Poets light but lamps

“Do you believe it?”

Tchinua Ganbatar, Liege of the Five Winds, gave a slight snort. “Which part?”

Mistress Karadragha looked down at her papers with a heavy sigh. “At this point? Any of it.”

“I’ll have no words of fear spoken in this meeting, Singhua.” The Liege leaned forwards to refill their cup of tea. “Give me focus, and don’t jump at shadows. What are we informally discussing today?”

“As you say, my Liege.” The Trade Advisor adjusted her spectacles before continuing. “To start with, rumours of the Asaveans involving themselves with the Cinders and other anti-Imperial factions.”

A quiet figure sat off to one side of the meeting room spoke up. “We have no intelligence to confirm the notion, but it would resolve some unanswered questions if it were true. The Cinders are surprisingly well-funded. Even after their condemnation scared off their moderate supporters they still seem to be active across the border. Foreign support would certainly account for that.”

The Liege stroked their chin thoughtfully. “It would also suit the interests of the Asaveans to use Faraden extremists to anger the Empire, especially if they can do it without getting their hands dirty or inviting censure from the Court. What evidence does the Ambassador present?”

“Divinations of the flame, mostly, which means presumably a great deal of interpretation is involved which at best makes them suspect and at worst...”

“Very well. Contact the wizards of the Faces in Fire. They write down all their visions, so see if they have anything that might support this Imperial claim. Let them know we are asking, and they'll see the advantage in being in our good graces. Especially with the matter of the entertainments for my birthday celebrations on the horizon. In the meantime, set your agents prying around any Asavean interests here, especially the quiet ones we might have overlooked. There’s no way that the embassy would be foolish enough to be caught out by this. What next?”

The quiet figure spoke. “Related to the Cinders, the Sansar bounty.”

“Remind me?”

“The Sansar sent three of their family to negotiate for another trade enclave within the Empire. Our agents discovered that one of the three had been radicalised by the Cinders and intended to murder the other two for associating with heretics. Imperial law enforcement identified the guilty party before he struck, and Solongo Sansar has issued a bounty against the Cinders for their actions against her kin. We could potentially convince her to stand down, but it would upset the priesthood and risk emboldening the Cinders further.”

The Liege scowled. “No. The Cinders encouraged kinslaying so let them face the consequences. Tell Solongo that we support her without actually saying the words, and make sure our functionaries at court spread the story as far as they can. We can’t drive the reactionaries away entirely, but we need to keep them isolated. Anyone who can stand up in public and say that they support this kind of treacherous behaviour can reap their rewards.”

The Liege’s companions nodded and made various notes. Mistress Karadragha spoke up again. “I’m hearing on the wind that the Imperial priests are sending dire warnings about Cinders mounting some kind of concerted attacks within Imperial borders. The ambassador didn’t mention it, do we know anything about that?”

The quiet figure responded. “It’s almost certainly true. Gossip and coded messages have been pointing to them planning something big. We haven't been able to identify any targets so far, but their attention being centred within Imperial borders that would account for the lack of information.”

"The ambassador has asked for any information we have," observed Mistress Karadragha in a neutral tone. Both turned their attention to the Liege, expectantly.

There was a long pause before they responded, which they spent carefully stirring a spoonful of honey into their tea. The tinkling of the little silver spoon sounded like distant bells.

“I think it is time for the Cinders to encounter a significant setback.” They drained the dregs of their teacup, winced at the bitterness despite the sweetener. “Retain as much distance as you can, but set your best agents to scouring known Cinder hideouts for information. When you find it, no matter how tenuous, even if it means nothing to you, make sure it reaches the Ambassador. It's the least we can do, and we will just have to trust the Pride and Courage of the Empire to do the rest.”

Peace is all too often a candleflame in the wind.

Overview

There are six great powers in the known world whose influence and reach rivals that of the Empire. There also innumerable lesser powers who do not have the might to shake the world, but who are nonetheless important to those with whom they share a border. The ambitions of these nearby nations are no less relevant to the Empire. Sometimes diplomatic relations require in-depth analysis; sometimes there is an opportunity to catch one's breath and let the drama move slowly towards the next crisis point.

There are ambassadors to some of these nations - the Suranni, Axos, the Thule, and Faraden in particular. Other nations are dealt with by the Imperial Consul. Sometimes a neighbouring nation focuses on diplomacy with the Empire, and requires an in-depth discussion. The Death leaves us homesick wind of fortune covers relations with Axos for example, while Invited with asperity focuses on the orcs of Otkodov. Sometimes however there is less going on and diplomacy can be part of a wider, more surface, roundup. For example Each age a lens covers nearly half a dozen of the orc nations that lie near the Empire.

Here we can read about several neighbouring nations to the Empire not covered in detail elsewhere - the Faraden, the Iron Confederacy, and even the more powerful nation of the Sumaah Republic.

The yak of western Faraden are like very hairy oxen but adapted to live at high altitudes and in cold weather. Their wool, milk, and meat is much prized.

Faraden

• Faraden remains caught between Imperial and Asavean interests
• The Liege of Five Winds appears to favour the Empire but there are powerful factions in Faraden that prefer closer ties with Asavea
• Faraden and the Empire are at peace, and trade ties between them are being strengthened

The lifeblood of Faraden is trade, but it is also a country of canny wizards, courageous warriors, and proud (albeit heretical) priests. They currently do not share a border with the Empire, lying beyond the Jotun and the Iron Confederacy, but that does not stop them sending their caravans to Imperial markets despite the high tariffs they must pay to pass through the lands between. Diplomatic relations between the Court of the Five Winds and the Imperial Senate are changeable - warm one moment cool the next - but it has never come to open warfare. Right now Faraden is squeezed between two competing interests - the Empire on one side and the angry Plenum of the Asavean Archipelago on the other - and they must walk a knife-edge between the two powerful nations.

Faraden

• Status: Foreigner
• Ports: Caitun
• Ambassador: Ebenezer of the Marches

The Faraden ambassador to the Empire is Mistress Singua Karadragha. Mistress Singua advises the Court of the Five Winds on all diplomatic matters, and speaks on their behalf to foreign ambassadors. Her attitude to the Empire appears to be cool but professional, and heavily informed by the wishes of the Liege and their court, who seek more opportunities to trade with the Empire.

General Diplomacy

• Communications between Faraden and the Empire are civil and constructive
• The Faraden seek closer trade ties with the Empire as a route to shared prosperity

Ambassador Ebeneezer has raised the matter of the Cinders with Mistress Karadragha. As previously mentioned, this sect of violent zealots have been condemned by the Liege of the Five Winds, and the organisation has been driven underground. Yet there is still concern that the Cinders intend to continue their vendetta against the Empire.

Mistress Karadragha confirms that wizards versed in the art of Flame have also offered warnings about the Cinders, but the problem is that their divinations are fundamentally symbolic and need careful interpretation. No doubt the Empire's adepts of Night magic have encountered the same challenges. Regardless, the Liege of the Five Winds sees no reason not to share whatever intelligence the Faraden have about the Cinders' operations in the Empire. Several reports have been dispatched by special courier to help Imperial citizens plot the movements of the Cinders.

The Court of the Five Winds is apparently very pleased with the news that work on Yakholme Grange has begun, and that there is a good chance Faraden trade with Dawn may be moving forward. Prosperous trade ties with the Empire strengthen the position of the Liege of the Five Winds, and reinforce their pro-Imperial agenda. The fact that trade with the Empire can be undertaken without the need to trust to ships and boats and the dangers of the Sea of Snow, as compared to trade with the Asaveans, which relies on long shipping routes, means it has particular appeal to the merchant-families of the nation.

