
* '''Updated 3/09/15'''
We have added a page to the wiki which describes the [[scrutiny|process for the Constitutional Court to check a motion]] to ensure that it is compatible with the Constitution.

==Event Updates==
* '''Updated 3/09/15'''
We have added the Imperial Roll of Honour for Summer Solstice to the wiki. We have also begun updating the wiki with the event details for the final event of the year and adding the Winds of Fortune and Winds of War details to the wiki.

==The League Army Support==
* '''Updated 25/08/15'''
With the liberation and re-integration into the Empire of [[Holberg]], the League can now support two armies. In theory, the League was ''always'' supporting two armies, it's just that one of those armies (the [[the League military concerns#The Towerjacks|Towerjacks]]) was part of the defences of Holberg. The Towerjacks are in the process of being restored to full operation by the League.

==Changing Territory==
* '''Updated 23/08/15'''
We clarified what happens when you [[Territory#Resources|change territory]], with particular reference to how this interacts with a [[Resource#Personal Resource|personal resource]] and with voting in elections. We added several sections to the "leading a territory" sections of the politics pages to make the situation explicit.

==Honesty==
* '''Updated 21/08/15'''
We added a page on Freeborn [[honesty]] - to explain a little more about this Brass Coast ideal - in a manner similar to the pages on Dawnish [[glory]] and Wintermark [[heroism]].

==Furrowed Wake==
* '''Updated 19/08/15'''
The [[Furrowed Wake]] description and flavour text have been edited to use the correct spell. All other sources rather than the page make it clear the staff works with [[entangle]] and not [[repel]].

==Follies==
* '''Updated 13/08/15'''
We added a page for a new type of [[commission]], the [[folly]].

==Ritual Update==
* '''Updated 17/07/15'''
We have altered the benefits for casting a more powerful version of [[Clarity of the Master Strategist]]. The Empire rituals are designed on the principle that magic is much easier to share around than to simply pile up in one place. That important principle was unfortunately missed when this ritual was originally being written. This update brings the ritual into line with the way other rituals in Empire work.

We have also defined the effects of the Spring ritual [[Foam and Spittle of the Furious Sea]]. This ritual was created very early on, long before we had any rules for navies so the previous description of the effects was very vague. We have also altered the rules so that the ritual does impact fleets - as we are now able to define a mechanism by which that affect occurs.

==Capturing a Character==
* '''Updated 17/07/15'''
We have updated the rules for [[Combat#Capturing_a_character|capturing a character]]. We have made this change to make it easier for the militia to conduct ongoing investigations into crimes in Anvil. The old rules were a hang-over from Maelstrom, our previous game, and had little relevance for Empire.

==Military Keywords==
* '''Updated 17/07/15'''
We have update the rules for the [[Army_qualities#Fast|fast quality]] to improve it. The quality only applies when the army needs to move a long distance and we felt there was little benefit in placing a limit on how far it could move under those circumstances.

We have also amended the [[Army_qualities#Magic|magic quality]]. This quality was quite overloaded with abilities and need a simpler and better balance with other abilities. We have removed the generation of an arcane scrying report as we felt this was infringing too far on the ability of players at events to generate such reports using their rituals. We have also amended their ability to create mana - making this a defensive order - but changing it so that the mana generated is based on the effectiveness of the army. The larger and more effective the army is, the more mana it can create.

==Summer Solstice ==
* '''Updated 13/07/15'''
The wiki has been updated with a new page with all the details for the forthcoming [[Summer Solstice 2015]], including the site map and the monstering times. There is also a lot of information on the latest campaign developments released with the [[379YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_fortune|Winds of Fortune]].

==Magic Armour==
* '''Updated 12/07/15'''
We have updated the rules for [[Gryphonsoul Aegis]], [[Goldenfire Scale]], and [[Gravedigger's Vest]]. In addition we have removed Soldier's Coat from the game - characters with this skill or one of these items have had it replaced with [[Baersark's Rage]]. We have updated the 2015 Rules Update page with [[Rules_update_2015#Magic_Armour|an explanation for the changes]].

==Spontaneous Magic Changes==
* '''Updated 12/07/15'''
We have changed the costing for [[spontaneous magic]] to make it more expensive to request a spontaneous ritual, but easier and cheaper to cast spontaneous rituals of medium or higher magnitude. We have also updated the Rules Update 2015 sheet to [[Rules_update_2015#Spontaneous_Magic|describe the change and explain why we've updated the rules]]. There are some minor changes to the [[Formulaic_ritual#Ritual_Texts|use of ritual texts in formulaic rituals]] to bring them into line with the new rules for spontaneous magic.

==Historical Research Changes==
* '''Updated 11/07/15'''
Due to [[Bloody Murder (Summer 379YE)|the murderous events of 379YE]], the civil service ability to perform [[Historical research]] has been greatly curtailed, The number of research projects that can be commissioned has been dropped from five to two.

==Ritual Changes==
* '''Updated 23/06/15'''
Some minor tweaks to rituals.
* We've removed the time limit on [[Whispers through the Black Gate]] to allow it to be performed on dead people who died more recently than a day ago while stressing that the longer ago someone died the less likely it is you get them.
* We've added the functionality to [[Timeless Hammer Rhythm]] that allows it to be used to "reforge" an expired ribbon, to keep continuity of character.

==Declaration of Dissemination==
* '''Updated 22/06/15'''
There have been several questions about how the [[Imperial Conclave]] can share rituals with representatives of other nations. The [[Declaration#Declaration of Dissemination|Declaration of Dissemination]] has been added to address these questions.

==Clarification of Imperial Inquisitor==
* '''Updated 03/06/15'''
While making the [[Imperial Chaplain Consular]] page, it became necessary to clarify how the powers of that title were used. After doing that, the [[Imperial Inquisitor]] was also adjusted to use their powers in the same way - namely, that they still place a judgement before the Synod, but that no vote is required. This is similar to the way an Imperial title operates in the Senate.

==Streamlined Administration Process==
* '''Updated 31/5/5'''
We have streamlined the administration process for players handing in resources to use to pay for senate commissions or to affects Winds of Fortune. If we are already aware that you intend to pay for something (from your actions in the field) then we will take the resources from your downtime automatically rather than wait for you to email us. You should still email [mailto:empire.plot@profounddecisions.co.uk Profound Decisions] to let us know that you want to use the materials - as this will ensure that the action is not overlooked - but we will not wait to receive an email if we believe we know what you intend to do.

If a mistake occurs then you should email us as quickly as possible so that we can rectify that.

==Clarify Proxy Voting Rules==
* '''Updated 19/5/5'''
Clarified the proxy rules to explain that a character cannot proxy votes for the appointment of a title in the Senate or Bourse. For example, a Navarr character could not give another character the votes that come from their herb garden during the appointment of The Thimble Bourse seat. You can learn more [[Proxy#Restrictions|here]].

==Forgery==
We have updated the published rules for forgery to make absolutely clear that it is cheating to forge bourse notes.

==Item Correction==
We have corrected the costs of the [[Staff of Life]] which were correct on the database but wrong on the wiki entry for this item.

==Sects==
The rules for priestly co-operation within [[Bands#Sects|sects]] were unintentionally more restrictive than those for co-operation in the absence of a sect. The duplication of rules has been removed, leaving priests precisely as able to co-operate within sects as without.

==Winter 2015 Rules Update==
Over winter we carried out a review of the rules from the second year. As a result of that review we have changed a number of rules. We are in the process of updating the wiki to reflect these [[Rules update 2015|rules changes]]. We will continue to carry out reviews of rules each winter. The most recent updates are to magic, particularly spontaneous magic and battle magic.

==Magic Item modifications==
The [[Healer's Harness]] and [[Warcaster's Oath]] were rendered useless by our change to [[spellcasting]]. We have modified the effect of both, and raised the cost of the Healer's Harness to reflect these changes.

Magic standards must be carried (wording strengthened from "should"): back banners, tabards and especially flamboyant bandannas are not appropriate phys-reps for magic standards, and this was not clearly communicated by the previous wording.

==Otkodov Spy Network==
The [[Construct Otkodov spy network|Otkodov spy network]] was initially set up before more detailed information about how they worked was available. A single spy network cannot provide information about an entire nation, only a single territory. We have clarified this, and future reports from this spy network will focus on the [[Thule]] territory of Verthandi.

==Ritual Theory==
We've created a series of pages relating to [[ritual theory]] that provide background, setting and rules information for players. It is primarily of use to players who want to create new [[spontaneous magic]] effects, or explore the theories of how ritual magic work. This is somewhat of a work in progress - we intend to expand it to cover more setting-related information such as what crystal mana is or how it differs from personal mana (for example), but the information given here should serve as a good foundation for players who want to discuss magical theories in the field.

==Brass Coast Army Support==
Following the re-integration of [[Segura]] into the Empire, [[the Brass Coast]] now has the ability to support three armies rather than two.

==Senate Commissions==
We added details of three new civilian [[Commission|commissions]] available to the [[Imperial Senate]].
* The [[College of Magic]].
* The [[Runeforge]].
* The [[Embassy]].
* The [[Imperial navy]].

==Remote Navarr==
We've clarified a few design concepts around the [[Navarr]] on the [[Remote Navarr]] page. To accompany this, we've made a few edits to [[Navarr_look_and_feel|look and feel]] to reflect those clarifications.

==Military Council Overhaul==
We have done a major redesign of the way the [[Imperial Military Council]] works. This has included clarification on the events at the [[muster]] and [[Council session]], as well as expanded and clarified material regarding the role of a [[general]], the [[Field Marshal]] and the civil servant role of the [[herald of the Council]]. We've also given the right of [[Council address]] to the [[High Exorcist]] and [[Quartermaster General of the Imperial Armies]].

