Towers of the sun

Meraud proposes building wizardly towers across the Empire!

Overview

The Summer Enchanter has been through some things recently, but it seems he is even more enthusiastic about helping out his friends in the Empire than usual. As Summer fades, his messengers are dispatched to various points around the Empire with boons and plans and proposals a plenty. Whether it is wizards towers, appreciation for the Churnspire Adjutor, or final decisions regarding communication with the Lord of the Lake, they have been full of the fire of enthusiasm and relentlessly upbeat. Only when the Toad King is brought up in polite conversation does their eager demeanour slip a little and a few choice words of criticism get voiced.

Towers

Summer Towers

Commission Type: Wizard tower Fane

Location: Any

Cost: minimum of 15 white granite, 10 mithril, 10 ilium, and 75 crowns in labour

Time: three months

Effect: Creates a title and a structure similar to a fane Provides 4 golden apples each season

Availability: One year, until the end of the Summer Solstice 389YE

Special: The Senate must concede the tower and the regio where it is built to Meraud

• The heralds of Meraud offer plans for wizard towers

Meraud has been through some things, recently. But it seems he is even more enthusiastic about helping out his friends in the Empire than usual. The heralds bring with them plans that they enthusiastically explain to the civil service. They allow the creation of towers - wizard towers - designed to harness the power of Summer regio in any territory where they are built. Whoever commissions one need only specify the territory where they wish to build it - the heralds will find a suitable regio. They're certain one can be secured. The tower and the regio would need to be conceded to the eternal - which only the Senate can do - but that could be done at the same time the commission were announced (if it comes via the Senate), or by a later Senate motion if needed. Or the Senate could simply let anyone who can build a fane concede it to the eternal involved if they wanted to make things easier for themselves (say the heralds).

The towers would serve as places that Imperial magicians could meet with heralds of Meraud to discuss magic, and the eternal would extend some of his presence into the area surrounding them. A title would be created to oversee the tower, and receive some of Meraud's largesse. Specifically this would mean that a small amount of golden apples could be harvested from the orchards each season, providing the title holder with four golden apples each as long as the tower stood. The heralds are clear that this is just the basic benefit of Meraud's patronage - anything further would be the result of a discussion with the first mistress of the tower. Or the result of the competition (for which see the next section).

In addition, whenever a ritual of Summer magic were performed targeting that specific territory, or even the Empire as a whole, its majesty and grandeur would be significantly enhanced by the might of the Summmer Mage. The heralds are vague about precisely what that means and its possible they don't know themselves. Members of the Unfettered Mind are somewhat unconcerned - every enchantment or curse that takes effect over a large area, territory or Empire, might have additional unpredictable effects based on the situation in that territory. It seems that Meraud's presence here would simply have a chance of influencing the form such effects might take.

The Tallest Tower

• Meraud proposes a contest to see who can build the most impressive wizard tower
• The contest will be judged before the start of the WInter Solstice 389YE
• The largest most impressive tower will win Merauds boon
• Other towers that exceed the minimum requirements by a significant margin may be offered additional boons

Like many eternals, the Regent of the Summer Skies enjoys challenges. In the past, he has encouraged magicians to compete in duels of battle-magic or to outdo one another with grand workings of ritual magic. It shouldn't be a surprise then that he sees the chance for the Empire to build wizard towers as another opportunity for a contest.

The designs the heralds presented are complete, but also open ended. They allow for any number of additional wains to be incorporated into the final structure, wains that will serve to increase the grandeur of the finished construction. White granite might be used to physically increase the height or girth of the tower; weirwood can be used to create impressive gardens; mithril could be incorporated to produce fabulous interior designs or decorations. Even additional rings of ilium could be used, anchoring minor enchantments to the structure that would enhance the quality of life of those within. Using extra wains will of course increase labour costs, and might increase the amount of time the tower takes to complete, but the heralds of Meraud wave such considerations away.