War and the Jotun

• Mistress Karadragha declines to send Faraden mercenaries to fight in the Empire
• The Liege of the Five Winds is apparently in negotiation with another power to attack southern Reinos
• They propose that the Empire attack the northern regions of the Lasambrian Hills following the Winter Solstice

Ambassador Ebeneezer has clearly presented the idea that the Empire and Faraden could form an alliance against the Jotun. The current truce with the Jotun is the result of a treaty, but as Mistress Karadragha has already said, that treaty is due to be renewed or renegotiated at the Summer Solstice. The situation has not changed; Faraden cannot afford to go to war with the Jotun, and as near as the Court of Five Winds can tell the Jotun would prefer to focus their efforts on fighting the Empire. The Ambassador's suggestion that Faraden troops might fight against the Druj or the peculiar plant monsters that infest parts of the Empire are interesting, but unappealing; the distances are too great and the dangers are too unknown.

However, it may be that the Faraden and the Empire could both get what they want. The Iron Confederacy has reached out to the Court of the Five Winds and informed them that the Suranni intend to conquer southern Reinos. This is not the ideal situation, in that it swaps Jotun control of their trade routes to the Empire for Suranni control; but that is still preferable to the stranglehold the barbarian orcs have over them.

If the Empire is serious about a joint effort, then the Military Council could dispatch a force to attack Riberia and Pedreira after the Winter Solstice. A powerful force would be able to smash through the defences there and claim both regions. At the same time, the Iron Confederacy will be attacking in the south, catching Jotun defenders between the hammer and the anvil.

There are further benefits to the Faraden of course. If a serious force of soldiers were attacking the hills of Reinos they would be in a much better position to renegotiate or even abandon their treaty with the Jotun. The benefits to the Empire are less clear - but Mistress Karadragha points out that control of Pedreira would give the Empire control of the white granite quarry at Cantera Balanka as well as protecting the entire western border of Segura from future Jotun invasion.

Faith and Flame

• The Gatekeepers have provided a dose of true liao to the Faraden priest Boorra Talighar of the Silver Tree
• The Temple of the High Flames will receive a true consecration during the Winter Solstice
• There are concerns that Asavean assassins may try to disrupt the ceremony
• If the consecration is successful, it will end opportunities for Asavean religion to spread in Faraden

Last season Boorra Talighar of the Silver Tree, priest of the Five Flames, petitioned the Synod for a dose of True Liao. Their intent was to use the true liao to create a true consecration of the Flame of Honour; a powerful aura to help anchor the true faith of Faraden in the face of Asavean syncretism. During the Equinox, the Gatekeepers met and discussed the matter, and ultimately chose to provide one of the seven doses available to them. With the particular aid of Nisha Strazcovich, a former Gatekeeper of Pride who Ebeneezer notes as being instrumental in ensuring the dose was available, the Ambassadors office ensured the true liao was safely delivered to Faraden.

During the Winter Solstice, a grand ceremony marking the end of one year and the beginning of another will take place at the Temple of the High Flames, the most prestigious seat of the Faraden faith. Mistress Karadragha believes representatives of all the priestly families of Faraden will attend, whatever their individual attitudes to the Empire. it is, to put it mildly, a big deal for the faithful of Faraden. No outside priests will be present as this is a ceremony for the Faraden. The Faraden Ambassador, however, has let the Ambassador know that the Liege of the Five Wind has ensured that warriors loyal to them will be present to protect the festivities. There is some concern that the Asaveans might attempt to disrupt the ceremony; there are rumours of assassin-priests of the twin-gods of vengeance, Tlangg and Sanit being present in Faraden.

Assuming the ceremony goes off without a hitch, it will create a potent site of pilgrimage for the faithful of Faraden. The Temple of the High Flames is to the Faraden what the Basilica of Seven Doors is to the Highborn, or the marshes of the Sovennan are to the Winterfolk - a central location sacred to all denominations of their faith. There is no doubt that the true aura will serve as a powerful prophylactic against the influence of Asavean priests, sufficient to put an end to the spread of their influence in the western nation.

It is, of course, illegal for Imperial citizens to trade true liao to citizens of foreign nations; there is no suggestion that either the Liege of the Five Winds or the priest families of Faraden will offer any payment for the liao. All they can offer in return is the profound gratitude of those who take Pride in their faith, and who welcome this return to the true values of their own historic religion.

Fire Fighters

• Zealous crusaders from Faraden have attempted to destroy the Azure Chorus, the docks at Fisk, and the docks at Meade
• Thanks to prompt warnings from the Imperial Synod two of the three attacks have been thwarted
• The Jotun have restored the Docks at Meade but made cosmetic changes
• These attacks have been widely condemned within Faraden

In the days following the Autumn Equinox, hasty warnings are carried to Wintermark, the Marches, and the Brass Coast. Olyvar of Esther's Sanctum, the Cardinal of Pride, has issued a dire warning, backed by a greater majority of the Assembly of Nine: the Cinders, a violent group of ultra-conservative Faraden who decry the Empire and all its citizens as irredeemable heretics, have infiltrated the Empire, and intend to wreak havoc upon the innocent. The three targets – the docks at both Fisk and Meade, and the Azure Chorus – are of obvious symbolic value, each one serving as a site where the people of the Empire and the people of Faraden can meet in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. Further hue and cry is raised in Marches specifically, as the statement of Father Edmund warns the people of Meade that the attackers have already infiltrated the city. Likewise, the Freeborn Assembly upheld a statement from Dayanara i Cabeza i Erigo warning of the planned attack in Kahraman. Whichever statement people hear first, the warnings are the same: be Vigilant. Lives are at stake.

The situation in Fisk is well contained. A local magistrate, already visiting the town to try an unrelated case, moves quickly to deputise nearby citizens and take control of the Market Hall. While the Faraden workers there are initially outraged by the accusations that there may be violent fanatics among their number, the outrage turns to panic when one of the porters draws a knife and slashes the magistrate’s face. What follows is a brief, ugly brawl, as other infiltrators from the Cinders reveal themselves and attempt to break out and flee. An effort is made to take suspects alive for trial and questioning, but comes to nothing. Even after the Cinders are disarmed, they do nothing but hurl abuse at their captors and their fellow Faraden alike, refusing to cooperate. Aside from vague hints that there are more of them in the Empire and that there will be more violence to follow, they give nothing useful, and are executed on the spot.

Chaos, unfortunately, reigns at the Azure Chorus. The densely packed tents of visiting pilgrims make conducting an orderly investigation all but impossible. Rumours spread through the camp like wildfire, leaving the Courageous and Vigilant citizens of the Brass Coast unable to take their targets by surprise. Some fear that the Cinders may simply flee, but the truth turns out to be much darker. A visiting priest comes running from the Parador of Wind and Flame, shouting that some Faraden pilgrims have barred the doors and begun massacring everyone inside, screaming condemnations against the “lovers of false flames.” The scene is set for tragedy, but nobody present is minded to accept such an outcome. Faraden and Freeborn alike take up arms and storm the Parador in defence of the priests and pilgrims trapped inside, fighting room to room and shedding blood to defend one another. There are many deaths, but fewer than might have been expected, given the grim circumstances.

Things go equally badly in Meade, where the situation is complicated by the arrival of the Jotun. There is some question among those who stay behind as to whether or not to alert the Jotun to the plans of the Cinders. Would passing on such information be providing treasonous aid to an enemy, or acting with Vigilance to undermine a different enemy?

Unfortunately, the Cinders use the chaos of the invasion to attack before anyone can make a decision one way or the other. The dock front quickly descends into chaos as the Cinders fire the pier and try to murder the Faraden and Marcher merchants working there. Initially stunned by the madness, a Jotun patrol quickly composes themselves and within minutes Jotun and Marchers are fighting side-by-side to take the Cinders down.

At first the Jotun assume that the assassins are under some terrible Night magic curse. Three Cinders were captured alive during the attack - once the Jotun discover there was no magic involved they are appalled. A jarl is summoned and after the briefest trial imaginable, the three men are taken out into the bay and summarily drowned. It is apparently the worst death imaginable as far as the Jotun are concerned.

