387YE Autumn Equinox winds of fortune

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.

Overview

Wind of Fortune	Order Released	Last Updated	Note
Has reared himself a throne	1	16/08	Plenipotentiary
Diadem on my brow	2	22/08	Imperial address
Troop of echoes	3	23/08	Axos
The highest calling	4	23/08	Imperial Synod
Any port in a storm	5	03/09	Appraisal
Threats that are to come	6	03/09	Die Beurteilung
Kingdom by the sea	7	05/09
A dark and stormy night	8	05/09
An iron feast	9	05/09	Challenge the Iron Duke
All the night-tide	10	05/09	Sarcophan Delves
Carved in stone	11	06/09	Synod
We give the future to the winds	12	06/09	Faraden
My passions from a common spring	13	06/09	Jarm and Commonwealth
Drowned in tears	14	07/09	Asavea and Sumaah
Climb every mountain	15	10/09	Sword Scholars
Bedight in veils	16	09/09	Diplomacy
Born with insight	17	08/09	Synod
Stand amid the roar	18	09/09	Falconer
Best beware my sting	19	10/09	The Earl of the Groves
The moth for the star	20	10/09	Astronomancy
Met a pilgrim shadow	21	10/09	Visitors
Upon a midnight dreary	22	10/09	Eternals
Volumes of forgotten lore	23	10/09	Magic

Over the past three months, events have taken place which are of significance to the Empire and may require a response from her champions. These are the winds of fortune, counterparts to the winds of war that detail the Empire's military campaigns. They lay out situations, and usually include things that characters can do to take advantage of opportunities or to resolve problems. In almost every case, they start with a piece of flavour text. This fiction helps introduce the wind of fortune, or draws out a particular theme or element. Often, it represents a viewpoint that one or more NPCs might have in-character. In all cases, these pieces are intended to help create an atmosphere and provide a little entertainment. Where they contain opinions, those are the opinions of the fictional people depicted - and where they contain information or rumours, the assumption is that the reader will create their own context for that information or gossip if they want to use it in character.

The body of the wind of fortune describes situations and lays out ways players can engage with them. Except where we explicitly talk about something being "rumoured" or use a phrase like "some might say..." the details of a wind of fortune are factual. They represent briefing material presented by the civil service or similar authoritative sources and represent something the average educated citizen would acknowledge as a reliable truth. Unless we specify otherwise, we're also being as thorough as possible. This information doesn't need further checking in-character. It's not an opinion, and we're not trying to trick you.

As always, how much or how little of this information you choose to know in character is up to you. Part of the purpose of Winds of Fortune is to maintain the illusion of the Empire as a living, breathing place where things happen - and to make players aware of things their characters could know based on what their roleplaying says they have been doing for the past three months. It's perfectly acceptable to turn up to Empire having read only a few Winds of Fortune that directly interest your character; part of the fun on the field can come from learning about situations and opportunities in other parts of the game.

In each case, we've tried to tag the Winds of Fortune entry with the nations or political bodies to which it is most relevant. We've done this to help people who are interested only in events that are especially relevant to them. In no way are these tags intended to be exhaustive; the Empire is a complex place, and very little happens in isolation. We are also adding the dates that they were last updated (other than typos and correcting red links) in an attempt to make it easier to keep track of the newest releases.

Winds of Fortune

Has Reared Himself a Throne (Plenipotentiary)

• Archmages; Imperial Conclave; Watcher of the Semmerlak; Imperial Military Council

Each season, each of the six archmages are empowered to send a plenipotentiary message to single eternal of their realm. The eternals are bound to respond, although the exact nature of that response is up to them. Following the Spring Equinox, and as the Summer Solstice approaches, five six eternals have responded to what can only be presumed to be missives from the archmages. Two have agreed to some kind of meeting; four have chosen other ways to honour the missive they have received. One of those responses is... not quite like the others.

You can find out about the eternals, and the nature of their responses, in the Has reared himself a throne wind of fortune.

Diadem on my Brow (Imperial Address)

• Imperial citizens

Empress Vesna has used their power to address the Empire to present a personal message to all Imperial citizens, calling on the Empire to commit themselves to the defeat of the Druj, and to the conquest and liberation of Sarangrave, as well as to uplift several Imperial citizens.

The message has been distributed across the Empire by the civil service, and you can read it in the Diadem on my brow wind of fortune.

Troop of Echoes (Axos)

• Ambassador to Axos; Imperial Senate, Imperial Military Council; Voice of Liberty; Imperial Synod; Imperial Fleet Captains; Shuttered Lantern and Imperial Conclave; Singer of the Silence

To the east of the Empire lies the tiny nation of Axos. Following upheaval and scandal it appears to be settling down, and undergoing a period of renewal. Both the Imperial and Axou ambassadors have changed - perhaps this presages a bold new future of good relations between the Empire and the Citadels? Either way there are matters of concern to Imperial citizens, both on the diplomatic and day-to-day level that will surely be of interest to anyone who looks beyond the Empire's borders.

You can learn about the situation with Axos, along with a few sticky questions to address, in the Troop of echoes wind of fortune.

