Possibility days - Revision history

Twiggy at 15:19, 19 March 2026

2026-03-19T15:19:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:19, 19 March 2026
Line 18:		Line 18:
	"There is a camp at the base of the hill," she explained. "Food and water. From there we can take you to Anduz. You're safe now."		"There is a camp at the base of the hill," she explained. "Food and water. From there we can take you to Anduz. You're safe now."

	"Safe? In the Brass Coast?" The woman laughed, harshly. A rumble went through the group behind her. An angry rumble.. "Is that what you told the slaves of Arbonne?"		"Safe? In the Brass Coast?" The woman laughed, harshly. A rumble went through the group behind her. An angry rumble... "Is that what you told the slaves of Arbonne?"

	Now the face of Jaliella i Erigo matched that of the Suranni woman opposite her, but she still sought to defuse the situation.		Now the face of Jaliella i Erigo matched that of the Suranni woman opposite her, but she still sought to defuse the situation.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

2026-01-15T16:46:38Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:46, 15 January 2026
Line 62:		Line 62:
	* '''Several hundred Suranni magicians and their families have found safety in Imperial territory'''		* '''Several hundred Suranni magicians and their families have found safety in Imperial territory'''
	* '''There has been no sign of any diplomatic incident as a consequence'''		* '''There has been no sign of any diplomatic incident as a consequence'''
	The [[~~Imperial~~ Conclave]] accepted the offer of the [[Sadogua\|Brother of Wizards]]. The [[Celestial Arch]] arranged the [[endowment]] of a [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Conclave_sessions#Endowment:_Mana_to_Sadogua\|significant amount of crystal mana]] from the font to the eternal, to be [[Shake_it_off#A_Lot_Of_Mana\|used to help the Suranni wizards reach sanctuary]]. The ''Celestial Eclipse'' coven of [[the League]] raised [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil\|Penumbral Veils]] over [[Madruga]] and [[Segura]] which the ''Eater of Secrets'' seized and wove into a wall of drifting fog that now covers the south-western borders of the Empire, hiding those who pass through it from any Iron Confederacy pursuers. The Celestial Arch also [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Conclave_sessions#Concord:_Suranni_magicians\|urged the Empire's magicians]] to [[Shake_it_off#A_Properly_Safe_Haven\|accept the refugee wizards]], and the Imperial Conclave [[concord\|concurred]].		The [[Conclave]] accepted the offer of the [[Sadogua\|Brother of Wizards]]. The [[Celestial Arch]] arranged the [[endowment]] of a [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Conclave_sessions#Endowment:_Mana_to_Sadogua\|significant amount of crystal mana]] from the font to the eternal, to be [[Shake_it_off#A_Lot_Of_Mana\|used to help the Suranni wizards reach sanctuary]]. The ''Celestial Eclipse'' coven of [[the League]] raised [[Drawing the Penumbral Veil\|Penumbral Veils]] over [[Madruga]] and [[Segura]] which the ''Eater of Secrets'' seized and wove into a wall of drifting fog that now covers the south-western borders of the Empire, hiding those who pass through it from any Iron Confederacy pursuers. The Celestial Arch also [[384YE_Winter_Solstice_Conclave_sessions#Concord:_Suranni_magicians\|urged the Empire's magicians]] to [[Shake_it_off#A_Properly_Safe_Haven\|accept the refugee wizards]], and the Imperial Conclave [[concord\|concurred]].

	The net result of all this hard work is that by all reports several hundred Suranni wizards and their families have fled the [[Iron Confederacy]] by land and sea over the last few months, and successfully made their escape to Imperial territory. So effective were the Conclave that there is (currently) no indication the Suranni authorities know what has happened - no international incident has raised its ugly head. As long as nobody with [[Ambassador_to_the_Iron_Confederacy\|the authority to speak to the Iron Confederacy on behalf of the Empire]] tells them what has happened, the Conclave ''should'' get away with it.		The net result of all this hard work is that by all reports several hundred Suranni wizards and their families have fled the [[Iron Confederacy]] by land and sea over the last few months, and successfully made their escape to Imperial territory. So effective were the Conclave that there is (currently) no indication the Suranni authorities know what has happened - no international incident has raised its ugly head. As long as nobody with [[Ambassador_to_the_Iron_Confederacy\|the authority to speak to the Iron Confederacy on behalf of the Empire]] tells them what has happened, the Conclave ''should'' get away with it.