Once the Cinders have been dealt with, the Jarl gives orders to the Jotun for the docks to be restored. The work is done quickly, most of the docks can be salvaged and materials are shipped in to replace the parts that are too far gone. By the start of the Winter Solstice, the dock front is almost as good as new. Almost... because the Jotun artisans take it on themselves to add a monolithic stone carved in the likeness of an orc warrior - not the Jarl but an idol of Skjaldir, one of the Jotun faðir.

When word reaches the Faraden Embassy, the response is quick and firm: an absolute and total condemnation of the Cinders' actions. The Liege of the Five Winds had previously spoken out against the Cinders after their failed attempt on the life of the Champion of Vigilance, but this has ignited fury across all of Faraden society. Even conservative thinkers who have never truly reconciled with the differences of faith between the Empire and Faraden are forced to publicly acknowledge that this has gone too far. The Liege of the Five Winds makes a speech before their court, committing to personally pay for any repairs to the sites of the attack, a gesture that earns widespread praise for its even-handed measure of Pride, Prosperity and Justice.

Embassy staff supply one slightly testy clarification to public perceptions of the Cinders: they are not 'Justice cultists', any more than a devout citizen of the Empire is an 'Ambition cultist'. The Cinders follow the Five Flames, just as the people of the Empire follow the Imperial Way. The Cinders are not bad because they follow a specific Virtue, they are bad because they are violent xenophobes who decry the possibility of coexistence and mutual Prosperity in favour of a chauvinistic vision of total cultural purity. Excessive dwelling on religious differences is what led to this problem in the first place, and the last thing anyone needs is someone stoking the flames.

Raking Over The Ashes

• The infiltrators in Fisk, Meade and the Azure Chorus were not the only Cinders present within the Empire.
• The attackers will cause further havoc unless they are prevented from doing so.
• Questions remain over how the group were able to acquire their supplies.

In the aftermath, cooler heads begin to dig deeper in both of the locations still controlled by the Empire. What emerges in each case is a similar story. The Cinders arrived as individuals or small groups over the course of the last year, staying and quietly blending in with their countryfolk. They did not disguise their conservative religious views, but did not speak of their violent aims to anyone outside of the conspiracy. The reasons for this are not hard to determine. Not only has the Liege of the Five Winds condemned the sect for their extremism, but many Faraden actively disagree with their attacks on people who did not harm them first. It seems that the Cinders consider other Faraden who deal with the ‘lovers of False Flames’ to be just as bad as heretics themselves. The Cinders are not, it seems, especially good at blending in with the people around them.

Ambassador Ebeneezer's request to Mistress Karadragha has borne fruit with a series of missives detailing what Faraden investigators were able to determine from their own efforts to suppress the sect. In conjunction with Imperial scouts, the two nations are able to put together a list of targets. It seems that the groups already dealt with are not the only ones active within Imperial borders. It's clear that the Cinders have made good use of the resources provided to them - although there is some question about precisely who their rich patrons are. Rumour suggests it is agents of the Asavean plenum who have been funding the Cinders, wielding their hatred of the Empire as a weapon.

Wildfire (Conjunctions)

• The Cinders have been spotted moving to attack the House of Guerra, the Anvil Library Scriptorium, and Benson's Orchard.
• Imperial heroes have the opportunity to act before the Cinders can cause any serious harm.

The Faraden reports include coded letters that speak of Cinders agents spying out "the Orchard" in the Marches and it is a relatively simple matter to deduce that this is probably a reference to Benson's Orchard, the memorial to exemplar of Vigilance 'Major' Joshua Benson. From the other reports the Faraden are able to provide, it becomes clear the last Cinders are planning to assault the Anvil Library Scriptorium and the House of Guerra.

By any analysis, these attacks are ultimately doomed to failure. The aura at Benson's Orchard was created with true liao, and there is no way that the Cinders have access to that most valuable substance. The Anvil Library Scriptorium sits in a fortified compound to protect against assaults from agents of the Whisper Gallery, and the House of Guerra is in Calvos town itself, surrounded by Kohan and Corsairs on shore leave. None of these sites are in danger of being destroyed. However, the Cinders are heavily armed and prepared to fight to the death. If they are allowed to work their will unmolested, they will kill a great many people and cause a lot of damage before they are stopped. Fortunately, with the advance warning provided by Faraden to Ambassador Ebeneezer, and the results of Imperial investigations, there is enough notice for the prognosticators to find conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate that heroes may be able to intervene and prevent loss of life.

Burn The Books (Sarvos)

• A group of Cinders are trying to destroy the Anvil Library Scriptorium
• This is a combat highly likely encounter
• The Armarius of the Anvil Library is responsible for protecting the Scriptorium
• There are no innocents present on this conjunction; magistrates advise that lethal force is fully justified

The Anvil Library stands dedicated to the cause of Wisdom and learning across the Empire, fighting back against the terrible losses inflicted by Emperor Nicovar and his book-burning ways. This cause elicits no sympathy from the Cinders, who decry Wisdom as the False Virtue of Doubt. They would love nothing more than to burn the books and massacre the scribes. The mercenaries engaged in the defence of the compound are trusted veterans, but even one enemy with a lit match could wreak havoc if they broke through.

The main group of Cinders are approaching fast along Vintner's Way in Foracci. It is the responsibility of Ricardo Glostari di Sarvos, the Armarius of the Anvil Library, to cut them off before any damage can be done.

Sever The Hand (Madruga)

• A group of Cinders are trying to destroy the House of Guerra
• This is a combat highly likely encounter
• The Hand of Guerra is responsible for protecting the House
• There are no innocents present on this conjunction; magistrates advise that lethal force is fully justified

The House of Guerra stands as a testament to the Empire's commitment to taking care of those in need of shelter. Operated by a well-paid staff noted for their practicality and compassion, this thoroughly benign institution seems an odd target for the religiously-motivated Cinders. Things come into focus when the other duty of the Hand of Guerra is pointed out. Spreading the philosophy of Guerra is not especially controversial in the Empire, but rumours have persisted for a long time of her connection to the False Virtue of Anarchy, which the Cinders despise as much as any Imperial citizen. While the general consensus is that these rumours are historical fabrications, it is doubtful that the Cinders would listen if anyone tried to explain to them.

If the attackers are to be intercepted, the easiest place would be along the Corsair's Road in Calvos Sound. It is the responsibility of Sufyan i Zuhri i Guerra, the Hand of Guerra, to prevent any harm coming to their charges.

Brother Martin Orchard is a sometimes controversial, well respected monk from Pickham Monastery. in Upwold

Silence The Bell (Upwold)

• A group of Cinders are trying to desecrate Benson's Orchard
• This is a combat highly likely encounter
• Martin Orchard, who carried out the consecration, is responsible for protecting the memorial
• There are no innocents present on this conjunction; magistrates advise that lethal force is fully justified

'Major' Joshua Benson is an aspirational figure for many dedicants of Vigilance, especially in the Marches. A man without flashy miracles and tall tales to his name, he simply defended his community with absolute and unwavering commitment. Jackie Longshanks, the Beater who was able to sneak up on the Cinders to eavesdrop on their plans, cited the Bellringer as an inspiration for her deeds. The Vigilant pilgrims coming to soak up the aura that surrounds the exemplar's resting place have taken up arms and are ready to defend the holy site to the death, but such a fight would be a bloodbath. If the Cinders should spill blood on such a sacred memorial, the response from irate pilgrims of Vigilance would not bear thinking about.

As the Cinders move to attack Benson's Orchard, they must first move through the area of Tower March known as Benson's Bawn. It is the responsibility of Martin Orchard, the priest who consecrated Benson's Orchard, to thwart their malice before it can strike.

The Faraden are proud of their own fine victuals, but also keen to bring the best food and drink from around the world to their tables..