The Highest Calling

• National assemblies (other than Wintermark, Varushka, and Urizen); Virtue assemblies

The Archbishop of Capodomus delivered a powerful sermon, one consequence of which was to give the General Assembly an opportunity to throw its moral weight behind a single virtuous endeavour. A greater majority in support of any one of these great causes would have united people in the service of a single goal; instead, the General Assembly demonstrated that there is no single cause that unites all the Empire. Subsequently, they enacted a mandate calling for each nation - and each Virtue - to consider what goal was most important to them.

You can read about the consequences of that mandate, not only for the virtue and national assemblies but for the General Assembly itself, in the The highest calling wind of fortune.

Any Port in a Storm (Appraisal)

• Imperial Senate; The League, especially citizens of Holberg; Varushka, especially the Merchant Boyar of the Bittershore and the Harbourmaster of the Semmerlak; Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves

The idea of building a port in Holberg is not a new one. Long before it was near-universally acknowledged as the greatest city in the world, the merchant-princes of the east dreamed of establishing a port to boost trade. Such dreams were little more than fancies while the Druj held the outlying regions and threatened to take the city. Now that the Empire is pushing east and driving the Druj back, there is a chance to seize the initiative and help make Holberg even more Prosperous.

You can learn about the results of the appraisal, and its potential impact on various different groups, in the Any port in a storm wind of fortune.

Threats that are to Come (Die Beurteilung)

• The League, especially citizens of Holberg; Imperial Senate; The Marches potentially; Imperial Military Council; Ambassador to the Commonwealth

At the Summer Solstice, the Kleists and Cees van Holberg, secured the patronage of the Beurteilung at auction. This gave them the right to request that the visiting scholars of the Commonwealth investigate a pressing matter, much as if it were an appraisal being carried out by the Prognosticator's Office. Professor Immanuel Gelberg leads the group of adventurous Commonwealth academics whose work emphasizes the Common Good. They requested a study of ways to secure the supply of food and water to Holberg, with an eye both to enduring sieges and supporting large numbers of refugees should the need arise.

You can find out about the findings of Die Beurteilung, and how it might impact the various peoples of Holberg, in the Threats that are to come wind of fortune.

Kingdom by the Sea

• Fleet captains; Imperial Military Council

The captains who were victorious in the Great Race met with Rhianos and his heralds to discuss the expedition and hope for the future. It seems that Waverider was wondering what adventures might come next for the intrepid captains of the Empire's fleets.

Following the meeting Furole has commanded his heralds to find adventure for the Empire's captains; Three of his favoured servants have taken Tide Dancer's instructions to heart and prepared three possible expeditions for the fleets of the Empire to consider.

You can learn about these three voyages, and what they entail, in the Kingdom by the sea wind of fortune.

A Dark and Stormy Night

• Urizen and the League; Imperial Spymaster; Vigilance assembly; spies

Wreathed in Night magic, conspiracy abounds in the city of Apulian. Last season, the Empire were able to penetrate an outpost of the Grendel espionage ring there, after they successfully rescued Victo von Temeschwar. At the same time, followers of Berechiah have been searching Redoubt for enemies of the Empire. This season, their search was complicated by the surprise attack of the Grendel. While the invaders are certainly enemies, that threat is better dealt with by armies than individuals hunting cultists, spies and saboteurs. At the very last moment they have a stroke of good luck. Fortune, it seems, favours the vigilant.

You can find out shadowing events in the south-east, and the ongoing war of spies, in the A dark and stormy night wind of fortune.

An Iron Feast (Challenge the Iron Duke)

• Challengers of the Iron Duke

Each season the eternal Barien presents opportunities to those prepared to Challenge the Iron Duke. For the Autumn Equinox, he has offered two challenges; a challenge of stealth and speed and a challenge of creativity. As before, the rules of the ritual apply. Each person who receives the ritual will be guaranteed entry to a challenge. Depending on the challenge, they may be able to bring a certain number of attendants with them to assist. The exact number will depend on the nature of the challenge and the number of challengers. The Civil Service will publish exact numbers in the Hub on Saturday morning for all to see.

You can learn about the two challenges, and what winning will entail, in the An iron feast wind of fortune.

All the Night-Tide (Sarcophan)

• Ambassador to the Sarcophan Delves; Imperial Senate; Fleet captains; Highguard; Bishop of the Navigators; the League; Imperial Apothecaries' Guild; Kruidenkenner Trademaster, Master of the Root and Stem; the Brass Coast; Wintermark Farmers; Imperial Consul; Minister for Historical Research; Imperial Conclave

Always striving for neutrality, the bedelaar huisbaas of the Sarcophan Delves balance any number of interests in the pursuit of profit and security. They gave up the practice of slavery without regret, refused to pick a side between the Liberty Pact and the Freedom Accord, but recently took steps to combat the growth in piracy on the seven seas. The stand they have taken has benefitted the Empire, ending the Asavean-sponsored attacks on ships trading with Imperial ports. Further to these achievements, they look for new opportunities to invest in the Empire for the mutual prosperity of all involved.

You can learn about proposed investments, and diplomatic relations with the Sarcophan Delves, in the All the night-tide wind of fortune.