At the same time, we've clarified and streamlined some of the factors to do with [[war]], including the way that generals submit their [[army orders]]. We've also included a [[campaign outcome]] page that details the mathematics that underlie the campaign resolution system.

Finally, we've removed the idea of ''keywords'' from armies - each [[imperial army]] now has a singular [[army qualities|quality]] that reflects the way that army operates. This means that we have also overhauled all the existing armies with new abilities. The individual armies will be updated over the next day or so, but for the moment the changes are detailed on the table [[Military_Council_design#Army_Quality|here]].

You can find details of some of our reasons for these changes [[Military_Council_design#A_Conjunction_did_it|here]].

===Field Marshal===
Following discussion with our magistrates, we have removed the idea that it is a legal requirement for the [[Field Marshal]] to address the [[Imperial Senate]]. It is still a responsibility of the role, but it is up to the [[Imperial Synod]] to deal with Field Marshals who neglect to do so, rather than the Magistrates.

==Clemency==
We removed the idea that characters with Imperial Titles were given additional weight by a magistrate. This was simply not the case in practice, and undermined the idea of virtuous defence. A virtuous argument from a priest should hold more weight than a poor speech from the Throne.

==Legacy of Thorns==
We've clarified that the [[Legacy_of_Thorns#Blade_Venoms|blade venoms]] (specifically [[Legacy_of_Thorns#Oil_of_Blackthorn|oil of blackthorn]] and [[Legacy_of_Thorns#Redwillow_Paste|Redwillow Paste]] cannot be applied to [[Weapons & armour#Implements|implements]]).

==Ritual Changes==
Several rituals are receiving clarifications and tweaks.
* [[Whispering Shadow Courtiers]] no longer references the idea of providing visions of "nearby" things. It functions like [[Signs and Portents]], drawing from a pool of visions including "important" or "relevant" secrets, no matter where in the Empire it is cast.
* [[Wisdom of the Balanced Blade]] no longer gains a bonus to penetrate magical obscuring effects. As with [[Bright Lantern of Ophis]] it must overcome the full strength of an effect designed to obscure information about a curse.
* [[Eyes of the Sun and Moon]] has been tweaked to specifically provide military information about armies and fortifications. We've also removed the "hour's notice" requirement from the ritual as the information it delivers is now prepared for each potential target territory before an event.
* [[The Eye of the High Places]] has been tweaked to clarify that it determines any large scale effects on the target territory, and to remove reference to detecting small-scale effects such as resource enchantments which were proving difficult to collate information about.
* [[Reading the Weave]] has been clarified to remove reference to information that was proving difficult to uncover in a timely fashion.
* [[Bright Lantern of Ophis]] has had its ability to divine large-scale effects from a distance removed - this is now the purview of [[The Eye of the High Places]].
* [[Wisdom of the Balanced Blade]] no longer requires a regio to analyse an area curse, but the ritualists must be in the presence of the curse in some fashion.
* [[Sum of the Parts]] has had its magnitude increased, correcting a significant rounding error


==The Brass Coast Brief==
We have updated the Brass Coast brief on the [[the Brass Coast magical traditions|Brass Coast magical traditions]] and the [[Hakima]] to clarify their political niche and to modify their role slightly. The Hakima are now dedicated to aiding (and meddling in the affairs of) the entire nation rather than an individual tribe. The old brief was too focused, and too limited in scope and we think these changes will help address that. We've also made a minor change to the way [[the Brass Coast military concerns#Kohan|kohan]] are organised, primarily to remove the restriction that the members of a group belong to a single tribe.

We've also expanded on the material on [[corsair|corsairs]] that was originally scattered around the Brass Coast section. The new brief contains some new elements and advice on creating corsair characters and groups.

==Marcher Brief==
We have updated the Marcher brief on the [[the Marches magical traditions]] and [[Landskeeper|Landskeepers]] to clarify their political niche and how they usually organize themselves. We have corrected the old text to make clear that Landskeepers make frequent use of curses against those they believe have transgressed against Marcher traditions and Marcher interests. The old brief was restricting the ability of existing Landskeepers to access the full range of magical powers at events and the previous Landskeeper political structure was too complex and fine-grained to be workable in play.

==Wintermark Brief==
We have updated the Wintermark brief on the [[Wintermark_culture_and_customs#Age.2C_infirmity_and_the_good_death|good death]] to remove any mention of how Wintermark treats individuals who are maimed or crippled. Any form of discrimination on the grounds of disability is against our game rules on equality and diversity and does not fit the setting. Many of the heroes of the Empire come from hard lands - but the Wintermark brief stood out as none of the other briefs single out individuals who are disabled in anyway for special note. The people of the Empire do not discriminate on grounds of infirmity.

==Commissions Updated==
We have updated the page on [[commission]] to lay out the essential details needed for any new commission.

==New Map Viewer==
Racheet Dave has produced [http://empire.racheet.me/ a cool new map viewer] for the Empire. The [[maps]] page has been updated with a link to the new map viewer.

There are also new maps showing the tactical/political features of the Empire, and two maps showing Barbarian lands (Otkodov and the Barrens).

==Senate Update==
We have updated the rules for mercantile commissions, and added a page each for a [[sinecure]], [[ministry]], and [[great work]]. The costs to make new mercantile commissions has been altered and reduced for play balance reasons. We have increased the effective output of the Madruga Shipyard, but all other existing sinecures, ministries and great works are unaffected.

==Rules Update==
We have removed Spider Folds the Net from the list of available rituals. The ritual had major problems and after several attempts to fix it, we have abandoned the attempt and simply deleted it. Everyone who had the ritual now has a free slot that they can fill at any time instead. If anyone requires an IC explanation for the change, it is because recent movements of the constellations have rendered the ritual unworkable.

Rules for [[Battlefield Ritual|Battlefield Rituals]] written up.

Regio rules changed: using a regio does not automatically make the ritual take ten minutes. Some rituals intrinsically take ten minutes, and some rituals require a regio. There is some overlap between these groups.

==Sanctioned Event Update==
We have added some guidelines for using [[Imperial Law at sanctioned events]].

==Senate Pages Overhauled==
We have overhauled the Senate wiki pages, mostly to improve the presentation and make the processes clearer. The overhaul includes a few changes to the political rules and powers of some positions. As with other recent updates we have included some OOC design notes about the changes and this part of the game.

Key changes or clarifications are:
* Procedural motions are eliminated, allocation and assignment are done by normal motions. [[Senate motion|Administrative motions]] covering minor matters by civil service remain.
* [[The Throne]] can talk in the Senate but cannot propose a motion or vote in the Senate.
* The Throne can [[Senate address|address]] the senate.
* The Throne gains the [[The_Throne#Custodian_of_Virtue|Custodian of Virtue]] power to change a vote in the Synod.
* The Throne gains the [[The_Throne#Order_of_The_Throne|Order of the Throne]] power to nominate speakers in the Conclave.
* We have removed the deadline for the Senate to [[Appointments_by_the_Senate#National_Position|appoint a national position]] but given the wider Senate freedom to act earlier if they choose.

==Field Marshal==
A page for the [[Field Marshal]], the official name for the Field Commander chosen by the Military Council has been added to the wiki. This page expands on this position, how it works, the powers, limitations and responsibilities. It includes some OOC design notes about why the position works the way it does.

==Nations and Territories==
The [[Wintermark Territories]] have been extensively expanded. A note was added to [[Wintermark history]] to make it clear that the position of king or queen of Wintermark was not a ''hereditary'' position.

(09/10/14) Extensive updates to [[Varushka Territories]]; to [[Redoubt]] in [[Urizen]]; and to [[Tassato]] and [[Sarvos]] in [[The League]] (including the creation of the [[Keeper of the Sapphire Stair]] [[sinecure]])

==Ritual Corrections==
The following rituals had incorrect costs listed on the wiki. These have now been corrected.
* [[Blood and Salt]]
* [[Revelation of the Jewel%27s Sparkling Heart]]
* [[Unending Cascade of Blood%27s Fire]]

The last ritual was incorrectly reduced in magnitude shortly before the last event. This error has been fixed and the original correct magnitude restored.

The following ritual had an incorrect casting time listed on the wiki. This has now been corrected.
* [[Rising_Roots_that_Rend_Stone]]

The following rituals have been overhauled to bring them into line with each other and changes to the Campaign Battles.
* [[Knights of Glory]]
* [[Quickening Cold Meat]]
* [[Clarity of the Master Strategist]]
* [[Bound by Common Cause]]
* [[Thunderous Tread of the Trees]]
* [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]]
* [[Dripping Echoes of the Fen]]
* [[Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canea]]

==Anvil Hospital==
We have added information about the [[Anvil Hospital & Imperial School of Medicine]] to the wiki. Thanks to all the players involved for creating this great institution.

==Map Update==
There is a new strategic-and-political map of the Empire [[Gazetteer|here]], and each of the Imperial (or formerly Imperial) territories now has a territory map. Over the next few days, each territory page will be overhauled and updated to include more information about regions and points of interest.

==Military Council Update==
We have updated the [[Imperial Military Council]], streamlining the processes which we will use going forwards to calculate the outcomes of military campaigns, and giving player generals more freedom and control over what happens to their armies. We have also modified the upkeep costs for fortifications to ensure that powerful fortifications remain tenable. We have overhauled the presentation of the section to bring it into line with the new pages for the Imperial Conclave and added extra [[Military Council design|design notes and an explanation for the change]].

==Senate Update==
We've reorganised several pages, as well as creating separate pages for titles such as [[senator]]. We've also done some work clarifying some of the powers of [[The Throne]] where their function was either unclear, or would work poorly.