Days Of Wine And Mooncheese

Moonsong Market

Commission Type: Great Work

Location: Dawnguard or Murderdale, the Barrens

Cost: 30 weirwood and 30 white granite, 180 crowns labour costs

Time: six months

Availability: Open-ended

Effects: Raises the level of investment for farms in the Barrens by one Creates a ministry and the title of Moonsong Reeve Increases the taxation raised from trade with Faraden by 4 Thrones each season Significantly increases the number of Faraden travelling to and visting Dawn

Moonsong Reeve

Type: Dawn

Appointment: Tally of the Votes

Powers: Oversees Moonsong Market

Responsibilities: To serve as a liaison between the Faraden visiting Moonsong Market and the people of Dawn; to encourage Faraden merchants to trade with the nation; to smooth over any disputes; to make decisions based on any opportunities related to Moonsong Market

Limitations: If the Moonsong Reeve is not yeofolk, the great work benefits will be halved

Moonsong Cheese
7 crowns	Three common mooncheese and one rare mooncheese
16 crowns	Six common mooncheese and two rare mooncheese
27 crowns	Nine common mooncheese and three rare mooncheese
40 crowns	Twelve common mooncheese and four rare mooncheese

• A consortium in Faraden has established a potential deal to trade luxury food in the Barrens.
• Despite an attempt by the Cinders to sabotage this plan, the actions of Imperial Citizens have demonstrated that Faraden merchants are safe to trade with the Empire.

Even as further violence mars relationships between the Empire and Faraden, the siren song of commerce seeks to bring people closer together. Last season, merchants of the Sansar family came to Anvil to speak with the people of Dawn about setting up a trade enclave in the Barrens. Representing a coalition of smaller families, they sought to exploit the opportunities presented by providing rare goods to the eastern Empire and, in so doing, to raise their standing back home.

While the trade talks themselves seem to have gone well, confused reports from Anvil speak of three of the Sansar cousins attending but only two returning, and of drawn blades and plotted murders. When the surviving merchants returned home they apparently brought a tale of horrific treachery: the third of their party had been corrupted by the rage of the Cinders, and plotted to murder them on their journey back to Faraden! Only by the swift action of Imperial law enforcement was this plan foiled. The intention of the Cinders was clear, to scare merchants away from dealing with the Empire. Yet this plan has backfired spectacularly, as the Sansar have not only publicly recommitted to building closer ties with their Imperial friends, but have posted a bounty on all members of the Cinders in vengeance for their heinous acts.

Still, bloodshed makes for poor conversation over the negotiating table, so discussions with the Imperial civil service focus on business. The core of the deal is a pleasingly symmetrical arrangement: Dawnish cloth for Faraden cloth, Dawnish wine for Faraden cheese. Already Seneschals and vintners across Dawn are racing to discover the best wine pairings for the valuable Faraden Mooncheese, a development that is filling the cheesemakers of Faraden with Pride and confidence. There was also an unsurprising interest in purchasing Mithril, for which the Empire’s voracious appetite is well-known.

The plans drawn up off the back of these proposals are, in their most basic nature, similar to the Firewind Market in Holberg. The proposed Moonsong Market, named in honour of the famed Mooncheese, would take 30 wains of weirwood, 30 wains of white granite, and 180 Crowns in labour costs. The Sansar have requested that such a market be built in either Dawnguard or Murderdale to be close to the well-defended centres of civilisation. Once constructed, the Moonsong Market would act as a great work increasing investment in farms across the Barrens. It would also create an Imperial title - Moonsong Reeve - that would be responsible for representing Dawn in any negotiations with the Faraden merchants, and smoothing over any issues that arise with their trade in Dawn.

There is one other matter - one that the Faraden are unaware of. As an economic position, the people of Dawn expect the Moonsong Reeve to be yeofolk. If the title is held by a noble, it will result in the benefits of the great work being halved as Dawnish farmers look askance at the Faraden merchants and their association with a noble demeaning the glory of Dawn.

Tethros i Zuhri i Erigo, Ambassador to the Iron Confederacy

The Iron Confederacy

• The Iron Confederacy remains at peace with the Empire
• They have recently moved a major military force into the islands off the coast of Feroz

The Iron Confederacy

• Status: Foreigner
• Ports: Robec
• Ambassador: Tethros i Zuhri i Erigo

The Suranni lie to the south of the Empire. They are a secretive nation, bound up in tradition and suspicion. While they are currently at peace with the Empire, even accepting merchants and traders into their lands, they are certainly not friends. Recent events have seen them, like the Faraden, caught between the Liberty Pact and the pro-slavery Freedom Accord. Yet where Faraden feels it must play a delicate balancing act, the Suranni Dukes are more confident in their power and prepared to play Imperial and Asavean interests off against each other.

The Suranni ambassador to the Empire is Baroness Katerine Lavasse of Meore, who operates from the Tour Lavasse in Chaubrette, a territory unknown to Imperial citizens that apparently lies to the west of Veroigne. A noble naga, she replaced the significantly more dogmatic Jeanne de Hibernat, a High Priestess of the Suranni god Evra the Smith, Maiden of the Forge. She has already indicated that she is very much more pragmatic than her predecessor and more interested in compromise. She still reports to the Dukes of the Iron Confederacy, however, and so her apparent goodwill toward the Empire cannot be relied upon.

Suranni Pleasantries

• General pleasantries and diplomatic matters have been touched on
• The Iron Confederacy remains at peace with the Empire

Ambassador Tethros has apparently informed Baroness Katerine that the Empire intends to attack Skallahn. This receives a slightly mixed response; the Suranni ambassador is not herself familiar with northern Jotun lands. Her response is to congratulate the Empire on seeking to conquer orc lands, and indicates that the news was met with a great deal of interest among some of the more martial Dukes.

The matter of Faraden was also raised, and Baroness Katerine, perhaps a little surprisingly, agrees that Asavean influence over the neighbouring nation is less than ideal. While the Suranni are capable of keeping the agents of the Plenum at arms' length, and ensuring they gain benefits from their association without becoming tainted, they are less confident that the Faraden can achieve the same.

In somewhat delicate tones, Baroness Katerine writes that the Suranni obviously have their own relationship with Faraden - distinct from the Empire - and their own trade routes. They are exploring their own avenues to reduce Asavean influence, but at this time they are reticent about collaborating with the Empire. With the best will in the world, the Empire's tendency to - no offence - blunder in like a drunk in a glassworks, do not predispose the Suranni to share too much at this time. If the Ambassador can be more specific about proposals for joint action with regard to the Faraden that do not risk souring the Suranni relationship with the Asaveans unnecessarily, then the Dukes are certainly interested to discuss those plans.

With regard to trade, the Baroness is generally positive about trade with the port of Robec and entirely sees where the Ambassador is coming from when they talk of more secure overland trade routes. Suranni merchants have long seen the town of Bramar in Feroz as the ideal destination for those looking to trade with the Empire. From there the more adventurous could travel to Siroc, or even further north across the Spider's Dream bridge. However, as the Suranni understand it a recent natural disaster has severed easy trade routes between Feroz and the rest of the Empire. Is there any news of when these will be restored? That would likely be the first step toward securing a commitment to a trade ministry in the Empire.

Kobol the Warrior is the uncompromising Iron Confederacy god of warriors and battle.

Cazar and the Wings of Kobol

• The Iron Confederacy has smashed the Children of Wrecks in Feroz
• Suranni forces have claimed the Cazar Straits for the Confederacy
• The Dukes intend to attack Free Landing after the Spring Equinox if the Empire has not dealt with the Wreckers by then
• While no treaty has been agreed, Freeborn citizens are free to leave the islands and ships from Feroz can pass through the waters

The Iron Confederacy has invaded Feroz; or rather they have attacked the Children of Wrecks on the Cazar Straits. As laid out in the Red skies wind of war, the Wings of Kobol navy brought two Suranni armies across the border from Kalino and smashed the Wreckers' grasp on the island chain. Those pirates and raiders who were not defeated in battle, or captured and executed, have been forced to flee. Most have gone north to Free Landing, but some have apparently chosen to quit the Bay of Catazar altogether. The Cazar Straits are now under the control of the Iron Confederacy.

