Every path you know

"I'm not too keen to this whole 'taking orders from people who haven't sworn a binding of thorns', Myfanwy". Gavyn was in a sour mood. It was wet, and the Grendel were still pushing them back. Mostly it was wet. No-one could deny that Rivers of Life was an incredible working of magic that saved the lives of countless people, soldier and civilian alike, but it was also impossible to deny that it was a curse that means you spend the whole season wet.

"The only person you need to worry about taking orders from is general Cadwell" snapped Myfanwy, she was already sick of this conversation, having had it about eight times today, half of them with Gavyn.

"What if we end up with some dickhead from Trivento who believes everything they read in every ring-dreadful about vallorn hearts under the sea?"

"Then we will educate them." Myfanwy lost her temper. "The whole fucking point of us joining this fucking Empire was to get some fucking allies to kill the fucking vallorn, right? If everyone has to take a binding of thorns and get a tattoo, then they're not allies, they're just us. If we want people who aren't us to give a shit then we have to fucking let them and help them do it in their own way, or our great-great-great-great grandchildren Myfanwy the seventh and Gavyn the seventh will be sat on this same fucking mountain getting soaked by the same fucking spring magic having this same fucking argument."

"I'm....sorry Fan. It's just hard when you care so much to share it with other people who might not take it as seriously as we do."

"I know Gav, but they won't know, and they won't care, if we don't help them. Right?"

"Even if they're from Trivento?" Gavyn smirked and rested their forehead against Myfanwy's, rain streaming down their faces.

Myfanwy sighed and smiled back. It was hard to stay mad at your dance-partner. "Yes, even if they're from Trivento."

The garden long-tended by the Navarr begins to bear fruit.

Overview

Initially, the creation of the Vallornguard did not receive unanimous praise in all corners of Navarr. People were ambivalent, unsure of how to respond to the idea that those who had sworn themselves completely to the eradication of Terunael's folly should now share that responsibility with others.

The people of Navarr welcome and embrace the multi-nation commitment to the fight against the vallorn as represented by the Vallornguard. We must all work to ensure that our skills, knowledge, and experience, all hard-won over a millennium of conflict are shared with this new ally. This is the highest calling of our assembly.

Xandor Trodbroker, Navarr National Assembly, Autumn 387YE, Vote: Upheld with a Greater Majority 263-10

We the Navarr Assembly support the formation and operation of the Vallornguard in the mission to eradicate the vallorn. Our oaths are clear and we act as one nation and an Empire in our ambition to see this threat destroyed.

Haco, Navarr National Assembly, Autumn 387YE, Vote: 201-0

The guides of the nation came together last summit to answer that question. Speaking with a a clear voice they have committed the nation to aiding this nascent body as the newest ally in the fight. Surely, this was the impetus for Navarr joining the Empire in the first place? To galvanise the other nations to work with them to destroy the vallorn... Even with the recent revelations, the plain truth is that the Navarr cannot defeat the vallorn acting alone. With the clock ticking now now that the trods are no longer being walked and maintained as they once were, the Vallornguard may be the best way to unite the nations in common cause.

The national assembly have not merely thrown their moral weight behind the Vallornguard. They declare supporting the sodality to be the nation's highest calling, urging everyone to share an epoch of skills, knowledge, and experience with this new ally. Excited by the prospects of taking action, the Navarr have responded with fierce urgency.

Thanks for Sharing

• During the coming year the Navarr Assembly could select a single different nation each season to support
• Whichever nations the Navarr choose will get an opportunity to create a new title that helps the Vallornguard fight the vallorn

The Assembly called on all Navarr to share their skills, knowledge and experience with others. People are enthusiastic to heed the call - but uncertain of where to start. It won't work to just spread out across the Empire, it's clear the impact of that would be limited. Better, most people think, to concentrate efforts on a single ally at a time - that way they can achieve palpable results.

In 388YE, the Navarr National Assembly will be able to pick a single different Imperial nation each season (in a similar manner to Highguard's Peerless Kinship) and share their skills, knowledge, and experience with them. Navarr will stride across the chosen nation looking to to share all that they have learned over the centuries. They will seek out any opportunity where their abilities might help build support for the sodality and provide it with the tools and resources it will need.