==Bourse Update==
Several new [[Imperial title|Imperial Bourse titles]] have been added to the wiki.
* [[Bailiff of the Grand Market]] (Marcher position)
* [[Vizier of the Incarnadine Satchel]] (Freeborn position)
* [[Dhomiro of the Cinnabar Hills]] (Freeborn position)
* [[Mistress of the Glass Parador]] (Freeborn position)
* [[Custodian of the Assayer's Guild]] (League position)
* [[Provost of the Halls of Knowledge]] (Urizen position)
* [[Castellan of Spiral Castle]] (Dawn position)

The method by which national Bourse positions are assigned has been updated for the Marches and the League.

==Monstering==
Information about [[monstering]] and [[playing a barbarian]] has been added to the wiki. Everyone who is keen is welcome to join us for big kit making session on Friday before the Easter event starts. Whatever you make is yours to keep! We'll hope to find time to add more detail to these pages later in the year.

===Conclave Update===
Players have asked us to provide an [[Conclave_design#A_WizardCivil_Servant_Did_It| IC explanation for the change in the Conclave rules]], rather than simply retcon it, so we have done as requested.

==Winter 2014 Rules Update==
Over winter we carried out a review of the rules from the first year. As a result of that review we have changed a few rules. We are in the process of updating the wiki to reflect these [[Rules changes 2014|rules changes]]. We will continue to carry out reviews of rules each winter, but do not envisage making many other significant changes in the future.

The rules update has been updated... please note that you need to have the relevant skill to participate in a ceremony as part of a sect.

==Updates April 2014 ==
Finally wrote up [[Riddle Hides the Reward]].

Clarified power of [[The Throne]] to ratify constitutional votes.

Added [[Highguard_culture_and_customs#Day_of_the_Dead|details of a Highborn celebration]] to the Customs and Culture section of Highguard.

Changed [[Warmage]] again in line with constitutional note.

Clarified ability of Senator to resupply army on [[Casualties#Emergency_Resupply|Casualties]] page

Completed motions outstanding from [[377YE_Summer_Solstice_Senate_Session]]

Updates and maps for [[Semmerholm]], [[Liathaven]], [[Therunin]], [[Mournwold]], [[Brocéliande]] and [[Spiral]] are up, but still stubbed until I have time to check all the backgrounds in the world.

===Conclave Overhaul===
A number of pages have been changed to reflect changes to the way the [[Imperial Conclave]] will function at future events. You can read about the changes in more detail [[Conclave_design|here]]
* Updated the [[Imperial Conclave]] page to lay out the new Conclave in more detail
* Created pages for the three principles of the Conclave [[Principle of Precedence]], [[Principle of Proportions]] and [[Principle of Presence]].
* Updated the [[Conclave order]] page with details of joining an order and the powers of membership.
* Updated the ''Membership of the Order'' section of each conclave order page, and included details of the base materials that go into their [[Conclave vault]] each season. The orders are [[Celestial Arch#Membership_of_the_Order|Celestial Arch]], [[Sevenfold Path#Membership_of_the_Order|Sevenfold Path]], [[Shuttered_Lantern#Membership_of_the_Order|Shuttered Lantern]], [[Rod and Shield#Membership_of_the_Order|Rod and Shield]], [[Golden Pyramid#Membership_of_the_Order|Golden Pyramid]] and [[Unfettered Mind#Membership_of_the_Order|Unfettered Mind]].
* Updated [[detect magic]] with regard to Arcane Mark.
* Updated Imperial title pages for [[Archmage]], [[Grandmaster]], [[Dean of the Lyceum]], [[Warmage]] and created a page for the [[Bursar of the Conclave]].
* Updated [[Conclave session]] and created pages explaining [[Conclave address]], [[declaration]], [[gambit]] and [[amity and enmity]]
* Included the ritual [[Arcane Mark]]
* Updated [[Powers of the Senate]] to reference creation and dissolution of Conclave order and to remove references to Imperial Lore.

==Updates March 2014 ==
Ongoing changes to ritual text durations and targeting guidelines; most of these are just clarifications. Specific changes include:
* [[Rot's Rightful Claim]] is no longer an enchantment
* Added a section about ilium use to [[Mark of Ownership]]
* Added a section to [[Black Iron Blade]] allowing its magnitude to be increased when cast on a single target to allow removal of protected bonds.
* [[Icy Maw Devours the Spark of Essence]], [[Naeve's Twisting Blight]], [[Winter's Ghosts]] and [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil]] now target a territory rather than a region
* [[Clarity of the Master Strategist]] now requires a Day regio to bring it into line with other campaign army rituals
* [[Transmogrification of the Soul's Echo]] is now clearer on who makes the changes - it is not a brainwashing ritual

Sanctioned event guidelines have been updated to give advice on how to apply Profound Decisions [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/equalityanddiversity?1 equality and diversity] rules to your event.

Tidied up information about several Bourse seats, and linked the physical locations of the seat resources to the territory sections.

Clarified [[military unit#Downtime options|military unit]] downtime options relating to assigning to Imperial armies or special projects and the production from doing so.

Overhauled and updated [[Skarsind]] page, with smaller updates elsewhere especially to [[Miekarova]] and [[Hercynia]] territory pages

Overhauled and updated [[Reikos]] page, with smaller updates elsewhere

Updated the [[Titles Autumn 377]] page to indicate who has what title as of the end of 2013

Overhauled and updated [[Hercynia]] page, with smaller updates elsewhere

Made some changes to the with reference to [[operate portal]] and [[detect magic]]

Several changes to [[enchantment]] effects, as well as a slight change to the way an enchantment made permanent with [[ilium]] can be removed

Changed duration of [[Mark of Ownership]] to "as long as the item lasts"

===Minor updates===
Corrected an error where [[Enfeebling Echo]] was referred to as ''Hand of Time'' on the staffs category page, and corrected an error in the materials (it costs seven beggar's lye, not seven beggar's lye ''and'' seven green iron. Matt to change on database.

Clarified the way that [[Witness]] works for priests in the Imperial Conclave.

==Updates February 2014 ==
The senate powers to create [[new Imperial titles]] have been overhauled with additional content and clarification.

Update about changing a [[resource]]

LaTeX download added to [[Rune_Overview|runes]]

Update to [[Spider's Tollkeep]] and [[Advisor on orc affairs]] to correct error in who can hold these titles; as National positions, they can be held only by characters from those nations.

Slight change to [[Vallorn]] interconnectivity; Vallorn are not believed to be interconnected, allowing more plot options.

Ongoing changes to ritual text durations and targeting guidelines; most of these are just clarifications. Specific changes include:
* [[Touch of Vile Humours]] has changed to bring it into line with the new rules on Day duration enchantments
* [[Forge the Wooden Fastness]], [[Frozen Citadel of Cathan Canae]] and similar rituals are undergoing a revision to bring them into line with out rules on [[fortifications]]. Watch this space.

Changed the election process for [[Keeper of the Spice Gardens]] has been adjusted to bring it into line with the section on the [[New_Imperial_titles#Appointment|appointment]] of titles; added a page about the Keeper title; made some edits to the [[Feroz#The_Spice-Gardens_of_Feroz|Feroz]] section about the gardens.

Rules about what happens with personal resources in conquered territories added [[Resource#Conquered_Territories|here]].

Change to [[Orc#Rules|orc rules]] about liao and religious skills, to make the situation very clear

Additional page [[Languages]] added to wiki

Details of the Eternals [[Sung]] and [[Janon]] laid out.

===Minor updates===
Recordings of songs added for Brass Coast (Lost Segura, Wagon Song, Without You) and Marches (Marcher Battle Song, Apple Wassail).

An option to retire a character using [[Sift the Dreamscape's Sands]] added

==Updates January 2014 ==

More details added to the [[Sanctioned_events|sanctioned events]] page including [[Sanctioned_event_rules|rules]].

The Play one, Crew one rule added to the [[Battles]] page

[[Traders]] page updated

[[Events]] page updated with details of 2014 events

[[Facebook_%26_Forums|Facebook and Forums]] page with links for the various social media resources that exist for Empire.

[[Profound_Decisions_management_team|PD management team ]] page updated to show Alison and Matt's current event roles.

=== Minor additions ===
A new minor trapping added to the [[Naga]] page.

New song "For Once I Was A Young Man" added to [[Highguard_music|Highguard music]]

New costume diary added to [[Costume_advice|costume advice]] - high status Marchers doublet.

==Updates after Event 4, Sept 2013 ==

[[Synod Results, Autumn Summit, 377 YE]]

==Updates between Event 3 and Event 4 2013 ==
All updates up to Event 4 are grouped here under appropriate heading.

Details of event 4 [[Autumn Equinox 2013]]

===Ring of Triumph===
An error on the summary page for the Ring of Triumph has been corrected. The correct materials for this item are include six ingots of [[Materials#Green Iron|green iron]] '''not''' six ingots of [[Materials#Tempest Jade|tempest jade]]

===Rules and OOC info===
Update on the [[Frequently Asked Questions|FAQ]]
*Question added - Can I email a longer background?
*Clarification about using using a one handed spear as a two handed pole weapon.
*Clarification about using hero skills at range.

A section added to [[playing the game]] about stealing IC items and what to do with the phys reps.

[[Traders]] info updated with details of Jolly Dicey, Twisted Flax, Grimm & Grizzly and a new website for Mandala Studios.

=== World information===
A [[Current Affairs|current affairs]] page added to pull together various reports including elections, senate and synod decisions from the first three events. This page and the various other pages it leads to should be updated each event. There is also a page which details the [[Titles Autumn 377|planned elections at E4]] .