Following the attack and "liberation" of the islands, Baroness Katerine delivers a message from the Suranni Dukes. It has been too long since the pirates invoked the power of Dumon to help them seize the islands to the north of Arbonne, which they have been using as a base to attack the coast of the Iron Confederacy. Over a year ago they launched a raid against Axiom Prison and released many dangerous prisoners including a large number of corrupt wizards. While there has been some diplomatic attempt to find common ground for a joint effort against the Children, that have come to nothing. With this decisive action, the Iron Confederacy has shown that it will not tolerate criminals and pirates threatening their borders.

Diplomatic channels were used during the Autumn Equinox to inform Imperial officials of the Suranni intentions. During that time there was discussion of a treaty, but after due consideration the Dukes believe that it is too soon to commit to any formal agreement while there is still a major Children of Wrecks presence just north of their lands - by which they pointedly mean their new holdings in the Cazar Straits. The work done at the Autumn Equinox by Baronets Marquette Lavasse and Vauquelin Lavasse, during which they met informally with multiple Imperial luminaries have indicated that there is certainly a foundation for a formal treaty to secure relations between the Confederacy and the Empire; but the time to discuss it is once the immediate threat is ended.

Baroness Katerine appears to be aware that the Empire planned their own assault on the Children of Wrecks following the Autumn Equinox, but apparently expected it to be aimed at Free Landing. Her missive lays out that the Dukes plan to take a season ensuring that the last corrupt elements are removed from the islands of Cazar. Then, if the Empire has not already dealt with them, they will attack the Wreckers in Free Landing with an eye towards dealing with them as they have their "friends" in the south. It is important for Ambassador Tethros to understand that if the Wings of Kobol are called on to free the Madrugan islands, they will likewise be considered part of the Iron Confederacy. After that, though, there will be plenty of time to discuss how to proceed. In particular, she wishes to commend Senator Laurencio Lemmini di Sarvos whose passionate words went some way toward reassuring the Dukes that the Empire was in the process of dealing with the Pirates of Dumon and should be given a little space to do so.

The Baroness does however reiterate that as far as the Dukes are concerned, they have taken enemy territory away from criminals who made war on the Suranni people. The islands of Cazar are now theirs, by right of conquest. This, says Katerine, is not a matter for debate - the facts speak for themselves. The same will be true if they are forced to deal with the pirates of Free Landing.

However, in recognition of the historic presence of the people of the Brass Coast here, there are certain humanitarian concessions the Dukes have instructed Baroness Katerine to lay out. Any Imperial citizen that was trapped in the Cazar Straits when they were conquered by the Grendel, and then seized by the Pirates of Dumon, is absolutely free to leave; indeed they are encouraged to depart. Suranni ships stand ready to repatriate them to the mainland, and there will be no bar to Freeborn vessels that wish to come collect their countryfolk.

The Iron Confederacy is also open to suggestions about how best to arrange matters with regard to Imperial ships leaving or entering Feroz. Obviously, with control of the Cazar Straits, the Suranni could potentially cut the Freeborn territory off from the Bay of Catazar entirely. There is no reason for them to do so at the moment; indeed Baroness Katerine expresses the hope that recent successes with trade can be built on to encourage Imperial merchants to visit the Straits. This means that there will be no disadvantage to the Freeborn busy rebuilding their homes in the ruined territory from the Suranni.

The civil service advise that this communication should not be taken entirely at face value. Reading between the lines, it seems that Baroness Katerine isn't completely happy with the decision of the Dukes. Over the last few years, she has demonstrated a preference for a more nuanced, diplomatic approach to relations with the Empire. At the end of the day though, it is the Dukes who make the decisions. The rulers of the Iron Confederacy are naga, and while they can be subtle, they are still passionate and avaricious.

The proposal of a treaty once the Children of Wrecks are finally beaten seems genuine, and it is possible that one of the reasons the Suranni are not rolling straight into Free Landing is to give Ambassador Tethros a chance to put forward a proposal of their own.

Watt of Lambrook, Minister of Historical Research

Marko and the March of History

• Marko Siwarsbairn is still in the Iron Confederacy

The saga of Marko Siwarsbairn continues to drag on. Following the dispute over the historical research the Wintermark scholar had been compiling on Iron Confederacy military history, the Ambassador passed along words from the Minister of Historical Research Watt Lambrook: "My researcher is correct that I hold the right to view such reports first. However, since this was understandably not known at the time I will oblige that this once you may also read the report Marko has written before he leaves."

Baroness Katerine thanks the Minister for their words, and understands that this is a concession. However as the Winter Solstice draws closer it seems Marko has still not returned from the Iron Confederacy. A late message to the Imperial embassy indicates that on reading the Siwarsbairn Report it was clear to the Baroness that there were several significant errors and misconceptions in the document. Rather than suggest Marko scrap their hard work and start again, Baroness of Meore has offered the assistance of some of her own staff to correct those errors. She is confident that the report will be much more useful as an artifact of truth, rather than something riddled with errors. She anticipates that unless anything else goes wrong, Marko will be safely back in the Empire with a well-researched document in time for the Spring Equinox.

The Minister need not worry; Baroness Katerine is more than happy to continue to serve as gracious host to Marko Siwarsbairn, and supply the support they need at her own expense. It is the least she can do as a student of history herself, committed to increasing understanding between her nation and the Empire. She also mentions that the gods clearly inspired Marko to make their errors; if they had set off from Meore on schedule this season they would doubtless have ended up caught in the events unfolding in Arbonne.

Dumon the Liar, the Wicked One

Unfolding in Arbonne

• Arbonne has been subject to a serious Winter curse
• The priests of the Veiled Shrine claim an oracle has implicated Imperial citizens in the curse
• Baroness Katerine asks the Ambassador to encourage Imperial citizens to track down those responsible

Shortly after the Spring Equinox, the dukedom of Kalino - which the Suranni call Arbonne - was struck with a blight that withered crops and saw vermin multiply across the territory. The priests of Kavol quickly identified that this was a curse drawn down by wicked sorcerers working with the aid of the Lying God. The curse ran its course, and despite some food shortages in Arbonne, the worst appeared to be over. This assumption was, unfortunately, premature.

Just after the Autumn Equinox another curse fell on Arbonne, and this was orders of magnitude worse than the blight that struck in Spring. The first sign was unseasonably bad weather than ruined crops before they could be gathered; it was swiftly followed by a wave of sickness that incapacitated the weak and the strong alike. Then, on the night of the first new moon, demonic angels of Dumon emerged from the shadows bent on murder and corruption. The worst of them took on the forms of dead orcs, the Lasambrians who had once squatted in the hills here. Their witchcraft brought more terror and destruction to the people and serfs of Arbonne. Worse, among their numbers were revenants that appeared in the form of dead Suranni and even in a few cases what looked to be Imperial knights.

This was again seen as a sign that the gods were angry with the Duke of Arbonne, but again the Priests of Kavol investigated the matter and determined that it was nothing more than another terrible curse from the servants of Dumon. This time, though, this reassurance has done little to quell discontent in the territory. Crops fail from time to time, as a test from the gods, but this unspeakable infestation of demons and revenants is an entirely different matter. The position of the Duke of Arbonne is extremely shaky; if a third curse strikes the territory they will have little choice but to step aside in favour of one of their heirs. Baroness Katerine confidently paints the heirs to the current Duke as competent, wise people but there is an edge to her words that suggests she is not entirely confident about what she is saying.

While the curse is bad, it would normally be a matter for the Iron Confederacy to resolve. Unfortunately, there is an unlooked for wrinkle here. Among the priests of Kavol there are some sects charged with specific duties within the Confederacy. The priests of the Veiled Shrine are charged to root out heretics and servants of Dumon who consort with demons. The Veiled God has sent a sign to them, warning them that while the curse comes from the servants of the God of Corruption, they could not have achieved this terrible working without aid. Specifically, through oracles and visionary dreams, Kavol has given a warning that the power to place the curse came from the Empire.