Dre at 21:34, 6 May 2025

2025-05-06T21:34:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:34, 6 May 2025
Line 72:		Line 72:
	This welcome does, however, make clear three of the problems the Suranni wizards represent. The first is that the majority of them are very, very scared of priests. Attempts to explain that the priests of the Way are not monsters, and will not execute them, are made worse by the tendency of some of the wizards to panic as soon as they are faced with religious people. It's not that they dislike the virtues - once they are explained to them many of these magicians quickly see the appeal. The problem is that they associate priests and organised religion with persecution. Worse, all of these people were raised in the Iron Confederacy. While most of them know that magic and liao ceremonies do not come from some capering villain, a number of them still accept the [[Suranni pantheon]], and have a particular fear of [[liao]] as a gift of [[Suranni_pantheon#Dumon_the_Liar.2C_the_Wicked_One\|Dumon the liar]].		This welcome does, however, make clear three of the problems the Suranni wizards represent. The first is that the majority of them are very, very scared of priests. Attempts to explain that the priests of the Way are not monsters, and will not execute them, are made worse by the tendency of some of the wizards to panic as soon as they are faced with religious people. It's not that they dislike the virtues - once they are explained to them many of these magicians quickly see the appeal. The problem is that they associate priests and organised religion with persecution. Worse, all of these people were raised in the Iron Confederacy. While most of them know that magic and liao ceremonies do not come from some capering villain, a number of them still accept the [[Suranni pantheon]], and have a particular fear of [[liao]] as a gift of [[Suranni_pantheon#Dumon_the_Liar.2C_the_Wicked_One\|Dumon the liar]].

	They're also from a country where attracting the attention of the authorities or the "powers that be" most likely meant either imprisonment or more likely execution. As such the majority are frightened by anyone in heavy armour, especially if that armour is surmounted by ~~heraldric~~ devices. Essentially, many of them get nervous and anxious around knights of Dawn, Highguard cataphracts, armoured Marchers... people of that nature. Mostly they try to get away, but on at least one occasion the "flight or fight" instinct has ~~lead~~ to an immediate attack. These misunderstandings are sorted out without anyone being killed, thanks to the intervention of the Imperial magicians, but it could have been a lot worse. For similar reasons, they are ''very'' reticent about cooperating with the magistrates or the militia. The magistrates remind many of them of the [[Suranni_pantheon#Arav_the_Judge.2C_Maiden_of_Silence\|priests of Arav]] who seek out rogue magicians, and the militia are all-too-reminiscent of the ''lawgivers'' who hunt followers of Dumon.		They're also from a country where attracting the attention of the authorities or the "powers that be" most likely meant either imprisonment or more likely execution. As such the majority are frightened by anyone in heavy armour, especially if that armour is surmounted by heraldic devices. Essentially, many of them get nervous and anxious around knights of Dawn, Highguard cataphracts, armoured Marchers... people of that nature. Mostly they try to get away, but on at least one occasion the "flight or fight" instinct has led to an immediate attack. These misunderstandings are sorted out without anyone being killed, thanks to the intervention of the Imperial magicians, but it could have been a lot worse. For similar reasons, they are ''very'' reticent about cooperating with the magistrates or the militia. The magistrates remind many of them of the [[Suranni_pantheon#Arav_the_Judge.2C_Maiden_of_Silence\|priests of Arav]] who seek out rogue magicians, and the militia are all-too-reminiscent of the ''lawgivers'' who hunt followers of Dumon.

