When I met you

Anvil offers many diversions to those who make the trek to the heart of the Empire - both wholesome and... not so wholesome.

Overview

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

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

Friday Arrivals

Lights in the Dark

• The steading of Glimmerwater in Therunin possesses a lantern that can bring out the merrow lineage in unlineaged people
• Due to the destruction in Therunin they have been forced into hiding for the time being
• One of the members of the steading will visit the Navarr market at 19:30, and can take up to ten unlineaged humans to see the lantern at 20:05

By a Day regio in the Navarr territory of Therunin lies the steading of Glimmerwater. For many years the merrow who dwell in this part of the Eastring bayou have offered those prepared to make a pilgrimage to the eastern borders of the Empire a chance to bathe in the light of the lantern for seven days of quiet contemplation. In doing so unlineaged humans can have their merrow lineage brought forth, and the Glimmerwater steading will help those of any nation find their right home in their new form.

The tragic destruction in Therunin at the hands of the rampaging Druj has not spared Eastring or the Glimmerwater steading. The steading has been forced into hiding nearby, but have saved the lantern and kept the regio secret from the Druj. While the trip to Therunin is now extremely treacherous, by good fortune a conjunction has been identified to take people directly to the hiding place. A member of the steading, Eanna Glimmerwater, will visit the Navarr market to discuss with those interested in the nature of merrow, and take up to ten unlineaged humans to bask in the light of the lantern as part of a group contemplation on the current moment. Those who attend may find themselves transforming afterwards, but the effects may take some time to show.

The Benefactor's Legacy

• A representative of Ezkiah's Legacy is coming to Anvil to speak with the Artisans Guild
• They wish to organise an ongoing commission of magic items for the Voices of Virtue
• Miriam of Ezkiah's Legacy will arrive in Anvil at around 21:30

The Champions of Virtue and their artefact Pilgrim's Shields are well known across the Empire. Forged during the Consolidation, in the reign of Empress Teleri, by Ezkiah the Benefactor, the shields each have a storied past. The chapter of Ezkiah's Legacy was established during the reign of Emperor Hugh, to honour the inspiration of Ezkiah and support the virtuous in their actions. Sadly, the chapterhouse was overrun by the Druj in their conquest of Reikos and only half a dozen of the chapter were able to escape. The survivors took time to rebuild once Reikos was reclaimed, and now, inspired by the work of Solomon, Senator for Casinea in establishing the Voices of Virtue, the chapter looks to support the Voices.

The chapter does not have anywhere near the funds to purchase the ilium necessary for seven artefacts; they don't even have the funds for one, but they want to support how they can. The opinion of the chapter is that the best way for the Voices to inspire pilgrims of the faith and laity, aside from talking to them, is using ceremonies. Miriam of Ezkiah's Legacy will visit Anvil to meet with the Artisan's Guild to discuss an ongoing commission for seven Mendicant Cassocks, one for each of the Voices, to be delivered each year. They are expected to reach Anvil around half-past-nine on Friday evening.

Seeking Sell-Swords

• A Navarr broker is travelling to Anvil with opportunities for mercenaries who wish to earn some extra coin.
• Madoc First Sight will arrive at The Glade in Varushka at 21:15 on the Friday

The First Sight striding don't have the most polished reputation in the Empire, but they are respected brokers who are known to match supply with demand - no strings attached. They specialise in dealings which require the specialist skill of a Thorn, but one of their number is travelling to Anvil seeking mercenaries to help fulfil some deals which involve retrieving items from locations too dangerous for the striding to manage alone.

Madoc First Sight aims to arrive at The Glade bar in the Varushka camp at 21:15 on the Friday of the Summer Solstice. They claim to have opportunities to present that will likely be of interest to mercenaries, maggots, free companies and wagon raiders. If the bar is full or too noisy, they will head to the Varushkan hearth instead.

Receipt of goods and payment in kind will be arranged through the Ephisis' Scales ritual. Anyone fulfilling a deal with Madoc should simply write "Madoc First Sight" on a piece of paper and place it in the box along with the goods they wish to send to Madoc. On Sunday, the box will be able to be retrieved as usual, with payment from the First Sight striding found within.

Madoc will provide further details to interested parties at the Glade at the allotted time.

OOC Note: All items that the First Sight striding are looking for will be gold ribboned items. Further information on what First Sight's deals entail will be available in-character.

Conversations with the Cursed

• A Highborn Steward of the Dead wishes to speak to people who experienced a strange curse at the last summit.
• Imma of Ehud's Strike will arrive at the Hub at 21:00 on the Friday of the Summer Solstice.