The first towers will be available to start construction after the Autumn Equinox, provided commissions are presented quickly. At the start of the Winter Solstice 389YE, Meraud intends to send heralds to the Empire to explore the many towers he predicts will have been constructed. in that time, and pick the one that most captures the "spirit of majesty" he finds so appealing. Which is Summer eternal-speak for "the biggest one with the most wains involved". That tower will win the contest and receive a boon reflecting its splendour, as negotiated by the eternal and the mistress of the tower.

The other, slightly less impressive, towers will not lose out! His heralds will also make recommendations for the finest structures that may improve the quality of the golden apples they offer, or otherwise incorporate the power of Meraud in ways befitting their architectural splendor. Those who do the bare minimum will still have wonderful towers; those who go further will benefit in line with the amount of effort they put in, and Meraud will show everyone that he and the Empire have a close bond that benefis them both! Everyone wins!

It's Blatantly A Fane

• While there are significant aesthetic and functional differences, the civil service assess Meraud towers are a form of fane
• Ceding a regio and surrounding tower to Meraud gives the eternal freedom to involve himself in Imperial affairs

The civil service have looked at Meraud's plans and confirmed what anyone who has so much as glanced at them suspects. This is a fane, albeit with a somewhat idiosyncratic design. It needs to be conceded to Meraud to have any effect at all - otherwise it is just an edifice - and that comes with all the baggage such arrangements always produce. The Lord of the Lake could use the tower to extend his power into the Empire whenever it took his fancy to do so. He's unlikely to send armies in the manner of Cold Sun (or even Eleonaris), since as far as anyone knows he doesn't have any armies... he is a wizard after-all. But he is known to have access to some very potent guardians and his entire nature is about unleashing powerful magic. Even the enmity of the Conclave is not enough to reign in the power of an eternal who has been given the kind of access a fane, or one of these wizard towers, can provide.

Ultimately ceding a fane to an eternal comes down to how much the Empire trusts them and what the benefits will be. Provided the Empire is right to trust an eternal, it's hard to imagine what can go wrong. Surely someone like Zakalwe would never turn on the Empire? But anyone suggesting building a fane for Agramant should probably be drowned in the nearest body of water. It's hard to imagine him not turning on the Empire. In return though, the Empire empowers a potentially useful ally - someone who can provide them with aid. The Jotun don't have many powerful ritualists, instead they build impressive palaces for the Regents of Summer, from which armies of heralds march forth to fight alongside their armies. Fanes can be very useful.

If trust should break down, the Empire could try asking for a commission to be ceded back to them. That is unlikely to be successful if relations have soured however - and the Empire might be forced to use armies to take it back - as they did with Llofir's garden in Reikos many years ago. As mentioned, Meraud doesn't have any armies to speak of, but he is a very powerful wizard.... in a tower. That is not a decision to be taken lightly.

The Churnspire is ceded to Meraud, and overseen by the Adjutor.

Churnspire Adjutor

• Meraud proposes that in the future he chooses who will be the Churnspire Adjutor rather than the Senators of Urizen
• This is a significant change - Meraud would choose someone to further his agenda
• If the Senate adjusts the appointment method he will provide magical rings for the Adjutor to distribute

The Churnspire came about in part so that Meraud could show his appreciation for his friends in Urizen. The newly-appointed Artemis Grey should have taken custody of their regalia by now, and heralds of Meraud have been sent to the tower to offer a welcome and "check in". The tower itself was ceded to Meraud by the Senate, so in many ways it already functions a little bit like a fane.

For the last few years, the Summer Mage hasn't particularly asked anything of the Churnspire Adjutor, but now he has a proposal to make, partially inspired by the way Artemis helped fellow magicians send messages to the Chatelaine of Sunrise and Sunset during the Summer Solstice. If the Conclave is prepared to accept the proposal, then Meraud would like to choose who fills the role of Adjutor in the future.