The Virtuous raise up their fellows. Any nation willing to raise arms and join the Vallornguard shall have our full support. We send {named priest} with 50 doses of liao to lead our people in sharing everything we have with {nation} to prepare to finish the fight.

Synod Mandate, Navarr

If this mandate is enacted, Navarr from all walks of life will travel to the named nation looking for ways to help. This will generate at least one opportunity for a new Imperial title to help the Vallornguard prepare for the fight with the enemy.

The new sodality could benefit if other nations are able to help supply and provision the nascent Vallornguard, but what can be done closer to home?

Home on the Remains

• Restoring the botanical gardens at the First Voice Glade School would allow the Navarr to share their skills with members of the Vallornguard
• The Dean would gain 27 herbs each season
• The Dean could upgrade a basic garden owned by a member of the Vallornguard each season

Restoration of First Voice Glade Garden

Commission Type: Edifice

Location: Oakways, Miaren

Cost: 30 wains of weirwood, 90 crowns, three months

Availability: One year

Effect: Restores the bounty of 27 herbs each season to the Dean of the First Voice Glade Gives the Dean the ability to upgrade a single basic herb garden belonging to a member of the Vallornguard each season

The First Voice Glade School has just been rebuilt after it was destroyed by the Empty Hands two years ago. The school itself has now been rebuilt on a much grander scale, and has once again become a scholastic haven, promoting the musical and cultural traditions of the Navarr, sharing them with students from near and far. The school has encouraged emerging talent, ensuring Navarr musical traditions remain vital.

Sadly the associated botanical garden were overlooked in the proposal presented by the civil service, which focused on other benefits. But with scores of visitors coming to the shrine, there is now a chance to recreate the gardens and take advantage of that with the school itself. Whisper it quietly, but the Navarr recognise no equal in herblore in the Empire - no other nation has so many skilled apothecaries and herbalists.

The work proposed is not insignificant, but if the gardens were restored to their former glory and a new classroom built, the Dean would resume receiving a bounty of herbs, but they would also be able to select a member of the Vallornguard to train and study with Navarr masters of herb lore. Provided the student was not already highly proficient, the skills they gained would provide them with permanent benefits, allowing them to grow more herbs each season.

Any member of the Vallornguard would be free to roleplay spending time at the School to learn the history of the Empire's longest war, and to advance their skills in botany. The Dean could select a single member of the Vallornguard with a basic herb garden each season - their herb garden would be upgraded by one rank without needing any wains or money. A starting herb garden is one that does not have any existing upgrades.

Green Eyed Monster

Vallornguard Mustering Ground

Commission Type: Sinecure

Location: Holtford, Miaren

Cost: 10 wains of weirwood, 10 wains of mithril, 60 crowns, three months

Availability: One year

Effect: Creates the title First Thorn of the Vallornguard Allows a single Imperial army that resupplies in Miaren, to take the Uproot the Aberration order the season after

First Thorn of the Vallornguard

Type: Imperial position

Appointment: Vallornguard Appointment

Powers: Gains two doses of Oil of Blackthorn each season Gain one Barbed Spear, one Death's Door and one Bloodfire Periapt once a year Can decide which army can train at the Mustering Ground if more than two armies are resupplying in Miaren

Responsibilities: Oversee the training of new recruits to the Vallornguard and contribute to Imperial preparedness against the military threat of the vallorn

• A mustering ground could be built in Miaren to help Imperial armies fight the vallorn
• The First Thorn of the Vallornguard would receive blade oils effective against vallornspawn and a set of regalia

One of the challenges facing members of the Vallornguard is that the Empire as a whole has far less experience fighting the vallorn, than the barbarians they have been at war with for decades. There have been a number of notable engagements in the last few years, but few soldiers have been a part of an extended campaign, fighting for seasons at a time against the host of the vallorn. If that isn't corrected, the Empire's soldiers are in for a rude awakening when the the trods are connected and the vallorn is fully roused.