	Which brings up the second problem. Some of these wizards are almost certainly adherents of the Hand of Dumon. Indeed, the more a Suranni is at ease with the idea of the virtues and the use of liao, the more likely they are to be a member of that infamous - and [[Criminalize Hand of Dumon\|illegal]] - cult.		Which brings up the second problem. Some of these wizards are almost certainly adherents of the Hand of Dumon. Indeed, the more a Suranni is at ease with the idea of the virtues and the use of liao, the more likely they are to be a member of that infamous - and [[Criminalize Hand of Dumon\|illegal]] - cult.
	===A Gift for the Conclave===		===A Gift for the Conclave===
	* '''Some of the Suranni Wizards have collected a small gift to give to the Conclave in thanks for their help'''		* '''Some of the Suranni Wizards have collected a small gift to give to the Conclave in thanks for their help'''
	Most of the wizards are exhausted from their journey. Some groups are as suspicious of each other as they are of the new people they are meeting. Some are much more organised and prepared, however, or have limited prior experience with Imperial magicians. A self-styled "Friend of the Oracle Pig" (a pet name for Sadogua used by a very small number of Suranni wizards, apparently) named ''Sephora of Sylaire'' is among the first to arrive in Segura, quickly makes the acquaintance of a number of the wizards in the "welcoming committee", and then sets to work helping ~~liase~~ between the more suspicious Suranni and their Imperial peers. She's fascinated by the Celestial Arch, and makes no secret of the fact that once she has found a suitable nation in the Empire to join, she'll be keen to see what the order has to offer. Her attitude is not entirely common, but over the next few months a few more with a similar mindset - more well-travelled, more open-minded wizards - appear in Madruga and Sarvos.		Most of the wizards are exhausted from their journey. Some groups are as suspicious of each other as they are of the new people they are meeting. Some are much more organised and prepared, however, or have limited prior experience with Imperial magicians. A self-styled "Friend of the Oracle Pig" (a pet name for Sadogua used by a very small number of Suranni wizards, apparently) named ''Sephora of Sylaire'' is among the first to arrive in Segura, quickly makes the acquaintance of a number of the wizards in the "welcoming committee", and then sets to work helping liaise between the more suspicious Suranni and their Imperial peers. She's fascinated by the Celestial Arch, and makes no secret of the fact that once she has found a suitable nation in the Empire to join, she'll be keen to see what the order has to offer. Her attitude is not entirely common, but over the next few months a few more with a similar mindset - more well-travelled, more open-minded wizards - appear in Madruga and Sarvos.

	It's Sephora who contacts the civil service a few weeks before the Spring Equinox to explain that she has been gathering small gifts from those Suranni wizards who can afford it, and wants to see those gifts presented to the Conclave, as a gesture of thanks. The gift takes the form of a box of [[potion\|potions]] useful to magicians - twenty in all - running the gamut from [[Philtres of the High Peaks#Mageblood\|Mageblood]], through potions useful to practitioners of ritual magic such as [[Unguents_of_Falling_Leaves#Bronze Spider Balm\|Bronze Spider Balm]] and [[Magnum Opus#Philosopher's Stone\|Philosopher's Stone]]. After discussion with the civil servants, she has presented the potions as a bequest - to be [[endowment\|endowed]] on someone who can ensure they are put to the "best use". There's no requirement for the endowment to be made during the Spring Equinox - the potions are now in the possession of the civil service and are not going anywhere.		It's Sephora who contacts the civil service a few weeks before the Spring Equinox to explain that she has been gathering small gifts from those Suranni wizards who can afford it, and wants to see those gifts presented to the Conclave, as a gesture of thanks. The gift takes the form of a box of [[potion\|potions]] useful to magicians - twenty in all - running the gamut from [[Philtres of the High Peaks#Mageblood\|Mageblood]], through potions useful to practitioners of ritual magic such as [[Unguents_of_Falling_Leaves#Bronze Spider Balm\|Bronze Spider Balm]] and [[Magnum Opus#Philosopher's Stone\|Philosopher's Stone]]. After discussion with the civil servants, she has presented the potions as a bequest - to be [[endowment\|endowed]] on someone who can ensure they are put to the "best use". There's no requirement for the endowment to be made during the Spring Equinox - the potions are now in the possession of the civil service and are not going anywhere.