Carved in Stone

• Imperial Synod; Wisdom, Prosperity, and Vigilance Assemblies; Loyalty Assembly and Wintermark
• Last updated 06/06/2025

Oaths are a serious business. Case in point; the oaths sworn by four members of the Assembly of Nine to bear auras of Peace for the coming year. Some of those oaths have been broken, and with a certain inevitability, consequences follow on the anniversary of the oath-taking, at the point where the oath should have ended. At the same time, it is perhaps apposite that just as this moment looms large, the Wintermark Assembly and the Assembly of Loyalty take their own steps to recognise the importance of oaths, and the keeping thereof.

You can learn about unexpected consequences, and the hallowing of oaths, in the Carved in stone wind of fortune.

We Give the Future to the Winds (Faraden)

• Faraden Ambassador; Gatekeepers; Imperial Senate; Varushka, Dawn, the Marches

Faraden lies to the west of the Empire across the Lasambrian hills and on the other side of the Jotun domain. They are enthusiastic traders whose caravans have become increasingly common in Imperial territory over the last couple of years. In the past a cloud of resentment and frustration has hung over relations between Faraden and the Empire but recent relations have been increasingly positive. Of course there is always a nail in the haystack; in this case it is the meddling of the Asavean Plenum among the families of the west.

You can learn about various opportunities, and the gentle threat of the Asaveans, in the We give the future to the winds wind of fortune.

My Passions from a Common Spring (Jarm, Commonwealth)

• Ambassadors to Jarm and the Commonwealth; Imperial fleet captains; Voice of Liberty; Advisor on the Vallorn; Imperial Military Council

The Lantir War continues to rage between the Commonwealth and the Principalities of Jarm. Diplomats from both sides appear confident that their nation has the upper hand, but reading between the lines it seems that neither is actually winning as such. The Commonwealth are allies of the Empire through the Liberty Pact, while relations with the Principalities have rarely been more strained. Yet there are diplomatic opportunities with both nations, and while Jarm and the Empire may be at odds they are not at war with each other.

You can learn about the situation in the east, and several opportunities related to it, in the My passions from a common spring wind of fortune.

Drowned in Tears (Asavea, Sumaah)

• Ambassadors to Asavea and Sumaah; Imperial Senate; Imperial Fleet Captains; the Brass Coast

Asavea remains at war with both the Empire and the Sumaah Republic. The latter, staunch adherents of the orthodox Way, continue to remain friendly with their Imperial allies, not only thanks to the Liberty Pact but in gratitude for recent aid offered in fighting off Asavean aggression in their home waters. For their part, Imperial priests remain committed to spreading the Way to Asavea, or to inspiring a bloody uprising against the Plenum that would see the nation fundamentally changed. The Sea of Salt is a place of turmoil and conflict at the moment, beset with storms that show no sign of dying down any time soon.

You can learn about the situation in the west, and opportunities to both spread chaos and accord, in the Drowned in tears wind of fortune.

Climb Every Mountain (Sword Scholars)

• Urizen Assembly; Imperial Senate
• Last updated 10/09/2025

More than two years ago, the tradition of the sword scholars in Urizen was sundered. Those who laid claim to the title of sword scholars have prospered in the intervening time. In the wider Empire, people are more sceptical of the Synod than ever before - it's power has tangibly been diminished by the success of the sword scholars. It's easy to argue that it was only when they set their blades down that the sword scholars achieved victory. Those who refused to lay down their swords apparently retreated back into the mountains. Things may seem quiet, but the Disciples are in hiding, they haven't gone away. They are still teaching the blade to those who seek them out, still preaching their blasphemous creeds to those who take them in. It is often quiet before a storm.

You can find out about the conflict between Urizen and the Disciples of Sulemaine, and ways to address their potential threat, in the Climb every mountain wind of fortune.

Bedight in Veils (Diplomacy)

• Imperial Consul; Ambassadors to Otkodov, Suranni, and Grendel; Varushka; Tolvoli Butcher, Night Quarry seat, Guardian of the Maze of Zoria; Master of Ice and Darkness; Minister of Historical Research; Imperial Spymaster; Wintermark, Navarr, Dawn, the Brass Coast; assorted assemblies; Imperial Conclave; Imperial Senate
• Last updated 09/09/2025

The Empire is not alone in the world; there are nations great and small scattered across the known world. The smaller nations that cluster around Imperial borders in particular make demands of their Imperial neighbours time, and exert an influence that often belies their size. Each season there is a blizzard of letters, reports, and documents that sweeps back and forth around the embassies and the Imperial consulate. Here are discussions with the Iron Confederacy, the Thule, the Jotun and the Grendel, the orcs of the Barrens, the People of the Moon, and the new Protecorate of Morajasse, all requiring the attention of Imperial citizens.

You can learn about the disparate events relating to nearby nations, both foreigners and barbarians, in the Bedight in veils wind of fortune.

Born With Insight

• Imperial Synod; Wintermark and Varushkan national assemblies; Wisdom and Vigilance virtue assemblies

Rather than encourage the faithful to engage with so-called false virtues, the General Assembly of the Imperial Synod has moved decisively to counter the threat they pose. They have enacted a clear mandate that warns of the dangers of wicked spiritual powers and encourages everyone to be Vigilant against them. Some nations have taken their own steps to try to counter the influence of false virtues, and now there are opportunities to discuss how best to fight against the unvirtuous powers abroad in the Empire.

