Fear quickens the breath

Anka Karass pensively held a rolled cigarette in her lips, unlit. She was lent against the fence which marked the boundary of the Carmine Fields Trading Post. With her stood two other orcs: the albino greybeard Tarruk and her niece Lenna. Tarruk was old - older than Anka - and had led the Karass in his day: Anka had taken the leadership from him when she judged him unable to hold it, but left him alive. His skill with herbs was unmatched in the sept, and he was something of a botanist. The needs of karass demanded that he therefore live. She'd taken the fourth finger on his dominant hand to prove the point all the same: and, to be fair, he'd never troubled her since. Lenna was young. Fourteen, fifteen? Her parents had died when she was very small. Enlisted for the Druj push into Semmerholm by those fast talkers from the Bone Serpent, along with many of the finer warriors of their generation who'd believed the Druj promises about reclamation. They'd gone seeking history and found only death, ash to ash. The young Imperial general who'd blunted the advance had died herself some years later, she understood, to the far north-west where she'd been born: another young warrior killed for tomorrow's promises. So it goes. Anka had raised Lenna in their stead.

The young orc had her grandfather's gifts. She heard the voice clearer than most people Anka'd ever known. She had that look to her, the kind of focused distance only those who could hear like she could did. Anka watched, cigarette in her lips still lightless, as Lenna looked at the passing yeofolk who peered curiously, and her mouth made words only she could hear. Root to root. Blood to blood. Life, spent for this. Anka'd had more of the knack in her younger days, when she'd been a fighter, but her knees were too dicky for standing her ground in a brawl nowadays and she could never hear the voice properly without her blood up. She occasionally still caught words of the familiar chant; around Lenna, it felt easier to catch. She glanced at Tarruk. He was also looking at Lenna, seeing in her what Anka saw - the future.

She glanced towards the trading post, and stashed the cigarette behind her ear. "About time we were heading in. We've given these Dawnish enough to gawk at. Stick by me, Lenna. Don't say owt. Don't give me that look, young lady. You're here to learn. Good. Tarruk, you know the score. See if there's anything interesting for sale potions-wise, ask about selling off that mana - and I'll go and tell the Envoy's office our new trade proposal, and, ah, discuss the other matters. That ought to meet muster. It will." She had plans for what she'd do if it didn't. Always another plan. Always another way. Day to day, hour to hour, the karass demanded survival above almost all else. She wasn't about to be the one who failed.

The paths of the Bleaks are carefully maintained by the Karass.

Overview

Last season, Anka Karass made contact with Imperial authorities, seeking to hand over two members of her sept to be executed for treachery. She claimed that they had given the Druj the location of the Last Battle Wayhouse. Unfortunately, a foreigner cannot be guilty of treason, which means that while there might theoretically have been charges for aiding the Druj assault on the Last Battle, the standard of evidence for doing so was quite high - and there was no suggestion that Anka Karass was offering any evidence at all. The Envoy to the Karass was sent to explain the situation to her: what took place seems to have advanced relations with the Karass considerably.

A Meeting at Twilight

• The meeting with the sept appears to have gone well despite Anka Karass being attacked

That meeting appears to have gone quite well, to the surprise of nearly everyone - especially the Karass. Anka was personally attacked, but by all accounts she doesn't seem to have been particularly offended by this or dissuaded from engaging with the Empire. She has given Chief Magistrate Cosme i Zuhri i Guerra a statement on the alleged assault - though details of this are not widely available, as it is the subject of an active criminal investigation. Anka's scribe has sent multiple letters to the magistrates this season, asking for legal elaboration and clarification on a wide range of matters. She has withdrawn her allegations against members of her own sept - and states she now understands that should definitive evidence arise proving that contact with the Druj took place, she must let the magistracy know - and not before.

It is widely believed that the Karass collaborated with the Druj when they ruled the Barrens, something they have done little to deny. The Karass have long expected the Druj to return at some point - and when they do the Karass believe they will be merciless to those who have broken bread with their enemies. However, Anka Karass responded positively to the Envoy's methods and general candour. They now understand that if they throw their lot in with the Druj, or fail to ensure that the Empire benefits from their relationship with the Karass, it will most certainly mean their death - and that is a threat now. This kind of language of coercion is one that is familiar - and that they can work with.

It seems that the Empire can have a transactional relationship with the Karass, especially if it is backed by the threat of force if the sept don't comply. Anka seems to believe that if the Karass hold up their end of the bargain and ensure that the Empire gets something from the relationship, the Empire may well take action regarding the Last Battle, and indeed she has some ideas for how that could even be to the Empire's benefit. Even if this doesn't happen, it is clear that she is relieved that the Empire has finally reached the point of making demands - or, at least, demands other than asking for the Black Lotus plant that the Karass are widely believed to have but which they continue to strenuously deny. And, it seems, the Karass do have things they are willing to offer...