The idea is mooted for a mustering ground to drill new members of the Vallornguard until slaying husks, ettercaps, and all the other horrors the vallorn can produce becomes second nature. Miaren is the most logical choice - the area is firmly under Imperial control, but is central to all the vallorn hearts in the Empire. The Navarr could train warriors in the techniques needed to defeat the vallorn, showing them how to use potions like Oil of Blackthorn that are invaluable for destroying the enemy.

Having the mustering ground there would mean that any Imperial army that receives natural resupply in the territory could recruit from the training grounds as well as secure useful anti-vallorn potions and blade-oils. As a result the army could take the attacking order, Uproot the Aberration, the following season. (If multiple armies resupply in Miaren, the First Thorn should email plot@profounddecisions.co.uk in order to choose which army will gain the benefit).

Uproot the Aberration

• The ability of this army to conquer vallorn-held territory is increased by one tenth
• Casualties inflicted by this army against the vallorn are increased by one tenth
• Casualties suffered by this army from vallorn are reduced by one tenth

Bolstered by the fresh recruits trained by the Vallornguard, the army can employ a supply of potions useful for fighting the vallorn provided by the Mustering Ground against the enemy. These potions are quickly consumed, but can prove vital when used at the decisive moment, to turn the tide against Terunael's Folly.

The Vallornguard would need to appoint the First Thorn to oversee the training. Once that was done, local artisans would contribute time and materials to fashion them with potions and magical items to fight the vallorn. They would receive two doses of Oil of Blackthorn each season and the season after they were elected they would receive a Barbed Spear, a Death's Door and one Bloodfire Periapt.

Beware of Dog

The Grim Pyramid

Commission Type: Edifice

Location: Old Ranging, Hercynia

Cost: 30 wains of Mithril, 40 wains of white granite, 210 crowns, six months

Availability: One year

Special: The Grim Pyramid must be ceded to Kaela during commission or afterwards, to gain the listed effects

Effect: Provides a 3000 strength garrison of Grim Legionaries to defend Old Ranging if the region is attacked Creates the title Quartermaster of the Grim Legion

Quartermaster of the Grim Legion

Type: Imperial position

Appointment: Vallornguard Appointment

Regalia: The Cold-One's Cestus

Powers: Can purchase heart's blood from the Grim Pyramid in exchange for Marrowort Can deploy the garrison of Grim Legionaries to fight alongside a single Imperial army instead of defending Old Ranging. The army must not be under an existing ritual enchantment.

Responsibilities: To tend the deep steps of the Grim Pyramid, protecting the edifice from damage. To ensure the boons provided by Kaela are used to end the vallorn threat forever. To deliver Kaela's will to the Empire should she call on them to do so.

• The vates of The Final Note steading have asked Kaela to offer her aid to the Vallornguard
• The Queen-of-Silence has agreed to patronise a grand edifice in Hercynia
• The Grim Pyramid empowers an Imperial title - Quartermaster of the Grim Legion

The eternal Kaela has long watched the Navarr's quest to end the vallorn with great interest, offering her aid from time to time as suits her whims. Most recently she permitted the extension of her gift to not just ease the suffering of Imperials facing the orcs of the Mallum, but to those who fight the vallorn so that those who carry on do not have to fight an enemy wearing the face of a fallen loved one. The vates of The Final Note steading near Old Ranging have long experience dealing with Dark-Between-the-Stars, and sought out one of her heralds to discuss ways of harnessing the power of ending against the vallorn.

The End-of-Strength has consented to offer her aid. She will support the building of a grand edifice in the Starless Vale, a powerful Winter regio located in a narrow cleft in Old Ranging near to Last Note steading. The steading believe it was the site where the old Winterfolk Queen Ilsin met her end, but historians dispute this claim. Regardless, the Lady of Oblivion is prepared to support a site dedicated to her name that will offer aid against the vallorn.