Baroness Katerine is not a fool; she doesn't believe the Empire has cursed Arbonne. There's simply no evidence of it. Unfortunately, the priests of the Veiled Shrine are adamant that there is Imperial entanglement in this event. She asks that the Ambassador do whatever it takes to find out who has provided the Hand of Dumon with the wherewithal to lay a curse of this magnitude on Arbonne. Given that working with the Hand is a crime in the Empire, she presumes that Imperial justice likewise has a vested interest in tracking down whoever it is that is supporting these monstrous sorcerers. The Dukes cannot countenance Imperial support for the Hand of Dumon, and if it comes out that Imperial citizens were flouting the laws made by the Senate in this regard it would shake confidence in those who pointed to the agreement as a positive step in international relations. Which includes Baroness Katerine of course.

Obviously, the one thing every Imperial citizen can be absolutely certain of, is that "the Veiled God" definitely did not tell the Iron Confederacy anything, given they don't actually exist. However they note that Baroness Katerine refers to "angels" more than once, which is either a tulpa or much more likely, a herald of some eternal that is up to no good. If it is the latter, the finger of suspicion must point at either Basileia or the Whisper Gallery, either of which would sell the Empire out in a heartbeat. The City of Locks trades in treachery, espionage and secrets, while the Shadow Courtiers are literally obsessed with secrets. On paper, it is more likely to be the Princess of Weirs; since the Concilium of the Perjured Throne is under enmity, the only way they could be mixed up in all this is if that was being subverted by members of the Conclave.

It's unfortunate that the Empire does not have a workable map of Arbonne, so rituals such as Eye of the High Places will not be able to find anything useful. From the description, however, it seems that the curse might have been the result of a potent Winter magic ritual of high magnitude - at least eightieth and perhaps higher.

Sumaah Republic

• The Sumaah Republic is an empire devoted to an orthodox interpretation of the Way
• The Sumaah Republic remain allies of the Empire in the Liberty Pact

The Sumaah Republic are simultaneously allies of, and rivals to, the Empire. Their shared practice of the Way both provide them with common ground, and divides them over questions of orthodoxy. As founding members of the Liberty Pact, their ties to the Empire have been strengthened, and they have been closely involved in bringing ruin to those involved in the abhorrent practice of slavery. At the moment they are focused on their war with the Asavean Archipelago, but they remain committed to spreading the Way through the entire world. In gratitude for major aid from the Empire in repulsing an Asavean assault against the port of Zemeh, the Sumaah have committed to sharing a dose of true liao with the Empire every season "until the Plenum falls and the Way is spread to the Archipelago." Relations with the grateful Sumaash, which have been bumpy in the past, are now better than ever.

Sumaah Republic

• Status: Foreigner
• Ports: Zemeh
• Ambassador: Accalon of Highguard

The Sumaah ambassador to the Empire is Oxtitocszin, who holds the rank of Censor of wood, metal and stone and is a member of the High House of Pride (the Sumaah equivalent of the Pride Assembly, but with significantly more responsibility and leeway to pursue foreign diplomacy). They advise not just the Sumaah präster, but the House of the People (the Sumaah equivalent of the Imperial Senate). By all accounts they are an even-handed, level-headed individual, and a devout practitioner of the Way.

Liberty

• The Sumaah are sending a representative to the Liberty Pact meeting

The Sumaah are, of course, sending an emissary to the Liberty Pact meeting. Oxtitocszin indicates the Sumaah attitude to the Pact has not shifted. They still intend to propose the amendment to the pact mentioned last season, to centre the Way in the approach of the Liberty Pact to defeating the evil of slavery. Apparently, the Sumaah representatives to the Pact are a little surprised that the Empire are not raising any amendments to the Pact themselves, but appreciate that this may simply be because the status quo serves their interests more effectively.

Accalon of Felix's Watch, Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic

Ambassador Accalon's words relating to the removal of Axos from the pact has not inspired them to revisit the matter but they wish the Ambassador to be apprised that they will vote with the Commonwealth on this matter. Unfortunately, Sumaah is not in a position to launch a full-scale invasion of the Asavean Archipelago. Were there any chance that such an attack might be practical, they would already be undertaking it. Oxtitocszin gently suggests that even if they were holding off for some reason, the Ambassador's proposal that the Empire would help remove Axos from the Pact would by no means be sufficient inducement for them to do so. The Sumaah Republic intends to let virtue guide their approach to the Pact and the Axou, as they do everything else. They would expect the Empire to do the same.

Further details of the Sumaah involvement in the Liberty Pact meeting can be found in the My soul at liberty wind of fortune.

Gift of Pride (Redux)

• The House of the People delayed their shipment of white granite at the request of Ambassador Accalon
• After the Winter Solstice there is an opportunity for Imperial fleet captains to escort the shipment to the Brass Coast

At the request of the people of the Brass Coast, as relayed to the Sumaah by Ambassador Accalon, they have delayed the shipment intended to offer aid in rebuilding. The white granite is still in the Republic, waiting an escort of Imperial vessels to help it reach the shores of the Bay of Catazar. The House of the People recognises that dealing with the threat of the Children of Wrecks takes priority. The Cardinal of the House of Vigilance, however does append a warning to the Freeborn not to allow the malign power of hevn to gain a foothold in their souls. "Hevn" is apparently an old-fashioned Sumaah term for the power of vengeance but with elements of Hatred. The Cardinal reminds their beloved Imperial cousins that to strike against enemies before they can harm you is vigilant but to pursue the destruction of those who have harmed you for selfish reasons is to invite corruption into ones soul.

Regardless, the House of the People have confirmed that the shipments of white granite await an Imperial escort. They warn, however, that they cannot afford to delay their gift for another season. The Asavean Archipelago already seems to have gotten wind of what is planned, and any further wait will surely see the Sumaah ships attacked and sunk regardless of the presence of Imperial vessels.

You can read about this opportunity in last seasons Drowned in tears wind of fortune.

Icon of Zemress

Inspiration of Zemress

• A renowned Frieøyer captain has come to study at the Zemress Naval Academy along Sumaah sailors and shipwrights
• Their support has helped to unlock the full potential of the Academy and the Empire's naval forces

While war rages in the seas of Sarvos and Madruga, a Sumaah ship appears at the docks in Calvos. It looks a little the worse for wear, showing signs of having sustained significant damage recently. It turns out to be the ship of Bjarna Xicot of the Frieøyer - the former pirates inspired by the paragon Zemress - who has come to study at the Zemress Naval Academy along with a boatload of Sumaah students. Unfortunately, along the way, they fell afoul of Asavaean privateers and only just managed to escape with their lives and their vessel.

The Sumaah quickly make themselves at home; the Frieøyer among their number have all fought alongside Imperial fleet captains before, during the fight against Asavea last year. The others are a combination of pilgrims of Prosperity, scholars, and shipwrights. Sumaah does not have anything to match the naval prowess of Asavea but like the Empire they have their traditions of building warships. Without them, the Asaveans would likely have conquered swathes of their coastline in the centuries of war.

Bjarna Xicot brings with her a gift - or rather, she and her companions are the gift. A gift not from the House of the People or the High Houses of Virtue but from the Frieøyer themselves. It is in part a gift of gratitude for the Imperial sailors who fought alongside them, partly a gift of Pride, but mostly a gift to recognise the shared love of Zemress between the Frieøyer and the Brass Coast. The artisans and veteran mariners who accompany Bjarna are here to stay, they are eager to study at the Academy and learn what they can from the Freeborn masters of the sea, but they also bring knowledge and skills of their own, which they are enthusiastic to share. They bring with them a small library of plans and books dedicated to the art of the shipwright, translated painstakingly from their original tongue into Imperial.

Studying together, the two groups are able to achieve a breakthrough. The Academy has been steadily creating designs for new warships, trying to match the qualities of the navies of the Grendel and the Asaveans. The school has done a remarkable job building up Imperial expertise, but with the information the Frieøyer have provided has helped to complete that program of study. The academy has discovered everything they can - all that remains now is to put that knowledge into practice.