You can read about these opportunities, and some general discussion of the fight against malign spiritual presences, in the Born with insight wind of fortune.

Stand Amid the Roar

• Narwhal's Spear; the Sun Chamber; Wintermark and Highguard; Corrin Arrowsbane, Speaker of the Highborn Assembly, Counsel of the Sun Chamber

What started with simple animal attacks has gained momentum over the last several seasons. Representatives of a group, or perhaps of a person, called the Falconer came to Anvil, bringing words of strength, bloodshed, and a return to an imagined past. Blood began to be spilt. Citizens have taken action in the face of this creeping menace; the Silent Bell revealed the truth. The cult was condemned. The Senate declared the cult to be illegal. As the Claw burns balefully on the western horizon, concrete steps are being taken to put an end to this threat.

You can learn about the cult of the Falconer, and what can be done to thwart it, in the Stand amid the roar wind of fortune.

Best Beware my Sting

• Dawn; historians

Since their conquest of the Barrens was complete, the nobles of Dawn have had to contend with a new power there. A manticore: a near-mythical beast, that dwells in the heart of the Untrod Groves and calls itself their Earl. Though it is not bonded to the egregore, this creature claims to be Dawnish, and traces its lineage back to an ancient monarch, Penni the White. With its home now part of Dawn once more, this "Earl" seems intend on re-establishing their dominion. The Earl's Council has rejected the idea that this being might be one of them, but the Earl of the Groves does not accept the rejection and invited nobles and yeofolk alike to a tourney on its lands. Now it seems the creature has another invitation - this time to a simple banquet. What can go wrong?

You can learn about the Earl of the Groves, and its banquet, in the Best beware my sting wind of fortune.

The Moth for the Star

• Astronomancers; magicians of all kinds; people who have spent time in Karov, Hahnmark, Holberg, Spiral, and Semmerholm

Most folk believe that the constellations have always existed in the night sky. Some claim that they are the tools employed by the Creator, when they forged all of Creation. Astronomancers sometimes view themselves as the most rarified of magicians because they seek to wield the power of the Creator. Nobody has ever found a way to prove if the constellations cause magical effects or are caused by them. As above, so below is the one law most astronomancers can agree on - for most practical magicians it is enough that it works. As above, so below. When the stars come into alignment, so to does the Empire...

You can learn about matters relating to the stars, including their impact on arcane projections, in the The moth for the star wind of fortune.

Met a Pilgrim Shadow (Visitors)

• Varushkans (specifically Alderei the Fair); Academy students; Kaspar Yakovitch von Holberg; Highborn; Wintermark artisans, heroes and scops

People visit Anvil for all kinds of reasons. Trade, wonderment, and a chance to meet with the movers and shakers of the Empire. It is no surprise that Anvil is seen as the place to be if you want to get anything of importance done.

You can learn about some of the folk coming to Anvil this season, in the Met a pilgrim shadow wind of fortune.

Upon a Midnight Dreary (Winds of Magic)

• Imperial magicians; Brass Coast, Magpies Sodality; Vault Divers; Imperial priests; Nathair Autumngale; anyone with an interest in events in Therunin and Sarangrave; practitioners of Knights of Glory; Master of Ice and Darkness; warriors of Wintermark and Dawn; mine owners from Semmerholm, Weirwater, Karsk, Ossium, The Barrens, Karov, Volodmartz and Holberg, as well as the Archmage of Summer and the Watcher of the Lake; Catena of the Concordium of Pallas; folk of Necropolis; people living in Upwold; and the Imperial Military Council

Some magic comes from outside the Empire, from the creatures of the realms, the eternals and their heralds. Sometimes they have boons to offer, sometimes they have demands to make. Here we learn of the doings of the realms, with something that could be relevant to any number of folk including some meetings, some conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate, some odd opportunities and eerie happenings.

You can learn about the doings of various eternals, and the repercussions of their former doings, in the Upon a midnight dreary wind of fortune.

Volumes of Forgotten Lore (Winds of Magic)

• Imperial citizens; Citizens of Casinea; Imperial Censor; Dreamers and oneironauts of all kinds; Varushkans, especially mine owners; Archmage of Spring and Vallornguard; magicians favouring Ephisis' Scale; people with money to burn and an interest in unique treasures; Woundbinder of the Mark; Loom-fanciers; Conclave Orders, especially the Unfettered Mind, and the Imperial Conclave in general; Guardian of the Prosperity of Afal, Keeper of the Golden Fields, Keeper of the Happiston Fields, Roost's Reeve, Keeper of the Dour Fens; Imperial Generals; people from Spiral

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, confabulations 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.

You can find out about strange magic of mortal origin, or whose provenance is mysterious in some way, in the Volumes of forgotten lore wind of fortune.