Rumours of a curse spreading like wildfire have spiralled out of Anvil since last summit. They have particularly caught the interest of Imma of Ehud's Strike, a local steward of the dead from a chapter dedicated to Vigilance. Imma would like to get to the bottom of these rumours, and wishes to meet with anyone who experienced a strange curse at the Spring Equinox "resulting in a tendency to seek instruction from others or abandon one's loyalties" which was lifted through exorcism. They hope bringing together those who experienced the curse will shed some light on where it came from and how citizens might be able to better protect themselves in future.

Saturday Arrivals

The March of Fools

• A gaggle of Summer creatures are being led to Anvil by Ash Markedford, a landskeeper
• They hope to engage the dramaturgists of the Marches into a feat of mummery that might produce spectacular results
• The landskeeper hopes to arrive at the Marcher camp at 12:00 on Saturday with their retinue

Along the road from Casfall, an unusual sight greets travellers; a parade of motley-garbed creatures with sack-cloth skin bedecked with tufts of straw that jut oddly between seams and from under sleeves. At their head is a landskeeper, one Ash Markedford, and a particularly agitated Highborn farmer. Introducing themselves, Ash is quick to explain that their retinue are hukkup - creatures of the Summer realm that have recently crashed marriage festivities at Sombregate, the grounds of a small chapter to which Ash's perturbed companion belongs. Struggling to manage the increasingly boisterous, rowdy crowd of perpetual celebrants, Ash indicates that they are making for Anvil, where they hope to make use of some of the unusual qualities of these Summer entities and perhaps recoup some of the farmer's lost Prosperity - with plenty more for the benefit of the wider Marchers.

Before the chaotic travellers move on, Ash implores passersby to gather up the finest mummers the Marchers have to offer and gather them for midday on the second day of the summit for what promises to be an unforgettable luncheon.

Ketsov on the Road

• Representatives of the Ketsov family are travelling to Anvil to attend a meeting of Ossium vales
• They intend to discuss their recent actions in regards to the position of Burgher of Ketsov and to contribute to discussions about Ossium's welfare
• They expect to arrive in the Varushkan camp at around 13:00 in time for the meeting

Having been encountered coming to and from Ossium along the winding roads of Varushka for the last two seasons now, representatives of the divisive family Ketsov make for frosty company during the lengthening nights. They offer little up to curious travelling companions regarding their recent decision to withdraw support from the position of Burgher of Ketsov save what they've already shared - they are simply looking for ways to make the penance laid upon them by the assembly and ensure that the killing implements for which their people are well known are placed into hands positioned to kill the Empire's foe with more surety. Further questioning receives a cold shoulder - if people wish to know more, then they should attend a meeting on Ossium to be held on the second day of the summit in Anvil at one hour past midday.

Some Kind of Artisan

• A Kallavesi hermit-artisan is travelling to Anvil once again
• Bal Blueraven is looking to meet Derowen of the Forge and Protectorate Kardak
• They are expecting to arrive at 16:30 and will journey to the Wintermark camp

Last season, the peculiar Kallavesi artisan Bal Blueraven journeyed to Anvil to speak with several folk. They met with Derowen of the Forge, Keeper of the Runegrott, and Protectorate Kardak among others to have an extensive discussion on a whole host of things. They are returning to Anvil to speak with the same people again, and anyone who can be vouched for by one of those.

Symbol of the Raðljóst

One Last Time

• The Jarl of Kierheim is visiting Anvil one last time
• Ustigar and his party will go to the Wintermark camp and he hopes to meet with the Golden and Iron Jarls
• They are accompanied by a human godhi who has shown willingness to discuss the spirituality of the yegarra
• The delegation from Kalsea is expected around 17:00 on Saturday

Jarl Ustigar, accompanied by a party of Jotun from Kalsea, has been on campaign with armies of the Jotun over the past three months. And as the season turns and the summit draws near, the delegation leaves the Jotun camps in Sallow and travels to Anvil. As they near Casinea, Andos - the godhi who has taken over writing letters for Ustigar and who appears to be somewhat responsible for the delegation - makes clear to civil servants and other Imperials on the road that this is a delegation, but the reason for their travel is personal. Jarl Ustigar, ruler of Kierheim and uncle to Yrsa Jansdóttir, Queen of Kalsea, Jarl-of-Jarls, is travelling to Anvil to die.

Iron Osric

Avisena i Ezmara i Guerra

The orc has ruled Kierheim and Skallahn with it for decades, advising subsequent Jarls-of-Jarls and ensuring that the people of his territory prosper. For six years, the ruler of Kierheim has been in communication with various Imperials to discuss matters close to their hearts. For six years, the Jarl of Skallahn has spoken with Avisena i Kharizmi i Guerra, the Golden Jarl, and Iron Osric, the Iron Jarl, about the place of honour, honesty, and heroism in the war between the Jotun and the Empire.