Novemberalice at 13:08, 22 July 2024

2024-07-22T13:08:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:08, 22 July 2024
Line 53:		Line 53:

	"Thank you," he said. But he did not look back at her, and his eyes remained fixed on the small group of tired magicians outlined against the gently seething mist, trying to decide what their future would look like.</ic>		"Thank you," he said. But he did not look back at her, and his eyes remained fixed on the small group of tired magicians outlined against the gently seething mist, trying to decide what their future would look like.</ic>
	<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Possibility days.png\|align=left\|caption=The Imperial Conclave has made it possible for several hundred [[Iron Confederacy\|Suranni]] wizards to escape persecution in the Iron Confederacy and seek sanctuary in the Empire.\|width=400}}</div>		<div style="float:left; width: 400px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Possibility days.png\|align=left\|caption=The Imperial Conclave has made it possible for several hundred [[Iron Confederacy\|Suranni]] wizards to escape persecution in the Iron Confederacy and seek sanctuary in the Empire.\|width=400}}</div>{{audio\|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDLoT9blY9Q}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Magic. The rulers of the [[Iron Confederacy]] consider it to be power stolen from the [[Suranni pantheon\|benevolent gods]] by the evil [[Suranni_pantheon#Dumon_the_Liar.2C_the_Wicked_One\|Dumon]], granted to his worshippers to allow them to vex their servants. In the Empire, as in most of the rest of the civilised world, it is a skill like any other. Some are born with a natural talent, others learn it through study and practice, but it is ultimately used for either weal or woe depending entirely on the user. Given their view of magic, it's no surprise that the Suranni persecute anyone who uses magic. From the mildest [[heal\|healing]] spell upwards, any use of magic is considered to be drawing on Dumon's power. Fundamentally anathema. Magicians either surrender to the priesthood and spend the rest of their lives in prison or in "contemplation of the divine". Those who do not surrender, who are caught out by the priests of [[Suranni_pantheon#Arav_the_Judge.2C_Maiden_of_Silence\|Arav]], or the secular lawgivers, are executed quickly and efficiently.		Magic. The rulers of the [[Iron Confederacy]] consider it to be power stolen from the [[Suranni pantheon\|benevolent gods]] by the evil [[Suranni_pantheon#Dumon_the_Liar.2C_the_Wicked_One\|Dumon]], granted to his worshippers to allow them to vex their servants. In the Empire, as in most of the rest of the civilised world, it is a skill like any other. Some are born with a natural talent, others learn it through study and practice, but it is ultimately used for either weal or woe depending entirely on the user. Given their view of magic, it's no surprise that the Suranni persecute anyone who uses magic. From the mildest [[heal\|healing]] spell upwards, any use of magic is considered to be drawing on Dumon's power. Fundamentally anathema. Magicians either surrender to the priesthood and spend the rest of their lives in prison or in "contemplation of the divine". Those who do not surrender, who are caught out by the priests of [[Suranni_pantheon#Arav_the_Judge.2C_Maiden_of_Silence\|Arav]], or the secular lawgivers, are executed quickly and efficiently.

Hailmur: /* A Place to Call Home */

2023-06-07T10:22:15Z

A Place to Call Home

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:22, 7 June 2023
Line 118:		Line 118:
	The downside of this mandate is that some of those wizards will ''definitely'' not have the best interests of the Empire at heart, and they will also have the freedom to move all over the Empire alongside their Navarr hosts. They, too, will be looking for new places to live but they'll be drawn to places where their particular brand of magical philosophy will be welcomed. This will include the Hand of Dumon, but it will also involve idolators who revere eternals, heretics and blasphemers who embrace malign spiritual forces, and straightforward criminals who turn their magic toward self-enrichment or dominating their neighbours.		The downside of this mandate is that some of those wizards will ''definitely'' not have the best interests of the Empire at heart, and they will also have the freedom to move all over the Empire alongside their Navarr hosts. They, too, will be looking for new places to live but they'll be drawn to places where their particular brand of magical philosophy will be welcomed. This will include the Hand of Dumon, but it will also involve idolators who revere eternals, heretics and blasphemers who embrace malign spiritual forces, and straightforward criminals who turn their magic toward self-enrichment or dominating their neighbours.

