Benefactor of High Chalcis
No edit summary |
m (→History=) |
||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
Coupled with the [[Iron_and_wine|coronation message]] of [[Empress Lisabetta]] (and in the wake of the [[Spring magic]] that washed over the territory in early 380YE), the establishment of the gardens has been seen as a "call to arms" for many of the Empire's healers. A number of physicians, chirurgeons, herbalists, and apothecaries, both from Highguard and across the wider Empire, have relocated to Reikos to help in the rebuilding - and in establishing the territory as the centre for the healing arts in the Empire. | Coupled with the [[Iron_and_wine|coronation message]] of [[Empress Lisabetta]] (and in the wake of the [[Spring magic]] that washed over the territory in early 380YE), the establishment of the gardens has been seen as a "call to arms" for many of the Empire's healers. A number of physicians, chirurgeons, herbalists, and apothecaries, both from Highguard and across the wider Empire, have relocated to Reikos to help in the rebuilding - and in establishing the territory as the centre for the healing arts in the Empire. | ||
Next to the Gardens stands the Reikos Counting House, a structure [[Forwards_and_Rewards#High_Benefits|proposed]] by Jemimah of Chalcis Ford in the wake of designs for similar counting houses across various territories, the idea of Dialogos of Urizen. Within the Counting House, larger than the others commissioned by the Senate, sit the offices of the Benefactor of High Chalcis. In addition to receiving donations of herbs from the citizens of Reikos, the Benefactor has the power to redirect the bounty of herbs the Gardens provides towards a worthy cause - where suitably identified as an [[opportunity]] by the Civil Service. | Next to the Gardens stands the Reikos Counting House, a structure [[Forwards_and_Rewards#High_Benefits|proposed]] by Jemimah of Chalcis Ford in the wake of designs for similar counting houses across various territories, the idea of Dialogos of Urizen. Within the Counting House, larger than the others commissioned by the Senate, sit the offices of the Benefactor of High Chalcis. In addition to receiving donations of herbs from the citizens of Reikos, the Benefactor has the power to redirect the bounty of herbs the Gardens provides towards a worthy cause - where suitably identified as an [[opportunity]] by the Civil Service. | ||
==History=== | ===History=== | ||
Said to contain every kind of flower, fruit and herb in the known world, this walled sanctuary was once a haven of tranquillity and the study of the healing arts. While much of the gardens were given over to the study of healing herbs, it was also maintained as a conservatory where examples of plants brought from all over the world were cultivated and studied. When [[#High Chalcis|High Chalcis]] fell to the Druj in 367YE, the gardens were been gutted and enslaved Highborn forced to toil to produce herbs and poisons for use by the barbarian invaders. | Said to contain every kind of flower, fruit and herb in the known world, this walled sanctuary was once a haven of tranquillity and the study of the healing arts. While much of the gardens were given over to the study of healing herbs, it was also maintained as a conservatory where examples of plants brought from all over the world were cultivated and studied. When [[#High Chalcis|High Chalcis]] fell to the Druj in 367YE, the gardens were been gutted and enslaved Highborn forced to toil to produce herbs and poisons for use by the barbarian invaders. | ||
Latest revision as of 13:20, 15 August 2026
Overview
The Benefactor of High Chalcis is an Imperial title commissioned by the Imperial Senate in Winter 385YE in the wake of proposals by the architect Dialogos of Urizen.
Responsibilities
The Benefactor is responsible for using the bounty of the Gardens of High Chalcis to heal the virtuous throughout the Empire. If the Gardens were to be threatened in any way, it would be the responsibility of the Benefactor to deal with those threats.
Powers
Bounty of Herbs
The Benefactor receives donations from the people of Reikos, received from the bounty of the Gardens of High Chalcis. Each season they receive 8 drams each of true vervain, cerulean mazzarine, Imperial roseweald, marrowort and bladeroot.
Redirect the Bounty
If an appropriate opportunity has been identified by the Civil Service, the Benefactor may redirect the bounty of the Gardens of High Chalcis towards a specific situation in which the herbs would be of use. To use this power, the Benefactor provides an announcement to the Civil Service, who present the decision to the Senate. No voting is possible by the Senate at this point, as the power has been vested in the Benefactor. The Synod may, however, choose to exercise their veto over the Benefactor's decision.
If the bounty of the Gardens is redirected, then they will provide no benefit to the herb gardens of Reikos, nor will the Benefactor receive donations from the people of Reikos for as long as the redirection is in place.
Appointment
The Benefactor is a national position which is appointed by judgement of the Highborn assembly.