Other Events

Those Who Are Free

• The Free Folk plan to work to strengthen the network of the Proffered Hand
• It will take time for them to find the best way to do that, up to a year potentially
• The Dawnish Assembly could invoke their aid at any point during this year with a suitably worded judgement that achieved a greater majority

Last season, the Free Folk requested direction from the Imperial Synod on what they should focus on. Inspired by the extraordinary life and work of Lady Eleanor Novarion they are determined to play their own part in ensuring a fitting legacy for the woman who devoted her life to them and people like them.

We the most glorious nation of Dawn, would like to invite our Free Folk to assist with the liberation of those who want to take the shelter of the Proffered Hand. We support their Ambition to strengthen the network and spread it within and without the Empire. Exemplar Eleanor Novarion always encouraged the people to make up their own minds and to embrace their path to Virtue. Now is a time for love, for glory and for compassion!

Voss “Poppy” Poppoli, Dawnish Assembly, Summer Solstice 378YE, Vote: 274-60

They were unsure on how best to achieve that however. To what end should they pledge their heart's commitment? The Assemblies raised several statements of principle on the matter, one by Aster Aceae was rejected and another, the judgement of Tren Meals encouraging the Free Folk to support the Lions of Adelmar, that only just passed.

In the end it is the words of Voss “Poppy” Poppoli, that provide the Free Folk with the guidance they need, urging them to do what they can to strengthen the network of the Proffered Hand. The sentiment is echoed by similar judgements by Friar John of the Mourn in the Pride Assembly and by Lepidena in the Urizen Assembly.

The Free Folk are grateful for the guidance of the Dawnish Assembly and for the wider Synod. They can see clearly now that the Proffered Hand is the true legacy of Lady Eleanor, and they intend to do everything they can to strengthen the network and ensure that it prospers for years to come. Sadly, they don't yet have any plans for how they might do that yet.

They intend to spend the coming year looking at what might be done and to return to Anvil once they have ideas to discuss with people. They plan to return once they have found the best way to immortalise their beloved exemplar's legacy, however any judgement that passed the Dawnish Assembly with a greater majority that called on the Free Folk to help with a credible plan to strengthen the network of the Proffered Hand would be bound to attract their interest and support. The judgement would have to be clearly in support of strengthening the Proffered Hand to gain their help - that decision has now been made so it is not possible to get the aid of the Free Folk for other causes.

Those Who Are Not Free

• The Silent Bell have been asked to spy on the Druj to discover what they can about the way the Druj employ Fear and Dread
• The work is deadly, and the majority of those involved were caught and brutally executed by the Druj
• The survivors are preparing a report to be delivered to Lady Laudine of House duLac at the Winter Solstice
• If the Silent Bell lose any more members, their ability to investigate anything will be shattered
• If that happens, then the ability to employ the Silent Bell will be lost for a minimum of one year
• The Empire would need an appraisal to find a way to reconstitute the sodality

The Assembly of Vigilance directs the Silent Bell to investigate the threat of Fear. We task the Sodality to infiltrate the Mallum, and discover all they can on the Druj use of the malign spiritual force of Fear. We ask that the Bell learn all they can of the nature & usage of Fear, so we will be better armed against the threat they pose. We recognise that in offering themselves to conduct this most dangerous of tasks, the commitment of the Silent Bell to Vigilance, to Virtue, and to the Empire is without equal. This Sacrifice made willingly, is a testament to the power of True Virtue against Blasphemers and Heretics. When the Mallum falls, the agents of the Silent Bell will have had a hand in that Victory. We ask that the names of the fallen are shared by the Silent Bell.

Lady Laudine of House duLac, Vigilance Assembly, Summer Solstice 378YE, Vote: 324-0

Alone among the barbarian enemies the Empire faces, the Druj appear to make use of powerful spiritual effects, building miasma pillars to crush the spirits of those they rule and creating tortured souls from those they execute. The fear they generate is palpable; it is clear that the Druj regard their ability to inflict fear as their greatest weapon.

At great cost to themselves, the Silent Bell have done everything they can to investigate the way the Druj create and spread fear and terror. Such work is far outside their normal work, which tends to be confined to investigating threats inside the Empire. The Druj are a paranoid people, constantly on the look-out for spies - those they catch face the most gruesome deaths imaginable. Those who set out know the truth, that many of them, most of them, will never return.

And so it proves. Once the Druj become aware of spies in their lands, they redouble their efforts to hunt them down and deal with them. Far too many members of the Silent Bell discover that their efforts to learn more about how the Druj spread fear and dread become all too personal lessons. The only possible surcease from the most unimaginable torture and dismemberment is the gift of Kaela, something not all the Silent Bell are prepared to accept, given it's questionable religious overtones.

Only a handful of those who set out make it back alive. Over a hundred members of the Silent Bell are lost to the Druj terror. The costs have been horrendous, but have the results been worth it? The survivors are piecing together what they have learned and preparing a report to deliver to Lady Laudine of House duLac for the start of the Winter Solstice. They cannot deliver the report any earlier, so many lives have been lost but there is still a lot of different reports to collate and to confirm the details of that it will take some time. Still, after hundreds of years fighting them, the Empire will soon have access to some of the most important secrets of the Druj.