			'''Exarch Luke''' has offered an alternate mandate, using the [[Full_of_sacred_sound#Partner_of_Greatness\|Partners of Greatness]] power, to the Highguard National Assembly.
			{{Mandate\|mandate=Having been refugees in our past, we Highborn understand the plight of those having fled persecution into a new land, and a new future. Inspired by our Navarri siblings; We send {named priest} with 50 doses of liao to urge Wayfarers and Magisters to help embrace and welcome the Suranni into the Empire and to aid them in settling their bodies and souls for generations to come.\|assembly=Highguard National Assembly}}
			If this mandate is passed then the Highborn will reach out to the Suranni magicians in an attempt to welcome them to the Empire. Given the wizards' opinion of priests in general it is unsure what effect this will have. One thing that is certain is that it will not see the Suranni settle in Highguard.
	===Someone Else's Problem===		===Someone Else's Problem===
	* '''If left to their own devices, most of the Suranni will eventually end up in small villages, enclaves, and ghettos in various Imperial nations'''		* '''If left to their own devices, most of the Suranni will eventually end up in small villages, enclaves, and ghettos in various Imperial nations'''

Rafferty at 23:56, 6 June 2023

2023-06-06T23:56:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:56, 6 June 2023
Line 104:		Line 104:
	{{SOP\|statement=Varushka welcomes the refugees from the Iron Confederacy. We encourage people to welcome them to our hearths and allow them to grow in virtue and the Way.\|by=Goran-Sokolov Xaytsev\|vote=Greater Majority 140-0\|when=Winter Solstice 384YE}}		{{SOP\|statement=Varushka welcomes the refugees from the Iron Confederacy. We encourage people to welcome them to our hearths and allow them to grow in virtue and the Way.\|by=Goran-Sokolov Xaytsev\|vote=Greater Majority 140-0\|when=Winter Solstice 384YE}}
	{{SOP\|statement=We invite those Suranni persecuted by the laws of the Iron Confederacy forbidding the use of magic and liao ceremonies to journey and make their new home in the Imperial controlled territories of Urizen. We encourage them to embrace the Way of Virtue as well as the culture and customs of Urizen.\|by=Aristeia Starchaser\|vote=Greater Majority 224-0\|when=Winter Solstice 384YE}}		{{SOP\|statement=We invite those Suranni persecuted by the laws of the Iron Confederacy forbidding the use of magic and liao ceremonies to journey and make their new home in the Imperial controlled territories of Urizen. We encourage them to embrace the Way of Virtue as well as the culture and customs of Urizen.\|by=Aristeia Starchaser\|vote=Greater Majority 224-0\|when=Winter Solstice 384YE}}

	==A Place to Call Home==		==A Place to Call Home==
	* '''The Suranni wizards are not causing disruptions, but there are still questions about where they should go now they are safely in the Empire'''		* '''The Suranni wizards are not causing disruptions, but there are still questions about where they should go now they are safely in the Empire'''

Rafferty: /* Who are these people */

2023-06-06T23:55:56Z

Who are these people

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:55, 6 June 2023
Line 101:		Line 101:

	Finally, there are the Hand of Dumon. Obviously none of them advertise their affiliation. It's impossible to guess how many of the wizards are part of that illegal cult but there is no way some of them have not made their way to the Empire. Identifying them is almost impossible - they are consummate liars after all, they have to be. It's the only way they have survived as long as they have.		Finally, there are the Hand of Dumon. Obviously none of them advertise their affiliation. It's impossible to guess how many of the wizards are part of that illegal cult but there is no way some of them have not made their way to the Empire. Identifying them is almost impossible - they are consummate liars after all, they have to be. It's the only way they have survived as long as they have.