It appears that time has finally caught up with the old orc. He has suffered from bouts of illness in recent years and many of his close advisors feared he would die in his bed. Desperate to avoid that fate, He has beseeched the Jarl-of-Jarls to release him from his responsibilities and they have given him permission to search for a way to cross the Howling Abyss. Now the Jarl is eager to join his ancestors. He has been seeking a heroic confrontation with one of his honoured enemies on the battlefield, but fate continues to deny Ustigar the end he seeks. So now he comes to Anvil in the hope that he can find peace.

The Jotun claim that this visit is a personal matter and that it would not be honourable to use this meeting to negotiate, however they say things like that all the time. If the Empire does find a way to give the old Jarl the end he is seeking then it might help with efforts to find a resolution to the war with the Jotun. The meeting place is being rebuilt, Jarl Haakon is dead, how many other conditions that Naomi identified in her appraisal remain to be fulfilled?

The delegation brings with it gifts for those in Wintermark they will speak to, and contains several influential Jotun from across Kalsea. In addition to gifts, the delegation will also be bringing small tokens of food, and they hope that the three traditions of Wintermark will join them in doing so. Andos requests that William 'Bill' Hooke of the Marches, and others who saw the death of Haakon, also attend to tell the tale of the warrior's death.

One member of their party is a yegarra, who claims the role of godhi. There has never been a firm answer as to how humans fit into the spirituality of the Jotun. While most of the party are polite but stand-offish, the yegarra, Eirik the Golden, is reported to be happy to talk to almost anyone who is polite and sincere in their desire to learn more.

Comforts in the Dark

• A pair of miners from Brez are planning to visit Anvil and will arrive at around 23:00
• They will look to visit quiet firepits in Urizen, Dawn, Varushka and Navarr

There are a pair of travellers coming to Anvil for the first time. They claim to be miners from Brez, Volodmartz, and they are looking to hear tales involving dark places and creeping dread. They say they've been "invited", but nobody thought to ask who by. The pair are largely unremarkable, just another group of travellers among the thousands making their way to Anvil for the summit, but these two have an odd air to them. When folk describe meeting them, no two tales are ever quite the same; there is always something, some small detail, which is slightly off in the different tellings. The one constant is the pair's fascination with darkness and their requests for stories of such.

Sunday Arrivals

Loyal to the End

• A group of Winterfolk are visiting Anvil to talk of their fallen captain
• They are hoping to meet those who want to talk about Courage, Heroism, and legacy
• They expect to arrive at 12:00 and will journey to the Wintermark camp

A small group of Winterfolk are journeying to Anvil. The group, once soldiers of the Green Shield, wish to speak to a number of Winterfolk about their friend and fallen captain, Torlin. They hope to discuss the emptiness that they find within, as they had readied themselves for a last stand at Torlin's burial site. But the jarl of the Jotun warband was defeated before they were able to meet them in battle.

This group of Wintermarkers now find themselves somewhat at a loss as to what to do with themselves, and seek to have a discussion about some of the core tenets of what it means to be from Wintermark. They wish to speak with Eevi of the Gadrai, Hayrin, Cynerik, Saewyn Penhall, Katla Kuldinn, Uhtred Windstad, Loedna Emmsdottir, Aegil, Halwende Ironbelly, Salyen, Ryewyn, Torin, Beorn Vikarsson, Tostig Guthward, Warsmith, and Hildelith Kaukosdottir amongst others.

Knife To Meet You

• An enterprising wagon-raider has found a piece of history
• They are coming to Anvil to speak to the Printers Guild and Alderei the Fair
• They are expecting to arrive at 13:00 on Sunday

Years ago, the Iron Raptors sold commissions - requests to seek out objects - to individual citizens. The Iron Raptors have long since dissolved, and one of their contracts is outstanding. A commission by the Printer's Guild to seek out "the golden armour of Alderei the Fair" was made and has been passed from mercenary, to sellsword, to adventurer, to chancer. It has ended up in the hands of Milusa Velkovan, an enterprising wagon-raider who has found an interesting piece of history.

There is no golden armour of Alderei the Fair. Successive historians and explorers have found nothing to support it, but Milusa has found a knife that was at one point owned by the Tyrant-Boyar of Varushka. The wagon-raider will be bringing the piece to Anvil, to the Varushkan camp to show to Alderei the Fair and hopefully the Printer's Guild. There is no question that the find belongs to Milusa, but they have made clear that they are interested in selling it and that the Printer's Guild and the former general of the Iron Helms should have the right to make the first offers.