As for the Silent Bell, their numbers have been brutally culled by the attempt to spy on the Druj. Those who volunteered knowing that this would mean almost certain death, were among the bravest and the most committed to the cause. The Silent Bell cannot afford to take such losses again in the near future - if they do, then it will be impossible for them to carry out any further work until they have had time to recruit a new generation of members. Such an effort would require a substantial investment by the Empire, the shattered Silent Bell would not be able to recover by themselves.

Provided they don't lose any more members to violence, the Silent Bell can continue as they are, but if there are more significant losses then the Synod will lose the ability to direct the Silent Bell for a minimum of one year and not without a substantial investment. It would require an appraisal to see how the sodality might be rebuilt.

A Grand Competition (Varushka)

• The Great Hall of Fabric Arts in Delev has been completed
• A grand competition of fabric art is being arranged, complete with prizes

Last season, the Great Hall of Fabric Arts was completed. The weavers of Delev, led by Miryem Vitkova Vorotav, called on the Varushkan nation to stage a competition during the Winter Market at the coming summit to find the best fabric art. The call has been enthusiastically taken up by Triska Markova of the Druzhba Karova, who has done all the hard work of organising the contest. Prizes for the winner have been dispatched into the safekeeping of the egregores.

The four categories are Garment, Varushkan History, Virtue Animal, and Open (also referred to as wildcard, which, as Miryem's daughter points out, is the far superior term). Triska Markova will hopefully have more information on the exact timing of the competition, but it is expected to take place during the Winter Market. Miryem assumes people should be able to present their submissions until the start of the Winter Market.

As to who might judge the competition, Miryem has asked that Vesna Borkovna Prochnost (as the Throne), Kalina Jadwigowna Piosnkowa Prochnost (as Imperial Inquisitor), and Anatolij Paukov Zorkin (who raised the initial statement of principle) be asked to vote, along with any senators of Varushka who do not wish to offer an entry.

Spit in Green Mother's Eye

Defied the Lady of the Woods

Citizen	Nation
Corwyn Heartsbane	Navarr
Olek A'Hagen ne Ossium	Dawn
Mordrain Sepulchre	Dawn
Logan Tallstag	Dawn
Egan Dusk Crow	Navarr
Kyffin Thornfield	Navarr
Rhyffyllann Kraken's Crawl	Navarr
Ser Drayvana of Lucentia	Dawn
Percival Summerstrong	Dawn
Reynard Forester	Dawn

• The heralds of Yaw'nagrah attempted to remove Wither the Seed on Brocéliande
• They were stopped by a combined effort from Dawn and Navarr

Last season, the lush forests of Brocéliande were investigated by military units from Dawn and Navarr. In Vale's Lament, it became clear that there were countless wild places where the children of the Green Mother held sway, and that the progeny of the Queen of the Forest were trying to perform a grand working that would spread a wave of Spring magic across the territory, freeing the territory of its terrible curse.

Due to the nature of the threat, it was only possible for those who had scouted Brocéliande after the Spring Equinox to intervene against the heralds of Barkspawner. Ten military units were sent to defy the will of the Lady of Bark and Bramble. They were able to defeat the heralds such that it will not be possible for Yaw'nagrah to even attempt to remove the curse on Brocéliande until the start of the Winter Solstice 388YE.

Participation
The ten characters who took the Defy the Lady of the Woods action will have a lingering wound in their pack. Appropriate stories from the campaign would involve monstrous horrors, desperate strikes against unthinkable odds, and seemingly unending waves of vallornspawn husks.

Home is Where the Herd Is

Escorted the Drovers

Citizen	Nation
Irontide Kurz	Imperial Orcs
John a Woode	The Marches
Frith	Imperial Orcs
Skod	Imperial Orcs
Rok	Imperial Orcs
Pathfinder Gaddak	Imperial Orcs
Redhand Gezzar	Imperial Orcs
Irontide Scrin	Imperial Orcs
Kadd	Imperial Orcs
Aliss Thorn	The Marches
Richard Hawthorn	The Marches
Pathfinder Brog	Imperial Orcs
Firesong Arachas	Imperial Orcs

• A total of two hundred and seventy-two cows were provided for the Southern Herd
• The southern herd has safely arrived in Nadir, Mareave

Two seasons ago, five Imperial Orcs provided cattle bonds towards the formation of the Southern Herd. Bloodcrow Pip and Gralka each provided two cattle bonds; Ashborn Trosk provided twenty-eight cattle bonds; and Sandviper IDRA and Bloodcrow Rasp each provided a staggering one hundred and twenty cattle bonds. Now, supported by ten warbands from the Imperial Orcs and three Marcher forces, the migrating herd has finally arrived in Nadir.

The Unshackled and Marchers who escorted the drovers over the past two seasons have received an unexpected reward in the form of finely crafted arms and armour. Funded by a combination of the Imperial Orcs and the residents of Rathmonna, each of the fifteen military unit has been upgraded in time for the Autumn Equinox 387YE.

The title, Shepherd of the Southern Herd, will be available to appoint for the first time at the Winter Solstice 387YE, once the cattle have had a chance to settle and proper stock can be taken of the potential responsibilities for the title.