The Summer Enchanter is at pains to stress that they are very happy with the current Adjutor - indeed, they hope they will continue in the role if it is changed. But having the title be appointed by Meraud is significant. Having a title chosen by the eternal instead of the Empire would mean that it was no longer an Imperial position (so in theory it could be held by someone with another Imperial title). And more importantly it comes with a set of expectations that as someone hand-picked by the eternal, Meraud might reasonably expect the Adjutor to put their interests first. At the point where the occupant of a title is chosen by an eternal not by the Empire, then implicitly that title serves them - not the Empire. That doesn't mean they can't act in the best interests of the Empire, but it does mean that any conflicts of interest are likely to become much more painful for whoever occupies the position.

Meraud wants the adjutor to be their representative and intermediary to the people of Urizen. The Churnspire Adjutor is a legal title, it can't be changed without the approval of the Senate, so the Wizard King is asking the Senate to cede the title to him - to change the method of appointment so that it is chosen by Meraud. The Churnspire itself has already been ceded to Meraud, so as far as he is concerned, this is simply a way to formalise the role.

If the Senate choose to use a Senate motion to accede to the request from the King of the Twilight Sun then he will provide a way for the Churnspire Adjutor to send a single missive to him, personally, each year. He expects them to use it to tell him of matters they think might require his attention in Urizen (or the Empire as a whole), but it could also be used to ask for his aid or advice regarding magical matters affecting the nation of clever magi and wise stargazers. They would be expected to represent Meraud to Urizen and to act on his behalf as needed. Meraud would communicate with the adjutor when required to further his goals.

Churnspire Majesty
20 Tempest Jade	1 Ring of Majesty
40 Tempest Jade	2 Rings of Majesty

In addition Meraud will provide the Urizen with access to magical rings to enhance their prowess. He is aware that there are problems with the Imperial regio and that greatly concerns him. In the past the Imperial regio has been a valuable tool for allowing magicians to unleash potent, majestic, glorious magic. He's concerned that recent developments might mean that the Empire is less able to do the kind of magic he likes.

If Senate amends the title - then Artemis Grey will obviously continue in the post until Meraud picks someone else (which he has no interest in doing right now being perfectly happy with the incumbent). As soon as the Senate changes the appointment, Meraud will start providing the Adjutor with a gift, a Ring of Majesty crafted by his heralds. One ring will be given to the Adjutor each year to use as they see fit - keep it themselves or provide it to other magicians for their use. And Meraud's heralds will provide additional foci if the Adjutor can give them the Tempest Jade needed to make them.

Ring of Majesty

• Form: Talisman. Takes the form of a ritual focus. You must be wearing this item or holding it in hand to use its magical properties.
• Requirement: You must have the magician skill to bond to this item.

Effect: Once per day you may use this ring to gain one additional rank of Summer lore for the purposes of performing a single ritual, subject to the normal rules for effective skill. Alternatively it can be used to gain two effective ranks (total) to the appropriate ritual lore if they are contributing to the performance of any ritual of magnitude 100 or greater. The ritual does not need to be part of Summer lore, but the normal rules for effective skill still apply. The additional power cannot be used if another effect such as a Chain of Aesh is used to reduce the magnitude of a ritual below 100.

Meraud has undergone changes, but still seems keen to hear from his Imperial friends.

Words, Words, Words

• Meraud seeks to change the agreement of a ritual that allows Imperial Magicians to send him a message
• He asks to change From the Mouth of Babes to Orchard Tender's Tribute
• He cannot change the ritual without the agreement of Conclave - it requires a declaration of accpetance to go ahead

Meraud also has a request for the Conclave. As he explained last season, the Summer Enchanter can no longer support From the Mouths of Babes. As he said at that time, he does not really have the luxury of free time that he can spend "lounging around reading endless missives from the mortal realm in a pathetic attempt to get people to like him." (A clear dig at his rival in the Night realm) He did however create an opportunity for magicians to perform the ritual at the Summer Solstice and promised he would review matters of communication afterward. He has now done so.