Into the Forest

Spy on the Thule

Announcement: Imperial Spymaster

Effects: Creates a scouting voyage to Survey Thule attempts to claim a Black Lotus plant

Availability: Until the end of the Autumn Equinox 388YE

• The Karass have been spying on the Forest of Ulnak to check rumours of Thule forces attacking the Druj there
• Their scouts have discovered the existence of the spy network in the Forest of Ulnak
• They propose a joint venture to survey Thule attempts to claim a Black Lotus plant

Karass scouts have recently returned from spying on military movements in the Forest of Ulnak. Anka Karass claims they went there to check Imperial claims of Thule armies attacking Druj lands from the north. It appears those claims have been confirmed, much to the alarm of the Karass, who seem to be convinced that the Thule must be invading to try to take one or more of the Black Lotus plants the Buruk Tepel possess.

The Karass find the idea of the Dragons getting hold of a Black Lotus spiritually objectionable. As much as the Druj are the enemies of the Karass, so too are the Thule. She recognises that the Empire considers them allies, of a kind - but there are allies, and there are allies. Whatever their status, surely it does not benefit them at all to let them claim the Black Lotus from the Druj?

The returning scouts have also brought reports of the Imperial spy network in the territory. They weren't able to locate it, but they know that Imperial scouts are operating there, and they are impressed with their work. Its presence presents an opportunity. The Karass have a number of skilled scouts of their own that they are prepared to place at the disposal of their new overlords. They could work with Imperial scouts to stop the Thule from seizing a Black Lotus from defeated Druj forces.

The civil service note that this offer could be very short in duration. The Karass may have discovered the presence of an Imperial spy network in Ulnak but they assume it is a secret from the Thule. They are clearly utterly unaware that the Thule and the Empire have cooperated to use the spy network together in the past. Given the Thule know exactly where it is, they will probably destroy the network themselves once they secure control of the territory. A season, perhaps two at most?

However, for as long as it lasts, the spy network could be employed to try to stop the Thule seizing a Black Lotus. It would require the Imperial Spymaster to authorise the Karass to take action, but if that happened it would create a new scouting venture to Survey Thule attempts to claim a Black Lotus plant. Military units assigned to the action would collaborate with Karass scouts, who would help cover their tracks while they spied on the Thule. If two thousand points of total strength were assigned to the action, then the Empire would become aware if the Thule had managed to claim a Black Lotus plant. If four thousand points were assigned to the action, then the Empire would have a chance to employ the Sentinel Gate to prevent that from happening.

There is no possibility that the Thule will discover their presence of scouts in the Forest of Ulnak. The Thule could only get an inkling of what was going on if the Karass betrayed them, if they were informed by the Ambassador to Otkodov, or if the Empire badly botched a military raid of some kind.

Watchful Eyes at Dusk

Cede the Last Battle

Motion Type: Concedence

Effects: Causes Navarr resources in the Barrens to suffer the normal penalties for being in a foreign nation and lose any benefits from any great works Could provide ongoing monitoring of the Nesustak Forest rebels, bringing warning to the Empire if there are any changes Could instead create an opportunity to remove the poisoned quality from Lower Tarn Valley Keep the Lower Tarn Valley under threat

Special: Could be vetoed by the Navarr National Assembly

Availability: Until the end of the Autumn Equinox 388YE

• The Karass would like the Last Battle to be ceded to them by the Empire
• In return they will either provide the Empire with any news of movements by the rebels of Nesustak Forest or an opportunity to remove the poisoned quality from Lower Tarn Valley

It is clear that the Karass are deeply unhappy about the presence of the Last Battle in the Bleaks. Its presence has agitated the sept since it was first built - they would like nothing more than to see it gone. To that end, they have approached the Empire with a proposal.

If the Empire cedes the Last Battle to the Karass, then they would lose the benefit it provides: projecting Imperial force into Sarangrave and Therunin. The Karass are prepared to commit to undertaking this duty on the Empire's behalf, dispatching scouts to keep an eye on what is happening on both sides of each border. This will mean that the under threat quality will remain on Lower Tarn Valley as long as the Karass continue to cooperate, but Nesustak Forest would continue being protected by the watchtowers built with the support of the Gryphon's Pride. Likewise, Eastring would cease to be under threat, as the Karass refuse to enter a region claimed by the vallorn; but an Imperial army cannot currently claim that region. Even if they were to suddenly betray the Empire, the scouting reports they had provided would continue to be of use for a season or so. (OOC Note: If the situation with the Karass materially changes during the course of an event, the under threat quality on Lower Tarn Valley would still be in effect for the following campaigning season).

The Imperial Spymaster would also be able to ask the Karass to focus their scouting efforts on either Nesustak Forest or the Lower Tarn Valley, with differing benefits. This would be done via a Senate announcement, and the power would be given to them as part of the motion to cede the Last Battle Wayhouse to the Karass.