Participation: If you took part in Escort the Drovers, then appropriate stories would involve any number of tropes associated with droving. Any character who travelled from Mareave, Spiral, Redoubt, or Necropolis is welcome to roleplay that they have seen the great herd on their journey.

Brass and Blood (Navies)

• The scholars and shipwrights of the Zemress Naval Academy have almost completed their research
• Imperial navies will soon be able to be raised with Swift Sails
• The next research will be decided upon at the Winter Solstice 387YE

A year ago, the fleet captains of the Brass Coast voted on the newest research for the Zemress Naval Academy. They chose to encourage the shipwrights and scholars of the School of Brass and Blood to research swift sails. Built for speed, such a navy will be able to put on sail and make extra speed at the cost of risking damage to shipping. It builds on techniques witnessed by the Grendel warships, some of which are designed to achieve speed at all costs.

The Hunt of Big Icebarn (Sermersuaq)

• Big Icebarn has been hunting the monsters of Agramant in the Suaq Wastes
• If Big Icebarn hadn't received enough support, it would have retreated back to Sydanjaa
• The Artok was supported by more than twelve thousand strength from the military units of Wintermark
• Big Icebarn will remain another season if supported by at least thirteen thousand strength from military units of Wintermark

Three seasons ago, then Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq, Liv Tidgaring, sent Big Icebarn into the Suaq Wastes to hunt the monsters of Blood-on-the-Snow. Those Winterfolk who were hunting the monsters benefited from the Artok; the monstrous creatures couldn't help but be drawn to Big Icebarn.

There was worry that the Artok would be forced north, back into Sydanjaa, if insufficient Winterfolk joined them in the hunt. It was estimated that around six thousand heroes would need to take part in the hunt to prevent Big Icebarn from being battered by the monsters of the northern wastes. Fully twice that number took to the Suaq Wastes, hunting the beasts of the Siren-of-the-Wasteland whilst, admittedly, staying clear enough away from Artok as to not get in its way.

Big Icebarn will continue on its way, carving a path through the foul creatures of the Wasteland, and if at least thirteen thousand strength in the military units of Wintermark support it, then it will draw the attention of a guardian of Agramant, and with it an opportunity to slay it at the Winter Solstice.

Dusk

• For this event we are defining dusk as beginning at 19:00 and ending at 20:00
• No bow or crossbow use in Anvil after 19:55 or on quests that start after this time

Our bow safety rules prohibit the use of bows and crossbows after "dusk". At this event we are defining that point as 19:55 each day. This means you cannot use a bow in Anvil after this time, or on a skirmish or quest that starts after this time.

The necromantic ritual Whispers through the Black Gate can only be performed for one hour around dusk - at this event that means the ritual can be performed at any time between 19:00 and 20:00.

Spring Heralds Volunteering

• It is no longer possible to volunteer for this opportunity
• There is an opportunity for a small number of player volunteers to help portray Spring heralds
• Volunteers will need to have their own costume: robes or tunics in white, green or earth tones
• The role will last around two hours, starting at 21:00 on Saturday
• The role will involve talking with player characters, some amount of walking and standing. There will be lighting but it could be dim
• If you are interested, please email plot@profounddecisions.co.uk with your PID and the subject line "Spring Herald Volunteer E4" where you will be given further information
• Please email before 18:00 on Saturday 6th September if you are interested in volunteering
• It is not possible to volunteer for this encounter if you play a character in Navarr

This is an opportunity to portray heralds of one of the Spring eternals known to the Empire. The eternal will not be made public before the encounter. This will be an encounter where heralds will be talking to large groups of player characters: conversing and giving gifts. It is not intended to be a combat encounter; however, it is possible that the player characters could attack you, so you would have to be comfortable with this possibility.

There will not be seating and some amount of walking and standing would be needed. The light will likely be dim but no reading is required.

If you are interested and would like more information, please email plot@profounddecisions.co.uk with your PID and you will be given more details.

Trade Summary

• Imperial fleets can trade with ports in Axos, the Commonwealth, Faraden, the Iron Confederacy, the Sarcophan Delves, and the Sumaah Republic
• Production depends on the port chosen, and can be increased by upgrades and enchantments

Imperial fleets can trade with a number of foreign nations who have chosen to open some of their ports to visitors from the Empire. The assumption is that a ship trading with a foreign nation makes enough from selling their cargo to cover their running costs, crew salaries and the like, but that there is enough profit to provide the character who owns the fleet with valuable goods of interest to the folk who attend Anvil. What goods are received for visiting a port is changeable, and heavily influenced by Imperial diplomacy.

Mandates

• You can find details of the mandates, along with the rest of the Synod judgements, here.

A number of mandates were successfully upheld in the Imperial Synod last season. As long as the named priest provided sufficient liao, those mandates have been automatically enacted.

Summer Conjunctions

• Last event there were a number of conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate; their known outcomes are listed here

During the Summer Solstice, there were a number of conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate identified by the Imperial prognosticators. In each case a band of Imperial heroes used that conjunction to travel to a location far from Anvil and intervene in an ongoing situation. These are the known outcomes of those conjunctions. In the case of battles, it is important to remember that the Military Council can only make use of two of the major conjunctions each summit, choosing which to take advantage of during the Muster.