Addition of [[Damaris|Damaris of Cantiarch's Hold]] as a [[ Paragons and Exemplars|exemplar]]

Pages about [[Trogoni]] and [[Plaguewulf]] added.

The section on [[Madruga]] has been updated to show the current situation with the [[Repair the Spider's Dream|now repaired]] Spider's Dream bridge and the [[Imperial Title|Imperial title]] [[Spider's Tollkeep]] which is funded from the tolls is now available for election again.

Section on [[ List of Criminal Offences|criminal offences]] updated with more links to the [[ Religious Crimes|religious crimes]] section. New crime of desecration added.
Several new [[Imperial Title|Imperial titles]] have been created they will be added to the [[current Imperial titles]] list in due course.

More information added to some [[Foreign nations|foreign nations]] including a new page on [[Iron Confederacy]]

Updated information on the [[Imperial Bourse]] about elections and titles.

More [[Eternals]] detailed

Details added about [[Fortifications]] and existing ones added to relevant territory pages.

On going - Details of senate decisions and the resulting actions being added as the scribes have time, check the [[Recent History (Senate)| Senate sessions]] for details.

===Magic===
*Ritual [[Cold Water from the Mountain]] changed from Spring to Day
*Autumn ritual [[Sum of the Parts]] added.

Updates to [[Dean of the Lyceum]] and [[Conclave session]] about adding new rituals available to Imperial citizens.

===Music===

[[Highguard Go To War]] added to [[Highguard music]]

Extra information about music added to [[Urizen music|Urizen]] including three new songs.

Also a whole bunch of song .pdfs have been updated.

File:Eudaemon.jpg

2015-06-28T19:47:52Z

Tea:

Eudaemon of Halcyon Spire (As portrayted by Aneurin Redman-White)

[[Category:Photos:HelenLambert]] [[:Category:Photos:HelenLambert|Image by Helen Lambert]]

Empress Mariika

2015-04-13T19:11:41Z

Tea: /* Reign */ Typo fix.

===Reign: 212 YE - 234 YE===

===Called: The Cunning===

====Early Life and Election====
Mariika Ymmasdottir, is also called Mariika Markling and is one of the heroes of [[Wintermark]]. Her parents were [[Suaq]] merchants who traversed the whole of Wintermark, and made regular visits to the [[The Marches|Marches]] where they were deeply involved in the transport of grain to the northern nation and in negotiations with the [[Navarr]] brokers. Mariika was characterised as a quiet girl who loved to watch and listen, and some of he childhood friends assumed she would choose to join the [[Kallavesi]] when she came of age - but she did not. Her [[cambion]] [[lineage]] drove her to be ambitious and instead of becoming a [[Wintermark magical traditions#mystics|mystic]] she took the lessons she had learned from her parents and their contacts in the Marches and applied them to the enrichment not of a single hall but to the folk of Wintermark as a whole.

She was not a charismatic woman, but possessed apparently bottomless reserves of practicality, good sense and cunning. The quiet, observant girl grew into a confident, gregarious woman who loved to talk with strangers and engage in verbal sparring for the sheer joy of it. She quickly gained a reputation for honesty that rivaled that of the [[The Brass Coast|Freeborn]] traders with whom she dealt, but could be as stubborn as a [[Varushka|Varushkan]] mine-owner or as cautious as an [[Urizen]] [[Urizen economic interests#Architects|architect]]. Many of her writings survive to this day, and whenever she wrote on matters of trade and economy she repeatedly highlighted the importance of understanding the people you were trading with. You did not need to like them, but to make the best deal it was important to be able to think like them. Her writings on business and warfare were collected after her death into a volume called "''The Good Deal.''" .

She became a regular presence at the quarterly meetings at [[Casinea#Anvil|Anvil]], first in the company of her parents and then as the leader of a group of Wintermark merchants in her own right. A regular at the [[Imperial Bourse|Bourse]] she served on two separate occasions as Senator for [[Sermersuaq]]. When it was clear that Emperor Nicovar was descending into madness, she became one of his outspoken critics. She was not a demagogue, but she repeatedly pointed out that the paranoia and suspicion flourishing under his reign was driving the nations of the Empire apart. While she did not take a direct stand against the Emperor, she certainly used her Senatorial position to oppose many of the more extreme measures he tried to instigate in the last years of his reign.

After the disastrous end to Nicovar's reign, the Empire went without a presence on the Throne for three years. Recriminations, internal disputes and bickering marked the [[Imperial Senate|Senate]] and the [[Imperial Synod|Synod]]. The mad emperor's obsession with book-keeping and minutae has placed crippling burdens on the civil service; coming on the heels of [[Emperor Barabbas]]' maritime spending and the military expansion of [[Empress Varkula]] the Empire was on the verge of economic collapse. In 212 YE the Senate prepared to attempt to pass a motion that would levy additional taxes on the richest members of society, a move that was as unconstitutional as it was potentially disastrous for the Empire.

With the support of a large number of merchants, guildmasters, Freeborn, [[The League|League]] [[The_League_leadership|Merchant Princes]], Urizen architects and Varushkan senators, as well and the majority of the Imperial Bourse, Mariika presented a counter-suggestion. If she were made Empress, she would improve the Empire's finances within five years. She did not win the Senate over with wild promises; rather she presented them with solid economic facts and projections, furnished by the Civil Service. She warned the Senate that the single best way to save the Empire was not to start robbing it's citizens, but to let the people who understood money do what they did best. She was elected by a narrow majority.

====Reign====
Immediately after her election, she went to work with a vengeance. She called together the finest financial minds in the Empire, and together they spent three months examining the problems. At the end of this time she returned to the Senate and announced a number of measures she was confident would shore up the Empire and see it prosper.

Her first step was to loosen the strangle-hold the Senate kept on certain key resources. Amid howls of outrage she put forward motions that would move control of a number of important positions (such as the Master of the Imperial Mint) to the Bourse.

Her ruthless efficiency was not restricted to the Senate. She disbanded two entire armies (the Varushkan '''Iron Helm''', and the '''Thundering Tide''' of Highguard), and slashed funding to the [[Military Council]], demanding that instead of a constant siphon on the Imperial treasury the generals find a way to do more with what they already had. She gave the Bourse control of a number of raw material surpluses, to the consternation of merchants across the Empire. Further she codified several positions that had previously been filled on an ad-hoc basis, recognised the office-holders as Imperial officers, and then made them pay for their positions by again handing responsibility for filling those positions to the Bourse. All moneys raised by the Bourse in auctioning these new positions would go into the Imperial coffers, minus a small percentage to pay for the running of the Bourse. Perhaps just as importantly it was Mariika who suggested laws that restricted the way the rare material [[ilium]], vital to both the [[Crafting skills#Artisans|crafting]] of artefacts and the performance of certain rituals, could be traded.

The Synod and the [[Imperial Conclave|Conclave]] mostly avoided her reforms, but they did not escape her scathing tongue. She roundly criticised the Cardinals and the Archmagi for letting the Empire get into the state it found itself in. Both magicians and priests had a responsibility to use their powers in the service not of the Throne, but of the people of the Empire, and if they would not do so then perhaps it was time for them to step aside and make way for people who would.

One of the new positions she created made her unpopular in the Marches to this day; it was Mariika who came up with the idea to offer Imperial Charters to settlements in the Marches, giving them the status of [[Market town|market towns]]. She offered similar considerations to other nations but only in the Marches was the offer taken up, to the consternation and outrage of many [[Steward|stewards]] who tried to prove that the move was unconstitutional.

Her reforms were not solely focused on the Empire; while she encouraged renewed trade between the nations, she also continued to encourage trade with foreign nations, bringing the wealth of the world to the Empire. While her reign was not without complications,it is remembered by historians today as the start of a period of unmatched prosperity for the Imperial citizens.

After her economic reforms were pushed through the Senate, Mariika took a step back from the business of governance. Rather than attempting to micromanage, as Nicovar had done, or pursuing personal projects as Barabbas had done, she chose to remain slightly distanced from Imperial politics. Instead, she looked to the example of [[Emperor Giovanni]] and the [[First Empress]] and surrounded herself with competent advisors, encouraging those with natural talent to seek out positions from which they could serve the Empire by serving their own interests. Two of her closest advisors were the enigmatic [[Kallaevsi]] shaman [[#Tekupala|Tekupala]] and the Steinr warrior-hero [[Inga Tarn]]. The League historian Marconi of Holberg wrote a definitive biography of Mariika in which he claimed that "''There was not one person in the Empire of whom it could be said they received their position through any influence of the Throne; truly it was a golden age.''"

She was very unpopular in the [[Military council]], who blamed her for several defeats in the early years of her reign. It soon became clear that Mariika bore no malice towards the generals, despite having disbanded two of their armies. As the economy recovered, as more money rolled into the treasury, she diverted those funds to ensure that the armies were well-equipped and well provisioned. Her arguments were always that it was the responsibility of the armies to be efficient - that over time they had become bloated and set-in-their-ways. By encouraging more small military forces to take responsibility for themselves, and by ensuring that the campaign armies were examples of excellence and had the best logistical support, they became much more effective than mere numbers would suggest.

In 217, five years after she took the throne, Empress Mariika went before the Synod. As the guardians of the well-being of the people. she asked if they felt she had fulfilled her promise. If they felt she had failed, she told them, they should revoke her office and she would not contest it. The Synod took three days to reach a decision, advised by civil servants they agreed that she had indeed reversed the downwards trend in the Imperial finances and stabilized the crumbling economy.

====Death and Legacy====
After her address to the Synod, Mariika remained on the throne for another seventeen years. She continued to encourage others to take an active part in running their Empire, campaigning tirelessly for greater understanding between the nations, and repeatedly calling for less interference by the Senate in the financial affairs of their citizens.