The Benefactor is appointed during the Summer Solstice each year. They can be revoked by the General Assembly, the Highborn Assembly, and the Assembly of the Nine.
| Summit | Elected | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Solstice 388YE | Enoch of Atun's Sanctuary | 210 Votes |
| Summer Solstice 387YE | Enoch of Atun's Sanctuary | 108 Votes |
| Summer Solstice 386YE | Enoch of Atun's Sanctuary | 184 Votes |
Recent Elections
This title is currently held by Enoch of Atun's Sanctuary; it will be reelected at Summer Solstice 389YE. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.
Gardens of High Chalcis
The Gardens of High Chalcis are a wonder to behold - a great open park that spreads across the hills of Chalcis Mount where once the settlement of High Chalcis stood. While much of the land is given over to the cultivation of herbs, there are also three beautiful gardens of remembrance dedicated to those who died in the Druj invasion, during the occupation, and during the liberation.
While all five of the powerful magical herbs are grown here, the crop of Imperial roseweald is expected to be particularly fine - perhaps appropriately so given its usefulness in treating the effects of venom and poisons. There are also areas given over to the propagation of more mundane herbs, as well as a young orchard and several small gardens exclusively given over to the cultivation of flowering plants.
In addition, a large number of Highborn tending the gardens, there is a significant population of Navarr herbalists and physicks mostly from the steading of Peakedge Song in Therunin. Some people are already half-seriously referring to "the steading of High Chalcis". This combination of Highborn and Navarr expertise has made great leaps in translating some of the Druj herb lore captured during the liberation of Reikos.
The beauty of the gardens is a balm for the spirit, but there are also facilities for tending to the bodies of those who suffered at the hands of the orcs. While the majority of the patients are survivors of the occupation or soldiers injured during the liberation, the hospitals of High Chalcis are open to anyone who needs the expertise of the healers gathering there.
Coupled with the coronation message of Empress Lisabetta (and in the wake of the Spring magic that washed over the territory in early 380YE), the establishment of the gardens has been seen as a "call to arms" for many of the Empire's healers. A number of physicians, chirurgeons, herbalists, and apothecaries, both from Highguard and across the wider Empire, have relocated to Reikos to help in the rebuilding - and in establishing the territory as the centre for the healing arts in the Empire. Next to the Gardens stands the Reikos Counting House, a structure proposed by Jemimah of Chalcis Ford in the wake of designs for similar counting houses across various territories, the idea of Dialogos of Urizen. Within the Counting House, larger than the others commissioned by the Senate, sit the offices of the Benefactor of High Chalcis. In addition to receiving donations of herbs from the citizens of Reikos, the Benefactor has the power to redirect the bounty of herbs the Gardens provides towards a worthy cause - where suitably identified as an opportunity by the Civil Service.
History
Said to contain every kind of flower, fruit and herb in the known world, this walled sanctuary was once a haven of tranquillity and the study of the healing arts. While much of the gardens were given over to the study of healing herbs, it was also maintained as a conservatory where examples of plants brought from all over the world were cultivated and studied. When High Chalcis fell to the Druj in 367YE, the gardens were been gutted and enslaved Highborn forced to toil to produce herbs and poisons for use by the barbarian invaders.
The Stone Toad orcs built a great fortification out of the town which they called Urith Barath. When the liberation began in earnest in 379YE, the orcs withdrew into their citadel and sealed the gates, fighting a slow war of attrition against Imperial forces. The citadel finally fell in Autumn 379YE, and shortly after the remaining Stone Toad forces were routed. The fortification was largely destroyed in the process, but the gardens survived - albeit in a form unrecognizable to the former gardeners. The subsequent rejuvenating magic, and the powerful enchantment placed on the Empire at the same time served to both remove the remaining ruins and encourage the growth and spread of the herb gardens. The herb gardens the Druj had built swiftly burst from their enclosures and claimed much of the area that had once been High Chalcis.
Distasteful as it is to admit, the Empire was able to learn several lessons from the study of Druj herb lore. Indeed, investigation of the Stone Toad gardens has already led directly to the development of new potions such as Black Star and Sorrow's Mask. The people of Peakedge Stead in Therunin expressed a particular interest in making Chalcis Mount flower again. As well as Highborn exiles eager to return home, the move was supported by Navarr who wished to express their gratitude to the Highborn following their role in the defence of the steading when the Druj attempted to invade the territory from Reikos.
In Summer 380YE, Rhesa of the Scions of Ravensfell, then acting as Highguard's Civilian Commissioner, oversaw the process of "taming" the wild Druj gardens and restoring them to some semblance of their original splendour. Work was finally completed shortly before the Winter Solstice 380YE.
In 381YE, the Imperial Senate voted to amend the use of the Gardens of High Chalcis to allow the herbs to be redistributed to the orcs of the Great Forest resident in Therunin. For a year, the Gardens provided no benefit to the herb gardens of Reikos but provided the orcs with a great bounty of herbs more than sufficient to meet their needs.