It seems that his "last hurrah" for the ritual has yielded positive results. The heralds of the orchards have very much appreciated the gitfs of tempest jade sent them by Imperial magicians. So much so in fact that they are keen to see the gifts continue! As such he is asking the Conclave to allow him to permanently change the contract for the ritual to this new form. Meraud proposes to change the name of the ritual so that people are aware that it will work differently. Orchard Tender's Tribute would be a magnitude 4 Summer ritual, with the same assurance as currenlty, but it would allow the caster to send 5 ingots of tempest jade to the orchard tenders of Meraud, along with a message of up to 50 words telling the eternal how he can help their magical ambitions. The message must also be accompanied by an image - a device representing the magician who penned the message.

The orchard tenders will keep the tempest jade and the message, and in return provide a single Golden Apple. They will take the message to Meraud and he vows that he will read it and create some kind of response even if it just an explanation as to why he cannot offer his aid. He's clear the ritual is not for casual chit-chat but for serious messages about ways he can help Imperial magicians work amazing magic. Casual chit-chat is what a parley is for after all!

However, even the most powerful eternal, cannot escape the bonds of their contract with the Conclave - not without the agreement of the magicians of the Empire to release them. To allow him to make the changes the Conclave would need to use a Declaration of Acceptance to agree to the new terms of Orchard Tender's Tribute to replace From the Mouth of Babes. If that happens, then Meraud will be able to respond to the new ritual in the way he has outlined.

Clearly the Conclave does not have to agree to Meraud's terms, they may not accept them, or they may simply be too busy. The Conclave is always short of time and declarations at the end of the day. Meraud will not be unhappy if that happens, he will accept the wishes of the Conclave, but it does mean that going forwards there would be no way to communicate with the eternal, Meraud will not receive or reply to From the Mouth of Babes again.

Golden Missives

• Meraud plans to send a herald with replies to the missives he received last season
• The herald will attend the Arcane Colloquium at 15.30 in the Hall of Worlds
• Thirteen very specific people are invited along

Last season, Meraud supported one last performance of From the Mouth of Babes. Imperial magicians sent him messages about their ambitions, the magic they sought to work, and suggested aid he might offer them or advice he might deliver. During the Autumn Equinox, a herald of Meraud will visit the Hall of Worlds during the Arcane Colloquium to deliver golden missives in response. The herald expects to be there around half past four, after the Summer session of the Colloquium ends, and asks that those magicians who sent missives come visit them then. Or, send a reputable representative who can definitely identify they are who they say they are.

Specifically the herald hopes to see Francisco i Alvera i Riqueza, would-be maestro of naval magic; Olivier the golden apple enthusiast; Ioseph of Summer's Apex of the empyrean ambitions; Carlos of Phoenix Reach, seeker after raw magical potence; Mercurio Ankarien, bringer of earthquakes; Lord Tobias De Gauvain the flaming beacon; Enchanter Vesper Lucentia witch-warden of Weirwater; Kaapo Kingfishering, magnate of the Iron Labyrinth; Lord Morgann de Vere, glorious face of the sun; Beatrice Keeper, honey-seeker; Ibiss Briarheart, architect of the heavens; and of course Enchantress Areloe Larmallevés, tender of the phoenix flame; and Catrina Words The Unbelievably Magical, perhaps the proudest of the Empire's magicians.

Meraud can't attend in person, but hopes his words and gifts will be suitable inspiring. His herald would be pleased if Mirella of the Twisted Rose, the Archmage of Summer, and the helpful Churnspire Adjutor Artemis Grey were there as well to help smooth over and problems but they certainly don't need to be. The herald will not be taking messages back to Meraud, however. A channel for the Empire to speak to Meraud has been created, and of course parley already exists. The representative of the golden orchards is there to deliver and enthuse, not to pick things up and take them back to the island on the lake.

Further Reading

• Meraud