That means building some navies, but it also means spreading the knowledge they have gained far and wide across the Empire. Excited at the prospects of sharing what they have learned with everyone in the Empire, the Academy soon empties out, as people make arrangements to visit one or more of the other nations. After-all - "all that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it."

The main advantage of spreading this knowledge far and wide is that shipwrights will be able to build vessels better suited to a nation's ideals. Local shipwrights can build on the skills and learning shared by the staff of the former Zemress Academy to create something more in keeping with local traditions. Freeborn navies might be well-suited to plunder, while a Dawnish warship might be built for glory!

What that means now, is that any navy built by the Empire would have access to a set of three or more qualities just like an army. Going forward, similar to the rules that cover army qualities, the Senator who musters a navy will be given a list of qualities to choose from reflecting their nation and the narrative surrounding the navy's creation. These will be drawn from the list of standard qualities, but through opportunities or appraisals, more unique qualities may be on offer.

Legacy

• The Synod lists the Krakens' Bane as a memorial to Zemress
• The Wreckers destroyed the beautiful seminary constructed in her memory
• The potential exists to create a truly inspirational memorial to Zemress
• Any edifice would be more inspirational if the General Assembly recognise Zemress as a paragon

The Zemress Naval Academy now stands empty. Its great work complete, the staff have fanned out across the Empire, taking the new learning with them. The power to develop qualities is no longer available or needed. However, the building still stands, and it still attracts the best shipwrights from across the Brass Coast and beyond. This is the site that raised Imperial naval traditions to the point where they could rival - at least in theory - those of the Grendel or the Asaveans. The Frieøyer came half way across the world to study here.

This incredible legacy should be preserved. When the Seminary of Zemress was destroyed, the Kraken's Bane was left untouched. It bears a true aura of Prosperity, placed there by Gilah, daughter of the Chantry with the approval of the Assembly of Prosperity. The beautiful building that once celebrated the life of this iconic Freeborn hero was destroyed, but the potential exists to rebuild it into something even more inspirational.

No true liao would be needed, but a new edifice of some kind is needed. The more grandiose the building, the more inspirational it would be. However, the other thing that would help to remind everyone of the importance of the site, is if the Freeborn were able to convince the General Assembly to recognise Zemress as a paragon. After-all... what more powerful a legacy could exist than the triumph of the Zemress Naval Academy?

Freeborn architects intend to bring a range of plans forward to create a new building to celebrate Zemress' life later this year. They want to give their fellow Freeborn time to persuade the Synod of the truth of their claims - that Zemress i Ezmara i Erigo has passed through the Labyrinth. If the Synod act to recognise Zemress as a paragon, they will publish their ideas before the next summit, otherwise they will publish them in a year's time.

OOC Note

The Zemress Naval Academy, and its approach to determining qualities for navies, was rooted in an earlier vision of how navies worked. As we've developed our approach to armies, it's become more clear that we should be treating navies in the same way we do armies - that they should have strong identities tied to the nation that supports them. As such, the existing abilities of the Academy to build up a small list of qualities based on the design of the ships themselves has become outmoded. The in-character rationale for the rules change is that the arrival of the Frieøyer has helped the Academy achieve its ultimate goals and allowed them to spread knowledge of advanced ship-building right across the Empire.

Rather than simply have the Naval Academy become a white elephant, we'll present an opportunity to build on the consecrated location dedicated to Zemress later this year, to give the Empire an opportunity to rededicate the site with a new purpose.

Tsark

• The people of Tsark keep the Empire at arms' length
• The Imperial Consul is technically responsible for diplomatic relations with the Mountains of the Moon

During the Autumn Equinox, a delegation from the Mountains of the Moon visited visited Anvil. They spoke with a number of people, and by all accounts the discussions were somewhat fruitful. The people of Tsark - the orc nation that occupies the shallow basin surrounded by the Mountains - have so far kept the Empire very much at arms' length. Following their visit, however, they have made an approach to the civil service and asked their assistance in preparing some proposals to put before the Empire.

Garden of the Perfect World

Garden of the Perfect World

Commission Type: Ministry

Location: Occursion, Zenith

Cost: 15 weirwood, 45 crowns labour costs

Time: three months

Availability: Open-ended

Effects: Creates a ministry and the title of Seeker of the Perfect World

Seeker of the Perfect World

Type: Urizen National

Appointment: Urizen National Assembly

Powers: Oversees the Garden of the Perfect World

Responsibilities: To look after the Garden of the Perfect World, and to help the people of Tsark trade with the Empire

Availability: Until the end of the Autumn Equinox 388YE

Limitations: The benefits are lost if the Empire and Tsark are no longer friendly

Wood and Stone
4 weirwood	4 white granite
6 weirwood	6 white granite
8 weirwood	8 white granite

Spirits and Stone
40 liao	1 white granite
90 liao	2 white granite
150 liao	3 white granite

• There is an opportunity to build a ministry to trade for Tsark's white granite

Tsark resists the idea of an embassy. By all accounts they see the Empire as a place of chaos and turmoil, very much at odds with the ordered and harmonious life they lead in the high mountains east of Urizen. For centuries they have hidden away from Imperial eyes, discouraging anyone from visiting their home with mighty fortifications and memory-altering drugs. Now, however, it seems that they are prepared to countenance some limited trade with Imperial citizens, with an eye toward acquiring substances that are rare or unknown in Tsark. With the aid of the civil service they have put forward a proposal for the grandiosely titled Garden of the Perfect World.

The garden would be a special ministry built in the foothills of Occursion in southern Zenith. They expect the Empire to undertake the construction. Despite its majestic name, the actual commission requires only 15 wains of weirwood and 45 crowns in labour. It would take three months to complete. It takes the form of a meditative garden, built in the style of Tsark. Quiet chimes are hung from carefully selected trees, and what appears to be a traditional Tsark meeting hall stands along the southern side of the garden. The commission also involves beautiful flowering plants, some from Urizen and some from Tsark.

Once complete the Mountains of the Moon would create the title Seeker of the Perfect World to oversee it. They would be responsible for trading with the people of Tsark, and where the folk of the Mountains of the Moon reached out to the Empire they would be asked to facilitate any diplomacy or negotiations. It sounds a little like what they really want is an ambassador, but the leaders of Tsark are clear they do not. It seems they are concerned that they would have to build a reciprocal embassy themselves, and allow Imperial citizens into their lands, which they will not do.

The garden allows the Seeker of the Perfect World access to a ministry that lets them exchange their white granite from the Kamen Quarry for Imperial weirwood. They are also interested in acquiring some amount of liao - a substance not found in Tsark - for use by the human citizens of their nation. They are aware that the quantities they are asking for are quite significant and understand if the Empire doesn't want to take advantage of the trade.

Obviously as a ministry supported by a foreign nation, the ability to trade resources with Tsark is entirely dependant on continued diplomatic relations. Aware that the Empire is, perhaps rightly, concerned about what will happen if Tsark chooses to close itself off from the world again, they have agreed that if they end their trade with the Empire for any reason they will provide 15 wains of white granite to the Seeker of the Perfect World before they do so to pay for the resources spent in the construction of the ministry. If the Empire ends trade, of course, they will not feel the need to provide any restitution at all.

The opportunity remains available until the end of the Autumn Equinox 388YE.

Zaboravi

Garden of Peaceful Quietitude

Commission Type: Sinecure

Location: Wintermark

Cost: 12 weirwood, 36 crowns labour costs

Time: three months

Availability: Open-ended

Effects: Creates a sinecure and the title of Seeker of Quietitude

Seeker of Quietitude

Type: Wintermark National or Imperial

Appointment: Wintermark National Assembly or Imperial Apothecaries' Guild

Powers: Receives 12 doses of zaboravi each season

Responsibilities: Oversees the Garden of Peaceful Quietitude; help cultivate zaboravi in Wintermark

• Tsark will help the people of Wintermark cultivate zaboravi
• The sinecure must be built in an alpine territory, in a region with hills and hot springs

The people of Tsark make use of an exotic drug called Zaboravi that has remarkable properties. Used correctly, it allows an individual to edit their own memories in a manner similar to Cast Off The Chain of Memory. According to the folk from the Mountains of the Moon, Night magic is a crude tool for altering one's memories, equivalent to a spade or a pickaxe - partly because of the raw magic involved and partly because the impetus to forget comes from outside the self. Zaboravi is a more gentle, harmonious way to alter ones recollections, because all it does is empower the one who uses it to choose how to shape their own remembered past.