The first clear signs of the illness that would later claim her surfaced in 233 YE. but she had been unwell for some time. She had concealed the wasting disease that was slowly killing her from all save her closest friends. In 234 YE she returned to Sermersuaq to look upon her homeland for the last time and abdicated the throne. As Winter gathered, she set off on a final pilgrimage into the eternal ice storm of [[Sermersuaq#Sydanjaa|Sydanjaa]], accompanied only by Tekupala.

Mariika was not universally popular of course. Many Varushkans and Marchers felt that they bore the brunt of many of her reforms, and there were elements in the [[Imperial Synod|Synod]] who whispered darkly that as a [[cambion]] she would surely go as mad as Nicovar before her had. Even some of her own people disliked her; she refused to show favouritism towards Wintermark, and when challenged by the drunken [[Skarsind]] Senator she bitterly pointed out that her heritage had taught her not to put any part of her people above the others - and that as Empress, her people were all the folk of the Empire.


<ic>"I am born of Suaq and of a land of three peoples as one. If I look beyond the borders of Wintermark and count all the Empire as my people, am I diminished or exalted?"</ic>..

===Tekupala===
The Kallavesi mystic Tekupala is variously recorded as a man and a woman. An accomplished practitioner of the magic of [[Night]], he (or she) also appeared as variously a human, a [[naga]] and a [[briar]], apparently through the use of ritual magic. He (or she) maintained that the secret of her (or his) identity was key to the magic he (or she) practiced, and responded to questions regarding it with riddles.

Tekupala served as one of the primary advisors to Empress Mariika, turning up out of the blue one evening shortly before she became Empress. For several years Tekupala served as the Archmage of Night, and made great use of the powers granted by that position to confound and disable the enemies of the Empire.

The mystic was the last person to see Empress Mariika alive, returning from the storm alone several years after they had departed. The Kallavesi would not speak of what had happened, and disappeared again shortly after returning Mariika's spear to her surviving family. Over the next two hundred years, a figure claiming to be Tekupala occasionally appears to offer cryptic advice. Although each time the figure looks entirely different, they maintain the tradition of concealing their true gender. Those who have studied the matter claim that these later Tekupala are most likely members of a secret society of magicians based out of the swamps of Kallavest.

[[Category:History]]
[[Category:The Throne]]

Imperial:TitleBar

2015-03-26T21:59:38Z

Tea:

* The Game
** [[Introduction to LRP]]
** --
** = About Empire =
** [[Game overview]]
** [[Getting involved|Getting Involved]]
** [[Battles]]
** [[Monstering]]
** [[Children]]
** --
** = Events =
** [[Events|Event List]]
** [[Upper Spernall Farm|Event Site]]
** [[Event information|Standard Event Details]]
** [[Sanctioned events|Sanctioned Events]]
** --
** = Crew =
** [[Profound Decisions management team|Event Management]]
** [[Crew guidelines|Crew Guidelines]]
** --
** = Resources =
** [[Traders]]
** [[Photography]]
** [[Costume]]
** --
** = Contact Details =
** [[Contact Profound Decisions|Contact Us]]
** [[Complaints procedure|Complaints Procedure]]
** [[Forums & Facebook]]
* Nations
** [[Nationality]]
** --
** [[The Brass Coast]]
** [[Dawn]]
** [[Highguard]]
** [[Imperial Orcs]]
** [[The League]]
** [[The Marches]]
** [[Navarr]]
** [[Urizen]]
** [[Varushka]]
** [[Wintermark]]
** --
** [[Costume advice|Costume Advice]]
** [[Music]]
** --
** [[Nation FAQ|FAQ]]
* The Empire
** [[Empire overview|Overview]]
** --
** = Imperial Structures =
** [[Imperial Senate|The Senate]]
** [[Imperial Synod|The Synod]]
** [[Imperial Military Council|The Military Council]]
** [[Imperial Conclave|The Conclave]]
** [[Imperial Bourse|The Bourse]]
** --
** [[The Throne]]
** --
** [[The Academy]]
** [[Imperial Sodality|Imperial Sodalities]]
** --
** [[Imperial law|Imperial Law]]
** [[Imperial history|Imperial History]]
** [[Imperial Elections]]
** [[Recent history|Recent History]]
** --
** [[Sentinel Gate|The Sentinel Gate]]
* The People
** = Species =
** [[Orc]]
** --
** =Lineage=
** [[Lineage overview|Overview]]
** [[Briar]]
** [[Cambion]]
** [[Changeling]]
** [[Draughir]]
** [[Merrow]]
** [[Naga]]
** --
** [[Lineage and species FAQ|FAQ]]
* Magic
** [[Spellcasting]]
** [[Rituals]]
** [[Magic items|Magic Items]]
** [[Potion|Herbs & Potions]]
** --
** = Imperial Magic =
** [[Ritual theory|Ritual Theory]]
** [[Magical tradition|Magical Traditions]]
** [[Hearth magic|Hearth Magic]]
** --
** = Cosmology =
** [[Eternal|Eternals]]
** [[Realm|Realms]]
** [[Regio]]
* Religion
** [[The Way|Overview]]
** --
** = The Seven Virtues =
** [[Ambition]]
** [[Courage]]
** [[Loyalty]]
** [[Pride]]
** [[Prosperity]]
** [[Vigilance]]
** [[Wisdom]]
** --
** [[Imperial Theology]]
* The World
** [[World overview|Overview]]
** --
** [[Maps]]
** [[Gazetteer]]
** --
** [[Realms]]
** [[Eternals]]
** [[Barbarians]]
** [[Foreign nations|Foreign Nations]]
** --
** [[Languages]]
** [[Pronunciation guide|Pronunciation Guide]]
** --
** [[Setting FAQ]]
* Rules
** = General Rules =
** [[Characters]]
** [[Playing the game|Playing the Game]]
** [[Referee|Referees & GOD]]
** [[Safety overview|Safety]]
** [[Downtime]]
** --
** = Core Rules =
** [[Combat]]
** [[Calls]]
** [[Weapons & armour|Weapons & Armour]]
** [[Magic]]
** [[Game items|Game Items]]
** [[Roleplaying effects|Roleplaying Effects]]
** --
** = Character Creation =
** [[Skills]]
** [[Bands]]
** [[Resource]]
** --
** [[Rules update 2015|Rules Update]]
** [[Frequently Asked Questions|FAQ]]

Imperial:TitleBar

2015-03-26T21:59:01Z

Tea:

* The Game
** [[Introduction to LRP]]
** --
** = About Empire =
** [[Game overview]]
** [[Getting involved|Getting Involved]]
** [[Battles]]
** [[Monstering]]
** [[Children]]
** --
** = Events =
** [[Events|Event List]]
** [[Upper Spernall Farm|Event Site]]
** [[Event information|Standard Event Details]]
** [[Sanctioned events|Sanctioned Events]]
** --
** = Crew =
** [[Profound Decisions management team|Event Management]]
** [[Crew guidelines|Crew Guidelines]]
** --
** = Resources =
** [[Traders]]
** [[Photography]]
** [[Costume]]
** --
** = Contact Details =
** [[Contact Profound Decisions|Contact Us]]
** [[Complaints procedure|Complaints Procedure]]
** [[Forums & Facebook]]
* Nations
** [[Nationality]]
** --
** [[The Brass Coast]]
** [[Dawn]]
** [[Highguard]]
** [[Imperial Orcs]]
** [[The League]]
** [[The Marches]]
** [[Navarr]]
** [[Urizen]]
** [[Varushka]]
** [[Wintermark]]
** --
** [[Costume advice|Costume Advice]]
** [[Music]]
** --
** [[Nation FAQ|FAQ]]
* The Empire
** [[Empire overview|Overview]]
** --
** = Imperial Structures =
** [[Imperial Senate|The Senate]]
** [[Imperial Synod|The Synod]]
** [[Imperial Military Council|The Military Council]]
** [[Imperial Conclave|The Conclave]]
** [[Imperial Bourse|The Bourse]]
** --
** [[The Throne]]
** --
** [[The Academy]]
** [[Imperial Sodality|Imperial Sodalities]]
** --
** [[Imperial law|Imperial Law]]
** [[Imperial history|Imperial History]]
** [[Imperial Elections]]
** [[Recent history|Recent History]]
** --
** [[Sentinel Gate|The Sentinel Gate]]
* The People
** = Species =
** [[Orc]]
** --
** =Lineage=
** [[Lineage overview|Overview]]
** [[Briar]]
** [[Cambion]]
** [[Changeling]]
** [[Draughir]]
** [[Merrow]]
** [[Naga]]
** --
** [[Lineage and species FAQ|FAQ]]
* Magic
** [[Spellcasting]]
** [[Rituals]]
** [[Magic items|Magic Items]]
** [[Potion|Herbs & Potions]]
** --
** = Imperial Magic =
** [[Ritual theory|Ritual Theory]]
** [[Magical tradition|Magical Traditions]]
** [[Hearth magic|Heath Magic]]
** --
** = Cosmology =
** [[Eternal|Eternals]]
** [[Realm|Realms]]
** [[Regio]]
* Religion
** [[The Way|Overview]]
** --
** = The Seven Virtues =
** [[Ambition]]
** [[Courage]]
** [[Loyalty]]
** [[Pride]]
** [[Prosperity]]
** [[Vigilance]]
** [[Wisdom]]
** --
** [[Imperial Theology]]
* The World
** [[World overview|Overview]]
** --
** [[Maps]]
** [[Gazetteer]]
** --
** [[Realms]]
** [[Eternals]]
** [[Barbarians]]
** [[Foreign nations|Foreign Nations]]
** --
** [[Languages]]
** [[Pronunciation guide|Pronunciation Guide]]
** --
** [[Setting FAQ]]
* Rules
** = General Rules =
** [[Characters]]
** [[Playing the game|Playing the Game]]
** [[Referee|Referees & GOD]]
** [[Safety overview|Safety]]
** [[Downtime]]
** --
** = Core Rules =
** [[Combat]]
** [[Calls]]
** [[Weapons & armour|Weapons & Armour]]
** [[Magic]]
** [[Game items|Game Items]]
** [[Roleplaying effects|Roleplaying Effects]]
** --
** = Character Creation =
** [[Skills]]
** [[Bands]]
** [[Resource]]
** --
** [[Rules update 2015|Rules Update]]
** [[Frequently Asked Questions|FAQ]]