	{{SOP\|statement=This season, the Imperial conclave has made efforts to aid Suranni refugees escape into the Empire. They have expressed interest in settling within Wintermark, Varushka, or amongst our own numbers, we encourage any Stridings who are able to accompany them, and steadings who are able to shelter them as they partake in this journey and seek to help them find their place within this Empire and the Great Dance.\|by=Teleri Thornweaver\|vote=Greater Majority 220-0\|when=Winter Solstice 384YE}}		{{SOP\|statement=This season, the Imperial conclave has made efforts to aid Suranni refugees escape into the Empire. They have expressed interest in settling within Wintermark, Varushka, or amongst our own numbers, we encourage any Stridings who are able to accompany them, and steadings who are able to shelter them as they partake in this journey and seek to help them find their place within this Empire and the Great Dance.\|by=Teleri Thornweaver\|vote=Greater Majority 220-0\|when=Winter Solstice 384YE}}
	{{SOP\|statement=Varushka welcomes the refugees from the Iron Confederacy. We encourage people to welcome them to our hearths and allow them to grow in virtue and the Way.\|by=Goran-Sokolov Xaytsev\|vote=Greater Majority 140-0\|when=Winter Solstice 384YE}}		{{SOP\|statement=Varushka welcomes the refugees from the Iron Confederacy. We encourage people to welcome them to our hearths and allow them to grow in virtue and the Way.\|by=Goran-Sokolov Xaytsev\|vote=Greater Majority 140-0\|when=Winter Solstice 384YE}}

Rafferty at 23:55, 6 June 2023

2023-06-06T23:55:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:55, 6 June 2023
Line 48:		Line 48:
	"It is a long way from here," answered the young man earnestly. "And a very long way from Arbonne. We can talk about it more on the way, if you like?"		"It is a long way from here," answered the young man earnestly. "And a very long way from Arbonne. We can talk about it more on the way, if you like?"

	The woman nodded slowly, but turned to discuss further with her ~~friend~~. Jaliella i Erigo relaxed, now that the tension seemed to have gone out of the air.		The woman nodded slowly, but turned to discuss further with her friends. Jaliella i Erigo relaxed, now that the tension seemed to have gone out of the air.

	"Well done, Master von Temeschwar." she said in an undertone.		"Well done, Master von Temeschwar." she said in an undertone.

Rafferty at 23:54, 6 June 2023

2023-06-06T23:54:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:54, 6 June 2023
Line 42:		Line 42:
	He chose his words carefully, his voice even, but everyone in the gulley could tell that he was leaving things unsaid.		He chose his words carefully, his voice even, but everyone in the gulley could tell that he was leaving things unsaid.

	"Please," he said and his smile became a little more desperate. "These people are not your enemy, not tonight. There is a camp, and after that, there are decisions, You're free here, as free as you want to be. And if what the Oracle Pig tells me is true, then I'm here to offer you a home with my troupe in Temeschwar."		"Please," he said and his smile became a little more desperate. "These people are not your enemy, not tonight. There is a camp, and after that, there are decisions. You're free here, as free as you want to be. And if what the Oracle Pig tells me is true, then I'm here to offer you a home with my troupe in Temeschwar."

	"Temeschwar?" The word tasted exotic in the woman's mouth. "Where is Temeschwar."		"Temeschwar?" The word tasted exotic in the woman's mouth. "Where is Temeschwar."