Major Conjunctions

Location	Opportunity	Opposition	Link	Outcome
Bregasland, The Rushes, Cinder Drove	Kill the Guardian	Jotun	Breaking Burhfæst	Field Marshal was Eisa Ironlungs of Wintermark; The Mountain Bulwark was destroyed; the Clakes were rescued; Sammy Clake was executed in Anvil
Liathaven, West Ranging, Far Steading	Destroy the Mechanism	Jotun	Tinker's Tribute	Not taken; a fortification has been completed in West Ranging; the two injured Feni died; Forge's Aegis was lost
Sarangrave, Kroll, Palace Expanse	Break the Enchantment	Druj	Shine a Light	Not taken; Palace of Sleepers has escaped; Het Trakaa remains alive; Krollthorned remain a threat
Zenith, Proceris, Plantation of Tall Ferns	Poison the Sac	Druj	A Sackful of Poison	Field Marshal was Nicassia Avicia of Phoenix Reach of Urizen; Egg sac poisoned; Orbubus' Weepers survive

Minor Conjunctions

#	Location	Responsibility	Overview	Result
1	Mournwold, Southmoor, Warthill Woods	Jedediah Boon	Defeat the yegarra	Yegarra defeated and eight wains of mithril delivered to Jonah John in time for the Autumn Equinox
2	Hahnmark, Wood Heath, Dunfrith	Guardian of Dunfrith	Investigate the source of trouble	Murderer identified and escorted out of village. No report of trial from local magistrate.
3	Mournwold, Greensward, Honour's Rest Fields	Friar of Honour's Rest	Kill the Ulvenwar	Ulvenwar killed and Marcher orcs rescued
4	Liathaven, West Ranging, Halbera's Stockade	General of the Seventh Wave	Kill Halbera Strongarm	Halbera Strongarm killed
5	Mournwold, Greensward, Farstrider Approach	Bailiff of the Downs	Kill the Ulvenwar	Ulvenwar killed and Marcher orcs rescued
6	Therunin, Eastring, Glimmerwater	Eanna Glimmerwater	Bask in the lantern	Lantern basked in
7	Sermersuaq, Suaq Wastes, Typhawn's Pen	Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq	Kill Typhawn	Typhawn killed
8	Liathaven, Liath's Ring, Sigryn's Bawn	Champion of Ambition	Defeat the heralds	Construct and heralds of Eleonaris killed
9	Liathaven, Liaven's Glen, Freydi's Meadow	General of the Autumn Hammers	Recover the construct	Heralds of Eleonaris killed and construct recovered
10	Miaren, Serenael, Seren Temple Building Site	Eternal Flame of Miaren	Ease the passing of the ghosts	Unclear, but Tanwen, the Eternal Flame of Miaren, should know more
11	Skallahn, Fareskov, The Dark Woods	Eerikki Korpi	Enter the dark woods of Fareskov on behalf of the Toad King	Unclear, but Eerikki Korpi should know more
12	Necropolis, Coursmouth, Broken Grove	Champion of Pride	Kill the servants of the Red God	Servants of the Red God killed
13	Mareave, Icarion, The Courath's Hold	General of the Citadel Guard	Defeat the Courath of Icarion	Courath of Icarion defeated and Stormcaller recovered
14	Kallavesa, Kallavesa Marsh, Mjod’s Glen	Crow Keeper of the Rest	Defeat the coral husks	All coral husks destroyed
15	Mareave, Fleisardh, Halkrin's Orchard	Champion of Prosperity	Defeat the Grendel and claim the cache	Resources recovered
16	Bregasland, Ottermire, Picklers Marsh	Cadet Commander	Rescue the magicians	Magician rescued and escorted back to Anvil
17	Therunin, Greenheart, The Untrod Wilds	Spear of the Seven	Defeat the Druj	Druj defeated and resources recovered
18	Brocéliande, Dark Ranging, Darkened Glade	Speaker of the Vallornguard	Kill the cult's leaders	Cult's leaders killed
19	Sarangrave, Bendol, Ghulai's Rest	Knight of the Greenwood	Claim Vate's Shelter	Vate's Shelter recovered
20	Zenith, Lustri, Danwyn's Path	Champion of Vigilance	Defeat the Druj	Druj defeated
21	Miekarova, Mieriada, Painted Clearing	Senator for Miekarova	Defeat the cultists	Cultists killed
22	Therunin, Eastring, Toxic Sward	Champion of Wisdom	Defeat the heralds and the Druj	Druj and heralds of Arhallogen defeated
23	Skarsind, Estermark, Mormyk Woods	Shepherd of the Great Herd	Defeat the cultists	Cultists killed
24	The Barrens, The Bleaks, Last Battle's Field	Keeper of the Last Battle	Kill the Druj and the heralds of Arhallogen	Heralds of Arhallogen and Druj killed
25	Hahnmark, Valasmark, Dunhall Copse	Senator for Hahnmark	Defeat the cultists	Cultists killed
26	Mareave, Beoraidh, Black Sand Tower	Ambassador to the Grendel	Meet the visiting Grendel wind lord	Unclear, but Finna, Ambassador to the Grendel, should know more