Holberg

2015-03-25T18:47:08Z

Tea: /* OOC Notes */

{{stub}}
<quote>Build strong city walls and the world must come to you - and it ''will'' come to you, if only to marvel at your walls.</quote>
{{CaptionedImage|file=HolbergRegions.png|title=The land may have fallen but the city endures|caption=Regions of Holberg|align=left|width=459|height=479}}

==Overview==
Holberg joined the League in 136YE under a riot of political strife in the Senate. The lands that surrounded the city were under the control of barbarian orcs until they were driven back in an epic five year war of conquest by Dawnish nobles and forces loyal to them. But Holberg itself was never conquered; the city was protected by a dozen high walls and the Dawnish armies had little taste for a lengthy siege. When the city was convinced to side with the Empire by League diplomats, it also successfully requested the Senate assign the territory to the League. Dawnish senators were incandescent with fury but there was nothing they could do and Holberg became the prosperous fourth city of the League.

In the decades that followed Holberg grew rich and prosperous. The lands around the city possessed a rich agricultural heritage, well known for their fine vineyards.

==Recent History==
In 346YE, however, barbarians attacked the territory, sacked the vineyards, burnt the hardwood groves so precious to the city's crossbow makers, and laid siege to the walled city. The Senate remained paralyzed throughout this time, unable to secure funding and forces to raise the siege and in the end the territory was lost to the orcs and remains under Orc rule to this day.

By early 377YE, the [[fortifications|walls of Holberg]] were in a sorry state. The [[Imperial Senate]] [[Build Holberg defences|passed a motion]] to supply emergency aid to the citizens of the city, following a plan suggested by the master engineer Rhiner Van Hesselman. Money and resources supplied to the city allowed for emergency repairs to be made to the walls, while herbs and medical supplies helped to counter the insidious effects of [[Druj]] poisons. Despite the fact that the city was under siege, heroic action meant that the defences were restored to full strength.

In Summer 378YE, the defenders had been [[378YE_Summer_Solstice_winds_of_war#The_Siege_of_Holmauer|forced back to defensive positions]] within the upper city. The Druj, made overconfident by earlier victories, pressed their advantage in Autumn ... with [[378YE_Autumn_Equinox_winds_of_war#The_Walls_of_Holfried|disastrous consequences for the barbarians]].

<box>'''Is Holberg cursed?'''<br>[[Empress Giselle]] met her end here and [[Emperor Hugh]] spent much of his reign trying to get support to retake the city. Some claim that when [[Empress Britta]] decided to concentrate her efforts on the western Empire it was as much due to her belief in the curse as it was about any amount of residual nationalism. According to the scandalous [[Sarvos|Sarvosian]] novel ''The Waters of Rebeshof'', the curse was the work of a [[Weirwater]] [[weaver cabal]] seeking vengeance for the humiliation of the Dawnish. No evidence to support these scurrilous claims has ever come to light.</box>

==Major Features ==
{{CaptionedImage|file=HolbergDefender.jpg|title=The walls of Holberg will not fall.|caption=The League has never abandoned Holberg.|align=right|width=250}}
===The City of Holberg===
Holberg itself has not yet fallen. Famous for its engineers, builders and architects, the city is immensely fortified and defenders still hold out to this day. The only approach to the city that remains viable is through a narrow pass that leads over the mountains and into Dawn. The remnants of the ''Towerjacks'' [[The League military concerns#Imperial armies|army]] serve as a de facto garrison in Holberg, but every year their situation becomes worse. Citizens from Holberg clamour for the territory to be reclaimed, and press for the siege to be broken and the territory retaken. Unfortunately, while the city itself is still intact, the territory of Holberg is no longer under Imperial control so the city has lost their Senate seat until it can be reclaimed. The League lays part of the problem in regaining Holberg at the feet of the Dawnish. They claim that Dawnish Senators use every excuse to focus attention elsewhere, and Dawnish Generals actively resist plans that would allow the recapture of the city. Even the Empress seemed unable to break the deadlock.

Despite the currently tenuous situation, Holberg remains a vital part of the League. The city is notorious for its inventive brilliance, its ability to think of ingenious solutions to problems. Holberg invented the crossbow, but it is not inventions it is known for, so much as the ability of the inhabitants to use what they have to find solutions never before seen. Many Holberghians see life as a complex puzzle, one for which they are seeking the solution. They do not respect flights of fancy - but these people have found ways to build a city on a mountainside. They are utterly pragmatic but ingenious with it.

There is also an emphasis on learning and study that is found nowhere else in the Empire outside Urizen. Holberg already had its own university when it joined the League, something the other cities soon copied. It does not have great libraries to rival Urizen or Highguard but it is a centre of excellence for tutelage, particularly in practical skills like engineering and surgery. There have been several free companies from Holberg whose reputation as siege engineers was unrivalled throughout the Empire. Holberg gives the League a scholarly excellence that allows it to hold its own with rival nations like Urizen - they may not be able to retake the lowlands without help from the Empire, but they have ensured that the city will not fall.

=== The Great Pits of Ennerlund ===

The Great Pits of [[#Ennerlund|Ennerlund]] were rightly famous for the impressive application of ingenious League engineering. Dug dangerously close to the bounds of the [[#The Morass|Morass]] the mithril mine was kept dry by mechanised pumps. The pits were lost when Holberg was overrun and the mine - and its bounty of mithril - is still in the hands of the Druj barbarians - although how well they have maintained the machinery that prevents the mine from flooding is unknown at this time.

The Pits were an Imperial [[Imperial Bourse#The Great Pits of Ennerlund|Bourse]] position which produced mithril. Under Imperial control this Bourse position produced 27 Imperial wains of mithril every season. It is not currently being auctioned.

==Regions==

===Holfried===
This is where the great fortified city of '''Holberg''' stands. It is one of the greatest fortifications in the Empire but has been besieged by hostile barbarians for a little over thirty years. Holfried is the only region in the territory that is in the hands of the Empire as of Winter, 377YE. ('''OOC Note:''' The walls of Holberg are a rank 2 [[Fortifications|fortification]]).<br><br>In Spring 378YE the Imperial Senate arranged the creation of a cemetary at the foot of the southern wall. Marcher soil and apple trees were imported and watered with waters taken from streams in [[Mitwold]], [[Upwold]] and [[Bregasland]].<br>
'''Keywords:''' City

===Holmauer===
The sprawling suburbs of Holmauer are a region unto themselves. Outside the walls of Holberg proper, they have been devastated by decades of war, cannibalised by the barbarians to build fortifications of their own. Makeshift barricades gave way to increasingly sophisticated fortresses, and then to rubble. The walls of Holauer finally ceased to be a consideration in the Autumn of 378YE - a shattered casualty of the ebb and flow of battle against the Druj.<br>
'''Keywords:''' Ruins

===Misericorde===
The northernmost region of Holberg, these dark forests were once a haunt of bandits and brigands – the bandit “warlord” Graffler made his base of operations here – and have a poor reputation as a result.<br>
'''Keywords:''' Forested

===Utterlund===
The forests of Utterlund are tamer than those of Misericorde. At one time they served as a hunting preserve and the were the site of several cultivated [[Forest|woodland preserves]] that produced valuable [[Materials#Natural_Materials|raw materials]] for use in several industries. Owned and worked by local people, many forest workers are still in the area, enslaved by the barbarian.<br>
'''Keywords:''' Forested

===Ennerlund===
The [[#Great Pits of Ennerlund|Great Pits]] can be found here. Most of the region as dotted with light woodland, although great swathes of it have been clear-cut by loggers and by labourers associated with the mithril mind - indeed the area directly surrounding the mineworks was entirely stripped of trees long ago and is sometimes referred to as the "Ennerlund Wastes".

===Rebeshof===
A wide plain, now dominated by an unsightly fortification built over the last several decades by the orc invaders with looted stone. Human slaves are used to work the remaining farms here, providing food to their conquerors. ('''OOC Note:''' The fortress at Rebeshof is a rank 1 [[Fortifications|fortification]]).

===The Morass===
In the past, the Morass has been partially drained. Since the territory of Holberg fell the waters have risen and the swampy land expanded, turning most of the region back into boggy marsh and drowning a great many [[farm|farms]] that once exploited the naturally fertile soil of the reclaimed land. There have been several reports of [[marshwalkers]] in the last decade although whether these are natural creatures or part of the Druj forces is unclear - the Druj will be sure to exploit them given the chance, however.<br>'''Keywords:''' Marsh

==OOC Notes==
* As of the beginning of Spring, 378YE the Empire controls the region of Holfried, while the Druj control the rest of the territory.
* Holfried is a level two [[fortifications|fortification]], while Rebeshof is a level one fortification.
* The level one fortification at Holmauer was destroyed in Autumn 378YE, along with the last remaining coherent structures in Holmauer.

[[Category:The League]]
[[Category:Gazetteer]]

Arcane projection

2015-03-25T18:12:32Z

Tea: /* Magnitude */ Removing example after grand conjunction changed the world.