Vsabo: /* Who are these people */

2023-06-06T21:41:01Z

Who are these people

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:41, 6 June 2023
Line 100:		Line 100:
	The wizards are also heavily divided in terms of religion. The majority seem to practice a form of agnosticism - they don't deny the divinity of the [[Suranni pantheon]] but they do not believe that all magic comes from Dumon the Liar; it is just a skill that some people can learn and which the nobility and the priesthood fear will undermine their power. Another large group don't care about religion ''at all'', and just want to get on with their lives. Many of this latter group espouse philosophies that Imperial scholars would consider atheist - denying ''any'' divinity or innate spirituality in the world of the heart of humanity. Despite everything, some remain devout followers of one or more of the maidens (most commonly [[Suranni_pantheon#Farod_the_Herald.2C_Maiden_of_the_Dawn\|Farod]] or [[Suranni_pantheon#Evra_the_Smith.2C_Maiden_of_the_Forge\|Evra]]) and claim their magical abilities are gifts from the gods. These misguided folk hate the priests of the Iron Confederacy in particular, but they are also often the most vocal opponents of Imperial priests, their misconceptions about the Way filling them with hate and fear. A very small group among the refugees agree that magic is the gift of Dumon, but claim that the Suranni priesthood ''and'' the so-called Hand of Dumon are ''both'' equally wrong about the maiden. They honour an entirely ''different'' version of the Suranni god that they claim is the ''true'' divine figure - an enigmatic trickster who preaches love, acceptance, and joy. This group is the smallest so far identified, apparently because both the priests and their rivals in the Hand of Dumon hunt and murder them wherever possible. One group that isn't represented among the wizards now seeking sanctuary in the Empire are those who believe that magic is a curse from Dumon, and innately wicked. Those poor souls tend to throw themselves on the mercy of the Suranni priesthood and live out the remainder of their lives as prisoners.		The wizards are also heavily divided in terms of religion. The majority seem to practice a form of agnosticism - they don't deny the divinity of the [[Suranni pantheon]] but they do not believe that all magic comes from Dumon the Liar; it is just a skill that some people can learn and which the nobility and the priesthood fear will undermine their power. Another large group don't care about religion ''at all'', and just want to get on with their lives. Many of this latter group espouse philosophies that Imperial scholars would consider atheist - denying ''any'' divinity or innate spirituality in the world of the heart of humanity. Despite everything, some remain devout followers of one or more of the maidens (most commonly [[Suranni_pantheon#Farod_the_Herald.2C_Maiden_of_the_Dawn\|Farod]] or [[Suranni_pantheon#Evra_the_Smith.2C_Maiden_of_the_Forge\|Evra]]) and claim their magical abilities are gifts from the gods. These misguided folk hate the priests of the Iron Confederacy in particular, but they are also often the most vocal opponents of Imperial priests, their misconceptions about the Way filling them with hate and fear. A very small group among the refugees agree that magic is the gift of Dumon, but claim that the Suranni priesthood ''and'' the so-called Hand of Dumon are ''both'' equally wrong about the maiden. They honour an entirely ''different'' version of the Suranni god that they claim is the ''true'' divine figure - an enigmatic trickster who preaches love, acceptance, and joy. This group is the smallest so far identified, apparently because both the priests and their rivals in the Hand of Dumon hunt and murder them wherever possible. One group that isn't represented among the wizards now seeking sanctuary in the Empire are those who believe that magic is a curse from Dumon, and innately wicked. Those poor souls tend to throw themselves on the mercy of the Suranni priesthood and live out the remainder of their lives as prisoners.

	Finally, there are the Hand of Dumon. Obviously none of them advertise their affiliation. it's impossible to guess how many of the wizards are part of that illegal cult but there is no way some of them have not made their way to the Empire. Identifying them is almost impossible - they are consummate liars after all, ~~They~~ have to be. It's the only way they have survived as long as they have.		Finally, there are the Hand of Dumon. Obviously none of them advertise their affiliation. It's impossible to guess how many of the wizards are part of that illegal cult but there is no way some of them have not made their way to the Empire. Identifying them is almost impossible - they are consummate liars after all, they have to be. It's the only way they have survived as long as they have.

	{{SOP\|statement=This season, the Imperial conclave has made efforts to aid Suranni refugees escape into the Empire. They have expressed interest in settling within Wintermark, Varushka, or amongst our own numbers, we encourage any Stridings who are able to accompany them, and steadings who are able to shelter them as they partake in this journey and seek to help them find their place within this Empire and the Great Dance.\|by=Teleri Thornweaver\|vote=Greater Majority 220-0\|when=Winter Solstice 384YE}}		{{SOP\|statement=This season, the Imperial conclave has made efforts to aid Suranni refugees escape into the Empire. They have expressed interest in settling within Wintermark, Varushka, or amongst our own numbers, we encourage any Stridings who are able to accompany them, and steadings who are able to shelter them as they partake in this journey and seek to help them find their place within this Empire and the Great Dance.\|by=Teleri Thornweaver\|vote=Greater Majority 220-0\|when=Winter Solstice 384YE}}