There has been discussion of seeing if the plant that produces zaboravi will prosper in Wintermark; the farmers there have already had some success with cultivating viezesmaak for the Sarcophan Delves, and there is interest in seeing if they might be able to do the same with the Tsark drug. There is talk of zaboravi being invaluable to physicks dealing with people suffering emotional or spiritual wounds caused by terrible events. Tsark is broadly positive about facilitating such a thing - they are not jealous of their control of zaboravi and see the value of using it to help those whose spirits are in discord find peace.

Again, with the help of the civil service, they have put forward a proposal for a commission in Wintermark. The Garden of Peaceful Quietude is a sinecure that will require 12 wains of weirwood and 36 crowns in labour to complete, taking three months to construct. It will create a title - Seeker of Quietude - who will oversee the efforts to cultivate zaboravi. Each season, the gardeners of Tsark believe it will produce 12 doses of zaboravi for the Seeker, presuming that the location is conducive and the gardeners follow their instructions to the letter. The initial proposal from Tsark is that the Seeker of Quietude be appointed by the Wintermark National Assembly - zaboravi is after all a spiritual substance. The civil service however have pointed out that as a unique herb it might be more appropriate to see the title appointed by the Imperial Apothecaries Guild. Tsark has indicated that it is happy either way as long as the drug is treated with the reverence they feel it deserves. Notably, once the plant is established, however, its continued cultivation will require no further interaction with Tsark, so it will not be dependant on good relations continuing with the nation.

The only real restriction they place on it is that for the zaboravi to prosper it needs three things; a cool climate, as much altitude as possible, and access to geothermal hot springs. Apparently the folk of Wintermark that the visitors spoke to were confident they knew just the place.

The civil service have assessed the proposal, and indicated that the plans the people of Tsark have provided could also allow similar gardens to be built in other alpine locations - specifically Skarsind, northern Hercynia, and northern Varushka. The main challenge would be finding suitable locations, which would require an appraisal. The only limitation would be that such an appraisal couldn't be undertaken until the Empire had a source of the plant itself - so not until the Garden of Peaceful Quietude was completed.

Ushabti and Rice

• Some folk in Tsark are interested in both Ushabti and the Golden Cascade
• Further discussion waits the completion of the Garden of the Perfect World

During their visit, the subject of both ushabti and the Golden Cascade were raised. By all accounts the visitors from Tsark were interested, but cautious. The leaders of the nation have determined that while they are curious about both the odd constructs that seem to work best at high altitude, and the ambitious great work that provides food for much of Zenith and indeed the nation as a whole, any further discussion will have to wait until the Garden of the Perfect World is completed. Or not, as the case may be.

Tarquinius Ankarien (left), former Ambassador to Axos, has apparently been charged to speak with the Skourans by the Imperial Consul.

Skoura

• The nation of Skoura lies to the east of Mareave
• While they are keeping the Empire at arms' length the two nations are at peace
• The Imperial Consul is responsible for diplomacy with Skoura

The message from Talker Garra, Delvemistress of Skoura, that arrives in Mareave midway through the season is neatly written on tough parchment. It begins by thanking Tarquinius Ankarien for their understanding - they would indeed prefer to deal with the Imperial Orcs as much as possible and would prefer that if the Imperial Consul chooses to delegate communication they do so with that in mind. The Unshackled are their neighbours, and there is still some distance to go before Skoura is entirely happy dealing with the wider Empire. The Delvemistress is happy to trust the good sense of Pathfinder Gaddak in this matter.

Establishing a permanent embassy would be a significant step in relations between the mountainfolk and the Empire - and one that they are not entirely sure they are ready to make. Accepting an Imperial ambassador would be a serious matter, and would mean that their interaction with Imperial citizens will have evolved beyond the point of a small number of trade agreements with the people of Mareave. The first question that Talker Garra has is, can the Imperial Consul confirm that the Empire is prepared to commit to appointing an Unshackled to the position, at least for the time being? The second question is, what form would the Empire expect an embassy to take, and what commitments would be required from Skoura? Obviously they would require any embassy to be built in Mareave; presumably the Empire would expect an embassy to be built in Skoura as well? In all honesty, writes Delvemistress Garra, the fact that the Empire changes its ambassadors often is seen as something of a problem with the more conservative members of their nation. Needing to re-establish relations each time a new ambassador is appointed represents a significant investment of time and trust.

The Skourans are pleased to hear that the Empire has no intention of sending spies into their lands. The Skourans are a private people - it is not that they have things to hide so much as that they would prefer to build their relationship with the Empire carefully, and on a foundation of mutual trust.

Trade and Artisans

• The Geltcourse Trade Security Council have confirmed they are willing to investigate further trade with the Imperial Orcs
• They require the Senate to recognise the Artisans Guild as an Imperial sodality before further plans are developed

There is one matter that could, apparently, increase Skouran enthusiasm for building that relationship more quickly. The Geltcourse Trade Security Council first visited Anvil six months ago, at the Summer Solstice 387YE. There, they discussed the nature of trade and the potential for long-term trade with the Imperial Orcs in Mareave. The Geltcourse Trade Security Council have finished their deliberations and is interested in a formalised arrangement.

However, the Geltcourse Trade Security Council are one and all respectful of the art of the artisan, and the inherent strength that comes with a recognised central authority. As such, they are unwilling to go further with a formal arrangement unless the Artisans Guild is recognised as an Imperial sodality by the Senate and ratified by the Throne. The representative of the Geltcourse Trade Security Council makes clear that this is not a slight on the Unshackled; they sincerely hope to have future dealings with the orcs of Mareave. Unfortunately, this is a red line for the Geltcourse Trade Security Council if they are to cultivate trade with the Empire as a whole rather than just their neighbours on the lower slopes.

Defensive War

• Skoura is prepared to send 500 troops to support Rucraic's Redoubt following the Winter Solstice
• In return they require a payment of 50 measures of dragonbone

The discussion about armies and "defensive war" is interesting, and does indeed show how different the strategies of Skoura and the Empire have become. Most Skourans would see armies as something that supplements the sturdy fortification of a territory, an adjunct to the defence rather than the primary component. Fortunately, given that the Unshackled have completed Ruicraic's Redoubt, it is that much more likely they will be able to resist the Grendel.

With that in mind, the Delvemistress offers to dispatch a cadre of Skouran war-engineers to Rucraic's Redoubt, to bolster the garrison there and help to fight the Grendel. After some further questions, the civil service determine that a "cadre" in this case represents a fighting strength of 500, equivalent to five military units. In return, the Skouran commanders require 50 measures of dragonbone, delivered in advance by either the Imperial Consul or Senator Pathfinder. Given the situation, the Delvemistress mentions that if they are prepared to provide an additional thirty crystal mana as well, she will ensure that the cadre is suitable enchanted with the might of the mountains - sufficient to increase the strength they will contribute to 1000 force. (OOC Note: If the Consul or the Senator wishes to take up this offer, they will need to ensure the resources are handed in at the end of the event and then email plot@profounddecisions.co.uk to confirm they wish them to be transferred to Skoura).

The Skouran Talker suggests that while this military support is not great given the scale the Empire works on, it is as much about testing the waters as anything else. It will also give the warrior-engineers an opportunity to examine the stonework of Rucraic's Redoubt, which they apparently see as an additional benefit.

Further Reading

• Faraden
• Iron Confederacy
• Sumaah Republic
• Tsark
• Skoura