==Overview==
It is possible to create a magical effect without performing a formulaic ritual. Creating an impromptu magical effect is commonly referred to as performing ''spontaneous magic'' or less correctly as a ''spontaneous ritual''. It is not possible to master a spontaneous magic effect, and it is both more difficult and more costly than performing an equivalent [[formulaic ritual]] that is part of Imperial Lore. The advantage of spontaneous magic is the wide flexibility it gives a coven or master magician. With it, they can perform unique feats and explore the boundaries of magical theory.

Unlike a formulaic ritual, spontaneous magic is very rough-and-ready. A formulaic ritual has been carefully tested, and incorporates techniques and shortcuts designed to make the magic eaiser to cast and less taxing in terms of crystal mana. No such benefit exists when performing a spontaneous ritual. Many formulaic rituals include options such as using [[Splendid_Panoply_of_Knighthood#Options|orichalcum in place of crystal mana]] or [[Fetid_Breath_of_Teeming_Plague#Option|beggar's lye to reduce the magnitude]]. This is not possible with spontaneous magic; likewise, it is impossible to use [[ilium]] to [[Ilium#Using_Ilium_in_Rituals|to make a ritual effect permanent]].

It is not possible to simply create a spontaneous effect. Significant preparation is required during which a magician explores various theories, considers the techniques used to create other similar rituals, and tries to take into account the many variables that might effect the flow of magic during an impromptu performance. By using crystal mana, the magician can test their theories and eventually work out a rough-and-ready method for creating the ritual effect they are seeking. The result of these painstaking calculations is a [[#arcane projection|arcane projection]].
{{CaptionedImage|file=Winter_Ritual.jpg|align=right|title=A Winter Coven, Autumn Equinox, 378YE|caption=Winter magic from a Kallevesa coven|width=450}}

==Arcane Projection==
*'''An arcane projection is a set of notes that describe a plan for a spontaneous magic effect'''
*'''Only the magician or coven that has a projection can attempt the effect'''
*'''The projection is only valid for the remainder of the event'''
*'''You cannot request an arcane projection by email'''
An arcane projection is a set of notes that contains all the information needed to attempt to create a spontaneous magic effect. The projection is essential for completing the magic; only the magician or coven that has possession of the projection can attempt the spontaneous effect described. The contributors must still have sufficient ranks to perform the effect, the projection merely allows them to make the attempt.

An arcane projection must incorporate numerous hearth magic effects beyond the magicians' control, such as magical tides, the seasons and the constellations. Because of this necessity, a projection is only useful for a single event, and must be calculated at the event. By the time a season has passed, too many factors have changed and a new projection must be prepared if the magician wishes to attempt the magic at another event.

A projection is similar to a ritual text but is usually less detailed. It contains all the rules for performing the effect, but does not usually include descriptive text or in-character commentary. Because of the similarities, it is possible to use a ritual text in place of an arcane projection to perform the described effect spontaneously if no-one present has mastered the formulaic ritual.

For logistical reasons, you cannot request an arcane projection by email - you must speak to a referee at an event.

==Preparing an Arcane Projection==
*'''It takes one mana and several hours to create an arcane projection'''
*'''You must speak to a senior referee to make a projection'''
*'''A senior referee will be available in GOD at set times'''
*'''If the effect is possible, the referee will you what realm and magnitude it will be'''
Preparing an arcane projection is an arduous and expensive task that can only be attempted by
a magician who has one or more [[Magical_skills#Ritual_Magic|ranks in a realm]]. The magician must use their magical skills to calculate the magnitude of the effect they are trying to create. To do this requires the magician to use the power of a mana crystal.

It is possible to prepare more than one arcane projection at a time, or to prepare several possible variations of an effect, but each variation is considered to be its own projection; you must spend one mana crystal for each projection you wish to create.

You will need to speak to a senior referee (usually Graeme Jamieson) to prepare an arcane projection. A referee will be available to handle new requests and return completed projections at set times throughout the event. These times are:

<row-fluid>
<span6>
<table class="wikitable">
<tr><th colspan="3">Three Day Event</th></tr>
<tr><th>Friday</th><th>Saturday</th><th>Sunday</th></tr>
<tr><td>16:00 - 17:00<br>21:30 - 22:30</td>
<td>09:30 - 10:30<br>16:00 - 17:00<br>21:30 - 22:30</td>
<td>09:30 - 10:30</td></tr>
</table>
</span6>
<span6>
<table class="wikitable" >
<tr><th colspan="4">Four Day Event</th></tr>
<tr><th>Friday</th><th>Saturday</th><th>Sunday</th><th>Monday</th></tr>
<tr><td>16:00 - 17:00<br>21:30 - 22:30</td>
<td>09:30 - 10:30<br>16:00 - 17:00<br>21:30 - 22:30</td>
<td>09:30 - 10:30<br>16:00 - 17:00<br>21:30 - 22:30</td>
<td>09:30 - 10:30</td></tr>
</table>
</span6>
</row-fluid>

The referee will talk you to about the spontaneous effect that you are trying to create and the realm you are trying to use to do it. If the effect is possible they will calculate the level and magnitude of the magic that you need to achieve to create the effect and give you this as an arcane projection at the next scheduled time. If you ask for help with an arcane projection outside these hours and our senior referees are not busy they will try to help you, but if they are busy doing anything - including taking a break - then you will be asked to pop back at the official hours. Our senior referees are '''always''' busy on Friday of an event.

In-character this period reflects the time required to perform the calculations needed for the projection. Out-of-character it gives our referee team the time they need to calculate the realm and magnitude of your ritual effect.

===Details Required===
*'''It helps significantly if you provide a good in-character description of what you are attempting'''
*'''It helps significantly if you provide a good description of what you would like the rules outcome to be'''
*'''If you leave either element out, we will make them up'''
*'''It does not help at all to provide the magnitude you think it will be'''
When you are planning a spontaneous magic effect, it is a significant help if you provide a good in-character description of what your character or coven would like to attempt. It is just as helpful if you provide a clear explanation of what you would like the out-of-character rules outcome to be. If you don't provide either of these two details then our team will make them up, and if they are very different to the ideals you had but didn't tell us this could result in an arcane projection that is not useful to you.

You cannot specify what magnitude you want the spontaneous effect to be. It is the job of the senior referee to calculate the level of magnitude required. It is helpful to state what [[realm]] of magic you want to use to perform the effect, or if you have a choice of realms that you could attempt it with. Many magical effects are best produced with a single realm and some effects cannot be produced at all with the wrong realm. The senior referee will try to help you pick the best realm to perform the magic with if you have a choice.

==Divination==
*'''Some divination results provide enough information to create a ritual projection'''
In some rare cases a divination will provide enough insight into a subject to allow an arcane projection to be created without the normal preparation. For example, a coven might examine a patch of enchanted mushrooms with [[Clear Lens of the Eternal River]] and learn that they could perform a Magnitude 5 Winter ritual to quickly destroy all the fungi. The referee will give them an arcane projection to reflect this knowledge; without the need to spend any additional crystal mana or hours of preparation.

These special circumstances are always very narrow and specific. The coven should not assume they could use this spontaneous magic to destroy other magical plant life, for example. In all cases, the arcane projection remains valid only until the end of the event.

==Magnitude==
*'''All spontaneous magic effects have a magnitude at least 50% higher than an equivalent ritual'''
*'''You cannot master a spontaneous magic effect'''
Spontaneous magic effects are expensive and difficult to create. The magnitude of any spontaneous effect is at least 50% higher than an equivalent formulaic ritual that is part of Imperial Lore.

{{Magician Links}}

[[Category:Rules]]
[[Category:Magic]]
[[Category:Rituals]]

File:MaesterNiccolo.jpg

2015-03-02T16:17:24Z

Tea: Typo fixes

Maestro Niccolo of the Four Rivers Theatre Troupe (as portrayed by Thomas Sanders)

[[Category:Photos:TomGarnett]] [[:Category:Photos:TomGarnett|Image by Tom Garnett]]

Coil of the Black Leech

2015-02-24T14:48:36Z

Tea: /* Description */

==Rules==
{{Season|Winter|10}}
===Performing the Ritual===
{{Casting time|2}} {{Target Character}} The target character must possess the [[Magical skills#Magician|magician]] skill.

{{enchantment}}

===Effects===

Whenever the target casts the [[weakness]] spell and strikes a target, they immediately regain up to three lost hits. The ritual does not grant the target any ability to ''cast'' the weakness spell.

While under this [[enchantment]], the target experiences a [[roleplaying effect]]: whenever they gain hits due to this enchantment, they feel a rush of pleasure. Once they have used this ability once, they feel a constant urge to use it again even when they are not injured, and in full knowledge that doing so will weaken them in turn.

{{Season Duration}}

===Additional Targets===
This ritual can affect additional characters from the same [[Groups#Covens|coven]]. Each additional character increases the magnitude by 8. Additional characters must be present throughout.

==Description==

This vampiric ritual takes advantage of the way the [[weakness]] spell works to revitalize the caster when they strike a foe. It brings with it a dangerous, gnawing hunger to experience the pleasant taste of another's strength. Targets are often advised to seek out a priest to [[Religious skills#Exorcism|remove]] the tainted hunger that accompanies the [[enchantment]]. A cautionary tale suggests that the twisted, accursed leech-priests of the [[Sarcophan Delves]] were created using a variant of this ritual, or fell into the clutches of an Eternal of Winter after their reliance on this magic became too pronounced.

This enchantment is sometimes coupled with the use of a [[Wendigo's Bargain]] or similar enchanted implement. The magic also has an obvious synergy with the [[Splintering Gorget]] [[Weapons & Armour#Mage Armour|mage armour]].