Before she will do so, however, she asks the Navarr of Hercynia for an oath. One day, the vallorn will end. It may be that the Navarr and the Vallornguard bring about that ending. She wishes an oath that when that day comes, when Hercynia is once again free of corruption, the ruins of the Terunael city of Hacynian will be left to succumb to the passage of time. They will not be rebuilt, no new city raised on their foundations, no new Hacynian. They may raise a new city, if they wish, but not in Deer's Folly, and not named Hacynian. It must be something new, not an attempt to cling to something that has ended. With that in mind, The Last Note has proposed a mandate.

The Terunael city of Hacynian has passed into history, ruined by the vallorn. We send (named priest) with 25 liao to urge the folk of Hercynia to swear an oath that neither they nor their descendants will seek to rebuild Hacynian. Let us cherish its memory, but accept its passing as a sacrifice for a future free from the folly of Terunael.

Synod Mandate, Navarr National Assembly

If this mandate is upheld and enacted, Kaela will happily provide her support to the edifice in the Starless Vale. If not, the structure cannot be commissioned. Obviously, though, if the National Assembly enacts this mandate, and urges the folk of Hercynia to make an oath to let Hacynian pass into history, any future efforts that break that oath will likely have severe consequences for them and their descendants.

Assuming the Navarr meet her requirement, the Queen of Silence proposes a grand structure be carved into the ground itself; an inverted stone pyramid thirty floors deep. Those who come in search of the aid of the Black Dog will have to descend into the bones of the earth to meet with her representatives. The Grim Pyramid would be watched over by the Quartermaster of the Grim Legion, an Imperial title appointed annually by the Vallornguard. While she might otherwise have considered the Quartermaster being appointed by the Conclave, her only interest here is simply to end the vallorn and the vates of The Final Note steading have been clear in their desire to empower the sodality. Whoever is appointed, they will be expected to spend time at the Grim Pyramid, liaising with the servants of Kaela. If the Black Dog has reason to need something of the Empire, especially if it has to do with the vallorn, she may charge the Quartermaster to convey her wishes to the Empire.

In return for their service, the Queen-who-sits-on-the-Black-Throne will gift the Cold-One's Cestus to be part of the regalia of the title. The vates of The Final Note have examined this artefact, and declared that it is a single gauntlet that helps the wearer cast the rituals Surcease of Sorrow, Ravenous Tongue of Entropy and Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust.

The artefact is only a sign of her regard, however. She will station one of her Forgotten Generals at the Grim Pyramid, along with a complement of warriors (equivalent to 3,000 force strength). These grim legionaries will attack any force that tries to conquer the region. As long as the titleholder is a member of the Vallornguard, then they may order the Forgotten General to march forth alongside an Imperial army to battle the vallorn, provided the force were not under an existing enchantment. Obviously the legionaries would not be able to defend the region if it were attacked during a season when the legionaries are fighting the vallorn alongside an army. (OOC Note: To use this power the Quartermaster should email plot@profounddecisions.co.uk and let them know the army they have selected, and the general of that army should reference the presence of the grim legionnaires in their orders.)

The Final Note caution that if the Grim Pyramids garrison were called forth to fight with an army and did not end up fighting vallornspawn, then the title-holder will suffer her extreme displeasure. Which sounds bad, but hopefully everyone involved will be wise enough to elect someone who can ensure that doesn't happen? The Hercynian vates also point out that all things will eventually come to an end; when the last vallornheart is destroyed the Queen of Silence will withdraw from that place, leaving it to be reclaimed by whomever remains, or fall to the ravages of time. Either is fine with the Ending One after all.

One note of caution is raised by the civil service. Kaela's heralds have been clear that she will not commit to send heralds to fight the vallorn unless control of the Grim Pyramid has been ceded to her by the Senate (like a fane). Amity is not enough - the eternal will not guarantee something unless she is assured of her ability to carry though on her promise. Of course, if the Senate does cede the edifice to Kaela, then even enmity would not prevent the eternal from using the Grim Pyramid, and given it already has a significant force of her grim legion associated with it, they would potentially be in a position to cause significant trouble for the people of Hercynia and Hahnmark.

Further Reading

• Vallornguard
• The highest calling - 387YE Autumn wind of fortune about the highest calling
• Kaela