If the Imperial Spymaster asks the Karass to focus on Nesustak Forest, the Karass will begin watching for any movement by the rebels of Nesustak Forest. If there are any new developments - if anything changes with the rebels - the Karass will be the first to know, and everything they learn will be turned over to the Empire. Of course, other events might overtake the situation there, and there are currently efforts to try using diplomacy there rather than espionage - and the Karass know nothing of either of these factors. Nevertheless, having the eyes of the Karass on the situation, whatever happens, would surely present opportunities that would not otherwise arise.

The Imperial Spymaster could instead direct the efforts of the Karass into the Lower Tarn Valley. They could bring the Empire word of any Druj movements or operations in the Valley - it isn't clear how many Druj forces remain there, or what exactly they are doing, but there are worrying things happening in Therunin, rumours of which have the Karass genuinely alarmed. Perhaps more importantly, they could examine the poison-soaked ground of the valley itself. The Lower Tarn Valley was poisoned by the Druj in Summer 386YE and remains a threat to Imperial soldiers.

The Karass are familiar with the poisons employed by the Druj. Anka Karass is certain that the Karass's most skilled herbalist, Tarruk Karass, could create an antidote, but only given enough time to study the soil of the Valley to identify precisely what went into the Sephals Cauldron. Once they had that, it would create an opportunity to remove the poisoned quality from Lower Tarn Valley. While the Yerende or the Navarr could cure the poison themselves, they lack the Karass experience with Druj poisons and would need the Senate to use one of its valuable appraisals on the problem.

Ceding the Last Battle to the Karass would be devastating for the Navarr living in the Barrens who rely on the wayhouse for their steadings and stridings to remain connected to their nation. As a result, the Constitutional Court have advised that the Senate motion would be subject to veto by the Navarr Assembly.

Buttered Bread

Proposed Trade
8 beggar's lye	1 Oil of Blackthorn, 1 Maledict's Medicament, 2 Bloodharrow Philtre and 2 Elixir Vitae
18 beggar's lye	1 Oil of Blackthorn, 2 Maledict's Medicament, 4 Bloodharrow Philtre and 6 Elixir Vitae
32 beggar's lye	2 Oil of Blackthorn, 3 Maledict's Medicament, 6 Bloodharrow Philtre and 10 Elixir Vitae

• The Karass have offered to provide potions to the Envoy in place of the current herbs in the hope of currying favour
• Offers to provide illegal substances were ruled out
• The Envoy could send a winged messenger with a counter proposal

Communication with the Karass can be achieved by sending a Winged Messenger to Anka Karass, the Centipede Stone, The Bleaks, The Barrens.

The Karass left the meeting with the Envoy with the clear impression that it would definitely be in their best interests to ensure the Dawnish investment in the Barrens showed a healthy profit. The sept are used to such demands, and ready to collaborate with their new regime now that they feel they understand what is demanded of them.

The details take a little more working out. Anka Karass is not keen to simply hand over more herbs. The Karass are capable herbalists, but the five fingers of creation are always in short supply. Indeed, their apothecaries are experts at doing more with less. They're clear that they know how to make the potions of the Double-sided Blade. Indeed, some of the Karass's warriors, on instruction from Anka, surrender to a local magistrate a large number of doses of Warming Armour and Weakening Sun that were apparently in a supply cache. They grumble about them being perfectly safe when not used by the weak-minded - but the law is clear, and Anka is now clear on the law - and the consequences of flouting it. If the law were to change here, the Karass would be happy to supply these potions.

Nevertheless, they do also have a few people who can make the potions of the Master Medicinal and the Legacy of Thorns, and of course any apothecary knows how to make certain preparations. After a little back and forth, an offer is settled on. If the proposal meets the approval of the Envoy, then they can leave instructions with the Wordes, Numbers, Figures and Knotes Carmine Fields Trading Post, (OOC Note: email to plot@profounddecisions.co.uk) and the Karass will make good on their side of the deal. If they'd like to negotiate something else, then that is a longer discussion and perhaps a counter-proposal would be the best start.

Design Note

• All in-character information in Empire is carefully firewalled
• The NPCs cannot read the wiki and do not know what players or Profound Decisions know
• The Karass do not know about the offer made by the Rahvin

It is important to stress that different groups of NPCs all have access to different information in Empire. There are no NPC spies at Anvil, and most groups, especially foreigners and barbarians, have no possible way to know anything that is published on the wiki. In this wind of fortune, the Karass are making offers to the Empire based on incomplete and flawed knowledge. The wind gives a picture of the Karass' intentions and motivations as well as providing insight into what they know and what they don't know.

Likewise, the Karass have no knowledge of the offer made by the Rahvin. They will only discover that information if they are informed in person by a player character or written to by an Imperial citizen who has significant credibility. In this case, that means the Throne, the Imperial Consul, the Envoy to the Karass or the Senator for the Barrens - or the proxies thereof.