==Common Elements==
When performing this ritual, the coven often invokes leeches, bats and other creatures that feed on the blood of the living. They may shed blood into a goblet of sweet wine for the target to drink, or offer gifts or tokens that represent the power to take strength from others. The runes [[Kyrop]] and [[Naeve]] are commonly evoked, and some magicians favour the name of [[Wendigo]] or even [[Sorin]] (whose philosophy of growth through suffering seems a peripheral match for this ritual).
[[Category:Winter Ritual]]
[[Category:Rituals]]

Entangle

2015-02-24T13:52:35Z

Tea: /* Casting */ - Fixing cost error

{{stub}}
==Description==
This spell binds the target, preventing them from moving their feet for a short period.
==Casting==
{{Offensive Spell|1}}

==Effects==
You may call [[Calls#ENTANGLE|ENTANGLE]] against the target struck by your [[Weapons & armour#Implements|implement]].

Entangle makes it impossible for the target to move their feet for ten seconds. They may otherwise move and fight normally.

==Sample Spellcasting Vocals==
* "Hirmok's grasp hold you still - ENTANGLE!"
* "I call upon the Door and close it behind you - ENTANGLE!"
* "I have you now, snared in my web of magic - ENTANGLE!"
* "By my might, I command the tides of battle - ENTANGLE!"

==Common Elements==
* '''Rune Magic:''' [[Hirmok]] is the quintessential Rune used to cast this spell, as the magician dominates the target's movement. A magician prone to showing off might make some grand gesture as she invokes [[Feresh]] or [[Verys]], controlling the flow of battle with her magic.
* '''Astronomancy:''' The crushing weight of [[The Mountain]] is often invoked to hold the target as if by a great weight, and "closing [[The Door]]" may be used to prevent the target from fleeing or advancing.
* '''Dramaturgy:''' [[The Prince]] is sometimes invoked to command the target to remain still, though [[The Bishop]] may be argued to have more authority. Rarely, [[The Mountebank]] may be invoked, trapping the target as the trickster character ensnares her mark before moving in for the kill.
* '''Other traditions:''' A [[Dawn|Dawnish]] witch might echo the enervating roar of the [[Legendary_beasts#Chimera|chimera]] when casting this spell, and a [[Navarr|Navarri]] [[Navarr_magical_traditions|Vate]] might invoke the Great Dance - stopping the target in their tracks, or making them miss a crucial step.
* '''Realms:''' This spell has a strong connection with the lore of the Autumn realm.
[[Category:Spells]]

Banner of the Bold

2015-02-18T20:08:28Z

Tea: /* Rules */

{{CaptionedImage|file= ExarchsStandard.jpg|title=The banner of Adina's Charge, a memorial for the dead carried into battle by the living.|align=right|width=500|caption=Each ribbon a name of the fallen, tied with a bell.}}
==Description==
The intricate needlework required to embroider a banner of the bold is time consuming in the extreme. Trace amounts of [[Materials#Dragonbone|dragonbone]] and [[Materials#Iridescent Gloaming|iridescent gloaming]] are used to trim and reinforce the sturdy cloth of the standard, but it is the intricate designs worked into the fabric itself that provide most of the magic. In truth at least some of the effect is likely to be a placebo - any unit of fighting men and women benefits from the presence of their own standard - but the true potency of this banner becomes clear when the soldiers are exposed to auras of fear and dread such as those produced by some horrors or [[Eternals]], or built by enemies of the Empire to protect key areas.

As with most magical banners, a banner of the bold bears the appropriate symbols for the heraldry or livery of the soldiers who will use it. This means that the banners are most often made for commission, although some [[Crafting skills#Artisan|artisans]] focus their attention on producing fine blank canvases which can be embroidered or painted with appropriate symbols after they have been sold.

A banner of the bold often bears the runes [[Feresh]] or [[Tykonus]] worked into the banner pole, or embroidered around the edge. Some banners, especially those made by [[Dawn|Dawnish]] [[Dawn magical traditions#Weavers|weaver cabals]] use the intricate [[Summer]] sigil, carefully worked in thin silver or gold thread into the reverse of the flag proper.

==Rules==
{{Magical Standards}}
* '''Effect:''' Any character bonded to this banner who is exposed to a roleplaying effect that creates fear can respond by becoming resolute and brave instead (as if they had spent a [[Heroic skills#Hero Points|hero point]]).
* '''Materials:''' Crafting a banner of the bold requires no special materials. It takes two months to make one of these items.

<ic>It is said that the General Halmerad always insisted on having his command banner unfurled and present when he was due to appear before the Empress Varkula. This was, of course, a sign of martial respect, and not - as has been scandalously suggested by certain other scholars - an indication that he in any way feared his beloved monarch...</ic>

Spellcasting

2015-02-12T14:16:01Z

Tea: /* Regular Spells */ Edited for phrasing and clarification.

==Overview==
A magician is any character that purchases the [[Magical_skills#Magician|magician]] skill. Becoming a magician allows a character to cast spells, and with additional study they can master the [[Magical_skills#Ritual_Magic|realm lores]] that allow them to perform powerful and versatile [[rituals]]. Like artistic ability, command of magic is both a talent and a skill - some people are born with a natural knack for working magic, while others develop their ability to weave spells through hard work and long hours of study. Even a natural talent needs help chanelling and honing their power, however - there are many stories of prodigies who lack the ability to control their magic properly causing minor magical mishaps.

In the Empire it is common for a magician to learn their art studying with a more experienced mentor. It is theoretically possible to be "self taught" however - there are libraries and tomes that lay out magical law in all the nations.

Every magician, no matter where in the world they originate, learns three common spells (sometimes called ''cantrips'' in the Empire): [[detect magic]], [[operate portal]] and [[create bond]]. These versatile utility spells allow a magician to perform a number of functions, and serve as the foundation for all other magical ability. These spells are only the beginning however - with additional study a magician can master more incantations that allow them to channel their personal magic to [[heal]] their allies, [[repel]] their foes and even [[voice for the dead|grant the recently departed the ability to speak to the living]].

In addition, every magician knows how to wield [[Weapons & Armour#Wands|wands]] and [[Weapons & Armour#Rods|rods]]. These implements are to the magician what swords and axes are to the warrior, or medicines and bandages to the [[Surgical skills#Physick|physick]]. Their main use is to channel and unleash martial incantations, but even the most peaceful magician can benefit from bonding a magical implement to enhance their ability to work magic.

Finally, some magicians focus their magical study towards battlefield applications. These brave individuals are called [[Magical skills#Battle Mage|battle mages]] and they learn to channel their power through [[Weapons & Armour#Staffs|staffs]] and attune themselves to special [[Weapons & Armour#Mage Armour|armour]] designed specifically to protect magicians while leaving them free to perform magic. This last is especially valuable to magicians who go into dangerous situations; mundane armour prevents the casting of even the simplest spell.

==Spellcasting==
*'''Every magician starts with four personal mana every day'''
*'''You must expend personal mana or crystalized mana to cast a spell'''
*'''You cannot cast spells while wearing armour'''
*'''All spells require vocals clearly audible to everyone within a few metres'''
Any character that purchases the magician skill has four personal mana and is able to cast [[create bond]], [[detect magic]] or [[operate portal]]. Each time a character purchases an [[Magical_skills#Extra_Spell|extra spell]] they must choose one additional spell from the [[spellcasting]] list.

Your character may also use crystalized mana to cast spells; a single crystal can be used to cast any single spell.

Your personal mana replenishes overnight.

All spell vocals require appropriate roleplaying which must include spell vocals in a clear voice audible to everyone within a few metres of you. All spells are one of two types, regular spells or offensive spells.
<table class="wikitable" style="width:250px; float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;">
<tr><th>Regular Spells</th><th>Mana Cost</th></tr>
<tr><td>[[Create bond]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Detect magic]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Operate portal]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Heal]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Mend]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Night pouch]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Purify]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Restore limb]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Voice for the dead]]</td><td>2</td></tr>
</table>
==Regular Spells==
*'''Require at least ten seconds of appropriate roleplaying'''
*'''You must be capable of touching the target with the casting hand throughout the casting of the spell'''
*'''The spell fails if you or your target are hit or attack another character during spellcasting'''
To cast a regular spell you must complete at least ten seconds of appropriate roleplaying including spell vocals, and the use of one hand. You must be able to touch the target with your casting hand throughout the casting of the spell.

If you or your target attacks another character or either of you are hit then the spell fails. Your mana is not lost but you must begin the spell again.

==Offensive Spells==
<table class="wikitable" style="width:250px; float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;">
<tr><th>Offensive Spells</th><th>Mana Cost</th></tr>
<tr><td>[[Empower]]</td><td>2</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Entangle]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Paralysis]]</td><td>2</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Purge]]</td><td>2</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Repel]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Swift heal]]</td><td>2</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Venom]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
<tr><td>[[Weakness]]</td><td>1</td></tr>
</table>
*'''Require a few words of appropriate roleplaying'''
*'''Require you to hit the target with an implement, a wand, rod or staff'''
To cast an offensive spell you must utter a few words of appropriate roleplaying including spell vocals while you strike or touch your target with a wand, rod or staff. You cannot cast an offensive spell without using a suitable [[Weapons & armour#implements|implement]].

If you deliver an offensive melee strike to touch the target with your implement then the target also loses one global hit. You should always assume that your opponent has wounded you in this way unless their roleplaying clearly indicates otherwise.

Offensive spells are not interrupted or lost if you are attacked. For spells other than [[venom]] or [[weakness]] you do not lose the mana if it is clear that the [[calls|target has not taken the effect]].

{{Magic Links}}

[[Category:Magic]]
[[Category:Rules]]